Additive prognostic value of longitudinal myocardial deformation to SCORE2 in psoriasis.

Aims: Psoriasis has been associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. We investigated whether markers of CV function and their change after treatment have a prognostic value for adverse outcomes.

Methods And Results: In a prospective study, at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with biological agents, we assessed in 298 psoriasis patients (i) left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and (ii) carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), to evaluate their prognostic value for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including coronary artery disease, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, and all-cause death over a 4-year follow-up period.

Endothelial glycocalyx and microvascular perfusion are associated with carotid intima-media thickness and impaired myocardial deformation in psoriatic disease.

Psoriatic disease is associated with vascular and myocardial dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate endothelial glycocalyx barrier properties and microvascular perfusion in psoriatic patients, as well as their correlation with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and markers of left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation. We examined 297 psoriatic patients and 150 controls, adjusted for age, sex, and atherosclerotic risk factors.

Assessment of Right-Sided Heart Failure in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy using Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry of the Liver.

In non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DC) patients at risk of developing right heart failure (RHF), early depiction of congestive heart failure (CHF) is pivotal to inform about the hemodynamic status and tailor medical therapy. We hypothesized increased liver relaxation times measured at routine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), reflecting passive hepatic congestion, may be a valuable imaging biomarker to depict congestive heart failure. The study cohort consisted of DC patients with LV dysfunction (i.

Association of impaired arterial wall properties with the presence of coronary artery disease in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a valid, clinically feasible marker of arterial stiffening, and a strong predictor of outcomes. The present study aimed to compare aortic elastic properties in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), with or without coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as healthy individuals. A total of 130 patients with AAA, eligible for interventional repair, and 30 healthy individuals, comprising the control group (HC), were enrolled.

Effects of Interleukin 17A Inhibition on Myocardial Deformation and Vascular Function in Psoriasis.

Background: Interleukin (IL)-17A activity is implicated in psoriasis. We investigated the effects of IL-17A inhibition on vascular and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: A total of 150 patients with psoriasis received either an anti-IL-17A agent (secukinumab, n = 50), cyclosporine (n = 50), or methotrexate treatment (n = 50).

Inotropes for the management of acute heart failure patients with renal dysfunction. Still an option?

Introduction: Renal dysfunction is highly prevalent in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). These patients are more vulnerable in worsening of kidney function and have also higher mortality rates.

Areas Covered: Recent developments in the understanding of bidirectional interaction between heart and kidney are reviewed in the context of the potential impact of inotropes on renal function.

Acute heart failure in patients with diabetes mellitus: clinical characteristics and predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Objective/methods: ALARM-HF was an in-hospital observational survey that included 4953 patients admitted for acute heart failure (AHF) in six European countries, Mexico and Australia. This article is a secondary analysis of the survey which evaluates differences in clinical phenotype, treatment regimens and in-hospital outcomes in AHF patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) compared to non-diabetics. The data were collected retrospectively by the investigators, and the diagnosis of AHF (reported at discharge) was based on the definition and classification of ESC guidelines, while the diagnosis of DM was based on medical record (past medical and medication history).

Clinical characteristics and predictors of in-hospital mortality in acute heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Acute heart failure (AHF) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (PLVEF) represents a significant part of AHF syndromes featuring particular characteristics. We sought to determine the clinical profile and predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with AHF and PLVEF in the Acute Heart Failure Global Survey of Standard Treatment (ALARM-HF). This survey is an international observational study of 4,953 patients admitted for AHF in 9 countries (6 European countries, Mexico, and Australia) from October 2006 to March 2007.

Inotropes in cardiac patients: update 2011.

Purpose Of Review: ICU patients frequently develop low output syndromes due to cardiac dysfunction, myocardial injury, and inflammatory activation. Conventional inotropic agents seem to be useful in restoring hemodynamic parameters and improving peripheral organ perfusion, but can increase short-term and long-term mortality in these patients. Novel inotropes may be promising in the management of ICU patients, having no serious adverse effects.

Levosimendan: from basic science to clinical practice.

Levosimendan is a new cardiac enhancer that exerts positive inotropic effects on the failing heart mediated by calcium sensitization of contractile proteins as well as peripheral vasodilatory effects mediated by opening of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in vascular smooth-muscle cells. Levosimendan is the most well-studied calcium sensitizer in the real clinical practice, producing greater hemodynamic and symptomatic improvement in patients with acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) than those with traditional inotropes. Immunomodulatory and anti-apoptotic properties of levosimendan may be an additional biologic mechanism that prevents further cytotoxic and hemodynamic consequences of abnormal immune and neurohormonal responses in AHFS.