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The present study analyzed the existence and quantification of inflammatory status and antiplatelet medication associated with intra‑stent restenosis (ISR) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after percutaneous coronary inter­vention (PCI). Material and methods: an observational cross‑sectional study was conducted in a high‑volume PCI centre over a 2-year period. A total of 235 consecutive patients diagnosed with angina or acute coronary syndrome treated by PCI were included in the study. Diagnosis of ISR was documented by coronary angiography and the patients were divided into groups (with and without ISR). All patients underwent clinical and laboratory examination, the administration of antiplatelet medication and the type of drug administered to each patient. Results: The mean time until ISR was 33 ± 34 weeks. The lower use of single or dual antiplatelet therapy was associated with increased risk of ISR. Aspirin alone [risk ratio (RR)=1.13; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.882‑1.462], clopidogrel alone (RR = 1.41; 95% CI: 0.879- 0.323), ticagrelor alone (RR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.746-2.252) or dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (RR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.637-1.065) had a significant role in estimating the risk for ISR. Bare-metal stents (BMS) presented an associated risk of ISR higher as compared to drug-eluting stents (DES) (0.88 vs. 0.74). Conclusions: Inflammatory status is associated with ISR; the type of stent used, time to ISR and antiplatelet medication were found to be associated with ISR.

Background. Cardiogenic shock is associated with high mortality, despite new strategies for reperfusion therapy. Short-term circulatory support devices may provide adequate support for appropriate myocardial and organ perfusion. Objectives. This review is aimed at evaluating the impact on survival when using venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) in patients with cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods. We performed a systematic review that included studies using V-A ECMO in patients with cardiogenic shock. Time on ECMO, side effects, and the number of deceased patients, transplanted or upgraded to durable assist devices were analysed. Literature search was done using PubMed/MEDLINE (inception (1969) to January 10, 2019), ProQuest (inception (January 14, 1988) to January 10, 2019), and clinicaltrials.gov (inception (September 12, 2005) to January 10, 2019), by 2 authors. This protocol is registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42019123982). Results. We included 9 studies with a total of 1,998 adult patients receiving V-A ECMO for AMI-induced cardiogenic shock. Survival rate varied from 30.0% to 79.2% at discharge and from 23.2% to 36.1% at 12 months. Time on ECMO varied between 1.96 and 6.0 days. Reported serious adverse events were gastrointestinal bleeding (3.6%) and peripheral complications (8.5%). Conclusion. The use of V-A ECMO among patients with AMI-induced cardiogenic shock may provide survival benefits. However, V-A ECMO treatment effects are inconclusive because of limitations in cohort design and reporting.

BACKGROUND There were gaps between guidelines and practice when surgery was the only treatment for aortic stenosis (AS). OBJECTIVES This study analyzed the decision to intervene in patients with severe AS in the EORP VHD (EURObservational Research Programme Valvular Heart Disease) II survey. METHODS Among 2,152 patients with severe AS, 1,271 patients with high-gradient AS who were symptomatic fulfilled a Class I recommendation for intervention according to the 2012 European Society of Cardiology guidelines; the primary end point was the decision for intervention. RESULTS A decision not to intervene was taken in 262 patients (20.6%). In multivariate analysis, the decision not to intervene was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34 per 10-year increase; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.61; P = 0.002), New York Heart Association functional classes I and II versus III (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.30; P = 0.005), higher age adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (OR: 1.09 per 1-point increase; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.17; P = 0.03), and a lower transaortic mean gradient (OR: 0.81 per 10-mm Hg decrease; 95% CI: 0.71 to 0.92; P < 0.001). During the study period, 346 patients (40.2%, median age 84 years, median EuroSCORE II [European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II] 3.1%) underwent transcatheter intervention and 515 (59.8%, median age 69 years, median EuroSCORE II 1.5%) underwent surgery. A decision not to intervene versus intervention was associated with lower 6-month survival (87.4%; 95% CI: 82.0 to 91.3 vs 94.6%; 95% CI: 92.8 to 95.9; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A decision not to intervene was taken in 1 in 5 patients with severe symptomatic AS despite a Class I recommendation for intervention and the decision was particularly associated with older age and combined comorbidities. Transcatheter intervention was extensively used in octogenarians. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2021;78:2131-2143) (c) 2021 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

The present study aimed to explore the correlations between clinical, biological, imagistic and procedural factors with the risk of intra-stent restenosis (ISR) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in a high-volume PCI center over a period of 2 years. A total of 235 consecutive patients diagnosed with angina or acute coronary syndrome treated by PCI were included in the study. Diagnosis of ISR was documented by coronary angiography in patients with suggestive coronary symptoms and ischemic changes in non-invasive or invasive paraclinical investigations. Thus, they were assigned to two groups: With or without ISR. All patients underwent clinical and laboratory examination, providing clinical and paraclinical variables that could be considered risk factors for ISR. Current smokers [risk ratio (RR)=1.63; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.25-2.13], arterial hypertension (RR=1.86; 95% CI: 1.41-2.45), diabetes (RR=1.83; 95% CI: 1.42-2.36), high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (RR=1.44; 95% CI: 0.93-2.24), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (RR=1.90; 95% CI: 1.53-2.36) and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) score were found to have a significant role in estimating the risk for ISR. Moreover, the ISR group (119 patients) presented with a lower stent inflation pressure when compared to the control group (116 patients) (14.47 vs. 16.14 mmHg, P=0.004). An increased mean stent diameter used for PCI was not associated with a high ISR incidence (P=0.810) as well as complex coronary treated lesions with longer stents (mean length of 24.98 mm in patients without ISR vs. 25.22 mm in patients with ISR; P=0.311). There was an estimated two times higher risk (RR=2.13; 95% CI: 1.17-3.88) concerning multi-stenting and restenosis degree >70%. To conclude, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high CRP levels, CKD, TIMI score, stent type, low pressure for stent implantation and multi-stenting were found to be associated with ISR in patients following PCI. Therefore, a close follow-up should be targeted in such patients.

