Search

Background: The precise triggers for atherosclerotic plaque rupture and the underlying pathophysiology of coronary thrombogenesis remain elusive. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils, particularly their formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), have garnered attention in the context of coronary atherothrombosis. This study sought to explore the association of NETs burden with clinical and angiographic characteristics in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and thrombus aspiration (TA)., Methods: For this study, 336 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing pPCI were considered for TA. Aspirated thrombi underwent histological analysis and NETs quantification via immunohistochemistry. Potential associations of clinical variables and angiographic outcomes with NETs burden were assessed., Results: Manual TA was selectively performed in 72 cases with increased thrombotic burden, and 60 thrombi were suitable for analysis and included in the current study. Most thrombi specimens displayed lytic features (63%), and almost three out of four were identified as white thrombi. Increased NETs burden was significantly associated with prolonged pain-to-balloon time (>300 min), OR = 10.29 (95% CI 2.11-42.22, p = 0.001), and stress-induced hyperglycemia OR = 6.58 (95% CI 1.23-52.63, p < 0.01) after multivariate regression analysis. Additionally, distal embolization, and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% were more frequent among patients with an elevated NETs burden OR = 16.9 (95% CI 4.23-44.52, p < 0.01) and OR = 3.2 (95% CI 1.05-12.1, p = 0.05), respectively., Conclusion: Elevated NETs burden in STEMI thrombi may be due to delayed reperfusion and stress-induced hyperglycemia, and it is associated with an increased risk of distal embolization and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of NETs as a potential therapeutic target in acute atherothrombosis., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest All authors state that they do not have any conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: This study aimed to apply different methods of diagnostic test accuracy network meta-analysis (DTA-NMA) for studies reporting results of five imaging tests for the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE): pulmonary angiography (PA), computed tomography angiography (CTPA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), planar ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography ventilation/perfusion (SPECT V/Q)., Methods: We searched four databases (MEDLINE [via PubMed], Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, and Epistemonikos) from inception until June 2, 2022 to identify systematic reviews (SRs) describing diagnostic accuracy of PA, CTPA, MRA, V/Q scan and SPECT V/Q for suspected PE. Study-level data were extracted and pooled using a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) meta-regression approach and two DTA-NMA models to compare accuracy estimates of different imaging tests. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2) tool and certainty of evidence using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) framework., Results: We identified 13 SRs, synthesizing data from 33 primary studies and for four imaging tests (PA, CTPA, MRA and V/Q scan). The HSROC meta-regression model using PA as the reference standard showed that MRA had the best overall diagnostic performance with sensitivity of 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76, 1.00) and specificity of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.99). However, DTA-NMA models indicated that V/Q scan had the highest sensitivity, while CTPA was most specific., Conclusion: Selecting a different DTA-NMA method to assess multiple diagnostic tests can affect estimates of diagnostic accuracy. There is no established method, but the choice depends on the data and familiarity with Bayesian statistics., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Digital health interventions constitute a promising supplementary approach for further improvement of the quality and experience of cardiovascular care in patients with heart failure (HF). However, concerns about privacy, security, and quality may arise additionally to lack of personal motivation and accessibility to digital resources. Therefore, the proposed system aims to implement innovative technological trends in HF monitoring by recording clinical, biological, and biometric parameters., Methods: The availability and feasibility of the digital platform KardioUp was evaluated in a group of 25 patients with HF (mean age: 60 years) and 15 medical doctors (mean age 40 years) in two University Cardiology Clinics of the country. Connectivity of platform with the application and Android devices, use of alerts in clinical measurements, educational material provided, and total satisfaction by both patients and physicians were also evaluated. Patients with health barriers to understand the use of digital platforms or low eHealth ≤8 (digital unawareness) were excluded., Results: All patients answered that the upload of measurements of blood pressure, blood glucose, and weight into the application were feasible. Patients mean eHealth score was 32,7. Additionally, the graphics of the application