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Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Mar 18. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Department of Nuclear Medicine & PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus, Denmark.

Aims: Left ventricular filling pressure (preload) can be assessed by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) during pulmonary arterial catheterization (PAC). An emerging method [pulse indexed contour cardiac output (PICCO)] can estimate preload by global end-diastolic volume (GEDV) and congestion as extravascular lung water (EVLW) content. However, no reliable quantitative non-invasive methods are available. Read More

J Pediatr 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Section of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Denver, CO.

Objectives: To assess whether better baseline pulmonary hemodynamics or positive acute vasoreactivity testing (AVT) during cardiac catheterization are associated with improved outcomes in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Study Design: This retrospective, single-center study included 26 premature neonates with BPD who underwent catheterization to evaluate PH. AVT was assessed with exposure to 100% fractional inspired oxygen with or without inhaled nitric oxide. Read More

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2019 Mar 13. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.

Objectives: To demonstrate coronary sinus (CS) retrograde catheterization as a practicable technique for delivering biologics into the heart.

Background: There are many options to deliver biologics into the heart. However, there is no single optimal technique when considering safety, biologic retention, and reproducibility. Read More

Comput Math Methods Med 2019 3;2019:1502318. Epub 2019 Feb 3.

Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.

Studying the haemodynamics of the central shunt (CS) and modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) benefits the improvement of postoperative recovery for patients with an aorta-pulmonary shunt. Shunt configurations, including CS and MBTS, are virtually reconstructed for infants A and B based on preoperative CT data, and three-dimensional models of A, 11 months after CS, and B, 8 months after MBTS, are reconstructed based on postoperative CT data. A series of parameters including energy loss, wall shear stress, and shunt ratio are computed from simulation to analyse the haemodynamics of CS and MBTS. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(10):e14807

Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo.

Rationale: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a disease with a poor prognosis, characterized by chronic thromboembolic obstruction of the pulmonary arteries and pulmonary hypertension. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is a newly emergent treatment for CTEPH, which may substitute pulmonary endarterectomy, the standard but more invasive treatment for CTEPH. Here, we report the case of a CTEPH patient who underwent 2 noncardiac surgeries without complications after preoperative intervention of BPA. Read More

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2019 Mar;10(2):185-191

1 Departments of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Objective:: We report our experience with surgery for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) beyond first decade of life.

Methods:: Between January 1987 and July 2017, 98 patients ≥ten years underwent TAPVC repair. Their detailed case-records were analyzed. Read More

Pediatr Cardiol 2019 Mar 4. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellín, Colombia.

The aim of this study was to describe pediatric patients who underwent early postoperative cardiac catheterization after congenital heart surgery, their clinical indications, findings, interventions, and complications in a cardiovascular center. A descriptive retrospective study was performed. All catheterizations performed within 6 weeks after congenital heart surgery between January 2004 and December 2014 were reviewed. Read More

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Mar 1. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Department of Echocardiography and Noninvasive Hemodynamics, Ignacio Chavez National Institute of Cardiology, Juan Badiano No. 1, Tlalpan, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico.

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Mar;98(9):e14677

Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Rationale: The clinical features of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy largely overlap with those of acute myocardial infarction, especially in the presence of ST-segment elevation on the initial electrocardiogram. Giant R wave syndrome has mainly been observed in the hyperacute phase of acute myocardial infarction.

Patient Concerns: In this study, we report a unique case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy that caused giant R wave syndrome. Read More

Congenit Heart Dis 2019 Jan;14(1):37-41

Division of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

The hemodynamic effects of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are well known including systemic hypoperfusion and volume overload on the left ventricle. This article aims to provide a review of the long-standing effect of a hemodynamically significant PDA on the pulmonary vasculature and the role of cardiac catheterization in preterm infants with a PDA and pulmonary hypertension. Read More

J Pak Med Assoc 2019 Feb;69(2):264-266

Tahir Heart Institute, Chenab Nagar. District Chiniot.

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is one of the commonest venous anomalies of thoracic venous system. These cases usually have normal right sided superior vena cava (SVC). Patients with PLSVC are often asymptomatic hence, it is diagnosed as an incidental finding during procedures like central venous line placement or pacemaker implantation. Read More

Heart Surg Forum 2019 02 18;22(1):E035-E037. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Anesthesia, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830001, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Introduction: Left ventricular aneurysm is a common complication type of myocardial infarction. Percutaneous ventricular restoration (PVR) is a new and minimally invasive surgical method for left ventricular aneurysm. Due to its complication and high demand on the surgeon, careful cooperation of anesthesia work is of great significance for the successful implementation of the operation. Read More

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg 2019 01;10(1):72-80

3 Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta-Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.

The IMproving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatments (IMPACT) Registry and the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC) are two efforts initiated to improve outcomes in the congenital heart disease field. The IMPACT Registry is focused on evaluating the use, risks, adverse events (AEs), and outcomes associated with diagnostic and common interventional catheterization procedures in all children and adults with congenital heart disease. Utilizing a modular approach, the common procedures include diagnostic cardiac catheterization, atrial septal defect device closure, patent ductus arteriosus device closure, pulmonary valvuloplasty, aortic valvuloplasty, balloon and stent angioplasty of coarctation of the aorta, pulmonary artery balloon stent angioplasty, transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement, and electrophysiology procedures including radiofrequency ablation. Read More

J Vet Cardiol 2019 Feb 13;21:57-66. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Cardiology and Cardiopulmonary Service, Southfields Veterinary Specialists, Laindon, Essex SS15 6TP, UK; Veterinary School, Catholic University of Valencia, 46001 Valencia, Spain.

Introduction: There is scarce information about the prevalence of anomalies and anatomical variations of the main great thoracic vessels in dogs, particularly in dogs without congenital heart disease.

Animals: The study included 878 privately owned dogs.

Material And Methods: Computerized tomography (CT) thoracic studies carried out between 2011 and 2014 for a variety of reasons were reviewed. Read More

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2019 Mar;27(3):172-179

1 Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.

Background: This study aimed to describe the learning curve of the extracardiac Fontan procedure in a single center and to analyze the changes in clinical applications and outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all extracardiac Fontan patients in a single tertiary care center was undertaken. Patients with a diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome and those who had undergone a lateral tunnel modification, intra/extracardiac Fontan, Kawashima procedure, or inferior vena cava-to-azygous vein connection were excluded from the analysis. Read More

Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2019 Feb 20:1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

a Department of Cardiology , Rigshopsitalet , Copenhagen , Denmark.

The interaction between hemodynamics and kidney function in heart failure (HF) is incompletely understood. We investigated the association between invasive hemodynamic parameters and measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) by plasma clearance of 51-chromium-labeled ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (Cr-EDTA) in patients with advanced HF and tested the hypothesis that patients with reduced mGFR have lower cardiac index (CI) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) as well as higher central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). We retrospectively studied 242 patients (mean age 50 ± 13 years) referred for evaluation for heart transplantation or implantation of a left ventricular assist device with a left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% on optimal medical therapy, who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) and measurement of Cr-EDTA clearance. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, 2142, 9 Blegdamsvej, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Aims: Patients with heart failure (HF) are known to have a reduced pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (D ), but little is known about how lung function relates to central haemodynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between haemodynamic variables and pulmonary diffusion capacity adjusted for alveolar volume in congestive HF patients and to analyse how predicted D /V affects mortality in relation to the haemodynamic status.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively studied right heart catheterization (RHC) and lung function data on 262 HF patients (mean age 51 ± 13 years) with a left ventricular ejection fraction < 45% referred non-urgently for evaluation for heart transplantation (HTX) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Read More

J Nutr Biochem 2019 Jan 18;66:79-85. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Pharmacy, University Vila Velha, Vila Velha, ES, Brazil. Electronic address:

This work evaluated the effects of long-term kefir treatment in cardiac function (cardiac contractility and calcium-handling proteins) and the central nervous system (CNS) control of the sympathetic signaling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Male normotensive rats [Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs)] and SHRs were divided into three groups: WKYs and SHRs treated with vehicle, and SHRs treated with milk fermented by the grains of kefir (5%; SHR-Kefir; oral gavage, 0.3 ml/100 g daily/9 weeks). Read More

PLoS One 2019 14;14(2):e0208301. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Cardiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

Background: Clinical and experimental data give evidence that transplantation of stem and progenitor cells in myocardial infarction could be beneficial, although the underlying mechanism has remained elusive. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia is the most frequent and potentially lethal complication of myocardial infarction, but the impact of mono nuclear cells on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia is still not clear.

