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Background: In TAVI procedural stroke is one of the most feared complications and for this reason also extensively studied. But there is a lack of data concerning the impact of previous stroke on procedural stroke and on long‐term survival. The aim of this registry‐based cohort study is to evaluate the prevalence of previous stroke in TAVI patients and its impact on procedural stroke risk as well as long‐term outcome. Methods: We included all patients treated with TAVI between January 2007 and December 2020 and investigated concerning previous stroke in their medical history. Among 958 patients, 55 patients had previous stroke and were included in the present analysis. Results: The salient finding of the present study is that previous stroke is significantly associated with higher all‐cause mortality and has established itself as a predictor for poor outcome after TAVI. This is also observed after adjusting for confounders like EuroSCORE II (European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation) and AF (atrial fibrillation) as one of the main underlying diseases for cerebrovascular insult (CVI). However, previous stroke is not associated with higher rates of procedural CVI. Conclusion: A history of stroke is significantly associated with higher all‐cause mortality and has established itself as a predictor for poor outcome after TAVI without higher rates of procedural stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims This study sought to compare cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) characteristics according to different flow/gradient patterns of aortic stenosis (AS) and to evaluate their prognostic value in patients with low-gradient AS. Methods and results This international prospective multicentric study included 147 patients with low-gradient moderate to severe AS who underwent comprehensive CMR evaluation of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), extracellular volume fraction (ECV), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). All patients were classified as followings: classical low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) [mean gradient (MG) < 40 mmHg and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%]; paradoxical LFLG [MG < 40 mmHg, LVEF ≥ 50%, and stroke volume index (SVi) < 35 ml/m2]; and normal-flow low-gradient (MG < 40 mmHg, LVEF ≥ 50%, and SVi ≥ 35 ml/m2). Patients with classical LFLG (n = 90) had more LV adverse remodelling including higher ECV, and higher LGE and volume, and worst LVGLS. Over a median follow-up of 2 years, 43 deaths and 48 composite outcomes of death or heart failure hospitalizations occurred. Risks of adverse events increased per tertile of LVGLS: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.50 [95% CI, 1.02–2.20]; P = 0.04 for mortality; HR = 1.45 [1.01–2.09]; P < 0.05 for composite outcome; per tertile of ECV, HR = 1.63 [1.07–2.49]; P = 0.02 for mortality; HR = 1.54 [1.02–2.33]; P = 0.04 for composite outcome. LGE presence also associated with higher mortality, HR = 2.27 [1.01–5.11]; P < 0.05 and composite outcome, HR = 3.00 [1.16–7.73]; P = 0.02. The risk of mortality and the composite outcome increased in proportion to the number of impaired components (i.e. LVGLS, ECV, and LGE) with multivariate adjustment. Conclusions In this international prospective multicentric study of low-gradient AS, comprehensive CMR assessment provides independent prognostic value that is cumulative and incremental to clinical and echocardiographic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We sought to determine the prognostic impact of left atrial (LA) size and function in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in sinus rhythm (SR) vs. atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and results: We enrolled consecutive HFpEF patients and assessed indexed LA volumes and emptying fractions (LA‐EF) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, all patients underwent right and left heart catheterization, 6 min walk test, and N‐terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide evaluation. We prospectively followed patients and used Cox regression models to determine the association of LA size and function with a composite endpoint of heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death. A total of 188 patients (71% female patients, 70 ± 8 years old) were included of whom 92 (49%) were in persistent AF. Sixty‐five patients reached the combined endpoint during a follow‐up of 31 (9–57) months. Multivariate Cox regression adjusted for established risk factors revealed that LA‐EF was significantly associated with outcome in patients in SR [adjusted hazard ratio 2.14; 95% confidence interval (1.32–3.47) per 1‐SD decline, P = 0.002]. In persistent AF, no LA imaging parameter was related to outcome. By receiver operating characteristic and restricted cubic spline analyses, we identified an LA‐EF ≥ 40% as best indicator for favourable outcomes in patients with HFpEF and SR. Persistent AF carried a similar risk for adverse outcome compared with impaired LA‐EF (<40%) in SR (log‐rank, P = 0.340). Conclusions: In HFpEF patients in SR, impaired LA‐EF is independently associated with worse cardiovascular outcome, which is similar to persistent AF. In persistent AF, LA parameters lose their prognostic ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion have been the mainstay of treatment for muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer. Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy results in better survival outcomes for some patients compared to primary surgery. In addition to patients with a primary diagnosis of muscle invasive bladder cancer, radical cystectomy also plays a role in carefully selected patients with non-muscle invasive disease, as well as in patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer who achieve an important clinical response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer are recommended radical cystectomy, especially if they are acceptable candidates for surgery and are willing to accept the likelihood that they will need urinary diversion. These patients should ideally receive three to four cycles of neoadjuvant cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy prior to cystectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) revolutionized the therapy of severe aortic stenosis (AS) with rising numbers. Mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) treated by TAVR is gaining more interest, as those patients represent a more complex cohort as compared with isolated AS. However, concerning long-term outcome for this cohort only, limited data are available. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of MAVD in TAVR patients, investigate its association with paravalvular regurgitation (PVR), and analyse its impact on long-term mortality after TAVR., Methods and Results: We conducted a registry-based cohort study using the Vienna TAVR registry, enrolling patients who underwent TAVR at Medical University of Vienna between January 2007 and May 2020 with available transthoracic echocardiography before and after TAVR (n = 880). Data analysis included PVR incidence and long-term survival outcomes. A total of 647 (73.52%) out of 880 patients had ≥ mild aortic regurgitation next to severe AS. MAVD was associated with PVR compared with isolated AS with an odds ratio of 2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.51-2.81 (P = <0.001). More than mild PVR after TAVR (n = 168 out of 880: 19.09%) was related to higher mortality compared with the absence of PVR with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.33, 95% CI: 1.05- 1.67 (P = 0.016). MAVD patients developing ≥ mild PVR after TAVR were also associated with higher mortality compared with the absence of PVR with an HR of 1.30 and 95% CI: 1.04-1.62 (P = 0.022)., Conclusion: MAVD is prevalent among TAVR patients and presents unique challenges, with increased PVR risk and worse outcomes compared with isolated AS. Long-term survival for MAVD patients, not limited to those developing PVR post-TAVR, is compromised. Earlier intervention before the occurrence of structural myocardial damage or surgical valve replacement might be a potential workaround to improve outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: M.A. is a proctor/consultant/speaker (Edwards, Abbott, Medtronic, Boston, AbbVie, Zoll) and received institutional research grants (Edwards, Abbott, Medtronic, LSI). All other authors have no relationships relevant to the contents of this article to disclose., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Aims: This study sought to compare cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) characteristics according to different flow/gradient patterns of aortic stenosis (AS) and to evaluate their prognostic value in patients with low-gradient AS., Methods and Results: This international prospective multicentric study included 147 patients with low-gradient moderate to severe AS who underwent comprehensive CMR evaluation of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), extracellular volume fraction (ECV), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). All patients were classified as followings: classical low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) [mean gradient (MG) < 40 mmHg and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%]; paradoxical LFLG [MG < 40 mmHg, LVEF ≥ 50%, and stroke volume index (SVi) < 35 ml/m2]; and normal-flow low-gradient (MG < 40 mmHg, LVEF ≥ 50%, and SVi ≥ 35 ml/m2). Patients with classical LFLG (n = 90) had more LV adverse remodelling including higher ECV, and higher LGE and volume, and worst LVGLS. Over a median follow-up of 2 years, 43 deaths and 48 composite outcomes of death or heart failure hospitalizations occurred. Risks of adverse events increased per tertile of LVGLS: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.50 [95% CI, 1.02-2.20]; P = 0.04 for mortality; HR = 1.45 [1.01-2.09]; P < 0.05 for composite outcome; per tertile of ECV, HR = 1.63 [1.07-2.49]; P = 0.02 for mortality; HR = 1.54 [1.02-2.33]; P = 0.04 for composite outcome. LGE presence also associated with higher mortality, HR = 2.27 [1.01-5.11]; P < 0.05 and composite outcome, HR = 3.00 [1.16-7.73]; P = 0.02. The risk of mortality and the composite outcome increased in proportion to the number of impaired components (i.e. LVGLS, ECV, and LGE) with multivariate adjustment., Conclusions: In this international prospective multicentric study of low-gradient AS, comprehensive CMR assessment provides independent prognostic value that is cumulative and incremental to clinical and echocardiographic characteristics., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: P.P. received funding from Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, Pi-Cardia for echocardiography core laboratory analyses or for research studies in the field of transcatheter therapy of AS, for which he received no personal compensation. M.-A.C. received funding from Edwards Lifesciences for computed tomography core laboratory analyses and research grant from Medtronic. J.L.C. has received consulting fees from Boston Scientific and Abbott Vascular; has received research grant support from Circle Cardiovascular Imaging, Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and Abbott Vascular and has been a speaker for Medtronic, Circle Cardiovascular Imaging, and Siemens Healthineers. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: To investigate the applications and effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in critically ill patients in ICU by means of a systematic review., Materials and Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in the databases Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest Health and Medical Complete, AMED, and PEDro. The PEDro score was used to assess the methodological quality of the eligible studies., Results: The search yielded a total of 9759 titles and nine articles satisfied the eligibility criteria. These studies showed that NMES can maintain or increase muscle mass, strength and volume, reduce time in mechanical ventilation and weaning time, and increase muscle degradation in critically ill patients in ICU. Two studies allowed a meta-analysis of the effects of NMES on quadriceps femoris strength and it showed a significant effect in favor of NMES in the Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale (standardized mean difference 0.77 points; p=0.02; 95% CI: 0.13-1.40)., Conclusions: The selected studies showed that NMES has good results when used for the maintenance of muscle mass and strength in critically ill patients in ICU. Future studies with high methodological quality should be conducted to provide more evidence for the use of NMES in an ICU setting., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.)