OBJECTIVES:Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) markedly increases the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Despite available therapies, FH remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. The aim of this study is to characterize FH patients and to evaluate treatment response specifically in those with a confirmed pathogenic mutation. METHODS:We retrospectively analysed 189 adults with clinical suspicion of FH seen at a cardiology department of a Belgian hospital between 2018 and 2024. Clinical, biochemical, and treatment data were retrieved from electronic records, and the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score was calculated. Genetic testing was performed in 181 patients. Patients were stratified into primary and secondary prevention groups. RESULTS:The cohort comprised 116 patients (61%) in primary prevention and 73 (39%) in secondary prevention; the latter were older, predominantly male, and had more comorbidities. Genetic mutations were identified in 91 patients, most frequently in the LDL receptor gene (74%), followed by the ApoB gene (19%). Twenty-one patients had a DLCN score > 8, of whom four had no detectable pathogenic mutation. In genetically confirmed FH, mean LDL-cholesterol decreased from 267 ± 82 mg/dL at baseline to 100 ± 57 mg/dL at last follow-up, with greater reductions in secondary prevention. PCSK9 inhibitor use increased significantly during follow-up. Nevertheless, only 43% of secondary prevention patients achieved LDL-C < 55 mg/dL, and 24% of primary prevention patients reached < 70 mg/dL. CONCLUSION:FH lipid management in this real-world cohort achieved substantial LDL-C reductions, but target attainment remained suboptimal.

During the ESC congress in September 2021, the new ESC guidelines were presented and are available on the ESC website. The new guidelines describes management recommendations on following cardiovascular domains : cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy, cardiovascular prevention, valvular heart disease and heart failure. The present document gives a summary of these guidelines and highlights the most important recommendations and changes in the management of these diseases. It will help to increase awareness about the new guidelines and may stimulate to consult the full document for specific items. Ultimately, the authors hope that this document will enhance implementation of new ESC guidelines in daily clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:Return to work (RTW) after cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is crucial to mitigating the societal and economic burden of productivity losses. This review of reviews explores common and disease-specific predictors of RTW within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). METHODS:A systematic review of systematic reviews was conducted to identify both common and disease-specific predictors of RTW for individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including acute coronary syndrome (ACS), chronic coronary artery disease (CCAD), heart failure (HF), and stroke. Predictors were analysed across contextual domains (personal and environmental factors) and functional domains (body structure, body function, activities, and participation). The methodological quality of the included reviews was evaluated using the AMSTAR-2 tool. RESULTS:A total of 28 reviews were included. Key common predictors included functional capacity, psychological well-being, work characteristics and social support, while disease-specific predictors involved the severity of disease and treatment characteristics. Modifiable factors, such as workplace accommodation and psychological challenges, were identified as critical targets for intervention. CONCLUSIONS:Early identification of at-risk individuals and the integration of personalized rehabilitation strategies are critical for improving RTW outcomes and health-related quality of life. This review enhances the understanding of RTW predictors, contributing to optimized rehabilitation processes and reduced economic burden associated with CVDs. Future research should investigate the clinical applicability of these findings and explore the broader application of these common RTW predictors across other chronic conditions, to inform vocational reintegration strategies. (Word count: 238).

Purpose: Thromboembolism (TE) arises in 20% to 50% of patients with infective endocarditis (IE), significantly contributing to mortality. While the pathogenesis of IE includes the formation of vegetations with platelet-fibrin clots, antithrombotic therapy (AT) has not consistently shown to prevent TE. Moreover, because of the increased risk of cerebral hemorrhage, guidelines advise against using AT in the management of IE. However, many patients with IE already receive AT at admission due to pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. This retrospective, multicentric study aims to provide insights into the in-hospital mortality and complications of patients with IE under various regimens of pre-existing AT, compared to IE controls without AT. Methods: A total of 363 patients with IE were included at 2 tertiary hospitals in Belgium. The following groups were compared: 129 patients with IE without AT (group 1), 104 patients with IE with an antiplatelet treatment (group 2), 100 patients with IE under anticoagulant therapy (group 3), and 30 patients with IE treated with combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents at admission (group 4). Results: This study found no significant differences in in-hospital mortality ( P = .091), TE ( P = .413), or hemorrhagic stroke ( P = .274) between groups. There was a nonsignificant trend toward reduced vegetation size ( P = .112) in the anticoagulant-treated IE groups 3 and 4. There were significantly more viridans streptococci infections in the younger control group 1 ( P = .012). Conclusion: This analysis challenges the conventional caution against AT use in IE, suggesting that pre-existing AT does not significantly influence mortality or complications in patients with IE.

Abstract Background/Introduction Heart failure (HF) continues to be a leading cause of morbidity, decreased quality of life (QoL) and mortality worldwide. Contributing to decreased QoL is the high rehospitalization rate, which is often related to non-cardiac causes, highlighting the important multimorbidity of the HF population. Detailed clinical and outcome data for HF admissions in Belgium over time are only scarcely available. Purpose We aimed to evaluate and compare two groups of patients admitted with HF ten years apart, regarding clinical characteristics, comorbidities, use of HF medication and devices, as well as rehospitalization rate and all-cause mortality three months post-discharge. Methods This is a monocentric retrospective observational cohort study conducted in Belgium. Two groups of patients admitted for acute decompensated HF who were discharged alive were included and compared: 340 patients during 2011-2012 and 319 patients during 2021-2022. Results The two cohorts did not differ significantly regarding age (77.3 vs. 78.4 years), gender (47.4 vs. 44.5% women), number of patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (47.4 vs. 48.6%) and NT-proBNP on admission (8514 vs. 7398 pg/mL). Similarly, comorbidities including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke and renal failure were comparable in both groups. Concerning medical therapy at discharge, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) were used significantly more frequently in the latest cohort. However, there was no change in administration of beta-blockers or renin angiotensin aldosterone system antagonists. As part of the implementation of new therapies for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, 29% of patients were prescribed sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, while sacubitril/valsartan was given in 13% of the cases. The use of internal defibrillators (ICD) and resynchronization devices (CRT) doubled from 2011-2012 to 2021-2022 (3.9 vs. 9.6%, p = 0.002). In-hospital length of stay decreased significantly over a ten-year period across all ejection fraction subgroups from 7 to 5 days (figure 1). The combined outcome of rehospitalization for HF and all-cause mortality three months post-discharge remained constant at approximately 20% (figure 2). Conclusion Clinical characteristics and comorbidities of patients admitted with acute decompensated HF did not change significantly between 2011 and 2022. Uptake of evidence-based medicine for HF increased, especially for MRA, SGLT-2 inhibitors and sacubitril/valsartan, as did the use of ICD and CRT, but still with considerable potential for improvement. Although in-hospital length of stay decreased significantly over time, rehospitalization rates for HF and all-cause mortality within 90 days post-discharge remained high and did not improve. These sobering results illustrate the need for continuing efforts to improve the care and outcome of HF patients.

(1) Background: infective endocarditis (IE) is a significant health concern associated with important morbidity and mortality. Only limited, often monocentric, retrospective data on IE in Belgium are available. This prospective study sought to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Belgian IE patients in the ESC EORP European endocarditis (EURO-ENDO) registry; (2) Methods: 132 IE patients were identified based on the ESC 2015 criteria and included in six tertiary hospitals in Belgium; (3) Results: The average Belgian IE patient was male and 62.8 ± 14.9 years old. The native valve was most affected (56.8%), but prosthetic/repaired valves (34.1%) and intracardiac device-related (5.3%) IE are increasing. The most frequently identified microorganisms were S. aureus (37.2%), enterococci (15.5%), and S. viridans (15.5%). The most frequent complications were acute renal failure (36.2%) and embolic events (23.6%). Cardiac surgery was effectively performed when indicated in 71.7% of the cases. In-hospital mortality occurred in 15.7% of patients. Predictors of mortality in the multivariate analysis were S. aureus (HR = 2.99 [1.07–8.33], p = 0.036) and unperformed cardiac surgery when indicated (HR = 19.54 [1.91–200.17], p = 0.012). (4) Conclusion: This prospective EURO-ENDO ancillary analysis provides valuable contemporary insights into the profile, treatment, and clinical outcomes of IE patients in Belgium.

Background and aims: Viral infections are the leading cause of myocarditis. Besides acute cardiac complications, late-stage sequelae such as myocardial fibrosis may develop, importantly impacting the prognosis. Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB)-induced myocarditis in mice is the most commonly used translational model to study viral myocarditis and has provided the majority of our current understanding of the disease pathophysiology. Nevertheless, the late stages of disease, encompassing fibrogenesis and arrhythmogenesis, have been underappreciated in viral myocarditis research to date. The present study investigated the natural history of CVB-induced myocarditis in C57BL/6J mice, expanding the focus beyond the acute phase of disease. In addition, we studied the impact of sex and inoculation dose on the disease course. Methods and results: C57BL/6J mice (12 weeks old; n = 154) received a single intraperitoneal injection with CVB to induce viral myocarditis, or vehicle (PBS) as control. Male mice (n = 92) were injected with 5 x 10(5) (regular dose) (RD) or 5 x 106 (high dose) (HD) plaque-forming units of CVB, whereas female mice received the RD only. Animals were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, 8, and 11 weeks after CVB or PBS injection. Virally inoculated mice developed viral disease with a temporary decline in general condition and weight loss, which was less pronounced in female animals ( P < .001). In male CVB mice, premature mortality occurred between days 8 and 23 after inoculation (RD: 21%, HD: 20%), whereas all female animals survived. Over the course of disease, cardiac inflammation progressively subsided, with faster resolution in female mice. There were no substantial group differences in the composition of the inflammatory cell infiltrates: predominance of cytotoxic T cells at day 7 and 14, and a switch from arginase1-reactive macrophages to iNOS-reactive macrophages from day 7 to 14 were the main findings. There was concomitant development and maturation of different patterns of myocardial fibrosis, with enhanced fibrogenesis in male mice. Virus was almost completely cleared from the heart by day 14. Serum biomarkers of cardiac damage and cardiac expression of remodeling genes were temporarily elevated during the acute phase of disease. Cardiac CTGF gene upregulation was less prolonged in female CVB animals. In vivo electrophysiology studies at weeks 8 and 11 demonstrated that under baseline conditions ( i.e. in the absence of proarrhythmogenic drugs), ventricular arrhythmias could only be induced in CVB animals. The cumulative arrhythmia burden throughout the entire stimulation protocol was not significantly different between CVB and control groups.

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease. Despite advancements in diagnostic methods, the initial clinical presentation of IE remains a valuable asset. Therefore, the impact of clinical presentation on outcomes and its association with microorganisms and IE localization were assessed herein. Methods This retrospective study included 183 patients (age 68.9 ± 14.2 years old, 68.9% men) with definite IE at two tertiary care hospitals in Belgium. Demographic data, medical history, clinical presentation, blood cultures, imaging data and outcomes were recorded. Results In-hospital mortality rate was 22.4%. Sixty (32.8%) patients developed embolism, 42 (23%) shock, and 103 (56.3%) underwent surgery during hospitalization. Shock at admission predicted embolism during hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] 2.631, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.119–6.184, p = 0.027). A new cardiac murmur at admission predicted cardiac surgery (OR 1.949, 95% CI 1.007–3.774, p = 0.048). Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus predicted in-hospital mortality and shock (p = 0.005, OR 6.945, 95% CI 1.774–27.192 and p = 0.015, OR 4.691, 95% CI 1.348–16.322, respectively). Mitral valve and aortic valve IE predicted in-hospital death (p = 0.039, OR 2.258, 95% CI 1.043–4.888) and embolism (p = 0.017, OR 2.328, 95% CI 1.163–4.659), respectively. Conclusions In this retrospective study, shock at admission independently predicted embolism during hospitalization in IE patients. Moreover, a new cardiac murmur at admission predicted the need for cardiac surgery. This emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive initial clinical evaluation in combination with imaging and microbiological data, in order to identify high-risk IE patients early.

BACKGROUND:Psoriasis is associated with an increased mortality risk, with cardiovascular disease being the leading excess cause (in a dose-response manner with psoriasis severity). Statins have demonstrated a reduction in all-cause mortality with no excess of adverse events among the general population. The underuse of interventions in cardiovascular prevention, such as statins, for patients with psoriasis may be the result of an insufficient evaluation. OBJECTIVES:To provide the dermatologist with a tool for systematizing the treatment of dyslipidemia in psoriasis, which generally escapes the scope of dermatological practice, and to facilitate decision-making about the referral and treatment of patients. METHODS:The Psoriasis Task Force of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology performed this two-phase study to achieve a consensus and create recommendations on the use of statin therapy in patients with psoriasis. The first phase included a systematic review to identify a list of outline concepts and recommendations according to guidelines. The second phase consisted in a two-round Delphi study to evaluate those recommendations not literally taken from guidelines. RESULTS:A list of 47 concepts and recommendations to be followed by dermatologists involved in the treatment of patients with moderate-severe psoriasis was created. It included six main concepts about cardiovascular risk and psoriasis, six items related with the role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and the benefits of statin treatment in psoriasis patients, eight recommendations about how cardiovascular risk should be assessed, three on the role of non-invasive cardiovascular imaging, three on LDL-c thresholds, eight key points related to statin prescription, 10 on statin treatment follow-up and three on patient referral to another specialist. CONCLUSIONS:The application of this position statement (close final list of concepts and recommendations) will help dermatologists to manage dyslipidemia and help psoriasis patients to reduce their cardiovascular risk.

AimsThe aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date overview of gender differences or similarities in risk factor control and medical management in the Belgian CHD population.MethodsAll analyses are based on the ESC EORP EUROASPIRE IV and EUROASPIRE V (European Survey Of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention And Diabetes) surveys. Patients between 18 and 80 years old, hospitalised for a first or recurrent coronary event, were included in the survey.ResultsData were available for 10,519 patients, of which 23.9% were women. Women had a worse risk factor profile compared to men. Women were more physical inactive (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.19-1.44), had a higher prevalence of obesity (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.25-1.50) and had a worse LDL-C control (OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.36-1.70). Moreover, women were less likely to use ACE-I/ARBs (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76-0.94) and statins (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.70-0.90). In addition, little gender differences were found in patients' risk factor awareness, except on cholesterol awareness. Women were more aware about their total cholesterol levels (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.21-1.56).ConclusionDespite little to no gender differences in the management of CHD patients, women still have a worse risk factor profile, both in Belgian and in other European high-income countries.

