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Introduction: Infants are at a higher risk of severe illness with COVID-19 infection compared to older children. While COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended for young infants, they can acquire maternally-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies passively through the placenta and breastmilk. We described the persistence of infection-induced maternal antibodies in infant circulation at 9–12 months of age. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study nested within the INTERCOVID multinational cohort study. For each COVID positive pregnant woman, two unmatched consecutive COVID negative pregnant women were enrolled between April and September 2020. Women with a positive PCR test, radiographic signs consistent with COVID-19, or at least 2 predefined symptoms of COVID-19 were considered as COVID positive. For this nested cross-sectional study, all COVID positive and either one of the COVID negative participants recruited from the Aga Khan University, Pakistan were approached 9–12 months after delivery, and maternal and infant sera were collected for antibody detection. Results: Altogether, 83 mothers provided consent, of whom 32 (38.6 %) were COVID positive and 51 (61.4 %) were COVID negative during pregnancy. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were present in 13 (41 %) infants born to COVID positive and 19 (39 %) infants born to COVID negative mothers (p = 0.87). The presence of reactive antibodies in infants at follow-up was associated with maternal antibodies at follow-up (OR:9.50, 95 % CI:2.03–44.42; p = 0.004). COVID infection occurred in 3 (6 %) infants born to COVID negative mothers while no infant born to a COVID positive mother had a history of infection (p = 0.27). Conclusion: The presence of reactive anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in infants at 9–12 months of age is associated with maternal seropositivity 9–12 months after delivery rather than maternal infection during pregnancy. Further studies are required to validate these findings and assess whether passive immunity in infants is protective against COVID-19 infection.

Abstract Pectus excavatum (PE) is a congenital malformation with a funnel-shaped depression of the sternum that can lead to cardiac symptoms. However, there are patients with thoracic constriction (defined as elevated Haller-Index > 3.25 determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)) without visible evidence of PE, leading to similar complaints. Between January 2004 till June 2020, patients who underwent CMR for further evaluation of the heart, due to cardiac symptoms were enrolled and compared to controls. Biventricular global strain analysis was assessed using feature tracking (CMR-FT). ECG and/or Holter recordings were performed to detect rhythm events. Cardiac symptoms were evaluated in detail using a questionnaire. Finally, 88 patients (male 35, female 53) with elevated Haller-Index (3.9 ± 0.8) were included and compared to CMR data from 25 individuals with confirmed PE and 25 healthy controls (HC). Mean age at time of CMR was 35 ± 16 years. The most common symptoms at presentation were palpitations (41%), followed by dyspnea (24%) and atypical chest pain (14%). Three patients (3%) had atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Concomitant phenomena were pericardial effusion in 39% and mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in 27% of the study cohort. While there were no differences in left ventricular function or volumes, right ventricular function (RVEF) was significantly lower in patients with internal PE compared to HC (RVEF (%) 50 ± 5 vs 59 ± 4, p

Abstract We hypothesized that myocardial septal scarring, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), at the site of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) lead placement may predict treatment response. Eligible heart failure (HF) patients underwent LGE CMR imaging before CCM device implantation. The response to CCM therapy at follow-up was determined by a change in NYHA class and echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment. Patients were classified as responders, if they showed an improvement in either NYHA class or improvement of LVEF by ≥ 5%. 58 patients were included. 67% of patients were classified as responders according to improved NYHA; 55% according to LVEF improvement. 74% of patients were responders if either NYHA class or LVEF improvement was observed. 90% of responders (according to NYHA class) showed septal LGE 25% (p

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, affecting over 1.5 million women every year, which accounts for the highest number of cancer-related deaths in women globally. Hereditary breast cancer (HBC), an important subset of breast cancer, accounts for 5–10% of total cases. However, in Low Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the population-specific risk of HBC in different ethnicities and the correlation with certain clinical characteristics remain unexplored. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients who visited the HBC clinic and proceeded with multi-gene panel testing from May 2017 to April 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze clinical characteristics of patients. Fisher’s exact, Pearson’s chi-squared tests and Logistic regression analysis were used for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for quantitative variables. For comparison between two independent groups, Mann-Whitney test was performed. Results were considered significant at a p value of

