Publications by authors named "Sara Cimino"

Background: COVID-19 vaccines reduced mortality, hospitalizations and ICUs admissions. Conversely, the impact of vaccination on Long COVID-19 syndrome is still unclear. This study compared the prevalence of post-acute sequelae at short and long-term follow-up among hospitalized unvaccinated and vaccinated COVID-19 survivors through a multidisciplinary approach.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study reviews current literature on the outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) specifically for patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis (BAS), focusing on different valve morphologies in TAVR patients.
  • It analyzed eight studies comparing SAVR and TAVR outcomes, revealing no significant differences in death, stroke, or acute kidney injury rates between both methods, though TAVR had more permanent pacemaker implantations and SAVR had higher bleeding events.
  • The findings suggest that while TAVR is comparable to SAVR in short-term outcomes for BAS, it is associated with a higher rate of pacemaker use and lower rates of bleeding.
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Background: Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan (S/V) on left ventricular (LV) mechanics and ventricular-arterial coupling in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate both cardiac and vascular remodeling in a group of HFrEF patients undergoing S/V therapy.

Methods: Fifty HFrEF patients eligible to start a therapy with S/V were enrolled.

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Aims: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) could affect mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) up to 12 months of follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SIRS after TAVI and its impact on all-cause mortality up to 24 months follow-up.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 132 patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.

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Aims: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a complex process, defined as changes of LV volumes over time. CMR feature tracking analysis (CMR-FT) offers an accurate quantitative assessment of LV wall deformation and myocardial contractile function. This study aimed to evaluate the role of myocardial strain parameters in predicting LV remodeling and to investigate the effect of Aspirin (ASA) dose before primary coronary angioplasty (pPCI) on myocardial injury and early LV remodeling.

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A 43-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to hospital due to shortness of breath, right lumbar pain and lower left limb swelling. Arterial blood gas sample showed mild hypoxemia and respiratory alkalosis. CT scan confirmed pulmonary embolism, splenic and bilateral renal ischemic lesions.

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Background: The impact of percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVr) on long-term prognosis in patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is still unclear. Recently, a new conceptual framework classifying FMR as proportionate (P-MR) and disproportionate (D-MR) was proposed, according to the effective regurgitant orifice area/left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EROA/LVEDV) ratio. The aim was to assess its possible influence on PMVr efficacy.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates left ventricular (LV) haemodynamic forces (HDFs) in patients who have experienced ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and their relationship to adverse LV remodelling (aLVr) over a 4-month period.
  • Results show that patients with aLVr displayed lower systolic L-S HDFs and higher diastolic L-S/A-B HDF ratios at baseline.
  • Ultimately, the study concludes that misalignment of diastolic HDFs is a significant predictor of negative remodelling in the heart post-STEMI.
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Background: Chronic pre-procedural and acute post-procedural myocardial injury are frequently observed in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of our study was to investigate the prognostic role of high sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTns) elevation before and after TAVI.

Methods: 106 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI were enrolled.

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Dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) with impaired contractility following chronic ischemia or acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the main cause of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), leading to moderate and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR). The site of AMI exerts a specific influence determining different patterns of adverse LV remodeling. In general, inferior-posterior AMI is more frequently associated with regional structural changes than the anterolateral one, which is associated with global adverse LV remodeling, ultimately leading to different phenotypes of IMR.

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Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is the most common congenital cardiac abnormality found approximately in 25% of the adult population The pathophysiological role of paradoxical embolization through the PFO in ischemic stroke is well established. "Self-expanding double disk" and, more recently, suture-based "deviceless" systems are used for PFO closure in the setting of secondary prevention after ischemic stroke likely related to paradoxical embolization. Ultrasound plays a significant role in PFO assessment, indication to treatment, intra-procedural guidance, and follow-up for those undergoing PFO closure.

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Aim of the present study was to describe the left ventricular longitudinal strain (LS) in all myocardial layers in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in different LV geometry and to compare LS analysis before and early after acute LV unloading provided by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). 68 patients were enrolled. LS was measured from the endocardial layer (Endo-LS), epicardial layer (Epi-LS) and full thickness of myocardium (Transmural-LS) before and after TAVI.

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Echo particle imaging velocimetry (Echo PIV) is a contrast-echo-based technique, used to evaluate the instantaneous vortical blood motion into the left ventricle (LV). Here, we report, for the first time, echo-PIV findings in a patient with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Vortex behavior suggested that TTS might present with peculiar PIV characteristics, including relatively preserved intra-ventricular pressure gradient and energy dissipation.

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Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased thrombotic events and seems to influence platelet reactivity. Conflicting results have been published on platelet response in CKD patients with stable coronary artery disease. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of CKD on platelet aggregation in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy, included the more potent P2Y12 inhibitors.

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In recent months SARS-CoV-2 has spread rapidly throughout the world. The case fatality rate is higher in cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Other comorbidities do not seem to confer the same risk, therefore the understanding of the relationship between infection and cardiovascular system could be a crucial point for the fight against the virus.

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Background: Degenerative mitral valve (MV) disease causing mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common organic valve pathology and is classified based on leaflet motion. MV repair is indicated as the preferred technique (Class I indication) when the results are expected to be durable. Therefore, a detailed and systematic evaluation of MV apparatus is pivotal in allowing the proper surgical planning, as well as the screening for trans catheter-based treatment when surgery is not indicated.

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Background: The aim of this study was to identify variables that are associated with the durability of percutaneous repair of secondary mitral regurgitation at 6-month follow-up.

Methods And Results: Thirty-five consecutive patients with functional mitral regurgitation scheduled for MitraClip implant were enrolled. Left ventricular (LV) volumes and function and mitral valve characteristics were assessed before and immediately after MitraClip implantation using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

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