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Background: Left atrial (LA) myopathy with paroxysmal and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequent in chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) but sometimes occult at rest and elicited by stress., Aim: This study sought to assess LA volume and function at rest and during stress across the spectrum of AF., Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, observational study design, we enrolled 3042 patients [age = 64 ± 12; 63.8% male] with known or suspected CCS: 2749 were in sinus rhythm (SR, Group 1); 191 in SR with a history of paroxysmal AF (Group 2); and 102 were in permanent AF (Group 3). All patients underwent stress echocardiography (SE). We measured left atrial volume index (LAVI) in all patients and LA Strain reservoir phase (LASr) in a subset of 486 patients., Results: LAVI increased from Group 1 to 3, both at rest (Group 1 = 27.6 ± 12.2, Group 2 = 31.6 ± 12.9, Group 3 = 43.3 ± 19.7 mL/m 2 , p < 0.001) and at peak stress (Group 1 = 26.2 ± 12.0, Group 2 = 31.2 ± 12.2, Group 3 = 43.9 ± 19.4 mL/m 2 , p < 0.001). LASr progressively decreased from Group 1 to 3, both at rest (Group 1 = 26.0 ± 8.5%, Group 2 = 23.2 ± 11.2%, Group 3 = 8.5 ± 6.5%, p < 0.001) and at peak stress (Group 1 = 26.9 ± 10.1, Group 2 = 23.8 ± 11.0 Group 3 = 10.7 ± 8.1%, p < 0.001). Stress B-lines (≥2) were more frequent in AF (Group 1 = 29.7% vs. Group 2 = 35.5% vs. Group 3 = 57.4%, p < 0.001). Inducible ischemia was less frequent in SR (Group 1 = 16.1% vs. Group 2 = 24.7% vs. Group 3 = 24.5%, p = 0.001)., Conclusions: In CCS, rest and stress LA dilation and reservoir dysfunction are often present in paroxysmal and, more so, in permanent AF and are associated with more frequent inducible ischemia and pulmonary congestion during stress.

Rest and stress echocardiography (SE) plays a pivotal role in the evaluation of valvular heart disease. The use of SE is recommended in valvular heart disease when there is a mismatch between resting transthoracic echocardiography findings and symptoms. In aortic stenosis (AS), rest echocardiographic analysis is a stepwise approach that begins with the evaluation of aortic valve morphology and proceeds to the measurement of the transvalvular aortic gradient and aortic valve area (AVA) using continuity equations or planimetry. The presence of the following three criteria suggests severe AS: AVA < 1.0 cm 2 , a peak velocity > 4.0 m/s, or a mean gradient > 40 mmHg. However, in approximately one in three cases, we can observe a discordant AVA < 1 cm 2 with a peak velocity < 4.0 m/s or a mean gradient <40 mmHg. This is due to reduced transvalvular flow associated with LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF < 50%) defined as "classical" low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) AS or normal LVEF "paradoxical" LFLG AS. SE has an established role in evaluating LV contractile reserve (CR) patients with reduced LVEF. In classical LFLG AS, LV CR distinguished pseudo-severe AS from truly severe AS. Some observational data suggest that long-term prognosis in asymptomatic severe AS may not be as favorable as previously thought, offering a window of opportunity for intervention prior to the onset of symptoms. Therefore, guidelines recommend evaluating asymptomatic AS with exercise stress in physically active patients, particularly those younger than 70 years, and symptomatic classical LFLG severe AS with low-dose dobutamine SE. A comprehensive SE assessment includes evaluating valve function (gradients), the global systolic function of the LV, and pulmonary congestion. This assessment integrates considerations of blood pressure response, chronotropic reserve, and symptoms. StressEcho 2030 is a prospective, large-scale study that employs a comprehensive protocol (ABCDEG) to analyze the clinical and echocardiographic phenotypes of AS, capturing various vulnerability sources which support stress echo-driven treatment strategies.

