Multiparametric Monitoring of Disease Progression in Contemporary Patients with Wild-Type Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy Initiating Tafamidis Treatment.

Background: Recently, a disease modifying therapy has become available for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). A validated monitoring concept of treatment is lacking, but a current expert consensus recommends three clinical domains (clinical, biomarker and ECG/imaging) assessed by several measurable features to define disease progression.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of wild-type ATTR-CM patients initiating tafamidis therapy assessed within our local routine protocol at baseline and 6-months follow-up with respect to the frequency of values beyond the proposed thresholds defining disease progression.

Comparison of transcatheter leaflet-approximation and direct annuloplasty in tricuspid regurgitation.

Background: Transcatheter repair emerges as a treatment option in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and high surgical risk.

Aims: This study aimed to compare leaflet-based and annuloplasty-based transcatheter repair in patients with TR.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis consecutive patients undergoing either transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) or direct annuloplasty (AP) for relevant TR at 2 centers were compared with respect to baseline characteristics, procedural efficacy and safety (death, myocardial infarction, procedure or device-related cardiothoracic surgery, or stroke at 30 days).

Leaflet Morphology and its Implications for Direct Transcatheter Annuloplasty of Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: Leaflet morphology has been associated with treatment success in edge-to-edge repair of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), but the impact on annuloplasty is unclear.

Objectives: The authors sought to examine the association of leaflet morphology with efficacy and safety of direct annuloplasty in TR.

Methods: The authors analyzed patients who underwent catheter-based direct annuloplasty with the Cardioband at 3 centers.

Assessing the Nomological Network of the South African Personality Inventory With Psychological Traits.

The purpose of this study was to expand internal construct validity and equivalence research of the South African Personality Inventory (SAPI), as well as to investigate the nomological validity of the SAPI by examining its relationship with specific and relevant psychological outcomes. The internal and external validity of the SAPI was assessed within three separate samples ( = 936). Using the combined data from all three samples, Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling (ESEM) indicated that the six-factor SAPI model fit proved to be excellent.