Prognostic Value of Advanced Echocardiographic Analysis for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the main treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and older age. Improved imaging techniques have enabled better patient selection, and the main role is played by echocardiography. Methods more sensitive than LVEF in assessing cardiac function, such as global longitudinal strain (GLS) and myocardial work (MW), have become widespread, and other methods, like hemodynamic forces (HDFs), might be promising.

MicroRNA and Heart Failure: A Novel Promising Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool.

Heart failure (HF) has a multifaceted and complex pathophysiology. Beyond neurohormonal, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and adrenergic hyperactivation, a role for other pathophysiological determinants is emerging. Genetic and epigenetic factors are involved in this syndrome.

Screening and diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic lung disease (PH-CLD): A consensus statement from the pulmonary vascular research institute's innovative drug development initiative-group 3 pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent complication of chronic lung disease (CLD). However, PH is difficult to diagnose early since accompanying symptoms overlap and are similar to those of the underlying CLD. In most cases the PH is mild to moderate and therefore physical signs may be absent or subtle.

The impact of vaccination status on post-acute sequelae in hospitalized COVID-19 survivors using a multi-disciplinary approach: An observational single center study.

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.

Treatment with Oral or Inhaled Treprostinil in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Cardiovascular Comorbidities.

Background: An increasing number of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have cardiovascular comorbidities. However, the effects of comorbidities on responses to PAH treatment are not well understood.

Research Question: Do cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with PAH influence the efficacy and tolerability of inhaled or oral treprostinil?

Study Design And Methods: All patients from phase 3 studies TRIUMPH (N = 235) and FREEDOM-EV (N = 690) were included in this post hoc analysis and were classified as having 0, ≥1, or ≥2 cardiovascular comorbidities of interest based on patients' medical histories.

Celiac Disease and Inflammatory Cardiomyopathies: Exploring the Heart-Gut Axis.

: Celiac disease (CD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, especially inflammatory heart diseases. We aimed to gather evidence on the association between CD and inflammatory CV diseases, including pericarditis and myocarditis, and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. : The PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies assessing the prevalence and the long-term outcomes of patients with CD and inflammatory CV diseases.

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Therapy in Different Scenarios of Heart Failure: An Overview of the Current Literature.

Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome that requires tailored and patient-centered treatment. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) constitute one of the four pillars of the medical treatment of HF. However, the 2023 ESC guidelines treat HF as a single entity without making clear distinctions in phenotypes according to etiology.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Patients Diagnosed with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Real-World Study in the USA, Europe and Japan.

Introduction: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, treatment received, and factors predicting initial or earlier combination therapy.

Methods: The Adelphi Real World Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) Disease Specific Programme™ is a cross-sectional survey with retrospective data collection conducted in the USA, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK), and Japan from March to August 2022. Physicians reported patient characteristics, treatment history, and reasons for treatment selection.

The in-hospital administration of sacubitril/valsartan in acute myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis.

There is a need to address the evidence gap regarding the in-hospital administration of sacubitril/valsartan in acute myocardial infarction patients. After searching MEDLINE, Google Scholars and Scopus, a random-effects meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the in-hospital administration of the angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNis) versus the standard therapy in patients with reduced heart failure due to myocardial infarction was performed. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events.

Thromboembolic Risk in Sinus Rhythm: A New Paradigm in Light Chain Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Thromboembolic risk is increased in cardiac amyloidosis, and this goes beyond the occurrence of atrial fibrillation in these patients. A 56-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for a presyncopal episode. Clinical and instrumental findings led to a diagnosis of light chain cardiac amyloidosis.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: the diagnostic assessment.

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) presents a significant diagnostic challenge due to its complex and often nonspecific clinical manifestations. This review outlines a comprehensive approach to the diagnostic assessment of CTEPH, emphasizing the importance of a high index of suspicion in patients with unexplained dyspnea or persistent symptoms post-acute pulmonary embolism. We discuss the pivotal role of multimodal imaging, including echocardiography, ventilation/perfusion scans, CT pulmonary angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging, in the identification and confirmation of CTEPH.

