Hemodynamically significant prosthesis-patient mismatch can be predicted and is associated with early prosthetic valve dysfunction in aortic bioprosthesis.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of predicted prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) regarding actual PPM measured postoperatively. To assess the association between PPM and prosthetic valve dysfunction.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study including adult patients after aortic valve replacement surgery with a biological prosthesis.

Updated results on catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the papillary muscles of the left ventricle.

Background: Catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the left ventricle`s (LV) papillary muscles (PM) is challenging. In this study we present results of catheter ablation using multiple energy sources and image-based approaches.

Methods: Fifty-three patients (49 ± 17 years old; 34% females; median LV ejection fraction 53 ± 11%) underwent catheter cryoablation or radiofrequency (RF) ablation with non-contact force sensing (Non-CFS) catheters and cardiac computed tomography integration (CTII) into the electroanatomical mapping system or contact force sensing RF (CFS RF) ablation catheters and intracardiac echo-facilitated 3D electroanatomical mapping.

Results of Cryoenergy and Radiofrequency-Based Catheter Ablation for Treating Ventricular Arrhythmias Arising From the Papillary Muscles of the Left Ventricle, Guided by Intracardiac Echocardiography and Image Integration.

Background: Catheter radiofrequency ablation of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the left ventricle's papillary muscles has been associated with inconsistent results. The use of cryoenergy versus radiofrequency has not been compared yet. This study compares outcomes and complications of catheter ablation of VA from the papillary muscles of the left ventricle with either cryoenergy or radiofrequency.

Cryoablation for Ventricular Arrhythmias Arising From the Papillary Muscles of the Left Ventricle Guided by Intracardiac Echocardiography and Image Integration.

Objectives: This case series reports outcomes and complications of catheter cryoablation at the papillary muscles (PM) of the left ventricle (LV).

Background: Catheter radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the PM of the LV. The use of cryoablation at PMs has not been described.

Myocardial injury following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: insights from delayed-enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence, localisation and extent of myocardial injury as determined by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods And Results: A total of 37 patients, who underwent successful TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve (transapical [TA], n=11; non-TA, n=26), were included. Cardiac biomarker (CK-MB and cTnT) levels were determined at baseline and following TAVI.

Multidetector cardiac tomography: a useful tool before cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Left ventricular lead placement in a suitable coronary vein is a key determi-nant of responsiveness to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Multidetector cardiac tomography (MDCT) is a non-invasive alternative to depict cardiac venous anatomy although coronary sinus (CS) retrograde venography (RV) is the gold standard. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of MDCT to determine the presence of CS tributaries before CRT.

Characteristics of trabeculated myocardium burden in young and apparently healthy adults.

Increased myocardial trabeculations define noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCC). Imaging advancements have led to increasingly common identification of prominent trabeculations with unknown implications. We quantified and determined the impact of trabeculations' burden on cardiac function and stretch in a population of healthy young adults.

Cardiac magnetic resonance versus transthoracic echocardiography for the assessment and quantification of aortic regurgitation in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: The transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) evaluation of the severity of residual aortic regurgitation (AR) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been controversial and lacks validation.

Objectives: This study sought to compare TTE and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for assessment of AR in patients undergoing TAVI with a balloon-expandable valve.

Methods: TTE and CMR exams were performed pre-TAVI in 50 patients and were repeated postprocedure in 42 patients.

The retrograde P-wave theory: explaining ST segment depression in supraventricular tachycardia by retrograde AV node conduction.

Background: Pseudo ischemic ST segment changes during supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) are not yet fully understood. Our aim was to determine whether venticulo-atrial (VA) conduction during SVT may be a possible mechanism for ST depression (STd) in SVT.

Methods: Patients undergoing SVT ablation (2010-2012) were analyzed (n = 72).

Three-dimensional esophagus reconstruction and monitoring during ablation of atrial fibrillation: combination of two imaging techniques.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the accuracy of a novel three-dimensional (3D) imaging integration technique of the esophagus combining multislice computed tomography (CT) scan of the esophagus into the three-dimensional (3D) electroanatomic map just before pulmonary vein (PV) isolation.

Methods: We included 94 consecutive patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent ablation. All patients had a CT performed prior procedure that was integrated to the 3D reconstruction electromechanical map of the atrium and the esophagus (Verismo(TM), EnSite® NavX version 7.