Intravascular imaging-guided vs. angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in high-risk patients and complex coronary anatomies.

Background: Despite a large body of evidence supporting the use of intravascular imaging (IVI) to guide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), concerns exist about its universal recommendation. The selective use of IVI to guide PCI of complex lesions and patients is perceived as a rational approach.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Assessment of the left atrial volume and function following percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty: Insights into acute and late impact of atrial fibrillation on atrial remodeling.

Background: Rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) leads to LA remodeling with disordered electrical activation that may revert with valve intervention. This study aimed to assess the acute and late impact of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) on LA volume and function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with sinus rhythm.

Methods: A total of 167 patients with severe MS undergoing PMBV were prospectively enrolled.

Left Atrial Thrombus and Dense Spontaneous Contrast in Direct Oral Anticoagulant Therapy of Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from a Reference Center.

Background: In the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most frequently sustained arrhythmia, with catheter ablation (CA) or electrical cardioversion (ECV), the periprocedural period is one of the most critical phases. Currently, the use of new direct action oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is increasingly frequent; however, in the real world, there are still few data on studies on the thrombus incidence in the left atrium (TrLA) or dense spontaneous contrast (DSC) on transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE).

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of events and association with risk factors in patients using DOACs.

Myocardial function reclassification: Echocardiographic strain patterns in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy and intraventricular dyssynchrony.

Background: We aimed to identify, among Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCC) patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and non-left bundle branch block (non-LBBB), subgroups with different functional and mechanical patterns of global longitudinal strain (GLS) and intraventricular dyssynchrony (IVD) at rest and after exercise stress test, and reclassify them using a new echocardiographic approach.

Methodology: In this single-center cross-sectional study, 40 patients with CCC, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% and non-LBBB underwent rest echocardiography and then treadmill exercise stress echocardiography with GLS and IVD analysis. The sample was divided into four groups, based on GLS and IVD significant variation between rest and exercise: GLS + IVD+ (9 patients); GLS + IVD- (9 patients); GLS-IVD+ (10 patients); GLS-IVD- (10 patients).

Impact of left atrial compliance improvement on functional status after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty.

Background: Conventional hemodynamic parameters may not accurately predict symptomatic improvement after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV). Changes in left heart chamber compliance following adequate relief o0066 mitral stenosis (MS) may be useful in determining functional capacity after PMV. This study aims to determine the acute effects of PMV on compliance of the left heart and whether its changes relate to the patient's functional capacity.

Update on percutaneous mitral commissurotomy.

Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) is the first-line therapy for managing rheumatic mitral stenosis. Over the past two decades, the indications of the procedure have expanded to include patients with unfavourable valve anatomy as a consequence of epidemiological changes in patient population. The procedure is increasingly being performed in patients with increased age, more deformed valves and associated comorbidities.

Mitral Subvalvular Aneurysm in a Patient with Chagas Disease and Recurrent Episodes of Ventricular Tachycardia.

Subvalvular left ventricular aneurysm is a rare disease of obscure origin suggesting unique causes such as congenital, traumatic, and inflammatory or infectious diseases. Its mortality is closely related to heart failure, mitral insufficiency, thromboembolic phenomena, and cardiac arrhythmias. Although association with coronary artery disease is not described, the compression of epicardial vessels by the aneurysm may lead to ischemic manifestations.

In-hospital mortality risk prediction after percutaneous coronary interventions: Validating and updating the Toronto score in Brazil.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the accuracy of the simple, contemporary and well-designed Toronto PCI mortality risk score in ICP-BR registry, the first Brazilian PCI multicenter registry with follow-up information.

Background: Estimating percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) mortality risk by a clinical prediction model is imperative to help physicians, patients and family members make informed clinical decisions and optimize participation in the consent process, reducing anxiety and improving quality of care. At a healthcare system level, risk prediction scores are essential to measure and benchmark performance.

Primary Angioplasty for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Presenting as ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction during Endomyocardial Biopsy.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is still a major issue, with significative mortality in heart transplant patients, and the best therapeutic options are not yet established. The progressively higher survival rates after transplantation have made it a major concern. This is a case report about a patient who underwent cardiac transplantation due to chagasic cardiomiopathy.

Safe fertility-preserving management in gynecological malignancies.

Objective: To provide a review in the available literature about the safe fertility-preserving management in gynecological malignancies, focusing on the selection criteria of the patients, treatment options and follow-up.

Design: Literature survey.

Results: The incidence of cancer in women who still want to get pregnant is increasing significantly.