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Showing 10 of 107875 citations.

Functional and prognostic value of mitral regurgitation assessment during exercise stress echocardiography
Zagatina, A, Ciampi, Chirino, D'alfonso, M G, Kalinina, E, Arbucci, R, Merli, Elisa , Saad, A S Ariel, Rodriguez-Zanella, H R Hugo, Padang, Ratnasari , Kane, G C, Pellikka, P A, Picano, Eugenio, Bursi, Francesca , Zagatina, A, Ciampi, Quirino , D'Alfonso, M G, Boshchenko, A , Kalinina, Elena , Arbucci, Rosina , Pálinkás, Attila , Rodríguez‐Zanella, Hugo , Kane, Garvan C. , Pellikka, Patricia A.

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.116 Get It

Abstract Background Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is recommended in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) when resting echocardiographic findings and symptoms do not align. However, the role of MR assessment in patients undergoing ESE for any indication remains uncertain. Purpose This study aimed to investigate whether the assessment of MR during ESE provides prognostic value beyond the evaluation of inducible regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) in patients undergoing ESE for any clinical indication, including suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Data were analyzed from a large multicenter and multinational prospective study. Current analysis included patients who underwent ESE for any indication and had MR (from 0= absent, to 3= severe) assessed at rest and peak exercise with an integrated qualitative, semi-quantitative, and (in selected cases) quantitative assessment. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results Of 1,351 included patients (age 56±16 years; 66% women; 30% with known CAD). MR score increased during exercise (rest=0.74±0.7 vs. peak=0.89±0.8, p<0.001), with severe MR present in 2% of patients at rest and 7% at peak ESE. Patients with severe MR during exercise (n=96, Group 1) compared to those with non-severe MR during exercise (n=1255, Group 2) showed more B-lines, lower left ventricular contractile and chronotropic reserve, and trend (p=0.09) to more frequent decrease in ejection fraction during ESE (Table 1). After a median follow-up of 2.1 years (IQR 1.0–6.9), 99 patients (7%) had died. Severe MR at rest was associated with increased mortality (log-rank p<0.001). Patients with severe MR at peak ESE had a higher risk of death compared to the other patients (log-rank p 0.035) (Figure 1). After adjusting for age, CAD, and inducible RWMA, severe MR with exercise remained strongly associated with an increased risk of death (adjusted-HR: 2.2, 95%CI 1.3-3.8, p=0.002). Similar results were seen with further adjustment for rest MR severity (adjusted-HR:1.9, 95%CI 1.02-3.5, p=0.004). Conclusion Patients, with and without CAD, with severe MR during ESE have greater functional impairment expressed by more pulmonary congestion, blunted heart rate reserve, and lower left ventricular contractile reserve. The assessment of MR during ESE provides significant prognostic information, independent of resting RWMA or inducible ischemia. Incorporating MR evaluation into routine ESE protocols may improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.Fig 1 Survival by MR at peak exercise Table 1
Rilonacept as monotherapy for long-term recurrent pericarditis management: sustained disease control over three years
Lotan, D., Imazio, M, Klein, A L, Brucato, A, Abbate, Antonio, Arad, Ariela , Cremer, P C, Luis, S A, Wang, S, Curtis, Allison , Clair, JoAnn , Paolini, J F, Cremer, Paul , Cremer, Paul C , Lotan, Dor , Imazio, Massimo , Brucato, Antonio , Abbate, Antonio , Arad, A, Paolini, John Frank

