Atrial Fibrillation Ablation During Hospitalization for Acute Heart Failure: Feasibility and Role of Pulsed Field Ablation.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause or aggravate heart failure (HF). Catheter ablation (CA) is an effective treatment for AF. This study focused on the feasibility and outcomes of emergent AF ablation performed during hospitalization for acute HF.

Mapping and ablation of ventricular tachycardia using dual-energy lattice-tip focal catheter: early feasibility and safety study.

Aims: Catheter ablation is an effective treatment method for recurrent ventricular tachycardias (VTs). However, at least in part, procedural and clinical outcomes are limited by challenges in generating an adequate lesion size in the ventricular myocardium. We investigated procedural and clinical outcomes of VT ablation using a novel 'large-footprint' catheter that allows the creation of larger lesions either by radiofrequency (RF) or by pulsed field (PF) energy.

Long-term outcomes and reverse remodelling in recently diagnosed unexplained left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Aims: In patients with recently diagnosed non-ischaemic LV systolic dysfunction, left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) and favourable prognosis has been documented in studies with short-term follow-up. The aim of our study was to assess the long-term clinical course and stability of LVRR in these patients.

Methods And Results: We prospectively studied 133 patients (37 women; 55 [interquartile range 46, 61] years) with recently diagnosed unexplained LV systolic dysfunction, with heart failure symptoms lasting <6 months and LV ejection fraction <40% persisting after at least 1 week of therapy.

Three-dimensional echocardiographic left ventricular strain analysis in Fabry disease: correlation with heart failure severity, myocardial scar, and impact on long-term prognosis.

Aims: Fabry disease (FD) is a multisystemic lysosomal storage disorder caused by a defect in the alpha-galactosidase A gene that manifests as a phenocopy of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We assessed the echocardiographic 3D left ventricular (LV) strain of patients with FD in relation to heart failure severity using natriuretic peptides, the presence of a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) late gadolinium enhancement scar, and long-term prognosis.

Methods And Results: 3D echocardiography was feasible in 75/99 patients with FD [aged 47 ± 14 years, 44% males, LV ejection fraction (EF) 65 ± 6% and 51% with hypertrophy or concentric remodelling of the LV].

Does Secondary Antibiotic Prophylaxis Improve Clinical Outcomes in Adult Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients Post-Valve Replacement?

Background: Secondary prevention of recurrent rheumatic fever in individuals with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) requires continuous antibiotic prophylaxis. However, the impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on the outcome of patients with severe RHD who underwent heart valve replacement is unknown. The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between the use of antibiotics as secondary prophylaxis in RHD patients who underwent valve replacement and clinical outcomes including mortality, reoperation, and valve-related hospitalization.

Heart failure in Fabry disease revisited: application of current heart failure guidelines and recommendations.

Aims: Fabry disease (FD) is often associated with heart failure (HF). However, data on HF prevalence, prognosis, and applicability of echocardiographic criteria for HF diagnosis in FD remain uncertain.

Methods And Results: We evaluated patients with genetically proven FD for symptoms and natriuretic peptides indicating HF.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography for Detection of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Orthotopic Heart Transplant Patients.

Objective: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is one of the leading causes of late graft failure and subsequent death in orthotopic heart transplant. Although invasive coronary angiography is the gold standard modality for detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, dobutamine stress echocardiography has been recently frequently used as an alternative. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of dobutamine stress echocardiography for detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in transplant patients.

[Biomarker GDF-15 in cardiology].

GDF-15 (Growth differentiation factor 15) is a protein synthesised in some tissues including liver, kidney, heart, or lung. GDF-15 a stress-responsive cytokine. GDF-15 is emerging as a biomarker of cardiometabolic risk and disease burden.

Usefulness of Alcohol Septal Ablation in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction in Fabry Disease Cardiomyopathy.

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked linked genetic disorder caused by α-galactosidase A deficiency. The typical clinical manifestation is left ventricular hypertrophy, often mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). In contrast to sarcomeric HC, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is less frequent.

