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Hearts

Hearts is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on cardiology and cardiac & vascular surgery, published quarterly online by MDPI.
The Jordanian Cardiac Society (JCS) is affiliated with Hearts and its members receive a discount on the article processing charges.

All Articles (181)

  • Case Report
  • Open Access

“Pinch-Off Syndrome,” first described by Hinke, is a mechanical complication of totally implantable central venous catheters inserted via subclavian venous access. It occurs when the catheter is compressed between the clavicle and the first rib. Compression can cause transient catheter obstruction and may result in rupture or even complete resection and embolization of the catheter. In this case report, we describe our experience of percutaneous transvenous removal of an embolized port-a-cath fragment within the right heart chambers following a rupture. We used the “retrieval snare” technique and subsequent reimplantation through internal jugular access. The intervention occurred in the same session and involved a multidisciplinary team for a 55-year-old man in need of adjuvant chemotherapy.

2 February 2026

Mechanism of the Pinch-Off Syndrome. (A) shows a 3D reconstruction of the mechanical conflict between the clavicle and the first rib; (B) schematically illustrates the compression (costoclavicular pinch) of the catheter in the subclavian vein, which causes cyclic stress, obstruction, and potential device fracture.
  • Case Report
  • Open Access

Biventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a rare variant characterized by involvement of both the left and right ventricles. This variant is associated with greater hemodynamic instability and longer hospital stays compared to the isolated left ventricular-only variant. We report the case of a 67-year-old female patient who underwent elective resection of a left adrenal adenoma. While her preoperative and intraoperative courses were uneventful, she developed cardiogenic shock postoperatively, necessitating prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) management and vasopressor support. Further evaluation revealed elevated high-sensitivity troponin levels and reduced ejection fraction on echocardiography (30–35%). Hypokinesis was noted in the apical and mid-ventricular segments of both ventricles. A coronary angiogram performed two months prior to admission showed no significant coronary artery disease. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of biventricular TCM was established. The patient was managed supportively and discharged in stable condition with ongoing therapy, including beta-blockers, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASis), and statins. Follow-up echocardiography showed resolution of regional wall motion abnormalities. Although rare, biventricular TCM is associated with increased severity and a higher risk of complications. Early recognition and timely management are essential to improve outcomes in affected patients.

11 January 2026

Electrocardiogram showing Diffuse T-wave changes representing ischemia.

The role of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), including implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, in patients supported with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) remains controversial. Although ICDs clearly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and improve outcomes in advanced heart failure (HF), their benefit in patients with continuous-flow mechanical circulatory support is less certain. Initial small studies involving LVAD patients, particularly those with older pulsatile devices, suggested that ICDs confer a survival benefit during LVAD support. However, more recent evidence has been inconsistent. Some studies show modest protection against arrhythmic death, whereas others show no improvement in overall mortality. Similarly, CRT does not appear to offer significant additional hemodynamic benefits after LVAD implantation, and current evidence does not strongly support its routine continuation. Device-related complications—including lead failure, infection, electromagnetic interference, and inappropriate shocks—are major clinical concerns that can offset potential benefits. Accordingly, current guidelines recommend maintaining pre-existing ICD or CRT devices in LVAD patients but do not endorse the routine implantation of new devices after LVAD placement. The existing evidence highlights the need for a nuanced and individualized approach to CIED therapy in patients with LVAD. Future research should focus on randomized trials, registry-based analyses, and the exploration of novel technologies such as leadless pacing, subcutaneous ICDs, and advanced programming algorithms. Patient-centered outcomes, particularly quality of life and ethical considerations—such as ICD deactivation in end-of-life scenarios—must be considered in decision-making in this evolving field.

8 January 2026

Article thumbnail image

Background: This study investigates the impact of engagement with online health platforms (OHPs), perceived treatment effectiveness, and country of residence on patient attitudes toward atrial fibrillation (AF) treatments, mediated by threat perception and behavioral evaluation within an adapted Health Belief Model (HBM). Methods: A cross-sectional survey conducted in June 2024 included 589 members of two professionally curated OHPs: the AFIP Foundation (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and StopAfib.org (Decatur, United States). Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine both direct and indirect relationships among engagement behaviors, perceived treatment effectiveness, country of residence, and patient attitudes toward AF treatments (PAAT). Results: Results indicate that higher engagement (i.e., frequency of OHP visits and time spent on the OHP) positively predicts more favorable PAAT, whereas the number of content types consumed showed no significant mediating effect via threat perception or behavioral evaluation. Conclusions: By increasing awareness of AF and reinforcing the perceived effectiveness of treatments, OHPs can serve as effective tools for patient education and support. From a managerial perspective, these findings provide actionable insights for platform operators and healthcare stakeholders on which engagement factors most effectively enhance patient attitudes toward treatment options.

1 January 2026

Depiction of the conceptual model, showing the expected relationship between the predictor variables (country of residence, engagement on the OHP, and perceived effectiveness), the mediators (threat perception and behavioral evaluation), and the outcome variable (patients’ attitudes towards AF treatment). The arrows represent the predicted effects of the predictor variables on the mediators and the outcome variable.

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Hearts - ISSN 2673-3846