Blood flow dynamics in the ascending aorta of patients with bicuspid aortic valve before and after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a computational fluid dynamics study.

Background: Abnormal blood flow patterns are known to contribute to the ascending aortic dilation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). The present study elucidated the blood flow characteristics in the dilated ascending aorta before and after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.

Methods: We performed CFD analysis in three BAV patients with ascending aortic dilation (maximum diameter ≥ 45 mm) who underwent TAVR.

Association of altitude with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients with hypertension: a cohort study in Southwest China.

Background: Available evidence falls short in assessing the risk of long-term outcomes among individuals with hypertension residing at various altitudes. We aimed to investigate the association between residential altitude and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality among hypertensive patients.

Methods: This cohort study encompassed 67,275 hypertensive patients aged ≥35 years who participated in China's Basic Public Health Service Program in 2018.

Mid-Term Outcomes of K-Clip Transcatheter Tricuspid Annuloplasty System in Patients With Severe Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: Conservative treatments for tricuspid regurgitation (TR) frequently yield suboptimal outcomes. Transcatheter interventions provide a new therapeutic avenue, with ongoing assessments of safety and effectiveness.

Objectives: The TriStar (Confirmatory Clinical Study of Treating Tricuspid Regurgitation With K-Clip™ Transcatheter Annuloplasty System) study investigated 1-year outcomes of the K-Clip transcatheter tricuspid annuloplasty system in treating patients with severe functional TR.

The comparison of the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among adults along the three provinces of the Lancang-Mekong River countries-China, Laos and Cambodia.

Background: Under the background of similar geography and culture in Lancang-Mekong countries and rapid changes in the regional economy and lifestyle, this study aimed to describe and compare the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and assess the hypertension care cascade in three provinces of China, Laos, and Cambodia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2023 in the three provinces of Lancang-Mekong River countries using consistent investigative procedures. We included 11,005 participants aged ≥ 18 years from three provinces, and data were collected through questionnaires, physical examinations, and biochemical tests.

Membraneless organelles in health and disease: exploring the molecular basis, physiological roles and pathological implications.

Once considered unconventional cellular structures, membraneless organelles (MLOs), cellular substructures involved in biological processes or pathways under physiological conditions, have emerged as central players in cellular dynamics and function. MLOs can be formed through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), resulting in the creation of condensates. From neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, aging, and metabolism to cancer, the influence of MLOs on human health and disease extends widely.

Prognostic Implications and Reversibility of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance Derived by Echocardiography in Patients Undergoing Tricuspid Annuloplasty.

Background: Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) intimately correlates with right ventricular afterload and the development of secondary tricuspid regurgitation (sTR).

Objectives: We sought to investigate the prognostic roles of PVR derived by echocardiography in patients with sTR undergoing tricuspid annuloplasty (TA).

Methods: Data from 322 TA patients [median age (interquartile range): 65.

Prognostic value of right ventricular dysfunction in aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Aortic regurgitation (AR) may lead to right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), but the prognostic value of RVD in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains unclear. Our goal was to evaluate the clinical implications, predictors and prognostic significance of RVD in patients with pure AR after TAVR.

Methods: In this multicentre prospective study, patients undergoing TAVR were included between January 2019 and April 2021.

Secondary Conduits in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery.

Background: Recent evidence has suggested use of the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) is associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Therefore, we compared the clinical consequences of secondary conduit selection (RIMA vs radial artery vs saphenous vein) after CABG.

Methods: A post-hoc analysis of the CABG Off or On Pump Revascularization Study, involving 3913 patients from 79 centers in 19 countries who underwent CABG surgery and received arterial grafting with at least 2 grafts.

Analysis and prediction of research hotspots and trends in heart failure research.

Background And Objectives: Comprehensive data analyses in heart failure research can provide academics with information and help policymakers formulate relevant policies. We collected data from reports published between 1945 and 2021 to identify research topics, trends, and cross-domains in the heart failure disease literature.

Methods: Text fragments were extracted and clustered from the titles and abstracts in 270617 publications using artificial intelligence techniques.

Feasibility of a Percutaneous and Non-Fluoroscopic Procedure for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair.

Background: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve has emerged as an alternative treatment for mitral regurgitation (MR). However, the high radiation exposure during the process has been associated with multiple adverse effects for medical staff. In this study, we assessed the feasibility and safety of TEER performed solely under the echocardiographic (echo) guidance.

Transcatheter closure of multiple coronary artery fistulas: a coronary computed tomography angiography-based anatomic classification.

Introduction And Objectives: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the anatomical characteristics and classification of multiple coronary artery fistulas (MCAFs), and to compare the outcomes of transcatheter closure between MCAFs and single fistulas.

Methods: All patients who underwent attempts at transcatheter closure of coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) at Fuwai Hospital from 2010 to 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into single fistula and MCAFs groups, and anatomical characteristics and transcatheter closure outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.

Global trends in heart failure from 1990 to 2019: An age-period-cohort analysis from the Global Burden of Disease study.

Aims: This study aimed to analyse the global prevalence and disability trends of heart failure (HF) from 1990 to 2019, considering both sexes and country-specific economic strata.

Methods: This study conducted a secondary analysis employing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. The analysis is stratified by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) levels.

Deletion of TECRL promotes skeletal muscle repair by up-regulating EGR2.

Myogenic regeneration relies on the proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells. TECRL (trans-2,3-enoyl-CoA reductase like) is an endoplasmic reticulum protein only expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle. However, its role in myogenesis remains unknown.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Closure of Congenital Left Circumflex Coronary Artery Fistula.

Background: Congenital left circumflex coronary artery fistula (LCX-CAF) is a relatively rare type of coronary artery fistula (CAF); little is known about the outcomes of transcatheter closure (TCC) of LCX-CAF.

Methods And Results: All consecutive patients admitted to Fuwai Hospital and scheduled for TCC of LCX-CAF between January 2012 and December 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 25 consecutive patients (mean [±SD] age 34±20 years; 48% male) admitted and scheduled for TCC of congenital LCX-CAF, the procedure was feasible in 22 (77.