Combined valve replacement and aortocoronary bypass in an adult mucopolysaccharidosis type VII patient.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. MPS VII is caused by mutations in the GUSB gene that encodes β-glucuronidase. Adult MPS VII patients present with musculoskeletal abnormalities, coarse features, and corneal clouding.

The relationship of mitochondrial dysfunction and the development of insulin resistance in Cushing's syndrome.

Purpose: Cushing's syndrome is characterized by metabolic disturbances including insulin resistance. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one pathogenic factor in the development of insulin resistance in patients with obesity. We explored whether mitochondrial dysfunction correlates with insulin resistance and other metabolic complications.

Normative reference ranges for echocardiographic chamber dimensions in a healthy Central European population: results from the Czech post-MONICA survey.

Background: Normative reference values for echocardiographic chamber quantification are of great importance; however, this can be challenging. Our aim was to derive these values including degrees of abnormality from a random Central European population sample with a homogeneous subset of healthy subjects.

Methods: We analysed echocardiograms obtained in a randomly selected population sample during the Czech post-MONICA survey in 2007/2008.

Comparison of routine contrast‑enhanced computed tomography with late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of myocardial pathology.

Unlabelled: Bacground: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents the gold standard in noninvasive evaluation of myocardial tissue. However, some patients are unable to undergo cardiac MRI due to a variety of reasons.

Aims: We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of routinely performed contrast‑enhanced computed tomography (CECT) compared with cardiac MRI in the evaluation of myocardial tissue.

Role of gamma knife radiosurgery in the treatment of prolactinomas.

Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery is one of the treatment options for prolactinomas, the most commonly used being Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS). GKRS is indicated mainly in the treatment of dopamine agonist (DA)-resistant prolactinomas. In our study, we report on our experience in treating prolactinoma patients by GKRS.

Comparison of echocardiographic parameters in Fabry cardiomyopathy and light-chain cardiac amyloidosis.

Background: Fabry cardiomyopathy (FC) and light-chain amyloid cardiomyopathy (AL) present with concentric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy/remodeling and diastolic rather than systolic dysfunction. Direct comparisons are difficult due to rarity and confounded by variability of LV thickness.

Aims: To compare LV diastolic and systolic properties between patients with FC and AL in a cohort matched for interventricular septal thickness (IVS).

Simplified apical four-chamber view evaluation of relative apical sparing of longitudinal strain in diagnosing AL amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Aim Of The Study: To assess the diagnostic utility of a simplified approach to relative apical sparing of longitudinal strain (RAS LS) using only an apical four-chamber view (A4C) in patients with AL amyloid cardiomyopathy (ALAC).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated echocardiographic recordings of 20 patients with ALAC, 20 patients with Fabry disease-related cardiomyopathy (FD), and 20 patients with concentric hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (HLVH) matched for mean LV mean thickness. Peak segmental LS values of the interventricular septum and lateral LV wall were measured in the A4C using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

The effect of renal denervation in an experimental model of chronic renal insufficiency, The REmnant kidney Denervation In Pigs study (REDIP study).

Background: Renal denervation (RDN) is a promising therapeutic method in cardiology. Its currently most investigated indication is resistant hypertension. Other potential indications are atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency among others.

[Treatment of pituitary adenomas].

Pituitary adenomas are the most common tumours of the sellar region. A combination of neurosurgery, radiation and pharmacological approaches are applied for the treatment of pituitary adenomas. In certain cases, patient observation is another option.

Correction: Uric Acid as a Marker of Mortality and Morbidity in Fabry Disease.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Uric Acid as a Marker of Mortality and Morbidity in Fabry Disease.

Background: Serum uric acid (UA) elevation is common in patients with cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases. However, no study to date has analysed the role of UA in Fabry disease (FD).

Objectives: To evaluate the association between serum UA levels and mortality and morbidity in FD.

[TSH secreting adenomas].

Adenomas which secrete thyrotropic hormone (thyrotropinomas) are rare and constitute less than 3 % of pituitary adenomas. In laboratory studies there is a typical elevation of thyroid hormones with nonsupressible TSH. In differential diagnostics it is necessary to distinguish above all the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormones.