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Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is one of the leading cardiovascular causes of morbidity, mortality, and use of medical resources. After the introduction by international guidelines of the same level of recommendation to non-invasive imaging techniques in CCS evaluation, a large debate arose about the dilemma of choosing anatomical (with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)) or functional imaging (with stress echocardiography (SE), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), or nuclear imaging techniques) as a first diagnostic evaluation. The determinant role of the atherosclerotic burden in defining cardiovascular risk and prognosis more than myocardial inducible ischemia has progressively increased the use of a first anatomical evaluation with CCTA in a wide range of pre-test probability in CCS patients. Functional testing holds importance, both because the role of revascularization in symptomatic patients with proven ischemia is well defined and because functional imaging, particularly with stress cardiac magnetic resonance (s-CMR), gives further prognostic information regarding LV function, detection of myocardial viability, and tissue characterization. Emerging techniques such as stress computed tomography perfusion (s-CTP) and fractional flow reserve derived from CT (FFRCT), combining anatomical and functional evaluation, appear capable of addressing the need for a single non-invasive examination, especially in patients with high risk or previous revascularization. Furthermore, CCTA in peri-procedural planning is promising to acquire greater importance in the non-invasive planning and guiding of complex coronary revascularization procedures, both by defining the correct strategy of interventional procedure and by improving patient selection. This review explores the different roles of non-invasive imaging techniques in managing CCS patients, also providing insights into preoperative planning for percutaneous or surgical myocardial revascularization.

Asthma, a prevalent chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the airways and bronchoconstriction, has demonstrated a potential association with hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). Numerous studies have highlighted a higher prevalence of asthma among thalassemia patients compared to the general population, with rates ranging around 30%. Similarly, asthma frequently coexists with SCD, affecting approximately 20-48% of patients. Children with SCD often experience heightened lower airway obstruction and airway hyper-reactivity. Notably, the presence of asthma in SCD exacerbates respiratory symptoms and increases the risk of severe complications like acute chest syndrome, stroke, vaso-occlusive episodes, and early mortality. Several studies have noted a decrease in various cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-10, along with higher levels of both IL-6 and IL-8, suggesting an overactivation of pro-inflammatory mechanisms in patients with hemoglobinopathies, which could trigger inflammatory conditions such as asthma. The exact mechanisms driving this association are better elucidated but may involve factors such as chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation associated with thalassemia-related complications like chronic hemolytic anemia and iron overload. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the relationship between asthma and hemoglobinopathies, with a focus on thalassemia and SCD. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among pulmonologists, hematologists, and other healthcare professionals to effectively manage this complex interplay. Understanding this link is crucial for improving care and outcomes in affected individuals., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Artificial intelligence (AI) applied to cardiovascular disease (CVD) is enjoying great success in the field of scientific research. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) are the cornerstone form of examination in cardiology and are the most widely used diagnostic tool because they are widely available, inexpensive, and fast. Applications of AI to ECGs, especially deep learning (DL) methods using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have been developed in many fields of cardiology in recent years. Deep learning methods provide valuable support for rapid ECG interpretation, demonstrating a diagnostic capability overlapping with specialists in the diagnosis of CVD by a classical analysis of macroscopic changes in the ECG trace. Through photoplethysmography, wearable devices can obtain single-derivative ECGs for the recognition of AI-diagnosed arrhythmias. In addition, CNNs have been developed that recognize no macroscopic electrocardiographic changes and can predict, from a 12-lead ECG, atrial fibrillation, even from sinus rhythm; left and right ventricular function; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; acute coronary syndromes; or aortic stenosis. The fields of application are many, but numerous are the limitations, mainly associated with the reliability of the acquired data, an inability to verify black box processes, and medico-legal and ethical problems. The challenge of modern medicine is to recognize the limitations of AI and overcome them.

Background: Most recent cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) can safely undergo a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scan under certain conditions, but metal artifacts may degrade image quality. The aim of this study was to assess the overall diagnostic yield of CMR and the extent of metal artifacts in a multicenter, multivendor study on CIED patients referred for CMR., Methods: We analyzed 309 CMR scans from 292 patients (age 57 ± 16 years, 219 male) with an MR-conditional pacemaker ( n = 122), defibrillator (n = 149), or loop recorder (n = 38); CMR scans were performed in 10 centers from 2012 to 2020; MR-unsafe implants were excluded. Clinical and device parameters were recorded before and after the CMR scan. A visual analysis of metal artifacts was performed for each sequence on a segmental basis, based on a 5-point artifact score., Results: The vast majority of CMR scans (n = 255, 83%) were completely performed, while only 32 (10%) were interrupted soon after the first sequences and 22 (7%) were only partly acquired; CMR quality was non-diagnostic in 34 (11%) scans, poor (<1/3 sequences were diagnostic) in 25 (8%), or acceptable (1/3 to 2/3 sequences were diagnostic) in 40 (13%), while most scans (n = 201, 68%) were of overall good quality. No adverse event or device malfunctioning occurred, and only nonsignificant changes in device parameters were recorded. The most affected sequences were SSFP (median score 0.32 [interquartile range 0.07-0.91]), followed by GRE (0.18 [0.02-0.59]) and LGE (0.14 [0.02-0.55]). ICDs induced more artifacts (median score in SSFP images 0.87 [0.50-1.46]) than PMs (0.11 [0.03-0.28]) or ILRs (0.11 [0.00-0.56]). Moreover, most artifacts were located in the anterior, anteroseptal, anterolateral, and apical segments of the LV and in the outflow tract of the RV., Conclusions: CMR is a versatile imaging technique, with a high safety profile and overall good image quality even in patients with MR-conditional CIEDs. Several strategies are now available to optimize image quality, substantially enhancing overall diagnostic yield.

Alcohol septal ablation is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy. The procedure causes a controlled myocardial infarction of the basal portion of the interventricular septum by the injection of absolute alcohol with the aim of reducing LVOT obstruction and improving the patient's hemodynamics and symptoms. Numerous observations have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the procedure, making it a valid alternative to surgical myectomy. In particular, the success of alcohol septal ablation depends on appropriate patient selection and the experience of the institution where the procedure is performed. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on alcohol septal ablation and highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving a team of clinical and interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons with high expertise in the management of HOCM patients-the Cardiomyopathy Team.

Iterations in stent technologies, advances in pharmacotherapy, and awareness of the implications of implantation techniques have markedly reduced the risk of stent failure, both in the form of stent thrombosis (ST) and in-stent restenosis (ISR). However, given the number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed worldwide every year, ST and ISR, albeit occurring at a fairly low rate, represent a public health problem even with contemporary DES platforms. The understanding of mechanisms and risk factors for these two PCI complications has been of fundamental importance for the parallel evolution of stent technologies. Risk factors associated with ST and ISR are usually divided into patient-, lesion-, device- and procedure-related. A number of studies have shown how certain risk factors are related to early (1 month) versus late/very late ST (between 1 month and 1 year and >1 year, respectively). However, more research is required to conclusively show the role of time-dependence of risk factors also in the incidence of ISR (early [1 year] or late [>1 year]). A thorough risk assessment is required due to the complex etiology of ST and ISR. The most effective strategy to treat ST and ISR is still to prevent them; hence, it is crucial to identify patient-, lesion-, device- and procedure-related predictors.

Background: Simultaneous ulnar and radial artery compression (SURC) has emerged as a strategy to increase radial artery flow and mitigate radial artery occlusion (RAO) while achieving adequate hemostasis after transradial access (TRA), though its technical adoption has been limited worldwide. Methods: A systematic search of studies comparing SURC versus isolated radial artery compression after TRA for coronary angiography and/or intervention was performed. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using random-effects models. Odds ratios (OR) with relative 95% confidence intervals (CI) and standardized mean difference were used as measures of effect estimates. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of overall RAO. Results: A total of 6 studies and 6793 patients were included. SURC method as compared to isolated radial artery compression was associated with a lower risk of RAO both overall (OR 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13−0.61, p < 0.001; number needed to treat to benefit [NNTB] =38) and in-hospital (OR 0.28; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.75; p = 0.01, NNTB = 36), with a reduced risk of unsuccessful patent hemostasis (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.85; p = 0.03, NNT = 5) and upper extremity pain (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.95; p = 0.04, NNTB = 124). No significant difference was observed in hemostasis time and in the risk of hematoma. Conclusion: Compared to isolated radial artery compression, SURC is associated with lower risk of RAO, unsuccessful patent hemostasis, and reported upper limb pain, without any trade-off in safety outcomes. With further development of dedicated dual compression devices, the proposed technique should be freed from usage constraints.

The prevalence of non-allergic asthma in childhood is low, peaking in late adulthood. It is triggered by factors other than allergens, like cold and dry air, respiratory infections, hormonal changes, smoke and air pollution. In the literature, there are few studies that describe non-allergic asthma in pediatric age. Even though it is a less common disorder in kids, it is crucial to identify the causes in order to keep asthma under control, particularly in patients not responding to conventional treatments. In this review, we discuss non-IgE-mediated forms of asthma, collecting the latest research on etiopathogenesis and treatment.

The burden of atherosclerotic disease worldwide necessitates implementing the treatment of its risk factors. Among them, hypercholesterolemia has a central role. In addition to conventional small organic compounds and the recently introduced monoclonal antibodies, new technologies are arising such as the antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that operate upstream, blocking the mRNA translation of the proteins specifically involved in lipid metabolism. In this review, we briefly explain the mechanisms of action of these molecules and discuss the difficulties related to their in vivo use as therapeutical agents. We go over the oligonucleotides tested in clinical trials that could potentially revolutionize the care of patients by acting on proteins involved in the lipoprotein metabolism and regulation, namely: angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3); lipoprotein a (Lp(a)); apolipoprotein B (Apo B); apolipoprotein C III (Apo C-III); and proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Finally, the differences between ASOs and siRNAs, their future possible clinical applications, and the role of Inclisiran, a siRNA direct against PCSK9 to reduce LDL-C, were reviewed in detail.

The most commonly used method to assess peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) in clinical practice is pulse oximetry. The smartwatch Apple Watch 6 was developed with a new sensor and an app that allows taking on-demand readings of blood oxygen and background readings, day and night. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility and agreement of the Apple Watch 6 compared with a standard SpO2 monitoring system to assess normal and pathological oxygen saturation. We recruited study participants with lung disease or cardiovascular disease and healthy subjects. A total of 265 subjects were screened for enrolment in this study. We observed a strong positive correlation between the smartwatch and the standard commercial device in the evaluation of SpO2 measurements (r = 0.89, p < 0.0001) and HR measurements (r = 0.98, p < 0.0001). A very good concordance was found between SpO2 (bias, −0.2289; SD, 1.66; lower limit, −3.49; and upper limit, 3.04) and HR (bias, −0.1052; SD, 2.93; lower limit, −5.84; and upper limit, 5.63) measured by the smartwatch in comparison with the standard commercial device using Bland−Altman analysis. We observed similar agreements and concordance even in the different subgroups. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the wearable device used in the present study could be used to assess SpO2 in patients with cardiovascular or lung diseases and in healthy subjects.

Changes in cardiac mechanics after correction of severe Aortic Stenosis (AS) are under-investigated. Myocardial Work (MW) is emerging as a useful non-invasive correlate of invasively measured myocardial performance and oxygen consumption. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of MW in the clinical management of patients with AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Consecutive patients referred for TAVI were included in this observational study. Echocardiograms were performed before and after TAVI to measure Global Work Index (GWI), Global Constructive Work (GCW), Global Wasted Work (GWW), and Global Work Efficiency (GWE). Mean transvalvular gradient was significantly improved ( p < 0.05), without significant changes in left ventricular ejection fraction, nor in global longitudinal strain (GLS). GWI ( p < 0.001) and GCW ( p < 0.001), but not GWW ( p = 0.241) nor GWE ( p = 0.854) were significantly reduced after TAVI. Patients with a low flow low gradient (LF-LG) AS had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ( p < 0.001), worse global longitudinal strain (GLS) ( p < 0.001), and lower baseline GWI ( p < 0.001), GCW ( p < 0.001) and GWE ( p = 0.003). The improvement in GWI and GCW observed after TAVI in the general study population were abolished among LF-LG patients. In conclusion, non-invasive MW might be useful to further classify patients with AS and to predict non responders.

The vascular system is largely exposed to the effect of changing flow conditions. Vascular cells can sense flow and its changes. Flow sensing is of pivotal importance for vascular remodeling. In fact, it influences the development and progression of atherosclerosis, controls its location and has a major influx on the development of local complications. Despite its importance, the research community has traditionally paid scarce attention to studying the association between different flow conditions and vascular biology. More recently, a growing body of evidence has been accumulating, revealing that ncRNAs play a key role in the modulation of several biological processes linking flow-sensing to vascular pathophysiology. This review summarizes the most relevant evidence on ncRNAs that are directly or indirectly responsive to flow conditions to the benefit of the clinician, with a focus on the underpinning mechanisms and their potential application as disease biomarkers.

Up to 15% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients experience severe clinical presentation, resulting in acute respiratory distress (ARDS) and finally death. N-terminal natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with ARDS. However, whether or not this peptide can help discriminate high-risk COVID-19 patients remains unclear. Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we summarized the available evidence on NT-proBNP in patients admitted for COVID-19. Pooled mean, mean differences (MD) and standardized mean difference (SMD) were the summary metrics. Thirteen studies were finally selected for this analysis with a total of 2248 patients, of which 507 had a severe condition (n = 240) or died (n = 267). Pooled mean NT-proBNP levels on admission were 790.57 pg/mL (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 532.50 to 1048.64) in patients that experienced a severe clinical condition or died, and 160.56 pg/mL (95% CI: 118.15 to 202.96) in non-severe patients (SMD: 1.05; 95% (CI): 0.83 to 1.28; p < 0.001; I 2 74%; and MD was 645.84 pg/mL (95% CI: 389.50-902.18). Results were consistent in studies categorizing patients as non-survivors versus survivors (SMD: 1.17; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.40; p < 0. 001; I 2 : 51%), and in those classifying populations in severe versus non-severe clinical condition (SMD: 0.94 95% CI 0.56 to 1.32; p < 0.001; I 2 : 81%; p interaction = 0.30). In conclusion, our results suggest that assessing NT-proBNP may support physicians in discriminating high-risk COVID-19 patients.

Background: The pandemic of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is challenging, given the large number of hospitalized patients. Cardiovascular co-morbidities are linked to a higher mortality risk. Thus, patients with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) might represent a high-risk population. Nevertheless, no data about them are available, yet. Hence, we conducted a nationwide survey to assess clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with congenital heart disease affected by COVID-19., Methods and Results: This is a multi-centre, observational, nationwide survey, involving high-volume Italian CHD centres. COVID-19 diagnosis was defined as either "clinically suspected" or "confirmed", where a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) test had been performed and was positive. Cardiovascular comorbidities were observed among adult patients-atrial fibrillation (seven; 9%), hypertension (five; 7%), obesity (seven; 9%) and diabetes (one; 1%)-but were absent among children. Cardiovascular complications were mainly observed in the "confirmed" COVID-19 + group, consisting of heart failure (9%), palpitations/arrhythmias (3%), stroke/TIA (3%) and pulmonary hypertension (3%). Cardiovascular symptoms such as chest pain (1%), myocardial injury (1%) and pericardial effusion (1%) were also recorded. On the contrary, CHD patients from the clinically suspected COVID-19 group presented no severe symptoms or complications., Conclusions: Despite previous reports pointing to a higher case-fatality rate among patients with cardiovascular co-morbidities, we observed a mild COVID-19 clinical course in our cohort of CHD patients. Although these results should be confirmed in larger cohorts to investigate the underlying mechanisms, the findings of low cardiovascular complications rates and no deaths are reassuring for CHD patients.

Background: It is unclear whether or not ultrasound-guided cannulation (UGC) of the femoral artery is superior to the standard approach (SA) in reducing vascular complications and improving access success., Objective: We sought to compare procedural and clinical outcomes of femoral UGC versus SA in patients undergoing percutaneous cardiovascular intervention (PCvI)., Methods: We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and web sources for randomized trials comparing UGC versus SA. We estimated risk ratio (RR) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Primary efficacy endpoint was the success rate at the first attempt, while secondary efficacy endpoints were access time and number of attempts. Primary safety endpoints were the rates of vascular complications, while secondary endpoints were major bleeding, as well as access site hematoma, venepuncture, pseudoaneurysms and retroperitoneal hematoma. This meta-analysis has been registered on Centre for Open Science (OSF) (osf.io/fy82e)., Results: Seven trials were included, randomizing 3180 patients to UGC ( n = 1564) or SA ( n = 1616). Efficacy between UGC and SA was the main metric assessed in most of the trials, in which one third of the enrolled patients underwent interventional procedures. The success rate of the first attempt was significantly higher with UGC compared to SA, (82.0% vs. 58.7%; RR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.57; p < 0.0001; I 2 = 88%). Time to access and number of attempts were significantly reduced with UGC compared to SA (SMD: -0.19; 95% CI: -0.28 to -0.10; p < 0.0001; I 2 = 22%) and (SMD: -0.40; 95% CI: -0.58 to -0.21; p < 0.0001; I 2 = 82%), respectively. Compared with SA, use of UGC was associated with a significant reduction in vascular complications (1.3% vs. 3.0%; RR: 0.48; CI 95%: 0.25 to 0.91; p = 0.02; I 2 = 0%) and access-site hematoma (1.2% vs. 3.3%; RR: 0.41; CI 95%: 0.20 to 0.83; p = 0.01; I 2 = 27%), but there were non-significant differences in major bleeding (0.7% vs. 1.4%; RR: 0.57; CI 95%: 0.24 to 1.32; p = 0.19; I 2 = 0%). Rates of venepuncture were lower with UGC (3.6% vs. 12.1%; RR: 0.32; CI 95%: 0.20 to 0.52; p < 0.00001; I 2 = 55%)., Conclusion: This study, which included all available data to date, demonstrated that, compared to a standard approach, ultrasound-guided cannulation of the femoral artery is associated with lower access-related complications and higher efficacy rates. These results could be of great clinical relevance especially in the femoral cannulation of high risk patients.

The respective ischemic and bleeding risks of early aspirin discontinuation following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain uncertain. We performed a prospero-registered review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing a P2Y 12 inhibitor-based single antiplatelet strategy following early aspirin discontinuation to a strategy of sustained dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in ACS or PCI patients requiring, or not, anticoagulation for another indication (CRD42019139576). We estimated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random effect models. We included nine RCTs comprising 40,621 patients. Compared to prolonged DAPT, major bleeding (2.2% vs. 2.8%; RR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.87; p = 0.002; I ² : 63%), non-major bleeding (5.0 % vs. 6.1 %; RR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.94; p = 0.02; I ² : 87%) and all bleeding (7.4% vs. 9.9%; RR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.53 to 0.79; p < 0.0001; I ² : 88%) were significantly reduced with early aspirin discontinuation without significant difference for all-cause death ( p = 0.60), major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACE) ( p = 0.60), myocardial infarction (MI) ( p = 0.77), definite stent thrombosis (ST) ( p = 0.63), and any stroke ( p = 0.59). In patients on DAPT after an ACS or a PCI, early aspirin discontinuation prevents bleeding events with no significant adverse effect on the ischemic risk or mortality.

Recently, two randomized trials, the PARTNER 3 and the Evolut Low Risk Trial, independently demonstrated that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is non-inferior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis in patients at low surgical risk, paving the way to a progressive extension of clinical indications to TAVR. We designed a meta-analysis to compare TAVR versus SAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis at low surgical risk. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42019131125). Randomized studies comparing one-year outcomes of TAVR or SAVR were searched for within Medline, Scholar and Scopus electronic databases. A total of three randomized studies were selected, including nearly 3000 patients. After one year, the risk of cardiovascular death was significantly lower with TAVR compared to SAVR (Risk Ratio (RR) = 0.56; 95% CI 0.33-0.95; p = 0.03). Conversely, no differences were observed between the groups for one-year all-cause mortality (RR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.42-1.07; p = 0.10). Among the secondary endpoints, patients undergoing TAVR have lower risk of new-onset of atrial fibrillation compared to SAVR (RR = 0.26; 95% CI 0.17-0.39; p < 0.00001), major bleeding (RR = 0.30; 95% CI 0.14-0.65; p < 0.002) and acute kidney injury stage II or III (RR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.14-0.58; p = 0.0005). Conversely, TAVR was associated to a higher risk of aortic regurgitation (RR = 3.96; 95% CI 1.31-11.99; p = 0.01) and permanent pacemaker implantation (RR = 3.47; 95% CI 1.33-9.07; p = 0.01) compared to SAVR. No differences were observed between the groups in the risks of stroke (RR= 0.71; 95% CI 0.41-1.25; p = 0.24), transient ischemic attack (TIA; RR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.53-1.83; p = 0.96), and MI (RR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.43-1.29; p = 0.29). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis, including three randomized studies and nearly 3000 patients with severe aortic stenosis at low surgical risk, shows that TAVR is associated with lower CV death compared to SAVR at one-year follow-up. Nevertheless, paravalvular aortic regurgitation and pacemaker implantation still represent two weak spots that should be solved., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Percutaneous coronary interventions with stent-based restorations of vessel patency have become the gold standard in the treatment of acute coronary states. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) have been designed to combine the efficiency of drug-eluting stents (DES) at the time of implantation and the advantages of a lack of foreign body afterwards. Complete resolution of the scaffold was intended to enable the restoration of vasomotor function and reduce the risk of device thrombosis. While early reports demonstrated superiority of BVS over DES, larger-scale application and longer observation exposed major concerns about their use, including lower radial strength and higher risk of thrombosis resulting in higher rate of major adverse cardiac events. Further focus on procedural details and research on the second generation of BVS with novel properties did not allow to unequivocally challenge position of DES. Nevertheless, BVS still have a chance to present superiority in distinctive indications. This review presents an outlook on the available first and second generation BVS and a summary of results of clinical trials on their use. It discusses explanations for unfavorable outcomes, proposed enhancement techniques and a potential niche for the use of BVS.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) carries worse prognosis in childhood. 2-dimensional (2-D) left atrial (LA) strain accurately categorizes DD in adults but its role in children is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate whether LA strain and strain rate could diagnose and classify DD in children with dilated (CMD), hypertrophic (HCM) and restrictive (RCM) cardiomyopathies (CM)., Methods and Results: The study includes 136 children (aged 8.8 ± 6 years): 44 with DCM, 40 with HCM, 7 with RCM and 45 healthy controls (CTRL). They underwent standard echocardiographic examination and 2-D speckle-tracking analyses (LV longitudinal peak systolic strain (LS), LA peak systolic strain and strain rate). No significant differences in mitral E/A and pulmonary S/D ratios were observed among the four groups. Although E/E' and indexed left atrial volumes were found to be significantly higher in HCM, DCM and RCM compared to CTRL ( p < 0.001), they showed no significant difference among the three CM groups. LV LS values were significantly reduced in CM vs CTRL ( p < 0.001) and in DCM vs HCM ( p < 0.01), with no other differences between the remaining groups. LA peak systolic strain and strain rate values showed a steady and significant decrease with worsening of DD. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves showed area under the curve of 0.976 ( p < 0.001) for LA strain and 0.946 ( p < 0.001) for LA strain rate, to distinguish CTRL from CMs., Conclusions: LA strain and strain rate could be a promising tool to better understand and classify DD in children with cardiomyopathies, opening the way to its clinical use.

