Rural versus urban outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: The importance of the heart team.

Background: Rural patients face known healthcare disparities and worse cardiovascular outcomes compared to urban residents due to inequitable access and delayed care. Few studies have assessed rural-urban differences in outcomes following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). We compared short-term post-TAVI outcomes between rural and urban patients.

Left atrial thrombus after placement of watchman device.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular rhythm with increased risk of morbidityand mortality. Commonly due to thromboembolism at the left atrialappendage. Guideline therapy for atrial fibrillation is anticoagulation.

Rate of Recovery of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in a Real-World Population of Patients Receiving a Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the rate of early improvement in ejection fraction (EF) within 21 - 60 days among patients with cardiomyopathy who were provided with a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD).

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients who received a WCD at our institution to determine the rate of improvement in left ventricular EF (LVEF) to ≥ 35-40%. Among 990 patients who received a WCD during the study period, 101 had an echocardiogram performed during the subsequent 21 - 60 days.

Comparing Echocardiographic Modalities in Native-Valve Infective Endocarditis Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in People Who Inject Drugs.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Current IE guidelines recommend transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) over transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) to diagnose infective endocarditis. Management of IE in people who inject drugs (PWID) in many medical centers is mainly conservative with prolonged intravenous antibiotics.

Comparison of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Outcomes Between Normal-Flow, Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis and Normal-Flow, High-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Normal flow low gradient severe aortic stenosis (NFLG-AS) with preserved ejection fraction is the most prevalent form of low gradient severe aortic stenosis. Despite the increased prevalence, the clinical outcomes and management strategy of NFLG-AS remain controversial. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) outcomes of patients with NFLG-AS compared with normal flow high gradient severe aortic stenosis (NFHG-AS).

Use of the CHADS-VASc Score in Assessing Transradial Approach Failure.

Background: Radial access is now considered the preferred approach for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention because of the low risk of vascular complications. However, radial access failure is not uncommon, leading to crossover to a different access site. The CHADS-VASc score is used to estimate stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation.