Impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement use ratio on outcomes in patients with aortic valve disease.

Objective: Use of the Heart Team has been the standard of care for the treatment of aortic valve disease; however, its efficacy has not been evaluated. We sought to analyze its impact using the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) use ratio (number of TAVR/total aortic valve replacement [AVR] volume) on TAVR, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), and overall AVR outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed all TAVRs and SAVRs sampled by the National Readmissions Database between 2016 and 2020.

Hemodynamic Predictors of Stabilization When Using Temporary Mechanical Support for Cardiogenic Shock from Acute on Chronic Heart Failure.

Cardiogenic shock from acute on chronic heart failure is a lethal condition that frequently requires temporary mechanical circulatory support devices (tMCS) as a bridge to stabilization, durable support, or heart transplantation. However, there are limited data on methods to optimize use of tMCS in this population. We identified patients who received tMCS devices for cardiogenic shock from acute on chronic heart failure at a single center from August 2016 to July 2020.

Interventional Cardiac Procedures and Pregnancy.

As the average maternal age advances with increasing concurrent cardiovascular disease risk factors, more women are entering pregnancy with or at risk for various cardiovascular conditions. Although rare, pregnant patients may require various cardiac interventions in the catheterization laboratory. An understanding of indications for intervention in pregnant patients with conditions such as myocardial infarction, severe valvular disease, and cardiogenic shock is critical to optimizing both fetal and maternal outcomes.

Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty in Coronary Lesions: Use and Safety From the NCDR/CATH PCI Registry.

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Clinical and Echocardiographic Features Associated With Improved Survival in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV).

Background: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is used in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) when the benefit of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is unclear. Our objective was to identify clinical or echocardiographic features that identify patients likely to benefit from BAV.

Methods: We studied 141 consecutive patients who underwent BAV from July, 2011 to October, 2017.

Recanalization of an atretic intramural left main coronary artery after bypass surgery in a pediatric patient with anomalous aortic origin of the left main coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva.

We report a pediatric patient with nonatherosclerotic chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) leading to complete LMCA atresia which was successfully recanalized via retrograde techniques through a previous internal mammary bypass graft. After the CTO was treated, the artery was found to be anomalous off the right cusp with an intramural coarse and slit-like orifice. The patient's ischemic symptoms resolved after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), and she has continued to do well.

Radiation Exposure During Transcatheter Valve Replacement: What Cardiac Surgeons Need to Know.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and transcatheter mitral valve replacement expose operators to radiation. These procedures differ primarily in whether they are performed via a transfemoral (TF) or an alternative access (AA) approach. This study compared operator radiation exposure during transcatheter valve implantation when performed via a TF vs an AA approach, when performed in a catheterization lab vs a hybrid operating room (OR), and investigated the potential benefit of disposable shielding.

Outcomes After the MitraClip Procedure in Patients at Very High Risk for Conventional Mitral Valve Surgery.

Objective: Approximately 50% of patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation are deemed too high risk for surgery. The MitraClip procedure is a viable option for this population. Our goal was to assess outcomes and survival of patients who underwent the MitraClip procedure at an institution where mitral valve surgery is routinely performed.

Observed to expected 30-day mortality as a benchmark for transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Objective: The observed-to-expected 30-day mortality ratio (O:E ratio) is a standard metric by which transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) trials have been evaluated. Early TAVR trials consistently demonstrated O:E ratio less than 0.6 after TAVR when based on the Society for Thoracic Surgery Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) for surgical aortic valve replacement.

Acute right ventricular failure and pulseless electrical activity arrest following auto-transfusion of blood.

Air embolism is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of interventional procedures. The occurrence of acute right ventricular dysfunction during intraoperative auto-transfusion of blood, presumably related to pulmonary embolism of agitated air microbubbles and microthrombi, is less commonly recognized. We report a case of auto-transfusion complicated by acute right ventricular failure and pulseless electrical activity arrest.

The Combination of Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion and HeartMate Risk Score Predicts Right Ventricular Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Right ventricular (RV) failure is difficult to predict and is a major determinant of poor outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We evaluated the associations of the following variables with severe RV failure in LVAD patients: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi), simplified RV contraction pressure index (sRVCPI), and HeartMate Risk Score (HMRS). We performed a retrospective case-control study on 216 patients who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation between 2008 and 2014.

Repeat revascularisation outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate repeat revascularisation outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We performed a single-centre, retrospective matched cohort study of patients with RA matched to non-RA patients post PCI. Primary endpoints were time to target lesion revascularisation (TLR) and target vessel revascularisation (TVR) analysed by Cox proportional hazard shared frailty models.

Dynamic Evaluation of Coronary Anomalies Originating from the Opposite Sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS).

Coronary anomalies originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) are a rare anomaly associated with sudden cardiac death. Dynamic, invasive evaluation using coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and fractional flow reserve can more clearly identify important pathophysiologic variants and guide treatment. This dynamic evaluation can assist the clinician in the appropriate surgical and percutaneous treatment options and aid in patient counseling.

Intra-Aortic Balloon Counterpulsation in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock: Clinical Response and Predictors of Stabilization.

Objective: The aim of this work was to characterize the clinical response and identify predictors of clinical stabilization after intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) support in patients with chronic systolic heart failure in cardiogenic shock before implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Background: Limited data exist regarding the clinical response to IABP in patients with chronic heart failure in cardiogenic shock.

Methods: We identified 54 patients supported with IABP before LVAD implantation.

Prognostic utility of novel biomarkers of cardiovascular stress in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing valve replacement.

Objective: In heart failure populations without aortic stenosis (AS), the prognostic utility of multiple biomarkers in addition to clinical factors has been demonstrated. We aimed to determine whether multiple biomarkers of cardiovascular stress are associated with mortality in patients with AS undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) independent of clinical factors.

Methods: From a prospective registry of patients with AS, 345 participants who were referred for and treated with AVR (transcatheter (n=183) or surgical (n=162)) were included.

Coronary subclavian steal syndrome.

Purpose Of Review: Coronary subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is the reversal of blood flow in an internal mammary artery bypass graft that results in coronary ischemia. CSSS is an uncommon but treatable cause of coronary ischemia. In this review, we highlight the historical background and epidemiology of CSSS, common clinical presentations, diagnosis of CSSS and management strategies for relieving ischemia.

Patient evaluation and selection for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: the heart team approach.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been shown to significantly impact mortality and quality of life in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who are deemed high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Essential to these outcomes is proper patient selection. The multidisciplinary TAVR heart team was created to provide comprehensive patient evaluation and aid in proper selection.

Coronary collaterals predict improved survival and allograft function in patients with coronary allograft vasculopathy.

Background: Despite improvements in the care of patients who have received cardiac transplants, coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains the most prevalent cause of late allograft failure and cardiac mortality. Few proven therapies are available for this important disease. The presence of coronary collaterals imparts a favorable prognosis in patients with native ischemic heart disease; however, the impact of collaterals in CAV is unknown.