Polymer-free versus biodegradable-polymer drug-eluting stent in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: an assessor-blind, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Few data are available on polymer-free drug-eluting stents in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aims: We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a polymer-free amphilimus-eluting stent (AES), using a reservoir-based technology for drug delivery, compared with a biodegradable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (EES).

Methods: This was a randomised, investigator-initiated, assessor-blind, non-inferiority trial conducted at 14 hospitals in Italy (ClinicalTrials.

Early safety after TAVR according to VARC-3 criteria: incidence, predictors, and clinical impact.

Introduction And Objectives: The Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-3 definition of the early safety (ES) composite endpoint after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) lacks clinical validation. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of ES after TAVR as defined by VARC-3 criteria.

Methods: We performed a multicenter study including 10 078 patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transarterial TAVR.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in aortic stenosis patients with New York Heart Association functional class III or IV.

Background: Patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis are a vulnerable population with associated cardiac damage and a significant comorbidity burden. This study aimed to determine the rate, factors associated with, and prognostic value of poor functional status (NYHA class III-IV) in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: This multicenter study included 6,363 transarterial TAVR patients, classified according to baseline functional status (NYHA class I-II vs.

Management of Intraventricular Gradient in Patients With Aortic Stenosis.

In patients with severe left ventricle hypertrophy and aortic stenosis, the presence of intraventricular gradient should always be investigated. Its prompt recognition enables a precise diagnosis and safe treatment of both conditions. We report 2 cases demonstrating a successful and novel approach to this clinical situation.

Validation of the Valve Academic Research Consortium High Bleeding Risk Definition in Patients Undergoing TAVR.

Background: The Valve Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (VARC-HBR) has recently introduced a consensus document that outlines risk factors to identify high bleeding risk in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictive value of the VARC-HBR definition in a contemporary, large-scale transcatheter aortic valve replacement population.

Methods: Multicenter study including 10 449 patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.