Bicuspid Aortic Valves and Transcatheter Valve Replacement: Feasibility and Safety.

In the last few years, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has rapidly become the standard of care for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). If initially it was preferred only for high-risk surgical patients, now even low-risk patients are eligible candidates. There were several factors to consider why patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) were omitted from these trials.

Antithrombotic Strategies in Invasively Managed Patients with Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes and Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in Romania.

Concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients complicates the decision-making process regarding short- and long-term antithrombotic strategies. Patient profiles and usage rates of different antithrombotic combinations in this patient subgroup in Romania are poorly described. To describe the characteristics of invasively managed NSTE-ACS patients with AF (either known or newly diagnosed) compared to patients with no oral anticoagulation (OAC) indications, and analyze the rates and factors that influence the different antithrombotic regimens at discharge in AF patients.

Ticagrelor Utilization in Patients With Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in Romania.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) represents a major tool of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) management. The real-world usage of potent P2Y12 inhibitors within DAPT in middle-income countries is poorly described.

Study Question: To assess the factors that influence P2Y12 inhibitor choice at discharge in invasively managed NSTE-ACS patients, without an indication for oral anticoagulation, treated across Romania.

Optimal use of lipid-lowering therapy after acute coronary syndromes: A Position Paper endorsed by the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP).

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and consequent acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are substantial contributors to morbidity and mortality across Europe. Much of these diseases burden is modifiable, in particular by lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Current guidelines are based on the sound premise that with respect to low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), "lower is better for longer", and the recent data have strongly emphasized the need of also "the earlier the better".

The Romanian National Registry of non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes - Design and Rationale.

Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) form a large part of the number of annual emergency admissions in the Cardiology Departments in Romania, representing a significant burden on the health care system resources. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of NSTE-ACS patients represent ideal standards, which are difficult to implement, given the significant differences in the socio-economic climates of the various European Union countries, as the access to modern reperfusion techniques for NSTE-ACS patients, including Romania, is usually suboptimal. The evaluate the current implementation state of the ESC recommended protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of NSTE-ACS patients in Romania.