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Heart failure (HF) is prevalent in advanced ages. Our objective was to assess the impact of frailty on 1-year mortality in older patients with ambulatory HF.Our data come from the FRAGIC study (Spanish acronym for "Study of the impact of frailty and other geriatric syndromes on the clinical management and prognosis of elderly outpatients with heart failure"), a multicenter prospective registry conducted in 16 Spanish hospitals including outpatients ≥ 75 years with HF followed up by cardiology services in Spain.We included 499 patients with a mean age of 81.4±4.3 years, of whom 193 (38%) were women. A total of 268 (54%) had left ventricular ejection fraction40%, and 84.6% was in NYHA II functional class. The FRAIL scale identified 244 (49%) pre-frail and 111 (22%) frail patients. Frail patients were significantly older, were more frequently female (both, P.001), and had higher comorbidity according to the Charlson index (P=.017) and a higher prevalence of geriatric syndromes (P.001). During a median follow-up of 371 [361-387] days, 58 patients (11.6%) died. On multivariate analysis (Cox regression model), frailty detected with the FRAIL scale was marginally associated with mortality (HR=2.35; 95%CI, 0.96-5.71; P=.059), while frailty identified by the visual mobility scale was an independent predictor of mortality (HR=2.26; 95%CI, 1.16-4.38; P=.015); this association was maintained after adjustment for confounding variables (HR=2.13; 95%CI, 1.08-4.20; P=.02).In elderly outpatients with HF, frailty is independently associated with mortality at 1 year of follow-up. It is essential to identify frailty as part of the comprehensive approach to elderly patients with HF.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos HeartLogic es un algoritmo multiparametrico incorporado a desfibriladores automaticos implantables (DAI). La alerta asociada predice descompensaciones de insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). Nuestro objetivo es analizar la asociacion entre alertas y eventos clinicos bajo un protocolo de seguimiento comun en un registro multicentrico. Metodos Se evaluaron la fase 1 (investigadores ciegos al estado de la alerta) y las fases 2 y 3 (tras la activacion de HeartLogic, segun practica local y un protocolo comun respectivamente). Resultados Se incluyo a 288 pacientes en 15 centros. En fase 1, tras una media de observacion de 10 meses, hubo 73 alertas (0,72 alertas/paciente-ano), con 8 hospitalizaciones y 2 visitas a urgencias por IC (0,10 eventos/ano-paciente). No hubo hospitalizaciones fuera del periodo de alerta. Las fases activas tuvieron una media de seguimiento de 16 (IC95%, 15-22) meses, con 277 alertas (0,89 alertas/ano-paciente); 33 se asociaron con hospitalizaciones o muerte por IC, 46 con descompensaciones menores y 78 con otros eventos. La tasa de alertas inexplicables fue 0,39/ano-paciente. Fuera del estado de alerta solo hubo una hospitalizacion y una descompensacion menor. La mayoria de las alertas (el 82% en fase 2 y el 81% en fase 3; p = 0,861) se gestionaron a distancia. La mediana de NT-proBNP fue superior en estado de alerta que fuera de el (7.378 frente a 1.210 pg/ml; p Conclusiones El indice HeartLogic se asocio con descompensaciones de IC y otros eventos relevantes, con baja tasa de alertas inexplicables. Un protocolo estandarizado permitio detectar y actuar a distancia con seguridad sobre las alertas.

