Prognostic value of soluble ST2 postaortic valve replacement: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) is a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family and a modulator of hypertrophic and fibrotic responses. Its prognostic value for patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) has been examined in prospective studies but to date, there has been no systematic evaluation or meta-analysis on this issue.

Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched until 1 October 2017 for studies that evaluated the relationship between sST2 levels and mortality after AVR.

The J-waves of hypothermia.

Prominent J-waves are observed in several clinical conditions many of which are highly arrhythmogenic and may lead to ventricular fibrillation (VF) and/or sudden cardiac death. We present the case of a 34-year-old male patient with hypothermia. Prominent J-waves (Osborn waves) and prolonged QT interval was evident in nearly every lead.

Coronary artery bypass grafting and paraparesis; is there a correlation?

Adult cardiac surgery is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality rates, mainly in elderly patients with co-morbidities. A series of postoperative complications may arise and delay the recovery of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Such complications also increase the burden of resource use and may affect late survival rates.

Meta-analysis of T-T and T-T/QT ratio for risk stratification in congenital long QT syndrome.

Background And Objectives: Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) predisposes affected individuals to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VF/VF), potentially resulting in sudden cardiac death. The T-T interval and the T-T/QT ratio, electrocardiographic markers of dispersion of ventricular repolarization, were proposed for risk stratification but their predictive values in LQTS have been controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the value of T-T intervals and T-T/QT ratios in predicting arrhythmic and mortality outcomes in congenital LQTS.

Intermuscular implantation technique for subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillators.

Background: The conventional technique for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation has been associated with pocket complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an alternative intermuscular technique for S‑ICD implantation.

Methods: S-ICDs were implanted in ten consecutive patients (ten males, mean age: 46.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 in cardio-metabolic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 is a signalling protein involved in cell differentiation, morphogenesis, proliferation and metabolism. Recent studies have associated increased levels of FGF21 in the development of cardiovascular diseases, whereas others have reported no significant associations. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the value in predicting the risk of cardio-metabolic disorders and mortality.

Cancer antigen-125 and risk of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cancer antigen-125 (Ca-125) is traditionally recognised as a tumour marker and its role in cardiovascular diseases has been studied only in recent years. Whether Ca-125 is elevated in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and its levels predict the risk of AF remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between Ca-125 levels and AF.

Pancreatitis and myocarditis coexistence due to infection by Coxsackie B1 and B4 viruses.

Myocarditis can be a rare late manifestation of acute pancreatitis caused by Coxsackie virus infection. Clinicians should be aware of potentially life-threatening myocarditis because immediate recognition and management are the cornerstones in achieving a better outcome.

Intracardiac echocardiography for percutaneous patent foramen ovale and atrial septal defect occlusion.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays a unique role in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). However, problems such as the need for general anesthesia, possible trauma from endotracheal intubation, presence of "blind spots," and occasional inadequate imaging of some cardiac structures have necessitated better imaging techniques. Our study aimed to compare the findings of TEE during the initial diagnostic examination with those from intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) acquired during the interventional procedure.

Predictors of arrhythmia recurrence in patients with heart failure undergoing left atrial ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is increasingly used in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term results of a single radiofrequency catheter ablation procedure in heart failure (HF) patients with AF.

Hypothesis: We tested the hypothesis that left atrial ablation is an effective therapeutic modality in patients with heart failure.

Red blood cell distribution width as a predictor of atrial fibrillation.

Background: Current evidence suggests that a higher red blood cell distribution width (RDW) may be associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) development. Given that some controversial results have been published, we conducted a systematic review of the current literature along with a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the association between RDW and AF development.

Methods: We performed a systematic search of the literature using electronic databases (PubMed, Ovid, Embase, and Web of Science) to identify studies reporting on the association between RDW and AF development published until June 2016.

The Bolton Treo endograft for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms: just another trimodular platform?

The Treo abdominal aortic stent graft system (Bolton Medical, Barcelona, Spain) is a trimodular endovascular endoprosthesis recently introduced for the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). It presents some unique structural characteristics such as the combination of suprarenal and infrarenal fixation, variability of the main-body length, lock-stent mechanism in the iliac limbs to enhance their stability. Areas covered: This article discusses the technical features and clinical performance of Treo as well as the interesting hemodynamic consequences of its design.

Pentraxin-3 as a marker of sepsis severity and predictor of mortality outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) is a multi-functional pattern recognition molecule produced by various cell types of peripheral tissues in different infections. It is raised in sepsis, but its values in predicting disease severity or mortality outcomes have been controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of these associations.

Frailty and Clinical Outcomes in Advanced Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Frailty has been identified as a risk factor for adverse clinical outcomes after cardiac intervention or surgery. However, whether it increases the risk of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy has been controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the frailty measures and clinical outcomes of length of stay and mortality in this setting.

Frailty and Mortality Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Frailty has been identified as a risk factor for mortality. However, whether frailty increases mortality risk in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the frailty measures and mortality outcomes in this setting.

The presence of obesity paradox in Greek patients with chronic heart failure.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) values on 1- and 2-year mortality rates in patients with chronic heart failure (HF).

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 112 patients with confirmed HF who visited the HF outpatient unit of a tertiary hospital of Athens, Greece, during a 5-month period (December 2012 - April 2013). These patients were assigned to four groups based on their BMI category.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans coexisting in a patient with a vascular malformation-a rare coincidence.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with fibrosarcomatous differentiation (DFSP-FS) is a rare soft tissue tumor with more aggressive behavior and it is not clear what causes this type of skin cancer. We describe the case of a 48-year-old woman who was born with a vascular malformation in the sternal region and presented suddenly with a soft tissue sarcoma (DFSP-FS) in the same territory. She was initially treated by embolization as the sarcoma was misdiagnosed but the tumor within 6 months seemed to be growing rapidly and reached a giant dimension with ulceration and required surgical intervention.

Impact of baseline renal function on all-cause mortality in patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves both morbidity and mortality in selected patients with heart failure and increased QRS duration. However, chronic kidney disease (CKD) may have an adverse effect on patient outcome. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the existing data regarding the impact of baseline renal function on all-cause mortality in patients who underwent CRT.

Predictive value of inter-atrial block for new onset or recurrent atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: Inter-atrial block (IAB) is characterized by a delay of inter-atrial conduction and is defined electrocardiographically by a P-wave duration (PWD)>120ms. Several studies have implicated IAB in the development of new onset atrial fibrillation (AF), whereas others have reported no significant associations. Moreover, there has been no systematic evaluation of the predictive value of IAB in AF recurrence.