Background: B-lines detected by lung ultrasound (LUS) during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE), indicating pulmonary congestion, have not been systematically evaluated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)., Aim: To assess the clinical, anatomical and functional correlates of pulmonary congestion elicited by exercise in HCM., Methods: We enrolled 128 HCM patients (age 52 ± 15 years, 72 males) consecutively referred for ESE (treadmill in 46, bicycle in 82 patients) in 10 quality-controlled centers from 7 countries (Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Spain). ESE assessment at rest and peak stress included: mitral regurgitation (MR, score from 0 to 3); E/e'; systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) and end-diastolic volume (EDV). Change from rest to stress was calculated for each variable. Reduced preload reserve was defined by a decrease in EDV during exercise. B-lines at rest and at peak exercise were assessed by lung ultrasound with the 4-site simplified scan. B-lines positivity was considered if the sum of detected B-lines was ≥ 2., Results: LUS was feasible in all subjects. B-lines were present in 13 patients at rest and in 38 during stress (10 vs 30%, p < 0.0001). When compared to patients without stress B-lines (n = 90), patients with B-lines (n = 38) had higher resting E/e' (14 ± 6 vs. 11 ± 4, p = 0.016) and SPAP (33 ± 10 vs. 27 ± 7 mm Hg p = 0.002). At peak exercise, patients with B-lines had higher peak E/e' (17 ± 6 vs. 13 ± 5 p = 0.003) and stress SPAP (55 ± 18 vs. 40 ± 12 mm Hg p < 0.0001), reduced preload reserve (68 vs. 30%, p = 0.001) and an increase in MR (42 vs. 17%, p = 0.013) compared to patients without congestion. Among baseline parameters, the number of B-lines and SPAP were the only independent predictors of exercise pulmonary congestion., Conclusions: Two-thirds of HCM patients who develop pulmonary congestion on exercise had no evidence of B-lines at rest. Diastolic impairment and mitral regurgitation were key determinants of pulmonary congestion during ESE. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating hemodynamic stability by physiological stress in HCM, particularly in the presence of unexplained symptoms and functional limitation., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background and Aim: Benefits of oral anticoagulants (OAC) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with moderate-to-high risk of stroke are independent of AF pattern. We evaluated whether AF clinical subtype influenced OAC use in a representative sample of the Italian older population., Methods: A cross-sectional examination of all subjects aged 65 + years from three general practices in northern, central, and southern Italy started in 2016. A double-screening procedure was followed by clinical and ECG confirmation. Patients were categorized as having paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent AF. OAC use was evaluated in confirmed AF patients., Results: The sample included 6016 subjects. Excluding 235 non-eligible, participation was 78.3%, which left 4528 participants (mean age 74.5 ± 6.8 years, 47.2% men). Overall, 319 AF cases were identified: 43.0% had paroxysmal, 21.3% persistent, and 35.7% permanent AF. Frequency of OAC therapy was 91.2% in permanent, 85.3% in persistent, and only 43.0% in paroxysmal AF (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, controlled for baseline variables and risk scales, persistent and permanent AF were associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of receiving OAC compared with paroxysmal AF (P < 0.001). This was confirmed for permanent AF also in multivariate analyses considering separately vitamin K antagonists or direct-acting oral anticoagulants (OR, 4.37, 95% CI, 2.43-7.85; and 1.92, 95% CI, 1.07-3.42, respectively) and for persistent AF and direct-acting oral anticoagulants (OR, 4.33, 95% CI, 2.30-8.15)., Conclusions: In a population-based survey, AF pattern was an independent predictor of OAC treatment. Paroxysmal AF is still perceived as carrying a lower risk of vascular events., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objective: We aimed to assess feasibility and functional correlates of left atrial volume index (LAVI) changes during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE)., Methods: ESE on a bike or treadmill was performed in 363 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n = 173), reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n = 59), or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n = 131). The LAVI stress-rest increase ≥6.8 ml/m 2 was defined as dilation., Results: LAVI measurements were feasible in 100%. LAVI did not change in HFrEF being at rest 32 (25-45) vs at stress 36 (24-54) ml/m 2 , P = NS and in HCM at rest 35 (26-48) vs at stress 38 (28-48) ml/m 2 , P = NS, whereas it decreased in HFpEF from 30 (24-40) to 29 (21-37) ml/m 2 at stress, P = 0.007. LA dilation occurred in 107 (30%) patients (27% with treadmill vs 33% with bike ESE, P = NS): 26 with HFpEF (15%), 26 with HFrEF (44%), and 55 with HCM (42%) with P < 0.001 for HFrEF and HCM vs HFpEF. A multivariate analysis revealed as the predictors for LAVI dilation E/e' > 14 at rest with odds ratio (OR) 4.4, LVEF <50% with OR 2.9, and LAVI at rest <35 ml/m 2 with OR 2.7., Conclusion: The LAVI assessment during ESE was highly feasible and dilation equally frequent with a treadmill or bike. LA dilation was three-fold more frequent in HCM and HFrEF and could be predicted by increased resting E/e' and impaired EF as well as smaller baseline LAVI., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest There is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Stroke volume response during stress is a major determinant of functional status in heart failure and can be measured by two-dimensional (2-D) volumetric stress echocardiography (SE). The present study hypothesis is that SE may identify mechanisms underlying the change in stroke volume by measuring preload reserve through end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) with systolic blood pressure and end-systolic volume (ESV)., Methods: We enrolled 4735 patients (age 63.6±11.3 years, 2800 male) referred to SE for known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or heart failure (HF) in 21 SE laboratories in 8 countries. In addition to regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA), force was measured at rest and peak stress as the ratio of systolic blood pressure by cuff sphygmomanometer/ESV by 2D with Simpson's or linear method. Abnormal values of LVCR (peak/rest) based on force were ≤1.10 for dipyridamole (N.=1992 patients) and adenosine (N.=18); ≤2.0 for exercise (N.=2087) or dobutamine (N.=638)., Results: Force-based LVCR was obtained in all 4735 patients. Lack of stroke volume increase during stress was due to either abnormal LVCR and/or blunted preload reserve, and 57% of patients with abnormal LVCR nevertheless showed increase in stroke volume., Conclusions: Volumetric SE is highly feasible with all stresses, and more frequently impaired in presence of ischemic RWMA, absence of viability and reduced coronary flow velocity reserve. It identifies an altered stroke volume response due to reduced preload and/or contractile reserve.

Background: Cardiology divisions reshaped their activities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the organization of echocardiographic laboratories and echocardiography practice during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, and the expectations for the post-COVID era., Methods: We analyzed two different time periods: the month of November during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and the identical month during 2019 (November 2019)., Results: During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital activity was partially reduced in 42 (60%) and wholly interrupted in 3 (4%) echocardiographic laboratories, whereas outpatient echocardiographic activity was partially reduced in 41 (59%) and completely interrupted in 7 (10%) laboratories. We observed an important change in the organization of activities in the echocardiography laboratory which reduced the operator-risk and improved self-protection of operators by using appropriate personal protection equipment. Operators wore FFP2 in 58 centers (83%) during trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE), in 65 centers (93%) during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and 63 centers (90%) during stress echocardiography. The second wave caused a significant reduction in number of echocardiographic exams, compared to November 2019 (from 513 ± 539 to 341 ± 299 exams per center, -34%, p < 0.001). On average, there was a significant increase in the outpatient waiting list for elective echocardiographic exams (from 32.0 ± 28.1 to 45.5 ± 44.9 days, +41%, p < 0.001), with a reduction of in-hospital waiting list (2.9 ± 2.4 to 2.4 ± 2.0 days, -17%, p < 0.001). We observed a large diffusion of point-of-care cardiac ultrasound (88%), with a significant increase of lung ultrasound usage in 30 centers (43%) during 2019, extended to all centers in 2020. Carbon dioxide production by examination is an indicator of the environmental impact of technology (100-fold less with echocardiography compared to other cardiac imaging techniques). It was ignored in 2019 by 100% of centers, and currently it is considered potentially crucial for decision-making in cardiac imaging by 65 centers (93%)., Conclusions: In one year, major changes occurred in echocardiography practice and culture. The examination structure changed with extensive usage of point-of-care cardiac ultrasound and with lung ultrasound embedded by default in the TTE examination, as well as the COVID-19 testing.

Background: Sympathetic dysfunction can be evaluated by heart rate reserve (HRR) with exercise test., Objectives: To determine the value of HRR in predicting outcome of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)., Methods: We enrolled 917 HCM patients (age = 49 ± 15 years, 516 men) assessed with exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in 11 centres. ESE modality was semi-supine bicycle in 51 patients (6%), upright bicycle in 476 (52%), and treadmill in 390 (42%). During ESE, we assessed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO), stress-induced new regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA), and HRR (peak/rest heart rate, HR). By selection, all patients completed the follow-up. Mortality was the predetermined outcome measure Results: During ESE, RWMA occurred in 22 patients (2.4%) and LVOTO (≥50 mmHg) in 281 (30.4%). HRR was 1.90 ± 0.40 (lowest quartile ≤ 1.61, highest quartile > 2.13). Higher resting heart rate (odds ratio 1.027, 95% CI: 1.018-1.036, p < 0.001), older age (odds ratio 1.021, 95% CI: 1.009-1.033, p < 0.001), lower exercise tolerance (mets, odds ratio 0.761, 95% CI: 0.708-0.817, p < 0.001) and resting LVOTO (odds ratio 1.504, 95% CI: 1.043-2.170, p = 0.029) predicted a reduced HRR. During a median follow-up of 89 months (interquartile range: 36-145 months), 90 all-cause deaths occurred. At multivariable analysis, lowest quartile HRR (Hazard ratio 2.354, 95% CI 1.116-4.968 p = 0.025) and RWMA (Hazard ratio 3.279, 95% CI 1.441-7.461 p = 0.004) independently predicted death, in addition to age (Hazard ratio 1.064, 95% CI 1.043-1.085 p < 0.001) and maximal wall thickness (Hazard ratio 1.081, 95% CI 1.037-1.128, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: A blunted HRR during ESE predicts survival independently of RWMA in HCM patients.

An enlarged left atrial volume index (LAVI) at rest mirrors increased LA pressure and/or impairment of LA function. A cardiovascular stress may acutely modify left atrial volume (LAV) within minutes. Aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and functional correlates of LAV-stress echocardiography (SE) Out of 514 subjects referred to 10 quality-controlled labs, LAV-SE was completed in 490 (359 male, age 67 ± 12 years) with suspected or known chronic coronary syndromes (n = 462) or asymptomatic controls (n = 28). The utilized stress was exercise in 177, vasodilator in 167, dobutamine in 146. LAV was measured with the biplane disk summation method. SE was performed with the ABCDE protocol. The intra-observer and inter-observer LAV variability were 5% and 8%, respectively. ∆-LAVI changes (stress-rest) were negatively correlated with resting LAVI (r = - 0.271, p < 0.001) and heart rate reserve (r = -.239, p < 0.001). LAV-dilators were defined as those with stress-rest increase ≥ 6.8 ml/m 2 , a cutoff derived from a calculated reference change value above the biological, analytical and observer variability of LAVI. LAV dilation occurred in 56 patients (11%), more frequently with exercise (16%) and dipyridamole (13%) compared to dobutamine (4%, p < 0.01). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, B-lines ≥ 2 (OR: 2.586, 95% CI = 1.1293-5.169, p = 0.007) and abnormal contractile reserve (OR: 2.207, 95% CI = 1.111-4.386, p = 0.024) were associated with LAV dilation. In conclusion, LAV-SE is feasible with high success rate and low variability in patients with chronic coronary syndromes. LAV dilation is more likely with reduced left ventricular contractile reserve and pulmonary congestion.

Background/objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) subtypes may carry different cardiovascular risk profiles, but information on their frequency from population-based studies is lacking. We estimated prevalence of AF subtypes in a representative sample of the Italian older population, projecting figures for Italy and the European Union., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Three primary care practices in northern, central, and southern Italy., Participants: All individuals aged 65 years or older, for a total sample of 6,016 subjects. Excluding 235 noneligible, participation was 78.3%, which left 4,528 participants., Measurements: A double systematic and opportunistic screening procedure identified possible AF cases, followed by clinical and electrocardiogram confirmation. Patients were categorized with paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent AF. Prevalence was calculated by sex and 5-year age groups. Prevalence figures were applied to population projections for all 28 European Union states to estimate AF subtypes expected in future decades., Results: In the 4,528 participants (mean age = 74.5 ± 6.8 years; 47.2% men), 331 AF cases were identified: 140 (42.3%) paroxysmal, 77 (23.3%) persistent, and 114 (34.4%) permanent. Prevalence was 3.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.6%-3.6%) for paroxysmal, 1.7% (95% CI = 1.4%-2.1%) for persistent, and 2.5% (95% CI = 2.1%-3.0%) for permanent AF. Italian older persons having AF in 2016 were estimated at approximately 449,000 for paroxysmal, approximately 240,000 for persistent, and approximately 391,000 for permanent AF, projected to increase in 2060 to approximately 785,000, approximately 358,000, and approximately 748,000, respectively. European Union older persons having AF in 2016 were estimated at approximately 3,185,000 for paroxysmal, approximately 1,722,000 for persistent, and approximately 2,710,000 for permanent AF, projected to increase in 2060 to approximately 5,989,000, approximately 2,833,000, and approximately 5,579,000, respectively., Conclusion: We provided first projections of AF subtypes for Italy and Europe. The worse cardiovascular risk profile of persistent and permanent forms indicates an increased burden in future decades., (© 2020 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with a variable range of cardiac congenital diseases. Out of these, unicuspid aortic valve is a rare malformation, related to premature aortic stenosis and its diagnosis represents a challenge with transthoracic echocardiography. The application of 3D echocardiography could facilitate the diagnosis, especially with transoesophageal approach. Moreover, cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance have demonstrated their usefulness for detection of aortic morphology. We report a case of young patient affected by Turner syndrome, with unicuspid aortic valve, identified by 3D transoesophageal echocardiography and confirmed by cardiac computed tomography. The patient was submitted to aortic valve replacement., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the functional and prognostic correlates of B-lines during stress echocardiography (SE)., Background: B-profile detected by lung ultrasound (LUS) is a sign of pulmonary congestion during SE., Methods: The authors prospectively performed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and LUS in 2,145 patients referred for exercise (n = 1,012), vasodilator (n = 1,054), or dobutamine (n = 79) SE in 11 certified centers. B-lines were evaluated in a 4-site simplified scan (each site scored from 0: A-lines to 10: white lung for coalescing B-lines). During stress the following were also analyzed: stress-induced new regional wall motion abnormalities in 2 contiguous segments; reduced left ventricular contractile reserve (peak/rest based on force, ≤2.0 for exercise and dobutamine, ≤1.1 for vasodilators); and abnormal coronary flow velocity reserve ≤2.0, assessed by pulsed-wave Doppler sampling in left anterior descending coronary artery and abnormal heart rate reserve (peak/rest heart rate) ≤1.80 for exercise and dobutamine (≤1.22 for vasodilators). All patients completed follow-up., Results: According to B-lines at peak stress patients were divided into 4 different groups: group I, absence of stress B-lines (score: 0 to 