There is growing attention for the study of the right ventricle in cardiovascular disease and in particular in heart failure. In this clinical setting, right ventricle dysfunction is a significant marker of poor prognosis, regardless of the degree of left ventricular dysfunction. Novel echocardiographic methods allow for obtaining a more complete evaluation of the right ventricle anatomy and function as well as of the related abnormalities in filling pressures. Specific and effective therapies for the right ventricle dysfunction are still not well defined and this represents the most difficult and important challenge. This article focuses on available diagnostic techniques for studying right ventricle dysfunction as well as on the therapies for right ventricle dysfunction.

Galectin-3 and ST2 are emerging biomarkers involved in myocardial fibrosis. We evaluate the relevance of a multiparametric biomarker approach based on increased serum levels of NT-proBNP, galectin-3, and ST2 in stratifying the prognosis of chronic heart failure (CHF) outpatients. In 315 CHF outpatients in stable clinical condition clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed. Routine chemistry and serum levels of NT-proBNP, galectin-3, and ST2 were also assessed. During a 12 month follow-up, cardiovascular death, and/or heart failure (HF) occurred in 64 patients. The presence of NT-proBNP, galectin-3, and ST2 were higher than the recommended cutoffs and were all associated with events at univariate Cox regression analysis, as well as in a multivariate analysis including the three biomarkers. When a score based on the number of biomarkers above the recommended cut-offs was used (in a range of 0–3), it was associated with events both with respect to the univariate (HR 2.96, 95% CI 2.21–3.95, p < 0.001, C-index 0.78) and the multivariate (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06–2.17, p: 0.023, C-index 0.87) analyses, after correction for the variables of a reference model. Our results suggest that an easy prognostic approach based on the combination of three biomarkers, although with partially-overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms, is able to identify patients with the highest risk of heart failure progression.

Background: The role of age in the short‐ and long‐term prognosis of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate age‐related differences and prognostic implications among patients with TTS. Methods and Results: In total, 2492 consecutive patients with TTS enrolled in an international registry were stratified into 4 groups (<45, 45–64, 65–74, and ≥75 years). The median long‐term follow‐up was 480 days (interquartile range, 83–1510 days). The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality (in‐hospital and out‐of‐hospital mortality). The secondary end point was TTS‐related in‐hospital complications. Among the 2479 patients, 58 (2.3%) were aged <45 years, 625 (25.1%) were aged 45 to 64 years, 733 (29.4%) were aged 65 to 74 years, and 1063 (42.6%) were aged ≥75 years. Young patients (<45 years) had a higher prevalence of men (from youngest to oldest, 24.1% versus 12.6% versus 9.7% versus 11.4%; P <0.01), physical triggers (46.6% versus 27.5%, 33.9%, and 38.4%; P <0.01), and non‐apical forms of TTS (25.9% versus 23.7%, 12.7%, and 9%; P <0.01) than those aged 45 to 64, 65 to 74, and ≥75 years. During hospitalization, young patients experienced a higher rate of in‐hospital complications (32.8% versus 23.4%, 27.4%, and 31.9%; P =0.01), but in‐hospital mortality was higher in the older group (0%, 1.6%, 2.9%, and 5%; P =0.001). Long‐term all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in the older cohort (5.6%, 6.4%, 11.3%, and 22.3%; log‐rank P <0.001), as was long‐term cardiovascular mortality (0%, 0.9%, 1.9%, and 3.2%; log‐rank P =0.01). Conclusions: Young patients with TTS have a typical phenotype characterized by a higher prevalence of male sex, non‐apical ballooning patterns, and in‐hospital complications. However, in‐hospital and long‐term mortality are significantly lower in young patients with TTS. Registration: URL: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04361994 . Unique identifier: NCT04361994.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between Gal-3 serum levels and the progression of renal dysfunction in chronic heart failure outpatients. Methods & results: This prospecti...

Background: Thyroid disorders may have a negative impact on the prognosis of patients affected by chronic heart failure (CHF). Objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prognostic role of all thyroid disorders over a long term follow-up in a single centre large sample of CHF outpatients. Methods: In all patients, the function of the thyroid was evaluated at the enrolment and during the follow- up. On the basis of free triiodothyronine (T3), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) serum levels, patients were classified into one of the following four categories: euthyroid subjects, patients affected by hypothyroidism, low T3 (LT3) syndrome and hyperthyroidism. During the follow-up, death for all causes was assessed as primary end-point, whereas time to the first hospitalization for heart failure worsening was the secondary end-point analyzed. Results: Among 762 patients, 190 patients were affected by hypothyroidism (Hypo). LT3 syndrome was diagnosed in 15 patients and 59 patients were affected by hyperthyroidism (Hyper). During a long term follow-up (5.1±3.7 years), 303 patients died. Patients with Hypo showed an increased risk of death as well as of hospitalization due to heart failure worsening at univariate regression analysis. At multivariate regression analysis, Hypo remained associated with hospitalization after correction for age >75 years, ischemic aetiology, diabetes, therapy with ACE-inhibitors or ARBs, therapy with betablockers and with aldosterone antagonists, NYHA class 3, systolic arterial pressure <95 mmHg, left ventricular ejection fraction <30%, estimated glomerular filtration rate 1000 pg/ml. At multivariate analysis, the independent association with death was significant only for the subgroup of patients with TSH >10 mIU/L. LT3 was independently associated with both heart failure hospitalization and death, whereas Hyper was not associated with any of the two considered end-points. Conclusion: Hypo is associated with a worse prognosis over a long-term follow-up. The association with heart failure hospitalization is not dependent on the baseline TSH levels, whereas the association with death is significant only when TSH >10 mIU/L. Finally, Hyper does not have any association with a worse prognosis.

Background: Sacubitril/valsartan plays a key role in improving left ventricular remodeling and prognosis in patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Moreover, some data support its role in preserving renal function. In order to better clarify the effects of sacubitril/valsartan in cardiorenal syndrome, this study evaluated its effects on the renal resistance index (RRI). Methods: A group of patients with HFrEF was enrolled. The RRI was assessed with renal echo-color Doppler at enrollment and again after at least six months of sacubitril/valsartan treatment. In a subgroup of patients, the RRI was also evaluated at least six months before enrollment. The variations in echocardiographic parameters reflecting the left and right ventricular function, as well as creatinine and the estimated glomerular filtration rate, were also evaluated. Results: After treatment with sacubitril/valsartan, significant improvements in the left ventricular ejection fraction, and a decrease in the left atrial and ventricular volumes were observed. The RRI also showed a significant decrease. No relationship was found between the improvements in the parameters reflecting cardiac function and changes in the RRI. Conclusions: Treatment with sacubitril/valsartan is associated with improvements in both left ventricular function and renal perfusion, through decreasing the renal resistance. These data help to clarify the effects of the drug on cardiorenal syndrome progression.