Scoring of cardiac damage evaluated by echocardiography predicts prognosis of patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: analysis of the LAPLACE-TAVI registry.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become available for elderly patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, no markers have been established to predict prognosis after TAVI. Cardiac damage caused by AS progresses sequentially in most cases through the left ventricle, left atrium, and right ventricle.

Characteristics of cardiac rehabilitation progress during hospitalization and in-hospital outcomes after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

Mitral regurgitation is a prevalent cardiac valvular disease, and its incidence is increasing with the aging population. While surgical intervention has traditionally been the standard treatment for this disease, in Japan, mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) has emerged as a less invasive alternative since 2018. M-TEER demonstrates promising outcomes in reducing postoperative complications and shortening hospital stays.

Impact of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Patients With Cardiac Sarcoidosis: Insights From the OCEAN-Mitral Registry.

Background: In patients with sarcoidosis, cardiac involvement is a crucial prognostic factor leading to severe cardiovascular events. Mitral regurgitation (MR) predisposes patients to drug-refractory heart failure; however, MR in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) has been scarcely investigated and its therapeutic approach remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in patients with CS.

Contemporary clinical characteristics and management patterns in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: insights from baseline enrolment data in a nationwide prospective Japanese registry.

Background: The Japanese Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Registry Study was designed to provide comprehensive, real-world insights into the clinical characteristics and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Japan.

Methods: This multicentre, prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with HCM from 24 referral hospitals across Japan starting in 2016. The baseline characteristics of 1485 patients enrolled by December 2019 are presented in this analysis.

The Triglycerides, total Cholesterol, and Body weight Index associating with frailty and predicting poor outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: insights from LAPLACE-TAVI registry.

Aims: The nutritional status and frailty are crucial in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), as they significantly impact outcomes. We have previously developed an easily calculable nutritional index, TCBI (Triglycerides, total Cholesterol, and Body weight Index), which has been validated as a prognostic indicator in various cardiovascular disease contexts. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a low TCBI on the frailty and outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI.

Characterization of lipidic plaque features in association with LDL-C<70 mg/dL and lipoprotein(a) <50 mg/dL.

Background: The ongoing residual cardiovascular risks despite lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels suggest the need to identify additional drivers associated with atherosclerosis. Circulating lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] promotes formation of foam cells via its proatherogenic properties. However, whether a lower Lp(a) level in combination with favorable LDL-C control could induce a more stable form of disease remains unknown.

Polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents versus durable polymer-based everolimus-eluting stents for percutaneous coronary revascularization: A prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Background: Owing to the advent of new generation drug-eluting stents, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes are improving. However, the polymers, which have been the most common type of coatings used in drug-eluting stents, have some issues. The study aim was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing PCI with polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents (NP023).

Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy Following Prolonged Ritodrine Infusion During Pregnancy: A Case Report.

Preterm birth remains a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability in offspring, prompting various preventive measures. However, controversies persist surrounding these approaches, particularly regarding beta-mimetic drugs. In Japan, it remains a concerning reality that ritodrine infusion continues to be used for long-term tocolysis in preterm labor, despite the warning issued by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Clinically relevant haemolysis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with new-generation balloon-expandable valve.

Background: Valve-related haemolysis is a known complication following prosthetic valve surgery. Haemolysis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been reported in some studies, all of which were non-critical. Data related to haemolysis associated with new-generation balloon-expandable valve (BEV) are scarce.

Impact of osteoporotic risk in men undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a report from the LAPLACE-TAVI registry.

Low body weight and advanced age are among the best predictors of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST) values are calculated by a simple formula [(body weight in kilograms - age in years) × 0.2] to identify patients at increased risk of osteoporosis.

Risk of Sinus Sequestration During Redo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: The Prevalence, Predictors, and Risk Stratification.

The number of patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the potential for reintervention is steadily increasing; however, there is a risk of sinus sequestration (SS) during a redo TAVI. The prevalence, predictors, and risk stratification of the risk for SS remain uncertain. We analyzed computed tomography acquired from 263 patients who underwent TAVI between 2021 and 2022: balloon-expandable valve (BEV) (71%) and self-expandable valve (SEV) (29%).

Clopidogrel vs Aspirin Monotherapy Beyond 1 Year After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: It remains unclear whether clopidogrel is better suited than aspirin as the long-term antiplatelet monotherapy following dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Objectives: This study compared clopidogrel monotherapy following 1 month of DAPT (clopidogrel group) with aspirin monotherapy following 12 months of DAPT (aspirin group) after PCI for 5 years.

Methods: STOPDAPT-2 (Short and Optimal Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy 2) is a multicenter, open-label, adjudicator-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted in Japan.

Volume-outcome relationship in balloon aortic valvuloplasty: results of a consecutive, patient-level data analysis from a Japanese nationwide multicentre registry (J-SHD).

Objective: Transcatheter balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) remains an important alternative treatment for severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. With increasing numbers of BAVs being performed, the need for large-scale volume-outcome relationship assessments has become evident. Here, we aimed to explain such relationships by analysing consecutive, patient-level BAV data recorded in a prospective Japanese nationwide multicentre registry.

A case of a transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation using balloon expandable valve for failed SOLO SMART stentless bioprosthetic valve.

Unlabelled: A 74-year-old man who had undergone surgical aortic valve replacement with the SOLO SMART stentless bioprosthetic valve 25 mm (LivaNova PLC, London, UK) and mitral valve replacement with MOSAIC 29 mm (Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA) 4 years previously was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and transferred to our hospital. Echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation caused by degraded bioprosthetic valve. He required continuous dobutamine administration to maintain hemodynamics.