Abstract Background This study evaluates cardiac diseases and prognosis in young adults and adults presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTA). Methods The present longitudinal, observational, registry-based, monocentric cohort study includes all consecutive patients 45 years old or younger presenting with VTA at admission from 2002 to 2016. Rates of coronary angiography, coronary artery disease (CAD) and need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), cardiac diseases associated with VTA, and differences in long-term prognostic endpoints for young adults (20–34 years old) were analyzed and compared to those of adults (35–45 years old), for whom multivariable risk prediction models were developed. Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed according to age and type of VTA. Results A total of 259 consecutive patients were included in the study (36% young adults and 64% adults). At admission, 38% of young adults had VTA due to CAD that required PCI. Furthermore, VTA in young adults was commonly idiopathic (27%), or had underlying channelopathies (18%), primary cardiomyopathies (13%) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI, 11%). In adults, VTA was mostly associated with AMI (28%), though the rate of idiopathy was still high (20%). A total 41% of all patients received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), for whom AMI (STEMI 17%, NSTEMI 24%) was most frequently observed. Irrespective of the type of VTA, all-cause mortality was similar for young adults and adults. In young adults, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)

Abstract Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of feature tracking (FT) derived cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) strain parameters of the left ventricle (LV)/right ventricle (RV) in ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) patients treated with an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD). Current guidelines suggest a LV‐ejection fraction ≤35% as major criterion for ICD implantation in ICM, but this is a poor predictor for arrhythmic events. Supplementary parameters are missing. Methods and results Ischaemic cardiomyopathy patients (n = 242), who underwent CMR imaging prior to primary and secondary implantation of ICD, were classified depending on EF ≤ 35% (n = 188) or >35% (n = 54). FT parameters were derived from steady‐state free precession cine views using dedicated software. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular mortality (CVM) and/or appropriate ICD therapy. There were no significant differences in FT‐function or LV‐/RV‐function parameters in patients with an EF ≤ 35% correlating to the primary endpoint. In patients with EF > 35%, standard CMR functional parameters, such as LV‐EF, did not reveal significant differences. However, significant differences in most FT parameters correlating to the primary endpoint were observed in this subgroup. LV‐GLS (left ventricular‐global longitudinal strain) and RV‐GRS (right ventricular‐global radial strain) revealed the best diagnostic performance in ROC curve analysis. The combination of LV‐GLS and RV‐GRS showed a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 76% for the prediction of future events. Conclusions The impact of FT derived measurements in the risk stratification of patients with ICM depends on LV function. The combination of LV‐GLS/RV‐GRS seems to be a predictor of cardiovascular mortality and/or appropriate ICD therapy in patients with EF > 35%.

BackgroundAcute myocarditis is commonly associated with viral infections, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination has also been reported, however this is rare and usually resolves within days or weeks. We present a case of acute myocarditis reported after vaccination with mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna) diagnosed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). This report describes the utility of CMR in the diagnosis and follow-up of such patients using parameters which could suggest the clinical course of myocarditis.Case SummaryA 23-year-old male presented in the emergency department with complaints of chest pain radiating to the left arm following vaccination with the second dose of COVID-19 mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna). Patient's history revealed an incidence of myocarditis in the past. CMR showed a mid-range left ventricular ejection fraction (38%) and subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in the inferolateral and apical myocardial segments with diffuse elevation of native T1 mapping relaxation times in all myocardial segments. The patient was admitted briefly in the intensive care unit and after a favorable clinical course was discharged from the hospital in stable condition. A follow-up CMR after 3 months revealed normalization of LVEF (57%) and native T1- times in most segments. Scarred myocardium reflecting chronic myocarditis continued to show elevated T1 times.ConclusionsOur patient presenting with acute myocarditis after recent COVID-19 mRNA vaccination reported a favorable clinical course. CMR revealed increased T1 mapping relaxation times diffusely spread across the myocardium and an impairment of the left ventricular function (LVEF) during the acute phase. However, the LVEF as well as the T1 times normalized at follow-up in all segments except for myocardium affected by chronic myocarditis.

