Cardiovascular diseases significantly burden healthcare systems globally, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and patient management. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant promise in interventional cardiology but a rapidly emerging tool with growing clinical impact. AI-driven technologies can analyze vast amounts of clinical data, recognize intricate patterns, and generate clinically relevant, evidence-based recommendations, augmenting physician expertise and streamlining care. In diagnostics, AI enhances imaging interpretation and lesion assessment, while procedurally, it supports real-time guidance and catheter-based interventions. Its integration into decision support systems has improved risk stratification, early disease detection, and individualized treatment planning. AI also advances personalized medicine using predictive models to tailor interventions to patient-specific needs. Despite its promise, challenges such as costs, ethical issues, and the need for rigorous validation remain barriers to widespread adoption. Nevertheless, as AI advances, its integration into interventional cardiology is expected to transform care delivery, optimize outcomes, and improve system efficiency.

Water pipe smoking, commonly referred to as hookah or shisha, is a centuries-old practice that has gained global popularity in recent decades, particularly among young adults. This resurgence is fueled by its cultural appeal, social nature, and the perception of it being a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. However, mounting evidence suggests that waterpipe smoking has significant cardiovascular consequences, including the development of ventricular dysfunction, a precursor to heart failure. Heart failure (HF), a complex clinical syndrome characterized by the heart’s inability to pump blood adequately, affects approximately 64 million people worldwide, with regional variations in prevalence and etiology. In high-income countries, the prevalence ranges from 1-2% of the adult population, increasing to over 10% in individuals above 70 years, while in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the prevalence is often underreported due to limited healthcare access. Emerging evidence links water pipe smoking to ventricular dysfunction through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and direct myocardial toxicity. Comparative studies highlight that a single water pipe session delivers greater quantities of carbon monoxide and nicotine than a cigarette, intensifying cardiovascular strain. These substances induce myocardial hypoxia, lipid peroxidation, and cytokine-mediated inflammation, impairing ventricular function. Given the growing prevalence of water pipe smoking, especially among younger populations, this practice constitutes an underrecognized but significant public health risk. Addressing the cardiovascular implications of water pipe smoking requires targeted research and global efforts to enhance awareness, implement preventive strategies, and inform healthcare policies.

Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is an emerging technique for managing atrial fibrillation (AF). Still, its role in persistent AF (PeAF) with left atrial posterior wall isolation (LAPWI) remains to be defined. The ATHENA registry evaluated 249 PeAF patients across 9 Italian centers using the FARAPULSE PFA system, with 57.6% undergoing LAPWI. Electrical isolation of the posterior wall was achieved in all cases, with a first-pass success rate of 88.8%. The procedure demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with no major periprocedural complications and only a low rate of minor events (2.4%). Secondary endpoints further assessed long-term efficacy and safety, with 16.5% of patients experiencing arrhythmic recurrence beyond the blanking period at a median follow-up of 273 days, corresponding to an overall freedom from recurrence of 83.5%. Complication rates remained low throughout follow-up, with no late-occurring major adverse events reported. Redo procedures were required in 15.3% of LAPWI patients compared with lower rates in the PVI-only group, suggesting a potential benefit of adjunctive posterior wall ablation. These findings support PFA as a feasible, safe, and efficient approach for LAPWI in PeAF, even with fluoroscopy-only guidance.

Bradyarrhythmia is associated with an increased risk of falls, syncope, and sudden cardiac arrest in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, studies investigating bradyarrhythmia in PA have been scarce. Therefore, we aimed to assess trends, prevalence, and risk factors of bradyarrhythmia and pacemaker implantation in PD patients. The National Inpatient Sample was utilized to identify patients’ data with primary and secondary diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease (PD) from 2016 to 2020. A total of 333,242 patients had a PD diagnosis; of these, 5092 (1.5%) had comorbid diagnoses of bradyarrhythmia. The prevalence of bradyarrhythmia in patients with PD was 351.9 per 10,000 hospitalizations (3.5%), with an increase from 291.9 to 463.8 per 10,000. However, the trends remained relatively stable. The overall prevalence of pacemaker implantation in patients with PD was 79.9 per 10,000 hospitalizations (0.8%). The overall trend of pacemaker implantation was stable in patients with PD. Age ≥ 65, male sex, and comorbidities (atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypertension, liver failure, obesity, peripheral vascular disease, renal failure) were associated with a higher likelihood of bradyarrhythmia in patients with PD. This study’s findings revealed an increase in the prevalence of bradyarrhythmia. However, the prevalence of pacemaker implantation remained relatively stable over the study period.

Background: Water pipe smoking (hookah, shisha, narghile) is increasingly popular worldwide, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Misconceptions about its health risks persist despite growing evidence of its harmful cardiovascular effects. Objective: This scoping review aims to map the existing literature on public perceptions and misconceptions about water pipe smoking and its cardiovascular health implications, with the goal of informing awareness efforts and policy interventions. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we systematically searched, charted, and summarized 96 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024 in major databases. Studies were included if they addressed public perception, knowledge, or cardiovascular outcomes related to water pipe use. Data were synthesized descriptively to highlight key themes and evidence gaps. Results: Most included studies (52%) were observational, with a regional focus on Middle Eastern and South Asian populations (67%). Common misconceptions included beliefs that water filtration reduces harm and that water pipe smoking is safer than cigarettes. Evidence shows significant exposure to harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, nicotine, heavy metals, and carcinogens, with reported associations with cardiovascular outcomes including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and hypertension. Social acceptability, flavored tobacco, and weak regulation in low- and middle-income countries further promote its use. Conclusions: Water pipe smoking poses substantial cardiovascular risks that are poorly understood by the public. This scoping review highlights the need for culturally sensitive health education, robust public health campaigns, and stronger policy enforcement. Future research should adopt standardized reporting methods to better characterize long-term cardiovascular impacts, dual tobacco use patterns, and policy effectiveness.

Tricuspid valve disease (TVD), primarily tricuspid regurgitation (TR), is increasingly recognized for its significant morbidity and mortality. Traditional management with medical therapy or high-risk surgical interventions leaves many patients untreated. The emergence of percutaneous interventions introduces a transformative, minimally invasive alternative for high-risk surgical candidates. Clinical trials such as TRILUMINATE have demonstrated the efficacy of devices like TriClip, achieving TR reduction to moderate or less in 86% of patients at 1 year, alongside improvements in functional capacity (6MWT) and quality of life (KCCQ scores). Real-world data from the TriValve registry revealed a 91% procedural success rate, marked improvements in the NYHA functional class, and a low complication profile. Long-term follow-up confirms sustained symptom relief, reduced edema, and improved exercise tolerance, with KCCQ scores increasing by 18–22 points. Survival benefits have also been reported, with a 35% 1-year mortality reduction compared to medical management. Although long-term data are limited, emerging transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) devices like EVOQUE show promising outcomes. Challenges persist in patient selection, particularly in congenital or complex structural abnormalities. Integrating advanced imaging techniques, such as 3D echocardiography, enhances procedural planning and outcome assessment. Ongoing trials like TRILUMINATE Pivotal aim to address evidence gaps, refine techniques, and expand indications. As percutaneous approaches evolve, they can revolutionize TVD management, improving survival, quality of life, and functional capacity in this high-risk population. Further research will solidify their role in contemporary cardiac care.