bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-risk acute pulmonary embolism in a Portuguese centre: are we doing enough?
Authors: Martinho M , Cale R , Alegria S , Ferreira F , Loureiro M J , Judas T , Ferreira M , Gomes A , Delerue F , Pereira H 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
For high-risk acute Pulmonary Embolism patients (HR-PE pts), reperfusion treatment is imperative to improve mortality. Although systemic thrombolysis (ST) is generally an appropriate first-line therapy, several population-based studies report its underuse. Data on epidemiology, management and outcomes of HR-PE in Portugal is scarce.

Purpose
Estimate the reperfusion rate in HR-PE pts, the reasons for non-reperfusion (NR) and how it influences outcomes.

Methods
Retrospective single-centre registry of consecutive HR-PE pts between 2008–2018, defined by the 2019 ESC guidelines criteria. Independent predictors for NR were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. The cumulative incidence of PE-related mortality at 30 days was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method and differences stratified by reperfusion were assessed using the log-rank test.

Results
Of a total of 1955 pts admitted with acute PE, 74 (3.8%) had HD instability at admission (mean age 68±15 years). The majority of pts (68.5%) came from the emergency department while the remaining 31.5% were already hospitalized for other reasons. The total reperfusion rate was 50% - 35pts were submitted to systemic thrombolysis, 1pt to first-line percutaneous embolectomy and 1pt to rescue endovascular treatment. Age was an independent predictor of NR (63±17 vs 73±12, p=0.02) with &gt;75 years representing 15 times the risk of non-treatment (OR 15.5, 95% CI 3.23–74.25, p&lt;0.001). Absolute contraindication for thrombolysis was present in 29.7% (22pts), with recent major surgery (13pts) and recent cerebral event (8pts) as the most common reasons. The presence of an absolute contraindication for systemic thrombolysis was also an independent predictor of NR (66.7% vs 13.6%; OR 13.3, 95% CI 2.51–70.65, p=0.002). Being hospitalized was associated with the presence of absolute contraindications for thrombolysis (68.2% vs 14.0%, p&lt;0.001) and was also an independent predictor of NR (38% vs 77.3%; OR 8.49, 95% CI 1.56–46.11, p=0.013). PE-related death at 30 days was 28.4% (21pts), which was significantly lower in the reperfusion group (17.1% vs 38.9%, p=0.042). At a mean follow-up of 2.5±3.3 years, survival rate was 33.8% (figure 1).

Conclusions
Low reperfusion rate due to contraindications for thrombolysis was associated with high PE-related mortality. This data suggests that it is necessary to implement interventional alternative strategies, at a national level, to improve outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Survival rate according to reperfusion.
Association of 12204590 polymorphism with the development of acute cerebrovascular event
Authors: Chernova A , Nikulina S , Nikulin D 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Purpose
To study SNP rs12204590 (T &gt; A) with development of Acute Cerebrovascular Event in the patients with cardiovascular pathology and risk factors of its development who are representatives of the east Siberian population.

Material and methods
260 patients with Acute Cerebrovascular Event participated in a research (age [57.0; 51.0–62.0]) and 272 patients of control group (age [55.0; 51.0–62.0].). Among the patients who transferred Acute Cerebrovascular Event, 157 men and 103 women. The control group included 170 men and 102 women. Inspection of the main group included: collecting complaints, anamnesis, clinical examination, computer tomography of a brain, electrocardiography, echo, ultrasonic of arteries, daily monitoring of arterial blood pressure and cardiac rhythm, analysis of a coagulant system of blood. Patients of the main group had the following cardiovascular pathology and risk factors: arterial hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia, dislipidemiya, atherosclerosis brachiocephalic of arteries, disturbances of a system of a hemostasis. The control group is examined within the international HAPIEE project. The molecular and genetic research was conducted by PCR method in real time. Statistical processing of material was carried out with use of set of the Statistica for Windows 7.0, Excel and SPSS 22 application programs.

