Welcome to this issue of Heart International. As ever, we aim to provide our readers with the latest developments, insights, and evidence-based discussions in cardiovascular care. This edition is particularly poignant, as we begin with a heartfelt tribute to an influential figure in interventional cardiology and a cherished member of our editorial board, Dr Richard Heuser.
Dr Richard Heuser (1950–2024) was a pioneer, inventor, educator and innovator whose legacy continues to shape modern cardiology. With over 24 patents to his name and countless contributions to the field of coronary and peripheral angioplasty, Dr Heuser’s work has saved and improved innumerable lives globally. He will be remembered not only for his groundbreaking achievements, but also for his humour, generosity and unwavering devotion to his family and colleagues. His passing leaves a profound void in the medical community, and this edition of Heart International is dedicated to honouring his legacy.
This issue features a diverse collection of reviews, editorials, and research articles that reflect the dynamic and multidisciplinary nature of cardiovascular medicine. Rajkumar Natarajan et al. take us on a historical journey in “Coronary Dissections – Back to the Future: Finding Good in the Bad!”. The article revisits the pivotal role of dissections in balloon angioplasty, examining their clinical implications and emerging therapeutic potential in the era of drug-coated balloons.
Christophe Garweg and Rik Willems provide an in-depth look at technological advancements in leadless pacemakers in their review, “Advancements in Leadless Pacemakers: What the Second-generation Micra AV2 Brings to Cardiac Care”. They highlight the enhanced atrioventricular (AV) synchrony and smart features of the Micra AV2, heralding a new chapter in minimally invasive pacing technologies.
Aditya John Binu and Nitin Kapoor tackle the underrecognized syndrome of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) in “Understanding Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Insulin Resistance and Beyond”. This comprehensive review discusses the complex pathophysiology of DC and underscores the importance of identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this serious cardiac complication of diabetes.
In the realm of valvular heart disease, Yasser M. Sammour et al. present “Transcatheter Management of Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Review of Contemporary Evidence”. This article provides a thorough evaluation of the rapidly evolving transcatheter interventions for tricuspid regurgitation, offering new hope for patients who are at high surgical risk and have historically been undertreated.
Esra Koc AY et al. contribute original research in “Radial Artery Thrombosis and Associated Risk Factors in Patients Undergoing Radial Coronary Angiography”. This study identifies key predictors of radial artery thrombosis (RAT), offering practical insights for mitigating this complication in patients undergoing trans-radial coronary interventions. Each of these articles represents the continuous innovation and discovery that define our field. We hope this issue will both inform and inspire, driving further advancements in cardiovascular care and fostering collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders.
Magdi El-Omar
Dr Magdi El-Omar is a consultant interventional cardiologist at the Manchester Heart Centre and an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. He graduated from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK, in 1988 and undertook his postgraduate general medical training in London and Oxford. He then completed his general cardiology training in Birmingham, Oxford and Wales before subspecializing in coronary intervention. The latter included a 2.5-year clinical/research fellowship in interventional cardiology at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation and the New York University Medical Centre, New York, NY, USA. During his time there, he worked closely with leaders in the field, including doctors Greg Stone, Martin Leon, Gary Roubin, Frederick Feit and Aaron Marcus. Dr El-Omar has been involved in research for over 25 years. He undertook a 2-year British Heart Foundation Junior Research Fellowship in basic science (diabetic cardiomyopathy in a rat model) in 1997–8, which led to the award of an MD degree from the University of London. He has since been actively involved in clinical research, especially in the fields of acute coronary syndromes and coronary intervention. He has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed articles, mostly in high-impact journals. He has been a local principal investigator for several landmark, international, multicentre trials (e.g. HORIZONS-AMI, INFUSE-AMI, TOTAL, TWILIGHT, etc.). He is actively involved in education and training and is a course co-director of the International Complex Cardiovascular Catheter Therapeutics Conference in the USA.
