Background: In this study, we aimed to compare echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG) abnormalities, Doppler ultrasonography (USG), and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) results in predicting acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients’ 3-month mortality. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 124 patients (72 females, 52 males) with acute PE. Demographics, symptoms, clinical signs, comorbidities, history of surgery, arterial blood gas, liver-renal functions, complete blood count, echocardiography, ECG, Doppler USG, and CTPA results, as well as 3-month mortality were recorded. Results: pH (z = –2.623; p <0.01), hemoglobin (z = –3.112; p <0.01), and oxygen saturation (z = –2.165; p <0.01) were significantly higher in survivors. White blood cell (z = –2.703; p <0.01), blood urea nitrogen (z = –3.840; p <0.01), creatinine (z = –3.200; p <0.01), respiratory rate (z = –2.759; p <0.01), and heart rate (z = –2.313; p <0.01) were significantly higher in non-survivors. Nonspecific ST changes (AUC 0.52, 95% CI 0.43–0.61), p pulmonale (AUC 0.52, 95% CI 0.43–0.61), normal axis (AUC 0.61), right axis deviation (AUC 0.56), right ventricle strain pattern (AUC 0.59), and right pulmonary artery embolism (AUC 0.54) on CTPA showed the highest mortality prediction. Conclusions: Nonspecific ST changes, p pulmonale, normal axis and right axis deviation in ECG, RV strain in echocardiography, and right pulmonary artery embolism on CTPA are associated with a higher mortality.

Background: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a clinical syndrome with high mortality. The main purpose of STEMI treatment is to achieve optimal revascularization for tissue perfusion. Besides the innovations in revascularization strategies, developments in antithrombotic therapy resulted in a significant reduction in STEMI-related mortality. Reperfusion can be demonstrated by resolution of ST-segment elevation (STR), TIMI frame count (TFC), and myocardial blush grade (MBG). Aim of the study: In our study, we investigated the effects of P2Y12 inhibitors clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor on reperfusion parameters such as TFC, MBG, and STR, after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in STEMI. Material and Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of STEMI patients who underwent successful pPCI. A total of 120 patients were included in the study as 3 equal groups according to the type of P2Y12 inhibitor administered in loading dose in the acute phase, and reperfusion parameters were compared between the groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of baseline demographic, clinical, and angiographic parameters. Evaluation of reperfusion parameters indicated that STR, MBG, angina relief after pPCI and corrected TFC (cTFC) were significantly different between the groups (p <0.05). In post-hoc analysis, the percentage of change in STR, MBG, angina relief after pPCI, and cTFC was significantly higher in the prasugrel group (p <0.017). Conclusion: In STEMI patients undergoing pPCI, the analysis of tissue level reperfusion parameters indicates a superior effect of prasugrel compared with other P2Y12 inhibitors used to achieve reperfusion.

Introduction: The predictive role of serum bilirubin levels on the alteration of total ischemic burden expressed via frontal QRS-T angle change has never been studied in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum bilirubin levels and frontal QRS-T angle change after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ACS patients. Methods: Frontal QRS-T angle change was accepted as positive or negative according to whether the value of the baseline frontal QRS-T angle minus the post PCI frontal QRS-T angle is positive or negative. A total of 314 consecutive patients with ACS who underwent PCI were divided into two groups based on their negative frontal QRS-T angle change (n = 152 patients) and positive frontal QRS-T angle change (n = 162 patients). Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) (Odds ratio [OR]: 0.519, 95% CI: 0.373–0.724, p <0.001), total bilirubin (OR: 3.687, 95% CI: 1.151–8.095, p = 0.03), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (OR: 0.985, 95% CI: 0.970–1.000, p = 0.04) were independent predictors of positive QRS-T angle change. In receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, a cut-off value of 0.59 total bilirubin had a 69% sensitivity and a 65% specificity (area under curve: 0.739, p <0.001) for the prediction of positive QRS-T angle change. Conclusion: In ACS patients, serum total bilirubin has been found to be a useful decision-making tool to predict positive frontal QRS-T angle change as a sign of reduced total ischemic burden, to assess early invasive strategy independently from other study parameters.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the new coronavirus discovered in 2019, which may lead to a severe acute respiratory syndrome and has a major impact on public health worldwide, being declared a pandemic by World Health Organization. In Italy, and especially in the region of Lombardia, the healthcare system has faced a huge overload, which led to significant consequences on cardiology resources. The accessibility to cardiology care units has been drastically reduced, and scheduled interventions, such as elective primary percutaneous coronary interventions, have been significantly delayed. During this time, there was a global concern regarding the management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but also the management of main cardiovascular emergencies. Under usual circumstances, the differential diagnosis of myocardial injury does not confront many difficulties. Unfortunately, there are several limitations in the management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the current pandemic state. The aim of the present manuscript is to provide an overview on the main causes of myocardial injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is a disease caused by the new coronavirus discovered in 2019, which may lead to a severe acute respiratory syndrome and has a major impact on public health worldwide, being declared a pandemic by World Health Organization. In Italy, and especially in the region of Lombardia, the healthcare system has faced a huge overload, which led to significant consequences on cardiology resources. The accessibility to cardiology care units has been drastically reduced, and scheduled interventions, such as elective primary percutaneous coronary interventions, have been significantly delayed. During this time, there was a global concern regarding the management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but also the management of main cardiovascular emergencies. Under usual circumstances, the differential diagnosis of myocardial injury does not confront many difficulties. Unfortunately, there are several limitations in the management of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the current pandemic state. The aim of the present manuscript is to provide an overview on the main causes of myocardial injury during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare but severe complication that should be investigated in patients diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries who have undergone neonatal arterial switch operation. Early diagnosis and aggressive combination therapy for PAH could help to improve survival in these patients. We report a favorable clinical response 6 months after the initiation of vasodilator therapy in a pediatric case with transposition of the great arteries, successfully repaired in the neonatal period, who developed pulmonary arterial hypertension at the age of 5 years.