Left Atrial Structure and Function Following Ethanol Infusion into Vein of Marshall (MR-SHALL Study).

Background: Ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall (EI-VOM) is an adjunctive therapy to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI), which improves the efficacy of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. It is unknown how EI-VOM scar formation impacts left atrium (LA) structure and function.

Objective: To characterize scar formation after EI-VOM, and its impact on LA function, by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

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.

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.

Left-to-right ventricular volume ratio and outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Age-specific and gender-specific reference values for left ventricular (LV) and right ventricle volumes are available. The prognostic implications of the ratio between these volumes in heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have never been evaluated.

Methods: We examined all HFpEF outpatients undergoing a cardiac magnetic resonance from 2011 to 2021.

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.

Usefulness of cardiac screening in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and anti-Ro/SSA antibodies.

Objectives: Recent data suggest that some adult patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases may develop cardiac conduction and repolarization abnormalities mediated by anti-Ro/SSA antibodies. We aim to investigate the utility of a cardiac screening in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and anti-Ro/SSA positivity.

Methods: SLE patients who consecutively attended a Rheumatology clinic during 1 year where evaluated for the presence and levels of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies, and clinical and biological markers of organ damage and disease activity.

Lung ultrasound and biomarkers in primary care: Partners for a better management of patients with heart failure?

Introduction: The association of pulmonary congestion assessed by lung ultrasound (LUS) and biomarkers-other than N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)-is uncertain.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between total B-line count by LUS and several biomarkers in outpatients with suspicion of heart failure (HF). Primary care patients with suspected new-onset nonacute HF were evaluated both with a 12-scan LUS protocol (8 anterolateral areas plus 4 lower posterior thoracic areas) and 11 inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers.

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.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Fibrosis Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation: The ALICIA Trial.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is key for atrial fibrillation maintenance. We aimed to test the efficacy of ablating cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-detected atrial fibrosis plus pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods: This was an open-label, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial.

Sex-Related Differences in the Mechanism of Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: Predictive factors of significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) are not completely understood. We investigated sex-related differences in predictors of FTR progression.

Method: Clinical and echocardiographic variables were recorded in a prospective single-centre observational cohort of 251 consecutive stable patients with FTR.

Lung Ultrasound for Heart Failure Diagnosis in Primary Care.

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is useful for diagnosing pulmonary congestion, but its value in primary care remains unclear. We investigated whether LUS improved diagnostic accuracy in outpatients with heart failure (HF) suspicion.

Methods And Results: LUS was performed on 2 anterior (A), 2 lateral (L), and 2 posterior (P) areas per hemithorax.

Short- and long-term mortality in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis not undergoing surgery despite indication.

Introduction And Objectives: In infective endocarditis (IE), decisions on surgical interventions are challenging and a high percentage of patients with surgical indication do not undergo these procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with surgical indication, comparing those who underwent surgery with those who did not.

Methods: We included 271 patients with left-sided IE treated at our institution from 2003 to 2018 and with an indication for surgery.

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.