The use of venous blood gas in assessing arterial acid-base and oxygenation status - an analysis of aggregated data from multiple studies evaluating the venous to arterial conversion (v-TAC) method.

Background: Several methods exist to reduce the number of arterial blood gases (ABGs). One method, Roche v-TAC, has been evaluated in different patient groups. This paper aggregates data from these studies, in different patient categories using common analysis criteria.

Use of coronary physiology to guide revascularization in clinical practice: results of the F(FR) registry.

Background: Despite the recommendation of coronary physiology to guide revascularization in angiographically intermediate stenoses without established correlation to ischemia, its uptake in clinical practice is slow.

Aims: This study aimed to analyze the use of coronary physiology in clinical practice.

Methods: Based on a multicenter registry (Fractional Flow Reserve Fax Registry, F(FR), ClinicalTrials.

MEMS Technology in Cardiology: Advancements and Applications in Heart Failure Management Focusing on the CardioMEMS Device.

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. It is characterized by various structural and/or functional abnormalities of the heart, resulting in elevated intracardiac pressure and/or inadequate cardiac output at rest and/or during exercise. These dysfunctions can originate from a variety of conditions, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathies, heart valve disorders, arrhythmias, and other lifestyle or systemic factors.

Fusion Imaging of Non-Invasive and Invasive Cardiac Electroanatomic Mapping in Patients with Ventricular Ectopic Beats: A Feasibility Analysis in a Case Series.

In patients with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), non-invasive mapping could locate the PVCs' origin on a personalized 3-dimensional (3D) heart model and, thus, facilitate catheter ablation therapy planning. The aim of our report is to evaluate its accuracy compared to invasive mapping in terms of assessing the PVCs' early activation zone (EAZ). For this purpose, non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) was performed using the Amycard 01C system (EP Solutions SA, Switzerland) in three cases.

Expanded application of wearable cardioverter defibrillators beyond current guidelines: proposal for a European register explained through single clinical scenarios.

The wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) is becoming a more and more widely used instrument for the prevention of sudden cardiac death of patients either with a secondary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator indication or with a transient high risk of sudden cardiac death. Although clinical practice has demonstrated a benefit of protecting patients for a period as long as 3-6 months with such devices, the current European guidelines concerning ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are still extremely restrictive in the patient selection in part because of the costs derived from such a prevention device, in part because of the lack of robust randomised trials.To illustrate expanded use cases for the WCD, four real-life clinical cases are presented where patients received the device slightly outside the established guidelines.

Targeted therapy with a localised abluminal groove, low-dose sirolimus-eluting, biodegradable-polymer coronary stent - five-year results of the TARGET All Comers randomised clinical trial.

Background: In the prospective, multicentre, randomised TARGET All Comers study, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the FIREHAWK biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) was non-inferior to the durable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (DP-EES) for the primary endpoint of target lesion failure (TLF) at 12 months.

Aims: We aimed to report the final study outcomes at 5 years.

Methods: Patients referred for PCI were randomised to receive either a BP-SES or DP-EES in a 1:1 ratio in 10 European countries.

Crystalline sirolimus-coated balloon (cSCB) angioplasty in an all-comers, patient population with stable and unstable coronary artery disease including chronic total occlusions: rationale, methodology and design of the SCORE trial.

Background: A decade ago, the iopromide-paclitaxel coated balloon (iPCB) was added to the cardiologist's toolbox to initially treat in-stent restenosis followed by the treatment of de novo coronary lesions. In the meantime, DES technologies have been substantially improved to address in-stent restenosis and thrombosis, and shortened anti-platelet therapy. Recently, sirolimus-coated balloon catheters (SCB) have emerged to provide an alternative drug to combat restenosis.

Impact of chronic coronary syndromes on cardiovascular hospitalization and mortality: the ESC-EORP CICD-LT registry.

Aims: In Europe, global data on guideline adherence, geographic variations, and determinants of clinical events in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) remain suboptimal. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) EURObservational Research Programme (EORP) Chronic Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease Long-Term (CICD-LT) registry is a prospective European registry, and was designed to describe the profile, management, and outcomes of patients with CCS across the ESC countries.

Methods And Results: We aimed to investigate clinical events at 1-year follow-up from the ESC EORP CICD-LT registry.

His bundle pacing guided by automated intrinsic morphology matching is feasible in patients with narrow QRS complexes.

Pace mapping and visual comparison of the local pacing response with the intrinsic QRS morphology form the mainstay of His bundle pacing (HBP). We evaluated the performance of a surface lead morphology match algorithm for automated classification of the pacing response in patients with narrow intrinsic QRS undergoing electroanatomic mapping (EAM)-guided HBP. HBP was attempted in 43 patients.

Perioperative Sensor and Algorithm Programming in Patients with Implanted ICDs and Pacemakers for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: ICDs and pacemakers for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are complex devices with different sensors and automatic algorithms implanted in patients with advanced cardiac diseases. Data on the perioperative management and outcome of CRT carriers undergoing surgery unrelated to the device are scarce.

Methods: Data from 198 CRT device carriers (100 with active rate responsive sensor) were evaluated regarding perioperative adverse (device-related) events (A(D)E) and lead parameter changes.

Minielectrode catheter technology for near zero-fluoroscopy substrate-guided ablation of typical atrial flutter.

Background: MicroFidelity catheter technology may facilitate voltage-guided ablation by high-resolution electroanatomic mapping (HR-EAM) and precisely targeted energy application.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of minielectrode (ME) technology for zero-fluoroscopy substrate-guided cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation.

Methods: Eighty-two patients underwent near zero-fluoroscopy substrate-guided CTI ablation using a nonirrigated large-tip catheter with 3 MEs.

Profile and treatment of chronic coronary syndromes in European Society of Cardiology member countries: The ESC EORP CICD-LT registry.

Background: International guidelines recommend pharmacotherapy combinations for chronic coronary syndromes (CCSs) but medical management remains suboptimal.

Design: The CICD-LT registry is investigating short- and long-term outcomes and management in patients in European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries, in a longitudinal ESC EURObservational Research Programme aimed at improving CCS management.

Methods: Between 1 May 2015 and 31 July 2018, 9174 patients with previous ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI or coronary revascularisation, or other CCS, were recruited during a routine ambulatory visit or elective revascularisation procedure.

Evaluation of Mathematical Arterialization of Venous Blood in Intensive Care and Pulmonary Ward Patients.

Background: Arterial blood gases are important when assessing acute or critically ill patients. Capillary blood and mathematical arterialization of venous blood have been proposed as alternative methods, eliminating pain and complications of arterial puncture.

Objectives: This study compares the arterial samples, arterialized venous samples, and capillary samples in ICU and pulmonary ward patients.

Impact of Different Geriatric Conditions on Choice of Therapy and In-Hospital Outcomes in Elderly Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Introduction: The clinical benefit of invasive therapy in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains unclear. Furthermore, the decision-making process to treat this growing patient group is also debatable. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between elderly ACS patients, the treatment choice and their in-hospital outcomes after non-ST-elevation (NSTE)-ACS in a consecutive series of patients >75 years of age.

High-density mapping-guided corrective HIS bundle pacing after failed CRT upgrade for persistent left superior vena cava.

In patients with persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), transvenous device implantation for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be challenging. We present a complex case with successful, high-density electroanatomic mapping (EAM) guided corrective His bundle pacing (CHBP) following failed CRT upgrade in a patient with PLSVC, congenital heart disease, and pacing-associated heart failure. CHBP restored physiological conduction in left bundle branch block with complete conduction block leading to clinical improvement and cardiac remodeling.

Endpoint selection for noninferiority percutaneous coronary intervention trials: a methodological description.

Background: The objective of this review is to provide a practical update on endpoint selection for noninferiority (NI) studies in percutaneous coronary intervention studies.

Methods: A PubMed search was conducted for predefined terms to explore the use of NI designs and intrapatient comparisons to determine their current importance. Sample size calculations for the most frequently used endpoints with NI hypotheses were done to increase statistical awareness.

2-Year Clinical Outcomes of an Abluminal Groove-Filled Biodegradable-Polymer Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Compared With a Durable-Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stent.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the 2-year clinical outcomes of the Firehawk stent (Shanghai MicroPort Medical Group, Shanghai, China), a novel abluminal groove-filled biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting coronary stent, compared with XIENCE (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California), a durable-polymer everolimus-eluting coronary stent.

Background: The long-term outcomes of the Firehawk stent have not been evaluated beyond 1 year in a randomized all-comers clinical trial.

Methods: The TARGET All Comers study is a prospective, multicenter, all-comers, randomized, noninferiority trial conducted in Europe.

Quinidine-A legacy within the modern era of antiarrhythmic therapy.

Quinidine has a very long history as antiarrhythmic medication. The alkaloid has been used in the treatment of almost all cardiac arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, since the early twentieth century. Despite decreases in clinical prescription over the last two decades, mainly due to side effects like pro-arrhythmia, leading to increased mortality and to the availability of newer anti-arrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation, Quinidine remains an invaluable drug in the modern era of antiarrhythmic therapy.

Differences of patients' perceptions for elective diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention in stable coronary artery disease between elderly and younger patients.

Aims: There is limited evidence of the differences in expectations between elderly (≥80 years) and younger patients (<80 years) regarding treatment success of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). We conducted a survey in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography (DA) and/or intervention (PCI) to identify differences in patient perceptions between elderly and younger patients.

Methods And Results: This is an all-comers study of consecutive patients who underwent DA and/or PCI.

Targeted therapy with a localised abluminal groove, low-dose sirolimus-eluting, biodegradable polymer coronary stent (TARGET All Comers): a multicentre, open-label, randomised non-inferiority trial.

Background: The FIREHAWK is a drug-eluting stent with a fully biodegradable sirolimus-containing polymer coating localised to recessed abluminal grooves on the stent surface. We investigated clinical outcomes with this targeted, low-dose, biodegradable polymer, sirolimus-eluting stent compared with XIENCE durable polymer, everolimus-eluting stents in an all-comers population.

Methods: The TARGET All Comers study was a prospective, multicentre, open-label randomised non-inferiority trial done at 21 centres in ten European countries.

The chronic ischaemic cardiovascular disease ESC Pilot Registry: Results of the six-month follow-up.

Aim Chronic ischaemic cardiovascular disease (CICD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The CICD Pilot Registry enrolled 2420 patients across 10 European Society of Cardiology countries prospectively to describe characteristics, management strategies and clinical outcomes in this setting. We report here the six-month outcomes.

Incidence and predictors of reCurrent restenosis after drug-coated balloon Angioplasty for Restenosis of a drUg-eluting Stent: The ICARUS Cooperation.

Introduction And Objectives: The incidence and predictors of recurrent restenosis after drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for drug-eluting stent (DES) restenosis remain poorly studied. We sought to evaluate the incidence and predictors of recurrent restenosis among participants in randomized controlled trials receiving DCB angioplasty for DES restenosis.

Methods: The clinical and lesion data of individuals enrolled in 6 randomized controlled trials of DCB angioplasty for DES restenosis were pooled.

Angiographic patterns of drug-eluting stent restenosis after treatment with drug-coated balloon versus balloon angioplasty: Late lumen loss subgroup analyses of the PEPCAD-DES study.

Objectives: This report provides the results of additional late lumen loss (LLL) analyses the predefined subgroup of diabetics and post hoc analyses of selected lesion morphologies to further elucidate the efficacy of paclitaxel coated balloon (PCB) angioplasty (clinical trials identifier NCT00998439).

Background: The PEPCAD-DES trial revealed that in lesion LLL and the target lesion revascularization rate (TLR) were significantly reduced with PCB angioplasty as compared with plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) in patients with drug-eluting stent restenosis (DES-ISR).

Methods: A total of 110 patients with restenosis of Sirolimus- (SES), Everolimus- (EES), or Paclitaxel-eluting (PES) stents in native coronary arteries were randomized 2:1 to receive treatment with PCB (72 patients) or POBA (38 patients).

Surrogate and clinical endpoints in interventional cardiology: are statistics the brakes?

Background: Randomized controlled trials are the gold standard for demonstrating safety and efficacy of coronary devices with or without accompanying drug treatments in interventional cardiology. With the advent of last-generation drug-eluting stents having enhanced technical attributes and long-term clinical benefits, the proof of incremental angiographic or long-term clinical efficacy becomes more challenging. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the most common and alternative study endpoints in interventional cardiology and their potential reimbursement value.