Three-Year Clinical and Hemodynamic Evaluation of the Hydra Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: The Hydra CE study revealed 1-year favorable efficacy of TAVR, showing a large effective orifice area (EOA), low gradient, and acceptable complication rates.

Aims: We evaluated the 3-year clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of Hydra self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve (manufactured by Vascular Innovations Co Ltd, Nonthaburi, Thailand; a subsidiary of Sahajanand Medical Technologies Limited, India) in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis at high or extremely high surgical risk.

Methods: The Hydra CE study was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study.

Analysis of complications in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a single-center study.

Introduction: Transfemoral access is a prevailing approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in contemporary practice, with a shift from surgical arteriotomy to a percutaneous arterial approach.

Objectives: This study assessed long- and short‑term mortality, along with Valve Academic Research Consortium-2-defined complications in percutaneous transfemoral approach (PTA) TAVI. Furthermore, it explored the impact of a learning curve on procedural outcomes.

Strategy to optimize PeriproCeduraL AnticOagulation in structural transseptal interventions: Design and rationale of the STOP CLOT trial.

Background: Both transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of mitral regurgitation or left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) require periprocedural anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) that is administered either before or immediately after transseptal puncture (TSP). The optimal timing of UFH administration (before or after TSP) is unknown. The Strategy To Optimize PeriproCeduraL AnticOagulation in Structural Transseptal Interventions trial (STOP CLOT Trial) was designed to determine if early anticoagulation is effective in reducing ischemic complications without increasing the risk of periprocedural bleeding.

Prognostic value of computed tomography derived measurements of pulmonary artery diameter for long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: An increase in pulmonary artery diameter (PAD) on multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) may indicate pulmonary hypertension. We assessed the prognostic value of MDCT-derived measurements of PAD on outcomes after successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods: Consecutive patients treated with TAVR from February 2013 to October 2017, with a 68.

Association between calcifications of mitro-aortic continuity and mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: The presence of mitral annular calcification (MAC) affects prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). MAC frequently coexists with calcifications of mitro-aortic continuity (CMAC).

Aims: We aimed at qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of calcifications of the mitral complex - MAC and CMAC in multi-slice computed tomography, in order to assess their impact on the occurrence and dynamics of mitral regurgitation (MR) following TAVI.

The role of cardiac computed tomography in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis - A comparison with transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and intra-operative findings.

Background: Infective endocarditis is one of the most severe complications after prosthetic valve implantation and an accurate diagnosis is a clinical challenge. The purpose was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in valvular and perivalvular complications in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and to compare CT results with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and intraoperative findings.

Methods: The retrospective study included 44 consecutive patients with PVE who underwent cardiac surgery.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm as a result of group 2 pulmonary artery hypertension in a patient with significant mitral and aortic valve disease - review and case report.

Aneurysms are uncommon, but potentially life-threatening abnormalities of the pulmonary arteries. Aneurysm of the main pulmonary artery (MPA) defined as MPA diameter over 40 mm was reported in 1 : 14 000 autopsies. The most frequent location is the main pulmonary artery (89% of cases), whereas the maximum described diameter is 106-170 mm.

Elective versus rescue balloon aortic valvuloplasty for critical aortic stenosis.

Background: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) may be considered a bridge to further intervention in hemodynamically unstable patients or patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Aims: This study aimed to retrospectively compare periprocedural and in‑hospital outcomes of AS patients treated with elective BAV (group 1) and rescue BAV (group 2).

Methods: We identified 35 patients in whom BAV was performed between 2010 and 2018.

Incidence, clinical correlates, timing, and consequences of acute thrombus formation in patients undergoing the MitraClip procedure.

Background: Despite adequate heparinization, formation of fresh intracardiac thrombi during the MitraClip procedure was reported.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the incidence and clinical consequences of intracardiac thrombus formation during the MitraClip device implantation.

Methods: Clinical data and transesophageal echocardiography findings obtained during MitraClip procedures in 100 consecutive patients (81 men; mean [SD] age, 67.

Comparison of the geometry of the left ventricle outflow tract, the aortic root and the ascending aorta in patients with severe tricuspid aortic stenosis versus healthy controls.

The purpose of this study was to assess by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) imaging geometry of the ascending aorta, the aortic root, the aortic annulus and the left ventricle outflow tract (LVOT) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients, to compare aortic root morphology in patients with AS with healthy controls and to evaluate sex differences. Fifty patients with severe AS and 50 age- and gender-matched controls who underwent MSCT were included in the study. The dimensions of the LVOT, the aortic annulus, the aortic root, the ascending aorta, and the volume of the aortic root were retrospectively assessed and a comparison was made between patients with severe tricuspid AS and controls.

Predictors of aortic stenosis severity reclassification using an imaging data fusion method in patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: The use of imaging data fusion method (IDFM) with multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) may result in reclassification of AS severity from severe to non-severe.

Aim: We sought to establish potential predictors of AS severity reclassification using the IDFM method.

Methods: A total of 54 high-risk patients (mean age 79 ± 7.

Red Cell Distribution Width as a Prognostic Marker in Patients Undergoing Valve Surgery.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases such as acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and chronic heart failure. The prognostic utility of RDW in patients with valvular disease undergoing heart valve surgery is unknown.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of consecutive patients with hemodynamically significant valvular heart disease that underwent elective valvular surgery.

Quantitative estimation of aortic valve calcification in multislice computed tomography in predicting the development of paravalvular leaks following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) improves prognosis in patients disqualified from surgical valve replacement. Calcifications of the aortic complex can lead to deformation of the prosthesis, resulting in paravalvular leaks (PVL).

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of quantitative estimation of volume/weight and geometric distribution of calcifications in multislice computed tomography, for the development of PVL.

Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty: beyond classic indications.

Background And Aim: In patients with mitral stenosis (MS) percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV) is used to im-prove symptoms and prognosis. Although there is some evidence for potential long-term benefits from PMBV in asymptomatic patients with mitral valve area (MVA) between 1.0 and 1.