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Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the world’s leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Likewise, the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have always been based on the detection of the presence and extent of ischaemia by physical or pharmacological stress tests with or without the aid of imaging methods (e.g. exercise stress, test, stress echocardiography, single-photon emission computed tomography, or stress cardiac magnetic resonance). These methods show high performance to assess obstructive CAD, whilst they do not show accurate power to detect non-obstructive CAD. The introduction into clinical practice of coronary computed tomography angiography, the only non-invasive method capable of analyzing the coronary anatomy, allowed to add a crucial piece in the puzzle of the assessment of patients with suspected or chronic IHD. The current review evaluates the technical aspects and clinical experience of coronary computed tomography in the evaluation of atherosclerotic burden with a special focus about the new emerging application such as functional relevance of CAD with fractional flow reserve computed tomography (CT)-derived (FFRct), stress CT perfusion, and imaging inflammatory makers discussing the strength and weakness of each approach.

(1) Background: Glucagone-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs) (GLP-1 RAs) are incretine-based medications recommended in the treatment of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or high or very high cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, knowledge of the direct mechanism of GLP-1 RAs on cardiac function is modest and not yet fully elucidated. Left ventricular (LV) Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) with Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) represents an innovative technique for the evaluation of myocardial contractility. (2) Methods: an observational, perspective, monocentric study was conducted in a cohort of 22 consecutive patients with DM2 and ASCVD or high/very high CV risk, enrolled between December 2019 and March 2020 and treated with GLP-1 RAs dulaglutide or semaglutide. The echocardiographic parameters of diastolic and systolic function were recorded at baseline and after six months of treatment. (3) Results: the mean age of the sample was 65 ± 10 years with a prevalence of the male sex (64%). A significant improvement in the LV GLS (mean difference: −1.4 ± 1.1%; p value < 0.001) was observed after six months of treatment with GLP-1 RAs dulaglutide or semaglutide. No relevant changes were seen in the other echocardiographic parameters. (4) Conclusions: six months of treatment with GLP-1 RAs dulaglutide or semaglutide leads to an improvement in the LV GLS in subjects with DM2 with and high/very high risk for ASCVD or with ASCVD. Further studies on larger populations and with a longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.

Evidence about the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) are emerging. The aim of our study was to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence concerning the clinical effects of DOACs versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in LVT treatment.Systematic search of studies evaluating DOACs versus VKAs use in patients with LVT was performed on May 11th, 2021. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Odds ratios (OR) with relative 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as measures of effect estimates. The primary efficacy and safety endpoint were ischemic stroke and any bleeding, respectively. Secondary endpoints were LVT resolution, systemic embolism, major bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke, and all cause death.Twenty studies were included in the meta-analysis: 1,391 patients were treated with DOACs and 1,534 with VKAs. A significant reduction in the risk of ischemic stroke (OR 0.67, 95% CI, 0.45-0.98, P = 0.048, number needed to treat to benefit [NNTB] 22 [95% CI 15-43]) and any bleeding (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46-0.89, P = 0.009, NNTB 26 [95% CI 16-80]) was observed with DOACs compared to VKAs. No statistically significant difference was observed among the two treatment arms for the secondary endpoints.Compared to VKAs, DOACs are associated with a reduced risk of ischemic stroke and bleeding. In light of these findings, and the practical advantages of DOACs, additional large scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the benefits of DOACs in patients with LVT.

Introduction Originally considered as the “forgotten valve disease”, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has recently been shown to correlate with consistent morbidity and mortality, suggesting the need for a deeper understanding of its natural course. Direct injury from Cardiac Implantable Electrical Device (CIED) leads is one of the most common causes of primary TR, with a prevalence up to 40%. The aim of the present proof-of-concept study was to evaluate the effect of CIED right ventricular (RV) lead position within the tricuspid anulus on TR development. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing CIED implantation at our institution (Humanitas Research Horpital IRCCS, Milan, Italy) were included, as long as they had been performed pre- and post- transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and a chest CT scan after the implantation. TTE and CT images were retrospectively reviewed. TR severity was graded using a pre-specified 4-class grading scheme: mild, moderate, severe and massive. CIED RV lead position was defined as postero-septal, antero-septal or antero-posterior, based on the commissure in which the lead was observed on a cross-sectional view of the tricuspid anulus at CT scan. Results 64 patients undergoing CIED implantation from January 2015 to December 2021 were included. All CT scans were non-ECG gated. TR was detected in 42 patients (65.62%) at pre-implantation TTE. The RV lead was implanted across the postero-septal, antero-posterior and antero-septal commissures in 35 (54.7%), 16 (25%) and 13 (20.3%) patients respectively. After the implantation, 12 individuals (18.75%) had new-onset or worsening TR, with CIED lead contributing to TR in 46.88% of cases (30/64), and 26 (40.63%) had worse RV function. At logistic regression analysis, the absence of atrial fibrillation was the only independent predictor of new-onset or worsening TR (OR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.03-0.86, p=0.032), while CIED RV lead in the postero-septal commissure was associated with a numerically lower risk as compared to other sites (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.09-1.27, p=0.108). Consistently, the degree of increase in TR severity was numerically lower in patients with a lead in the postero-septal commissure (Δ = 0.38±0.10 vs. 0.63±0.13, p=0.07). Conclusions CIED implantation is associated with increasing TR severity and worsening RV function. Positioning a lead across the postero-septal commissure of the tricuspid anulus might have a lower impact on TR development and worsening, thus representing a feasible option to prevent CIED-related TR.

Background The introduction of Cardiac-MRI (cMRI) in clinical practice has considerably improved risk stratification of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the prediction of adverse outcome based on imaging markers remains suboptimal. Right ventricular (RV) involvement is an emerging finding in this disease of unknown clinical value. The identification of accurate and sensible imaging markers to detect morpho-functional alterations of the RV is therefore essential to establish, in the future, any prognostic impact of RV involvement in HCM in order to improve risk stratification. RV free wall longitudinal strain (RV-FWLS) is a promising marker to unveil subclinical RV dysfunction despite normal conventional indices of RV systolic function; however, RV-FWLS has been scarcely explored in HCM patients. Case Summary A 29-year-old man with sarcomeric HCM due to MYBPC3 mutation was referred to our Institution. Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) showed left ventricular (LV) apical hypertrophy (27 mm) with an ace of spades morphology and mid-ventricular obstruction (peak gradient 38 mmHg). LV-EF was normal (62%) while LV global longitudinal strain was significantly impaired (-9.3% with a reverse apical sparing pattern). 2nd-degree diastolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement (maximum volume: 42 ml/m2) were observed. No LV apical aneurysm nor paradoxical diastolic flow at the apex were noted. RV hypertrophy was present (maximum thickness 8 mm) with normal conventional indices of RV systolic function: TAPSE 26 mm, S’ TDI 12 cm/s, FAC 50%. In contrast, RV-FWLS was significantly reduced (–16%). cMRI confirmed normal bi-ventricular function in presence of left and right hypertrophy (maximum wall thickness 28 and 12 mm, respectively) and LV apical thinning. At tissue characterization, elevated native T1 and T2 values were evident in the apex (1071 +/- 45 ms and 54 +/- 6 ms, respectively) and a significant amount of patchy LGE was present in the mid-apical segments of the LV (28% of LV mass) and of the RV. After consideration of clinical and imaging data, an s-ICD for primary prevention was implanted. Discussion The present case highlights known issues and poses new challenges in managing HCM patients. First, it confirms the central role of cMRI, demonstrating its unique capability to spot myocardial fibrosis, guiding our decision to implant an s-ICD in our patient. Second, it draws attention to RV involvement in HCM, an emerging finding in this condition. MYBPC3 mutation has been associated with RV hypertrophy. Both of these conditions, together with patchy RV-LGE, were found in our patient. Notably, RV-FWLS was the only RV systolic index to be impaired and might represent an early and more accurate marker of RV systolic dysfunction compared to other conventional indices, including RV-EF by cMRI. Future studies assessing the prognostic value of RV involvement, including RV-LGE and RV-FWLS, are needed in HCM patients to potentially refine risk stratification in this challenging population.

Introduction . Cardiac complications related to non-cardiac surgery have a variable incidence, from less than 1% to more than 5% with a great variability depending on type of intervention, patient's risk factors and results from tests performed during the pre-operative evaluation. The aim of our single centre retrospective study was to evaluate the prognostic role of stress cardiac magnetic resonance (sCMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) in relation to 30 days post-surgery cardiac events. Method Clinical data of patients from January 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected from review of electronical medical records. Only intermediate and high risk surgeries were included. All patients underwent to cardiologic, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation before surgery. Stress test was performed according to cardiologist judgment. Primary endpoint was a composite endpoint of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiac death, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary oedema and life threatening cardiac arrythmias. Secondary endpoint were the research of ischemia predictors and the rate of revascularization. Results One-thousand-five-hundred-ninety patients were included, 669 stress tests were performed (287 sCMR, 382 SPECT-MPI). Rate of 30-days cardiac events was lower in the stress test group vs non-stress test group (1,2% vs 3,4%; p 0,006). Imaging stress test strategy showed a significant reduction of composite endpoint at multivariate analysis (OR: 0.334, IC: 0.155–0.766, p 0.009). Predictors of ischemia were hypertension, coronary artery disease and diastolic dysfunction. SCMR was non inferior to SPECT with regard the risk of cardiac events, while showed a greater accuracy to predict coronary revascularization (AUC for sCMR: 0.94). Conclusions Stress test strategy reduces cardiac events in high risk patients candidate to moderate- to high- risk surgeries. Stress CMR is non-inferior to SPECT with regards to the risk of cardiac events, but has a greater accuracy to predict the need for revascularization.

Aims Cardiovascular sequelae may occur in patients recovered from COVID-19. Recent studies have detected a considerable incidence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction – assessed with speckle-tracking echocardiography – and of long-COVID symptoms in these patients. This study aimed to define the long-term prognostic role of subclinical myocardial dysfunction and long-COVID condition in patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods and Results We prospectively followed-up 110 patients hospitalized at our Institution due to COVID-19 pneumonia in April 2020 and then recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. A 6-month clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was performed, followed by a 21-month clinical follow-up. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality. A subclinical myocardial dysfunction – defined as an impairment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (≥ -18%) - was identified at 6-month follow-up in 37 patients (34%), was associated with an increased risk of long-term MACE with a good discriminative power (AUC: 0.73) and resulted a strong independent predictor of extended MACE in a multivariate regression analysis (OR 9.29, 95%CI 2.20–39.3, p=0.002). Long-COVID condition was not associated with a worse long-term prognosis, instead. Conclusion In patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia, a subclinical myocardial dysfunction is present in one third of the whole population at 6-month follow-up and is associated with a higher risk of MACE at long-term follow-up. Speckle-tracking echocardiography is a promising tool to optimise the risk-stratification in patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia, while the definition of a long-COVID condition has not prognostic relevance.

Introduction Recent published ESC guidelines on non-cardiac surgery suggest the use of imaging stress test in patients with poor functional capacity and high likelihood of coronary artery disease or high clinical risk (class I, level B), while the use of coronary computed tomography has lower evidence (class IIa, level B). Witch test has the best performance in the clinical contest of pre-operative risk assessment is a matter of debate. Aim The aim of our single centre, retrospective study was to compare the prognostic role of the three main cardiac imaging modalities (CCT: Cardiac computed tomography, sCMR: stress cardiac magnetic resonance, SPECT MPI:single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging) in relation to 30 days post-surgery cardiac events (composite endpoint of myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiac death, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary oedema, life threatening cardiac arrythmias). Method Clinical data of patients from January 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected from review of electronical medical records. Recorded data included demographic characteristics, clinical risk factors, results from laboratory tests, results from cardiac imaging tests, pharmacological therapy, type of intervention, cardiac complication within 30 days after surgery. Results Eight-hundred eighty-three patients were included (287 sCMR, 382 SPECT-MPI, 214 CCT). Rate of 30-days myocardial infarction was not significantly different between different modalities (CMR 1.1%, SPECT 1.3%; CT 0.5%; CMR vs SPECT p 0.998; sCMR vs CT p 0.639; SPECT vs CT 0.427); while planned invasive coronary angiography (ICA) was more common in CT group (CT 34%, CMR 16%, SPECT 10%, p Conclusions The use of imaging stress test and coronary CT are both associated to low incidence of cardiac events and should be recommended in risk assessment before non-cardiac surgery, in the appropriate clinical context.

Introduction The diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis can be challenging through conventional imaging. Novel imaging techniques have been proposed to improve it. Clinical Case A 74-year-old man with a previous diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) was admitted because of worsening dyspnea, peripheral edema, and ascites refractory to diuretics therapy. ECG revealed low QRS voltages and AF with normal heart rate and laboratory exams detected increased values of BNP and hepatic stasis indices; blood count and CRP were normal. Echocardiography revealed mildly reduced bi-ventricular pump function (left ventricular ejection fraction = 52%, right ventricular fractional area change = 25%) and slightly increased wall thickness. Atria were moderately dilated (left and right atrium 46 and 44 ml/mq, respectively) and mitral and tricuspid annuli were dilated too. There was inferior vena cava plethora, moderate atriogenic tricuspid regurgitation and mild-to-moderate atriogenic mitral regurgitation. A paradoxical interventricular septal motion and significant respiratory changes on trans-mitral (>25%) and trans-tricuspid (>30%) pulsed Doppler were noted; however, there was no "annulus reversus" (lateral and septal e’ 13 and 11 cm/sec, respectively) at TDI analysis. In contrast, 2D-speckle-tracking global longitudinal strain showed impaired deformation ​​of the lateral segments with relative sparing of the septal segments. The latter pattern has been recently described as "strain reversus" or "hot septum sign". The findings were suspected of constrictive pericarditis, but a chest Computed Tomography excluded pericardial calcifications. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was then performed revealing a "septal shift" at cine-real time sequences analysis. The pericardium was slightly thickened (4-5 mm) with widespread late gadolinium enhancement but without signs of acute inflammation at T2-weighted imaging. Tricuspid regurgitation was confirmed to be "moderate" after phase-contrast imaging. Cardiac catheterization finally revealed normal coronary arteries and confirmed the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis (square root sign, equalization of bi-ventricular end-diastolic pressures). The patient underwent pericardiectomy and tricuspid and mitral valve repair and was asymptomatic at 6-months follow-up. Conclusions Constrictive pericarditis represents a potentially reversible cause of heart failure but can be easily missed through conventional imaging. In the present case, advanced echocardiography and CMR were essential to come up with an accurate diagnosis, guiding the patient's clinical management with excellent outcome.

Introduction Aortic valves with a number of cusps different from two or three are infrequent congenital anomalies that might manifest with valvular disease in young patients. We present two cases of unicuspid and quadricuspid aortic valve diagnosed in our Center. Clinical Cases Case 1. A 23-year-old asymptomatic male was admitted to our Hospital because of the necessity of bone marrow transplantation for Hodgkin lymphoma. He had a previous diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve and presented a 5/6 mid-systolic harsh murmur, heard best at the right upper sternal border and radiating to the neck. ECG showed sinus rhythm with left ventricular hypertrophy. BNP was in normal range (31 pg/ml). At trans-thoracic echocardiography, there was severe aortic stenosis [peak/mean gradient of 100/67 mmHg with an aortic valve area of 1.04 cm2 (0.54 cm2/m2); V max was 5 m/s] without regurgitation and dilation of the ascending aorta (39 mm), however the morphology of the aortic valve remained undefined. Left ventricle showed hypertrophy (maximum wall thickness = 13 mm) with normal volumes and systolic function. Thus, the patient underwent to 3D-Transesophageal echocardiography, which demonstrated unicuspid aortic valve with a lone commissure between L-NC and anterior calcification. After multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent close follow-up and aortic valve replacement was planned after the bone marrow transplantation. Case 2. A 21-year-old male was referred by general practitioner to our outpatient clinic for palpitations. Cardiovascular physical examination and ECG were normal with no evidence of arrhyhtmia or cardiac murmurs. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed central mild aortic valve regurgitation in a suspected quadricuspid aortic valve (i.e., an X-shaped commissure pattern during diastole and a rectangular appearance during systole in the parasternal short-axis view). Left ventricular size and function and ascending aorta dimensions were normal. There was no associated congenital cardiovascular abnormality. 3D-Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed the evidence of a quadricuspid aortic valve. The cusps appeared to be of different size: two equal larger cusps and two equal smaller cusps (Type C, Hurwitz and Robert's classification), thin and mobile. The patient was advised to echocardiographic follow-up at intervals of 12 months. Conclusions We describe two cases of aortic valve congenital anomalies in two coetaneous patients with completely different impacts on hemodynamics. Severe aortic stenosis complicated unicuspid aortic valve whereas quadricuspid aortic valve was associated with mild aortic regurgitation. 3D-Transesophageal echocardiography was essential for accurate morphological characterization of the aortic valves.

Aims Whether pulmonary artery (PA) dimension and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, as assessed by chest computed tomography (CT), are associated with myocardial injury in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not known. The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors for myocardial injury and death and to investigate whether myocardial injury has an independent association with all-cause mortality in patients with COVID-19. Methods and Results This is a single-centre cohort study including consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 undergoing chest CT on admission. Myocardial injury was defined as high-sensitivity troponin I >20 ng/L on admission. A total of 332 patients with a median follow-up of 12 days were included. There were 68 (20.5%) deaths; 123 (37%) patients had myocardial injury. PA diameter was higher in patients with myocardial injury compared with patients without myocardial injury [29.0 (25th–75th percentile, 27–32) mm vs. 27.7 (25–30) mm, P < 0.001). PA diameter was independently associated with an increased risk of myocardial injury [adjusted odds ratio 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.19, P = 0.01] and death [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.17, P = 0.01]. Compared with patients without myocardial injury, patients with myocardial injury had a lower prevalence of a CAC score of zero (25% vs. 55%, P < 0.001); however, the CAC score did not emerge as a predictor of myocardial injury by multivariable logistic regression. Myocardial injury was independently associated with an increased risk of death by multivariable Cox regression (adjusted HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.27–3.96, P = 0.005). Older age, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, and lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio on admission were other independent predictors for both myocardial injury and death. Conclusions An increased PA diameter, as assessed by chest CT, is an independent risk factor for myocardial injury and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Myocardial injury is independently associated with an approximately two-fold increased risk of death.

Endocarditis is a devastating complication of prosthetic aortic valve replacement. The infective process can destroy aortic annulus tissue, making conventional surgical valve replacement difficult or impossible and causing aortoventricular discontinuity. Several treatment techniques have been proposed. One of these, the Danielson technique, involves translocating the aortic valve to the native ascending aorta, débriding the abscess cavity, closing the coronary ostia, and bypassing the coronary arteries with a Y anastomosis between 2 vein grafts. We describe our use of a modified Danielson technique in a 68-year-old man with advanced prosthetic valve endocarditis that was associated with aortic annulus destruction and aortoventricular discontinuity. This modified technique enables safer, more secure anchoring of a replacement valve, reduces the risks and concerns associated with bypass grafts, and successfully treats aortoventricular discontinuity.

Aims Evidence about the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) are emerging. The aim of our study was to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence concerning the clinical effects of DOACs vs. vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in LVT treatment. Methods Systematic search of studies evaluating DOACs vs. VKAs use in patients with LVT was performed on 11 May 2021. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Odds ratios (OR) with relative 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as measures of effect estimates. The primary efficacy and safety endpoint were ischaemic stroke and any bleeding, respectively. Secondary endpoints were LVT resolution, systemic embolism, major bleeding, haemorrhagic stroke, and all cause death. Results Twenty studies were included in the meta-analysis: 1391 patients were treated with DOACs and 1534 with VKAs. A significant reduction in the risk of ischaemic stroke [OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45–0.98, P = 0.048, number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) 22 (95% CI 15–43)] and any bleeding [OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46–0.89, P = 0.009, NNTB 26 (95% CI 16–80)] was observed with DOACs compared to VKAs. No statistically significant difference was observed among the two treatment arms for the secondary endpoints. Conclusion Compared to VKAs, DOACs are associated with a reduced risk of ischaemic stroke and bleeding. In light of these findings, and the practical advantages of DOACs, additional large scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the benefits of DOACs in patients with LVT.

Aims Mitral annulus disjunction (MAD) has been associated with sudden cardiac death in selected patients with arrhythmic presentation, while its clinical significance in unselected cohorts remains unknown. Our purpose was to assess the prevalence and clinical significance of MAD in consecutive patients referred to cardiovascular-magnetic-resonance (CMR). Methods and results Our population included 103 consecutive patients undergoing CMR at our Institution, between August and September 2021. MAD was defined as a ≥ 1 mm atrial displacement of the mitral leaflet hinge point in standard long-axis cine images during end-systole. MAD analysis was performed in 97 patients (feasibility = 94%) and resulted positive in 49 (51%). MAD—patients were more often males (75% vs. 57%; P = 0.045) and affected by ischaemic (35% vs. 12%, P = 0.01) and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (38% vs. 16%, P = 0.026) compared to MAD+ patients. No significant differences were found in terms of age, history of ventricular arrhythmias, bi-ventricular and bi-atrial volumes, bi-ventricular ejection fraction, native T1 and T2 mapping values, extracellular volume, and prevalence of late gadolinium enhancement (P > 0.05 for all) between MAD + vs. MAD—patients. MAD extent was higher in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP; n = 7), (3.5 ± 1.5 mm in MVP+ vs. 2.0 ± 1.0 mm in MVP– patients; P = 0.004). No significant differences were conversely found in MAD extent between patients with and without ventricular arrhythmias (2.5 ± 1.1 mm vs. 2.3 ± 1.1 mm; P = 0.815). Conclusions Our findings suggest a high prevalence of MAD in unselected cohorts of patients, with no clinical significance. Prospective studies are needed to further elucidate the interplay between MAD and malignant ventricular arrhythmias in unselected cohorts of patients.

Aims Repetitive Levosimendan treatment in advanced heart failure patients has not been investigated yet via myocardial work indices (MWI), which could more accurately detect the effects of this both inotropic and vasodilatory drug. The aims of this study were (1) to describe variations of myocardial work indices, as a consequence of repetitive Levosimendan infusions and (2) to assess the prognostic value of myocardial work parameters in these patients. Methods and results Fourteen patients with advanced heart failure treated with intermittent in-hospital levosimendan infusions were prospectively included. Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic assessment were performed before and after every Levosimendan infusion. The primary endpoint was a composite of any episode of decompensated HF, urgent HF rehospitalization, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest and cardiovascular death at 4–6 weeks follow-up after each planned infusion. During follow-up (mean: 150 ± 99 days) a total of 37 infusions were performed and a total of 11 cardiovascular events occurred. Global constructive work (GCW), global work efficiency (GWE), and global work index (GWI) increased after Levosimendan infusion in 62.2%, 73.0%, and 70.3% of cases, with significant differences between patients with and without outcomes [delta GCW: −7.36 mmHg% (134.12) vs. 113.81 mmHg% (204.41), P = 0.007; delta GWE: −3.27% (8.38) vs. 4.30% (5.58), P = 0.002]. Delta value of GWE showed the largest area under curve (AUC: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.64–1.00, P = 0.002) for outcome prediction with a cut-off point of 0.5%. Independent prognostic value of GWE variation was confirmed in multivariable regression models (OR: 0.825, 95% CI: 0.702–0.970, P = 0.02). Conclusions GWE and GCW provided incremental and independent prognostic value at short-term follow-up over traditional echocardiographic parameters. The differentiation of patients into ‘workers’, whose GWE improved after Levosimendan infusion, and ‘non-workers’, who failed to improve their GWE, permitted to identify patients at higher risk of forthcoming cardiovascular events. Monitoring these patients with MWI may have relevant clinical implications.

AIMS: Currently, there are few available data regarding a possible role for subclinical atherosclerosis as a risk factor for mortality in Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) patients. We used coronary artery calcium (CAC) score derived from chest computed tomography (CT) scan to assess the in-hospital prognostic role of CAC in patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: Electronic medical records of patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) were excluded. A CAC score was calculated for each patient and was used to categorize them into one of four groups: 0, 1-299, 300-999 and at least 1000. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality for any cause. RESULTS: The final population consisted of 282 patients. Fifty-seven patients (20%) died over a follow-up time of 40 days. The presence of CAC was detected in 144 patients (51%). Higher CAC score values were observed in nonsurvivors [median: 87, interquartile range (IQR): 0.0-836] compared with survivors (median: 0, IQR: 0.0-136). The mortality rate in patients with a CAC score of at least 1000 was significantly higher than in patients without coronary calcifications (50 vs. 11%) and CAC score 1-299 (50 vs. 23%), P 

Papillary muscle rupture is a rare complication of myocardial infarction. Here we describe a case of an apparently spontaneous rupture of papillary muscle, not associated with coronary obstruction. The patient was a 73-year-old man admitted to our hospital for diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by acute pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed partial rupture of papillary muscle leading to severe mitral regurgitation. Urgent cardiac surgery with mitral valve replacement was performed.

Objectives This study sought to compare the diagnostic accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) with that of cCTA+fractional flow reserve derived from cCTA datasets (FFRCT) and that of cCTA+static stress-computed tomography perfusion (stress-CTP) in detecting functionally significant coronary artery lesions using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) plus invasive FFR as the reference standard. Background FFRCT and static stress-CTP are new techniques that combine anatomy and functional evaluation to improve assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) using cCTA. Methods A total of 147 consecutive symptomatic patients scheduled for clinically indicated ICA+invasive FFR were evaluated with cCTA, FFRCT, and stress-CTP. Results Vessel-based and patient-based sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values, and positive predictive values, and accuracy rates of cCTA were 99%, 76%, 100%, 61%, 82%, and 95%, 54%, 94%, 63%, 73%, respectively. cCTA+FFRCT showed vessel-based and patient-based sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values, and positive predictive values and accuracy rates of 88%, 94%, 95%, 84%, 92%, and 90%, 85%, 92%, 83%, 87%, respectively. Finally, cCTA+stress-CTP showed vessel-based and patient-based sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values, and positive predictive values and accuracy rates of 92%, 95%, 97%, 87%, 94% and 98%, 87%, 99%, 86%, 92%, respectively. Both FFRCT and stress-CTP significantly improved specificity and positive predictive values compared to those of cCTA alone. The area under the curve to detect flow-limiting stenoses of cCTA, cCTA+FFRCT, and cCTA+CTP were 0.89, 0.93, 0.92, and 0.90, 0.94, and 0.93 in a vessel-based and patient-based model, respectively, with significant additional values for both cCTA+FFRCT and cCTA+CTP versus cCTA alone (p Conclusions FFRCT and stress-CTP in addition to cCTA are valid and comparable tools to evaluate the functional relevance of CAD.

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between different haptoglobin (Hp) phenotypes and myocardial infarction characteristics as detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in consecutive patients after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background Hp is a plasma protein that prevents iron-mediated oxidative tissue damage. CMR has emerged as the gold standard technique to detect left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), extent of scar with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique, microvascular obstruction (MVO), and myocardial hemorrhage (MH) in patients with STEMI treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods A total of 145 consecutive STEMI patients (mean age 62.2 ± 10.3 years; 78% men) were prospectively enrolled and underwent Hp phenotyping and CMR assessment within 1 week after STEMI. Results CMR showed an area at risk (AAR) involving 26.6 ± 19.1% of left ventricular (LV) mass with a late LGE extent of 15.2 ± 13.1% of LV mass. MVO and MH occurred in 38 (26%) and 12 (8%) patients, respectively. Hp phenotypes 1-1, 2-1, 2-2 were observed in 15 (10%), 62 (43%), and 68 (47%), respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that body mass index, Hp2-2, diabetes, and peak troponin I were independent predictors of MVO with Hp2-2 associated with the highest odds ratio (OR) (OR: 5.5 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1 to 14.3; p Conclusions Hp phenotype is an independent predictor of MVO. Therefore, Hp phenotyping could be used for risk stratification and may be useful in assessing new therapies to reduce myocardial reperfusion injury in patients with STEMI.

Objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of stress computed tomography myocardial perfusion (CTP) for the detection of functionally significant coronary artery disease (CAD) by using invasive coronary angiography (ICA) plus invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the reference standard in consecutive intermediate- to high-risk symptomatic patients. Background Stress CTP recently emerged as a potential strategy to combine the anatomic and functional evaluation of CAD in a single scan. Methods A total of 100 consecutive symptomatic patients scheduled for ICA were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent rest coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) followed by stress static CTP with a whole-heart coverage CT scanner (Revolution CT, GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, Wisconsin). Diagnostic accuracy and overall effective dose were assessed and compared versus those of ICA and invasive FFR. Results The prevalence of obstructive CAD and functionally significant CAD were 69% and 44%, respectively. Coronary CTA alone demonstrated a per-vessel and per-patient sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy of 98%, 76%, 99%, 63%, and 83% and of 98%, 54%, 96%, 68%, and 76%, respectively. Combining coronary CTA with stress CTP, per-vessel and per-patient sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy were 91%, 94%, 96%, 86%, and 93% and 98%, 83%, 98%, 86%, and 91%, with a significant improvement in specificity, positive predictive value, and accuracy in both models. The mean effective dose for coronary CTA and stress CTP were 2.8 ± 1.4 mSv and 2.5 ± 1.1 mSv. Conclusions The inclusion of stress CTP for the evaluation of patients with an intermediate to high risk for CAD is feasible and improved the diagnostic performance of coronary CTA for detecting functionally significant CAD.

Acute mitral regurgitation is a life-threatening pathology. Nowadays, percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip device offers, in selected patients, a safe and effective therapeutic alternative to open surgery. Hereby, we report the case of an 82-year-old woman with lateral ST-elevation myocardial infarction determining severe acute mitral regurgitation, who was treated with an urgent MitraClip procedure. Moreover, we discuss echocardiographic assessment of acute mitral regurgitation and we review available literature and possible management of this complex scenario.

The Eustachian valve was first described by Bartolomeo Eustachio (Italian anatomist) at 1552. It is an embryological remnant of the inferior vena cava valve that prenatally directs the oxygenated blood from inferior vena cava across the patent foramen ovale (PFO) into systemic circulation. Generally, following birth, after the closure of the foramen ovale it gradually regresses and not have a specific function, but it may persist in some patients as a floating membrane in the right atrium (RA), a nonpathological functionless structure.1 The prevalence of Eustachian valve in the normal population is unknown. Generally, it is an incidental finding without any significant pathophysiological consequences, but in some particular cases, unfortunately, it can become the site of thrombus formation and paradoxical embolic source.1 In our case report we describe a particular case of paradoxical systemic embolism due to a giant cauliflower thrombus on Eustachian valve, which caused ischemic stroke, pulmonary embolism and splenic infarction

Introduction: Myocardial injury is common amongst patients hospitalized with Covid-19 and is associated with a poor prognosis. It is unknown whether its incidence and its mechanisms differ by race and ethnicity. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, international cohort study at 7 hospitals in New York (United States) and Milan (Italy) between March and May 2020. All patients were hospitalized, had laboratory-confirmed Covid-19, and received a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) during their hospitalization. We evaluated the association between race/ethnicity and myocardial injury in multivariable logistic regression models. Myocardial injury was defined as any cardiac troponin elevation above the upper limit of normal at each enrolling site. Results: A total of 305 consecutive patients were included, of whom 280 had self-reported race/ethnicity. Key demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic characteristics are presented in the Table. All minority groups had higher incidence of a composite of major echocardiographic abnormalities compared to whites, and Asian and Hispanic patients had increased incidence of RV dysfunction. In multivariable models, compared with Whites, Black (adjOR 2.7 [1.1-6.4]), Asian (adjOR 3.3 [1.1-10.2]), and Hispanic (adjOR 2.8 [1.4-5.8]) patients had increased odds of myocardial injury. After adjusting for baseline demographic and clinical variables, both Asian (adjOR 9.9 [2.6-38.6]) and Hispanic (adjOR 5.7 [2.1-15.6]) patients had increased odds of in-hospital mortality compared with White, but not Black (adjOR 2.0 [0.6-7.0]) patients. Conclusions: Among hospitalized patients with Covid-19 who received a TTE, minority groups had higher incidence of echocardiographic abnormalities and increased risk of myocardial injury. After adjustment for baseline confounders, only Asian and Hispanic patients remained at increased risk for in-hospital mortality.

Background Myocardial injury is frequent among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms of myocardial...

During SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, several subjects were treated in our intensive care unit (ICU) because of acute respiratory failure following COVID-19 pneumonia. Most of them required mechanical ventilation and someone in prone position (PP) too, because of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). During PP, trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) is not always easy, mainly due to the forced position of the neck of the patient. Moreover, during a pandemic, given the great number of patients needing treatment, TEE probes and monitoring devices are not widely available. Then, trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) plays a crucial role as it is non-invasive, repeatable, and available every time it is needed. Moreover, it can be safely performed also in prone position (TTEp). According to in-hospital protocol, TTEp was performed using the apical-four-chamber (A-4-C) view in 8 patients. We temporarily deflated the lower thoracic section of the air-mattress to place the probe between the mattress surface and the thorax of the patient. We collected both TEE and hemodynamics data. The main result of our retrospective analysis is that TTE can be performed in patients in prone positioning and is reliable and repeatable; the single apical-four-chamber view provides sufficient data to evaluate the cardiac performance in case of scarce availability of hemodynamic monitoring devices, like in a pandemic setting. TTE may be a helpful tool for cardiac performance evaluation and diagnosis not only in supine or anterolateral positioning like in echocardiographic lab, but also in subjects admitted to ICU due to ARDS needing of mechanical ventilation in prone positioning.

Stress computed tomography perfusion (Stress-CTP) and computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) are functional techniques that can be added to coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) to improve the management of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This retrospective analysis from the PERFECTION study aims to assess the impact of their availability on the management of patients with suspected CAD scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and invasive FFR. The management plan was defined as optimal medical therapy (OMT) or revascularization and was recorded for the following strategies: cCTA alone, cCTA+FFRCT, cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP. In 291 prospectively enrolled patients, cCTA+FFRCT, cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP showed a similar rate of reclassification of cCTA findings when FFRCT and Stress-CTP were added to cCTA. cCTA, cCTA+FFRCT, cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP showed a rate of agreement versus the final therapeutic decision of 63%, 71%, 89%, 84% (cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP vs cCTA and cCTA+FFRCT: p &lt, 0.01), respectively, and a rate of agreement in terms of the vessels to be revascularized of 57%, 64%, 74%, 71% (cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP vs cCTA and cCTA+FFRCT: p &lt, 0.01), respectively, with an effective radiation dose (ED) of 2.9 &plusmn, 1.3 mSv, 2.9 &plusmn, 1.3 mSv, 5.9 &plusmn, 2.7 mSv, and 3.1 &plusmn, 2.1 mSv. The addition of FFRCT and Stress-CTP improved therapeutic decision-making compared to cCTA alone, and a sequential strategy with cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP represents the best compromise in terms of clinical impact and radiation exposure.

Stress computed tomography perfusion (Stress-CTP) and computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFRCT) are functional techniques that can be added to coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) to improve the management of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). This retrospective analysis from the PERFECTION study aims to assess the impact of their availability on the management of patients with suspected CAD scheduled for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and invasive FFR. The management plan was defined as optimal medical therapy (OMT) or revascularization and was recorded for the following strategies: cCTA alone, cCTA+FFRCT, cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP. In 291 prospectively enrolled patients, cCTA+FFRCT, cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP showed a similar rate of reclassification of cCTA findings when FFRCT and Stress-CTP were added to cCTA. cCTA, cCTA+FFRCT, cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP showed a rate of agreement versus the final therapeutic decision of 63%, 71%, 89%, 84% (cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP vs cCTA and cCTA+FFRCT: p < 0.01), respectively, and a rate of agreement in terms of the vessels to be revascularized of 57%, 64%, 74%, 71% (cCTA+Stress-CTP and cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP vs cCTA and cCTA+FFRCT: p < 0.01), respectively, with an effective radiation dose (ED) of 2.9 ± 1.3 mSv, 2.9 ± 1.3 mSv, 5.9 ± 2.7 mSv, and 3.1 ± 2.1 mSv. The addition of FFRCT and Stress-CTP improved therapeutic decision-making compared to cCTA alone, and a sequential strategy with cCTA+FFRCT+Stress-CTP represents the best compromise in terms of clinical impact and radiation exposure.

Chronic kidney disease patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation are at high risk of post-procedural acute kidney injury. In order to minimize this risk, a meticulous procedural planning is needed, as well as a multidisciplinary team of interventionalists and imaging specialists.We present the case of an ultralow contrast transcatheter aortic valve implantation with an Acurate neo self-expandable prosthesis in a patient with advanced chronic kidney disease.