Trimethylamine-N-oxide is associated with cardiovascular mortality and vascular brain lesions in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is a metabolite derived from the microbial processing of dietary phosphatidylcholine and carnitine and the subsequent hepatic oxidation. Due to its prothrombotic and inflammatory mechanisms, we aimed to assess its role in the prediction of adverse events in a susceptible population, namely patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Baseline TMAO plasma levels were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 2379 subjects from the ongoing Swiss Atrial Fibrillation cohort.

Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Outcome in Takotsubo Syndrome: Data From the International Takotsubo Registry.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for mortality. The prevalence, clinical correlates, and prognostic impact of AF in Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) have not yet been investigated in a large patient cohort. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical correlates, and prognostic impact of AF in patients with TTS.

Prognostic impact of acute pulmonary triggers in patients with takotsubo syndrome: new insights from the International Takotsubo Registry.

Aims: Acute pulmonary disorders are known physical triggers of takotsubo syndrome (TTS). This study aimed to investigate prevalence of acute pulmonary triggers in patients with TTS and their impact on outcomes.

Methods And Results: Patients with TTS were enrolled from the International Takotsubo Registry and screened for triggering factors and comorbidities.

Role of a Pediatric Cardiologist in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected patients across all age groups, with a wide range of illness severity from asymptomatic carriers to severe multi-organ dysfunction and death. Although early reports have shown that younger age groups experience less severe disease than older adults, our understanding of this phenomenon is in continuous evolution. Recently, a severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), with active or recent COVID-19 infection, has been increasingly reported.

Cardiac Abnormalities Seen in Pediatric Patients During the SARS-CoV2 Pandemic: An International Experience.

Background During the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, there has been increase in hyperinflammatory presentation in previously healthy children with a variety of cardiac manifestations. Our objective is to describe the cardiac manifestations found in an international cohort of 55 pediatric cases with multi-system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Methods and Results We reviewed data on previously healthy pediatric patients (≤18 years) with structurally normal hearts who presented at hospitals in the United States, United Kingdom, Spain and Pakistan with MIS-C and had consultation with a pediatric cardiologist.

Iatrogenic fistula between the aorta and the right ventricular outflow tract after Melody valve implantation: Case report and literature review.

We present the first case of an iatrogenic aorta to right ventricular outflow tract fistula after Melody valve implantation. A 11-year-old girl, born with tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve, underwent surgical repair at three years old with a 15-mm homograft. At five years old, calcification and stenosis of the homograft prompted successful balloon angioplasty and five years later she underwent Melody valve implantation.

Clinical and electrocardiographic features of patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA).

Aims: Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) is often an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. This study aimed to evaluate clinical and ECG characteristics of MINOCA in a large cohort of patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome.

Methods: All coronary angiograms performed at the University Heart Center in Zurich (Switzerland) between 2012 and 2016 were investigated.

Coexistence and outcome of coronary artery disease in Takotsubo syndrome.

Aims: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome, which shares many features with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although TTS was initially described with angiographically normal coronary arteries, smaller studies recently indicated a potential coexistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in TTS patients. This study aimed to determine the coexistence, features, and prognostic role of CAD in a large cohort of patients with TTS.

Age-Related Variations in Takotsubo Syndrome.

Background: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) occurs predominantly in post-menopausal women but is also found in younger patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate age-related differences in TTS.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with TTS and enrolled in the International Takotsubo Registry between January 2011 and February 2017 were included in this analysis and were stratified by age (younger: ≤50 years, middle-age: 51 to 74 years, elderly: ≥75 years).

Impact of aspirin on takotsubo syndrome: a propensity score-based analysis of the InterTAK Registry.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of aspirin on prognosis in takotsubo syndrome (TTS).

Methods And Results: Patients from the International Takotsubo (InterTAK) Registry were categorized into two groups based on aspirin prescription at discharge. A comparison of clinical outcomes between groups was performed using an adjusted analysis with propensity score (PS) stratification; results from the unadjusted analysis were also reported to note the effect of the PS adjustment.

Intraventricular Thrombus Formation and Embolism in Takotsubo Syndrome: Insights From the International Takotsubo Registry.

Objective: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterized by acute left ventricular dysfunction, which can contribute to intraventricular thrombus and embolism. Still, prevalence and clinical impact of thrombus formation and embolic events on outcome of TTS patients remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate clinical features and outcomes of patients with and without intraventricular thrombus or embolism.

Clinical Predictors and Prognostic Impact of Recovery of Wall Motion Abnormalities in Takotsubo Syndrome: Results From the International Takotsubo Registry.

Background Left ventricular (LV) recovery in takotsubo syndrome (TTS) occurs over a wide-ranging interval, varying from hours to weeks. We sought to investigate the clinical predictors and prognostic impact of recovery time for TTS patients. Methods and Results TTS patients from the International Takotsubo Registry were included in this study.

Cardiac arrest in takotsubo syndrome: results from the InterTAK Registry.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the frequency, clinical features, and prognostic implications of cardiac arrest (CA) in takotsubo syndrome (TTS).

Methods And Results: We reviewed the records of patients with CA and known heart rhythm from the International Takotsubo Registry. The main outcomes were 60-day and 5-year mortality.

Altered limbic and autonomic processing supports brain-heart axis in Takotsubo syndrome.

Aims: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterized by acute left ventricular dysfunction often triggered by emotional or physical stress. Severe activation of the sympathetic nervous system with catecholamine release caused by a dysfunctional limbic system has been proposed as a potential mechanism. We hypothesize that brain regions responsible for autonomic integration and/or limbic processing might be involved in the development of TTS.

Tumour Necrosis Factor-α Inhibition Improves Stroke Outcome in a Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder where incidence and severity of myocardial infarction are increased. Data on the incidence and outcome of stroke are conflicting. Thus, we investigated outcome after Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) brain injury in a mouse model of RA and assessed for the role of the tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor Infliximab herein.