Severity of Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy: Impacts on Remodeling After Atrial Flutter Ablation.

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is defined as a reversible left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (SeD) resulting from a sustained fast heart rate. LV remodeling in patients with severe LV dysfunction at diagnosis remains poorly understood. In this retrospective cohort study, we described LV remodeling in 50 patients who underwent atrial flutter ablation.

Survival, ventricular arrhythmia, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator usefulness in toxic cardiomyopathy due to substance abuse.

Background: Toxic dilated cardiomyopathy (T-DCM) due to substance abuse is now recognized as a potential cause of severe left ventricular dysfunction. The burden of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and the role of a prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) are not well documented in this population. We aim to assess the usefulness of ICD implantation in a T-DCM cohort.

Clinical and echocardiographic evolution of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy before heart transplantation.

Background: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by fibrofatty myocardial replacement, and accurate diagnosis can be challenging. The clinical course of patients expressing a severe phenotype of the disease needing heart transplantation (HTx) is not well described in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to describe the clinical and echocardiographic evolution of patients with ACM necessitating HTx.

Effect of concomitant surgical atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with reduced left ventricle ejection fraction: A propensity-score matching analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (RLVEF). The impact of concomitant surgical atrial fibrillation ablation (SAFA) in patients with RLVEF is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of concomitant SAFA in patients with RLVEF undergoing heart surgery on heart failure (HF) rehospitalization and mortality.

A novel fiber-optic based 0.014″ pressure wire: Designs of the OptoWire™, development phases, and the O first-in-man results.

Objectives: To review the technical limitations of available pressure-wires, present the design evolution of a nitinol fiber-optic pressure wire and to summarize the First-in-Man (FIM) O pilot study results.

Background: Despite increasing use of physiology assessment of coronary lesions, several technical limitations persist. We present technical details, design evolution and early clinical results with a novel 0.

Second Time's a Charm: Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Repair With the MitraClip Device as Rescue Therapy After a Failed Surgical Edge-to-Edge Alfieri Stitch.

Surgical mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation is associated with an increased risk of recurrent mitral regurgitation compared to surgical mitral valve replacement. We describe the case of an 80-year-old man with recurrent severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation after a failed surgical Alfieri technique attempt, who then underwent successful MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) implantation.

Acute infectious aortitis presenting as pyelonephritis.

A 65-years-old man with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes presented to the emergency department in sepsis with a 2-week history of new-onset fever, abdominal pain and pyuria. A Computed Tomography without contrast ruled out nephrolithiasis and hydronephrosis, but showed infiltration around the infra-renal aorta (5 x 1 cm) and several retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The periaortic infiltration raised suspicion for acute infectious aortitis.

Feasibility and Safety of Early Repeat Transradial Access Within 30 Days of Previous Coronary Angiography and Intervention.

Transradial approach (TRA) is the default access site for diagnostic angiography and intervention in many centers. Repeat ipsilateral radial artery access late after index procedure has been associated with failures. It is unknown whether early (≤30 days) and very early (<24 hours) repeat radial access is technically feasible and safe.

Clinical value of post-percutaneous coronary intervention fractional flow reserve value: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) prior to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is useful to guide treatment. Whether post-PCI FFR assessment might have clinical impact is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the range of post-PCI FFR values and analyze the relationship between post-PCI FFR and clinical outcomes.

Comparison of radiation exposure during transradial diagnostic coronary angiography with single- or multi-catheters approach.

Objective: To compare radiation exposure during transradial diagnostic coronary angiography (DCA) using standard single- or multi-catheters with different shapes.

Background: Transradial DCA can be performed using single- or multi-catheters to canulate left and right coronary ostia. To date, it remains unknown whether there are differences in radiation exposure between the two strategies.

Meta-Analysis of Effects of Bivalirudin Versus Heparin on Myocardial Ischemic and Bleeding Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Bivalirudin is an alternative to unfractionated heparin (UFH) anticoagulation during percutaneous coronary intervention. Previously, we have reported clinical benefit on major bleeding in favor of bivalirudin compared with UFH monotherapy but inconclusive results on mortality. Controversial data have been reported in the last 2 years.

Efficacy and safety of preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump use in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) can be used prior to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) in high-risk patients. Whether this technique remains safe and effective in contemporary practice is controversial.

Objective: We have completed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials and observational studies to evaluate the safety and benefits of IABP prior to CABG surgery.

FDG-PET/CT for pre-operative staging and prognostic stratification of patients with high-grade prostate cancer at biopsy.

Background: The role of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in prostate cancer (PCa) has not been well defined yet. Because high-grade PCa tends to exhibit increased glycolytic rate, FDG-PET/CT could be useful in this setting. The aim of this study was to assess the value of FDG-PET/CT for pre-operative staging and prognostic stratification of patients with high-grade PCa at biopsy.

The Transradial Approach and Antithrombotic Therapy: Rationale and Outcomes.

This article reviews antithrombotic strategies for percutaneous coronary interventions according to the access site and the current evidence with the aim of limiting ischemic complications and preventing radial artery occlusion (RAO). Prevention of RAO should be part of the quality control of any radial program. The incidence of RAO postcatheterization and interventions should be determined initially using the echo-duplex and then frequently assessed using the more cost-effective pulse oximetry technique.

4Fr in 5Fr sheathless technique with standard catheters for transradial coronary interventions: technical challenges and persisting issues.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of performing sheathless 5Fr transradial percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) using 4Fr diagnostic catheters as dilators.

Background: There is a direct association between artery-catheter mismatch and risk of radial artery occlusion.

Methods: We recruited 130 patients who underwent 4Fr sheathless diagnostic angiography with super torque (Cordis Corporation, USA) catheters followed by ad hoc PCI.

Effectiveness of low rate fluoroscopy at reducing operator and patient radiation dose during transradial coronary angiography and interventions.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the efficacy of low rate fluoroscopy at 7.5 frames/s (FPS) versus conventional 15 FPS for reduction of operator and patient radiation dose during diagnostic coronary angiography (DCA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via the transradial approach (TRA).

Background: TRA for cardiac catheterization is potentially associated with increased radiation exposure.