Impact of semaglutide on weight and functional outcomes among obese heart failure patients: a propensity scores matching analysis.

Background & Objectives: Obesity is a common comorbidity in heart failure, yet effective pharmacological options for weight loss in these patients are limited. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, has shown promise for weight reduction in obese adults. This study aims to evaluate semaglutide's impact on weight loss, functional status, and clinical outcomes in obese patients with heart failure.

Depressive symptomatology, NT-proBNP levels and health status in patients with heart failure: a prospective observational study.

Background: Depressive symptoms frequently occur in patients with heart failure (HF). However, research on the relationship between these symptoms and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a key biomarker for HF severity and treatment, is scarce and yields inconsistent results.

Aims: This study investigates the relationship among depressive symptomatology, NT-proBNP and health status in a cohort of patients with HF.

Comparative analysis of MitraClip/TriClip and PASCAL in transcatheter tricuspid valve repair for tricuspid regurgitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The edge-to-edge transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR) has emerged as a promising technique for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Despite its potential, comparative data on the performance of the novel edge-to-edge devices-MitraClip, PASCAL, and TriClip-remain controversial. In this study, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these devices in treating TR.

Early integration of palliative care versus standard cardiac care for patients with heart failure (EPCHF): a multicentre, parallel, two-arm, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Heart failure is a substantial global health concern that severely affects patients' quality of life. We aimed to compare the effects of early integration of palliative care (EIPC) and standard cardiac care on health status and mood of patients with non-terminal heart failure.

Methods: EPCHF was a multicentre, parallel, two-arm, open-label, randomised controlled trial carried out at University Hospital Bonn and University Hospital Düsseldorf in Germany.

Carotid Stiffness After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

The present study aimed to analyze common carotid artery strain properties in patients (n = 59) with severe aortic valve stenosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Arterial compliance of the common carotid artery was assessed by ultrasound speckle-tracking before and after TAVR. For sub-analysis the study cohort was divided according to aortic valve area <.

Early Outcomes of 2 Mitral Valve Transcatheter Leaflet Approximation Devices: A Propensity Score-Matched Multicenter Comparison.

Background: In addition to the edge-to-edge MitraClip repair system, the edge-to-spacer PASCAL repair system was approved for percutaneous treatment of severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Comparative data are lacking.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare procedural and short-term safety and efficacy of 2 leaflet-based transcatheter mitral valve repair systems.

Deep sedation vs. general anesthesia for transcatheter tricuspid valve repair.

Background: Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVr) is routinely performed under general anesthesia (GA). This study aimed to investigate whether TTVr procedures can be performed effectively and safely without GA but using deep sedation (DS).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 104 patients from three centers who underwent TTVr between 2020 and 2021.

Acute Kidney Injury Following Tricuspid Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

Background: Little is known about the incidence and clinical relevance of postprocedural acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of postprocedural AKI following TEER for TR.

Methods: Two hundred sixty-eight patients who underwent TEER for TR at 2 centers were retrospectively analyzed.

3D-speckle-tracking echocardiography correlates with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of acute myocarditis - An observational study.

Background: The diagnostic importance of three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking strain-imaging echocardiography in patients with acute myocarditis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to test the diagnostic performance of 3D-speckle-tracking echocardiography compared to CMR (cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging) for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis.

Methods And Results: 45 patients with clinically suspected myocarditis were enrolled in our study (29% female, mean age: 43.

Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in patients with mitral regurgitation and the effect of mitral valve repair.

Purpose: The relationship between chronic heart failure and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been frequently described. However, little is known about the association of mitral regurgitation (MR) and SDB or the impact of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) on SDB. Our aims were first to determine the prevalence of SDB in patients with MR, and second to determine the effect of TMVR on SDB.

Guideline-directed medical therapy after transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.

Objective: A sizeable proportion of patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) do not receive guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for heart failure (HF). We investigated the association between the use of GDMT and mortality in patients with SMR who underwent transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER).

Methods: We retrospectively analysed patients with SMR and a left ventricular ejection fraction of <50% who underwent TEER at three centres.

Impact of right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling on clinical outcomes of tricuspid regurgitation.

Background: In terms of pathophysiology, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and right ventricular (RV) function are linked to each other.

Aims: This study sought to evaluate RV-pulmonary artery (PA) coupling and its impact on clinical outcomes of TR in patients undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER).