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.2783 Get It

Abstract Background Recurrent pericarditis (RP) predominantly shows features consistent with IL-1-mediated chronic autoinflammatory disease (1-4). A recent analysis suggested that supplementing anakinra with colchicine incrementally reduced pericarditis recurrence vs. anakinra alone (5). Rilonacept (a weekly IL-1α and IL-1β cytokine trap with 6-week washout) prevents engagement with IL-1 receptor, inhibiting both IL-1α and IL-1β activity (6). The Phase 3 trial RHAPSODY demonstrated rilonacept efficacy in two independent analyses: Randomized Withdrawal (RW) and Long-Term Extension (LTE) periods (7,8). Purpose Assess long-term recurrence-free persistence with rilonacept as monotherapy in pts with RP during the combined RW and LTE periods of RHAPSODY. Methods Post-hoc analysis. Freedom from recurrence on rilonacept monotherapy was quantified using the Kaplan-Meier (KM) method from RW start (if randomized to rilonacept) or from initiation of bailout rilonacept (if randomized to placebo) until the end of treatment. Prespecified recurrence adjudication criteria were pericarditis pain (numerical rating scale [NRS]) ≥4 plus C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥1 mg/dL. Per RHAPSODY protocol, background therapies were discontinued during the Run-In Period before randomization. In pts treated with rilonacept, concomitant colchicine was not added during the RW period. In the LTE, 6.8% (5/74) of pts added colchicine: one for 2 days of chest pain without CRP elevation, 4 in the absence of chest pain, CRP elevation, or recurrence; these 5 pts were censored in the KM curve at 6 days after last rilonacept dose or at colchicine initiation (whichever was first). One additional pt added colchicine prophylactically before an intentional rilonacept treatment interruption for elective cardiac surgery and experienced a recurrence after this interruption; this pt was not censored from the recurrence-free persistence analysis at colchicine initiation in order to capture this event. Results 74 pts (mean [SD] age 43.9 [15.7] years, 83.8% idiopathic pericarditis, mean [SD] disease duration 2.5 [3.2] years) were analyzed over three years. Rilonacept was well tolerated. Recurrence-free persistence was 95.9% (n=71/74) while receiving rilonacept as monotherapy (Figure 1). The three observed adjudicated recurrences were each associated with temporary interruptions of 1-3 doses of rilonacept. Conclusions Rilonacept as monotherapy provided recurrence-free persistence over the three-year trial duration when used continuously without interruption; pericarditis recurrences occurred only after interruptions. These findings support evidence-based use of rilonacept as monotherapy, minimizing the need for adjunctive treatments and reducing polypharmacy in long-term RP management. Further investigations are warranted to address how to assess pts as candidates for long-term treatment with rilonacept and when to cease rilonacept treatment.
Multicenter study on the effect of Mavacamten on pulmonary artery systolic pressure derived from echo-doppler in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Gegenava, M, Herry, M, Mao, C, Suppah, M, Abdalla, Hesham, Abraham, M R, Abraham, T P, Gegenava, Maka , Alsidawi, Said , Herry, Morgane

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.2626 Get It

Abstract Introduction Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart disease inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Studies have shown that novel first-in-class targeted myosin inhibitor-Mavacamten significantly improves LV diastolic function, systolic anterior motion measures, exercise capacity and left ventricular outflow (LVOT) obstruction in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). HCM primarily affects the left side of the heart, making pulmonary hypertension (PH) a common complication. However, the clinical significance and prognostic impact of PH in HCM are not yet fully understood. Purpose This study evaluated the effects of Mavacamten on echo-Doppler-derived pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) in oHCM patients. Methods 70 Adult patients (53% male, mean age 60±12 years) meeting the imaging criteria for oHCM and receiving Mavacamten treatment were identified. Baseline clinical and imaging characteristics were analyzed. The impact of Mavacamten on echo-Doppler-derived PASP was assessed. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-ups were conducted at a median of 12 weeks (IQR: 7–24 weeks) and 74 weeks (IQR: 38–97 weeks) after the baseline echocardiographic assessment. Results The mean PASP of the cohort was 32 ± 10 mmHg, with 39% of patients having PASP >30 mmHg. When stratified by baseline PASP (using a 30-mmHg cut-off ), patients with elevated PASP were older and had more pronounced diastolic dysfunction. At the first follow-up, PASP decreased from 33 ± 10 mmHg to 29 ± 6 mmHg, and at the second follow-up, it further decreased to 27 ± 9 mmHg (p < 0.001). PASP decrease was more pronounced in patients with elevated PASP at baseline (Figures 1, 2). When analyzing changes in echocardiographic parameters over time according to baseline PASP levels, the group with elevated PASP at baseline demonstrated more pronounced changes. While LVOT gradient changed significantly from baseline to both follow-ups in both the elevated and normal PASP groups, certain parameters of diastolic dysfunctions including the E/e' ratio, showed significant changes only in the elevated PASP group (Figure 1). We observed that in univariate regression analysis, age was significantly associated with elevated baseline PASP along with MR and echocardiographic parameters indicative of diastolic dysfunction such as left atrial volume index (LAVI), TR velocity, and E/e. In multivariate analysis TR velocity remained significantly associated with PASP (β=23.05, 95% CI 3.17 to 167.8; p=0.002), highlighting a significant relationship between diastolic dysfunction parameters and PASP. Conclusion This study demonstrates that Mavacamten therapy significantly improves echocardiographic parameters and reduces PASP in patients with oHCM, with particularly pronounced benefits in those with elevated baseline PASP. These findings highlight the potential of Mavacamten as a targeted therapy for addressing both LVOT obstruction and associated PH in oHCM.Changes of echocardiographic parameters PASP over time in oHCM
Increased epicardial adipose tissue is associated with reduced cardiac function and severe retinopathy in type 2 diabetes
Mahmod, M, Diamond, C, McNish-Millar, Dean, Bull, S, Borlotti, A, Wamil, G, Thala, L, Dennis, Andrea , Pattanshetty, R, Brears, H Thomaides, Banerjee, R, Hamilton, R, Diamond, Charlie , Bull, Sacha, Borlotti, Alessandra, Wamil, Gosia, Pattanshetty, Ravi, Thomaides-Brears, Helena B. , Banerjee, Rahul , Yeung, Ian Y. L. , Hamilton, Robin D

