Risk and predictors of sudden death in cardiac sarcoidosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To evaluate the risk for ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and determine the prognostic factors.

Methods And Results: PUBMED, EMBASE and SCOPUS were searched up to 14th April 2020. Studies reporting the incidence of SCD, appropriate ICD therapy in CS patients, or relevant prognostic information in patients having undergone MRI, PET, or programmed electrical stimulation (PES) were included.

Platelet Reactivity Is Independent of Left Atrial Wall Deformation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

It has been documented recently that left atrial (LA) deformation in AF patients (while in AF) is predictive of subsequent stroke risk. Additionally, diminished LA deformation during AF correlates with the presence of LA blood stasis. Given that endothelial function is dependent on laminar blood flow, the present study sought to investigate the effect of diminished LA deformation (during AF) on platelet reactivity and inflammation in AF patients.

Standard versus atrial fibrillation-specific management strategy (SAFETY) to reduce recurrent admission and prolong survival: pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Patients are increasingly being admitted with chronic atrial fibrillation, and disease-specific management might reduce recurrent admissions and prolong survival. However, evidence is scant to support the application of this therapeutic approach. We aimed to assess SAFETY--a management strategy that is specific to atrial fibrillation.

Epidemiology and diagnosis of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: rationale and design of the study.

Aims: Despite major advances in our understanding of 'systolic' heart failure, at present the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and therapy of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) is poorly understood, in large part because of the lack of robust and widely accepted diagnostic criteria. Although there is a good evidence base for the treatment of systolic heart failure, similar data are lacking for the treatment of HFpEF. Methods In our study, we will screen a consecutive series of 5000 subjects aged ≥60 from the community.

Navigating the fine line between benefit and risk in chronic atrial fibrillation: rationale and design of the Standard versus Atrial Fibrillation spEcific managemenT studY (SAFETY).

Background: Health outcomes associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) continue to be poor and standard management often does not provide clinical stability. The Standard versus Atrial Fibrillation spEcific managemenT studY (SAFETY) compares the efficacy of a post-discharge, nurse-led, multi-disciplinary programme to optimise AF management with usual care.

Methods: SAFETY is a prospective, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial with blinded-endpoint adjudication.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is characterized by dynamic impairment of active relaxation and contraction of the left ventricle on exercise and associated with myocardial energy deficiency.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the role of exercise-related changes in left ventricular (LV) relaxation and of LV contractile function and vasculoventricular coupling (VVC) in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and to assess myocardial energetic status in these patients.

Background: To date, no studies have investigated exercise-related changes in LV relaxation and VVC as well as in vivo myocardial energetic status in patients with HFpEF.

Methods: We studied 37 patients with HFpEF and 20 control subjects.

Left ventricular torsion and strain patterns in heart failure with normal ejection fraction are similar to age-related changes.

Aims: We used speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to make a comparison between the effects of ageing and of heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HfnEF) on left ventricular (LV) torsion and strain patterns.

Methods And Results: Forty patients with HfnEF, 27 young controls and 26 older controls, were prospectively recruited. All subjects underwent clinical examination, 12-lead electrocardiogram, pulmonary function test, echocardiogram, and metabolic exercise test.