SoutheAsTern eUrope microciRculATION (SATURATION) registry - Design and rationale.

Background: A considerable number of symptomatic patients leave the cardiac catheterization lab without a definitive diagnosis for their symptoms because no epicardial stenoses are found. The significance of disorders of coronary microvasculature and vasomotion as the cause of symptoms and signs of ischemia has only recently been appreciated. Today we have a wide spectrum of invasive coronary physiology tools but little is known about when and how these tools are used in clinical practice.

Tissue changes around dental implants installed in alveolar ridge preservation sites: A 1-year follow-up randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: This study aimed to assess radiographic marginal bone changes 22 months post extraction, which is 1 year after implant loading in alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) sites grafted with a combination of collagen-embedded xenogenic bone substitute (DBBM-C) and collagen matrix (CMX), comparing them with implants placed in naturally healed sites.

Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted over 22 months. Patients who needed a single tooth extraction and subsequent implant placement in nonmolar areas were enrolled.

The safety of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors and trends in clinical and hemodynamic parameters in patients with left ventricular assist devices.

Background: The safety and impact of sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are unknown.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent LVAD Heart Mate 3 (HM3) implantation at a single medical center and received SGLT2-I therapy following surgery was conducted. LVAD parameters, medical therapy, laboratory tests, echocardiography, and right heart catheterization (RHC) study results were recorded and compared before and after initiation of SGLT2-I.

Left atrial size predicts long-term outcome after balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Background: The treatment of choice for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis is balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV). Numerous predictors of immediate and long-term procedural success have been described. The aims of this study were to describe our experience with BMV over the last decade and to evaluate predictors of long-term event-free survival.

Hemodynamic Changes After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation Among Heart Failure Patients With and Without Elevated Pulmonary Vascular Resistance.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may reverse elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) which is associated with worse prognosis in heart failure (HF) patients. We aim to describe the temporal changes in hemodynamic parameters before and after LVAD implantation among patients with or without elevated PVR.

Methods: HF patients who received continuous-flow LVAD (HeartMate 2&3) at a tertiary medical center and underwent right heart catheterization with PVR reversibility study before and after LVAD surgery.

Clinical Outcome and Safety of Transcaval Access for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement as Compared to Other Alternative Approaches.

A small proportion of patients in need of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are not suitable for the transfemoral approach due to peripheral artery disease. Alternative TAVR approaches are associated with short- and long-term hazards. A novel technique of caval-aortic (transcaval) access for TAVR has been utilized as an alternative access technique.

[MAXILLOFACIAL TRAFFIC INJURIES RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS IN JERUSALEM 2000-2013: CHARACTERISTICS AND ETHNIC COMPARISONS].

Background: The aim of this study is to review motor-vehicle accident-related maxillofacial injuries (MVA-MFI) trauma cases and to investigate whether the growing population and traffic congestion, as well as differences in driving practice, vehicle safely devices and infrastructure facilities might differentially affect the pattern of MVA-MFI among Jewish and Arab populations.

Methods: This retrospective study reviews maxillofacial injuries (MFI) identified among all trauma patients who were admitted to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital, Jerusalem, between the years 2000 to 2013.

Results: Out of 29,997 trauma patients, 1,720 presented with MFI, with motor-vehicle accident (MVA) being the major cause of injury (705 patients, 41%).

Mitral Annulus Calcium Score.

Background: The risk of conduction system abnormalities (CSA) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation remains high. We aimed to evaluate the impact of mitral annular calcium (MAC) score on the development of CSA after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Methods: Consecutive patients (n=168), with severe AoV stenosis, without prior CSA, underwent computed tomography transcatheter AoV implantation followed by device implantation; CoreValve (n=72) and SAPIEN (n=96).

Acute myocardial infarction occurring while on chronic clopidogrel therapy ('clopidogrel failure') is associated with high incidence of clopidogrel poor responsiveness and stent thrombosis.

Objectives: The clinical significance of the laboratory-based phenomenon of clopidogrel hypo-responsiveness and platelet reactivity associated with acute myocardial infarction, despite chronic clopidogrel therapy, is largely unknown. We aimed to determine platelet reactivity and clinical and angiographic features in 29 consecutive patients sustaining an acute myocardial infarction despite chronic (≥1 month) clopidogrel therapy.

Methods: Platelet reactivity was determined on admission using conventional aggregometry.

Favorable Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes Among Patients With Prior History of Malignancy Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now the treatment of choice for high-surgical risk patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Little is known regarding the outcome of TAVR in patients with previous malignancy.

Methods: We investigated 477 patients who underwent TAVR in a tertiary medical center.

