Search results for "Cardiology"

Modelling cardiac mechanics of left ventricular noncompaction

2020

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) can be defined as a cardiomyopathy characterised by a pattern of prominent trabecular structure and deep intertrabecular recesses, that is thought to be caused by an arrest of normal endomyocardial morphogenesis. Using patient-specific computational modelling, we assessed the cardiac mechanics of five patients with LVNC and compared myocardial stress and pump performance to those of healthy controls. Findings shown that patients with LVNC have impaired left ventricular (LV) function, making it possible that the lack of fibre shortening of noncompacted layer can determine poor heart function. Pronounced end-systolic wall stress on left ventricular wall o…

Coronary CT angiography: a guide to examination, interpretation, and clinical indications

2021

Introduction: The introduction of Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) has changed the paradigm in the field of diagnostic cardiovascular medicine. CCT is the primary tool in the assessment of suspected Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and should be followed by functional assessment when needed to stratify disease and to plan potential interventional or surgical therapy. Areas Covered: We provided the current state of the knowledge on the main aspects of technique of examination, image interpretation and clinical indications. We have focused our attention on the basic routine applications and activities. Expert Opinion: The primary role of CCT in suspected CAD will progressively become the standa…

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials and Visual Potentials in Kawasaki Disease: An Observational Monocentric Study

2020

Background: Kawasaki Disease is a systemic vasculitis, particularly involving coronary arteries. Rare involvement of other vascular districts is described, as central nervous system arteries, leading to a vasculitic neuropathy. Sensorineural hearing loss and alterations of evoked potentials are uncommonly reported complications.Methods: In an observational monocentric study, 59 children (37 males; 22 females; mean age: 2.7 ± 2.2 years) with documented Kawasaki Disease were enrolled. No risk factors for hearing loss and/or neurological impairment were identified in the cohort. Brainstem auditory evoked potentials and visual evoked potentials were correlated with clinical, hamatological and r…

The Efficiency of Pulse Therapy with Glucocorticoids in Inflammatory Orbital Disorders: Case Report

2020

Abstract Orbital pseudotumor represents a benign inflammatory disorder of the orbit, with unspecified etiology, whose clinical presentation can mimic the ocular pathology of Basedow disease, namely Graves’ ophthalmopathy, the two of them representing two of the most common orbital conditions. Imagistic methods and laboratory analyses can establish the diagnosis through orbital MRI images specific for the orbital pseudotumor, especially by dosage of the TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) which will have increased values in Basedow disease with ocular damage. In both situations, the treatment is represented as a first therapeutic line by administration of corticotherapy in high dosage orally or i…

The Incidence of Audible Steam Pops Is Increased and Unpredictable With the ThermoCool® Surround Flow Catheter During Left Atrial Catheter Ablation: …

2015

Audible Steam Pops During Left Atrial Catheter AblationIntroduction Open irrigated radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheters with a porous tip (56 holes, TC-SF) permit delivering RF energy in a temperature-controlled mode without temperature rise. This prospective observational study investigated the association of different catheter parameters on the occurrence of audible steam pops during left atrial (LA) ablation. Methods and Results A total of 226 patients underwent TC-SF catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. RF power delivery, impedance and catheter tip temperature were continually recorded throughout the ablation. Pulmonary vein isolation was performed with a maximum of 27 W and LA …

Cardiovascular outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy in cardiac amyloidosis

2021

Abstract Aims Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is highly effective in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left bundle block branch. In cardiac amyloidosis (CA) patients, left ventricular dysfunction and conduction defects are common, but the potential of CRT to improve cardiac remodelling and survival in this particular setting remains undefined. We investigated cardiovascular outcomes in CA patients after CRT implantation in terms of CRT echocardiographic response and major cardiovascular events (MACEs). Methods and results Our retrospective study included 47 CA patients implanted with CRT devices from January 2012 to Feb…

Activation of the glymphatic system during sleep – is the cerebral venous outflow a missing piece of the puzzle?

2019

Until recently, mechanisms responsible for an activation of the glymphatic system of the brain, the system which is responsible for cleansing of this organ of waste products, were unclear. A recently published paper has finally shed some light on this problem. It has been demonstrated that there is a temporary decrease of the arterial cerebral blood flow during the deep phase of sleep, which is followed by an influx of the cerebrospinal fluid into the cranial cavity, and that this phenomenon is probably responsible for the activation of the glymphatic system. Although, of as yet, this issue has not been studied, it is likely that such a mechanism is not effective in the settings of disturbe…

Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infection and New Insights About Correlation Between Pro-inflammatory Markers and Heart Failure: A Syste…

2021

Introduction: Surgical approaches to treat patients with abnormal pro-inflammatory parameters remain controversial, and the debate on the correlation between hematological parameter alteration in cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection and the increase in mortality continues.Methods: We performed a systematic review using the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. Twenty-two articles from May 2007 to April 2020 were selected and divided according to the following topics: prevalence of microbes in patients with CIED infection; characteristics of patients with CIED infection; comparison between patients who underwent and did not undergo replantation after device extrac…

Rest heart rate and mortality: More physical exercise for the rabbit?

2013

Effects of 6 Weeks of Traditional Resistance Training or High Intensity Interval Resistance Training on Body Composition, Aerobic Power and Strength …

2020

Consistent practice of physical activity has well known positive effects on general health