Contemporary experience of mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair technology in patients with mitral annular calcification.

Background: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) has been an exclusion for many of the earlier pivotal trials that were instrumental in gaining device approval and indications for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER).

Aims: To evaluate the impact of MAC on the procedural durability and success of newer generation MitraClip® systems (G3 and G4 systems).

Methods: Data were collected from Northwell TEER registry.

Coronary Artery Tortuosity Found in a Marathon Runner.

Coronary artery tortuosity (CAT) is an anatomical anomaly in which the coronary arteries contain kinks or coils. It is usually found incidentally in elderly patients with long-standing uncontrolled hypertension. This case illustrates a 58-year-old female marathon runner who was found to have CAT, originally presenting with chest pain, hypotension, presyncope, and a severe cramping sensation in her legs.

Prevalence and long-term prognosis of patients with complete bundle branch block (right or left bundle branch) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction referred for stress echocardiography.

Background: The prognostic value of stress echocardiography (SE) in patients with complete bundle branch blocks (BBB) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has not been well described. We sought to determine the prognostic value of SE in patients with BBB and normal LVEF.

Methods: We analyzed 7214 patients (58 ± 14 years; 57% female) with a mean follow-up time of 9 ± 4 years.

Appropriateness of statins in patients aged ≥80 years and comparison to other age groups.

In patients aged ≥80 years without previous coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or cerebrovascular disease, no evidence has shown a benefit from statin therapy. We examined the prevalence of statin use in patients aged ≥80 years for the indication of primary prevention. We reviewed the comprehensive electronic health records at the Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania for all patients aged >55 years with ≥1 primary care encounter from January 24, 2004 and December 31, 2009.