Assessment and management of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac dysrhythmia encountered in practice. It is currently estimated that AF affects approximately 2% of the general population; however, the true prevalence of AF is likely to be at least 3%–4% when asymptomatic AF is considered. For clinically apparent AF, the investigations and management are relatively well established. The identification of minimally symptomatic patients is challenging, and furthermore, the optimal management is less certain. Although there is some debate about the ideal treatment pathway for asymptomatic AF, in most cases, the investigatio...
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Andrade, J. G., Deyell, M. W., Bennett, R., Macle, L. Tags: Education in Heart Source Type: research
Filamin A heart valve disease as a genetic cause of inherited bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve disease
Conclusion
The patients with FLNA variants present frequent aortic valve disease and worse outcomes. Bicuspid aortic valve is more frequent in patients carrying the FLNA-MVD variants. These unique features should be factored into the management of patients with dystrophic and/or bicuspid aortic valve. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Delwarde, C., Toquet, C., Boureau, A. S., Le Ruz, R., Le Scouarnec, S., Merot, J., Kyndt, F., Bernstein, D., Bernstein, J. A., Aalberts, J. J. J., Le Marec, H., Schott, J.-J., Roussel, J.-C., Le Tourneau, T., Capoulade, R. Tags: Valvular heart disease Source Type: research
Aortic valve perivascular adipose tissue computed tomography attenuation in patients with aortic stenosis
Conclusions
CT-derived aortic valve perivascular adipose tissue attenuation is not associated with AS disease severity, activity or progression suggesting that it has no value in the investigation and management of patients with AS. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Botezatu, S. B., Yu, X., Meah, M. N., Williams, M. C., Dey, D., Newby, D. E., Tzolos, E., Dweck, M. R. Tags: Valvular heart disease Source Type: research
Young man with chest pain and an abnormal echocardiogram
Clinical introduction A man in his 40s with a history of hyperlipidaemia presented with intermittent, dull left-sided chest pain for 2 weeks that was not consistently exertional. He denied dyspnoea, cough, fevers, recent travel or exposure to sick people. He did not smoke or use alcohol or illicit drugs. There was no pertinent family history. Physical examination, an ECG, basic laboratories and a chest X-ray were unremarkable. The patient was referred for an exercise nuclear study and did 11 min on the Bruce protocol without angina or ischaemic ECG changes. Myocardial scintigraphic perfusion images at stress and rest were ...
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Peters, M., Kalra, D. Tags: Image challenges Source Type: research
Cardiovascular sequelae of trastuzumab and anthracycline in long-term survivors of breast cancer
Conclusions
The presence of asymptomatic LVSD, abnormal cardiac biomarkers and cardiac risk factors in participants treated with trastuzumab and anthracycline at least 5 years previously is common, even in those with normal LVEF on completion of treatment. Our findings reinforce the relevance of comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors following completion of cancer therapy, in addition to LVEF assessment. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Glen, C., Morrow, A., Roditi, G., Hopkins, T., Macpherson, I., Stewart, P., Petrie, M. C., Berry, C., Epstein, F., Lang, N. N., Mangion, K. Tags: Open access Special populations Source Type: research
Interaction of genetic risk and lifestyle on the incidence of atrial fibrillation
Conclusions
The rates of AF increased gradually with worse lifestyle within each category of genetic risk. We found a positive interaction on an additive scale between genetic risk and lifestyle, suggesting that risk factor modification is especially important in individuals with a high genetic risk of AF. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Frederiksen, T. C., Christiansen, M. K., Benjamin, E. J., Overvad, K., Olsen, A., Andersen, M. K., Hansen, T., Grarup, N., Jensen, H. K., Dahm, C. C. Tags: Open access Cardiac risk factors and prevention Source Type: research
The role of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing post-COVID-19 thromboembolic and cardiovascular complications
Conclusions
COVID-19 vaccination reduced the risk of post-COVID-19 cardiac and thromboembolic outcomes. These effects were more pronounced for acute COVID-19 outcomes, consistent with known reductions in disease severity following breakthrough versus unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2 infection. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Mercade-Besora, N., Li, X., Kolde, R., Trinh, N. T., Sanchez-Santos, M. T., Man, W. Y., Roel, E., Reyes, C., Delmestri, A., Nordeng, H. M. E., Uusküla, A., Duarte-Salles, T., Prats, C., Prieto-Alhambra, D., Jödicke, A. M., Catala, M. Tags: Open access, Editor's choice, Press releases, COVID-19 Cardiac risk factors and prevention Source Type: research
Adherence to a handheld device-based atrial fibrillation screening protocol is associated with clinical outcomes
Conclusions
Adherence to twice daily handheld ECG measurements in STROKESTOP was higher than to four times daily measurements in STROKESTOP II. Female sex and lower educational attainment were associated with ≥100% adherence and adherence consistency. Low adherence and adherence consistency were associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: van der Velden, R. M. J., Bonander, C., Crijns, H. J. G. M., Kemp-Gudmundsdottir, K., Engdahl, J., Linz, D., Svennberg, E. Tags: Arrhythmias and sudden death Source Type: research
Colchicine in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
In conclusion, while colchicine shows promise in reducing MACE, its net risk–benefit profile requires further elucidation before its widespread adoption into clinical practice for the secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Much more large-scale, long-term trial data are still needed in this space. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Tucker, B., Goonetilleke, N., Patel, S., Keech, A. Tags: Review articles Reviews Source Type: research
Adherence in a fortnight: is this a true reflection of a lifetime?
Recently, there has been significant momentum in the widespread adoption of digital health technologies for detecting and managing atrial fibrillation (AF). The diagnostic accuracy of various commercially available devices is well described and influenced by factors such as device type (handheld vs wearables), technology used (photoplethysmography vs ECG) and duration of monitoring (continuous vs intermittent). Several studies have reported the sensitivity and specificity for different mobile health solutions in AF detection, with values ranging from 68% to 100%.1 These technologies will no doubt continue to advance with i...
Source: Heart - April 15, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Kamsani, S. H., Middeldorp, M. E. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research
Coronary microvascular dysfunction in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Conclusions
CMD is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and HF after TAVI. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - March 22, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Scarsini, R., Portolan, L., Della Mora, F., Fabroni, M., Andreaggi, S., Mainardi, A., Springhetti, P., Dotto, A., Del Sole, P. A., Fezzi, S., Pazzi, S., Tavella, D., Mammone, C., Lunardi, M., Pesarini, G., Benfari, G., Ribichini, F. L. Tags: Valvular heart disease Source Type: research
Computed tomography calcium scoring in aortic stenosis: bicuspid versus tricuspid morphology
Conclusion
Valve calcification in AS differs according to valve morphology and sex. BAV-men with severe AS exhibit greater AVCscore and AVCdensity than TAV-men. This presents a diagnostic challenge to the current guidelines, which needs confirmation in larger studies. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - March 22, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ye, Z., Clavel, M.-A., Foley, T. A., Pibarot, P., Enriquez-Sarano, M., Michelena, H. I. Tags: Valvular heart disease Source Type: research
Echocardiographic artificial intelligence for pulmonary hypertension classification
Conclusions
This preliminary study suggests promising potential for our ML model in predicting echocardiographic PH. Further research and validation are needed to fully assess its clinical utility in PH diagnosis and treatment decision-making. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - March 22, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Hirata, Y., Tsuji, T., Kotoku, J., Sata, M., Kusunose, K. Tags: Pulmonary vascular disease Source Type: research
Symptoms and signs in patients with heart failure: association with 3-month hospitalisation and mortality
Conclusions
In the primary care HF population, routinely recorded cardiac and non-specific symptoms showed differential risk associations with hospitalisation and mortality. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - March 22, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ali, M. R., Lam, C. S. P., Strömberg, A., Hand, S. P. P., Booth, S., Zaccardi, F., Squire, I., McCann, G. P., Khunti, K., Lawson, C. A. Tags: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies Source Type: research
Postdischarge major bleeding, myocardial infarction, and mortality risk after coronary artery bypass grafting
Conclusions
The increase in mortality risk associated with a postdischarge major bleeding after CABG is substantial and is similar to the mortality risk associated with a postdischarge myocardial infarction. (Source: Heart)
Source: Heart - March 22, 2024 Category: Cardiology Authors: Björklund, E., Enström, P., Nielsen, S. J., Tygesen, H., Martinsson, A., Hansson, E. C., Lindgren, M., Malm, C.-J., Pivodic, A., Jeppsson, A. Tags: Open access Coronary artery disease Source Type: research
