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Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been proposed as an alternative to anticoagulation therapy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) to decrease the thromboembolic risk, while avoiding the risks of chronic anticoagulation. This option may be attractive in patients with NVAF and chronic kidney disease (CKD), since they exhibit both high thromboembolic and bleeding risks. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic impact of the presence of CKD in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing LAAC peri-procedure and during the follow-up as compared with patients with preserved renal function. Methods: Retrospective, observational study that included 124 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing LAAC in a university hospital, and the results were evaluated according to the baseline renal function of the patients. Results: The median age was 75,5 years (IQR 67,6–80) and 62,1% were men, the median of CHA2DS2-Vasc and HASBLED scores was 4 (IQR 3−4) for both scores. Up to 57,3% of the total sample had CKD. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, but CKD patients were older and had a higher HASBLED score. During the procedure, no thromboembolic, bleeding events, or deaths were observed. Combining the time of hospitalization and follow-up, no significant differences were observed between groups in the annual rate of thromboembolic events (0.97/100 patient-years [100PY] vs 4.06/100PY, P =,09), but there was a higher rate of bleeding events (5.67/100PY vs. 13.3/100PY, P =,033) and mortality among CKD patients (6.50/100PY vs. 17.2/100PY, P =,009), with an odds ratio of 2.711 (95% CI 1,96–6,95). In the multivariate analysis a preserved eGFR was independently associated with a lower mortality risk. Conclusions: LAAC is a valid alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients with CKD and atrial fibrillation, with a low rate of peri- and post-procedure complications, although CKD patients exhibited a higher risk of bleeding and mortality during the follow-up. However, these higher rates may not be necessarily related to the procedure. Resumen: Antecedentes: El cierre percutáneo de la orejuela izquierda (CPOI) se ha propuesto como una alternativa al tratamiento anticoagulante en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular (FANV) para disminuir el riesgo tromboembólico, evitando los riesgos de la anticoagulación. Esta opción puede ser atractiva en pacientes con FANV y enfermedad renal crónica (ERC), ya que presentan un alto riesgo tanto tromboembólico como hemorrágico. Objetivo: Determinar el papel pronóstico de la presencia de ERC en pacientes con fibrilación auricular sometidos a un CPOI peri-procedimiento y durante el seguimiento comparado con los pacientes con función renal preservada. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional de muestreo consecutivo que incluyó 124 pacientes sometidos a CPOI por fibrilación auricular en un hospital universitario y se compararon los resultados según la función renal basal. Resultados: La mediana de edad fue 75,5 años (RIQ 67,6–80), el 62,1% eran hombres, la mediana de CHA2DS2-Vasc y HASBLED era de 4 (RIQ 3−4) para ambas escalas. El 57,3% de la muestra tenía ERC. Las características basales eran similares entre ambos grupos, salvo una media de edad y un score de HASBLED superiores en los pacientes con ERC. Durante el procedimiento, no se observó ningún evento tromboembólico, de sangrado o muerte. Durante el tiempo de hospitalización y de seguimiento combinados, no hubo diferencias significativas entre grupos en la tasa anual de episodios tromboembólicos (0,97/100 pacientes-año [100PA] vs 4,06/100PA, P =,092), pero si se observó una mayor tasa de sangrados (5,67/100PA vs 13,3/100PA, P =,033), y de mortalidad (6,50/100PA vs 17,2/100PA, P =,009) en el grupo de ERC, con una odds ratio para mortalidad de 2,711 (IC95% 1,96–6,95). En el análisis multivariante, el FGe preservado se asoció independientemente con una menor mortalidad. Conclusiones: El CPOI es una alternativa válida a la anticoagulación oral en pacientes con ERC y fibrilación auricular, con una baja tasa de eventos peri y post-procedimiento. No obstante, los pacientes con ERC presentan mayor riesgo de sangrado y de mortalidad durante el seguimiento. Aunque estas mayores tasas no están necesariamente relacionadas con el procedimiento.

