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Graphical abstract, Highlights • Takotsubo is a form of transient and reversible regional wall-motion abnormalities. • Biventricular Takotsubo is atypical and has a poorer prognosis. • Pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors of the adrenal glands. • Takotsubo, as the initial presentation of pheochromocytoma, is rare. • Suspect a pheochromocytoma in young patients presenting malignant hypertension.

The aims of this study were to characterize the interplay between mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) phenotypes (defined by concomitant severities of aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), and to assess the prognostic utility of LV-GLS in MAVD.Little is known about the way LV-GLS separates MAVD phenotypes and if it is associated with their outcomes.This observational cohort study evaluated 783 consecutive adult patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% and MAVD, which was defined as coexisting with at least moderate aortic stenosis and at least moderate aortic regurgitation. We measured the conventional echocardiographic variables and average LV-GLS from apical long, 2- and 4-chamber views. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.Mean age of patients was 69 ± 15 years, and 58% were male. Mean LV-GLS was -14.7 ± 2.9%. In total, 458 patients (59%) underwent aortic valve replacement at a median period of 50 days (25th to 75th percentile range: 6 to 560 days). During a median follow-up period of 5.6 years (25th to 75th percentile range: 1.8 to 9.4 years), 391 patients (50%) died. When stratified patients into tertiles according to LV-GLS values, patients with worse LV-GLS had worse outcomes (p 0.001). LV-GLS was independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio: 1.09; 95% confidential intervals: 1.04 to 1.14; p 0.001), with the relationship between LV-GLS and mortality being linear.LV-GLS is associated with all-cause mortality. LV-GLS may be useful for risk stratification in patients with MAVD.

Background Abiraterone is a medication frequently used for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. We report a case of non-sustained episodes of TdP associated with severe hypokalemia due to androgen-deprivation therapy. Few case presentations describe this association; the novelty lies in the potentially lethal cardiovascular events among cancer patients receiving hormonal therapy. Case presentation A 70-year-old male presented with recurrent syncope without prodrome. ECG revealed frequent ventricular ectopy, non-sustained episodes of TdP, and severe hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia. During potassium and magnesium infusion for repletion, the patient underwent temporary transvenous atrial pacing. As part of the work-up, coronary angiography revealed a mild coronary artery disease, and transthoracic echocardiogram showed a moderately depressed ejection fraction. After electrolyte disturbances were corrected, the QT interval normalized, and transvenous pacing was no longer necessary. Abiraterone was discontinued during the admission, and the patient returned to baseline. Conclusions Cancer treatment is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. We presented a case of non-sustained TdP associated with androgen-deprivation therapy in an elderly patient with mild coronary artery disease and moderately reduced ejection fraction. Close follow-up and increased awareness are required in patients with hormonal treatment, especially in the setting of other cardiovascular risk factors.

ImportanceAdding a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2-I) to standard-of-care treatment in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) reduces the risk of a composite outcome of worsening heart failure or cardiovascular mortality, but the cost-effectiveness in US patients with HFpEF is uncertain.ObjectiveTo evaluate the lifetime cost-effectiveness of standard therapy plus an SGLT2-I compared with standard therapy in individuals with HFpEF.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this economic evaluation conducted from September 8, 2021, to December 12, 2022, a state-transition Markov model simulated monthly health outcomes and direct medical costs. Input parameters including hospitalization rates, mortality rates, costs, and utilities were extracted from HFpEF trials, published literature, and publicly available data sets. The base-case annual cost of SGLT2-I was $4506. A simulated cohort with similar characteristics as participants of the Empagliflozin in Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction (EMPEROR-Preserved) and Dapagliflozin in Heart Failure With Mildly Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction (DELIVER) trials was used.ExposuresStandard of care plus SGLT2-I vs standard of care.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe model simulated hospitalizations, urgent care visits, and cardiovascular and noncardiovascular death. Future medical costs and benefits were discounted by 3% per year. Main outcomes were quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), direct medical costs (2022 US dollars), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of SGLT2-I therapy from a US health care sector perspective. The ICER of SGLT2-I therapy was evaluated according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association value framework (high value: ResultsThe simulated cohort had a mean (SD) age of 71.7 (9.5) years and 6828 of 12 251 participants (55.7%) were male. Standard of care plus SGLT2-I increased quality-adjusted survival by 0.19 QALYs at an increased cost of $26 300 compared with standard of care. The resulting ICER was $141 200 per QALY gained, with 59.1% of 1000 probabilistic iterations indicating intermediate value and 40.9% indicating low value. The ICER was most sensitive to SGLT2-I costs and effect of SGLT2-I therapy on cardiovascular death (eg, increasing to $373 400 per QALY gained if SGLT2-I therapy was assumed to have no effect on mortality).Conclusions and RelevanceResults of this economic evaluation suggest that at 2022 drug prices, adding an SGLT2-I to standard of care was of intermediate or low economic value compared with standard of care in US adults with HFpEF. Efforts to expand access to SGLT2-I for individuals with HFpEF should be coupled with efforts to lower the cost of SGLT2-I therapy.