Abstract Background Simulators are an extensively utilized teaching tool in clinical settings. Simulation enables learners to practice and improve their skills in a safe and controlled environment before using these skills on patients. We evaluated the effect of a training session utilizing a novel intubation ultrasound simulator on the accuracy of provider detection of tracheal versus esophageal neonatal endotracheal tube (ETT) placement using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). We also investigated whether the time to POCUS image interpretation decreased with repeated simulator attempts. Methods Sixty neonatal health care providers participated in a three-hour simulator-based training session in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. Participants included neonatologists, neonatal fellows, pediatric residents and senior nursing staff. The training utilized a novel low-cost simulator made with gelatin, water and psyllium fiber. Training consisted of a didactic session, practice with the simulator, and practice with intubated NICU patients. At the end of training, participants underwent an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) and ten rounds of simulator-based testing of their ability to use POCUS to differentiate between simulated tracheal and esophageal intubations. Results The majority of the participants in the training had an average of 7.0 years (SD 4.9) of clinical experience. After controlling for gender, profession, years of practice and POCUS knowledge, linear mixed model and mixed effects logistic regression demonstrated marginal improvement in POCUS interpretation over repeated simulator testing. The mean time-to-interpretation decreased from 24.7 (SD 20.3) seconds for test 1 to 10.1 (SD 4.5) seconds for Test 10, p

Introduction The catheter-based left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has evolved as an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) among non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in whom long-term OAC is contraindicated. In daily practice, however, a sizeable number of patients who have been referred for an LAAC do not receive this intervention. This study aimed primarily to investigate the factors deterring the practice of an LAAC in referred AF patients, and secondarily to compare the complication rates of intervened patients with those who had refused the intervention within 1 year. Material and methods This retrospective single-centre study includes 200 patients. After a thoroughly conducted clinical selection process, 161 of these patients (80.5%) were excluded from receiving an LAAC intervention. Results An analysis comparing these patients to those receiving an LAAC reveales that a higher proportion of intervened patients had suffered a prior gastrointestinal bleeding (48.7 vs. 28.0%; p = 0.013) as well as a haemorrhagic stroke (12.8 vs. 2.5%; p = 0.015), and was not anticoagulated at the time of presentation (35.9 vs. 14.9%; p = 0.006). The main reason for not conducting the procedure was patient refusal (62.1%) followed by multimorbidity (16.8%). The annual rate of ischaemic strokes and bleedings among patients refusing the intervention was 2.1% and 29.5%, respectively, and this was not statistically different from the intervened patients (each p > 0.05). Conclusions The reasons why patients did not undergo the catheter-based LAAC were mainly reluctance for the procedure and multimorbidity. Furthermore, it could be assumed that the potential benefit of the LAAC may not be realised within the first year.

Abstract Introduction Since decades, the health system of Afghanistan has been in disarray due to ongoing conflict. We aimed to explore the direct effects of conflict on provision of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH&N) services and describe the contextual factors influencing these services. Method We conducted a quantitative analysis of secondary data on RMNCAH&N indicators and undertook a supportive qualitative study to help understand processes and contextual factors. For quantitative analysis, we stratified the various provinces of Afghanistan into minimal-, moderate- and severe conflict categories based on battle-related deaths from Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) and through accessibility of health services using a Delphi methodology. The coverage of RMNCAH&N indicators across the continuum of care were extracted from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). The qualitative data was captured by conducting key informant interviews of multi-sectoral stakeholders working in government, NGOs and UN agencies. Results Comparison of various provinces based on the severity of conflict through Delphi process showed that the mean coverage of various RMNCAH&N indicators including antenatal care (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.32–0.55), facility delivery (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.32–0.56), skilled birth attendance (OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.33–0.57), DPT3 (OR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.20–0.33) and oral rehydration therapy (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.25–0.55) was significantly lower for severe conflict provinces when compared to minimal conflict provinces. The qualitative analysis identified various factors affecting decision making and service delivery including insecurity, cultural norms, unavailability of workforce, poor monitoring, lack of funds and inconsistent supplies. Other factors include weak stewardship, capacity gap at the central level and poor coordination at national, regional and district level. Conclusion RMNCAH&N service delivery has been significantly hampered by conflict in Afghanistan over the last several years. This has been further compromised by poor infrastructure, weak stewardship and poor capacity and collaboration at all levels. With the potential of peace and conflict resolution in Afghanistan, we would underscore the importance of continued oversight and integrated implementation of sustainable, grass root RMNCAH&N services with a focus on reaching the most marginalized.

