Ongoing assertion of two-dimensional measurements on differentiation type of left ventricular hypertrophy: Focus on inferior vena cava.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), including hypertensive LVH, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiac amyloidosis (CA), is a commonly encountered condition in cardiology practice, presenting challenges in differential diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the importance of echocardiographic evaluation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) in distinguishing LVH subtypes including hypertensive LVH, HCM, and CA. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients with common causes of LVH including hypertensive LVH, HCM, and CA were included. The role of echocardiographic evaluation of IVC diameter and collapsibility in distinguishing these causes of LVH was assessed in conjunction with other echocardiographic, clinical, and imaging methods. RESULTS: A total of 211 patients (45% HCM, 43% hypertensive heart disease, and 12% CA) were included in our study. Their mean age was 56.6 years and 62% of them were male. While mean IVC diameter was significantly dilated in CA patients (13.4 mm in hypertensive LVH, 16.0 mm in HCM, and 21.1 mm in CA, p < .001), its collapsibility was reduced (IVC collapsible in 95% of hypertensive patients, 72% of HCM patients, and 12% of CA patients, p < .001). In the analysis of diagnostic probabilities, the presence of both hypovoltage and IVC dilation is significant for CA patients. Although it is not statistically significant, the presence of IVC dilation along with atrial fibrillation supports the diagnosis of HCM. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, although advances in imaging techniques facilitate the diagnosis of LVH, simple echocardiographic methods should never be overlooked. Our study supports the notion that IVC assessment could play an important role in the differential diagnosis of LVH.

Influence of cardiac biomarkers on predicting significant coronary artery disease in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients.

BACKGROUND: In this study, our aim was to investigate the role of cardiac biomarkers in predicting the presence of significant coronary artery disease in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. METHODS: The study population was composed of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients who underwent coronary angiography at a single center between June 2021 and March 2023, and whose cardiac biomarkers were evaluated before the procedure. HCM patients were screened retrospectively. Significant CAD was defined as > 50% stenosis of the left main coronary artery or > 70% stenosis in a major coronary vessel. Demographic, echocardiographic and cardiac biomarker values were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were evaluated. Significant CAD was detected in 39 (31.7%) patients. Patients with significant CAD had higher CK-MB values than those without CAD [2.8 (2.1-4.0) vs. 3.4 (2.8-4.6), p = 0.036], and a higher level of high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) than those without CAD (24 vs. 17.8, p = 0.022). the NT-proBNP/hs-TnT ratio was found to be significantly lower in patients with CAD than in those with CAD (31.4 vs. 21.4, p = 0.019). In multivariate anaylsis, NT-proBNP/hs-TnT was determined as an independent predictor for significant CAD. In ROC analysis, NT-proBNP/hs-TnT ratio lower than the cut-off value of 30.7 could detect the presence of significant CAD with 76.9% sensitivity and 53.6% specificity (AUC: 0.632, 95% CI: 0.528-0.736, p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: To sum up, we suggest that cardiac biomarkers were valuable and simple parameters in terms of significant CAD in HCM patients.

Bioprosthetic aortic valve thrombosis under effective direct oral anticoagulant therapy.

With the increase in transcatheter procedures, the use of bioprosthetic valves has become more frequent in clinical practice. However, the optimal antithrombotic management of patients with bioprosthetic valves remains controversial. In this case report, we describe a patient with a bioprosthetic aortic valve who developed a thrombus while receiving effective dose direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy. A 73-year-old male patient with a bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement 2 years prior presented with a mobile thrombus and early degeneration of the valve, detected during routine follow-up while being treated with apixaban. Although the valve thrombus regressed after switching to a different anticoagulant drug, we observed that the decreased but still high gradient persisted due to the early degeneration. Anticoagulant management of bioprosthetic valve patients demands careful attention. Although evidence supporting the use of DOACs is growing, close patient follow-up and further evaluation in case of doubt remain critical. The development of a thrombus in a bioprosthetic valve patient who is receiving anticoagulation therapy, as in this case, highlights the need for optimal management to prevent thromboembolic complications and valve degeneration.

Early echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular load adaptability after sequential combination treatment in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Using the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) ratio as an index of right ventricular load adaptability, we aimed to evaluate early changes in right heart contractile function of patients with group 1 pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) after sequential combination PAH-specific therapy. METHODS: A total of 49 patients with group 1 PAH and 31 control participants were included in the study. The baseline clinical and echocardiographic data of the control and PAH group were compared. Subsequently, clinical and echocardiographic data of PAH patients before treatment and at 6 months after PAH-specific treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: A significant increase in the TAPSE/PASP ratio was found in patients at 6 months of PAH-specific treatment (0.25 ± 0.14; 0.33 ± 0.16, p < 0.001). Right atrial pressure (8 mm Hg [5-10]; 5 mm Hg [3-8], p < 0.001) and PASP (80.8 ± 30.6 mm Hg; 65.9 ± 25.7 mm Hg, p < 0.001) were significantly lower after sequential combination PAH-specific therapy. Negative correlations were found between the TAPSE/PASP ratio and N­terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (r = -0.524, p < 0.001), tricuspid regurgitation velocity (r = -0.749, p < 0.001), right atrial area (r = -0.298, p = 0.037), and right atrial pressure (r = -0.463, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with group 1 PAH, echocardiographic evaluation at the early stage of treatment (6 months) shows a significant improvement in the TAPSE/PASP ratio indicating right ventricular load adaptation. Comprehensive studies are needed on the routine use of the TAPSE/PASP ratio in the risk assessment of PAH patients.

Relationship between myocardial bridging and fatal ventricular arrhythmias in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the HCM-MB study.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridging (MB) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are associated with the risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). The goal of the study was to determine the relationship between MB and fatal VAs in HCM patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD). METHODS: A total of 108 HCM patients (mean age: 46.6 ± 13.6 years; male: 73) were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and coronary computed tomography angiography. Fatal VAs including sustained ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation were documented in ICD records. RESULTS: There were documented fatal VAs in 29 (26.8%) patients during a mean follow-up time of 71.3 ± 30.9 months. Compared with the other groups, the fatal VA group had a higher incidence of the following: presence of MB (82.8 vs. 38%, p < 0.001), deep MB (62.1 vs. 6.3%, p < 0.001), very deep MB (24.1 vs. 0%, p < 0.001), long MB (65.5 vs. 11.4%, p < 0.001), presence of > 1 MB (17.2 vs. 0%, p = 0.001), and MB of the left anterior descending artery (79.3 vs. 17.7%, p < 0.001) . Sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk score (hazard ratio: 1.194; 95% CI: 1.071-1.330; p = 0.001) and presence of MB (hazard ratio: 3.815; 95% CI: 1.41-10.284; p = 0.008) were found to be independent predictors of fatal VAs in HCM patients. CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest that the SCD risk score and presence of MB were independent risk factors for fatal VAs in patients with HCM. In addition to conventional risk factors, the coronary anatomical course can provide clinicians with valuable information when assessing the risk of fatal VAs in HCM patients.

The relationship between hyperpolypharmacy and one-year outcomes in patients with critical limb ischemia undergoing below-knee endovascular therapy.

