A case of successful salvage despite right ventricular perforation during AVEIR VR leadless pacemaker implantation.

To prevent cardiac tamponade caused by catheter tip slippage during the retraction of the protective sleeve in Aveir VR implantation, it is crucial to carefully evaluate not only the bulge of the protective sleeve but also the shape of the system's shaft using fluoroscopic imaging.

Plaque morphological changes after drug-coated balloon angioplasty according to underlying plaque components.

A 52-year-old man with a short chronic total occlusion in the left superficial femoral artery underwent drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty. Evaluation using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound revealed that the plaque volume of fibrosis was compressed just after treatment (from 494.67 mm to 398.

Examining Changes in Pain Sensitivity Following 8 Minutes of Cycling at Varying Exercise Intensities.

This study assessed the effect of an eight-minute cycling intervention using varying intensities on exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of varying intensities on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and heat pain threshold (HPT) at the thigh and forearm, tested pre- and post-cycling intervention. Healthy male participants ( = 16) performed a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer to establish their peak power output (PPO).

Common Questions and Misconceptions About Energy Drinks: What Does the Scientific Evidence Really Show?

Energy drinks are a commonly consumed beverage, and studies suggest a possible performance-enhancing effect. A Google Scholar search using the keywords "energy drinks" and "exercise" yields numerous results, underscoring the voluminous research on this topic. However, there are questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of energy drinks.

Right ventricular longitudinal strain in valvular heart disease: A comprehensive review.

Right ventricular (RV) longitudinal strain has emerged as a crucial tool for evaluating RV systolic function in patients with heart disease. The complex anatomy of the RV presents challenges for functional assessment, traditionally conducted using conventional parameters, such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and RV fractional area change. While these conventional methods are simple and practical, they have limitations in reflecting the majority of global RV systolic function.

Intravascular ultrasound-derived virtual fractional flow reserve in the superficial femoral artery.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) can be estimated by analysis of intravascular imaging in a coronary artery; however, there are no data for estimated FFR in an extremity artery. The aim of this concept-generating study was to determine whether it is possible to estimate the value of peripheral FFR (PFFR) by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis also in femoropopliteal artery lesions.

Methods: Between April 2022 and February 2023, PFFR was measured before endovascular therapy in 31 stenotic femoropopliteal artery lesions.

Trunk Muscle Cross-Sectional Areas at Hip Fractures and Their Association With Recovery of Postoperative Gait Ability: A Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between trunk muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) measured using trunk computed tomography at the time of injury and gait ability at discharge.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed in comprehensive rehabilitation units of four hospitals in Japan. The study included 442 patients with hip fractures who underwent surgery (bipolar hip arthroplasty or open reduction and internal fixation) and were hospitalized for treatment between January 2020 and January 2023.

Thoracic Aortic Calcification and Complex Large Aortic Arch Plaque in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome.

Aortic arch plaque (AAP) morphology and complexity can serve as markers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study investigated 1) the diagnostic value of the thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) score for detecting AAP and large complex AAP and 2) the prognostic significance of TAC in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). The predictors of AAPs with large (≥ 4 mm in thickness) and complex (ulcerated or protruded) morphologies were evaluated in 412 symptomatic patients with CCS who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography and simultaneous assessment of the aortic arch.

Effect of tafamidis therapy on physical function in patients with wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.

Background: Tafamidis is used as disease-modifying treatment for patients with wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTRwt CA). However, the effects of tafamidis on exercise tolerance are unclear.

Methods: This single-center, prospective, observational study aimed to assess the effect of tafamidis on exercise tolerance in 36 patients with ATTRwt CA.

The C/C Genotype of rs1231760 in Is a Risk Factor for the Progression of -Positive Atrophic Gastritis by Increasing Expression.

Background: Chronic gastritis caused by () infection can progress to gastric cancer through atrophic gastritis (AG). The risk of gastric cancer increases with the progression of AG. Therefore, investigating the risk factors for the progression of AG is important.

A case of severely progressive left atrial calcification triggered by inflammation due to radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Unlabelled: Left atrial calcification (LAC) has been reported in 13.8 % of patients after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, which is related with stiff LA physiology and increased cardiovascular events. We describe a case in which long-term persistence of atrial inflammation caused by radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) resulted in LAC.

Effects of Vegan and Omnivore Diet on Post-Downhill Running Economy and Muscle Function.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the difference between the extent of muscle damaging exercise on muscle function variables of vegans and omnivores.

Methods: Twenty recreationally trained participants completed the study. Participants were assigned to either vegan ( = 10) or omnivore ( = 10) groups.

Impact of acute coronary syndrome on early in-stent neoatherosclerosis as shown by optical coherence tomography.

Background: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have a higher risk of requiring target vessel revascularisation after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) than patients with stable angina. Neoatherosclerosis is a significant risk factor for very late stent thrombosis, and the presence of neoatherosclerosis is independently associated with major adverse cardiac events.

Aims: In this study, we used optical coherence tomography (OCT) to investigate the impact of ACS on neoatherosclerosis within 1 year after PCI.

Serum uric acid-lowering effect of sacubitril/valsartan in hypertensive patients: evaluation by switching from angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Objective: Since hyperuricemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, it is necessary to pay attention to trends in uric acid levels when treating hypertensive patients with drugs. The present study investigated the effect of switching from angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) to sacubitril/valsartan on serum uric acid levels in treated hypertensive patients and further examined what factors could be associated with its effect.

Methods: In 75 hypertensive patients under treatment with at least one antihypertensive agent including ARB, clinic blood pressure and biochemical parameters were assessed before and after drug switching to sacubitril/valsartan (200 mg/day).

Comparing Device-Generated and Calculated Bioimpedance Variables in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Despite BIA emerging as a clinical tool for assessing older adults, it remains unclear how to calculate whole-body impedance (Z), reactance (Xc), resistance (R), and phase angle (PhA) from segmental values using modern BIA devices that place electrodes on both sides of the body. This investigation aimed to compare both the whole-body and segmental device-generated phase angle (PhA) with the phase angle calculated using summed Z, Xc, and R from the left, right, and combined sides of the body (PhA) and to compare bioelectric variables between sides of the body. A sample of 103 community-dwelling older adults was assessed using a 50 kHz direct segmental multifrequency BIA device.

Plasma renin activity as a marker for predicting the antihypertensive effect of switching to sacubitril/valsartan in treated hypertensive patients: Usefulness in daily clinical practice.

The authors investigated the antihypertensive effect of sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) when switching from other drugs and assessed whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or plasma renin activity (PRA) before drug switching was a predictor of blood pressure lowering after switching to Sac/Val. In 92 patients with treated hypertension, clinic blood pressure, plasma BNP, and PRA were examined before and after switching to Sac/Val. Clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressures significantly decreased after drug switching to Sac/Val (p < .

Muscle Swelling and Neuromuscular Responses Following Blood Flow Restricted Exercise in Untrained Women.

There is conflicting evidence related to the prevalence and magnitude of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) following four sets to volitional failure with BFR (BFR-F) or 75 total repetitions with BFR (1 × 30, 3 × 15, BFR-75). The purpose of this investigation was to examine muscle swelling, peak torque, and neuromuscular responses following BFR-75 and BFR-F. Thirteen untrained women completed unilateral isokinetic (120°s) leg extensions concentric-eccentric at 30% of their maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) using BFR-75 and BFR-F protocols, separated by 15 minutes.

Impact of epicardial adipose tissue on diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic coronary syndrome and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Aims: This study aims to investigate the association between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) accumulation in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods And Results: The study included 314 patients with preserved LVEF who underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and thoracic tissue Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). The EAT volume was measured using CCTA.

Durability of output-dependent QRS transition and left bundle branch capture in left bundle branch area pacing.

Background: Although output-dependent QRS transition is a specific indicator that confirms left bundle branch (LBB) capture during left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), its durability remains unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of output-dependent QRS transition and capture thresholds of the LBB and left ventricular septal myocardium immediately and up to 1 year after the LBBAP procedure.

Methods: We enrolled 129 patients with successful LBBAP who were available for 1-year follow-up postoperatively.

A proposed test to determine physical working capacity at pain intensity threshold (PWC).

Purpose: This study aimed to establish a new threshold parameter called the physical working capacity at pain intensity threshold (PWC) using a pain intensity scale and mathematical methods similar to those used to develop the physical working capacity at oxygen consumption threshold (PWC) and physical working capacity at heart rate threshold (PWC). The study had two objectives: (i) to examine the relationship between PWC and traditional PWC measures and (ii) to explore the physiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between pain perception and capacity thresholds.

Methods: Fourteen male volunteers (age 21 ± 2 years, height 176 ± 6 cm, weight 76 ± 9 kg, VO 37.

Effects of smoking cessation on endothelial function as assessed by flow-mediated total dilation.

Background: In assessing the effects of smoking cessation on endothelial function, low-flow-mediated constriction (L-FMC) may provide complementary information to flow-mediated dilation (FMD). However, the value of flow-mediated total dilation (FMTD), an index that incorporates L-FMC into FMD, remains underreported. We aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking cessation on endothelial function, as assessed by FMD and FMTD, and clarify its associated clinical factors.