684 Cardiac troponins and adverse outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EORP atrial fibrillation general long-term registry

Aims Cardiac troponins (cTn) have been reported to be predictors for adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF), patients, but their actual use is still unclear. To assess the factors associated with cTn testing in routine clinical practice and to evaluate the association of elevated levels of cTn with adverse outcomes in a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients. Methods and results Patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry were stratified into three groups according to cTn levels as (i) cTn not tested, (ii) cTn in range (≤99th percentile), and (iii) cTn elevated (>99th percentile). The composite outcome of any thromboembolism/any acute coronary syndrome (ACS)/cardiovascular (CV) death, defined as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause death were the main endpoints. 10 445 (94.1%) AF patients were included in this analysis [median age 71 years, interquartile range (IQR): 63–77; males 59.7%]. cTn were tested in 2834 (27.1%). Overall, cTn was elevated in 904 (8.7%) and in-range in 1930 (18.5%) patients. Patients in whom cTn was tested tended to be younger (P < 0.001) and more frequently presenting with first detected AF and atypical AF-related symptoms (i.e. chest pain, dyspnoea, or syncope) (P < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex, in-hospital enrollment, first-detected AF, CV risk factors, history of coronary artery disease (CAD), and atypical AF symptoms were independently associated with cTn testing. After a median follow-up of 730 days (IQR: 692–749), 957 (9.7%) composite endpoints occurred while all-cause death was 9.5%. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a higher cumulative risk for both outcomes in patients with elevated cTn levels (Figure) (Log Rank tests, P < 0.001). On adjusted Cox regression analysis, elevated levels of cTn were independently associated with a higher risk for MACE [hazard ratio (HR): 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40–2.16] and all-cause death (HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21–1.74). Elevated levels of cTn were independently associated with a higher occurrence of MACE, all-cause death, any ACS, CV death and hospital readmission even after the exclusion of patients with history of CAD, diagnosis of ACS at discharge, those who underwent coronary revascularization during the admission and/or who were treated with oral anticoagulants plus antiplatelet therapy. Conclusions Elevated cTn levels were independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and adverse CV events, even after exclusion of CAD patients. Clinical factors that might enhance the need to rule out CAD were associated with cTn testing.

329 Heart failure predictive value of the electric risk score in patients suffering from thalassemia major

Aims Complications associated with iron accumulation were highly recurrent in thalassemia patients, who underwent frequent blood transfusions, in particular hemosiderotic cardiomyopathy which could lead to heart failure and arrhythmias. Nowadays, the better iron chelation therapy has improved cardiovascular morbidity in these patients; nevertheless, mild impairment should be seek for and eventually treated. The objective of our study was to evaluate the possibility of using early electrocardiographic markers of myocardial damage and predictors of mortality, such as the Electric Risk Score (ERS). Methods and results 73 patients with thalassemia major were enrolled in this study, which were divided into two groups, with 45 years old as cut off. Anamnestic, clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic data were collected. From ECG, ERS was obtained. over 45 yrs-old group of pts, in addition to a predictable increase in the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and drug intake, an alteration of the QRS-T angle (14[30] vs. −4[28], p value: <0.0001) and an increased prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (2.88 ± 0.86 vs. 2.40 ± 0.57 p value: <0.05) were found. In patients taking drugs with possible interactions with the ventricular repolarization phase, there is a slight increase in the QT interval, left ventricular hypertrophy and a reduction in Tpeak-Tend (Table 1). Electrocardiographic values in groups of patients with different age groups who are taking therapies that can affect QT. The echocardiogram revealed an increase in the end-diastolic diameter of the right ventricle (26 ± 3 vs. 28 ± 3 mm, P-value: 0.05) in the group of patients over the age of 45, a decrease in the acceleration time of the pulmonary systolic flow (138 ± 25 vs. 125 ± 13 ms, P-value: 0.04) and TAPSE (25 ± 3 vs. 22 ± 4 mm, P-value: 0.002). Conclusions From the data in our study it emerged that an appropriate iron-chelation therapy is able to effectively counteract the hemosiderotic cardiomyopathy of thalassemic patients so as to detect electro- and echocardiographic anomalies only in patients of more advanced age, a result that we think both the consequence, not so much of iron overload, but of an increase in the prevalence of age- and gender-related cardiovascular risk factors. The initial changes in cardiac electromechanics, which can be assessed with the aforementioned methods, we believe, can become a very early sign of specific myocardial damage. 329 Figure 1Electrical risk score parameters.

