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To date, this is the largest echocardiography-based study to analyse the prevalence and aetiology distribution of MR in Europe. The burden of secondary MR was higher than previously described, representing 30% of patients with significant MR. In our environment, degenerative disease is the most common aetiology of primary MR (60%), whereas ischaemic is the most common aetiology of secondary MR (51%). Up to 70% of patients with severe primary MR may have a Class I indication for surgery. However, the optimal therapeutic approach for secondary MR remains uncertain.

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We sought to evaluate the physiological background and the effects of CD34+ cell transplantation on diastolic parameters in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients (DCM). We enrolled 38 DCM patients with NYHA class III and LVEF < 40% who underwent transendocardial CD34+ cell transplantation. Peripheral blood CD34+ cells were mobilized by G‐CSF, collected via apheresis, and injected transendocardially in the areas of myocardial hibernation. Patients were followed for 1 year. At baseline, estimated filling pressures were significantly elevated (E/e′ ≥ 15) in 18 patients (Group A), and moderately elevated (E/e ′< 15) in 20 patients (Group B). The groups did not differ in age (54 ± 9 years vs. 52 ± 10 years; p = .62), gender (male: 85% vs. 78%; p = .57), or LVEF (31 ± 7% vs. 34 ± 6%; p = .37). When compared to Group B patients in Group A had more segments with myocardial scar (4.9 ± 2.7 vs. 2.7 ± 2.9; p = .03), myocardial hibernation (2.2 ± 1.6 vs. 0.9 ± 1.1; p = .02), and longer average local relaxation time on electroanatomical mapping (378 ± 41 ms vs. 333 ± 34 ms, p = .01). During follow‐up there was an improvement in diastolic parameters in Group A (E/e′: from 24.3 ± 12.1 to 16.3 ± 8.0; p = .005), but not in Group B (E/e′: from 10.2 ± 3.7 to 13.2 ± 9.1; p = .19). Accordingly, in Group A, we found an increase in 6‐minute walk distance (from 463 ± 83 m to 546 ± 91 m; p = .03), and a decrease in NT‐proBNP (from 2140 ± 1743 pg/ml to 863 ± 836 pg/ml; p = .02). In nonischemic DCM, diastolic dysfunction appears to correlate with areas of myocardial scar and hibernation. Transendocardial CD34+ cell transplantation may improve diastolic parameters in this patient cohort. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1515–1521

Background Although cardiac myxoma (CM) are rare and benign, they can cause life-threatening complications, such as hemodynamic disturbances or embolization. Surgical excision of the tumour is the treatment of choice. The aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and outcomes of surgical treatment of patients with CM treated in the largest tertiary care centre in Slovenia. Patients and methods We retrospectively analysed the medical records of all patients referred to our institution between January 2005 and December 2020 and identified 39 consecutive adult patients with pathologically confirmed CM. Results The average annual incidence of CM in the study was 3 per 2 million population per year. Patients were more often female (n = 25, 64%). The mean age at diagnosis was 63.1 ± 13.6 years. Dyspnoea was the most common presenting symptom (31%). CM was an incidental finding in 11 patients (28%). Seven patients presented with thromboembolic event (18%). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed in all patients, however additional imaging was required in 22 patients (56%). All patients in our series were successfully treated surgically without in-hospital mortality. During the follow-up period (6 months to 16 years) three patients (8%) died, and all deaths were unrelated to CM. There was no recurrence of CM during the follow-up. Conclusions Our single-centre study confirms that CM is rare cardiac tumour with diverse clinical presentation. Our data shows data that CM might be more prevalent than considered before. Surgical resection of the tumour is safe with excellent short- and long-term outcomes.