American heart journal
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Temporal trends and clinical characteristics of drug-coated balloon angioplasty for de novo coronary lesions: a six-year analysis from the ORPKI Registry

Sep 17, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the temporal trends and clinical characteristics of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for de novo coronary lesions using data from the ORPKI Registry in Poland. They found that DCB usage significantly increased from 0.55% in 2020 to 4.78% in 2025, particularly in non-main coronary segments and among patients with complex clinical profiles. The study highlights the evolving role of DCBs in treating de novo lesions, emphasizing their growing adoption in specific patient populations and procedural contexts.

Rural-urban differences for integrated first responder and drone automated external defibrillator delivery in North Carolina

Sep 11, 2026

The authors aimed to assess how a proposed first responder and drone-based automated external defibrillator (AED) delivery program could address existing urban-rural disparities in AED arrival times for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) in North Carolina. Their computational modeling revealed that while the intervention significantly improved AED arrival times in both urban and rural areas, urban areas benefited more, highlighting the need for further optimization to reduce inequalities in defibrillation access.

Accuracy of Indirect Fick Method for Systemic Flow Calculation In Adults With A Fontan Circulation

Sep 11, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the accuracy of empirical resting oxygen consumption (VO2) equations in adults with a Fontan circulation by comparing estimated VO2 with directly measured values. They sought to determine the reliability of these formulas for individualized hemodynamic assessment in this patient population, particularly regarding their impact on indirect Fick-derived systemic blood flow calculations.

Determinants of post-discharge LDL-C testing and target attainment after acute coronary syndrome: a 10-year population-based study

Sep 11, 2026

The authors aimed to identify factors influencing the absence of post-discharge LDL-C testing and the attainment of LDL-C targets in patients following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Their study found that younger age, male sex, lower socioeconomic status, and reduced use of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) at discharge were associated with non-testing, while intensive LLT and combination therapy improved LDL-C target attainment. Overall, the findings highlight the need for proactive interventions to enhance LDL-C monitoring and control in at-risk patients after ACS.

Incidence, medical therapy, and outcomes in heart failure with improved ejection fraction across guideline definitions

Sep 6, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the incidence of heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) across different guideline definitions and to evaluate the utilization of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and outcomes such as hospitalization or death among patients classified under each definition. They found that the prevalence of HFimpEF varied significantly based on the definition used, with a substantial proportion of patients still facing a high risk of clinical deterioration despite improvements in ejection fraction. This underscores the need for further research to optimize treatment strategies for these patients.

Clinical and Economic Outcomes in Diagnostic-Naïve Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries Managed with Alert-Based Ambulatory Cardiac Monitors: the CAMELOT-ALERT Study

Aug 31, 2026

The CAMELOT-ALERT Study aimed to compare the diagnostic yield and subsequent clinical and economic outcomes of mobile cardiac telemetry (MCT) versus ambulatory event monitoring (AEM) among arrhythmia diagnosis-naïve Medicare Fee-For-Service beneficiaries. The findings indicated that iRhythm MCT had a higher diagnostic yield and retesting rate compared to other MCT and AEM, but no significant differences were observed in overall clinical outcomes or costs. The authors suggest that further randomized trials are needed to clarify the performance differences between these monitoring platforms.

Clinical outcomes associated with recurrent compared to first-time myocardial infarction

Aug 30, 2026

The authors aimed to compare clinical outcomes between patients experiencing recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) and those with a first-time MI, given the lack of contemporary data on this topic. They found that patients with recurrent MI had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, and further recurrent MI compared to first-time MI patients. Additionally, while the use of guideline-recommended treatments post-discharge was high, it was notably lower in the recurrent MI group.

Age-specific coronary outcomes in subacute Kawasaki disease

Aug 30, 2026

The authors aimed to investigate age-specific coronary outcomes in patients with subacute Kawasaki disease, particularly focusing on the development and regression of coronary artery lesions (CALs). Their analysis of data from 129,950 patients revealed that infants aged 0-6 months had the highest risk of CAL development and the lowest likelihood of regression, indicating that age significantly influences coronary outcomes in Kawasaki disease.

High-Sensitivity HEART Pathway One-and-Done Troponin Strategy is Safe and Effective

Aug 26, 2026

The authors aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a "one-and-done" high-sensitivity troponin strategy within the HEART Pathway for patients presenting with acute chest pain. In a multisite study involving 12,190 patients, 13.4% were eligible for this strategy, with 89.6% discharged and only 0.2% experiencing adverse outcomes within 30 days, demonstrating that the approach is both safe and effective.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children with Surgically Corrected Congenital Heart Disease: Exercise Testing Profiles and Biventricular Function

Aug 26, 2026

This study investigates the factors contributing to reduced cardiorespiratory fitness in children with surgically corrected congenital heart disease (CHD) by utilizing cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and cardiac imaging. The authors aim to clarify the roles of cardiovascular, ventilatory, and gas exchange abnormalities in exercise limitations, finding that impaired maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O₂max) is significantly associated with early anaerobic threshold, chronotropic incompetence, and subclinical systolic dysfunction. The results suggest that combining imaging with CPET can enhance the understanding of both cardiac and non-cardiac contributors to exercise impairment in this population.