277 Temporal trends of advanced 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography in trastuzumab treated patients

Aims Trastuzumab (TZ) is widely used for his key role in HER2 positive breast cancer. However, it may have different side effects on the cardiovascular system. One of the most concerning complication is cardiotoxicity. Many studies have highlighted the importance of the screening for subclinical myocardial dysfunction using left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). However, there are few studies investigating the left atrial function in relation to the development of early cardiac damage. Aim of this study is to analyse the modification of GLS and PALS in patients undergoing therapy with TZ in a follow-up period of 12 months. The eventual fluctuation of left atrial function under chemotherapy was evaluated and the correlation between subclinical atrial disfunction and early left ventricular impairment was searched. Methods One hundred and five women affected by non-metastatic HER-2 positive breast cancer treated with TZ were enrolled. Each patient underwent a complete echocardiography every 3 months, for a total of five exams pro patient. Thirty-seven patients (35%) were excluded from the left atrial function analysis while LV function evaluation was performed in 83 patients (21%). Exclusion criteria were poor quality imaging and lack of a complete Follow-up with consequent missing data. 2D-Speckle tracking analysis was performed at baseline and at each examination using Tomtec software in order to analyse both atrial and left ventricular function. Subclinical LV disfunction was defined as a GLS reduction of ≥ 15% compared to the baseline value. Left atrial impairment was arbitrary defined as a PALS reduction of ≥ 25% compared to the initial value. Finally, trends of GLS and PALS during 12 months-Follow-up periods were analysed. Results A total of 48.9% patients developed subclinical LV dysfunction. Similarly, 48.3% patients showed a left atrial impairment. Interestingly a significant (P = 0.0001) reduction in GLS was observed during the follow-up, particularly in the first 6 months of treatment. PALS showed a similar trend with a significant decrease during the whole 12 months-follow-up (P = 0.0001) and mostly in the first 6 months. Only 11% patients showed a significant reduction of LVEF defined as an absolute reduction of LVEF >10% from baseline. Conclusions In HER 2 positive breast cancer patients treated with Trastuzumab development of left atrial impairment in not uncommon and PALS modifications follow a similar pattern to GLS variations during the treatment course, suggesting a possible cardiotoxic effect of such therapy on both atrial and left ventricular myocardium and physiology. However, the potential role of an early atrial impairment detection in predicting subsequent cardiotoxicity in terms of significant LVEF reduction still needs to be tested with further studies.

494 Glycoprotein IIB/IIIA inhibitors may modulate the clinical benefit of radial access as compared to femoral access in primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta-regression and a meta-analysis of randomized trials

Aims Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) consistently reported better clinical outcomes with radial as compared to femoral access for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Nevertheless, heterogeneous use of potent antiplatelet drugs, such as Gp IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI), across different studies could have biased the results in favour of radial access. We performed an updated meta-analysis and meta-regression of RCTs in order to appraise whether the use of GPI had an impact on pooled estimates of clinical outcomes according to vascular access. Methods and results We computed pooled estimates by the random effects model for the following outcomes: mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and target vessel revascularization), and major bleedings. Additionally, we performed meta-regression analysis to investigate the impact of GPI use on pooled estimates of clinical outcomes. We analysed 14 randomized controlled trials and 11 090 patients who were treated by radial (5497) and femoral access (5593), respectively. Radial access was associated with better outcomes for mortality [risk difference 0.01 (0.00, 0.01), P = 0.03], MACE [risk difference 0.01 (0.00, 0.02), P = 0.003], and major bleedings [risk difference 0.01 (0.00, 0.02), P = 0.02]. At meta-regression, we observed a significant correlation of mortality with both GPI use (P = 0.011) and year of publication (P = 0.0073), whereas no correlation was observed with major bleedings. Conclusions In this meta-analysis, the use of radial access for primary PCI was associated with better clinical outcomes as compared to femoral access. However, the effect size on mortality was modulated by GPI rate, with greater benefit of radial access in studies with larger use of these drugs.

759 Platypnoea orthodeoxia syndrome following middle-lower bilobectomy: a case report

Aims PlatypneaOrthodeoxiasyndrome (POS) is a rare clinical condition characterized by dyspnoea and arterial desaturation, typically occurring in orthostatism and vanishing in a supine position. The real pathophysiologic triggers are still not completely understood. Methods and results In January 2021, a 76-year-old female patient was admitted to our department for the management of a large mass in the right lung (69 × 54 × 76 cm). Pre-operative Computed Tomography (CT)-scan showed a lesion of the right lower lobe, with suspected infiltration of posterior costal pleura and bronchoscopy revealed distal occlusion of intermedious bronchus. Surgical treatment was planned: extrapleural lower bilobectomy with the removal of the VI rib to reduce intracavity space was performed, using postero-lateral thoracotomy approach. On the third post-operative day, an acute neurologic deficit with left-sided paralysis, associated with desaturation and hypotension, occurred during a new attempt to mobilize the patient. Nonetheless the patient showed complete resolution of symptoms in supine position. A new similar episode of severe desaturation (SO2 80%) was observed in the 7th post-operative day. Arterial blood gas test showed PO2 37 mmHg; PCO2 27 mmHg; SO2 80.3%, pH 7.61, tHb 12.4 g/dl; O2Hb 78.4%. CT pulmonary angiography excluded a suspicious of pulmonary embolism. A right to left atrial shunt was suspected. Contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler ultrasound showed microembolic signals in the basal cerebral arteries. Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed, confirming an interatrial septum with an exuberant hyperdynamic movement and showing an abundant passage of contrast from the right atrium to the left, even without the Valsalva manoeuvre, compatible with an important patent foramen ovale (PFO). Patient was referred to the cardiac Catheterization Laboratory for percutaneous closure of PFO. The device was successfully placed via right femoral venous catheter access and on transesophageal echocardiogram guidance. The procedure was performed without any complications. The implanted device was noted to be in a stable position with trivial residual inter-atrial shunting immediately after the procedure. The day after implantation, positional discomfort improved remarkably and the patient was able to stand-up with no symptoms, maintaining normal saturation (SaO2 100%). The patient was discharged and sent home on the third post-implantation day. The 4 month follow-up examination showed a good andstable condition. Conclusions Platypnoea Orthodeoxia Syndrome after lobectomy is a rare cause of postoperative dyspnoea/hypoxia.It is the result of right-to-left shunt via interatrial communication. Mediastinal relocation, stretching of the atrial septum are among the functional elements necessary for the clinical manifestations. It is essential to have a high index of suspicion to detect POS in patient with dyspnoea given the subtle and positional nature of the symptoms. Physicians should always consider POS in patients with unexplained dyspnoea; hence the treatment modalities could alleviate symptoms and be potentially curative.

53 Exercise oxygen kinetic in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: results from a multicentre cardiopulmonary exercise testing study

Aims Reduced cardiac output (CO) has been considered crucial in symptoms’ genesis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We evaluated the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) response in HCM focusing on parameters strongly associated with stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO), such as oxygen uptake (VO2) and O2-pulse, considering both their absolute values and temporal behaviour during physical exercise. Methods and results We enrolled 312 non-end stage HCM patients, divided according to left ventricle outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) at rest or during Valsalva manoeuver (72% with LVOTO < 30; 10% between 30 and 49; and 18% ≥50 mmHg). Peak VO2 (percent of predicted), O2-pulse, and ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope did not change across LVOTO groups. Ninety-six (31%) HCM patients presented an abnormal O2-pulse temporal behaviour, irrespective of LVOTO values. These patients showed lower peak systolic pressure, workload (106 ± 45 vs. 130 ± 49 W), VO2 (74 ± 17% vs. 80 ± 20%) and O2-pulse (12 [9–14] vs. 14 [11–17]ml/beat), with higher VE/VCO2 slope (28 [25–31] vs. 27 [24–31]) (P < 0.005 for all). Only two patients had an abnormal VO2/work slope. Conclusions None of CPET parameters, either as absolute values or dynamic relationships, were associated with LVOTO. Differently, an abnormal O2-pulse exercise behaviour, which is strongly related to inadequate SV during exercise, correlates with reduced functional capacity (peak and anaerobic threshold VO2 and workload) and increased VE/VCO2 slope, helping identifying more advanced disease irrespectively of LVOTO. Adding O2-pulse kinetics evaluation to standard CPET could lead to a potential incremental benefit in terms of HCM prognostic stratification and, then, therapeutic management.