The non-valvular AF, beyond the guidelines, include 2 types of patients. We aimed to analyze the clinical and biological profile of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF)andhemodynamicsignificantvalvular heart disease. We includedretrospectively 513 patients admitted in our hospitalwithnon-valvular AF, and we divided into:study group(333 patients; 64.9%) andcontrole group(180 patients; 35.1%) hemodynamic significant valvular heart disease. From the studied group 5.5% of patients associated all four valvular heart disease, 26.7% ofpatients associated mitral, aortic and tricuspid regurgitation and 71.9%of patients associated two valvular heart disease: 32.7% with mitral and aortic, 31.4% with mitral and tricuspid, 4.5% with tricuspid and pulmonary, and3.3% withtricuspid and aortic. Dyslipidemia (higher cholesterol and trygliceride levels) was present in 14.5% of patients, statistic significantly more frequently in patients from the control group (11.4% vs 18.3%, P= 0.033). Dyslipidemia showed a significantly higher estimated risk for AF (RR=1.25; IC95%: 0.99-1.56), as well as diabetes mellitus (RR=1.36; IC95%: 1.12-1.64)and coronary heart disease (RR=3.70; IC95%: 1.83-7.46). Therefore patients with non-valvular AF and hemodynamic significant valvular heart disease, beyond the curent guidelines, could has a completely different profile and prognosis.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the first cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. An important goal is to diagnose patients in early stages, in order to reduce acute cardiovascular events. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is an important element for the cardiovascular system, through its actions on hydro-salin balance and vascular tone. ACE polymorphism consists of insertions (I)/deletions (D) and there are 3 genotypes: II, ID, DD. It is speculated that the DD genotype may be a genetic basis for severe CAD, while the II genotype may have a protective effect on the coronary arteries. The present study included 154 patients with acute coronary syndroms admitted to the Institute for Cardiovascular Disease 'George I.M. Georgescu', Iasi. The patients underwent coronary angiography in order to assess the severity of the lesions and the ACE genotypes were determined for each patient. The genotypes were correlated with the severity of the vessel-disease and the exposure to classic risk factors. It was concluded that the D-allele is associated with a greater risk for acute coronary events and severe coronary stenosis, especially when risk genotype and risk phenotype interact.

The prevalence of coronary artery disease, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, is related to the increasing prevalence of modifiable risk factors.The aim of our study was to determine the risk factors for acute myocardial infarction among patients from North East Romania.We evaluated patients with acute myocardial infarction with or without left bundle-branch block, hospitalized in Georgescu Institute of Cardiovascular Disease Iasi for three years. The results of our study show that patients with acute myocardial infarction and new left bundle branch block have a more recent history of hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoker status compared to patients without left bundle branch block. Nearly two thirds of patients included in the study (65.47%) had an elevated cholesterol level, with a high prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients with myocardial infarction and new left bundle branch block. More than two-thirds of patients with new left bundle branch block had a history of arterial hypertension (69.04% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.354), especially grade 2 hypertension, with a slight predominance in those with new left bundle branch block, but without statistically significant differences between the two groups (45.23% vs. 30.95%, p = 0.358). Early identification of modifiable risk factors is vital to set the strategy for prevention and special attention must be paid to smoking. An adequate control of cardiovascular risk factors would result in a significant reduction of coronary events in patients from the North East part of Romania.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women irrespective of race or ethnicity, and about half of these deaths are caused by coronary artery disease. Several studies have reported that cardiovascular diseases manifest themself with a delay of about 7–10 years in women and that they have higher in-hospital mortality. It has not yet been established whether female gender itself, through biological and sociocultural differences, represents a risk factor for early in-hospital mortality in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of our study was to identify the angiographic particularities in women with STEMI from North East Romania. Material and Methods: For one year, 207 (31.7%) women and 445 (68.3%) men diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction were hospitalized in the Cardiology Clinic of the “Prof. Dr. George I. M. Georgescu” Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Iași, Romania. Results: The highest incidence of symptom onset was between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m., this morning polarization being more obvious in women. Within the first two hours of admission to the hospital, coronary angiography was performed in 78.1% of men and only 67.3% of women, the difference being statistically significant (p Conclusions: In women, coronary events began more frequently in the morning, with atypical symptoms; also, fewer women presented to the hospital within the first 12 hours after the onset of the acute event. Compared to men, women from North East Romania present a higher incidence of multivascular atherosclerotic coronary lessions, indicating a higher severity of STEMI in the female population from this geographical area.

Background: In just a few years, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has emerged as a key player in the treatment of advanced heart failure (HF). However, approximately 30% of patients with CRT device implantation do not achieve a favorable response. The purpose of the present study was to identify clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic predictors of a positive response to biventricular pacing in patients with advanced decompensated HF. Methods: This prospective, observational study involved 42 consecutive patients admitted in emergency settings in our clinic with HF in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III/IV, with QRS duration ≥120 ms and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-P or CRT-D) between January 2010 and July 2014. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistical software. Results: The clinical response (improvement in NYHA class) was recorded in 6 patients (14.3%), while echocardiographic response (change in ejection fraction and/or in endsystolic or end-diastolic volumes) was recorded in 10 patients (23.8%). The most frequently observed type of response to CRT was the double (clinical plus echocardiographic) response, recorded in 23 out of 42 patients (54.8%). ROC analysis identified the absence of chronic renal disease and the duration from onset of symptoms to CRT implantation as good predictors for clinical improvement after CRT (AUC = 0.625, 95% CI: 0.400–0.850 for absence of renal failure and AUC = 0.516, 95% CI: 0.369–0.853 for symptoms duration). However, gender, age, duration from symptom onset, and comorbidities were not good predictors for the echocardiographic response (AUC Conclusions: CRT represents an important therapeutic option for selected patents with advanced decompensated HF and prolonged QRS interval; however, only some of the commonly used criteria can predict a favorable outcome in patients undergoing CRT.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of new LBBB on left ventricular systolic function and arrhythmic risk in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unicoronarian lesion. We prospectively studied the patients with acute myocardial infarction with and without LBBB and unicoronarian lesion after a mean of 16.51 � 2.41 months from the onset of acute coronary event. We observed a higher risk of ventricular premature beats and left ventricular systolic disfunction in patients with left bundle branch block. Also, the presence of left bundle branch block (F = 3.64; p [ 0.005; partly h2= 0.33) and the duration of the QRS complex (F = 4.17; p [ 0.005; partly h2= 0.36) was statistically significantly correlated with the value of left ventricular ejection fraction. Almost a double number of patients with left bundle branch block had an ejection fraction below 30%, despite an early revascularization. Patients with acute myocardial infarction and left bundle branch block represent a relatively small group but with an increased risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, and they should therefore benefit from a promptly and appropriately treatment in order to improve long term outcome.

Atherosclerosis and platelet activity are two important chain factors linked together in the onset and the severity of coronary artery disease. Our study included 60 diabetic patients with ischemic heart disease, all having underwent coronary angiography. In this substudy from a larger epigenetical and genetical study, we phocused on the interrelationship between vessel disease and primary hemostasis. The haematological parameters included were platelet count (PLT), the platelet distribution width (PDW), the mean platelet volume (MPV) and the platelet larger cell ratio (P-LCR). ). The severity of the coronary disease was defined by the number of stenotic/occluded coronary arteries. We demonstrated a positive corelation with the duration of diabetes (p=0.032), as 34% of the patients with a long duration of the diabetes had a higher number of platelets. The mean platelet volume was slightly elevated in diabetic females over 65 years old, compared to younger diabetic men, though not statistically significant (p=0.101). Although the investigated parameters were mostly in the normal range, the fact that for some cathegories of patients they were orientated towards the upper limit, raises some questions for the next studies. Future adjustments of lot number and selection criteria for the following studies are needed. Using the MPV as a prediction test for cardiovascular complications is still a controversial subject, since the scientifical background contains both positive and negative studies on this matter.

Introduction: Cardiac arrhythmias caused by electrical injuries are rare among emergency service admittances. We present a case of ventricular fibrillation (VF) with a rare etiology, confirmed by speckle-tracking imaging. Case presentation: A 38-year-old man was addressed to our hospital to evaluate the etiology of an episode of VF, promptly resuscitated in a territorial hospital. On admission, his 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed a sinus rhythm, without any ST-T changes or atrioventricular conduction disorders. Transthoracic echocardiography and coronary angiography were normal, and the electrophysiological study did not induce VF. Anamnesis showed that the arrhythmia occurred after an electrical injury, resulting from the contact with a domestic low-voltage source. Speckle-tracking imaging revealed closure of the electric arc within the heart, which could explain the absence of skin-burn injuries in this case. The patient was discharged after seven days of hospitalization, without any complication. Conclusions: VF can occur after an unexpected electrical shock during a household accident. This case report underlines the need for a complex interdisciplinary approach in such difficult cases, when the absence of any electrical injuries on the skin makes it difficult to recognize the electrical shock that triggered the ventricular fibrillation.

The aims of this paper were to asses the quality of life with the use of the SF36 Questionnaire in patients with chronic heart failure and to establish the relationship between specific biochemical variables and the various aspects of the quality of life. The scores for various components of the quality of life were significantly affected by hemoglobin levels, creatinine clearance, fibrinogen levels and gamma-glutamyl-transferase levels, while lipid fractions and liver enzymes did not proove to have a significant impact on the quality of life.

Aim: Catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become a new option treatment for drug-resistant and symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to assess the outcomes after radiofrequency and cryoballoon catheter AF ablation. Material and methods: We performed a single-center prospective clinical study enrolling patients who underwent catheter ablation for paroxysmal AF between 2013 and 2015. The main objective was the outcomes after AF ablation by cryoballoon or radiofrequency energy. Follow-up was performed at 3, 6 and 12 months after ablation. Results: A total of 85 patients were included: 64 assigned to radiofrequency and 21 to cryoballoon ablation. Overall success rate at 3, 6 and 12 months post-ablation was 62%, 76% and 75%, respectively. Redo procedure was required in 8 patients (10.3%) at 6 months. Success rate at 12 months was non-significantly higher in radiofrequency ablation group (76% versus 62%; p=0.56). Complication rates were equivalent, without life treating or permanent sequels. Men gender, AF duration, obesity and sleep apnoea syndrome were clinical predictors of AF recurrence at 12 months after procedure. Conclusions: Cryoballoon and radiofrequency ablation appear to be safe and effective procedures for AF treatment, with similar success rate. Men gender, AF duration, obesity and sleep apnea syndrome seem to be associated with AF recurrence after ablation.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with ventricular arrhythmias and with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. In these cases, wide complex tachyarrhythmias are frequently a diagnostic challenge. The efficiency of antiarrhythmic drug therapy is limited and often the implantation of a cardiac defibrillator is required. We hereby present the case of a 68 year old male patient known with dilated cardiomyopathy, who experienced a syncopal episode as the clinical expression of a wide complex tachycardia. The recorded electrocardiogram identified ventricular tachycardia originated in the right ventricle or in the interventricular septum. The electrocardiograms recorded before and after the syncopal episode showed a major left bundle-branch block and a first degree atrioventricular block. 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring detected ventricular tachycardia originating in the left ventricle. The etiology of the dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities could not be identified. During the electrophysiological study, no sustained supraventricular or ventricular tachyarrhythmias were triggered. The pharmacological treatment has been optimized and a cardiac defibrillator was implanted. The particularity of this case consists in the presence of multiple rhythm disturbances originating both in the left and right ventricle, in a patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and conduction disturbances at several levels.

In spite of the available clinical and electrocardiographic criteria for the differential diagnosis of wide QRS complex tachycardias, distinguishing orthodromic supraventricular tachycardias is still a challenge. We present a case of a 63-year old patient admitted in our clinic after experiencing two episodes of syncope. Echocardiography showed left ventricular hypertrophy, grade 1 diastolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement. A Holter monitoring revealed episodes of atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal narrow QRS tachycardia alternating with wide QRS tachycardia (170-180 bpm). During an electrophysiology study we induced self-limiting orthodromic supraventricular tachycardias with narrow and left bundle branch block patterns. Retrograde mapping near the mitral annulus identified a concealed accessory posteroseptal by-pass tract which was successfully ablated. After the procedure the patient developed atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (196 beats per minute) with a 3.9 s post-tachycardia pause. The patient underwent implantation of a cardiac pacemaker which allowed us to start antiarrhythmic treatment with amiodarone. This case shows that occult accessory posteroseptal by-pass tracts can have a late-onset presentation in a 63-year old male and explains why latent rhythm disturbances require a step-by-step medical approach.

Sick sinus syndrome encompasses a variety of EKG manifestations consisting of atrial bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias, alternating bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias as in tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome. Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias that can occur include atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial tachycardia and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, although there is no direct causal relation between paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and sinus node disease. Atrioventricular node re-entry is a common cause of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia episodes. We present the case of a 70 year old female, hospitalized for atypical chest pain and dizziness when walking. The EKG on admission showed sinus bradyarrhythmia, anterior fascicular block, atrial and ventricular extrasystoles. During the hospitalization the patient presented an episode of palpitations, narrow complex tachycardia being registered on the EKG, with no response to the Valsalva maneuver or intravenous beta blocker. The tachyarrhythmia ceased spontaneously after one hour. 24 hour Holter EKG was performed and confirmed sinus node dysfunction. The electrophysiological study identified paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia due to atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia, which was successfully treated by ablating the slow intranodal pathway. Therefore, in a case of sick sinus syndrome when the patient’s symptoms cannot be attributed to the bradycardia, but to the tachyarrythmic episodes, it is often most efficient to treat the patient's paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia by radiofrequency ablation, rather than using cardiac pacing.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been described as an independent predictor of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity, and several studies link OAS and atrial fibrillation, although further investigations are needed to fully understand the common physiological mechanisms. The aim of the study was to identify the cardiovascular risk and events of a population diagnosed with OAS and to discover the predisposing factors of the appearance of AF in these patients. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic data were taken from 101 patients previously diagnosed with OSA and admitted to our cardiovascular unit. In a population with cardiovascular risk factors and cerebrovascular events, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 63.7%, whereas ventricular arrythmias occurred in 31.4%. The only prediction factor for AF in OSA population was the history of myocardial infarction; other predisposing factors take account for a small number of cases. The presence of a significant association between OSA and markers of cardiovascular disease would warrant the development of a strategy to consider more aggressive therapeutic approaches.

In order to study the impact of an acute coronary syndrome on the lifestyle changes of the patients, we prospectively studied the long term biological parameters of patients with myocardial infarction. After a median follow-up of 17 months, we noticed a significant improvement in the lipid profile of patients, both due to lifestyle changes and therapeutic compliance. Certainly, the occurrence of an acute coronary event has altered patients� attitudes about cardiovascular risk, motivating changing lifestyle and choosing the right therapy.

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction after ischemic stroke predisposes to cardiovascular complications. We aimed to investigate cardiac autonomic activity in ischemic stroke patients using heart rate variability analysis, illustrating the sympathovagal balance at different sympathetic and parasympathetic activation tests.We studied the dynamics of the linear and non-linear heart rate variability parameters in 31 left and 40 right middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke patients in rest condition and during autonomic activation tests (handgrip, standing, deep breathing and Valsalva maneuver). Data were compared with 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.We found different responses after autonomic activation tests in stroke patients depending on the cortical lateralization of the ischemic lesion. In resting state, left hemisphere stroke patients presented enhanced parasympathetic modulation of the heart rate (higher values for RMSSD, pNN50, HF and SD1, p 0.05), comparing to right hemisphere stroke patients. This second group displayed a reduced cardiac parasympathetic control in resting state and during autonomic activation tests (handgrip and standing tests) compared to the left hemisphere stroke group and controls. Non-linear parameters SD1 and DFA α1 showed a decrease of variability and complexity of the heart rate in right hemisphere stroke patients, ameliorated during vagal activation tests.To prevent possible complications with vital risk, assessment of cardiovascular autonomic activity becomes a necessary stage in stroke patient management, facilitating immediate implementation of preventive and therapeutic strategies. Heart rate variability analysis in resting state and during autonomic activation tests allows identifying patients prone to sympathetic hyperactivity. New therapeutic perspectives for stroke management may emerge founded on the modulation of the autonomic nervous system.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia, characterized by an irregular and extremely rapid atrial electrical activation that causes loss of atrial mechanical function and important hemodynamic consequences. AF classification is important in both the therapeutic approach and the prognosis. Several classifications based on the ECG patch, epicardial or endocavitary records have been performed over time, but no classification can take into account all the characteristics of AF and especially associated diseases, which may be both the cause and consequence of arrhythmia. Aim: The aim of the study is to establish the current profile of the patient with atrial fibrillation in the new era of oral anticoagulant therapy and sinus rhythm restoration. Material and methods: The trial was conducted on patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalized between 01.10.2014-31.03.2015 at Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases ”Prof. Dr. G. Georgescu”, Iasi. Patients included in the study were analyzed according to age and sex, criteria for the clinical and paraclinic definition for atrial fibrillation. Results: Atrial fibrillation is an extremely common cardiovascular pathology and is present in about one-third of patients admitted to our clinic. Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, ischemic coronary artery disease, and valvulopathy are common in patients with AF. Patients with AF are usually elderly patients with many associated diseases in whom sinus rhythm restoration treatment and anticoagulant therapy are difficult to establish. AF is one of the most common arrhythmias that complicates the evolution of acute myocardial infarction, association between dual antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation treatment, increasing the risk of bleeding complications. Conclusions: Atrial fibrillation is an extremely common cardiovascular pathology and is present in about one-third of patients admitted to our hospital. The data obtained revealed that this arrhythmia occurs in a small number of cases as the only pathology of the patient, usually associated with numerous comorbidities. Cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, ischemic coronary artery disease, valvulopathy are common in our practice. Patient with AF is a patient who requires long-term anticoagulant therapy and in whom sinus rhythm recovery therapy is dependent on the precocity of presentation to the physician, as well as on the therapeutic resources of current medicine.

Summary Objective In the SMILE-4 study, zofenopril + acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) was more effective than ramipril + ASA on 1-year prevention of major cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular dysfunction. In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated drug efficacy in subgroups of patients, according to a history of diabetes mellitus. Methods The primary study endpoint was 1-year combined occurrence of death or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes. Diabetes was defined according to medical history (previous known diagnosis). Results A total of 562 of 693 (81.0%) patients were classified as nondiabetics and 131 (18.9%) as diabetics. The adjusted rate of MACE was lower under zofenopril than under ramipril in both nondiabetics [27.9% vs. 34.9% ramipril; odds ratio, OR and 95% confidence interval: 0.55 (0.35, 0.86)] and diabetics [30.9% vs. 41.3%; 0.56 (0.18, 1.73)], although the difference was statistically significant only for the nondiabetic group (P = 0.013). Zofenopril was superior to ramipril as regards to the primary study endpoint in the subgroup of 157 patients with uncontrolled blood glucose (≥126 mg/dL), regardless of a previous diagnosis of diabetes [0.31 (0.10, 0.90), P = 0.030]. Zofenopril significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular causes in both nondiabetics [0.64 (0.43, 0.96), P = 0.030] and diabetics [0.38 (0.15, 0.95), P = 0.038], whereas it was not better than ramipril in terms of prevention of cardiovascular deaths. Conclusions This retrospective analysis of the SMILE-4 study confirmed the good efficacy of zofenopril plus ASA in the prevention of long-term MACE also in the subgroup of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery leads to postoperative relief from symptoms in patients with angina pectoris. However, the incidence for myocardial infarction (MI) after CABG surgery is 6.6 % and it has an estimated rate of mortality ranging from 0.5 to 14 % because it is difficult to diagnose and to treat. The most common cause of MI that occurs in the perioperative period is a surgical technical problem, usually related to the graft anastomotic sites, and several years after surgery the progressive atherosclerosis and plaque rupture is the most common phenomenon that leads to the occlusion of the grafts. The treatment of MI after CABG surgery involves a multidisciplinary team (Heart Team) made up of clinical cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, and interventional cardiologist because it is a multidisciplinary decision-making process. They will analyze and interpret the available diagnostic evidence and will decide, in the clinical context of the patient condition, if either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or CABG will be performed. The correction of atherosclerosis risk factors and the development of diagnosis and treatment technique have improved the short- and long-term prognoses in patients with MI and CABG history.

