Nose cone entrapment after transcatheter aortic valve implantation of a CoreValve self-expandable bioprosthesis.

: We describe the first reported case of a nose cone entrapment of the delivering catheter of a CoreValve self-expandable valve, during a transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure. The complication was successfully treated after snaring the cone and retracting the system within the introducing sheath.

Percutaneous treatment of a post-TAVI ventricular septal defect: a successful combined procedure for an unusual complication.

In this report, we present the successful percutaneous ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure, just 1 week post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Periprocedurally, after implantation of the 31-mm CoreValve in an intentionally "high" position, we balloon postdilated, with an excellent result. A week post-TAVI, the patient started to deteriorate.

Mean platelet volume as marker of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris.

Introduction: Several experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that platelet size and function correlate since large platelets are hemostatically more reactive than platelets of normal size. Since platelets play a crucial role in vascular remodeling after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), we investigated the influence of the mean platelet volume (MPV), a parameter of platelet size, on restenosis after PTCA.

Methods: The retrospective study comprised 174 patients who underwent elective PTCA and follow-up angiography within 6 months thereafter.