Efficacy of Modern Therapies for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in Specific Population Subgroups: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: The efficacy and safety of emerging therapies for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have never been compared in specific subgroups of patients.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Registry, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE libraries were used to extract data. We used the following keywords: (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction OR HFrEF) AND (treatment OR therapy) OR (cardiovascular death) OR (hospitalization for heart failure).

Gaps in evidence in the treatment of prevalent patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension at intermediate risk: An expert consensus.

Despite the innovations introduced in the 2022 European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society Guidelines on Pulmonary Hypertension, risk discrimination and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients at intermediate risk still represents a grey zone. Additionally, clinical evidence derived from currently available studies is limited. This expert panel survey intends to aid physicians in choosing the best therapeutic strategy for patients at intermediate risk despite ongoing oral therapy.

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: the therapeutic assessment.

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) is a severe and complex condition that evolves from unresolved pulmonary embolism, leading to fibrotic obstruction of pulmonary arteries, pulmonary hypertension, and potential right heart failure. The cornerstone of CTEPH management lies in a multifaceted therapeutic approach tailored to individual patient profiles, reflecting the disease's heterogeneity. This review delves into the current therapeutic strategies for CTEPH, including surgical pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA), and targeted pharmacological treatments such as PDE5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists, sGC stimulators, and prostanoids.

Usefulness of empiric superior vena cava isolation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: The long-term success rate of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is suboptimal due to the presence of non-pulmonary vein (PV) foci that can trigger atrial fibrillation (AF) in up to 11%. Among non-PV triggers, the superior vena cava (SVC) is a major site of origin of ectopic beats initiating AF.

Objective: To compare data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing PVI + empiric SVC isolation (SVCI) versus PVI alone in terms of AF recurrence, procedure-related complications, and fluoroscopic and procedural times.

Right ventricular phenotyping in incident patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) imaging has not a definite role in risk stratification of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. We tested the hypothesis that echocardiography-derived phenotypes, depicting different degrees of RV remodeling and dysfunction, may provide additional prognostic information to current risk stratification tools.

Methods: Consecutive incident PAH patients aged ≥18 years, diagnosed between January 2005 and December 2021, underwent clinical assessment, right heart catheterization, standard echocardiography.

SGLT2i effect on atrial fibrillation: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Gliflozins are recommended as first-line treatment in patients with heart failure and/or cardiovascular comorbidities and are demonstrated to reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence. However, it is not well known which gliflozin yields the larger cardioprotection in terms of AF occurrence reduction. Hence, we aimed to compare data regarding AF recurrence associated with different gliflozins.

The Role of High-Sensitivity Troponin T Regarding Prognosis and Cardiovascular Outcome across Heart Failure Spectrum.

Cardiac troponin release is related to the cardiomyocyte loss occurring in heart failure (HF). The prognostic role of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) in several settings of HF is under investigation. The aim of the study is to assess the prognostic role of intrahospital hs-cTnT in patients admitted due to HF.

[SIC Position paper: Treat to prevent the first event - intensive LDL cholesterol lowering in patients at very high cardiovascular risk without a previous cardiovascular event. From ESC guidelines to clinical practice].

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases account for over 4 million deaths every year in Europe and over 220 000 deaths in Italy, representing the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines have visionary included in the at very high CV risk group patients without previous acute ischemic events, such as those with subclinical atherosclerosis, chronic coronary syndrome or peripheral arterial disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus with target organ damage or multiple associated risk factors, and those with high calculated CV risk score, recommending to consider them and to achieve the same LDL-cholesterol targets as for secondary prevention patients. The aim of this position paper is to provide an updated overview of ESC guidelines that focuses on these patient categories to raise awareness within the clinical community regarding CV risk reduction in this specific epidemiological context.

Prognostic Assessment of HLM Score in Heart Failure Due to Ischemic Heart Disease: A Pilot Study.

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) represents the main cause of heart failure (HF). A prognostic stratification of HF patients with ischemic etiology, particularly those with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), may be challenging due the variability in clinical and hemodynamic status. The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic power of the HLM score in a population of patients with ischemic HF and in a subgroup who developed HF following ACS.