Machine-learning based risk prediction of in-hospital outcomes following STEMI: the STEMI-ML score.

Background: Traditional prognostic models for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have limitations in statistical methods and usability.

Objective: We aimed to develop a machine-learning (ML) based risk score to predict in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 40% (LVEF < 40%) in STEMI patients.

Methods: We reviewed 1,863 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) or rescue PCI.

Cardiovascular presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interrupted time series analysis.

Background: The broader implications of the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on cardiovascular hospitalizations remain unclear. We aimed to assess trends in cardiovascular presentations during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods: This multicentre study examined cardiovascular presentations from March 2018 to February 2023.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on provision of interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery services in Australia: a review of Medicare claims data.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare service provision worldwide. There is limited information on changes in invasive cardiovascular services during the pandemic, particularly in Australia.

Aim: We sought to assess temporal trends on the use of interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery services before and following the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

Association between pre-existing cardiovascular disease, mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Background: Pre-existing cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors are common in patients with COVID-19 and there remain concerns for poorer in-hospital outcomes in this cohort. We aimed to analyse the relationship between pre-existing cardiovascular disease, mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in a prospective, multicentre observational study.

Method: This prospective, multicentre observational study included consecutive patients of age ≥18 in their index hospitalisation with laboratory-proven COVID-19 in Australia.

Vessel-Specific Outcomes of Deferred Revascularization Following Negative Fractional Flow Reserve.

Variations in myocardial supply area and hydrostatic pressure gradients result in greater likelihood of positive fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the left anterior descending (LAD) compared with the circumflex (Cx) and right coronary artery (RCA). However, the same FFR threshold for deferral of revascularization is applied to all arteries, without evidence that this results in equivalent outcomes. We assessed vessel-specific outcomes of deferred revascularization for the 3 major coronary arteries based on FFR > 0.

Prospective observational study on the accuracy of predictors of high-grade atrioventricular conduction block after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (CONDUCT-TAVI): study protocol, background and significance.

Introduction: Aortic stenosis is the most common cardiac valve pathology worldwide and has a mortality rate of over 50% at 5 years if left untreated. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive and highly effective alternative treatment option to open-heart surgery. High-grade atrioventricular conduction block (HGAVB) is one of the most common complications after TAVI and requires a permanent pacemaker.

Outcomes of deferred revascularisation following negative fractional flow reserve in diabetic and non-diabetic patients: a meta-analysis.

Background: Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is a widely applied invasive physiological assessment, endorsed by major guidelines to aid in the decision to perform or defer revascularisation. While a threshold of  > 0.8 has been applied universally, clinical outcomes may be affected by numerous factors, including the presence of diabetes.

Safety and Feasibility of Rotational Atherectomy in Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of rotational atherectomy (RA) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Background: Heavily calcified coronary lesions are commonly encountered in elderly patients with severe AS who are being considered for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The use of RA in these patients is controversial as they may be at a higher risk of complications.

Association of hypertension with mortality in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.

Objective: To assess whether hypertension is an independent risk factor for mortality among patients hospitalised with COVID-19, and to evaluate the impact of ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use on mortality in patients with a background of hypertension.

Method: This observational cohort study included all index hospitalisations with laboratory-proven COVID-19 aged ≥18 years across 21 Australian hospitals. Patients with suspected, but not laboratory-proven COVID-19, were excluded.

Cardiac Complications in Patients Hospitalised With COVID-19 in Australia.

Objectives: Describe the incidence of cardiac complications in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in Australia.

Design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Twenty-one (21) Australian hospitals.

Persistent reduction in global longitudinal strain in the longer term after radiation therapy in patients with breast cancer.

Background: More than 80% of breast cancer patients receive radiotherapy (RT). However, RT can lead to cardiotoxicity, which usually develops insidiously over years, making diagnosis difficult. It is also unknown whether early identification of at-risk patients might improve long-term outcome.

Evaluation of traditional and novel echocardiographic methods of cardiac diastolic dysfunction post radiotherapy in breast cancer.

Background: To investigate alterations in left ventricular (LV) diastolic function using traditional and novel echocardiographic parameters, following radiation therapy (RT) in breast cancer patients in the acute setting.

Methods: 40 chemotherapy-naïve women with left-sided breast cancer undergoing RT were prospectively recruited. A comprehensive transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) was performed at baseline, during RT and 6weeks post-RT.