Balloon-expandable transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation with or without predilation of the aortic valve: results of a multicentre registry.

Objectives: To assess safety and efficacy of transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) in the absence of predilation using balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). Predilation of the stenosed valve using BAV is a routine step in TA-TAVI; however, evidence supporting its clinical value is lacking, and several studies have linked it with higher complication rates.

Methods: A prospective, two-armed, multicentre registry (EASE-IT TA) to gather data on patients undergoing TA-TAVI with or without BAV, using the Edwards SAPIEN 3 valve was designed.

A comparison of transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement in 1,141 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and less than high risk.

Objectives: To assess outcomes for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) versus surgical aortic valve replacement but with less than high risk.

Background: While there is abundant data for high risk patients there is insufficient data for reduced risk.

Methods: Patients undergoing TAVI or SAVR between 2007 and 2012 in Karlsruhe were considered.

Long-term results of transapical versus transfemoral TAVI in a real world population of 1000 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.

Background: Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation is generally perceived to be associated with increased morbidity compared with transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation. We aimed to compare access-related complications and survival using propensity score matching.

Methods And Results: Prospective, single-center registry of 1000 consecutive patients undergoing transapical and transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation between May 2008 and April 2012.

How to adapt the implantation technique for the new SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve design.

The new balloon-expandable Edwards SAPIEN 3 THV has significant design improvements requiring adjustments in the implantation technique as compared to the previous generation SAPIEN XT. Basically, the new valve requires less oversizing due to the outer skirt, which, if positioned underneath the annulus, can reduce the occurrence and severity of paravalvular leak (PVL). As with any transcatheter vale, a thorough assessment of the device-landing-zone, the surrounding structures, and the distribution of calcifications is of vast importance.

Clinical impact of a new left bundle branch block following TAVI implantation: 1-year results of the TAVIK cohort.

Background: Compared with surgical aortic valve replacement, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is associated with a higher risk of developing a new conduction disorder that necessitates permanent pacemaker implantation (PM). The most frequently observed conduction disorder is left bundle branch block (LBBB), which impairs left ventricular function.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the incidence and prognostic significance of persistent new-onset LBBB following TAVI.

Ruptures of the device landing zone in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: an analysis of TAVI Karlsruhe (TAVIK) patients.

Background: Aortic rupture of the device landing zone is a rare complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and it is associated with significant mortality.

Methods: This study reports on the experience of a single-center in a case series of more than 1,000 implants. We explored patient and procedural characteristics aiming at identifying variables that increase the risk for aortic root rupture.