Relation between E/e' ratio and NT-proBNP levels in elderly patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis

Background: Symptoms in the elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and co-morbidities seem to lack in specificity. Therefore, objective parameters for increased left ventricular(LV) filling pressures are needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the septal, lateral and average E/e' ratio and the value of the N-terminal pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Methods: Two-hundred-fifty consecutive symptomatic patients (mean age 80 ± 8 years, 52 % men) with severe AS underwent transthoracic echocardiography and NT-proBNP measurement. Results: In the overall population the septal E/e' (r = 0,459, r2 = 0,21, P 2 = 0,10, P 2 = 0,18, P 2 = 0,34, P 2 = 0,14, P 2 = 0,24, P <0,0001) were all significantly better correlated to NT-proBNP. In obese patients no significant correlations were seen. Previous bypass surgery did not alter the correlations. Conclusions: In elderly patients with severe symptomatic AS there is a significant correlation between the E/e' ratio and NT-proBNP, in particular after exclusion of confounders. The correlation was best for the septal E/e' ratio and was preserved in patients with a history of bypass surgery

Interest of spectral analysis of heart rate variability in vagal atrial fibrillation

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Is there hypersensibility of beta-adrenergic receptors in patients with vasovagal syncope?

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Transoesophageal pacing in atrial flutter: a retrospective study

SCOPUS: cp.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Head-up Tilt test in dizziness and syncope of unknown origin: a way to avoid unnecessary ectrophysiologic investigations

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Evaluation of myocardial viability with 201 thallium rest-redistribution myocardial tomoscintigraphy in acute coronary syndromes

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

The Belgian Eisenmenger syndrome registry: implications for treatment strategies?

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), associated with congenital heart disease (CHD), usually results from a systemic-to-pulmonary shunt. Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) is characterised by severe irreversible PAH and reversal of a previous systemic-to-pulmonary shunt. A national registry of ES patients was initiated to optimise patient care and to provide epidemiological information regarding PAH and CHD in Belgium.Journal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Is there a potential benefit to increased irrigation channels during radiofrequency ablation? Results from a two-center prospective randomized study.

Open irrigation during radiofrequency (RF) application allows a higher power delivery in the setting of temperature-controlled ablation, without causing blood clots. This study sought to evaluate the clinical value of the additional 6 supplementary channels at the proximal catheter tip compared to a standard irrigated RF catheter with 6 conventional channels present at the distal tip only.Journal ArticleMulticenter StudyRandomized Controlled TrialFLWINSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in adults with a Fontan circulation: Are they safe

Background In Fontan patients with atrial arrhythmias (AA), non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants(NOACs) have a class III recommendation according to the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES)/Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) guideline in 2014, due to lack of data on outcomes as opposed to evidence of harm. To address this gap in data, we investigated the safety and efficacy of NOACs in adults with a Fontan circulation in a worldwide study. Methods This is an international multicentre prospective cohort study, using data from the NOTE (non-Vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants for thromboembolic prevention in patients with congenital heart disease) registry. The study population comprised consecutive adults with a Fontan circulation using NOACs. Follow-up took place at 6 months and yearly thereafter. The primary endpoints were thromboembolism and major bleeding. Secondary endpoint was minor bleeding. Results From April 2014 onward, 74 patients (mean age 32±10 years (range 18-68), 54% male) with a Fontan circulation using NOACs were included. During a median follow-up of 1.2 (IQR 0.8-2.0) years, three thromboembolic events (2.9 per 100 patient-years (95% CI 0.7 to 7.6)) and three major bleedings (2.9 per 100 patient-years (95% CI 0.7 to 7.6)) occurred in five atriopulmonary Fontan and one total cavopulmonary connection Fontan patients with AA. Fifteen patients experienced minor bleeding episodes (15.8 per 100 patient-years (95% CI 9.1 to 25.2)). In patients (n=37) using Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) prior to the initiation of NOAC, annual incidence of historical thromboembolic events and major bleeding were 2.4% (95% CI 0.4% to 7.4%) (n = 2) and 1.2% (95% CI 0.7% to 5.1%) (n = 1), respectively. Conclusions In this review of the largest Fontan cohort using NOACs with prospective follow-up, NOACs appear to be well tolerated and their efficacy and safety during short-term follow-up seem comparable to VKAs. Longer term data are required to confirm these promising short-term results