ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction without culprit lesion-a case report picturing the challenging interplay of epicardial atherosclerosis and coronary artery spasm.

Background: Approximately 5-15% of patients with acute coronary syndrome have myocardial infarction with unobstructed coronary arteries (MINOCA). Guidelines recommend invasive assessments to identify underlying causes for MINOCA such as coronary artery spasm (CAS), spontaneous coronary dissection, or microvascular disease as well as non-invasive assessments in search of myocarditis, takotsubo syndrome, or cardiomyopathies.

Case Summary: A 54-year-old male patient presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement- management of patients with significant coronary artery disease undergoing aortic valve interventions: surgical compared to catheter-based approaches in hybrid procedures.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with poorer outcomes after aortic valve replacement (AVR). For high-risk patients with complex CAD, combined transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) plus off-pump/minimally-invasive coronary artery bypass (OPCAB/MIDCAB) has been proposed.

Methods: A prospective registry analysis was performed to compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing TAVR+OP/MIDCAB with those undergoing TAVR plus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and surgical AVR plus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) between 2008 and 2015 at a single site in Germany.

Prognostic implications of psoas muscle area in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the incremental prognostic value of the psoas muscle area in patients scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: A total of 1076 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI at 2 centres between 2010 and 2017 were prospectively included in this study. Computed tomography-derived cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle was measured at the superior border of the third (L3) and fourth (L4) lumbar vertebra and indexed to body surface area (PMAi) as well as stratified into tertiles.

Minimally Invasive versus Conventional LVAD-Implantation-An Analysis of the Literature.

This review aims to provide an overview on recent data to evaluate minimally invasive (MVAD) and conventional (CVAD) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted up to April 2017.

EuroSCORE II and the STS score are more accurate in transapical than in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score are currently used to estimate periprocedural risk of death in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, data regarding the predictive ability and usefulness of these scores for TAVI are controversial, especially for different access sites.

Methods: Between 2008 and 2016, 1192 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI [transfemoral (TF): n = 607 (51%); transapical (TA): n = 585 (49%)] at 2 centres were included.

Concomitant therapy: off-pump coronary revascularization and transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) is common among patients evaluated for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Only little data exist on outcome of patients undergoing concomitant off-pump coronary revascularization and TAVI. The goal of this study was to analyse the impact of concomitant off-pump revascularization on early clinical outcome and 2-year follow-up of patients undergoing TAVI.

Feasibility and clinical outcome after minimally invasive valve-sparing aortic root replacement.

Objectives: This study aims to examine the feasibility and clinical course after minimally invasive David procedure compared with those via a conventional median sternotomy.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-two consecutive patients who underwent elective valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David procedure) with or without additional cusp repair for aortic regurgitation ( n  = 17, 8.9%), dilatation of the aortic root ( n  = 95, 49.

Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Concomitant Off Pump Revascularization.

An increasing number of patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant critical coronary artery disease were referred to our hospital. Some of those patients were classified as high-risk patients qualifying for a transcatheter therapy with the additional need for coronary revascularization. As a consequence of their comorbidities, the established transapical as well as transfemoral approach were either not possible or not favored owing to the indispensable need for coronary revascularization.

Conventional versus Transapical Aortic Valve Replacement: Is It Time for Shift in Indications?

 The incidence of degenerative aortic valve diseases has increased along with the life expectancy of our population. Although conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the gold standard for symptomatic aortic stenosis, transcatheter procedures have proven to be a valid therapeutic option in high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to compare these procedures in a high-risk cohort.

Transapical aortic valve implantation in patients with pre-existing mitral valve prostheses: a case report.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has proven to be a valid option for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high perioperative risk, particularly in patients with previous cardiac surgery. Several patients with previous mitral valve surgery were reported to have been successfully treated with TAVI.

Case Presentation: Two patients, one with mechanical and one with biological mitral valve prosthesis, presented with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

Expanding Surgical Opportunities: Endoscopic Harvesting of the Vena Saphena Parva in Supine Position.

The small saphenous vein (SSV) has proved to be a valid graft option for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), if other grafts are absent or unsuitable. Beside the described open technique we herein present our approach to endoscopic harvesting in supine position in seven patients. Harvesting was successful in six patients.

Complex Cusp Repair in Patients Undergoing the David Procedure: Is It Worth It?

Background: Valve-sparing aortic root replacement has already proven its excellent long-term results, with low valve-related complications comparable with conventional aortic valve replacement. The aim of this study was to investigate whether additional expanded cusp repair is an alternative with comparable results.

Methods: Data of 192 elective patients undergoing valve-sparing aortic root replacement were prospectively recorded: 58 patients (30.