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The natural progression of bioprosthetic valve degeneration over time requires further interventions for those experiencing symptomatic prosthesis dysfunction. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) emerges as a promising therapeutic option to alleviate symptoms in such patients. The valve-in-valve (ViV) technique eliminates the necessity for repetitive open-heart surgical procedures, offering particular advantages for individuals with higher surgical risks. In this report, we describe the case of a 78-year-old female patient presenting with severe symptomatic aortic restenosis of a biological aortic valve implanted 5 years prior. Given the patient's high surgical risk, a transcatheter ViV implantation was chosen as the treatment approach. Utilizing a balloon-expandable valve, the intervention resulted in the successful implantation of a functional TAVR, resulting in symptom relief and enabling a fast discharge from the hospital., Competing Interests: None to declare., (Copyright 2025, Jovanovic et al.)

Background: Myocardial ischemia is caused by epicardial coronary artery stenosis or atherosclerotic disease affecting microcirculation. Trimetazidine (TMZ), promotes glucose oxidation which optimizes cellular energy processes in ischemic conditions. Small studies demonstrated protective effects of TMZ in terms of reducing myocardial injury after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), its effect on microcirculation using contemporary investigative methods has not been studied. The aim of the study was to examine effects of trimetazidine, given before elective PCI, on microcirculation using invasively measured index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR)., Methods: This was prospective, single blinded, randomized study performed in a single university hospital. It included consecutive patients with an indication for PCI of a single, de novo , native coronary artery lesion. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either TMZ plus standard therapy (TMZ group) or just standard therapy. Coronary physiology indices fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were measured before and after PCI using coronary pressure wire., Results: We randomized 71 patients with similar clinical characteristics and risk profile, previous medications and coronary angiograms. Patientshad similar values of Pd/Pa, FFR and CFR prior to PCI procedure. After PCI, FFR values were higher in TMZ group, while IMR values were lower in this group respectively (FFR TMZ + 0.89 ± 0.05 vs. TMZ - 0.85 ± 0.06, p  = 0.007; CFR TMZ + 2.1 ± 0.8 vs. TMZ- 2.3 ± 1.3, p  = 0.469; IMR TMZ + 18 ± 9 vs. TMZ- 24 ± 12, p  = 0.028). In two-way repeated measures ANOVA PCI was associated with change in FFR values (TMZ p  = 0.050; PCI p  < 0.001; p for interaction 0.577) and TMZ with change in IMR values (TMZ p  = 0.034, PCI p  = 0.129, p for interaction 0.344)., Conclusion: Adding trimetazidine on top of medical treatment prior to elective PCI reduces microvascular dysfunction by lowering postprocedural IMR values when compared to standard therapy alone., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Ilic, Timcic, Milosevic, Boskovic, Odanovic, Furtula, Dobric, Aleksandric and Otasevic.)

Assessment of the functional significance of coronary artery stenosis using invasive measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) or non-hyperemic indices has been shown to be safe and effective in making clinical decisions on whether to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite strong evidence from clinical trials, utilization of these techniques is still relatively low worldwide. This may be to some extent attributed to factors that are inherent to invasive measurements like prolongation of the procedure, side effects of drugs that induce hyperemia, additional steps that the operator should perform, the possibility to damage the vessel with the wire, and additional costs. During the last few years, there was a growing interest in the non-invasive assessment of coronary artery lesions, which may provide interventionalist with important physiological information regarding lesion severity and overcome some of the limitations. Several dedicated software solutions are available on the market that could provide an estimation of FFR using 3D reconstruction of the interrogated vessel derived from two separated angiographic projections taken during diagnostic coronary angiography. Furthermore, some of them use data about aortic pressure and frame count to more accurately calculate pressure drop (and FFR). The ideal non-invasive system should be integrated into the workflow of the cath lab and performed online (during the diagnostic procedure), thereby not prolonging procedural time significantly, and giving the operator additional information like vessel size, lesion length, and possible post-PCI FFR value. Following the development of these technologies, they were all evaluated in clinical trials where good correlation and agreement with invasive FFR (considered the gold standard) were demonstrated. Currently, only one trial (FAVOR III China) with clinical outcomes was completed and demonstrated that QFR-guided PCI may provide better results at 1-year follow-up as compared to the angiography-guided approach. We are awaiting the results of a few other trials with clinical outcomes that test the performance of these indices in guiding PCI against either FFR or angiography-based approach, in various clinical settings. Herein we will present an overview of the currently available data, a critical review of the major clinical trials, and further directions of development for the five most widely available non-invasive indices: QFR, vFFR, FFRangio, caFFR, and AccuFFRangio., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Dobrić, Furtula, Tešić, Timčić, Borzanović, Lazarević, Lipovac, Farkić, Ilić, Boljević, Rakočević, Aleksandrić, Juričić, Ostojić and Bojić.)

The PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9) enzyme interferes with the metabolism of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Inhibition of PCSK9 results in lower LDL cholesterol levels, which can be achieved by different molecular pathways. Monoclonal antibodies targeting circulating PCSK9 have shown strong and persistent effects on lowering the LDL cholesterol level, while reducing the risk of future cardiovascular events. However, this therapy requires once- or twice-monthly administration in the form of subcutaneous injection. This dosing regimen might impact the therapy adherence in cardiovascular patients who often require multiple drugs with different dosing intervals. Small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) represents a promising therapy approach for patients with elevated LDL cholesterol level despite optimized background statin therapy. Inclisiran is a synthesized siRNA which inhibits PCSK9 synthesis in the liver and provides sustained and durable lowering of LDL cholesterol with twice-yearly application and a good tolerability profile. Herein, we present an overview of the current available data and critical review of the major clinical trials which assessed safety and efficacy of inclisiran in different groups of patients with elevated LDL cholesterol level.