1; n = 1,389; 64.7%); group II, mild B-lines (score: 2 to 4; n = 428; 20%); group III, moderate B-lines (score: 5 to 9; n = 209; 9.7%) and group IV, severe B-lines (score: ≥10; n = 119; 5.4%). During median follow-up of 15.2 months (interquartile range: 12 to 20 months) there were 38 deaths and 28 nonfatal myocardial infarctions in 64 patients. At multivariable analysis, severe stress B-lines (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.544; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.466 to 8.687; p = 0.006), abnormal heart rate reserve (HR: 2.276; 95% CI: 1.215 to 4.262; p = 0.010), abnormal coronary flow velocity reserve (HR: 2.178; 95% CI: 1.059 to 4.479; p = 0.034), and age (HR: 1.031; 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.062; p = 0.037) were independent predictors of death and nonfatal myocardial infarction., Conclusions: Severe stress B-lines predict death and nonfatal myocardial infarction. (Stress Echo 2020-The International Stress Echo Study [SE2020]; NCT03049995)., (Copyright © 2020 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To estimate prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a representative sample of the Italian elderly population, projecting figures for Italy and the European Union., Methods and Results: A cross-sectional examination of all subjects aged 65+ years from three general practices in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy started in 2016. Participants were administered a systematic and an opportunistic screening, followed by clinical and electrocardiogram confirmation. The study sample included 6016 subjects. Excluding 235 non-eligible, among the remaining 5781 participation was 78.3%, which left 4528 participants (mean age 74.5 ± 6.8 years, 47.2% men). Prevalence of AF was 7.3% [95% confidence intervals (CI) 6.6-8.1], higher in men and with advancing age (6.6% from systematic plus 0.7% from opportunistic screening). Using prevalence figures, Italian elderly having AF in 2016 were estimated at ∼1 081 000 (95% CI 786 000-1 482 000). Considering stable prevalence, this number will increase by 75% to ∼1 892 000 in 2060 (95% CI 1 378 000-2 579 000). European Union elderly having AF in 2016 were estimated at ∼7 617 000 (95% CI 5 530 000-10 460 000), increasing by 89% to ∼14 401 000 in 2060 (95% CI 10 489 000-19 647 000). In 2016, subjects aged 80+ years represented 53.5% of cases in Italy and 51.2% in the European Union; in 2060, 69.6% and 65.2%, respectively., Conclusions: Our findings indicate a high burden of AF in coming decades, especially among the oldest-old, who carry the higher AF-related risk of stroke and medical complications., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2019. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: This study aimed to test the association of both the baseline values and post-procedural variations of urinary and serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Cystatin C (CysC) with contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) occurrence in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary invasive procedures (PCIP), and compare them to serum creatinine and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)., Methods: In 43 patients admitted to our Cardiac Step-Down Unit and submitted to PCIP, we measured serum creatinine and eGFR as the standard markers for CIN diagnosis, and compared them to both serum and urinary NGAL as well as serum CysC, assessed before and 4 hours after PCIP., Results: Patients who developed CIN (16%) were older, with significantly higher discharge creatinine values, lower eGFR values at creatinine peak, and higher baseline and post-PCIP CysC values. We did not detect any significant association between baseline serum and urinary NGAL values and their 4 hour variations after contrast medium administration and CIN occurrence. Furthermore, we observed that the baseline values of both serum and urinary NGAL were significantly higher in patients with greater neutrophil count., Conclusion: In our population submitted to PCIP, neither baseline serum and urinary NGAL nor their variations after PCIP were related to CIN occurrence, while CysC results were associated with CIN development, earlier than creatinine and eGFR variations., (Copyright © 2017 by Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.)

