Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3b to 5.

Background: There are scarce data on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with renal failure.

Methods: We evaluated the impact of renal failure on outcomes after TAVI and SAVR and compared the results of these procedures in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3b to 5 from the Observational Study of Effectiveness of AVR-TAVI Procedures for Severe Aortic Stenosis Treatment (OBSERVANT) study.

Results: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3b to 5 was associated with an increased risk of mortality after either TAVI or SAVR compared with CKD stages 1 to 3a.

Antiplatelet versus oral anticoagulant therapy as antithrombotic prophylaxis after mitral valve repair.

Objective: To verify the rate of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications during the first 6 months after mitral valve repair and to assess whether the type of antithrombotic therapy influenced clinical outcome.

Methods: Retrospective data were retrieved from 19 centers. Inclusion criteria were isolated mitral valve repair with ring implantation.

Betalains, Phenols and Antioxidant Capacity in Cactus Pear [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.] Fruits from Apulia (South Italy) Genotypes.

Betacyanin (betanin), total phenolics, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity (by Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays) were investigated in two differently colored cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) genotypes, one with purple fruit and the other with orange fruit, from the Salento area, in Apulia (South Italy).

Early and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery through right minithoracotomy: a 10-year experience in 1604 patients.

Background: To report early and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) through right mini-thoracotomy (RT) over a 10-year period.

Methods: From September 2003 to December 2013, a total of 1604 consecutive patients underwent MIMVS through RT.

Results: The mean age was 63 ± 13 years, 770 (48 %) patients were female and 218 (13.

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair through right minithoracotomy in the setting of degenerative mitral regurgitation: early outcomes and long-term follow-up.

Background: Mitral valve (MV) repair is the gold standard for the treatment of degenerative MV regurgitation. Recently, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has shown excellent postoperative outcomes compared with conventional surgery. The aim of our study is to report early and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing MIMVS through right mini-thoracotomy (RT) over an eight year period.

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Acute Fulminant Myocarditis in Adult Patients: A 5-Year Multi-Institutional Experience.

Background: Acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) may represent a life-threatening event, characterized by rapidly progressive cardiac compromise that ultimately leads to refractory cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides effective cardiocirculatory support in this circumstance, but few clinical series are available about early and long-term results. Data from a multicenter study group are reported which analyzed subjects affected by AFM and treated with VA-ECMO during a 5-year period.

Sutureless, rapid deployment valves and stented bioprosthesis in aortic valve replacement: recommendations of an International Expert Consensus Panel.

Objectives: After a panel process, recommendations on the use of sutureless and rapid deployment valves in aortic valve replacement were given with special respect as an alternative to stented valves.

Methods: Thirty-one international experts in both sutureless, rapid deployment valves and stented bioprostheses constituted the panel. After a thorough literature review, evidence-based recommendations were rated in a three-step modified Delphi approach by the experts.

Mitral Valve Repair Without Repair of Moderate Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the fate at long term of mild-to-moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) left untreated at the time of mitral valve repair in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods: We selected from our prospective hospital database 84 patients (age, 64 ± 9.6 years; ejection fraction, 0.

Right anterior minithoracotomy for aortic valve replacement: 10-year experience of a single center.

Objective: Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR) has been associated with several better outcomes over the standard full sternotomy approach. We revised our 10-year experience with right anterior minithoracotomy (RAMT) for AVR.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2014, a total of 593 patients (310 men; median age: 73.

Initial Experience with Sutureless Sorin Perceval S Aortic Prosthesis for the Treatment of Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis.

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate results of the initial experience with sutureless Perceval S for active prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE).

Materials And Methods: From October 2012 to April 2014, f: ve patients underwent surgery for aortic PVE with Perceval S bioprosthesis.

Results: There was one in-hospital death (20%).

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with a sutureless valve through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation in high-risk patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare early outcomes and mid-term survival of high-risk patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through right anterior mini-thoracotomy (RT) with sutureless valves versus patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis.

Methods: From October 2008 to March 2013, 269 patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent either RT with perceval S sutureless valves (n = 178 patients, 66.2%) or TAVI (n = 91, 33.

Determinants of functional capacity after mitral valve annuloplasty or replacement for ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Objective: To identify the exercise echocardiographic determinants of long-term functional capacity, in patients with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation, after restrictive mitral valve annuloplasty (RMA) or mitral valve replacement (MVR).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 121 patients with significant chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation, who underwent RMA (n = 62) or MVR (n = 59), between 2005 and 2011. Preoperatively, all patients underwent a resting echocardiographic examination, and a 6-minute walking test (6-MWT) to measure distance.

Regression of left ventricular mass after implantation of the sutureless 3f Enable aortic bioprosthesis.

Left ventricular hypertrophy in aortic stenosis is considered a compensatory response for the maintenance of systolic function but a risk factor for cardiac morbidity and death. We investigated the degree of left ventricular mass regression after implantation of the sutureless Medtronic 3f Enable Aortic Bioprosthesis. We studied 19 patients who, from May 2010 through July 2011, underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with the 3f Enable bioprosthetic valve, with clinical and echocardiographic follow-up at 6 months.