Health Status and COVID-19 Epidemiology in an Inland Region of Portugal: A Retrospective Study.

Multiple factors, from socioeconomic development to genetic background, can affect the regional impact of some diseases, and this has also been seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this retrospective study was to characterize a population in the interior of Portugal regarding health status and COVID-19 epidemiology. Between October 2021 and January 2023, 1553 subjects residing in Beira Baixa, Portugal, were included.

Advancements in non-invasive imaging of atherosclerosis: Future perspectives.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of plaques in arterial walls, leading to cardiovascular diseases and high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Non-invasive imaging techniques play a crucial role in evaluating patients with suspected or established atherosclerosis. However, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the need to visualize the underlying processes of plaque progression and rupture to enhance risk stratification.

Ostial vs. wide area circumferential ablation guided by the Ablation Index in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) guided by the Ablation Index (AI) has shown high acute and mid-term efficacy in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Previous data before the AI-era had suggested that wide-area circumferential ablation (WACA) was preferable to ostial ablation. However, with the use of AI, we hypothesize that ostial circumferential ablation is non-inferior to WACA and can improve outcomes in paroxysmal AF.

Multielectrode mapping for premature ventricular contraction ablation - A prospective, multicenter study.

Purpose: We aim to evaluate whether the use of a multielectrode mapping catheter could lead to higher efficacy of premature ventricular contraction (PVC) ablation.

Methods: Prospective, multicenter nonrandomized study of consecutive patients referred for PVC ablation from January 2018 to June 2021. Patients were separated into two groups: activation map performed with the PentaRay catheter (Study group) or with the ablation catheter (Control group).

High-power short-duration versus low-power long-duration ablation guided by the ablation index.

Aims: To compare the two different ablation strategies, both guided by the Ablation Index (AI), in the setting of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation: high-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation using 40 W on the posterior wall and 50 W elsewhere versus low-power long-duration (LPLD) using 25 W posteriorly and 35 W elsewhere.

Methods: Prospective, multicenter nonrandomized, noninferiority study of consecutive patients referred for paroxysmal AF ablation from January 2018 to July 2019. Ablation was guided by the AI (≥500 for anterior segments, ≥450 for the roof and inferior segments and 400 posteriorly) and an interlesion distance (ILD) ≤ 6 mm.

Two years after pulmonary vein isolation guided by ablation index-a multicenter study.

Background: The use of the Ablation Index (AI) software for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with higher acute effectiveness and higher 1-year arrhythmia freedom. There is, however, a lack of data concerning longer follow-up. We aim to evaluate the 2-year outcomes after a standardized AI-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Assessment of the need of a waiting period after pulmonary vein isolation with the ablation index software.

Purpose: Since the widespread availability of contact-force sensing catheters, the need for a waiting period after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has not been reassessed. We aim to evaluate whether a waiting period is still necessary after PVI guided by the ablation Index (AI).

Methods: Prospective, multicenter, randomized study of consecutive patients referred for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation from May 2019 to February 2020.

High-sensitivity Troponin I and Ablation Effectiveness Quotient after Ablation Index-guided pulmonary vein isolation-markers of arrhythmia recurrence?

Background: There are conflicting data regarding the relationship between high-sensitivity cardiac Troponin I (Hs-cTnI) and the ablation effectiveness quotient (AEQ) with arrhythmia recurrence following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Our goals were to evaluate the impact of the Ablation Index (AI) software on Hs-cTnI and AEQ levels and to assess whether these markers are predictors of arrhythmia recurrence.

Methods: Prospective single-center study of 75 consecutive patients referred for paroxysmal AF ablation from October 2017 to January 2019.

Dynamics of Soluble Factors and Double-Negative T Cells Associated with Response to Renal Denervation in Resistant Hypertension Patients.

The role of the immune system, and hence inflammation, in the pathophysiology of hypertensive patients is not clear. Until now, most clinical and biochemical parameters have failed to predict a positive response to renal denervation (RDN). Our aim was to evaluate the immune response in a cohort of patients treated by RDN, through the analysis of cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor behavior.

Cast nephropathy: an extremely rare renal presentation of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.

Renal involvement in Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia (WM) is very unusual when compared to multiple myeloma. We report a case of a patient who developed anuric acute kidney injury secondary to cast nephropathy, dependent on high-flux haemodialysis. Complementary study revealed the presence of blood IgM monoclonal gammopathy and a massive bone marrow lymphoplasmacytic infiltration.

Pretransplant biopsy in expanded criteria donors: do we really need it?

Introduction: Renal transplantation is the best treatment for end-stage renal disease, including when using expanded criteria donors (ECD) kidneys. However, these suboptimal kidneys should be evaluated rigorously to meet their usefulness. Opinions differ about the best way to evaluate them.