Correlation of aortic valve annular plane assessment by on-table three-dimensional rotational angiography and preprocedural computed tomography.

Objectives: To assess the correlation between the aortic valve annular plane (AVAP) obtained by preprocedural computed tomography (CT) with on-table three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA), in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: Accurate assessment of the AVAP is critical during TAVR procedures to enable optimal positioning and minimize complications. Most commonly, preprocedural CT has been used to determine the AVAP.

Safety of Conscious Sedation for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Without an Anesthetist.

Objectives: To compare the safety of performing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) under conscious sedation without an anesthetist present (TAVR-NA) vs TAVR performed with an anesthetist supervising sedation (TAVR-A).

Background: In almost all United States and European centers, TAVR-A represents the standard of care. There are limited data on the safety of TAVR-NA.

Clinical experience with trans-catheter aortic valve implantation at a tertiary hospital in the Republic of Ireland.

Introduction: There is a paucity of published data on the clinical experience with trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the Republic of Ireland. We sought to examine the clinical outcomes of patients with medium-term follow-up treated with TAVI at our institution.

Methods: A prospective TAVI registry was used to assess the baseline demographics, procedural variables and clinical outcomes of patients treated with TAVI between the inception of the programme in 2008 and November 2017.

MiR-93-5p is a novel predictor of coronary in-stent restenosis.

Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs, have been implicated as regulators of multiple phases of atherothrombosis, and some reports have suggested altered levels in coronary artery in-stent restenosis (ISR). We recently demonstrated that miR-93-5 p was able to discriminate between patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and those with no CAD, after adjusting for traditional risk factors (RFs). Thus, we wanted to determine if circulating miRNAs could predict coronary ISR.

Young Adults and Adverse Childhood Events: A Potent Measure of Cardiovascular Risk.

Introduction: While cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, its determinants include unhealthy behaviors and clinical risk factors and are recognized as the "actual causes" of death. Risk likely accumulates over the life course, and adverse childhood experiences may increase the risk of "actual causes" of death. The objectives of the study are to determine the prevalence and test the association of adverse childhood experiences among unhealthy behaviors and risk factors as a primordial risk factor among young adults.

miRNA-93-5p and other miRNAs as predictors of coronary artery disease and STEMI.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs, have been implicated as regulators of all mediators of atherosclerosis, and some reports have suggested increased levels in coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers or predictors of disease remains to be established.

Methods: We designed a study comprising 150 patients (50 Control, 50 Stable CAD, and 50 ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)), and measured plasma miRNAs in each.

Transitioning high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) into routine diagnostic use: More than just a sensitivity issue.

Objectives: High sensitivity cardiac troponin T and I (hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI) assays show analytical, diagnostic and prognostic improvement over contemporary sensitive cTn assays. However, given the importance of troponin in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, implementing this test requires rigorous analytical and clinical verification across the total testing pathway. This was the aim of this study.

NAA10 mutation causing a novel intellectual disability syndrome with Long QT due to N-terminal acetyltransferase impairment.

We report two brothers from a non-consanguineous Irish family presenting with a novel syndrome characterised by intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, scoliosis and long QT. Their mother has a milder phenotype including long QT. X-linked inheritance was suspected.

Antithrombotic treatment at onset of stroke with atrial fibrillation, functional outcome, and fatality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In atrial fibrillation-associated stroke, conflicting data exist regarding association between therapeutic vitamin K-antagonist anticoagulation (International Normalized Ratio 2-3) and early death and functional outcome, and few data exist relating to late outcome in ischemic and haemorrhagic atrial fibrillation-stroke.

Aim: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of oral anticoagulation at stroke onset, death and functional outcome.

Methods: We performed a systematic review, searching multiple sources.

MicroRNA Expression in Coronary Artery Disease.

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves the interplay of inflammation, altered cellular activity, angiogenesis, and neointima formation. The main cellular participants in atherosclerosis include vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and monocytes. The recent discovery of small, non-coding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and their influence on these processes has provided a greater molecular insight into atherosclerosis.

