Transcatheter aortic valve durability, predictors of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction, longer-term outcomes - a review.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is one of the most significant inventions in cardiology, as it provides a viable minimally invasive treatment option for patients with aortic stenosis, the most common valvular disease in the developed world and one with a poor prognosis when left untreated. Using data available to date, this review aims to discuss and identify possible predictors of TAVI valve durability - an essential requirement for the device's wide-spread use, especially in younger patients.

Areas Covered: This article explores the main causes of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction (BVD) based on pathophysiology and available data, and reviews possible predictors of BVD including prosthesis-related, procedure-related, and patient-related factors.

Triggers, characteristics, and hospital outcome of patients with Takotsubo syndrome: 10 years experience in a large university hospital centre.

A unique clinical feature of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is the stress trigger factor. Different types of triggers exist, generally divided into emotional and physical stressor. The aim was to create long-term registry of all consecutive patients with TTS across all disciplines in our large university hospital.

Prevalence of myocardial injury in patients after acute ischaemic stroke according to standard criteria.

This study examined the prevalence of acute and chronic myocardial injury according to standard criteria in patients after acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and its relation to stroke severity and short-term prognosis. Between August 2020 and August 2022, 217 consecutive patients with AIS were enrolled. Plasma levels of high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) were measured in blood samples obtained at the time of admission and 24 and 48 h later.

Bipolar anodal septal pacing with direct LBB capture preserves physiological ventricular activation better than unipolar left bundle branch pacing.

Background: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) produces delayed, unphysiological activation of the right ventricle. Using ultra-high-frequency electrocardiography (UHF-ECG), we explored how bipolar anodal septal pacing with direct LBB capture (aLBBP) affects the resultant ventricular depolarization pattern.

Methods: In patients with bradycardia, His bundle pacing (HBP), unipolar nonselective LBBP (nsLBBP), aLBBP, and right ventricular septal pacing (RVSP) were performed.

A randomized comparison of HBP versus RVP: Effect on left ventricular function and biomarkers of collagen metabolism.

Background: Right ventricular pacing (RVP) can result in pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM). It is unknown whether specific biomarkers reflect differences between His bundle pacing (HBP) and RVP and predict a decrease in left ventricular function during RVP.

Aims: We aimed to compare the effect of HBP and RVP on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and to study how they affect serum markers of collagen metabolism.

Multiparametric Strategy to Predict Early Disease Decompensation in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Regurgitation.

Background: Use of the current echocardiography-based indications for aortic regurgitation (AR) surgery might result in late valve replacement at the stage of irreversible myocardial damage. Therefore, we aimed to identify simple models combining multiple echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived indices and natriuretic peptides (BNP [brain natriuretic peptide] or NT-proBNP [N-terminnal pro-B type natriuretic peptide]) to predict early disease decompensation in asymptomatic severe AR.

Methods: This prospective and multicenter study included asymptomatic patients with severe AR, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (>50%), and sinus rhythm.

Ventricular Dyssynchrony and Pacing-induced Cardiomyopathy in Patients with Pacemakers, the Utility of Ultra-high-frequency ECG and Other Dyssynchrony Assessment Tools.

The majority of patients tolerate right ventricular pacing well; however, some patients manifest signs of heart failure after pacemaker implantation and develop pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. This is a consequence of non-physiological ventricular activation bypassing the conduction system. Ventricular dyssynchrony was identified as one of the main factors responsible for pacing-induced cardiomyopathy development.

A pilot randomised trial of catheter-directed thrombolysis or standard anticoagulation for patients with intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains associated with substantial mortality despite anticoagulation therapy.

Aims: The aim of this randomised pilot study was to compare catheter-directed thrombolysis to standard anticoagulation therapy.

Methods: Intermediate-high risk acute PE patients were admitted to a tertiary care centre (November 2019 to April 2021) and randomised in a 1:1 ratio to catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) or standard anticoagulation.

Partial upper sternotomy for aortic valve replacement provides similar mid-term outcomes as the full sternotomy.

Background: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement via upper partial sternotomy (MiniAVR) provides very good short-term results and delivers certain advantages in the postoperative course. There is limited data regarding the mid-term mortality and morbidity following this minimally invasive surgery.

Methods: We provide a retrospective analysis of the patients, undergoing MiniAVR versus full sternotomy (FS) for aortic valve replacement with biological prosthesis.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) in Patients after Acute Stroke: Relation to Stroke Severity, Myocardial Injury, and Impact on Prognosis.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known to be associated with poor prognosis after cardiovascular events. We aimed to assess the dynamic changes in TRAIL levels and the relation of TRAIL level to stroke severity, its impact on the short-term outcomes, and its association with markers of cardiac injury in patients after acute stroke.

