Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 for Older Persons (SCORE2-OP): 10 years risk validation, clinical utility and potential improvement.

Aims: European Systematic Coronary Risk Assessment 2 for Older Persons (SCORE2-OP) model has shown modest performance when externally validated in selected cohorts. We aim to investigate its predictive performance and clinical utility for 10-years cardiovascular (CV) risk in an unbiased and representative cohort of older people of a low CV risk country. Furthermore, we explore whether other clinical or echocardiographic features could improve its performance.

Increased EBNA1-specific antibody response in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: The impact of viral infections on disease susceptibility and progression has predominantly been studied in patients with relapse-onset MS (RMS). Here, we determined immune responses to ubiquitous viruses in patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Methods: Antibody responses to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), specifically to the latent EBV nuclear antigen 1 and the lytic viral capsid antigen VCA, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and measles virus were determined in a cohort of 68 PPMS patients with a mean follow-up of 8 years and compared with 66 healthy controls matched for sex and age.

Cytomegalovirus immune responses are associated with lower serum NfL and disability accumulation risk at multiple sclerosis onset.

Background: Infection by cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) play a prognostic role in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objectives: To explore whether humoral immune responses to HCMV and EBV at disease onset were associated with changes in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of inflammatory and neurodegeneration biomarkers.

Methods: Ninety-eight MS patients with a median follow-up of 20 years were included in the study.

Association of Complement Factors With Disability Progression in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: The complement system is known to play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. However, its contribution to disease progression remains elusive. The study investigated the role of the complement system in disability progression of patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS).

Atorvastatin Effect on Aortic Dilatation and Valvular Calcification Progression in Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BICATOR): A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Ascending aorta dilation and aortic valve degeneration are common complications in patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Several retrospective studies have suggested the benefit of statins in reducing these complications. This study aimed to determine whether atorvastatin treatment is effective in reducing the growth of aortic diameters in bicuspid aortic valve and if it slows the progression of valve calcification.

Prediction of disease activity and treatment failure in relapsing-remitting MS patients initiating daily oral DMTs.

Background: Limited data exist regarding treatment response prediction to oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objectives: We assessed the capacity of available scoring systems to anticipate disease activity parameters in naïve relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients initiating daily oral DMTs, hypothesizing that they exhibit different predictive potentials.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study and applied the Rio Score (RS), modified Rio Score (mRS), and MAGNIMS Score 12 months after DMT initiation.

Changes in echocardiographic parameters over time in paradoxical low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis.

Aims: To assess the progression of the disease and evolution of the main echocardiographic variables for quantifying AS in patients with severe low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) AS compared to other severe AS subtypes.

Methods And Results: Longitudinal, observational, multicenter study including consecutive asymptomatic patients with severe AS (aortic valve area, AVA < 1.0 cm²) and normal left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%).

Increased cytomegalovirus immune responses at disease onset are protective in the long-term prognosis of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: It remains unclear whether viral infections interfere with multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression. We evaluated the prognostic role of antibody responses toward viruses determined at disease onset on long-term disease outcomes.

Methods: Humoral immune responses against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded nuclear antigen EBNA1, viral capsid antigen (VCA) and early antigen, and toward cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpesvirus 6 and measles were investigated in a cohort of 143 patients with MS for their association with long-term disability and inflammation disease outcomes.

Differences in the Area of Proximal and Distal Entry Tears at CT Angiography Predict Long-term Clinical Outcomes in Aortic Dissection.

Purpose: To identify entry tear variables that are related to adverse clinical events by using CT angiography (CTA) performed during the subacute phase of aortic dissection.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective study conducted from January 2000 to December 2013, participants with an aortic dissection with a patent false lumen and no comorbidities underwent CTA during the subacute phase. Participants were followed up for a survival analysis to assess the time to an adverse aortic event (AAE).

Are Aortic Root and Ascending Aorta Diameters Measured by the Pediatric versus the Adult American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines Interchangeable?

Ascending aorta diameters have important clinical value in the diagnosis, follow-up, and surgical indication of many aortic diseases. However, there is no uniformity among experts regarding ascending aorta diameter quantification by echocardiography. The aim of this study was to compare maximum aortic root and ascending aorta diameters determined by the diastolic leading edge (DLE) and the systolic inner edge (SIE) conventions in adult and pediatric patients with inherited cardiovascular diseases.

Predictive Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Comparison with Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography.

In acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) may underestimate segmental functional recovery. We evaluated the predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature-tracking (FT) for functional recovery and whether it incremented the value of LGE compared to low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (LDDSE) and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Eighty patients underwent LDDSE and CMR within 5-7 days after STEMI and segmental functional recovery was defined as improvement in wall-motion at 6-months CMR.

Wall Shear Stress Predicts Aortic Dilation in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valve.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the predictive value of wall shear stress (WSS) for colocalized ascending aorta (AAo) growth rate (GR) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).

Background: BAV is associated with AAo dilation, but there is limited knowledge about possible predictors of aortic dilation in patients with BAV. An increased WSS has been related to aortic wall damage in patients with BAV, but no previous prospective study tested its predictive value for dilation rate.

Clinical Risk Prediction in Patients With Left Ventricular Myocardial Noncompaction.

Background: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a heterogeneous entity with uncertain prognosis.

Objectives: This study sought to develop and validate a prediction model of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and to identify LVNC cases without events during long-term follow-up.

Methods: This is a retrospective longitudinal multicenter cohort study of consecutive patients fulfilling LVNC criteria by echocardiography or cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Aortic Branch Aneurysms and Vascular Risk in Patients With Marfan Syndrome.

Background: Aortic branch aneurysms are not included in the diagnostic criteria for Marfan syndrome (MFS); however, their prevalence and eventual prognostic significance are unknown.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of aortic branch aneurysms in MFS and their relationship with aortic prognosis.

Methods: MFS patients with a pathogenic FBN1 genetic variant and at least one magnetic resonance or computed tomography angiography study assessing aortic branches were included.

Leaflet fusion length is associated with aortic dilation and flow alterations in non-dysfunctional bicuspid aortic valve.

Objective: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), the most common congenital valve defect, is associated with increased risk of aortic dilation and related complications; however, current risk assessment is not effective. Most of BAV have three leaflets with a fusion between two of them of variable length. This study aimed to ascertain whether the extent of leaflet fusion (often called raphe) is related to aortic dilation and flow abnormalities in BAV with no significant valvular dysfunction.

Predictors of cardiovascular outcomes after surgery in severe tricuspid regurgitation: clinical, imaging and hemodynamic prospective study.

Introduction And Objectives: Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a prevalent valve disease with a high mortality rate. Current guidelines do not define specific thresholds at which patients should be considered for surgery or percutaneous procedures. Thus, patients are usually referred for intervention at a late stage of the disease.

Cardiac magnetic resonance longitudinal strain analysis in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A comparison with speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Background: Strain analysis with speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is considered superior to ejection fraction for ventricular function assessment in different clinical scenarios. Feature tracking (FT) permits cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) strain analysis in routinely acquired cine images. This study evaluated the feasibility of CMR-FT and its agreement with STE in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Changes in the diagnosis and management of acute aortic syndrome and associated mortality in the last 20 years.

Introduction And Objectives: Mortality is high in acute aortic syndrome (AAS), which therefore requires early treatment. This study aimed to analyze changes in the diagnosis and treatment of AAS over 20 years at our center.

Methods: From 1999 to 2018, 451 patients diagnosed with AAS (336 men; mean age, 60.

Usefulness of real-time PCR during follow-up of patients treated with Benznidazole for chronic Chagas disease: Experience in two referral centers in Barcelona.

Background: Antitrypanosomal treatment with Benznidazole (BZ) or Nifurtimox may be recommended for patients with chronic Chagas disease (CD) to reduce the onset or progression of symptoms. However, such treatment has limited efficacy and high level of toxic effects. In addition, the current cure biomarker (serology conversion) precludes any treatment assessment unless a prolonged follow-up is arranged.

Microscopic examination after concentration techniques for sp. detection in serial faecal samples: How many samples are needed?

Objective: sp. is one of the most frequently observed intestinal parasites in humans. It is suggested that sensitivity of classical parasitological tests for the sp.

Myocardial protection in the arterial switch operation: Custodiol versus cold blood cardioplegia.

Objectives: The optimal myocardial protective solution in the neonatal arterial switch operation remains controversial. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that Bretschneider's histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate crystalloid solution (Custodiol) offers protection at least similar to that of cold blood cardioplegia.

Methods: Patients who underwent the neonatal arterial switch operation with Custodiol between January 2016 and December 2018 (n = 23) were compared with an historical cohort from August 2010 to December 2015 in which cold blood cardioplegia was used (n = 41).