Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 for Older Persons (SCORE2-OP): 10 years risk validation, clinical utility and potential improvement.

Aims: European Systematic Coronary Risk Assessment 2 for Older Persons (SCORE2-OP) model has shown modest performance when externally validated in selected cohorts. We aim to investigate its predictive performance and clinical utility for 10-years cardiovascular (CV) risk in an unbiased and representative cohort of older people of a low CV risk country. Furthermore, we explore whether other clinical or echocardiographic features could improve its performance.

Advances in Diagnostic and Interventional Catheterization in Adults with Fontan Circulation.

Over the past five decades, the Fontan procedure has been developed to improve the life expectancy of patients with congenital heart defects characterized by a functionally single ventricle. The Fontan circulation aims at redirecting systemic venous return to the pulmonary circulation in the absence of an impelling subpulmonary ventricle, which makes this physiology quite fragile and leads to several long-term complications. Despite the importance of hemodynamic assessment through cardiac catheterization in the management and follow-up of these patients, a thorough understanding of the ultimate functioning of this type of circulation is lacking, and the interpretation of the hemodynamic data is often complex.

Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair and Clinical Value of Novel Echocardiographic Biomarkers: A Hypothesis-Generating Study.

Background: Longitudinal data on reverse cardiac remodeling and outcomes after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) are limited.

Methods: A total of 78 patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) were included retrospectively. All patients had echocardiography at baseline and again six months after TEER.

Optimal opportunistic screening of atrial fibrillation using pulse palpation in cardiology outpatient clinics: Who and how.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) remain a prevalent undiagnosed condition frequently encountered in primary care.

Objective: We aimed to find the parameters that optimize the diagnostic accuracy of pulse palpation to detect AF. We also aimed to create a simple algorithm for selecting which individuals would benefit from pulse palpation and, if positive, receive an ECG to detect AF.

Long-Term Variation in Kidney Function and Its Impact After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Kidney disease (KD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with major cardiovascular events (MACE). We sought to compare the long-term variation in KD in patients with AMI versus controls and its value as a risk factor for MACE in patients with AMI. A cohort of 300 outpatients with AMI, recruited between 2014 and 2016 in Barcelona, Spain, were compared with a control cohort matched 1:1 based on age and several risk factors for developing KD.

Cost-effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Introduction And Objectives: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) are a cost-effective alternative for secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death, but their efficiency in primary prevention, especially among patients with nonischemic heart disease, is still uncertain.

Methods: We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of ICD plus conventional medical treatment (CMT) vs CMT for primary prevention of cardiac arrhythmias from the perspective of the national health service. We simulated the course of the disease by using Markov models in patients with ischemic and nonischemic heart disease.

Cardiac biometric variables and arrhythmic events during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in patients with an implantable cardiac monitor for syncope work-up.

Aim: To assess the changes induced by the COVID-19 lockdown on cardiac biometric variables recorded using an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) in a patient population monitored for syncope work-up, as well to assess whether there has been an effect on arrhythmic events among the patients.

Methods: Longitudinal cohort study. We included 245 adult patients monitored with an ICM indicated for the investigation of syncope.

Cardiac biometric variables and arrhythmic events during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in patients with an implantable cardiac monitor for syncope work-up.

Aim: To assess the changes induced by the COVID-19 lockdown on cardiac biometric variables recorded using an implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) in a patient population monitored for syncope work-up, as well to assess whether there has been an effect on arrhythmic events among the patients.

Methods: Longitudinal cohort study. We included 245 adult patients monitored with an ICM indicated for the investigation of syncope.

Etiology and prognosis of patients with unexplained syncope and mid-range left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: Syncope in patients with mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) can be due to potentially serious arrhythmic causes. However, there is no clear consensus on the best way to manage these patients.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the causes of syncope and assess the diagnostic yield and safety of a stepwise workup protocol in this population.

Syncope in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis: More Than Just an Obstruction Issue.

Background: Severe aortic stenosis (AoS) is considered a primary cause of syncope. However, other mechanisms may be present in these patients and accurate diagnosis can have important clinical implications. The aim of this study is to assess the different etiologies of syncope in patients with severe AoS and the impact on prognosis of attaining a certain or highly probable diagnosis for the syncope.