Heart failure hospitalization following surgical or transcatheter aortic valve implantation in low-risk aortic stenosis.

Aims: In low-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), sutureless surgical aortic valve replacement (SU-SAVR) may be an alternative to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The risk of heart failure hospitalization (HFH) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in this population is incompletely characterized. This study aims to investigate the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of HFH in patients undergoing SU-SAVR versus TAVI.

Atorvastatin Effect on Aortic Dilatation and Valvular Calcification Progression in Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BICATOR): A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Ascending aorta dilation and aortic valve degeneration are common complications in patients with bicuspid aortic valve. Several retrospective studies have suggested the benefit of statins in reducing these complications. This study aimed to determine whether atorvastatin treatment is effective in reducing the growth of aortic diameters in bicuspid aortic valve and if it slows the progression of valve calcification.

Clinical and prognostic implications of left ventricular dilatation in heart failure.

Aims: To assess the agreement between left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDi) and volume index (LVEDVi) to define LV dilatation and to investigate the respective prognostic implications in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: Patients with HF symptoms and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance were evaluated retrospectively. LV dilatation was defined as LVEDDi or LVEDVi above the upper normal limit according to published reference values.

Assessment of the Severity of Aortic Regurgitation by Noninvasive Imaging : Non-invasive MMI for AR.

Purpose Of The Review: The role of multimodality imaging in the evaluation of patients with aortic regurgitation is summarized in this review.

Recent Findings: The etiology (mechanism) of the aortic regurgitation and the severity of aortic regurgitation and hemodynamic consequences are key in the decision making of patients with severe aortic regurgitation. While echocardiography remains as the leading technique to assess all these parameters, other imaging techniques have become essential for the accurate assessment of aortic regurgitation severity and the timing of aortic intervention.

Timing of cardiac magnetic resonance and diagnostic yield in patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries.

Introduction And Objectives: The present study sought to establish the diagnostic yield of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a large cohort of patients admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) based on the timing of referral to CMR.

Methods: Consecutive patients referred to CMR from January 2009 to February 2022 with a working diagnosis of MINOCA were retrospectively evaluated. Cine, T-weighted, early, and late gadolinium-enhanced images were acquired and analyzed.

Changes in echocardiographic parameters over time in paradoxical low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis.

Aims: To assess the progression of the disease and evolution of the main echocardiographic variables for quantifying AS in patients with severe low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) AS compared to other severe AS subtypes.

Methods And Results: Longitudinal, observational, multicenter study including consecutive asymptomatic patients with severe AS (aortic valve area, AVA < 1.0 cm²) and normal left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%).

Multimodality imaging in aortic stenosis: new diagnostic and therapeutic frontiers.

The advent of transcatheter aortic valve implantation has revolutionized the treatment of calcific aortic valve stenosis. Elderly patients who were previously considered inoperable have currently an efficacious and safe therapy that provides better survival. In addition, current practice guidelines tend to recommend earlier intervention to avoid the irreversible consequences of long-lasting pressure overload caused by the stenotic aortic valve.

Prognosis of Paradoxical Low-Flow Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis: A Severe, Non-critical Form, With Surgical Treatment Benefits.

Objectives: To determine the risk of mortality and need for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: A longitudinal multicentre study including consecutive patients with severe AS (aortic valve area [AVA] < 1.0 cm) and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Prevalence and factors associated with atrial mitral and tricuspid regurgitation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of atrial tricuspid regurgitation (ATR) and atrial mitral regurgitation (AMR) in the setting of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and identify variables related to the severity of both types of regurgitation.

Methods: Cross-sectional study evaluating data from transthoracic echocardiograms performed during 2019. We included patients with AFib during the examination, and without primary valve disease or other significant heart disease.

Preload dependence of pulmonary haemodynamics and right ventricular performance.

Aims: Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) and right heart adaptation in relation to pre-existing preload are often disregarded. To determine volume-related changes in the pulmonary-right ventricle (RV) unit and the preload dependence of its components, we analysed pulmonary haemodynamics and right ventricular performance, taking advantage of the plasma volume removal associated to haemodialysis (HD).

Methods And Results: Fifty-three stable patients on chronic HD with LVEF > 50% and without heart failure were recruited (mean age 63.

High-sensitivity troponin T in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

In asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (ASAS), treatment decisions are made on an individual basis, and case management presents a clinical conundrum. We prospectively phenotyped consecutive patients with ASAS using echocardiography, exercise echocardiography, cardiac MRI and biomarkers (NT-proBNP, high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) and ST2) ( = 58). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, new-onset symptoms, cardiac hospitalization, guideline-driven indication for valve replacement and cardiovascular death at 12 months.

An intracardiac ectopic thyroid mass.

Ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare congenital anomaly that results from multiple events during development. The ectopic thyroid may lie in several human organs including the tongue and mediastinum. It is rarely seen as an intracardiac mass.