Myocardial Work by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Heart Transplant Recipients: Association Between Global Work Efficiency and Coronary Allograft Vasculopathy.

Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after heart transplantation. CAV is often diagnosed in later stages or during routine screening in asymptomatic subjects. Myocardial work (MW), calculated using left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and systemic blood pressure, may be associated with the presence of CAV and outperform conventional echocardiographic parameters.

Hyperacute Sapien Aortic Valve thrombosis in a patient with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS).

In this case we briefly describe the case of an old woman presenting with acute exertional dyspnea due to hyperacute Sapien Valve thrombosis.

3D mitral annulus echocardiography assessment in patients affected by degenerative mitral regurgitation who underwent mitral valve repair with flexible band.

Background: Degenerative mitral valve (MV) regurgitation (DMR) shows significative mitral annulus (MA) alterations; mitral valve repair (MVR) seeks to restore annular geometry and function, and the current use of flexible band seams to respect most annular mobility reducing parietal stress. Parameters of MV geometry obtained by 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TTE) analysis are crucial for surgical planning and postoperative success. The aim of this study was to assess, by means of a dedicated software, the variations of MA geometry and function in patients affected by DMR compared to controls and after MVR with flexible band.

Prediction of right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device implantation: role of vasodilator challenge.

Aims: Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) is an indicator of right ventricular (RV) function and an independent predictor of right ventricular failure (RVF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Administration of vasodilator challenge during right heart catheterization (RHC) could reduce RV workload allowing a better assessment of its functional reserve.

Methods And Results: Patients undergoing LVAD implantation at our Institution between May 2013 and August 2021 were enrolled.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with age ≤70 years: experience from two leading structural heart disease centers.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is emerging as an appealing management strategy for patients with severe aortic stenosis at intermediate, high or exceedingly high risk, but its risk-benefit profile in younger patients is less certain. We aimed to explore the outlook of patients aged 70 years or less and undergoing TAVI at 2 high-volume Italian institutions.

Methods: We retrospectively collected baseline, imaging, procedural and outcome features of patients with age ≤70 years in whom TAVI was attempted at participating centers between 2012 and 2021.

A tricky electrocardiogram: cocaine induced Brugada type 2 phenocopy.

Background: The pharmacological effects of cocaine have been associated with different types of cardiac dysrhythmias and with Brugada pattern on the ECG, but currently only type 1 pattern has been described. We report a case of a transient Brugada type 2 pattern in a young cocaine abuser.

Method: We report the clinical presentation of a 32-year-old male with a history of cocaine abuse.

Critical subaortic stenosis due to fibromuscular ridge in a 66-year-old woman: 2D-3D echocardiography findings.

Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) can be either a fixed stenosis resulting from subaortic anatomical obstacle or a dynamic stenosis because of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Here, we report a patient with a rare subaortic circumferential fibromuscular tunnel who became unusually symptomatic in her sixth decade of life. Transthoracic and mostly transesophageal echocardiography with 3D application is the preferred diagnostic modality.

Asymptomatic Cardiac Metastases From Esophageal Cancer: A Case Report Of Ante-mortem Detection And Literature Review.

Metastatic spread to the heart from neoplasms is very rare, often silent and rarely gains clinical attention. Usually, it correlates with widespread metastatic disease and is suggestive of a poor prognosis. Most cardiac metastases (CM) are detected following post-mortem studies with only a handful reported antemortemly.

The Role of Heart Team Approach in Penetrating Cardiac Trauma: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Penetrating cardiac trauma has been increasing in clinical experience and is joined to important morbidity and mortality. A case of a 38-year-old female with history of postpartum depression was reported, admitted to our department for cardiac tamponade due to penetrating self-inflicted multiple stab wound of the chest complicated by rupture of anterior left ventricular wall and traumatic ventricular septal defect. Following the unstable hemodynamic instability, a combined therapeutic strategy was chosen: surgery and transcatheter implantation to correct free wall ventricle damage and traumatic ventricular septal defect, respectively.