JAMA cardiology
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In patients with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) equal to or greater than 40%, a transcatheter interatrial shunt device (IASD; Corvia Medical) reduces exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and is safe compared with sham control treatment at 1 month of follow-up. The longer-term safety and patency of the IASD has not yet been demonstrated in the setting of a randomized clinical trial (RCT). ⋯ The REDUCE LAP-HF I phase 2, sham-controlled RCT confirms the longer-term patency of the IASD. Through 1 year of follow-up, IASD treatment appears safe, with no significant differences in MACCRE in patients receiving IASD compared with those who received sham control treatment.
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Limited data exist on the prevalence and prognostic importance of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction for heart failure (HF) in the general population. ⋯ Right ventricular function and RV-PA coupling declined progressively across American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association HF stages. Among persons free of HF, lower RVEF was associated with incident HF or death independent of LVEF or N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide.
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Pharmacological enhancers of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) are in preclinical or early clinical development for cardiovascular prevention. Studying whether these agents will reduce cardiovascular events or diabetes risk when added to existing lipid-lowering drugs would require large outcome trials. Human genetics studies can help prioritize or deprioritize these resource-demanding endeavors. ⋯ Triglyceride-lowering alleles in the LPL pathway are associated with lower risk of coronary disease and type 2 diabetes independently of LDL-C-lowering genetic mechanisms. These findings provide human genetics evidence to support the development of agents that enhance LPL-mediated lipolysis for further clinical benefit in addition to LDL-C-lowering therapy.
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Multicenter Study
Association of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain With Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis: Natural Course and Prognostic Value.
The optimal timing to operate in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) remains controversial. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) may help to identify patients who might benefit from undergoing earlier aortic valve replacement. ⋯ Subclinical myocardial dysfunction that is characterized by impaired LV GLS is often present in patients with asymptomatic severe AS with preserved LVEF. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain further deteriorates over time and impaired LV GLS at baseline is associated with an increased risk for progression to the symptomatic stage and the need for aortic valve intervention.