Effects of Left Bundle Branch Block and Pacemaker Implantation on Left Ventricular Systolic Function After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) and left bundle branch block (LBBB) frequency after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and their effect on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remain controversial. We evaluated the incidence of PPI and new-onset LBBB after TAVI and their impact on LVEF at 6-month follow-up. Moreover, the impact of right ventricular (RV) pacing burden on changes in LVEF after TAVI was analyzed.

One-Year Follow-Up of Conduction Abnormalities After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With the SAPIEN 3 Valve.

Long-term evolution of new-onset conduction abnormalities and need of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have not been extensively evaluated. We describe the incidence and time course of new conduction abnormalities and the rate of PPI with the new-generation transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis Edwards SAPIEN 3 (S3). In total, 266 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI were retrospectively analyzed.

Does the Right Focal Variant of Alzheimer's Disease Really Exist? A Literature Analysis.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a clinically heterogeneous disease. Multiple atypical syndromes, distinct from the usual amnesic phenotype, have been described. In this context, the existence of a right variant of AD (RAD), characterized by enduring visuospatial impairment associated with right-sided asymmetric brain damage, has been proposed.

Role of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: Review and Meta-analysis of the Literature.

Diagnosis and management of Cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction is of crucial importance in breast cancer (BC) patients. The role of advanced echocardiographic techniques, such as deformation imaging, in the diagnosis and characterization of patients receiving cancer therapy has so far involved relatively small studies in the research setting. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of observational studies evaluating myocardial changes during chemotherapy detected through conventional echocardiographic parameters, such as 2D left ventricular ejection fraction (2D LVEF), and 2D Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE).

Interobserver Variability in Applying American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging 2016 Guidelines for Estimation of Left Ventricular Filling Pressure.

Background: Assessment of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure is among the important components of a comprehensive echocardiographic report. Previous studies noted wide limits of agreement using 2009 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Echocardiography guidelines, but reproducibility of 2016 guidelines update in estimating LV filling pressure is unknown.

Methods: Echocardiographic and hemodynamic data were obtained from 50 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for clinical indications.

Usefulness of Left Atrial Remodeling in Predicting CardiacToxicity During Trastuzumab Therapy for Breast Cancer.

Trastuzumab is a key therapy for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast cancer (BC). However, it may cause left ventricular dysfunction, resulting in withdrawal of therapy. Left atrium (LA) enlargement has proven to cue subclinical ventricular dysfunction in various clinical setting.

Impact of Diabetes and Increasing Body Mass Index Category on Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function.

Background: Diabetes and obesity are both worldwide growing epidemics, and both are independently associated with increased risk for heart failure and death. The aim of this study was to examine the additive detrimental effect of both diabetes and increasing body mass index (BMI) category on left ventricular (LV) myocardial systolic and diastolic function.

Methods: The present retrospective multicenter study included 653 patients (337 with type 2 diabetes and 316 without diabetes) of increasing BMI category.

Impella-protected PCI: the clinical results achieved so far.

The ability of interventional cardiologists to identify high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients, requires the integration of different features belonging to medical history, organ damage, coronary anatomy and the nature of the acute event. The selection of a subgroup of patients that could benefit from mechanical support during interventions is a key feature to success. The introduction of the Impella percutaneous axial pump have added an easy-to-set-up, less invasive and time-consuming active-support device to the interventional toolbox.

Left atrial volume in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer: One step further to predict trastuzumab-related cardiotoxicity.

Background: Trastuzumab (TZ) therapy requires careful monitoring of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) because it can be potentially cardiotoxic. However, LVEF is an imperfect parameter and there is a need to find other variables to predict cardiac dysfunction early. Left atrium (LA) enlargement has proven to be a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes in several disease entities.

Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis: Discrepancy between Clinical, Neuroimaging, and Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers Criteria in an Italian Cohort of Geriatric Outpatients: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.

Background: The role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and neuroimaging in the diagnostic process of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not clear, in particular in the older patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical diagnosis of AD with CSF biomarkers and with cerebrovascular damage at neuroimaging in a cohort of geriatric patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records of ≥65-year-old patients with cognitive impairment referred to an Italian geriatric outpatient clinic, for whom the CSF concentration of amyloid-β (Aβ), total Tau (Tau), and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) was available.