Abstract Introduction In conflict affected countries, healthcare delivery remains a huge concern. Pakistan is one country engulfed with conflict spanning various areas and time spans. We aimed to explore the effect of conflict on provision of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH&N) services and describe the contextual factors influencing the prioritization and implementation in conflict affected areas of Pakistan (Balochistan and FATA). Method We conducted a secondary quantitative and a primary qualitative analysis. For the quantitative analysis, we stratified the various districts/agencies of Balochistan and FATA into the conflict categories of minimal-, moderate- and severe based on accessibility to health services through a Delphi methodology with local stakeholders and implementing agencies and also based on battle-related deaths (BRD) information from Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP). The coverage of RMNCAH&N indicators across the continuum of care were extracted from the demographic and health surveys (DHS) and district health information system (DHIS). We conducted a stratified descriptive analysis and multivariate analysis using STATA version 15. The qualitative data was captured by conducting key informant interviews of stakeholders working in government, NGOs, UN agencies and academia. All the interviews were audiotaped which were transcribed, translated, coded and analyzed on Nvivo software version 10. Results The comparison of the various districts based on the severity of conflict through Delphi process showed that the mean coverage of various RMNCAH&N indicators in Balochistan were significantly lower in severe- conflict districts when compared to minimal conflict districts, while there was no significant difference between moderate and severe conflict areas. There was no reliable quantitative data available for FATA. Key factors identified through qualitative analysis, which affected the prioritization and delivery of services included planning at the central level, lack of coordination amongst various hierarchies of the government and various stakeholders. Other factors included unavailability of health workforce especially female workers, poor quality of healthcare services, poor data keeping and monitoring, lack of funds and inconsistent supplies. Women and child health is set at a high priority but capacity gap at service delivery, resilience from health workers, insecurity and poor infrastructure severely hampers the delivery of quality healthcare services. Conclusion Conflict has severely hampered the delivery of health services and a wholesome effort is desired involving coordination amongst various stakeholders. The multiple barriers in conflict contexts cannot be fully mitigated, but efforts should be made to negate these as much as possible with good governance, planning, efficiency and transparency in utilization of available resources.

Background: A considerable amount of evidence has shown that acute cardiovascular diseases exhibit specific temporal patterns in their onset.Aim: This study was performed to determine if takotsubo syndrome (TTS) shows chronobiological variations with short and long-term impacts on adverse events.Design: Our institutional database constituted a collective of 114 consecutive TTS patients between 2003 and 2015.Methods: Patients were divided into groups defined by the onset of TTS as per time of the day, day of the week, month and quarter of year.Results: TTS events were most common afternoon and least common in the night, indicating a wave-like pattern (p = 0.001) of manifestation. The occurrence of TTS events was similar among days of the week and weeks of the month. TTS patients diagnosed in the month of November and subsequently in the fourth quarter showed a significantly longer QTc interval. These patients also revealed a significantly lower event-free-survival over a 1-year follow-up. In a multivariate Cox regression analysis, TTS events occurring in the fourth quarter of year (HR 6.8, 95%CI: 1.3–35.9; p = 0.02) proved to be an independent predictor of lower event-free-survival.Conclusions: TTS seems to exhibit temporal preference in its onset, but nevertheless this possibly coincidental result needs to be analyzed in a large multicenter registry.

Abstract Objectives The study sought to assess the impact of statin therapy on survival in patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Background Data regarding the outcome of patients with statin therapy presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias is limited. Methods A large retrospective registry was used including all consecutive patients presenting with ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF) from 2002 to 2016. Patients with statin were compared to patients without statin therapy (non-statin). The primary prognostic endpoint was long-term all-cause death at 3 years. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses were applied in propensity-score matched cohorts. Results A total of 424 matched patients was included. The rates of VT and VF were similar in both groups (VT: statin 71% vs. non-statin 68%; VF: statin 29% vs. 32%; p = 0.460). Statin therapy was associated with lower all-cause mortality at long-term follow-up (mortality rates 16% versus 33%; log rank, p = 0.001; HR = 0.438; 95% CI 0.290–0.663; p = 0.001), irrespective of the underlying type of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT/VF), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 35%, presence of an activated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), cardiogenic shock or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Conclusion Statin therapy is independently associated with lower long-term mortality in patients presenting with ventricular tachyarrhythmias on admission. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02982473, 11/29/2016, Retrospectively registered.

Introduction Birth spacing is a critical pathway to improving reproductive health. WHO recommends a minimum of 33-month interval between two consecutive births to reduce maternal, perinatal, infant morbidity and mortality. Our study evaluated factors associated with short birth intervals (SBIs) of less than 33 months between two consecutive births, in Karachi, Pakistan.Methods We used data from a cross-sectional study among married women of reproductive age (MWRA) who had at least one live birth in the 6 years preceding the survey (N=2394). Information regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, fertility preferences, family planning history and a 6-year reproductive calendar were collected. To identify factors associated with SBIs, we fitted simple and multiple Cox proportional hazards models and computed HRs with their 95% CIs.Results The median birth interval was 25 months (IQR: 14–39 months), with 22.9% (833) of births occurring within 33 months of the index birth. Women’s increasing age (25–30 years (aHR 0.63 (0.53 to 0.75), 30+ years (aHR 0.29, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.39) compared with 20-24 years; secondary education (aHR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.88), intermediate education (aHR 0.62, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.80), higher education (aHR 0.69, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.92) compared with no education, and a male child of the index birth (aHR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.94) reduced the likelihood of SBIs. Women’s younger age

BackgroundTakotsubo syndrome (TTS) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients have a similar mortality rate. In this study, we sought to determine the short- and long-term outcome of TTS patients as compared to ACS patients both treated with beta-blockers.ObjectivesIn the present study we described the data of 5 years of follow up of 103 TTS and 422 ACS patients both treated with beta-blockers.MethodsData from TTS patients were included retrospectively and prospectively, ACS patients were included retrospectively. All retrospectively included patients have been followed up for 5 years. The end point in this study was the occurrence of death.ResultsTTS affected significantly more women (87.4%) than ACS (34.6%) (p < 0.01). TTS patients suffered significantly more often from thromboembolic events (14.6% versus 2.1%; p < 0.01) and cardiogenic shock (11.9% versus 3.6%; p < 0.01) than the ACS group. TTS patients had a significantly higher long-term mortality (within 5 years) as compared to ACS patients (17.5% versus 3.6%) (p < 0.01). Patients of the TTS group compared to the ACS group did not benefit from combination of beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors in terms of long-term mortality (p < 0.01). As we compare TTS patients who were treated with beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors versus single use of beta-blockers there was no difference in long-term mortality (p = 0.918).ConclusionTTS patients had a significantly higher long-term mortality (within 5 years) than patients with an ACS.

The pathophysiology of Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) is not completely understood and the trigger of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in TTS is not clear either. We therefore sought to find an association between TTS and primary electrical diseases. A total of 148 TTS patients were analyzed between 2003 and 2017 in a bi-centric manner. Additionally, a literature review was performed. The patients were included in an ongoing retrospective cohort database. The coexistence of TTS and primary electrical diseases was confirmed in five cases as the following: catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT, 18-year-old female) (n = 1), LQTS 1 (72-year-old female and 65-year-old female) (n = 2), LQTS 2 (17-year-old female) (n = 1), and LQTS in the absence of mutations (22-year-old female). Four patients suffered from malignant tachyarrhythmia and recurrent syncope after TTS. Except for the CPVT patient and one LQTS 1 patient, all other cases underwent subcutaneous ICD implantation. An event recorder of the CPVT patient after starting beta-blocker did not detect arrhythmias. The diagnosis of primary electrical disease was in 80% of cases unmasked on a TTS event. This diagnosis triggered a family clinical and genetic screening confirming the diagnosis of primary electrical disease. A subsequent literature review identified five cases as the following: a congenital atrioventricular block (n = 1), a Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome (n = 1), and a family LQTS in the absence of a mutation (n = 2), LQTS 2 (n = 1). A primary electrical disease should be suspected in young and old TTS patients with a family history of sudden cardiac death. In suspected cases, e.g., ongoing QT interval prolongation, despite recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction a family screening is recommended.

Abstract Background Recent hypotheses have suggested the pathophysiological role of catecholamines in the evolution of the Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). The extent of cardiac and circulatory compromise dictates the use of some form of supportive therapy. This study was designed to investigate the clinical outcomes associated with catecholamine use in TTS patients. Methods Our institutional database constituted a collective of 114 patients diagnosed with TTS between 2003 and 2015. The study-patients were subsequently classified into two groups based on the need for catecholamine support during hospital stay (catecholamine group n = 93; 81%, non-catecholamine group = 21; 19%). The primary end-point of our study was all-cause mortality. Results Patients receiving catecholamine support showed higher grades of circulatory and cardiac compromise (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 39.6% vs. 32.7%, p-value

Abstract Background Iatrogenic aorto-coronary dissections following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) represent a rare but potentially life threatening complication. This restrospective and observational study aims to describe our in-house experience for timely diagnostics and therapy including cardiovascular imaging to follow-up securely high-risk patients with Dunning dissections. Methods Dunning dissections (DD) occurred during clinical routine PCIs, which were indicated according to current ESC guidelines. Diagnostic assessment, treatment and follow-up were based on coronary angiography with PCI or conservative treatment and cardiac computed tomography (cCTA) imaging. Results A total of eight patients with iatrogenic DD were included. Median age was 69 years (IQR 65.8–74.5). Patients revealed a coronary multi-vessel-disease in 75% with a median SYNTAX-II-score of 35.3 (IQR 30.2–41.2). The most common type of DD was type III (50%), followed by type I (38%) and type II (13%). In most patients (88%) the DD involved the right coronary arterial ostium. 63% were treated by PCI, the remaining patients were treated conservatively. 88% of patients received at least one cCTA within 2 days, 50% were additionally followed-up by cCTA within a median of 6 months (range: 4–8 months) without any residual. Conclusion Independently of the type of DD (I-III) it was demonstrated that cCTA represents a valuable imaging modality for detection and follow-up of patients with DDs.

Background The study sought to assess the prognostic impact of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with and without ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI and NSTEMI) in patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) on admission. Methods and Results A large retrospective registry was used including all consecutive patients presenting with ventricular tachycardia (VT), fibrillation (VF), and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) on admission from 2002 to 2016. AMI versus non‐AMI and STEMI versus NSTEMI were compared applying multivariable Cox regression models and propensity‐score matching for evaluation of the primary prognostic end point defined as long‐term all‐cause mortality at 2.5 years. Secondary end points were 30 days all‐cause mortality, cardiac death at 24 hours, in hospital death, and recurrent percutaneous coronary intervention (re‐PCI) at 2.5 years. In 2813 unmatched high‐risk patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias and SCA, AMI was present in 29% (10% STEMI, 19% NSTEMI) with higher rates of VF (54% versus 31%) and SCA (35% versus 26%), whereas VT rates were higher in non‐AMI (56% versus 30%) (P

Background: Previous studies revealed that takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is triggered by physical and emotional stresses. This study was performed to determine the short- and long-term prognostic impact of emotional- and physical stress associated with TTC.Methods and results: Our institutional database constituted a collective of 84 patients diagnosed with TTC between 2003 and 2015. The patients were divided into two groups as per the presence of emotional stress (n = 24, 21%) or physical stress (n = 60, 52.6%). The endpoint was a composite of in-hospital events (thromboembolic events and life-threatening arrhythmias), myocardial infarction, all-cause of mortality, re-hospitalization due to heart failure, stroke, and recurrence of TTC. A Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated a significantly lower event-free survival rate over a mean follow-up of 5 years in the emotional group than the physical stress group (log-rank, p < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed only emotional stress (HR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.9, p < 0.05) as a negative independent predictor of the primary endpoint.Conclusion: Rates of in-hospital events and short- as well as long-term events were significantly lower in TTC patients suffering from emotional stress as compared to patients with physical stress.