BACKGROUND: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients take too many medications because they are elderly and frail patients with multiple comorbidities. Polypharmacy is associated with frailty, although its prognostic significance in CLI patients is unknown. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperpolypharmacy among adults with CLI and its effect on 1-year amputation and mortality. METHODS: A total of 200 patients with CLI who underwent endovascular therapy (EVT) for below-knee (CTC) lesions were included in this study. Hyperpolypharmacy was defined as using ≥10 drugs. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of hyperpolypharmacy. RESULTS: We detected hyperpolypharmacy in 66 patients. The incidence of 1-year amputation [24 (36.4) versus 12 (9), p<.001] and mortality [28 (42.4) versus 12 (9), p<.001] were higher in patients with hyperpolypharmacy. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses were used to determine the independent predictors of amputation and mortality. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value was defined as 10 or more drug use was able to detect the presence of 1-year mortality with 67.5% sensitivity and 79.4% specificity. The Kaplan-Meier method showed a significant difference (rank p <.001 between log groups), and hyperpolypharmacy was associated with 1-year amputation and mortality. CONCLUSION: Hyperpolypharmacy was significantly associated with 1-year mortality and major amputation in CLI patients. Hyperpolypharmacy can be a valuable aid in patient risk assessment in the CLI.

A simplified acute kidney injury predictor following endovascular aortic repair: ACEF score.

OBJECTIVES: Treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) has become quite common in recent years. This method, which has many advantages compared to the open surgical procedure, also has some complications. One of these complications is acute kidney injury (AKI). ACEF (age, creatinine, and ejection fraction) score, which is gaining popularity, can be an easy-to-use and cost-effective method in detecting this condition that causes increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate whether this ACEF score may predict a development of AKI in patients who underwent EVAR. METHODS: A total of 133 consecutive patients with AAA who underwent EVAR were analyzed. The primary endpoint of the study was the development of AKI. The best cut-off value for the ACEF score to predict the development of AKI was calculated and according to this value, the patients were divided into two groups as those with high ACEF scores and those with low ACEF scores. ACEF score was calculated by the formula of age/EF + 1 (if baseline creatinine > 2 mg/dL). RESULTS: After the exclusion criteria, a total of 118 patients were included in the study, and 20 (16.9%) of them developed AKI after EVAR. In the ROC curve analysis, a cut-off value of 1.34 was found for the ACEF score, and scores above this value were found to be independent predictors of AKI development after EVAR. In addition to the ACEF score, the contrast media volume was also found to be an independent predictor of the development of AKI. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, ACEF is a simple and effective scoring system in patients undergoing EVAR. To the best our knowledge, our study is the first study which applies ACEF score to predict AKI in EVAR patients.

The relationship between plasma atherogenic index and long-term outcomes after endovascular intervention in superficial femoral artery lesions.

OBJECTIVES: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) results from the systemic atherosclerotic process. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between plasma atherogenic index (AIP), a ratio of molar concentrations of triglycerides to HDL-cholesterol, and long-term outcomes after endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with superficial femoral artery (SFA) stenosis. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 673 patients who underwent EVT for PAD in our tertiary center between January 2015 and December 2020. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the AIP value with the optimum cutoff value was determined as 0.576 to detect the presence of major adverse limb events (MALEs). Patients were divided into two groups according to low AIP (<0.576 as group 1) and high AIP (>0.576 as group 2). RESULTS: Among the major endpoints, long-term restenosis rates were significantly higher in patients in the high-AIP group than in the low-AIP group (p<.001). The lower extremity amputation rate was not statistically significant between the two groups. All-cause mortality rate (54 (31.6) versus 117 (68.4), p<.001) was significantly higher in patients in the high-AIP group than in the low-AIP group. In addition, the MALE rate (94 (29.2) versus 218 (62.1), p<.001) was significantly higher in patients in the high-AIP group than in those in the low-AIP group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we found that AIP is a significant independent predictor of long-term MALE in patients who underwent EVT for SFA.

The relationship between sarcopenia and one-year mortality in patients with critical limb ischemia undergoing endovascular therapy below the knee.

OBJECTIVE: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a progressive form of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Patients with CLI have poor long-term prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of sarcopenia in terms of 1-year mortality in patients with below-the-knee lesions who underwent endovascular treatment for CLI. METHODS: A total of 190 patients with critical limb ischemia who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) for below-the-knee (BTK) lesions were enrolled in this study. Sarcopenia was defined using the psoas muscle index (PMI). PMI was obtained by calculating the average psoas muscle area (APMA) of the left and right psoas muscles at the third lumbar vertebra level and dividing by the square of the height (cm2/m2). The primary endpoint of the study was 1-year mortality and the secondary endpoint was 1-year amputation. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to presence of sarcopenia. RESULTS: We detected sarcopenia in 64 patients. The mean age, height, and EF were higher in sarcopenia group. The psoas muscle area, weight, psoas muscle index, body-mass index, albumin level, and GFR were lower in sarcopenia group. The incidence of amputation (11.9% vs 29.7%, p = 0.003) and mortality (15.1% vs 35.9%, p = 0.001) were higher in patients with sarcopenia. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the independent predictors of amputation and mortality. The survival curve for 1-year using the sarcopenia was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and statistical analysis was performed with the log-rank test. The presence of sarcopenia, glomerular filtration rate level, and low ejection fraction were found to be independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia was associated with 1-year mortality in patients with CLI undergoing EVT for BTK lesions. Also, patients with sacropenia had higher 1-year amputation rates. Sarcopenia may be a simple method to help patient selection, assessment, and intervention strategy for EVT and may improve patient outcomes.

The association of left atrial mechanics with left ventricular morphology in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a cardiac magnetic resonance study.

Purpose: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is related with structural and pathologic changes in the left atrium (LA) and left ventricle (LV). The aim of this study was to explore the association between LA mechanics and LV characteristics in patients with HCM using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT). Material and methods: A total of 76 patients with HCM and 26 healthy controls were included in the study. The parameters including the extent of LV late gadolinium enhancement (LGE-%) and the LV early diastolic longitudinal strain rate (edLSR) were assessed for LV. LA conduit, booster, and reservoir functions were assessed by LA fractional volumes and strain analyses using CMR-FT. HCM patients were classified as HCM patients without LGE, with mild LGE-% (0% < LGE-% l 10%), and prominent LGE-% (10% < LGE-%). Results: HCM patients had worse LA functions compared with the controls (p < 0.05). The majority of LA functional indices were more impaired in HCM patients with regard to LGE. LA volumes were higher in HCM patients with prominent LGE-% compared with HCM patients with mild LGE-% (p < 0.05). However, only a minority of LA functional parameters differed between the 2 groups. LA strain parameters showed weak to modest correlations with LV LGE-% and LV edLSR. Conclusions: LV characteristics, to some extent, influence LA mechanics, but they might not be the only factor inducing LA dysfunction in patients with HCM.

PrevAleNce and Associated factors of inappropriaTe dosing of direct Oral anticoaguLants In pAtients with Atrial Fibrillation: the ANATOLIA-AF Study.

PURPOSE: Inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants is associated with an increased risk of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, cardiovascular hospitalization, and death in patients with atrial fibrillation. The main goal of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants in real-life settings. METHODS: This study was a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study that included 2004 patients with atrial fibrillation. The study population was recruited from 41 cardiology outpatient clinics between January and May 2021. The main criteria for inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing were defined according to the recommendations of the European Heart Rhythm Association. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 72 years and 58% were women. Nine-hundred and eighty-seven patients were prescribed rivaroxaban, 658 apixaban, 239 edoxaban, and 120 dabigatran. A total of 498 patients (24.9%) did not receive the appropriate dose of direct oral anticoagulants. In a logistic regression model, advanced age, presence of chronic kidney disease and permanent atrial fibrillation, prescription of reduced doses of direct oral anticoagulants or edoxaban treatment, concomitant use of amiodarone treatment, and non-use of statin treatment were significantly associated with potentially inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the prevalence of inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing according to the European Heart Rhythm Association recommendations was 24.9% in patients with atrial fibrillation. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated with the inappropriate prescription of direct oral anticoagulants.

Association Between CRP/Albumin Ratio and Long-Term Mortality in Patients With cHronIc Limb-Threatening Ischemia Undergoing EndovaScular Therapy Below The Knee: The ACHILES-BTK Registry.

