COPA Syndrome-From Pathogenesis to Treatment.

Coatomer subunit α (COPA) syndrome is a mendelian autosomal dominant immune dysregulation disease characterized by early onset lung disease in the form of diffuse alveolar hemorrhaging or interstitial lung disease, frequently associated with arthritis, glomerulonephritis, and high titer autoantibodies usually mimicking other autoimmune diseases. While immunosuppressive medication has been effective in controlling arthritis, data on long-term lung disease control remains scarce, which poses a real challenge as the progression of lung disease is the main cause of poor life expectancy in COPA patients. Nevertheless, JAK inhibitor therapy seems to be the most promising therapeutic choice now.

Refining cardiac resynchronization therapy: a comprehensive review on the role of advanced multimodality imaging.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) offers significant benefits in symptom alleviation, reduction of rehospitalization rates, and overall survival of patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (rEF). However, despite its proven efficacy, precisely identifying suitable CRT candidates remains a challenge, with a notable proportion of patients experiencing non-response. Accordingly, many attempts have been made to enhance patient selection, and to identify the best imaging parameters to predict the response and survival after CRT implantation.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Regurgitation Repair-An Overview of Techniques and Eligible Patient Selection.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is frequently encountered in clinical practice. It is classified into primary TR (organic), which accounts for a minority of cases; and into secondary TR (functional), which has a higher prevalence. Although it can be asymptomatic for a long time, TR causes right ventricle dysfunction and increases hospitalizations for heart failure and mortality.

Exploring the Relationship Between Lipoprotein (a) Level and Myocardial Infarction Risk: An Observational Study.

: This observational study investigates the relationship between Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aims to highlight the association of elevated Lipoprotein (a) levels with an increased atherogenic profile and the potential risk of AMI. : We conducted a case-control study involving 106 individuals, including 64 AMI patients (both STEMI and NSTEMI) and 42 healthy controls.

The Relationship between Lipoprotein A and the Prevalence of Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease in Young Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: An Observational Study.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with a significant impact on socioeconomic aspects. Various biomarkers have been studied in relation to the diagnosis, progression, and prognosis of atherosclerotic disease, with lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] standing out as an important predictor of cardiovascular risk. This observational study aimed to clarify the association between Lp (a) levels and the severity of significant multivessel coronary lesions in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.

Lower Limit of Normality of Segmental Multilayer Longitudinal Strain in Healthy Adult Subjects.

Speckle tracking echocardiography is an advanced imaging technique that allows for a more detailed assessment of cardiac global and regional function. Reference values for segmental longitudinal layered strain (subendocardial, mid-myocardial, and subepicardial) are scarce, limiting the clinical use of these measurements in clinical practice. Two hundred consecutive Caucasian healthy subjects (mean age = 37 ± 11 years) were enrolled in the study.

The Added Value of Advanced Echocardiography for the Morpho-Functional and Prognostic Evaluation of the Right Heart in Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Do Not Forget about the Right Atrium.

(1) Introduction and Aims: Right ventricular (RV) remodeling significantly impacts the prognosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients, and right atrial (RA) size and function are still often neglected in DCM patients. Accordingly, our aims were to (i) evaluate right heart subclinical changes and (ii) the prognostic value of RA compared to left atrial (LA) size and function in patients with DCM by advanced echocardiography. (2) Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight patients with DCM (with a mean age of 60 years; 35 men) were evaluated by comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography, compared to 62 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (with a mean age of 61 years; 32 men), and followed up for 12.

Dapagliflozin Ameliorates Neural Damage in the Heart and Kidney of Diabetic Mice.

(1) Background: Measures for the control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and, especially, for the control of its complications represent a main objective of the research carried out on this disease, since both mortality and morbidity relating to DM represent real problems for the health system worldwide. The aim of our study was to evaluate nervous tissue from the heart and kidneys of mice with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in the presence or absence of dapagliflozin (DAPA) treatment. (2) Methods: For this purpose, we used 24 C 57Bl/6 male mice, aged between 8 and 10 weeks.

The Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on All Heart Chambers Remodeling and Function in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy-A Two- and Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Study.

Atrial fibrillation is frequently seen in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and its presence impacts the function of the heart, with clinical and prognostic consequences. In this prospective single-center study, we aimed to assess the impact of atrial fibrillation on cardiac structure and function, using comprehensive two- and three-dimensional echocardiography. We included 41 patients with DCM and persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation (38 male, age 58.

The Value of Multimodal Imaging in Early Phenotyping of Cardiomyopathies: A Family Case Report.

Cardiomyopathies are structural and functional myocardial disorders that are not caused by other specific conditions such as coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension, valvular disease or congenital heart diseases. They are grouped into specific morphological and functional phenotypes, and sub-classified into familial and non-familial forms, with the dilated phenotype being the most frequent. However, there are many overlapping features between these phenotypes, complicating the diagnosis and management of patients.

The Dysfunctional Right Ventricle in Dilated Cardiomyopathies: Looking from the Right Point of View.

Dilated cardiomyopathies (DCMs) are a heterogenous group of primary myocardial diseases, representing one of the leading causes of heart failure, and the main indication for heart transplantation. While the degree of left ventricular dilation and dysfunction are two key determinants of adverse outcomes in DCM patients, right ventricular (RV) remodeling and dysfunction further negatively influence patient prognosis. Consequently, RV functional assessment and diagnosing RV involvement by using an integrative approach based on multimodality imaging is of paramount importance in the evaluation of DCM patients and provides incremental prognostic and therapeutic information.

Ventricular arrhythmias are associated with increased QT interval and QRS dispersion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Introduction And Objectives: The electrocardiogram continues to be essential in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, and a useful tool in arrhythmic risk stratification. We aimed to determine which electrocardiographic variables can successfully predict the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in patients following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: We performed an observational study including 667 patients with STEMI admitted to the University Hospital in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba.

Echocardiography Assessment of Cardiac Function in Adults Living with HIV: A Speckle Tracking Study in the Era of Antiretroviral Therapy.

Adults living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection (ALHIV) have high rates of cardiovascular events. New approaches are needed to detect subclinical cardiac dysfunction. We used conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography to investigate whether ALHIV display latent cardiac dysfunction.

Intracardiac mass revealing a rare form of cardiomyopathy.

We present the case of a woman with a 2-month history of exertional dyspnoea and fatigue in which echocardiography revealed a cavity-obliterating right ventricular mass. Further imaging evaluation using cardiac magnetic resonance showed a thrombotic mass as well as diffuse myocardial oedema and endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) that involved both ventricles. In the absence of any other cause (including peripheral eosinophilia), the diagnosis of idiopathic EMF was established.

Increased QRS duration and dispersion are associated with mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with permanent right ventricular apical pacing.

Background: Permanent right ventricular apical pacing may have negative effects on ventricular function and contribute to development of heart failure. We aimed to assess intra- and interventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with permanent right ventricular apical pacing, and to establish electrocardiographic markers of dyssynchrony.

Methods: 84 patients (46:38 male:female) who required permanent pacing were studied.

Contribution of Modern Echocardiographic Techniques in the Detection of Subclinical Heart Dysfunction in Young Adults with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Unlabelled: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects about 30% of the population and it has a growing tendecy with the increasing incidence of obesity. Currently, a large amount of clinical evidence has shown that cardiovascular disease represents the main cause of mortality in patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: In this study we investigated the structural and functional changes of the left ventricle in young adults with hepatic steatosis using modern echocardiographic techniques.

Spinal cord infarction caused by extensive aortic intramural hematoma.

We report the case of a 62-year-old Caucasian man, an ex-smoker, who presented to the emergency room complaining of intense lower back pain followed by immediate bilateral loss of inferior limbs motor function. Clinical examination showed complete paralysis and paranesthesia in both legs, while pain and temperature sensory examination revealed a sensory level at dermatome T6, with normal touch, vibration, and position senses. His blood pressure was 190∕100 mmHg.

Apolipoprotein E4 Is Associated with Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Dilated Cardiomyopathy-An Animal and In-Human Comparative Study.

ApoE abnormality represents a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Beyond its role in lipid metabolism, novel studies demonstrate a complex involvement of apoE in membrane homeostasis and signaling as well as in nuclear transcription. Due to the large spread of apoE isoforms in the human population, there is a need to understand the apoE's role in pathological processes.

Isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation in an adult with levo-transposition of the great arteries.

A 36-year-old woman with levo-transposition of the great arteries presented for a programmed visit. She was asymptomatic and the clinical examination showed no signs of decompensated heart failure. Standard 12-lead ECG showed isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Young Adults with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Unlabelled: There is strong evidence that, in addition to increasing the risk of cirrhosis as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, nonalcoholic liver disease represents an independent risk factor for different diseases including cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease and also type 2 diabetes.

Objective: to assess whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, independent of other classic risk factors.

Methods: we included 79 patients aged 15-45, diagnosed with non-alcoholic liver disease, and a group of 80 healthy people in the same age group.

Subacute effusive-constrictive pericarditis in a patient with COVID-19.

We report the case of a previously healthy young woman, who developed a severe form of COVID-19 with massive pneumonia and acute pericarditis in whom constrictive physiology developed rapidly. To our knowledge, this represents the second reported case of SARS-CoV-2 constrictive pericarditis, a rare, but severe cardiac complication.

Alpha-lipoic acid and vitamin B complex slow down the changes in mice diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Aim: The aim of our study was to assess histologically and by cardiac ultrasound the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and vitamin B complex, as pathogenic therapies, in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in mice.

Materials And Methods: We performed an experimental animal study, in which we analyzed from a structural and functional point of view the changes produced in DCM. To produce DCM, we induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in C57BL∕6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of a single 150 mg∕kg body weight dose of streptozotocin (STZ).

Testosterone, cardiomyopathies, and heart failure: a narrative review.

Testosterone exerts an important regulation of cardiovascular function through genomic and nongenomic pathways. It produces several changes in cardiomyocytes, the main actor of cardiomyopathies, which are characterized by pathological remodeling, eventually leading to heart failure. Testosterone is involved in contractility, in the energy metabolism of myocardial cells, apoptosis, and the remodeling process.