bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P251 PERIODIC BREATHING (EOV) ON CARDIORESPIRATORY STRESS TESTING: ARE THERE PROGNOSTIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PATIENTS WITH PERIODIC BREATHING THAT PERSISTS THROUGHOUT THE TEST AND PATIENTS TO WHOM IT DISAPPEARS?
Authors: Palermo P , Apostolo A , Contini M , Mapelli M , Alessandra M , De Martino F , Salvioni E , Agostoni P 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Oscillatory exercise ventilation (EOV) is frequently seen in patients with severe heart failure (HF) and has a ne:gative prognostic value in both patients with reduced HF and those with average ejection fraction. Two types of EOV have been described one that lasts throughout exercise and one that disappears before the end of exercise, Figure 1

Aim of the Study
It is currently unknown whether there are differences in prognosis and functional capacity between HF patients with EOV that persists or disappears during exercise.

Population
Male and female patients, aged≥18 years, diagnosed with HF and LVEF&lt;45% were enrolled.

Methods
The retrospective study enrolled patients who performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and presented with EOV during exercise (Monzino Heart Center Laboratory and patients included in the MECKI score registry, identified a total of 255 patients). A subset of 100 patients underwent measurement of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) before and after exercise (Table 2). All patients were treated at the top of therapy for HF. CPETs were performed and analyzed with a standard approach using a customized ramp protocol. The main parameters obtained are reported and compared in Table 1. EOV was defined according to as a cyclic fluctuation in ventilation as proposed by Corrà et al. Statistical analysis:Data are reported as mean ± standard deviation or median and interquartile range as appropriate. The two groups of patients were compared by t test for unpaired data in the case of data with normal distribution. Mortality was analyzed by Kaplan Meier curves and Log Rank test. Survival was considered using the composite end–point of cardiovascular death, urgent cardiac transplantation, or implantation of a left ventricular assist device. The median MECKI score of the total population was 5.5% (2.5–13.7) with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Figure 1 shows the Kaplan Meyer describing the 5–year survival analysis in both groups.

Conclusions
Patients with disappearing EOV demonstrated better exercise performance but no significant difference in survival and major prognostic parameters.
P252 PROTOCOL FOR TELEHEALTH MANAGEMENT AND STRATIFICATION RISK OF ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE DURING THE COVID–19 PANDEMIC: A MID–TERM PROGNOSTIC EVALUTATION BY TELEHFCOVID–19 SCORE
Authors: Verga F , Orso F , Herbst A , Camartini V , Virciglio S , D‘Errico G , Salucci C , Di Bari M , Marchionni N , Ungar A , Fattirolli F , Baldasseroni S 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Introduction
The Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19) pandemic and its consequences has forced physicians to develop telematic methods in order to follow up patients with cronic diseases, such as heart failure (HF).

Objectives
To evaluate TeleHFCovid–19 score as a mid–term (six months) prognostic score in terms of prediction of hospitalitazion and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic HF during Covid–19 pandemic.

Methods
During COVID–19 pandemic (from March 2020 to May 2020), we were forced to cancel nearly all follow–up checks in our HF outpatient clinic. We hence standardized a telephone follow–up by developing a questionnaire (Fig. 1) from which we then obtained a score, later called the “TeleHFCovid–19 score” (0–29). This score stratified patients in three risk score groups: green (0–3), yellow (4–8), and red (≥9), for which the next telefonic evaluation was planned after 4, 2 and 1 weeks, respectively.

Results
146 patients were enrolled: 112 were classified as green, 21 as yellow and 13 as red. Mean age was 81 years, females were 40%. Approximately one third had EF &lt; 40%. At six months, compared to red (69.2%) and yellow patients (33.3%), green patients (8.9%) presented a significantly lower rate of the composite outcome of cardiovascular death and/or HF hospitalization, (p &lt; 0.001, Fig 2). Multivariate analysis showed that high levels of creatinine (OR 5.960, 95% CI 1.627–21.837, p = 0.007), dyspnea at rest or for basic activities (OR 2.469, 95% CI 1.216–5.013, p = 0.012) and a high loop–diuretic dosage (OR 6.224, 95% CI 1.504–25.753, p = 0.012) were indipendently associated with the outcome. Moreover, ROC analysis showed a high sensibility and specificity for our score at six months (AUC =0.789, 95% CI 0.682–0.896, p &lt; 0.001), with a score &lt; 4.5 (very close to the green group cut–off) that identified lower–risk subjects (Fig 3).

Conclusions
The TeleHFCovid–19 score was able to correctly identify patients with good outcomes at six months. Furthermore, it has the ability to stratify the adverse event risk and this could represent a useful tool to appropriately schedule the reevaluation timing of these patients and to identify those who may need urgent hospital evaluation.
P253 INDEPENDENT PREDICTORS OF 1–YEAR MORTALITY IN OLDEST OLD PATIENTS MANAGED BY A GERIATRIC–CARDIOLOGY HF UNIT OF AOU CAREGGI
Authors: Virciglio S , Orso F , Herbst A , Camartini V , Girardi E , Ghiara C , Perfetti G , Pratesi A , Di Bari M , Ungar A , Fattirolli F , Marchionni N , Baldasseroni S 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Background
A multidisciplinary heart team and continuum care approach seems to be the most appropriate clinical strategy in order to reduce mortality, functional decline and disability of frail and clinical complex oldest old patients affected by heart failure (HF). We analysed the independent predictors of 1 year–total mortality in our cohort of oldest old HF patients.

Methods
All patients aged &gt; 85 years referred to our Heart Failure Unit of a Tertiary teaching hospital were consecutively enrolled in the study and were evaluated at first visit with a comprehensive assessment recording cardiological, geriatric and bio–humoral variables. Then we assessed with a multivariable Cox regression analysis the independent predictors of 1–year all–cause mortality.

Results
87 patients were enrolled (mean age 89 ± 2.7 years, range 86–96 years); 48.9% were females, 57.9% were in NYHA class III or IV, 43.2% had HFpEF, 36.4% had an ischemic aethiology, 69.3% had a history of atrial fibrillation, 19.3% were living alone, the mean number of prescribed drugs was 8.8 ± 2.2, EVEREST congestion score was 5.2 ± 2.6, mean NT–proBNP was 8187 ± 11170 pg/ml. In the year after enrolment, 25 patients (34.1%) had more than one HF hospitalisation and 17 patients (19%) died. Among all clinical variables, living alone, having had one or more HF hospitalisation and HF–type (HFpEF, HFmrEF, HFrEF), EVEREST congestion score, trans–tricuspid gradient and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) associated with 1–year mortality. At multivariable Cox–regression model only living alone (HR 3.34; 95% CI: 1.16–9.64) and EVEREST congestion score (HR 1.24; 95% CI: 1.04–1.46) resulted significantly associated with 1–year mortality. In the Figure we report the Kaplan–Meier curves according to the EVEREST congestion score (dichotomized according to a median value of 4) and living alone (yes vs not).

Conclusions
In a cohort of HF oldest old patients tightly managed in a dedicated cardiologic and geriatric Heart Failure Unit, 1–year all–cause mortality was independently predicted by a clinical score of congestion and by living alone status.
P262 ULTRASOUND–ASSISTED THROMBOLYSIS OF HIGH RISK AND INTERMEDIATE–HIGH RISK PULMONARY EMBOLISM: A MULTICENTRE REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE IN LOMBARDY REGION
Authors: Russo F , Cianfanelli L , Galli M , Chizzola G , Bossi I , Chieffo A , Montorfano M 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate. Catheter–directed treatments (CDTs) seem a therapeutical option in case of sistemic thrombolysis (ST) contraindication or failure. Ultrasound–assisted thrombolysis (USAT) allows low–dose thrombolytic loco–regional infusion facilitated by ultrasounds.