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.218 Get It

Abstract Introduction Epicardial fat is known to be elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the clinical significance of this fat deposition is not fully understood. Purpose We assessed the epicardial adipose tissue in patients with T2DM and diabetic retinopathy (DR) without history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) when compared to healthy controls, and assessed the associations with cardiac function and severity of retinopathy. Methods 101 T2DM patients without history of CVD who underwent eye assessment for stages of retinopathy and 92 healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the assessment of epicardial & pericardial adipose tissue, cardiac function (left ventricular ejection fraction – LVEF, and strain), native T1 mapping, liver fat and liver iron corrected T1 (cT1). Results When compared to controls, DR had increased epicardial adipose tissue, lower LVEF, indexed LV end-diastolic & stroke volumes, impaired global longitudinal & circumferential strains, increased myocardial T1, liver fat and liver cT1 (all adjusted for age, gender and BMI). There were no significant differences in left atrial size, LV wall thickness, pericardial fat in DR, compared to controls after adjustment for age, gender and BMI. Increased epicardial fat was associated with reduced global longitudinal strain and severe (proliferative) retinopathy. Conclusions Patients with T2DM and retinopathy have elevated epicardial fat which is associated with reduced cardiac function, and presence of advanced retinopathy. T2DM with retinopathy without history of CVD may have underlying cardiac diseases and therefore should be considered for further cardiac evaluation. Epicardial fat may be a potential risk marker and therapeutic target in T2DM.Demographics and MRI parameters Epicardial adipose tissue and strains
Survival in a contemporary, real-world, matched cohort of patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy treated vs not treated with tafamidis
Siepen, F Aus Dem, Dispenzieri, A, Hanna, M, Amass, Leslie, Marino, Valentina , Carlsson, Martin , Garcia-Pavia, P, Dispenzieri, Angela , Marino, V, Garcia-Pavia, Pablo

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.2696 Get It

Abstract Background Tafamidis (meglumine 80 mg/free acid 61 mg) is approved to treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). In the pivotal phase 3 study ATTR-ACT, tafamidis significantly reduced all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiovascular-related hospitalisations in patients with ATTR-CM (1). Real-world data further extend and support the benefit of long-term tafamidis for improving survival in contemporary patients with ATTR-CM (2). Purpose To further compare survival in a contemporary, real-world, pooled, matched cohort of patients with ATTR-CM treated vs not treated with tafamidis, adjusted for potential prognosticators of treatment effect. Methods Data were pooled from 2 studies. One study included a contemporary cohort of patients with ATTR-CM who received early access to tafamidis in the ATTR-ACT long-term extension (LTE) study but did not participate in the parent study. The other study included a contemporary cohort of patients from the Transthyretin Amyloidosis Outcomes Survey (THAOS; NCT00628745) with predominantly cardiac or mixed phenotype ATTR-CM enrolled between 2019–2023 who received tafamidis throughout the study or never received tafamidis. THAOS was a longitudinal, observational, phase 4 study of patients with transthyretin amyloidosis and asymptomatic gene carriers. Treated patients were pooled from the 2 studies; all received the approved dose of tafamidis. Untreated patients were from THAOS. A propensity score matching procedure was used to match treated and not treated patients 1:1 on 3 significant variables identified from a multivariate logistic regression analysis: baseline age, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and phenotype (cardiac, mixed); other variables considered were sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), follow-up time and modified body mass index (mBMI). Results In all, 566 patients (283 treated, 283 not treated) were included; 85 treated patients were from the LTE study and 198 were from THAOS. In treated and not treated patients, respectively, median age at enrolment was 78.0 and 78.7 years, and 89.0% and 83.4% were male (Table). The estimated adjusted survival probabilities for ACM for treated vs not treated patients were 78.0% vs 67.9% at 30 months and 70.2% vs 57.9% at 42 months (Figure). The hazard ratio (HR) for time to event for ACM was 0.62 (95% CI 0.41–0.92), favouring tafamidis. Conclusions This matched-cohort analysis showed better survival in a contemporary, real-world cohort of patients with ATTR-CM receiving the approved dose of tafamidis vs those not treated. These findings further extend results of ATTR-ACT to contemporary populations of patients with ATTR-CM treated clinically with tafamidis. These data show greater effectiveness of tafamidis for ATTR-CM in clinical practice than observed in earlier clinical trials, which may reflect earlier diagnosis and treatment in contemporary patients.
Quantitative SPECT/CT for diagnosis of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: a pathology-based study
Tersalvi, G, Carey, P, Garmany, A, Scott, C G, Homb, A C, Hoffman, A C, Zhang, J, Davies, D R, Askew, J W, Dispenzieri, A, Grogan, M, Chareonthaitawee, P, Johnson, G B, Bois, M C, Abouezzeddine, O F, Tersalvi, Gregorio , Carey, Patricia , Garmany, Armin , Scott, Christopher G. , Homb, Andrew, Davies, Daniel R. , Askew, J. Wells , Dispenzieri, Angela , Grogan, M, Chareonthaitawee, Panithaya , Johnson, Geoffrey B , Bois, Melanie C. , AbouEzzeddine, Omar F.

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.304 Get It

Abstract Background 99mTc-labelled cardiac scintigraphy enables noninvasive diagnosis of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). Guidelines recommend using planar semiquantitative (heart to contralateral ratio, H/CL) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) qualitative visual grading for diagnostic interpretation. However, planar imaging has inherent limitations, and visual grading is prone to interobserver variability, underscoring the need for standardized quantitative assessment. We developed a 3D volumetric quantitative score (3D Score) and assessed its diagnostic performance compared to myocardial tissue, the gold standard for ATTR-CM diagnosis. Methods At a single, tertiary referral center, we retrospectively identified consecutive patients from 06/2017 to 06/2024 who underwent 3-hour 99mTc-pyrophosphate or 99mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate planar and SPECT/CT for suspected ATTR-CM and had archived myocardial tissue (biopsy or myectomy). On planar imaging, H/CL was calculated. On SPECT/CT, volumes of interest were drawn around the entire left ventricle (LV), avoiding calcifications, and within the right atrium (RA) blood pool. Mean uptake values were used to calculate the 3D Score (LVmean:RAmean), Fig 1A. Myocardial tissue was stained via sulfated Alcian blue and/or Congo red histochemistry. Once histologically confirmed, amyloid deposits were subtyped by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The diagnostic performance of H/CL and 3D Score was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and predictive characteristics were defined. ROC areas under the curve (AUC) were compared using Delong test. Optimal cutoffs were determined using Youden’s J statistic. Baseline characteristics (demographics, echocardiogram, biomarkers) and H/CL were compared between patients above and below 3D Score cutoff. Results 239 patients were identified (median age 72 [65-78], 78% male, 46% ATTR positive). Median time between cardiac scintigraphy and myocardial tissue collection was 22 (6-65) days. Distribution of the 3D Score stratified by ATTR-CM status is illustrated in Fig 1B-C. The discriminative ability of the 3D Score was excellent (AUC 0.92) and superior to H/CL (0.87, p =0.006, Fig 1D-E). The optimal 3D Score cutoff for identifying ATTR-CM was ≥1.0 with sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 92%, positive predictive value (PPV) 90%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 89%. The optimal H/CL ratio cutoff for identifying ATTR-CM was ≥1.4 with sensitivity of 72%, specificity of 86%, PPV 81%, NPV 78%. Baseline characteristics of the overall cohort stratified by 3D Score are displayed in Table 1. Conclusions The 3D Score demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance for detecting ATTR-CM and was superior to current quantitative metrics. Future studies are needed to externally validate its performance across diverse patient cohorts and imaging centers and to investigate correlation with myocardial amyloid burden. Figure 1
Rilonacept reduces pericarditis recurrence risk: clinical outcomes from the RESONANCE patient registry
Cremer, P C, Garshick, Michael , Luis, S A, Raisinghani, Ajit, Weber, B., Rahme, S J, Salik, J R, Ryan, J J, Parameswaran, Vidhya , Clair, JoAnn , Curtis, Allison , Klein, A L, Paolini, J F, Cremer, Paul , Cremer, Paul C , Salik, Jonathan R. , Ryan, J.J., Paolini, John Frank

