Sex differences in heart failure patients assessed by combined echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Background: We aimed to test the differences in peak VO between males and females in patients diagnosed with heart failure (HF), using combined stress echocardiography (SE) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

Methods: Patients who underwent CPET and SE for evaluation of dyspnea or exertional intolerance at our institution, between January 2013 and December 2017, were included and retrospectively assessed. Patients were divided into three groups: HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFEF), HF with mildly reduced or reduced ejection fraction (HFEF/HFEF), and patients without HF (control).

Elotuzumab and dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients: A retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of elotuzumab and dexamethasone (Ed) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients.

Method: This retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Ed treatment for 21 RRMM patients, 11 of whom were considered lenalidomide-refractory, and all of whom had progressed on at least 1 prior steroid-containing regimen. We also evaluated the efficacy of adding lenalidomide to a subset of patients following progression from Ed.

Serum B-cell maturation antigen: a novel biomarker to predict outcomes for multiple myeloma patients.

B-cell maturation antigen is expressed on plasma cells. In this study, we have identified serum B-cell maturation antigen as a novel biomarker that can monitor and predict outcomes for multiple myeloma patients. Compared to healthy donors, patients with multiple myeloma showed elevated serum B-cell maturation antigen levels (<0.

Impact of Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Tricuspid Regurgitation on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) may coexist with aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess the association between RV dysfunction, TR, associated comorbidities, and outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of baseline and 6-month clinical and echocardiographic parameters, including TR grade, RV size (grade, end-diastolic and end-systolic areas, annular diameter), and function (grade, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE], fractional area change, Tei index), in 519 consecutive TAVR patients.

Impact of left ventricular filling parameters on outcome of patients undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve replacement.

Aim: To assess the impact of left ventricular (LV) filling parameters on outcomes following trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods And Results: A total of 526 TAVR patients were compared with 300 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) treated conservatively. Clinical variables were collected along with echocardiographic data at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months after study entry.

Levels of uninvolved immunoglobulins predict clinical status and progression-free survival for multiple myeloma patients.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the enhanced production of the same monoclonal immunoglobulin (M-Ig or M protein). Techniques such as serum protein electrophoresis and nephelometry are routinely used to quantify levels of this protein in the serum of MM patients. However, these methods are not without their shortcomings and problems accurately quantifying M proteins remain.