Prognostic Impact of High-Molecular-Weight von Willebrand Factor Multimer Ratio in Classical Low-Flow Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis.

Introduction: High-molecular-weight (HMW) von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimer deficiency occurs in classical low-flow, low-gradient (LF/LG) aortic stenosis (AS) due to shear force-induced proteolysis. The prognostic value of HMW VWF multimer deficiency is unknown. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the impact of HMW VWF multimer deficiency on clinical outcome.

Endothelial receptor proteins in acute venous thrombosis and delayed thrombus resolution in cerebral sinus vein thrombosis.

Background And Purpose: Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare but life-threatening disease and its diagnosis remains challenging. Blood biomarkers, including D-Dimer are currently not recommended in guidelines. Soluble endothelial receptor proteins (sICAM-1, sPECAM-1 and sVCAM-1) have been shown to be promising diagnostic biomarkers in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Transapical electrosurgical laceration and stabilization of mitral clips followed by transcatheter mitral valve replacement-A one-stop shop.

Objective: Electrosurgical laceration and stabilization of mitral clips (ELASTA-CLIP) is a bail-out technique to recreate a single-orifice mitral valve after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with subsequent transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). This technique is a novel option for patients with significant residual mitral regurgitation after TEER with high risk for conventional surgery. The original ELASTA CLIP procedure features a transseptal approach, whereas the TMVR with the Tendyne bioprosthesis has a transapical access.

Impact of pacing mode and different echocardiographic parameters on cardiac output (PADIAC).

Introduction: The extent of the hemodynamic benefit from AV-synchronous pacing in patients with sinus rhythm and AV block is not completely understood. Thus, we systematically investigated the association of an array of echocardiographic and epidemiological parameters with the change in cardiac output depending on the stimulation mode (AV-synchronous or AV-asynchronous pacing).

Methods: Patients in sinus rhythm after previous dual chamber pacemaker implantation underwent a thorough basic echocardiographic assessment of diastolic and systolic left ventricular function, and atrial function (26 echo parameters, including novel speckle tracking strain measurements).

CT measured pulmonary artery to ascending aorta ratio stratified by echocardiographically obtained systolic pulmonary artery pressure values for noninvasive detection of pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) offers a measurement method for the determination of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) with determination of maximal tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRVmax) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Radiological parameters for noninvasive detection of PH, most importantly computed tomography (CT) based PA/AA-ratio = ratio of pulmonary artery diameter (PA) and ascending aorta diameter (AA), are also included in the latest ESC guidelines. The aim of the present study was to define cut-off values for PA/AA-ratio taking also into account cardiovascular biomarkers to determine criteria for noninvasive diagnosis of PH.

The Presence of Ascending Aortic Dilatation in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Is Negatively Correlated with the Presence of Diabetes Mellitus and Does Not Impair Post-Procedural Outcomes.

Unlabelled: Both relevant aortic valve stenosis (AS) and aortic valve insufficiency significantly contribute to structural changes in the ascending aorta (AA) and thus to its dilatation. In patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), survival data regarding aortic changes and laboratory biomarker analyses are scarce.

Methods: A total of 179 patients with severe AS and an available computed tomography were included in this retrospective study.

A Story of PA/BSA and Biomarkers to Diagnose Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis-The Rise of IGF-BP2 and GDF-15.

(1) Background: Currently, echocardiography is the primary non-invasive diagnostic method used to screen patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) for pulmonary hypertension (PH) by estimating systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Other radiological methods have been a focus of research in the past couple of years, as it was shown that by determining the pulmonary artery (PA) diameter, prognostic statements concerning overall mortality could be made in these patients. This study compared established and novel cardiovascular biomarkers with the PA/BSA value to detect PH in patients with severe AS.

NT-pro-BNP as a Predictor for Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation after Primary Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

NT-pro-BNP is produced in the cardiac atria and ventricles in response to increased wall stress. It may be a marker of both AF disease progression and co-morbidities that affect success after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). This single-center retrospective study analyzed the association between pre-procedural NT-pro-BNP serum levels and the long-term outcome after a first-ever PVI in cryo-technique.

Comparability between Computed Tomography Morphological Vascular Parameters and Echocardiography for the Assessment of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis-Results of a Multi-Center Study.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) of the aorta and cardiac vessels, which is performed in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), offers the possibility of non-invasive detection of pulmonary hypertension (PH), for example, by determining the diameter of the main pulmonary artery (PA), the right pulmonary artery (RPA) or the left pulmonary artery (LPA). An improvement of the significance of these radiological parameters is often achieved by indexing to the body surface area (BSA). The aim of this study was to compare different echocardiographic systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) values with radiological data in order to define potential clinical cut-off values for the presence or absence of PH.

CT-Diagnosed Sarcopenia and Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Is It Possible to Predict Muscle Loss Based on Laboratory Tests?-A Multicentric Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) often present with heart failure and sarcopenia. Sarcopenia, described as progressive degradation of skeletal muscle mass, has frequently been implicated as a cause of increased mortality, prolonged hospitalization and generalized poor outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). At present, sarcopenia is defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) based on clinical examination criteria and radiological imaging.