were friendly and educational material was also easily approached. Patients felt that this application can enable real patient-empowerment and self-management support., Conclusions: KardioUp was evaluated as a non-pharmacological intervention that could promote autonomous living of patients. Thus, possible alterations in daily activities and other parameters will be continuously evaluated providing metrics' monitoring on patients' performance, adherence to their treatment plan, avoidance of rehospitalizations, and overall health metrics., (Copyright © 2023 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cancer often co-exist. Each has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this meta-analysis was to synthesize available data regarding the incidence of arterial thromboembolism (TE), bleeding, and all-cause mortality in patients with AF with or without cancer., Methods: Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, WebOfScience, Scopus, CENTRAL, OpenGrey, and EThOS databases to identify studies that included patients with AF and accounted for cancer status with the incidence of TE (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or arterial thrombosis), major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding, and all-cause mortality. A random-effects meta-analysis was used., Results: Overall, 17 studies were included (3,149,547 patients). The risk of TE was similar in patients with AF with comorbid cancer compared with that in AF alone (pooled odds ratio [pOR] 0.97, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.85-1.11, I 2  = 87%). Major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (pOR 1.65, 95% CI 1.35-2.02, I 2  = 98%) and all-cause death (pOR 2.17, 95% CI 1.83-2.56, I 2  = 98%) were significantly higher in patients with AF with cancer than in patients with AF only. The history of TE and hypertension and mean age were significant moderators of TE risk., Conclusion: In patients with AF, the presence of cancer is associated with a similar risk of TE as well as an increased risk of bleeding and all-cause death compared with the absence of cancer., (Copyright © 2023 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Digoxin is widely used in atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). However, current evidence regarding its association with clinical outcomes is conflicting., Aim: To investigate the relationship between digoxin therapy and adverse outcomes in patients with AF, with or without HF, in a contemporary AF cohort., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 698 patients, who were followed over a median of 2.5 years. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality and the secondary outcome was all-cause hospitalization, in a time-to-event analysis. Propensity scores were used to derive matched populations, balanced on key baseline covariates. To limit potential confounding, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed., Results: Among patients with HF, 39 (10.5%) were administered digoxin at baseline, whereas 331 (89.5%) were not. Digoxin administration was not associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio (HR) in the digoxin group, 1.21; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 0.69 to 2.13, p = 0.50) or hospitalization of any cause (HR 1.15; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.96; p = 0.60). Among patients without HF, 11 (3.5%) were administered digoxin, with neutral effects on all-cause mortality (HR: 3.25; 95% CI, 0.98 to 10.70), p = 0.06) and all-cause hospitalization (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.96, p = 0.60). Qualitatively, consistent results were observed using IPTW., Conclusions: Among patients with AF, digoxin administration was not associated with an increased risk of death and hospitalization for any cause, irrespective of HF status., (Copyright © 2022 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Rhythm control and rate control are both employed commonly in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF), but limited real-world data exist on them. We aimed to compare outcomes between these two strategies across the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) spectrum., Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the randomized MISOAC-AF trial, including from patients with AF and coexistent HF who were hospitalized and followed up after discharge. At baseline, the patients were classified into pharmaceutical (or electrical cardioversion) rhythm control strategy or rate control treatment (b-blocker, digoxin, calcium channel blockers) groups. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable-adjusted Cox regression were utilized to compare the two strategies. Spline curve models were used to demonstrate the results across the LVEF stratified spectrum., Results: In total, 199 AF patients with HF were studied (mean age, 77 years). At discharge, 73 (36.7%) patients received rhythm control and 126 (63.3%) rate control treatment. After a median follow-up period of 31 months, 26 (35.6%) patients in the rhythm-control group died, as compared to 43 (33.3%) in the rate-control group (aHR: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.78-2.14; p = 0.31). The spline curves also revealed no difference in all-cause mortality favoring either strategy in any HF subtype across the nominally classified LVEF., Conclusion: The use of a pharmacological rhythm-control strategy was not associated with a survival advantage compared to the rate control strategy in recently hospitalized patients with AF and comorbid HF. More randomized trials and large studies are needed in the future to explore these results in each subgroup of HF patients., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Education level has been long considered a life-quality modifier, but little is known about its relation to life expectancy in patients with cardiovascular disease. This study aims to assess possible correlations between education level and survival in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF)., Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from a randomised trial of 1082 hospitalised patients with AF (mean age of 75 ± 11 years) who were followed up after discharge. Patients were divided into three groups based on their education level: i) none or primary (NPEL), ii) secondary (SEL), and iii) tertiary education level (TEL). Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were used to compare survival rates between groups. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The composite secondary outcome was cardiovascular mortality or any hospitalisation., Results: After a median 31-month follow-up period, 289 (41.9%) patients died in the NPEL group, 75 (31.1%) in the SEL group, and 29 (19.1%) in the TEL group. The aHRs for all-cause mortality were 0.42 (95% CI, 0.27 to 0.66; p < 0.001) for the TEL group compared with the NPEL group, 0.55 (95% CI, 0.33 to 0.93; p = 0.02) for the TEL group compared with the SEL group, and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.50 to 0.93; p = 0.01) for the SEL group compared with the NPEL group. The corresponding aHRs for the composite secondary outcome were 0.36 (95% CI, 0.23 to 0.52; p < 0.001), 0.49 (95% CI, 0.29 to 0.80; p < 0.001), and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.50 to 9.91; p = 0.01)., Conclusion: Higher education levels were independently associated with fewer fatal and non-fatal outcomes in recently hospitalised patients with AF., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None declared., (Copyright © 2022 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: None to declare.

Background: Currently, there is a paucity of data concerning the safety and effectiveness of P2Y 12 inhibitors in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. The aim of this study is to compare the different oral P2Y 12 inhibitors in terms of efficacy and safety, focusing exclusively on patients with CKD who were treated for ACS., Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, CENTRAL, and Web of Science to identify studies that compared different oral P2Y 12 inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor) in patients with ACS with CKD. Efficacy outcomes included the major adverse cardiovascular events composite outcome and safety outcomes included major bleedings and major or minor bleedings combined. We performed a frequentist network meta-analysis., Results: Twelve studies were included in the systematic review, 7 CKD subgroup analyses of RCTs (8878 patients) and 5 observational studies (20175 patients). After the exclusion of studies with conservative management, prasugrel resulted in significant primary endpoint reduction versus clopidogrel (HR 0.80 and 95% CI 0.64 - 0.99), while ticagrelor did not (HR 0.88 and 95% CI 0.73 - 1.06). Major bleedings did not differ between the interventions. Ticagrelor resulted in more major or minor bleedings than clopidogrel (HR 1.21 and 95% CI 1.06 - 1.38), whereas prasugrel did not (HR 1.12 and 95% CI 0.84 - 1.49)., Conclusion: In patients with ACS with underlying CKD, who are intended to receive invasive management, there may be a significant reduction of the primary efficacy outcome with prasugrel as compared to clopidogrel but not with ticagrelor as compared to clopidogrel. There probably exists no difference among interventions in the major bleedings. Dedicated RCTs are needed to confirm these results., (Copyright © 2021 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: The current study evaluated the association of echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and ferritin data with 10-year survival in thalassemia patients., Methods: Demographics, ferritin, echocardiography, and CMR parameters of stable consecutive thalassemia patients were prospectively collected., Results: In total, 75 patients (mean age 37 ± 11 years, 45% male) with thalassemia were included and dichotomized based on their survival status after a median follow-up period of 10.3 [9.6-10.9] years. Older age (HR: 1.071, p = 0.001), ferritin ≥2000 ng/ml (HR: 4.682, p = 0.007) and ≥1700 ng/ml (HR: 7.817, p = 0.002), elevated LV end-diastolic pressure (HR: 1.019, p = 0.044), TR Vmax >2.8 m/s (HR: 6.845, p = 0.005), and CMR T2∗ ≤20 msec (HR: 3.602, p = 0.043) and ≤34 msec (HR: 5.854, p = 0.026) were associated with increased all-cause mortality (primary endpoint). A baseline model including age was created and became more predictive of worse survival by adding TR Vmax >2.8 m/s instead of elevated LV end-diastolic pressure (C index 0.767 vs. 0.760, respectively), ferritin ≥1700 ng/ml instead of ≥2000 ng/ml (C index 0.890 vs. 0.807, respectively), or CMR T2∗≤34 msec instead of ≤20 msec (C index 0.845 vs. 0.839, respectively). Parameters associated with the combined endpoint of cardiac mortality/cardiac hospitalization (secondary endpoint) after adjusting for age were ferritin ≥1700 ng/ml (HR 3.770, p = 0.014), ratio E/A wave >2 (HR 3.565, p = 0.04), TR Vmax >2.8 m/s (HR 4.541, p = 0.049), CMR T2∗ ≤20 ms (HR 9.462, p = 0.001), and CMR T2∗ ≤34 ms (HR 11.735, p = 0.002). The model including age and T2∗ ≤34 ms instead of T2∗ ≤20 ms was more predictive of the secondary endpoint (C-index 0.844 vs 0.838, respectively)., Conclusions: In thalassemia patients, TR Vmax >2.8 m/s, ferritin ≥2000 ng/ml, and CMR T2∗ ≤20 ms were associated with worse long-term survival. In the current era of advanced chelation therapy, aiming for ferritin ≤1700 ng/ml and CMR T2∗ ≥34 ms may improve their prognosis., (Copyright © 2021 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study sought to develop and validate a risk score to predict mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after a hospitalization for cardiac reasons., Methods: The new risk score was derived from a prospective cohort of hospitalized patients with concurrent AF. The outcome measures were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Random forest was used for variable selection. A risk points model with predictor variables was developed by weighted Cox regression coefficients and was internally validated by bootstrapping., Results: In total, 1130 patients with AF were included. During a median follow-up of 2 years, 346 (30.6%) patients died and 250 patients had a cardiovascular cause of death. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin-T were the most important predictors of mortality, followed by indexed left atrial volume, history and type of heart failure, age, history of diabetes mellitus, and intraventricular conduction delay, all forming the BASIC-AF risk score (Biomarkers, Age, ultraSound, Intraventricular conduction delay, and Clinical history). The score had good discrimination for all-cause (c-index = 0.85 and 95% CI 0.82-0.88) and cardiovascular death (c-index = 0.84 and 95% CI 0.81-0.87). The predicted probability of mortality varied more than 50-fold across deciles and adjusted well to observed mortality rates. A decision curve analysis revealed a significant net benefit of using the BASIC-AF risk score to predict the risk of death, when compared with other existing risk schemes., Conclusions: We developed and internally validated a well-performing novel risk score for predicting death in patients with AF. The BASIC-AF risk score included routinely assessed parameters, selected through machine-learning algorithms, and may assist in tailored risk stratification and management of these patients., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None declared., (Copyright © 2021 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: A bleeding episode may herald cancer in the general population. Oral anticoagulants (OACs), the mainstay treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), are known to increase the risk of bleeding, and may thus promote an earlier diagnosis of cancer. Data regarding the association of bleeding episodes with cancer in patients with AF on OACs are scarce., Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched electronic databases (Medline, Scopus, and Central) and gray literature sources for studies of patients with nonvalvular AF under any OAC, from inception until 14 October 2020. The primary outcome was the association of bleeding occurrences with the detection of cancer. A subgroup analysis was performed according to OAC type [NOAC (non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant) versus VKA (vitamin K antagonist)]., Results: Overall, 4 studies were included, accounting for a total of 144,362 patients with AF receiving OAC. During follow-up, 816 (0.57%) cases of cancer were confirmed. The presence of a bleeding event, either major or minor, was associated with a higher risk for cancer detection (odds ratio [OR] 8.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.98-15.51, and I 2 85%). Heterogeneity was explained after studies were stratified by the type of OAC (NOACs: OR 6.12, 95% CI 4.47-8.37, I 2 0%, VKAs: OR 15.16, 95% CI 12.61-18.23, and I 2 0%)., Conclusion: The detection of a bleeding event could be an alerting sign of cancer in patients with AF on OACs, particularly in patients receiving VKAs. REGISTRATION NUMBER (DOI): available in https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/3948R, DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/3948R., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Beta-thalassaemia is a genetic disease with different clinical aspects, which can lead to heart failure with a multifactorial mechanism. Over the last years, growing interest has been reported for biomarkers that may help in the diagnosis, staging and prognosis of heart disease at an early stage, in patients with beta-thalassaemia. This review will highlight the current clinical value of cardiac biomarkers in patients with beta-thalassaemia and the ongoing research for a possible expanded future use., (Copyright © 2020 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

While virus epidemics are nothing new to man, the scale, speed of global spread and immediacy of the COVID-19 pandemic have been truly unprecedented [1]. The entire world has been turned on its head in less than a few months, with major implications beyond disease burden and loss of life, threatening the economic status quo and human psychosocial balance and wellbeing not only for patients, but for all of us. The primary aim of our Call for Action Viewpoint was to support and protect our adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients and their needs during these challenging and uncertain times. This goal had to be met while we, as individuals, teams, institutions and nations, came together in a global effort to combat this aggressive virus, that appears to spare no organs or systems, nor any borders, geographic or other. As with any crisis, there is always opportunity: we are submitting herewith a vision for a different and better model of ACHD care, and for a better life journey and health care experience for our patients, that should be in place in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the points and principles discussed in this article, need not be confined to ACHD patients, but have a broader reach. And we must not forget nor neglect the most vulnerable in society at this time, namely the elderly, disabled and other dependent or disadvantaged groups in this "We Are One" global operation. Last but not least, this maybe the time to take better care of ourselves (and others) and reflect on life ., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

Background: Right ventricular pressure overload results in interventricular septal shift toward the left ventricle in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to investigate the predictive role of the duration of septal curvature configuration during the cardiac cycle, as expressed by the novel marker curvature duration index (CDi) in precapillary PH., Methods: This was a prospective study. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). CDi was defined by the number of CMR frames in which septal curvature configuration toward left ventricle is observed *100/total number of frames per cardiac cycle. Time from enrollment to first clinical failure event (death, hospitalization due to PH, and disease progression) was recorded., Results: The study included 36 patients with precapillary PH. During a median follow-up of 20 months (IQR 4-37 months), 14 clinical failure events were observed. Survival ROC analysis showed that the optimal cutoff value of CDi, which predicted clinical failure, was 67%. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that CDi≥67% was associated with a 9.4-fold increase in the risk for clinical failure. Addition of CDi to baseline models including six-minute walk test distance (c-statistic = 0.65 vs. c-statistic = 0.79), NT-proBNP (c-statistic = 0.72 vs. c-statistic = 0.83), and WHO functional class (c-statistic = 0.76 vs. c-statistic = 0.81) improved risk stratification., Conclusion: Ventricular septal shift toward the left ventricle lasting for more than the two thirds of the cardiac cycle is associated with worse prognosis in precapillary PH., (Copyright © 2018 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target levels after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is of paramount importance, and is often burdened by undertreatment and medication or lifestyle non-adherence issues., Objective: We examined the effect of a patient-centered, physician-led motivational intervention following ACS on relevant secondary prevention aspects., Methods-Design: The IDEAL-LDL is a single-center, randomized controlled clinical trial, conducted among patients hospitalized due to an ACS. Following discharge, all patients undergo a baseline assessment of lipid profile. Patients in the intervention group receive an in-person educational session and an informative leaflet, and also undergo two phone-based, motivational interviewing sessions at 1 and 6 months. These interventions emphasize on LDL-C goals, adherence to lipid-lowering medication, and healthy dietary-lifestyle habits, and are not provided to patients in the control group, who receive usual care. At 12 months after each patient's discharge, an in-person interview and lipid profile reassessment are performed. The primary outcomes are the assessment of LDL-C goal achievement (<70 mg/dL or >50% reduction from baseline levels) from baseline to 1 year and changes in medication adherence. Secondary outcomes relate to the incidence of the composite outcome of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction/stroke, need for myocardial revascularization, and recurrent hospitalization during the follow-up period., Discussion: This paper describes the protocol, design, and rationale for key methodology for an ongoing clinical trial featuring a simple and feasible intervention. Similar adherence efficacy trials have not led to sufficient improvements, and there remains a gap regarding how adherence interventions should be implemented into clinical care., (Copyright © 2018 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Pregnancies in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) are often complicated. We aimed to highlight the nature and the rate of these complications in a single-center patient population., Methods: We retrospectively studied all the pregnancies of women who presented on an outpatient basis, and all pregnancies were reviewed for maternal and fetal outcomes., Results: Of 117 pregnancies from 52 ACHD patients (age at pregnancy 28.3 ± 6.6 years), 10 were therapeutically aborted. A proportion of 41.1% of the remaining 107 pregnancies were complicated either with cardiac (3.7%), obstetric (15.0%), or fetal/neonatal (11.2%) adverse events or with spontaneous abortion (17.8%). Hospitalization during pregnancy was required in 10 patients. Elective cesarean sections were initially planned for 31% of the 87 pregnancies, which were finally completed, while 8% required an emergency cesarean section, mostly for obstetric reasons. NYHA class deterioration after pregnancy was detected in 9.3% of our cohort. Modified WHO class III/IV, prior medication use, and higher body mass index (BMI) were related to cardiac complications during pregnancy or NYHA deterioration., Conclusion: Pregnancies in ACHD patients are at high risk for complications. Advanced modified WHO class, prior medication use, and high BMI were related to adverse cardiac events., (Copyright © 2017 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare, distinct pulmonary vascular disease, and therefore, there is a lack of data regarding its clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management at a national basis. We aimed to describe the demographics and management of patients with CTEPH in Northern Greece., Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational study by a joint collaboration between two pulmonary hypertension expert centers in Greece, and the study included patients diagnosed with CTEPH. The patient population was divided into two groups depending on their operability., Results: Overall, 27 consecutive patients were included (59% female, mean age 59.3±15.1 years). Dyspnea and fatigue were the most common presenting symptoms. History of pulmonary embolism was present in 82%. Of patients, 18 (67%) were assessed as operable, of whom 10 (55%) finally underwent pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). There were no differences in symptoms, WHO functional class, 6-min walking test distance, and hemodynamics between the operable and nonoperable groups. At the end of follow-up, all non-operable and operable patients who did not receive surgical treatment were treated with at least one pulmonary hypertension-specific drug., Conclusion: This is the first report that presents data of patients diagnosed with CTEPH in Greece. The percentage of patients who underwent surgical treatment is lower but approaches the reported rates in large registries. Considering that PEA is a relatively safe and potentially curative surgical procedure, we emphasize the need for establishing a designated PEA center in Greece., (Copyright © 2017 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmic event in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study was to identify the clinical impact and prognostic significance of AF on a large cohort of patients with HCM., Methods: Echocardiographic and clinical correlates, risk factors for AF and thromboembolic stroke and the prognostic significance of AF were evaluated in 509 patients with an established diagnosis of HCM., Results: A total of 119 patients (23.4%) were diagnosed with AF during the index evaluation visit. AF patients had a higher prevalence of stroke and presented with worse functional impairment. Left atrial diameter (LA size) was a common independent predictor of the arrhythmia (OR: 2.2, 95% CI 1.6-3.3) and thromboembolic stroke (OR: 1.6, 95% CI 1.01-2.40). AF was an important risk factor for overall mortality (HR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.7-6.5), HCM-related mortality (HR=3.9, 95% CI: 1.8-8.2) and heart failure-related mortality (HR=6.0, 95% CI: 2.0-17.9), even after adjusting for statistically significant clinical and demographic risk factors. However, AF did not affect the risk for sudden death., Conclusions: LA size is an independent predictor of both AF and thromboembolic stroke. Moreover, patients with AF, regardless of type, have significantly higher mortality rates than patients without AF., (Copyright © 2017 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Medical and scientific research in the field of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) has gradually become globalized, inclusive and collaborative over the past few years. The education of physicians, health administrators and patients on congenital heart disease (CHD), specifically in the field of PAH, is of paramount importance. It is also crucial for ACHD patients with PAH to be followed in tertiary centers and to benefit from a multidisciplinary approach. Shared care models dictate a closer collaboration between tertiary expert centers and local non-specialist services, as well as networking between expert physicians in CHD and PAH and geneticists/epidemiologists, with the inclusion of PAH-CHD patients in national and international registries with a detailed genotypic/phenotypic characterization., (Copyright © 2016 Hellenic Cardiological Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cardiac myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumour in adulthood and may present in the context of Carney's complex., Presentation of Case: A 32-year-old male with a history of repaired tetralogy of Fallot in childhood was admitted with severe pulmonary valve regurgitation and a mobile mass in the right ventricle. The patient underwent pulmonary valve replacement and mass excision. Pathology examination showed myxoma., Discussion: In the majority of cases myxomas originate in the atria, nevertheless they can also be found in a ventricular cavity. Myxoma is a prevalent feature of Carney's complex, an inherited, autosomal disease, characterised by multiple tumours in several organs. Tetralogy of Fallot has also been described in association with Carney's complex., Conclusion: Coexistence of tetralogy of Fallot with a cardiac ventricular myxoma in a patient not affected from Carney's complex or other familial syndrome., (Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion has been introduced into clinical practice as a valuable alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. In this case presentation we describe the first LAA occlusion in Greece using the Amplatzer Amulet device. We also briefly discuss issues related to procedural safety and multimodality imaging for LAA occlusion.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to examine the value of the right atrial volume index (RAVI) as predictor of functional capacity in patients with heart failure., Methods: A total of 51 patients with stable chronic heart failure of ischaemic or non-ischaemic aetiology were prospectively enrolled. The systolic function of the right ventricle was quantified using the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Right atrial volume was measured in the apical 4-chamber view and was indexed to body surface area. The functional capacity was assessed by the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI)., Results: Patients with a low functional capacity (DASI<10) had lower TAPSE (1.4 ± 0.3 cm versus 2.0 ± 0.4 cm, p<0.001), higher RAVI (42 ± 15 ml/m(2) versus 22 ± 9 ml/m(2), p<0.001), higher estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (61 ± 13 mmHg versus 40 ± 16 mmHg, p<0.001), larger right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (4.7 ± 0.8 cm versus 3.6 ± 0.7 cm, p<0.001) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (26 ± 6% versus 30 ± 7%, p=0.022). Multivariate analysis revealed that TAPSE was the single independent predictor of DASI. In the subgroup of patients with reduced right ventricular systolic function (TAPSE<2 cm), RAVI was the single independent predictor of low DASI. In the overall population RAVI=30.6 ml/m(2) had 75% sensitivity and 83% specificity in predicting DASI<10. Within the subgroup of patients with TAPSE<2 cm, RAVI=30.6 ml/m(2) had better sensitivity and specificity (79% and 90% respectively) in predicting DASI<10., Conclusions: Increased right atrial volume index predicts low functional capacity quantified by the Duke Activity Status Index in patients with stable chronic heart failure.

Introduction: We aimed to assess trends in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) at various levels of medical care in Greece and to compare the treatment practices of cardiologists to those of non-cardiologists., Methods: From January to May 2007, 500 questionnaires were mailed to cardiologists, internists and general practitioners, randomly selected from regional medical associations. Questions assessed management practices for paroxysmal, persistent and permanent AF., Results: A total of 309 physicians (194 cardiologists and 115 non-cardiologists) responded. Cardiologists showed no preference regarding the site of cardioversion of paroxysmal AF, whereas non-cardiologists tend to cardiovert paroxysmal AF in the emergency department. Intravenous amiodarone is the most frequently used antiarrhythmic agent for cardioversion by both groups (63% vs. 71%, p=NS). Cardiologists utilise propafenone or ibutilide more frequently than non-cardiologists (24% vs. 11%, p<0.05 and 10% vs. 2%, p<0.01 respectively), while 12% of non-cardiologists would use digitalis for cardioversion (vs. 0.5% of cardiologists, p<0.001). Cardiologists prescribe commonly, but less frequently than non-cardiologists (42% vs. 59%, p<0.01) an antiarrhythmic drug after the first episode of paroxysmal AF, propafenone being the most popular among cardiologists (66%) and amiodarone (33%) or digitalis (23%) among general practitioners/internists. Beta-blockers are considered as first choice agents for rate control among cardiologists, while non-cardiologists would prescribe mainly digitalis. Antiplatelet agents were suggested by most physicians after cardioversion of the first episode of AF in low-risk patients. Cardiologists prefer aspirin, while non-cardiologists would prescribe clopidogrel as first choice antiplatelet agent. Both groups would recommend anticoagulants in high risk patients; nevertheless, in elderly patients without other risk factors, anticoagulants are more often prescribed by cardiologists (79% vs. 50%, p<0.001)., Conclusions: Important differences exist in the management of AF between cardiologists and general practitioners/internists in Greece. Non-cardiologists overuse digitalis, underuse beta-blockers, prefer clopidogrel to aspirin and are reluctant to prescribe anticoagulants in the elderly.

Introduction: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is a common complication in patients with ischaemic (ICM) or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), as a consequence of left ventricular (LV) remodelling. The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences in FMR between patients with ICM and DCM utilising conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography., Methods: We studied 21 patients with ICM and 17 with DCM using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. The severity of FMR was assessed quantitatively and by the PISA method. The 2 groups were similar in terms of NYHA class, LV ejection fraction and pharmacological treatment., Results: Patients with ICM had higher pulmonary artery systolic pressures (48 +/- 16 vs. 38 +/- 10 mmHg, p=0.04), more severe FMR as assessed by colour Doppler (1.9 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.5, p=0.006), and a larger effective regurgitant orifice (0.17 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.1 +/- 0.05 cm(2), p=0.003) and tenting area (2.3 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.7 +/- 0.7 cm(2), p=0.02). In addition, ICM subjects had lower mitral annular systolic (Sm 2.3 +/- 0.8 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.9 cm/s, p<0.001) and diastolic (Em 2.5 +/- 1 vs. 3.8 +/- 1.5 cm/s, p=0.005; Am 3.1 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.3 +/- 1.7 cm/s, p=0.02) myocardial velocities, and a higher ratio of early transmitral filling velocity to early mitral annular diastolic velocity (LV E/Em 42 +/- 29 vs. 22.7 +/- 7.6, p=0.008) compared to DCM patients. Systolic and diastolic mitral annular velocities were significantly correlated with effective regurgitant orifice. Tenting area >1.27 cm(2) exhibited the highest sensitivity and regurgitant volume >24 ml the highest specificity for predicting ischaemic aetiology of LV dysfunction. However, only age and Sm were independent predictors of the diagnosis of ICM rather than DCM., Conclusions: Mitral apparatus deformity, incomplete closure of mitral leaflets and global remodelling are more prominent in patients with ICM and lead to more severe FMR than in patients with DCM.

A 56-year-old asymptomatic man was referred for further evaluation because he displayed a rapid T-wave change on the ECG, from positive T waves to giant negative T waves in the anterolateral precordial leads, within 2 years. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed mild left ventricular apical hypertrophy without obstruction. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with focal hyperenhancement of the non-hypertrophic basal lateral segment of the left ventricle and absence of hyperenhancement of the hypertrophied apical segments.

Background: There are limited reports in the literature concerning right ventricular (RV) performance in patients with non end-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who exhibit mild to moderate pulmonary hypertension (PH). We evaluated RV functional impairment in such a cohort using both conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and in addition we assessed the association of specific TDI indices with survival., Methods: Twenty-two clinically stable patients with non-end stage IPF and mild to moderate PH were assessed. Twenty-two healthy individuals served as controls. We evaluated RV systolic and diastolic function and further estimated peak pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). In addition, by combining TDI and Doppler echocardiography, we calculated the ratio of trans-tricuspid E-wave velocity to early diastolic tricuspid annulus velocity (RV E/Em). Patients were followed for a median period of 22 months and the incidence of death was recorded., Results: Both echocardiographic modalities revealed impaired RV systolic and diastolic function in the IPF group compared to controls. A significant negative correlation was observed between RV E/Em and PASP (r = -0.5, p = 0.018). The probability of survival was 54.5% for those patients with RV E/Em < 4.7 versus 100% for those with an index > 4.7 (log-rank statistic 5.81, p = 0.016)., Conclusions: TDI modality may serve as an alternative to conventional ultrasound technique for risk stratification and PH estimation in non end-stage IPF patients.