The degree of permanent pacemaker dependence and clinical outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: implications for procedural technique.

Aims: Conduction abnormalities necessitating permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation remain the most frequent complication post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), yet reliance on PPM function varies. We evaluated the association of right-ventricular (RV)-stimulation rate post-TAVI with 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization).

Methods And Results: This retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing TAVI in two high-volume centers included patients with existing PPM pre-TAVI or new PPM post-TAVI.

Utilization of IVUS improves all-cause mortality in patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography.

Background And Aims: Available data suggest that the use of IVUS for guidance of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) improves the prognosis of patients undergoing complex interventions. We aimed to examine how the utilization of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) affects patient survival irrespective of procedure complexity.

Methods: The present analysis is based on the longitudinal ECAD registry of consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography between 2004 and 2019.

Treatment Patterns of Lipid-Lowering Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Aged Above and Below 75 Years: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study of 1500 Patients in a Tertiary Care Referral Center in Germany.

Introduction: Lipid-lowering therapy of elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) inherits a medical challenge, as these patients experience a higher absolute risk reduction but may be more prone to side effects. We aimed to evaluate the treatment patterns in lipid-lowering therapy, comparing CAD patients above versus below 75 years of age.

Methods: We retrospectively included patients with known CAD admitted to the West German Heart and Vascular Center.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure for stroke prevention in patients with chronic renal disease.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the general population. Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events, particularly stroke. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a higher prevalence of AF and is an independent risk factor of increased mortality and stroke in AF patients.

Disconcordance between ESC prevention guidelines and observed lipid profiles in patients with known coronary artery disease.

Background: We aimed to describe whether updated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-targets in patients with manifest coronary artery disease (CAD) led to a change in lipid profile over time.

Methods: We retrospectively included patients with manifest CAD from 2009-2010, 2012-2013, and 2015-2016 (n = 500 each). Lipid levels and medication at the different time-points as well as rate of accordance to guidelines (<100 for 2009-2010, <70 mg/dl for 2012-2013 and 2015-2016) were evaluated.

MitraClip® Implantation Under Cerebral Protection: A Case Report.

MitraClip® implantation is commonly used in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and who are at high risk for surgical mitral valve repair. The occurrence of stroke or transient ischemic attack is a potential complication in patients undergoing MitraClip implantation, and incidences of up to 2.6% have been reported.