Early clinical outcomes after transaxillary versus transfemoral TAVI. Data from the Spanish TAVI registry.

Introduction And Objectives: Transaxillary access (TXA) has become the most widely used alternative to transfemoral access (TFA) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to compare total in-hospital and 30-day mortality in patients included in the Spanish TAVI registry who were treated by TXA or TFA access.

Methods: We analyzed data from patients treated with TXA or TFA and who were included in the TAVI Spanish registry.

[Patients with vulnerable coronary plaques have higher serum metalloproteinase-1 levels].

Background: Most acute coronary syndromes are caused by the fracture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. These plaques are thin cap fibroatheromas, which can only be detected with invasive coronary imaging techniques. It is necessary to find a non-invasive biomarker of these vulnerable plaques in order to identify patients at risk without a coronary angiography.

[Percutaneous coronary intervention in Navarre. Outcomes of a low volume centre].

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)is currently a basic therapeutic option in patients with coronary artery disease. To carry this out specialists must be trained and accredited. It is known that the number of procedures performed each year influences results.

Characterization of coronary plaques with combined use of intravascular ultrasound, virtual histology and optical coherence tomography.

According to post-mortem studies, luminal thrombosis occurs from plaque rupture, erosion and calcified nodules. In vivo studies have found thin cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) as the main vulnerable lesion, prone to rupture. Few data about other post-mortem lesions have been reported in vivo.

Ergonovine test in angina with normal coronary arteries. Is it worth doing it?

Background: Patients with angina and normal coronary arteries are often misdiagnosed with having non-cardiac pain. Although vasospasm is a well-known entity, spasm provocation is not routinely done in the majority of hospitals at present.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and sixty two consecutive patients with thoracic pain and normal coronary arteries were retrospectively studied.

[Technological improvements in interventional cardiology].

In the last few years, the evolution of coronary interventionism has been very important. The primary success rates in the early 1990s were 86-88% with a re-stenosis rate of 30%-40%. Current primary success rates have risen to over 95% with a re-stenosis rate of under 10% even for many types of lesions classically considered complex.

[Impaired coronary flow reserve in patients with non-ischemic heart failure].

Introduction And Objectives: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) is impaired not only in ischemic heart disease, but also in cardiac diseases that may or may not course with heart failure. The aim of the present study was to determine if the severity of heart failure can influence CFR impairment.

Methods: Forty patients with non-ischemic heart disease and heart failure were studied 41 times.