Symptoms-to-emergency-call timing delay in acute coronary syndrome before and during COVID-19: independent predictors and their impact on mortality.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted global health. The aim of this study was to compare predictors of symptoms-to-emergency-call timing delay in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and their impact on mortality before and during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: We collected sociodemographic, clinical data, procedural features, preadmission and intra-hospital outcomes of consecutive patients admitted for ACS in seventeen Italian centers from March to April 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Meta-Analysis Comparing Fractional Flow Reserve and Angiography-Guided Complete Revascularization of Nonculprit Artery for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

This study aimed to compare complete revascularization (CR) guided by angiography with a fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided strategy in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease (MVD). CR is preferred to culprit-only revascularization for patients with STEMI and MVD. However, whether FFR-guided CR is superior to angiography-guided CR is unclear in patients presenting with STEMI who have MVD.

Gender-related differences in changes of estimated bleeding risk in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy: the RE-SCORE multicenter prospective registry.

The risk of bleeding as predicted by the PRECISE-DAPT score can vary over time after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to compare the predictive ability of the PRECISE-DAPT score calculated at baseline and reassessed during follow-up in male and female patients undergoing PCI. The RE-SCORE was a multicenter, prospective registry including patients undergoing PCI treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 1 year.

Risk Scores of Bleeding Complications in Patients on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy: How to Optimize Identification of Patients at Risk of Bleeding after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y receptor inhibitor in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) reduces the risk of ischemic events but reduces the risk of ischemic events but increases the risk of bleeding, which in turn is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. With the aim to offer personalized treatment regimens to patients undergoing PCI, much effort has been devoted in the last decade to improve the identification of patients at increased risk of bleeding complications. Several clinical scores have been developed and validated in large populations of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and are currently recommended by guidelines to evaluate bleeding risk and individualize the type and duration of antithrombotic therapy after PCI.

The Incidence and Impact of In-Hospital Bleeding in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic increased the complexity of the clinical management and pharmacological treatment of patients presenting with an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).

Aim: to explore the incidence and prognostic impact of in-hospital bleeding in patients presenting with ACS before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We evaluated in-hospital Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major and minor bleeding among 2851 patients with ACS from 17 Italian centers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.

Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Coronary Atherosclerosis and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in atherosclerosis progression and neointimal growth after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on EPCs in patients who had PCI.

Methods: We searched Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases and reviewed cited references up to August 31, 2021.

[Alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: the emerging role of the Cardiomyopathy Team].

Alcohol septal ablation is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective procedure for the treatment of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) who remain symptomatic despite maximal medical therapy. Originally performed by Ulrich Sigwart in 1994, the procedure causes a iatrogenic infarction - through the injection of absolute alcohol - of the basal portion of the interventricular septum and aims at reducing LVOT obstruction in order to improve patient's hemodynamics and symptoms. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of the procedure, making it a valid alternative to surgical myectomy.

Safety and Outcome of Rheolytic Thrombectomy for the Treatment of Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: Percutaneous rheolytic thrombectomy is an attractive alternative to thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), but its use is currently discouraged due to safety concerns.

Methods: We studied 33 consecutive patients (age, 43 ± 13 years; 20 men and 13 women) with acute PE and contraindications to thrombolytic therapy who had rheolytic thrombectomy with the AngioJet catheter (Boston Scientific). Acute massive PE was initially diagnosed by computed tomography and then confirmed by pulmonary angiography.

Safety and Efficacy of Single Versus Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

The optimal antiplatelet strategy after left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion able to protect from device-related thrombosis, paying the lowest price in terms of bleeding increase, is unclear. In a real-world, observational study we performed a head-to-head comparison of single versus dual antiplatelet therapy (SAPT vs DAPT) in patients who underwent LAA occlusion. We included 610 consecutive patients, stratified according to the type of post-procedural antiplatelet therapy (280 on SAPT and 330 on DAPT).

Malignancy in patients with myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries: A systematic review and meta-regression.

Background: The significance of malignancy in patients with myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is poorly defined. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of malignancy and its association with long-term outcome in MINOCA.

Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases up to March 31, 2020 to identify studies reporting data on malignancy in full.

Endothelial progenitor cells predict long-term outcome in patients with coronary artery disease: Ten-year follow-up of the PROCREATION extended study.

Background: Levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are associated with the short-term prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). No previous study, however, has ascertained if EPCs are related also to long-term outcome. We performed a pre-specified analysis of the PROCREATION (PROgenitor Cells role in Restenosis and progression of coronary ATherosclerosis after percutaneous coronary intervention) study in order to assess if EPCs predict the 10-year prognosis.

Predictors of Mortality in Myocardial Infarction and Nonobstructed Coronary Arteries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.

Background: The long-term mortality of patients with myocardial infarction and nonobstructed coronary arteries (MINOCA) remains poorly defined. This study aimed to determine the long-term mortality of patients with MINOCA and to identify potential prognostic determinants of long-term outcome.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases and reviewed cited references up to December 31, 2018 to identify studies with >6 months' follow-up data.

Meta-Regression to Identify Patients Deriving the Greatest Benefit from Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack Without Thrombolytic or Thrombectomy Treatment.

The patient's profile drawing the greatest benefit from dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after a noncardioembolic, ischemic cerebrovascular event is not well characterized. Aim of this metaregression analysis was to compare DAPT versus single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). We searched randomized trials evaluating clinical outcome with aspirin plus a PY inhibitor versus SAPT in patients with noncardioembolic stroke or TIA.

Risk Factors for Ischemic Heart Disease.

Background: Several risk factors have been empirically linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Some of them are therapeutically amenable to modification; while others are not. Modifiable risk factors include physical inactivity, tobacco use, diet, "bad fats" in the blood, hypertension, and being overweight; while non-modifiable risk factors include the patient's family history, the presence versus absence of diabetes mellitus, and demographic characteristics like age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.

The co-predictive value of a cardiovascular score for CV outcomes in diabetic patients with no atrial fibrillation.

Background: Risk factors included in the cardiovascular (CHA DS -VASc) score, currently used for atrial fibrillation (AF), may predispose to cardiovascular events whether or not AF is present. The aim was to explore the predictive role of CHA DS -VASc score on cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic patients without AF.

Methods: We accessed individual data from 610 diabetic patients without AF at baseline included in the prospective cohort of the Malmö Diet and Cancer study.

Short-TErm Psychotherapy IN Acute Myocardial Infarction (STEP-IN-AMI) Trial: Final Results.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to assess whether short-term psychotherapy enhances long-term clinical outcomes in patients with a recent acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Patients ≤70 years old were randomized within 1 week of their AMI to short-term ontopsychological psychotherapy plus routine medical therapy vs routine medical therapy only. The primary composite outcome was defined as the combined incidence of new cardiovascular events (re-infarction, death, stroke, revascularization, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, and the recurrence of clinically significant angina) and clinically significant new comorbidities.

Long-Term Prognosis and Outcome Predictors in Takotsubo Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Study.

Objectives: This study assessed the incidence of long-term adverse outcomes in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS).

Background: The long-term prognosis of TTS is controversial. It is also unclear whether presenting characteristics are associated with the subsequent long-term prognosis.

Uric acid and contrast-induced nephropathy: an updated review and meta-regression analysis.

Introduction: Previous studies have suggested a relationship between serum uric acid and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN).

Aim: We performed an updated review and a meta-regression analysis to assess whether serum uric acid is associated with CIN or there exists any relationship between serum uric acid and other risk factors for CIN.

Material And Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases and reviewed cited references up to July 31, 2018 to identify relevant studies.

Net clinical benefit of patent foramen ovale closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke: Meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized trials.

Background: Controlled randomized trials (CRTs) comparing the efficacy of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure and medical therapy in patients with cryptogenic stroke have yielded heterogeneous results. No data are available on the net clinical benefit with the two strategies.

Methods: We pooled data of 3440 patients enrolled in five CRTs, randomized to PFO closure (n = 1829) or medical therapy (n = 1611) and followed for a mean of 4.