| 1. |
- Bajraktari, Gani, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of drug-eluting balloon versus drug-eluting stent treatment of drug-eluting stent in-stent restenosis : A meta-analysis of available evidence
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 218, s. 126-135
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains an important concern despite the recent advances in the drug-eluting stent (DES) technology. The introduction of drug-eluting balloons (DEB) offers a good solution to such problem.OBJECTIVES: We performed a meta-analysis to assess the clinical efficiency and safety of DEB compared with DES in patients with DES-ISR.METHODS: A systematic search was conducted and all randomized and observational studies which compared DEB with DES in patients with DES-ISR were included. The primary outcome measure-major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)-as well as individual events as target lesion revascularization (TLR), stent thrombosis (ST), myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac death (CD) and all-cause mortality, were analyzed.RESULTS: Three randomized and 4 observational studies were included with a total of 2052 patients. MACE (relative risk [RR]=1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68 to 1.46, P=0.99), TLR (RR=1.15 [CI 0.79 to 1.68], P=0.44), ST (RR=0.37[0.10 to 1.34], P=0.13), MI (RR=0.97 [0.49 to 1.91], P=0.93) and CD (RR=0.73 [0.22 to 2.45], P=0.61) were not different between patients treated with DEB and with DES. However, all-cause mortality was lower in patients treated with DEB (RR=0.45 [0.23 to 0.87, P=0.019) and in particular when compared to only first generation DES (RR 0.33 [0.15-0.74], P=0.007). There was no statistical evidence for publication bias.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis showed that DEB and DES have similar efficacy and safety for the treatment of DES-ISR.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Bajraktari, Gani, et al.
(författare)
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Independent and incremental prognostic value of Doppler-derived left ventricular total isovolumic time in patients with systolic heart failure
- 2011
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 148:3, s. 271-275
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A prolonged total isovolumic time (T-IVT) has been shown to be associated with worsening survival in patients submitted to coronary artery surgery. However, it is not known whether it has prognostic significance in patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF).AIM: To determine the prognostic value of T-IVT in comparison with other clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic variables in patients with chronic systolic HF.METHODS: Patients (n=107; age 68+/-12years, 25% women) with chronic systolic HF, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) <45%, and sinus rhythm, underwent a complete Doppler echocardiographic study, that included tissue Doppler long axis velocities and total isovolumic time (T-IVT), determined as [60-(total ejection time+total filling time)]. Plasma N-terminal pro-B natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) was also measured. The associations of dichotomous variables selected according to the Receiver Operator Characteristic analysis were assessed using the Cox proportional hazard model.RESULTS: Follow-up period was 37+/-18months. Multivariate predictors of events were T-IVT >/=12.3% s/min, mean E/E(m) ratio >/=10, log NT-pro-BNP levels >/=2.47pg/ml and LV EFCONCLUSIONS: Prolonged T-IVT added to the prognostic stratification of patients with systolic HF.
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| 4. |
- Bajraktari, Gani, et al.
(författare)
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Left ventricular asynchrony and raised filling pressure predict limited exercise performance assessed by 6 minute walk test
- 2011
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 146:3, s. 385-389
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Six minute walking test (6-MWT) may serve as a reproducible test for assessing exercise capacity in heart failure (HF) patients and can be clinically predicted. We aimed in this study to ascertain if global markers of ventricular asynchrony can predict 6MWT distance in a group of patients with HF and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) <45%.METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 77 consecutive patients (60+/-12 years) with stable HF. LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions, shortening fraction (SF), EF, myocardial velocities, t-IVT, and Tei index were measured, as well as 6-MWT distance. Patients with limited exercise performance (CONCLUSIONS: In heart failure patients, the higher the filling pressures and the more asynchronous the left ventricle, the poorer is the patient's exercise capacity. These findings highlight specific LV functional disturbances that should be targeted for better optimization of medical and/or electrical therapy.
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| 5. |
- Batalli-Këpuska, Arbnora, et al.
