3-Year Outcomes of Balloon-Expandable Valves: 20-mm vs Larger Valves (≥23 mm).

Background: A prior Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology TVT (Transcatheter Valve Therapy) Registry-based analysis reported similar 1-year clinical outcomes with small (20-mm) vs large (≥23-mm) balloon-expandable valves (BEV).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe mid-term 3-year clinical outcomes for small vs large BEV and the relationship between discharge echocardiographic mean gradient (MG) and different definitions of prothesis-patient mismatch (PPM) with clinical outcomes.

Methods: Using the TVT Registry with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services linkage, a propensity-matched analysis of patients receiving 20- vs ≥23-mm BEVs was performed.

Impact of iodinated contrast shortage on contrast-associated acute kidney injury: a single center experience.

Background: In March 2022, a COVID-19 outbreak disrupted the global supply of iodine contrast media (ICM). Healthcare systems implemented contrast-saving strategies to maintain their remaining ICM supplies. This study sought to determine the impact of contrast shortage on the incidence of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI).

Efficacy and safety of the new generation Watchman FLX device compared to the Watchman 2.5: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The first-generation Watchman 2.5 (W 2.5) presented several limitations, such as challenges in implantation within complex left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomies, higher incidence of peri-device leak, device recapture, and device-related thrombus (DRT).

Safety and Efficacy of Cangrelor in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Cangrelor is a potent intravenous non-thienopyridine P2Y12 inhibitor. We conducted a network meta-analysis to study the efficacy and safety of cangrelor as compared with the oral P2Y12 inhibition, clopidogrel, or placebo in acute coronary syndromes.

Methods: This meta-analysis followed the Cochrane collaboration guidelines and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocols.

Impact of target vessel on the procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: There is limited information on the impact of the target vessel on the procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We analyzed the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 11,580 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2022 at 44 centers.

Results: The most common CTO target vessel was the right coronary artery (RCA) (53.

Short duration of dual antiplatelet therapy following complex percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction And Aim: The optimal composition and duration of antiplatelet therapy after complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare 1-3 months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) followed by monotherapy vs. 12 months of DAPT.

Balloon- vs Self-Expanding Transcatheter Valves for Failed Small Surgical Aortic Bioprostheses: 1-Year Results of the LYTEN Trial.

Background: Data comparing valve systems in the valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) field have been obtained from retrospective studies.

Objectives: The authors sought to compare the 1-year hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes between balloon-expandable valves (BEV) SAPIEN 3/ULTRA (Edwards Lifesciences) and self-expanding valves (SEV) Evolut R/PRO/PRO+ (Medtronic) in ViV-TAVR.

Methods: Patients with a failed small (≤23 mm) surgical valve undergoing ViV-TAVR were randomized to receive a SEV or a BEV.

Incidence, mechanisms, treatment, and outcomes of donor vessel injury during percutaneous coronary interventions for chronic total occlusion.

Background: Donor vessel injury is a potentially life-threatening complication of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aims: Our goal was to examine the incidence, mechanisms, treatment, and outcomes of patients with donor vessel injury in a large multicenter CTO PCI registry.

Methods: We analyzed the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics, and procedural outcomes of 12,349 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2022 at 44 centers.

Procedural Time and Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) can be lengthy procedures. We sought to investigate the effect of procedural time on CTO PCI outcomes. We examined the procedural time required for the various steps of CTO PCI in 6,442 CTO PCIs at 40 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2022.

Balloon- vs Self-Expanding Valve Systems for Failed Small Surgical Aortic Valve Bioprostheses.

Background: Data comparing valve systems in the valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) field have been obtained from retrospective studies.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the hemodynamic results between the balloon-expandable valve (BEV) SAPIEN (3/ULTRA, Edwards Lifesciences) and self-expanding valve (SEV) Evolut (R/PRO/PRO+, Medtronic) in ViV-TAVR.

Methods: Patients with a failed small (≤23 mm) surgical valve were randomized to receive a BEV or an SEV.

Distal Versus Proximal Radial Artery Access for Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention: Design and Rationale of the DIPRA Trial.

Background: Radial artery (RA) catheterization is the access of choice over femoral artery access for most interventional vascular procedures given its safety and faster patient recovery. There has been growing interest in distal radial artery (dRA) access as an alternative to the conventional proximal radial artery (pRA) access. Preserving the RA is important which serves as a potential conduit for future coronary artery bypass surgery, dialysis conduit or preserve the artery for future cardiovascular procedures.

Distal Versus Conventional Transradial Artery Access for Coronary Angiography and Intervention: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Distal transradial artery access (dTRA) through the anatomical snuffbox is a novel approach for performing coronary angiography and interventions. However, the safety and efficacy of dTRA as compared to conventional TRA (cTRA) remains unknown. We aim to evaluate the outcomes of dTRA versus cTRA for coronary angiography and intervention.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and acute manic attack.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy predominantly occurs in women, with a high incidence in patients with psychiatric diseases. We present a 64-year-old white woman with an acute manic episode complicated by rhabdomyolysis and takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Evaluation of YouTube as a reliable source for patient education on aortic valve stenosis.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a prevalent disease in the elderly population and has been a public health concern for decades. YouTube is currently being used for obtaining healthcare related information. We evaluated the quality of information about AS on YouTube for patient education.

Massive right atrial tamponade early after coronary artery bypass grafting.

If unrecognized, tamponade after coronary artery bypass grafting can be fatal. We describe a 63-year-old man who developed unexplained hypotension and tachycardia and was found to have severe compression of the right atrial cavity by a large hematoma in the pericardial sac.

Papillary Fibroelastoma of the Ascending Aorta.

Papillary fibroelastomas are rare benign primary cardiac tumors. They are typically found on valvular surfaces, most commonly, the aortic valve. In this article, we report a case of papillary fibroelastoma arising from the sinotubular junction of the ascending aorta, a rare and unusual site causing an embolic stroke.

The Left Distal Transradial Artery Access for Coronary Angiography and Intervention: A US Experience.

Background: The radial artery is the access of choice in many catheterization labs around the world due to its proven benefits over the femoral artery access. There has been growing interest in the left radial artery. We sought to evaluate the feasibility, safety and complication rates of the left distal radial artery (ldTRA) access for cardiac catheterization.

The distal left radial artery access for coronary angiography and intervention: A new era.

Background: Patients' intra and post procedural comfort, quick recovery, as well as procedure success, are key elements for choosing the right arterial access site. Radial artery access has been of increasing interest since it was first described. Advanced treatments of coronary lesions, from primary percutaneous interventions during ST elevation myocardial infarction cases to chronic total occlusion cases, have been increasingly done through the radial access.