Background: Hemodialysis with high cut-off continuous veno-venous hemodialyzer (HCO-CVVHD) removes mediators of organ dysfunction during sepsis. This study assessed the clinical effects of HCO-CVVHD as compared to high-flux (HF) membranes during gram-negative sepsis., Methods: Intensive care unit (ICU), septic patients treated with HCO-CVVHD or HF-CVVHDF for AKI were retrospectively observed (January 2013-December 2014). Mechanical ventilation, vasopressors' requirements, ICU length of stay (LOS) and ICU in-hospital mortality were compared between groups., Results: Sixteen HCO and 8 HF patients were observed. Isolated pathogens included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Median ratios of days-on-vasopressors and days-on-mechanical ventilation/ICU-LOS were 0.5, 1 and 0.8, 1 for HCO and HF groups (p < 0.03), respectively. ICU-LOS was 16 and 9 days (HCO- and HF-group, p = 0.03). ICU mortality rates were 37.5 and 87.5% for HCO and HF groups, respectively (p = 0.03). No statistical difference was found in in-hospital morality., Conclusion: Patients in HCO-CVVHD group spent lesser number of days on vasopressors and mechanical ventilation as a ratio to total ICU-LOS. In the same group, a reduction in ICU mortality was observed., (© 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Few data are so far available on the relation between increased glucose values and insulin resistance and mortality at short-term in patients with acute heart failure (AHF)., Methods: The present investigation, performed in 409 consecutive patients with AHF complicating acute coronary syndrome (ACS), was aimed at assessing the prognostic role of admission glycaemia and acute insulin resistance (as indicated by the Homeostatic Model Assessment - HOMA index) for death during Intensive Cardiac Care (ICCU) stay. Admission glucose tertiles were considered., Results: In our series, diabetic patients accounted for the 33%. Patients in the third glucose tertiles exhibited the lowest LVEF (both on admission and at discharge), a higher use of mechanical ventilation, intra-aortic balloon pump and inotropic drugs and the highest in-ICCU mortality rate. In the overall population, hyperglycaemic patients (both diabetic and non diabetic) were 227 (227/409, 55.5%). Admission glycaemia was an independent predictor of in-ICCU mortality, together with admission LVEF and eGFR, while acute insulin resistance (as indicated by HOMA-index) was not associated with early death. The presence of admission hyperglycaemia in non-diabetic patients was independently associated with in-ICCU death while hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients was not., Conclusions: According to our results, hyperglycaemia is a common finding in patients with ACS complicated by AHF and it is an independent predictor of early death. Non-diabetic patients with hyperglycaemia are the subgroup with the highest risk of early death., (Copyright © 2015 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Little is known regarding the evolution of coronary aneurysms. We report on a rapidly growing coronary pseudoaneurysm with the aim to underline the reasons for rapid coronary aneurysm enlargement and the different therapeutics options available to face this rare clinical condition., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

No datum is so far available on the relation between age and the acute glucose response to stress in women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).We evaluated the age-related differences in the acute glucose response in 373 STEMI women submitted to PCI. The oldest women, when compared to the other age subgroups, showed the higher admission and peak glycemia (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively) in the lack of differences in insulin, C-peptide, hemoglobin-glycated values and discharge glycemia values. At logistic regression analysis, the following variables were independent predictors of in-Intensive Cardiac Care Unit mortality: age (1-year step) [odds ratio 1.09, 96% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.15, P = 0.001], admission glycemia (1g/l step) (odds ratio 2.05, 96% CI 1.35-3.12, P < 0.001). At Cox regression analysis the following variables were associated with 1-year mortality (when adjusted for discharge glycemia): age (1-year step) (hazard ratio 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.22, P = 0.005), estimated glomerular filtration rate (1 g/l step) (hazard ratio 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.96, P < 0.001).Age affects the acute glucose response to myocardial injury since older women showed the higher admission glucose values and the poorer in-hospital glucose control, in the lack of differences of insulin-resistance incidence. Glucose values were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, but were not related to long-term survival.

BVS polymeric struts are transparent to the light so that the vessel wall contour can be easily visualized using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Therefore OCT represents a unique tool for both the evaluation of the resorption process and for the assessment of acute BVS mechanical failure. Similarly, the metal-free struts allow unrestricted coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), thus this non invasive method might become the gold standard for a non invasive assessment of BVS. In this case we show the ability of CCTA, performed with a low X-Ray dose, to provide a good evaluation of scaffold expansion. The quantitative measurements were in agreement with those obtained with OCT., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In population-based studies, including diabetic and nondiabetic cohorts, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has been reported as an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. Data on the prognostic role of HbA1c in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) are not univocal since they stem from studies which mainly differ in patients' selection criteria, therapy (thrombolysis vs mechanical revascularization) and number consistency. The present review is focused on available evidence on the prognostic significance of HbA1c measured in the acute phase in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We furthermore highlighted the role of HbA1c as a screening tool for glucose intolerance in patients with STEMI. According to available evidence, in contemporary cohorts of STEMI patients submitted to mechanical revascularization, HbA1c does not seem to be associated with short and long term mortality rates. However, HbA1c may represent a screening tool for glucose intolerance from the early phase on in STEMI patients. On a pragmatic ground, an HbA1c test has several advantages over fasting plasma glucose or an oral glucose tolerance test in an acute setting. The test can be performed in the non-fasting state and reflects average glucose concentration over the preceding 2-3 mo. We therefore proposed an algorithm based on pragmatic grounds which could be applied in STEMI patients without known diabetes in order to detect glucose intolerance abnormalities from the early phase. The main advantage of this algorithm is that it may help in tailoring the follow-up program, by helping in identifying patients at risk for the development of glucose intolerance after MI. Further validation of this algorithm in prospective studies may be required in the contemporary STEMI population to resolve some of these uncertainties around HbA1c screening cutoff points.

Previous studies analyzing the impact of hypertension (HTN) on myocardial infarction (MI) outcome reached conflicting results and scarce data are available in patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this study the prognostic impact of HTN history in ST-elevation MI (STEMI) and Non-STEMI (NSTEMI) patients treated with PCI was analyzed. We compared characteristics of 1,031 STEMI and 437 NSTEMI patients, in relation to the presence of HTN. Median follow-up duration was 40.2 months. HTN was significantly higher in NSTEMI vs. STEMI patients (p < 0.001). NSTEMI patients were older, with higher values of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and more frequently with previous myocardial revascularization than STEMI patients either among hypertensives and non-hypertensives. At univariate analysis HTN resulted associated with long-term mortality in STEMI but not in NSTEMI patients. At multivariate analysis HTN was not associated with either in-hospital and long-term mortality in both NSTEMI and STEMI group. In conclusion, in the PCI era HTN does not influence MI patients prognosis; other factors, such as age, admission LVEF, coronary disease extension, previous MI and creatinine levels are independently associated with MI patients outcome even though this should not discourage from a strict control of HTN after the acute event.

Background: We report here a case of a woman affected by fever, weight loss, splenomegaly, and leucopenia associated with trombocytopenia, transferred to the intensive care unit with acute kidney injury and septic shock., Methods: Patient was treated with high cut-off continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (HCO-CVVHD)., Results: During treatment, the patient experienced a stable improvement in the hemodynamic, pulmonary function and tissue perfusion parameters. After 48 h of treatment, significant reductions in SOFA score (from 12, before starting the procedure, to 6) and in serum inflammatory mediators (as IL-6, from 599-568 pg/ml) were observed. Leishmania infection was identified as responsible of the septic condition only 48 h after removing hemodialysis. Antiprotozoal therapy was begun and the patient discharged., Conclusions: By supporting the renal function and reducing systemic inflammation, HCO-CVVHD could be a useful bridge therapy. This procedure allowed the medical team to gain sufficient time to diagnose the type of infection and begin an etiological therapy., (© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Calophyllum species are sources of calanolides, which inhibit human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT). The hexane extract of the leaves from C. brasiliense collected in Soconusco, State of Chiapas, Mexico, analyzed by HPLC showed to contain apetalic acid, calanolides B, and C. It showed potent anti-HIV-1 RT inhibition (IC(50)=20.2 μg/ml), but was not toxic in mice (LD(50)=1.99 g/kg). The histological study of the mice treated at the highest dose revealed no alteration on hepatocytes, and an increase in the number of spleen megakaryocytes. These results suggest this extract is suitable to continue studies for developing a phytodrug against HIV-1., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)