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Background The notion that the 'interarterial' segment of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is 'malignant' and 'scissor-like' compressed between the aorta and pulmonary artery (PA) is debated, owing to the lower pressure in the pulmonary system compared with that in the coronary system. However, data supporting or refuting this belief under stress conditions are lacking. Case summary Three cases of right AAOCA with interarterial/intramural courses (52, 66, and 51 years old) were assessed. Invasively measured fractional flow reserve (FFR) under dobutamine was 0.85, 0.82, and 0.81, respectively. Intravascular ultrasound illustrated lateral vessel compression of the intramural course with a decrease of minimal lumen area (MLA) (i.e. 5.71–3.47 mm2, 5.88–4.00 mm2, and 5.85–4.06 mm2) under stress conditions with heart rates of 130, 140, and 150 b.p.m. respectively. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) increased from rest {s/d (m) [systolic/diastolic (mean)] 22/11 (15), 15/2 (5), and 24/6 (14) mmHg} to stress [s/d (m) 47/24 (36), 30/3 (11), and 36/22 (24) mmHg] and remained below aortic peak pressure (blood pressure, BP) rest [s/d (m) 116/64 (91), 94/48 (71), 99/53 and (62) mmHg]; BP stress [s/d (m) 142/63 (80), 123/63 (88), and 86/46 (62) mmHg]; coronary pressure (CoP) rest [s/d (m) 100/59 (80), 80/45 (62), and 83/47 (63) mmHg]; and CoP stress [s/d (m) 95/60 (69),101/54 (72), and 70/32 (50) mmHg]. Conclusion This case series challenges the assumption that the interarterial segment of AAOCA is scissor-like compressed by both the aorta and PA. The decrease in MLA and FFR under stress is due to the aorta's unidirectional lateral compression on the intramural segment. Additionally, the term 'malignant' should not be universally applied to all AAOCA cases with an interarterial course, as not all result in haemodynamic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document summarizes a study that examined the effects of tafamidis therapy on the heart structure and function of patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). The study found that tafamidis treatment resulted in a decrease in left ventricular mass after 12 months, but did not significantly impact other cardiac parameters or global strain. The findings provide valuable information on the long-term effects of tafamidis therapy on cardiac remodeling and function in patients with ATTR-CM. However, the study had limitations, such as a small sample size and lack of randomization, and further research is needed to establish reliable markers for monitoring and evaluating treatment efficacy. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Signs and symptoms of myocarditis may vary among men and women., Objectives: This study aimed to analyze sex-specific differences in the presentation and outcomes of patients with suspected myocarditis., Methods: Patients meeting clinical ESC criteria for suspected myocarditis were included from two tertiary centers between 2002 and 2021. Baseline characteristics, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and outcomes (i.e. major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including all-cause death, ventricular tachycardia, hospitalization for heart failure, and recurrent myocarditis) in women and men were compared., Results: 776 consecutive patients (mean age 48 ± 16 years, 286 [36.9 %] women) were followed for a median of 3.7 years. Compared to men, women presented more often with severe dyspnea (NYHA III-IV: 25.9 % versus 19.2 % of men; p = 0.029), while chest pain was more frequent in men (39.8 % versus 32.2 % in women; p = 0.037). There was no difference in left ventricular ejection fraction at the time of presentation (women: 48.5 ± 15.4 % versus men: 48.6 ± 15.1 %;p = 0.954). Further, no sex-specific difference in the occurrence of MACE was noted; however, women were more often hospitalized for heart failure than men (women: 9.8 % versus men: 5.3 %, p = 0.018). Accordingly, female sex was independently associated with heart failure hospitalization in an adjusted model (HR: 2.31, 95 % CI:1.25-4.26; p = 0.007). The prognostic value of CMR markers was similar in both sex., Conclusion: Significant sex-specific differences in presentations and imaging findings are found in patients with suspected myocarditis. Female sex is associated with a twofold increase in the risk of heart failure hospitalization, which should be considered in risk stratification., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest B. Bernhard report a career development grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation. C. Gebhard was supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the Olga Mayenfisch Foundation, Switzerland, the OPO Foundation, Switzerland, the Novartis Foundation, Switzerland, the Swissheart Foundation, the Helmut Horten Foundation, Switzerland, the EMDO Foundation, the Iten-Kohaut Foundation, Switzerland, the University Hospital Zurich Foundation, the University of Zurich (UZH) Foundation, and the LOOP, Zurich. R. Kwong has received research support from Bristol Myers Squibb, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Epirium Bio, and Bayer AG, outside of the submitted work. C. Gräni has no conflict of interest with regard to the current study. C. Gräni received funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation, Swissheart Foundation, InnoSuisse, CAIM foundation and GAMBIT foundation, outside of the submitted work. C. Gräni is Editor-in Chief of the International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging. All other authors report no relationships that could be construed as a conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)