Novel cardiac CT method for identifying the atrioventricular conduction axis by anatomic landmarks.

Background: Understanding the conduction axis location aids in avoiding iatrogenic damage and guiding targeted heart rhythm therapy.

Objective: Cardiac structures visible with clinical imaging have been demonstrated to correlate with variability in the conduction system course. We aimed to standardize and assess the reproducibility of predicting the location of the atrioventricular conduction axis by cardiac computed tomography.

Application of Robotic-Assisted Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Case Series.

This case series highlights the successful application of robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention using the R-One+ system in two acute coronary syndrome patients with significant coronary lesions. The procedures demonstrated the technology's safety, performance, and benefits such as minimal contrast use, reduced operator radiation exposure, and optimal procedural times.

Three-Year Outcomes With a Supra-Annular, Self-Expanding Bioprosthesis and a Pericardial Wrap-The FORWARD PRO Study.

Background: The self-expanding, supra-annular Evolut valve is an established platform for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Evolut PRO introduced an outer sealing wrap to mitigate paravalvular leakage. We evaluated the 3-year clinical outcomes and valve performance of the Evolut PRO in standard clinical practice for severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients at intermediate or higher risk for surgery.

Overall impact of tethering and of its symmetric and asymmetric subtypes on early and long-term outcome of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of significant mitral valve regurgitation.

Background: Tethering is a common condition of the mitral valve apparatus in the presence of significant regurgitation. Its impact on outcomes of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) remains poorly characterized.

Methods: We appraised the prevalence, features, procedural details, and outcomes of patients with or without mitral valve tethering in a prospective multicenter observational study.

Combined Impact of Residual Mitral Regurgitation and Gradient After Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

Background: Reducing mitral regurgitation (MR) during mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) may come at the cost of increased mitral valve gradient (MVG). The combined impact of residual MR and MVG on clinical outcomes after M-TEER is unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the impact of postprocedure MR and MVG on clinical outcomes after M-TEER.

Neural precursor cells rescue symptoms of Rett syndrome by activation of the Interferon γ pathway.

The beneficial effects of Neural Precursor Cell (NPC) transplantation in several neurological disorders are well established and they are generally mediated by the secretion of immunomodulatory and neurotrophic molecules. We therefore investigated whether Rett syndrome (RTT), that represents the first cause of severe intellectual disability in girls, might benefit from NPC-based therapy. Using in vitro co-cultures, we demonstrate that, by sensing the pathological context, NPC-secreted factors induce the recovery of morphological and synaptic defects typical of Mecp2 deficient neurons.

Impact of surgical aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular controls: A pilot study.

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are options in severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS). Cardiovascular (CV) and cerebrovascular (CBV) control markers, derived from variability of heart period, systolic arterial pressure, mean cerebral blood velocity and mean arterial pressure, were acquired in 19 AVS patients (age: 76.8 ± 3.

Temporal dynamics of neocortical development in organotypic mouse brain cultures: a comprehensive analysis.

Murine organotypic brain slice cultures have been widely used in neuroscientific research and are offering the opportunity to study neuronal function under normal and disease conditions. Despite the broad application, the mechanisms governing the maturation of immature cortical circuits in vitro are not well understood. In this study, we present a detailed investigation into the development of the neocortex in vitro.

Gender differences in outcomes after left atrial appendage closure with Watchman FLX device: insights from the Italian-FLX registry.

Introduction: Recent studies have shown gender differences in cardiovascular outcomes after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), highlighting different complication rates and adverse events, particularly in short-term assessments. As a result, there remains a significant knowledge gap on how these differences directly impact the efficacy and safety of LAAC procedures. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of LAAC in women and men using the Watchman FLX device.

Final 36-Month Outcomes from the Multicenter DynamX Study Evaluating a Novel Thin-Strut Novolimus-Eluting Coronary Bioadaptor System and Supporting Preclinical Data.

Background: The DynamX Novolimus-Eluting Coronary Bioadaptor System ( Bioadaptor) has uncaging elements that disengage after the resorption of the polymer coating, aiming to restore vessel function in the treated segment and to avoid long-term adverse outcomes associated with the permanent caging of the coronary artery seen with conventional stenting.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, single-arm first-in-human study enrolled 50 patients in Belgium and Italy who were treated with the DynamX Bioadaptor. Eligible patients had lesions in coronary arteries measuring between 2.

Performance of Purpose-Built vs Off-Label Transcatheter Devices for Aortic Regurgitation: The PURPOSE Study.

Background: Severe pure aortic regurgitation (AR) carries a high mortality and morbidity risk, and it is often undertreated because of the inherent surgical risk. Transcatheter heart valves (THVs) have been used off-label in this setting with overall suboptimal results. The dedicated "purpose-built" Jena Valve Trilogy (JVT, JenaValve Technology) showed an encouraging performance, although it has never been compared to other THVs.

Characterization and Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

: To date, data regarding the characteristics and management of obstructive, stable coronary artery disease (CAD) encountered in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are sparse. The aim of the study was to analyze granular details, treatment, and outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI with obstructive, stable CAD from real-world practice. : REVASC-TAVI (Management of myocardial REVASCularization in patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation with coronary artery disease) is an investigator-initiated, multicenter registry, which collected data from patients undergoing TAVI with obstructive stable CAD found during the pre-TAVI work-up.

LANDMARK comparison of early outcomes of newer-generation Myval transcatheter heart valve series with contemporary valves (Sapien and Evolut) in real-world individuals with severe symptomatic native aortic stenosis: a randomised non-inferiority trial.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is an established, guideline-endorsed treatment for severe aortic stenosis. Precise sizing of the balloon-expandable Myval transcatheter heart valve (THV) series with the aortic annulus is facilitated by increasing its diameter in 1·5 mm increments, compared with the usual 3 mm increments in valve size. The LANDMARK trial aimed to show non-inferiority of the Myval THV series compared with the contemporary THVs Sapien Series (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) or Evolut Series (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA).