Prognostic impact of left and right atrial strain in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Aims: Data on the prognostic value of left and right atrial strain after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) are limited. Aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of patients undergoing TAVR stratified by left and right atrial strain.

Methods And Results: Using data from a high-volume academic center, left and right atrial reservoir strain (LASr and RASr) was obtained in patients who underwent TAVR for severe AS from 2018 until 2021.

Progress of Angiographic Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Patients With Long-Term Transplantation: Longitudinal Evaluation of Its Association With Dyslipidemia Patterns.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a progressive disease with limited options for secondary prevention. Ways to manage lipid parameters and dyslipidemia patterns in care after transplantation remain unclear. In this longitudinal study, we included 32 patients with long-term heart transplantations (median interval after transplant 13.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation and its impact on endothelial function in patients with aortic stenosis.

Vascular function is impaired in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS). The impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on endothelial function is inconclusive so far. Therefore, we sought to assess the short-term influence of TAVI on endothelial dysfunction in patients with AS.

Aortic valved homograft degeneration: surgical or transcatheter approach for repeat aortic valve replacement?

Objectives: Aortic valved allografts (homografts) have been used alternatively to mechanical or biological valve prostheses in expectation of better durability; however, homograft valves do degenerate, and redo procedures have proven challenging due to heavy wall calcification. The aim of the study was to compare the outcome of open surgical (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in degenerated homografts.

Methods: Between 1993 and 2022, 81 patients underwent repeat aortic valve procedures having previously received an aortic homograft.

Right ventricular to pulmonary artery coupling in patients with different types of aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis (AS) has long been disregarded. We aimed to assess the predictive value of RV to pulmonary artery coupling (RV/PAc), defined as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to systolic pulmonary artery pressure, on mortality in different flow types of AS after TAVI.

Methods: All patients undergoing TAVI for AS at our centre between 2018 and 2020 were assessed; 862 patients were analysed.

Pacing Using Cardiac Implantable Electric Device During TAVR: 10-Year Experience of a High-Volume Center.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an effective and safe therapy for severe aortic stenosis. Rapid or fast pacing is required for implantation, which can be performed via a pre-existing cardiac implantable electric device (CIED). However, safety data on CIEDs for pacing in TAVR are missing.

Short-Term Changes in Arterial Stiffness Measured by 2D Speckle Tracking in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Arterial stiffness has received increasing interest as a cardiovascular marker in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS). So far, studies on the impact of aortic valve replacement (AVR) on arterial stiffness have been equivocal. Two-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) is a novel, non-invasive method to measure the motion of the vessel wall.

Atrial Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Knowledge about atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation (afTR) in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients is scarce.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the association between the entity and the development of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in patients undergoing TAVR for aortic stenosis and concomitant TR.

Methods: We analyzed patients undergoing TAVR for severe aortic stenosis from January 2013 to December 2020 and concomitant at least moderate TR at baseline.

Concomitant percutaneous coronary intervention in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) frequently have coronary artery disease requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Usually, PCI and TAVI are performed in two separate procedures and current studies are investigating potential benefits regarding the order. However, the two interventions may also be performed simultaneously, thereby limiting the risk associated with repeated vascular access.

Cardio-hepatic syndrome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Cardiohepatic syndrome (CHS) has been identified as an important but underrecognized survival predictor in multiple cardiovascular disease entities. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and prognostic value of CHS in patients undergoing TAVR for severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: The study included patients with available laboratory parameters of hepatic function who underwent TAVR from July 2013 until December 2019 at our center.

Impact of mitral regurgitation aetiology on the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Concomitant moderate/severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is observed in 17-35% of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and contributes to a worse prognosis. Studies analysing outcomes in patients undergoing TAVI with different MR aetiologies, including atrial functional MR (aFMR), are lacking.

Aims: We aimed to analyse outcomes and changes in MR severity in patients with aFMR, ventricular functional (vFMR) and primary mitral regurgitation (PMR) following TAVI.

Suture-based vs. pure plug-based vascular closure devices for VA-ECMO decannulation-A retrospective observational study.

Background: Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a valuable treatment option for patients in cardiogenic shock, but complications during decannulation may worsen the overall outcome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of suture-based to pure plug-based vascular closure devices for VA-ECMO decannulation.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the procedural outcome of 33 patients with suture-based closure devices was compared to 38 patients with MANTA plug-based closure devices.

Quantification of physical activity with prospective activity tracking after transfemoral aortic valve replacement.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a well-established, safe and effective therapy for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this study was to objectively quantify improvement of physical activity after TAVR, with consideration of different low-gradient AS subtypes.

Methods And Results: All patients undergoing TAVR for severe AS were screened.

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Patients Undergoing Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious, immune-mediated adverse drug reaction to unfractionated heparin (UFH) affecting also patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Although the association between VA-ECMO support and the development of thrombocytopenia has long been known and discussed, HIT as one underlying cause is still insufficiently understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to further investigate the epidemiology, mortality, diagnosis, and clinical management of HIT occurring in VA-ECMO patients treated with UFH.

TAVI for patients with normal-flow low-gradient compared to high-gradient aortic stenosis.

Background: Normal-flow (stroke volume index, SVi >35 ml/m) low-gradient (dPmean <40 mmHg) aortic stenosis (NFLG-AS) is subject of scientific debate. Guidelines fail to give conclusive treatment recommendations. We hypothesized that NFLG patients are heterogenous, containing a subgroup similar to high-gradient aortic stenosis patients (dPmean ≥40 mmHg, HG-AS) concerning characteristics and outcomes.

Emergency transcatheter aortic valve implantation for acute heart failure due to severe aortic stenosis in critically ill patients with or without cardiogenic shock.

Aims: Severe aortic stenosis can cause acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock (CS). Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the standard therapy for aortic stenosis in inoperable patients. However, its role in this setting is poorly evaluated.

Dual ProGlide versus ProGlide and FemoSeal for vascular access haemostasis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Large-bore arteriotomy for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) requires percutaneous vascular closure devices, but real-world data comparing different closure strategies are limited.

Aims: We sought to compare a dual ProGlide strategy vs a combination of one ProGlide and one FemoSeal for vascular closure after TAVI.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 874 propensity score-matched patients undergoing TAVI at the Munich University Hospital from August 2018 to October 2020.

Systolic or diastolic CT image acquisition for transcatheter aortic valve replacement - An outcome analysis.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) imaging is the standard of care before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The aortic annulus undergoes conformational changes during the heart cycle. Therefore, the image acquisition time point can impact prosthesis sizing and fit.

Incidence and Outcome of Patients with Cardiogenic Shock and Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus in the Lower Respiratory Tract.

(1) Herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation in critically ill patients can cause infection in the lower respiratory tract, prolonging mechanical ventilation. However, the association of HSV reactivation with cardiogenic shock (CS) is unclear. As CS is often accompanied by pulmonary congestion and reduced immune system activity, the aim of our study was to determine the incidence and outcome of HSV reactivation in these patients.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement with the Self-Expandable Core Valve Evolut Prosthesis Using the Cusp-Overlap vs. Tricusp-View.

Despite the rapid increase in experience and technological improvement, the incidence of conduction disturbances in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the self-expandable CoreValve Evolut valve remains high. Recently, a cusp-overlap view (COP) implantation technique has been proposed for TAVR with self-expandable valves offering an improved visualization during valve expansion compared to the three-cusp view (TCV). This study aims to systematically analyze procedural outcomes of TAVR patients treated with the CoreValve Evolut valve using a COP compared to TCV in a high-volume center.