Aims: Diagnostic work-up of athletes often reveals nonischaemic myocardial fibrosis, which is associated with cardiac dysfunction and malignant arrhythmias. Its isolated finding on magnetic resonance imaging is commonly attributed to preceding viral myocarditis. Previous murine studies have shown a negative effect of exercise early in the course of viral myocarditis. In this study, we investigate, for the first time, the impact of endurance exercise on myocardial fibrosis development and arrhythmogenicity in a murine viral myocarditis model. Methods & Results: Eleven-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=72) were randomised to 8 weeks of treadmill running (EEX) or without exercise (SED). After 2 weeks, animals received a single injection with either coxsackievirus B3 to induce acute viral myocarditis (CVB) or vehicle as control (PBS). Exercise resulted in a milder clinical disease course, with less weight loss and better preserved running capacity. In addition, mortality was lower in exercising myocarditis mice (11 vs. 27%), however without statistical significance (P=0.23). Exercise during myocarditis increased the occurrence of interstitial fibrosis (limited or extensive distribution) at sacrifice ( i.e. 6 weeks after inoculation)(82.4% in CVB-EEX vs. 56.3% in CVB-SED; P=0.049). Additionally, exercise enhanced development of perivascular and/or interstitial fibrosis with extensive distribution (64.7% & 64.7% in CVB-EEX vs. 50% & 31.3% in CVB-SED; P=0.048). CVB-EEX animals demonstrated more myocardial scars on average, albeit not significantly (1.9 vs. 1.2; P=0.19), with similar scar distribution. Despite manifest fibrotic remodelling, collagen and fibrogenetic genes were not upregulated in the myocarditis groups at the time of sacrifice. In vivo right ventricular programmed electrical stimulation showed comparable ventricular arrhythmia inducibility in the myocarditis groups (P>0.20). The longest arrhythmias and highest cumulative arrhythmia burden occurred in CVB-EEX, however, without reaching statistical significance when compared to CVB-SED (P=0.49). Conclusion: Endurance exercise during viral myocarditis enhances perivascular and interstitial fibrosis development, which may promote ventricular arrhythmogenicity.

Background: There is an unmet medical need for the early detection of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced cardiovascular (CV) adverse events due to a lack of adequate biomarkers. This study aimed to provide insights on the incidence of troponin elevations and echocardiographic dynamics during ICI treatment in cancer patients and their role as potential biomarkers for submyocardial damage. In addition, it is the first study to compare hs-TnT and hs-TnI in ICI-treated patients and to evaluate their interchangeability in the context of screening. Results: Among 59 patients, the mean patient age was 68 years, and 76% were men. Overall, 25% of patients received combination therapy. Although 10.6% [95% CI: 5.0–22.5] of the patients developed troponin elevations, none experienced a CV event. No significant changes were found in 3D left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction nor in global longitudinal strain f (56 ± 6% vs. 56 ± 6%, p = 0.903 and −17.8% [−18.5; −14.2] vs. −17.0% [−18.8; −15.1], p = 0.663) at 3 months. There were also no significant changes in diastolic function and right ventricular function. In addition, there was poor agreement between hs-TnT and hs-TnI. Methods: Here, we present a preliminary analysis of the first 59 patients included in our ongoing prospective clinical trial (NCT05699915) during the first three months of treatment. All patients underwent electrocardiography and echocardiography along with blood sampling at standardized time intervals. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of elevated hs-TnT levels within the first three months of ICI treatment. Elevations were defined as hs-TnT above the upper limit of normal (ULN) if the baseline value was normal, or 1.5 ≥ times baseline if the baseline value was above the ULN. Conclusions: Hs-TnT elevations occurred in 10.6% of the patients. However, no significant changes were found on 3D echocardiography, nor did any of the patients develop a CV event. There were also no changes found in NT-proBNP. The study is still ongoing, but these preliminary findings do not show a promising role for cardiac troponins nor for echocardiographic dynamics in the prediction of CV events during the early stages of ICI treatment.