BACKGROUND Limited data exist regarding the clinical characteristics and contemporary outcomes of patients with pulmonary valve (PoV) infective endocarditis (IE). METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IE affecting the PoV at our centre between January 2002 and October 2018. Electronic medical records were reviewed to gather the clinical and echocardiographic variables. The population was subdivided according to risk factor profiles: group 1: miscellaneous risk factors; group 2: patients with congenital heart disease (CHD); and group 3: patients who inject drugs (PWID). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. RESULTS Out of 2,124 cases of IE during the study period, 24 (1.1%) patients had PoV IE. The majority of cases of PoV IE occurred in patients with prosthetic valves (54.2%). Coagulase-negative Staphylococci species were the most common micro-organisms. Seventy-five per cent (75%) of the patients required surgical management. The median follow-up was 2.8 years (interquartile range: 0.2-5.3 years). Patients with miscellaneous risk factors were older (p

Descrevemos o caso de um paciente jovem com histórico de embolia pulmonar e aborto espontâneo no primeiro trimestre, tendo apresentado dor torácica de início súbito e dispneia. Após revisão retrospectiva sistemática do histórico clínico e avaliação da paciente, ela foi diagnosticada com infarto do miocárdio sem doença coronariana obstrutiva secundário a trombose coronariana. Fundamento: O infarto do miocárdio sem doença coronariana obstrutiva (MINOCA) é um desafio diagnóstico e terapêutico para os médicos, pois um grande espectro de causas pode resultar nessa apresentação clínica, várias entidades podem mimetizá-la e há relativamente poucas recomendações baseadas em evidências para sua avaliação. Discussão: Um diagnóstico preciso da etiologia subjacente à MINOCA requer uma avaliação sistemática e dinâmica do histórico clínico e avaliação de cada paciente, bem como o uso de ferramentas diagnósticas adicionais que permitem uma caracterização mais aprofundada da anatomia cardíaca e da função coronariana, como ressonância magnética cardíaca, imagem vascular coronariana (ultrassom intravascular, tomografia de coerência óptica) e avaliações funcionais coronarianas. O prognóstico dessa entidade depende muito de sua causa subjacente e, portanto, é necessário o diagnóstico preciso de sua etiologia.

European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI) recommend Intensive Care Unit (ICU) surveillance during the first 24-48 h. Interestingly, the in-hospital mortality of NSTEMI patients has consistently decreased, giving some patients the option to be managed in general hospital wards. The ACTION ICU score has been proposed to identify high-risk patients with NSTEMI and guide the selective risk-based need for ICU care.To evaluate the usefulness of the ACTION ICU score to predict patients' risk of developing complications requiring ICU care in a Latin-American cohort with NSTEMI.We applied the ACTION ICU score in a retrospective cohort. A composite primary outcome included: cardiorespiratory arrest, shock, high-grade atrio-ventricular block, respiratory failure, stroke, or death. The predictive performance of this model was estimated with a conditional multivariable logistic regression analysis.Of 1,062 patients with NSTEMI, the primary outcome was present in 75 patients (7.1%), and 1,019 (96%) were admitted to ICU. The most common event was respiratory failure (4.0%), followed by cardiogenic shock (3.7%), and cardiac arrest (1.7%). The presence of heart failure signs or symptoms had the highest association with the primary outcome (OR:2.16; 95%CI:1.61-2.92). The best cut-off point for this population was 3 (complications risk: 4.0%, SEN:96%, SP:15.4%, NPV:98.1%, PPV:7.9%).The ACTION ICU score may be a promising tool to identify the need for ICU care in Latin-American patients with NSTEMI. Furthermore, additional research is needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this strategy.

