Impact of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on clinical outcomes and ventricular remodelling after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: rationale and design of the RASTAVI randomised multicentre study.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as a treatment in severe aortic stenosis (AS) is an excellent alternative to conventional surgical replacement. However, long-term outcomes are not benign. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade has shown benefit in terms of adverse remodelling in severe AS and after surgical replacement.

Current and Future Percutaneous Strategies for the Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure.

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) has risen in parallel with improved survival in patients after a myocardial infarction and an aging population worldwide. In recent years, new percutaneous therapies have been developed to complement current established treatments for acute/decompensated and chronic HF and minimize risks. In acute presentations, the failure of medical treatment is no longer the end of the road in refractory circulatory shock; the use of mechanical circulatory support devices may be the next milestone in well-resourced health settings.

Acquired Aseptic Intracardiac Shunts Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, mechanisms, features, and management of aseptic intracardiac shunts (AICS).

Background: AICS following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are an uncommon and barely described complication.

Methods: A systematic review was performed of all published cases of AICS following TAVR, and the incidence, predictors, main features, management, and related outcomes were analyzed.

Propensity score matched comparison of transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus conventional surgery in intermediate and low risk aortic stenosis patients: A hint of real-world.

Background: Recently, the use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in inter-mediate-low risk patients has been evaluated in the PARTNER II randomized trial. However, in the last years, this therapy has been employed in this scenario with underreported results, as compared to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Methods: We enrolled 362 consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and intermediate-low surgical risk (logEuroSCORE < 20%), treated in our center with TAVI (103 patients) or single SAVR (259 patients) between 2009 and 2014.

Catheter Entrapment During Posterior Mitral Leaflet Pushing Maneuver for MitraClip Implantation.

MitraClip (Abbott Vascular) therapy has been reported to be an effective procedure for mitral regurgitation, especially in high-risk patients. Recently, the novel pushing maneuver technique has been described for approaching restricted and short posterior leaflets with a pigtail catheter in order to facilitate grasping of the clip. However, complications or unexpected situations may occur.

Delayed left anterior mitral leaflet perforation and infective endocarditis after transapical aortic valve implantation-Case report and systematic review.

Aim: We aimed to illustrate the physiopathology of anterior mitral leaflet perforation after TAVI in patients suffering from infective endocarditis (IE).

Methods And Results: The first known case of balloon-expandable transapical case from our series suffering from this complication was reported. In addition, a systematic electronic search of all published cases reporting both entities was performed.