Percutaneous versus surgical closure of paravalvular leaks in prosthetic valves: A cross-sectional comparison of clinical outcomes.

Background And Aims: Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a serious complication of prosthetic valve replacement. Both surgical and percutaneous closure techniques are used for PVL closure, but optimal strategies and comparative outcomes are uncertain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous versus surgical PVL closure by analyzing changes in leak severity, functional status, echocardiographic parameters, and clinical outcomes.

Effects of flaxseed consumption on plasma lipids, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A activity and gut microbiota composition in patients with coronary artery disease.

Clinical studies have demonstrated possible beneficial effects of flaxseed on cardiovascular disease risk factors, but limited studies have evaluated the effects of flaxseed on the plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A (Lp-PLA) and gut microbial composition in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of flaxseed consumption on plasma lipids and lipoproteins, Lp-PLA activity, as well as the relative abundance of some gut microbiota in CAD patients. In a randomized controlled parallel trial, 50 patients with CAD were randomly allocated to 12 weeks of supplementation of flaxseed (30 g/day) or control (usual care).

New Horizon of Intervention in Congenital Heart Disease: AFR in a Complex Cyanotic Patient.

Double-inlet left ventricle (DILV) is the commonest form of the anatomic univentricular heart which has different ventriculoarterial connection; generally, the most prevalent type is DILV with the hypoplastic right ventricle on the left side. The disease is associated with several heart defects, and the treatment method is different based on the anatomy of the heart, but treatment methods are almost always palliative. In this paper, we described one adult patient with DILV and severe left AV (atrioventricular valve) stenosis who is managed with a novel palliative intervention; it means AFR (atrial flow regulator) device implantation for the first time.

Self-Expanding Versus Balloon-Expandable Stents in Patients With Isthmic Coarctation of the Aorta.

Endovascular stent implantation has become the treatment of choice for the management of patients with native coarctation of the aorta (CoA). The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of self-expandable stenting (SES) with balloon-expandable stenting (BES) in the treatment of native CoA. In this single-center retrospective study, all patients who underwent SES or BES for the management of native CoA were enrolled.

Iatrogenic IVC Perforation after Successful Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis.

Central vein perforation as a rare complication of venous interventions is considered a nightmare if occurring in thoracic cage but behaves benignly in abdominal or pelvic region. This is not a rule, as we unfortunately encountered during the procedure of venous intervention in our patient. Although mechanical control of iatrogenic perforation or rupture is the first and most critical step during interventional procedures, the importance of anticoagulant and thrombolytic agents reversal should not be overlooked.

Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Missed as Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Although the aortic dissection is not common, its outcome is frequently fatal, and many patients with aortic dissection die before referral to the hospital or any diagnostic testing. The symptoms of aortic dissection can be similar to myocardial ischemia. A 66-year-old male was referred to our hospital with suspicion of aortic dissection after echocardiography done for evaluating his high blood pressure.

Risk Factors of Reperfusion Failure following Primary Angioplasty for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

Background: Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improves outcomes compared to thrombolysis, a substantial number of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients do not achieve optimal myocardial reperfusion. This study was designed to evaluate factors related to suboptimal myocardial reperfusion after primary PCI in patients with STEMI.

Methods: Totally, 155 patients (124 men; mean age = 56.

Natural History of Aortic Regurgitation following Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty.

Background: Little is known about the natural history of aortic regurgitation (AR) in patients undergoing mitral valve procedures for mitral stenosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) on coexisting AR.

Materials And Methods: A total of 327 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (282 females and 45 males; mean age at the time of intervention = 47 ± 11 years) were followed up for between 48 hours and 13 years after PMV.

Percutaneous device closure for secundum-type atrial septal defect: short and intermediate-term results.

Background: Device closure of an isolated secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) has been used as an alternative method for open surgical closure with comparable success and lower morbidity. In this study we evaluated the procedural success and mid-term follow-up results of percutaneous closure of secundum ASD with an Amplatzer™Septal Occluder(ASO) device or a Figula ASD occluder device.

Methods: From June 2001 to January 2009, 74 consecutive patients were scheduled for percutaneous device closure in two centers in Tehran, Iran.

Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty using echocardiographic intercommissural diameter as reference for balloon sizing: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty is the preferred therapeutic strategy in patients with mitral stenosis, but it has shortcomings in a subset of patients.

Hypothesis: A new method of balloon sizing through echocardiographic measurement of the intercommissural diameter would be safe and effective and lead to better outcomes.

Methods: Eighty-six mitral-stenosis patients were randomly assigned to undergo balloon mitral valvuloplasty either with height-based balloon reference sizing (HBRS group, n = 43) or with balloons sized by the echocardiographic measurement of intercommissural diameter (EBRS group, n = 43).

Comparison of the clinical and morphologic characteristics of culprit lesions in unstable angina and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the differences in clinical and morphologic characteristics of culprit lesions among patients with unstable angina (UA) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods: The authors included 174 consecutive patients who have been admitted due to UA or NSTEMI. All patients underwent coronary angiography during hospitalisation and angiographic characteristics were determined.

Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty--a new method for balloon sizing based on maximal commissural diameter to improve procedural results.

Background: Since the introduction of the Inoue technique for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV), various criteria have been proposed for ideal balloon sizing. In routine practice, balloon size is chosen based on the patient's height according to a simple formula. We tried to define a simple and practical echocardiographic measure for adjusting balloon catheter size to achieve better success rates and fewer complications.