Coronary artery calcification as an incremental predictive risk: Research perspectives in primary prevention.

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a neglected biomarker that can be derived from non-cardiac chest computed tomography scan and represents a surrogate for atherosclerosis. We created a simulation model using different CAC score values in the MESA coronary artery risk score in a population derived from the Fourier Trial. CAC score could modulate the sample sizes of cardiovascular trials in primary and secondary prevention and offer new primary prevention treatments to high-risk subjects with reasonable numbers needed to treat comparable to secondary prevention trials.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Cancer Patients.

(1) Introduction: Cancer and atrial fibrillation (AF) are increasingly coexisting medical challenges. These two conditions share an increased thrombotic and bleeding risk. Although optimal regimens of the most suitable anti-thrombotic therapy are now affirmed in the general population, cancer patients are still particularly understudied on the matter; (2) Aims And Methodology: This metanalysis (11 studies (incl.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Self-Expanding ACURATE neo2: Postprocedural Hemodynamic and Short-Term Clinical Outcomes.

Background: The first-generation ACURATE neo transcatheter heart valve (THV) (Boston Scientific) was associated with a non-negligible occurrence of moderate or greater paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement. To overcome this issue, the ACURATE neo2 iteration, which incorporates a taller outer skirt aimed at reducing the occurrence of paravalvular AR, has recently been developed.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the ACURATE neo2 (Boston Scientific) THV in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

[Staged rotational atherectomy in a patient with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a case report and review of the literature].

Rotational atherectomy represents an option to improve the treatment of calcified/undilatable coronary stenoses, but its use in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is controversial. We report the case of a patient with an occlusive and calcified coronary stenosis and its management not previously described. A 67-year-old man with STEMI was referred to our cath-lab.

Prevalence and morphological changes of carotid kinking and coiling in growth: an echo-color Doppler study of 2856 subjects between aged 0 to 96 years.

Extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) kinking and coiling are the most frequently reported carotid anomalies in the literature. Embryogenic and acquired causes for such anomalies have been postulated but the prevalence of kinking and coiling has not been well characterized across age categories. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of EICA coiling and kinking among different age groups to better understand its potential causes and changes during the course of life.

[Pharmacological strategy pre- and post-percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome on oral anticoagulation therapy].

In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), with or without percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary stent implantation, the association of dual antiplatelet therapy with an oral anticoagulant (also known as triple antithrombotic therapy, TAT) increases the risk for major and fatal bleeding. Recently, several trials have evaluated alternative therapeutic regimens to TAT, such as dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) comprising a direct oral anticoagulant and a platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitor. In the context of patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, these regimens have generally been associated with a reduction in bleeding that was not accompanied by a substantial increase in ischemic events.

Mechanisms of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients with atrial fibrillation, prior stenting and long-standing chronic coronary syndrome.

Background: The optimal antithrombotic regimen for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic coronary syndromes beyond 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a matter of debate. For these patients, guidelines recommend oral anticoagulation (OAC) alone, but the risk of thrombotic complications remains a concern. The aim of this study was to characterize the incidence, presentation and use of antithrombotic therapy in patients with AF, prior stenting > 12 months and new ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).