Routine echocardiography in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Background: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal-dominant disease. One third of DM1 patients die suddenly, most of them due to the heart conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to analyze echocardiographic findings in a large cohort of DM1 patients.

The Relationship of Myocardial Collagen Metabolism and Reverse Remodeling after Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: In the majority of patients with a wide QRS complex and heart failure resistant to optimal medical therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) leads to reverse ventricular remodeling and possibly to changes in cardiac collagen synthesis and degradation. We investigated the relationship of biomarkers of myocardial collagen metabolism and volumetric response to CRT.

Methods: We prospectively studied 46 heart failure patients (mean age 61±9 years, 87% male) who underwent CRT implantation.

Is pacemaker therapy the right key to patients with vasovagal syncope?

Introduction: Vasovagal syncope is the most common type of reflex syncope. Efficacy of cardiac pacing in this indication has not been the subject of many studies and pacemaker therapy in patients with vasovagal syncope is still controversial.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of pacing therapy in treatment of patients with vasovagal syncope, to determine contribution of new therapeutic models in increasing its success, and to identify risk factors associated with a higher rate of symptoms after pacemaker implantation.

[Approach to the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Profile: Multicentric International Study].

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common arrhythmia that requires treatment, does not come out of the focus of researchers. Monitoring its prevalence and effects of therapy is a good guideline approach to the growing population of patients in which this arrhythmia occurs.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of treatment of AF and cardiovascular profiles in the observed population.

Prognostic role of coronary flow reserve for left ventricular functional improvement after cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the value of coronary flow reserve (CFR) for predicting improvement of left ventricular function after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods And Results: Study population included 40 patients (mean age 58 ± 9 years) with heart failure (ejection fraction 25, 7 ± 5, 4%) and QRS duration of 158 ± 22 ms, planned for CRT. Before and after CRT implantation, CFR was measured non-invasively during hyperaemia induced with adenosine.

[Long-term follow-up after catheter-ablation of atrioventricular junction and pacemaker implantation in patients with uncontrolled atrial fibrillation and heart failure].

Introduction: Atrioventricular (AV) junction ablation coupled with pacemaker implantation is an effective therapeutic option for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). However, there is controversy regarding the long-term outcome of the procedure, since right ventricular stimulation can lead to left ventricular remodelling and HF.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine a 5-year outcome of the procedure on survival, HF control and myocardial function in patients with HF and uncontrolled AF.