Reverse electrical remodelling after cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient undergoing left bundle branch area pacing: a case report.

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has been introduced as an alternative to biventricular pacing in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Several studies describe echocardiographic reverse remodelling after LBBAP. Reverse electrical remodelling after LBBAP has not yet been described.

PSMA - Targeted Clinical Molecular Imaging of Atherosclerosis: Correlation with Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

Aim: The early diagnosis of atherosclerotic changes to prevent ischemic events represents a clinical challenge.Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) as an established diagnostic in the field of prostate cancer also appears to detect neovascularization and inflammation in other diseases. We hypothesized that it might be also suited for detection of inflammation in atherosclerosis.

Forns index and fatty liver index, but not FIB-4, are associated with indices of glycaemia, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes: analysis of The Maastricht Study.

Objective: Glucose metabolism status (GMS) is linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Higher levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are observed in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and NAFLD. We examined the association between GMS, non-invasive tests and AGEs, with liver steatosis and fibrosis.

Metabolomics profiling of Type D personality traits.

Objective: Type D (Distressed) personality combines negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) and is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we examined the association of Type D traits with 230 (predominantly) lipid metabolites and metabolite ratios.

Methods: Four Dutch cohorts were included, comprising 10,834 individuals.

The volume-outcome relation for pulmonary endarterectomy in chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: We conducted a volume-outcome (V-O) meta-analysis of PEA procedures for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), to objectively determine the minimum required annual case load that can define a high-volume centre.

Methods: Three electronic databases were systematically queried until May 1st, 2024. Centres were divided in volume tertiles (Ts).

Angiographic reconstructions of CT perfusion for occlusion detection in ischemic stroke.

Background: Both CT angiography and CT perfusion involve the administration and tracking of a contrast medium bolus for different purposes. In this study, we aim to compare the diagnostic accuracy and subjective image quality of CTP-angiographic reconstructions with conventional CTA for occlusion detection in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with a final diagnosis of ischemic stroke and who underwent both CTA and CTP from September 2020 up to and including September 2021 were included.

Linking human cerebral and ocular waste clearance: Insights from tear fluid and ultra-high field MRI.

Impaired cerebral waste clearance (i.e., glymphatics) is evident in aging and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, where an impaired waste clearance system could be related to the accumulation of pathological proteins (e.

The mechanistic interaction between mechanical dyssynchrony and filling pressure in cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates.

Background: Both left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony and filling pressure have been shown to be associated with outcome in heart failure patient treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Objectives: To investigate the mechanistic link between mechanical dyssynchrony and filling pressure and to assess their combined prognostic value in CRT candidates.

Methods: Left atrial pressure (LAP) estimation and quantification of mechanical dyssynchrony were retrospectively performed in 219 CRT patients using echocardiography.

Improvement of the outcome of the saphenous vein graft when connected to the internal thoracic artery.

Background: Since 2000, we have been grafting the right coronary artery system (RCAs) using the proximal portion of the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) as the inflow of the saphenous vein graft (SVG) to increase the number of patients undergoing beating heart complete myocardial revascularization.

Methods: From 2000 to 2022, 928 consecutive patients underwent SVG on the RCAs. In 546 patients (58.

Boosting the accuracy of existing models by updating and extending: using a multicenter COVID-19 ICU cohort as a proxy.

Most published prediction models for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) were poorly reported, at high risk of bias, and heterogeneous in model performance. To tackle methodological challenges faced in previous prediction studies, we investigated whether model updating and extending improves mortality prediction, using the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a proxy. All COVID-19 patients admitted to seven ICUs in the Euregio-Meuse Rhine during the first pandemic wave were included.

The association of overweight, obesity, and long-term obesity with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a meta-analysis of 9 population-based cohorts from the Netherlands Cohorts Consortium.

Background: Obesity may affect an individual's immune response and subsequent risk of infection, such as a SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is less clear whether overweight and long-term obesity also constitute risk factors. We investigated the association between the degree and duration of overweight and obesity and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Additional value of CTP maps in occlusion detection on CTP angiographic reconstructions for ischemic stroke.

Background: CT perfusion angiographic reconstructions (CTP-AR), derived at the peak arterial inflow, have demonstrated similar diagnostic accuracy to CTA for occlusion detection in the anterior circulation. Colour-coded CTP maps may aid in localizing an occlusion. This study aim to assess the additional value of CTP maps for occlusion detection in ischemic stroke patients assessed with CTA or CTP-AR.

Photon-counting detector computed tomography in cardiac imaging.

Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) has emerged as a revolutionary technology in CT imaging. PCD-CT offers significant advancements over conventional energy-integrating detector CT, including increased spatial resolution, artefact reduction and inherent spectral imaging capabilities. In cardiac imaging, PCD-CT can offer a more accurate assessment of coronary artery disease, plaque characterisation and the in-stent lumen.

Assessment of ventricular electrical heterogeneity in left bundle branch pacing and left ventricular septal pacing by using various electrophysiological methods.

Introduction: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) comprises pacing at the left ventricular septum (LVSP) or left bundle branch (LBBP). The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in ventricular electrical heterogeneity between LVSP, LBBP, right ventricular pacing (RVP) and intrinsic conduction with different dyssynchrony measures using the ECG, vectorcardiograpy, ECG belt, and Ultrahigh frequency (UHF-)ECG.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients with a pacemaker indication for bradycardia or cardiac resynchronization therapy underwent LBBAP implantation.

Patency and reflux in relation to postthrombotic syndrome: a subanalysis of the Ultrasound-Accelerated Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Versus Anticoagulation for the Prevention of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome trial.

Background: Adjunctive catheter-directed thrombolysis shows variable efficacy in preventing postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), despite restored patency.

Objectives: This Ultrasound-Accelerated Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis Versus Anticoagulation for the Prevention of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (CAVA) trial subanalysis investigated the effect of ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (UACDT) on patency, reflux, and their relevance in PTS development.

Methods: This multicenter, randomized, single-blind trial enrolled patients (aged 18-85 years) with a first iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis and symptom duration ≤14 days.

What Can We Learn from the Scalp Hair's Trace Element Content? The Relationship with the Advancement of Coronary Artery Disease.

: Multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease have been identified without answering one of the leading questions related to the extent of the involvement of the epicardial arteries. Trace elements are involved in various stages of atherosclerotic lesion formation and may play a significant role in the advancement of coronary artery disease. : A total of 157 (92 (59%) men and 65 (41%) women) patients with a median age of 71 (65-75) years presenting with chronic coronary syndrome were enrolled in the prospective single-center analysis.

Free-Running Cardiac and Respiratory Motion-Resolved Imaging: A Paradigm Shift for Managing Motion in Cardiac MRI?

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used for non-invasive assessment of cardiac morphology, function, and tissue characteristics due to its exquisite soft-tissue contrast. However, it remains time-consuming and requires proficiency, making it costly and limiting its widespread use. Traditional cardiac MRI is inefficient as signal acquisition is often limited to specific cardiac phases and requires complex view planning, parameter adjustments, and management of both respiratory and cardiac motion.

Do poor psychosocial resources mediate health inequalities in type 2 diabetes mellitus? Findings from the Maastricht study.

Low socioeconomic position (SEP) has been identified as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and psychosocial resources might be on the pathway in this association. We examined two poor psychosocial resources, low control beliefs and inferiority beliefs, that might link low SEP with T2DM. 8292 participants aged 40-75 living in Southern Netherlands participated in The Maastricht Study starting from September 2010 to October 2020 and were followed up to 10 years with annual questionnaires.