Ticagrelor potentiates cardioprotection by remote ischemic preconditioning: the ticagrelor in remote ischemic preconditioning (TRIP) randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) reduces periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) through various pathways, including an adenosine-triggered pathway. Ticagrelor inhibits adenosine uptake, thus may potentiate the effects of RIPC. This randomized trial tested the hypothesis that ticagrelor potentiates the effect of RIPC and reduces PMI, assessed by post-procedural troponin release.

Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy of Undilatable STEMI Lesion in Primary PCI.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI patients may be complicated by the presence of calcium. The Shockwave IVL technique seems to be a safe and useful option, even in STEMI cases, to achieve procedural success. Nevertheless, extra support techniques may be needed in order to deliver the Shockwave balloon.

Trends in ablation procedures in Greece over the 2008-2018 period: Results from the Hellenic Cardiology Society Ablation Registry.

Objective: In 2008, the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures registry of the Hellenic Society of Cardiology was created. This online database allowed electrophysiologists around the country to input data for all performed ablation procedures. The aim of this study is to provide a thorough report and interpretation of the data submitted to the registry between 2008 and 2018.

Hospital attendance and admission trends for cardiac diseases during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown in Greece.

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, along with implementation of lockdown and strict public movement restrictions, in Greece has affected hospital visits and admissions. We aimed to investigate trends of cardiac disease admissions during the outbreak of the pandemic and possible associations with the applied restrictive measures.

Study Design: This is a retrospective observational study.

Distal Radial Access for Percutaneous Endovascular Repair of a Radial Artery Pseudoaneurysm.

Percutaneous pseudoaneurysm repair through the ipsilateral ulnar artery is an alternative to surgical repair; however, distal radial access, as described in this case, may offer increased safety.

Triple-Access Retrograde Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention Through Vein Graft and Epicardial Collaterals.

Based on the patient's symptoms and examination, a decision was made to recanalize his totally occluded RCA via retrograde approach through the SVG to the OM. Due to inadequate visualization of the epicardial collaterals and distal RCA via SVG, triple-access was used and injection via left main. In selected CTO cases, triple access may facilitate the retrograde approach, allowing optimal collateral visualization.

Clinical characteristics and long-term clinical course of patients with Brugada syndrome without previous cardiac arrest: a multiparametric risk stratification approach.

Aims: Risk stratification in Brugada syndrome (BrS) still represents an unsettled issue. In this multicentre study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the long-term clinical course of patients with BrS.

Methods And Results: A total of 111 consecutive patients (86 males; aged 45.

Rotational Atherectomy and Simultaneous Temporary Transvenous Pacing Through a Forearm Approach.

This is the first reported rotational atherectomy procedure with transvenous pacing utilizing a complete forearm approach. An imaging series illustrates the feasibility of this procedure and its advantages for the patient.

The Reverse T-Stenting and Small Protrusion Technique: A Novel Technique for Coronary Bifurcation Lesions.

Bifurcation lesions may be encountered in approximately 15%-20% of percutaneous coronary interventions. A 2-stent approach is required in up to 30% of these procedures. We describe a novel technique based on a modification of TAP stenting, suitable for procedures where a 2-stent strategy is predetermined.

Cardiac tamponade in a patient with autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2.

Unlabelled: We describe a case of a 40-year-old woman who was admitted to the intensive care unit with a rapid onset of dyspnea and orthopnea. She presented progressive weakness, weight loss and secondary amenorrhea during last year, while intermittent fever was present for the last two months. Initial biochemical evaluation showed anemia, hyponatremia and increased C-reactive protein levels.

Permanent pacemaker implantation in octogenarians with unexplained syncope and positive electrophysiologic testing.

Background: Syncope is a common problem in the elderly, and a permanent pacemaker is a therapeutic option when a bradycardic etiology is revealed. However, the benefit of pacing when no association of symptoms to bradycardia has been shown is not clear, especially in the elderly.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pacing on syncope-free mortality in patients aged 80 years or older with unexplained syncope and "positive" invasive electrophysiologic testing (EPT).

