The Rise of Optical Coherent Tomography in Intracoronary Imaging: An Overview of Current Technology, Limitations, and Future Perspectives.

Intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) has represented a revolutionary invasive imaging method, offering high-resolution cross-sectional views of human coronary arteries, thereby promoting a significant evolution in the understanding of vascular biology in both acute and chronic coronary pathologies. Since the development of OCT in the early 1990s, this technique has provided detailed insights into vascular biology, enabling a more thorough assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Moreover, a series of recent clinical trials has consistently demonstrated the clinical benefits of intravascular imaging (IVI) and OCT-guided PCI, showing improved outcomes compared to angiography-guided procedures, particularly in cases of complex coronary pathology.

Coronary Physiological Indexes to Evaluate Myocardial Ischemia in Patients With Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Valve Replacement.

Background: The evaluation of myocardial ischemia in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) with concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) and possible microvascular dysfunction (MVD) is challenging because fractional flow reserve (FFR) and the resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) have not been validated in this clinical setting.

Objectives: The aims of this study in patients with AS and CAD were: 1) to describe the relationship between hyperemic and resting indexes; 2) to investigate the acute and long-term effects of aortic valve replacement (AVR) on epicardial indexes and microvascular function; 3) to assess the impact of these changes on clinical decision making; and 4) to determine FFR/RFR ischemia cutoff points in AS.

Methods: In this prospective multicentric study, we performed serial measurements of FFR and RFR and evaluated MVD by means of coronary flow reserve, the index of microvascular resistance, and microvascular resistance reserve in patients with severe AS and intermediate to severe CAD before and 6 months after AVR.

Platinum chromium everolimus-eluting stents for the treatment of (complex) coronary artery disease; from SYNERGY™ to the MEGATRON™.

Introduction: The introduction of drug-eluting coronary stents (DES) into clinical practice in 2002 represented a major milestone in the treatment of obstructive coronary artery disease. Over the years, significant advances in polymer coating and in antiproliferative agent technology have further improved the safety and clinical performance of newer-generation DES.

Areas Covered: Development of platinum chromium (PtCr) alloys with high radial strength and high radiopacity have enabled the design of new, thin-strut, flexible, and highly trackable stent platforms, while simultaneously improving stent visibility.

Nutritional support in the cardiac intensive care unit.

Optimal care of critically ill patients in the cardiac intensive care unit includes adequate nutritional support. This review highlights the high prevalence of malnutrition in acute heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, cardiogenic shock, and post-cardiac arrest and its adverse impact on prognosis. There is a lack of robust evidence regarding appropriate nutritional support in this patient population.

Pheochromocytoma leading to Takotsubo and Ogilvie syndrome, a pathophysiological triad.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient left ventricle dysfunction usually caused by a stressful trigger (emotional or physical). We report the case of a 77 year-old female patient who presented with TTS caused by a pheochromocytoma, a catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumour. Diagnosis was facilitated by acute kidney injury prompting renal ultrasound, recurrence of TTS and symptoms of episodic palpitations, profuse sweating and labile blood pressure.

Management of Bleeding and Hemolysis During Percutaneous Microaxial Flow Pump Support: A Practical Approach.

Percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) are increasingly being used because of improved experience and availability. The Impella (Abiomed), a percutaneous microaxial, continuous-flow, short-term ventricular assist device, requires meticulous postimplantation management to avoid the 2 most frequent complications, namely, bleeding and hemolysis. A standardized approach to the prevention, detection, and treatment of these complications is mandatory to improve outcomes.

Single-center experience of temporary-permanent pacemaker use in COVID-19 patients supported with veno-venous ECMO: A case series.

Introduction: In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, nine out of 129 patients (7%) developed life-threatening bradycardia episodes ultimately requiring a TPPM, whilst being supported with VV-ECMO for severe COVID-19 ARDS in our tertiary cardio-pulmonary failure center.

Analysis: All subjects had asystole due to sinus node dysfunction and experienced at least one episode involving cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Most bradycardic events were seen in the context of vagal hypersensitivity.

Anticoagulation for Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device-Supported Cardiogenic Shock: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

Interest in the use of mechanical circulatory support for patients presenting with cardiogenic shock is growing rapidly. The Impella (Abiomed Inc), a microaxial, continuous-flow, short-term, ventricular assist device (VAD), requires meticulous postimplantation management. Because systemic anticoagulation is needed to prevent pump thrombosis, patients are exposed to increased bleeding risk, further aggravated by sepsis, thrombocytopenia, and high shear stress-induced acquired von Willebrand syndrome.

Atrial Myxoma With Feeding Vessels From Both the Right and Left Coronary Arteries: A Rare Finding During Coronary Angiography.

A 73-year-old woman presented with exertional chest pain and mild dyspnea for several months. In this case, preoperative coronary angiography showed neovascularization originating from the right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex (LCX). Vascular supply in left atrial myxomas usually originates from the LCX and sometimes from the RCA, but vascular supply from both the right and left coronary arteries is rarely seen.

The influence of migraine and female hormones on capsaicin-induced dermal blood flow.

Background Migraine is much more common in females than in males, and occurrence is associated with changes in female sex hormones. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a key role in migraine, and variations in female sex hormones may affect CGRP sensitivity and/or production. Objectives Investigate repeatability, gender differences, influence of the menstrual cycle and of migraine on CGRP-dependent changes in dermal blood flow (DBF).

Long-term effects of gastric bypass surgery on psychosocial well-being and eating behavior: not all that glitters is gold.

Objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate long-term effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on physical and psychosocial health as well as eating behavior of obese patients.

Methods: We compared 23 patients 7 years after RYGB to 23 body mass index (BMI), sex, and age matched obese control patients by means of self-reporting questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form (Q-LES-Q SF), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Data are presented as median ± interquartile rage.