Electrical storm treatment by percutaneous stellate ganglion block: the STAR study.

Background And Aims: An electrical storm (ES) is a clinical emergency with a paucity of established treatment options. Despite initial encouraging reports about the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous stellate ganglion block (PSGB), many questions remained unsettled and evidence from a prospective multicentre study was still lacking. For these purposes, the STAR study was designed.

Incremental Value of Right Atrial Strain Analysis to Predict Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Electrical Cardioversion.

Background: Although the assessment of left atrial (LA) mechanics has been reported to refine atrial fibrillation (AF) risk prediction, it doesn't completely predict AF recurrence. The potential added role of right atrial (RA) function in this setting is unknown. Accordingly, this study sought to evaluate the added value of RA longitudinal reservoir strain (RASr) for the prediction of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (ECV).

Right Heart Adaptation to Exercise in Pulmonary Hypertension: An Invasive Hemodynamic Study.

Background: Right heart failure (RHF) is associated with a dismal prognosis in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Exercise right heart catheterization may unmask right heart maladaptation as a sign of RHF. We sought to (1) define the normal limits of right atrial pressure (RAP) increase during exercise; (2) describe the right heart adaptation to exercise in PH owing to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF) and in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); and (3) identify the factors associated with right heart maladaptation during exercise.

Shedding Light on Latent Pulmonary Vascular Disease in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a distinct hemodynamic phenotype has been recently described, ie, latent pulmonary vascular disease (HFpEF-latentPVD), defined by exercise pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >1.74 WU.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the pathophysiological significance of HFpEF-latentPVD.

Real-life experience with remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 among older adults: a multicentre retrospective study.

Introduction: The effect of remdesivir on COVID-19 mortality remains conflicting. Elderly individuals are at risk for poor COVID-19 outcomes. We aimed to assess the effect of remdesivir on COVID-19 mortality among elderly individuals, using real-world data.

Impact of severe secondary tricuspid regurgitation on rest and exercise hemodynamics of patients with heart failure and a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background: Both secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are relevant public health problems in the elderly population, presenting with potential overlaps and sharing similar risk factors. However, the impact of severe STR on hemodynamics and cardiorespiratory adaptation to exercise in HFpEF remains to be clarified.

Aim: To explore the impact of STR on exercise hemodynamics and cardiorespiratory adaptation in HFpEF.

Ablation of CTI-dependent flutter using different ablation technologies: acute and long-term outcome from the LEONARDO study.

Background: A novel ablation catheter has been released to map and ablate the cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) in patients with atrial flutter (AFL), improving ablation efficiency.

Methods: We evaluated the acute and long-term outcome of CTI ablation aiming at bidirectional conduction block (BDB) in a prospective, multicenter cohort study enrolling 500 patients indicated for typical AFL ablation. Patients were grouped on the basis of the AFL ablation method (linear anatomical approach, Conv group n = 425, or maximum voltage guided, MVG group, n = 75) and ablation catheter (mini-electrodes technology, MiFi group, n = 254, or a standard 8-mm ablation catheter, BLZ group, n = 246).

Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Structural Heart Disease: A Review.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Patients with structural heart disease (SHD) are at an increased risk of developing this arrhythmia and are particularly susceptible to the deleterious hemodynamic effects it carries. In the last two decades, catheter ablation (CA) has emerged as a valuable strategy for rhythm control and is currently part of the standard care for symptomatic relief in patients with AF.

Safety and efficacy of cryoablation for atrial fibrillation in young patients: A multicenter experience in the 1STOP project.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an uncommon arrhythmia in young adults without structural heart disease, and cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (CB-PVI) is an important therapeutic strategy for rhythm control in patients with drug-refractory AF. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate efficacy and safety of CB-PVI in a large cohort of young patients in comparison with middle-aged adults in a real-world setting.

Methods: From 2012 to 2020, a total of 3033 patients with AF underwent CB-PVI and were followed prospectively in the framework of the 1STOP Clinical Service project, involving 34 Italian centers.

Role of CHADS-VASc score in predicting atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation with cryoballoon ablation.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation by cryoablation (PVI-C) is a standard therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The CHADS-VASc score is a well-established predictor of AF-related stroke. Whether the CHADS-VASc score can also be useful in predicting the long-term clinical outcomes following PVI-C is still unsettled.

Predictors of survival in elderly patients with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted to the hospital: derivation and validation of the FLAMINCOV score.

Objective: To identify predictors of 30-day survival in elderly patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study including patients with COVID-19 aged ≥65 years hospitalized in six European sites (January 2020 to May 2021). Data on demographics, comorbidities, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were collected.

Impact of thyroid function screening in a large cohort of patients admitted to an emergency department.

Background: Thyroid dysfunctions are highly prevalent and can worsen underlying cardiopathies, but despite that the routine screening of thyroid function in the Emergency Department (ED) setting is not generally recommended.

Objective: To understand if staff training and implementation of rapid TSH screening (rTSH) could improve the management of patients arrived in the ED. Specifically, we aimed at evaluating the prevalence of undiagnosed thyroid diseases among ED patients; the effects of educational meetings in the clinical decision-making process; the usefulness of rTSH, in terms of variation of either the clinical work out or the existing treatment.

Serum neurofilament light chain levels in Covid-19 patients without major neurological manifestations.

Background: Increased serum levels of neurofilament light chain (sNFL), a biomarker of neuroaxonal damage, have been reported in patients with Covid-19. We aimed at investigating whether sNFL is increased in Covid-19 patients without major neurological manifestations, is associated with disease severity, respiratory and routine blood parameters, and changes longitudinally in the short term.

Methods: sNFL levels were measured with single molecule array (Simoa) technology in 57 hospitalized Covid-19 patients without major neurological manifestations and in 30 neurologically healthy controls.

Second versus fourth generation of cryoballoon catheters: The 1STOP real-world multicenter experience.

Background: It has been observed that the fourth-generation cryoballoon (CB4) ablation catheter increased the rate of acute real-time recordings of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) during the ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this analysis was to compare the long-term outcome results between patients treated with the CB4 and second-generation cryoballoon (CB2).

Methods: In total, 492 patients suffering from AF, underwent PVI ablation with either the CB2 or CB4 catheter within this examination of the 1STOP real-world Italian project and were included in the analysis.

Lung Ultrasound in Patients With SARS-COV-2 Pneumonia: Correlations With Chest Computed Tomography, Respiratory Impairment, and Inflammatory Cascade.

Objectives: Lung ultrasound (LUS) might be comparable to chest computed tomography (CT) in detecting parenchymal and pleural pathology, and in monitoring interstitial lung disease. We aimed to describe LUS characteristics of patients during the hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia, and to compare the extent of lung involvement at LUS and chest-CT with inflammatory response and the severity of respiration impairment.

Methods: During a 2-week period, we performed LUS and chest CT in hospitalized patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia.

Lead Abandonment and Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (S-ICD) Implantation in a Cohort of Patients With ICD Lead Malfunction.

When an implantable-cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead becomes non-functional, a recommendation currently exists for either lead abandonment or removal. Lead abandonment and subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) implantation may represent an additional option for patients who do not require pacing. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of a strategy of lead abandonment and S-ICD implantation in the setting of lead malfunction.

Vitamin D and COVID-19 severity and related mortality: a prospective study in Italy.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been suggested to favor a poorer outcome of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We aimed to assess if 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25OHD) levels are associated with interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and with disease severity and mortality in COVID-19.

Methods: We prospectively studied 103 in-patients admitted to a Northern-Italian hospital (age 66.

Current Limitations of Invasive Exercise Hemodynamics for the Diagnosis of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Exercise hemodynamics can differentiate heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) from noncardiac dyspnea. However, respiratory pressure swings may impact hemodynamic measurements, potentially leading to misdiagnosis of HFpEF. Moreover, threshold values for abnormal hemodynamic response indicative of HFpEF are not universally accepted.

Impact of COVID-19 on exercise pathophysiology: a combined cardiopulmonary and echocardiographic exercise study.

Survivors from COVID-19 pneumonia can present with persisting multisystem involvement (lung, pulmonary vessels, heart, muscle, red blood cells) that may negatively affect exercise capacity. We sought to determine the extent and the determinants of exercise limitation in patients with COVID-19 at the time of hospital discharge. Eighteen consecutive patients with COVID-19 and 1:1 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched controls underwent: spirometry, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test and exercise echocardiography for the study of pulmonary circulation.

The spectrum of thyroid function tests during hospitalization for SARS COV-2 infection.

Objective: Alterations in thyroid function tests (TFTs) have been recorded during SARS-CoV-2 infection as associated to either a destructive thyroiditis or a non-thyroidal illness.

Methods: We studied 144 consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to a single center in intensive or subintensive care units. Those with previous thyroid dysfunctions or taking interfering drugs were excluded.

Cryoablation for pulmonary veins isolation in obese patients with atrial fibrillation compared to nonobese patients.

Background: Pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) by cryoballoon (CB) ablation is marginally represented in clinical studies in obese patients. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CB-PVI in a large cohort of overweight and obese patients from the 1STOP project.

Methods: From 2012 to 2018, 2048 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) (70% male, 59 ± 11 years; 75% paroxysmal AF) underwent index CB-PVI.