Background: Use of an antibiotic-eluting envelope (AEE) during cardiac implantable electronic device procedures reduces infection risk but increases procedural costs. We aim to estimate the cost-effectiveness of AEE use during cardiac implantable electronic device procedures among patients with heart failure. Methods: A state-transition cohort model of heart failure patients undergoing cardiac implantable electronic device implantation or generator replacement was developed with input parameters estimated from randomized trials, registries, surveys, and claims data. Effectiveness was estimated from the World-Wide Randomized Antibiotic Envelope Infection Prevention Trial. AEE was assumed to cost $953 per unit. The model projected mortality, quality-adjusted life-years, costs, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of AEE use compared with usual care from a US healthcare sector perspective over a lifetime horizon. We assumed a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100 000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Results: Compared with usual care, AEE use in initial implantations produced an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $112 000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained (39% probability of being cost-effective). In generator replacement procedures, AEE use produced an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $54 000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained (84% probability of being cost-effective). Results were sensitive to the underlying rate of infection, cost of the AEE, and durability of AEE effectiveness. Conclusions: Universal AEE use for cardiac implantable electronic device procedures in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is unlikely to be cost-effective, reinforcing the need for individualized risk assessment to guide uptake of the AEE in clinical practice. Selective use in patients at increased risk of infection, such as those undergoing generator replacement procedures, is more likely to meet health system value benchmarks.

Introduction: Non-statin therapies may improve long-term outcomes in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who experience statin-associated side effects (SASE). Objective: To examine the cost-effectiveness of a newly approved combination of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe (BAEze) in patients with ASCVD from a U.S. healthcare sector perspective. Methods: State-transition Markov model of US adults with ASCVD and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥70mg/dL on maximally tolerated statin and ezetimibe. The study cohort was stratified by concurrent statin use: high-intensity (group1), moderate-/low-intensity (group 2), or no statin due to severe SASE (group 3). The intervention group received BAEze (annual cost $2,447) instead of ezetimibe. We estimated baseline LDL-C from NHANES; relative LDL-C lowering and rate of adverse events from randomized trials; and the relationship between LDL-C lowering and cardiovascular events from meta-analyses of statin trials. The main outcome was lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), with a threshold of $100,000 per quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY) gained. Results: BAEze had an ICER of $188,000/QALY in group 1 (95% UI: 141,500-284,600; cost-effective in 0% of 10,000 probabilistic simulations) and $175,600/QALY (132,700-264,700; cost-effective in 0% simulations) in group 2. In group 3, BAEze produced 0.28 incremental QALYs at a lifetime cost of $25,600, yielding an ICER of $92,600/QALY (66,000-152,100; cost-effective in 59% simulations). Conclusions: Among US adults with ASCVD, cost-effectiveness of BAEze varies substantially by concurrent statin use, and only meets conventional cost-effectiveness thresholds among patients unable to take a statin due to severe SASE. Our findings argue for the selective use of BAEze among patients with ASCVD and severe SASE but should be updated when more data on long-term effectiveness and safety become available.

The incremental utility of right ventricular (RV) strain on predicting right ventricular failure (RVF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, beyond clinical and haemodynamic indices, is not clear.Two hundred and forty-six (246) patients undergoing LVAD implantation, who had transthoracic echocardiograms pre and post LVAD, pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPI) measurements and Michigan risk score, were included. We analysed RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography. RVF following LVAD implantation was defined as the need for medical support for14 days, or unplanned RV assist device insertion after LVAD implantation.Mean preoperative RV-GLS was -7.8±2.8%. Among all, 27% developed postoperative RVF. A classification and regression tree analysis identified preoperative Michigan risk score, PAPI and RV-GLS as important parameters in predicting postoperative RVF. Eighty per cent (80%) of patients with PAPI2.1 developed postoperative RVF, while only 4% of patients with PAPI6.8 developed RVF. For patients with a PAPI of 2.1-3.2, having baseline Michigan risk score2 points conferred an 81% probability of subsequent RVF. For patients with a PAPI of 3.3-6.8, having baseline RV-GLS of -4.9% or better conferred an 86% probability of no subsequent RVF. The sensitivity and specificity of this algorithm for predicting postoperative RVF were 67% and 93%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.87.RV-GLS has an incremental role in predicting the development of RVF post-LVAD implantation, even after controlling for clinical and haemodynamic parameters.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Different types of myocardium infiltration can lead to similar manifestations. • Differentiating CA is important as it often carries dismal prognosis if not treated. • EM due to ibrutinib mimicked CA. • Ibrutinib discontinuation led to functional and structural normalization.

Introduction: Infections of cardiac implantable electronic devices result in substantial morbidity and healthcare costs. Using an antibiotic-eluting envelope (AEE) during implantation may reduce the incidence of device-related infection. We examined the cost-effectiveness of an AEE in patients receiving CRT-D devices. Methods: This analysis was conducted independent of the trial sponsor. We developed a state-transition Markov model to compare the use of an AEE with usual care during CRT-D initial implantation or reimplantation. Effectiveness of the AEE (unit cost $1000) was estimated from the Worldwide Randomized Antibiotic Envelope Infection Prevention Trial. Other inputs were derived from prior trials, registries, vital statistics, and nationally representative datasets. Long-term survival was projected using a non-parametric approach. The model reported incidence of infections, mortality, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and direct healthcare costs. Future costs and QALYs were discounted by 3% annually. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of AEE use from the US healthcare sector perspective over a lifetime analytic horizon. We assumed a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100,000 per QALY gained. Results: Use of an AEE at initial CRT-D implantation added 0.008 QALYs per patient at an incremental cost of $918 (ICER $118,000/QALY). Due to higher infection rates, the use of AEE in reimplantation procedures was more economically attractive (ICER $55,900/QALY). One-way sensitivity analyses showed an inverse relationship between ICER and rate of infection. The ICER was less than $100,000/QALY with infection rate greater than 2.42% in the first year after new CRT-D (Figure 1). Conclusions: At current prices, use of AEE is cost-effective for CRT-D reimplantation procedures but not for initial CRT-D implants. Cost-effectiveness of AEEs may be improved by restricting use to patients at increased risk of infection.

Introduction: In May 2020, the US FDA approved the use of dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, for the reduction of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We examined the cost-effectiveness of adding dapagliflozin to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in patients with or without diabetes. Methods: We developed a state-transition Markov model with inputs from the DAPA-HF trial, FDA review documents, published literature, and nationally representative datasets (Panel A). The model was calibrated to event rates observed in DAPA-HF; survival was extrapolated using non-parametric approaches. The main outcomes were quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) of dapagliflozin + GDMT compared with GDMT alone, from a healthcare sector perspective and a lifetime analytic horizon. We applied a discount rate of 3% per year for future costs and benefits, and assumed a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY gained. In sensitivity analyses, we examined subgroups with or without diabetes, and varied the cost of dapagliflozin (base case = $6,188 per year). This analysis was independent of the trial sponsor. Results: Compared with GDMT alone, adding dapagliflozin produced 0.57 additional QALYs at an incremental cost of $56,650, producing an ICER of $98,700 per QALY gained (Panel B). In subgroup analyses, dapagliflozin produced 0.71 additional QALYs in patients with diabetes at an ICER of $89,100 per QALY gained, and 0.48 additional QALYs in patients without diabetes at an ICER of $108,800 per QALY (Panels C and D). A 9% price reduction (to $5,613 per year) would make dapagliflozin cost-effective in patients without diabetes. Conclusions: Adding dapagliflozin to GDMT in patients with HFrEF is cost-effective and has the potential to improve long-term outcomes. Scalable strategies to improve access and uptake are urgently required.

Background We sought to determine (1) long‐term outcomes in patients presenting with documented Takotsubo syndrome (TS), (2) whether left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV‐GLS) provides incremental prognostic value, and (3) prognostic cutoffs of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV‐GLS during an acute TS episode. Methods and Results We studied 650 patients with TS (aged 66±14 years, 88% women) who were diagnosed clinically and angiographically between 2006 and 2018. Baseline LVEF and LV‐GLS (using velocity vector imaging) were recorded. The primary end point was all‐cause mortality. TS triggers were unknown (34%), emotional (16%), physical (41%), and neurologic (10%). Mean LVEF and LV‐GLS were 36±10% and −11.6±0.4%; in addition, 94% patients had LVEF P P P Conclusions Patients with TS with a neurologic or physical trigger had significantly worse survival than those without such a trigger, with baseline LVEF and LV‐GLS providing incremental prognostic value.

Background Concurrent presence of aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation is termed mixed aortic valve disease ( MAVD ). Although multiple articles have addressed patients with “isolated” aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation, the natural history, impact, and outcomes of MAVD are not well defined. Here, we evaluate long‐term outcomes in patients with MAVD and cardiovascular adaptations to chronic MAVD . Methods and Results This observational cohort study evaluated 862 adult patients (56.8% male) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and at least moderate aortic regurgitation and moderate aortic stenosis. Primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Subgroup analysis was based on treatment modality (aortic valve replacement [ AVR ] versus medical management). A regression analysis of longitudinal echocardiographic parameters was performed to assess the natural history of MAVD . Mean age was 68±15 years, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 58±5%. At 4.6 years (25th–75th percentile range, 1.0–8.7), 58.6% of patients underwent an AVR and 48.8% patients died. In both unadjusted and adjusted Cox survival analysis, AVR was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI , 0.34–0.51, P AVR persisted when stratifying the cohort by symptom status and baseline aortic valve area (log rank, P CI , 0.32–0.50; P P P P P Conclusions MAVD confers a high risk of all‐cause mortality. However, AVR significantly reduces this risk independent of aortic valve area, symptom status, and after controlling for confounding variables.

