Increased mortality from complications of pulmonary hypertension in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Aortic stenosis (AS) leads to pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricle (RV) failure. Our goal was to describe mortality related to postoperative complications in PH patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Ninety-three TAVR patients were analyzed (controls, sPAP < 50 mmHg; cases, sPAP ≥ 50 mmHg).

Early detection of right ventricular dysfunction using transthoracic echocardiography in ARDS: a more objective approach.

Purpose: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Our goal was to describe morphologic changes in the RV using objective measures on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) that occur following ARDS.

Methods: We retrospectively measured changes in the following RV parameters from a pre-ARDS TTE to an ARDS TTE: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), myocardial performance index (MPI), fractional area change (FAC), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), peak tricuspid regurgitant (TR) velocity, and septal shift.

Remodeling and thrombosis following closure of coronary artery fistula with review of management: large distal coronary artery fistula--to close or not to close?

Background: To evaluate postdiscovery outcome of coronary artery fistulae (CAF). CAF treatment sequelae and risk factors for coronary thrombosis have not been adequately evaluated.

Methods: Outcome on follow-up of 16 patients with CAF was reviewed.