The ganglion cell complex damage in coronary artery disease.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the correlation between macular thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness, and Gensini scores in patients who have undergone coronary angiography, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated optical coherence tomography results from patients who had undergone coronary angiography between January 2019 and January 2021 due to coronary artery disease, with angiography performed within one month of the optical coherence tomography examination. Based on their Gensini scores, patients were classified into two groups: mild coronary artery disease (Gensini score ≤ 20, Group 1) and severe coronary artery disease (Gensini score > 20, Group 2).

Noninvasive Investigation of the Presence and Extent of Coronary Artery Disease by the Evaluation of Fingertip-Reactive Hyperemia.

Objective: Fingertip-reactive hyperemia-peripheral artery tonometry (RH-PAT) is an emerging novel noninvasive method for evaluating endothelial function. We aimed to evaluate endothelial function with fingertip-reactive hyperemia by RH-PAT in symptomatic patients undergoing elective coronary angiography and to assess the relationship between the degree of endothelial dysfunction (ED) and the presence and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Subjects And Methods: We assessed 92 patients.

Vascular Complications in TAVR: Incidence, Clinical Impact, and Management.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has replaced surgical aortic valve replacement as the new gold standard in elderly patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. However, alongside this novel approach, new complications emerged that require swift diagnosis and adequate management. Vascular access marks the first step in a TAVR procedure.

Cerebral embolic protection devices during transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the current state of the art.

Stroke after transcatheter aortic valve (TAVI) is a devastating adverse event. The majority of these occur in the acute phase following TAVI where cerebral embolic events are frequent. Cerebral embolic protection devices (CEPD) have been developed to minimise the risk of peri-procedural ischaemic stroke during TAVI.

A systematic review on durability and structural valve deterioration in TAVR and surgical AVR.

Mechanical valves and bioprosthetic heart valves are widely used for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Mechanical valves are associated with risk of bleeding because of oral anticoagulation, while the durability and structural valve deterioration (SVD) represent the main limitation of the bioprosthetic heart valves. The implantation of bioprosthetic heart valves is increasing precipitously due aging population, and the widespread use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Echocardiographic assessment in cardiogenic shock.

Echocardiography is the most helpful diagnostic modality in cardiogenic shock, the management of which still remains challenging despite advances in therapeutic options. The presence of cardiogenic shock portends high mortality rates. Therefore, rapid recognition, identification of the underlying cause, and evaluation of the severity of hemodynamic dysfunction are vital for correct management.

Effects of angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibition on P-wave dispersion in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI; sacubitril/valsartan combination) decrease morbidity and mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Increased P‑wave duration and P‑wave dispersion (P) reflect prolongation of atrial conduction and correlate with atrial fibrillation. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of switching from valsartan to ARNI treatment on the basis of P‑wave indices.

Assessment of the relationship between non-dipping phenomenon and heart rate turbulence.

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate cardiac autonomic function by heart rate turbulence (HRT) indices in normotensive and hypertensive individuals with either non-dipper or dipper type circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP).

Methods: A total of 122 patients were allocated into four groups: normotensive/dipper, n = 33; normotensive/non-dipper, n = 31; hypertensive/dipper, n = 29; and hypertensive/non-dipper, n = 29. HRT indices (turbulence slope [TS] and turbulence onset [TO]) were calculated from 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings.

The relationship between circadian blood pressure pattern and ventricular repolarization dynamics assessed by QT dynamicity.

Objective: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization dynamics by QT dynamicity in normotensive and hypertensive individuals with either a non-dipper-type or a dipper-type circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP).

Methods: A total of 103 patients were allocated into four groups as follows: (i) normotensive/dipper, n=28; (ii) normotensive/nondipper, n=26; (iii) hypertensive/dipper, n=25; and (iv) hypertensive/nondipper, n=24. The linear regression slopes of the QT interval measured to the apex and to the end of the T wave plotted against R-R intervals (QTapex/R-R and QTend/R-R slopes, respectively) were calculated from 24-h ambulatory ECG recordings using a dedicated algorithm.

Improvement in right ventricular systolic function after cardiac resynchronization therapy correlates with left ventricular reverse remodeling.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves left ventricular (LV) systolic function in heart failure (HF). However, the effects of CRT on right ventricular (RV) systolic function are not fully understood.

Objective: We aimed to determine echocardiographic correlates of improvement in RV systolic function after CRT.