Extracoronary Arterial Pathologies in Patients With Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD).

Background/objective: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is increasingly recognized as a cause of acute coronary syndrome and has been associated with extracoronary arteriopathies, such as fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), aneurysms, and dissections across other vascular beds. However, these associations remain understudied in the literature. This study aims to characterize the prevalence and distribution of extracoronary arteriopathies in a large cohort of SCAD patients.

Exploring the impact of age on microvascular function: Insights from the coronary microvascular disease registry.

Background: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) contributes to angina without obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA). Although aging is known to impact cardiovascular health, its effect on coronary microvascular function remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between age and microvascular function in patients with ANOCA.

Postoperative Outcomes and Valvular Involvement in Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: A Multicenter Cohort Study of Surgical Risk and Complications.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by significant vascular and valvular abnormalities; however, perioperative outcomes involving aortic and valvular interventions remain underreported. This study aimed to evaluate surgical interventions and postoperative complications in LDS patients. We retrospectively reviewed 94 patients diagnosed with LDS from 2018 to 2024 across Mayo Clinic sites.

Real-World Safety and Complications of the Boston Scientific AGENT Drug-Coated Balloon From the FDA MAUDE Database.

Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) represent a novel treatment option for coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR). The AGENT DCB (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA) demonstrated superior efficacy in treating ISR compared to uncoated balloons in randomized controlled trials. However, real-world data on AGENT DCB safety remains limited.

Functional Assessment of Intravascular Lithotripsy for Stent Underexpansion.

Background: Stent underexpansion from severe calcification leads to adverse outcomes. While intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is effective pre-stenting, its role in treating stent underexpansion remains unclear.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with IVL from January 2019 to 2025.

Cardiovascular Risk, Health Metrics, and Cancer Prediction: A Scoping Review.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are leading global causes of morbidity and mortality. Given the shared risk factors, it is plausible that CVD risk scores and cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics could predict cancer risk.

Objectives: The authors sought to identify and summarize studies examining the association between CVD risk scores, CVH metrics, and incident cancer.

Severe Aortic Insufficiency and Cardiogenic Shock in a 16-Year-Old With DiGeorge Syndrome and Truncus Arteriosus.

Background: DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2 deletion syndrome) is associated with complex congenital heart defects, including truncus arteriosus. Aortic valve insufficiency after bioprosthetic valve replacement is rare but can lead to cardiogenic shock.

Association between frailty, use of advanced therapies, in-hospital outcomes, and 30-day readmission in elderly patients admitted with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Frailty increases vulnerability to morbidity and mortality among elderly individuals, particularly those with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Elderly patients, especially frail ones, remain underrepresented in studies evaluating advanced PE therapies, creating uncertainty regarding therapy utilization and outcomes.

Methods: Using the National Readmission Database (NRD), elderly patients (>75 years) admitted with acute PE between 2016 and 2020 were identified via ICD-10 codes.

Impact of connective tissue disease features on patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Background: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognized cause of myocardial infarction, frequently associated with connective tissue disorder (CTD) features such as joint hypermobility and scoliosis. However, the clinical impact of these features in patients with SCAD remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of CTD features among SCAD patients and evaluate their influence on adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, and mortality, to facilitate better risk stratification and targeted clinical management.

The Impact of Target Vessel Diameter on the Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the PROGRESS-CTO Registry.

Background: The impact of target vessel diameter on outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study.

Aim: To compare the impact of target vessel diameter on CTO PCI outcomes.

Methods: We examined the association of vessel diameter with clinical, angiographic characteristics, and procedural outcomes of CTO-PCI in a large multicenter registry.

The incremental diagnostic value of microvascular resistance reserve in the assessment of coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Background: Patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) are at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) is more specific than coronary flow reserve (CFR) for CMD diagnosis, but the microvascular resistance reserve (MRR) shows potential due to its hemodynamic adjustments. Our study evaluated the diagnostic utility of IMR, MRR, and their combination in CMD diagnosis for patients experiencing angina and non-obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA).

Risk stratification using the SCAI SHOCK classification in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality, with high-risk cases exhibiting significant heterogeneity in treatment and outcomes. Existing classification systems fail to differentiate PE patients requiring vasopressor support from those experiencing cardiac arrest. This study applies the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) shock classification to stratify high-risk PE patients and assess mortality differences.

Beyond the Echo: Is Comprehensive Vascular Exploration Valuable in Cases of Non-Syndromic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms or Bicuspid Aortic Valve?

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD) are recognized in syndromic connective tissue diseases (CTD), but most cases occur sporadically. The extent to which non-syndromic BAV or TAAD predisposes to additional arteriopathies, particularly in younger individuals, remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed 1438 patients (mean age = 48.

A Comprehensive Review of Left Atrial Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) in patients with structural heart disease (SHD) and severe valvular abnormalities poses unique challenges to traditional mechanical circulatory support (MCS) strategies, such as intra-aortic balloon pumps and ventricular assist devices. These devices may fail to address the complex interplay between ventricular unloading and systemic perfusion. Left atrial venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (LAVA-ECMO) incorporating left atrial (LA) drainage into the ECMO circuit to reduce left ventricular (LV) preload, mitigate pulmonary congestion, and maintain systemic perfusion.

Dissection Techniques in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: There is limited data on dissection strategies in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aims: To study the differences in the baseline characteristics and procedural outcomes of antegrade CTO PCIs that used dissection strategies.

Methods: We performed a comparative analysis of antegrade dissection and re-entry CTO PCIs from the PROGRESS-CTO registry from 50 centers (2012-2024).

Impact of social determinants of health in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Social determinants of health (SDOH) influence the outcomes of patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures. The area deprivation index (ADI) is a multidimensional tool designed to evaluate SDOH at the census block level, which has received limited study in cardiology. This study evaluated the impact of the ADI on short-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Left atrial appendage occlusion optimized with artificial intelligence-guided CT pre-planning and intra-procedural intracardiac echocardiographic guidance.

Background: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) offers a safe alternative to oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. This study compares the integration of preprocedural cardiac computed tomography (CT), artificial intelligence (AI) modeling, and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) to standard transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided LAAO.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study from 2021 to 2024 compared TEE-guided LAAO to a method combining artificial intelligence-augmented CT preplanning and ICE.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention; insights from the PROGRESS-CTO registry.

Objective: To examine the outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Methods: We compared the procedural characteristics and outcomes of CTO PCIs in patients with and without OSAS in a multicenter registry.

Results: Of 7403 patients who underwent 7408 CTO PCIs between 2012 and 2024 at 47 centers, 942 (13%) had OSAS.

Stab-Induced Coronary Pseudoaneurysm Managed With Stenting.

Penetrating chest trauma, while uncommon in adolescents, can lead to severe complications, including coronary artery injuries. A 16-year-old adolescent boy presented with chest pain after a stab wound. Initial imaging revealed a hemothorax, which was treated with a chest tube.

Risk of acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention with plaque modification.

Background: The use of plaque modification techniques during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) has increased. However, these procedures are linked to higher contrast volume and hypotensive episodes, which are risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI). This study examined the effects of various plaque modification techniques on AKI after PCI.

The Prevalence of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are more susceptible to microvascular complications. However, whether DM is associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is unclear. This observational study used data from the Coronary Microvascular Disease Registry (CMDR) (NCT05960474) and included patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) who underwent invasive CMD evaluation using the CoroVentis CoroFlow System (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA).