Outcomes and predictors of left ventricle recovery in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Data on the likelihood of left ventricle (LV) recovery in patients with severe LV dysfunction and severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and its prognostic value are limited.

Aims: We aimed to assess the likelihood of LV recovery following TAVI, examine its association with midterm mortality, and identify independent predictors of LV function.

Methods: In our multicentre registry of 17 TAVI centres in Western Europe and Israel, patients were stratified by baseline LV function (ejection fraction [EF] >/≤30%) and LV response: no LV recovery, LV recovery (EF increase ≥10%), and LV normalisation (EF ≥50% post-TAVI).

Impact of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair on Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Uptitration.

Background: Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) optimization is mandatory before transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (M-TEER) in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) and heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the effect of M-TEER on GDMT is unknown.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate frequency, prognostic implications and predictors of GDMT uptitration after M-TEER in patients with SMR and HFrEF.

Prediction of mortality and heart failure hospitalisations in patients undergoing M-TEER: external validation of the COAPT risk score.

Background: A risk score was recently derived from the Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation (COAPT) Trial. However, external validation of this score is still lacking.

Aims: We aimed to validate the COAPT risk score in a large multicentre population undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR).

[Transcatheter devices for chronic heart failure: state of the art].

Pharmacological therapy is the cornerstone of chronic heart failure treatment. However, an increasing number of devices for monitoring and treatment of patients with heart failure are being used and developed to complement existing therapies. Pulmonary and systemic congestion, left ventricular remodeling, neurohormonal activation, low cardiac contractility and impaired cardiac output are the main pathophysiological targets of these devices.

Updates in heart failure: sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and beyond - major changes are coming.

Prevalence of heart failure is increasing worldwide mainly due to the ageing of the population and the improvement in diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, huge progress has been made in the management of heart failure patients. A new definition of chronic heart failure based on left ventricular ejection fraction and its possible trajectories has been reported.

Endothelial function evaluation in idiopathic vs. ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: In the latest years an emerging interest has risen towards the role of endothelial dysfunction (ED) in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) since the very first steps of the disease. Since the prevalent etiology of HF is ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), it is still not clear whether the connection with ED is linked to HF itself or to atherosclerosis. The aim is to determine the presence of ED in subjects with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) compared to ICM.

Coeliac and cardiovascular disease: a possible relationship between two apparently separate conditions.

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition with a high prevalence among general population and multisystemic involvement: a more complex scene than a merely gastrointestinal disease. Therefore, an early diagnosis and treatment with a gluten-free diet is mainly important to reduce mortality and comorbidities. Together with autoimmune diseases (as Hashimoto thyroiditis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, autoimmune liver disease and connective tissue diseases), also an accelerated progression of atherosclerosis and a higher prevalence of heart disease have been reported in coeliacs.

Value of the HFA-PEFF and H FPEF scores in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction caused by cardiac amyloidosis.

Aims: The HFA-PEFF and H FPEF scores have been developed to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and hold prognostic value. Their value in patients with HFpEF caused by cardiac amyloidosis (CA) has never been investigated.

Methods And Results: We evaluated the diagnostic and prognostic value of the HFA-PEFF and H FPEF scores in 304 patients from three cohorts with HFpEF caused by transthyretin CA (n = 160, 53%) or immunoglobulin light-chain CA (n = 144, 47%).

Endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 patients assessed with Endo-PAT2000.

It has been widely reported that the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) attaches human cells by using the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, but vascular impairment described during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is primarily due to the direct involvement of the endothelial cells by the virus or secondarily to the inflammatory host response is currently unknown. We therefore aimed to demonstrate in vivo the presence of endothelial dysfunction in six COVID-19 patients without cardiovascular risk factors or pre-existing cardiac condition, using the Endo-PAT 2000, a device able to measure endothelial vasodilation function in a rapid and non-invasive way. Four patients were positive for endothelial dysfunction, with RHI values between 1.

COVID-19 and Heart Failure: From Epidemiology During the Pandemic to Myocardial Injury, Myocarditis, and Heart Failure Sequelae.

A close and intriguing relationship has been suggested between heart failure (HF) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). First, COVID-19 pandemic represented a global public health emergency in the last year and had a catastrophic impact on health systems worldwide. Several studies showed a reduction in HF hospitalizations, ranging from 30 to 66% in different countries and leading to a subsequent increase in HF mortality.