A comparison of transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement in 1,141 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and less than high risk.

Objectives: To assess outcomes for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) versus surgical aortic valve replacement but with less than high risk.

Background: While there is abundant data for high risk patients there is insufficient data for reduced risk.

Methods: Patients undergoing TAVI or SAVR between 2007 and 2012 in Karlsruhe were considered.

Long-term results of transapical versus transfemoral TAVI in a real world population of 1000 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.

Background: Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation is generally perceived to be associated with increased morbidity compared with transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation. We aimed to compare access-related complications and survival using propensity score matching.

Methods And Results: Prospective, single-center registry of 1000 consecutive patients undergoing transapical and transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation between May 2008 and April 2012.

Clinical impact of a new left bundle branch block following TAVI implantation: 1-year results of the TAVIK cohort.

Background: Compared with surgical aortic valve replacement, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is associated with a higher risk of developing a new conduction disorder that necessitates permanent pacemaker implantation (PM). The most frequently observed conduction disorder is left bundle branch block (LBBB), which impairs left ventricular function.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the incidence and prognostic significance of persistent new-onset LBBB following TAVI.

Ruptures of the device landing zone in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: an analysis of TAVI Karlsruhe (TAVIK) patients.

Background: Aortic rupture of the device landing zone is a rare complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and it is associated with significant mortality.

Methods: This study reports on the experience of a single-center in a case series of more than 1,000 implants. We explored patient and procedural characteristics aiming at identifying variables that increase the risk for aortic root rupture.

Acute and late outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) for the treatment of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in patients at high- and low-surgical risk.

Background: This prospective study examines the impact of EuroSCORE and transfemoral (TF) or transapical (TA) delivery approach on mortality at 30 days and 1 year in patients with severe aortic stenosis implanted with either the Edwards SAPIEN Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) or Medtronic CoreValve.

Methods And Results: TAVI was successfully performed in 293 (97.7%) of 300 patients (TF: 174, TA: 126, mean EuroSCORE 24.

Persistent atrial fibrillation converts to common type atrial flutter during CFAE ablation.

Background: Catheter ablation of persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) is still challenging. So far different ablation techniques have been reported, including pulmonary vein isolation, additional linear lesions, ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE), and combinations of these techniques. During ablation of CFAE, the occurrence of left atrial (LA) tachycardia is well known.