BACKGROUND: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), which presents with ischemic rest pain, ulceration, or gangrene, is a complex form of peripheral artery disease that can cause mortality and amputation. C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory marker, indicates vascular inflammation resulting from the cytokine-dependent inflammatory process in the arterial wall, and arterial atherosclerosis resulting from the inflammation. Lower albumin levels are also associated with peripheral artery disease. We investigated the association between CRP/Albumin ratio (CAR) and long-term mortality in patients with CLTI. METHODS: A total of 172 patients who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) for below the knee (BTK) lesions were enrolled in this study. Patients with acute infection requiring antibiotic therapy, chronic inflammatory disease, end-stage liver disease, malignancy were excluded from the study. Besides, patients with pre-follow-up intervention to the same vascular bed were also excluded from the study. The primary endpoint of the study was all-cause mortality. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to mortality. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients (40.6%) died during 32 ± 21 months of follow-up in the present study. The major amputation rate was 21.5%. The mortality (+) group was older and had higher rates of congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, history of stroke, and CRP levels. Moreover, statin and ACE inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACE/ARB) use, GFR, and albumin levels were lower in the mortality (+) group. CAR was significantly higher in the mortality (+) group when comparing both groups (3.25 [1.46 - 7.86] vs. 9.75 [4.5 - 17.71], P < 0.001). CAR, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, history of stroke, ACE/ARB, or statin use were independent predictors of all-cause mortality in multivariable Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: CAR was associated with mortality in CLTI patients undergoing EVT for BTK lesions. CAR may be a simple method to help patient selection, assessment, and intervention strategy for EVT and may improve patient outcomes.

Persistent right heart dilatation after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty: A weird coexistence of iatrogenic and congenital shunts.

We present an interesting case of concomitant congenital anomalies with an iatrogenic defect. The female patient underwent a percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty due to rheumatic mitral stenosis. Unfortunately, an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (ASD) transpired during the procedure. Upon post-procedure examination, partial anomalous pulmonary venous (PAPVR) return was observed. The patient was symptomatic; on imaging, dilatation of the right heart chambers were detected. In addition, another crucial point was that the patient was planning a pregnancy, thus robotic surgery for iatrogenic ASD and PAPVR return was recommended. After a successful operation, the patient was asymptomatic and the size of right heart chambers were normalized.

Impact of iliac arterial calcification on procedure success and long-term outcomes among patients undergoing endovascular intervention.

OBJECTIVES: Vascular calcification is a well-known phenomenon and affects coronary and carotid arteries as well as other arterial beds. Presence of arterial calcification is associated with major adverse events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary artery or carotid artery intervention. Even though there is a clear association between worse outcome and coronary-carotid calcification, there is no research that interrogated the relationship between iliac arterial calcification and clinical outcomes because of lack of data. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of iliac arterial calcification on procedure success rates and long-term outcomes among patients undergoing endovascular intervention. METHODS: The records of 453 consecutive patients who underwent endovascular intervention due to symptomatic peripheral artery disease were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of heavy calcification of iliac arteries. For each group, technical aspects of procedures and subsequent clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: According to our study, the rate of restenosis following endovascular intervention at 6 and 12 months were similar between two groups. On the other hand, long-term restenosis was significantly higher in patients with heavy calcification of iliac arteries as compared to patients with low calcification on iliac arteries (32.2% vs. 12.8%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that there was a strong association between heavy calcification of iliac arteries and long-term restenosis in patients undergoing endovascular intervention.

The predictive value of CHADS2 score for subclinical cerebral ischemia after carotid artery stenting (from the PREVENT-CAS trial).

