Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators and Cardiovascular Resynchronization Therapy with Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A MOMENTUM 3 Trial Analysis.

Background: The benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) and cardiovascular resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) in patients supported with a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) remains uncertain.

Methods: An analysis of the MOMENTUM 3 randomized clinical trial and the first 1000 patients in the Continued Access Protocol trial. Patients were divided into three groups based on the presence of ICD and/or CRT-D: No device (n=153, 11%), ICD only (n=699, 50.

Aspirin and Hemocompatibility After LVAD Implantation in Patients With Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: A Secondary Analysis From the ARIES-HM3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The Aspirin and Hemocompatibility Events With a Left Ventricular Assist Device in Advanced Heart Failure (ARIES-HM3) study demonstrated that aspirin may be safely eliminated from the antithrombotic regimen after HeartMate 3 (HM3 [Abbott Cardiovascular]) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. This prespecified analysis explored whether conditions requiring aspirin (prior percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG], stroke, or peripheral vascular disease [PVD]) would influence outcomes differentially with aspirin avoidance.

Objective: To analyze aspirin avoidance on hemocompatibility-related adverse events (HRAEs) at 1 year after implant in patients with a history of CABG, PCI, stroke, or PVD.

Left Ventricular Dimensions and Clinical Outcomes With a Fully Magnetically Levitated Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Background: Prior analyses have suggested that a smaller left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) is associated with reduced survival following HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device implantation.

Objectives: In this trial-based comprehensive analysis, the authors sought to examine clinical characteristics and association with the outcome of this specific relationship.

Methods: The authors analyzed the presence of LVEDD <55 mm among 1,921 analyzable HeartMate 3 patients within the MOMENTUM 3 (Multicenter Study of MagLev Technology in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy With HeartMate 3) trial portfolio, on endpoints of overall survival and adverse events at 2 years.

Inadequate Intensification of LDL-cholesterol lowering therapy after coronary revascularization: Insights from the GOULD registry.

Background: Patients with a history of coronary revascularization are at a higher risk for subsequent cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Lowering LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels post-revascularization significantly reduces these risks.

Methods: This analysis compared LDL-C-lowering therapies at baseline and over time among patients with and without prior coronary revascularization in the GOULD registry (a prospective multicenter cohort study).

Temporal trends in infection-related hospitalizations among patients with heart failure: A Danish nationwide study from 1997 to 2017.

Background: Despite improved survival, hospitalization is still common among patients with heart failure (HF).

Objective: This study aimed to examine temporal trends in infection-related hospitalization among HF patients and compare it to temporal trends in the risk of HF hospitalization and death.

Methods: Using Danish nationwide registers, we included all patients aged 18 to 100 years, with HF diagnosed between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2017, resulting in a total population of 147.

Impact of age over 70 years in the new allocation system on the outcomes of heart transplantation in the US.

Background: United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) allocation criteria changed in 2018 to accommodate the increased prevalence of patients on a ventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplant and prioritize sicker people in anticipation of a heart graft. We aimed to assess the impact of patient age in the new allocation policy on mortality following heart transplantation. Secondary outcomes included the effect of age ≥70 on post-transplant events, including stroke, dialysis, pacemaker, and rejection requiring treatment.

Temporal Trends in the Initiation of Dialysis Among Patients With Heart Failure With or Without Diabetes: A Nationwide Study From 2002 to 2016.

Background: The incidence and distribution of acute and chronic dialysis among patients with heart failure (HF), stratified by diabetes, remain uncertain. We hypothesized that with improved survival and rising comorbidities, the demand for dialysis would increase over time.

Methods And Results: Patients with incident HF, aged 18 to 100 years, between 2002 and 2016, were identified using Danish nationwide registers.

Clinical Outcomes With a Fully Magnetically Levitated Left Ventricular Assist Device Among Women and Men.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are underused among women with advanced heart failure, but reasons remain unclear. Outcomes in women compared with men with contemporary fully magnetically levitated LVADs remain uncertain.

Objectives: The authors examined differences in characteristics, 2-year outcomes, and risk for key adverse events among women and men.

Coronary Atherosclerosis Across the Glycemic Spectrum Among Asymptomatic Adults: The Miami Heart Study at Baptist Health South Florida.

Background: The contemporary burden and characteristics of coronary atherosclerosis, assessed using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), is unknown among asymptomatic adults with diabetes and prediabetes in the United States. The pooled cohort equations and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score stratify atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk, but their association with CCTA findings across glycemic categories is not well established.

Methods: Asymptomatic adults without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease enrolled in the Miami Heart Study were included.

Impact of new allocation system on length of stay following heart transplantation in the United States.

Background: United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) allocation criteria changed in 2018 to accommodate the increased prevalence of ventricular assist device use as a bridge to heart transplant, which consequently prioritized sicker patients. We aimed to assess the impact of this new allocation policy on the length of stay following heart transplantation. Secondary outcomes include other risk factors for prolonged hospitalization and its effect on mortality and postoperative complications.

Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on AF Recurrence After Catheter Ablation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: The effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-Is) on recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients undergoing catheter ablation is not well described.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the impact of SGLT2-Is on the recurrence of AF among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) after catheter ablation.

Methods: Using the TriNetX research network, we identified, by means of Current Procedural Terminology codes, patients ≥18 years of age with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who had undergone AF ablation from April 1, 2014, to November 30, 2021.

Effect of Canagliflozin on Heart Failure Hospitalization in Diabetes According to Baseline Heart Failure Risk.

Background: In the CANVAS (Canagliflozin Cardiovascular Assessment Study) program, canagliflozin reduced the risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalization among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate heterogeneity in absolute and relative treatment effects of canagliflozin on HF hospitalization according to baseline HF risk as assessed by diabetes-specific HF risk scores (WATCH-DM [Weight (body mass index), Age, hyperTension, Creatinine, HDL-C, Diabetes control (fasting plasma glucose) and QRS Duration, MI and CABG] and TRS-HF [TIMI Risk Score for HF in Diabetes]).

Methods: Participants in the CANVAS trial were categorized into low, medium, and high risk for HF using the WATCH-DM score (for participants without prevalent HF) and the TRS-HF score (for all participants).