Diagnostic Algorithm Using Multimodal Imaging for the Differential Diagnosis of Intra-Cardiac Masses.

Cardiac masses are complex clinical conditions that frequently pose diagnostic challenges in cardiology practice. These masses can form within heart chambers or near the pericardium and are generally categorized as either non-neoplastic or neoplastic. These latter are further classified into benign and malignant (primary and secondary or metastatic).

Therapeutic Inertia in Dyslipidemia Management for Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention: Results from the Italian ITACARE-P Network.

This study assessed the proportion of secondary cardiovascular prevention patients who achieved low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol targets as per the 2019 ESC/EAS Dyslipidemia Guidelines. We also evaluated whether lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) were adjusted in patients not meeting targets and analyzed the likelihood of these modifications achieving recommended levels. A multicenter, cross-sectional observational study retrospectively reviewed medical records of 1909 outpatients in 9 Italian cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention clinics from January 2023 to June 2024.

Prognostic Value of Myocardial CT-ECV in Severe Aortic Stenosis Requiring Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Aim: Computed tomography (CT)-derived extracellular volume fraction (ECV) is a non-invasive method to quantify myocardial fibrosis. Evaluating CT-ECV during aortic valve replacement (AVR) planning CT in severe aortic stenosis (AS) may aid prognostic stratification. This meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic significance of CT-ECV in severe AS necessitating AVR.

Efficacy and Safety of Sirolimus-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in De Novo Lesions in Large Coronary Vessels: A Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background: Evidence regarding drug-coated balloon (DCB)-only angioplasty in de novo lesions of large vessels is still limited and mainly focused on paclitaxel-coated balloon. We aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of sirolimus-coated balloon (SCB)-only angioplasty in de novo lesions in large vessels compared to drug-eluting stent (DES).

Methods: In this retrospective, dual-center, case-control study, we enrolled all consecutive patients treated between January 2022 and January 2024 with SCB-only angioplasty in de novo lesion in large vessel (> 2.

Anthracycline-Induced Subclinical Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aim: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of anthracycline chemotherapy on subclinical right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in breast cancer patients, using traditional echocardiographic parameters and strain-based measures, such as the RV global longitudinal strain (RV GLS) and the RV free-wall longitudinal strain (RV FWLS).

Methods And Results: A systematic search was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, including 15 studies with a total of 1148 breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy. The primary outcome was the evaluation of changes in RV GLS and RV FWLS pre- and post-chemotherapy.

[Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) Position paper: Integrated management and transcatheter interventions for acute pulmonary embolism].

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is commonly treated primarily with pharmacological therapy, while advanced reperfusion therapies (transcatheter or surgical) are considered only in cases of contraindications or failure of standard therapies. Treatment algorithms vary depending on the patient's risk, with patients at intermediate or high risk potentially requiring evaluation for such advanced reperfusion therapies. Critical scenarios, such as contraindications to systemic thrombolysis or failure of pharmacological protocols, necessitate the activation of a multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) and prompt therapeutic escalation.

Lipoprotein(a) and the atherosclerotic burden - Should we wait for clinical trial evidence before taking action?

The fact that lipoprotein(a) levels should be regarded as a causal residual risk factor in the atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) is now a no-brainer. This review article aims to summarize the latest evidence supporting the causal role of lipoprotein(a) in ASCVD and the potential strategies to reduce the lipoprotein(a) burden until clinical trial results are available. Epidemiological and genetic data demonstrate the causal link between lipoprotein(a) and increased ASCVD risk.

Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) as a novel biomarker in the era of cardiometabolic medicine.

In the period of increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, healthcare professionals are facing significant challenges. Therefore, an accurate global assessment of insulin resistance is of utmost importance. Current medical research is focused on identifying an easily accessible and reproducible gold-standard surrogate marker for insulin resistance.

Hypercholesterolemia and inflammation-Cooperative cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: Maintaining low concentrations of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) over time decreases the number of LDL particles trapped within the artery wall, slows the progression of atherosclerosis and delays the age at which mature atherosclerotic plaques develop. This substantially reduces the lifetime risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. In this context, plaque development and vulnerability result not only from lipid accumulation but also from inflammation.

Concordance between Coronary Artery Computed Tomography and Invasive Coronary Angiography in a Real-World Population with Suspected Chronic Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is a non-invasive imaging technique that possesses the ability to provide detailed anatomical information about coronary arteries, avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures. Our aim was to assess the ability of CCTA to identify coronary artery disease compared to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in a real-life setting.

Methods: We examined 137 consecutive patients who underwent ICA after CCTA.

Biallelic NEXN variants and fetal onset dilated cardiomyopathy: two independent case reports and revision of literature.

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an etiologically heterogeneous group of diseases of the myocardium. With the rapid evolution in laboratory investigations, genetic background is increasingly determined including many genes with variable penetrance and expressivity. Biallelic NEXN variants are rare in humans and associated with poor prognosis: fetal and perinatal death or severe DCMs in infants.

PCSK9 and Coronary Artery Plaque-New Opportunity or Red Herring?

Purpose Of Review: Although the clinical benefit of reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is well-established, the impact on plaque composition and stability is less clear. Our narrative review aimed to assess the clinical effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors on coronary plaque characteristics specifically focusing from atheroma progression to regression and stabilization.

Recent Findings: The combination of statin therapy and PCSK9 inhibitors (evolocumab and alirocumab) promotes plaque stability in patients following an acute coronary syndrome.

Indoor air pollution impacts cardiovascular autonomic control during sleep and the inflammatory profile.

The present study explores the modifications of cardiovascular autonomic control (CAC) during wake and sleep time and the systemic inflammatory profile associated with exposure to indoor air pollution (IAP) in a cohort of healthy subjects. Twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled. Indoor levels of fine particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored using a portable detector for 7 days.

Extensive myocardial calcifications: a systematic literature review of a rare pathological phenomenon.

Introduction: Myocardial calcifications (MC) represent a relatively rare pathological process, which may accompany different cardiovascular conditions and can be broadly categorized as dystrophic or metastatic. Myocardial infarction (MI) has been traditionally regarded as the main cause of MC overall; however, no updated comprehensive data on the relative incidence of different forms of MC is available. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature is to analyze the currently available evidence on MC in terms of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and clinical presentation.