Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction worsens prognosis in patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: The prognostic significance of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) severity in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the association of LVDD severity and elevated left atrial pressure (eLAP) with patient outcomes in stable, non-acutely decompensated patients with DCM.

Methods: This single-centre, retrospective, observational study involved 740 DCM patients (either inpatients or outpatients) managed at our tertiary cardiac centre between 2010 and 2021.

The burden of atrial fibrillation and its prognostic value in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, the epidemiology as well as clinical and prognostic significance of AF in DCM are poorly defined.

Aims: We aimed to assess the impact and prognostic value of AF in DCM as well as to investigate the concept of AF‑induced DCM.

The role of 99mTc-HMPAO-labelled white blood cell scintigraphy in the diagnosis of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis.

Aims: The hybrid technique of single-photon emission tomography and computed tomography with technetium99m-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime-labelled leucocytes (99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT) is an emerging diagnostic technique in patients with cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE). This prospective study assessed the 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT diagnostic profile and its added value to the modified Duke criteria (mDuke) in CDRIE diagnostic work-up.

Methods And Results: The study examined 103 consecutive patients with suspected CDRIE, who underwent 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT.

Kinetics of selected serum markers of fibrosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and different grades of diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle.

Background: Fibrosis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is common and compromises both systolic and diastolic function. The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetics of ECM fibrosis markers over a 12 month follow-up in patients with DCM based on the severity of diastolic dysfunction (DD).

Methods: Seventy consecutive DCM patients (48 ± 12.

99mTc-HMPAO-labeled leukocyte SPECT/CT and transthoracic echocardiography diagnostic value in infective endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease, establishing a diagnosis is often challenging. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of the combined use of single photon emission tomography and computed tomography with technetium99m-hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime-labeled leukocytes (99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT) with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with suspected IE. We enrolled 40 consecutive patients (12 females, 28 males, mean age: 58.

12-month patterns of serum markers of collagen synthesis, transforming growth factor and connective tissue growth factor are similar in new-onset and chronic dilated cardiomyopathy in patients both with and without cardiac fibrosis.

Background: The dynamics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrosis process in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) may be assessed non-invasively by means of serum markers of fibrosis.

Aim: To explore the kinetics of serum markers of fibrosis during a 12-month follow-up in DCM.

Methods: We included 70 consecutive DCM patients (pts) (48±12.

Left ventricular reverse remodeling is not related to biopsy-detected extracellular matrix fibrosis and serum markers of fibrosis in dilated cardiomyopathy, regardless of the definition used for LVRR.

Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) is reported in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients (pts). However, numerous definitions of LVRR exist. Measurements of serum markers of fibrosis provide insight into myocardial fibrosis.

Novel PARADIGM in carotid revascularisation: Prospective evaluation of All-comer peRcutaneous cArotiD revascularisation in symptomatic and Increased-risk asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis using CGuard™ MicroNet-covered embolic prevention stent system.

Aims: Our aim was to determine (1) periprocedural and 30-day clinical safety and efficacy of the CGuard MicroNet-covered embolic prevention carotid stent system (MN-EPS) in routine use for unselected carotid stenosis (CS) patients undergoing CAS, as well as (2) feasibility of MN-EPS post-dilatation optimisation to minimise residual stenosis after CAS.

Methods And Results: This was a non-industry-funded, prospective academic study in all-referrals-tracked symptomatic and asymptomatic CS. In asymptomatic lesions, intervention was mandated only in case of increased stroke risk CS features.

[Echocardiographic assessment of left atrial volume in asymptomatic ambulatory patients with metabolic syndrome and/or arterial hypertension - is it parameter worth into considerate?].

Introduction: Early identification of high-risk patients, including those with arterial hypertension (AH) andlor metabolic syndrome (MS), have a positive effect on the treatment and the cost. Left atrial volume is a well-known, easy to examine prognostic factor in cardiovascular diseases. Impaired function and enlargement of the left atrium could be present in even when asymptomatic patients with AH, but in subjects with MS has not been well documented.

Relationship between mitral leaflets angles, left ventricular geometry and mitral deformation indices in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation: imaging by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance.

Unlabelled: Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is associated with a markedly worse prognosis after myocardial infarction (MI).The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between anterior and posterior mitral leaflet angle (MLA) values, left ventricle remodeling and severity of ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR).

Methods: Forty-two patients (age 63.

Chronic mitral regurgitation--significance of the echocardiographic determinants in predicting severity.

Unlabelled: The aim of study was to determine the significance of the best echocardiographic parameters for assessing the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods: The study population consisted of 107 patients, mean age 52 +/- 7 y with chronic isolated non-ischaemic MR. Quantification of the MR was performed using echocardiography through the proximal isovelocity surface area method (regurgitant volume (RV) and the effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) were calculated) and the assessment of vena contracta width (VCW).

Carotid artery stenting with patient- and lesion-tailored selection of the neuroprotection system and stent type: early and 5-year results from a prospective academic registry of 535 consecutive procedures (TARGET-CAS).

Purpose: To develop and prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of an algorithm for tailoring neuroprotection devices (NPD) and stent types to the patient/lesion in carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Methods: From November 2002 to October 2007, 499 patients (360 men; mean age 65.2+/-8.

[Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation: early results and long-term follow-up].

Background: Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) is becoming an alternative to surgical myectomy in the treatment of severe, drug refractory, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The aim of our study was to analyze early results, complications and long-term follow-up in patients after PTSMA.

Methods: Out of eighteen patients [11 M] initially accepted for PTSMA, the procedure was performed in 12 patients [6 M] age from 22 to 70 y.

[Echocardiographic prediction of outcome in patients with congestive heart failure and mitral regurgitation].

Background: Congestive heart failure is associated with the increase risk of death or cardiac transplantation. The ability of current techniques to predict outcome in heart failure is rather limited. Identification of the patients at risk of cardiac death or requiring heart transplantation is clinically important.

[Carotid artery stenting with proximal or distal brain protection: early outcome].

Background: Stroke is the third cause of death and a leading cause of disability. Significant atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis is associated with as many as one in five strokes. Recent randomized trials have shown that percutaneous carotid artery stenting (CAS) is at least as effective and safe as surgery.

Vena contracta width as a simple method of assessing mitral valve regurgitation. Comparison with Doppler quantitative methods.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Quantitative Doppler echocardiography and proximal flow convergence methods facilitate quantification of regurgitant volume (RV), regurgitant fraction (RF) and the measurement of effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) to define mitral regurgitation (MR) severity. Vena contracta width (VCW) has been proposed as a simple, accurate marker of MR, and is instrumental in predicting the angiographic severity of valvular regurgitation. The study aim was to compare VCW with quantitative Doppler methods and angiography for assessing MR.