Objective: We aimed to characterize the influence of splenic mononuclear cell populations on ventricular arrhythmia after myocardial infarction. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Feb;8(4):e010232

1 Department of Cardiovascular Diseases Mayo Clinic Rochester MN.

Background Left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic assessment has been sparsely performed in patients supported on continuous-flow LV assist devices (cf LVADs ). Insight into dynamic changes of left heart parameters during ramp studies may improve LV assist device optimization and evaluate pathology. Methods and Results To complement right heart catheterization, a novel technique for left heart catheterization in patients with a cf LVAD was developed. Read More

SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2019 16;7:2050313X18823380. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Background: Myocardial bridge is defined as a segment of a coronary artery that takes an intramyocardial course. The presence of myocardial bridge has been observed in as many as 40%-80% of cases on autopsy, angiographically from 0.5% to 16. Read More

Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2019 Feb 4:e13263. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Aim: Proteins mainly expressed in normal lungs and significantly changed in lungs exposed to systemic-to-pulmonary shunts might be promising targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension induced by congenital heart diseases (PAH/CHD). This study aimed to investigate the potential role of differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma (DAN) in PAH/CHD.

Methods: PAH was surgically induced by the combined surgery (right pulmonary artery ligation and left cervical systemic-to-pulmonary shunt) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Read More

J Pineal Res 2019 Feb 4:e12564. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.

Background: Melatonin is a multifunctional indolamine and has a cardioprotective role in a variety of cardiovascular processes via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antithrombotic, and antilipemic effects. It has been reported that lower levels of circulating melatonin are significantly associated with a higher risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and later cardiac remodeling. However, levels of melatonin in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and associations between melatonin levels and cardiac function remain unclear. Read More

Clin Respir J 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

3rd Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Silesian Centre for Heart Disease, Zabrze, Poland.

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show poor prognosis. The importance of left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular morphology and function in patients with end-stage lung diseases referred for lung transplantation (LT) is not well established.

Objectives: To assess whether LV and RV echocardiographic parameters influence survival of patients with IPF, COPD and other interstitial lung diseases (ILD) awaiting LT. Read More

J Invasive Cardiol 2019 Feb;31(2):E23-E29

Montrose Memorial Hospital, 801 South 3rd Street, Montrose, CO 81401 USA.

Aims: Impella 2.5 and Impella CP (Abiomed) are percutaneous left ventricular assist devices that can be easily deployed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory without need for surgery and provide effective hemodynamic support. The utility of Impella devices for management of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) at a rural community hospital without on-site surgical back-up has not been reported. Read More

Front Cardiovasc Med 2018 9;5:189. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a debilitating disease that progresses to right ventricular (RV) failure and death if left untreated. Little is known regarding the progression of RV failure in this disease, greatly limiting effective prognoses, and therapeutic interventions. Large animal models enable the use of clinical techniques and technologies to assess progression and diagnose failure, but the existing large animal models of CTEPH have not been shown to replicate the functional consequences of the RV, i. Read More

J Card Fail 2019 Mar 23;25(3):195-203. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.

Background: We aimed to clarify the prognosis and pathophysiological parameters of low T3 syndrome in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods And Results: Hospitalized patients with HF and euthyroidism (n = 911) were divided into 2 groups on the basis of free triiodothyronine (FT3) serum levels: the normal FT3 group (FT3 ≥2.3 pg/mL; n = 590; 64. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.

Aims: It has been reported that circulating soluble neprilysin (sNEP), which catalyses the degradation of several vasodilator peptides such as natriuretic peptides, predicts prognosis in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. Hypoxia-induced decrease in NEP expression in lungs has been reported. However, the associations between sNEP and haemodynamic parameters, as well as the prognostic impact of sNEP in pulmonary hypertension (PH), remain unclear. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Jan 24;9(1):682. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

High serum uric acid (UA) has been reported to be associated with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction; however, the relationship between UA and plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a sensitive biomarker of heart failure, is still unclear. This study investigated their relationship to provide an accurate assessment of high UA. The study patients consisted of 3,077 subjects who underwent cardiac catheterization because of various cardiovascular disorders. Read More

Multimed Man Cardiothorac Surg 2018 Dec 17;2018. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Children's Heart Center Linz Linz, Austria.

Aortic arch reconstruction is a highly demanding procedure in congenital heart surgery. The 2 conventional options for cardiopulmonary bypass - deep hypothermic circulatory arrest or antegrade cerebral perfusion - both result in lack of perfusion of the entire or lower body.  In 2003, the Children's Heart Center Linz started to use a double-arterial cannulation technique for aortic arch reconstructions in order to provide whole body perfusion during the entire operation. Read More

J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2019 Mar 16;32(3):365-374.e1. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts. Electronic address:

Background: Doppler echocardiography, including the ratio of transmitral E to tissue Doppler e' velocities (E/e'), is widely used to estimate mean left atrial pressure (mLAP). This method, however, has not been validated in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Methods: Fifty-seven patients with acute coronary syndromes who underwent left heart catheterization and transthoracic echocardiography within 8 hours of each other were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

J Am Coll Cardiol 2019 Jan;73(2):177-186

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Durham, North Carolina; Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina. Electronic address:

Background: Circulating high-density lipoprotein particle (HDL-P) subfractions impact atherogenesis, inflammation, and endothelial function, all of which are implicated in the pathobiology of heart failure (HF).

Objectives: The authors sought to identify key differences in plasma HDL-P subfractions between patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) to determine their prognostic utility.

Methods: Patients with HFrEF (n = 782), HFpEF (n = 1,004), and no HF (n = 4,742) were identified in the CATHGEN (Catheterization Genetics) biorepository of sequential patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Read More

Eur J Heart Fail 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.

Background: Elevated left atrial (LA) pressure, particularly during exercise, is associated with symptomatic status and survival in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We aimed to characterize the contribution of abnormal LA mechanical properties to exercise haemodynamics in HFpEF.

Methods And Results: Simultaneous echocardiography and right heart catheterization were performed in 71 subjects with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50% referred for assessment of exertional dyspnoea. Read More

Case Rep Cardiol 2018 13;2018:5498052. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Cardiology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA.

A 73-year-old female with multiple comorbidities including coronary artery disease was admitted for an elective PCI of a lesion detected in the RCA. On the day of the planned PCI, shortly after right femoral artery cannulation, the patient developed a sudden complete heart block requiring the administration atropine and insertion of a temporary pacemaker. Concomitantly, the patient developed acute pulmonary edema, hypotension, and hypoxia requiring intubation for mechanical ventilation. Read More

Am J Med 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, Tucson. Electronic address:

Background: Identification of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is critical because early reperfusion can save myocardium and increase survival. ST elevation (STE) in lead augmented vector right (aVR), coexistent with multilead ST depression, was endorsed as a sign of acute occlusion of the left main or proximal left anterior descending coronary artery in the 2013 STEMI guidelines. We investigated the incidence of an acutely occluded coronary in patients presenting with STE-aVR with multilead ST depression. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Heart Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: The long-term impact of altered hemodynamics after Stage II in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and hypoplastic left heart complex (HLHC) on cerebral growth and neurodevelopmental outcome is unknown. We aimed to investigate whether elevated central venous and atrial filling pressures before Fontan procedure may be associated with smaller brain volumes and poorer neurodevelopmental outcome after initial Hybrid procedure.

Methods: In a two-center cohort study semi-automated segmentation of cerebral MRI scans was conducted in 25 children with HLHS/HLHC (25 Hybrid) before Fontan procedure (27. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2019 Dec;12(1):e008122

Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Research Institute, TX (S.F.N., M.A.C.-p., K.C.E.t., J.X.).

Background: Assessment of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure is among the important components of a comprehensive echocardiographic report. Previous studies noted wide limits of agreement using 2009 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Echocardiography guidelines, but reproducibility of 2016 guidelines update in estimating LV filling pressure is unknown.

Methods: Echocardiographic and hemodynamic data were obtained from 50 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for clinical indications. Read More

Heart Surg Forum 2018 11 14;21(6):E476-E483. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Institute for Pharmacology and Preventive Medicine, Cloppenburg, Germany

During interventional and structural cardiology procedures, such as mitral valve (MitraClip, BMV), aortic valve (TAVR, BAV), tricuspid valve (MitraClip), left atrial appendage (Watchman, Lariat), atrial septum (ASD/PFO closure), and coronary artery intervention (high-risk PCI), among others, patients are at a high risk of hemodynamic instability and require continuous monitoring. This is conventionally achieved through arterial catheterization and transpulmonary thermodilution. However, such invasive techniques are time-consuming and have been associated with steep learning curves, vascular complications, and increased risk of infection. Read More

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2019 Mar 27;22:61-66. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, China.

Objective: To the authors' knowledge, limited data are available regarding the association between Electrocardiogram (ECG) signs of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). We aimed to assess the accuracy of the recommended ECG criteria of RVH for predicting PH in patients with DCM.

Methods: According to the definition of PH (mPAP ≥ 25 mm Hg), 35 patients with DCM were divided into 2 groups: DCM with PH (n = 22) and DCM without PH (n = 13). Read More

Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 2018 Dec 31. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Purpose: Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) due to systemic sclerosis (SSc) have high mortality. Left ventricular (LV) peak global longitudinal strain (GLS) is decreased in SSc. It is unknown whether low GLS is due to SSc or PAH. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Dec 24;70 Suppl 3:S394-S398. Epub 2018 Jun 24.

Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a cyanotic disease requiring early intervention. We assessed the effect of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) stenting versus modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBTS) on outcomes of surgical repair of TOF.

Methods: Fifteen palliated TOF infants underwent complete repair surgery. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Dec 27;70 Suppl 3:S265-S268. Epub 2018 Mar 27.

Sanjay Gandhi PGIMS, Lucknow, India. Electronic address:

Background: Occupational radiation exposureis a growing problem due to increasing number and complexity of interventional procedures.The RADPAD is a lead-free sterile drape containing bismuth and barium that reduces scatter radiation during fluoroscopic procedures. We aimed to study the radiation exposure reduction to operators with the use of RADPAD and also measureradiation doses in different angiographic projections. Read More

Zhonghua Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue 2018 Dec;30(12):1150-1153

Centre of PICU, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China. Corresponding author: Miao Hongjun, Email:

Objective: To explore the clinical application value of the continuous blood purification (CBP) technology in pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. All CBP patients admitted to pediatric ICU of Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2015 to 2017 were enrolled. Read More

J Cardiol 2019 Apr 23;73(4):307-312. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Cardiovascular Center, Kitano Hospital, Osaka, Japan.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can lead to a decrease in stroke volume (SV) despite a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, no previous studies have evaluated the prognostic importance of the decreased SV in patients with AF and concomitant heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Methods: We retrospectively studied the cases of 1520 consecutive patients who had undergone right heart catheterization. Read More

Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi 2018 Dec;46(12):965-971

Department of Cardiology, Renji Hospital (South), Shanghai Jiaotong University School ofMedicine, Shanghai 201112, China.

To investigate the value of four-dimensional echocardiography combined with speckle tracking technique on the assessment of right heart function and prognosis in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In this prospective study, 51 patients with PAH diagnosed by right heart catheterization in east hospital and south hospital of Renji hospital affiliated to school of medicine of Shanghai Jiaotong University from September 2015 to July 2017 were enrolled as PAH group from July to November 2017. Meanwhile, 26 healthy volunteers with age and sex matched with pulmonary hypertension patients were recruited as control group. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Nov;7(21):e009974

1 Department of Cardiology Aarhus University Hospital Skejby, Aarhus N Denmark.

Background This study evaluated myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO) and myocardial external efficiency (MEE) in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Furthermore, we compared MEE and MVO in subjects with light chain amyloidosis versus transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. Methods and Results The study population comprised 40 subjects: 25 patients with confirmed CA and 15 control subjects. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Interv 2018 Nov;11(11):e007145

Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy (V.M., S.M.E.).

Background Pediatric patients with atrioventricular valve disease have limited options for prosthetic valve replacement in sizes <15 mm. Based on successful experience with the stented bovine jugular vein graft (Melody valve) in the right ventricular outflow tract, the prosthesis has been modified for surgical valve replacement in pediatric patients with atrioventricular dysfunction with the intention of subsequent valve expansion in the catheterization laboratory as the child grows. Methods and Results A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed among patients who underwent atrioventricular valve replacement with Melody valve at 17 participating sites from North America and Europe, including 68 patients with either mitral (n=59) or tricuspid (n=9) replacement at a median age of 8 months (range, 3 days to 13 years). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(50):e13747

Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine.

Rationale: Coronary artery fistulae (CAF) are uncommon heart lesions, but they are the most frequent significant hemodynamic congenital coronary anomaly. Transcatheter closure is an alternative treatment and a variety of techniques and devices were reported to use for the closure of congenital coronary fistulae.

Patient Concerns: We reported a 5-year-10-month-old boy who was diagnosed as CAF at birth. Read More

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019 Jan 27;157(1):318-326.e1. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Herma Heart Center, Division of Congenital Heart Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis.

Objectives: Because data for neonates are limited, optimal management of critical aortic stenosis remains controversial (balloon valvotomy [BV] or open valvoplasty [OV]). In a center with balanced experience in both methods, we hypothesized that OV can provide a better individualized approach than blunt BV and better serve long-term outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review of data and follow-up (survival, freedom from operation/replacement) of all neonates, suitable for biventricular repair, undergoing aortic valve procedure (1989-2015), was performed. Read More

Cardiorenal Med 2019 13;9(2):83-91. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Medicine, Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Background: Renal dysfunction is an important predictor of poor outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is implicated as one of the explanations for worsening renal function in cardiorenal syndrome. Novel right heart catheterization (RHC) parameters such as pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) and right atrial to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio (RA:PCWP) have been found as predictors of RV dysfunction. Read More