Device fracture as a potential complication of a left ventricular microaxial pump catheter: a case report.

Background: The use of an Impella pump catheter has advanced substantially in the last few years due to the simple insertion procedure and smaller device size. However, its use is still associated with some risks and complications. Here, we report a device fracture as a rare complication that occurred during the device extraction a few days after the initial insertion.

ECG as a risk stratification tool in patients with wearable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Background: The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is increasingly used in patients at elevated risk for ventricular arrhythmias but not fulfilling the indications for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Currently, there is an insufficient risk prediction of fatal arrhythmias in patients at risk. In this study, we assessed the prognostic role of baseline electrocardiogram (ECG) in WCD patients.

[Aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases].

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is one of the most used medications worldwide. The antithrombotic agent acts mainly through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 and consequently thromboxane A synthesis, causing an irreversible suppression of platelet function. Despite of its proven benefit in the treatment and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic diseases, its use for the primary prevention remains controversial due to an unclear balance between the benefits and risks of aspirin.

[Right heart catheter examination: step by step].

Right heart catheterisation is a frequently used procedure in cardiology and intensive care medicine, especially for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, shunt diagnostics and accurate calculation of the important haemodynamic parameters. Various catheters are available for the examination; the most common and safest is the use of a Swan-Ganz catheter. The complete examination includes probing of the right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillary bed.

Heart rate at discharge in patients with acute decompensated heart failure is a predictor of mortality.

Aims: Heart failure is a syndrome with increasing prevalence in concordance with the aging population and better survival rates from myocardial infarction. Morbidity and mortality are high in chronic heart failure patients, particularly in those with hospital admission for acute decompensation. Several risk stratification tools and score systems have been established to predict mortality in chronic heart failure patients.

[The Role of Ultrarapid Acting Betablocker Esmolol and Landiolol in Critically Ill Patients].

Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, are common in cardiac and non-cardiac patients with or without surgery. Prolonged rhythm disturbances may impair cardiac function and worsen the clinical outcome and prognosis. Therefore, heart rate control may be necessary to prevent cardiovascular events.

Early intravenous beta-blockers in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A patient-pooled meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Conflicting evidence is available on the efficacy and safety of early intravenous beta-blockers before primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We performed a patient-pooled meta-analysis of trials comparing early intravenous beta-blockers with placebo or routine care in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and safety outcomes of intravenous beta-blockers in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

[Transesophageal Echocardiography - Step by Step].

A practical step-by-step approach of transesophageal echocardiography.

Landiolol for rate control management of atrial fibrillation in patients with cardiac dysfunction.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is frequently associated with heart failure. Guidelines for AFib management have been recently updated and include an algorithm for acute heart rate control based on left ventricular ejection fraction and haemodynamics. Landiolol is an injectable ultra-short beta-blocker with very high beta-1 selectivity, listed in Japanese Guidelines for AFib management as potential option for rate control of patient with heart failure.

Novel ECG-based scoring tool for prediction of takotsubo syndrome.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TS) usually involves ECG changes mimicking acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The differentiation of both disorders is crucial for selection of appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to assess ECG parameters in patients with TS and AMI, and try to establish a scoring tool for TS prediction.

Randomized Control of Sympathetic Drive With Continuous Intravenous Esmolol in Patients With Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The BEtA-Blocker Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction (BEAT-AMI) Trial.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the role of esmolol-induced tight sympathetic control in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background: Elevated sympathetic drive has a detrimental effect on patients with acute STEMI. The effect of beta-blocker-induced heart rate mediated sympathetic control on myocardial damage is unknown.

Pioglitazone alleviates cardiac and vascular remodelling and improves survival in monocrotaline induced pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease with limited therapeutic options. Pathophysiological changes comprise obliterative vascular remodelling of small pulmonary arteries, elevated mean pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) due to elevated resistance of pulmonary vasculature, adverse right ventricular remodelling, and heart failure. Recent findings also indicate a role of increased inflammation and insulin resistance underlying the development of PAH.

Comparison of Conventional versus Steerable-Catheter Guided Coronary Sinus Lead Positioning in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Device Implantation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare conventional versus steerable catheter guided coronary sinus (CS) cannulation in patients with advanced heart failure undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Background: Steerable catheter guided coronary sinus cannulation could reduce fluoroscopy time and contrast medium use during CRT implantation.

Methods: 176 consecutive patients with ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure undergoing CRT implantation from January 2008 to December 2012 at the University Hospital of Cologne were identified.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: a cardiologist's perspective.

Cardiac dysfunction is frequently observed in patients with cirrhosis, and has long been linked to the direct toxic effect of alcohol. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) has recently been identified as an entity regardless of the cirrhosis etiology. Increased cardiac output due to hyperdynamic circulation is a pathophysiological hallmark of the disease.

Remote ischemic preconditioning and renoprotection: from myth to a novel therapeutic option?

There is currently no effective prophylactic regimen available to prevent contrast-induced AKI (CI-AKI), a frequent and life-threatening complication after cardiac catheterization. Therefore, novel treatment strategies are required to decrease CI-AKI incidence and to improve clinical outcomes in these patients. Remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC), defined as transient brief episodes of ischemia at a remote site before a subsequent prolonged ischemia/reperfusion injury of the target organ, is an adaptational response that protects against ischemic and reperfusion insult.

Ischemic preconditioning for prevention of contrast medium-induced nephropathy: randomized pilot RenPro Trial (Renal Protection Trial).

Background: Contrast medium-induced acute kidney injury is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The underlying mechanism has been attributed in part to ischemic kidney injury. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial was to assess the impact of remote ischemic preconditioning on contrast medium-induced acute kidney injury.

Natriuretic peptides in therapy for decompensated heart failure.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most frequent cause of hospitalization for patients >65 years of age and continues to be a major public health burden among the ageing population. Unlike therapy for chronic CHF, there has been only modest progress in medical treatment for acutely decompensated CHF over the past several decades. Moreover, current treatment-consisting generally of diuretic, inotropic, and vasodilatory agents-is associated with many limitations in clinical practice.

Diagnostic accuracy of NT-proBNP ratio (BNP-R) for early diagnosis of tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy: a pilot study.

Background: When heart failure and tachycardia occur simultaneously, a useful diagnostic tool for early discrimination of patients with benign tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy (TMC) versus major structural heart disease (MSHD) is not available. Such a tool is required to prevent unnecessary and wearing diagnostics in patients with reversible TMC. Moreover, it could lead to early additional diagnostics and therapeutic approaches in patients with MSHD.