Cabergoline-associated valvulopathy of the tricuspid valve in the treatment of prolactinoma.

Cabergoline-associated valvulopathy (CAV) is defined by the echocardiographic triad of moderate or severe regurgitation, valvular thickening and restricted valvular motion. While it is a well-described complication of dopamine agonist therapy in Parkinson's disease, only three convincing cases of CAV have previously been described in the treatment of prolactinoma, with none involving the tricuspid valve. We describe a case of CAV affecting the tricuspid valve, ultimately resulting in the patient's death.

A Case of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Pseudoaneurysm: An Incidental Finding Revealing Occult Infective Endocarditis.

• LVOT pseudoaneurysm is a rare but important complication of cardiothoracic surgery. • It can present insidiously and is often detected on surveillance echocardiography. • Anatomy can be difficult to elucidate and is shown best with multi-modality imaging.

Long term prognostic importance of late gadolinium enhancement in first-presentation non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Presence of myocardial fibrosis in well-established non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. However, the impact of myocardial fibrosis at first presentation in NIDCM, and its long-term association with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, heart failure (HF) and ventricular arrhythmia (VA) remains unclear. We investigated whether the presence of myocardial fibrosis quantified by late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) at presentation, is independently associated with long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with first presentation NIDCM.

On-X versus St Jude Medical Regent mechanical aortic valve prostheses: early haemodynamics.

Objective: We aimed to compare the early haemodynamic data of the On-X and St Jude Medical (SJM) Regent bileaflet mechanical prostheses in the aortic position.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed using data collected prospectively for a national database. Thirty-three patients who had aortic On-X valve (On-X group) and 33 matched patients who had aortic SJM Regent valve (SJM group) were included.

CT sizing for left atrial appendage closure is associated with favourable outcomes for procedural safety.

Aims: We evaluated the utility of computerized tomography (CT) with respect to sizing work-up for percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) closure, and implications for procedural safety and outcomes.

Methods And Results: Contrast-enhanced multi-detector CT was routinely conducted to guide sizing for LAA closure in addition to transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). Procedural safety and efficacy were prospectively assessed.

Left Atrial Appendage Eccentricity and Irregularity Are Associated With Residual Leaks After Percutaneous Closure.

Objectives: Predictors of residual leak following percutaneous LAA closure were evaluated.

Background: Left atrial appendage (LAA) closure aims to exclude this structure from the circulation, typically using a circular occluder. A noncircular orifice is frequently encountered however, and fibrous remodeling of the LAA in atrial fibrillation may restrict orifice deformation.

Effect of weight reduction and cardiometabolic risk factor management on symptom burden and severity in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: Obesity is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Whether weight reduction and cardiometabolic risk factor management can reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation is not known.

Objective: To determine the effect of weight reduction and management of cardiometabolic risk factors on atrial fibrillation burden and cardiac structure.