Background The risk of cardiac conduction system defects (CCD) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains high and requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in 20% of the patients. Numerous studies have suggested that up to half of patients who underwent PPI within 30 days after TAVI do not depend on their PM at one year. The micro-calcific deposits of the atrioventricular node cannot be detected by standard echocardiography, while CT scan can reliably identify them. While pacemaker implantation was recommended according to clinical status and current guideline, in this small retrospective analysis, pre-procedural CT scan calcium quantification was considered an anatomical predictor of AV conduction prolongation until advanced disorder and cardiac block. We assume that differential calcium localization into the AV node might contribute to progression of conduction disorders until complete heart block. Aims The objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the impact of calcium score assessment as a predictor of the development of CCD after TAVI. The goal is to evaluate the interaction between PM dependency and the value of calcium score at the CT scan pre-TAVI. the data collected in this single-center cohort analysis AIMS TO help identify patients at higher risk of permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVI pacemaker insertion and pacemaker-dependent patients at one year through CT calcium scoring. Methods From January 2020 to September 2021, we retrospectively collected data from our institute. One-hundred and thirty patients without prior PM underwent TAVI in our institution. Overall mean age was 79,7 years old with 57,1% of females, with a pre-procedural diagnosis of aortic stenosis and a mean gradient of 47,4 mmHg. At 30 days, PPI was reported in 21 patients (16,1%). Out of twenty-one patients 47,6% developed complete atrioventricular block, 19% developed atrioventricular block II grade type 2 and 33,3% other conduction defects. The dependency at the implantation was 51,1%. With a dedicated software at the CT scan, we assessed the calcium score located in three regions near the atrioventricular node: aortic valve, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and anterior mitral annular (Figure 1). Two patients were excluded for the diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis low-flow low-gradient. The Primary endpoint was to identify patients who had higher risk of PPI after TAVI pacemaker insertion. Results At 12 months follow-up, 23,8% of patients died (n=5). All the remaining patients, 28,5% had a high rate of ventricular pacing (Vp) at implantation (n=6). One year later at the follow up, three of these patients restored intrinsic rhythm and had a low Vp rate. The rate of patients found pacemaker-dependent at one year of follow-up was 76,2%. Conclusions Among 21 patients who requiring PPI after TAVI, at 12 months 14,2% restored intrinsic rhythm. The methodology of calcium scoring outside the coronary arteries is still an active area of study. In the coming months, the collected data will be analyzed to assess the association between PM dependence at follow-up and calcium score on CT scan before TAVI.

Introduction anatomically and functionally different from the left ventricle, the right ventricle (RV) plays an increasingly recognized role in determining symptoms and outcomes in multiple conditions. Due to RV complex anatomy and mechanics, the evaluation of its size and function is challenging. The ideal imaging technique should be capable of comprehensive, accurate and reproducible assessment of RV morphology and contraction. In the absence of a single reliable 2DE measure of the RV systolic function, several surrogate echocardiographic parameters have been proposed for clinical use, from one-dimensional (TAPSE) to 3D techniques. Clinical Case we report a case of an 82-year-old female patient who was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnoea, with a history of atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and a last year hospitalization for heart failure. A transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed, showing a high-grade tricuspid valve regurgitation. Further investigation using transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed, in four chambers view, dilatation of right sections and confirm TR was significant, so screening for TriClip implantation was performed. The exam was diagnostic for massive TR, moderate Mitral Regurgitation, and the estimated PAPs about 50 mmHg, so, in the absence of anatomical exclusion elements, severe pulmonary hypertension and poor RV function, transcatheter treatment with TriClip was offered. We had evaluated RV function, obtaining a FAC about normal limit (which should be corrected by valvular regurgitation), and a reduced Strain value. The patient received an edge-to-edge reparation of the tricuspid valve using the TriClip XTR (Clip) system with 2 clips placed. The post-interventional echocardiographic results were an optimal correction of valvular regurgitation, with, however, a clear right ventricular disfunction. Those finding were confirmed by further echocardiographic follow up exams, even during inotropic treatment by low dobutamine dose. Conclusion estimating RV function remains challenging because of the complex geometry of the RV. In the presence of significant TR, the accurate assessment of RV function becomes even more challenging because of the load and angle dependency of TAPSE, RVFAC and RVEF. Significant TR result in a reduction in RV afterload, which may preserve the markers of TV function even when contractility is impaired. 2d-STE in less angle and load dependent than traditional RV function indices and less confounded by RV geometry and passive motion.

Background Despite many therapeutic resources and technological innovations, coronary artery diseases (CAD) yet represent the first cause of death in industrialized countries. In order to improve outcomes in CAD and other chronic diseases, it has been proposed to implement personalized and continuous home-monitoring through digital applications. Currently, dyslipidemias are considered the ideal target condition for the development of such telemedicine approaches. Objectives The main goal is to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile app on the clinical cardiovascular outcomes, by analyzing the adherence to lipid-lowering therapy of dyslipidemic patients, compared to out clinics patients followed under standard work-ups. Materials and methods From March 2022 to September 2022, 15 patients were enrolled who were able to benefit from remote monitoring and 8 patients undergoing outpatient monitoring. The two groups were divided into four categories: 8 ischemic patients to whom the mobile app was recommended admitted with a diagnosis of CAD and undergoing PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention), 4 ischemic patients undergoing outpatient follow-up, 7 not ischemic admitted for other procedure for which remote monitoring was proposed, 4 non-ischemic patients with outpatient procedure. the lipid profile was assessed by mobile application and outpatient visit, respectively. Results In the evaluation between the group of patients who underwent the diagnostic application procedure and the outpatient group, greater adherence to the use of telemedicine was found in patients aged 40-69 years or who could benefit from the help of family members. Lack of information and experience in using the systems and devices was a significant obstacle in 5 percent of patients all over 78 years of age and in the absence of a family member. Given the many logistical and waiting time problems for hospital visits, 57 percent of patients who underwent a medical examination via the app benefited most from using the remote app. Mean LDL values of 97 mg/dL at one month after discharge were found in 66% of patients particularly the subgroup of ischemic patients who, given the strong correlation between atherosclerotic disease and ischemic heart disease, require closer follow-up, with mean LDL values of 95mg/dL found. Conclusions Telemedicine has the potential to improve clinical outcomes in patients with dyslipidemia, although efficacy is influenced by parameters such as age and family support; in the future, telemedicine platforms could be an aid to evaluate new therapeutic opportunities for innovative treatments, such as bempedoic acid. Telemedicine helped patients in understanding the importance of reducing LDL cholesterol.