Current experimental and early investigational agents for cardiac fibrosis: where are we at?

Introduction: Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is induced by factors activating pro-fibrotic pathways such as acute and prolonged inflammation, myocardial ischemic events, hypertension, aging process, and genetically-linked cardiomyopathies. Dynamics and characteristics of myocardial fibrosis development are very different. The broad range of myocardial fibrosis presentations suggests the presence of multiple potential targets.

Cat Scratch Endocarditis.

We reported a case of blood culture-negative infective endocarditis on a native valve, where the clinical presentation was exclusively related to extensive cerebral ischemia secondary to multiple systemic septic cardioembolic events. The cause was ascribed to subacute infection, presumably transmitted by cat scratch, documented by positive serologic findings.

Choroidal remodeling following different anti-VEGF therapies in neovascular AMD.

The purpose of this study was to investigate choroidal morphology remodeling in AMD-associated type 1 macular neovascularization using two different anti-VEGF drugs. We registered 73 treatment-naïve eyes with a diagnosis of exudative AMD and type 1 MNV. Patients received 3 monthly intravitreal aflibercept (n = 36, aflibercept group [AG]) or brolucizumab (n = 37, brolucizumab group [BG]).

Real-world data of patients affected by advanced heart failure treated with implantable cardioverter defibrillator and left ventricular assist device: Results of a multicenter observational study.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (L-VAD) implantation is increasingly used in patients with heart failure (HF) and most patients also have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Limited data are available on the incidence of ICD therapies and complications in this special setting. The aim of this study was to analyze the real-world incidence and predictors of ICD therapies, complications and interactions between ICD and L-VAD.

Impact of COVID-19 on incidence and outcomes of post-infarction mechanical complications in Europe.

Objectives: Post-acute myocardial infarction mechanical complications (post-AMI MCs) represent rare but life-threatening conditions, including free-wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture and papillary muscle rupture. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, an overwhelming pressure on healthcare systems led to delayed and potentially suboptimal treatments for time-dependent conditions. As AMI-related hospitalizations decreased, limited information is available whether higher rates of post-AMI MCs and related deaths occurred in this setting.

The Impact of Diabetic Retinopathy on the Choriocapillaris in Neovascular AMD.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on morphological choriocapillaris (CC) modifications in eyes with type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) secondary to AMD using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: Eyes with AMD-related type 1 MNV with and without DR were prospectively included. We performed 3 × 3 mm OCTA scans at two visits: before the loading phase of intravitreal injections of aflibercept (T1) and 1 month after the last injection (T2).

Impact of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair on Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation from the GIOTTO Registry.

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (aFMR) has a peculiar pathophysiology that may have distinctive outcomes. We investigated the impact of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in aFMR compared with other FMR etiologies. The GIOTTO (GIse registry Of Transcatheter treatment of MR) is a multicenter, prospective study enrolling patients with symptomatic MR treated with MitraClip up to 2020.

A Novel Transcatheter Device for the Edge-to-Edge Treatment of Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Preliminary Evaluation.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is the most common pathology of the tricuspid valve (TV), with significant mortality in severe cases. A well-established strategy to treat TR is represented by the clover surgical technique, which consists of stitching together the free edges of TV leaflets, producing a clover-shaped valvular orifice. Transcatheter treatments for TR constitute a valuable alternative for high-risk patients.

Immediate effect of anti-VEGF injections on optic nerve head: Correlation between intraocular pressure and anatomical peripapillary changes.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC) changes on optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography and OCT thickness alterations associated with acutely increased intraocular pressure after intravitreal injections.

Methods: This observational clinical study was conducted on 35 eyes (35 patients) with treatment-naïve age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and type 1 or type 2 MNV were enrolled. All patients underwent anti-vascular endothelial grow factor (VEGF) intravitreal injections with 0.

1-Year Outcomes With Fourth-Generation Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair From the EXPAND G4 Study.

Background: The fourth-generation mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) device introduced an improved clip deployment sequence, independent leaflet grasping, and 2 wider clip sizes to tailor the treatment of patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) for a broad range of anatomies. The 30-day safety and effectiveness of the fourth-generation M-TEER device were previously demonstrated.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate 1-year outcomes in a contemporary, real-world cohort of subjects treated with the MitraClip G4 system.

The current clinical practice for management of post-infarction ventricular septal rupture: a European survey.

Aims: Many historical and recent reports showed that post-infarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) represents a life-threatening condition and the strategy to optimally manage it remains undefined. Therefore, disparate treatment policies among different centres with variable results are often described. We analysed data from European centres to capture the current clinical practice in VSR management.

Crohn's Disease of the Ileoanal Pouch: A High Rate of Potential Overdiagnoses.

Background: Approximately 1 in 10 patients with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is diagnosed with Crohn's disease of the pouch (CDP). However, this diagnosis may be established inappropriately, as alternative underlying causes necessitating an alternative treatment approach, such as long-term surgical sequelae, may mimic CDP. In this study, we aimed to identify patients diagnosed with and treated for CDP with a (concurrent) alternative diagnosis.

Effects of diabetic retinopathy on longitudinal morphological changes in AMD-associated type 1 macular neovascularization.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on longitudinal morphological changes in AMD-associated type 1 macular neovascularization using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). We enrolled fifty treatment-naïve eyes with a diagnosis of exudative AMD and type 1 MNV. Twenty of 50 eyes were affected by mild DR.

Choriocapillaris Reperfusion in Resolved Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Treated with Eplerenone: Long-Term Effects on the Fellow Eye.

Introduction: The aim of this work is to utilize swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) to assess the long-term changes in the choroidal and choriocapillaris (CC) layers of the fellow unaffected eye of patients with unilateral resolved chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) following treatment with continuous oral eplerenone (EPL).

Methods: The study included 35 patients with cCSC and subretinal fluid (SRF) in one eye. SS-OCTA imaging was performed on the fellow cCSC eyes at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months during eplerenone therapy.