IntroductionFrailty is common among patients with heart failure (HF). Our aim was to address the role of frailty in the management and prognosis of elderly men and women with HF.Methods and resultsProspective multicenter registry that included 499 HF outpatients ≥75 years old. Mean age was 81.4 ± 4.3 years, and 193 (38%) were women. Compared with men, women were older (81.9 ± 4.3 vs. 81.0 ± 4.2 years, p = 0.03) and had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (46 vs. 40%, p < 0.001) and less ischemic heart disease (30 vs. 57%, p < 0.001). Women had a higher prevalence of frailty (22 vs. 10% with Clinical Frailty Scale, 34 vs. 15% with FRAIL, and 67% vs. 46% with the mobility visual scale, all p-values < 0.001) and other geriatric conditions (Barthel index ≤90: 14.9 vs. 6.2%, p = 0.003; malnutrition according to Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Formulary ≤11: 55% vs. 42%, p = 0.007; Pfeiffer cognitive test's errors: 1.6 ± 1.7 vs. 1.0 ± 1.6, p < 0.001; depression according to Yesavage test; p < 0.001) and lower comorbidity (Charlson index ≥4: 14.1% vs. 22.1%, p = 0.038). Women also showed worse self-reported quality of life (6.5 ± 2.1 vs. 6.9 ± 1.9, on a scale from 0 to 10, p = 0.012). In the univariate analysis, frailty was an independent predictor of mortality in men [Hazard ratio (HR) 3.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–7.83, p = 0.012; HR 4.53, 95% CI 2.08–9.89, p < 0.001; and HR 2.61, 95% CI 1.23–5.43, p = 0.010, according to FRAIL, Clinical Frailty Scale, and visual mobility scale, respectively], but not in women. In the multivariable analysis, frailty identified by the visual mobility scale was an independent predictor of mortality (HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.04–3.67, p = 0.03) and mortality/readmission (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.05–4.04, p = 0.03) in men.ConclusionsIn elderly outpatients with HF frailty is more common in women than in men. However, frailty is only associated with mortality in men.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Algunos estudios indican que los parametros de strain por speckle-tracking pueden ser una alternativa no invasiva a la biopsia endomiocardica para excluir el rechazo celular agudo (RCA) moderado o grave (≥ 2 R) tras el trasplante cardiaco (TxC). En una cohorte inicial, unos puntos de corte del 15,5% para el strain longitudinal global del ventriculo izquierdo (SLGVI) y el 17% para el strain de pared libre del ventriculo derecho mostraron un valor predictivo negativo del 100% para excluir RCA ≥ 2 R. Nuestro objetivo es analizar la utilidad del strain y validar estos puntos de corte en una cohorte multicentrica prospectiva externa. Metodos Estudio multicentrico y prospectivo que incluyo a pacientes con seguimiento el primer ano tras el TC. Se compararon los resultados de biopsias electivas con ecocardiogramas realizados el mismo dia. Resultados Se incluyo a 99 pacientes y 501 pares de biopsias-ecocardiogramas. El RCA ≥ 2 R en las biopsias fue del 7,4%. El SLGVI y el strain longitudinal de pared libre del ventriculo derecho fueron menores durante los RCA ≥ 2 R en el analisis univariante. En el analisis multivariante, el SLGVI se asocio de manera independiente con el RCA ≥ 2 R. Los puntos de corte originales mostraron un valor predictivo negativo del 94,3% el RCA ≥ 2 R. Conclusiones Este estudio mantiene un alto valor predictivo negativo para excluir RCA ≥ 2 R tras el TxC y el SLGVI se asocio de manera independiente con el RCA ≥ 2 R. El strain y, principalmente, el SLGVI pueden ser de utilidad en el diagnostico y el tratamiento no invasivo del RCA.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos La mortalidad en shock cardiogenico (SC), sobre todo en casos refractarios donde se emplean dispositivos de soporte circulatorio mecanico (SCM), es muy elevada. El objetivo es analizar los resultados de un programa de atencion a pacientes en SC tras la implementacion de un equipo multidisciplinario en nuestro centro y la organizacion en red con los hospitales del area. Metodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo de los pacientes atendidos desde septiembre de 2014 a enero de 2019. Se incluyo a los pacientes en SC refractario que precisaron SCM y aquellos que por edad y ausencia de comorbilidades pueden ser candidatos a tratamientos avanzados. El objetivo principal es evaluar la supervivencia hospitalaria. Resultados En total se incluyo a 130 pacientes (69 locales y 61 trasladados). La media de edad era 52 ± 15 anos (el 72% varones). Las etiologias predominantes de SC fueron la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda descompensada (29%), el infarto agudo de miocardio (26%) y el shock tras cardiotomia (25%). En 105 pacientes (81%) se empleo SCM, mayoritariamente oxigenador extracorporeo de membrana (58%). La supervivencia al alta hospitalaria fue del 57% (74 de 130 pacientes). Los principales destinos fueron la recuperacion miocardica y el trasplante cardiaco. La puntuacion SAPS II, el lactato, el infarto como etiologia del SC y la puntuacion de inotropicos y vasoactivos resultaron predictores independientes de mortalidad hospitalaria. Conclusiones La creacion de equipos multidisciplinarios para la atencion de pacientes en SC mayoritariamente refractario y la coordinacion en red con los hospitales del area son factibles y consiguen una supervivencia hospitalaria de mas de la mitad de los pacientes atendidos.

