Heart failure biomarkers and prediction of early left ventricle remodeling after acute coronary syndromes.

Introduction: Several biomarkers are characteristically elevated in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Our hypothesis was they could predict early changes in left ventricular (LV) characteristics in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The objective of this study was two-fold: a) compare circulating concentrations of NT-pro BNP, CA-125, ST2, galectin-3 and pro-adrenomedullin among 4 groups of individuals (healthy controls; patients with ACS without AHF; patients with ACS and AHF and patients admitted for AHF); and b) evaluate whether these biomarkers predict adverse LV remodeling and ejection fraction changes in ACS.

Prognostic value of liver fibrosis assessed by the FIB-4 index in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction And Objectives: Liver fibrosis is present in nonalcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) and both precede liver failure. Subclinical forms of liver fibrosis might increase the risk of cardiovascular events. The objective of this study was to describe the prognostic value of the FIB-4 index on in-hospital mortality and postdischarge outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Increased Risk of Heart Failure in Elderly Patients Treated with Beta-Blockers After AV Node Ablation.

Introduction: Controversy exists regarding the indication of beta-blockers (BB) in different scenarios in patients with cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the effect of BB on survival and heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in a sample of pacemaker-dependent patients after AV node ablation to control ventricular rate for atrial tachyarrhythmias.

Methods: A retrospective study including consecutive patients that underwent AV node ablation was conducted in a single center between 2011 and 2019.

Myocarditis after RNA-based vaccines for coronavirus.

Background: The incidence of myocarditis after RNA-based vaccines for coronavirus has gained social and medical interest.

Methods: We performed an intention-to-treat meta-analysis, following the PRISMA statement. After a systematic search, without language restriction, 9 publications were selected.

Electrocardiographic Screening of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy in Genotype-Positive and Phenotype-Negative Relatives.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a hereditary cause of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Identifying the healthy genetic carriers who will develop the disease remains a challenge. A novel approach to the analysis of the digital electrocardiograms of mutation carriers through signal processing may identify early electrocardiographic abnormalities.

Factors Influencing the Phenotypic Expression of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Genetic Carriers.

Introduction And Objectives: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disorder with variable expression. It is mainly caused by mutations in sarcomeric genes but the phenotype could be modulated by other factors. The aim of this study was to determine whether factors such as sex, systemic hypertension, or physical activity are modifiers of disease severity and to establish their role in age-related penetrance of HCM.

Genetics of myocarditis in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.

Background: Myocarditis occasionally is related to arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) and sometimes overlaps during the early stages, which may lead to misdiagnosis. Acute myocarditis may reflect an active phase of ARVD.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the genetic basis of myocarditis in ARVD and to investigate the association with a poorer prognosis and a higher risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

Desmoplakin truncations and arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy: characterizing a phenotype.

Aims: Risk stratification for sudden death in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is challenging in clinical practice. We lack recommendations for the risk stratification of exclusive left-sided phenotypes. The aim of this study was to investigate genotype-phenotype correlations in patients carrying a novel DSP c.