Publications by authors named "Christina Paitazoglou"
Article Synopsis
- Our understanding of how the atria (upper chambers of the heart) work and how they can become dysfunctional (atrial cardiomyopathy) has improved, especially regarding their impact on various heart conditions.
- Different atrial medical procedures can affect the way the atria function, and it's important for healthcare professionals to be aware of potential negative effects that may not show up right away.
- By identifying early signs of atrial dysfunction, clinicians can intervene sooner, potentially preventing serious changes in atrial structure and function before they lead to visible health issues.
Article Synopsis
- Patients with a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF) who have strokes can still be at very high risk of having more strokes, even when taking medication to prevent them.
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a special procedure aimed at helping these patients avoid future strokes.
- A study compared two groups – one that had LAAO and one that only continued their usual medication – and found that there was still a risk of strokes in both groups over a two-year period.
Article Synopsis
- Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who can't use oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) and those who face recurring thrombotic events despite OAT.
- This study compared the efficacy of LAAO in patients experiencing thrombotic events while on OAT against those who had contraindications for OAT, using data from a large registry and propensity score matching for accuracy.
- Results showed no significant difference in ischemic stroke rates between the two groups, but the LAAO patients on OAT had a higher thromboembolic risk but lower bleeding risk, suggesting LAAO is a viable option for these patients.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates device-related thrombus (DRT) occurrences after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), focusing on how often it persists or recurs.
- It found that about 29% of DRT cases persist, with being female and having a larger initial thrombus size being significant predictors.
- Unfavorable DRT evolution is linked to a higher rate of thromboembolic events, emphasizing the importance of monitoring thrombus size post-LAAC.
Background: Women with atrial fibrillation (AF) generally experience worse symptoms, poorer quality of life, and have a higher risk of stroke and death. There is limited availability of sex-related differences regarding left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO).
Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sex-related differences in patients undergoing LAAO in EWOLUTION.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of the atrial flow regulator (AFR) device on the survival rates of patients with heart failure, both with reduced and preserved ejection fractions.
- In a multicenter study of 87 patients with symptomatic heart failure, the observed mortality rate was 7%, while the predicted mortality rate was significantly higher at 12.2 deaths per 100 patient-years.
- Results indicated that patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction had a significantly lower observed mortality rate compared to their predicted rate, while there was no significant difference for those with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.
Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a reversible form of heart failure with incompletely understood pathophysiology.
Objectives: This study analyzed altered cardiac hemodynamics during TTS to elucidate underlying disease mechanisms.
Methods: Left ventricular (LV) pressure-volume loops were recorded in 24 consecutive patients with TTS and a control population of 20 participants without cardiovascular diseases.
Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has emerged as an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). OAC treatment has been proven feasible in mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). In contrast, the optimal antithrombotic management of AF patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is unknown and LAAC has not been proven in these patients in prospective randomized clinical trials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: The aim of the SCIENCE trial was to investigate whether a single treatment with direct intramyocardial injections of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (CSCC_ASCs) was safe and improved cardiac function in patients with chronic ischaemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Methods And Results: The study was a European multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial using allogeneic CSCC_ASCs from healthy donors or placebo (2:1 randomization). Main inclusion criteria were New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45%, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels >300 pg/ml.
Background: Hospitalizations for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) are commonly associated with congestion-related signs and symptoms. Objective and quantitative markers of congestion have been identified, but there is limited knowledge regarding the correlation between these markers.
Methods: Patients hospitalized for ADHF irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction were included in a prospective registry.
Background: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is recommended for patients with atrial fibrillation at increased stroke risk, where effective long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) is not feasible. In order to assess long-term safety of LAAO with aspirin monotherapy or no therapy, we aimed to report on patients with the Watchman LAAO device (Boston Scientific) once postimplantation intensified antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy is discontinued.
Methods: A total of 1025 patients scheduled for elective LAAO therapy prospectively consented for participation in the EWOLUTION registry; 1005 patients received a successful implant and were followed for 2 years.
Background: The new-generation WATCHMAN FLX (Boston Scientific) device for left atrial appendage occlusion has been modified in various aspects to improve procedural results. No comparison of the WATCHMAN FLX device with the previous WATCHMAN device is available.
Objective: We aimed to compare procedural results with WATCHMAN FLX in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy at ∼3 months with data with WATCHMAN (EWOLUTION [Registry on WATCHMAN Outcomes in Real-Life Utilization]).
We present a patient with acute heart failure and new onset atrial fibrillation secondary to giant cell myocarditis with lone atrial involvement. The diagnosis was managed with cardiac magnetic resonance and confirmed by interventionally guided biopsy. In the future, diagnosis could be managed noninvasively for this rare entity as the gold standard.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Device-related thrombus (DRT) has been considered an Achilles' heel of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). However, data on DRT prediction remain limited.
Objectives: This study constructed a DRT registry via a multicenter collaboration aimed to assess outcomes and predictors of DRT.
Objectives: Both balloon-expandable and self-expanding transcatheter aortic valves are used for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We compared procedural and clinical outcome variables of Sapien 3 and Evolut R/Pro in an all-comers collective.
Methods: In this single-center registry, patients were consecutively treated with the Sapien 3 from November 2014 to March 2017 (n = 129) and from April 2017 to December 2018 mainly (>95%) with the Evolut R/Pro (n = 124), due to a switch in the main TAVI supplier driven by hospital management.
Aims: Attenuating exercise-induced elevated left atrial pressure with an atrial shunt device is under clinical investigation for treatment of symptomatic heart failure (HF).
Methods And Results: PRELIEVE was a prospective, non-randomised, multicentre, first-in-man study in symptomatic HF patients with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≥15 mmHg at rest or ≥25 mmHg during exercise. Here, we provide follow-up data up to 1 year after implantation of the Atrial Flow Regulator (AFR) device.
Aims: Reducing elevated left atrial pressure with an atrial septum shunt device is a possible treatment option in symptomatic heart failure patients. This study aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of the Atrial Flow Regulator (AFR) in heart failure patients.
Methods And Results: AFR-PRELIEVE is a prospective, non-randomised, open-label, multicentre study in patients with symptomatic heart failure NYHA Class III or IV and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≥15 mmHg at rest or ≥25 mmHg at exercise irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF ≥15%).
Aims: Ischaemic heart failure (IHF) patients have a poor prognosis even with current guideline-derived therapy. Intramyocardial injections of autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells might improve cardiac function leading to better clinical outcome.
Methods: The SCIENCE (Stem Cell therapy in IschEmic Non-treatable Cardiac diseasE) consortium has initiated a Horizon 2020 funded multicentre phase II study in six European countries.