[Prevalence and evolution of left ventricular insufficiency in patients undergoing severe aortic insufficiency].

Introduction: Aortic insufficiency (AR) evolves during follow-up with dilation of the left chambers and eventually with deterioration of the ejection fraction (EF). Treatment as well as evolution of EF after the procedure remains uncertain. The objective of the following work was to establish the prevalence of ventricular dysfunction and evaluate the evolution of EF at 6 months in patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR) due to AR.

Surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with reduced ejection fraction. Prevalence and follow-up.

Introduction: Limited information exists on the prevalence and outcomes of patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for aortic stenosis (AS) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This study aims to describe the number of AS patients undergoing SAVR with LVEF less than 55 % and quantify LVEF improvement at follow-up.

Material And Methods: We analyzed patients undergoing SAVR with LVEF less than 55 % and the number of patients that improved the LVEF at 6 months.

High lipoprotein(a) levels and mitral valve disease: A systematic review.

Aims: The role of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as a possibly causal risk factor for atherosclerotic artery disease and aortic valve stenosis has been well established. However, the information available on the association between Lp(a) levels and mitral valve disease is limited and controversial. The main objective of the present study was to assess the association between Lp(a) levels and mitral valve disease.

Association between physical activity and coronary artery calcification estimated by computed tomography: A systematic review.

Background: The relationship between physical activity and coronary artery calcification (CAC) was evaluated in different studies during the last years, although the results were conflicting.

Objective: The main objective of the present systematic review was to assess the association between different levels of physical activity and CAC score estimated by computed tomography (CT).

Methods: This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines.

Computed Tomography Aortic Valve Calcium Scoring in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Background: Sex-specific thresholds of computed tomography (CT)-derived aortic valve calcification (AVC) or AVC density (AVCd) to identify severe aortic stenosis (AS) have been established in populations that consisted mainly of Caucasians with a tricuspid aortic valve. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy (i.e.

Population attitude and access to the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic elicited important changes in community habits and behaviors, including a distancing of people from the healthcare system. The objective of this work was to understand the causes that gave rise to changes in behavior from an individual perspective in the Argentine Republic. We performed a cross-sectional, web-based survey using an online questionnaire.

Validation of aortic valve calcium quantification thresholds measured by computed tomography in Asian patients with calcific aortic stenosis.

Aims: Sex-specific thresholds of aortic valve calcification (AVC) have been proposed and validated in Caucasians. Thus, we aimed to validate their accuracy in Asians.

Methods And Results: Patients with calcific aortic stenosis (AS) from seven international centres were included.

Additive prognostic value of carbohydrate antigen-125 over frailty in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: To evaluate the additive prognostic value of myocardial, inflammatory, and renal biomarkers according to frailty status in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: A total of 111 subjects who underwent TAVR at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Plasma levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT), C-reactive protein (CRP), cystatin-c (Cys-C) and carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) were assessed prior to TAVR.

WHF IASC Roadmap on Chagas Disease.

Background: Chagas Disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan , with some of the most serious manifestations affecting the cardiovascular system. It is a chronic, stigmatizing condition, closely associated with poverty and affecting close to 6 million people globally. Although historically the disease was limited to endemic areas of Latin America recent years have seen an increasing global spread.

Prognostic impact of myocardial contraction fraction in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis.

Background: Myocardial contraction fraction (MCF), a volumetric measurement of myocardial shortening, may help to improve risk stratification in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) referred for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) especially in those with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). We investigated the association between MCF and 1-year all-cause mortality in patients with severe AS who underwent TAVR.

Methods: MCF was calculated as the ratio of stroke volume (SV) to myocardial volume.

Balloon rupture during aortic valvuloplasty with compliant balloon: predictors and outcomes.

Objectives of the study were the prevalence and clinical consequences of balloon rupture with compliant balloons in balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). Compliant low-profile balloons have been developed to reduce access site complications. Made by thinner materials, these balloons are more prone to rupture.

Low rate of cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocarditis diagnosed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Background: Myocarditis is a relatively common inflammatory disease that affects the myocardium. Infectious disease accounts for most of the cases either because of a direct viral infection or post-viral immune-mediated reaction. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has become an established non-invasive diagnosis tool for acute myocarditis.

Prognostic value of left atrial volume in asymptomatic organic mitral regurgitation.

Background: Basal left atrial volume (LAV) indexed to body surface area (LAVI) predicts adverse events in patients with organic mitral regurgitation, but information is lacking regarding change in left atrial volume during follow-up.

Methods: One hundred forty-four asymptomatic patients (mean age, 71 ± 12 years; 66% women; mean ejection fraction, 66 ± 4.8%) with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation were prospectively included, with a median follow-up period of 2.

Prospective validation of the prognostic usefulness of B-type natriuretic peptide in asymptomatic patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the independent and additive prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with severe asymptomatic aortic regurgitation and normal left ventricular function.

Background: Early surgery could be advisable in selected patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation, but there are no uniform criteria to identify candidates who could benefit from this strategy. Assessment of BNP has not been studied for this purpose.

Prospective validation of the prognostic usefulness of brain natriuretic peptide in asymptomatic patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine the independent and additive prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in patients with severe asymptomatic mitral regurgitation and normal left ventricular function.

Background: Early surgery could be advisable in selected patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation, but there are no criteria to identify candidates who could benefit from this strategy. Assessment of BNP has not been studied in asymptomatic patients with severe mitral regurgitation; hence, its prognostic value remains unclear.

Transesophageal echocardiography findings in lacunar stroke.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) constitutes a valuable tool in patients with stroke and cardiac embolization, but its indication is controversial in lacunar stroke. The purpose of this study was to assess the findings of TEE in lacunar stroke.

Methods: Initial symptoms, brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and TEE were performed for all patients with ischemic stroke admitted consecutively to our department of neurology.

Written consent to use the drug in children: the problem of off-label drugs.

Cardiac arrhythmias in pediatric patients have different mechanisms and frequencies compared to adult patients. There are many physiological differences between children and adults that may affect the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic of the antiarrhythmic drugs in pediatric population. Children, and specially breast feeding children, cannot be considered low weighted adults to select antiarrhythmic drug doses.

Learning strategies used by cardiology residents: assessment of learning styles and their correlations.

Objective: To identify the learning styles of a group of cardiology residents (R) undergoing a training program at the University of Buenos Aires and to identify correlations of these styles.

Methods: Statistical data were obtained through a 120-question survey developed by Vermunt and colleagues, which identified four different learning styles: construction-directed; reproduction-directed; application-directed; and undirected. Four variables were identified [gender, previous experience as a teaching assistant (TA) in medical school, university final average (FA) and the public or private institution/centre of origin] in order to analyse level of correlation with learning styles (LS).

Prognostic implication of valvular lesion and left ventricular size in asymptomatic patients with chronic organic mitral regurgitation and normal left ventricular performance.

Objective: To date, few studies have evaluated asymptomatic patients with organic mitral regurgitation (MR). The goal of the present study was to assess the presence of independent predictive factors for progression of symptoms and/or left ventricular dysfunction (SLVSD) in this population.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 128 consecutive patients (mean age 60 +/- 8 years, 68% men; ejection fraction 66 +/- 3%) who were asymptomatic, with severe organic MR.