Catheter-based closure of residual leaks after percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of catheter-based occlusion of residual leaks after percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA).

Methods: All cases of LAA closure at our center were reviewed to identify secondary interventions for residual leaks. Leaks with a width of more than 3 mm by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were considered relevant.

[Interventional closure of atrial septal defects, patent oval foramen and ventricular septal defects].

Percutaneous transcatheter closure techniques and devices for congenital intracardiac shunts have considerably improved; therefore, catheter closure is now the treatment of choice for atrial septal defects (ASD). This is technically feasible in more than 80% of patients with a secundum ASD and the success rate is higher than 99%. General anesthesia is as a rule unnecessary and the hospital stay is very short.

Predictors of blood pressure response: Obesity is associated with a less pronounced treatment response after renal denervation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of BP response.

Background: Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) causes significant blood pressure (BP) reductions in a large number of patients with resistant hypertension.

Methods: One hundred one consecutive patients with resistant hypertension who underwent RDN with the Symplicity™ catheter were included in this retrospective study.

Evaluation of proximal protection devices during carotid artery stenting as the first choice for embolic protection.

Aims: To assess the use of proximal protection devices in consecutive patients as the preferred means of cerebral embolic protection for primary carotid stenting.

Methods And Results: This was a prospective single-centre study to evaluate the technical and clinical success of proximal protection devices as the first choice for embolic protection in symptomatic (≥50%) and asymptomatic (≥70%) carotid stenosis. Proximal protection devices were used for embolic protection in 124 consecutive patients.

Does the presence of accessory renal arteries affect the efficacy of renal denervation?

Objectives: This study sought to assess the efficacy of catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation in patients with accessory renal arteries and to compare the blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect with that observed in patients with bilateral single renal arteries after renal denervation.

Background: Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation causes significant BP reductions in patients with resistant hypertension.

Methods: Seventy-four patients were included in this study.

Efficacy and safety of renal denervation in elderly patients with resistant hypertension.

Background: Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (RD) causes significant blood pressure (BP) reductions in patients with resistant hypertension (rHTN). However, hypertensive elderly patients reportedly have a lower sympathetic tone than younger patients and a BP lowering effect of RD in this population has not yet been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of RD in elderly patients.

Long-term results of a randomized trial comparing three different devices for percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale.

Aims: Percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for secondary stroke prevention is discussed controversially. Long-term data comparing different closure devices are limited. The objective is the prospective comparison of procedural complications and long-term results after PFO closure in patients with cryptogenic stroke randomized to three different closure devices.

Renal denervation: tips and tricks to perform a technically successful procedure.

To most practitioners involved in catheter-based interventions, percutaneous renal sympathetic denervation is not technically challenging. However, under specific clinical circumstances (e.g.