Phenotypic clustering of patients hospitalized in intensive cardiac care units: Insights from the ADDICT-ICCU study.

Background: Intensive cardiac care units (ICCUs) were created to manage ventricular arrhythmias after acute coronary syndromes, but have diversified to include a more heterogeneous population, the characteristics of which are not well depicted by conventional methods.

Aims: To identify ICCU patient subgroups by phenotypic unsupervised clustering integrating clinical, biological, and echocardiographic data to reveal pathophysiological differences.

Methods: During 7-22 April 2021, we recruited all consecutive patients admitted to ICCUs in 39 centers.

Restoring Sinus Rhythm Reverses Cardiac Remodeling and Reduces Valvular Regurgitation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Cardiac chamber remodeling in atrial fibrillation (AF) reflects the progression of cardiac rhythm and may affect functional regurgitation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the 3-dimensional echocardiographic variables of cardiac cavity remodeling and the impact on functional regurgitation in patients with AF with/without sinus rhythm restoration at 12 months.

Methods: A total of 117 consecutive patients hospitalized for AF were examined using serial 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography at admission, at 6 months, and at 12 months (337 examinations).

Acute Myocarditis Revealing Adult-Onset Still's Disease.

A 34-year-old man presented with fever, palpitations, maculopapular rash, pharyngitis, left cheilitis, and bilateral gonalgia. High-sensitivity troponin I concentration was 4,900 ng/l. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed reduced global longitudinal strain.

Role of Cardiac Imaging in the Diagnosis of Immune Checkpoints Inhibitors Related Myocarditis.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have constituted a paradigm shift in the management of patients with cancer. Their administration is associated with a new spectrum of immune-related toxicities that can affect any organ. In patients treated with ICI, cardiovascular toxicities, particularly myocarditis, occur with a low incidence (<1%) but with a high fatality rate (30-50%).

Does layer-specific strain using speckle tracking echocardiography improve the assessment of left ventricular myocardial deformation? A review.

An increasing number of studies of left ventricular myocardial deformation have been published. Layer-specific strain using speckle tracking echocardiography to evaluate left ventricular function is not recommended in clinical practice. However, evaluation of myocardial mechanics using longitudinal and circumferential layer-specific strain enables the detection of subclinical impairment of myocardial deformation in various diseases.

Correlation between left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and 5-year stroke/death in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) can be used to detect the presence of left atrial thrombus and left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (LASEC).

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic value of TTE and TOE in predicting stroke and all-cause death at 5-year follow-up in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods: This study included patients hospitalised with electrocardiography-diagnosed NVAF in Saint-Antoine University Hospital, Paris, between July 1998 and December 2011, who underwent TTE and TOE evaluation within 24hours of admission.

HIV Infection and Long-Term Residual Cardiovascular Risk After Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background It is unclear whether HIV infection affects the long-term prognosis after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective of the current study was to compare rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after a first ACS between people living with HIV (PLHIV) and HIV-uninfected (HIV-) patients, and to identify determinants of cardiovascular prognosis. Methods and Results Consecutive PLHIV and matched HIV- patients with a first episode of ACS were enrolled in 23 coronary intensive care units in France.

[Cardiovascular imaging in heart failure].

Transthoracic echocardiography remains the first-line cardiac imaging for diagnosis, management and screening of heart failure, whatever its phenotype (heart failure with reduced, mid-range and preserved ejection fraction). It allows anatomic characterization, systolic and diastolic functions of left and right ventricles assessment, intracardiac hemodynamic evaluation and for the assessment of valve disease. Myocardial deformation imaging (strain) is indicated in patients with heart failure for the assessment of systolic ventricles function and the diagnosis of specific heart diseases.

Biatrial remodelling in atrial fibrillation: A three-dimensional and strain echocardiography insight.

Background: Atrial remodelling has been poorly investigated in atrial fibrillation (AF), and few studies have focused on biatrial remodelling.

Aim: To evaluate right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) remodelling in AF using global atrial reservoir strain and three-dimensional (3D) atrial volumes, according to rhythm outcome at mid-term follow-up.

Methods: Two-dimensional and 3D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were performed within 24hours after admission (M0) and at 6-month follow-up (M6) in patients admitted for AF.

Use of Simulator-Based Teaching to Improve Medical Students' Knowledge and Competencies: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Simulator-based teaching for coronary angiography (CA) is an attractive educational tool for medical students to improve their knowledge and skills. Its pedagogical impact has not been fully evaluated yet.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare traditional face-to-face teaching with a simulator-based teaching for the acquisition of coronary anatomy knowledge and CAs interpretation.