Methods: Between August 2020 and August 2021, 120 consecutive patients, 104 after acute ischemic stroke (AIS), 76 receiving reperfusion therapy, and 16 patients after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) were enrolled in our study.

Assessment of Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Regurgitation by Doppler-Derived Echo Indices: Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Quantification.

Reliable quantification of aortic regurgitation (AR) severity is essential for clinical management. We aimed to compare quantitative and indirect echo-Doppler indices to quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters in asymptomatic chronic severe AR. Methods and Results: We evaluated 104 consecutive patients using echocardiography and CMR.

Nonselective versus selective His bundle pacing: An acute intrapatient speckle-tracking strain echocardiographic study.

Introduction: We aimed to compare the acute differences in left ventricular (LV) function and mechanical synchrony during nonselective His bundle pacing (ns-HBP) versus selective His bundle pacing (s-HBP) using strain echocardiography.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients with permanent His bundle pacing, in whom it was possible to obtain both s-HBP and ns-HBP, were studied in two centers. In each patient, echocardiography was performed sequentially during s-HBP and ns-HBP.

Combined valve replacement and aortocoronary bypass in an adult mucopolysaccharidosis type VII patient.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (MPS VII) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. MPS VII is caused by mutations in the GUSB gene that encodes β-glucuronidase. Adult MPS VII patients present with musculoskeletal abnormalities, coarse features, and corneal clouding.

A contemporary approach to a young female patient with Loeys-Dietz syndrome and an uncomplicated type B aortic dissection: a case report.

Background: Aortic dissection is a relatively uncommon, but often catastrophic disease that requires early and accurate diagnosis. It often presents in patients with congenital connective tissue disorders. The current aortic surgical techniques are related with serious early and late complications.

Intravascular haemolysis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with self-expandable prosthesis: incidence, severity, and impact on long-term mortality.

We aimed to determine the incidence, severity, and long-term impact of intravascular haemolysis after self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We believe this should be evaluated before extending the indications of TAVI to younger low-risk patients. Prospective, academic, single centre study of 94 consecutive patients treated with supra-annular self-expandable TAVI prosthesis between April 2009 and January 2014.

New Imaging Markers of Clinical Outcome in Asymptomatic Patients with Severe Aortic Regurgitation.

Determining the value of new imaging markers to predict aortic valve (AV) surgery in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) in a prospective, observational, multicenter study. Consecutive patients with chronic severe AR were enrolled between 2015-2018. Baseline examination included echocardiography (ECHO) with 2- and 3-dimensional (2D and 3D) vena contracta area (VCA), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with regurgitant volume (RV) and fraction (RF) analyzed in CoreLab.

[Thoughts about valvular abnormalities yesterday and today].

The article deals with the problems of acquired valvular disorders. It mainly focuses on the new findings regarding ethiopathogenesis, diagnostics, evaluation and treatment, especially catheterization. In advanced countries, post-rheumatic abnormalities have almost disappeared, their current etiology has substantially changed (mitral stenosis).

Invasive Hemodynamic Assessment of Cardiac Output State after MitraClip Therapy in Nonanaesthetized Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

. Surgical correction of mitral regurgitation (MR) can lead to postoperative low cardiac output state. We aimed to assess the acute hemodynamic changes after percutaneous MitraClip therapy (a unique model without influence of factors linked to surgical procedure) in patients with functional MR without the influence of general anaesthesia.

Degenerative changes and immune response after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Comparison with surgical aortic valve replacement.

Background: Little is known about the valve degeneration process after transcutaneous aortic valve implantations (TAVI) that can have an important impact on patients' long-term prognosis.

Aim: To evaluate degenerative changes of TAVI using computed tomography (CT) compared to findings in patients that underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Subsequently, to compare the level of immune and inflammatory markers in both groups and test their possible role in the valve degeneration process.

One-Year Clinical and Computed Tomography Angiographic Outcomes After Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold Implantation During Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The PRAGUE-19 Study.

Background: Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) represent promising new technology, but data on their long-term outcomes in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) setting are missing. The aim was to analyze 1-year clinical and computed tomographic angiographic outcomes after BVS implantation in STEMI.

Methods And Results: PRAGUE-19 is a prospective multicenter single-arm study enrolling consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) with intention-to-implant BVS.

[Mitral stenosis].

This paper deals with mitral stenosis in the light of current knowledge. Currently, defect is in developed countries very rare (about 10% of defects). Its etiology has changed over the period of time mainly due to decline in rheumatic fever.

Infective endocarditis as a mid-term complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: case report and literature review.

Few cases of infective endocarditis (IE) as a complication of percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have been reported. Here, we present a case of IE caused by Streptococcus viridans that occurred 6 months after TAVI with the corevalve revalving system. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and was asymptomatic during the 2 years after IE.