Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Cardiomyopathies: Current Status and Future Directions.

Cardiomyopathies are a challenging pathology and echocardiography is essential for diagnosis and prognosis. The most frequent cardiomyopathies are the dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), followed by the less frequent restrictive (RCM) and arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathies (ARVC). Echocardiography can identify diagnostic features, and guide further testing for a definitive diagnosis.

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide at Admission Is a Predictor of All-Cause Mortality at One Year after the First Acute Episode of New-Onset Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has been assessed extensively, but few studies analysed the predictive value of the NT-proBNP in patients with de novo and acute HFpEF. We sought to identify NT-proBNP at admission as a predictor for all-cause mortality and rehospitalisation at 12 months in patients with new-onset HFpEF. Methods: We analysed 91 patients (73 ± 11 years, 68% females) admitted for de novo and acute HFpEF, using the Cox proportional hazard risk model.

Early Echocardiographic Predictors for Atrial Fibrillation Propensity: The Left Atrium Oracle.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) results from structural and electrical remodeling of the atria, primarily of the left atrium (LA); therefore, LA changes, both anatomical and functional are recognized as proarrhythmic markers with a powerful prognostic value. Being widely available and noninvasive, echocardiography is used to monitor LA form and function in clinical practice. Early functional (electrical) remodeling of the LA precedes anatomical alterations.

Inflammation as A Precursor of Atherothrombosis, Diabetes and Early Vascular Aging.

Vascular disease was for a long time considered a disease of the old age, but it is becoming increasingly clear that a cumulus of factors can cause early vascular aging (EVA). Inflammation plays a key role in vascular stiffening and also in other pathologies that induce vascular damage. There is a known and confirmed connection between inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Phenotyping the Prediabetic Population-A Closer Look at Intermediate Glucose Status and Cardiovascular Disease.

Even though the new thresholds for defining prediabetes have been around for more than ten years, there is still controversy surrounding the precise characterization of this intermediate glucose metabolism status. The risk of developing diabetes and macro and microvascular disease linked to prediabetes is well known. Still, the prediabetic population is far from being homogenous, and phenotyping it into less heterogeneous groups might prove useful for long-term risk assessment, follow-up, and primary prevention.

The E/e' Ratio-Role in Risk Stratification of Acute Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains a worldwide management problem. Although there is a general effort for characterizing this population, few studies have assessed the predictive value of the echocardiographic E/e' ratio in patients with acute HFpEF. The aim of the study was to identify groups with different prognosis in patients hospitalized with a first acute episode of HFpEF.

A Practical Risk Score for Prediction of Early Readmission after a First Episode of Acute Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: The first admission for acute heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) drastically influences the short-term prognosis. Baseline characteristics may predict repeat hospitalization or death in these patients.

Methods: A 103 patient-cohort, admitted for the first acute HFpEF episode, was monitored for six months.

Type I Kounis Syndrome after Protracted Anaphylaxis and Myocardial Bridge-Brief Literature Review and Case Report.

The term allergic angina, introduced for the first time by Nicholas Kounis in 1991, initially referred to the coexistence of acute coronary syndromes with allergy or hypersensitivity. At present, it is believed that Kounis syndrome is a particular case of systemic disease, with multiorgan arterial involvement generated during immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Myocardial bridging (MB), a condition that can induce coronary artery spasm, has long been regarded as a benign condition.

Value of ejection fraction/velocity ratio in the prognostic stratification of patients with asymptomatic aortic valve stenosis.

Background: The ejection fraction/velocity ratio (EFVR) is a simple function-corrected index of aortic stenosis severity with a good correlation with aortic valve area measured using the Gorlin formula at cardiac catheterization. It is calculated by dividing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to 4 × (peak jet velocity) .

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the value of EFVR in predicting adverse events in patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis.

Obesity, Cardiac Remodeling, and Metabolic Profile: Validation of a New Simple Index beyond Body Mass Index.

Aim: The body mass index (BMI), the most used anthropometric index of obesity, has an important limitation, not taking into consideration the distribution of body fat. We developed a new simple index: the waist-corrected BMI (wBMI), calculated as waist circumference (WC) × BMI. The study aim was to assess the role of wBMI, compared to BMI, WC, and Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) in predicting abnormal cardiac geometry, insulin resistance, increased arterial stiffness, and dyslipidemia.

Impact of associated significant aortic regurgitation on left ventricular remodeling and hemodynamic impairment in severe aortic valve stenosis.

Objectives: The left ventricular (LV) response to combined pressure and volume overload [aortic stenosis (AS) and aortic regurgitation (AR)] versus pressure overload (isolated AS)has not been systematically studied. We aimed to assess LV remodeling, functional and hemodynamic consequences inpatients with mixed aortic valve disease versus patients with isolated AS.

Methods: We enrolled 181 patients (67 ± 9 years,109 men) with severe AS (aortic valve area indexed to body surface area <0.

Prognostic value of ventricular-arterial coupling and B-type natriuretic peptide in patients after myocardial infarction: a five-year follow-up study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic role of ventricular-arterial coupling compared with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients after myocardial infarctions.

Methods: Forty-one consecutive patients with history of myocardial infarctions were enrolled. Ventricular-arterial coupling was assessed as the ratio between arterial elastance (E(a)) and end-systolic ventricular elastance (E(es)).