Neutralizing antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants following heterologous CoronaVac plus BNT162b2 booster vaccination.

The recent emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is raising concerns because of its increased transmissibility and its numerous spike mutations, which have the potential to evade neutralizing antibodies elicited by COVID-19 vaccines. Here we evaluated the effects of a heterologous BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine booster on the humoral immunity of participants who had received a two-dose regimen of CoronaVac, an inactivated vaccine used globally. We found that a heterologous CoronaVac prime vaccination of two doses followed by a BNT162b2 booster induces elevated virus-specific antibody levels and potent neutralization activity against the ancestral virus and the Delta variant, resembling the titers obtained after two doses of mRNA vaccines.

Comparison of pharmacological treatment alone versus treatment combined with cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients over 75 years.

Background: The role of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients aged ≥75 years is not well established.

Methods: We identified 607 patients aged ≥75 years with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤35 %, of whom 78 met the guidelines for indication of CRT. Based on the decision of the patients or attending cardiologists, 34 patients received a CRT defibrillator (CRT-D).

Silent ischaemic brain lesions related to atrial high rate episodes in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices.

Aims: Monitoring capabilities of cardiac implantable electronic devices have revealed that a large proportion of patients present silent atrial fibrillation (AF) detected as atrial high rate episodes (AHREs). Atrial high rate episodes >5 min have been linked to increased risk of clinical stroke, but a high proportion of ischaemic brain lesions (IBLs) could be subclinical.

Methods And Results: We prospectively analysed the incidence of AHRE > 5 min in 109 patients (56% men, aged 74 ± 9 years) and the presence of silent IBL on computed tomography (CT) scan.

Limitations of the AutoCapture™ Pacing System in patients with cardiac stimulation devices.

Aims: AutoCapture (St Jude Medical) is a technological development that confirms ventricular capture analysing the evoked response after a pacing impulse and adjusts the energy output to changes in the stimulation threshold. Although this algorithm is aimed to assure capture minimizing energy consumption, some patients might not benefit from it. The objective of this study is to identify them.

[Asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: a reopened debate].

Aortic stenosis is a complex disease. About 2-7% of the population over 65 years of age is affected by its degenerative form. In patients with severe aortic stenosis presenting with symptoms or left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF)<.