Anticoagulation therapy for the prevention of subclinical leaflet thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A comprehensive literature review and future directions.

Leaflet thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) presents a significant challenge, leading to adverse clinical outcomes. Subclinical leaflet thrombosis (SLT) is increasingly recognized, and there is a growing concern about its role in clinical events and hemodynamic valve deterioration. Current recommendations for prophylactic anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy following TAVR are primarily based on expert consensus rather than definitive evidence from randomized trials, resulting in a variety of antithrombotic strategies in clinical practice.

An Overview of Arrhythmias in Pregnancy.

Cardiovascular disease significantly jeopardizes pregnancies in the United States, impacting 1% to 4% of pregnancies annually. Among complications, cardiac arrhythmias are prevalent, posing concerns for maternal and fetal health. The incidence of arrhythmias during pregnancy is rising, partly due to advances in congenital heart surgery and a growing population of women with structural heart disease.

Successful Treatment With the Oral Factor Xa Inhibitor Edoxaban in Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia With Thrombosis.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) is a rare immune reaction to the drug heparin that causes increased blood clotting, putting patients at risk for arterial and venous thromboembolism which can have severe consequences. We present a case of HITT successfully treated with the direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), edoxaban. A 56-year-old man had surgery to remove a colorectal mass.

Factor XI/XIa inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolism: A narrative review.

During the past decade, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have advanced and simplified the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, there remains a high incidence of bleeds, which calls for agents that have a reduced risk of bleeding. Factor XI (FXI) deficiency is associated with lower rates of venous thrombosis and stroke compared to the general population with a lower risk of bleeding.

The common pathobiology between coronary artery disease and calcific aortic stenosis: Evidence and clinical implications.

Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAS), the most prevalent valvular disease worldwide, has been demonstrated to frequently occur in conjunction with coronary artery disease (CAD), the third leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis has been proven to be the main mechanism involved in CAS and CAD. Evidence also exists that obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (among others), along with specific genes involved in lipid metabolism, are important risk factors for CAS and CAD, leading to common pathological processes of atherosclerosis in both diseases.

The Use of Cardioprotective Devices and Strategies in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Procedures and Cardiac Surgery.

In the United States, about one million people are seen to visit the operating theater for cardiac surgery annually. However, nearly half of these visits result in complications such as renal, neurological, and cardiac injury of varying degrees. Historically, many mechanisms and approaches have been explored in attempts to reduce injuries associated with cardiac surgery and percutaneous procedures.

Influenza vaccination in mitigating vascular events and risk.

Purpose Of Review: Influenza imparts a significant health burden on the United States and global population. Furthermore, influenza is associated with acute cardiovascular events, including heart failure exacerbations, acute coronary syndromes, strokes, and overall cardiovascular mortality. We review the role of seasonal influenza vaccination in mitigating cardiovascular risk.

Lipid Lowering Therapy: An Era Beyond Statins.

Dyslipidemia, specifically elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and increases the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Statins, a class of drugs that exert their effects by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in the synthesis of cholesterol, have been the mainstay of therapy for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and lipids reduction. Statins are associated with side effects, most commonly myopathy and myalgias, despite their proven efficacy.

Current Use and Trends in Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Percutaneous Intervention.

Purpose Of Review: To review the clinical evidence on the use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) revascularization options in left main (LM) disease in comparison with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Coronary artery disease (CAD) involving the LM is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Though CABG remains the gold standard for complex CAD involving the LM artery, recent trials have shown a trend towards non-inferiority of the LM PCI when compared with CABG in certain subset of patients.