Outcomes of latent rheumatic heart disease: External validation of a simplified score in patients with and without secondary prophylaxis
Secondary antibiotic prophylaxis reduces progression of latent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) but not all children benefit. Improved risk stratification could refine recommendations following positive screening. We aimed to evaluate the performance of a previously developed echocardiographic risk score to predict mid-term outcomes among children with latent RHD. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Bruno R. Nascimento, Maria Carmo P. Nunes, Jose Luiz P. da Silva, Andrew Steer, Daniel Engelman, Emmy Okello, Joselyn Rwebembera, Liesl Zuhlke, Mariana Mirabel, Miriam Nakitto, Rachel Sarnacki, Antonio Luiz P. Ribeiro, Craig A. Sable, Andrea Z. Beaton, (G Source Type: research

Head-to-head comparison of two angiography-derived fractional flow reserve techniques in patients with high-risk acute coronary syndrome: A multicenter prospective study
FFRangio and QFR are angiography-based technologies that have been validated in patients with stable coronary artery disease. No head-to-head comparison to invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been reported to date in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ioannis Skalidis, Nathalie Noirclerc, David Meier, Wongsakorn Luangphiphat, Aurelien Cagnina, Sarah Mauler-Wittwer, Thabo Mahendiran, Bernard De Bruyne, Alessandro Candreva, Carlos Collet, Jeroen Sonck, Olivier Muller, Stephane Fournier Source Type: research

Differential biomarker expression in heart failure patients with and without mitral regurgitation: Insights from BIOSTAT-CHF
Mitral regurgitation (MR) frequently coexists with heart failure (HF). (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Marianna Adamo, Matteo Pagnesi, Mattia Di Pasquale, Alice Ravera, Kenneth Dickstein, Leong L. Ng, Stefan D. Anker, John G. Cleland, Gerasimos S. Filippatos, Chim C. Lang, Piotr Ponikowski, Nilesh J. Samani, Faiez Zannad, Dirk J. van Veldhuisen, Erik Lipsi Source Type: research

Cholesterol crystals at the culprit lesion in patients with acute coronary syndrome are associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes at two years follow up - results from the translational OPTICO-ACS study program (R2)
Cholesterol crystals (CCs) represent a feature of advanced atherosclerotic plaque and may be assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Their impact on cardiovascular outcomes in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is yet unknown. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Gregor Nelles, Youssef S. Abdelwahed, Claudio Seppelt, Denitsa Meteva, Barbara E. St ähli, Hirmanshu Rai, Lena M. Seegers, Lara Sieronski, Johanna Musfeldt, Teresa Gerhardt, Matthias Riedel, Carsten Skurk, Arash Haghikia, David Sinning, Henryk Dreger, Fa Source Type: research

Association between cardiac conduction block and cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: The kailuan study
Although bundle branch block and atrioventricular block are recognized to be association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality, the relationship between cardiac conduction block (CCB) and both CVD and all-cause mortality has yet to be explored.Aims: To explore the relationship between CCB and CVD and all-cause mortality.Methods and results: We included 145,805 subjects (mean age 49.7  years, 81.2% males) from the kailuan study. CCB was diagnosed through a 12‑lead electrocardiograph (ECG). (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Xuemei Yang, Shuohua Chen, Haicheng Song, Rong Shu, Jierui Wang, Guodong Wang, Peipei Liu, Man Li, Lili Wu, Na Li, Liufu Cui, Shouling Wu Source Type: research

Relationship between duration of atrial fibrillation and right heart structure remodeling as assessed by 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography
Background —Tricuspid valve (TV) remodeling occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the affecting factor related to TV remodeling in AF remains to be elucidated. We sought to explore whether the AF persistence itself affects right heart remodeling.Methods—A total of 372 lone AF patients (234 paroxysmal AF [paroxAF] and 138 persistent AF [persAF]) who underwent 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) was retrospectively reviewed. The duration from first-detected episode of AF to the TEE exam date was defined as AF duration. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Kanako Izumi, Hiroto Utsunomiya, Makoto Takeuchi, Ayano Hamada, Yohei Hyodo, Atsuo Mogami, Akane Tsuchiya, Hajime Takemoto, Kosuke Takahari, Yusuke Ueda, Kiho Itakura, Yukiko Nakano Source Type: research

Influence of intracoronary hemodynamic forces on atherosclerotic plaque phenotypes
Coronary hemodynamics impact coronary plaque progression and destabilization. The aim of the present study was to establish the association between focal vs. diffuse intracoronary pressure gradients and wall shear stress (WSS) patterns with atherosclerotic plaque composition. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Alessandro Candreva, Diego Gallo, Daniel Munhoz, Maurizio Lodi Rizzini, Takuya Mizukami, Ruiko Seki, Koshiro Sakai, Jeroen Sonck, Valentina Mazzi, Brian Ko, Bjarne N ørgaard, Jesper Møller Jensen, Michael Maeng, Hiromasa Otake, Bon-Kwon Koo, Toshiro Shi Source Type: research

