Quantitative Flow Ratio-Guided vs. Angiography-Guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of One-Year Clinical Outcomes.

Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR) is a novel, wire-free, and hyperemia-free physiological assessment for guiding Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), which may offer advantages over traditional angiography-guided PCI. This systematic review with meta-analysis compares clinical outcomes after one year in patients who underwent QFR-guided versus angiography-guided PCI. This study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered on 4 November 2024 in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024609799).

Lamin AC Cardiomyopathy, the Next Masquerader: Laminopathy Mimicking Cardiac Sarcoidosis.

Phenotypic expression of lamin AC-dilated cardiomyopathy (LMNA-DCM) and cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) at times presents with similar clinical findings, including arrhythmia, conduction abnormalities, and heart failure. Lamin AC-dilated cardiomyopathy is one of the most common causes of genetic DCM with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Contrastingly, a smaller proportion of sarcoid cases present with isolated cardiac involvement, highlighting the intricate nature of this systemic disease.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Small Aortic Annulus: An Observational Study.

Background: The Small Annuli Randomized to Evolut or SAPIEN Trial showed superior hemodynamics of self-expanding valves (SEVs) over balloon-expandable valves (BEVs) in patients with small aortic annuli (SAA). The long-term clinical implications of these hemodynamic differences are unknown.

Methods: We conducted an observational cohort study of patients with SAA, defined as an aortic valve annular area ≤430 mm on cardiac computed tomography, who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement using BEV or SEV at a single institution between August 2013 and February 2021.

Remote Monitoring in Heart Failure: Revolutionizing Patient Management and Outcomes.

Heart failure (HF) is a global health issue, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly in North America. The management of HF is complex, requiring diligent monitoring to prevent decompensation and clinical progression. While there have been improvements in treating HF, it still leads to significant negative health outcomes and heavily contributes to the use of healthcare services.

Obstructive Thrombosis of Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve-in-Valve Prosthesis.

A 79-year-old woman, previously treated for congenital pulmonary valve stenosis through surgical and transcatheter procedures, presented with worsening dyspnea. This led to the identification of valve thrombosis in her bioprosthetic pulmonary valve. This report delves into the clinical importance of obstructive valve thrombosis, its diagnostic assessment, and potential therapeutic strategies.

Tricuspid Papillary Fibroelastoma: A Rare Tumor in an Uncommon Location.

Papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are rare benign cardiac tumors typically arising from the valvular endocardium, often affecting the aortic and mitral valves. They can range from asymptomatic to causing severe thromboembolic complications like stroke. This article presents a case of a tricuspid valve PFE in an 81-year-old patient with severe multi-vessel coronary artery disease.

Lambl's Excrescence and Management of Recurrent Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA).

Lambl's excrescence is a rare valvular finding of uncertain pathologic significance. This case describes a previously healthy 42-year-old woman experiencing a sudden onset of word-finding difficulty. MRI of the brain demonstrated acute and chronic infarcts, prompting echocardiography, which revealed Lambl's excrescence of the aortic valve.

A Rare Case of Left Main Coronary Artery Coronary Sinus Fistula in an 85-Year-Old Female.

Coronary arteriovenous fistulas (CAVFs) are congenital or acquired communications between the coronary arteries and coronary venous system, and they can also include other cardiac structures or vasculature. We discuss a case of a large fistula between the left main coronary artery and the right atrium in a geriatric patient with a history of gastrointestinal arteriovenous malformations (AVM). The occurrence of CAVFs, an uncommon cardiac irregularity, is particularly infrequent among older adults.

The East Palestine Disaster: The Potential Toxic Effects of Vinyl Chloride Exposure on Cardiovascular Health.

This editorial explores the potential link between vinyl chloride (VC) and cardiovascular diseases, specifically in the context of a recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The primary finding of this article suggests a likely increased risk of cardiovascular factors associated with vinyl chloride exposure. This underscores the importance of proactive risk management and enhanced population monitoring.

Transcatheter Treatment of Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation: The North American Experience With a Novel Device.

Background: Transcatheter treatment of patients with native aortic valve regurgitation (AR) has been limited by anatomical factors. No transcatheter device has received U.S.

A Review of Heart Failure in Patients with COVID-19.

The interplay of COVID-19 and heart failure is complex and involves direct and indirect effects. Patients with existing heart failure develop more severe COVID-19 symptoms and have worse clinical outcomes. Pandemic-related policies and protocols have negatively affected care for cardiovascular conditions and established hospital protocols, which is particularly important for patients with heart failure.

The Coronavirus Double Threat: A Rare Presentation of Chest Pain in a Young Female.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV 2) led to global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The virus affects the respiratory system predominantly and has resulted in multiorgan complications. Myocarditis, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), cardiogenic shock, and sudden cardiac death were common cardiac manifestations of COVID-19.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Complicated by Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Multiorgan Failure.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening condition that is characterized by an overactive response of the immune system with excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines. Initial presentation of this condition often mimics and overlaps with many diseases including infections, sepsis, and multiorgan failure syndrome, which makes diagnosis the diagnosis of HLH challenging. Herein is described a case of a patient who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure related to HLH in a setting of probable viral pneumonia.

Incidence of Atrioventricular Blocks and its Association with In-Hospital Mortality and Morbidity in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Background: Cardiovascular sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection have been explored by clinicians and researchers all over the world.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of atrioventricular block (AV) in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and its association between in-hospital morbidity and mortality.

Methods: In-hospital electrocardiograms (ECGs) of 438 patients were compared with their prior or baseline ECGs to ascertain the development of new onset AV block.

Septal myectomy complicated by an embolic stroke in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a case report.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is estimated to affect 1 out of every 500 adults in the USA. One of its main complications is left ventricular outflow obstruction, which may require surgical septal myectomy in severe cases. We report a rare complication of postoperative septal akinesis leading to thrombus formation presenting as an acute ischaemic stroke.

Incidence of Stress Cardiomyopathy During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

Importance: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in severe psychological, social, and economic stress in people's lives. It is not known whether the stress of the pandemic is associated with an increase in the incidence of stress cardiomyopathy.

Objective: To determine the incidence and outcomes of stress cardiomyopathy during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the pandemic.