Resumo Fundamento Múltiplos sistemas de pontuação têm sido elaborados para calcular o risco de eventos cardiovasculares adversos maiores (MACE) em pacientes com dor no peito. Não há dados que avaliem se o escore HEART tem um desempenho superior a TIMI e GRACE para a predição de MACE, especialmente na era de troponina I de alta sensibilidade e em uma população exclusivamente latino-americana. Objetivo Comparar o desempenho dos escores HEART, TIMI e GRACE para a predição de MACE em 30 dias de acompanhamento, em pacientes atendidos com dor no peito no departamento de emergência. Métodos Os escores HEART, TIMI e GRACE foram analisados em 519 pacientes com dor no peito no departamento de emergência. O desfecho primário foi a ocorrência de MACE no período de 30 dias. O desempenho do escore HEART foi comparado com o dos escores TIMI e GRACE utilizando o teste de DeLong, considerando estatisticamente significativos os valores de p de 0,05. Resultados Um total de 224 pacientes (43%) apresentaram MACE no período de 30 dias. A estatística C para os escores HEART, TIMI e GRACE foi de 0,937, 0,844 e 0,797 respectivamente (p < 0,0001). Uma pontuação de 3 ou menos no escore HEART apresentou uma sensibilidade de 99,5% e um valor preditivo negativo de 99% para classificar pacientes de baixo risco de maneira correta; ambos os valores foram mais elevados do que aqueles obtidos pelos outros escores. Conclusão O escore HEART, em um período de 30 dias, prediz eventos cardiovasculares, mais eficazmente, em comparação com os outros escores. Troponinas de alta sensibilidade mantêm a superioridade previamente demonstrada deste escore. Este escore oferece uma identificação mais precisa dos pacientes de baixo risco. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0) Abstract Background Multiple scoring systems have been designed to calculate the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with chest pain. There is no data on whether the HEART score outperforms TIMI and GRACE in the prediction of MACE, especially in the era of high-sensitivity troponin assay and in an exclusively Latin-American population. Objective To compare the performance of the HEART, TIMI, and GRACE scores for predicting major cardiovascular events at 30 days of follow-up, in patients who consult for chest pain in the emergency department. Methods HEART, TIMI, and GRACE scores were analyzed in 519 patients with chest pain at the emergency department. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of MACE within 30 days. The performance of the HEART score was compared with the TIMI and GRACE scores using the DeLong test with p values of 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results A total of 224 patients (43%) had MACE at 30 days. The C statistic for the HEART, TIMI, and GRACE score was 0.937, 0.844, and 0.797 respectively (p < 0.0001). A HEART score of 3 or less had a sensitivity of 99.5% and a negative predictive value of 99% to classify low risk patients correctly; both values were higher than those obtained by the other scores. Conclusion The HEART score more effectively predicts cardiovascular events at 30 days of follow-up compared to the other scores. High-sensitivity troponins maintain this score’s previously demonstrated superiority. This score offers more precise identification of low-risk patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Key Points Question Is the addition of dapagliflozin to guideline-directed medical therapy cost-effective for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction? Findings In this economic evaluation of a simulated cohort of US adults with heart failure, adding dapagliflozin to guideline-directed medical therapy was projected to prolong survival by 0.63 quality-adjusted life-years while increasing lifetime costs by $42 800, producing an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $68 300 per quality-adjusted life-year. Results in individuals with and without diabetes were similar. Meaning These results suggest that widespread uptake of dapagliflozin for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction has the potential to improve long-term clinical outcomes and is likely to meet conventional cost-effectiveness thresholds., This economic evaluation examined the cost-effectiveness of adding dapagliflozin to guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in a simulated cohort of patients with or without diabetes., Importance Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction produces substantial morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Dapagliflozin is the first sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Objective To examine the cost-effectiveness of adding dapagliflozin to guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in patients with or without diabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants This economic evaluation developed and used a Markov cohort model that compared dapagliflozin and guideline-directed medical therapy with guideline-directed medical therapy alone in a hypothetical cohort of US adults with similar clinical characteristics as participants of the Dapagliflozin in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction (DAPA-HF) trial. Dapagliflozin was assumed to cost $4192 annually. Nonparametric modeling was used to estimate long-term survival. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses examined the impact of parameter uncertainty. Data were analyzed between September 2019 and January 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures Lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in 2020 US dollars per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Results The simulated cohort had a starting age of 66 years, and 41.8% had diabetes at baseline. Median (interquartile range) survival in the guideline-directed medical therapy arm was 6.8 (3.5-11.3) years. Dapagliflozin was projected to add 0.63 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 0.25-1.15) QALYs at an incremental lifetime cost of $42 800 (95% UI, $37 100-$50 300), for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $68 300 per QALY gained (95% UI, $54 600-$117 600 per QALY gained; cost-effective in 94% of probabilistic simulations at a threshold of $100 000 per QALY gained). Findings were similar in individuals with or without diabetes but were sensitive to drug cost. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, adding dapagliflozin to guideline-directed medical therapy was projected to improve long-term clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and be cost-effective at current US prices. Scalable strategies for improving uptake of dapagliflozin may improve long-term outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background Recent studies on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) have challenged the common conception that it is a relatively benign condition with functional recovery observed in the majority of cases. However, it is important to recognize that overt functional recovery might not reflect the true regional recovery, which might have an adverse impact on survival. Objective We sought to assess baseline and follow-up left ventricular function characteristics and their impact on longer-term mortality in patients presenting with documented Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) at a tertiary centre. Methods 339 patients (66±14 years, 88% women) presented to our centre between 2006 and 2018 with acute anginal symptoms and were subsequently diagnosed with TC following clinical and angiographic evaluation. All patients returned for a follow-up evaluation including transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Baseline and follow-up (3–6 months after TC diagnosis) LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS using velocity vector imaging) were recorded on TTE. The primary endpoint was longer-term mortality. Results Hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes were present in 71%, 56%, and 26% of patients. Baseline mean troponin I peak, LVEF and LV-GLS were 0.9±7 ng/ml, 36±9%, and 11±3%; respectively. 94% had baseline LVEF50%, but in 70% LV-GLS remained worse than −18%. After 3.3±3 years, 72 patients (21%) died. On multivariable Cox survival analysis (adjusted for age, gender, baseline troponin peak and follow up LVEF), follow up LV-GLS was independently associated with longer-term mortality (hazard ratio 1.12 [95% confidence interval 1.05, 1.20], p Kaplan-Meier curve of freedom from death Conclusions In this large single-centre study of patients with documented TC (majority women), 87% recovered LVEF at 3–6 months, but in 70% LV-GLS remained worse than −18%, which was independently associated with higher longer-term mortality.