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.2784 Get It

Abstract Background Recurrent pericarditis (RP) is an IL-1-mediated chronic autoinflammatory disease (1,2). The phase 3 trial RHAPSODY demonstrated that rilonacept (IL-1α and IL-1β cytokine trap), the first and only FDA-approved treatment for RP, was effective in treating RP not only as a third-line agent (3L; after corticosteroids) but also as a second-line agent (2L; instead of corticosteroids) and reduced recurrence risk as monotherapy (3). The REgiStry Of the NAtural history of recurreNt periCarditis in pEdiatric and adult patients (RESONANCE) has been collecting long-term combined prospective and retrospective data from US-based pericardial-disease-dedicated programs since 2020 (4). Purpose To assess the efficacy of rilonacept in RP in a real-world setting, extending the clinical trial findings of RHAPSODY. Methods Database cut-off (DCO) was 05 February 2025. Data on RP management were collected and analyzed from pts with ≥2 years of observation in RESONANCE. Disease duration at DCO was defined as time from RP diagnosis to either disease resolution (no disease flares while off all RP treatments for ≥6 months before DCO) or last follow-up (for pts with ongoing treatment at DCO). Pericarditis recurrences (investigator-assessed) were confirmed based on RP symptom data and/or objective findings. Annualized recurrence rates were calculated per RP treatment regimen as total pericarditis recurrences divided by total patient-years (PY) while receiving that treatment. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was utilized to analyze the significance in change of annualized recurrence rates before and after rilonacept initiation. Results At DCO, 81 pts had ≥2 years of follow-up data in RESONANCE; mean (SD) age was 51.0 (16.8) years; most (66.7%) were female; 84% had idiopathic etiology; median (Q1-Q3) disease duration was 3.1 (2.6-3.7) years; and median observation was 2.93 (2.54-3.38) years. Patient-year treatment exposures per treatment were: NSAIDS ± colchicine (n=79; 187.8 PY), corticosteroids (n=30; 61.1 PY), anakinra (n=1; 1.2 PY) and rilonacept (n=35; 72.8 PY). Of the 35 pts treated with rilonacept for any duration (median observation: 3.2 years; median time on rilonacept: 2.08 years), the most common reason for rilonacept initiation was chest pain/recurrence on prior treatment (n=28). The annualized recurrence rate while receiving rilonacept was significantly lower versus all combined prior lines of treatment (4.00 vs. 0.02 events per PY; p=0.002); this outcome was consistent across line of treatment for rilonacept use (2L: 3.73 vs. 0.06 events per PY, p=0.02; 3L: 4.14 vs. 0 events per PY, p<0.001; Table 1). Conclusions This first report of real-world outcomes from RESONANCE shows that rilonacept-containing regimens for RP as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd line therapy reduced recurrence risk over long- term (>2 year) treatment, supporting prolonged management during RP natural history.
Performance of a deep learning ECG model in predicting atrial fibrillation among patients with implantable loop recorders
Estrada-Magana, Andres , Medina-Inojosa, J R, Sheffeh, M A, Ortega-Aviles, L M , Medina-Inojosa, Betsy, Bhyravajosyula, S C, Rabinstein, A A, Friedman, P A, Attia, I Z, Deshmukh, A J, Noseworthy, P A, Lopez-Jimenez, F, Medina‐Inojosa, José R. , Sheffeh, Mohammad Ali , Medina‐Inojosa, Betsy J. , Bhyravajosyula, Sri Charan, Rabinstein, Alejandro A. , Friedman, Paul A. , Attia, Zachi I. , Deshmukh, A J, Noseworthy, Peter A. , López-Jiménez, Francisco

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.4418 Get It

Abstract Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major contributor to stroke risk, yet many cases remain undiagnosed due to its silent nature. Deep learning-based electrocardiogram (DL-ECG) analysis can streamline AF risk stratification, providing a more reliable and accessible method to stratify risk using only a standard resting ECG. However, this tool has been validated only on AF detected clinically or with short ECG event monitors. Purpose This study aimed to validate the predictive accuracy of a DL-ECG model for identifying AF in normal sinus rhythm (NSR) ECGs among patients undergoing continuous cardiac monitoring with implantable loop recorders (ILRs). Methods We conducted a historical cohort study across three major U.S. academic medical centers, enrolling patients with an ILR and no prior diagnosis or documented ECG evidence of AF. Pre-implantation 10-second, 12-lead ECGs in NSR were analyzed using the DL-ECG model. Performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and compared with the CHARGE-AF score. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association between DL-ECG risk categories and incident AF, defined as any episode lasting ≥6 minutes. Results We included 2,523 patients (mean age 66 ± 17 years, 52% male). AF was detected in 658 (26%) over a median follow-up of 19 months (IQR 8-37), Table 1. The DL-ECG model classified 1,634 patients (65%) as at low-risk and 889 (35%) as at high-risk. AF developed in 242 (14.8%) of the low-risk group and 416 (46.8%) of the high-risk group, yielding an AUC of 0.73 (95% CI 0.70-0.75), surpassing the CHARGE-AF AUC of 0.69 (95% CI 0.66-0.71). A combined DL-ECG and CHARGE-AF model yielded an AUC of 0.74 (95% CI 0.72-0.76), Figure 1 presents the AUC, Net Reclassification Index, and DeLong test comparisons among the three models. High-risk patients had a significantly higher incidence of AF, which remained significant after adjusting for CHARGE-AF variables, Figure 2. AF incidence increased as DL-ECG quartiles increased, with 61% of patients at the top quartile developing AF during follow-up, Figure 3. False negatives (patients initially classified as low-risk but in whom later AF was detected) had a longer median time to AF detection (127 days [IQR 28-425] vs. 101 days [IQR 20-318] for true positives, p = 0.01), and where found to have at least one positive ECG during follow-up in 36%, compared to 32% of true negatives, indicating eventual risk reclassification. Conclusions Among patients undergoing ILR monitoring, the DL-ECG model demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to CHARGE-AF, offering a promising and accessible alternative for early detection of silent AF. This approach could aid early AF detection, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to specialized rhythm monitoring services is limited.Table 1 and Figure 1 Figure 2 and 3
Comparative analysis of atrial fibrillation risk in patients with vascular ehlers-danlos syndrome vs. marfan's syndrome
Dreher, Luke , Bcharah, George , Ibrahim, R, Nabi, H Abdul, Sayegh, J, Abdelnabi, Mahmoud , Kanaan, Christopher , Shamoun, S, Nabi, Hussein Abdul , Sayegh, Jonathan , Osundiji, Mayowa A.

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.368 Get It

Abstract Background Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (VEDS) and Marfan’s syndrome are associated with cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias. However, atrial fibrillation (AF) risk in these populations has not been frequently reported. This study assessed the AF risk in VEDS and Marfan's syndrome patients using propensity score-matched analysis from an international database. Methods The TriNetX Research Network, an international database with de-identified patient data from over 100 centers, was used to pull patients with a diagnosis of VEDS and Marfan's Syndrome. Baseline characteristics (e.g., demographics, cardiovascular comorbidities, etc.) were collected, and propensity score matching was performed to balance the cohorts. Rates of AF were collected across both cohorts, and risk analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival were used to assess outcomes. Results A total of 1,114 and 23,172 patients had VEDS and Marfan’s syndrome, respectively. After propensity score matching, each cohort included 1,091 balanced patients regarding demographics and clinical characteristics. When compared in the matched cohorts, AF incidence was lower in VEDS (4.6%) compared to Marfan’s syndrome (8.6%), with a risk difference of -0.040 (95% CI: -0.061, -0.020; z = -3.794; p < 0.001). The risk ratio was 0.532 (95% CI: 0.381, 0.742), and the odds ratio was 0.509 (95% CI: 0.358, 0.726), indicating a significantly lower risk of AF in VEDS. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed an AF survival probability of 84.23% in VEDS and 78.20% in Marfan’s syndrome (log-rank p = 0.071). The hazard ratio was 0.723 (95% CI: 0.508, 1.029), which didn’t reach statistical significance (p = 0.579). Conclusion Patients with VEDS have a significantly lower risk of developing AF compared to those with Marfan’s syndrome. However, no significant difference in AF survival probability was observed. These findings suggest significant differences in the arrhythmic burden between these connective tissue disorders, which can direct future risk stratification and management strategies.Figure 1
Prevalence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with titin truncating variants across the ventricular morphofunctional phenotypic spectrum
Coderre, Roxanne, Castrichini, M, Neves, R Almeida Lopes, Ackerman, M J, Pereira, Naveen, Giudicessi, J R, Castrichini, Matteo , Garmany, Ramin , Neves, R Almeida Lopes, Ackerman, Michael J. , Giudicessi, John R.

Mayo Clinic

European Heart Journal | February 5, 2026 | Volume: 46 | Issue: Supplement_1 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.2656 Get It

Abstract Background Loss-of-function variants in TTN-encoded titin are the most common genetic cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In addition, titin truncating variants (TTNtvs) are over-represented in early-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and unexplained sudden cardiac arrest/death (SCA/SCD) suggesting that in rare circumstances TTNtvs may cause arrhythmias in a pre-cardiomyopathic electrical phase. Purpose To compare the prevalence of AF, sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and SCA/SCD between TTNtv-positive patients with genotype-positive but phenotype-negative (G+/P-) disease, non-dilated left ventricular cardiomyopathy (NDLVC) and DCM. Methods Retrospective review of 1,229 patients in our Arrhythmogenic/Dilated Cardiomyopathy Registry was used to identify those with TTNtvs in high proportion spliced-in (>90%) exons classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic according to current American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics variant classification guidelines. Demographic, electrocardiographic, imaging and outcome data were extracted from the electronic record. After exclusion of those without satisfactory imaging data, each TTNtv-positive patient was classified as having G+/P- disease, NDLVC, or DCM according to the 2023 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the management of cardiomyopathies. The prevalence of AF, non-SCA major VA events (sustained VT and appropriate VT/VF-terminating ICD therapies), and SCA/SCD was then compared between the three left ventricular morphofunctional subgroups. Results Overall, 232 TTNtv-positive patients (mean age of 44 ± 17 years; 57% male) were included (average LVEF of 39 ± 17%; 32% with a history of AF; 23% with a history of non-SCA VA event and 6% with a history of SCA). Forty-nine (21%) were G+/P-, 45 (19%) had NDLVC, and 138 (59%) had DCM at the time of their most recent clinical evaluation. As expected, the prevalence of AF was higher in TTNtv-DCM patients when compared to both TTNtv-NDLVC [56/138 (41%) vs. 11/45 (24%); p=0.04] and G+/P- disease [56/138 (41%) vs. 5/49 (10%); p<0.001]. Similarly, the number of patients who experienced a non-SCA major VA event was higher in TTNtv-DCM than either TTNtv-NDLVC [44/138 (32%) vs. 6/45 (9%); p=0.01] or G+/P- disease [44/138 (31%) vs. 4/49 (8%); p<0.001]. Interestingly, no difference in the number of TTNtv-positive patients who experienced a SCA/SCD was observed across subgroups [2/49 (4%) for G+/P-; 2/45 (4%) for NDLVC; and 8/138 (6%) for DCM; p=ns for all comparisons]. Conclusion In patients with TTNtv substrates who were evaluated at a quaternary medical center, the prevalence of AF and major VA events correlates with left ventricular morphology/function with the greatest risk observed in those with DCM. However, the prevalence of AF and major VA events, including SCA, in TTNtv-positive patients with G+/P- and NDLVC disease is not trivial and highlights the ability of TTNtvs to present in a pre-cardiomyopathic electrical phase.