Resumen: Antecedentes: El cierre percutáneo de la orejuela izquierda (CPOI) se ha propuesto como una alternativa al tratamiento anticoagulante en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular para disminuir el riesgo tromboembólico, evitando los riesgos de la anticoagulación. Esta opción puede ser atractiva en pacientes con fibrilación auricular no valvular y enfermedad renal crónica (ERC), ya que presentan un alto riesgo tanto tromboembólico como hemorrágico. Objetivo: Determinar el papel pronóstico de la presencia de ERC en pacientes con fibrilación auricular sometidos a un CPOI periprocedimiento y durante el seguimiento comparado con los pacientes con función renal preservada. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional de muestreo consecutivo que incluyó 124 pacientes sometidos a CPOI por fibrilación auricular en un hospital universitario y se compararon los resultados según la función renal basal. Resultados: La mediana de edad fue 75,5 años (RIQ 67,6-80), el 62,1% eran hombres, la mediana de CHA2DS2-Vasc y HASBLED era de 4 (RIQ 3-4) para ambas escalas. El 57,3% de la muestra tenía ERC. Las características basales eran similares entre ambos grupos, salvo una media de edad y un score de HASBLED superiores en los pacientes con ERC. Durante el procedimiento, no se observó ningún evento tromboembólico, de sangrado o muerte. Durante el tiempo de hospitalización y de seguimiento combinados, no hubo diferencias significativas entre grupos en la tasa anual de episodios tromboembólicos (0,97/100 pacientes-año [100PA] vs. 4,06/100PA, p = 0,092), pero si se observó una mayor tasa de sangrados (5,67/100PA vs. 13,3/100PA, p = 0,033), y de mortalidad (6,50/100PA vs. 17,2/100PA, p = 0,009) en el grupo de ERC, con una odds ratio para mortalidad de 2,711 (IC95% 1,96-6,95). En el análisis multivariante, el FGe preservado se asoció independientemente con una menor mortalidad. Conclusiones: El CPOI es una alternativa válida a la anticoagulación oral en pacientes con ERC y fibrilación auricular, con una baja tasa de eventos peri- y posprocedimiento. No obstante, los pacientes con ERC presentan mayor riesgo de sangrado y de mortalidad durante el seguimiento. Aunque estas mayores tasas no están necesariamente relacionadas con el procedimiento. Abstract: Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been proposed as an alternative to anticoagulation therapy in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation to decrease the thromboembolic risk, while avoiding the risks of chronic anticoagulation. This option may be attractive in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease (CKD), since they exhibit both high-thromboembolic and bleeding risks. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic impact of the presence of CKD in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing LAAC peri-procedure and during the follow-up as compared with patients with preserved renal function. Methods: Retrospective, observational study that included 124 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing LAAC in a university hospital, and the results were evaluated according to the baseline renal function of the patients. Results: The median age was 75.5 years (IQR 67.6–80) and 62.1% were men, the median of CHA2DS2-Vasc and HASBLED scores was 4 (IQR 3–4) for both scores. Up to 57.3% of the total sample had CKD. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, but CKD patients were older and had a higher HASBLED score. During the procedure, no thromboembolic, bleeding events, or deaths were observed. Combining the time of hospitalization and follow-up, no significant differences were observed between groups in the annual rate of thromboembolic events (0.97/100 patient-years [100PY] vs. 4.06/100PY, p = .09), but there was a higher rate of bleeding events (5.67/100PY vs. 13.3/100PY, p = .033) and mortality among CKD patients (6.50/100PY vs. 17.2/100PY, p = .009), with an odds ratio of 2.711 (95% CI 1.96–6.95). In the multivariate analysis, a preserved eGFR was independently associated with a lower mortality risk. Conclusions: LAAC is a valid alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients with CKD and atrial fibrillation, with a low-rate of peri- and post-procedure complications, although CKD patients exhibited a higher risk of bleeding and mortality during the follow-up. However, these higher rates may not be necessarily related to the procedure.

Background Malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in several cardiovascular diseases. However, its prognostic impact in patients undergoing transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is not well known. This study sought to assess the prevalence, clinical associations, and prognostic consequences of malnutrition in patients undergoing TEER. Methods and Results A total of 892 patients undergoing TEER from the international MIVNUT (Mitral Valve Repair and Nutritional Status) registry were studied. Malnutrition status was assessed with the Controlling Nutritional Status score. The association of nutritional status with mortality was analyzed with multivariable Cox regression models, whereas the association with heart failure admission was assessed by Fine‐Gray models, with death as a competing risk. According to the Controlling Nutritional Status score, 74.4% of patients with TEER had any degree of malnutrition at the time of TEER (75.1% in patients with body mass index

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation. There are few data on the efficacy and safety in clinical practice of infliximab (CT-P13) in subcutaneous formulation (SC) for the treatment of patients with IBD. Methods: Multicenter, prospective study of patients with IBD in clinical remission, who had their treatment changed from intravenous (IV) infliximab to SC. Two groups of patients were evaluated according to whether they were on IV infliximab treatment at standard or intensified doses before the switch. Results: A total of 30 patients were on standard dosing and another 30 in intensified therapy. Treatment persistence in both groups at 6 months was greater than 95%. In both groups after the change, neither the biomarkers of inflammation nor the activity indices underwent significant changes at 3 and 6 months compared to the baseline value. Similarly, in both groups, infliximab trough levels showed a significant increase 3 and 6 months after the change to SC. No serious adverse events were registered. Conclusions: The CT-P13 SC brings a new anti-TNF era. Achieving much higher drug levels that are constant over time opens new paths to explore the management of patients with IBD: less immunogenicity, better perianal disease control and higher achievement of mucosal healing.

Coronary obstruction (CO) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The present article aims to summarize the evidence on CO risk factors and provide an overview of preventive strategies. We performed a comprehensive literature review focused on these items. The analysis included studies addressing patient-specific characteristics, procedural aspects, and the effectiveness of various prevention techniques in mitigating CO risk. Specific risk factors for CO, which can be assessed by evaluating patient characteristics using computed tomography, are described. Procedural factors associated with an increased risk of CO are discussed. Preventive techniques, including the chimney stent and bioprosthetic aortic scallop intentional laceration to prevent iatrogenic coronary artery obstruction (BASILICA), are also described, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The present review also provides an overview of emerging dedicated devices designed to address this complication. In conclusion, identifying patients at risk for CO is crucial for optimizing TAVI outcomes. Comprehensive imaging assessment and appropriate preventive strategies, such as the BASILICA technique, can mitigate the risk of CO and improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to validate emerging dedicated devices.

La obstrucción de las arterias coronarias (OC) es una complicación rara, pero potencialmente fatal, del implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI). El objetivo de esta revisión es resumir la evidencia sobre los factores de riesgo de OC y las estrategias preventivas. Se realizó una revisión integral de la literatura centrada en estos aspectos. El análisis consideró estudios que abordaran las características del paciente, los factores procedimentales y la efectividad de diferentes técnicas preventivas para reducir el riesgo de OC. Se describen los factores relacionados con el paciente y del procedimiento que condicionan un mayor riesgo de OC. A lo largo del texto se detallan las técnicas para disminuir el riesgo de OC, incluidos el stent en chimenea y la técnica BASILICA. Además, se aporta una descripción general de los dispositivos diseñados para abordar esta complicación. En conclusión, la identificación de los factores de riesgo de OC es crucial para optimizar los resultados del TAVI. La evaluación exhaustiva mediante imagen multimodal, junto a estrategias preventivas apropiadas, como la técnica BASILICA, pueden mitigar el riesgo de OC y mejorar los resultados. Aún se requiere más investigación para validar los dispositivos emergentes.