This 8-week, randomized, double-blind, controlled study compared efficacy and tolerability of telmisartan/amlodipine (T/A) single-pill combination (SPC) vs the respective monotherapies in 858 patients with severe hypertension (systolic/diastolic blood pressure [SBP/DBP] ≥180/95 mm Hg). At 8 weeks, T/A provided significantly greater reductions from baseline in seated trough cuff SBP/DBP (-47.5 mm Hg/-18.7 mm Hg) vs T (P

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a well recognised risk factor for arterial and venous thrombosis. The most common form results from methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutations leading to decreased enzymatic activity. Case report: We present the case of a 34 year-old woman with a sudden onset of left hemiparesis and aphasia accompanied by retrosternal pain. She is diagnosed with acute posteroinferolateral myocardial infarction and stroke. Homocysteine level was determined and it was moderately elevated. The coronary angiogram revealed partially recanalised embolic occlusion of posterior left ventricular branch and posterior interventricular artery. A conservative treatment management is adopted. She remained haemodynamically stable, with complete resolution of neurological symptoms and evolution to subacute myocardial infarction. Conclusions: The particularity of our case is represented by symultaneous thromboembolic events causing myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke in a patient with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, which was previously diagnosed with MTHFR gene mutation. Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia, also found in our patient, is recognised as an ethiopathogenic factor of thrombophilia. The right diagnosis and therapeutic approach could be the key to improved prognosis in this category of patients. MTHFR gene mutation causing hyperhomocysteinemia should be suspected in patients with thromboembolic events, especially when occuring repeatedly or at young ages

To evaluate the incidence and time of occurrence of chemotherapy-related toxic events in 100 children admitted to the Hematology-Oncology Ward of "Sfanta Maria" Children's Emergency Hospital in Iasi, Romania, over a 4-year period.An analytical, descriptive and comparative, retrospective and prospective study covering a 4-year period on the incidence of chemotherapy side effects, was performed on 100 children admitted for solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. The probability of each adverse event to appear and the time period from chemotherapy initiation to the moment of side effect appearance were assessed.The most frequent toxicity was alopecia (79.5%), followed by medullary aplasia (71.1%), oral candidiasis (65.3%), diarrhea and emesis (64% each), toxic hepatitis (61%), and Cushing's syndrome (21.5%). Oral herpes and thrush were less frequent (13.2% and 12.2%, respectively). Remissions of the underlying disease were achieved in 69.9% of the cases. Alopecia, medullary aplasia and oral candidiasis developed during the first 14 months of treatment. Mucositis, emetic syndrome and toxic hepatitis were diagnosed within the first 12 months of treatment. Diarrhea and oral herpes or thrush appeared during the first 15 months, while Cushing's syndrome developed during the first 6 months. All remissions were obtained during the first 4 months of treatment.While alopecia and medullary aplasia were the most frequent side effects of chemotherapy in our study group, the earliest were Cushing's syndrome, emetic syndrome and toxic hepatitis.

We mean to investigate whether the presence of hypertension could be associated with a more severe atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in patients with left bundle branch block.To assess the current incidence and meaning of hypertension associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease we performed a cross-sectional analysis that included 402 patients with left bundle branch block, admitted between January 2011 and June 2013 in the Cardiovascular Diseases Institute Iasi, Romania. Of these, 194 were hypertensive, especially grade 1 and 2; 272 patients had new or presumably new left bundle branch block on their presenting electrocardiograms. The median follow up was 7 days (hospitalization period).The results of our study show that hypertensive patients were more likely to have a prior history of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, diabetes and obesity, with statistically significant differences. On the other hand, the normotensive patients had higher rates of current and previous smoking and congestive heart failure. Conventional coronary angiography was performed in 130 (67.01%) hypertensive patients and demonstrated that almost half (41.76%) of them have coronary artery disease, one in five patients being diagnosed with acute coronary syndromes. The majority of hypertensive patients evaluated by coronary angiography had either one or two coronary lesions (28.86%); in contrast, from 110 normotensive patients evaluated by coronary angiography, 78.36% had no vessel disease (p = 0.001). When coronary artery disease was present it was frequently localized on the left descendent artery in both groups, but with statistically significant differences (16.82% in normotensives vs. 32.47% in hypertensives, p = 0.001). With regards to systolic left ventricular function, normotensive patients were more likely to have a decreased ejection fraction (EF)50% (p0.001), almost half of them having an EF30%.We have found that hypertensive patients with left bundle branch block and a clinical context suggestive of acute coronary syndrome have an elevated risk of coronary artery disease, especially one and two coronary lesions. The association of hypertension with left bundle branch block is a high probability criterion for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, even in asymptomatic patients.

Background and Aim: High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) represents an important health problem in emergency cardiology, being associated with a high rate of mortality. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of pulmonary intra-arterial thrombolysis with streptokinase compared to systemic thrombolysis. Methods and Results: In our study, 28 patients with acute high risk PE were treated by intra-arterial thrombolysis with clinical success rate of 96.4%, while in the group with systemic thrombolysis (24 patients) the rate of clinical success was significantly lower (70.8%). Also, pressure gradient between right ventricle (RV) and right atrial (RA) (PRV-RA) decreased significantly in patients treated by pulmonary intra-arterial thrombolysis instead of systemic thrombolysis. Mortality during the hospitalization was 0% in the group with local thrombolysis and 29.2% in the other group, with a significant statistical difference. Major bleeding complications appeared in 14.3% of the patients with local thrombolysis and in 20.8% of the ones treated by systemic thrombolysis, without statistical significance. Moreover, the proportion of minor bleeding was comparable in the two groups of patients. There was no intracranial bleeding. Disseminated intravascular coagulation occurred in 1 patient with systemic thrombolysis. Conclusions: The rate of clinical success and the regression of RV overload were significantly higher in patients treated by pulmonary intra-arterial thrombolysis. The results regarding the efficiency of the pulmonary intra-arterial thrombolysis in high-risk PE are encouraging, the mortality in these patients being significantly lower than the one for systemic administration of the thrombolytic agent.

IMPORTANCE: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been hypothesized to be involved in atherogenesis through pathways related to inflammation. Darapladib is an oral, selective inhibitor of the Lp-PLA2 enzyme. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of darapladib in patients after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: SOLID-TIMI 52 was a multinational, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that randomized 13,026 participants within 30 days of hospitalization with an ACS (non-ST-elevation or ST-elevation myocardial infarction [MI]) at 868 sites in 36 countries. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to either once-daily darapladib (160 mg) or placebo on a background of guideline-recommended therapy. Patients were followed up for a median of 2.5 years between December 7, 2009, and December 6, 2013. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point (major coronary events) was the composite of coronary heart disease (CHD) death, MI, or urgent coronary revascularization for myocardial ischemia. Kaplan-Meier event rates are reported at 3 years. RESULTS: During a median duration of 2.5 years, the primary end point occurred in 903 patients in the darapladib group and 910 in the placebo group (16.3% vs 15.6% at 3 years; hazard ratio [HR], 1.00 [95% CI, 0.91-1.09]; P = .93). The composite of cardiovascular death, MI, or stroke occurred in 824 in the darapladib group and 838 in the placebo group (15.0% vs 15.0% at 3 years; HR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.90-1.09]; P = .78). There were no differences between the treatment groups for additional secondary end points, for individual components of the primary end point, or in all-cause mortality (371 events in the darapladib group and 395 in the placebo group [7.3% vs 7.1% at 3 years; HR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.82-1.08]; P = .40). Patients were more likely to report an odor-related concern in the darapladib group vs the placebo group (11.5% vs 2.5%) and also more likely to report diarrhea (10.6% vs 5.6%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients who experienced an ACS event, direct inhibition of Lp-PLA2 with darapladib added to optimal medical therapy and initiated within 30 days of hospitalization did not reduce the risk of major coronary events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01000727.

To analyze the expression and distribution of annexins V and VI in intact human hearts and in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in patients with irreducible heart failure.The study included nine patients with DCM and irreducible heart failure. By immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, the amount and location of annexins was determined using samples of left ventricular (LV) myocardium collected during orthotopic heart allotransplantation. Samples of LV myocardium from 9 individuals who died of craniocerebral trauma served as controls.Quantitative analysis showed an increased level of both annexins in the myocardium of DCM patients compared with normal myocardium: 122 +/- 5% (p0.05) and 119 +/- 5% (p0.05) for annexins V and VI, respectively. In the intact heart annexin V was located at the sarcolemma and intercalated discs, while in the myocardium with heart failure mainly in the interstitium. In normal hearts, annexin VI was located at the sarcolema, including T-tubules, Z-lines and intercalated discs. In heart failure, annexin V1 was also located in the interstitium.Redistribution of annexins V and VI in the cardiomyocytes in the interstitial space may have important functional consequences and indicates the role of myocardial protein expression disturbances in the etiology and/or pathogenesis of heart failure in pa

BACKGROUND: An elevated heart rate is an established marker of cardiovascular risk. Previous analyses have suggested that ivabradine, a heart-rate-reducing agent, may improve outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease, left ventricular dysfunction, and a heart rate of 70 beats per minute or more.METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ivabradine, added to standard background therapy, in 19,102 patients who had both stable coronary artery disease without clinical heart failure and a heart rate of 70 beats per minute or more (including 12,049 patients with activity-limiting angina [class ≥II on the Canadian Cardiovascular Society scale, which ranges from I to IV, with higher classes indicating greater limitations on physical activity owing to angina]). We randomly assigned patients to placebo or ivabradine, at a dose of up to 10 mg twice daily, with the dose adjusted to achieve a target heart rate of 55 to 60 beats per minute. The primary end point was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes or nonfatal myocardial infarction.RESULTS: At 3 months, the mean (±SD) heart rate of the patients was 60.7±9.0 beats per minute in the ivabradine group versus 70.6±10.1 beats per minute in the placebo group. After a median follow-up of 27.8 months, there was no significant difference between the ivabradine group and the placebo group in the incidence of the primary end point (6.8% and 6.4%, respectively; hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.96 to 1.20; P=0.20), nor were there significant differences in the incidences of death from cardiovascular causes and nonfatal myocardial infarction. Ivabradine was associated with an increase in the incidence of the primary end point among patients with activity-limiting angina but not among those without activity-limiting angina (P=0.02 for interaction). The incidence of bradycardia was higher with ivabradine than with placebo (18.0% vs. 2.3%, PCONCLUSIONS: Among patients who had stable coronary artery disease without clinical heart failure, the addition of ivabradine to standard background therapy to reduce the heart rate did not improve outcomes. (Funded by Servier; SIGNIFY Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN61576291.).

Study Objective: We examined the possible role of atrioventricular node (AVN) conduction abnormalities as a cause of AVN reentrant tachycardia (RT) in patients >65 years of age. Study Population: Slow pathway radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) was performed in 104 patients. Patients in group 1 (n = 14) were >65 years of age and had AV conduction abnormalities associated with structural heart disease. Patients in group 2 (n = 90) were 65 years of age had a shorter history of tachycardia-related symptoms than patients with lone AVNRT. The longer AVN conduction intervals and refractory period might explain the late development of AVNRT in group 1.

The cardiac conduction system is composed of the sinoatrial node (SAN), the atrioventricular node (AVN), the His bundle, the right and left bundle branches, the fascicles, and the Purkinje fibers. Spreading of the pacemaking impulse from atrial to ventricular myocardium is delayed at the AVN located at the base of the interatrial septum. From the AV node, the propagation of the pacemaking impulse accelerates along the AV bundle and bundle branches, finally activating ventricular muscle via the Purkinje fiber network system. The atrioventricular node (AVN) and bundle (AVB) normally penetrate the right fibrous trigone (central fibrous body) at the atrioventricular junction. The SAN artery comes off of either the proximal right coronary artery (60–70 %) or the proximal circumflex artery. Alternative sources of arterial supply to the atrioventricular-conducting pathway include the descending septal artery, the first septal perforating artery, and anterior atrial branches inclusively the Kugel anastomotic artery. Anatomic structures related to arrhythmias include cavotricuspid isthmus, subthebesian pouch, septal isthmus, and pulmonary veins. Other anatomic arrhythmogenic elements are the ligament of Marshall, lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum, and cardiac autonomic nervous system.

Since the introduction of the dual chamber pacemaker (DDDR) in the early 1980s, researchers have repeatedly discussed and attempted to optimize the atrioventricular (AV) interval, in order to increase the cardiac performance of pacemaker patients. Nominal AV delay in a DDDR is not, by hemodynamics, the best option for the majority of patients with AV conduction disorders. Our research is suggesting a simplified approach to define an optimal AV delay in a DDDR pacemaker population on the use of the programming electrocardiogram (ECG) at follow-up.The study enrolled 55 consecutive patients (67.28 ± 1.03 years, 36 male) with an initial dual chamber pacemaker implanted for complete and second degree AV block between 2005-2010. Optimal AV delay was achieved by programming an additional delay of 95 ms, to the medium value of the interval between atrial pacing spike to the end of P wave or to the width of intrinsic P wave, on the ECG of the programming device. At discharge, shortly after the implant procedure, the patients were examined by Doppler echocardiography, during nominal and optimal AV delay pacing measuring systolic and diastolic left ventricular function parameters.Compared with the nominal AV delay settings, the left ventricular end diastolic volume did not changed (from 112.3 ± 2.3 ml to 112.9 ± 2.3 ml), the end systolic volume decreased (from 59.8 ± 1.7 ml to 50.9 ± 1.3 ml, p0.01) after adjusted the AV delay, followed by an increased left ventricle ejection fraction (from 61.07 ± 0.18 % to 65.46 ± 0.13 %, p0.001) and isovolumic relaxation time decreased (from 102.7 ± 1.9 ms to 97 ± 2 ms, p0.05). E wave velocity, A wave velocity and E/A ratio were not significantly changed.AV delay adjusted by programmer ECG in a follow-up session of an implantable device is a simple and useful method used in our laboratory as a resource for ventricular pacing optimization and hemodynamic improvement in patients with a dual chamber pacemaker (DDDR).

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent occurrence and a negative prognostic indicator in patients with mitral regurgitation. Preoperative PH causes higher early and late mortality rates after heart surgery, adverse cardiac events, and postoperative systolic dysfunction in the left ventricle (LV).Methods: The research consisted of a retrospective study of a group of 171 consecutive patients with mitral regurgitation and preoperative PH who had undergone mitral valve surgery between January 2008 and October 2011. The PH diagnosis was based on echocardiographic evidence (systolic pulmonary artery pressure [sPAP] >35 mm Hg). The echocardiographic examination included assessment of the following: LV volume, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), sPAP, right ventricular end-diastolic diameter, right atrium area indexed to the body surface area, the ratio of the pulmonary acceleration time to the pulmonary ejection time (PAT/PET), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), determination of the severity of the associated tricuspid regurgitation, and presence of pericardial fluid. Surgical procedures consisted of mitral valve repair in 55% of the cases and mitral valve replacement in the remaining 45%. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery was carried out in 52 patients (30.41%), and De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty was performed in 29 patients (16.95%). The primary end point was perioperative mortality. The secondary end points included the following: pericardial, pleural, hepatic, or renal complications; the need for a new surgical procedure; postoperative mechanical ventilation >24 hours; length of stay in the intensive care unit; duration of postoperative inotropic support; need for an intra-aortic balloon pump; and need for pulmonary vasodilator drugs.Results: The mortality rate was 2.34%. In the univariate analysis, the clinical and echocardiographic parameters associated with mortality were preoperative New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV, the PAT/PET ratio, TAPSE, the indexed area of the right atrium, and concomitant CABG surgery. In the multivariate analysis, the indexed area of the right atrium and concomitant CABG surgery remained statistically significant. The multivariate analysis also showed the indexed area of the right atrium, LVEF, presence of pericardial fluid, preoperative NYHA class, and concomitant CABG surgery as statistically significant for the secondary end point. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified an sPAP value >65 mm Hg to have the highest specificity and sensitivity for the risk of perioperative death in mitral regurgitation patients (area under the ROC curve [AUC], 0.782; P < .001) and identified an sPAP value of 60 mm Hg as the secondary end point (AUC, 0.82; P < .001). Severe PH (sPAP >60 mm Hg) is associated with a significant increase in the mortality rate; a longer stay in the intensive care unit; a mechanical ventilation duration >24 hours; lengthy inotropic support; renal, hepatic, and pericardial complications; and a need for endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, and/or prostanoids, both in the general group and in patients with preserved systolic functioning of the left ventricle.Conclusions: PH is a strong short-term negative prognostic factor for patients with mitral regurgitation. The surgical procedure should be performed in the early stages of PH. Echocardiographic examination has useful, simple, and reproducible tools for classifying operative risks. An ischemic etiology and a need for concomitant CABG surgery are additional risk factors for patients with mitral regurgitation and PH.

Background: Heart rate (HR) is an emerging risk factor in coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there is little contemporary data regarding HR and the use of HR-lowering medications, particularly beta-blockers, among patients with stable CAD in routine clinical practice. The goal of the present analysis was to describe HR in such patients, overall and in relation to beta-blocker use, and to describe the determinants of HR.\ud \ud Methods and Findings: CLARIFY is an international, prospective, observational, longitudinal registry of outpatients with stable CAD, defined as prior myocardial infarction or revascularization procedure, evidence of coronary stenosis of >50%, or chest pain associated with proven myocardial ischemia. A total of 33,438 patients from 45 countries in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Middle East, and Asia/Pacific were enrolled between November 2009 and July 2010. Most of the 33,177 patients included in this analysis were men (77.5%). Mean (SD) age was 64.2 (10.5) years, HR by pulse was 68.3 (10.6) bpm, and by electrocardiogram was 67.2 (11.4) bpm. Overall, 44.0% had HR≥70 bpm. Beta-blockers were used in 75.1% of patients and another 14.4% had intolerance or contraindications to beta-blocker therapy. Among 24,910 patients on beta-blockers, 41.1% had HR≥70 bpm. HR≥70 bpm was independently associated with higher prevalence and severity of angina, more frequent evidence of myocardial ischemia, and lack of use of HR-lowering agents.\ud \ud Conclusions: Despite a high rate of use of beta-blockers, stable CAD patients often have resting HR≥70 bpm, which was associated with an overall worse health status, more frequent angina and ischemia. Further HR lowering is possible in many patients with CAD. Whether it will improve symptoms and outcomes is being tested.

Pulmonary hypertension is a hemodynamic and pathophysiological condition defined as an increase in mean pulmonary pressure more than or equal to 25 mm Hg. Evaluation of pulmonary hypertension severity and prognosis plays a central role in the management of these patients, between diagnosis and therapeutic decision making. The aim of our study was to identify the adverse prognostic factors in patients with pulmonary hypertension and their impact on mortality, quality of life, need for hospitalization and complications during hospitalization.We performed a prospective study that included 553 patients diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases of Iasi between 1st November 2008 and 1st July 2011. We analyzed a series of demographic and clinical data, echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters, which correlated with mortality, WHO functional class, complications and need for hospitalization.We identified as main negative prognostic factors: WHO functional class III and IV, the pulmonary artery systolic pressure value, right chambers dilation, TAPSE, pericardial effusion, cardiac index and right atrial pressure.Pulmonary hypertension, despite the development of treatment methods, remains a serious disease, with progressive and inexorable evolution, but the prognosis of patients with pulmonary hypertension is very variable, depending on the etiology, functional class, clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters.

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: In the ARISTOTLE trial, the rate of stroke or systemic embolism was reduced by apixaban compared with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Patients with AF and previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) have a high risk of stroke. We therefore aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of apixaban compared with warfarin in prespecified subgroups of patients with and without previous stroke or TIA. METHODS: Between Dec 19, 2006, and April 2, 2010, patients were enrolled in the ARISTOTLE trial at 1034 clinical sites in 39 countries. 18,201 patients with AF or atrial flutter were randomly assigned to receive apixaban 5 mg twice daily or warfarin (target international normalised ratio 2.0-3.0). The median duration of follow-up was 1.8 years (IQR 1.4-2.3). The primary efficacy outcome was stroke or systemic embolism, analysed by intention to treat. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding in the on-treatment population. All participants, investigators, and sponsors were masked to treatment assignments. In this subgroup analysis, we estimated event rates and used Cox models to compare outcomes in patients with and without previous stroke or TIA. The ARISTOTLE trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NTC00412984. FINDINGS: Of the trial population, 3436 (19%) had a previous stroke or TIA. In the subgroup of patients with previous stroke or TIA, the rate of stroke or systemic embolism was 2.46 per 100 patient-years of follow-up in the apixaban group and 3.24 in the warfarin group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.76, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.03); in the subgroup of patients without previous stroke or TIA, the rate of stroke or systemic embolism was 1.01 per 100 patient-years of follow-up with apixaban and 1.23 with warfarin (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.03; p for interaction=0.71). The absolute reduction in the rate of stroke and systemic embolism with apixaban versus warfarin was 0.77 per 100 patient-years of follow-up (95% CI -0.08 to 1.63) in patients with and 0.22 (-0.03 to 0.47) in those without previous stroke or TIA. The difference in major bleeding with apixaban compared with warfarin was 1.07 per 100 patient-years (95% CI 0.09-2.04) in patients with and 0.93 (0.54-1.32) in those without previous stroke or TIA. INTERPRETATION: The effects of apixaban versus warfarin were consistent in patients with AF with and without previous stroke or TIA. Owing to the higher risk of these outcomes in patients with previous stroke or TIA, the absolute benefits of apixaban might be greater in this population. FUNDING: Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. 01 juni 2012

