Elevated miRNA-499 Levels in Early Phase of Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes Predict Increased Long-Term Risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events.

: Available data suggest the diagnostic potential of testing microRNAs (miRs) in myocardial infarction, but their prognostic value remains unclear. To evaluate the prognostic value of circulating miRs (miR-1, miR-21, miR-133a, miR-208 and miR-499) for predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiovascular rehospitalization, in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Our prospective, single-center, observational study included patients (pts) with NSTE-ACS admitted <24 h after symptoms onset and pts with confirmed stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) as controls.

The use of artificial intelligence for predicting postinfarction myocardial viability in echocardiographic images.

Background: Evaluation of standard echocardiographic examination with artificial intelligence may help in the diagnosis of myocardial viability and function recovery after acute coronary syndrome.

Methods: Sixty-one consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome were enrolled in the present study (43 men, mean age 61 ± 9 years). All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Complexity of changes in right ventricular morphology and function in patients undergoing cardiac surgery - 3D echocardiographic study.

Background: An impairment of standard echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular (RV) function is a known phenomenon in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, but its significance remains unclear.

Aims: This study aimed to assess changes in RV function in patients undergoing cardiac surgery using speckle tracking and 3D echocardiography.

Methods: The study population comprised 122 patients referred for cardiac surgery.

Artificial Intelligence-Powered Measurement of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Using a Handheld Ultrasound Device.

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of an algorithm for automated measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) available on handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs). One hundred twelve patients admitted to the cardiology department underwent assessment performed with an HUD. In each case, the four-chamber apical view was obtained, and LVEF was calculated with LVivo software.

Flow-mediated skin fluorescence: A novel method for the estimation of sleep apnea risk in healthy persons and cardiac patients.

Background: A pilot study revealed a relationship between the results of flow mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF) and of ECG-Holter-based estimated apnea/hypopnea index (eAHI) in asymptomatic individuals. The aim of this study was to test whether the results of FMSF show a relationship with the eAHI in patients with coronary artery disease or aortic stenosis.

Methods: Twenty-one patients (12 coronary disease, 9 aortic stenosis) and 37 healthy volunteers were included.

Feasibility and value of two-dimensional volumetric stress echocardiography.

Background: Stroke volume response during stress is a major determinant of functional status in heart failure and can be measured by two-dimensional (2-D) volumetric stress echocardiography (SE). The present study hypothesis is that SE may identify mechanisms underlying the change in stroke volume by measuring preload reserve through end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) with systolic blood pressure and end-systolic volume (ESV).

Methods: We enrolled 4735 patients (age 63.

The Influence of Selected Local Phenomena in CFRP Laminate on Global Characteristics of Bolted Joints.

High specific mechanical properties of composites are the reason for their use in various fields, e.g., the aerospace industry.

Quantitative assessment of the rotation and twist of the left ventricle during dobutamine stress echocardiography: a comparison of patients with and without significant coronary artery disease.

Background: The rotation and twist of the left ventricle (LV) have been comprehensively evaluated at rest. However, little is known about rotational mechanics during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE).

Aims: We aimed to quantify and compare the basal and apical rotation and twist of the LV at rest as well as at the peak and recovery stages of DSE in patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD).

Feasibility and clinical utility of real-time tele-echocardiography using personal mobile device-based pocket echocardiograph.

Introduction: Recently introduced microUSB ultrasound probe, which can be connected to personal mobile device constitutes a new class of diagnostic pocket size imaging devices (PSID).The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and clinical utility of real-time tele-echocardiography with the use such device.

Material And Methods: The study group comprised 30 patients (18 men and 12 women; mean age: 54 ±14 years; mean body mass index: 27 ±6 kg/m), admitted to various hospital departments (infectious diseases, internal medicine and cardiology).

Incremental value of left atrial mechanical dispersion over CHA DS -VASc score in predicting risk of thrombus formation.

Purpose: To assess the potential ability of two-dimensional speckle tracking analysis (STE) during atrial fibrillation (AF) to identify patients with LA appendage thrombi (LAAT).

Methods: This study involved 93 patients with AF (39% female, 67.1 ± 9.

Bicuspid aortic valve morphology and its impact on aortic diameters-A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of the 2 most common bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) morphology patterns [right-left (RL) vs right-noncoronary (RN) cusp fusion] on the aortic diameters and the impact of gender, aortic stenosis (AS), aortic regurgitation (AR), and age on the observed effects.

Methods: The PubMed databases was searched up to December 31, 2016 to identify studies investigating the morphology of BAV and aortic diameters. Inclusion criteria were as follows: the data on diameter of sinuses of Valsalva (SVD) and/or ascending aorta (AAD) and BAV morphology.

Conscious sedation for transcatheter implantation of atrial septal occluders with two- and three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography guidance - a feasibility and safety study.

Background: General anaesthesia may have negative impact on patient mortality and morbidity, as well as overall procedure costs, in atrial septal occluder (ASO) implantation.

Aim: We sought to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of conscious sedation for transcatheter implantation of ASOs.

Methods: A total of 122 patients referred for transcatheter implantation of ASO were included.

Conscious sedation during cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation: a feasibility and safety study.

Background: Cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation (cryoAF) is relatively simple, cost-effective and easy procedure. However, general anesthesia during this procedure may have negative impact on patients' mortality and morbidity, as well as procedure costs. We sought to assess the feasibility and safety of conscious sedation during cryoAF.