Methods: We calculated RV-PA coupling ratios in patients undergoing mitral TEER from August 2010 to March 2019 by dividing the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) by the echocardiographic estimated PA systolic pressure (PASP).

Leaflet-to-annulus index and residual tricuspid regurgitation following tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

Background: A mismatch between tricuspid leaflet size and annular dilation is one of the morphological features tied to the development of tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Aims: We assessed the association of the leaflet-to-annulus index (LAI) with residual TR after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER).

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent TEER for TR were enrolled.

Recurrent Mitral Regurgitation After MitraClip: Predictive Factors, Morphology, and Clinical Implication.

Background: Recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR) following MitraClip has not been thoroughly investigated. We aimed to examine the predictive factors, morphology, and long-term outcome of recurrent MR after MitraClip.

Methods: We assessed data from the Heart Failure Network Rhineland registry from August 2010 to October 2018.

Latest Advances in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (2022).

Since the last decade, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the treatment of choice in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) who are ineligible or at higher risk for surgery. Due to the high safety profile of current device generation, TAVI has emerged as a qualified alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with classic aortic stenosis and intermediate surgical risk, severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis, and isolated pure aortic regurgitation. Moderate aortic stenosis, with and without concomitant heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, are under investigation in randomized controlled clinical trials from which we will gain exciting insights on the best timing of TAVI to protect the left ventricle from further functional deterioration due to increasing AS.

Vitamin K Epoxide Reductase Complex Subunit 1-Like 1 (VKORC1L1) Inhibition Induces a Proliferative and Pro-inflammatory Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype.

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are known to promote adverse cardiovascular remodeling. Contrarily, vitamin K supplementation has been discussed to decelerate cardiovascular disease. The recently described VKOR-isoenzyme Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1-like 1 (VKORC1L1) is involved in vitamin K maintenance and exerts antioxidant properties.

A staging classification of right heart remodelling for patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.

Background: In patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) who are scheduled for transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR), risk stratification is predominantly based on surgical risk scores.

Aims: We sought to characterise and define stages of right heart remodelling in patients undergoing TMVR and evaluate the impact of this staging classification on survival.

Methods: According to echocardiographic parameters, 929 patients undergoing MitraClip treatment were classified into three stages: severe MR without right heart damage (stage 0), with moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (stage 1), with right ventricular dysfunction defined as a reduced fractional area change <35% and a tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion <17 mm, or with increased right atrial area >25 cm and/or indexed right ventricular volume >30 ml/m (stage 2).

Early response of right-ventricular function to percutaneous mitral valve repair.

Background: The change in right-ventricular function (RVF) after transcatheter mitral valve repair is still poorly understood. We assessed the early response of RVF to the MitraClip procedure and its clinical relevance.

Methods: We analyzed consecutive patients who underwent a MitraClip procedure to treat MR between August 2010 and March 2019 in the Heart Failure Network Rhineland registry.

Feasibility and Safety of an 8 F Angioseal Vascular Closure Device for Closure of Large Bore Impella CP Access.

Purpose: Percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) with the Impella device is routinely used in cardiogenic shock and high risk percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). However, safety and feasibility to close the large bore access (LBA) post-hoc remain a challenge.

Materials And Methods: In patients with planned termination of Impella therapy, corresponding LBA closure was attempted using an undersized AngioSeal device, which was deployed after insertion of a 0.

Periprocedural changes in natriuretic peptide levels and clinical outcome after transcatheter mitral valve repair.

Aims: This multicentre study investigated the association of periprocedural changes in the levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with clinical outcomes after transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVR).

Methods And Results: Patients were retrospectively analysed who underwent TMVR with the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and had available sequential NT-proBNP testing at baseline and 2 months after TMVR. Periprocedural changes in NT-proBNP following TMVR were assessed as the percent change in NT-proBNP between baseline and the 2 month follow-up, and the significant reduction in NT-proBNP was defined as a decrease of >30% in the follow-up NT-proBNP compared with the pre-procedural NT-proBNP level.

Leaflet Configuration and Residual Tricuspid Regurgitation After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Tricuspid Repair.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the anatomical leaflet variation and investigate its impact on the procedural outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid repair.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with a poor prognosis.

Methods: The study participants were consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid repair with the MitraClip, TriClip, or PASCAL systems from June 2015 to July 2020 at the Bonn Heart Center.