Urgent versus Non-Urgent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Outcomes.

Introduction: There are limited data about the outcomes of nonelective transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Some studies suggest that these patients (pts) have worst results. Our purpose was to compare outcomes in pts submitted to urgent versus elective TAVI.

Outcomes and predictors of periprocedural stroke after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Risk factors for stroke after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are currently incompletely understood.

Purpose: To identify possible predictors of early post-TAVI stroke and explore its short-term outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients (pts) submitted to TAVI between 2009 and 2020 in a tertiary center.

Initial single-center experience of a standardized protocol for invasive assessment of ischemia and non-obstructive coronary artery disease.

Introduction: Coronary vasomotion disorders (CVDs), including microvascular angina (MVA) and vasospastic angina (VSA), account for significant morbidity among patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD). However, protocols for CVD assessment in clinical practice are seldom standardized and may be difficult to implement.

Purpose: To assess the safety and feasibility of a comprehensive coronary function test (CFT) protocol for assessment of CVD and the prevalence of different phenotypes of CVD in patients with angina and NOCAD (ANOCA).

Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Valvular Heart Disease from Portuguese-Speaking African Countries Treated in Portugal through an International Agreement of Health Cooperation.

Aims: We performed a clinical audit of maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with valvular heart disease (VHD) from Portuguese-speaking African countries who were transferred for their care, during a twenty-year period, through a memorandum of agreement of international cooperation.

Methods And Results: A retrospective analysis of 81 pregnancies in 45 patients with VHD (median age 24, interquartile range 22-29 years) from 2000 to 2020 was performed. The main outcome measures were maternal cardiovascular and fetal outcomes.

Malignant Primary and Metastatic Cardiac Tumors: A Single-Center 27-Year Case Review.

Background: Malignant primary cardiac tumors are exceedingly rare, and despite surgical exeresis or chemotherapy, their prognosis remains poor. Cardiac invasion by metastatic tumors, while more common, also entails an unsatisfactory outcome. This study aimed to review patients diagnosed with malignant primary and secondary cardiac tumors in a tertiary center between 1995 and 2022.

Late gadolinium enhancement in the left ventricular wall is associated with atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between AF and left ventricular (LV) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).

Methods: 55 patients with HCM were retrospectively included.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation outcomes in patients with low flow low gradient aortic stenosis.

Background: Some studies suggest that patients with low flow low gradient (LF-LG) aortic stenosis (AS) may achieve worse results after undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Purpose: To compare outcomes between LF-LG AS and high gradient (HG) AS patients submitted to TAVI.

Methods: Inclusion of 480 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between 2008 and 2020 at a single tertiary center.

Non-VKA Oral Anticoagulants in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: a Single-Center Study.

Purpose: Non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) prescription is increasing in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). However, data on efficacy and safety in ACHD is unclear, particularly in severe CHD. The study aimed to review the safety and efficacy of NOACs in ACHD.

When "Wait and See" may be the Best Option: Two Case Reports of Left Main Artery Spontaneous Dissection.

Introduction: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is frequently underdiagnosed, and the most appropriate management is unknown, particularly in high-risk anatomical subsets.

Case Reports: Two cases of females in their 60-70s with few cardiovascular risk factors or relevant past medical history, who presented acute myocardial infarction, have been presented. Both were submitted to invasive coronary angiography, with a suspicion of SCAD in both cases, which was later supported by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Myocardial Work Brings New Insights into Left Ventricular Remodelling in Cardio-Oncology Patients.

Serial transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) assessment of 2D left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) are the gold standard screening methods for cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Non-invasive left ventricular (LV) pressure-strain loop (PSL) provides a novel method of quantifying myocardial work (MW) with potential advantages to evaluate the impact of cardiotoxic treatments on heart function. We prospectively assessed breast cancer female patients undergoing cancer therapy through serial monitoring by 2D and 3D TTE.

Soluble CD40 ligand expression in stable atherosclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: The role of inflammation in atherosclerosis development and expression in different arterial territories is unclear. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) mediates inflammation and atherogenesis. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed whether sCD40L was dysregulated in stable atherosclerosis, irrespective of the diseased arterial territory, and whether this dysregulation differed according to the specific territory.