Background: The increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the treatment of both advanced and early stages of various malignancies has resulted in a substantial increase in the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The current follow-up guidelines are based on anecdotal evidence and expert opinions, due to a lack of solid data and prospective studies. As many questions remain unanswered, cardiac monitoring, in patients receiving ICIs, is not always implemented by oncologists. Hence, an urgent need to investigate the possible short- and long-term CV effects of ICIs, as ICI approval is continuing to expand to the (neo)adjuvant setting. Methods: We have initiated a prospective, multicenter study, i.e., the CAVACI trial, in which a minimum of 276 patients with a solid tumor, eligible for ICI treatment, will be enrolled. The study consists of routine investigations of blood parameters (troponin and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, in particular) and a thorough CV follow-up (electrocardiograms, transthoracic echocardiograms, and coronary calcium scoring) at fixed time points for a total period of two years. The primary endpoint is the cumulative incidence of troponin elevation in the first three months of ICI treatment, compared to baseline levels. Furthermore, secondary endpoints include incidence above the upper limit of normal of both troponin and NT-proBNP levels, evolution in troponin and NT-proBNP levels, the incidence of CV abnormalities/major adverse cardiac events, evaluation of associations between patient characteristics/biochemical parameters and CV events, transthoracic echocardiography parameters, electrocardiography parameters, and progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Recruitment of patients started in January 2022. Enrolment is ongoing in AZ Maria Middelares, Antwerp University Hospital, AZ Sint-Vincentius Deinze, and AZ Sint-Elisabeth Zottegem. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05699915, registered 26 January 2023.

Objective Autonomic disorders are common in chronic illness, and their symptoms may restrict the daily functioning of patients. However, in chronic heart failure, extensive knowledge about autonomic symptoms is still lacking. This study aims to explore self-perceived autonomic symptoms, associated factors, and their relationship with health-related quality of life in chronic heart failure. Methods One hundred and twenty-four patients with documented chronic heart failure (men and women; 50-86 years) and 124 sex and age-matched controls participated in this study. The participants filled validated questionnaires about autonomic symptom profile (COMPASS 31), fatigue (CIS, Checklist for individual strength), anxiety and depression (HADS, Hospital Anxiety and Depression), and health-related quality of life (SF36). Non-parametric statistics were performed to analyse the data. Results Total score for autonomic symptoms was higher in chronic heart failure compared to controls [Median: 14.9; IQR: 6.2-25.1 vs. 7.3; 0-18; p < 0.001], especially for orthostatic hypotension [Median: 8; IQR: 0-16 vs. 0; 0-12; p < 0.001], vasomotor [Median: 0; IQR: 0-0 vs. 0; 0-0; p < 0.001] and secretomotor function [Median: 0; IQR: 0-4.2 vs. 0; 0-2.1; p = 0.013]. High scores for autonomic symptoms were moderate correlated with higher scores of fatigue, anxiety and depression (0.343 <= rs >= 0.420; p < 0.001) and with decreased health-related quality of life (-0.454; p < 0.01). Conclusion Autonomic symptoms, especially for orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor and secretomotor subdomains, are prevalent and are associated with fatigue complaints and poor health-related quality of life in CHF.

Cardiac arrhythmias are associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiac electrophysiology studies (EPS) use intra-cardiac catheter recording and stimulation for profound evaluation of the heart's electrical properties. The main clinical applica-tion is investigation and treatment of rhythm disorders. These techniques have been translated to the murine setting to open opportunities for detailed evaluation of the impact of different characteristics (including genetics) and interventions on cardiac electrophysiology and-pathology. Currently, a detailed description of the technique of murine transjugular EPS (which is the standard route of catheter introduction) is lacking. This article provides detailed information on EPS in mice via the transjugular route. This includes catheter placement, stimulation protocols, intracardiac tracing interpretation, artifact reduction, and surface ECG recording. In addition, reference values as obtained in C57BL/6N mice are presented for common electrophysiological pa-rameters. This detailed methodological description aims to increase accessibility and standardization of EPS in mice. Ultimately, also human research and patient care may benefit from translation of the knowledge obtained in preclinical models using this technique. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Electrophysiology studies (EPS) allow in-depth evaluation of cardiac electrophysiology and-pathology. These techniques have been adapted to the murine setting for (translational) studies, mainly focusing on arrhythmogenesis. Despite the frequent application of EPS via the transjugular route, a thorough description of the technique is currently lacking. This article aims to function as a comprehensive guide, also elaborating (for the first time) on nonsurgical aspects such as cathe-ter positioning, tracing artifacts, stimulation protocols, and reference values.

AIMSMost patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at very high risk for developing recurrent events. Since this risk varies a lot between patients there is a need to identify those in whom an even more intensive secondary prevention strategy should be envisaged. Using data from the EUROASPIRE IV and V cohorts of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients from 27 European countries, we aimed at developing and internally and externally validating a risk model predicting recurrent CVD events in patients aged < 75 years.METHODS AND RESULTSProspective data were available for 12 484 patients after a median follow-up time of 1.7 years. The primary endpoint, a composite of fatal CVD or new hospitalizations for non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, heart failure, coronary artery bypass graft, or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), occurred in 1424 patients. The model was developed based on data from 8000 randomly selected patients in whom the association between potential risk factors and the incidence of the primary endpoint was investigated. This model was then validated in the remaining 4484 patients. The final multivariate model revealed a higher risk for the primary endpoint with increasing age, a previous hospitalization for stroke, heart failure or PCI, a previous diagnosis of peripheral artery disease, self-reported diabetes and its glycaemic control, higher non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, reduced renal function, symptoms of depression and anxiety and living in a higher risk country. The model demonstrated excellent internal validity and proved very adequate in the validation cohort. Regarding external validity, the model demonstrated good discriminative ability in 20 148 MI patients participating in the SWEDEHEART register. Finally, we developed a risk calculator to estimate risks at 1 and 2 years for patients with stable CHD.CONCLUSIONIn patients with CHD, fatal and non-fatal rates of recurrent CVD events are high. However, there are still opportunities to optimize their management in order to prevent further disease or death. The EUROASPIRE Risk Calculator may be of help to reach this goal.

ABSTRACT Background/Aim To provide longitudinal data on the evolution of lipid levels and the intake of lipid-lowering therapies in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Methods Single-centre retrospective study with inclusion of 350 patients with a first coronary artery event in 2014 or earlier and outpatient cardiac clinic follow-up in 2015 and 2019. Lipid levels were collected within a time frame of 3 months of their visits. This retrospective study protocol (2020.086) was approved by the ethical committee and by the Data Privacy Officer of AZ Maria Middelares Ghent. For this type of study, formal consent is not required, following local law and regulations. Results Average LDL levels were 82 (±26) mg/dl in 2015 and 70 (±24) mg/dl in 2019 (p < 0.001). Most patients included were already on statin treatment before inclusion in the trial (94%), with a significant increase in high-intensity statin use (45% vs. 58%) after a 5-year follow-up. At the same time, we observed a significant increase in ezetimibe use (in combination with statin therapy or in monotherapy) (8% vs. 22%) during follow-up. LDL ≤70 mg/dl was 34% in 2015 and 53% in 2019. LDL ≤55 mg/dl was 13% in 2015 and 28% in 2019. Conclusion This study shows significant intensification of lipid-lowering therapy use during follow-up, and a significant lipid level lowering after 5-year follow-up, in an outpatient cardiac clinic follow-up. Further improvement in lipid control is still desirable, especially after the European Society of Cardiology recommend stricter lipid levels in the 2021 Prevention Guidelines.

