Roxana Ioana Hodas

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease in industrialized countries. Stress echocardiography (SE), using either exercise or dobutamine protocols, has emerged as a critical tool to overcome limitations of resting echocardiography, refine risk stratification, and guide the timing of aortic valve replacement. This review synthesizes contemporary evidence on the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic role of SE in AS. Studies from all main databases (2000–2025) were systematically analyzed including prospective studies, consensus statements, and international guidelines. We highlight the physiological rationale, key prognostic markers, applications in asymptomatic severe and low-flow, low-gradient AS, and integration with multimodality imaging. SE is now guideline-endorsed for risk stratification in asymptomatic severe AS and the diagnosis of true severe versus pseudo-severe AS in low-flow, low-gradient disease. Future directions include advanced strain imaging, artificial intelligence, and broader adoption in the transcatheter era.

Background and Objectives: ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), particularly when complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS), is a critical condition associated with high mortality rates. Identifying predictors of in-hospital mortality can enhance patient management and outcomes. Materials and Methods: This observational, retrospective case–control study included STEMI patients, both complicated and uncomplicated by CS. Additionally, demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory data and in-hospital mortality rates were analysed for STEMI patients with CS and those without CS. Results: This study included a total of 101 patients with STEMI, of whom 51 (50.5%) had STEMI without CS and 50 (49.5%) had STEMI with CS. No significant differences were observed in demographic characteristics or STEMI risk factors between the two groups. Emergency coronarography was performed in 90.1% of the patients, with successful thrombolysis achieved in 24.5%. Patients with CS exhibited a significantly higher mortality (52%) than those without CS (11.76%). Univariate analysis identified white blood cell counts, CK-MB, CK levels, elevated creatinine and uric acid levels and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as predictors of mortality. Logistic regression analysis revealed that LVEF and CK-MB were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI and CS. Each 1% increase in LVEF was associated with a reduced mortality risk (HR = 0.89; 95% CI 0.81–0.98; p = 0.018), while elevated CK-MB levels were linked to an increased mortality risk (HR = 1; 95% CI 1–1.01; p = 0.014). Conclusions: Reduced systolic function and elevated CK-MB levels are key predictors of in-hospital mortality and outcomes in STEMI patients with CS. These findings underscore the importance of early identification and support the development of targeted management strategies aimed at improving outcomes in this high-risk population.