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) in children with Down Syndrome (DS) living at high altitude. Methods: A retrospective des...

We assessed the prognostic value of global longitudinal strain (GLS) in mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This retrospective cohort study evaluated 834 patients (age 69 ± 15 years, 57% males) with LVEF ≥50% and moderate or more

Mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) is the concurrent presence of aortic stenosis (AS) and aortic regurgitation (AR). We aim to evaluate the long-term outcomes and its associations in a contemporary cohort of patients with MAVD with extended follow-up. This cohort study evaluated 862 patients with at

Chagas disease (CD) is a disease caused by the intracellular protozoa T. cruzi. It is endemic in Central and South America, with a growing incidence in North America due to migration. The genetic variability of protozoa in different areas favors particular tissue tropism, and therefore clinical

Background Cardiogenic shock secondary to coronary involvement in large vessel vasculitis (LVV) is an unsuspected finding, even more, when no other vascular territories are compromised and when it constitutes the initial clinical manifestation. This case report illustrates a case in which a complete diagnostic study uncovered this aetiology. Case summary A 33-year-old woman with cough and chest pain who was diagnosed with acute bronchitis returned with worsening dyspnoea, chest pain, and developed cardiogenic shock. The initial differential diagnoses included myocarditis and takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) owing to a positive troponin I, and echocardiogram with left ventricular dilation, dyskinesia in mid-ventricular and apical segments, systolic dysfunction, and functional mitral regurgitation. A cardiac magnetic resonance showed contractility abnormalities resembling the pattern of TCM but lacked the characteristic myocardial oedema. Subsequently, a coronary angiography expected to result without obstructions showed a critical narrowing of the left main coronary artery. Surgical management consisted of a pericardium patch grafted in the stenotic ostium to restore adequate perfusion. The surgical specimens were sent to the pathology laboratory that reported findings compatible with LVV. Four days after the surgical intervention the patient was discharged alive with a complete recovery of left ventricular systolic function. Discussion Chest pain symptoms in a young woman, could be caused by multiple entities, and an ischaemic aetiology from a non-atherosclerotic origin should be kept in mind. A complete study with coronary angiography is crucial to rule out an ischaemic cause even in low-risk groups for atherosclerotic coronary heart disease.

There is a continued need for a reproducible preclinical large animal model of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) adequately mimicking human CTO pathology and biomechanics for testing of CTO-targeting therapies. A novel calcific plug model was created using powder calcium, cholesterol esters

Endoleak is defined as persistent flow of blood into the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sac after endograft placement and signifies a failure to completely exclude the aneurysm. It is present in 20-50% of patients treated with endograft implantation and is associated with continued risk for

Resumen Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas, demográficas, frecuencia, tipo de aislamientos microbiológicos y resistencia a los antimicrobianos de pacientes con neoplasias hematológicas que presentaron como complicación neutropenia febril en el Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio Métodos: Estudio descriptivo observacional, se tomaron datos de historias clínicas de los pacientes adultos hospitalizados en la Unidad de Hematología y Trasplante de Médula Ósea, que cumplieron criterios de neutropenia febril entre enero de 2013 y diciembre de 2014 Resultados: se recolectaron 345 episodios de neutropenia febril, correspondientes a 193 pacientes. Se documentó foco infeccioso en el 68,1% de los episodios, con aislamiento microbiológico en el 62.9% de los episodios, con predominio de bacilos gram negativos, en 63,7% de los casos, seguido por los cocos gram positivos en 27,9% y hongos en 4,9%. En cuanto a los mecanismos de resistencia, en los aislamientos Escherichia coli y Klebsiella peumoniae se encontró producción de Beta Lactamasas de Espectro Extendido (BLEEs) en 17,5 y 13,8%; Carbapenemasas tipo KPC en 1,25 y 2,8% respectivamente. En cuanto a Staphylococcus aureus, se encontró resistencia a meticilina en 6,8% de los aislamientos. Mortalidad asociada a infección en 16,5% de los casos. Conclusión: En pacientes con Neoplasias Hematológicas con neutropenia febril post quimioterapia en el Hospital Universitario de San Ignacio encontramos alta probabilidad de documentación de foco infeccioso, con predominio de microorganismos gram negativos, especialmente enterobacterias; con comportamiento similar en pacientes post trasplante de precursores hematopoyéticos. Abstract Objective: To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as frequency and type of bacterial isolate and resistance patterns in patients with hematological neoplasms complicated by febrile neutropenia at San Ignacio University Hospital Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. Data were collected from medical records of adult patients admitted in the Hemato-oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Inclusion criteria was presence of febrile neutropenia in the setting of a hematological neoplasm from January 2013 to December 2014. Results: 345 episodes of febrile neutropenia from 193 patients were studied. An infectious focus was identified in 68.1% of episodes, and a bacterial isolate was obtained in 62.9% of episodes. The predominant microorganisms were gram-negative rods, gram-positive cocci, and fungi with a frequency of 63.7%, 27.9%, and 4.9% respectively. In term of resistance patterns, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella peumoniae isolates had a frequency of ESBL susceptibility pattern of 17.5% and 13.8% respectively; and a frequency of KPC susceptibility pattern of 1.25% and 2.8% respectively. The frequency of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was 6.8%. Death associated to infection ocurred in 16.5% of episodes. Conclusions: In patients with hematological neoplasms complicated by febrile neutropenia at San Ignacio University Hospital, we found a high rate of documentation of infectious focus, with a predominance of gram-negative rods, specially Enterobacteriacea; with a similar pattern in receptors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness is usually caused by chronic conditions like aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or cardiac amyloidosis (CA). We report a case of acute eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) with findings mimicking CA. A 59-year-old male presented after syncope 4

The usual transfemoral intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) approach, as a bridge to transplant, leads to prolonged immobility and increased morbidity. The IABP placement through the axillary artery allows patient ambulation, but this access site increases the risk of IABP migration. A 26-year-old male

Accurate sizing and stent apposition are of paramount importance to achieve an optimal stenting result. Bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS), in particular, require more rigorous implant optimization than drug eluting stent (DES) and bare metal stents (BMS) to achieve a favorable outcome. We investigated

First generation Bioresorbable Scaffolds (BRS) are more prone to mechanical failure and vascular recoil despite their redundant surface area and wall thickness (∼157-microns). The development of DES-like BRS is key for the future of this field. In this study, we tested the biological performance

Peripheral arteries are constantly exposed to external forces (elongation, twisting, shortening, compression) making this vascular territory particularly suitable for bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS). We evaluated the performance of a novel sirolimus-eluting balloon-expandable BRS (Credence BRS, Meril

Diagnosing Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) during the acute phase of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM) is challenging. A 79-year-old grieving female presented in cardiogenic shock (CS). Electrocardiogram ruled out ST elevation and troponin was positive. Ecocardiography showed left ventricular