Survival prospects of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease: Insights from the HOPE registry.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe complication among adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD). This study presents real-world data on risk stratification, pharmacotherapy and survival rates in PAH-ACHD.

Methods: Data from PAH-ACHD patients were analyzed using The Hellenic Pulmonary Hypertension Registry (HOPE), spanning eight specialized centers between 2015 and 2023.

Perioperative management of a double valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft in a patient with carcinoid syndrome; a case report and literature review.

Introduction: Carcinoid tumors are rare neuroendocrine tumors; about 5% of patients develop the carcinoid syndrome. We present the case of a patient with carcinoid syndrome undergoing cardiac surgery.

Case Report: A 74-year-old patient with carcinoid heart disease and hepatic metastases underwent double valve replacement and CABG.

Post-Operative Thoracic Epidural Analgesia and Incidence of Major Complications according to Specific Safety Standardized Documentation: A Large Retrospective Dual Center Experience.

(1) Background: Thoracic epidural analgesia is considered the gold standard in post-operative pain management following thoracic surgery. This study was designed to explore the safety of thoracic epidural analgesia and to quantify the incidence of its post-operative complications and side effects in patients undergoing thoracotomy for major surgery, such as resection of lung malignancies and lung transplantation. (2) Methods: This is a retrospective, dual-center observational study including patients that underwent major thoracic surgery including lung transplantation and received concurrent placement of thoracic epidural catheters for post-operative analgesia.

Temporal Trends in Diagnostic Hemodynamics and Survival of Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: A Single-Center Study.

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) have gradually improved the disease course. This retrospective cohort study aims to explore the diagnostic hemodynamic profile and survival of PH patients and their temporal changes, as well as investigate potential prognostic factors. Overall, 257 adult patients were diagnosed with PH following right heart catheterization (RHC) from January 2008 to June 2023 according to the hemodynamic cut-off values proposed by the corresponding ESC/ERS guidelines at the time RHC was performed.

Haemodynamic effects of initial combination therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although the initial use of combination treatment has been proven to be beneficial for patients' clinical outcomes, there are scarce data on its haemodynamic effects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an initial combination of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)-targeted therapies on haemodynamic parameters in treatment-naïve PAH patients.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science was performed.

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension in Greece: Data from the Hellenic Pulmonary Hypertension Registry.

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a novel and promising treatment option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who are ineligible for pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and for those with persistent or recurrent pulmonary hypertension after PEA. We present the results of BPA procedures in CTEPH patients included in the Greek Pulmonary Hypertension Registry, evaluating the real-life efficacy and safety. We analyzed data from 180 BPA procedures (2−17/patient, mean 8 ± 4/patient, 1248 dilated vessels, 0−18/session).

Long-Term Effect of an Exercise Training Program on Physical Functioning and Quality of Life in Pulmonary Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-month combined aerobic and strength exercise training program on functional and psychological aspects and health-related quality of life in patients with PH and to evaluate its longer-term impact. In total, 22 stable patients (mean age 53.9 ± 13.

Prediction Models and Scores in Pulmonary Hypertension: A Review.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious disease with increased morbidity and mortality. The need for an individualized patient treatment approach necessitates the use of risk assessment in PAH patients. That may include a range of hemodynamic, clinical, imaging and biochemical parameters derived from clinical studies and registry data.

Rationale and design of a prospective, observational, multicentre study on the safety and efficacy of apixaban for the prevention of thromboembolism in adults with congenital heart disease and atrial arrhythmias: the PROTECT-AR study.

Introduction: The risk for stroke in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) is increased, especially in the setting of commonly ensuing atrial arrhythmias (AA), namely atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter or intra-atrial re-entrant tachycardia. Data are limited regarding treatment with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants in long-term studies involving patients with ACHD and AA.

Methods And Analysis: PReventiOn of ThromboEmbolism in Adults with Congenital HearΤ disease and Atrial aRrhythmias is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm, non-interventional cohort study designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of apixaban for the prevention of thromboembolism in ACHD with AA in a 'real-world' setting.

Development of Cognitive and Physical Exercise Systems, Clinical Recordings, Large-Scale Data Analytics, and Virtual Coaching for Heart Failure Patients: Protocol for the BioTechCOACH-ForALL Project.

Background: Heart failure is a chronic disease affecting patient morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines for heart failure patient treatment are focused on improving their clinical status, functional capacity, and quality of life. However, these guidelines implement numerous instructions including medical treatment adherence, physical activity, and self-care management.

Right Atrial Function Predicts Clinical Outcome in Patients with Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background: Although the primary role of right atrial (RA) size in the diagnosis and risk stratification of precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been studied, little is known about the clinical significance of RA function. In line with studies assessing left atrial function in heart failure, the aim of this study was to introduce the RA function index (RAFi) and to explore its prognostic power in precapillary PH.

Methods: RA emptying fraction was calculated as (RA end-systolic volume - RA end-diastolic volume) × 100/(RA end-systolic volume).

Epidemiology and management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: experience from two expert centers.

Objectives: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare, distinct pulmonary vascular disease, and therefore, there is a lack of data regarding its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management at a national basis. We aimed to describe the demographics and management of patients with CTEPH in Northern Greece.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational study by a joint collaboration between two pulmonary hypertension expert centers in Greece, and the study included patients diagnosed with CTEPH.

Atrial septostomy and disease targeting therapy in pulmonary hypertension secondary to neurofibromatosis.

Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder. During the course of the disease it can be rarely complicated with pulmonary hypertension (PH) which confers a dismal prognosis.

Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 57-year-old female patient with NF1 complicated by severe precapillary PH despite dual disease-specific oral combination therapy.

Intra--and Intercellular Calcium Handling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious life threatening disease that leads to right heart failure and death. Elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is the main pathophysiological component that leads to elevated pulmonary arterial pressures and increased right ventricular afterload. Increased PVR is related to different mechanisms that include vasoconstriction, proliferative and obstructive remodeling of the pulmonary vessel wall and in situ thrombosis.

Balloon valvuloplasty as destination therapy in elderly with severe aortic stenosis: a cardiac catheterization study.

Background: In the current era of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, there is renewed interest in balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and invasive hemodynamic evaluation of aortic stenosis (AS). The current report aimed to study the invasive hemodynamics of severe AS patients treated with BAV as destination therapy and to identify factors associated with better hemodynamic outcome and prognosis.

Methods: From 2009 to 2012, 63 high risk elderly patients were treated with BAV as destination therapy for symptomatic severe AS and were all prospectively included in the study.

NGAL and ST2 levels in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure. Clinical and echocardiographic correlates.

Aim: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and ST2 receptor, a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family, are novel biomarkers with a potential role in the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). There is however scarce data on their relation with clinical characteristics and cardiac function in patients with CHF.

Methods: Consecutive ambulatory patients with CHF were studied.