The safety of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors and trends in clinical and hemodynamic parameters in patients with left ventricular assist devices.

Background: The safety and impact of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are unknown.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent LVAD Heart Mate 3 (HM3) implantation at a single medical center and received SGLT2-I therapy following surgery was conducted. LVAD parameters, medical therapy, laboratory tests, echocardiography, and right heart catheterization (RHC) study results were recorded and compared before and after initiation of SGLT2-I.

Evaluation of coronary disease among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: propensity score matching analysis.

Background: Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is common among elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Current guidelines recommend performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of any > 70% proximal coronary lesions prior to TAVI.

Aims: To evaluate the outcomes of two diagnostic approaches for CCS clearance pre-TAVI and to determine the reduction in the need of invasive angiography (IA).

Elevated Native T1 Values in the Remote Myocardium Supplied by Obstructive Non-Infarct Related Coronary Arteries in Post-STEMI Cardiac Magnetic Resonance.

Introduction: Native T1 mapping values are elevated in acutely injured myocardium. We sought to study whether native T1 values, in the non-infarct related myocardial territories, might differ when supplied by obstructive or nonobstructive coronary arteries.

Methods: Consecutive patients (N = 60, mean age 59 years) with the first STEMI following primary percutaneous coronary intervention, underwent cardiac magnetic resonance within 5 ± 2 days.

First report of myocarditis in two patients with COVID-19 Omicron variant: case report.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics. Omicron (B.1.

Peripheral artery disease, abnormal ankle-brachial index, and prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objectives: Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is an independent prognostic marker of cardiovascular events among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to investigate the outcome of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and abnormal ABI.

Approach And Results: ABI was prospectively measured in 1,047 patients hospitalized due to ACS, who were stratified into three groups, namely, those with clinical peripheral artery disease (PAD) ( = 132), those without clinical PAD but with abnormal (< 0.

Procedural and long-term outcome among patients undergoing expedited trans-catheter aortic valve replacement.

Objective: Patients with rapidly deteriorating clinical status due to severe aortic stenosis are often referred for expedited transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Data regarding the outcome of such interventions is limited. We aimed to evaluate the outcome of patients undergoing expedited TAVR.

Clinical Predictors for Procedural Stroke and Implications for Embolic Protection Devices during TAVR: Results from the Multicenter Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement In-Hospital Stroke (TASK) Study.

Background: Data to support the routine use of embolic protection devices for stroke prevention during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are controversial. Identifying patients at high risk for peri-procedural cerebrovascular events may facilitate effective patient selection for embolic protection devices during TAVR. Aim: To generate a risk score model for stratifying TAVR patients according to peri-procedural cerebrovascular events risk.

Post-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Platelet Reactivity Is Associated With the Extent of Microvascular Obstruction and Infarct Size as Determined by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background Despite optimized medical management and techniques of primary percutaneous coronary intervention, a substantial proportion of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) display significant microvascular damage. Thrombotic microvascular obstruction (MVO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of microvascular and subsequent myocardial damage attributed to distal embolization and microvascular platelet plugging. However, there are only scarce data regarding the effect of platelet reactivity on MVO.

Clinical Outcome and Safety of Transcaval Access for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement as Compared to Other Alternative Approaches.

A small proportion of patients in need of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are not suitable for the transfemoral approach due to peripheral artery disease. Alternative TAVR approaches are associated with short- and long-term hazards. A novel technique of caval-aortic (transcaval) access for TAVR has been utilized as an alternative access technique.

Poor outcome among patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging with intermediate-zone troponin.

Background: Intermediate zone troponin elevation is defined as one to five times the upper limit of normal. Approximately half the patients presenting with chest pain to the emergency department have initial intermediate zone troponin.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the long-term outcome of patients hospitalized with chest pain and intermediate zone troponin elevation.

High fitness might be associated with the development of new-onset atrial fibrillation in obese non-athletic adults.

Background: Data on the association between AF and fitness are conflicting.

Objectives: The aim of this analysis was to investigate the association between fitness, obesity and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) among apparently healthy non-athlete adults.

Methods: We investigated 20 410 self-referred subjects who were annually screened in a tertiary medical centre.

Validation of cardiac damage classification and addition of albumin in a large cohort of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Aims: We aimed to validate a new scoring system based on extent of cardiac damage for risk stratification in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in a real-world cohort and to examine the addition of baseline albumin in risk assessment.

Methods And Results: We investigated 2608 patients undergoing TAVR. Subjects were divided into five groups based on their echocardiography findings.

Percutaneous nitinol-based vascular closure device for large bore arterial access hemostasis: Results of a prospective multicenter study.

Background: Vascular complications during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) still pose a significant concern regarding procedural safety. Designated closure devices for large-bore vascular access are needed.

Methods: Patients undergoing TAVR were prospectively enrolled into the study.

CHA2DS2-VASc score performance to predict stroke after acute decompensated heart failure with and without reduced ejection fraction.

Aims: To validate the utility of CHA2DS2-VASc score to predict the annual risk of stroke in patients admitted with acute heart failure, comparing those with preserved ejection fraction (HF-presEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HF-redEF).

Methods And Results: We investigated 2922 patients with known atrial fibrillation who were admitted to the Sheba Medical Center for acute decompensated heart failure (HF). Anticoagulation therapy was prescribed based on CHA2DS2-VASc score or physician's discretion.

Chronic kidney disease in adults with schizophrenia: A nationwide population-based study.

Objective: Several studies have recently reported an association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and schizophrenia, yet this association has not been sufficiently established. The aim of this study was to examine the association between schizophrenia and CKD in a large dataset, as well as to assess the level of accessibility of these patients to common treatments for CKD.

Method: Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 27,516) and an equal number of age and sex frequency-matched controls were included in this nationwide population-based study.

Risk of death without appropriate defibrillator shock in patients with advanced renal dysfunction.

Aims: Heart failure patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) may experience an increased rate of non-arrhythmic mortality due to associated comorbidities. We aimed to evaluate the risk of mortality without appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks in this high-risk population.

Methods And Results: The study population comprised 3542 patients who received an ICD, were enrolled, and prospectively followed-up in the Israeli ICD registry.

Relation of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio to Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation.

Clinical and experimental data support a critical role for inflammation in cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relation between an inflammatory marker, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in asymptomatic adults. We investigated 21,118 self-referred men and women who were annually screened in a tertiary medical center.

The effect of periprocedural beta blocker withdrawal on arrhythmic risk following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of periprocedural beta-blocker (BB) discontinuation among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and high degree atrioventricular block (HD-AVB) and/or atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: The study population comprised 743 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR between 2009 and 2017 in two high-volume tertiary centers. All patients received chronic BB therapy, and were divided into two groups: (1) BB continuation and (2) BB discontinued 24 hr prior to the procedure.

Long-Term Outcomes of Iliofemoral Artery Stents after Transfemoral Aortic Valve Replacement.

Purpose: To report long-term results of iliofemoral stent placement after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Materials And Methods: TAVR access-related complications treated with iliofemoral stent placement were recorded in 56 patients (mean age, 81 years; range; 53-93 years; 48% male) of 648 patients who underwent TAVR at a single center. Fifty-six patients treated with stent placement (40 patients with stent grafts and 16 patients with bare metal stents) underwent clinical and ultrasonographic follow-up after a mean of 676 days (range, 60-1840 days).

Impact of Rapid Ventricular Pacing on Outcome After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Rapid ventricular pacing (RVP) is used commonly during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Little is known about the safety and clinical consequences of this step. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of RVP on immediate and long-term clinical outcomes in a large cohort of non-selected TAVR patients.

The role and outcome of cardiac rehabilitation program in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with diminished cardiac function, and exercise tolerance.

Hypothesis: We sought to investigate the role of cardiac rehabilitation program (CR) in patients with AF.

Methods: The study included 2165 consecutive patients that participated in our CR program between the years 2009 to 2015.

Favorable Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes Among Patients With Prior History of Malignancy Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now the treatment of choice for high-surgical risk patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Little is known regarding the outcome of TAVR in patients with previous malignancy.

Methods: We investigated 477 patients who underwent TAVR in a tertiary medical center.

The Effect of Head and Neck Radiotherapy on Blood Pressure and Orthostatic Hypotension in Patients With Head and Neck Tumors.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) plays a key role in the management of head and neck cancer (HNC), especially in locally advanced disease. Patients undergoing head and neck RT, especially elderly ones, are suffering from low and labile blood pressure (BP) during the treatment. They complain of weakness and fatigue and are prone to recurrent falls.