Main pulmonary artery diameter in combination with cardiovascular biomarkers: new possibilities to identify pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

Background: Echocardiography is currently the noninvasive method of choice to screen patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) for pulmonary hypertension (PH) by estimating systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). However, radiological options are also available by determining the main pulmonary artery (MPA) diameter in the setting of CT angiography. The aim of the present study was to compare cardiovascular biomarkers with the MPA diameter to allow other ways of detecting PH in patients with severe AS.

Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure and Cardiovascular Biomarkers-New Non-Invasive Ways to Detect Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis Undergoing TAVR?

Background: Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) frequently present with pulmonary hypertension (PH). The gold standard for detection of pulmonary hypertension is right heart catheterization, which is not routinely performed as a preoperative standard in cardiology centers today, neither before surgical valve replacement nor before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure. Echocardiographic determination of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) provides an opportunity to assess the presence or absence of PH.

Protocol for the Exercise, Cancer and Cognition - The ECCO-Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Simultaneous Exercise During Neo-/Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients and Its Effects on Neurocognition.

Introduction: Epidemiological studies show that increased physical activity is linked to a lower risk of breast cancer and mortality. As a result, physical activity can significantly improve patients' quality of life (QOL) both during and after therapy.Many breast cancer patients demonstrate a decrease in cognitive capacity, referred to as the symptom-complex cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI).

[Transcatheter mitral valve replacement : Indications, options, and techniques as well as important aspects for perioperative care].

Transcatheter therapy of the mitral valve is more challenging compared to the aortic valve. Interventional therapy with the Mitra-Clip system, mimicking the surgical edge-to-edge repair, was first introduced in 2003 and received the CE mark in 2008. The first implantation of the Tendyne system, which is currently the only commercially available system for mitral valve replacement, was performed in 2014, and routine clinical use was approved in 2020.

Myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination: call for endomyocardial biopsy.

Acute myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination was reported by the European Medicine Agency safety committee as a rare adverse event. We present a case series of three young male patients with suspected acute myocarditis following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination including results of endomyocardial biopsies (EMB). Additionally, we analysed EMB of another 21 patients with clinically suspected acute myocarditis following vaccination to determine the pathohistological pattern.

Transapical mitral valve implantation for treatment of symptomatic mitral valve disease: a real-world multicentre experience.

Aims: Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is a new treatment option for patients with symptomatic mitral valve (MV) disease. Real-world data have not yet been reported. This study aimed to assess procedural and 30-day outcomes of TMVI in a real-world patient cohort.

Delayed Total Atrioventricular Block After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Assessed by Implantable Loop Recorders.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the rate and time course of delayed total atrioventricular block (DT-AVB) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using continuous electrocardiographic monitoring by implantable loop recorders and to identify potential predictors.

Background: DT-AVB has been defined as onset more than 2 days after TAVR or after hospital discharge and is reported in 10% to 15% of patients at 30-day follow-up. To date, there is no standardized diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm to manage TAVR patients at risk for DT-AVB.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-an underestimated risk predictor in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)?

Background: Systemic inflammation has been identified as a major cardiovascular risk factor in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), yet currently, it is not adequately portrayed in scores for pre-interventional risk assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive ability of TNF-α in TAVR.

Methods: A total of 431 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR were enrolled in this study.

Transcatheter, Transapical Mitral Valve Replacement After Mitral Valve Annuloplasty.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) recurrence after annuloplasty can lead to high-risk reoperations affecting long-term outcome. Transcatheter, transapical mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is an alternative method to treat severe MR without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. This report describes the case of an 80-year old man who had undergone a mitral annuloplasty in 2006 and who now presented with severe recurrent MR.

Transapical off-pump mitral valve repair following prior mitral valve surgery: A case report.

Rationale: Redo surgeries after mitral valve repair are technically demanding. Procedures applying the NeoChord device (NeoChord Inc, St. Louis Park, MN) have proven to be safe and feasible in selected patients requiring mitral valve repair due to a leaflet prolapse or flail.

Predictors of true-severe classical low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis at resting echocardiography.

Background: Classical low-flow, low-gradient (LF/LG) aortic stenosis (AS) is subclassified into a true-severe (TS) and a pseudo-severe (PS) subform using low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). In clinical practice a resting peak jet velocity (Vmax) >3.5 m/s or a mean transvalvular gradient (MPG) >35 mmHg suggests the presence of TS classical LF/LG AS, but there is no data to support this.

First in Human: Transcatheter, Transapical Double Valve Replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a well-established therapy for severe aortic stenosis in patients with high surgical risk. Transcatheter mitral valve replacement just recently emerged as a novel modality to treat severe mitral regurgitation. We present the first case of a transcatheter, transapical native double valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation.

Intraprocedural dynamics of cardiac conduction during transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Assessment by simultaneous electrophysiological testing.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis and high to intermediate surgical risk. However, the proximity of the conduction system to the prosthesis landing zone bears the risk of atrioventricular conduction disorders. The underlying pathophysiology is not fully understood.