Randomised open-label trial comparing intravenous iron and an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent versus oral iron to treat preoperative anaemia in cardiac surgery (INITIATE trial).

Background: Preoperative anaemia is a risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery. Iron deficiency is a frequent cause of low preoperative haemoglobin. An effective treatment for preoperative anaemia associated with iron deficiency has not been determined.

Hyper- and hypocoagulability in COVID-19 as assessed by thromboelastometry -two case reports.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-associated coagulopathy is most often characterized by elevated D-dimer, interleukin-6, and plasma fibrinogen concentrations as well as hypercoagulability in thromboelastometry with increased clot firmness in the EXTEM, INTEM, and FIBTEM assays. Clinically, it manifests with a very high incidence of thrombosis, particularly in the pulmonary system, whereas bleeding complications are infrequent.

Case: Here, we describe two critically ill patients with COVID-19 admitted to our intensive care unit demonstrating different thromboelastometry and biomarker patterns.

Identification of clinical factors predicting warfarin sensitivity after cardiac surgery.

Background: Warfarin is commonly initiated post-cardiac surgery to reduce the risk of intracardiac thrombus formation. Studies have found that sensitivity is increased after cardiac surgery and anticoagulation is subsequently difficult to manage. This study set out to identify clinical markers of increased warfarin sensitivity in patients after cardiac surgery, and build a model that can predict warfarin sensitivity, and improve safety in this setting.

Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve treatment of degenerative stentless supra-annular Freedom Solo valves: A single centre experience.

Background: Redo surgery for degenerative bioprosthetic aortic valves is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Report results of valve-in-valve therapy (ViV-TAVI) in failed supra-annular stentless Freedom Solo (FS) bioprostheses, which are the highest risk for coronary occlusion.

Methods: Six patients with FS valves (mean age 78.

Poor mobility predicts adverse outcome better than other frailty indices in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Surgical risk scoring systems are poor at predicting outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Frailty indices might more accurately predict outcome.

Aims: To examine multiple frailty indices as markers of performance to see whether they predict outcomes both in the shorter (30 days) and longer terms (5 years) in patients who have undergone TAVI.

Transradial Secondary Arterial Access for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Experience and Limitations.

Objectives: The transradial approach limits vascular complications in coronary interventions. The same may be true for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We present our experience using secondary transradial arterial access.

Local versus general anesthesia for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR)--systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The hypothesis of this study was that local anesthesia with monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is not harmful in comparison to general anesthesia (GA) for patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVR).TAVR is a rapidly spreading treatment option for severe aortic valve stenosis. Traditionally, in most centers, this procedure is done under GA, but more recently procedures with MAC have been reported.

Complications of transcatheter aortic valve implantation: avoidance and management.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has taken the world of cardiovascular therapies by storm. The possibility of implanting aortic valves without recourse to sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass has been embraced by cardiologists, surgeons and patients alike as a revolution in management. First performed in 2002 by Alain Cribier, the technique has exploded into common use during the last three years, such that over 20,000 implants have now been undertaken worldwide.

Large calibre arterial access device closure for percutaneous aortic valve interventions: use of the Prostar system in 118 cases.

Background: Percutaneous aortic valve treatments, balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), are effective ways to treat patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis when open surgical repair is not feasible or considered too high risk. Large bore vascular access is required, and successful management of this arterial access is key to overall procedural success. We report outcomes and complications using the Prostar vascular closure device following BAV and TAVI.

Predictors for permanent pacing after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a new treatment strategy for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis who are high risk for traditional surgical aortic valve replacement. The incidence of conduction system abnormalities after the procedure is significant. We examine our experience with CoreValve TAVI focusing on electrocardiographic changes found pre-, peri-, and postintervention.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in idiopathic thrombocytopenia: use of thromboelastometry without platelet transfusion.

Patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura have safely undergone cardiac surgical procedures; however, platelets were transfused in 20 of 24 reported instances, and no point-of-care testing of coagulation status was performed. Herein, we report the case of a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who required urgent coronary artery bypass grafting and intra-aortic balloon pump support. Rotational thromboelastometry was used as a point-of-care test of the patient's coagulation status.

Prognostic benefit of transcatheter aortic valve implantation compared with medical therapy in patients with inoperable aortic stenosis.

Objectives: To compare survival in patients with inoperable aortic stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation against those managed medically.

Background: Without surgical correction, survival of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is poor. It is unknown whether patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have a better prognosis than similar patients who are treated with medical management.

Percutaneous aortic valve implants under sedation: our initial experience.

Objectives: We have developed an approach where percutaneous aortic valve (PAVI) procedures are done under remifentanil-based sedation administered by an anesthetist. We report here our initial experience.

Background: Percutaneous aortic valve implantation is proving to be an effective treatment for aortic stenosis in patients with significant comorbidity precluding surgical aortic valve replacement.