Methods and Results
A multicentre retrospective observational cohort study was conducted among 4 Cardiovascular Interventional Centres in Lombardy Region to evaluate safety and efficacy of USAT in high risk and intermediate–high risk PE patients presenting with contraindications to ST. Patients at high risk were included in case of USAT because of ST contraindications. Patients at intermediate–high risk were included in case of rescue USAT. Loco–regional thrombolysis was performed using rTPA. Procedural success was defined as successful catheters‘ deployment in pulmonary arteries and patient survival during the procedure. Bleeding were defined according to BARC criteria. Echocardiographic evaluation to determine the prevalence of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension was performed at presentation, discharge and follow–up. Between 2011 and 2021, 109 patients were included. 21.1% presented with high risk PE, the remaining 78.9% with intermediate–high risk. Procedural success was obtained in 99.1% of the cases; major bleedings occurred in 9.2%, minor bleedings in 11.9% and vascular complications in 7.3% of the patients. 91.7% of patients were alive at discharge. In–hospital all–cause mortality was higher in high risk patients (26.1% vs 3.5%; p = 0.003) that showed a steep decline in survival as compared to intermediate–high risk patients that constantly maintained a high survival rate throughout the observation period. At six–months follow–up 3 patients in intermediate–high risk group died so that the overall mortality remains higher in high risk patients (26.1% vs 7%; p = 0.018). No re–hospitalization for recurrent PE at six–months occurred. Prevalence of RV dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension significantly decreased from hospital admission to discharge and to six–months follow–up (p–value &lt;0.0001 for all comparisons).

Conclusions
Our experience shows good short and mid–term outcomes in USAT in high risk and intermediate–high risk PE patients with contraindications to ST, suggesting that it might be considered in a neglected subset of patients with no alternative therapeutical options.
P266 D–DIMERO: AN OLD NEGLECTED TEST THAT GOES BEYOND EXPECTATIONS D–DIMER ANALYSIS IN THE STRATIFICATION OF ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY EMBOLISM: EXPERIENCE OF 5 YEARS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM
Authors: Savioli G , Ceresa I , Maggioni P , Novelli V , Lava M , Fumoso F , Lapia F , Brattoli M , Bressan M 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Purpose
To see if D–Dimer correlates, in the real life of an Emergency Department, with more severe forms of pulmonary embolism (massive pulmonary embolism, presence of organ damage), with the need and duration of hospitalization in resuscitation or the length of hospital stay. We then analyzed correlations with sPESI index, shock indices and blood gas parameters.

Methods
Single–center retrospective observational study, on all geriatric patients (&gt; 75) who entered our ED, where they were diagnosed with acute PE. Enrollment began in 2015 and ended in 2019. We collected data from medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging; we calculated the characteristic scores from the diagnostic / therapeutic algorithm, both for the risk of PE (Wells, Geneva and Anni), and for the presentation of the risk of mortality at 30 days (sPESI). We analyzed all the blood chemistry and blood gas tests performed upon access to the emergency room. We then had all chest CTs retested by an experienced radiologist. We also analyzed vital parameters and the various shock indexes from these derivatives. We then analyzed whether patients had massive pulmonary embolism or the presence of organ damage (right ventricular dilation, pulmonary artery dilation and presence of pulmonary infarction).

Results
We enrolled 247 patients, all in need of hospitalization for acute pulmonary embolism. The average age of 83 with female prevalence (62%). High values of D–Dimer show a strong correlation with the presence of massive pulmonary embolism (p &lt; 0.001) and a correlation, albeit to a lesser degree, with the presence of organ damage (p &lt; 0.01). D–Dimer values show a strong correlation (p &lt; 0.005) even with patients at high risk of short–term mortality (presenting right cardiac ventricular dilation and myocardiospecific enzyme elevation). However, the AUC of the ROC curve is not optimal (0.63; with specificity 63% and sensitivity 62%). They also showed a correlation with the need for hospitalization in the ICU (p &lt; 0.01) and a slight correlation with the length of stay in resuscitation (rho = 0.25; p = 0.05) and hospital stay (rho = 0.20; p &lt; 0.01).

Conclusions
D–Dimer values appear to be useful in the severity stratification of patients with pulmonary embolism.
P278 WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. DESCRIPTION OF ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY EMBOLISM ARRIVING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE REAL–LIFE EXPERIENCE OF 5 YEARS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM
Authors: Savioli G , Ceresa I , Preda L , Manzoni F , Maggioni P , Fumoso F , Lapia F , Brattoli M , Bressan M 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Premises
Pulmonary embolism represents one of the major causes of mortality linked to cardiovascular events. The range of symptoms is extremely wide and its recognition difficult. The patients who therefore come to the emergency room are a diverse population.

Purpose
to describe the population that refers to the emergency room and finds there a diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism.

Methods
Single–center retrospective observational study, on all geriatric patients (&gt; 75 years) who entered our ED, where they were diagnosed with acute PE. Enrollment began in 2016 and ended in 2019. We analyzed means of presentation, priority codes for medical examination, exit code, hospitalization needs. We collected data from medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging, outcomes, severity scores.

