Left atrial strain and risk of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass-grafting.

Aim: Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Aim of the study is to analyze whether the measurement of preoperative Left Atrial (LA) strain can offer advantages over conventional clinical and echocardiographic parameters to identify patients at risk of developing POAF.

Methods And Results: We conducted a prospective study involving 100 patients undergoing isolated CABG from April 2023 to April 2024.

Coronary Plaque Characteristics Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography and Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Levels in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but its influence on plaque characteristics at optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluation is not fully understood.

Aims: This study seeks to explore the impact of Lp(a) levels on plaque morphology as assessed by OCT in a very high-risk subset of patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and undergoing OCT-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at a large tertiary care center between 2019 and 2022 were deemed eligible for the current analysis.

Use of Cangrelor in Older Patients: Findings from the itAlian pRospective Study on CANGrELOr Study.

Outcome data on using cangrelor in older patients are limited. This post hoc analysis of the itAlian pRospective Study on CANGrELOr (ARCANGELO) study aims to assess bleeding and ischemic outcomes with the transition from cangrelor to any oral P2Y inhibitors in age-stratified subgroups (≥75 years-older, <75 years-younger) of patients with acute coronary syndrome who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Of 995 patients, 215 (21.

Role of Mechanical Circulatory Support in Complex High-Risk and Indicated Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Current Indications, Device Options, and Potential Complications.

Improved expertise and technological advancements have enabled the safe and effective performance of complex and high-risk-indicated percutaneous coronary intervention (CHIP) in patients previously considered inoperable or high-risk. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices play a crucial role in stabilizing hemodynamics during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) -related ischemia, thereby reducing the risk of major adverse events and achieving a more complete revascularization. However, the use of MCS devices in protected PCI is not without risks, including peri-procedural myocardial infarction (MI), bleeding, and access-related complications.

Eligibility for vericiguat in a real-world, contemporary heart failure population.

Aims: Vericiguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator and improves survival in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and an increased risk of decompensation. As real-world data on how many patients could be eligible for vericiguat therapy derive from outdated registries, we aimed to assess eligibility in a prospective cohort of patients with HF.

Methods And Results: Data from consecutive HF patients undergoing an elective ambulatory visit at five university hospitals from 3 July to 28 July 2023 were collected.

A streamlined pathway for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: the BENCHMARK study.

Background And Aims: There is significant potential to streamline the clinical pathway for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of implementing BENCHMARK best practices on the efficiency and safety of TAVI in 28 sites in 7 European countries.

Methods: This was a study of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing TAVI with balloon-expandable valves before and after implementation of BENCHMARK best practices.

The Role of Double Interatrial Septum in Cryptogenic Stroke.

In this work, the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian woman affected by cryptogenic stroke is reported. After discarding other sources of embolism, a transesophageal echocardiogram was performed, which revealed the presence of a double interatrial septum associated with a left-sided atrial pouch. The persistent interatrial space was identified as the most probable source of thrombus.

The Value of a Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography plus Stress Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Strategy for the Evaluation of Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome.

Noninvasive imaging methods, either anatomical or functional tests, serve as essential instruments for the appropriate management of patients with established or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) plus stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (S-CMR) strategy in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). Patients with suspected CCS showing intermediate coronary plaques (stenosis 30-70%) at CCTA underwent S-CMR.

Update on chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) continues to evolve. This review summarizes recent publications categorized by outcomes, techniques, complications, and ongoing studies in this rapidly growing area.

Patient-specific computer simulation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with previous mechanical mitral prosthesis: A case series.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement performed in patients with previously implanted mechanical mitral prosthesis represents a high risk procedure with several potential complications. We report a systematic use of a prediction model based on artificial intelligence to plan the interventional strategy in this challenging scenario.

Evaluation and management of patients with coronary chronic total occlusions considered for revascularisation. A clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) of the ESC, the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC, and the ESC Working Group on Cardiovascular Surgery.

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of coronary arteries can be found in the context of chronic or acute coronary syndromes; sometimes they are an incidental finding in those apparently healthy individuals undergoing imaging for preoperative risk assessment. Recently, the invasive management of CTOs has made impressive progress due to sophisticated preinterventional assessment, including advanced non-invasive imaging, the availability of novel and dedicated tools for CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and experienced interventionalists working in specialised centres. Thus, it is crucial that referring physicians who see patients with CTO be aware of recent developments and of the initial evaluation requirements for such patients.

Contemporary outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention in Europe: the ERCTO registry.

Background: Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTO) have reached high procedural success rates thanks to dedicated equipment, evolving techniques, and worldwide adoption of state-of-the-art crossing algorithms.

Aims: We report the contemporary results of CTO PCIs performed by a large European community of experienced interventionalists. Furthermore, we investigated the impact of different risk factors for procedural major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and trends of employment of specific devices like dual lumen microcatheters, guiding catheter extensions, intravascular ultrasound and calcium-modifying tools.