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is being increasingly used as an alternative revascularization procedure to carotid endarterectomy; however, subclinical ischemic cerebral lesions after CAS remain as a matter of concern. Hence, we aimed to assess the clinical utility of the CHADS2 score in predicting subclinical ischemic events after CAS. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 107 patients (mean age: 70.4 ± 6.6 years, male:77) who underwent CAS for carotid artery revascularization. The patients having symptomatic transient ischemic attack or stroke after CAS were excluded. The presence of new hyperintense lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) without any neurological findings was considered as silent ischemia. Patients were classified into two groups as DWI-positive and DWI-negative patients. RESULTS: Among study population, 28 patients (26.2%) had subclinical embolism. The DWI-positive group had a significantly higher CHADS2 scores, older age, more frequent history of stroke, higher proportion of type III aortic arch, and longer fluoroscopy time than the DWI-negative group. Increased CHADS2 score was identified as one of the independent predictors of silent embolism (OR = 5.584; 95%CI: 1.516-20.566; p = .010), and CHADS2 score higher than 2.5 predicted subclinical cerebral ischemia with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 71% (AUC: 0.793; 95% CI: 0.696 - 0.890; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: CHADS2 score was able to predict the risk of periprocedural subclinical ischemic events in CAS and might be of clinical value in the management of patients with carotid artery stenosis.

Prognostic influence of objective nutritional indexes on mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (from the nutrition-SAVR trial).

AIM: Several scoring systems, such as controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI), have been previously described to show nutritional status. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the value of these scoring systems in predicting in-hospital and long-term mortality in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). METHODS: PNI, GNRI, and CONUT were determined using the receiver operator characteristics curve analysis in 150 consecutive elderly patients (age: 70 (66-74) years, male: 78) who underwent SAVR due to degenerative severe aortic stenosis (AS). Patients were divided into two groups according to cutoff values from these indexes. RESULTS: During the 50 ± 31 months follow-up period, a total of 36 (24%) patients died. 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality, and total mortality were significantly higher in lower PNI, lower GNRI, and higher CONUT groups. PNI cutoff value was 49.2, GNRI cutoff value was 102.5, and CONUT cutoff value was 1.5. PNI ≤ 49.2, GNRI ≤ 102.5, and CONUT > 1.5 values were found to be independent predictors of total mortality even after risk adjustment. In addition, in the mortality group, PNI (53.7 ± 5.9 vs. 47.4 ± 6.3; p < .001) and GNRI (108 ± 10 vs. 99 ± 6.3); p < .001) were significantly lower, while CONUT score (1 [0-2] vs. 2 [0.2-3]; p < .001) was significantly higher. CONCLUSION: Objective nutritional indexes including CONUT score, PNI, and GNRI are important prognostic factors and those indexes should be part of frailty assessment in patients with severe AS.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Despite all the advancements in science, medical knowledge, healthcare, and the healthcare industry, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The main reasons are the inadequacy of preventive health services and delays in diagnosis due to the increasing population, the failure of physicians to apply guide-based treatments, the lack of continuous patient follow-up, and the low compliance of patients with doctors' recommendations. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are systems that support complex decision-making processes by using AI techniques such as data analysis, foresight, and optimization. Artificial intelligence-based CDSSs play an important role in patient care by providing more accurate and personalized information to healthcare professionals in risk assessment, diagnosis, treatment optimization, and monitoring and early warning of CVD. These are just some examples, and the use of AI for CVD decision support systems is rapidly evolving. However, for these systems to be fully reliable and effective, they need to be trained with accurate data and carefully evaluated by medical professionals.

Digital Technologies in Heart Failure Management.

Heart Failure (HF) is an important public health problem in Turkey and in the world. Hospitalizations due to HF decompensation are associated with increased mortality. The use of digital technologies, especially wearable technologies, is increasing. As physicians, with the use of these devices, patients could be closely followed up and hospitalization, mortality are tried to be prevented by increased awareness of decomposition before clinical symptoms or at the beginning of symptoms. In this review, digital biomarkers, digital technologies, remote monitoring systems and the evidence supporting their use, artificial intelligence applications and the reasons limiting their use of digital technologies in clinical practice will be discussed.