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- Galderisi, Maurizio, et al.
(author)
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Standardization of adult transthoracic echocardiography reporting in agreement with recent chamber quantification, diastolic function, and heart valve disease recommendations : an expert consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging
- 2017
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In: European Heart Journal Cardiovascular Imaging. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 2047-2404 .- 2047-2412. ; 18:12, s. 1301-1310
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims This European Association Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) Expert Consensus document aims at defining the main quantitative information on cardiac structure and function that needs to be included in standard echocardiographic report following recent ASE/EACVI chamber quantification, diastolic function, and heart valve disease recommendations. The document focuses on general reporting and specific pathological conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery and valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathies, and systemic diseases. Methods and results Demographic data (age, body surface area, blood pressure, and heart rhythm and rate), type (vendor and model) of ultrasound system used and image quality need to be reported. In addition, measurements should be normalized for body size. Reference normal values, derived by ASE/EACVI recommendations, shall always be reported to differentiate normal from pathological conditions. This Expert Consensus document suggests avoiding the surveillance of specific variable using different ultrasound techniques (e.g. in echo labs with high expertise in left ventricular ejection fraction by 3D and not by 2D echocardiography). The report should be also tailored in relation with different cardiac pathologies, quality of images, and needs of the caregivers. Conclusion The conclusion should be concise reflecting the status of left ventricular structure and function, the presence of left atrial and/or aortic dilation, right ventricular dysfunction, and pulmonary hypertension, leading to an objective communication with the patient health caregiver. Variation over time should be considered carefully, taking always into account the consistency of the parameters used for comparison.
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| 2. |
- Henein, Michael Y., et al.
(author)
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Biomarkers predict in-hospital major adverse cardiac events in covid-19 patients : A multicenter international study
- 2021
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In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2077-0383. ; 10:24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic carries a high burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to identify possible predictors of in-hospital major cardiovascular (CV) events in COVID-19.Methods: We retrospectively included patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from 10 centers. Clinical, biochemical, electrocardiographic, and imaging data at admission and medications were collected. Primary endpoint was a composite of in-hospital CV death, acute heart failure (AHF), acute myocarditis, arrhythmias, acute coronary syndromes (ACS), cardiocirculatory arrest, and pulmonary embolism (PE).Results: Of the 748 patients included, 141(19%) reached the set endpoint: 49 (7%) CV death, 15 (2%) acute myocarditis, 32 (4%) sustained-supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias, 14 (2%) cardiocirculatory arrest, 8 (1%) ACS, 41 (5%) AHF, and 39 (5%) PE. Patients with CV events had higher age, body temperature, creatinine, high-sensitivity troponin, white blood cells, and platelet counts at admission and were more likely to have systemic hypertension, renal failure (creatinine ≥ 1.25 mg/dL), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, and cardiomyopathy. On univariate and multivariate analysis, troponin and renal failure were associated with the composite endpoint. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a clear divergence of in-hospital composite event-free survival stratified according to median troponin value and the presence of renal failure (Log rank p < 0.001).Conclusions: Our findings, derived from a multicenter data collection study, suggest the routine use of biomarkers, such as cardiac troponin and serum creatinine, for in-hospital prediction of CV events in patients with COVID-19.
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| 3. |
- Mandoli, Giulia Elena, et al.
(author)
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Novel approaches in cardiac imaging for non-invasive assessment of left heart myocardial fibrosis
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-055X. ; 8
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the past, the identification of myocardial fibrosis was only possible through invasive histologic assessment. Although endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard, recent advances in cardiac imaging techniques have enabled non-invasive tissue characterization of the myocardium, which has also provided valuable insights into specific disease processes. The diagnostic accuracy, incremental yield and prognostic value of speckle tracking echocardiography, late gadolinium enhancement and parametric mapping modules by cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography have been validated against tissue samples and tested in broad patient populations, overall providing relevant clinical information to the cardiologist. This review describes the patterns of left ventricular and left atrial fibrosis, and their characterization by advanced echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography, allowing for clinical applications in sudden cardiac death and management of atrial fibrillation.
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