Introduction and objectives Mortality remains high in cardiogenic shock (CS), especially in refractory CS involving the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of a care program for patients in CS after the creation of a multidisciplinary team in our center and a regional network of hospitals in our area. Methods Observational and retrospective study of patients attended in this program from September 2014 to January 2019. We included patients in refractory CS who required MCS and those who, because of their age and absence of comorbidities, were candidates for advanced therapies. The primary endpoint was survival to discharge. Results A total of 130 patients were included (69 local and 61 transferred patients). The mean age was 52 ± 15 years (72% men). The most frequent causes of CS were acute decompensated heart failure (29%), acute myocardial infarction (26%), and postcardiotomy CS (25%). MCS was used in 105 patients (81%), mostly extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (58%). Survival to discharge was 57% (74 of 130 patients). The most frequent destinations were myocardial recovery and heart transplant. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were SAPS II score, lactate level, acute myocardial infarction etiology, and vasoactive-inotropic score. Conclusions The creation of multidisciplinary teams for patients with mainly refractory CS and a regional network is feasible and allows survival to discharge in more than a half of attended patients with CS.

Introducción y objetivos La insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) es prevalente en edades avanzadas. Nuestro objetivo es conocer el impacto de la fragilidad en la mortalidad a 1 año en pacientes mayores con IC ambulatorios. Métodos El estudio «Impacto de la fragilidad y otros síndromes geriátricos en el manejo clínico y pronóstico del paciente anciano ambulatorio con insuficiencia cardiaca» (FRAGIC) es un registro prospectivo multicéntrico, realizado en 16 centros españoles, que incluyó pacientes con IC ambulatorios de edad ≥ 75 años seguidos por cardiología en España. Resultados Se incluyó a 499 pacientes (media de edad, 81,4±4,3 años; 193 [38%] mujeres); 268 (54%) tenían una fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo

Altres ajuts: AstraZeneca Farmacéutica, Spain, S.A. (ESR-17-13244). Hyperkalaemia is a growing concern in the treatment of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) as it limits the use of some prognostic-modifying drugs and has a negative impact on prognosis. The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of hyperkalaemia in outpatients with HFrEF and its impact on achieving optimal medical treatment. For this purpose, a multicentre, prospective, and observational study was carried out on consecutive HFrEF patients who were monitored as outpatients in heart failure (HF) units and who, in the opinion of their doctor, received optimal medical treatment. A total of 565 HFrEF patients were included from 16 specialised HF units. The mean age was 66 ± 12 years, 78% were male, 45% had an ischemic cause, 39% had atrial fibrillation, 43% were diabetic, 42% had a glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.7 m, and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 31 ± 7%. Treatment at the study entry included: 76% on diuretics, 13% on ivabradine, 7% on digoxin, 18.9% on angiotensin-conversing enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), 11.3% on angiotensin receptors blockers (ARBs), 63.8% on angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNi), 78.5% on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and 92.9% on beta-blockers. Potassium levels in the baseline analysis were: ≤5 mEq/L = 80.5%, 5.1-5.4 mEq/L = 13.8%, 5.5-5.9 mEq/L = 4.6%, and ≥6 mEq/L = 1.06%. Hyperkalaemia was the reason for not prescribing or reaching the target dose of an MRAs in 34.8% and 12.5% of patients, respectively. The impact of hyperkalaemia on not prescribing or dropping below the target dose in relation to ACEi, ARBs, and ARNi was significantly less. In conclusion, hyperkalaemia is a frequent problem in the management of patients with HFrEF and a limiting factor in the optimisation of medical treatment.

HeartLogic is a multiparametric algorithm incorporated into implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). The associated alerts predict impending heart failure (HF) decompensations. Our objective was to analyze the association between alerts and clinical events and to describe the implementation of a protocol for remote management in a multicenter registry.We evaluated study phase 1 (the investigators were blinded to the alert state) and phases 2 and 3 (after HeartLogic activation, managed as per local practice and with a standardized protocol, respectively).We included 288 patients from 15 centers. In phase 1, the median observation period was 10 months and there were 73 alerts (0.72 alerts/patient-y), with 8 hospitalizations and 2 emergency room admissions for HF (0.10 events/patient-y). There were no HF hospitalizations outside the alert period. In the active phases, the median follow-up was 16 (95%CI, 15-22) months and there were 277 alerts (0.89 alerts/patient-y); 33 were associated with HF hospitalizations or HF death (n=6), 46 with minor decompensations, and 78 with other events. The unexplained alert rate was 0.39 alerts/patient-y. Outside the alert state, there was only 1 HF hospitalization and 1 minor HF decompensation. Most alerts (82% in phase 2 and 81% in phase 3; P=.861) were remotely managed. The median NT-proBNP value was higher within than outside the alert state (7378 vs 1210 pg/mL; P.001).The HeartLogic index was frequently associated with HF-related events and other clinically relevant situations, with a low rate of unexplained events. A standardized protocol allowed alerts to be safely and remotely detected and appropriate action to be taken on them.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction patients with heart failure (HF) are especially vulnerable to SAR-CoV-2 infection especially due to their worse prognosis for this disease. Purpose to demonstrate that patients with HF will present similar health outcomes if their education and pharmacological treatment is optimised remotely by a nurse rather than through conventional care. Methods A single-centre, observational, prospective, non-randomized study was carried out in which two groups were compared. The experimental group had most of their care provided virtually by a nurse who could optimise their medication according to the clinical guides whilst the control group received conventional face-to-face care. During a follow-up period of 6 months, patients included in the study have an initial face-to-face consultation with a cardiologist and an evaluation of the patient where the treatment objectives are established. The rest of the follow-ups were done through videoconsultation with the nurse every 15 days for 6 months where the neurohormonal treatment was optimized and an educational program was carried out with different cardiovascular educational topics. Results Thirty-seven patients have been included. Sex: 30 men (81.0%) and 7 women (19.0%) Mean age: 67.9 years (12.8). Range 42-87 years. Etiology: 61.2% ischemic and 38.8% non-ischemic mean LVEF at inclusion = 30.2%. A total of 17 patients have completed the study: a 13% average improvement of FEVI, a reduction of NT-proBNP of and improvement in functional heart failure class. The primary objective was to compare the proportion of neurohormonal drugs prescribed, as well as the mean of the maximum doses reached in each after 6 months of follow-up, as well as mean ejection fraction, NYHA class and mean NT-proBNP (Table 1) Conclusions Telemedicine offers us valuable tools that allow us to take care of chronic patients, reducing exposure to the virus as much as possible. Efficient use of virtual tools and human resources makes close monitoring possible. Specialized nursing is a key element in the education, pharmacological optimization and monitoring of these patients. Parámetros analíticos Valores iniciales Valores finales NT-proBNP ( pg/mL) 3469,7 (± 4057,3) 1446,4 (± 1305,2) Creatinina (mg/dL) 1,10 (± 0,24) 1,12 (± 0,39) TFG (mL/min/1,73m2 ) 65,4 (± 21,2) 62,7 (± 23, 6) Potasio (meq /L) 4,5 (± 0,5) 4,6 (± 0,4) Fevi 29,4 % (± 7,2) FEVI 42,7 % (± 9,6)

BACKGROUND Very few data exist on percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVr) in unstable patients with concomitant moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (MR). The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate baseline characteristics, management and clinical outcomes of critically ill patients undergoing PMVr with MitraClip. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the published data on MitraClip from its first use in 2003 to December 2020. Studies referring to critically ill patients in cardiogenic shock or acute refractory pulmonary edema were included. A total of 40 publications including 254 patients with significant MR (Grade 4 in 91%) were included. RESULTS Mean age was 70 ± 12 years with mean Euroscore II and STS of 21 ± 13 and 20.5 ± 16, respectively. Clinical presentation was with cardiogenic shock and acute myocardial infarction in 72.8 and 60.0% of patients, respectively. Device success was achieved in 238 (93.7%) patients with a significant reduction in MR (Grade ≤ 2 in 91.8%, p

