Acute exercise-induced inflammatory and thrombotic response in hypertensive patients.

Purpose: Vigorous physical activity may acutely trigger the onset of an acute coronary syndrome especially in sedentary persons with established cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial hypertension. The rupture of an inflamed coronary plaque and the activation of the coagulation cascade are the main underlying mechanisms. The present study aimed to determine the effect of acute exercise on the inflammatory and thrombotic response in patients with arterial hypertension as compared to normotensive peers.

Acute and Post-Acute COVID-19 Cardiovascular Complications: A Comprehensive Review.

Purpose Of Review: The risk of cardiovascular complications due to SARS-CoV-2 are significantly increased within the first 6 months of the infection. Patients with COVID-19 have an increased risk of death, and there is evidence that many may experience a wide range of post-acute cardiovascular complications. Our work aims to provide an update on current clinical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular manifestations during acute and long-term COVID-19.

Left Distal Radial Artery Access for Coronary Angiography and Interventions: A 12-Month All-Comers Study.

Background: Interventional cardiologists prefer the right radial artery (RA) approach for coronary angiography and interventions, mainly for ergonomic reasons. However, the use of the left RA presents certain advantages, and the snuffbox approach has further potential advantages, including lower probability for RA occlusion, avoidance of direct puncture of the RA (thus maintaining its suitability for use as a graft), as well as easier and faster hemostasis.

Methods: Consecutive patients scheduled for coronary catheterization were included, using the left distal RA (ldRA) in the anatomical snuffbox as the default vascular access site.

Left Atrial Function Post Radiofrequency and Cryoballoon Ablation Assessed by Volume-Pressure Loops.

Background: Left atrial (LA) function is linked to atrial fibrillation (AF) pathogenesis. AF catheter ablation decreases disease burden with potentially favorable effects on cardiac function. Atrial volume-pressure loops can optimally assess the LA function.

TAVR in Cancer Patients: Comprehensive Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.

This study sought to systematically analyze the available clinical evidence on TAVR therapy in cancer patients with symptomatic severe AS. Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in the world. TAVR has expanded the treatment options for this lethal disease process.

International experience with the use of Cocoon septal occluder for closure of atrial septal defects.

Background: The Cocoon septal occluder (CSO) is a new generation double disk occluder device for catheter closure of the secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). Initial clinical evaluations with the use of this device have shown quite satisfactory results but large follow-up studies are missing. In this international multicenter study, we present procedural and follow-up data from 4008 patients with secundum ASD who underwent catheter closure with the use of CSO.

Effect of Colchicine vs Standard Care on Cardiac and Inflammatory Biomarkers and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized With Coronavirus Disease 2019: The GRECCO-19 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection has evolved into a global pandemic. Low-dose colchicine combines anti-inflammatory action with a favorable safety profile.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of treatment with colchicine on cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

A sirtuin 1/MMP2 prognostic index for myocardial infarction in patients with advanced coronary artery disease.

Background: Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) appears to play a protective role against endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Instead, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) is involved in acute coronary events, by promoting tissue remodeling. This study sought to determine the clinical value of a prognostic index arising from the combination of these two biomarkers for myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with advanced coronary artery disease.

Improved vascular healing after the successful treatment of very late sirolimus-eluting stent thrombosis with a bare metal stent implantation - A serial optical coherence tomography study.

We present the case of a patient with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction due to very late stent thrombosis 2 years after a sirolimus-eluting stent implantation (SES). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging identified vessel wall destruction of the whole stented coronary segment with multiple cavity formations along the entire stent length, severe strut malapposition and thrombi. The patient was treated successfully with the implantation of a bare metal stent (BMS).

Twenty-Four-Hour Urine α -Microglobulin as a Marker of Hypertension-Induced Renal Impairment and Its Response on Different Blood Pressure-Lowering Drugs.

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of urine α -microglobulin as a marker of hypertension-induced renal damage compared with estimated glomerular filtration rate, (eGFR), urine albumin, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). Its response on different blood pressure (BP)-lowering drugs was also studied. Sixty never-treated hypertensive patients (65.

SCAI Expert consensus statement: Evaluation, management, and special considerations of cardio-oncology patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (endorsed by the cardiological society of india, and sociedad Latino Americana de Cardiologıa intervencionista).

In the United States alone, there are currently approximately 14.5 million cancer survivors, and this number is expected to increase to 20 million by 2020. Cancer therapies can cause significant injury to the vasculature, resulting in angina, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), stroke, critical limb ischemia, arrhythmias, and heart failure, independently from the direct myocardial or pericardial damage from the malignancy itself.

The prognostic role of carotid plaque ultrasonography in cardiac damage after carotid endarterectomy: carotid plaque and cardiac risk.

Background: This study evaluates the correlation of ultrasound determined carotid plaque morphology with coronary risk and cardiac damage after carotid endarterectomy.

Methods: Fifty patients (in a series of 162) scheduled for carotid endarterectomy had the indication for coronary CT-angiography preoperatively and were included in this study. Patients were classified according to ultrasonographic characteristics of carotid plaque.

Recent valves used for transluminal implantation in patients with aortic valve stenosis.

Aortic valve stenosis is becoming a burden to society due to the constantly aging population. After the onset of the first symptoms it usually follows an ominous route with high mortality levels even at two years without any medical intervention. The gold standard for treating aortic valve stenosis is surgical replacement; nonetheless, 30% of patients are left untreated due to increased risk of surgery.

Inflammatory markers and plaque morphology: an optical coherence tomography study.

Background: OCT with its unique image resolution is the ideal method to detect culprit lesion characteristics in different clinical presentations. The identification of inflammatory markers related to plaque characteristics may be of clinical importance.

Methods: Thirty-two patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and fourteen patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) were enrolled in this study.

Right-sided chest leads in exercise testing for detection of coronary restenosis.

Background: The incorporation of right-sided chest leads (V(3)R through V(5)R) into standard exercise testing has been reported to improve its diagnostic utility.

Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate any improvement in the ability of exercise testing in detecting restenosis, using additional V(3)R through V(5)R leads, in asymptomatic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the right coronary artery (RCA) or/and left circumflex (LCX).

Methods: We studied 172 consecutive patients (54 +/- 7 years old, 106 males) undergoing PCI in RCA or/and LCX.

"Bail out" procedures for malpositioning of aortic valve prosthesis (CoreValve).

Two techniques for correcting malpositioning occurring during percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR) with the CoreValve ReValving™ System are described in this article. The "Removing and Reinserting Technique" was used in 2 patients, in whom the prosthesis was positioned too high. The "Snare Technique" was used in 1 patient, in whom the prosthesis was implanted too low.

Exaggerated carotid sinus massage responses are related to severe coronary artery disease in patients being evaluated for chest pain.

Background: Previous studies have reported that carotid sinus massage responses are associated with advancing age and carotid or coronary artery disease.

Hypothesis: This study was undertaken to investigate the potential role of carotid sinus hypersensitivity as a marker for the presence of coronary artery disease, and especially left main stem disease, in patients who were referred for evaluation of chest pain.

Methods: Toward this end, carotid sinus stimulation with simultaneous recordings of the electrocardiogram and aortic pressure was performed before coronary arteriography in 150 selected consecutive patients (mean age 59.