Global longitudinal strain manually measured from mid-myocardial lengths is a reliable alternative to speckle tracking global longitudinal strain.

Background: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a useful marker for the echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Presently GLS is derived from speckle tracking of LV images, but speckle tracking software is not always available. We seek to determine if manually measured GLS (MM-GLS) by assessing mid-myocardial lengths can be a reliable alternative to speckle tracking GLS (ST-GLS).

First-in-human: Leaflet laceration with balloon mediated annihilation to prevent coronary obstruction with radiofrequency needle (LLAMACORN) for valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Coronary obstruction (CO) is a potential pitfall for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), especially in valve in valve procedures into degenerated surgical or transcatheter prostheses. Bioprosthetic leaflet modification techniques that incorporate electrosurgery are evolving as the preferred strategy to mitigate the risk of CO in high CO risk settings. The UNICORN method is proposed as a more predictable leaflet modification strategy than the earlier described BASILICA approach, but its proponents have hitherto mandated the use of a balloon-expandable valve (BEV) prosthesis.

Effects of a culturally informed model of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients with acute coronary syndrome in a tertiary hospital in Australia: a pre-post, quasi-experimental, interventional study.

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) peoples with cardiac disease in Australia have worse outcomes than non-Indigenous people with cardiac disease. We hypothesised that the implementation of a culturally informed model of care for Indigenous patients hospitalised with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) would improve their clinical outcomes.

Methods: For this pre-post, quasi-experimental, interventional study, cohorts of Indigenous patients before and after the implementation of a model of care were compared.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue Is Associated With Left Atrial Dysfunction in People Without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease or Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically active visceral fat depot. Although EAT volume is associated with the incidence and burden of atrial fibrillation (AF), its role in subclinical left atrial (LA) dysfunction is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the relationships between EAT volumes, LA function, and LA global longitudinal strain.

The Prevalence of Pacing-Induced Cardiomyopathy (PICM) in Patients With Long Term Right Ventricular Pacing - Is it a Matter Of Definition?

Background: Chronic right ventricular pacing may contribute to deterioration in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) in patients with chronic right ventricular pacing.

Methods: Patients attending a pacemaker clinic were retrospectively identified as having had transthoracic echocardiographic LVEF measurement during the 12 months prior to device implantation.