Early and persistent intraventricular conduction abnormalities and requirements for pacemaking after percutaneous replacement of the aortic valve.

Objectives: In this retrospective study, we examined the incidence of post-procedural conduction abnormalities and the need for pacing in patients undergoing percutaneous implantation of the aortic valve.

Background: Safety and feasibility studies have suggested anecdotally the occurrence of conduction abnormalities and requirements for pacing after percutaneous implantation of the aortic valve.

Methods: We examined the standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) of 40 consecutive patients in whom a CoreValve Revalving System (CoreValve, Paris, France) was implanted between November 2005 and March 2008.

Early echocardiographic evaluation following percutaneous implantation with the self-expanding CoreValve Revalving System aortic valve bioprosthesis.

Aims: Although safety and feasibility studies have been published, there are few reports dedicated to the echocardiographic evaluation of patients following percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR). This report describes the early echocardiographic evaluation of patients undergoing PAVR with the CoreValve Revalving System.

Methods And Results: The population consisted of 33 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis who underwent successful PAVR.

Coronary collateral circulation: the effects of smoking and alcohol.

Objective: The presence or absence of coronary collaterals is of vital importance during acute ischemia. Smoking and alcohol have been suggested to play a role, but data are scarce. We examined the extent to which smoking and alcohol use affect the presence of coronary collateral circulation.

Cardiac ischemic score determines the presence of coronary collateral circulation.

Purpose: The presence of coronary collaterals is of vital importance during acute ischemia, however, marked interindividual variability exists. We examined the extent to which the burden of cardiac ischemia, expressed as a cardiac ischemic score, affects coronary collateral presence.

Methods: Cross-sectional study in 244 patients, admitted for elective coronary angioplasty.

Presence of the metabolic syndrome does not impair coronary collateral vessel formation in patients with documented coronary artery disease.

Objective: The metabolic syndrome confers an increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The presence of coronary collaterals may have beneficial effects during myocardial ischemia and may improve cardiovascular outcome in patients with coronary artery disease. Impaired collateral formation could be one of the reasons for the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with the metabolic syndrome.