First to estimate the prevalence of significant coronary artery narrowings in patients suffering from valvular heart diseases requiring surgery and second to assess the parameters able to predict significant coronary stenoses in those patients.Retrospective study of a group consisting of 92 patients (29 female, 63 male, mean age 61 +/- 7.15 years) with coronary angiography carried out before surgical valve correction. Patients having ischemia-related mitral regurgitation were excluded from the study. Significant coronary artery stenosis was defined as a luminal narrowing of an epicardial artery of at least 50%. Anginal pain and cardiovascular risk factors were ascertained therewith.Significant coronary artery stenoses were found in 24% of all patient enrolled in the study, their prevalence in the subgroup with aortic valve disease (alone or associated with mitral valve disease) and in the subgroup with isolated mitral valve disease being similar (31.8% vs. 21.4%, p = 0.2). The anginal chest pain, increased waist circumference and a host of at least 3 conventional cardiovascular risk factors were the elements best correlated with the presence of significant coronary narrowings.Both Romanian patients and patients from industrialized countries afflicted with valvular heart diseases have similar prevalence of coronary heart disease. The prevalence tends to increase in patients with abdominal obesity and in those with many risk factors, diabetes mellitus being the most frequently encountered traditional risk factor. Renal function impairment might represent a predictive marker for coronary heart disease in valvular patients.

Current treatment for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is associated with incomplete resolution of symptoms and signs, recurrent symptoms of heart failure in-hospital and after discharge and high mortality. Studies have consistently demonstrated an association between worsening renal function in ADHF and adverse outcomes. Adenosine A(1) receptor antagonists, such as rolofylline, appear in preliminary studies to produce potentially beneficial effects on natriuresis, diuresis, renal blood flow, and glomerular filtration rate. In a previous dose-finding study, rolofylline 30 mg intravenously daily for 3 days was associated with symptom improvement, less worsening of renal function, and trends toward lower 60-day rates of death or readmission for cardiovascular or renal causes.This manuscript describes the rationale underlying the design of the phase 3 PROTECT (Placebo-controlled Randomized study of the selective A(1) adenosine receptor antagonist rolofylline for patients hospitalized with acute heart failure and volume Overload to assess Treatment Effect on Congestion and renal funcTion) trial.Rolofylline 30 mg or matching placebo was given intravenously as a 4-hour continuous infusion on 3 consecutive days and the hospital course was assessed by measurements dyspnea, clinical status, renal function, and subsequent morbidity and mortality in a large population of patients with ADHF with renal impairment.

Udgivelsesdato: 2010-Sep-11 BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Raised resting heart rate is a risk factor for adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the effect of heart-rate reduction by the selective sinus-node inhibitor ivabradine on outcomes in heart failure. METHODS: Patients were eligible for participation in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study if they had symptomatic heart failure and a left-ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or lower, were in sinus rhythm with heart rate 70 beats per min or higher, had been admitted to hospital for heart failure within the previous year, and were on stable background treatment including a β blocker if tolerated. Patients were randomly assigned by computer-generated allocation schedule to ivabradine titrated to a maximum of 7.5 mg twice daily or matching placebo. Patients and investigators were masked to treatment allocation. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiovascular death or hospital admission for worsening heart failure. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered, number ISRCTN70429960. FINDINGS: 6558 patients were randomly assigned to treatment groups (3268 ivabradine, 3290 placebo). Data were available for analysis for 3241 patients in the ivabradine group and 3264 patients allocated placebo. Median follow-up was 22.9 (IQR 18-28) months. 793 (24%) patients in the ivabradine group and 937 (29%) of those taking placebo had a primary endpoint event (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.90, p

Udgivelsesdato: 2009-Sep-10 BACKGROUND: Ticagrelor is an oral, reversible, direct-acting inhibitor of the adenosine diphosphate receptor P2Y12 that has a more rapid onset and more pronounced platelet inhibition than clopidogrel. METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial, we compared ticagrelor (180-mg loading dose, 90 mg twice daily thereafter) and clopidogrel (300-to-600-mg loading dose, 75 mg daily thereafter) for the prevention of cardiovascular events in 18,624 patients admitted to the hospital with an acute coronary syndrome, with or without ST-segment elevation. RESULTS: At 12 months, the primary end point--a composite of death from vascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke--had occurred in 9.8% of patients receiving ticagrelor as compared with 11.7% of those receiving clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 0.92; P

Summary Background Ivabradine specifically inhibits the I f current in the sinoatrial node to lower heart rate, without affecting other aspects of cardiac function. We aimed to test whether lowering the heart rate with ivabradine reduces cardiovascular death and morbidity in patients with coronary artery disease and left-ventricular systolic dysfunction. Methods Between December, 2004, and December, 2006, we screened 12 473 patients at 781 centres in 33 countries. We enrolled 10 917 eligible patients who had coronary artery disease and a left-ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40% in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. 5479 patients received 5 mg ivabradine, with the intention of increasing to the target dose of 7·5 mg twice a day, and 5438 received matched placebo in addition to appropriate cardiovascular medication. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, admission to hospital for acute myocardial infarction, and admission to hospital for new onset or worsening heart failure. We analysed patients by intention to treat. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00143507. Findings Mean heart rate at baseline was 71·6 (SD 9·9) beats per minute (bpm). Median follow-up was 19 months (IQR 16–24). Ivabradine reduced heart rate by 6 bpm (SE 0·2) at 12 months, corrected for placebo. Most (87%) patients were receiving β blockers in addition to study drugs, and no safety concerns were identified. Ivabradine did not affect the primary composite endpoint (hazard ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·91–1·1, p=0·94). 1233 (22·5%) patients in the ivabradine group had serious adverse events, compared with 1239 (22·8%) controls (p=0·70). In a prespecified subgroup of patients with heart rate of 70 bpm or greater, ivabradine treatment did not affect the primary composite outcome (hazard ratio 0·91, 95% CI 0·81–1·04, p=0·17), cardiovascular death, or admission to hospital for new-onset or worsening heart failure. However, it did reduce secondary endpoints: admission to hospital for fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction (0·64, 95% CI 0·49–0·84, p=0·001) and coronary revascularisation (0·70, 95% CI 0·52–0·93, p=0·016). Interpretation Reduction in heart rate with ivabradine does not improve cardiac outcomes in all patients with stable coronary artery disease and left-ventricular systolic dysfunction, but could be used to reduce the incidence of coronary artery disease outcomes in a subgroup of patients who have heart rates of 70 bpm or greater. Funding Servier, France.