Introduction and objectives Most long-term ventricular assist devices (VADs) that are currently implanted are intracorporeal continuous-flow devices. Their main limitations include their high cost and inability to provide biventricular support. The aim of this study was to describe the results of using paracorporeal pulsatile-flow VADs as a bridge to transplant (BTT) in adult patients. Methods Retrospective analysis of the characteristics, complications, and outcomes of a single-center case series of consecutive patients treated with the EXCOR VAD as BTT between 2009 and 2015. Results During the study period, 25 VADs were implanted, 6 of them biventricular. Ventricular assist devices were indicated directly as a BTT in 12 patients and as a bridge to decision in 13 due to the presence of potentially reversible contraindications or chance of heart function recovery. Twenty patients (80%) were successfully bridged to heart transplant after a median of 112 days (range, 8-239). The main complications included infectious (52% of patients), neurological events (32%, half of them fatal), bleeding (28%), and VAD malfunction requiring component replacement (28%). Conclusions Eighty percent of patients with the EXCOR VAD as BTT achieved the goal after an average of almost 4 months of support. The most frequent complications were infectious, and the most severe were neurological. In our enivonment, the use of these pulsatile-flow VAD as BTT is a feasible strategy that obtains similar outcomes to those of intracorporeal continuous-flow devices.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos El efecto beneficioso de la circulacion colateral ( CC ) coronaria en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevacion del segmento ST es controvertido. Se investigo su impacto antes de la reperfusion con angioplastia primaria (AP) en el pronostico a largo plazo de estos pacientes. Metodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo de una cohorte de 947 pacientes tratados con AP y flujo de grado TIMI ≤ 1 en un centro entre 2005 y 2013. Tras emparejar por puntuacion de propension, se obtuvieron 2 grupos de 175 pacientes emparejados por el grado de CC (Rentrop 0-1 frente a 2-3). En la cohorte emparejada se determino el impacto de la CC en la mortalidad total, la mortalidad cardiovascular y un combinado de eventos cardiovasculares tras una mediana de seguimiento de 864 [intervalo intercuartilico, 396-1.271] dias. Resultados Del total de 947 pacientes incluidos, 735 (78%) tenian Rentrop 0-1 y 212 (22%), Rentrop 2-3. Durante el seguimiento, 105 fallecieron, 71 de causa cardiovascular. En la cohorte emparejada, la tasa de mortalidad total fue similar entre los grupos (Rentrop 0-1 [8,8%] frente a Rentrop 2-3 [6,3%]; HR = 1,22; IC95%, 0,50-2,94; p = 0,654). Tampoco hubo diferencias en la mortalidad cardiovascular (Rentrop 0-1, [4,6%] frente a Rentrop 2-3 [2,3%]; sub-HR = 0,49; IC95%, 0,14-1,62; p = 0,244) ni en el combinado de eventos muerte cardiovascular, reinfarto, revascularizacion del vaso diana y cirugia de revascularizacion coronaria (Rentrop 0-1 [18,8%] frente a Rentrop 2-3 [13,1%]; sub-HR = 0,68; IC95%, 0,40-1,15; p = 0,157). Conclusiones En esta serie contemporanea, la presencia de buena CC antes de la AP no se asocio a mejor pronostico de los pacientes en cuanto a eventos clinicos a largo plazo.

