Transseptal Puncture and Cryoballoon Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Atrial Septal Occluder or Atrial Septal Defect Surgical Repair: A Single Center Experience.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). Cryoballoon ablation (CA) is a safe and efficient method for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation in the treatment of AF. Achieving left atrial access may be difficult in patients with atrial septal occluders (ASO) or surgical repair of ASD.

Evolving Role of Coronary Collaterals in STEMI Outcomes: A Comparative Analysis of Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Phases.

Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a critical condition where coronary collaterals can mitigate myocardial damage. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic introduced unique challenges in STEMI management, potentially affecting outcomes. This study evaluates the efficacy of coronary collaterals during the pandemic compared to the post-pandemic period.

The impact of the Naples Prognostic Score on the short- and long-term prognosis of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Preoperative systemic inflammation and nutritional status have been shown to affect prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this study, we investigated the effect of the Naples Prognostic Score (NPS), which consists of four different parameters including these two components on short- and long-term prognosis in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods: In 343 patients (mean age 78.

Relationship between fragmented QRS complex and early left ventricular dysfunction after mitral valve repair.

Background: Preoperative left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (PreLVEF) and preoperative LV end-systolic diameter (PreESD) are known predictors for postoperative LV dysfunction after mitral valve repair (MVR). Fragmented QRS (fQRS) evaluated in 12-derivation electrocardiography has widely been accepted as a sign of myocardial fibrosis. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between fQRS in preoperative 12‑lead electrocardiography (ECG) and postoperative LV dysfunction that develop after MVR in patients with severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR) due to mitral valve prolapse (MVP).

Prognostic impact of main pulmonary artery to ascending aorta diameter ratio in patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular dysfunction are poor prognostic predictors in patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Aims: The prognostic impact of the main pulmonary artery/ascending aorta diameter ratio (MPA/AOr), measured simply by computed-tomographic angiography (CTA), was investigated in this patient group.

Methods: A total of 374 retrospectively evaluated patients (mean age 78.

The Influence of Preoperative Right Ventricle to Pulmonary Arterial Coupling on Short- and Long-Term Prognosis in Patients Who Underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of right ventricular-pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling, assessed by the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to systolic pulmonary artery pressure (TAPSE/sPAP) ratio, in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS). This retrospective, single-center study involved 403 patients (mean age: 78.2 ± 8.

Influence of collaterals on the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and serum NT-proBNP levels in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion.

Objective: Although numerous studies have shown the protective effects of the well-developed coronary collaterals on left ventricular functions, the relationship between collateral grade and left ventricular end diastolic pressure has not been studied in chronic total occlusion patients. Also, there are conflicting data on the effect of collaterals on NT-proBNP levels. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between coronary collateral circulation and left ventricular end diastolic pressure and NT-proBNP levels in chronic total occlusion patients.

A rare cause of cardiogenic shock: variant angina.

Variant angina (VA) is a clinical syndrome caused by spontaneous vasospasm of the epicardial coronary artery which is characterized by episodes of angina. Endothelial dysfunction and neurohormonal hyperactivity are important factors in pathogenesis of VA. Although patient prognosis is good, VA may be one of the reasons of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in case of persistent ST segment elevation and malignant arrhythmias.