Results
We enrolled 247 patients, all in need of hospitalization. 44% came for dyspnea, 17% for chest pain, 16% for signs of DVT, 8% for syncope. 5% had only atypical symptoms (dizziness, general malaise, low–grade fever, neurological symptoms …). 45% had concomitant deep vein thrombosis. 50% showed alteration of the ECG tracing, 49% alteration of the shock index. Among those subjected to blood gas analysis 11% showed alteration of pH, 16% showed alteration of pCO2, 8% showed alteration of pO2, 5% of BE, 2% of lactate. 34% showed massive PE, 32% showed organ damage. In particular, 21% showed pulmonary artery dilation, 16% pulmonary infarction and 19% right ventricular dilation. 40% showed elevation of myocardiospecific enzymes. 41% were considered to be at high risk of long–term mortality according to European guidelines, 41% at intermediate risk and 18% at low risk of mortality. 1.4% underwent thrombolysis, 2.4% required intubation. 2.8% needed an operating room for mechanical thrombolysis; 8% of hospitalization in the intensive ward during hospitalization. In–hospital mortality was 7.7%. 5% experienced bleeding during hospitalization following anticoagulation therapy.

Conclusions
The population that arrives in ED for pulmonary embolism presents extremely varied symptomatological pictures, but an overall high degree of clinical risk and assistance and therapeutic complexity.
P295 EXERCISE OXYGEN KINETIC IN HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY: RESULTS FROM A MULTICENTER CARDIOPULMONARY EXERCISE TESTING STUDY
Authors: Mapelli M , Romani S , Magrì D , Merlo M , Cittar M , Masè M , Muratori M , Gallo G , Sclafani M , Carriere C , Zaffalon D , Salvioni E , Mattavelli I , Vignati C , De Martino F , Rovai S , Autore C , Sinagra G , Agostoni P 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Aims
Reduced cardiac output (CO) has been considered crucial in symptoms’ genesis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We evaluated the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) response in HCM focusing on parameters strongly associated with stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO), such as oxygen uptake (VO2) and O2–pulse, considering both their absolute values and temporal behavior during physical exercise.

Methods and Results
We enrolled 312 non–end stage HCM patients, divided according to left ventricle outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) at rest or during Valsalva maneuver (72% with LVOTO&lt;30; 10% between 30 and 49 and 18% ≥ 50mmHg). Peak VO2 (percent of predicted), O2–pulse and ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope did not change across LVOTO groups. Ninety–six (31%) HCM patients presented an abnormal O2–pulse temporal behavior, irrespective of LVOTO values. These patients showed lower peak systolic pressure, workload (106±45 vs. 130±49W), VO2 (74±17 vs. 80±20%) and O2–pulse (12 [9–14] vs. 14 [11–17]ml/beat), with higher VE/VCO2 slope (28 [25–31] vs. 27 [24–31]) (p &lt; 0.005 for all). Only 2 patients had an abnormal VO2/work slope.

Conclusion
None of CPET parameters, either as absolute values or dynamic relationships, were associated with LVOTO. Differently, an abnormal O2–pulse exercise behavior, which is strongly related to inadequate SV during exercise, correlates with reduced functional capacity (peak and anaerobic threshold VO2 and workload) and increased VE/VCO2 slope, helping identifying more advanced disease irrespectively of LVOTO. Adding O2–pulse kinetics evaluation to standard CPET could lead to a potential incremental benefit in terms of HCM prognostic stratification and, then, therapeutic management.
P306 COVID–19 RELATED PERICARDITIS. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS AND ROLE OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION IN SUBSEQUENT LONG–COVID SYNDROME
Authors: Parato V , Galieni M , Marcelli S , Fioroni A 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Acute pericarditis is considered one of the cardiovascular complications of COVID–19.

Aim of the Study
The aim was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical implications of acute pericarditis diagnosed through the presence of pericardial effusion in patients with COVID–19.

Methods
The investigation is a retrospective observational study enrolling patients admitted to ICU of Madonna del Soccorso Hospital (San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy) because of a SARS–Cov2 induced severe acute respiratory syndrome. N.170 patients, admitted from 1st april 2020 to 30th april 2021, were enrolled. All patients presented a variable picture of bilateral ground glass opacifications at HR– Chest CT. Some patients underwent oro–tracheal intubation+invasive ventilation. All patients underwent cardiological consultation including a transthoracic bedside echocardiogram, using ultrasound E9–GE machine (Boston, MA, USA). Demographic, laboratory and clinical data were collected for all enrolled patients.The diagnosis of acute pericarditis was defined by different degrees of pericardial effusion. All patient were divided in two groups: 1) pericarditis group (A); 2) pericarditis–free group (B).

Results
Of 170 enrolled patient, 51 were females (30%) and 119 were males (70%). Median age for all patients was 67,6 + 13,3 (females: 70,5 + 16,2; males: 66,4 + 11,7). Of 170, n. 60 patients had a diagnosis of acute pericarditis (32,2%) and were included into Group A [age 69,2 + 12,6; 39 (65%) males aged 69,3 + 10,6, 21 (35%) females aged 69,1 + 16,0]. Of 60, only 6 had a pericardial effusion &gt;10 mm (10%); the remaining group A–patients (90%) had a mild pericardial effusion (&lt;10 mm). No patient had tamponade picture. Group B (pericarditis–free) included 110 patients, aged 66,7 + 13,7, 80 (72,7%) males aged 65,0 + 12,1, 30 (27,3%) females aged 71,4 + 16,6. Group A–patients had more days of intubation and a prolonged hospital stay compared with group B, with a significant difference (p &lt; 0.02 and p &lt; 0,03 rispectively). N. 21 of 60 group A patients underwent a 7 weeks of CARDIAC REHABILITATION (CR) because of a LONG–COVID picture. In these patient a 6MWT was performed before and after CR. A significant increase of the walked distance after CR was found (from 352 + 21 to 498 + 31 – p &lt; 0.03 – delta=41%).

Conclusion
Pericarditis is a frequent cardiovascular complication of COVID–19 (32,2% in our study) with clinical and prognostic implications. CR is essential for long–term recovery in these patients.
P310 CARDIAC AMYLOIDOSIS: INITIAL MONOCENTRIC EXPERIENCE
Authors: Magnano R , D‘Alleva A , Di Marco M , Forlani D , Pezzi L , Vitulli P , Fulgenzi F , Verrengia E , Corazzini A , Paloscia L 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Cardiac amyloidosis is a group of diseases characterized by the accumulation in the interstitial space of amorphous material consisting of amyloid fibrils and, until recently, considered rare, with poor therapeutic prospects and burdened by a poor prognosis. However, both for amyloidosis from immunoglobulin light chains (AL) and for transthyretin amyloidosis in its wild type and mutated forms, there has been a significant increase in diagnostic capabilities. The aim of this work is to show the characteristics found in our population affected by cardiac amyloidosis.

Materials and Methods
We enrolled 18 patients observed over 12 months. The mean age was 63 ± 5, 14 patients were male. 8 patients in NYHA Class I – II, 10 patients in NYHA Class II – III. On the ECG in 88% of cases low QRS voltages in the peripheral leads. Among the conduction disturbances: 1st degree AV block in 45%, EAS in 33%, BBSn in 17%, occurrence of isolated BEV and BESV in 90%; 1 patient presented with AF. Defibrillator was implanted in 3 patients for detection of TVS and TNnS. In the whole population, the echocardiogram showed concentric parietal hypertrophy with a granular sparkling appearance; the mean FE was 55 ± 3%, the diastolic filling pattern was altered in type I in 42%, type II in 33% and type III in 25% of patients, respectively. In 92% of cases the left atrium was dilated. In 87% of cases there was an involvement of the valves in particular in 64% of cases we found calcifications of the aortic valve and in 66% mitral insufficiency. In 42% of patients there was an increase in the thickness of the atrial septum as well as the free wall of the right ventricle. Finally, signs of non–buffering pericardial effusion were found in 33% of patients.

Results
In our study population, 15 patients had multiple myeloma and presented with cardiac AL–type amyloidosis; among these 3 also presented renal involvement. In 3 patients, on the other hand, after positive bone scan and genetic screening, we diagnosed cardiac amyloidosis due to transthyretin mutation for which therapy with Tafamidis was undertaken. 3 patients died.

Conclusions
Our population presented echographic and echocardiographic characteristics comparable to those reported in the literature.