11/10/2025 - PFA vs Cryo, but the real “Champion” might be the ILR

The Single Shot Champion trial compared pulsed field ablation (PFA) and cryoballoon ablation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, showing comparable safety and efficacy. While PFA had fewer recurrences and shorter procedures, the trial’s key innovation was continuous monitoring via implantable loop recorders, highlighting AF burden as a more relevant outcome measure than recurrence alone, signaling a paradigm shift in rhythm management.

Written by Doctor Luigi Cocchiara

11/09/2025 - PRESTIGE-AF: a new randomized trial to address stroke prevention in intracerebral haemorrhage survivors with atrial fibrillation

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most severe complication of long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. In ICH survivors the primary reason for using oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention is atrial fibrillation (AF). 

Written by Doctor Eleni Korompoki

11/08/2025 - Advancing Stroke Prevention in Carotid Atherosclerosis: The Clinical Relevance of Plaque Vulnerability Assessment

Carotid artery atherosclerosis is a key contributor to ischemic stroke. In this state-of-the-art review by Saba et al., the authors emphasize the importance of identifying high-risk plaques using modern imaging and biomarker analysis, regardless of luminal narrowing.

Written by Doctor Andrea Golle

11/07/2025 - Why Selective Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis may Currently be Appropriate: An Appraisal of the 2024 ESC Guidelines Position

The recently released 2024 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recognised that due to the low prevalence of >70% asymptomatic carotid stenosis (AsxCS) in the general population, as well as due to the lack of evidence that screening reduces stroke risk, widespread population-wide screening should not be recommended.

Written by Doctor Kosmas Paraskevas

11/06/2025 - Endovascular treatment of stroke due to medium vessel occlusion does not lead to better outcomes than usual care

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a well-established and effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion, with proven impact on patient mortality and functional outcomes. However, whether this benefit holds true for stroke due to medium-vessel occlusion is unclear

Written by Doctor Alberto Fisce

11/05/2025 - Lights and shadows about the OPTION trial

The OPTION trial is an international prospective study involving 1,600 patients who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients were randomised to receive either anticoagulant therapy (OAC) or left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device.

Written by Doctor Marco Micillo

11/04/2025 - Atrial Fibrillation Burden: New Consensus Definition

An international expert group, led by Prof. Dr. Wolfram Doehner, has proposed a standardized uniform definition of atrial fibrillation burden (AF burden). This recommendation is intended to enhance risk assessment, support therapeutic decision-making, and improve comparability in clinical studies.

Written by Professor Wolfram Doehner

10/03/2025 - Transforming the Management of AF-Related Stroke with Virtual Twins and AI: The TARGET Project

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart arrhythmia globally, leads to severe complications like AF-related stroke (AFRS), a debilitating condition with high mortality, long hospital stays, and poor recovery outcomes.

Written by Professor Sandra Ortega-Martorell & Doctor Ivan Olier-Caparroso

03/02/2025 - No evidence of stroke risk reduction in patients with atrial cardiopathy undergoing anticoagulation therapy for secondary prevention

Atrial cardiopathy is associated with stroke in the absence of clinically apparent atrial fibrillation. It is unknown whether anticoagulation, which has proven benefit in atrial fibrillation, prevents stroke in patients with atrial cardiopathy and no atrial fibrillation.

Written by Doctor Kevin Serafini

10/01/2025 - Association between exposure to air pollution and increased ischaemic stroke incidence: a retrospective population-based cohort study (EP-PARTICLES study)

Short-term effects of Polish smog, particularly benzo(alpha)pyrene [B(a)P], are unclear. We aimed to examine the association between short-term exposure to air pollution and ischaemic stroke (IS) incidence.

Written by Mr. Michal Swieczkowski

28/11/2024 - A new ESC consensus statement on stroke risk management in carotid atherosclerotic disease   

Carotid atherosclerotic disease (CarAD) is a prevalent condition worldwide, especially among the ageing population. It is a significant cause of ischemic strokes and serves as a marker for an increased risk of myocardial infarction and other ischaemic cardiovascular events. With CarAD underlying about 20% of strokes – many of which are disabling or fatal – optimal medical therapy and revascularization are crucial.

 Written by Doctor Marta Mantovani