[Single-center retrospective observational study on predictors of residual mitral regurgitation 1 year after MitraClip® implantation].

Background: The extent of residual mitral regurgitation (MR) (1+ vs ≥2+) has a notable impact on the outcome of MitraClip (MC) repair of significant functional MR. In this retrospective single-center study, we evaluated the predictors of MI ≥2+ at 1 year in one of our case series.

Methods: Overall, 58 patients with moderate severe functional MR underwent MC implantation; of these, 48 patients had instrumental clinical follow-up for 1 year.

A narrative review of diagnosis of infective endocarditis-imaging methods and comparison.

The profile of infective endocarditis (IE) has changed over the past few decades. The modified Duke's criteria is currently employed for diagnosis of IE. Emphasis on imaging modalities however, have been increasing due to the variety of presenting symptoms leading to diagnostic conundrums.

Myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency in hypertensive adults.

Background: Myocardial mechanical efficiency can be measured as the ratio between systolic work and energy consumption. We evaluated the relation between myocardial mechanical efficiency and left ventricular (LV) mass in untreated hypertensive patients.

Methods: Myocardial work was estimated in 256 normotensive (35 +/- 12 years) and 306 hypertensive patients (47 +/- 10 years) with normal ejection fraction, as stroke work in gram-meters (stroke work = BPs x SV x 0.

Increased left ventricular mass in pre-liver transplantation cirrhotic patients.

Objective: Severe liver disease is associated with abnormalities in cardiac geometry and function. We aimed to assess the prevalence of these abnormalities and to determine if they represent an adaptation of the heart to the haemodynamic overload associated with liver dysfunction.

Methods: Seventy cirrhotic patients underwent standard Doppler echocardiography, as a screening evaluation for liver transplantation, and were compared with 70 normal subjects matched for age and sex.

Excessive increase in left ventricular mass identifies hypertensive subjects with clustered geometric and functional abnormalities.

Background: Left ventricular mass (LVM) exceeding needs to sustain haemodynamic load has been termed 'inappropriate left ventricular mass'. We hypothesized that inappropriate LVM identifies hypertensive patients with clustered cardiac geometric and functional abnormalities.

Methods: For this purpose, 359 hypertensive individuals without prevalent cardiovascular disease underwent Doppler echocardiography.