Inferior vena CAVA and lung ultraSound-guided therapy in acute heart failure: A randomized pilot study (CAVAL US-AHF study).

Background: The optimal assessment of systemic and lung decongestion during acute heart failure is not clearly defined. We evaluated whether inferior vena cava (IVC) and pulmonary ultrasound (CAVAL US) guided therapy is superior to standard care in reducing subclinical congestion at discharge in patients with AHF.

Methods: CAVAL US-AHF was an investigator-initiated, single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

In-hospital initiation of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: 90-day prescription patterns and clinical implications.

Introduction: Safety and early clinical benefit make sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2-i) therapy suitable for in-hospital initiation in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Despite randomized controlled trials and guideline recommendations, they are underused, and clinical inertia may play a role.

Objectives Primary: To assess the impact of initiating SGLT-2i at discharge on 90-day prescription rates in patients with HFrEF during hospitalization for acute heart failure (AHF).

Effects of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Leads on the Tricuspid Valve and Right Ventricle: A Randomized Trial.

Background: There are no randomized data to inform the extent to which transvenous cardiac leads cause tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Objectives: This study sought to determine the effect of a transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (TV-ICD) on TR severity, and secondarily, on right ventricular (RV) size and function.

Methods: We evaluated TR severity before and 6 months after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertion in a post hoc analysis of adults randomized to receive a transvenous (n = 252) or subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) (n = 251) device.

Veno-arterial ECMO ventricular assistance as a direct bridge to heart transplant: A single center experience in a low-middle income country.

Introduction: The use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) as a direct bridge to heart transplantation (BTT) is not common in adults worldwide. BTT with ECMO is associated with increased early/mid-term mortality compared with other interventions. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where no other type of short-term mechanical circulatory support is available, its use is widespread and increasingly used as rescue therapy in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) as a direct bridge to heart transplantation (HT).

[Impact of a multidisciplinary team "ECMO Team" on the prognosis of patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory cardiogenic shock and cardiac arrest].

Objectives: Veno-arterial Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is a salvage intervention in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS), and cardiac arrest (CA) refractory to standard therapies. The design of ECMO Teams has achieved the standardization of processes, although its impact on survival and prognosis is unknown.

Objective: We aimed to analyze whether the creation of an ECMO Team has modified the prognosis of patients undergoing VA ECMO for refractory CS or CA.

Cardiac Interventions in Patients With Active, Advanced Solid and Hematologic Malignancies: State-of-the-Art Review.

Invasive cardiac interventions are recommended to treat ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, multivessel coronary disease, severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, and cardiomyopathy. These recommendations are based on randomized controlled trials that historically included few individuals with active, advanced malignancies. Advanced malignancies represent a significant competing risk for mortality, and there is limited evidence to inform the risks and benefits of invasive cardiac interventions in affected patients.

Diagnosis and Management of Cardiovascular Effects of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

Purpose Of Review: Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) have changed the treatment and prognosis of several B-cell malignancies. However, since the approval of the first BTKi, ibrutinib, reports of cardiovascular adverse events especially atrial fibrillation have arisen. In this review, we discuss the cardiovascular side effects of BTKis and the management of these toxicities in clinical practice.

[Association between empathy levels in physicians and patient satisfaction].

Introduction: A good doctor-patient relationship is crucial to medical practice. A fundamental element of it is the empathy of the treating physician, and it can be quantified by means of a validated scale called the Jefferson Empathy Scale.

Methods: In this study we sought to correlate the empathy values of our physicians with the results of outpatient satisfaction surveys, measured using a tool called HCAPS.

[Telemonitoring and a real-time alert system in heart failure: a preliminary pilot study of feasibility, acceptability and efficacy].

Introduction: There is growing evidence that telemonitoring (TM) in heart failure (HF) seems to improve their outcome. TM platforms have not been designed and evaluated in Argentina. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, usability and preliminary efficacy of a HF TM platform.

Multiparameters associated to successful weaning from VA ECMO in adult patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is a form of temporary mechanical circulatory support and simultaneous extracorporeal gas exchange for acute cardiorespiratory failure, including refractory cardiogenic shock (CS) and cardiac arrest (CA). Few studies have assessed predictors of successful weaning (SW) from VA ECMO. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify a multiparameter strategy associated with SW from VA ECMO.

Design and rationale of the inferior vena CAVA and Lung UltraSound-guided therapy in Acute Heart Failure (CAVAL US-AHF Study): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Between 25% and 30% of patients hospitalised for acute heart failure (AHF) are readmitted within 90 days after discharge, mostly due to persistent congestion on discharge. However, as the optimal evaluation of decongestion is not clearly defined, it is necessary to implement new tools to identify subclinical congestion to guide treatment.

Objective: To evaluate if inferior vena cava (IVC) and lung ultrasound (CAVAL US)-guided therapy for AHF patients reduces subclinical congestion at discharge.

SCAI Cardiogenic Shock Classification for Predicting In-Hospital and Long-Term Mortality in Acute Heart Failure.

Background: SCAI classification in cardiogenic shock is simple and suitable for rapid assessment. Its predictive behavior in patients with primary acute heart failure (AHF) is not fully known. We aimed to evaluate the ability of the SCAI classification to predict in-hospital and long-term mortality in AHF.

Burnout Syndrome in Cardiology Residents. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Burnout Syndrome in Cardiology Residents.

Burnout syndrome (BO) may be increased during periods of high work and emotional stress, as occurred in the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19). Resident physicians appear to be more exposed due to the higher workload, prolonged exposure and the first contact with patients. To compare the incidence of burnout syndrome before and during the COVID 19 pandemic in cardiology residents.