Psychosocial Cardiological Schedule-Revised (PCS-R) in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit: Reflections Upon Data Collection (2010-2017) and New Challenges.

Introduction: The Psychosocial Cardiological Schedule (PCS) was developed as a screening tool for patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation (CR) to detect clinically relevant psychosocial/cognitive problems requiring psychological assessment/intervention. Filled out by a trained nurse, it classifies patients according to their need or not for a psychological interview and intervention provided by the psychologist (PCS-Yes vs. PCS-No).

Usefulness of Left Atrial Reservoir Size and Left Ventricular Untwisting Rate for Predicting Outcome in Primary Mitral Regurgitation.

The present study proposed to evaluate whether analysis of cardiac mechanics through speckle-tracking imaging is useful for risk stratification in asymptomatic patients with chronic primary mitral regurgitation (MR). We prospectively enrolled 67 patients (mean age 57 ± 18 years) and followed them over time. MR was mild in 20 patients (30%), moderate in 24 (36%), and severe in 23 (34%).

Myocardial deformation and rotational profiles in mitral valve prolapse.

We studied whether evaluation of overall left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) mechanics would be useful to detect subclinical dysfunction in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP), mitral regurgitation (MR), and normal LV ejection fraction (EF). Fifty consecutive patients (27 men, mean age 61 ± 19 years) with MVP, MR, and normal systolic function (LVEF ≥60%) were prospectively enrolled and compared with 40 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects (22 men, mean age: 59 ± 16 years). At baseline, 2-dimensional and color-flow Doppler transthoracic echocardiography were performed for MR quantification and analysis of left-chambers mechanics.