Novel insights into the pathobiology of pulmonary hypertension in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH) worldwide and is strongly associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The American Heart Association recently highlighted a call to action regarding the distinct lack of evidence-based treatments for PH due to poorly understood pathophysiology of PH attributable to HFpEF (PH-HFpEF). Prior studies have described cardiophysiological mechanisms to explain the development of isolated postcapillary PH (ipc-PH); however, the consequent increase in pulmonary vascular (PV) resistance (PVR) may lead to the less understood and more fatal combined pre- and postcapillary PH (cpc-PH).

The Association Between Myocardial Bridging and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Their Implications on Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes: A Retrospective Study.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex cardiac disorder, often associated with adverse outcomes, including sudden cardiac death. Myocardial bridging (MB), where a coronary artery segment traverses intramurally within the myocardium, complicates coronary blood flow dynamics. This retrospective study investigates the relationship between MB and HCM and their impact on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes.

A profile on the CardioMEMS HF system in the management of patients with early stages of heart failure: an update.

Introduction: Over the past decade, there have been noteworthy advances in the evaluation and treatment of heart failure (HF). Despite an improved understanding of this chronic disease, HF is still one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. Decompensation and rehospitalization of HF patients remain an integral problem in disease management, with significant economic implications.

Endovascular Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample (2014-2018).

Background: Outcomes of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remain largely unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of HCM patients following TAVR.

Methods: We queried the National Inpatient Sample from 2014 to 2018 for TAVR hospitalizations with and without HCM, creating a propensity-matched cohort to compare outcomes.

Early surgery or conservative management for asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: Meta-analysis of RECOVERY and AVATAR.

The standard practice for management for asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis with a normal left ventricular systolic function is conservative management with a few exceptions. This practice is challenged by two recent randomized controlled trials (RCT). All the prior data is observational.

Early versus late discharge after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and readmissions for permanent pacemaker implantation.

Objective: To examine the rate of readmission for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation with early versus late discharge after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: There is a current trend toward early discharge after TAVR. However, paucity of data exists on the impact of such practice on readmissions for PPM implantation.

Drug-Eluting Stents Versus Conventional Endovascular Therapies in Symptomatic Infrapopliteal Peripheral Artery Disease: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Balloon angioplasty is the standard endovascular treatment for symptomatic infrapopliteal peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, recent trials have studied the effectiveness of drug-eluting stents (DES) for infrapopliteal PAD.

Objective: This study investigated the use of DES compared with standard endovascular techniques for treatment of infrapopliteal artery disease.

Coronary Artery Aneurysms in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (From a United States Based National Cohort).

This study aimed to study group differences in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) based on the presence or absence of associated coronary artery aneurysms (CAA). The cause-and-effect relationship between CAAs and STEMI is largely unknown. The Nationwide Readmission database was used to identify and study group differences of patients with STEMI and with and without CAA from 2014 to 2018.

The Association of Chronic Kidney Disease With Outcomes Following Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with in-hospital and short-term outcomes using a large national database representative of contemporary clinical practice.

Background: CKD and ESRD are associated with increased risk for stroke and bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) may provide a reasonable alternative for these patients; however, the impact of CKD and ESRD on in-hospital and short-term outcomes following LAAC remain largely unknown.

Bupropion in the treatment of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): a single-center experience.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is estimated to impact millions of people each year. However, there is no established gold standard for its treatment. Bupropion is a norepinephrine and a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and has been implicated as a potential treatment for POTS.

A Case of Acute Massive Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve Thrombosis Leading to Fulminant Heart Failure.

Bioprosthetic valve thrombosis has been considered to be extremely unlikely, typically freeing patients from the potential complications of long-term anticoagulation. However, there have been several documented cases of bioprosthetic valve thrombosis and there are concerns that its incidence may be underreported. Experience with diagnosis and management of this condition is limited.

Long-Term Postoperative Complication of the Cabrol Procedure Presenting as Recurrent Anterior ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

• Development of fistulae between the aneurysm sac and aortic graft can be a potential source of thrombi in patients treated with surgical aortic root replacement. • Transesophageal echocardiography is an effective tool to assess post-operative complications of the Cabrol procedure. • Post-operative complications of the Cabrol procedure can have a very delayed initial presentation.

Pancreaticopleural Fistula: A Rare Presentation and a Rare Complication.

Pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) is a rare complication of pancreatitis that requires a high index of clinical suspicion as patients typically present with pulmonary symptoms related to the pleural effusion rather than pancreatitis. Diagnosis is made by detection of amylase in the pleural fluid. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography can aid in visualizing the fistula.

PD-1-dependent restoration of self-tolerance in the NOD mouse model of diabetes after transient anti-TCRβ mAb therapy.

Aims/hypothesis: T cells play a major role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, and there is great interest in developing curative immunotherapies targeting these cells. In this study, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the T cell receptor β-chain (TCRβ) was investigated for its ability to prevent and reverse disease in mouse models of diabetes.

Methods: RIP-OVA(hi) (C57BL/6-Tg(Ins2-OVA)59Wehi/WehiJ) mice adoptively transferred with ovalbumin-specific T cells (an induced model of diabetes) and NOD mice (a spontaneous model of diabetes) were used to test anti-TCRβ mAb therapy as a means of preventing and reversing type 1 diabetes.