Anatomy of the mitral valve relative to controversies concerning the so-called annular disjunction.

It is now accepted that the mitral valve functions on the basis of a complex made up of the annulus, the leaflets, the tendinous cords and the papillary muscles. So as to work properly, these components must combine together in harmonious fashion. Despite the features of the arrangement of each component having been the focus of anatomical investigation for centuries, controversies still exist in their inter-relations and how best to describe them.

Effect of ticagrelor and prasugrel on remote myocardial inflammation in patients with acute myocardial infarction with ST-elevation: a CMR T1 and T2 mapping study.

Purpose: Acute myocardial ischaemia triggers a non-specific inflammatory response of remote myocardium through the increase of plasma concentrations of acute-phase proteins, which causes myocardial oedema. As ticagrelor has been shown to significantly decrease circulating levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients after acute myocardial infarction with ST-elevation (STEMI), we sought to investigate a potential suppressive effect of ticagrelor over prasugrel on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 and T2 values in remote myocardium.

Methods: Ninety STEMI patients were prospectively included and randomised to receive either ticagrelor or prasugrel maintenance treatment after successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Mitral Annular Disjunction Assessed Using CMR Imaging: Insights From the UK Biobank Population Study.

Background: Mitral annular disjunction is the atrial displacement of the mural mitral valve leaflet hinge point within the atrioventricular junction. Said to be associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death, its prevalence in the general population is not known.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of occurrence and extent of mitral annular disjunction in a large population cohort.

Real-life experience with the specific reversal agent idarucizumab for the management of emergency situations in dabigatran-treated patients: a series of 11 cases.

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have a favorable benefit-risk profile compared with vitamin K antagonists. However, the lack of specific reversal agents has made the management of some patients receiving long-term treatment with NOACs problematic in emergency situations such as major bleeding events or urgent procedures. Idarucizumab, a fully humanized Fab antibody fragment that binds specifically and with high affinity to dabigatran, was recently approved for use in adult patients treated with dabigatran when rapid reversal of its anticoagulant effect is required.