180 Cognitive disorders in takotsubo syndrome: incidence, short, and long term outcome. Results from a prospective multi-centre registry

Aims Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute and reversible left ventricular dysfunction, whose pathophysiological mechanisms are not completely known. There are evidence suggesting a possible link between neurological disease and TTS. Aim of the study was to evaluate incidence and prognostic value of cognitive neurological disorders among TTS patients. Methods and results 379 consecutive patients were enrolled in a prospective multicentre registry. History, clinical features, echocardiographic parameters, in-hospital complications and long-term Follow-up events of all patients were recorded. Cognitive neurological disorders included Alzheimer disease, old age dementia and cognitive impairment for other causes. Prevalence of cognitive neurological disorders among TTS patients was 5.5% (num = 21). Among this subset of patients 48% (num = 10) had Alzheimer syndrome, 24% (num = 5) old age dementia and 28% (num = 6) cognitive impairment for other causes. Compared to the control group, these patients were older (81 ± 5 vs. 71 ± 12, P = 0.01) and predominantly men (24% vs. 9%, P = 0.01). No differences in term of cardiovascular risk factors and left ventricular ejection fraction at admission and discharge were found among the two groups. TTS patients with cognitive neurological disorders experienced higher rate of in-hospital complications (62% vs. 28%, P = 0.01), that were mainly driven by higher rate of pulmonary oedema (14% vs. 9%, P = 0.01), cardiogenic shock (29% vs. 8%, P = 0.01), death (24% vs. 4% P = 0.01), ischaemic stroke (10% vs. 4%, P = 0.01), and left ventricular thrombi (10% vs. 3%, P = 0.01). At long-term follow-up patients with cognitive neurological disorders when compared to those without, experienced higher rate of mayor cardiovascular events (48% vs. 16%, P = 0.01), cardiovascular re-hospitalization (14% vs. 10%, P = 0.01) and death (43% vs. 9%, P = 0.01). Conclusions TTS patients with cognitive neurological disorders had an increased risk of in and out of hospital mayor cardiac adverse events and mortality at short and long-term follow-up.

813 The added value of transthoracic three dimensional echocardiography in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

We present the case of a 73-year-old patient with a recent diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). He was asymptomatic and has no family history of sudden cardiac death (SCD), syncope or ventricular arrhythmias. An echocardiogram performed at the moment of diagnosis (2020), showed left ventricular (LV) asymmetric apical hypertrophy with maximal wall thickness of 21 mm. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) confirmed LV apical hypertrophy with mid-ventricular obliteration, and late gadolinium enhancement in the apical segments, without wall motion abnormalities present at rest. According to 2014 ESC guidelines, his calculated risk score for sudden cardiac death was low (1.23% at 5 years). On 2021, a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic examination including advanced techniques (three-dimensional echo-3DE-, and two-dimensional speckle-tracking-2DSTE) was done as part of his routine follow-up in our cardiomyopathy outpatient clinic. The echo study showed an asymmetric pattern of LV hypertrophy with a maximal wall thickness of 21 mm at the level of the anterolateral apical segment, normal LV volumes (end-diastolic volume 55 mL/m2) and ejection fraction (69%) by 3DE. LV longitudinal strain analysis by 2DSTE showed impaired LV myocardial deformation mainly at the apical LV segments (GLS = −13.6%). There was evidence of dynamic intracavitary obstruction (maximal gradient 32 mmHg at rest and raised to 52 mmHg during Valsalva manoeuvre). 3DE views of the LV (both multi-slice display and 3D rendered image) allowed to avoid foreshortening of the LV apical views, and to appreciate the actual wall motion at the real LV apex. They revealed a LV apical aneurysm which was not detected in the conventional LV-focused apical 2D views (Figure 1A and B). Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is a variant of HCM that is characteristic of focal thickening of the LV apical myocardium and was reported to have a more benign course than other non-apical forms. However, the presence of LV aneurysm in ApHCM patients is associated with an increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death and thromboembolism. Accordingly, the detection of apical LV aneurysms has significant impact on patient management. Guidelines recommend the use of contrast echocardiography or CMR when the apical region of the LV is suboptimally visualized by conventional 2D echocardiography. However, contrast echocardiography may still be affected by apical foreshortening resulting in suboptimal accuracy, as it is a 2D technique. On the other end, CMR may be contraindicated or not widely available for routine yearly follow-up for all HCM patients requiring regular imaging follow-up. Our clinical case emphasizes the added value of 3DE to increase the sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography in detecting apical LV aneurysms in patients with apical HCM with important clinical implications for the management of the patient. 813 Figure 1(A) 2D 4chamber-view showing maximal wall thickness in the apical segments (21 mm) with apical obliteration. At a first evaluation, apical aneurism is not easily detected. (B) 4D rendering of the apex showing the apical aneurism.

551 Killip class predictors and prognostic role in acute myocardial infarction

Aims Killip classification is a simple and fast clinical tool for risk stratification in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, predictors of high Killip class at admission and its prognostic impact in the clinical contest of myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary artery (MINOCA) are still poorly known. To identify the clinical predictors of high Killip class and its potential prognostic role on in-hospital and follow-up outcomes in patients with MINOCA compared to patients with myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery (MIOCA). Methods and results We included all consecutive patients with myocardial infarction (MI) undergoing coronary angiogram between 2016 and 2019 at our hospital. According to 2016 ESC Position Paper criteria, we considered as MINOCA all patients with acute MI and with the angiographic conventional cut-off of < 50% coronary stenosis without clinically apparent alternative diagnosis (e.g. sepsis, stroke, pulmonary embolism, myocarditis, and Tako-tsubo). We analysed Killip class of MINOCA patients comparing with those of MIOCA (coronary stenosis ≥50%). Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves were developed for the comparison of overall-mortality among MINOCA with high Killip class (major than 1) compared to other. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of high Killip class both in the MINOCA and MIOCA populations. Among 3165 MI, 260 patients fulfilled the 2016 ESC criteria for MINOCA. Overall, 62.3% were males and the mean age was 68.6 ± 13.2 years. The median follow-up time was 23.3 ± 14.5 months. Killip class >1 occurred in 24 patients in MINOCA group and 507 in MIOCA group (17.5% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.001). The KM survival distributions were significantly different across Killip class >1 (P < 0.001) in both populations with higher mortality in patients with higher Killip class. Finally, the multivariate logistic regression showed that the predictors of high Killip class at time of presentation in MIOCA population were older age [odds ratio: 1.04, 95% CI: (1.03–1.06), P < 0.001], diabetes [odd ratio 0.63, 95% CI (0.48–0.81), P < 0.001], ST elevation [odds ratio: 0.65, 95% CI (0.48–0.89), P = 0.008], left ventricle ejection fraction [odds ratio: 0.95, 95% CI (0.94–0.96), P < 0.001], and elevated cardiac troponin [odds ratio: 1.00, 95% CI (1.00–1.00), P = 0.01]. Older age [odds ratio: 1.08, 95% CI (1.03–1.14), P = 0.003], ST elevation [odd ratio 0.14, 95% CI (0.02–0.93), P = 0.042], and diabetes [odd ratio 3.60, 95% CI (1.08–1.96), P = 0.037] were predictors of high Killip class in MINOCA, however left ventricle ejection fraction (P = 0.3) and elevated cardiac troponin (P = 0.6) did not predict the high Killip class in MINOCA patients. Conclusions Our data suggest that Killip classification performed at the time of admission is a useful clinical marker of a high risk of early and late adverse cardiovascular events even in patients with MINOCA. The predictors of the high Killip class at time of presentation in MIOCA were older age, diabetes, ST elevation, left ventricle ejection fraction, and elevated cardiac troponin. Older age, ST elevation, and diabetes were predictors of high Killip class even in MINOCA, however left ventricle ejection fraction and elevated cardiac troponin did not predict the high Killip class in MINOCA patients. These results could reflect the different pathogenetic myocardial damage in MINOCA and MIOCA populations. Further studies are needed to evaluate these pathological mechanisms.

585 Natural history of left ventricular hypertrophy in infants of diabetic mothers

Aims This study sought to describe the characteristics and the natural course of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in a well-characterized consecutive cohort of infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). Methods and results Sixty consecutive IDMs with LVH have been retrospectively identified and enrolled in the study. All IDMs were evaluated at baseline and every 6 months until LV wall thickness regression, defined as the decrease of wall thickness measurement into the normal reference range for cardiac parameters (z-score > −2 and <2). A comprehensive assessment was performed in those patients with diagnostic markers suggestive of a different cause and/or without significant reduction of the LVH during follow-up. At 1-year follow-up, all IDMs showed a significant reduction of maximal wall thickness MWT [6.00 mm (IQR: 5.00–712) vs. 5.50 mm (IQR: 5.00–6.00), P-value <0.001; MWT-z-score: 4.86 (IQR: 3.93–7.61) vs. 1.72 (IQR: 1.08–2.85), P-value <0.001] compared to baseline, and all patients showed LV wall thickness regression or residual mild or moderate LVH (57%, 28%, and 12%, respectively), except two patients with persistent severe LVH, that after a comprehensive clinical-genetic assessment were diagnosed as Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines. At multivariate analysis, MWT was negatively associated with LV wall thickness regression at 1-year follow-up [MWT-mm: OR: 0.48 (0.29–0.79), P-value = 0.004; MWT-z-score: OR: 0.71 (0.56–0.90), P-value = 0.004]. Conclusions LVH in IDMs represents a benign condition with complete regression during the first years of life. In those patients without LV wall thickness regression, combined with clinical markers suggesting a specific disease, a complete work-up is required for a definite diagnosis.