Soils host complex multi-trophic communities with diverse, mostly microbial, predator and prey species, including numerous bacterivorous protists and bacterial prey. The molecular mechanisms underlying microbial predator-prey interactions have thus far mainly been explored using reductionist methods, outside the soil environment and independent from the broader life history strategies that microbes display in soils. In this Comment, we advocate for an integrative research approach, combining molecular systems biology and microbial ecology, to investigate how predator-prey interactions shape microbial life history strategies and thereby population dynamics in natural soil communities.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) arises from dysbiosis in the small intestine, manifesting with abdominal symptoms. This study aims to assess the efficacy of combined antibiotic therapy, herbal supplements, probiotics, and dietary modifications in SIBO management. A total of 179 SIBO-diagnosed patients underwent clinical evaluation and breath testing. Patients were categorized into hydrogen (H2-SIBO) and methane (CH4-SIBO) groups. The control group received standard antibiotic therapy and a low-FODMAP diet, while the intervention group received additional herbal antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics. After treatment, both groups exhibited reduced gas levels, particularly in CH4-SIBO. Clinical remission rates were higher in the intervention group, especially in CH4-SIBO cases. Logistic regression analysis showed gas concentrations at diagnosis as significant predictors of treatment success. In conclusion, adjunctive herbal supplements and probiotics did not significantly impact gas levels, but showed potential for clinical improvement, especially in CH4-SIBO.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare percutaneous catheter ablation vs. minimally invasive surgical ablation, evaluating the impact of repeated ablation on atrial function, and evaluating predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence.BackgroundWhen AF ablation fails, re-ablations are required in up to 40% of patients to treat recurrent arrhythmia; surgical ablation is more effective than catheter ablation.MethodsThirty-two patients with failed prior catheter ablation and referred for a second ablation (18 catheter and 14 surgical) were included in a descriptive observational study. Left atrial volumes, strain, and strain rate were measured with 2D speckle tracking echocardiography at baseline and 6 months after the procedures to assess left atrial functions. Patients received up to 1 year of clinical and Holter follow-up.ResultsAt the 12-month follow-up, catheter ablation was effective in 56% and surgical ablation in 72% of patients (OR 2 (CI 0.45–8.84), p 0.36). Left atrial booster function was similar in all patients, but left atrial reservoir function was more impaired in those patients who underwent surgical ablation. Left atrial booster function was predictive of arrhythmia recurrence after both catheter and surgical ablation: late diastolic strain rate (LASRa) cut-off ≤ -0.89 s–1 (sensitivity 88%, specificity 70%, AUC 0.82) and ≤ -0.85 s–1 (sensitivity 60%, specificity 100%, AUC 0.82), respectively.ConclusionSurgical ablation has a more negative impact on LA reservoir function despite being slightly more effective in arrhythmia suppression. LA booster function is not significantly impaired by either procedure. LA booster function predicts arrhythmia elimination after a re-ablation (catheter or surgical).

Abstract The mechanisms leading to cardiac remodeling in Marfan syndrome (MFS) are a matter of debate since it could be either due to structural dysfunction of the myocardial extracellular matrix or to increased afterload caused by the dilated aorta. We aim to characterize the presence of abnormal myocardial function in MFS and to investigate its potential association with increased afterload. Aorta, left ventricle (LV) and the postsystolic thickening (PST) were analyzed in echocardiography in Fbn1 C1039G/+ mice and in patients with MFS in comparison with wild type (WT) mice and healthy humans. PST was more frequent in MFS than in WT mice (p

Abstract Intestinal dysbiosis is key in the onset and development of Crohn’s disease (CD). We evaluated the microbiota changes in CD patients before and after a six-month anti-TNF treatment, comparing these changes with the microbiota of healthy subjects. This prospective multicenter observational study involved 27 CD patients initiating anti-TNF treatment and 16 healthy individuals. Inflammatory activity was determined at baseline, 3 and 6 months, classifying patients into responders and non-responders. Fecal microbiota was analyzed by massive genomic sequencing thought 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing before and after six months of anti-TNF treatment. The CD cohort showed a decrease in genera of the class Clostridia, short-chain fatty acid producers, and an increase in the phylum Proteobacteria (p

Background: COVID-19 disease is a serious global health problem. Few treatments have been shown to reduce mortality and accelerate time to recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of a food supplement (probiotics, prebiotics, vitamin D, zinc and selenium) in patients admitted with COVID-19. Methods: A prospective randomized non-blinded clinical trial was conducted in a sample of 162 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 recruited over eight months. All patients received standard treatment, but the intervention group (n = 67) was given one food supplement stick daily during their admission. After collecting the study variables, a statistical analysis was performed comparing the intervention and control groups and a multivariate analysis controlling for variables that could act as confounding factors. Results: ROC curve analysis with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.840 (p < 0.001; 95%CI: 0.741–0.939) of the food supplement administration vs. recovery indicated good predictive ability. Moreover, the intervention group had a shorter duration of digestive symptoms compared with the control group: 2.6 ± 1.3 vs. 4.3 ± 2.2 days (p = 0.001); patients with non-severe disease on chest X-ray had shorter hospital stays: 8.1 ± 3.9 vs. 11.6 ± 7.4 days (p = 0.007). Conclusions: In this trial, the administration of a food supplement (Gasteel Plus®) was shown to be a protective factor in the group of patients with severe COVID-19 and allowed early recovery from digestive symptoms and a shorter hospital stay in patients with a normal–mild–moderate chest X-ray at admission (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04666116).

RESUMEN La insuficiencia tricuspídea se asocia de manera independiente con un aumento de la mortalidad. Investigaciones recientes demuestran que la cirugía aislada de la válvula tricúspide presenta la mortalidad quirúrgica más alta dentro de los procedimientos valvulares. Las terapias percutáneas han surgido como una alternativa a la cirugía en pacientes seleccionados de alto riesgo quirúrgico. El dispositivo MitraClip en posición tricuspídea ha sido el más empleado. El propósito de este artículo es revisar los diferentes dispositivos transcatéter para el tratamiento de la insuficiencia tricuspídea, con especial énfasis en el MitraClip. Se describirán las vistas básicas de la exploración por imagen y el procedimiento paso a paso para la inserción del clip. Este documento pretende ser una guía para la sistematización de la evaluación de la válvula tricúspide y los pasos del implante del dispositivo para asegurar el éxito del procedimiento.

ABSTRACT Severe tricuspid regurgitation is independently associated with an increased mortality. Recent studies show that surgery for isolated tricuspid valve (TV) is still associated with the highest surgical risk of all valve procedures. Percutaneous treatments for the management of tricuspid regurgitation have become an alternative to surgery in select patients of high surgical risk. To this day, the most widely used device is MitraClip in the tricuspid position. We reviewed the different devices used today for transcatheter treatments paying special attention to MitraClip. We describe the basic standpoints on transesophageal echocardiography screening and step-by-step procedure for the implantation of the clip. This document stands as a guide to systematize tricuspid valve assessments and the steps involved in device implantation to achieve successful procedures.

Background: Distinguishing the etiology of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is clinically relevant due to patient outcomes and management. Easily obtained, echocardiography-based myocardial deformation patterns may improve standard non-invasive phenotyping, however, the relationship between deformation phenotypes and etiology-related, microstructural cardiac remodeling has not been reported. Synchrotron radiation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging (X-PCI) can provide high resolution, three-dimensional (3D) information on myocardial microstructure. The aim of this pilot study is to apply a multiscale, multimodality protocol in LVH patients undergoing septal myectomy to visualize in vivo and ex vivo myocardial tissue and relate non-invasive LVH imaging phenotypes to the underlying synchrotron-assessed microstructure.Methods and findings: Three patients (P1-3) undergoing septal myectomy were comprehensively studied. Medical history was collected, and patients were imaged with echocardiography/cardiac magnetic resonance prior to the procedure. Myocardial tissue samples obtained during the myectomy were imaged with X-PCI generating high spatial resolution images (0.65 μm) to assess myocyte organization, 3D connective tissue distribution and vasculature remodeling. Etiology-centered non-invasive imaging phenotypes, based on findings of hypertrophy and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) distribution, and enriched by speckle-tracking and tissue Doppler echocardiography deformation patterns, identified a clear phenotype of hypertensive heart disease (HTN) in P1, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in P2/P3. X-PCI showed extensive interstitial fibrosis with normal 3D myocyte and collagen organization in P1. In comparison, in P2/P3, X-PCI showed 3D myocyte and collagen disarray, as well as arterial wall hypertrophy with increased perivascular collagen, compatible with sarcomere-mutation HCM in both patients. The results of this pilot study suggest the association of non-invasive deformation phenotypes with etiology-related myocyte and connective tissue matrix disorganization. A larger patient cohort could enable statistical analysis of group characteristics and the assessment of deformation pattern reproducibility.Conclusion: High-resolution, 3D X-PCI provides novel ways to visualize myocardial remodeling in LVH, and illustrates the correspondence of macrostructural and functional non-invasive phenotypes with invasive microstructural phenotypes, suggesting the potential clinical utility of non-invasive myocardial deformation patterns in phenotyping LVH in everyday clinical practice.

The optimal antithrombotic strategy following left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is not yet clearly established. Low-dose non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) might represent a valid alternative, but data regarding their usage is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of low-dose NOAC compared to single (SAPT) or dual antiplatelet therapies (DAPT) after LAAO. We included consecutive patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation who underwent LAAO and received low-dose apixaban, SAPT, or DAPT at discharge. The primary objective of this study included an efficacy endpoint (thromboembolic events and device related thrombosis (DRT)) and a safety endpoint (incidence of major bleeding) within the first three months after LAAO. A total of 139 patients were included. This group involved SAPT in 26 (18%), DAPT in 73 (53%), and apixaban in 40 (29%) patients. Follow-up at three-months showed no significant differences in the primary efficacy endpoint (2 (8%) SAPT, 3 (4%) DAPT and 0 (0%) apixaban; p value = 0.25). In contrast, the primary safety endpoint occurred more frequently in DAPT patients (7 (10%) DAPT, 0 (0%), SAPT and 0 with apixaban; p value = 0.03). Combining both efficacy and safety outcomes, low dose apixaban had a lower rate of events (2 (8%) with SAPT, 9 (12%) with DAPT and 0 (0%) with apixaban; p = 0.046). Low-dose apixaban after LAAO may be a valid alternative to DAPT and SAPT as depicted by the reduction in the occurrence of major bleedings and combined DRT/major bleedings respectively. Randomized data will be necessary to validate this strategy.

Capsule endoscopy currently plays a relevant role for Crohn's disease. This manuscript will discuss the current indications and practical uses of capsule endoscopy in this disease. It is a non-invasive technique that represents a significant advance in the endoscopic diagnosis of small bowel conditions. These circumstances, together with its diagnostic yield and excellent tolerability, make it considerably acceptable by both patients and physicians. This paper discusses the current evidence on the specific circumstances where capsule endoscopy may be indicated for three specific scenarios: Suspected Crohn's disease, indeterminate colitis, and established Crohn's disease, where it plays an extensive role. Furthermore, the impact and implications of capsule endoscopy results for follow-up are reviewed. These recommendations must be interpreted and applied in the setting of the integral, individual management of these patients. Understanding its appropriate use in daily clinical practice and an analysis of results may define endoscopic scoring systems to assess activity and mucosal healing in this condition. The present role of capsule endoscopy for Crohn's disease is subject to ongoing review, and appropriate usage uncovers novel applications likely to result in relevant changes for the future management of these patients.