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The link between patent foramen ovale (PFO) and paradoxical embolization, which may be cause of so-called#8220;cryptogenic#8221; ischemic stroke, has been known for more than 100 years. The catheteriziation closure of PFO as a secondary preventive treatment is performed in a greater extent since the end of the last century. The results of the first epidemiological and randomised clinical trials comparing antiagregation or anticoagulant therapy with the PFO closure did not show a clear benefit of any of these approaches. In 2017, major randomized clinical trials were published that demonstrated the benefit of PFO catheter closure compared to drug therapy alone. In this summary article we describe the diagnostic procedure of patients with PFO undergoing paradoxical embolization, indications and selections of a suitable patient for catheter closure of PFO, the procedure itself and subsequent clinical follow-up of these patients.

Introduction. Reperfusion therapy by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is generally indicated in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (MI) with ST-segment elevation (STEMI). Prior to hospital admission, full ST-segment resolution (fSTR) may occur. Optimal management of such patients with transient STEMI (TSTEMI) is potentially challenging. Our aim was to evaluate the hypothesis that in TSTEMI patients, patency of infarct related artery (IRA) is achieved before PPCI, and to compare the outcome of TSTEMI and STEMI patients during a prolonged follow-up. Material and Methods. Three hundred consecutive adult STEMI patients were referred to catheterization laboratory. In all patients, standard 12 lead ECGs were obtained both at the time of the first medical contact, and on catheterization laboratory admission. Results. TSTEMI occurred in 20 patients (6.7%). Despite fSTR (isoelectric ST segment), occluded IRA was found in 5 of these patients (25%). Pre-PPCI TIMI flow grade 2 was found in 6 TSTEMI patients (30%). Troponin T value at 24 h after symptom onset was lower in the TSTEMI group (1.8±2.5 mg/L vs. 3.6±3.5 mg/L, P=0.008). These patients also had a lower value of brain natriuretic peptide (156.3±119.5 ng/L vs. 438.5±429.0 ng/L, P

Background In patients at risk of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD), initiation of cardioprotective therapy (CPT) is constrained by the low sensitivity of ejection fraction (EF) for minor changes in left ventricular (LV) function. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a robust and sensitive marker of LV dysfunction, but existing observational data have been insufficient to support a routine GLS-guided strategy for CPT. Objectives This study sought to identify whether GLS-guided CPT prevents reduction in LVEF and development of CTRCD in high-risk patients undergoing potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy, compared with usual care. Methods In this international, multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial, 331 anthracycline-treated patients with another heart failure risk factor were randomly allocated to CPT initiation guided by either ≥12% relative reduction in GLS (n = 166) or >10% absolute reduction of LVEF (n = 165). Patients were followed for EF and development of CTRCD (symptomatic EF reduction of >5% or >10% asymptomatic to Results Of 331 randomized patients, 2 died, and 22 withdrew consent or were lost to follow-up. Among 307 patients (age: 54 ± 12 years; 94% women; baseline LVEF: 59 ± 6%; GLS: –20.6 ± 2.4%) with a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 1.02 years (0.98 to 1.07 years), most (n = 278) had breast cancer. Heart failure risk factors were prevalent: 29% had hypertension, and 13% had diabetes mellitus. At the 1-year follow-up, although the primary outcome of change in LVEF was not significantly different between the 2 arms, there was significantly greater use of CPT, and fewer patients met CTRCD criteria in the GLS-guided than the EF-guided arm (5.8% vs. 13.7%; p = 0.02), and the 1-year EF was 57 ± 6% versus 55 ± 7% (p = 0.05). Patients who received CPT in the EF-guided arm had a larger reduction in LVEF at follow-up than in the GLS-guided arm (9.1 ± 10.9% vs. 2.9 ± 7.4%; p = 0.03). Conclusions Although the change in LVEF was not different between the 2 arms as a whole, when patients who received CPT were compared, those in the GLS-guided arm had a significantly lower reduction in LVEF at 1 year follow-up. Furthermore, GLS-guided CPT significantly reduced a meaningful fall of LVEF to the abnormal range. The results support the use of GLS in surveillance for CTRCD. (Strain Surveillance of Chemotherapy for Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes [SUCCOUR]; ACTRN12614000341628 )

The goal of this study was to compare echocardiographic measurements of global longitudinal strain (GLS) (using 3 apical views) with single-view longitudinal strain (LS, 4- or 2-chamber [4CV_LS and 2CV_LS, respectively]) for detection of cancer-therapy related cardiotoxicity.GLS is useful for the detection of cardiotoxicity, but the need for repeated measurements poses a significant burden on busy echocardiography laboratories. A single-view LS measurement, possibly at point of care, could improve efficiency.Seventeen international centers prospectively recruited 108 patients (mean age 54 ± 13 years) at high risk for cardiotoxicity as part of the ongoing SUCCOUR (Strain Surveillance for Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes During Chemotherapy) randomized controlled trial. Echocardiography performed at baseline and follow-up were analyzed in a core laboratory setting blinded to clinical information. Peak systolic GLS and LS were measured from raw data. Cardiotoxicity was defined by reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction0.10 to 0.55 or a relative drop in GLS by ≥12%.Cardiotoxicity developed in 46 patients by either criteria. Baseline and follow-up 2-dimensional left ventricular ejection fraction were 61 ± 4% and 58 ± 5%, respectively (p 0.001). The baseline GLS (-20.9 ± 2.4%) was not different from 4CV_LS (-20.7 ± 2.5%; p = 0.09) or 2CV_LS (-21.1 ± 3.1%; p = 0.25). The follow-up GLS (-19.5 ± 2.4%) was also similar to 4CV_LS (-19.5 ± 2.6%; p = 0.80) and 2CV_LS (-19.7 ± 3.1%; p = 0.19). There was good correlation between GLS and 4CV_LS at baseline (r = 0.86; p 0.001) and follow-up (r = 0.89; p 0.001) and with 2CV_LS at baseline (r = 0.87; p 0.001) and follow-up (r = 0.88; p 0.001). However, there was 15% to 22% disagreement between GLS and 4CV_LS or 2CV_LS for the detection of cardiotoxicity. The interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility was higher for GLS (intraclass correlation: 0.93 to 0.95; coefficient of variance: 2.9% to 3.7%) compared with either single-chamber-based LS measurement (intraclass correlation: 0.85 to 0.91; coefficient of variance: 4.1% to 4.8%).Although there was good correlation between GLS and single-view LS measurements, single-view LS measurement led to disagreement in the diagnosis of cardiotoxicity in up to 22% of patients. GLS measurements were more reproducible than single-view LS. GLS based on 3 apical views should remain the preferred technique for detection of cardiotoxicity. (Strain Surveillance for Improving Cardiovascular Outcomes During Chemotherapy [SUCCOUR]; ACTRN12614000341628).

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the hypothesis that global longitudinal strain (GLS) guidance of cardioprotective therapy would improve cardiac function of at-risk patients underg...

Background Clinical impact of the minimally invasive surgical mitral valve annuloplasty (MVA) of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) in systolic heart failure on top of the state-of-the-art standards of care remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to compare clinical outcomes of isolated MVA using the mini-invasive videothoracoscopic approach versus the state-of-the-art (CON = conservative) treatment in patients with chronic systolic heart failure and symptomatic FMR. Methods The study population consisted of 379 patients (age 68.9 ± 11.0 years, 62.8% males) with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, symptomatic FMR and previous heart failure hospitalization. A total of 167 patients underwent undersized MVA and 212 patients were treated conservatively. A concomitant MAZE was performed in 53 (31.7%) patients. Results In the MVA group, the periprocedural and the 30-day mortality were 1.2% and 4.8%, respectively. During the median follow-up of 7.1 years (IQR 3.5–9.8 years) a total of 74 (44.3%) and 138 (65.1%) died in the MVA and the CON group, respectively (p

Mitralni regurgitace (MiR) je druhou nejcastějsi chlopenni vadou vyžadujici chirurgicke řeseni. Významna MiR je jednoznacně spojena s nepřiznivou prognozou, avsak teměř polovina pacientů s touto vadou neni operovana z důvodu vysokeho perioperacniho rizika. Implantace MitraClipu (Abbott Vascular-Structural Heart, Menlo Park, Kalifornie, USA) je rozvijejici se perkutanni "edge-to-edge" plastika mitralni chlopně napodobujici Alfieriho operaci. Přiznivý bezpecnostni profil spolu se zlepsenim funkcni kapacity a sniženim zavažnosti MiR u vysoce rizikových pacientů byly demonstrovany v randomizovaných klinických studiich i registrech z realne populace jak u primarni, tak sekundarni MiR. Nase vlastni data potvrdila bezpecnost a ucinnost teto techniky ve srovnani s minimalně invazivni chirurgii v lecbě funkcni MiR u pacientů s těžkým systolickým srdecnim selhanim.

Introduction The right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) has traditionally been mainly related to inferior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study assessed the RVMI electrocardiographic (ECG-RVMI) signs in relationship to ECG-based STEMI localization and to the infarct related artery in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods Three hundred consecutive adult patients (107 females) were referred to catheterization laboratory with the acute STEMI diagnosis. In all patients, both the standard 12-lead ECGs and the right-sided precordial leads (V1R–V6R) were recorded. ECG-RVMI was diagnosed by ST segment elevation above 100 μV in V4R. Results ECG signs of RVMI were found in 35 and 31 (23.8% for both) patients with inferior and anterior wall STEMI, respectively. In 32 ECG-RVMI patients, the right coronary artery (RCA) was occluded while in 34 patients, the occlusions were in the left anterior descending (LAD) or the left circumflex artery. No statistically significant differences were found in ECG-RVMI patients when comparing clinical variables between those with anterior and inferior wall STEMI. Conclusions ECG signs of RVMI during acute STEMI are not uncommon. RCA was the infarction-related artery in only one half of these patients. Anterior wall STEMI and the LAD were associated with a significant proportion of ECG-RVMI cases.

Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) show progressive fibrotic changes in the myocardium, which may impair cardiac function and patient outcomes even after successful aortic valve replacement. Detection of patients who need an early operation remains a diagnostic challenge as myocardial functional changes may be subtle. In recent years, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and cardiac magnetic resonance mapping have been shown to provide complementary information for the assessment of left ventricular mechanics and identification of subtle damage by focal or diffuse myocardial fibrosis, respectively. Little is known, however, about how focal and diffuse myocardial fibrosis occurring in severe AS are related to measurable functional changes by echocardiography and to which extent both parameters have prognostic and diagnostic value. The aims of this review are to discuss the occurrence of focal and diffuse myocardial fibrosis in patients with severe AS and to explore their relation with myocardial function, determined by STE, as well as the prognostic and diagnostic potential of both parameters.

To investigate whether and in which patients with catheter-derived low pressure gradient (PG, < 40 mmHg) severe (aortic valve area a parts per thousand 1 cm(2)) aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, early aortic valve replacement (AVR) might improve survival. We investigated a total of 506 consecutive patients (age 75 +/- 9 years, 58% men) with either moderate aortic stenosis (MAS) or severe aortic stenosis (SAS) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (a parts per thousand50%) as defined at catheterization. Propensity score matching was used to select matched pairs of patients with and without AVR in each group. A 100% complete follow-up of all cause death was obtained after a median of 6.6 years (interquartile range 3.4-8.8 years). There were 62 (12%) patients with MAS, 119 (24%) patients with SAS and low (< 40 mmHg) PG and 325 (64%) patients with SAS and high PG. Significantly less patients with MAS and low-gradient SAS underwent AVR compared to patients with high gradient SAS (58% vs 60% vs 83%, P < 0.001). In propensity score-matched patients, AVR was independently associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality in all groups (P < 0.05) regardless of the PG, stroke volume or aortic valve area. The present data indicate a that AVR improves survival in SAS regardless of the gradient and flow. This advocates an 'early-AVR' rather than a 'watchful waiting' strategy.

ObjectiveThe introduction of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) has modified the profile of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Occurrence and prognostic significance of hypotension episodes are not known in PPCI treated STEMI patients. It is also not known whether and/or how the hypotension episodes correlate with the degree of myocardial damage and whether there are any sex differences.MethodsData of 293 consecutive STEMI patients (189 males) treated by PPCI and without cardiogenic shock were analyzed. Blood pressure was measured noninvasively. A hypotensive episode was defined as a systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg over a period of at least 30 minutes.ResultsA hypotensive episode was observed in 92 patients (31.4%). Female sex was the strongest independent predictor of hypotension episodes (p < 0.0001), while there was no relationship to electrocardiographic STEMI localization. Hypotensive patients had significantly higher levels of troponin T and brain natriuretic peptide; hypotensive episodes were particularly frequent in women with increased troponin T. Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and betablockers was less frequent in hypotensive patients. After a mean 20-month follow-up, all-cause mortality did not differ between hypotensive patients and others. However, mortality in hypotensive patients who did not tolerate ACEI/ARB therapy was significantly higher compared to other hypotensive patients (p = 0.016).ConclusionHypotension episodes are not uncommon in the sub-acute phase of contemporarily treated STEMI patients with a striking difference between sexes-female sex was the strongest independent predictor of hypotension episodes. Hypotensive episodes may lead to a delay in pharmacotherapy which influences prognosis. Higher incidence of hypotension in women could at least partially explain the sex-related differences in the use of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy which was repeatedly observed in various studies.

To assess the relation between initial ECG findings, presence of risk factors, coronary angiography findings, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS).Data from a total of 5572 acute myocardial infarction patients admitted to the four tertiary hospitals during a period of 3 years were analyzed. CS on admission was present in 358 patients (6.4%). They were divided into four groups based on the admission ECG: ST-segment elevation (STEMI), ST-segment depression (STDMI), bundle branch block (BBBMI), and other ECG acute myocardial infarction.CS developed most frequently among BBBMI patients (in 12.1% of all BBBMIs, p0.001 vs. STEMI), followed by STEMI (6.7%), STDMI (4.4%), and other ECG acute myocardial infarction (2.3%). The risk of CS development was similar in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) (13.3%) and right bundle branch block (RBBB) (11.2%). The one-year mortality was highest among RBBBMI patients (66.7%, p0.001), followed by LBBBMI (48.6%), other ECG (47.1%), STEMI (41.7%), and STDMI patients (38.1%).RBBB on admission ECG is associated with the highest risk of CS development, frequent left main coronary artery affection, and unsuccessful revascularization. It is also an independent predictor of one-year mortality.

Background Automatic accurate measuring of the aortic annulus and determination of the optimal angulation of X-ray projection are important for the trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. The objective of this study was to present a novel fully automatic methodology for the quantification of the aortic annulus in computed tomography angiography (CTA) images. Methods CTA datasets of 26 patients were analyzed retrospectively with the proposed methodology, which consists of a knowledge-based segmentation of the aortic root and detection of the orientation and size of the aortic annulus. The accuracy of the methodology was determined by comparing the automatically derived results with the reference standard obtained by semi-automatic delineation of the aortic root and manual definition of the annulus plane. Results The difference between the automatic annulus diameter and the reference standard by observer 1 was 0.2 ± 1.0 mm, with an inter-observer variability of 1.2 ± 0.6 mm. The Pearson correlation coefficient for the diameter was good (0.92 for observer 1). For the first time, a fully automatic tool to assess the optimal projection curves was presented and validated. The mean difference between the optimal projection curves calculated based on the automatically defined annulus plane and the reference standard was 6.4° in the cranial/caudal (CRA/CAU) direction. The mean computation time was short with around 60 s per dataset. Conclusion The new fully automatic and fast methodology described in this manuscript not only provided precise measurements about the aortic annulus size with results comparable to experienced observers, but also predicted optimal X-ray projection curves from CTA images.

OBJECTIVES To compare the outcomes of MitraClip versus minimally invasive surgical mitral valve repair in high-risk patients with significant functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) and severe heart failure in a centre having pilot versus extensive experience with the MitraClip and the minimally invasive surgical approach, respectively. METHODS The MitraClip group consisted of 24 high-surgical-risk patients [age 75 ± 9 years, 75% males, NYHA III/IV 88%, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 31 ± 9%, EuroSCORE II 18 ± 14%], while the surgical group consisted of 48 patients matched for age, NYHA class and LV ejection fraction. RESULTS Patients undergoing MitraClip versus those undergoing surgical repair showed higher prevalence of ischaemic LV dysfunction and larger LV end-diastolic diameter (both P < 0.05). Both the MitraClip and the surgical repair groups had similar 30-day mortality rates (4 vs 13%, P = 0.41) and prevalence of serious adverse events (25 vs 38%, P = 0.43). The median follow-up was 1028 days (IQR: 272-1564 days) in the MitraClip group and 890 days (IQR: 436-1381 days) in the surgical group (P = 0.95). Total all-cause mortality (54 vs 60%, log-rank P = 0.64) and rates of rehospitalizations for heart failure (42 vs 29%, log-rank P = 0.68) did not differ significantly between groups. Both techniques were associated with significant decrease in NYHA class and severity of FMR (P < 0.001 for all) and with a similar degree of stabilization of LV remodelling (P = NS). CONCLUSION Despite the significant baseline differences in accumulated expertise and risk profile between the surgical and the MitraClip groups, both minimally invasive techniques were associated with similar 30-day and long-term outcomes.

Objectives This study sought to show the degree to which experience and training affect the precision and validity of global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurement and to evaluate the variability of strain measurement after feedback. Background The application of GLS for the detection of subclinical dysfunction has been recommended in an expert consensus document and is being used with increasing frequency. The role of experience in the precision and validity of GLS measurement is unknown, as is the efficacy of training. Methods Fifty-eight readers, divided into 4 groups on the basis of their experience with GLS, calculated GLS from speckle strain analysis of 9 cases with various degrees of image quality. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), mean difference, SD, and coefficient of variation (CV) were compared against the measurements of a reference group that had experience with >1,000 cases of strain measurement. Individualized feedback was distributed, and repeat measurements were performed by 40 readers. Comparisons with the baseline variation provided information about whether feedback was effective. Results The ICC for GLS was significantly greater than that for ejection fraction regardless of image quality. Experience with strain measurement affected the concordance in strain values among the readers; the group with the highest level of experience showed significantly better ICC than those with no experience, although the ICC of the inexperienced readers was still very good (0.996 vs. 0.975; p = 0.0002). As experience increased, the mean difference, SD, and CV became significantly smaller. The CV of segmental strain analysis showed significant improvement after training, regardless of experience. Conclusions The favorable interobserver agreement of GLS makes it more attractive than ejection fraction for follow-up of left ventricular function by multiple observers. Although experience is important, the precision of GLS was high for all groups. Training appears to be of most value for the assessment of segmental strain.

Nowadays, optical coherent tomography (OCT) as the most precise morphologic technique is used in the increasing number of cases, both in routine clinical situations and research projects. Huang and co-workers reported the first clinical use of the 2-dimensional OCT in 1991, suggesting the principle of its use both in ophthalmology and interventional cardiology. The method has developed rapidly since that time. Interventional cardiologists benefit from its detailed intravascular imaging ability, providing real-time information of the intracoronary pathology. Researchers acknowledge the resolution, allowing detailed analysis of vessel structure. Its axial resolution level is approximately 10–15 μm, which is far from any other method used in interventional cardiology. The review will address the principle of the method and the main fields of the relatively short history of the OCT use as a routine clinical imaging method. We will summarize the main OCT milestones in the research field and its possible future as well. The review will describe OCT as the method under rapid development that should be considered as a new “gold” or even “platinum” standard for the coronary vessels imaging.

Background and Aims: Transradial catheterization is the predominant access site for coronary catheterization and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Previous studies have reported a high incidence of radial artery (RA) injury. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the incidence of RA injury using last generation optical coherence tomography (OCT) intravascular imaging in a serial manner. Methods: 100 patients with a diagnosis of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (nSTEMI) treated by PCI were enrolled. OCT of RA was performed immediately after the index PCI. OCT was repeated 9 months later. Results: There were 11 patients with RA injuries (11.0%) at baseline, including 3 patients with RA medial dissection and 8 patients with intimal tears. In the follow-up OCT data, the number of RA injuries was 10 (10.0%), including 7 patients with RA medial dissection and 3 patients with intimal tear. All injuries were clinically asymptomatic and there was no finding of vessel perforation. There was no significant difference between the baseline and follow-up procedure in terms of number of injuries. Conclusion: The study showed no significant difference between baseline and follow-up RA injury incidence. There was a higher risk of radial injury for repeated catheterization in women. The conclusion is that radial catheterization is a very safe procedure in terms of radial artery damage. This is evidenced by considerably fewer injuries compared to published studies. The use of the short radial sheath (7 cm in this study) is protective and reduces the incidence of radial injury.

In the field of the interventional treatment of the coronary artery disease (CAD), we treat more and more complex patients with multiple diagnoses. Patients with the acute myocardial infarction without ST elevations (nSTEMI) and the history of diabetes mellitus (DM) are in the high risk of the

Right ventricle myocardial infarctions (RVMIs) accompany inferior wall ischemia in up to one-half of cases. The clinical sequelae of RVMIs vary from no hemodynamic compromise to severe hypotension and cardiogenic shock. Diagnosis is based on physical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography and coronary angiography. Because the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram is insufficient for the assessment of RV involvement, right-sided precordial leads should always be included. Adequate fluid administration in combination with positive inotropic agents and early coronary reperfusion are crucial components of treatment, while diuretics and nitrates should be avoided. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation and right ventricle assist devices may be used with success in RVMIs associated with medically refractory heart failure. Right ventricular involvement appears to be an independent prognostic factor that dramatically increases in-hospital mortality, due, in part, to a significantly higher risk of hemodynamically compromising arrhythmias. Thus, using right-sided precordial leads and early RVMI identification to trigger an appropriately aggressive treatment protocol may improve patients’ prognosis.

Transradial catheterization (TRC) is a dominant access site for coronary catheterization and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in many centers. Previous studies reported higher intimal thickness of the radial artery (RA) wall in patients with a previous history of TRC. In this investigation

Background Older age, as a factor we cannot affect, is consistently one of the main negative prognostic values in patients with acute myocardial infarction. One of the most powerful factors that improves outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes is the revascularization preferably performed by percutaneous coronary intervention. No data is currently available for the role of age in large groups of consecutive patients with PCI as the nearly sole method of revascularization in AMI patients. The aim of this study was to analyze age-related differences in treatment strategies, results of PCI procedures and both in-hospital and long-term outcomes of consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods Retrospective multicenter analysis of 3814 consecutive acute myocardial infarction patients divided into two groups according to age (1800 patients ≤ 65 years and 2014 patients > 65 years). Significantly more older patients had a history of diabetes mellitus and previous myocardial infarctions. Results The older population had a significantly lower rate of coronary angiographies (1726; 95.9% vs. 1860; 92.4%, p Conclusions In a consecutive AMI population, the older group (>65 years) was associated with a less pronounced impact of risk factors on long-term outcome. To ascertain the coronary anatomy by coronary angiography and proceed to PCI if suitable regardless of age is crucial in all patients, though the primary success rate of PCI in the older age is lower. Age, when viewed as a risk factor, was a dominant discriminating factor in all patients.