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Intramyocardial dissection is a rare complication of myocardial infarction, trauma, and percutaneous intervention. It is usually caused by hemorrhagic dissection among the spiral myocardial fibers. We hereby report the case of a patient with left ventricular intramyocardial dissection who presented with acute decompensated heart failure. ( Level of Difficulty: Advanced. )., Competing Interests: This work was funded by a research grant from Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Cardiac diseases in the growing population of childhood cancer survivors are of major concern. Cardiotoxicity as a consequence of anthracyclines and chest radiotherapy continues to be relevant in the modern treatment era. Mitoxantrone has emerged as an important treatment-related risk factor and evidence on traditional cardiovascular risk factors in childhood cancer survivors is accumulating. International surveillance guidelines have been developed with the aim to detect and manage cardiac diseases early and prevent symptomatic disease. There is growing interest in risk prediction models to individualize prevention and surveillance. This State-of-the-Art Review summarizes literature from a systematic PubMed search focused on cardiac diseases after treatment for childhood cancer. Here, we discuss the prevalence, risk factors, prevention, risk prediction, and surveillance of cardiac diseases in survivors of childhood cancer., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Ablation is an established treatment for ectopy originating from the left ventricle (LV). We report on a case of noninvasive 3-dimensional mapping locating the origin precisely in the epicardial LV summit area. However, after failed attempts from LV and epicardially, ablation via the left atrial appendage was finally successful. ( Level of Difficulty: Advanced. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Redo tricuspid valve replacement has high surgical operative mortality. Transcatheter valve-in-valve provides a viable option for valve replacement. We discuss the decision-making process involved in performing transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve replacement in a 23-week pregnant woman with multiple comorbidities and symptomatic severe bioprosthetic stenosis. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., Competing Interests: The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (© 2020 The Authors.)

We describe a 54-year-old male in whom eosinophilic myocarditis secondary to T-cell lymphoma complicated by bilateral ischemic stroke was diagnosed. The source, identified as an apical tear with thrombus formation, was revealed by transthoracic echocardiography. ( Level of Difficulty: Advanced. )., Competing Interests: This paper was funded by Barts Guild. The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (© 2020 The Authors.)

A 65-year-old man with remitted chest pain and no tachypnea was taken urgently to catheterization because of diffuse lung ultrasound B-lines on bedside examination. He was found to have severe left-main disease. This case emphasizes the value of ultrasound to recognize acute cardiogenic interstitial pulmonary edema despite minimal symptoms. ( Level of Difficulty: Advanced. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Objectives: To determine the influence of surgical techniques adopted to avoid suture line disruption, periprosthetic leakage, patch dislodgement, pericardial patch aneurysm formation, and the long-term stability of aortic root enlargement (ARE) during aortic valve replacement (AVR)., Methods: One hundred fifteen patients undergoing AVR or combined aortic and mitral valve replacements with Nicks' posterior ARE between 1997 and 2019 underwent long-term echocardiographic and angio-computed tomographic evaluation. Age was 11-72 years (AVR: median, 30; interquartile range, 21-47 years; AVR and mitral valve replacement: median, 27.5; interquartile range, 20-37.5 years). The aortotomy was closed using autologous pericardial patch and Teflon-buttressed sutures., Results: Hospital mortality was 1.7% (n = 2), with 4 (3.5%) late deaths. At a mean follow-up of 123.11 ± 77.67 months, the survival probability from Kaplan-Meier was 93.25 ± 0.03%. No cases of severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) were observed, and only 2 patients had moderate PPM. Median aortic root diameters at the level of sinus of Valsalva and sinotubular junction were 32 (29-35) mm and 33 (30-36) mm, respectively, at discharge, and were 33 (30-36) mm, and 33 (31-37) mm, respectively, at latest follow-up, with no cases of late pericardial patch aneurysm., Conclusions: ARE is a safe adjunct to AVR in patients with a small aortic annulus to prevent PPM. Retention of a pericardial collar and Teflon-buttressed sutures is an expedient, safe, and effective technique in reducing bleeding at the enlarged ventriculo-aortic junction. Autologous pericardial patch aortoplasty is not associated with late aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm formation., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a potentially life-threatening complication of acute myocardial infarction. Timely diagnosis is crucial to improve the patient's prognosis. We describe a multimodality diagnostic approach with emphasis on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm found surreptitiously in 72-year-old man 2 weeks following an acute myocardial infarction. ( Level of Difficulty: Beginner. )., Competing Interests: The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.

