Correction: Combined use of stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess exercise intolerance in patients treated for acute myocardial infarction.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in Three Oncologic Therapeutic Modalities in Women with Breast Cancer: The ONCO-ECHO Multicenter Study.

: Oncological treatment of breast cancer may be associated with adverse effects on myocardial function. : The objective of this study was to compare the influence of three oncological treatment methods of intervention on the echocardiographic (ECHO) parameters of left ventricular function. : One hundred and fifty-five women with breast cancer were divided into three groups depending on the type of therapy used: group I (AC)-anthracyclines; group II (AC + TZ)-anthracyclines + trastuzumab; and group III (RTls+)-anthracyclines with or without trastuzumab + left-sided radiotherapy.

The Role of Galectin-3 in Heart Failure-The Diagnostic, Prognostic and Therapeutic Potential-Where Do We Stand?

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome with high morbidity and mortality, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an important factor in the pathophysiology of HF, mainly due to its role in cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and ventricular remodeling. Fibrosis is a hallmark of cardiac remodeling, HF, and atrial fibrillation development.

Subclinical Dysfunction of Left Atrial Compliance after Cryoballoon versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

It has been suggested that cryoballoon (CB) ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) may lead to more extensive left atrial (LA) injury than radiofrequency (RF) ablation; however, results are conflicting. We sought to address this issue using modern echocardiographic techniques estimating the LA function after successful CB and RF ablation for PAF. A total of 90 patients (66% males, mean age 57 ± 10 years) successfully treated (no AF recurrences confirmed in serial 4-7 day ECG Holter monitoring) with RF (51%) or CB (49%) ablation for PAF were retrospectively studied.

Prognostic value of galectin-3 and right ventricular function for long-term mortality in heart failure patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Recently, associations between the biomarker galectin-3 and numerous pathological processes involved in heart failure (HF) and right ventricular (RV) function have been observed. We aimed to assess the long-term prognostic ability of galectin-3 and RV function parameters for all-cause mortality in HF patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We prospectively studied 63 symptomatic HF patients with a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 35%.

Mechanisms of Exercise Capacity Improvement after Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Myocardial Infarction Assessed with Combined Stress Echocardiography and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is indicated in all patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to improve prognosis and exercise capacity (EC). Previous studies reported that up to a third of patients did not improve their EC after CR (non-responders). Our aim was to assess the cardiac and peripheral mechanisms of EC improvement after CR using combined exercise echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET-SE).

Echocardiographic assessment of left atrial function for prediction of efficacy of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Proper selection for catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is still an issue. Echocardiographic assessment of left atrium (LA) is complex and challenging. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) with recent standardized LA deformation analysis allows for the quantitative assessment of various LA function parameters.

Combined use of stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess exercise intolerance in patients treated for acute myocardial infarction.

Exercise intolerance after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a predictor of worse prognosis, but its causes are complex and poorly studied. This study assessed the determinants of exercise intolerance using combined stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET-SE) in patients treated for AMI. We prospectively enrolled patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) ≥40% for more than 4 weeks after the first AMI.

Polish Multicenter Registry (Pol-LAS-SE registry). Stress echocardiography in low-gradient aortic stenosis in Poland: numbers, settings, results, complications and clinical practice.

Background: The diagnostic workup of low-gradient aortic stenosis (LG AS) is a challenge in clinical practice.

Aims: Our goal was to assess the diagnostic value of stress echocardiography (SE) performed in patients with undefined LG AS with low and preserved ejection fraction (EF) and the impact of its result on therapeutic decisions in Polish third level of reference.

Methods: All the patients with LG AS and with SE performed were recruited in 16 Polish cardiology departments between 2016 and 2019.

Chronotropic Incompetence Limits Aerobic Exercise Capacity in Patients Taking Beta-Blockers: Real-Life Observation of Consecutive Patients.

Background: Chronotropic incompetence in patients taking beta-blockers is associated with poor prognosis; however, its impact on exercise capacity (EC) remains unclear.

Methods: We analyzed data from consecutive patients taking beta-blockers referred for cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess EC. Chronotropic incompetence was defined as chronotropic index (CI) ≤ 62%.

