Publications by authors named "Caroline Kleinecke"
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to determine if left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) provides similar clinical benefits for octogenarians compared to younger patients.
- An analysis of two registries involving 744 patients revealed that octogenarians had a higher risk for stroke and bleeding, but the safety of LAAC procedures was comparable between age groups.
- Long-term outcomes showed octogenarians experienced a lower reduction in stroke and bleeding incidents compared to younger patients, indicating a lesser net clinical benefit from the procedure for older adults.
Article Synopsis
- * Females were older and experienced more severe periprocedural complications (6.9% vs. 3.1%) while males were more likely to have coronary artery and vascular diseases.
- * Despite higher complication rates for females during the procedure, one-year outcomes for stroke, severe bleeding, and mortality were comparable between genders, indicating similar efficacy and safety post-implantation.
Article Synopsis
- - The study compared outcomes of transcatheter left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedures done under conscious sedation (CS) versus general anesthesia (GA) in 521 patients between 2012 and 2018 at two hospitals in Germany.
- - After matching patients based on similar characteristics, safety outcomes (major complications and pneumonia) and device success rates were similar between those who received CS (196 patients) and those who had GA (115 patients).
- - The findings suggest that both anesthesia methods are equally effective and safe for LAAC, allowing for flexibility based on patient needs and hospital resources.
Objectives: To investigate periprocedural and long-term outcome of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using Amplatzer occluders with respect to individual pre-procedural stroke risk.
Background: LAAC is a proven strategy for prevention from stroke and bleeding in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation not amenable to oral anticoagulation. Whether individual pre-procedural stroke risk may affect procedural and long-term clinical outcome after LAAC is unclear.
Amplatzer left atrial appendage closure: Single versus combined procedures.
Catheter Cardiovasc Interv
June 2021
Objectives: This study compares procedural and late clinical outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with Amplatzer devices as a single versus a combined procedure with other structural or coronary interventions.
Background: Multiple cardiac conditions are frequent among elderly patients and invite simultaneous treatment to ensure a favorable patient outcomes.
Methods: 559 consecutive patients (73.
Article Synopsis
- This study examined two different antithrombotic therapies after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the Watchman device: a 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and a protocol of anticoagulation plus aspirin for 45 days followed by DAPT for 6 months (ACT).
- Researchers analyzed outcomes from patients in two hospitals in Germany, comparing rates of thromboembolic events and major bleeding after matching groups based on risk factors.
- Results showed that both treatment regimens had similar efficacy and safety profiles over 12 months, suggesting no significant advantage of one approach over the other post-LAAC.
Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke, morbidity and overall mortality. So far, oral anticoagulation (OAC) is the standard of care for stroke prevention, either with vitamin K antagonists or with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The left atrial appendage (LAA) can be eliminated by epicardial or endocardial exclusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- This study aimed to compare long-term outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using AMPLATZER occluders for preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) against traditional medical therapy.
- Researchers analyzed 500 patients who underwent LAAC and 500 receiving medical therapy, focusing on the rates of stroke, embolism, and deaths over an average follow-up of 2.7 years.
- Results showed that LAAC led to lower rates of strokes and mortality compared to medical therapy, suggesting a net clinical benefit for using AMPLATZER devices.
Introduction: The LAmbre (LifeTech Scientific, Shenzhen, China) is a novel occluder for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation. This study compares late clinical outcomes of LAmbre and the established Amplatzer devices (Abbott, St Paul, MN).
Methods: Between 2012 and 2018, 265 consecutive patients underwent LAAC with LAmbre and Amplatzer devices at a single center.
Aims: This study compares clinical outcomes of Watchman vs. Amplatzer devices for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC).
Methods And Results: Of two real-world registries, the Watchman registry Lichtenfels, Germany, and the Amplatzer registry Bern-Zurich, Switzerland, 303 and 333 consecutive patients, respectively, were included.
Objectives: To compare long-term clinical outcomes after left atrial appendage closure with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) and Amulet.
Background: The Amulet was designed to improve clinical outcomes of first-generation ACP.
Methods: Three Amplatzer registries (Bern, Coburg, Zurich), with enrollment of patients from 2009 to 2018, were retrospectively analyzed.
Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the periprocedural and late clinical outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with AMPLATZER devices by access through transseptal puncture (TSP) versus a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or an atrial septal defect (ASD).
Methods And Results: Between 2009 and 2018, 578 consecutive patients underwent LAAC via TSP or PFO/ASD access in three centres. After a 3:1 propensity score matching, 246 (TSP) versus 91 (PFO/ASD) patients were compared using the primary efficacy endpoint of all-cause stroke, systemic embolism and cardiovascular/unexplained death and the primary safety endpoint of major periprocedural complications and major bleedings at follow-up.
Incidence, predictors, and relevance of acute kidney injury in patients undergoing left atrial appendage closure with Amplatzer occluders: a multicentre observational study.
Clin Res Cardiol
April 2020
Article Synopsis
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication following left atrial appendage closure (LAAC), with a 13.7% incidence rate, primarily presenting as mild AKI in most cases.
- The study identified predictors of AKI, particularly the contrast volume to glomerular filtration rate (CV/GFR) ratio, which is associated with an increased risk of AKI.
- AKI significantly impacts patient outcomes, leading to higher mortality rates 6 months and 1 year after the procedure, highlighting the need for further research on minimizing contrast use to improve patient safety.
Article Synopsis
- This study reports on the first European experience using the LAmbre left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder, a self-expanding device designed for patients with atrial fibrillation who can't take oral anticoagulants.
- Out of 60 patients treated, 100% achieved successful device placement, with a small number needing adjustments.
- Follow-up results showed effective sealing of the LAA in most patients and a low rate of complications, highlighting the LAmbre's potential for preventing stroke and bleeding in high-risk patients.
Article Synopsis
- * In a trial with 20 patients, the FuStar sheath successfully facilitated LAAO with the LAmbre device, achieving a 100% success rate without any complications.
- * Overall, the results indicate that the FuStar sheath is both feasible and safe for performing LAAO procedures.
Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia with a prevalence of 1%-2% in the general population. Its prevalence increases with age and its diagnosis benefits of improvement and simplification of technologies for its detection. Today, AF affects approximately 7% of individuals age>65years and 15%-20% of octogenarians.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The Amplatzer Amulet (St. Jude Medical, Minneapolis, MN, USA) is a second gen-eration Amplatzer device for left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion (LAAO) for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation. This research sought to assess the clinical performance of the Amplatzer Amulet device and in follow up for 12 months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is effective for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation and a HAS-BLED score of 3 or higher, using the Occlutech device (OD).
- In a study of 30 patients from 2012 to 2016, LAAC was successfully implanted in 93% of cases, with only minor complications like small leaks and one case of thrombus formation.
- The results indicated high procedural success and safety, as no patients experienced significant neurological issues or strokes during the follow-up period.
Szabo technique versus conventional angiographic placement in bifurcations 010-001 of Medina and in aorto-ostial stenting: angiographic and procedural results.
EuroIntervention
February 2010
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the efficacy of the Szabo technique for stenting in bifurcations compared to conventional methods, focusing on its safety and procedural outcomes.
- A total of 257 lesions were analyzed, revealing that the Szabo technique significantly reduced issues like stent malpositioning and plaque scaffolding while showing no increase in complications or procedural complexity.
- The results suggest that the Szabo technique is beneficial for patients with Medina 010/001 bifurcations and aorto-ostial lesions by improving stent placement accuracy without compromising safety.
Article Synopsis
- * In patients with severe AS, researchers found a significant increase in cell senescence and a corresponding reduction in both the number and migratory ability of EPCs compared to healthy individuals.
- * The findings suggest that the impaired regenerative capacity of valvular endothelial cells and decreased EPC levels could contribute to the worsening condition of degenerated aortic valves.