The assessment of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) by coronary angiography has several limitations. The fractional flow reserve (FFR) is useful for the functional evaluation of LMCA stenoses. The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), a resting index, was developed to simplify functional coronary assessment. However, its performance for LMCA stenoses has yet to be explored. The iFR was measured at rest, and the FFR was measured under maximal hyperemia. We calculated that a sample size of 90 lesions would have provided 90% power at a 5% significance level to detect an Area Under the Curve (AUC) < 0.7 for the iFR to identify FFR-positive stenoses. A total of 91 measurements were performed on angiographically intermediate LMCA stenoses at three centers. The comparison between the iFR and the FFR showed a significant correlation (r = 0.67, p < 0.001). At receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the iFR revealed a good diagnostic performance when compared to the FFR (AUC = 0.84; p < 0.001). A classification agreement between the iFR and the FFR was recorded in 81% of cases. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was an independent predictor of the discrepancy between the FFR and iFR values (p = 0.040). The present study is the first demonstrating that the assessment of LMCA stenoses with the instantaneous wave-free ratio is a reliable adenosine-free alternative to classic fractional flow reserve. If confirmed in larger populations, these findings could be of relevance for real world daily practice., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Objectives: To test a novel diagnostic technique to assess radial artery perfusion after transradial catheterization., Background: Despite being mostly asymptomatic, radial artery occlusion (RAO) is not a benign complication, and its diagnosis is frequently missed because it requires time-consuming diagnostic testing. We developed a novel operator-independent diagnostic test to assess RAO after coronary procedures through a transradial access (TRA) by means of hand Laser Perfusion Imaging (LPI)., Methods: One hundred patients were evaluated before and after TRA by means of the LPI. A radial perfusion index (RPI) was calculated as the ratio between the total perfusion measured during ulnar occlusion and total basal perfusion. Vascular Duplex scan (VDS) was used as the standard of reference to assess the artery patency., Results: LPI correctly identified RAO in 100% of cases. Post-procedural RPI was 0.89 ± 0.13 in patients with radial patency vs. 0.15 ± 0.04 in patients with RAO ( p < 0.001). In line with these results, ROC analysis showed an excellent diagnostic performance of the LPI, that correctly identified all RAO cases (Area Under the Curve, AUC = 1.0; p < 0.001), with an optimal diagnostic cutoff at 0.2 RPI., Conclusions: LPI is a reliable diagnostic technique for RAO, offering the advantages of being quick and simple to perform.