Value of cardiac magnetic resonance on the risk stratification of cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathies represent a diverse group of heart muscle diseases with varying etiologies,presenting a diagnostic challenge due to their heterogeneous manifestations.Regular evaluation using cardiac imaging techniques is impera-tive as symptoms can evolve over time.These imaging approaches are pivotal for accurate diagnosis,treatment planning,and optimizing prognostic outcomes.Among these,cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR)stands out for its ability to provide precise anatomical and functional assessments.This manuscript ex-plores the significant contributions of CMR in the diagnosis and management of patients with cardiomyopathies,with special attention to risk stratification.CMR’s high spatial resolution and tissue characterization capabilities enable early detec-tion and differentiation of various cardiomyopathy subtypes.Additionally,it offers valuable insights into myocardial fibrosis,tissue viability,and left ven-tricular function,crucial parameters for risk stratification and predicting adverse cardiac events.By integrating CMR into clinical practice,clinicians can tailor patient-specific treatment plans,implement timely interventions,and optimize long-term prognosis.The non-invasive nature of CMR reduces the need for invasive procedures,minimizing patient discomfort.This review highlights the vital role of CMR in monitoring disease progression,guiding treatment decisions,and identifying potential complications in patients with cardiomyopathies.The utilization of CMR has significantly advanced our understanding and management of these complex cardiac conditions,leading to improved patient outcomes and a more personalized approach to care.

Current role and future perspectives of artificial intelligence in echocardiography

Echocardiography is an essential tool in diagnostic cardiology and is fundamental to clinical care.Artificial intelligence(AI)can help health care providers serving as a valuable diagnostic tool for physicians in the field of echocardiography specially on the automation of measurements and interpretation of results.In addition,it can help expand the capabilities of research and discover alternative pathways in medical management specially on prognostication.In this review article,we describe the current role and future perspectives of AI in echocardiography.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries: A comprehensive review and future research directions

Acute coronary syndromes constitute a variety of myocardial injury presentations that include a subset of patients presenting with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries(MINOCA).This acute coronary syndrome differs from type 1 myocardial infarction(MI)regarding patient characteristics,presentation,physiopathology,management,treatment,and prognosis.Two-thirds of MINOCA subjects present ST-segment elevation;MINOCA patients are younger,are more often female and tend to have fewer cardiovascular risk factors.Moreover,MINOCA is a working diagnosis,and defining the aetiologic mechanism is relevant because it affects patient care and prognosis.In the absence of relevant coronary artery disease,myocardial ischaemia might be triggered by an acute event in epicardial coronary arteries,coronary microcirculation,or both.Epicardial causes of MINOCA include coronary plaque disruption,coronary dissection,and coronary spasm.Microvascular MINOCA mechanisms involve microvascular coronary spasm,takotsubo syndrome(TTS),myocarditis,and coronary thromboembolism.Coronary angiography with non-significant coronary stenosis and left ventriculography are first-line tests in the differential study of MINOCA patients.The diagnostic arsenal includes invasive and non-invasive techniques.Medical history and echocardiography can help indicate vasospasm or thrombosis,if one finite coronary territory is affected,or specify TTS if apical ballooning is present.Intravascular ultrasound,optical coherence tomography,and provocative testing are encouraged.Cardiac magnetic resonance is a cornerstone in myocarditis diagnosis.MINOCA is not a benign diagnosis,and its polymorphic forms differ in prognosis.MINOCA care varies across centres,and future multi-centre clinical trials with standardized criteria may have a positive impact on defining optimal cardiovascular care for MINOCA patients.

Current role and future perspectives of cardiac rehabilitation in coronary heart disease

Ischaemic heart disease(IHD)is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.While there have been major advances in this field,these patients are still a higher risk subgroup.As such,strategies to mitigate risk and tailor secondary prevention measures are of the utmost relevance.Cardiac rehabilitation(CR),encompassing several domains including exercise training,cardiovascular risk factor optimization,nutritional and psychological assessments,as well as other ancillary interventions has shown to be one of the pillars in the contemporary management of patients with IHD.Indeed,CR is associated with several benefits in this population,ranging from functional capacity to improvements in outcomes.Whilst this,there are still several issues concerning the optimal application of CR which are still not fully ascertained,such as lack of referral and completion,as well as questions related to programme design(particularly among patients with multiple comorbidities).In this review,we aim at presenting a pragmatic overview on the current role of CR in the management of individuals with IHD,while also discussing some of the caveats in the current data,as well as future concepts which could help improve the uptake and personalization of this pivotal time-tested intervention.

Cardiovascular disease and COVID-19,a deadly combination:A review about direct and indirect impact of a pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) is known to present with respiratory symptoms,which can lead to severe pneumonia and respiratory failure.However,it can have multisystem complications such as cardiovascular manifestations.The cardiovascular manifestations reported comprise myocarditis,cardiogenic shock,arrhythmias,pulmonary embolism,deep vein embolism,acute heart failure,and myocardial infarction.There is also an indirect impact of the pandemic on the management of cardiovascular care that has been shown clearly in multiple publications.In this review,we summarize the deadly relation of COVID-19 with cardiovascular events and the wider impact on several cardiovascular care areas by the pandemic situation。

Social media in cardiology:Reasons to learn how to use it

Social media has changed the way we learn,educate,and interact with our peers.The dynamic nature of social media and their immediate availability through our portable devices(smartphones,tablets,smartwatches,etc.)is quickly transforming the way we participate in society.The scope of these digital tools is broad as they deal with many different aspects:Teaching and learning,case discussion,congresses coverage,peer to peer interaction,research are examples worth mentioning.The scientific societies considered more innovative,are promoting these tools between their members.These new concepts need to be known by the cardiologists to stay updated,as countless information is moving rapidly through these channels.We summarize the main reasons why learning how to use these tools to be part of the conversation is essential for the cardiologist in training or fully stablished.