Clinical experience with the second-generation 3f Enable sutureless aortic valve prosthesis.

Objective: The 3f Enable aortic bioprosthesis (ATS Medical, Inc, Minneapolis, Minn) represents a new generation of equine pericardial self-expanding valve designed for sutureless implantation. This study evaluated technical aspects of implantation and safety and effectiveness of the valve in the short term.

Methods: In an outcome analysis of a consecutive series of 28 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with the 3f Enable during an 18-month period, mean age was 75.

Improvement of migraine headaches after percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale for secondary prevention of paradoxical embolism.

Objectives: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been linked to migraine, and an improvement in migraine prevalence or frequency has been reported after PFO closure for other reasons. We sought to identify whether there is a specific patient population of migraineurs which may be more susceptible to benefiting from PFO closure.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Diastolic dysfunction of the cardiac allograft and maximal exercise capacity.

Background: Peak oxygen uptake (peak Vo(2)) is an established integrative measurement of maximal exercise capacity in cardiovascular disease. After heart transplantation (HTx) peak Vo(2) remains reduced despite normal systolic left ventricular function, which highlights the relevance of diastolic function. In this study we aim to characterize the predictive significance of cardiac allograft diastolic function for peak Vo(2).

Device-less patent foramen ovale closure by radiofrequency thermal energy.

Unlabelled: The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety and success of a system which uses radiofrequency energy (RFE) rather than a device for percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Methods: Sixteen patients (10 men, 6 women, mean age 50 years) were included in the study. All of them had a proven PFO with documented right-to-left shunt (RLS) after Valsalva manoeuvre (VM) during transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE).