Kidney Failure among Patients with Takotsubo Syndrome or Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Analysis.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a syndrome with ambiguous pathophysiology. Impaired kidney function (KF) seems to impact the outcome of patients with TTS. We hypothesized that KF worsens the outcome among TTS patients and furthermore, TTS patients with concomitant KF experience more adverse events compared to myocardial infarction (MI) patients with concomitant KF.

Galectin-3 Reflects the Echocardiographic Grades of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction.

Background: The level of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) protein purportedly reflects an ongoing cardiac fibrotic process and has been associated with ventricular remodeling, which is instrumental in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of Gal-3 in improved characterization of the grades of diastolic dysfunction as defined by echocardiography.

Methods: Seventy HFpEF patients undergoing routine echocardiography were prospectively enrolled in the present monocentric study.

Clinical outcomes associated with catecholamine use in patients diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Background: Recent hypotheses have suggested the pathophysiological role of catecholamines in the evolution of the Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). The extent of cardiac and circulatory compromise dictates the use of some form of supportive therapy. This study was designed to investigate the clinical outcomes associated with catecholamine use in TTS patients.

Comparative analysis of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I and T for their association with coronary computed tomography-assessed calcium scoring represented by the Agatston score.

Background: This study evaluates the association between high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and T (hs-cTnT) and coronary calcium concentration (CAC) detected by coronary computed tomography (CCT) and evaluated with the Agatston score in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Patients undergoing CCT during routine clinical care were enrolled prospectively. CCT was indicated for patients with a low to intermediate pretest probability for CAD.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Another Form of Cardiorenal Syndrome.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a life-threatening syndrome with ambiguous pathophysiology. The interdependency between heart failure and kidney failure (KF) is well established, but the influence of KF on TC outcome is not known. This single-center cohort from January 2003 to September 2015 consisted of 114 consecutive patients with TC.

Clinical outcomes of femoral closure compared to radial compression devices following percutaneous coronary intervention: the FERARI study.

Unlabelled: This study aims to compare prospectively the differences of clinical outcomes being associated with a specific femoral closure (FC) compared to a radial compression (RC) device following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). This single-center, prospective observational study included consecutively 400 patients either treated by a specific FC (Angio-Seal™, St. Jude Medical, Inc.

Association of a congenital long QT syndrome type 1 with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

The occurrence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with congenital long QT syndrome has rarely been described. This case report discusses the occurrence of a clinically overt takotsubo cardiomyopathy accompanied by congenital long QT syndrome type 1 in a female patient.

Veno-venous double lasso pull-and-push technique for transseptal retrieval of an embolized Watchman occluder.

Intraprocedural device dislodgement of a 24-mm Watchman™ left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device occurred in a 83-year-old female with a wide left atrial appendage ostium (broccoli configuration) and a surgical mitral valve reconstruction. Device rested in the atrial cavity. A second stable 12French transseptal electrophysiological sheath and two snares were needed to stabilize, elongate and gently guide the device into the second sheath.

New Oral Anticoagulation after Heart Valve Replacement.

Antithrombotic treatment after heart valve surgery is of utmost importance depending on the type of used valve. Since in the early 1960s, oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonist are the gold-standard for prevention of thromboembolism at replaced heart valves. The introduction of new oral anticoagulation has dramatically changed treatment strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation and in patients with venous thromboembolism like deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.