Difference in Microembolic Signals Between Flex-Tip Versus Non-Flex-Tip Type Catheters During High-Power Short-Duration Ablation.

Introduction: A novel flex-tip ablation catheter has a distal tip with a unique design, especially for optimized irrigation flow against catheter contact. This study aimed to evaluate the microembolic signals (MESs) during high-power short-duration (HPSD) ablation between flex-tip and non-flex-tip catheters.

Method And Results: We retrospectively evaluated 70 patients (39 and 31 with flex-tip and non-flex-tip catheters, respectively) who underwent first-time HPSD radiofrequency ablation with a 50 W-power setting for atrial fibrillation at two institutions.

Impact of Aortic Atherosclerosis on Clinical Outcomes After Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Aortic atherothrombotic lesions can cause systemic embolization and adverse outcomes after interventional procedures.

Aims: This study aimed to assess the association between the degree of aortic atherosclerosis and clinical outcomes after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: This single-center observational study included data from 278 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR.

Characteristics of Effective Antitachycardia Pacing for Ventricular Tachycardia: The Importance of True Septal Lead Position.

Background: Antitachycardia pacing (ATP) has a potential benefit for shock reduction of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients; however, its clinical utility and characteristics are unknown.

Objectives: This study aims to extract characteristics leading to a high ventricular tachycardia (VT) termination rate of ATP.

Methods: Patients who had a history of ≥1 ATP treatment episode from ICD or cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRTD) devices were included.

Association of Risk Factors and Cardiac Outcomes in Patients With Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death: HINODE Study Sub Analysis.

Introduction: Primary analysis of the HINODE study revealed that mortality and ventricular tachyarrhythmia event rates for patients with primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in Japan were comparable to those of Western patients. Sub-analysis aimed to evaluate event rates in relation to accumulated risk factors (RFs) (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%, New York Heart Association class III/IV, left bundle branch block/wide QRS, renal dysfunction, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, age > 70 years, and smoking).

Methods And Results: Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) (N = 102) and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) (N = 69) enrollees were evaluated for first appropriately treated ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation (VT/VF), recurrent heart failure (HF) hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality.

Short-term Outcomes of Leadless Pacemakers Compared to Conventional Transvenous Pacemakers in Patients Over 80 Years Old.

Objective Unlike transvenous lead pacemakers (TVPs), leadless pacemakers (LPs) do not require a subcutaneous pocket in the chest or transvenous lead. This makes LPs a favorable option, particularly for elderly patients. However, clear criteria have not yet been established for choosing between TVP and LP.

Allogenic Mitochondria and Associated Organelle Complex Treatment Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Adipose Tissue Remodeling.

Background: Metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes are on the rise and have become a significant global public health issue. Mitochondrial function and biogenesis in visceral adipose tissue are key factors influencing the development of obesity and related metabolic disorders. In addition, chronic inflammation involving immune cells can lead to obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Hemodynamic integration of pulmonary artery pulsatility index and compliance for risk stratification in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and right ventricular (RV) afterload are recognized prognostic factors in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Hemodynamic phenotyping based on RVD and RV afterload may help identify clinically meaningful subgroups within the HFrEF population. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic associations of pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) and pulmonary arterial capacitance (PAC) in patients with HFrEF.

Association between Epicardial Adipose Tissue Volume and Changes in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Aims: Although previous studies have shown that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume is increased in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), its correlation with left ventricular (LV) remodeling and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) after ACS remains unknown. This study evaluated the association between the EAT volume and temporal LVEF changes in patients with ACS.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 197 patients hospitalized for ACS.

Myonectin stimulates endothelial angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo.

Endurance exercise is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Myonectin, a myokine, is increased by endurance exercise and affects remote organs such as the heart. However, the role of myonectin in the blood vessels is unknown.

Biomechanical control of vascular morphogenesis by the surrounding stiffness.

Sprouting angiogenesis is a form of morphogenesis which expands vascular networks from preexisting networks. However, the precise mechanism governing efficient branch elongation driven by directional movement of endothelial cells (ECs), while the lumen develops under the influence of blood inflow, remains unknown. Herein, we show perivascular stiffening to be a major factor that integrates branch elongation and lumen development.

Association of trace element abnormalities and adverse outcomes in patients with acute heart failure.

Background: Trace elements, including zinc, copper, and selenium may influence heart failure prognosis due to their roles in mitochondrial function. Previous studies have reported associations between individual trace element abnormalities-such as low serum zinc, high serum copper, and low selenium levels-and adverse clinical outcomes, including reduced exercise capacity in patients with heart failure. However, the impact of multiple trace element abnormalities remains poorly understood.

Evaluation of cardiac energetics in left bundle branch area pacing using noninvasive pressure-volume loops.

Background: Conduction system pacing, particularly left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), is emerging as the preferred strategy for bradyarrhythmias and cardiac resynchronization therapy because of its clinical benefits. However, the differences in the impact of LBBAP vs right ventricular pacing (RVP) on cardiac energetics remain unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of LBBAP and RVP on cardiac energetics using a novel noninvasive pressure-volume (PV) loop algorithm derived from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Transient Dietary Intervention Induces Healthy Adipose Tissue Expansion and Metabolically Healthy Obesity in Mice.

As obesity progresses, dynamic tissue remodeling of adipose tissue occurs over time, that is, adipocyte hypertrophy, chronic inflammation, and interstitial fibrosis. Some obese individuals exhibit healthy adipose tissue expansion, characterized by modest inflammation and fibrosis despite adipocyte hypertrophy, resulting in "Metabolically Healthy Obesity (MHO)". In this study, we investigated the effects of transient weight loss on adipose tissue remodeling during the development of obesity.

Impact of Recurrent Heart Failure Hospitalization on Decline in Activities of Daily Living for Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved or Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: For patients with heart failure (HF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), there is no treatment that improves survival, but some will reduce HF hospitalizations. Recurrent HF admissions may impair activities of daily living (ADL) and increase the societal burden.

Methods And Results: We analyzed 130 patients with HFpEF or HFmrEF who had recurrent HF hospitalizations.

Prognostic value of symptom burden as a simple patient-reported outcome measure in older patients with heart failure.

This study was performed to investigate the prognostic value of assessing symptom burden using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) in older patients with Heart Failure (HF). This prospective cohort study was performed in consecutive patients ≥ 60 years old hospitalized with HF at a university hospital between September 2020 and June 2023. ESAS was used to assess nine common symptoms at hospital discharge (total score: 0-90) with higher scores indicating greater severity.

Cardiopulmonary Risk in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - A Perspective for Reducing Mortality.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) show a relationship through the sharing of several risk factors, and the prevalence of each disease increases in an age-related manner. Therefore, clinicians are very likely to encounter patients with both diseases. Importantly, the risk of death in patients with CVD is even greater in those with coexisting COPD.

Safety and efficacy of retreatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors after severe immune-related adverse events.

Background: While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, they can trigger severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The safety and efficacy of ICI retreatment after severe irAEs remain poorly understood.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1271 patients with malignancies treated with ICIs at a university hospital in Japan between September 2014 and June 2023.