Hypercontractile phenotype in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy indicates unfavorable hemodynamics, coronary flow and prognosis.

Aims: Our aim was to assess the clinical and prognostic significance of the left ventricular (LV) hypercontractile phenotype (HP) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which until now remains unclear.

Methods And Results: We enrolled 1533 HCM patients (age 51 ± 15 years, 965 males, 63%) with ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50%, referred for rest transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in 27 laboratories from 13 countries. Two-dimensional volumetric TTE assessment included LV outflow tract gradient (LVOTG), LV EF, and LV force (systolic blood pressure + LVOTG/ESV, mmHg/mL).

Tannins from Amazonian tree barks as potential natural antioxidants: An alternative to synthetic phenolic compounds.

Synthetic antioxidants are widely used to prevent oxidation. However, due to their associated environmental and health risks, the demand for natural alternatives is increasing. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of tannins extracted from the bark of five tree species from the Amazon rainforest: Byrsonima spicata, Croton matourensis, Myrcia splendens, Tapirira guianensis, and Vismia guianensis.

Bio-based phenolic foams from Anadenanthera peregrina tannins: Synthesis, structure and performance.

Tannin-based foams are natural-origin porous materials that offer promising alternatives to flammable synthetic foams due to their fire resistance and thermal insulation properties; however, their brittleness and relatively low mechanical resistance present challenges, necessitating improvements to these properties. This work aimed to investigate four types of tannin-based foams (ST, TT, TB, and TTB) prepared without formaldehyde, by using Anadenanthera peregrina tannins (ST) and the incorporation of polysorbate Tween 80 as a surfactant (TT), bamboo fibers as filler reinforcement (TB), and the combination of both polysorbate Tween 80 and bamboo fibers (TTB). In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments on the foam properties, mechanical and chemical characterization was performed as well as SEM microscopy.

Stress Echo 2030 Study: A Flagship Project of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Over the past decade, stress echocardiography has evolved from a test for assessing epicardial artery stenosis to a comprehensive functional test, targeting multiple cardiovascular parameters. The new approach includes several structured steps: (a) evaluating regional wall motion abnormalities to detect epicardial artery stenosis or vasospasm; (b) assessing pulmonary congestion and diastolic function via B-lines with lung ultrasound; (c) gauging preload and contractile reserve with volumetric echocardiography; (d) measuring coronary microvascular reserve using Doppler-based coronary flow velocity in the middistal left anterior descending artery; and (e) determining cardiac sympathetic reserve by tracking heart rate reserve on an ECG. This evolution was supported extensively by the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI), which played a key role in five areas: (1) developing the initial, curiosity-driven project; (2) disseminating protocols and results at national and international conferences, supporting logistic infrastructure and publication expenses; (3) establishing a digital platform (customized Redcap) for data entry and storage; (4) facilitating patient recruitment across 19 Italian centers; and (5) offering formal endorsement through six presidencies, adding credibility and reach beyond any single institution.

Left Ventricular Elastance With Resting Volumetric Transthoracic Echocardiography Identifies Different Phenotypes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Retrospective Analysis of a Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous entity including different phenotypes of near normal, normal, and supernormal left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of this study was to assess the value of resting LV elastance (also known as force) using transthoracic echocardiography to identify HFpEF phenotypes.

Methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, 2,380 patients with HFpEF were recruited from July 2016 to May 2024.

The Role of Double Interatrial Septum in Cryptogenic Stroke.

In this work, the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian woman affected by cryptogenic stroke is reported. After discarding other sources of embolism, a transesophageal echocardiogram was performed, which revealed the presence of a double interatrial septum associated with a left-sided atrial pouch. The persistent interatrial space was identified as the most probable source of thrombus.

Using underutilized residues of coffee to obtain valuable dietary and antioxidant bioactive compounds.

Background: Coffee cultivation and agroindustry generate residues that are rich in several metabolites. These compounds, such as phenolic compounds and alkaloids, are known for their antioxidant activity and are usually consumed as nutraceuticals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of chemical and antioxidant components of low-pruned coffee stems under different fertilizer regimes.

Utilization of rice production residues as a reinforcing agent in bioadhesives based on polyphenols extracted from the bark of trees from the Brazilian Cerrado biome.

The scarcity of nonrenewable resources and the increase in environmental pollution have intensified the search for materials that exhibit specific characteristics and are nontoxic, renewable, and sustainable. Thus, the objective of this work was to produce natural polyphenol adhesives reinforced with rice husk and its ash to increase the mechanical resistance and moisture resistance of the glue line in wood bonded joints. Polyphenols were extracted from the bark of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.

Organization and Activity of Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy.

Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website.

ABCDEG Stress Echocardiography in Aortic Stenosis.

Rest and stress echocardiography (SE) plays a pivotal role in the evaluation of valvular heart disease. The use of SE is recommended in valvular heart disease when there is a mismatch between resting transthoracic echocardiography findings and symptoms. In aortic stenosis (AS), rest echocardiographic analysis is a stepwise approach that begins with the evaluation of aortic valve morphology and proceeds to the measurement of the transvalvular aortic gradient and aortic valve area (AVA) using continuity equations or planimetry.

Mandacaru cactus as a source of nanofibrillated cellulose for nanopaper production.

In this work, nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) was extracted from cactus Cereus jamacaru DC. (mandacaru) for nanopaper production. The technique adopted includes alkaline treatment, bleaching, and grinding treatment.

Paradoxical prolongation of QT interval during exercise in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: cellular mechanisms and implications for diastolic function.

Aims: Ventricular cardiomyocytes from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patient hearts show prolonged action potential duration (APD), impaired intracellular Ca homeostasis and abnormal electrical response to beta -adrenergic stimulation. We sought to determine whether this behaviour is associated with abnormal changes of repolarization during exercise and worsening of diastolic function, ultimately explaining the intolerance to exercise experienced by some patients without obstruction.

Methods And Results: Non-obstructive HCM patients (178) and control subjects (81) underwent standard exercise testing, including exercise echocardiography.

Influence of atrial fibrillation subtypes on anticoagulant therapy in a high-risk older population: the FAI project.

Background And Aim: Benefits of oral anticoagulants (OAC) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with moderate-to-high risk of stroke are independent of AF pattern. We evaluated whether AF clinical subtype influenced OAC use in a representative sample of the Italian older population.

Methods: A cross-sectional examination of all subjects aged 65 + years from three general practices in northern, central, and southern Italy started in 2016.

Left atrial volume changes during exercise stress echocardiography in heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objective: We aimed to assess feasibility and functional correlates of left atrial volume index (LAVI) changes during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE).

Methods: ESE on a bike or treadmill was performed in 363 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n = 173), reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n = 59), or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n = 131). The LAVI stress-rest increase ≥6.

Stress Echo 2030: The Novel ABCDE-(FGLPR) Protocol to Define the Future of Imaging.

With stress echo (SE) 2020 study, a new standard of practice in stress imaging was developed and disseminated: the ABCDE protocol for functional testing within and beyond CAD. ABCDE protocol was the fruit of SE 2020, and is the seed of SE 2030, which is articulated in 12 projects: 1-SE in coronary artery disease (SECAD); 2-SE in diastolic heart failure (SEDIA); 3-SE in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (SEHCA); 4-SE post-chest radiotherapy and chemotherapy (SERA); 5-Artificial intelligence SE evaluation (AI-SEE); 6-Environmental stress echocardiography and air pollution (ESTER); 7-SE in repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (SETOF); 8-SE in post-COVID-19 (SECOV); 9: Recovery by stress echo of conventionally unfit donor good hearts (RESURGE); 10-SE for mitral ischemic regurgitation (SEMIR); 11-SE in valvular heart disease (SEVA); 12-SE for coronary vasospasm (SESPASM). The study aims to recruit in the next 5 years (2021-2025) ≥10,000 patients followed for ≥5 years (up to 2030) from ≥20 quality-controlled laboratories from ≥10 countries.

Prognostic Value of Reduced Heart Rate Reserve during Exercise in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Sympathetic dysfunction can be evaluated by heart rate reserve (HRR) with exercise test.

Objectives: To determine the value of HRR in predicting outcome of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: We enrolled 917 HCM patients (age = 49 ± 15 years, 516 men) assessed with exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in 11 centres.

Atrial Fibrillation and Resistant Stroke: Does Left Atrial Appendage Morphology Matter? A Case Report.

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) can experience ischemic stroke despite adequate anticoagulant therapy. The secondary prevention strategy of these so-called "resistant strokes" is empirical. Since about 90% of patients with ischemic stroke due to atrial fibrillation have thrombus in left atrial appendage (LAA) we sought to explore the possibility that resistant stroke could have a LAA morphology resistant to anticoagulants.

Feasibility and functional correlates of left atrial volume changes during stress echocardiography in chronic coronary syndromes.

An enlarged left atrial volume index (LAVI) at rest mirrors increased LA pressure and/or impairment of LA function. A cardiovascular stress may acutely modify left atrial volume (LAV) within minutes. Aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and functional correlates of LAV-stress echocardiography (SE) Out of 514 subjects referred to 10 quality-controlled labs, LAV-SE was completed in 490 (359 male, age 67 ± 12 years) with suspected or known chronic coronary syndromes (n = 462) or asymptomatic controls (n = 28).