Computational simulation model of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair: a proof-of-concept study.

Aims: As transcatheter mitral valve (MV) interventions are expanding and more device types and sizes become available, a tool supporting operators in pre-procedural planning and the clinical decision-making process is highly desirable. We sought to develop a finite element computational simulation model to predict the results of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) interventions.

Methods And Results: We prospectively enrolled patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) referred for a clinically indicated TEER.

Tricuspid regurgitation: Frequency, clinical presentation, management and outcome among patients with severe left-sided valvular heart disease in Europe. Insights from the ESC-EORP Valvular Heart Disease II survey.

Aims: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is commonly observed in patients with severe left-sided valvular heart disease (VHD). This study sought to assess TR frequency, management and outcome in this population.

Methods And Results: Among 6883 patients with severe native left-sided VHD or previous left-sided valvular intervention enrolled in the EURObservational Research Programme prospective VHD II survey, moderate or severe TR was very frequent in patients with severe mitral VHD (30% when mitral stenosis, 36% when mitral regurgitation [MR]), especially in patients with secondary MR (46%), and rare in patients with severe aortic VHD (4% when aortic stenosis, 3% when aortic regurgitation).

Impact of procedural success on clinical outcome after MitraClip: Results from the MITRA-FR trial.

Background: Differences in procedural success rates have been proposed to explain the divergent results between the MITRA-FR trial (Percutaneous Repair with the MitraClip Device for Severe Functional/Secondary Mitral Regurgitation) and the COAPT trial (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation).

Aim: To examine whether MITRA-FR patients who had successful clip implantation achieved a better outcome than the control group.

Methods: Based on the per protocol population of MITRA-FR, we compared the outcome in 71 patients in whom optimal clip implantation was achieved (group 1: mitral regurgitation grade ≤ 1 + at discharge) with that in 23 patients with non-optimal clip implantation (group 2: mitral regurgitation grade ≥ 2 + at discharge) and that in 137 patients in the control group (group 3).

Apixaban vs. standard of care after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: the ATLANTIS trial.

Aims: The respective roles of oral anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remain debated. ATLANTIS is an international, randomized, open-label, superiority trial comparing apixaban to the standard of care.

Methods And Results: After successful TAVI, 1500 patients were randomized (1:1) to receive apixaban 5 mg (2.

COVID-19, air quality and space monitoring.

Due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), human mobility and economic activity have slowed down considerably since early 2020. A relatively high number of those infected develop serious pneumonia leading to progressive respiratory failure, system disease and often death. Apart from close human-to-human contact, the acceleration and global diffusion of this pandemic has been shown to be associated with changes in atmospheric chemistry and air pollution by microscopic particulate matter (PM).

Describing mode of death in three major cardiac amyloidosis subtypes to improve management and survival.

Background: The three main cardiac amyloidosis (CA) types have different progression and prognosis. Little is known about the mode of death (MOD) which is commonly attributed to cardiovascular causes in CA. Improving MOD's knowledge could allow to adapt patient care.

Diagnosis and management of heart failure from hospital admission to discharge: A practical expert guidance.

Heart failure (HF) has high event rates, mortality, and is challenging to manage in clinical practice. Clinical management is complicated by complex therapeutic strategies in a population with a high prevalence of comorbidity and general frailty. In the last four years, an abundance of research has become available to support multidisciplinary management of heart failure from within the hospital through to discharge and primary care as well as supporting diagnosis and comorbidity management.

CoreValve vs. Sapien 3 Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Finite Element Analysis Study.

Aim: to investigate the factors implied in the development of postoperative complications in both self-expandable and balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves by means of finite element analysis (FEA).

Materials And Methods: FEA was integrated into CT scans to investigate two cases of postoperative device failure for valve thrombosis after the successful implantation of a CoreValve and a Sapien 3 valve. Data were then compared with two patients who had undergone uncomplicated transcatheter heart valve replacement (TAVR) with the same types of valves.

Reduced Rivaroxaban Dose Versus Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Left Atrial Appendage Closure: ADRIFT a Randomized Pilot Study.

Background: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) exposes to the risk of device thrombosis in patients with atrial fibrillation who frequently have a contraindication to full anticoagulation. Thereby, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is usually preferred. No randomized study has evaluated nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant after LAAC, and we decided to evaluate the efficacy and safety of reduced doses of rivaroxaban after LAAC.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on adherence to continuous positive airway pressure by obstructive sleep apnoea patients.

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A Finite Element Analysis Study from 3D CT to Predict Transcatheter Heart Valve Thrombosis.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement has proved its safety and effectiveness in intermediate- to high-risk and inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, despite current guideline recommendations, the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat severe aortic valve stenosis caused by degenerative leaflet thickening and calcification has not been widely adopted in low-risk patients. This reluctance among both cardiac surgeons and cardiologists could be due to concerns regarding clinical and subclinical valve thrombosis.

Poorer outcome of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the Bedouin population: A report from the Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster-based Israeli national protocols.

Background: Therapy outcomes for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) had substantially improved in the last decades, but variability across racial and ethnic groups was identified in some clinical studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether such a difference in outcome is found in the diverse ethnicities in Israel as well.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted among 1154 patients (855 Jews, 195 Muslims, 52 Bedouins, 26 Druze, and 26 others) aged 1 to 21 years, who were diagnosed with ALL between 1989 and 2011 and were treated according to the same Berlin-Frankfurt-Muenster-based Israel National Study protocols.

The Choice of Treatment in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation With Reduced Left Ventricular Function.

Background: Ischemic mitral regurgitation is a condition characterized by mitral insufficiency secondary to an ischemic left ventricle. Primarily, the pathology is the result of perturbation of normal regional left ventricular geometry combined with adverse remodeling. We present a comprehensive review of contemporary surgical, medical, and percutaneous treatment options for ischemic mitral regurgitation, rigorously examined by current guidelines and literature.

Correlates of the ratio of acceleration time to ejection time in patients with aortic stenosis: An echocardiographic and computed tomography study.

Background: An increased acceleration time to ejection time (AT/ET) ratio is associated with increased mortality in patients with aortic stenosis (AS).

Aim: To identify the factors associated with an increased AT/ET ratio.

Methods: The relationships between the AT/ET ratio and clinical and Doppler echocardiographic variables of interest in the setting of AS were analysed retrospectively in 1107 patients with AS and preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF).

Diagnostic score of cardiac involvement in AL amyloidosis.

Aims: Early diagnosis of cardiac involvement is a key issue in the management of AL amyloidosis. Our objective was to establish a diagnostic score of cardiac involvement in AL amyloidosis and to compare it with the current consensus criteria [i.e.

Predictors of mitral annulus enlargement? A real-time three-dimensional transesophageal study.

Background: Mitral annulus (MA) enlargement can be observed in various cardiac conditions but respective influence of left atrial (LA) and left ventricle (LV) size remained unclear.

Methods: In 120 patients who underwent a clinically indicated 3D-transesophageal-echocardiography, 30 atrial fibrillation (AF), 30 secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR), 30 primary myxomatous mitral regurgitation (PMR) and 30 mitral stenosis (MS), we evaluated the association between MA area (MA-area) and LA volume (LAvol) measured using the biplane area-length method, end-diastolic (LVEDV) and end-systolic (LVESV) volumes measured using the biplane Simpson method. MA-area was measured based on 3D datasets using QLab10.