Obesity-induced vena cava compression syndrome: a case report of a rare precipitant of a type 2 myocardial infarction in a patient with critical aortic stenosis.

Background: Obesity is a global health problem of increasing prevalence with a broad range of multisystem complications. An under-recognized complication of severe obesity is the potential haemodynamic compromise that may arise due to pathological external compression of the inferior vena cava whilst lying in the supine position, a phenomenon known as obesity-induced vena cava compression syndrome.

Case Summary: A 56-year-old independent woman presented to a rural Australian hospital for routine dressing care for bilateral lymphoedema on a background of class III morbid obesity (weight 197 kg, body mass index 68.

Impact of Surgical and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement on Frailty Score.

Objective: Frailty is common in the aortic stenosis (AS) population and impacts outcomes after both transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR and sAVR, respectively). Frailty can significantly impact the decision regarding the suitability of a patient for aortic valve intervention, with frail patients often excluded. Since many frailty tools use indicators which may be influenced by AS itself, some of which are subjectively symptom driven, we sought to determine the impact of intervention on frailty scores.

Impact of increased augmentation index and valvuloarterial impedance on symptom recovery after aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valvular disorder with a large symptomatic burden resulting from increased myocardial workload due to valvular obstruction. The contribution of increased afterload from arterial stiffness on symptoms is uncertain. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the symptomatic impact of arterial stiffness as determined by Applanation Tonometry.

Multidisciplinary transcatheter aortic valve replacement heart team programme improves mortality in aortic stenosis.

Objectives: To analyse the effect of the implementation of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and multidisciplinary heart team programme on mortality in severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: A retrospective, observational cohort study was performed using the echocardiography, cardiothoracic surgery and TAVR databases between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016. Outcomes were compared between the pre- and post-TAVR programme eras in a tertiary referral centre providing transcatheter and surgical interventions for AS.

Effect of Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty on Mortality in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Prior to Conservative Treatment and Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Outcomes following an initial strategy of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) prior to medical therapy or intervention with surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (SAVR or TAVR) are unclear in the modern transcatheter intervention era.

Methods: A retrospective, observational cohort study of the echocardiography, cardiothoracic surgery and TAVR databases between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016 was performed to compare outcomes between all patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) treated with or without BAV prior to medical or invasive therapy.

Results: 3,142 patients were available for analysis.

Catheter-based renal denervation for resistant hypertension: Twenty-four month results of the EnligHTN I first-in-human study using a multi-electrode ablation system.

Background: Long term safety and efficacy data of multi-electrode ablation system for renal denervation (RDN) in patients with drug resistant hypertension (dRHT) are limited.

Methods And Results: We studied 46 patients (age: 60 ± 10 years, 4.7 ± 1.

New antiplatelet agents and the role of platelet function testing in acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy is a guideline mandated for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Despite its use, thrombotic events continue to occur both early and late. Platelet function testing has been used to define the in vitro effects of new antiplatelet agents, and it has been suggested that it be used to choose therapy.