From the Editor’s Desk

Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy


Dear colleagues

Welcome to the first issue of 2019. We have several important and exciting manuscripts presented in this issue. There are a wide range of topics from the feasibility of same day discharge after Atrial Fibrillation ablation to the mortality benefit of Left Atrial Appendage Closure compared to warfarin. Murray etal examined the cost effectiveness of Cryoballoon therapy tries to connect the quality of life savings in the treatment of AF. Diaz etal present an interesting case series of Chaga’s disease related atrial arrhythmias. This manuscript brings to light the impact of myocardial fibrosis on the origin of atrial arrhythmias. A systematic review by Atti and colleagues showed that oral anticoagulation could be safely stopped 3 months after successful AF ablation in select populations.

On the education front, the 24th AF symposium moved back to Boston and was a huge success. Congratulations in order to Moussa Mansour, Jeremy Ruskin and other course directors. The international symposium on LAA (ISLAA2019) is due to happen on March 7th through 9th in Kansas City. I welcome you to join us at this premier event and learn more about LAA.

Best wishes




Dhanunjaya (DJ)Lakkireddy MD, FACC, FHRS Editor-in-Chief