Diagnostic Challenges in Aortic Stenosis.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most prevalent degenerative valvular disease in western countries. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is considered, nowadays, to be the main imaging technique for the work-up of AS due to high availability, safety, low cost, and excellent capacity to evaluate aortic valve (AV) morphology and function. Despite the diagnosis of AS being considered straightforward for a very long time, based on high gradients and reduced aortic valve area (AVA), many patients with AS represent a real dilemma for cardiologist.

Impact of different models of improvement of continuity of care on lipid control and the delay of visits to cardiology.

To analyze the impact of implementing three different models of continuity of care on the delay of first visits to the cardiologist (management end point) and on LDL-cholesterol control rates among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease (clinical end point). Observational, longitudinal and retrospective study of patients with cardiovascular disease and LDL-cholesterol ≥70 mg/dl attended in three hospitals (H1/H2/H3). In H1 and H2, a virtual system (telecardiology) was developed (in H1, internal audits and specific medical education were also performed).

Truncating FLNC Mutations Are Associated With High-Risk Dilated and Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathies.

Background: Filamin C (encoded by the FLNC gene) is essential for sarcomere attachment to the plasmatic membrane. FLNC mutations have been associated with myofibrillar myopathies, and cardiac involvement has been reported in some carriers. Accordingly, since 2012, the authors have included FLNC in the genetic screening of patients with inherited cardiomyopathies and sudden death.

Pulmonary vein stenosis: Etiology, diagnosis and management.

Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is rare condition characterized by a challenging diagnosis and unfavorable prognosis at advance stages. At present, injury from radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation has become the main cause of the disease. PVS is characterized by a progressive lumen size reduction of one or more pulmonary veins that, when hemodynamically significant, may raise lobar capillary pressure leading to signs and symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and hemoptysis.

[Prognostic impact of interventional approach in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in very elderly patients].

Introduction And Objectives: In moderate or high risk non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, clinical practice guidelines recommend a coronary angiography with intent to revascularize. However, evidence to support this recommendation in very elderly patients is poor.

Methods: All patients over 85 years old admitted to our hospital between 2004 and 2009 with a diagnosis of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome were retrospectively included.