The Brady Bunch? New evidence for nominative determinism in patients' health: retrospective, population based cohort study.

Objective: To ascertain whether a name can influence a person's health, by assessing whether people with the surname "Brady" have an increased prevalence of bradycardia.

Design: Retrospective, population based cohort study.

Setting: One university teaching hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Detection of high-sensitivity troponin in outpatients with stable pulmonary hypertension identifies a subgroup at higher risk of adverse outcomes.

Background: The detection of elevations in cardiorenal biomarkers, such as troponins, B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalins, are associated with poor outcomes in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure. Less is known about the association of these markers with adverse events in chronic right ventricular dysfunction due to pulmonary hypertension, or whether their measurement may improve risk assessment in the outpatient setting.

Methods And Results: We performed a cohort study of 108 patients attending the National Pulmonary Hypertension Unit in Dublin, Ireland, from 2007 to 2009.

Frequent mental distress (FMD) in Irish Travellers: discrimination and bereavement negatively influence mental health in the All Ireland Traveller Health Study.

Travellers are an indigenous minority group in Ireland, with poorer life expectancy and health status than the general population. Recent data have shown that Travellers are at increased risk of poor mental health and sequelae from same. We aimed to examine the associations between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with poor mental health in Irish Travellers.

Use of a highly-sensitive cardiac troponin I assay in a screening population for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a case-referent study.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic condition, and relatives of affected persons may be at risk. Cardiac troponin biomarkers have previously been shown to be elevated in HCM. This study examines the new highly-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hsTnI) assay in a HCM screening population.

Subclinical myocardial dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients remotely treated with mitoxantrone: evidence of persistent diastolic dysfunction.

Background: Mitoxantrone is an effective disease-modifying therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS), but its use is limited by cardiotoxicity. We evaluated global myocardial function, including myocardial performance index (MPI), on echocardiography in MS patients after remote mitoxantrone treatment.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients (n = 50) treated with standard-protocol mitoxantrone from 2002 to 2010 in our center were identified.

A global perspective on psychosocial risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Worldwide, there is variation in the incidence CVD with the greater burden being borne by low and middle-income countries. Traditional risk factors do not fully explain the CVD risk in populations, and there is increasing awareness of the impact the social environment and psychological factors have on CVD incidence and outcomes. The measurement of psychosocial variables is uniquely complex as variables are difficult to define objectively and local understanding of psychosocial risk factors may be subject to cultural influences.

A brief cookery skills intervention is no more effective than written information alone in reducing body mass index in overweight cardiac rehabilitation patients [corrected].

Overweight and obesity are common health risks, but it can be difficult to effect weight change. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a novel Cookery skills intervention on body mass index (BMI) in overweight and obese patients with cardiovascular disease, who had previously attended a cardiac rehabilitation programme. Patients with BMI >27 kg/m(2) were randomized to either a 5-week cookery skills course with written educational materials, or to written materials only.

Family-based cardiac screening in relatives of victims of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.

Aims: Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) occurs when a person suffers a sudden, unexpected death, with no cause found at postmortem examination. We aimed to describe the cardiac screening outcomes in a population of relatives of SADS victims

Methods And Results: Prospective and retrospective cohort study of consecutive families attending the Family Heart Screening clinic at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, from January 2007 to September 2011. Family members of SADS victims underwent a standard screening protocol.

Family-based associations in measures of psychological distress and quality of life in a cardiac screening clinic for inheritable cardiac diseases: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Family-based cardiac screening programmes for persons at risk for genetic cardiac diseases are now recommended. However, the psychological wellbeing and health related quality of life (QoL) of such screened patients is poorly understood, especially in younger patients. We sought to examine wellbeing and QoL in a representative group of adults aged 16 and over in a dedicated family cardiac screening clinic.

A qualitative study of infant feeding decisions among low-income women in the Republic of Ireland.

Objective: to explore infant feeding decisions among low-income women living in Ireland to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors, which influence breast feeding initiation and continuation.

Design: a descriptive qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews.

Setting: community and primary health-care settings in the Republic of Ireland.