Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Literature Review.

In addition to traditional risk factors, patients with breast cancer are at an increased risk of atrial fibrillation due to cancer itself and certain cancer therapies. Atrial fibrillation in these patients adds to their morbidity and mortality. The precise mechanisms leading to the increased atrial fibrillation in patients with breast cancer are not well understood.

Clinical parameters of death and heart failure hospitalization in biventricular systolic dysfunction assessed via cardiac magnetic resonance.

Aims: While factors associated with adverse events are well elucidated in setting of isolated left ventricular dysfunction, clinical and imaging-based prognosticators of adverse outcomes are lacking in context of biventricular dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to establish role of clinical variables in prognosis of biventricular heart failure (HF), as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: Study cohort consisted of 840 patients enrolled in DERIVATE registry with coexisting CMR-derived right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, as defined by RV and LV ejection fractions ≤45 % and ≤ 50 %, respectively.

Percutaneous pericardiocentesis using the apical approach: case series and review of the literature.

Background: Pericardiocentesis offers a definitive diagnostic and a life-saving therapeutic modality through removal of pericardial fluid and relief of high intrapericardial pressure. Percutaneous pericardiocentesis has been performed via different approaches depending on different institutional experiences. In this paper, we present our institutional experience and review the current literature of the different approaches for performing percutaneous pericardiocentesis.

COVID-19 in the Initiation and Progression of Atherosclerosis: Pathophysiology During and Beyond the Acute Phase.

The incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is increasing globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries, despite significant efforts to reduce traditional risk factors. Premature subclinical atherosclerosis has been documented in association with several viral infections. The magnitude of the recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to understand the association between SARS-CoV-2 and atherosclerosis.

Traumatic Mitral Regurgitation From Intracardiac Bullet Fragments With Bullet Embolism to the Brain.

A 31-year-old man presented with multiple gunshot wounds. Mediastinal exploration revealed no signs of entry to the pericardium, but postoperative chest x-ray was concerning for a bullet fragment within the left ventricle. Emergent transesophageal echocardiography showed traumatic perforation of mitral valve, and further imaging showed multiple bullet emboli.

Mid- and long-term risk of atrial fibrillation among breast cancer surgery survivors.

Background: The risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) among breast cancer survivors, especially for younger women, and cancer treatment effects on the association remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the risk of AF among breast cancer survivors and evaluate the association by age group, length of follow-up, and cancer treatment.

Methods: Using data from the Korean Health Insurance Service database (2010-2017), 113,232 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer (aged ≥ 18 years) without prior AF history who underwent breast cancer surgery were individually matched 1:5 by birth year to a sample female population without cancer (n = 566,160) (mean[SD] follow-up, 5.

Updates on New Therapies for Patients with CKD.

Individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) continue to increase globally. This group of patients experience a disproportionately higher risk of cardiovascular (CV) events compared to the general population. Despite multiple guidelines-based medical management, patients with CKD continue to experience residual cardiorenal risk.

Machine Learning in Cardiovascular Risk Prediction and Precision Preventive Approaches.

Purpose Of Review: In this review, we sought to provide an overview of ML and focus on the contemporary applications of ML in cardiovascular risk prediction and precision preventive approaches. We end the review by highlighting the limitations of ML while projecting on the potential of ML in assimilating these multifaceted aspects of CAD in order to improve patient-level outcomes and further population health.

Recent Findings: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is estimated to affect 20.

Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on AF Recurrence After Catheter Ablation in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: The effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-Is) on recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients undergoing catheter ablation is not well described.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the impact of SGLT2-Is on the recurrence of AF among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) after catheter ablation.

Methods: Using the TriNetX research network, we identified, by means of Current Procedural Terminology codes, patients ≥18 years of age with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who had undergone AF ablation from April 1, 2014, to November 30, 2021.

Cardiovascular outcomes of type 2 myocardial infarction among COVID-19 patients: a propensity matched national study.

Background: Myocardial infarction Type II (T2MI) is a prevalent cause of troponin elevation secondary to a variety of conditions causing stress/demand mismatch. The impact of T2MI on outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is not well studied.

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from the year 2020 was queried to identify COVID-19 patients with T2MI during the index hospitalization.

Artificial Intelligence, Wearables and Remote Monitoring for Heart Failure: Current and Future Applications.

Substantial milestones have been attained in the field of heart failure (HF) diagnostics and therapeutics in the past several years that have translated into decreased mortality but a paradoxical increase in HF-related hospitalizations. With increasing data digitalization and access, remote monitoring via wearables and implantables have the potential to transform ambulatory care workflow, with a particular focus on reducing HF hospitalizations. Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) have been increasingly employed at multiple stages of healthcare due to their power in assimilating and integrating multidimensional multimodal data and the creation of accurate prediction models.

A Case Report on Diagnostic Approach of a Complex Clinical Scenario: Differentiation Between Coronary Artery Disease and Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy as a Cause of Recurrent Debilitating Angina.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is a clinical challenge when presenting with symptoms of angina plus shortness of breath. An appropriate diagnosis of concurrent coronary artery disease (CAD) is needed for proper diagnosis, risk stratification, and management. We present a case of a 64-year-old gentleman with a history of ApHCM and CAD with previous percutaneous intervention presenting with recurrent angina.

A case report on transient cardiomyopathy with cytokine storm in SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Cardiac manifestations during Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic have included acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, myocarditis, and stress cardiomyopathy. However, the combination of cardiomyopathy and negative cardiac biomarkers has not yet been reported.

Case Summary: A 49-year-old man admitted for respiratory failure secondary to SARS-CoV-2 developed new-onset cardiomyopathy with negative cardiac biomarkers.

Novel Use of N-Acetylcysteine in Management of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Induced Acute Liver Injury.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been adopted in the treatment of a variety of malignancies. Despite their popularity, the underlying mechanism of the adverse effects seen with the use of TKIs is not completely understood. Acute liver injury is a known side effect of many of these drugs.

Acute retinal necrosis secondary to Varicella Zoster Virus.

A 54 year old female presented to the ophthalmology clinic with pain and decreased vision in her left eye. No past medical history other than primary varicella zoster infection, in her childhood. The eye exam revealed a macular region with scattered areas of retinal opacity along with patches of necrosis on the periphery.