Results
The connection of the genotype of TA SNP rs12204590 (T &gt; A) with the development of Acute Cerebrovascular Event in a general group of patients was confirmed, but no statistically significant associations were obtained when patients were divided into subgroups depending on cardiovascular pathology and risk factors.

Conclusion
The genotype of TA SNP rs12204590 (T &gt; A), compared to the genotypes of TT and AA, reduces the risk of developing Acute Cerebrovascular Event, including in patients with arterial hypertension. The genotype of AA SNP rs12204590 (T &gt; A) increases the risk of developing Acute Cerebrovascular Event in males.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Interventional cardiology in times of COVID-19: impact on a terciary centre
Authors: Azul Freitas A , Ferreira C , Martinho S , Goncalves V , Almeida J , Rosa J , Campos G , Jorge E , Goncalves L 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and the pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has forced profound changes in the care of patients with cardiac conditions. In Portugal, an increase in mortality beyond that attributed solely to COVID-19 was observed. We aimed to realize how COVID-19 has changed the activity of our Interventional Cardiology Unit.

Methods
We retrospectively assessed all patients submitted to any interventional procedure in 2019 and 2020 in our hospital. A total of 7621 patients and 9163 procedures were evaluated. The mean weekly numbers of coronarography, angioplasty, right heart catheterization and structural heart intervention during 2019 were assessed and were compared with the first COVID-19 wave (comprising March and April 2020) and the second COVID-19 wave (including the time period from October to end of December 2020).

Results
Mean age was 65.2±16.6 years with 72% being male. In the first COVID-19 wave there was a significant reduction in the mean weekly numbers of all procedures, with a 64% decline in coronarographies (30.9±29.3 vs 87.2±12.9, P&lt;0.001), 48% in angiographies (15.7±10.9 vs 30.2±5.7, P=0.004), 51% in right heart catheterizations (5.3±5.9 vs 10.9±4.5, P=0.002) and 57% in structural heart interventions (1.1±1.9 vs 2.6±2, P=0.044). Although there was an evident recovery in activity (figure 1), comparing to 2019, the second wave also showed a significant lower number of procedures, with 24% fewer coronarographies (66.6±20.6 vs 87.2±12.9, P=0.003) and 13% fewer angiographies (26.4±7.6 vs 30.2±5.7, P=0.004). Contrariwise, in the second wave there was no difference in the number of right heart catheterizations (7.3±6.1 vs 10.9±4.5, P=0.055) or structural heart interventions (1.6±1.6 vs 2.6±2, P=0.106).

Conclusions
In our Interventional Cardiology Unit, COVID-19 led to a significant reduction of procedures in the first and second pandemic waves. The effect on the increase in morbidity and mortality has yet to be determined. Health authorities should focus attention in defining measures to amend the consequences of this documented activity reduction.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1
Stent strategies in left main bifurcation lesions: the simpler, the better?
Authors: Oliveira Campos G , Leite L , Santos M , Paiva L , Jorge E , Silva J , Matos V , Oliveira H , Costa M , Goncalves L 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ostial or midshaft lesions in left main (LM) disease has shown similar results as compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), distal LM bifurcations are associated with an increase in procedural complexity and higher rates of target lesion revascularization. Several studies have investigated the optimal stenting strategy in patients with coronary bifurcation lesions and showed no benefit for systematic two-stent approach in comparison with provisional stenting. This is reflected in the current guidelines that recommend provisional stenting of the side branch as the preferred approach for most bifurcation lesions. However, there is still debate about the optimal strategy according to lesion location.

Objectives
This analysis aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of LM bifurcation PCI using a provisional strategy versus a two-stent strategy.

Methods
Retrospective, observational study including patients submitted to LM bifurcation (Medina 1,1,1) PCI between January 2010 and December 2019. Data was collected from the emergency department and hospitalization registries. Patients were divided according to the stenting approach. We made a global analysis including baseline clinical and angiographic data. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), defined as the composite of myocardial infarction, cardiac death, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Secondary endpoints included the individual components.

Results
A total of 106 patients were included (median age 74 [66–82], 79 (74.5%) males), 57 (53.8%) submitted to provisional stenting and 49 (46.2%) to a two-stent technique. Baseline characteristics were well matched (table 1). The mean SYNTAX score was 29.6±10.0 and LM stenosis grade was ≥70% in all lesions. Median follow-up was 26.6 [12.0–48.6] months. No differences were found regarding the primary endpoint (TLF in provisional stenting was 21.7% vs 21.4%, HR 2.432; 95% confidence interval, 0.472–12.450; p=0.233.). Although target lesion revascularization within the LM complex was numerically higher in the two-stent group (10.2% vs. 3.5%, p=0.245), the opposite was found in cardiac death (provisional group 10.5% vs. 4.3%, p=0.289).

Conclusions
Besides being a “simpler” technique, provisional stenting had no significant differences in outcomes compared to two-stent techniques. Without further evidence, revascularization strategies should primarily rely on operator expertise.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Permanent pacemaker implantation post transcatheter aortic valve replacement- the role of pacing burden
Authors: Natanzon S S , Fardman A , Barbash I , Guetta V , Segev A , Maor E , Fefer P , Nof E , Koren-Morag N , Beinart R 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Previous studies have provided inconsistent results regarding the clinical impact of new permanent pacemaker (PPM) post TAVR. Our aim is to evaluate whether new PPM post TAVR is associated with higher 1-year mortality and/or heart failure hospitalizations and whether pacing burden is related to adverse outcomes.

Results
Overall, 1245 patients underwent TAVR between the years 2008–2019 and were included in our analysis with a median follow up of 2.3 years (IQR 1–4). 191 (15%) had a new PPM implantation during index admission. Compared to patients without PPM those implanted had significantly higher 1-year mortality rate (18% vs 11%, p-0.007) as well has higher combined outcome of mortality and HF hospitalizations. There was no difference in pacing burden between survivors and non survivors in all models examined: first and last clinic visit, maximal pacing during the first-year post implantation and the difference in pacing trend between visits. Older age, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and previous myocardial infarction (MI) were independently associated with mortality or combined outcome of mortality and HF hospitalizations.

Conclusion
New pacemaker implantation post TAVR is associated with higher 1-year mortality and HF hospitalization, however pacing burden isn't associated with adverse clinical course.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Impact of severe mitral annular calcification on paravalvular leak after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Soulaidopoulos S , Drakopoulou M , Stathogiannis K , Oikonomou G , Toskas P , Benetos G , Synetos A , Latsios G , Tsioufis K , Toutouzas K 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Aims
Paravalvular leak (PVL) remains a frequent complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and seems to affect short- and long-term survival.

Purpose
The aim of this study was: 1) to identify anatomical predictors of PVL after TAVI and 2) assess the impact of PVL on cumulative survival.

Methods and results
Patients with severe and symptomatic aortic stenosis [effective orifice area (EOA) ≤1cm2] referred for TAVI at our institution were consecutively enrolled. Prospectively collected demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic data were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified into two groups according to the presence of PVL after TAVI and were followed up postoperatively with clinical and echocardiographic assessment. Primary clinical endpoint was all-cause mortality, as defined by the criteria proposed by the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2. In total, 291 patients were included (male: 50.2%, mean age: 80±7.6 years) in our study. Of these, 165 (56,8%) presented at least mild PVL after TAVI (mild: 85,5%, moderate: 13.3% and severe: 1.2%). The median follow-up period was 27.3 [min. 0, max 113 months. Two patients with severe PVL were excluded from the analysis. In the follow up period, there was no significant difference regarding all-cause mortality between patients with and those without PVL after TAVI, independently from the degree of PVL (log rank: 0.991 - Figure 1). Severe aortic annulus calcification, the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic root angulation, as assessed by computed tomography (CT), were found to associate with PVL after TAVI in univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, severe aortic annulus calcification was found to be the only independent predictor of mild or moderate PVL after TAVI [Exp(B): 1.540, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.067–2.224, B=0.432, p=0.021].

Conclusion
The presence of mild or moderate PVL after TAVI was not found to affect cumulative survival in the 27 months of follow up period. Severe annulus calcification assessed by CT-scan, was found to be the only independent predictor of PVL after TAVI.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
EuroScore II is the best predictive model for the off pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Rosler A , Nectoux P , Constantin G , Holz B S , Cardoso D , Letti E , Sales M C , Lucchese F A 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is the most common cardiac surgery performed in the world and a significant part of these surgeries are performed without cardiopulmonary bypass (off pump). Although none of the main surgical risk scores include pump use in their prediction model, the scores are widely used in risk stratification, including for patients who will be submitted to off pump CABG.

Purpose
To analyse and compare the predictive accuracy of EuroScore I, EuroScore II and STS Score for 30-day mortality after off pump CABG.

Methods
Single-centre cohort with 943 patients consecutively submitted to off pump CABG between January 2010 and December 2020. 31 baseline and operative variables were analysed. The primary outcome was the occurrence of death in the first 30 days after the surgery. Descriptive analysis, normality for quantitative data and univariate inference were performed to compare proportions and means between the survival group (n=930) and death group (n=13). Next, three logistic regression models were performed. Each of them had 30-day mortality as a dependent variable and one of the scores as an independent variable. The probabilities generated by the three models were saved and analysed by ROC curves. Thus, it was possible to assess the predictive accuracy of each of the scores. Finally, the values of the areas under the curves were compared using the DeLong test. The level of significance was 5% and the analysis was performed using the Python 3.0 programming language.

Results
The mean age of the general group was 63 years old and there was a predominance of male patients (68.4%). The means of the three evaluated risk scores were significantly higher in the Death group (p&lt;0,05). This pattern confirmed the findings of higher prevalence of several comorbidities in the death group. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.37%. Through the analysis of regressions and the probabilities generated through them, it was possible to verify that the predictive accuracy of EuroScore II was significantly higher than that of the other two scores. While the predictive accuracy of EuroScore II was 77.3%, the accuracy of two other scores was in the range of 69% (AUC EsI: 0.697; AUC EsII: 0.773; AUC STS: 0.695; p=0.029).

Conclusion
EuroScore II seems to be the most adequate surgical risk score for the assessment of mortality risk of patients who will undergoing to off pump CABG. The score had a predictive accuracy of 77.3%, almost 8% more than the other two scores. Therefore, although EuroScore II does not include in its model the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, it has a satisfactory accuracy to be used in clinical-surgical practice. On the other hand, the EuroScore I and the STS Score showed predictive accuracy not adequate for this type of surgery.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Predictive accuracies of risk scores
Osteoporosis after heart transplantation with reference to immunosuppression and renal function
Authors: Lofdahl E L , Radegran G R 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Osteoporosis is commonly found in heart transplantation (HT) recipients, and may develop as an adverse effect of the immunosuppressive therapy, as well as be a consequence of factors associated with heart failure prior to HT. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is furthermore, like osteoporosis, frequently found in the HT patient population, and may also arise as a side-effect of the immunosuppressive therapy.

Aims and method
We sought to describe the bone mineral density (BMD) evolution, predictors of osteoporosis, and survival, as well as incidence of osteoporosis in relation to CKD up to 10 years after HT. The project was conducted as a retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent HT at an age of at least 20 years between January 1988 and June 2016 at our center. The project was approved by the local ethics board (approval nos. 2010/114, 2011/777, 2014/92).

Results
Pre-transplant BMD was a negative predictor of osteoporosis during the first post-operative year, with a HR of 0.13 (95% CI 0.063; 0.26; P&lt;0.001) and 0.54 (95% CI 0.34; 0.85; P&lt;0.001) in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively, adjusted for age, gender, BMI, and immunosuppressive therapy. Similarly, pre-transplant BMD was a negative predictor of osteoporosis also up to 10 years after HT, with a HR of 0.19 (95% CI 0.11; 0.32; P&lt;0.001) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.39; 0.78; P=0.001), in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, respectively, adjusted for age, gender, BMI, and immunosuppressive therapy. CKD stage 3 or worse before HT was associated with a greater gain in BMD after HT compared with CKD stage less than 3 or normal kidney function (−2.5% [−5.6; 0.6] versus −6.6% [−8.8;-4.5], P=0.029), and was not associated with osteoporosis (Figure 1). Also, the cumulative incidence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine after HT was higher in the group with CKD stage less than 3 or normal kidney function.

Conclusions
The greatest drop in BMD occurs within the first year after HT. Short- and long-term incidence of osteoporosis is positively associated with pre-transplant bone strength, suggesting that early initiation of osteoporosis preventive treatment, pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically, may be beneficial in preventing long- and short-term fracture-related morbidity and morbidity after HT. Moreover, CKD stage 3 or worse before HT was associated with higher lumbar BMD after HT, and was not a predictor of osteoporosis. CKD stage less than 3 or normal kidney function before HT exhibited a greater BMD loss in the lumbar spine. Finally, the change in GFR during the first postoperative year was not associated with long-term BMD loss or osteoporosis.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Anna-Lisa & Sven-Erik Lundgren's Foundation and ALF's Foundations, Lund, Sweden Figure 1
Correlation arterial stiffness and central blood pressure with obstructive sleep apnea in patients with resistant arterial hypertension
Authors: Rekovets O , Sirenko Y , Krushynska N , Torbas O , Kushnir S , Primak G , Granich V , Sidorenko P , Polishchuk S , Zhyvilo I , Radchenko G , Botsyuk Y 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

The aim assess correlation the arterial stiffness in patients with resistant arterial hypertension (AH) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Design
185 patients with AH were enrolled into the study. They were divided on 2 groups: OSA group – 148 patients were found to have OSA, indicated by at mean AHI of 38.1±2.5 h–1, and control group – 37 patients without OSA, mean AHI 3.02±0.25 h–1 (P&lt;0.001). Patients of both groups were comparable on age, growth, total cholesterol level and office systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).

Results
Patients with RAH and OSA (mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) 36.5±2.7 event/h) in comparison with patients with RAH without OSA (mean AHI 3.4±0.2 event/h) had significantly higher body mass index (34.2±0.7 vs 31.6±0.7 kg/m2, P&lt;0.05), uric acid level (6.7±0.1 vs 5.6±0.4 mg/dl, P&lt;0,05), higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) (12.1±0.5 vs 10.2 m/s, P&lt;0,05) and central systolic blood pressure (CSBP) (143.8±2.7 vs 136.2±3.4 mm Hg, P&lt;0,05).
Patients of both groups had comparable office blood pressure (SBP 145.6±1.67 vs 138.4±3.66 mm Hg, P=0.057 and DBP 93.6+±1.18 vs 89.1±2.11 mm Hg, P=0.073), but significantly higher 24-h systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We suggest that in the study some patients with OSA had masked arterial hypertension.
Daytime sleepiness in OSA patients was associated with structural remodeling of the left ventricle myocardium and more expressed arterial stiffness: ESS score was independently correlated with snoring duration (β=−0.008; P=0.021), interventricular septum thickness (β=0.023; P=0.026), LVMI (β=−0.037; P=0.039) and indexes of central pulse wave: ejection duration (ED) (β=−0.020; P&lt;0.001) and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) (β=−0.224; P=0.012). Nocturnal hypoxemia in OSA patients was associated with increased aortic stiffness and higher central blood pressure: desaturation index was independently correlated with Aix (β=4.167; P=0.009), Aix75 (β=−3.929; P=0.006) and central DBP (β=0.151; P=0.004).

Conclusion
In patients with RH and OSA nocturnal hypoxemia correlation with increased aortic stiffness and higher central blood pressure.

Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.