A Novel Protocol for Contrast-Free Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Evaluation and Implantation.

Background: We aimed to develop a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) sizing algorithm and implantation method to facilitate safe and effective TAVR without contrast use in patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) who do not yet require renal replacement therapy. Patients with CKD are a challenging patient subset to treat using standard TAVR care pathways which most usually require the use of iodinated contrast media both during gated computed tomography (CT) angiography sizing, and valve deployment. Iodinated contrast exposure may worsen kidney function in a dose-dependent fashion, and may result in a need for renal replacement therapy.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Using Annular Reduction by Cinching With TEER in the Commissure (ARCTIC).

Background: Mitral annular calcification with valve dysfunction remains a challenging syndrome. Operative risk is high, and available transcatheter therapies are limited.

Methods: This study describes our initial experience with a novel procedure to address large mitral annuli when no surgical or trial-based transcatheter mitral valve replacement device is available.

Percutaneous Carotid Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

We present a series of 2 high-risk surgical patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement via alternative access owing to unacceptable transfemoral options. Both patients underwent percutaneous transcarotid access with successful valve delivery and deployment without notable complication. To our knowledge, this approach has not been previously reported.

Expert systematic review on the choice of conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting: endorsed by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).

The finalized document was endorsed by the EACTS Council and STS Executive Committee before being simultaneously published in the European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery (EJCTS) and The Annals of Thoracic Surgery (The Annals) and the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (JTCVS).

The MANTRA study: a new umbrella concept prospectively applied to assess implantable medical devices for heart valve procedures.

Background: Clinical evidence is commonly obtained through individual trials that are time-, cost- and resource-consuming, and which often leave unanswered clinically relevant questions. Umbrella studies have been developed to address the need for more efficient and flexible trial structures, predominantly for cancer treatments. The umbrella concept foresees data collection within a unifying trial structure, to which one or more substudies may be added at any time to address product- or therapy-specific questions.

Does valve size impact hemodynamic, left ventricular mass regression, and prosthetic valve deterioration with a sutureless aortic valve?

Objective: To assess the mid-term clinical outcomes, hemodynamics, left ventricular (LV) mass regression, and structural valve deterioration (SVD) in patients implanted with the Perceval aortic sutureless valve across valve sizes.

Methods: Data were obtained from a multicenter European trial and a US Investigational Device Exemption trial. Echocardiography data were analyzed by an echocardiography core lab.

Pledgeted versus nonpledgeted sutures in aortic valve replacement: Insights from a prospective multicenter trial.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare short- and midterm clinical and echocardiographic outcomes according to the use of pledgeted sutures during aortic valve replacement.

Methods: Patients with aortic stenosis or regurgitation requiring aortic valve replacement were enrolled in a prospective cohort study to evaluate the safety of a new stented bioprosthesis. Outcomes were analyzed according to the use of pledgets (pledgeted group) or no pledgets (nonpledgeted group).

Minimally Invasive Versus Full Sternotomy for Isolated Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients.

Background: Surgical aortic valve replacement can be performed through a minimally invasive (MI) or full sternotomy (FS) approach. The present study compared outcomes of MI vs FS for isolated surgery among patients enrolled in the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) 3 low-risk trial.

Methods: Patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis at low surgical risk with anatomy suitable for transfemoral access were eligible for PARTNER 3 enrollment.