Temporary trends in the utilization and outcome of Transcatheter aortic valve replacement across racial and ethnic groups. A Nationwide analysis.
Transcatheter aortic valvular replacement (TAVR) improves outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, data describing racial disparities in the utilization and outcomes of TAVR are limited. We aimed to evaluate the utilization trends and outcomes of TAVR across racial and ethnic groups.Methods: All patients who underwent TAVR in the United States from 2016 through 2020 were identified from the National Inpatient Sample database. Patients were classified according to their racial and ethnic groups as Non-Hispanic White (NHW), Non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Hispanic, and Asian. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Akanimo Antia, Ruth Pius, Chinonso Ndukauba, Vania Remenik Zarauz, Oladipupo Olafiranye Source Type: research

Impact of carotid artery stenosis on outcomes of Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and Meta-analysis
Introduction: Carotid Artery Stenosis (CAS) is common in elderly patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). However, the impact of CAS on the outcomes of TAVR is unclear.Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the clinical and periprocedural outcomes in patients with and without CAS undergoing TAVR.Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched until February 2023. We included studies that performed a direct comparison of outcomes of TAVR in CAS versus non-CAS patients. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Lucas Caetano de Silva, Tathiane Brum Gibicoski, Francisco Rodriguez, Isabela Scabello, Edgar Paulo da Silva Neto, Betina Iplinski Source Type: research

The association between serum chloride and mortality in ICU patients with heart failure: The impact of bicarbonate
Objective: To assess whether serum chloride predicts risk of death in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with heart failure (HF) and the effect of bicarbonate on the efficacy of serum chloride in predicting risk of death in ICU patients.Methods: A total of 9364 HF patients hospitalized in the ICU were enrolled. Patients were divided into hypochloremia ( 108  mEq/L) groups. Similarly, we divided the serum bicarbonate level into three groups: low bicarbonate ( 26  mEq/L). (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: M.D. Zhaochong Tan, M.D. Yang Liu, Kui Hong Source Type: research

Atrial fibrillation and survival on a medical intensive care unit
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and can be triggered by severe illness or preexisting conditions. It is debated if AF is an independent predictor of poor outcome. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 21, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: F.A. Rottmann, H. Abraham, T. Welte, L. Westermann, X. Bemtgen, N. Gauchel, A. Supady, T. Wengenmayer, D.L. Staudacher Source Type: research

Cardiologists' knowledge and perceptions of the seasonal influenza immunisation
Seasonal influenza immunisation reduces cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, but 50% do not receive routine immunisation. The perceptions and current role of cardiologists in recommending and prescribing influenza immunisation has not been well described. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 15, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Sarah R. Monagle, Ella Spear, Timothy Abrahams, Udit Thakur, Derk Pol, Sean Tan, Karen Bellamy, Joanne Hickman, Brendan Jackson, Jasmine Chan, Stephen J. Nicholls, Adam J. Nelson Tags: Short communication Source Type: research

Unchanged cellular inflammatory response following recurrent ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Recurrent ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) are associated with poorer prognosis. A diminished haematopoietic response has been proposed as the mechanism responsible for this, but has yet to be validated in human studies. We therefore aim to map out the leukocyte response, and its subtypes, following the first and second STEMI to identify if the inflammatory response is dampened after recurrent myocardial infarctions. (Source: International Journal of Cardiology)
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 14, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Joyce Lim, James King, Trent Williams, Andrew Boyle Tags: Short communication Source Type: research

Improved prognostication using the inferior vena cava collapsibility index: A tool validated for adults with congenital heart disease
Transthoracic echocardiography is a cornerstone of the diagnosis and longitudinal assessment of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), both in the inpatient and ambulatory settings. Over recent decades, a host of complementary imaging modalities have entered clinical practice, but echocardiography has maintained its role as the primary diagnostic tool of the CHD physician. The assessment of right atrial (RA) pressure often takes a secondary role in the overall echocardiographic assessment, which frequently focuses on parameters of ventricular and valvular dysfunction or other haemodynamic lesions. (Source: Internation...
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 13, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Andrew Constantine, Nada Al-Sakini, Konstantinos Dimopoulos Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Prognostic scales in dilated cardiomyopathy – Past, present, and future.
In the ever-evolving realm of contemporary medicine, the skill of accurate prognostication stands as an indispensable pillar, bearing equal weight with the essential arts of prompt clinical diagnosis and robust therapeutic intervention strategies. Across decades, cardiology has methodically crafted an array of prognostic tools, primarily addressing prevalent diseases such as coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure (HF). Rooted in expansive multi-centre registries and randomized trials, each with their own specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, these models naturally vary in terms of study popula...
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - December 13, 2023 Category: Cardiology Authors: Pawel Rubis Tags: Editorial Source Type: research