Early cerebrovascular events (CVEs) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are severe complications, but effective methods for predicting and preventing these events have not been well established. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to identify significant predictors of early CVEs post-TAVR.

MEDLINE/Embase databases were searched for articles published between December 2015 and April 2023. Original studies evaluating predictors of CVEs within 30 days post-TAVR after adjusting for confounders were included. Two investigators independently extracted data following the PRISMA statement. Meta-analyses of multivariable data were performed using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models, with results expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Robustness was assessed via Harbord’s test, nonparametric trim-and-fill analysis, leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, the QUIPS quality assessment tools, meta-regression, and subgroup analyses.

Among the 74 included studies, multivariate meta-analyses identified 11 predictors of early CVEs, including 9 patient-level predictors-a CHA₂DS₂-VASc ≥ 5, no prior heart failure, diabetes, isolated aortic stenosis, carotid artery stenosis, peripheral artery disease, advanced age, New York Heart Association class ≥ III, and significant left ventricular outflow tract calcification-and 2 procedure-level predictors: the absence of cerebral embolization protection and post-dilation. Additionally, 10 patient-level factors and 5 procedure-level factors were not associated with early CVEs, although significant heterogeneity was observed in most analyses.

This study identified multiple patient-level and procedure-level factors associated or not associated with early CVEs after TAVR. These findings support the development of a comprehensive risk prediction model that can accommodate diverse patient populations and evolving procedural techniques, thereby enhancing clinical risk management strategies.

Hypertension is associated with an increased risk of calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS). However, the directionality of causation between blood pressure traits and aortic stenosis is unclear, as is the benefit of antihypertensive drugs for CAVS.

Using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics, we performed bidirectional two-sample univariable mendelian randomization (UVMR) to assess the causal associations of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) with CAVS. Multivariable mendelian randomization (MVMR) was conducted to evaluate the direct effect of hypertension on CAVS, adjusting for confounders. Drug target mendelian randomization (MR) and summary-level MR (SMR) were used to estimate the effects of 12 classes of antihypertensive drugs and their target genes on CAVS risk. Inverse variance weighting was the primary MR method, with sensitivity analyses to validate results.

UVMR showed SBP, DBP, and PP have causal effects on CAVS, with no significant reverse causality. MVMR confirmed the causality between hypertension and CAVS after adjusting for confounders. Drug-target MR analyses indicated that calcium channel blockers (CCBs), loop diuretics, and thiazide diuretics via SBP lowering exerted protective effects on CAVS risk. SMR analysis showed that the CCBs target gene CACNA2D2 and ARBs target gene AGTR1 were positively associated with CAVS risk, while diuretics target genes SLC12A5 and SLC12A1 were negatively associated with aortic stenosis risk.

Hypertension has a causal relationship with CAVS. Managing SBP in hypertensive patients with CCBs may prevent CAVS. ARBs might exert protective effects on CAVS independent of blood pressure reduction. The relationship between diuretics and CAVS is complex, with opposite effects through different mechanisms.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) radiomics derived from cardiac computed tomography (CT) images may provide insights into EAT characteristics, which can further predict regression of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study aimed to develop and validate a radiomics nomogram based on pre-procedural EAT CT to predict inadequate LVMI regression following TAVR.

Inadequate LVMI regression was defined as ΔLVMI% < 15% at one-year post TAVR. Radiomics features from pre-procedural CT images were selected mainly by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm. The patients were randomly divided into the training and validation cohorts to establish and evaluate three feature classifier models based on the selected features, using which the Radiomics scores (Radscores) were then calculated. A radiomics nomogram was constructed using independent risk factors and further assessed using area under the curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis.

A total of 144 consecutive TAVR patients (42 patients with inadequate and 102 patients with adequate LVMI regression) were randomly assigned to the training and validation cohorts (116 patients and 28 patients, respectively). A total of 1130 radiomics features from each patient yielded 6 features for the Radscore construction after selection, with logistic regression and support vector machine models favored. Subsequently, a nomogram based solely on the Radscore was constructed, with an area under the curve of 0.743 in the validation cohort, along with favorable decision curve analysis and calibration curves.

The developed radiomics nomogram, serving as a non-invasive tool, achieved satisfactory preoperative prediction of inadequate LVMI regression in TAVR patients, thereby facilitating clinical management.

Left main coronary bifurcation lesions account for 50% of left main coronary artery disease cases. Although a drug-coated balloon (DCB) has the advantages of immediate release of the drug to the arterial wall and no remaining struts, there is no conclusive evidence to support DCB use.

We conducted a systematic review in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Eighteen retrospective studies and two prospective studies in which left main bifurcation lesions were treated with DCBs were included in our qualitative analysis. The studies were divided into two groups according to the type of DCB used: DCB only and DCB + stent. At the midterm follow-up, the use of DCBs had noninferior or even superior angiographic and clinical outcomes in treating left main bifurcation lesions compared with the use of drug-eluting stents or conventional balloons, whether for de novo or in-stent restenosis lesions. Additionally, side branch late lumen enlargement was observed in several of the included studies, which indicates that DCBs may have the advantage of side branch protection.

According to our descriptive analysis, the DCB technique has a favorable safety and efficacy profiles for the treatment of left main bifurcation lesions. However, additional studies, especially randomized controlled trials, are needed to establish standards for the DCB technique.

Epidemiological studies have suggested a potential connection between psoriasis and an increased risk of aortic valve stenosis (AS), though the impact of psoriasis on AS progression remains uncertain. The study aims to investigate the causal relationship between psoriasis and AS using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, as well as to uncover potential mechanisms underlying this association.

