Transfemoral TAVI using the self-expanding ACURATE neo prosthesis: one-year outcomes of the multicentre "CE-approval cohort".

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and performance of the ACURATE neo transcatheter heart valve and its transfemoral delivery system.

Methods And Results: The prospective, multicentre "CE-approval cohort" consists of a prospective series of the first 89 patients implanted with the ACURATE neo prosthesis. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 30 days.

Serum microRNA-1233 is a specific biomarker for diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as novel biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. Diagnosing acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains challenging due to a diverse clinical presentation and the lack of specific biomarkers. Here we evaluate serum miRNAs as potential biomarkers in acute PE.

Carcinoid Heart Valve Disease: Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve-In-Valve Implantation in Failing Biological Xenografts.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Carcinoid heart valve disease (CHVD) occurs as the cardiac manifestation of carcinoid syndrome (also known as Hedinger's syndrome), which develops secondary to neuroendocrine tumor activity. CHVD almost exclusively affects right-sided heart valves, since circulating serotonin is metabolized by pulmonary endothelial cells, thus sparing left-sided valves. Replacement of the tricuspid and pulmonary valve is a well-established and feasible therapeutic option for these patients.

Evolution of mitral valve procedural volumes in the advent of endovascular treatment options: Experience at an early-adopting center in Germany.

Objectives: Our objectives were to assess the evolution of surgical and endovascular mitral valve procedural volumes and to study utilization and reimbursement effects of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) at our center and to put these in perspective with the corresponding data at the national level.

Background: TMVR using the MitraClip system has been available in Germany since 2008 as a complementary treatment option for high-risk or inoperable patients.

Methods: Relevant procedure codes were identified for 2006-2012 and yearly utilization volumes obtained from our center's databases and from the national statistics office.

Transfemoral TAVI without pre-dilatation using balloon-expandable devices: a case-matched analysis.

Objectives: This comparative case-matched analysis investigated feasibility and safety of direct transfemoral (TF) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) without pre-dilatation using balloon-expandable devices.

Background: Presently, balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is considered mandatory preceding transfemoral TAVI with balloon-expandable devices. However, procedural severe adverse events may be associated with BAV.

Correction of acquired von Willebrand syndrome by transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (aVWS) is a common complication of severe aortic valve stenosis and can be corrected by surgical valve replacement. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is gaining importance, but the influence of this new technique on aVWS has never been examined. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of TAVI on aVWS.

Blood transfusion is associated with impaired outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the relationship of blood transfusion after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and mid-term outcome to improve patient selection and periprocedural treatment.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests a negative influence of blood transfusion on outcomes of patients with cardiovascular diseases. While the adverse impact of bleeding events on survival has been documented after TAVI, data on the impact of postoperative blood transfusions are scarce.

Predicting Risk in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Comparative Analysis of EuroSCORE II and Established Risk Stratification Tools.

Background: The logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (logEuroSCORE) II was developed to improve prediction of mortality in cardiac surgery. However, no specific tools are available for risk prediction in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The recently introduced EuroSCORE II was compared with established risk scores.

Initial German experience with transapical implantation of a second-generation transcatheter heart valve for the treatment of aortic regurgitation.

Objectives: This analysis reports on the initial German multicenter experience with the JenaValve (JenaValve Technology GmbH, Munich, Germany) transcatheter heart valve for the treatment of pure aortic regurgitation.

Background: Experience with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic regurgitation is limited due to the risk of insufficient anchoring of the valve stent within the noncalcified aortic annulus.

Methods: Transapical TAVI with a JenaValve for the treatment of severe aortic regurgitation was performed in 31 patients (age 73.

Kidney injury and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a routine clinical cohort.

Objectives: We aimed at identifying predictors of renal impairment and its impact on long-term outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: Renal impairment is common in mostly elderly, multimorbid patients undergoing TAVI. The risk of periprocedural renal function impairment and its association with outcome is incompletely understood.

Successful use of a left ventricular apical access and closure device for second-generation transapical aortic valve implantation.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become routine for the treatment of high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. We assessed safety and feasibility of a left ventricular apical access and closure device combined with second-generation transapical (TA) TAVI transcatheter heart valves (THV).

Methods And Results: Three elderly, comorbid patients (logEuroSCORE I 13.

Valve-in-valve implantation of a novel and small self-expandable transcatheter heart valve in degenerated small surgical bioprostheses: the Hamburg experience.

Background: Transcatheter valve-in-valve (VIV) implantation has emerged as a novel treatment option in patients with degenerated aortic bioprostheses and high surgical risk. However, VIV implantation in small aortic bioprostheses using first generation TAVI devices has frequently resulted in high postprocedural gradients and small effective orifice areas. Recently, an updated version of the self-expandable Medtronic CoreValve prosthesis, which is particularly suitable for small aortic annuli, has become available.

The challenge of valve-in-valve procedures in degenerated Mitroflow bioprostheses and the advantage of using the JenaValve transcatheter heart valve.

Aims: Recently, the feasibility of valve-in-valve procedures using current first-generation transcatheter heart valves (THV) in cases of structural valve degeneration has been reported as an alternative to conventional open repeat valve replacement. By design, certain biological valve xenografts carry a high risk of coronary ostia occlusion due to lateral displacement of leaflets after valve-in-valve procedures. In the present report we aimed to prove feasibility and safety of transapical valve-in-valve implantation of the JenaValve THV in two cases of degenerated Mitroflow bioprostheses.

Development of a risk score for outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an increasingly common procedure in elderly and multimorbid patients with aortic stenosis. We aimed at developing a pre-procedural risk evaluation scheme beyond current surgical risk scores.

Methods: We developed a risk algorithm for 1-year mortality in two cohorts consisting of 845 patients undergoing routine TAVI procedures by commercially available devices, mean age 80.

Patient gender does not affect outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background And Aim Of The Study: Female gender has recently been suggested to predict a beneficial outcome and lower mortality following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The study aim was to address gender differences in outcome following TAVI and potentially to replicate these findings.

Methods: The present single-center prospective registry of 326 patients with severe aortic stenosis treated by TAVI between 2008 and 2011 consisted of 181 women and 145 men.

Single-centre experience with next-generation devices for transapical aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an established procedure in patients with aortic stenosis and high surgical risk. Experience with first-generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs) is broad but limitations, e.g.

Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation without prior balloon aortic valvuloplasty: feasible and safe.

Objectives: Currently, preimplant balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is considered a prerequisite for successful subsequent transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) using balloon-expandable devices. However, cerebral embolization has been shown to originate at least in part from BAV procedures. Omitting BAV may therefore reduce neurological events after TAVI and facilitate the procedure while yielding non-inferior haemodynamic and clinical outcomes.

Association of high-sensitivity assayed troponin I with cardiovascular phenotypes in the general population: the population-based Gutenberg health study.

Background: Aim of the study was to analyze the correlation of high-sensitivity assayed troponin I with cardiac and vascular structure and function in a large population-based cohort.

Methods: In a sample of 4,139 subjects (2,099 men, 2,040 women, age 35-74 years) from the population-based Gutenberg Health Study, troponin I was measured with a high-sensitivity assay that had a limit of detection of 1.9 pg/mL.

Edwards Sapien XT valve placement as treatment option for aortic regurgitation after transfemoral CoreValve implantation: a multicenter experience.

Unlabelled: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI), though a preferred treatment option in the elderly population carrying increased risks for open heart surgery, may result in prognosis-limiting moderate or severe aortic regurgitation. Here, we report a series of 11 patients from 3 German TAVI centers, suffering from moderate- to high-grade aortic regurgitation after CoreValve implantation, who were subsequently treated by Edwards Sapien XT implantation.

Methods: The patients were 79.

Transapical implantation of a second-generation transcatheter heart valve in patients with noncalcified aortic regurgitation.

Objectives: This study sought to report on the feasibility and early results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation employing a second-generation device in a series of patients with pure aortic regurgitation.

Background: Efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with calcific aortic stenosis and high surgical risk has been demonstrated. However, experience with implantation for severe noncalcified aortic regurgitation has been limited due to increased risk for valve dislocation or annular rupture.

Severe intraprocedural complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: calling for a heart team approach.

Objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged rapidly. Despite unanimous recommendations and potentially fatal intraoperative complications, the heart-team approach is not comprehensively adopted by all centres. We sought to characterize severe intraprocedural complications during TAVI requiring immediate surgical or interventional bailout manoeuvres and evaluate outcomes.

Large-scale association analysis identifies new risk loci for coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the commonest cause of death. Here, we report an association analysis in 63,746 CAD cases and 130,681 controls identifying 15 loci reaching genome-wide significance, taking the number of susceptibility loci for CAD to 46, and a further 104 independent variants (r(2) < 0.2) strongly associated with CAD at a 5% false discovery rate (FDR).

Predictors and outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation using different approaches according to the valve academic research consortium definitions.

Objectives: We report the results of a large single-center study evaluating predictors and outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with different devices and access routes according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC).

Background: The widespread adoption of TAVI warrants a systematic analysis of outcomes. Only few comprehensive data exist comparing different approaches as selected by a heart team.