Citations

Abstract Aims Obesity, particularly visceral adiposity, is a key driver of cardiovascular mortality (CVM), yet conventional measures such as body mass index (BMI) inadequately capture fat distribution. The Body Roundness Index (BRI) is a novel anthropometric measure integrating waist circumference and height to better reflect body shape and visceral fat. This study examined the association between BRI and CVM in U.S. adults and across sociodemographic subgroups. Methods and results We analysed data from 31 351 adults (median age 43 yrs, 50% females) aged ≥20 years in NHANES 1999–2018, excluding those with prior cardiovascular disease or cancer. BRI was computed using a validated equation and categorized into quintiles (Q3 as reference). The primary outcome was CVM; secondary outcomes included all-cause, heart disease, and cerebrovascular mortality. Weighted Cox proportional hazards and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models evaluated associations after adjustment for demographic, behavioural, and clinical factors. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses tested consistency and effect modification. During a median follow-up of 10.1 years (IQR: 5.3–14.9 years), 883 cardiovascular deaths occurred. In fully adjusted models, participants in the highest BRI quintile had a 54% higher risk of CVM (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.13–2.08; P = 0.006) vs. Q3. This risk remained high even among those with normal BMI. RCS analysis indicated a modest U-shaped association. Stronger effects were observed among middle-aged adults (45–64 years) and those with higher educational attainment. Conclusion Higher BRI is independently associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, particularly among middle aged adults and those with normal BMI, underscoring its potential as a practical, noninvasive tool for cardiovascular risk stratification. Incorporating BRI into clinical and public health assessment may improve identification of individuals at elevated risk.

AbstractBackgroundDespite optimal medical therapy and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), significant functional mitral regurgitation (MR) persisted in 30% of the patients and labeled as CRT nonresponders.AimsWe sought to study the impact of transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair (TEER) in patients with symptomatic grade III and IV functional MR despite CRT.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients who had prior CRT for at least 6 months and underwent TEER for significant residual functional MR (grade ≥3) and symptomatic heart failure (HF) at our institution. The primary outcomes were the change in New York Heart Association classification (NYHA), MR grade, echo parameters, and NT‐ProBNP from baseline to 1‐year post‐procedure.ResultsA total of 28 patients were identified, mean age of 73 ± 6.7 years and 89% males. Procedure success was achieved in all patients. At 1‐year follow‐up, patients had lower MR grade (median 2, IQR 1 [1,2] vs. 4, IQR 1 [3,4]; p < 0.001), NYHA class (median 2, IQR 1 [2,3] vs. 3, IQR 1 [3,4]; p < 0.001), and NT‐ProBNP (7658 ± 11322 vs. 3760 ± 4431; p = 0.035) compared to before the TEER procedure. The left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (255 ± 59 vs. 244 ± 66 mm; p = 0.016) and the right ventricular systolic pressure (52 ± 14 mmHg vs. 37 ± 13 mmHg, <0.001) decreased.ConclusionPatients who remain symptomatic after CRT with severe functional MR had improved functional status and MR grade at 1‐year following TEER. There was a signal toward reverse remodeling.

Introduction: Studies on leadless pacemakers (LP) are very limited and they often fail to reflect real population outcomes. Hypothesis: We sought to evaluate the effect of leadless pacemaker implantation on the echocardiographic parameters including ventricular function and valvular competence. Methods: A retrospective review including 162 patients (81 Micra Leadless pacemaker implant and 81 dual-chamber transvenous pacemakers) from 3 centers were included. Follow-up clinical, echocardiographic, and pacing characteristics were obtained over a median of 14+/-2 months. Results: baseline demographics and clinical characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups including age (78.6+/-9.9, Range 35-95) and gender (49 males, 69.5%). Compared to conventional pacemakers, LP patients had worsening tricuspid regurgitation noted on follow-up echo in 59.3% of patients compared to baseline(P<0.001). This difference was independent of the RV pacing percentage and device location. In addition, LP implantation resulted in a reduction of RV function (P=0.003) and left ventricular ejection fraction (P=0.03). The RV Pacing burden in LP patient patients was not associated with a change in LVEF during the follow-up period (95% CI -0.24, 0.20, p = 0.846). Conclusions: LP therapy is associated with worsening tricuspid valve regurgitation and biventricular dysfunction over a mean 1 year of follow-up. Additional prospective randomized studies are warranted to further evaluate these findings.

AbstractBackgroundAortic stenosis (AS) is associated with myocardial ischemia through different mechanisms and may impair coronary arterial flow. However, data on the impact of moderate AS in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) is limited.AimsThis study aimed to investigate the impact of moderate AS in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients who presented with acute MI to all Mayo Clinic hospitals, using the Enterprise Mayo PCI Database from 2005 to 2016. Patients were stratified into two groups: moderate AS and mild/no AS. The primary outcome was all cause mortality.ResultsThe moderate AS group included 183 (13.3%) patients, and the mild/no AS group included 1190 (86.7%) patients. During hospitalization, there was no difference between both groups in mortality. Patients with moderate AS had higher in‐hospital congestive heart failure (CHF) (8.2% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.025) compared with mild/no AS patients. At 1‐year follow‐up, patients with moderate AS had higher mortality (23.9% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.001) and higher CHF hospitalization (8.3% vs. 3.7%, p = 0.028). In multivariate analysis, moderate AS was associated with higher mortality at 1‐year (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval [1.4–4.1], p = 0.002). In subgroup analyses, moderate AS increased all‐cause mortality in STEMI and NSTEMI patients.ConclusionThe presence of moderate AS in acute MI patients was associated with worse clinical outcomes during hospitalization and at 1‐year follow‐up. These unfavorable outcomes highlight the need for a close follow‐up of these patients and for timely therapeutic strategies to best manage these coexisting conditions.

AbstractBackgroundLeft atrial (LA) appendage closure (LAAC) is effective in patients with atrial fibrillation who are not candidates for long‐term anticoagulation. However, the impact of LAAC on LA function is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of LAAC on atrial function.MethodsThis meta‐analysis was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. A search strategy was designed to utilize PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, and Google scholar for studies showing the effect of LAAC on the LA function from inception to November 20, 2021. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated from the means and standard deviations.ResultsOf 247 studies initially identified, 8 studies comprising 260 patients were included in the final analysis. There was a significant increase in LA emptying fraction following LAAC compared with preoperative function (SMD: 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04–1.01; p = .03; I2 = 75%). In contrast, there were no significant differences in LA volume (SMD: −0.07; 95% CI: −0.82–0.69; p = .86; I2 = 92%) peak atrial longitudinal strain (SMD: 0.50; 95% CI: −0.08–1.08; p = .09; I2 = 89%), peak atrial contraction strain (SMD: 0.38; 95% CI: −0.22–0.99; p = .21; I2 = 81%), strain during atrial contraction (SMD: −0.24; 95% CI: −0.61–0.13; p = .20; I2 = 0%), strain during ventricular systole (SMD: 0.47; 95% CI: −0.32–1.27; p = .24; I2 = 89%), strain during ventricular diastole (SMD: 0.09; 95% CI: −0.32–0.51; p = .66; I2 = 65%).ConclusionLAAC is associated with improvement in the left atrial emptying fraction, but did not significantly influence other parameters.