Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation: analysis from the REVEAL-AFMR registry.

Background: The prevalence, characteristics, and prognosis of atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) based on severity remain unclear. No studies have systematically evaluated quantitative thresholds, such as effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) or regurgitant volume, in relation to outcomes in AFMR. This multicenter study aimed to clarify the clinical implications of both qualitative and quantitative assessments of AFMR severity.

Durability of output-dependent QRS transition and left bundle branch capture in left bundle branch area pacing.

Background: Although output-dependent QRS transition is a specific indicator that confirms left bundle branch (LBB) capture during left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), its durability remains unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of output-dependent QRS transition and capture thresholds of the LBB and left ventricular septal myocardium immediately and up to 1 year after the LBBAP procedure.

Methods: We enrolled 129 patients with successful LBBAP who were available for 1-year follow-up postoperatively.

Rationale and Design of Prospective, Multicenter, Double-Arm Clinical Trial to Investigate the Efficacy of Tofogliflozin on Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (TOP-HFPEF Trial).

Background: Recent large clinical trials have revealed that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve cardiovascular outcomes not only in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, but also in patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is still controversial.

Methods And Results: The TOP-HFPEF trial (Efficacy of Tofogliflozin on Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) is a multicenter, double-arm, open-label, confirmatory, investigator-initiated clinical study to investigate the effect of SGLT2 inhibitor on LV diastolic function in patients with HFpEF and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Guidance for performance, utilization, and education of cardiac and lung point-of-care ultrasonography from the Japanese Society of Echocardiography.

In recent years, bedside ultrasound examinations have been used in many clinical departments and are called point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Regarding POCUS in the cardiac field, a protocol called focus (focused) cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) has been developed in Europe and the United States, is being used clinically, and an educational syllabus has been created. According to them, FoCUS is defined as a point-of-care cardiac ultrasound examination using standardized limited sections and protocols.

Enhanced expression of neopterin in valve tissue of bicuspid aortic stenosis.

Background: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) occurs in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients at a relatively young age compared to tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients. However, the underlying cause of this phenomenon remains unknown. Neopterin, which is a by-product of the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) pathway, enhances the oxidative potential of reactive oxygen species.

Large Tissue Debris Causing Cerebral Embolism After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Cerebral vascular embolism is one of the complications of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Thrombolytic therapy is not expected to be effective when embolic material consists of a large tissue fragment. Instead, mechanical aspiration may be more effective therapy for acute cerebral infarction after TAVR.

Acute impact of atrial fibrillation on pacemaker lead-induced tricuspid regurgitation: Case report.

Unlabelled: We report a case of worsening lead-induced tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) evaluated using three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) from admission through TR improvement. An 84-year-old man experienced worsening lead-induced TR with new-onset AF, acutely resulting in low output syndrome. Less invasive interventions, such as rhythm control therapy and diuretics administration worked effectively.

Efficacy of azilsartan on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction compared with candesartan: J-TASTE randomized controlled trial.

Characterized by ventricular and vascular stiffness, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has led to high morbidity and mortality. As azilsartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker with the highest myocardial and vascular affinities, azilsartan may improve the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with hypertension and either HFpEF or HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) more than candesartan. In this randomized, open-label trial, we randomly assigned 193 hypertensive patients with HF and LV ejection fraction ≥ 45% to 20 mg of azilsartan (n = 95) or 8 mg of candesartan (n = 98), once daily for 48 weeks.

Utility of Routine Transthoracic Echocardiographic Parameters to Predict Functional Recovery after Catheter Ablation Therapy in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.

Arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC) occurring in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is a reversible form of cardiomyopathy characterized by LV systolic dysfunction. However, it is difficult to predict the reversibility before rhythm control therapy. We performed this study to develop a parameter for the identification of AIC in routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with presumptive AIC due to AF.

Is narrowest QRS the best? A case of cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient with left anterior fascicular block.

The efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with a narrow QRS duration has not been established. We present a patient with a narrow QRS duration and left anterior fascicular block in which CRT was effective. Left ventricular lead implantation at the optimal site and appropriately-timed left ventricular pacing (LVP) resulted in left ventricle reverse remodeling.

Achievement rate and learning curve of left bundle branch capture in left bundle branch area pacing procedure performed to demonstrate output-dependent QRS transition.

Introduction: Recently, output-dependent QRS transition was reported to be required to confirm left bundle branch (LBB) capture in LBB area pacing (LBBAP) procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the achievement rate and the learning curve of LBB capture in LBBAP procedure performed with the goal of demonstrating output-dependent QRS transition, and investigate predictors of LBB capture.

Methods And Results: The LBBAP procedure was performed in 126 patients with bradyarrhythmia.

Risk factors of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy-Insights from lead position.

There was no significant difference in the incidence of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy between right ventricular apex pacing group and OpenCurlyQuote;true CloseCurlyQuote; mid-right ventricular septum pacing group. The preoperative left ventricular end-systolic diameter and paced QRS duration were independent predictors of PICM.

Anatomical reconstruction of the Posterolateral Corner of the knee preserving dynamic function of the popliteus tendon complex.

Almost cases of Posterolateral Corner (PLC) injuries are combined injuries involving the anterior or posterior cruciate ligament. Although numerous techniques of PLC reconstruction have been reported, it is unknown whether these techniques reconstruct PLC sufficiently. The anatomy of PLC is complex of tendon-muscle and ligament.

Aortomitral angle affects cardiovascular events after mitral valve repair for atrial functional mitral regurgitation.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the geometric parameters of the aortomitral (AM) complex affecting postoperative cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods: From October 2008 to August 2018, we performed mitral and tricuspid valve repairs in 58 patients with atrial functional MR. We examined the determinants of CVEs using preoperative and postoperative echocardiographic data.

Bachmann's bundle-ridge related biatrial tachycardia with a long epicardial circuit.

Biatrial tachycardia (BiAT), involving Bachmann's bundle in the circuit, has sometimes been observed after mitral anterior line ablation. In this article, we present a case of BiAT, involving a long epicardial circuit, composed of Bachmann's bundle and the left atrial ridge (LAR). We discuss the optimal ablation technique for this tachycardia based on our experience in addition to the relationship between Bachmann's bundle and the LAR.

The Impact of Aorto-Mitral Angle on New-Onset Atrial Arrhythmia after Mitral Valve Repair in Patients with Mitral Regurgitation.

In this study, we hypothesized that post-operative aorto-mitral angle might be associated to the occurrence of post-operative atrial arrhythmia (AA), including atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia, after mitral valve repair in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). Thus, this present study aims to determine the effects of post-operative aorto-mitral angle on new-onset AA after mitral valve repair with mitral annuloplasty for the treatment of MR.In total, 172 patients without any history of AA underwent mitral valve repair with mitral annuloplasty in our institution between 2008 and 2017.

Characteristics and proposed mechanisms of QRS morphology observed during the left bundle branch pacing procedure.

Background: In performing left bundle branch pacing (LBBP), various QRS morphologies are observed as the lead penetrates the ventricular septum (VS). This study aimed to evaluate these characteristics and infer the mechanism underlying each QRS morphology.

Methods: In 19 patients who met the strict criteria for LBB capture, we classified the QRS morphologies observed during the LBBP procedure into seven patterns, the first five of which were determined by the depth of penetration: right ventricular septal pacing (RVSP), intraventricular septal pacing (IVSP1 and IVSP2), endocardial side of left ventricular septal pacing (LVSeP), nonselective LBBP (NS-LBBP), selective LBBP (S-LBBP), and NS-LBBP with anodal capture.