Objective: To evaluate real-life lipid and blood pressure (BP) control in a contemporary Belgian population sample treated with at least one lipid-lowering and one antihypertensive drug. Design and method: Data was collected through GP questionnaires on 2337 subjects (ATHERO STUDY). Results: A complete set of relevant clinical variables was available for 1706 subjects (61.5% men; mean age 67.9 ± 10.9 years; mean BMI 28.4 ± 4.9 kg/m2), in which CVD, CAD, DM and renal insufficiency were reported respectively in 34.0%; 22.2%, 37.5% and 6.6% of cases. Based on the 2016 EAS/ESC guidelines for the management of dyslipidemias, 68.8% of subjects were classified as very high risk (VHR) and 10.9% as high-risk (HR). Despite the majority (almost 70%) taking > 1 antihypertensive drug, BP was uncontrolled in 44.0% (using the 140/90 mmHg threshold), without clear differences in control across risk strata. Treatment targets from the 2016 LDL-cholesterol guidelines were met in only 24.4% of VHR and 45.7% of HR subjects. For the new LDL-cholesterol targets 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidemias (which came after the data collection) this would be 10.1% and 11.7%% respectively. GP’s estimated adequate BP control in 69.2% and LDL-cholesterol control in 63.4% of cases. Combined BP and LDL-cholesterol control was achieved in 16.1% of VHR and 26.9% of HR subjects. In the VHR group there was a clear gender disparity (11.7% of women compared to 18.6% of men) in achieving adequate combined control. More striking, combined control in those VHR subjects with a clinical condition (1040/1174 subjects) was 17.9% whilst in those with VHR due to risk factor combinations this was only 2.2%. Use of combination lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drug combinations was low (1.8%) whilst 66.5% of subjects were potential candidates. Conclusions: In GP practices, target achievement was very low for BP and even more so for LDL-cholesterol prevention targets amongst VHR patients, especially in those associated to risk factor combinations rather than more easily recognizable clinical conditions. There was a clear disparity between GPs’ estimates of risk factor control/target achievement and real-life figures in GP practices.

BACKGROUND:Stroke is a major concern in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The introduction of a cerebral protection devices may counteract the evolution towards minimally invasive TAVR. At this time, there is insufficient data to support the routine use of these devices. METHODS:We aimed to evaluate the outcome of the routine use of the Sentinel Cerebral protection system® (CPS) in patients undergoing TAVR, after completing a CT-based screening process for feasibility of Sentinel implantation. We report our initial experience with the routine implementation of the Sentinel CPS in all anatomically suitable patients undergoing TAVR. We retrospectively compared the procedural characteristics and outcomes between all TAVR patients treated with (n = 78) and without (n = 79) intended Sentinel. RESULTS:The Sentinel CPS could successfully be deployed in 99% of intended cases after CT feasibility screening. TAVR procedures with Sentinel CPS were not longer than procedures without Sentinel use (89 ± 20 versus 120 ± 50 min, p = 0.007). Sentinel CPS use was not associated with an increased risk of procedural complications. Stroke was observed in none (0%) of the Sentinel CPS patients, and in 6.3% of the non-Sentinel CPS patients (p = 0.05). The finding of stroke was associated with a high risk of early postprocedural mortality: 60% of stroke patients died within 3 months. CONCLUSION:Routine use of the Sentinel CPS in CT-screened TAVR patients is feasible with high procedural success, without significant adverse events and without counteracting the evolution towards minimally invasive TAVR. Clinically relevant stroke was observed in none of the Sentinel CPS patients.

The aim of this review is to provide the clinical cardiologist and nuclear medicine specialist a brief overview of the currently accepted clinical use of cardiac nuclear imaging for the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure based on recent (2012-2015) European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. We used the most recent ESC guidelines on heart failure, management of stable coronary artery disease, cardiac pacing, myocardial revascularisation, non-cardiac surgery and ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Nowadays cardiac nuclear imaging is useful in almost every step in heart failure from diagnostics to treatment. In first diagnosis of heart failure radionuclide imaging can provide information on ventricular function and volumes and nuclear imaging techniques provide accurate and reproducible left ventricular function assessment. In work out of the aetiology of the heart failure CMR, SPECT and PET imaging can demonstrate presence of inducible ischemia and myocardial viability. For prognostic information MIBG might be promising in the future. In treatment planning cardiac nuclear imaging is important to evaluate new angina and to assess accurate left ventricular ejection fraction before cardiac resynchronization therapy. Imaging stress testing is useful in the preoperative evaluation for non-cardiac surgery of heart failure patients. There is until now no recommended place for cardiac nuclear imaging in the follow-up of heart failure patients or prior to the initiation of cardiac rehabilitation.