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Cor pulmonale is a clinical syndrome associated with pulmonary hypertension, frequently complicated by congestive heart failure, commonly caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Most patients with cor pulmonale have tachycardia. However, heart rate (HR) reduction represents a primary treatment goal to improve the survival and quality of life in these patients. Ivabradine can selectively slow HR at rest and during exercise. In this prospective study, we tested the hemodynamic effects, invasively determined using right-sided cardiac catheterization, of reducing HR with ivabradine. We selected 18 patients (13 men [72.2%], mean age 67 ± 10 years) with COPD and cor pulmonale, presenting with sinus tachycardia. All patients performed clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram, spirometry, echocardiogram, 6-minute walking distance, and right-sided cardiac catheterization within 1 month of enrollment. All tests were repeated after 6 months of ivabradine treatment (median assumed dose 11.9 mg/die). We noticed a significant decrease of HR (from 98 ± 7 to 77 ± 8 beats/min, p = 0.0001), with a concomitant reduction of the congestion index (from 25.9 ± 5.1 to 19.4 ± 5.7 mm Hg, p = 0.001), and the consequent improvement of the right ventricular systolic performance (right ventricular stroke volume augmented from 56.7 ± 7.9 to 75.2 ± 8.6 ml/beat, p = 0.0001). This allows an improvement in clinical status and exercise tolerance (Borg scale score decreased from 5.2 ± 1.4 to 4.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.01 and the 6-minute walking distance increased to 252 ± 65 to 377 ± 59 m, p = 0.001). In conclusion, HR reduction significantly improves hemodynamic and clinical status of patients with tachycardia affected by COPD and cor pulmonale., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no competing interests to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Red cells distribution width (RDW) is a measure of red cell size variability, but little is known about the relation between RDW and outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF).The aims of our study were to evaluate the association between RDW values, AF patients' profile and outcomes. Consecutive patients with ECG-confirmed AF were divided in 3 groups according to tertiles of RDW values (≤13.5%, 13.6% to 14.6%, >14.6%).We enrolled 457 patients, 61.9% males, median (interquartile range) age 74 (66 to 80). Both CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc and HAS-BLED scores increased progressively according to RDW tertiles. During follow-up, there was an increased risk for all-cause death and the composite end point in the highest RDW tertile (p <0.001 for both outcomes). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, the highest RDW tertile was independently associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 3.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04 to 10.00) and the composite end point (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.70). RDW as a continuous variable was also independently associated with all cause death and the composite outcome (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.31 and HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.27, respectively). In conclusion, in a real-life AF population, RDW is associated with clinical factors indicating a worse profile and is independently associated with increased risks of all-cause death and other clinical events., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In the EdoxabaN versus warfarin in subjectS UndeRgoing cardiovErsion of Atrial Fibrillation study (NCT 02072434), edoxaban showed similar efficacy and safety versus enoxaparin-warfarin in patients underwent electrical cardioversion of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. In this ancillary analysis, we compared the primary efficacy (composite of stroke, systemic embolic event, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, and overall study period) and safety (composite of major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, on-treatment) end points in relation to body mass index (BMI; <30 vs ≥30 kg/m 2 ). We also compared cardioversion outcomes in relation to BMI. Of 2,199 patients enrolled, 1,095 were randomized to edoxaban and 1,104 to enoxaparin-warfarin. Mean age was 64 ± 10 and 64 ± 11 years and mean BMI 30.6 and 30.7 kg/m 2 , respectively. Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases were more prevalent in obese (n = 1067) than nonobese patients. Overall ischemic event rates were low; rates in the BMI <30 kg/m 2 subgroup were numerically lower than the ≥30 kg/m 2 subgroup, but not significantly different (odds ratio [OR], 0.74 [95% confidence interval 0.23, 2.24]). Composite major + clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding rates were low and numerically lower, but not significantly different (OR 0.88 [0.38, 2.04]), between the edoxaban and enoxaparin-warfarin arms and across weight categories. Successful cardioversion rate was higher in the BMI <30 versus ≥30 kg/m 2 subgroup (73.9% vs 69.9%; OR 1.22 [1.01 to 1.48]). In EdoxabaN versus warfarin in subjectS UndeRgoing cardiovErsion of Atrial Fibrillation, BMI did not significantly