Benefits from Implementing Low- to High-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Cardiac surgery procedures are among the main treatments for people with cardiovascular disease, with physiotherapy playing a vital part. Respiratory complications are common and associated with prolonged Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital stay, as well as increased mortality. Inspiratory muscle training has been found to be beneficial in improving respiratory muscle function in critically ill patients and patients with heart failure.

Direct comparison of an ultrasensitive real-time PCR assay with droplet digital PCR for the detection of hotspot mutations in primary tumors, plasma cell-free DNA and paired CTC-derived gDNAs.

Introduction: Detection of mutations in primary tumors and liquid biopsy samples is of increasing importance for treatment decisions and therapy resistance in many types of cancer. The aim of the present study was to directly compare the efficacy of a relatively inexpensive ultrasensitive real-time PCR with the well-established and highly sensitive technology of ddPCR for the detection of the three most common hotspot mutations of , in exons 9 and 20, that are all of clinical importance in various types of cancer.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed 42 gDNAs from primary tumors (FFPEs), 29 plasma-cfDNA samples, and 29 paired CTC-derived gDNAs, all from patients with ER+ metastatic breast cancer, and plasma from 10 healthy donors.

A novel focal lattice-tip catheter toggling between pulsed field energy and radiofrequency for atrial arrhythmia ablation: Results from a real-world, multicenter registry.

Background: A novel focal lattice-tip catheter allowing the delivery of either pulsed field (PF) or radiofrequency (RF) energy has recently received regulatory approval. The technology features a proprietary 3-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system.

Objective: We describe the first real-world and multicenter experience.

New onset heart failure in adolescents with inflammatory joint disease treated with TNF-α inhibitors: a case-based review.

The safety of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors has been demonstrated for over two decades. However, their effects on cardiovascular function in patients with rheumatic diseases remain controversial, and conclusions are additionally hampered by the cardiovascular complications inherent in such diseases. We present two 15-year-old patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis classified as polyarthritis with positive rheumatoid factor, respectively.

Investigating the role of electroanatomical mapping in single-shot pulsed field catheter ablation.

Introduction: Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a form of nonthermal energy that has been recently introduced for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). A multi-electrode pentaspline catheter for delivery of PFA guided by fluoroscopy has become widely available for clinical use.

Methods And Results: In this study, we aimed to assess whether the addition of electroanatomical mapping (EAM) for confirmation of PVI in the acute phase can increase the efficacy of the procedure in terms of arrhythmia recurrences.

Survival prospects of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with congenital heart disease: Insights from the HOPE registry.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe complication among adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD). This study presents real-world data on risk stratification, pharmacotherapy and survival rates in PAH-ACHD.

Methods: Data from PAH-ACHD patients were analyzed using The Hellenic Pulmonary Hypertension Registry (HOPE), spanning eight specialized centers between 2015 and 2023.

TransCatheter aortic valve implantation and fractional flow reserve-guided percutaneous coronary intervention versus conventional surgical aortic valve replacement and coronary bypass grafting for treatment of patients with aortic valve stenosis and complex or multivessel coronary disease (TCW): an international, multicentre, prospective, open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Patients with severe aortic stenosis present frequently (∼50%) with concomitant obstructive coronary artery disease. Current guidelines recommend combined surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as the preferred treatment. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a valid treatment alternative.

Distal radial artery palpability and successful arterial access for coronary angiography: A post-hoc analysis from two randomized trials.

Background: Distal radial artery access (DRA) has been emerged as an alternative for conventional transradial arterial access. While palpation of radial artery is mandatory prior coronary angiography, it remains unknown the clinical impact of palpation in DRA success. Aim of our study is to explore whether the palpability of distal radial artery is linked with higher rates of successful arterial access.

Absence of long-term incremental prognostic value of inducible wall motion abnormalities on dipyridamole stress CMR in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease.

Objectives: This single-center retrospective study evaluated the long-term (~5 years) prognostic value of dipyridamole stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), assessing the impact of both key phases of the ischemic cascade (perfusion and wall motion).

Material And Methods: We considered 322 consecutive patients who underwent dipyridamole stress CMR. Abnormal wall motion at rest and after dipyridamole, perfusion at stress and at rest, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were analyzed.

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Reveals Cardiac Inflammation and Fibrosis in Symptomatic Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Findings from the INSPIRE-CMR Multicenter Study.

. Post-coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients may develop cardiac symptoms. We hypothesized that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can assess the background of post-COVID-19 cardiac symptoms using multi-parametric evaluation.

Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Reconstructed Patient-Level Data.

Objective: The standard approach for coronary artery bypass grafting is open surgery. Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass has emerged as an alternative for selected patients. This meta-analysis sought to evaluate clinical outcomes with this emerging technique.

Emerging Imaging Techniques for Atherosclerosis in Systemic Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Conditions.

Atherosclerosis affects patients with systemic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases at an increased rate compared with the general population. In recent years, our understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis has advanced considerably. Nevertheless, cardiovascular imaging modalities that can adequately assess the biological background of atherosclerosis have not reached widespread clinical adoption.

Vascular complications in TAVI procedures: assessment, management, and outcomes-a retrospective study.

Objective: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a pivotal therapeutic modality for aortic stenosis, predominantly in the elderly population. Despite its clinical success, the incidence and implications of vascular complications during TAVI remain a subject of critical concern.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 140 patients who experienced vascular complications during TAVI procedures from a total cohort of 1343 cases.

Central versus peripheral VA ECMO for cardiogenic shock: an 8-year experience of a tertiary cardiac surgery center in Greece.

Background: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) has emerged as an effective rescue therapy in patients with cardiogenic shock refractory to standard treatment protocols, and its use has been rising worldwide in the last decade. Although experience and availability are growing, outcomes remain poor. There is need for evidence to improve clinical practice and outcomes.

Intravenous Levosimendan versus Inhalational Milrinone in the Management of Pulmonary Hypertension during Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The perioperative management of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) undergoing cardiac surgery is challenging, mainly due to the potential risk of right ventricular failure (RVF). Levosimendan is a calcium-sensitizing agent that has primarily been used in the treatment of decompensated heart failure. However, recently levosimendan has been shown to be an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and PH associated with left heart disease.

Diagnosis and Management of Pulmonary Hypertension: New Insights.

Over the last decades, significant progress has been achieved in the pulmonary hypertension (PH) field. Pathophysiology of PH has been studied, leading to the classification of PH patients into five groups, while the hemodynamic definition has been recently revised. A diagnostic algorithm has been established and awareness has been raised in order to minimize diagnosis delay.

Small cardiac vein draining into the inferior vena cava.

Cardiac venous anomalies are rare congenital anatomical anomalies, which are most commonly found on computed tomography scans as an accidental finding. We report a case of a 14-year-old child who was operated for an atrial septal defect, and during the operation, we came across an anomalous drainage of the small cardiac vein into the inferior vena cava. The child's postoperative course was uneventful.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy in heart failure based on Strauss criteria for left bundle branch block.

Aims: The left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a strong predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, a significant number of patients do not respond to the treatment. The study sought to evaluate the impact of the stricter Strauss criteria for left bundle branch block (St-LBBB) on CRT response, hospitalizations, ventricular arrhythmia (VA) events and mortality.