An Analysis of Myocardial Efficiency in Patients with Severe Asymptomatic Mitral Regurgitation.

Background: It is difficult to determine left ventricular systolic performance in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) since left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) could be preserved until the end stages of the disease. Myocardial efficiency (MEf) describes the amount of external work (EW) done by the left ventricle per unit of oxygen consumed (mVO₂). In the present study, we aimed to investigate MEf in patients with asymptomatic severe MR using a novel echocardiographic method.

Comparison of long-term prognostic value of baseline SYNTAX and clinical SYNTAX scores in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with multivessel disease.

Background: The prognostic value of baseline SYNTAX (SS) and clinical SYNTAX (cSS) scores has been shown in different populations with coronary artery disease. However, their prognostic value has not been compared in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease.

Methods: Patients who had undergone a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI and had at least one critical lesion other than the culprit artery were recruited retrospectively.

Higher CHADS-VASc Score Is Associated With Increased Mortality in Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: CHADS-VASc score has been validated in risk prediction for stroke and thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Association of CHADS-VASc score with higher risk of venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism (PE) has also been shown. In this study, we investigated the long-term prognostic value of CHADS-VASc score in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Increased Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio is Associated with In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Aortic Dissection.

Background: i ne prognostic relevance of hematological parameters in cardiovascular diseases has been well demonstrated. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the association between the hematological parameters, particularly neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and outcomes of aortic dissection (AD).

Methods: Two hundred patients diagnosed with AD were retrospectively recruited and compared with 76 subjects with ascending aortic dilatation (AAD) and 92 subjects with normal aortic diameters.

Echo-guided pericardiocentesis in patients with clinically significant pericardial effusion. Outcomes over a 10-year period.

Background: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate current echocardiographically (echo)-guided pericardiocentesis practice with regard to procedural success, complication rate, etiological causes, and outcomes of patients with clinically significant pericardial effusion.

Patients And Methods: Patients who underwent echo-guided pericardiocentesis between January 2004 and February 2014 were identified using an institutional code for the procedure. Other complementary data were obtained by interviewing patients or their relatives (directly or by telephone) and by searching the social security death index.