(författare)
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Abnormal systolic and diastolic myocardial function in obese asymptomatic adolescents
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 168:3, s. 2347-2351
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Structural and functional cardiac changes are known in obese adults. We aimed to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cardiac function in overweight and obese asymptomatic adolescents. Ninety three healthy adolescents, aged 12.6±1.2years, received weight, height, BMI, waist, hips, waist/hips ratio assessment, hematology and biochemistry tests and an echocardiogram. Based on BMI, subjects were divided into: lean (L, n=32), overweight (Ov, n=33) and obese (Ob, n=32). Interventricular septal and LV posterior wall thickness were increased parallel to the BMI (L: 0.84±0.1cm, Ov: 0.88±0.1cm, Ob: 0.96±0.1cm, p<0.001, and L: 0.78±0.1cm, Ov: 0.8±0.1cm, Ob: 0.94±0.1cm, p<0.001, respectively) as were relative wall thickness (RWT) and mass index (LVMI) (L: 0.34±0.05, Ov: 0.34±0.05, Ob: 0.40±0.04, p<0.001, and L: 47.7±8.4g/m(2), Ov: 51.9±8.3g/m(2), Ob: 65.2±13.3g/m(2), p=0<001, respectively). LV early diastolic (E') lateral and septal velocities (L: 15.3±3.9cm/s, Ov: 13.6±4cm/s, Ob: 10.5±3.4cm/s, p<0.001, and L: 12.2±2.3cm/s, Ov: 11.1±2.4cm/s, Ob: 9.8±3.1cm/s, p=0.003, respectively), and systolic (S') velocities (L: 9.2±1.4cm/s, Ov: 9.3±2.3cm/s, Ob: 8.04±1.5cm/s, p=0.018, and L: 9.05±2.3cm/s, Ov: 9±2.4cm/s, Ob: 7.6±1.1cm/s, p=0.014, respectively) were all reduced, only in obese adolescents. LV lateral E' (r=-0.44, p<0.001) and S' (r=-0.29, p=0.005) correlated with BMI. In asymptomatic adolescents, LV wall is thicker and diastolic function impaired and correlate with BMI. These findings demonstrate early cardiac functional disturbances which might explain the known obesity risk for cardiac disease.
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| 6. |
- Dini, Frank Lloyd, et al.
(författare)
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Acute pericarditis as a major clinical manifestation of long COVID-19 syndrome
- 2023
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 374, s. 129-134
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The long COVID-19 syndrome has been recently described and some reports have suggested that acute pericarditis represents important manifestation of long COVID-19 syndrome. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with long COVID-19, presenting with acute pericarditis.Methods: We retrospectively included 180 patients (median age 47 years, 62% female) previously diagnosed with COVID-19, exhibiting persistence or new-onset symptoms ≥12 weeks from a negative naso-pharyngeal SARS CoV2 swamp test. The original diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was determined by a positive swab. All patients had undergone a thorough physical examination. Patients with suspected heart involvement were referred to a complete cardiovascular evaluation. Echocardiography was performed based on clinical need and diagnosis of acute pericarditis was achieved according to current guidelines.Results: Among the study population, shortness of breath/fatigue was reported in 52%, chest pain/discomfort in 34% and heart palpitations/arrhythmias in 37%. Diagnosis of acute pericarditis was made in 39 patients (22%). Mild-to-moderate pericardial effusion was reported in 12, while thickened and bright pericardial layers with small effusions (< 5 mm) with or without comet tails arising from the pericardium (pericardial B-lines) in 27. Heart palpitations/arrhythmias (OR:3.748, p = 0.0030), and autoimmune disease and allergic disorders (OR:4.147, p = 0.0073) were independently related to the diagnosis of acute pericarditis, with a borderline contribution of less likelihood of hospitalization during COVID-19 (OR: 0.100, p = 0.0512).Conclusion: Our findings suggest a high prevalence of acute pericarditis in patients with long COVID-19 syndrome. Autoimmune and allergic disorders, and palpitations/arrhythmias were frequently associated with pericardial disease.
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| 7. |
- Ibrahimi, Pranvera, et al.
(författare)
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Common carotid intima-media features determine distal disease phenotype and vulnerability in asymptomatic patients
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 196, s. 22-28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: There is a growing awareness of the importance of carotid plaque features evaluation in stroke prediction. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and recently its echogenicity were used for stroke prediction, although their clinical relevance was not well determined. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between common carotid artery (CCA) ultrasound markers of atherosclerosis and distal, bifurcation and internal carotid artery (ICA), plaque features. Methods: We analyzed 137 carotid arteries in 87 asymptomatic patients with known carotid disease (mean age 69 +/- 6 year, 34.5% females). Intima media thickness (IMT) and its gray scale median (IM-GSM) were measured at the CCA. Plaque textural features including gray scale median (GSM), juxtaluminal black area (JBA-mm(2)) without a visible cap, and plaque coarseness, at bifurcation and ICA were also determined. CCA measurements were correlated with those of the distal plaques. Results: An increased IMT in CCA correlated with plaque irregularities in the bifurcation and ICA (r = 0.53, p < 0.001), while IM-GSM was closely related to plaque echogenicity (GSM) (r = 0.76, p < 0.001), and other textural plaque features. Both, IMT and IM-GSM correlated weakly with stenosis severity (r = 0.27, p = 0.001 and r = -0.18, p = 0.026) respectively. Conclusion: In asymptomatic patients, measurements of CCA reflect distal, bifurcation and ICA disease, with IMT reflecting plaque irregularities and IM-GSM as markers of textural plaque abnormalities. Integrating measurements of both IMT and IM-GSM in a model could be used as a better marker of disease vulnerability over and above each measure individually.
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| 8. |
- Jashari, Haki, et al.
(författare)
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Left ventricular response to pressure afterload in children : aortic stenosis and coarctation A systematic review of the current evidence
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 178, s. 203-209
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Congenital aortic stenosis (CAS) and Coarctation of Aorta (CoA) represent two forms of pressure afterload that affect the left ventricle (LV), hence require regular echocardiographic monitoring. Subclinical dysfunction of the LV exists even in asymptomatic patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), implying low sensitivity of EF in predicting optimum time for intervention. In this article we review patterns of LV myocardial deformation before and after correction of CAS and CoA in infants, children and adolescents, showing their important role in monitoring the course of LV dysfunction. A systematic search using PubMed was performed and suitable studies are presented on a narrative form. Normal EF and/or fractional shortening (FS), with subclinical myocardial dysfunction are reported in all studies before intervention. The short-term results, after intervention, were related to the type of procedure, with no improvement or further deterioration related to surgery but immediate improvement after balloon intervention. Long term follow-up showed further improvement but still subnormal function. Thus correction of CAS and CoA before irreversible LV dysfunction is vital, and requires longitudinal studies in order to identify the most accurate parameter for function prognostication. Until then, conventional echocardiographic parameters together with myocardial velocities and deformation parameters should continue to provide follow-up reproducible measures of ventricular function.
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| 9. |
- Lam, Yat-Yin, et al.
(författare)
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Prolonged total isovolumic time is related to reduced long-axis functional recovery following valve replacement surgery for severe aortic stenosis
- 2012
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 159:3, s. 187-191
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The left ventricular (LV) long axis (Lax) function is very sensitive in documenting myocardial abnormalities in aortic stenosis (AS). We hypothesized that Lax recovery after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is related to the extent of cavity dyssynchrony measured by total isovolumic time (t-IVT).METHODS: A consecutive 107 patients (aged 70±7years, 70 male) with severe AS and Lax impairment were studied. T-IVT was measured before and after AVR. Reduced Lax function and its post-operative recovery were defined as mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) ≦10mm and an increase of MAPSE >10%, respectively.RESULTS: LV function improved (EF: 43±8 to 48±10%; MAPSE: 7.9±1.0 to 11.0±2.4mm) and t-IVT shortened (9.7±3.7 to 7.0±2.8s/min, p<0.01 for all) after AVR. Sixty-five (61%) patients had Lax recovery after a median of 32-month follow-up. Univariate predictors were LV size, LA dimensions, the presence of restrictive LV filling and prolonged t-IVT. Only LV end-systolic dimension, restrictive filling and t-IVT (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.47-0.79, p<0.01) were independent predictors. A pre-operative t-IVT≦9.3s/min was 81% sensitive and 63% specific in predicting Lax recovery (AUC 0.81, p<0.001). The prevalence of CAD or concomitant CABG were similar in 2 patient groups with different t-IVT.CONCLUSIONS: Lax recovery was evident in the majority of AS patients after AVR. The lower prevalence of Lax recovery seen in patients with prolonged t-IVT suggests that dyssynchrony may play an important role in the process of adverse LV remodeling.
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