Low Transvalvular Flow Rate in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Is a Predictor of Mortality: The TFR-TAVI Study.

Background: Transvalvular flow rate (TFR) represents a better reflection of transvalvular flow than the stroke volume index (SVi), and has recently emerged as a useful prognostic tool in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement. There is a paucity of data investigating the role of TFR and its relationship with other clinical or echocardiographic factors in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Method: This was a retrospective single-centre study of 629 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between March 2009 and September 2020.

Arginine Vasopressin Plays a Role in Microvascular Dysfunction After ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) predicts mortality after ST-elevation-myocardial infarction (STEMI). Arginine vasopressin (AVP) may be implicated, but data in humans are lacking, and no study has investigated the link between arginine vasopressin and invasive measures of CMD. Methods and Results We invasively assessed CMD in 55 patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), by measuring the index of microcirculatory resistance after PPCI.

Meta-analysis Comparing Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus no Intervention in Patients with Chronic Total Occlusion.

Unlabelled: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has substantially improved due to increasing operator experience and advancements in equipment, techniques, and management algorithms. However, the overall benefit of CTO PCI remains controversial, particularly since only a few randomized trials have been reported to date.

Methods: We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of CTO PCI.

Magnetic Resonance Left Ventricle Mass-Index/Fibrosis: Long-Term Predictors for Ventricular Arrhythmia in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-A Retrospective Registry.

: We aimed to study the long-term association of LV mass index (LV) and myocardial fibrosis with ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in a population of patients with confirmed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). : We retrospectively analyzed the data in consecutive HCM patients confirmed on CMR referred to an HCM clinic between January 2008 and October 2018. Patients were followed up yearly following diagnosis.

Clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in high-risk patients turned down for surgical revascularization.

Aims: There are limited data on outcomes of PCI in surgical turndown patientsespecially in those presenting with ACS.

Methods And Results: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients who were turned down for CABG and had PCI between 2013 and 2020. All consecutive patients (449), ACS (n = 245) and no-ACS (n = 204) were included.

Mechanical circulatory support in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) have poor prognosis. Over the last two decades, there has been some improvement in mortality rates associated with CS. Initial measures to stabilise patients should follow a shock protocol, including therapies such as volume expansion, inotropes/vasopressors, and early coronary revascularisation.

Coronary revascularization in patients with left ventricle systolic dysfunction, current challenges and clinical outcomes.

The effects of coronary revascularization in patients with left ventricle systolic dysfunction (LVSD) are not well studied. The decision about revascularization and its timing remain challenging, not only related to procedural risk, but also linked to other several limitations including assessment of ischemia, viability, and ability to predict LV recovery. The role of viability as a prognostic marker for patients with LVSD and its use as a therapeutic target remains debatable.

Colchicine for the prevention of ischemic stroke: An updated meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a target to reduce residual cardiovascular risk. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory drug that was associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. However, its effect on stroke reduction was not consistent across studies.

Intensive lipid-lowering therapy, time to think beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Statins have been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular events. Their magnitude of benefits has been proportionate to the reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). Intensive lipid-lowering therapies using ezetimibe and more recently proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 inhibitors have further improved clinical outcomes.

Accessory Mitral Valve Tissue Causing Features Of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction-A Case Report And Updated Literature Review.

Accessory mitral valve tissue is a rare congenital anomaly that is commonly incidentally diagnosed. When symptomatic, it tends to present with features of left ventricular outflow (LVOT) obstruction in about two thirds of cases. It is also commonly associated with other congenital anomalies, notably ventricular septal defects.

The safety and effectiveness of statins as treatment for HIV-dyslipidemia: the evidence so far and the future challenges.

Introduction: Statin therapy is widely used across the globe for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is well established that statin therapy is associated with significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and plasma cholesterol levels. HIV-dyslipidemia is a common problem with extensive use of combination antiretroviral therapy (CART), and is associated with an increase in incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), resulting in hospital admission and surgery throughout the western healthcare systems.