This case series summarizes our experience of delayed acute myocardial infarction presentations during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic predominantly driven by patient fear of contracting the virus in the hospital. Many presented with complications rarely seen in the primary percutaneous coronary intervention era including ventricular septal rupture, left ventricular pseudoaneurysm, and right ventricular infarction. ( Level of Difficulty: Beginner. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

A 39-year-old man, painter by profession, presented with symptoms of heart failure. His work up was unrevealing except for elevated blood lead levels (BLL). He was started on guideline-directed medical therapy and was referred to occupational therapy. No improvement in his ejection fraction was noted until his BLL decreased. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

This study measured how heart failure affects the contractile properties of the human myocardium from the left and right ventricles. The data showed that maximum force and maximum power were reduced by approximately 30% in multicellular preparations from both ventricles, possibly because of ventricular remodeling (e.g., cellular disarray and/or excess fibrosis). Heart failure increased the calcium (Ca 2+ ) sensitivity of contraction in both ventricles, but the effect was bigger in right ventricular samples. The changes in Ca 2+ sensitivity were associated with ventricle-specific changes in the phosphorylation of troponin I, which indicated that adrenergic stimulation might induce different effects in the left and right ventricles., (© 2020 The Authors.)

A 64-year-old asymptomatic man had an incidental finding of a giant left circumflex artery (LCX) aneurysm, with the distal LCX draining into a confluence receiving terminal portions of all coronary arteries and communicating with the left ventricle through a transmural fistulous tract. We believe that this is the first case reported with such a complex LCX abnormality. ( Level of Difficulty: Beginner. ).

Large clinical trials designed to test the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with heart failure did not demonstrate benefits with respect to the primary endpoints. The nonselective nature of VNS may account for the failure to translate promising results of preclinical and earlier clinical studies. This study showed that optogenetic stimulation of vagal pre-ganglionic neurons transduced to express light-sensitive channels preserved left ventricular function and exercise capacity in a rat model of myocardial infarction-induced heart failure. These data suggested that stimulation of vagal efferent activity is critically important to deliver the therapeutic benefit of VNS in heart failure., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Ventricularization of the pulmonary artery pressure curve is shown, characterized by a steep diastolic pressure fall with mid-diastolic pressure equalization with the right ventricle, which was caused by severe pulmonary valvular regurgitation in a patient with carcinoid heart syndrome. ( Level of Difficulty: Beginner. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement (TMVR) offers a less invasive strategy for managing bioprosthetic mitral valve dysfunction. TMVR positioning is challenging in the setting of a radiolucent bioprosthetic sewing ring. We present 2 cases demonstrating the roles of fluoroscopy and echocardiography in guiding TMVR placement within bioprostheses with radiolucent sewing rings. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

An 18-year-old male without prior medical history developed fulminant myocarditis concomitant to severe COVID-19 pneumonia, which was confirmed using serial cardiac magnetic resonance. This may have important diagnostic, monitoring, and pathogenic implications. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Saw-tooth cardiomyopathy is a very rare disease, and only few cases have been published since its first description 10 years ago. We report the clinical presentation, imaging features and genetic analysis of a saw-tooth cardiomyopathy and argues that it should not be confused with left-ventricular noncompaction. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Progressive conduction system disease affects patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, often requiring permanent pacing as the His-Purkinje system is affected. We present a case of left bundle branch pacing in a patient with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis and infra-Hisian conduction disease with a favorable improvement in cardiac function and stable pacing thresholds. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

We describe the management and clinical decision making in a cardiogenic shock patient with a free-floating left ventricular thrombus found during temporary mechanical support with an Impella CP. The management of these patients can be challenging because there are no guidelines or data to support any particular treatment strategy. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. ).

As a rare complication after lung transplant, cardiac constriction should not be missed. Physical exam, echocardiography, and catheterization are essential for diagnosis A 65-year-old man with previous coronary artery disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis underwent bilateral lung transplant and subsequently presented for progressive dyspnea and volume overload. Cardiac imaging and cardiac catheterization confirmed constriction, and complete pericardiectomy was performed. The patient had rapid resolution of heart failure symptoms. Pericardial constriction is a rare complication following lung transplant, and we provide a review of the literature and discussion of potential contributing factors. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Background: Cancer treatment can lead to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in female cancer survivors of reproductive age, and pregnancy-related hemodynamic stress may result in LV dysfunction or heart failure (HF)., Objectives: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the incidence of LV systolic dysfunction or HF during or soon after pregnancy in cancer survivors and evaluated the impact of history of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD)., Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) from inception to January 2020 to identify cohort studies that examined cardiac disease in pregnant cancer survivors. Meta-analysis was performed using the inverse-variance fixed effects method. Potential sources of heterogeneity were explored using subgroup analyses and meta-regression., Results: Of 13,782 identified articles, 6 studies consisting of 2,016 pregnancies, predominantly in childhood cancer survivors, were included. Overall, there were 33 cardiac events. The total weighted incidence of LV dysfunction or HF with pregnancy was 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9% to 2.7%) overall; 28.4% (95% CI: 14.6% to 43.9%) in those with a history of CTRCD and 0.24% (95% CI: 0% to 0.81%) in those without, translating into an odds ratio of 47.4 (95% CI: 17.9 to 125.8). Interstudy heterogeneity was low (I 2  = 17.5%). Metaregression did not reveal significant sources of heterogeneity., Conclusions: The incidence of LV dysfunction or HF during pregnancy in cancer survivors was low. Although risk estimates are limited by the small number of events, women with a history of CTRCD compared to those without had a 47.4-fold higher odds of experiencing pregnancy-related LV dysfunction or HF., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Objectives: Transapical beating heart neochordae implantation is an innovative mitral valve repair technique that has demonstrated promising clinical results in patients with primary mitral regurgitation. However, as clinical experience continues to increase, neochordae implantation criteria have not been fully standardized. The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effects of selecting an antero-lateral apical access site compared with a postero-lateral site, and suboptimal neochordae length compared with optimal suture length, on restoring physiologic left heart dynamics., Methods: Transapical neochordae implantation using 3 and 4 sutures was computer simulated under 3 posterior mitral leaflet prolapse conditions: isolated P2, multiscallop P2/P3 and multiscallop P2/P1. Physiologic, pre- and postrepair left heart dynamics were evaluated using a fluid-structure interaction modeling framework., Results: Despite the absence of residual mitral regurgitation in all postrepair models with optimal neochordae length, selecting an antero-lateral apical entry site for the treatment of P2/P3 prolapse generated a significant increase (>80%) in neochordae tension and P2 peak stress, with respect to a postero-lateral entry site. During isolated P2 prolapse repair, although neochordae overtension by 5% led to minimal hemodynamic changes in the regurgitant volume compared with using an optimal suture length, a significant increase in systolic and diastolic neochordae tension (>300%) and posterior leaflet average stress (70%-460%) was quantified. On the other hand, neochordae undertension by 5% led to worsening of regurgitation severity., Conclusions: This parametric computer study represents a further step toward an improved understanding of the biomechanical outcomes of transapical neochordae technologies., (© 2020 The Authors.)

At the end of 2019, a viral pneumonia disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2), emerged in Wuhan, China. This novel disease rapidly spread at an alarming rate that as a result, it has now been declared pandemic by the World Health Organization. Although this infective disease is mostly characterized by respiratory tract symptoms, increasing numbers of evidence had shown considerable amounts of patients with cardiovascular involvements and these were associated with higher mortality among COVID-19 patients. Cardiac involvement as a possible late phenomenon of the viral respiratory infection is an issue that should be anticipated in patients with COVID-19. Cardiovascular manifestation in COVID-19 patients include myocardial injury (MI), arrhythmias, cardiac arrests, heart failure and coagulation abnormality, ranging from 7.2% up to 33%. The mechanism of cardiac involvement in COVID-19 patients involves direct injury to myocardial cells mediated by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors as suggested by some studies, while the other studies suggest that systemic inflammation causing indirect myocyte injury may also play a role. Combination of proper triage, close monitoring, and avoidance of some drugs that have cardiovascular toxicity are important in the management of cardiovascular system involvement in COVID-19 patients. The involvement of the cardiovascular system in COVID-19 patients is prevalent, variable, and debilitating. Therefore, it requires our attention and comprehensive management., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2020 The Authors.)

This work shows long-term restoration of the hypothalamic oxytocin (OXT) network preserves OXT release, reduces mortality, cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and improves autonomic tone and cardiac function in a model of heart failure. Intranasal administration of OXT in patients mimics the short-term changes seen in animals by increasing parasympathetic-and decreasing sympathetic-cardiac activity. This work provides the essential translational foundation to determine if approaches that mimic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) OXT neuron activation, such as safe, noninvasive, and well-tolerated intranasal administration of OXT, can be beneficial in patients with heart failure., (© 2020 The Authors.)

A woman with ischemic cardiomyopathy presented with recurrent syncope. Electrocardiogram showed complete heart block and torsade de pointes (TdP) secondary to amiodarone, recently started for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. We describe a novel application of His bundle pacing that suppressed TdP and corrected the underlying left bundle branch block. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Aortoventricular tunnel is a rare congenital cardiovascular malformation whereby there is a paravalvular communication between the aorta and a ventricle. This unique case describes a newborn with an aortoventricular tunnel, a severely dilated ascending aorta, and a bicuspid aortic valve, which was suspected prenatally and surgically managed postnatally. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Background: Left ventricular (LV) pressure overload and coronary artery disease are common in patients with coarctation of aorta (COA), and they are risk factors for LV diastolic dysfunction. Patients with COA may have aortic vasculopathy that can result in LV pressure overload even in the absence of hemodynamically significant COA. We therefore hypothesized that patients with mild COA (without hemodynamically significant COA) will have more LV diastolic dysfunction compared to controls., Methods: Adult patients with mild COA (Doppler peak velocity < 2.5 m/s) were matched 1:1 to patients without structural heart disease using propensity score method based on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension and blood pressure. The objective was to compare LV diastolic dysfunction (defined as E/e' > 2 standard deviations above age-specific normative values) between adults with repaired COA and controls., Results: Of 204 COA and 204 control patients (age 35 ± 12 years), patients with COA had higher septal and lateral E/e' ratio (12 ± 4 vs 9 ± 4, p = 0.009) and (10 ± 3 vs 7 ± 3, p < 0.001), respectively. Compared to controls, the prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction was higher in patients with COA for every age group: <40 years (63% vs 13%, p < 0.001); 41-60 years (87% vs 33%, p < 0.001); age > 60 years (82% vs 56%, p = 0.076). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was the strongest determinant of E/e' (β = 2.71 per 10 g/m 2 , standard error = 1.25, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: LV diastolic dysfunction was common in patients with COA, and the association with LVMI suggests that patients with COA may have ongoing LV pressure overload in the absence of hemodynamically significant re-coarctation., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Ethanol infusion has been used for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmia. We describe a case of ethanol infusion through the coronary sinus venous network to treat refractory epicardial premature ventricular complexes. The premature ventricular complexes were initially successfully suppressed but recurred after resolution of the myocardial edema. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Epsilon waves are the surface manifestation of myocardial regions with delayed activation and are considered the hallmark of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. However, other conditions can also result in epsilon waves and simulate arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. In this case, a patient presents with recurrent ventricular tachycardia and large epsilon waves due to cardiac sarcoidosis. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an idiopathic reduction in left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction <45%) toward the end of pregnancy or in the months after delivery. A multidisciplinary approach to management with shock team support is key to identifying and adequately treating patients with refractory heart failure and peripartum cardiomyopathy. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

A 50-year-old man presented with general fatigue on exertion. Investigations revealed tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy induced by Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and atrial fibrillation. He was successfully treated with catheter ablation. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed that delayed enhancement throughout the left ventricle disappeared within 2 months after ablation. ( Level of Difficulty: Beginner. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Outflow graft obstruction (OGO) has been reported as a cause of left ventricular assist device dysfunction. The incidence, diagnosis, and treatment of OGO remains poorly understood. We present our experience with the diagnosis and management of OGO in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. ( Level of Difficulty: Advanced. )., (© 2020 Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation.)