Multicenter study [Abstract] Introduction and objectives: Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography has emerged as a promising alternative to endomyocardial biopsy to rule out acute cellular rejection after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) in single center studies. In an original cohort, 15.5% and 17% of cutoff points for left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and free-wall right ventricular longitudinal strain, respectively, achieved 100% negative predictive value to exclude moderate or severe acute cellular rejection (ACR ≥ 2R). Our objective was to demonstrate the usefulness of speckle-tracking and validate these cutoff points in an external cohort. Methods: A prospective, multicenter study that included patients who were monitored during their first year after OHT was conducted. Echocardiographic studies analyzed by local investigators were compared with simultaneous paired endomyocardial biopsies samples. Results: A total of 501 endomyocardial biopsy-echocardiographic studies were included in 99 patients. ACR≥2R was present in 7.4% of samples. LVGLS and free-wall right ventricular longitudinal strain were significantly reduced during ACR≥2R on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, LVGLS was independently associated with the presence of ACR≥2R. The original cutoff points demonstrated a negative predictive value of 94.3% to exclude ACR≥2R. Conclusions: This study maintained a strong negative predictive value to exclude ACR≥2R after OHT and LVGLS was independently associated with the presence of ACR≥2R. We propose the use of speckle-tracking, especially LVGLS, as part of the noninvasive diagnosis and management of ACR. [Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Algunos estudios indican que los parámetros de strain por speckle-tracking pueden ser una alternativa no invasiva a la biopsia endomiocárdica para excluir el rechazo celular agudo (RCA) moderado o grave (≥ 2 R) tras el trasplante cardiaco (TxC). En una cohorte inicial, unos puntos de corte del 15,5% para el strain longitudinal global del ventrículo izquierdo (SLGVI) y el 17% para el strain de pared libre del ventrículo derecho mostraron un valor predictivo negativo del 100% para excluir RCA ≥ 2 R. Nuestro objetivo es analizar la utilidad del strain y validar estos puntos de corte en una cohorte multicéntrica prospectiva externa. Métodos. Estudio multicéntrico y prospectivo que incluyó a pacientes con seguimiento el primer año tras el TC. Se compararon los resultados de biopsias electivas con ecocardiogramas realizados el mismo día. Resultados. Se incluyó a 99 pacientes y 501 pares de biopsias-ecocardiogramas. El RCA ≥ 2 R en las biopsias fue del 7,4%. El SLGVI y el strain longitudinal de pared libre del ventrículo derecho fueron menores durante los RCA ≥ 2 R en el análisis univariante. En el análisis multivariante, el SLGVI se asoció de manera independiente con el RCA ≥ 2 R. Los puntos de corte originales mostraron un valor predictivo negativo del 94,3% el RCA ≥ 2 R. Conclusiones. Este estudio mantiene un alto valor predictivo negativo para excluir RCA ≥ 2 R tras el TxC y el SLGVI se asoció de manera independiente con el RCA ≥ 2 R. El strain y, principalmente, el SLGVI pueden ser de utilidad en el diagnóstico y el tratamiento no invasivo del RCA.

Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is still a relevant complication after orthotopic heart transplantation. The diagnosis of ACR is based on endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). Recent advances in two-dimensional strain imaging may allow early noninvasive detection of ACR. The objective of this study was to analyze the usefulness of conventional and new echocardiographic parameters to exclude ACR after orthotopic heart transplantation.Thirty-four consecutive adult heart transplant recipients admitted to a single center between January 2010 and December 2012 for orthotopic heart transplantation were prospectively included. A total of 235 pairs of EMB and echocardiographic examination were performed. A median of seven studies per patient (interquartile range, six to eight studies per patient) were performed during the first year of follow-up. Classic echocardiographic parameters; speckle-tracking-derived left ventricular (LV) longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strain; and global and free wall right ventricular (RV) longitudinal strain were analyzed.ACR was detected in 26.4% of EMB samples (n = 62); 5.1% (n = 12) required specific treatment (ACR degree ≥ 2R). Lower absolute values of global LV longitudinal strain and free wall RV longitudinal strain were present in patients with ACR degree ≥ 2R compared with those without ACR (13.7 ± 2.7% vs 17.8 ± 3.4% and 16.6 ± 3.6% vs 23.3 ± 5.2%, respectively). An average LV longitudinal strain15.5% had 85.7% sensitivity, 81.4% specificity, 98.8% negative predictive value, 25.0% positive predictive value, and 81.7% accuracy for the presence of ACR degree ≥ 2R. Free wall RV longitudinal strain17% had 85.7% sensitivity, 91.1% specificity, 98.8% negative predictive value, 42.9% positive predictive value, and 90.7% accuracy for ACR degree ≥ 2R. Both variables were normal in 106 echocardiograms (57.6%); none of these patients presented with ACR degree ≥ 2R.The combination of two new echocardiographic measures, global LV and RV free wall longitudinal strain, may be able to identify a group of heart transplant patients who are unlikely to have ACR. If these findings are confirmed independently, it may be possible to use LV and RV strain measures as reliable tools to exclude ACR and to reduce the burden of repeated EMB.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome and sudden cardiac death. The diagnosis of SCAD is based only on angiography in most of the studies (1-3) and the angiographic type 1 pattern is considered pathognomonic of an SCAD.

Background Evolution of left and right ventricular (LV and RV) function after heart transplantation (HT) has not been well described. Our objective was to evaluate the evolution of echocardiographic parameters of both ventricles along the first 2 years after HT. Methods We followed 31 HT recipients with serial echocardiograms for up to 2 years. Echocardiograms with AR ≥2R were excluded. We analyzed LV global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) by speckle tracking in 12 segments in four- and two-chamber views and RV global longitudinal strain (RV GLS) in four-chamber view. Control group included 25 healthy volunteers. Results Even though LVEF was preserved, LV GLS was reduced early post-HT (−17.7 ± 3.0 in HT vs. −20.7 ± 2.8 in controls, P = 0.02), improving progressively until its complete normalization 2 years after HT (−20.0 ± 3.7 vs. −20.7 ± 2.8, P = 0.60). TAPSE was impaired in the early post-HT period and increased progressively (11.9 ± 2.9 mm at baseline vs. 19.0 ± 3.6 mm at 2 years, P < 0.001). RV GLS rose during follow-up as well (−17.4 ± 3.5 at baseline vs. −22.6 ± 3.3 at 2 years, P = 0.001), reaching normal values 1 year after HT. Conclusion In this series of HT recipients with uneventful postoperative course, LV and RV GLS values were significantly reduced early after HT and improved progressively until their complete normalization two and 1 year after HT, respectively. This is the first study to show a full recovery of LV and RV deformation parameters and offers “normal” strain values that, if confirmed in larger studies, could be useful for monitoring the evolution of HT recipients.

Introduction and objectives The beneficial effect of coronary collateral circulation (CC) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CC before reperfusion with primary angioplasty (PA) on the long-term prognosis of these patients. Methods Retrospective observational study of a cohort of 947 patients treated with PA and TIMI grade ≤ 1 flow in a single center from 2005 to 2013. Propensity score matching was used to create 2 groups of 175 patients each, matched by the degree of CC (Rentrop 0-1 vs Rentrop 2-3). In the matched cohort, we determined the impact of CC on total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and a combined adverse cardiovascular event endpoint for a median follow-up of 864 (interquartile range, 396-1271) days. Results Of a total of 947 patients included, 735 (78%) had Rentrop 0 to 1 and 212 (22%) had Rentrop 2 to 3. During follow-up, 105 patients died, 71 from cardiovascular causes. In the matched cohort, the total mortality rate was similar between the 2 groups (Rentrop 0-1 [8.8%] vs Rentrop 2-3 [6.3%]; HR = 1.22; 95%CI, 0.50-2.94; P = .654). There were no differences in cardiovascular mortality (Rentrop 0-1 [4.6%] vs Rentrop 2-3 [2.3%]; sHR = 0.49; 95%CI, 0.14-1.62; P = .244) or the composite endpoint including cardiovascular death, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and coronary artery bypass surgery (Rentrop 0-1 [18.8%] vs Rentrop 2-3 [13.1%]; sHR = 0.68; 95%CI, 0.40-1.15; P = .157). Conclusions In this contemporary series, the presence of good CC before PA was not associated with better long-term clinical outcomes.

Background Pre(native) and post-contrast myocardial T1 time calculated from T1 mapping sequences on Magnetic Resonance (MR) is currently being applied to study diffuse myocardial fibrosis in various cardiac diseases both in research and clinical area. However, because myocardium is highly perfused, its T1 time may be influenced by that of blood. Our aim was to study this association in an animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy.

We report a case of a 60-year-old male patient presenting with anaphylactic response to anchovies associated with an acute coronary syndrome. His history was remarkable for coronary artery disease treated with a drug eluting stent to the right coronary artery six years before and stent fracture documented by coronary angiography four years prior to the event. Coronary angiography on admission revealed a very late stent thrombosis (VLST) in the right coronary artery. Intracoronary imaging techniques (IVUS and OCT) were used and were key to discard main causes of VLST. We described the characteristics of intracoronary images, along with the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques. The findings described in this case could explain a new physiopathological mechanism of stent thrombosis occurring in stent fractures.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronically totally occluded coronary arteries (CTO) might provide benefits in myocardial function, symptoms and survival. However, limited data is available. We aimed to assess global and regional ventricular function before and after PCI and compare it