Cardiovascular risk factors among cancer patients qualified for systemic treatment. Analysis of a cardiovascular disease-free cohort from the Polish multicentre study ONCOECHO.

Introduction: Cancer therapies are currently more efficient at increasing the survival of patients (pts) with cancer. Unfortunately, the cardiovascular (CV) complications of cancer therapies may adversely affect improving results of treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of classical CV risk factors among pts with de novo diagnosis of cancer and thus identify the cohort of pts with potentially increased future risk of CV complications.

Galectin-3 is related to right ventricular dysfunction in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and may affect exercise capacity.

Galectin-3 is a biomarker of fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, and its role in heart remodelling and exercise intolerance has not been conclusively proven in heart failure (HF) patients with reduced ejection fraction (rEF). We prospectively assessed 67 consecutive patients with symptomatic HF and left ventricular (LV) EF ≤ 35% during optimal medical therapy, with a mean serum galectin-3 concentration of 15.3 ± 6.

RIVAroxaban TWICE daily for lysis of thrombus in the left atrial appendage in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: the RIVA-TWICE study.

Introduction: Rivaroxaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor used once a day for prevention of thrombotic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, in a small proportion of subjects thrombus in the left atrial appendage (LAA) is present despite this treatment. The aim of this study was assess the efficacy of increased dose of rivaroxaban (15 mg twice daily) treatment for lysis of thrombus in the LAA.

Prospective multicenter Polish Stress Echocardiography Registry (PolStress-Echopro) - the role in clinical practice.

Background: Stress echocardiography (SE) is becoming an increasingly frequently performed diagnostic examination in Poland. After the published retrospective PolSTRESS Registry, this prospective study is the first one available so far.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze SE tests, taking into account the clinical characteristics of the patients, indications, applied protocols, and diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.

Acceleration of sinus rhythm following ablation for atrial fibrillation: a simple parameter predicting ablation efficacy.

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a well‑established treatment method in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the predictors of a successful outcome are less well known. It has been suggested that PVI‑induced changes in autonomic control of sinus rate (SR) may correspond to ablation efficacy.

Iatrogenic Arteriovenous Fistula and Atrial Septal Defect Following Cryoballoon Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation - Two Correctable Causes of Right Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is an important therapeutic intervention. One of the most frequent complications of this procedure is vascular issues including arteriovenous fistula. Iatrogenic atrial septal defect (IASD) has been reported as a complication of transseptal puncture; however, no data are available demonstrating any coexistent of arteriovenous fistula with IASD.

Improvement of left ventricular function after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with stable coronary artery disease and preserved ejection fraction: Impact of diabetes mellitus.

Background: Many patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) have no visual segmental wall motion abnormalities and a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50% at rest despite significant coronary artery stenosis. Here, the aim was to determine the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on LV function assessed by enhanced echocardiography in patients with stable CAD with or without diabetes mellitus type 2 and a preserved LVEF.

Methods: Sixty-six consecutive patients with CAD and LVEF ≥ 50%, admitted to the hospital for planned coronary angiography, were prospectively assessed.

Long-term follow-up and comparison of techniques in radiofrequency ablation of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the aortic cusps (AVATAR Registry).

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmia (VA) that originates from the aortic cusps can be challenging. Data on long‑ term efficacy and safety as well as optimal technique after aortic cusp ablation have not previously been reported.

Objectives: This aim of the study was to determine the short- and long‑ term outcomes after RFA of aortic cusp VA, and to evaluate aortic valve injuries according to echocardiographic screening.

Echocardiographic predictors of exercise intolerance in patients with heart failure with severely reduced ejection fraction.

Decreased exercise capacity (EC) is an established predictor of cardiac and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). No correlation has been found between EC and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. Moreover, data about the effect of right ventricular (RV) function on EC in HF with severe LV dysfunction are limited and contradictory.

Noninvasive assessment of left atrial fibrosis. Correlation between echocardiography, biomarkers, and electroanatomical mapping.

Aim: Left atrial (LA) fibrosis promotes atrial fibrillation (AF), may predict poor radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) outcome, and may be assessed invasively using electroanatomical mapping (EAM). Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) enables quantitative assessment of LA function. The aim was to assess the relationship between LA fibrosis derived from EAM and LA echocardiographic parameters as well as biomarkers of fibrosis in patients with AF.