impact the relative efficacy and safety of edoxaban versus enoxaparin-warfarin. Nevertheless, the nonobese group had a higher rate of cardioversion success than the obese group., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns in a large multicenter cohort of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; 1,004 consecutive patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a recorded standard ECG (64% men, mean age 50 ± 16 years) were evaluated at 4 Italian centers. The study end points were sudden cardiac death (SCD) or surrogates, including appropriate implanted cardiac defibrillator discharge and resuscitated cardiac arrest and major cardiovascular events (including SCD or surrogates and death due to heart failure, cardioembolic stroke, or heart transplantation). Prevalence of baseline electrocardiographic characteristics was: normal ECG 4%, ST-segment depression 56%, pseudonecrosis waves 33%, "pseudo-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)" pattern 17%, QRS duration ≥120 ms 17%, giant inverted T waves 6%, and low QRS voltages 3%. During a mean follow-up of 7.4 ± 6.8 years, 77 patients experienced SCD or surrogates and 154 patients experienced major cardiovascular events. Independent predictors of SCD or surrogates were unexplained syncope (hazard ratio [HR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4 to 4.5, p = 0.003), left ventricular ejection fraction <50% (HR 3.5, 95% CI 1.9 to 6.7, p = 0.0001), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.6, p = 0.027), pseudo-STEMI pattern (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.8, p = 0.001), QRS duration ≥120 ms (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.0, p = 0.033), and low QRS voltages (HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.01 to 5.1, p = 0.048). Independent predictors of major cardiovascular events were age (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03, p = 0.0001), LV ejection fraction <50% (HR 3.73, 95% CI 2.39 to 5.83, p = 0.0001), pseudo-STEMI pattern (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.45, p = 0.010), QRS duration ≥120 ms (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.47, p = 0.007), and prolonged QTc interval (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.34, p = 0.002). In conclusion, a detailed qualitative and quantitative electrocardiographic analyses provide independent predictors of prognosis that could be integrated with the available score systems to improve the power of the current model., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Changes in left atrial (LA) strain in patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remain not entirely explored. We prospectively evaluated long-term changes in LA size and function and their relation with left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling and noninvasive hemodynamic variables in patients treated with CRT by 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Thirty patients (62 ± 11 years, 63% men) underwent 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography before implant and after 12 months. LA area, global and regional LA strains, LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and longitudinal strain, mitral regurgitation (MR), and diastolic variables were evaluated. At 12 months, CRT responders (60%) exhibited an increase in LA strain (11.4 ± 6.5% vs 16.5 ± 7.9%, p <0.001) and a reduction in LA area (p = 0.002), which were associated with an improvement in MR, E/E' ratio, LVEF, and LV longitudinal strain. In nonresponders, a worsening in LA strain (11.4 ± 6.8% vs 8.7 ± 4.6%, p = 0.017) and LA area (p = 0.002) occurred in parallel with an increase in E/E', whereas LVEF and LV longitudinal strain were unchanged. In conclusion, over long-term follow-up, LA size and strain improved in CRT responders, while worsening in nonresponders. Changes in LV function, filling pressures, and MR seem to be related to LA reverse remodeling, giving a feedback loop., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Atrial fibrillation is often asymptomatic, but outcomes require further characterization. The study objective was to investigate the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with atrial fibrillation who were prospectively enrolled in the EurObservational Research Programme - Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry., Methods: A total of 3119 patients were enrolled, and 1237 (39.7%) were asymptomatic (European Heart Rhythm Association [EHRA] score I). Among symptomatic patients, 963 (51.2%) had mild symptoms (EHRA score II) and 919 (48.8%) had severe or disabling symptoms (EHRA III-IV). Permanent atrial fibrillation was 3-fold more common in asymptomatic patients than in symptomatic patients., Results: On multivariate analysis, male gender (odds ratio [OR], 1.630; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.384-1.921), older age (OR, 1.019; 95% CI, 1.012-1.026), previous myocardial infarction (OR, 1.681; 95% CI, 1.350-2.093), and limited physical activity (OR, 1.757; 95% CI, 1.495-2.064) were associated significantly with asymptomatic (EHRA I) atrial fibrillation. Fully asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (absence of current and previous symptoms) was present in 520 patients (16.7%) and was associated independently with male gender, age, and previous myocardial infarction. Appropriate guideline-based prescription of oral anticoagulants was lower in these patients, and aspirin was prescribed more frequently. Mortality at 1 year was more than 2-fold higher in asymptomatic patients compared with symptomatic patients (9.4% vs 4.2%, P < .0001) and was associated independently with older age and comorbidities, including chronic kidney disease and chronic heart failure., Conclusions: Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation is common in daily cardiology practice and is associated with elderly age, more comorbidities, and high thromboembolic risks. A higher 1-year mortality was found in asymptomatic patients compared with symptomatic patients., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Current guidelines strongly recommend that oral anticoagulation should be offered to patients with atrial fibrillation and ≥1 stroke risk factors. The guidelines also recommend that oral anticoagulation still should be used in the presence of stroke risk factors irrespective of rate or rhythm control., Methods: In an analysis from the dataset of the EURObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation Pilot Survey (n = 3119), we examined antithrombotic therapy prescribing, with particular focus on the risk factors determining oral anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy use., Results: When oral anticoagulation was used among admitted patients in whom no pharmacologic cardioversion, electrical cardioversion, or catheter ablation was performed or planned, vitamin K antagonist therapy was prescribed in the majority (72.2%), whereas novel oral anticoagulants were used in the minority (7.7%). There was no significant difference in bleeding risk factors among the patients treated with the different types of antithrombotic therapies, except for those with chronic kidney disease, in whom oral anticoagulation was less commonly used (P = .0318). Antiplatelet therapy was more commonly used in patients with a high Hypertension, Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history or predisposition, Labile international normalized ratio, Elderly (>65 years), Drugs/alcohol concomitantly score (≥2) (P < .0001). More oral anticoagulation use was associated with female gender (P = .0245). Less novel oral anticoagulant use was associated with valvular heart disease (P < .0001), chronic heart failure (P = .0010), coronary artery disease (P < .0001), and peripheral artery disease (P = .0092). Coronary artery disease was the strongest reason for combination therapy with oral anticoagulation plus antiplatelet drug (odds ratio, 8.54; P < .0001). When the Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 [Doubled], Diabetes, Stroke [Doubled]-Vascular disease, Age 65-74, and Sex category [female] score was used, 95.6% of patients with a score ≥1 received antithrombotic therapy, with 80.5% of patients with a score ≥1 receiving oral anticoagulation. Of note, 83.7% of those with a score ≥2 received antithrombotic therapy. Of the latter, 70.9% of those with a score ≥2 received oral anticoagulation, vitamin K antagonists were used in 64.1%, and novel oral anticoagulants were used in 6.9%., Conclusions: The EURObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation Pilot Survey provides contemporary data on oral anticoagulation prescribing by European cardiologists for atrial fibrillation. Although the uptake of oral anticoagulation (mostly vitamin K antagonist therapy) has improved since the Euro Heart Survey a decade ago, antiplatelet therapy is still commonly prescribed, with or without oral anticoagulation, whereas elderly patients are commonly undertreated with oral anticoagulation., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Heart failure (HF) is a common condition in elderly patients. Despite great improvements in medical therapy, HF mortality remains high. Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) significantly lengthens the survival rate of subjects with severe HF, but little evidence exists on its effect in elderly persons. Aim of this study was to compare the age-related determinants of prognosis in a large population of patients with ICD. We divided all patients who underwent an ICD implantation in 117 Italian centers of the "ClinicalService Project" into 3 age groups (<65, 65 to 74, ≥ 75 years), and collected clinical and instrumental variables at baseline and during follow-up (median length: 27 months). Between 2004 and 2011, 6,311 patients were enrolled (5,174 men; left ventricular ejection fraction 29% ± 9%); 1,510 subjects were ≥ 75 years (23.9%; mean age 78 ± 3 years). The prevalence of co-morbidities increased with age. HF was most frequently due to coronary artery disease in the elderly, who also showed the worst New York Heart Association class. At multivariate analysis, older age, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure, diabetes, complex ventricular arrhythmias, and left ventricular ejection fraction were significant predictors of all-cause mortality. After adjustment, the hazard ratio(age group) for mortality was 22.6% less than at univariate analysis. When groups were analyzed separately, age alone predicted mortality in the oldest. In conclusion, a large proportion of our population was aged ≥ 75 years. Mortality was related to age and several co-morbidities, except for the oldest patients in whom age alone resulted predictive., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chronic heart failure is one of the most important geriatric syndromes, associated with disability, increased hospital admissions, and high mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of age-related differences in clinical effectiveness and outcomes of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), alone or in combination with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (CRT-D), in a large, real-world registry. A total of 1,787 patients admitted for CRT or CRT-D to the 117 centers participating in the InSync/InSync ICD Italian Registry from 1999 to 2005 were evaluated. Patients were divided into 3 age groups: <65 years (n = 571), 65 to 74 years (n = 740), and ≥75 years (n = 476). The left ventricular ejection fraction did not differ in the 3 groups (26 ± 8% vs 26 ± 7% vs 27 ± 8%, p = 0.123). Atrial fibrillation prevalence demonstrated an age-related increase. The use of recommended medical therapy for chronic heart failure decreased with age, as well as CRT-D implantation (p <0.001). The percentage of echocardiographic responders to CRT was similar in the 3 groups, and New York Heart Association class significantly improved independent of age. During the follow-up period (19 ± 13 months), all-cause mortality was higher in patients aged ≥75 years than in those aged <65 years (p = 0.005). In the whole population, mortality was associated with the nonresponder condition, the presence of atrial fibrillation and the lack of prescription of recommended medical therapy. In conclusion, CRT improved left ventricular performance and functional capacity independent of age. The proportion of the responder condition to CRT was the same in all groups. Pharmacologic undertreatment is an important issue in a "real-world" geriatric population., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The analysis of left ventricular (LV) mechanics provides novel insights into the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on LV performance. Currently, advances in speckle-tracking echocardiographic analysis have permitted the characterization of subendocardial and subepicardial LV twist. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the acute changes in subendocardial and subepicardial LV twist for the prediction of midterm beneficial effects of CRT. A total of 84 patients with heart failure scheduled for CRT were recruited. All patients underwent echocardiography before and <48 hours after CRT implantation and at 6-month follow-up. The assessment of LV volumes, ejection fractions, and mechanical dyssynchrony (systolic dyssynchrony index) was performed with real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography. The assessment of subendocardial and subepicardial LV twist was performed with 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. A favorable outcome was defined as the occurrence of a reduction > or =15% in LV end-systolic volume associated with an improvement of > or =1 New York Heart Association functional class at 6-month follow-up. At 6-month follow-up, 53% of the patients showed favorable outcomes. Ischemic cause of heart failure, baseline systolic dyssynchrony index, immediate improvement in the LV ejection fraction, immediate improvement in systolic dyssynchrony index, and immediate improvement in subendocardial and subepicardial LV twist were significantly related to favorable outcomes. However, in multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the immediate improvement of subepicardial LV twist was independently related to favorable outcomes (odds ratio 2.31, 95% confidence interval 1.29 to 4.15, p = 0.005). Furthermore, the immediate improvement of subepicardial LV twist had incremental value over established parameters. In conclusion, the immediate improvement of subepicardial LV twist (but not subendocardial LV twist) is independently related to favorable outcomes after CRT., (2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can improve global left ventricular (LV) function. However, limited data are available on regional LV contractility at rest and during exercise. The aim of the present study was to prospectively investigate the effects of CRT on regional LV ejection fraction (EF), global LVEF, and dyssynchrony, during rest and exercise, using radionuclide angiography. A total of 32 consecutive patients with heart failure and nonischemic cardiomyopathy underwent technetium-99m radionuclide angiography with bicycle exercise immediately after CRT implantation (during spontaneous rhythm and after CRT activation) and 3 months later. The regional EF was assessed in the interventricular septum and the lateral wall (LW). Intraventricular dyssynchrony was evaluated using Fourier phase analysis. During spontaneous rhythm, the EF was severely depressed in the septum compared to in the LW. CRT improved septal EF at rest and during exercise both at baseline (p <0.001) and after 3 months (p <0.05). The basal LW EF decreased during CRT (p <0.05, both at rest and during exercise). LV dyssynchrony decreased both at baseline and during follow-up, and the global LVEF showed improvement only at 3 months (p <0.001). In conclusion, in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, CRT affects regional LV function by increasing the septal EF and reducing LW contractility, both at rest and during exercise. This was associated with an improvement in global LVEF and dyssynchrony., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Doppler echocardiographic pattern of restrictive left ventricular (LV) filling has proved to be an important predictor of clinical course and prognosis in dilated cardiomyopathy. However, the relation between restrictive filling pattern and clinical course has not been systematically investigated in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). We assessed the prognostic implications of the Doppler restrictive filling pattern in 239 consecutive patients with HC in whom Doppler measurements of LV filling had been systematically recorded at initial evaluation and during follow-up. Restrictive LV filling was identified in 14 patients (5.9%) at initial evaluation and developed in 22 (9.2%) during follow-up. A close relation was identified between restrictive filling pattern and end-stage HC, with patients with restrictive filling showing a sixfold increase in risk of developing end-stage HC (hazard ratio 6.25, 95% confidence interval 1.90 to 20.57, p = 0.003). Over a median follow-up of 9.7 years, 22 patients (9.2%) died suddenly or received appropriate cardioverter-defibrillator interventions, and 54 (22.6%) had HC-related death or underwent heart transplantation. In a set of univariate and multivariate analyses including each of the generally accepted risk factors for cardiac death in HC, the restrictive filling pattern was a strong and independent marker of increased risk (hazard ratio for sudden cardiac events 3.51, 95% confidence interval 1.37 to 8.95, p = 0.009; hazard ratio for HC-related death or heart transplantation 3.54, 95% confidence interval 1.91 to 6.57, p <0.001) compared to patients without restrictive filling. In conclusion, in our study cohort, the Doppler pattern of restrictive LV filling proved to be a strong predictor of sudden death and HC-related death, independently of other markers for unfavorable prognosis in this disease.

The relation between cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and regional strain in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was investigated. Furthermore, the effect of symptoms-to-balloon time on impairment in regional strain after AMI was evaluated. A total of 157 consecutive patients with AMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included. Two-dimensional echocardiography soon after percutaneous coronary intervention was performed. Speckle-tracking analysis was applied to assess left ventricular global and regional longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS). Infarcted area was defined based on the culprit vessel. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 47 +/- 7%. Global LPSS was -14.4 +/- 3.2%. The infarcted area LPSS was significantly decreased compared with global LPSS (-11.3 +/- 4.5%, p <0.001). The major reflector of cTnT was infarcted area LPSS (beta 0.47, p <0.001). Mean symptoms-to-balloon time was 212 +/- 92 minutes. Based on this time, the study population was divided in tertiles. In the group with the shortest symptoms-to-balloon time, global LPSS and infarcted area LPSS were less impaired compared with groups with longer symptoms-to-balloon time (p <0.01 for the 2 comparisons). In conclusion, myocardial strain was related to peak levels of cTnT, thus reflecting damage after AMI. Early reperfusion resulted in decreased myocardial damage in the infarcted area as quantified with strain.

Left ventricular (LV) twist and untwisting rate are emerging as global and thorough parameters for assessment of LV function. This study explored differences of LV twist and untwisting rate in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and patients with ischemic and nonischemic chronic heart failure (HF). Fifty patients with AMI, 49 with ischemic HF, and 38 with nonischemic HF were studied. As a control group, 28 subjects without evidence of structural heart disease were included. Speckle-tracking analysis was applied to LV short-axis images at basal and apical levels. LV twist was defined as the net difference of apical and basal rotations at isochronal time points. The first time derivative of LV untwist was defined as the LV untwisting rate. Compared with control subjects, peak LV twist was decreased in patients with AMI and extremely decreased in those with HF (p <0.001, analysis of variance). A strong correlation (r = 0.87, p <0.001) was found between peak LV twist and LV ejection fraction in the overall study population. LV untwisting rate was progressively decreased in patients with AMI and HF compared with control subjects (p <0.001, analysis of variance). A moderate correlation (r = 0.56, p <0.001) was noted between peak LV untwisting rate and grade of diastolic dysfunction in the overall study population. In conclusion, LV twist and untwisting rate are strongly related to LV systolic and diastolic functions, respectively. Impairment of LV function observed in patients with AMI and HF is associated with a decrease of LV twist and untwisting rate.

We assessed incidence, magnitude, and time course of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) increase after pacemaker implantation in patients without acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). Seventy patients (mean age 71 years, interquartile range 44 to 92, 38 men) undergoing elective implantation of a single-/dual-chamber pacemaker with active/passive fixation leads were enrolled, excluding subjects with clinical suspicion of ACS, abnormal basal cTnI level, or presenting conditions predisposing to abnormal cTnI. Cardiac TnI concentrations were determined in basal conditions, at the end of the procedure, and after 8, 12, and 24 hours. Single-/dual-chamber devices were implanted in 31 of 39 patients. Cardiac TnI peak concentration occurred within the 12-hour assay in 69 of 70 patients; 26 of 70 had a cTnI above the normal cut-off range. All patients presented normal cTnI at 24-hour assay. In conclusion, pacemaker implantation is associated with increases of cTnI levels in up to 37% of patients. This can affect the specificity of cTnI assessment for ruling out ACS, especially within 12 hours after the procedure. These data deserve consideration in a contemporary setting, in which troponin has gathered a pivotal role in the diagnosis and therapy of ACS, and in particular clinical presentations in which electrocardiogram loses its diagnostic capabilities (due to paced rhythms) and symptoms may be lacking or confusing.

Present devices for cardiac resynchronization therapy offer the possibility of tailoring the hemodynamic effect of biventricular pacing by optimization of the interventricular delay (VV) beyond atrioventricular (AV)-interval optimization. It was not yet defined whether a QRS width-based strategy may be a helpful tool for echocardiography for device programming. The aim of the study was to investigate the relation between VV-interval optimization guided by echocardiography and guided by QRS interval width. One hundred six patients with a cardiac resynchronization therapy device for > or =3 months were enrolled. All patients underwent echocardiographic AV and VV delay optimization. The AV interval was optimized according to the E wave-A wave (EA) interval and left ventricular filling time. At the optimal AV delay, VV optimization was performed by measuring the aortic velocity time integral at 5 different settings: simultaneous right and left ventricle output, left ventricle pre-excitation (left ventricle + 40 and 80 ms, respectively), and right ventricle pre-excitation (right ventricle + 40 and 80 ms, respectively). A 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded and QRS duration was measured in the lead with the greatest QRS width. The electrocardiographic (ECG)-optimized VV interval was defined according to the narrowest achievable QRS interval among 5 VV intervals. The echocardiographic-optimized VV interval was left ventricle + 40 ms in 28 patients, left ventricle + 80 ms in 15 patients, simultaneous in 46 patients, right ventricle + 40 ms in 14 patients, and right ventricle + 80 ms in 3 patients. Significant concordance (kappa = 0.69, p <0.001) was found between the echocardiographic- and ECG-optimized VV interval. In conclusion, significant concordance appeared to exist during biventricular pacing between VV programming based on the shortest QRS interval at 12-lead ECG pacing and echocardiographic-guided VV-interval optimization. A combined ECG- and echocardiographic approach could be a less time-consuming solution in performing this operation.

Heart transplantation (HT) is the sole therapeutic option for selected patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) and refractory heart failure. However, the results of HT have not been systematically investigated in HC. We assessed the pathophysiologic profile of HT candidates and the outcome after transplantation in 307 patients with HC consecutively evaluated at our tertiary referral center from 1987 to 2005; follow-up was 9.9+8.2 years. Outcome of recipients with HC was compared with that of 141 patients who underwent transplantation for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy at our center over the same period. Of 21 patients with HC who entered the transplantation list, 20 had end-stage evolution with systolic dysfunction and 1 had an extremely small left ventricular cavity with impaired filling and recurrent cardiogenic shock during paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Of 33 study patients with HC who showed end-stage evolution during follow-up, the 23 who were included on the waiting list or died from refractory heart failure (2 patients) were significantly younger than the 10 patients who remained clinically stable (37+/-14 vs 57+/-17 years, p=0.004). Of the 21 HT candidates, 18 underwent transplantation during follow-up. In heart transplant recipients, 7-year survival rate was 94% and not different from that of the 141 patients who received transplants for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (p=0.66). In conclusion, long-term outcome after HT in patients with HC is favorable and similar to that of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. In patients with end-stage HC, young age is associated with more rapid progression to refractory heart failure.

This study analyzed the relations and time-related changes in eligibility for cardiac resynchronization therapy and prophylactic defibrillator implantation in 161 potential candidates for heart transplantation. Although up to 62% of patients who fulfilled the severity criteria for heart transplantation were eligible for either device, this percentage increased as clinical/instrumental parameters of heart failure severity worsened.

In a group of 20 patients implanted with a single-lead VDD pacing system, a wide interindividual variability was found in P-wave amplitude changes occurring under dynamic conditions, even though they were of minor clinical relevance because constant atrial tracking was maintained.

Transvenous low-energy atrial cardioversion was performed in a series of fully conscious patients (30 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and 5 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation). The results show that internal atrial defibrillation is effective and tolerable in most patients.

Sixty-two patients with recent-onset (less than or equal to 1 week) atrial fibrillation (New York Heart Association functional class 1 and 2) were randomized in a single-blind study to 1 of the following treatment groups: (1) flecainide (300 mg) as a single oral loading dose; or (2) amiodarone (5 mg/kg) as an intravenous bolus, followed by 1.8 g/day; or (3) placebo for the first 8 hours. Twenty-four-hour Holter recording was performed, and conversion to sinus rhythm at 3, 8, 12 and 24 hours was considered as the criterion of efficacy. Conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved within 8 hours (placebo-controlled period) in 20 of 22 patients (91%) treated with flecainide, 7 of 19 (37%) treated with amiodarone (p less than 0.001 vs flecainide), and 10 of 21 (48%) treated with placebo (p less than 0.01 vs flecainide). Resumption of sinus rhythm within 24 hours occurred in 21 of 22 patients (95%) with flecainide and in 17 of 19 (89%) with amiodarone (p = not significant). Mean conversion times were shorter for flecainide (190 +/- 147 minutes) than for amiodarone (705 +/- 418; p less than 0.001). No major side effects occurred. At Holter monitoring, a pause of 9.3 seconds was observed in 1 asymptomatic patient treated with flecainide. Phases of atrial flutter with a ventricular rate less than or equal to 150 beats/min were detected before sinus conversion in 1 patient receiving placebo and in 2 receiving flecainide.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rest and exercise hemodynamic and hormonal effects of nicorandil, a nicotinamide-nitrate vasodilator, were assessed in 9 patients with New York Heart Association class II or III congestive heart failure (CHF) and left ventricular ejection fraction less than or equal to 40%. Single oral doses of placebo and 40 and 60 mg of nicorandil were given in a double-blind, randomized trial. Hemodynamic measurements were assessed at rest, up to 8 hours after dose and at peak exercise performed on an upright cycloergometer 1 hour after the dose. Forearm blood flow and venous capacitance were measured by plethysmography 45 minutes after dose. Plasma noradrenaline and plasma renin activity were assessed 1 hour and 2 hours after dose, respectively. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. Peak effects were observed between 30 and 60 minutes after dose. Mean blood pressure decreased from 86 +/- 7 mm Hg after placebo to 78 +/- 7 mm Hg after 40 mg (p less than 0.05) and to 78 +/- 7 mm Hg after 60 mg (p less than 0.05) of nicorandil. Mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 24 +/- 11 to 15 +/- 17 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) and to 17 +/- 7 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) and mean pulmonary wedge pressure decreased from 15 +/- 8 to 9 +/- 4 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) and to 10 +/- 5 mm Hg (p less than 0.05). The changes were significant up to 6 to 8 hours after both doses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)