Detection of large LRP by NIRS at non-stented sites in a target artery was associated with an increased risk of future MACCE. These findings support ongoing prospective studies to further evaluate the ability of NIRS to identify vulnerable patients.

Isolated left ventricular (LV) apical hypoplasia is a recently described congenital abnormality characterized by: (1) a truncated and spherical LV configuration with rightward bulging of the interventricular septum, (2) deficiency of the myocardium within the LV apex with adipose tissue infiltrating the apex, (3) origin of the papillary muscle in the flattened anterior apex, and (4) elongation of the right ventricle wrapping around the deficient LV apex. In this report, we demonstrate these characteristic features with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and summarize the existing information on isolated LV apical hypoplasia.

Key Points Question Are interventional echocardiographers exposed to greater occupational radiation doses than interventional cardiologists and sonographers during structural heart procedures? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 60 structural heart procedures, interventional echocardiographers experienced higher head-level radiation doses than interventional cardiologists and sonographers. Meaning These comparatively higher radiation doses indicate a previously underappreciated occupational risk faced by interventional echocardiographers, which has implications for the rapidly expanding structural heart team.

Among individuals with a CACS ≥300 Agatston units mostly on statins, CACS correlated with total plaque volume but not LCBI. This observation may have implications on coronary risk among individuals with a high CACS considering that it is coronary LRP, rather than calcification, that underlies the majority of acute coronary events.