Correction: Age-specific reference values for carotid arterial stiffness estimated by ultrasonic wall tracking

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International consensus statement on nomenclature and classification of the congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy, for clinical, surgical, interventional and research purposes.

peer reviewedThis International Consensus Classification and Nomenclature for the congenital bicuspid aortic valve condition recognizes 3 types of bicuspid valves: 1. The fused type (right-left cusp fusion, right-non-coronary cusp fusion and left-non-coronary cusp fusion phenotypes); 2. The 2-sinus type (latero-lateral and antero-posterior phenotypes); and 3. The partial-fusion (forme fruste) type. The presence of raphe and the symmetry of the fused type phenotypes are critical aspects to describe. The International Consensus also recognizes 3 types of bicuspid valve-associated aortopathy: 1. The ascending phenotype; 2. The root phenotype; and 3. Extended phenotypes

Summary: International Consensus Statement on Nomenclature and Classification of the Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Its Aortopathy, for Clinical, Surgical, Interventional and Research Purposes.

peer reviewedThis International evidence-based nomenclature and classification consensus on the congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy recognizes 3 types of bicuspid aortic valve: 1. Fused type, with 3 phenotypes: right-left cusp fusion, right-non cusp fusion and left-non cusp fusion; 2. 2-sinus type with 2 phenotypes: Latero-lateral and antero-posterior; and 3. Partial-fusion or forme fruste. This consensus recognizes 3 bicuspid-aortopathy types: 1. Ascending phenotype; root phenotype; and 3. extended phenotypes

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Stress echocardiography expert consensus statement: European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) (a registered branch of the ESC).

Stress echocardiography is the combination of 2D echocardiography with a physical, pharmacological or electrical stress. The diagnostic end point for the detection of myocardial ischemia is the induction of a transient worsening in regional function during stress. Stress echocardiography provides similar diagnostic and prognostic accuracy as radionuclide stress perfusion imaging, but at a substantially lower cost, without environmental impact, and with no biohazards for the patient and the physician. Among different stresses of comparable diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, semisupine exercise is the most used, dobutamine the best test for viability, and dipyridamole the safest and simplest pharmacological stress and the most suitable for combined wall motion coronary flow reserve assessment. The additional clinical benefit of myocardial perfusion contrast echocardiography and myocardial velocity imaging has been inconsistent to date, whereas the potential of adding - coronary flow reserve evaluation of left anterior descending coronary artery by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography adds another potentially important dimension to stress echocardiography. New emerging fields of application taking advantage from the versatility of the technique are Doppler stress echo in valvular heart disease and in dilated cardiomyopathy. In spite of its dependence upon operator's training, stress echocardiography is today the best (most cost-effective and risk-effective) possible imaging choice to achieve the still elusive target of sustainable cardiac imaging in the field of noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Arquitectura vernácula y tecnología: De la piedra a la nube de puntos, templo nuevo de San Roque de Peine, Salar de Atacama, Chile

Este artículo expone la necesidad del uso de tecnologías convergentes que permitan el trabajo de conservación del Patrimonio Arquitectónico Vernáculo, generada por la utilización materiales no industrializados y naturales, para su construcción y el uso de procesos basados en técnicas constructivas sostenidas en la experiencia y la tradición oral de sus constructores. La preservación de estos Legados Patrimoniales y Bienes Culturales; requiere de su conservación material más allá de la durabilidad del ciclo de vida natural de sus materiales y condiciones funcionales; a fin de superar exigencias del medioambiente.El diagnóstico de conservación material de un inmueble demanda una serie de niveles de información capaces de definir una estrategia de intervención que restablezca condiciones funcionales, estructurales y estéticas. Desde esta perspectiva, es necesario realizar el registro de todas las características físicas y materiales con la mayor fidelidad.Para obtener una evaluación sistemática es necesario basarse en un levantamiento crítico a partir del reconocimiento directo del edificio. Hoy es posible incorporar herramientas digitales cuyas tecnologías están diseñadas para obtener lecturas detalladas y fidedignas de cada una de las partes y elementos del edificio. La interface entre el edificio y el ordenador es aquí definida como una nube de puntos 3D.This article states the need for the use of converging technologies in order to make possible conservation work on vernacular architectural patrimony, which is necessary due to the use of non-industrial and natural materials in construction and processes based on techniques derived from the builders´ experience and oral traditions. The preservation of these patrimonial legacies and cultural assets requires their material conservation beyond the durability of the natural life cycle of the their building materials and operating conditions, in order to overcome the demanding environmental conditions.The diagnosis of the physical preservation of a property requires a series of layers of information that make it possible to define an intervention strategy to restore functional, structural, and aesthetic conditions. From this perspective, it is necessary to register all the physical and material features with the highest possible accuracy. To obtain a systematic evaluation, it is necessary to rely on a critical survey based on direct observation of the building. At present, it is possible to incorporate the use of digital tools designed to obtain detailed and accurate readings of each of the parts and elements of the building. The interface between the building and the computer is defined here as a 3D point cloud

Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease (version 2012). The Joint Task Force on the Management of Valvular Heart Disease of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)

Guidelines on the management of valvular heart disease (version 2012). The Joint Task Force on the Management of Valvular Heart Disease of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS