The Risk of Breakthrough Cardiac Events Associated With Psychiatric Medications in Patients With Diagnosed and Clinically Treated Long QT Syndrome.

Background: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a potentially life-threatening genetic heart disease. Because many psychiatric medications have QT-prolonging potential, there is hesitation when prescribing them to LQTS patients with concomitant psychiatric disorders, which may lead to suboptimal mental health care.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the incidence of breakthrough cardiac events (BCEs) in patients with diagnosed and clinically treated LQTS on QT-prolonging psychiatric medications.

Effect of peri-operative pharmacological interventions on postoperative delirium in patients having cardiac surgery: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Introduction: Postoperative delirium is a common complication following cardiac surgery. Despite its known impact on patient outcomes, effective preventative strategies remain elusive. We aimed to perform a comprehensive Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of pharmacological interventions on the incidence of postoperative delirium.

High-Power Short-Duration Ablation Versus Conventional Power Ablation in Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: High-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional power delivery (CPD) for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), though its efficacy, procedural efficiency, and safety profile remain uncertain.

Aims: To evaluate and compare the efficacy, procedural efficiency, and safety of HPSD versus CPD ablation strategies for PVI in patients with AF through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Materials And Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.

Enhancement of the Mayo Clinic HCM Genotype Predictor Score with Addition of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in updating The Mayo Clinic Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Genotype Predictor Score. We performed an analysis of 175 HCM patients with an echocardiogram, CMR, and genetic test at the Mayo Clinic (2004 to 2018). Yield of a positive genetic test for the original echocardiogram-based score ranged from 38% (-1 point) to 100% (4 or 5 points), with an AUC of 0.

The clinical and electrocardiographic phenotype of patients with genotype-negative long QT syndrome.

Background: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a genetic heart disease that increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardia arrest. Despite advances in genetic testing, a small subset of patients with LQTS remain genetically elusive.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with a phenotype of LQTS but without a genotype.

Cognitive impairment in Chagas disease patients in Brazil, 2007-2021: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Chagas Disease (CD) is frequently associated with heart failure (HF). Cognitive impairment is reported, but whether it results from CD or is a nonspecific symptom of HF is unknown. We aimed to compare cognitive function of HF patients with or without CD.

Combined Heart and Liver Transplantation in the Failing Fontan: Systematic Review and Single-arm Meta-analysis.

Background: The Fontan procedure has transformed the management of congenital heart defects characterized by single ventricle physiology, yet it predisposes individuals to Fontan-associated liver disease. Combined heart and liver transplantation (CHLT) emerges as a therapeutic option, but evidence of its efficacy and safety remains limited. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate CHLT in Fontan patients, focusing on patient characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and posttransplant morbidity and mortality.

Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Electrocardiogram: A Possible Mechanism to Monitor Cardiac Amyloidosis Therapeutic Response.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced electrocardiogram has emerged as an effective tool for the detection and prognostication of cardiac amyloidosis. In this series, we present 4 cases that demonstrate the potential of the artificial intelligence-enhanced electrocardiogram as a useful tool for monitoring treatment response in cardiac amyloidosis.

Epicardial substrate ablation in patients with symptomatic Brugada syndrome: an updated systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis.

Background: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic heart disease that predisposes individuals to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Although implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and quinidine are primary treatments, recurrent BrS-triggered ventricular arrhythmias can persist. In this setting, epicardial substrate ablation has emerged as a promising alternative for symptomatic patients.

Intracardiac vs transesophageal echocardiography for left atrial appendage occlusion: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Multiple studies continue to evaluate the use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for guiding left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct an updated meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness and safety outcomes of both imaging modalities.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were searched for studies comparing ICE vs TEE to guide LAAO.

Effect of hormone therapy on blood pressure and hypertension in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Importance: Menopausal hormone therapy (HT) includes a wide variety of hormonal compounds, and its effect on blood pressure is still uncertain.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess evidence regarding the effect of HT on blood pressure in postmenopausal women and its association with arterial hypertension.

Evidence Review: This systematic review and meta-analysis included randomized clinical trials and prospective observational studies.

Conduction system pacing versus biventricular pacing in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Conduction system pacing (CSP) has emerged as a promising alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ventricular dyssynchrony, but its benefits are uncertain. In this study, we aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes of CSP vs BVP for cardiac resynchronization in patients with HFrEF. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing CSP to BVP for resynchronization therapy in patients with HFrEF.

Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Is Increased in Chagasic Cardiomyopathy.

Chagas disease (CD) mainly conveys stroke risk through structural cardiac disease. However, stroke and cognitive impairment are seen in CD independently of cardiac disease severity. Chronic inflammation may be an explanation for this association, because inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke and dementia.

Analysis of the InsCor Score as a Predictor of Mortality in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Introduction: Risk scores are important tools for predicting adverse events in cardiac surgery, but their accuracy varies when applied to different populations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the Brazilian score InsCor as a predictor of mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) scores.

Methods: This is an observational and retrospective study, with patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization in a cardiology hospital in Salvador (Bahia, Brazil), between 2010 and 2015.