Subclinical atherosclerosis burden in carotid and femoral territories in HIV subjects: relationships with HIV and non-HIV related factors.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity in an aging HIV population. However, risk estimation with the most frequent equations usually classifies HIV patients as having a low or moderate risk. Several studies have described a very high prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in a middle-aged, non-HIV population.

Age- and sex-based heterogeneity in coronary artery plaque presence and burden in familial hypercholesterolemia: A multi-national study.

Objectives: Individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are at an increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). While prior research has shown variability in coronary artery calcification (CAC) among those with FH, studies with small sample sizes and single-center recruitment have been limited in their ability to characterize CAC and plaque burden in subgroups based on age and sex. Understanding the spectrum of atherosclerosis may result in personalized risk assessment and tailored allocation of costly add-on, non-statin lipid-lowering therapies.

Intracoronary thrombus assessment with cardiac computed tomography angiography in a deferred stenting strategy: the MATURE prospective study (MSCT to Assess ThrombUs REsolution).

Background: Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is precise in noninvasive coronary atherosclerosis characterization but its value in the diagnosis of intracoronary thrombus remains unknown. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate CCTA for intracoronary thrombus and stenosis detection in patients with acute coronary syndromes with high thrombus burden selected for a deferred stenting strategy.

Methods: We systematically performed a CCTA in consecutive patients following a deferred stenting strategy, 24 h before the scheduled repeated coronary angiography including optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging.

Impact of previous cardiac function status assessed by echocardiography on the outcome of COVID-19.

More than 91,000 fatalities due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have occurred in Spain. Several factors are associated with increased mortality in this disease, including cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). However, information on the cardiac function of patients prior to the onset of COVID-19 is scarce and the potential impact it may have is uncertain.

Efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors in the treatment of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A clinical practice experience.

Background: PCSK9 inhibitors are a treatment option for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia not on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals despite the use of maximally tolerated high intensity-statins dose.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of alirocumab and evolocumab in LDL-C reduction and targets attainment in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia in clinical practice setting.

Methods: SAFEHEART is an open, long-term prospective study of a cohort of subjects with molecular diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Multivariate analysis for coronary heart disease in heterozygote familial hypercholesterolemia patients.

Aim: rs599839 polymorphism has been related with low levels of cholesterol and reduced coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: We investigated the frequency of this polymorphism in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) in the Spanish familial hypercholesterolemia cohort, 230 with and 202 without CHD. Results & discussion: A lower G-allele prevalence was observed in HeFH patients with CHD with respect to controls, 35 versus 45%, respectively (p = 0.

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion inaccuracy to assess right ventricular function in patients with previous tricuspid annulopasty.

Objetives: The clinical and prognostic usefulness of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is well established. However, the ability of TAPSE to assess right ventricular (RV) function in patients with previous tricuspid valve annulopasty is controversial. This study examined the TAPSE suitability in patients with previous tricuspid valve annuloplasty using right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) as reference method.

Giant and thrombosed left ventricular aneurysm.

Left ventricular aneurysms are a frequent complication of acute extensive myocardial infarction and are most commonly located at the ventricular apex. A timely diagnosis is vital due to the serious complications that can occur, including heart failure, thromboembolism, or tachyarrhythmias. We report the case of a 78-year-old male with history of previous anterior myocardial infarction and currently under evaluation by chronic heart failure.

Two-dimensional echocardiographic features of the inferior right atrial isthmus: the role of vestibular thickness in catheter ablation of atrial flutter.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of transthoracic two-dimensional (2D)-echocardiography in defining the cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) anatomy and its value concerning the ease of catheter ablation of isthmic atrial flutter (AF).

Methods: CTI analysis was accomplished in 39 cases: 16 necropsy specimens and 23 patients. Sixteen were patients with isthmus-dependent AF and seven controls with other supraventricular re-entrant tachycardias.

Valvular heart disease and 3-dimensional echocardiography: ready for prime-time?

Significant advances in 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) technology have ushered its use into clinical practice. The recent advent of real-time 3DE using matrix array transthoracic and transesophageal transducers has resulted in improved image spatial resolution, and therefore, enhanced visualization of the patho-morphological features of the cardiac valves. Three-dimensional echocardiography provides unique perspectives of valvular structures by presenting "en face" views of valvular structures, allowing for a better understanding of the topographical aspects of pathology, and a refined definition of the spatial relationships of intracardiac structures.

Prosthesis/annulus discongruence assessed by three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography: a predictor of significant paravalvular aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: Paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) is common after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study aimed to assess the prosthesis/aortic annulus discongruence by three-dimensional (3D) transoesophageal (TOE) planimetry of aortic annulus and its impact on the occurrence of significant AR after TAVI.

Methods And Results: We included 33 patients who underwent TAVI with a balloon expandable device for severe aortic stenosis.

Ergonovine stress echocardiography: Recent experience and safety in our centre.

Aim: To study recent experience and safety of ergonovine stress echocardiography in our centre.

Methods: In this study we collected the clinical variables of patients referred since 2002 for ergonovine stress echocardiography, in addition to indications, the results of this test, complications, blood pressure and heart rate values during the test and the number and results of tests requested before this technique.

Results: We performed 40 tests in 38 patients, 2 tests were carried out to verify therapy efficacy.