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE)-derived changes in right ventricular (RV) volumes and strains with subsequent RV cardiotoxicity in patients treated with anthracyclines., Background: Although early detection and prediction of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction has been widely studied in patients receiving anthracyclines, little is known about the early changes in RV size and function in this population., Methods: A total of 74 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received 6 cycles of anthracycline-based treatment were enrolled. Echocardiography was performed at baseline or before chemotherapy (pre-chemotherapy) (T0); after 2 cycles (T1); after 4 cycles (T2); and at the end of 6 cycles of chemotherapy (T3). Right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), end-systolic volume (RVESV), ejection fraction (RVEF), longitudinal free wall strain (RVLFS), and longitudinal septal strain (RVLSS) were quantified by 3DE. RV cardiotoxicity was defined as a relative reduction of >10% in 3D RVEF or a relative reduction of >5% to a value of <45%. Volume status was assessed by inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) and the estimated right atrial pressure (RAP)., Results: Twenty-seven patients developed cardiotoxicity after 6 cycles of chemotherapy (T3). Compared to baseline, increases in 3D RVEDV (58.5 ± 7.7 ml vs. 64.2 ± 7.0 ml; p < 0.001) and RVESV (27.8 ± 4.2 ml vs. 31.3 ± 4.2 ml; p < 0.001) were observed by the end of the fourth cycle of chemotherapy (T2). 3D RVLFS (-27.3 ± 3.1% vs. -24.2 ± 2.6%; p < 0.001) was also decreased at T2 compared to baseline. Statistically significant declines in 3D RVLSS (-26.1 ± 2.5% vs. -22.9 ± 2.7%; p < 0.001) and RVEF (54.0 ± 2.8% vs. 49.8 ± 2.4%; p < 0.001) were only observed at T3. A relative decrease in RVLFS of >12.4% (sensitivity, 78.6%; specificity, 82.6%; area under the curve (AUC), 0.80; p ＜ 0.001); and a relative increase in RVESV of >13.2% (sensitivity, 71.4%; specificity, 71.7%; AUC, 0.76; p ＜0.001) from baseline to T2 predicted subsequent RV cardiotoxicity at T3. IVCD and RAP did not change significantly over time., Conclusions: 3DE-derived measurements of RV strain and volume were associated with subsequent changes in RVEF. With further study, RVLFS and RVESV could potentially be used to predict subsequent declines in RVEF with anthracyclines., (© 2020 The Authors.)

We report a case of coronary perforation during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention with Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, Massachusetts) support that resulted in cessation of pulsatile arterial flow. Maintenance of systemic perfusion due to antecedent placement of Impella 2.5 allowed for successful treatment with pericardiocentesis and covered stent placement, early discharge, and complication-free follow-up. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

We describe a case of stress-induced cardiomyopathy following epoprostenol withdrawal. A patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension presented with a malfunctioning Hickman catheter. Inappropriate withdrawal of epoprostenol resulted in shock. Evaluation confirmed stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Restarting epoprostenol resolved the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities. This case meets Taskforce on Takotsubo Syndrome Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy criteria. ( Level of Difficulty: Beginner. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Increasing left atrial (LA) size predicts outcomes in patients with isolated mitral regurgitation (MR). Chymase is plentiful in the human heart and affects extracellular matrix remodeling. Chymase activation correlates to LA fibrosis, LA enlargement, and a decreased total LA emptying fraction in addition to having a potential intracellular role in mediating myofibrillar breakdown in LA myocytes. Because of the unreliability of the left ventricular ejection fraction in predicting outcomes in MR, LA size and the total LA emptying fraction may be more suitable indicators for timing of surgical intervention.

We describe a patient with ventricular tachycardia and complete atrioventricular block. Remarkable thinning of the basal interventricular septum preceded left ventricular dysfunction. Endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated giant cell myocarditis. The patient received combined immunosuppressive therapy and a cardioverter-defibrillator. Eligibility screening for heart transplantation was initiated. ( Level of Difficulty: Advanced. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

We describe a patient with of acute right ventricular dysfunction secondary to right ventricular isolated Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). The importance of appropriate differential diagnosis for acute right ventricular dysfunction differential diagnosis of acute right ventricular dysfunction and the differences in diagnosis and management of right ventricular TTS and typical left ventricular TTS are highlighted. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) increases the risk for mother and fetus during pregnancy. Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is an established procedure in nonpregnant patients with HOCM. In this report, we present a case of a 29-year-old woman in her 29th gestational week with decompensated HOCM undergoing a successful ASA. ( Level of Difficulty: Advanced. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Subaortic stenosis is an obstructive lesion that may be exacerbated by pregnancy. We describe the management of a 39-year-old woman presenting at 37 weeks of pregnancy with a murmur who is found to have a subaortic membrane with severely elevated left ventricular outflow gradients. ( Level of Difficulty: Beginner. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

miR-155 was synthesized and loaded into exosomes in increased infiltration of macrophages in a uremic heart. The released exosomal fusion with the plasma membrane leads to the release of miR-155 into the cytosol and translational repression of forkhead transcription factors of the O class (FoxO3a) in cardiomyocytes. Finally, macrophage-derived miR-155-containing exosomes promoted cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and uremic cardiomyopathy changes (cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis) by directly targeting FoxO3a in uremic mice., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Left ventricular (LV) noncompaction is a phenotypic variant of LV structure; however, it also can be associated with cardiomyopathies. Pregnancy in the setting of LV dysfunction carries a risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrical care is paramount in the management of pregnancy in this unique population. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2020 The Authors.)

An 88-year-old female presented with inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks. Interrogation revealed lead noise sensed as ventricular fibrillation, leading to 11 shocks in 1 day. A defibrillation at the period of maximal vulnerability caused true ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia and additional shocks, which failed to terminate device-initiated tachyarrhythmia. The patient recovered spontaneously and the device was reprogrammed. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. ).

Background: Left heart filling pressures, as measured by pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), is associated with heart failure related mortality. Because of the prognostic importance of PAWP, several echocardiographic indices have been proposed for noninvasive assessment of PAWP. However, these indices have not been validated in the congenital heart disease population. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between echocardiographic indices of PAWP, and the effect of high PAWP on transplant-free survival in adults with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)., Methods: Retrospective study of adult TOF patients that underwent cardiac catheterization at Mayo Clinic, 1990-2017. We selected these pre-defined set of echocardiographic indices of LV diastolic function: mitral valve early velocity (E), mitral valve early and late velocity ratio (E/A), mitral valve deceleration time (DT), mitral annular tissue Doppler early velocity (e'), and left atrial volume index (LAVI)., Results: Of the echocardiographic indices analyzed among 213 patients (age 37 ± 14 years), only E velocity (β = 5.83, standard error = 1.52, p < 0.001) and LAVI (β = 0.14, standard error = 0.05, p = 0.007) correlated with PAWP. LAVI > 28 ml/m 2 had sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 63% (AUC 0.712), and E velocity > 1.0 m/s had sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 89% (AUC 0.692), for detecting PAWP > 15 mmHg. LAVI > 28 ml/m 2 was associated with reduced 10-year transplant-free survival (49% vs 90%, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: This study supports the use of LAVI for noninvasive assessment of PAWP and for prognostication. Further studies are required to validate these results in a different population., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Left atrial appendage closure device embolization is a rare yet serious complication. The location of the embolized device is a major determinant of the retrieval approach, percutaneous or surgical. This paper presents the case of Watchman device embolization in the left ventricle, which was retrieved percutaneously by using a transarterial approach. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2019 The Authors.)

A young female with pulmonary congestion suspected to be secondary to mitral valve disease with left atrial appendage thrombus was given therapy for heart failure and anticoagulation. Subsequent multimodality imaging with echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging established an accurate but rare diagnosis of spindle cell sarcoma of the heart. ( Level of Difficulty: Intermediate. )., (© 2019 The Authors.)