Use of Inotropic Agents in Advanced Heart Failure: Pros and Cons.

Background: Use of inotropic agents in advanced heart failure (HF) has over time been evaluated in several randomized, controlled clinical trials (RCTs). However, the evidence for both efficacy and safety is conflicting.

Summary: In this narrative review, the evidence for and role of inotropes in advanced HF are outlined.

Importance of heart failure duration for development of pulmonary hypertension in advanced heart failure.

Background And Objectives: Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is critical when evaluating candidacy for advanced heart failure (HF) therapies, but risk factors for elevated PVR are not well studied. We hypothesized that HF duration would be associated with elevated PVR.

Methods: Danish single-center registry of consecutive in- and outpatients undergoing right heart catheterization as part of advanced HF work up.

Sudden unexplained death versus nonautopsied possible sudden cardiac death: Findings in relatives.

Background: International guidelines recommend work-up of relatives to autopsy negative sudden cardiac death victims, denoted as sudden unexplained death (SUD) and nonautopsied possible sudden cardiac death (pSCD) victims. This study assesses and compare baseline characteristics and clinical outcome at initial evaluation and during follow-up of relatives to SUD and pSCD victims.

Methods: We retrospectively included data from systematic screening and routine follow-up of first-degree relatives to SUD and pSCD victims referred to our Unit for Inherited Cardiac Diseases, Copenhagen, 2005-2018.

Diagnostic yield and long-term outcome of nonischemic sudden cardiac arrest survivors and their relatives: Results from a tertiary referral center.

Background: Cardiac arrest may be the first manifestation of most inherited cardiac diseases. International guidelines recommend screening of relatives of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survivors if an inherited cardiac disorder is suspected.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and spectrum of inherited cardiac diseases and the long-term outcome in a consecutive cohort of nonischemic SCA survivors (probands) and their relatives.

Diagnostic findings and follow-up outcomes in relatives to young non-autopsied sudden death victims.

Background: Guidelines recommend clinical assessment of relatives to young sudden cardiac death (SCD) victims in case the SCD was due to an inherited cardiac disorder. Work-up of relatives is guided by findings in the SCD victim. If post-mortem examinations have not been performed the work-up of relatives is challenged.

Diagnostic yield in victims of sudden cardiac death and their relatives.

Aims: International guidelines recommend cardiogenetic screening in families with sudden cardiac death (SCD) if the suspected cause is an inherited cardiac disease. The aim was to assess the diagnostic yield of inherited cardiac diseases in consecutively referred SCD families.

Methods And Results: In this single-centre retrospective study, we consecutively included families referred to our tertiary unit between 2005 and 2018 for screening due to SCD.