Personalized or Standard Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: PARTHENOPE Randomized Trial.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), although its optimal duration remains uncertain.

Objectives: We performed a randomized trial comparing a personalized duration of DAPT, based on a risk score, for 3-, 6-, or 24-months with a standard duration of DAPT for 12 months after PCI.

Methods: We randomly assigned 2,107 patients undergoing PCI to receive either a personalized or a standard DAPT.

Treatment Strategies for Patients with Mitral Regurgitation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

: Several treatment strategies are available for patients with mitral valve regurgitation (MR). However, evidence regarding their comparative effectiveness remains limited. We sought to compare the performance of different treatment strategies for personalized treatment of patients with MR.

Long-term safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy for lesion preparation of calcified coronary lesions.

Introduction And Objectives: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is frequent in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and debulking-techniques including rotational atherectomy (RA) are frequently used for enhanced lesion preparation prior to stent implantation. To date, long-term clinical outcomes of patients with CAC undergoing RA are scant. This study evaluates the long-term efficacy and safety of RA for lesion preparation of calcified coronary lesions at 3 years.

Intracoronary Stenting and Restenosis - Randomized Trial of Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation or Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty According to Neointima Morphology in Drug-Eluting Stent REstenosis 5: Rationale and Design of the ISAR-DESIRE 5 Trial.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is the leading cause of revascularization failure, occurring in up to 10% of patients within 10 years after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation, and is associated with increased mortality and rehospitalization. Guideline-writing authorities recommend DES over drug-coated balloons (DCB) for ISR treatment. However, this indication is mainly based on trials that did not incorporate intravascular imaging.

Pharmacodynamic effects of cangrelor in patients with acute or chronic coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: the POMPEII Registry.

Background: Cangrelor is approved for oral P2Y inhibitor-naïve patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Pharmacodynamic (PD) investigations in various clinical settings, with various assays, have shown contrasting data in terms of the extent of platelet inhibition and rates of high residual platelet reactivity (HRPR).

Aims: We aimed to assess the PD effects of cangrelor in all patients receiving it during PCI.

Procedural and Antithrombotic Therapy Optimization in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Narrative Review.

In the past decades, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become the most common modality for myocardial revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is essential in all patients undergoing PCI to prevent thrombotic complications. A large proportion of patients undergoing PCI also have concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF), thus requiring an oral anticoagulant (OAC) to prevent ischemic stroke or systemic embolism.

Polymer-free versus biodegradable-polymer drug-eluting stent in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: an assessor-blind, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Few data are available on polymer-free drug-eluting stents in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aims: We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a polymer-free amphilimus-eluting stent (AES), using a reservoir-based technology for drug delivery, compared with a biodegradable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (EES).

Methods: This was a randomised, investigator-initiated, assessor-blind, non-inferiority trial conducted at 14 hospitals in Italy (ClinicalTrials.

Management of Intraventricular Gradient in Patients With Aortic Stenosis.

In patients with severe left ventricle hypertrophy and aortic stenosis, the presence of intraventricular gradient should always be investigated. Its prompt recognition enables a precise diagnosis and safe treatment of both conditions. We report 2 cases demonstrating a successful and novel approach to this clinical situation.

Sex-Related Differences in Left Ventricular Geometry Patterns in Patients With Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Sex-specific differences in left ventricular (LV) geometry might help in developing tailored strategies for hypertension management.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate sex-related differences in LV geometry at baseline and over time in hypertension.

Methods: From a prospective registry, we included hypertensives without prevalent cardiovascular disease, incident myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease > stage III, and with normal LV ejection fraction.

Safety and Efficacy of Combined Coronary and Peripheral Percutaneous Revascularization: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

. Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (LEPAD) frequently coexists with coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with multisite vascular disease (MVD). While percutaneous revascularization is well-established for both LEPAD and CAD, limited evidence exists for patients eligible for both procedures.

Ticagrelor 60 vs. 90 mg in elderly ACS patients undergoing PCI: a randomized, crossover trial.

Aims: Although dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor is currently recommended in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), its use in elderly patients remains challenging. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile of ticagrelor 60 vs. 90 mg twice daily among elderly patients (≥75 years) with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Application of the 2016 ASE-EACVI Criteria for the Assessment of Diastolic Function in Arterial Hypertension.

Introduction: No data are available on the diagnostic algorithms recommended by guidelines for the assessment of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in patients with arterial hypertension.

Aim: To fill this gap, we evaluated diastolic function in hypertensive patients with and without LVH matched with healthy subjects by applying 2016 American Society of Echocardiography-European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Guidelines for the evaluation of LV diastolic function.

Methods: 717 healthy and hypertensives with normal LV ejection fraction and with and without LV hypertrophy (LVH), matched 1:1:1 from two prospective registries, represented the study population.

Cangrelor in contemporary patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction pretreated with Ticagrelor: Pharmacodynamic data from the POMPEII study.

Background: There are limited data to assess pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and receiving cangrelor after pretreatment with ticagrelor.

Methods: The PharmacOdynaMic effects of cangrelor in PatiEnts wIth acute or chronIc coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (POMPEII) registry (NCT04790032) is a prospective study conducted at Federico II University of Naples enrolling all patients undergoing PCI receiving cangrelor at operator's discretion. PD assessments were performed with 3 assays: (1) the gold standard light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) (20- and 5-μM adenosine diphosphate [ADP] stimuli); (2) VerifyNow P2Y-test; (3) Multiplate electrode aggregometry (MEA), ADP-test.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Aortic Stenosis: A Comprehensive Review.

Echocardiography represents the most important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of aortic stenosis. The echocardiographic assessment of its severity should always be performed through a standardized and stepwise approach in order to achieve a comprehensive evaluation. The latest technical innovations in the field of echocardiography have improved diagnostic accuracy, guaranteeing a better and more detailed evaluation of aortic valve anatomy.

Periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing complex versus noncomplex percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Limited data are available on the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing complex versus noncomplex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We assessed the risk of periprocedural MI according to the fourth Universal definition of myocardial infarction (UDMI) and several other criteria among patients undergoing elective PCI in a prospective, single-center registry. Complex PCI included at least one of the following: 3 coronary vessels treated, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length >60 mm, treatment of chronic total occlusion, and use of rotational atherectomy.

Echocardiographic Evaluation after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Comprehensive Review.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an increasingly popular treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Recent advancements in technology and imaging tools have significantly contributed to the success of TAVI procedures. Echocardiography plays a pivotal role in the evaluation of TAVI patients, both before and after the procedure.

Hemodynamic Performance of Transcatheter Aortic Valves: A Comprehensive Review.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a widely adopted treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Its popularity has grown significantly in recent years due to advancements in technology and imaging. As TAVI use is increasingly expanded to younger patients, the need for long-term assessment and durability becomes paramount.

Is There Still a Role for Invasive Assessment of Aortic Gradient?

Advances in technology and imaging have expanded the range of tools for diagnosing aortic stenosis (AS). The accurate assessment of aortic valve area and mean pressure gradient is crucial to determine which patients are appropriate candidates for aortic valve replacement. Nowadays, these values can be obtained noninvasively or invasively, with similar results.