Exploring Imaging Depth: A Pilot Study About 2D vs. 4D Echocardiography for Tricuspid Valve Evaluation.

Background: The tricuspid valve (TV) is a complex three-dimensional (3D) anatomical structure; however, current guidelines recommend tricuspid annulus (TA) measurements to be performed with two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. The aim of this study was to compare TV measurements obtained with 2D and four-dimensional (4D) echocardiography for surgical planning.

Methods: All echocardiographic data of patients referred to our center for TV assessment were collected.

Leaving Nothing Behind: Expanding the Clinical Frontiers of Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty in Coronary Artery Disease.

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have emerged as a promising alternative therapeutic strategy to traditional drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in various coronary artery lesion scenarios, aiming to minimize complications associated with permanent metallic scaffolds, such as chronic inflammation, delayed vessel healing, and stent thrombosis. This review systematically evaluates the current clinical evidence supporting the use of DCBs across diverse anatomical and clinical contexts, including small-vessel disease, in-stent restenosis, bifurcation lesions, diffuse coronary lesions, acute coronary syndromes, and chronic total occlusions, as well as in special patient populations such as individuals with diabetes mellitus or at high bleeding risk. The literature analysis incorporated recent randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and real-world registries, highlighting the clinical efficacy, safety profiles, and specific advantages of DCB angioplasty.

Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Cardiovascular Risk: Current Insights and Future Strategies for Optimal Management.

Chronic inflammation is a pivotal driver in the progression of atherosclerosis, significantly contributing to the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) (e.g.

Cephalosporin triggered Kounis syndrome: Pathophysiological and clinical insights.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome triggered by hypersensitivity to various natural, chemical, or pharmaceutical allergens is known as Kounis syndrome. Kounis syndrome is classified in three subtypes based on its pathophysiological mechanism and outcome. Among pharmaceuticals, cephalosporins are frequently implicated in allergic illnesses, with ceftriaxone being one of the most frequently reported causes.

Unveiling cardiovascular and respiratory toxicities with monoclonal antibodies in multiple myeloma: disproportionality analysis from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System.

Introduction: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have revolutionized the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), demonstrating remarkable effectiveness, despite potential adverse events (AEs). This study aims to identify unexpected signals of disproportionate reporting (SDRs) for cardiovascular (CV) and respiratory AEs associated with mAbs in MM treatment.

Methods: From January 2015 to December 2023, reports involving suspected drugs (daratumumab, elotuzumab, elranatamab, isatuximab, belantamab mafodotin, teclistamab, and talquetamab) were analyzed in the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Effectiveness and Safety of Ticagrelor Monotherapy After Short-Duration Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in PCI Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), consisting of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor, is the standard treatment for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). However, the optimal duration of DAPT remains debated due to the need to balance ischemic event reduction with bleeding risks. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor monotherapy after short-duration DAPT (1 to 3 months) compared to extended DAPT, focusing on major bleeding and cardiovascular outcomes.

[The ETNA-AF Europe registry: 4-year data of edoxaban use in atrial fibrillation in the Italian real world compared to the European cohort].

Background: The prospective, single-arm, observational, phase 4 ETNA-AF Europe study collected real-world data about safety, effectiveness and therapeutic adherence in European patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation newly prescribed with edoxaban and followed up for 4 years.

Methods: Overall, 13 164 patients were included in the full-analysis set, which means that they had at least one documentation after baseline at 4 years. The current paper reports about the 3329 Italian patients out of the whole European population.

Optical Coherence Tomography in Myocardial Infarction Management: Enhancing Precision in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

In acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the urgency of coronary revascularization through percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is paramount, offering notable advantages over pharmacologic treatment. However, the persistent risk of adverse events, including recurrent AMI and heart failure post-revascularization, underscores the necessity for enhanced strategies in managing coronary artery disease. Traditional angiography, while widely employed, presents significant limitations by providing only two-dimensional representations of complex three-dimensional vascular structures, hampering the accurate assessment of plaque characteristics and stenosis severity.

Health-Status Outcomes in Older Patients With Myocardial Infarction: Physiology-Guided Complete Revascularization Versus Culprit-Only Strategy.

Background: The FIRE trial (Functional Assessment in Elderly Myocardial Infarction Patients With Multivessel Disease) enrolled 1445 older (aged ≥75 years) patients with myocardial infarction and multivessel disease in Italy, Spain, and Poland. Patients were randomized to physiology-guided complete revascularization or treatment of the only culprit lesion. Physiology-guided complete revascularization significantly reduced ischemic adverse events at 1 year.