Reduction of Lipid-Core Burden Index in Nonculprit Lesions at Follow-Up after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Study of Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold versus Optimal Medical Therapy.

Background: Non-flow-limiting nonculprit lesions (NCL) that contain a large lipid-rich necrotic core (nonculprit lipid-rich plaques (NC-LRP)) are most likely to cause recurrent acute coronary syndrome after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) detects LRPs using the maximum 4 mm lipid-core burden index (maxLCBI). Few data are available regarding NIRS-guided therapy of these NC-LRPs, which are a potential target for preventive stenting.

Usefulness of tissue Doppler imaging to evaluate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during exercise in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

The early diastolic transmitral velocity/tissue Doppler imaging mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e') ratio is used to estimate left ventricular (LV) filling pressures at rest. However, there are only limited data that validate its use during exercise. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to test the ability of E/e' to estimate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) during symptom-limited exercise in patients with LV systolic dysfunction.

Impact of frailty scores on outcome of octogenarian patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: For selected patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). In addition to co-morbidities, frailty has to be taken into account in the decision-making process. Criteria for patient selection, according to current guidelines, include EuroSCORE and STS score but frailty is not easy to quantify.

Recovery after balloon aortic valvuloplasty in patients with aortic stenosis and impaired left ventricular function: predictors and prognostic implications.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors of recovery after balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) among patients with aortic stenosis and depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Predictors for recovery after BAV are not clearly defined. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) predicts outcome after surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

A critical review on telemonitoring in heart failure.

Morbidity and mortality remain high in heart failure despite considerable progress achieved with medical therapy and electrical devices. A multidisciplinary approach is actually strongly recommended. In order to provide optimal care to the ever-growing population of patients with heart failure, telemonitoring has been proposed as a modality to improve usual care.

Exercise capacity in patients supported with rotary blood pumps is improved by a spontaneous increase of pump flow at constant pump speed and by a rise in native cardiac output.

Exercise capacity is improved in patients supported with continuous flow rotary blood pumps (RP). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying this improvement. Ten patients implanted with a RP underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) at 6 months after surgery with hemodynamic and metabolic measurements (RP group).

Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilator response of left and right internal mammary and internal thoracic arteries used as a composite Y-graft.

Objective: The manner in which a blood vessel is for used as a coronary graft may be important in maintaining a viable and functional endothelial lining. Composite internal thoracic arteries (ITAs) in a Y-graft configuration are characterized by the connection of an in situ left ITA with preserved innervation and lymphatics and of a free semi-skeletonized right ITA.

Methods: To determine whether endothelial function differs between left and right ITA segments in a Y-graft configuration, 11 patients were studied 3 years after surgery.

Tako-tsubo syndrome following nortriptyline overdose.

Background: Tako-tsubo syndrome (TTS) refers to the apical ballooning of the left ventricle observed when angiographic ventriculography is performed in patients presenting with electrocardiographic changes suggestive of acute coronary syndrome (new transient ST-segment deviation (>0.05 mV) or T-wave inversion (>0.2 mV)), mild elevation of cardiac markers, but normal coronary arteries at the angiogram.

Allosensitization in bridge to transplant Novacor left ventricular assist device patients: analysis of long-term outcomes with regard to acute rejection and chronic allograft vasculopathy.

Background: The true relevance of allosensitization in patients benefiting from left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as bridge to transplant (BTT) is still debated. Available registry data referred to numerous devices precluding LVAD-specific analysis. Therefore, we studied all patients with Novacor LVAD prior to transplantation.

Superiority of big endothelin-1 and endothelin-1 over natriuretic peptides in predicting survival in severe congestive heart failure: a 7-year follow-up study.

Background: Plasma concentrations of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP), of their N-terminal pro-peptides, of endothelin-1 (ET-1), and big endothelin-1 (big ET-1) have diagnostic and prognostic significance in congestive heart failure (CHF). However, their respective values as a predictor of survival remain controversial and have never been directly compared in severe CHF.

Methods And Results: We analyzed, in 47 patients with severe CHF (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III to IV; age 66 +/- 8 years, ejection fraction 20 +/- 6%), the prognostic performance of a panel of neurohormones and assays (N-terminal pro-ANP 1-25, 68-98 by radioimmunoassay [RIA], and 1-98 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], BNP by RIA and immunoradiometric assay [IRMA], N-terminal pro-BNP by Elisa, ET-1 by RIA, and big ET-1 by RIA and Elisa.

Beneficial neurohormonal profile of spironolactone in severe congestive heart failure: results from the RALES neurohormonal substudy.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the effects of spironolactone on neurohormonal factors in patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF).

Background: In the Randomized ALdactone Evaluation Study (RALES), spironolactone, an aldosterone receptor antagonist, significantly reduced mortality in patients with severe CHF. However, the mechanism of action and neurohormonal impact of this therapy remain to be clarified.