Antianginal Efficacy of Ivabradine/Metoprolol Combination in Patients With Stable Angina.

Medical treatment is the main clinical strategy for controlling patients with chronic stable angina and improving their quality of life (QoL). Ivabradine treatment on top of metoprolol decreases angina symptoms and improves QoL in patients with stable angina and coronary artery disease (CAD). This is a post hoc analysis (636 CAD patients given ivabradine/metoprolol free combination) of a prospective, noninterventional study that included 2403 patients with CAD and stable angina.

Antianginal Efficacy of Ivabradine in Patients With History of Coronary Revascularization.

Although coronary revascularization procedures are widely performed in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), angina is often reported, even after such procedures. This study evaluated the antianginal efficacy and effect of ivabradine treatment on quality of life (QOL) in patients with CAD and history of coronary revascularization. This is a post hoc analysis (926 post-revascularization patients) of a prospective, noninterventional study, which included 2403 patients with CAD and stable angina.

Treatment of Stable Angina Pectoris With Ivabradine in Everyday Practice: A Pan-Hellenic, Prospective, Noninterventional Study.

Introduction: In coronary artery disease (CAD), medical treatment is the main clinical strategy for controlling ischemia and angina symptoms while restoring a satisfactory level of usual activities and improving quality of life (QOL). This study's purpose was to evaluate in CAD patients the antianginal efficacy of 4-month treatment with ivabradine plus a β-blocker and to record patient compliance and the effect of treatment on QOL.

Methods: In this noninterventional study, 2403 patients with chronic stable angina were prospectively studied from 245 private cardiology offices.

Central sympathetic inhibition to reduce postablation atrial fibrillation recurrences in hypertensive patients: a randomized, controlled study.

Background: The autonomic system is an important determinant of atrial arrhythmogenesis. Current evidence indicates that a combined sympathovagal drive is most commonly responsible for eliciting atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes. The purpose of this study was to test whether moxonidine, a centrally acting sympathoinhibitory agent, can lead to a reduction in postablation AF recurrence.

Relationship between brain natriuretic peptides and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful direct current cardioversion: a meta-analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence is common after successful direct current cardioversion (DCCV), with a 40% rate of recurrence within the first month. Several studies have investigated the potential association between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal (NT)-proBNP levels before DCCV and the risk of AF recurrence, but results have been inconsistent. We, therefore, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all available data to determine whether sinus rhythm (SR) maintenance after successful DCCV may be determined by preprocedural BNP and NT-proBNP levels.

Left atrium and the imaging of atrial fibrosis: catch it if you can!

Atrial fibrillation is a sustained arrhythmia commonly encountered in clinical practice. It has a high prevalence among the elderly and contributes significantly to the global socio-economic burden. Among many risk factors predisposing to atrial fibrillation is left atrial remodelling and wall fibrosis.

Effect of one-cycle remote ischemic preconditioning to reduce myocardial injury during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Up to 1/3 of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are complicated by troponin release. Remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC) confers effective cardioprotection; however, a 30-minute remote IPC protocol may be difficult to implement during ad hoc PCI. This study was performed to assess the ability of a brief remote IPC protocol to attenuate cardiac troponin I (cTnI) release after ad hoc PCI.

Colchicine for prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation: mid-term efficacy and effect on quality of life.

Background: Our group previously showed that colchicine treatment is associated with decreased early recurrence rate after ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the mid-term efficacy of colchicine in reducing AF recurrences after a single procedure of pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal AF. Assessment of quality-of-life (QOL) changes was a secondary objective.

Effectiveness of moxonidine to reduce atrial fibrillation burden in hypertensive patients.

There is substantial evidence that the autonomic system plays an important part in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). It appears that, although some patients have a preponderantly sympathetic or vagal overactivation leading to AF, a combined sympathovagal drive is most commonly responsible for AF triggering. The purpose of this hypothesis-generating study was to test whether moxonidine, a centrally acting sympathoinhibitory agent, on top of optimal antihypertensive treatment, can lead to a decrease in AF burden in hypertensive patients with paroxysmal AF.