Prevalence of low-flow state by automated machine-learning 3D echocardiography in patients with moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis and normal ejection-fraction.

Background: In aortic valve stenosis (AS), measurement of stroke volume index (SVi) by the 2D Doppler- technique is required to calculate the aortic valve area (AVA) and determine flow status but is prone to systematic errors.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of low-flow (LF) state (SVi ≤ 35 ml/m) in patients with AS and concurrent SVi quantification by a validated 3D left ventricular volumetric method and standard 2D Doppler methods and its potential repercussions on flow status reclassification.

Methods: Consecutive patients with moderate or severe AS (≤1.

Temporal implementation of a regional referral pathway in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis: Emilia-Romagna experience.

Aims: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is a rare and progressive cardiomyopathy caused by amyloid fibril deposition in myocardial tissue. Diagnostic challenges have historically hampered timely detection. Recent advances in noninvasive diagnostic techniques have facilitated ATTR-CA diagnosis.

Effect of coffee consumption, lifestyle and acute life stress in the development of acute lone atrial fibrillation.

Objective: The study evaluated the relationships between acute stress, lifestyle and coffee consumption, and acute lone atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: The study group included 400 patients with mean age of 54 +/- 11 years, 205 of whom were men. They all presented with a first episode of AF.

Impact of prehospital diagnosis in the management of ST elevation myocardial infarction in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention: reduction of treatment delay and mortality.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess, as primary endpoints, in-hospital mortality and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) mortality and to compare the outcome in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with different pathways to a catheterization laboratory in the context of an area with 24 h availability of catheter facilities.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety-nine STEMI patients, referred to an interventional centre for primary PCI, were divided into two groups according to the different pathways to the catheterization laboratory. Group A had 263 patients diagnosed following admission to First Aid.

[A database in the coronary care unit to assess quality of care of acute myocardial infarction].

Background: In the context of an operative network for acute coronary syndrome consisting in telemedicine equipment and 24-h catheter facility availability, a database was worked out to verify clinical pathways, timeline, prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, diagnostic and therapeutic choices, and clinical results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to guidelines in the real world in order to assess quality of care.

Methods: We implemented a database in the preexisting hospital intranet due to open source interactive pages.

Atrial stunning, inflammation and nutritional status after cardioversion from atrial fibrillation.

Background: Conversion of atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) to sinus rhythm is associated with transient mechanical dysfunction of left atrium and appendage, termed atrial stunning.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and atrial stunning after conversion of A-fib.

Methods: Fifty-eight hemodynamically stable patients referred for cardioversion for lone AF were included in this study.

Left atrial anatomy and function after conversion from atrial fibrillation in hypertrophic hearts.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy on left atrial (LA) electrical and mechanical function after cardioversion atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) of brief duration. Study group A included 100 patients with a first diagnosis of hypertension who had a moderate LV hypertrophy. The patient population included 64 men and 36 women with a mean age of 55 +/-7 years who were hospitalized because of A-Fib and were cardioverted with external DC shock.

Role of severe functional mitral regurgitation in predicting electrical remodeling in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To investigate incidence and predictors of clinically relevant QRS widening (predefined as > or = 10% with respect to baseline) in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) and particularly the prognostic role of functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Although QRS widening in left ventricular systolic dysfunction carries relevant prognostic and therapeutic implications, its incidence and predictors in patients with IDC remain unknown.

Methods: We analyzed 114 patients with IDC receiving optimized medical treatment (age 52 +/- 10 years; 44% males; 36% New York Heart Association class III-IV) who underwent clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and laboratory evaluations and at least two electrocardiograms > or = 6 months after the index evaluation.

Prognostic stratification of women with chronic heart failure referred for heart transplantation: relevance of gender as compared with gender-related characteristics.

Background: Few studies are available regarding prognostic stratification of women with severe chronic heart failure (CHF). Although women seem to have a better outcome than men, this may be due to favorable baseline characteristics.

Methods: We analyzed a cohort of CHF patients referred for heart transplantation (HT) who underwent clinical/laboratory/instrumental evaluation.

Influence of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy on left atrial size and function in patients with moderate hypertension.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of regression of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy on left atrial (LA) size and function in patients treated with telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Methods: Patients population included 80 patients with mild-moderate LV hypertrophy treated with telmisartan. Patients were followed over a period of 12 months from the start of telmisartan treatment.

The relationship between personality, socio-economic factors, acute life stress and the development, spontaneous conversion and recurrences of acute lone atrial fibrillation.

Aims: The present study was designed to establish the relationship between personality factors, socio-economic factors and acute life stress with development, spontaneous cardioversion and recurrences of acute lone atrial fibrillation.

Methods: The study group consisted of 116 patients with lone atrial fibrillation cardioverted within 48h of the onset of arrhythmia; they underwent a series of cognitive tests to evaluate acute psychological stress and personality type. The socio-economic status and other covariates (alcohol consumption, smoking, and body mass index) were investigated.

Evidence of reverse remodeling after long-term biventricular stimulation for resynchronization in patients with wide QRS selected on the basis of echocardiographic electromechanical delays.

Background: There is increasing evidence that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may trigger an inverse remodeling process leading to decreased left ventricular (LV) volumes in patients with heart failure and wide QRS. However, it is still important to simplify patient selection and achieve a widely applicable parameter to better stratify patients who are candidates for CRT.

Methods: Eighteen patients (13 males, 5 females, mean age 67.

Left atrial size after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation: effect of external direct current shock.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of external direct current (DC) shock on left atrial (LA) dimension and volumes after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation, and the relation between LA size and atrial function.

Methods: We evaluated 180 patients who were randomly cardioverted with DC shock (90 patients) or drugs (90 patients). Echocardiographic evaluations included LA size and volumes.