Impact of statin adherence and interruption within 6 months after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): Results from the real-world regional registry FAST-STEMI.

Background: The impact of statin therapy on cardiovascular outcomes after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) in real- world patients is understudied.

Aims: To identify predictors of low adherence and discontinuation to statin therapy within 6 months after STEMI and to estimate their impact on cardiovascular outcomes at one year follow-up.

Methods: We evaluated real-world adherence to statin therapy by comparing the number of bought tablets to the expected ones at 1 year follow-up through pharmacy registries.

Predictors of target lesion failure after treatment of left main, bifurcation, or chronic total occlusion lesions with ultrathin-strut drug-eluting coronary stents in the ULTRA registry.

Background: Data about the long-term performance of new-generation ultrathin-strut drug-eluting stents (DES) in challenging coronary lesions, such as left main (LM), bifurcation, and chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions are scant.

Methods: The international multicenter retrospective observational ULTRA study included consecutive patients treated from September 2016 to August 2021 with ultrathin-strut (<70 µm) DES in challenging de novo lesions. Primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF): composite of cardiac death, target-lesion revascularization (TLR), target-vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI), or definite stent thrombosis (ST).

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and infection on in hospital survival for patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes: A multicenter registry.

Introduction: The impact of Covid-19 on the survival of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains to be defined.

Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with ACS at 18 Centers in Northern-Italy during the Covid-19 outbreak were included. In-hospital all-cause death was the primary outcome.

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Latent Brugada Syndrome in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Below 45 Years of Age.

This study aims to describe prevalence and clinical significance of latent Brugada syndrome (BrS) in a young population with atrial fibrillation (AF). Between September 2015 and November 2017, among 111 AF patients below 45 years of age, those without pre-existing pathologies and/or known risk factors were selected for the study. Based on baseline 12-lead-24-h Holter electrocardiogram (ECG), previous class 1C antiarrhythmic drug therapy, or ajmaline testing, patients were stratified as latent type 1 BrS or not.

Angiographic control versus ischaemia-driven management of patients undergoing percutaneous revascularisation of the unprotected left main coronary artery with second-generation drug-eluting stents: rationale and design of the PULSE trial.

Background: The role of planned angiographic control (PAC) over a conservative management driven by symptoms and ischaemia following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the unprotected left main (ULM) with second-generation drug-eluting stents remains controversial. PAC may timely detect intrastent restenosis, but it is still unclear if this translated into improved prognosis.

Methods And Analysis: PULSE is a prospective, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Impact of Kissing Balloon in Patients Treated With Ultrathin Stents for Left Main Lesions and Bifurcations: An Analysis From the RAIN-CARDIOGROUP VII Study.

Background: There are limited data regarding the impact of final kissing balloon (FKI) in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention using ultrathin stents in left main or bifurcations.

Methods: All patients undergoing left main or bifurcations percutaneous coronary intervention enrolled in the RAIN registry (Very Thin Stents for Patients With MAIN or BiF in Real Life: The RAIN, a Multicenter Study) evaluating ultrathin stents were included. Major adverse cardiac event (a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis) was the primary end point, while its components, along with target vessel revascularization, were the secondary end points.

Safety and efficacy of polymer-free biolimus-eluting stents versus ultrathin stents in unprotected left main or coronary bifurcation: A propensity score analysis from the RAIN and CHANCE registries.

Objectives: Evaluate safety and efficacy of polymer-free biolimus-eluting stents (PF-BESs) versus ultrathin stents in unprotected left main (ULM) or bifurcation.

Background: PF-BESs due to reduced length of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) are increasingly used. However, there are limited data about safety and efficacy for ULM or bifurcation.

[Infero-postero-lateral acute myocardial infarction caused by left ventricular myxoma embolism].

The majority of myxomas are located in the left atrium (75%) followed by the right atrium (20%). In rare cases, myxomas can be found in the ventricles, with 2.5% reported for myxomas in the left ventricle.

Phenotypic expression of ARVC: How 12 lead ECG can predict left or right ventricle involvement. A familiar case series and a review of literature.

Aims: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an inherited heart-muscle disease primarily affecting the right ventricle (RV) and potentially causing sudden death in young people. The natural history of the disease is firstly characterized by a concealed form progressing over a biventricular involvement. Three different cases coming from the same family are presented together with a review of the literature.

Contemporary management of pericardial effusion: practical aspects for clinical practice.

A pericardial effusion (PE) is a relatively common finding in clinical practice. It may be either isolated or associated with pericarditis with or without an underlying disease. The aetiology is varied and may be either infectious (especially tuberculosis as the most common cause in developing countries) or non-infectious (cancer, systemic inflammatory diseases).

Left Atrial Substrate Modification Targeting Low-Voltage Areas for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis aims to assess the impact of a voltage-guided substrate modification by targeting low-voltage area (LVA) in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and references reporting AF ablation and "voltage* OR substrate* OR fibrosis OR fibrotic area*" were screened and studies included if matching inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: Six studies were included.

Autonomic Tone Activity Before the Onset of Atrial Fibrillation.

Introduction: The autonomic nervous system has been proven to play a major role in the onset of atrial fibrillation (AF), along with a predisposing substrate and a specific trigger event usually consisting of a premature supraventricular ectopic beat (SVEB). By means of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, we investigated the activity of the autonomic nervous system before SVEBs nontriggering and triggering AF.

Methods And Results: We evaluated 28 patients with at least 1 episode of sustained AF (>30 seconds) recorded during 24-hour Holter monitorings.

Long-term events following atrial fibrillation rate control or transcatheter ablation: a multicenter observational study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation increases thromboembolic risk. Oral anticoagulation with antivitamin K (AVK) reduces thromboembolic event rate, but increases hemorrhagic risk.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to describe long-term cerebral thromboembolic/hemorrhagic event rates in atrial fibrillation patients managed by rhythm control, pursued by atrial fibrillation transcatheter ablation (AFTCA), and rate control strategy.

Long-term progression from paroxysmal to permanent atrial fibrillation following transcatheter ablation in a large single-center experience.

Background: The natural history of atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by gradual increase in duration and frequency of relapses until a definitive shift to permanent AF. Heart disease and comorbidities modulate AF progression. However, to date the influence of catheter ablation on AF evolution has rarely been investigated.