A two-sample MR analysis was conducted using publicly available summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of psoriasis and AS. Cis-eQTL and significant genes were identified for each causal single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), followed by pathway enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis for functional evaluation. Hub genes were pinpointed by Cytospace. The transcriptional profile of AS population was acquired, and interconnected genes networks were clustered using Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE).

Our results demonstrate a significant causal relationship between psoriasis and AS, with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis associated with a higher AS risk (odds ratio: 1.46). Pathway and PPI analyses unveiled 15 hub genes, including HLA-C, HLA-B, ISG15, IFIT3, and MX2, along with immune-related pathways linking psoriasis and AS. Moreover, the transcriptional profiling of the AS database highlighted the significant involvement of adaptive immune cells in AS development. Notably, among the 15 hub genes, ISG15, MX2, OAS3, OASL, IFI6, and EPSTI1 exhibited higher expression in the AS population.

Our study provides compelling evidence supporting a causal relationship between psoriasis and AS. Furthermore, the identified hub genes and immune-related pathways may play an important role in the development of both diseases.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is prevalent in obese individuals. Besides, both of LVH and obesity is associated with subclinical LV dysfunction. The study aims to investigate the interplay between body fat and LVH in relation to all-cause death in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 2243 patients with angiographically proven CAD were included. Body fat and LV mass were calculated using established formulas. Patients were grouped according to body fat percentage and presence or absence of LVH. Cox-proportional hazard models were used to observe the interaction effect of body fat and LVH on all-cause death.

Of 2243 patients enrolled, 560 (25%) had a higher body fat percentage, and 1045 (46.6%) had LVH. After a median follow-up of 2.2 years, the cumulative mortality rate was 8.2% in the group with higher body fat and LVH, 2.5% in those with lower body fat and no LVH, 5.4% in those with higher body fat and no LVH, and 7.8% in those with lower body fat and LVH (log-rank P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant interaction between body fat percentage and LVH (P interaction was 0.003). After correcting for confounding factors, patients with higher body fat and LVH had the highest risk of all-cause death (HR = 3.49, 95% CI: 1.40–8.69, P = 0.007) compared with those with lower body fat and no LVH; in contrast, patients with higher body fat and no LVH had no statistically significant difference in risk of death compared with those with lower body fat and no LVH (HR = 2.03, 95% CI: 0.70–5.92, P = 0.195).

A higher body fat percentage was associated with a different risk of all-cause death in patients with CAD, stratified by coexistence of LVH or not. Higher body fat was significantly associated with a greater risk of mortality among patients with LVH but not among those without LVH.

The high-degree atrioventricular block (HAVB) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains high. The study aims to explore this poorly understood subject of mechanisms and predictors for HAVB in BAV self-expandable TAVI patients.

We retrospectively included 181 BAV patients for analysis. Using computed tomography data, the curvature of ascending aorta (AAo) was quantified by the angle (AAo angle) between annulus and the cross-section at 35 mm above annulus (where the stent interacts with AAo the most). The valvular anatomy and leaflet calcification were also characterized.

The 30-day HAVB rate was 16.0% (median time to HAVB was three days). Type-1 morphology was found in 79 patients (43.6%) (left- and right-coronary cusps fusion comprised 79.7%). Besides implantation below membrane septum, large AAo angle [odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, P = 0.016] and type-1 morphology (OR = 4.97, P = 0.001) were found as the independent predictors for HAVB. Together with baseline right bundle branch block, these predictors showed strong predictability for HAVB with area under the cure of 0.84 (sensitivity = 62.1%, specificity = 92.8%). Bent AAo and calcified raphe had a synergistic effect in facilitating high implantation, though the former is associated with at-risk deployment (device implanted above annulus + prothesis pop-out, versus straight AAo: 9.9% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.031).

AAo curvature and type-1 morphology are novel predictors for HAVB in BAV patients following self-expandable TAVI. For patients with bent AAo or calcified raphe, a progressive approach to implant the device above the lower edge of membrane septum is favored, though should be done cautiously to avoid pop-out.

Few studies from developed countries have quantitatively characterized the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving contemporary intensive cardiac care. We sought to investigate these data in patients admitted to a Chinese intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU).

We conducted a retrospective study using data from 2,337 consecutive admissions to the ICCU at a large centre in China from June 2016 to May 2017. Data were captured after systematic inspection of individual medical records regarding current demographics, primary diagnosis, comorbidities, illnesses severity, and in-hospital outcomes.

The mean age was 65.6 ± 14.2 years, and females accounted for 32.0% of patients. The Charlson Comorbidity Index and Oxford Acute Severity of Illness Score were 2.4 ± 1.8 and 22.5 ± 10.4, respectively. The top reason for admission was ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (32.0%), and nonischaemic heart diseases accounted for 31.2% of all primary diagnoses. Noncardiovascular diseases were prevalent in the ICCU population, including chronic illnesses and acute noncardiovascular critical illnesses (ANCIs); in particular, 21.7% of patients were marked by acute respiratory failure (14.6%), acute kidney injury (13.7%), sepsis (4.2%), or gastrointestinal bleeding (3.3%). The median length of stay in the ICCU and hospital were 1.1 days [interquartile range (IQR): 0.8–2.6 days] and 6.3 days (IQR: 3.8−10.9 days), respectively. The overall incidence of in-hospital death or discharge against medical advice under extremely critical conditions was 7.6% (n = 177). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the complexity of chronic illnesses and incident ANCIs were strong independent determinants for in-hospital outcomes.

Remarkable patient diversity and breadth of critical illnesses were observed in a Chinese ICCU population. Particularly, noncardiovascular diseases were prevalent and associated with adverse outcomes. Reformation of organization and staffing practices may be considered to adapt to the changed landscape.