Effect of Chewing vs Swallowing Ticagrelor on Platelet Inhibition in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Dual anti-platelet therapy represents standard care for treating patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Ticagrelor is a direct-acting P2Y12 inhibitor and, unlike clopidogrel and prasugrel, does not require metabolic activation.

Objective: To evaluate whether chewing a loading dose (LD) of ticagrelor, 180 mg, vs traditional oral administration of an equal dose enhances platelet inhibition at 30 minutes and 1 hour after LD administration in patients with STEMI.

Addition of albumin to Traditional Risk Score Improved Prediction of Mortality in Individuals Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objectives: The ability of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE)-2 scores to predict outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is insufficient. Frailty and serum albumin as a frailty marker were shown to correlate with prognosis after TAVR. We sought to evaluate the additive value of serum albumin to STS and EuroSCORE-2 scores to predict mortality in individuals undergoing TAVR.

Comparison of Outcome of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Severe Aortic Stenosis in 3 Age Groups (≤70; 71 to 80, and ≥81 Years).

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been widely used for the treatment of aortic stenosis. Most pivotal studies of TAVI included patients with a mean age of over 80 years old. Many young patients may also be considered for TAVI because of severe co-morbidities.

The Prognostic Effects of Coronary Disease Severity and Completeness of Revascularization on Mortality in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objectives: The study sought to examine the effect of coronary artery disease (CAD) on mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: CAD is common in the TAVR population. However, there are conflicting data on the prognostic significance of CAD and its treatment in this population.

Chewing versus Swallowing Ticagrelor to Accelerate Platelet Inhibition in Acute Coronary Syndrome - the CHEERS study. For The PLATIS (Platelets and Thrombosis in Sheba) Study Group.

It was the study objective to evaluate whether chewing a 180 mg loading dose of ticagrelor versus an equal dose of traditional oral administration, enhances inhibition of platelet aggregation 1 hour (h) after administering a ticagrelor loading dose in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. Dual anti-platelet therapy represents standard care for treating NSTEMI patients. Ticagrelor is a direct acting P2Y12 inhibitor and, unlike clopidogrel and prasugrel, does not require metabolic activation.

Balloon dilatation and outcome among patients undergoing trans-femoral aortic valve replacement.

Background: Balloon pre-dilatation before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is performed at the discretion of the treating physician. Clinical data assessing the implications of this step on procedural outcomes are limited.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1164 consecutive TAVR patients in the Israeli multicenter TAVR registry (Sheba, Rabin, and Tel Aviv Medical Centers) between the years 2008 and 2014.

Use of the Derriford Appearance Scale 59 to assess patient-reported outcomes in secondary cleft surgery.

Background: Secondary rhinoplasty, one of the final procedures in addressing the stigma of the cleft lip and palate (CLP), has both functional and aesthetic objectives. The way in which physicians evaluate outcomes in surgery concerning aesthetics is changing. Well-designed patient-reported outcome measures to assess health-related quality of life improvements attributable to surgery are increasingly being used.

Prior chronic clopidogrel therapy is associated with increased adverse events and early stent thrombosis.

Despite the growing use of clopidogrel, limited data exist regarding the prognostic significance of chronic clopidogrel therapy in patients sustaining acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our aim was to determine whether patients sustaining ACS while on chronic clopidogrel therapy have a worse prognosis than clopidogrel-naïve patients. A total of 5,386 consecutive ACS patients were prospectively characterised and followed-up for 30 days.

Clinical impact of diabetes mellitus in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and aortic stenosis (AS) are frequent findings in the elderly population. Data regarding the influence of DM on the outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) due to AS are limited. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of DM on TAVR outcomes.

Intermaxillary fixation screw for endotracheal tube fixation in the edentulous patient with facial burns.

Endotracheal tube fixation in patients with severe facial burns and edentulism is a challenge. We describe a simple and elegant method to secure the endotracheal tube in such patients by means of an intermaxillary fixation screw.

Dental implants in patients at high risk for infective endocarditis: a preliminary study.

The safety of dental implant placement in patients at high risk for infective endocarditis (IE) has never been shown. The outcome of osseointegrated implants in patients with artificial heart valves or with a history of an infected valve is not known. In this article we describe our experience of dental implant placement in patients at high risk for IE.

Wound 'dechronification' with negatively-charged polystyrene microspheres: a double-blind RCT.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of negatively-charged polystyrene microspheres (NCM)with controls (saline soaks) in the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds of various aetiologies.

Method: Patients with one or more hard-to-heal wounds, defined as refractory to healing for at least 4 weeks, or those with exposed bone, tendon or ligament, were eligible for inclusion and were randomised to either NCM (PolyHeal; MediWound Ltd.) or controls, both applied twice daily for 4 weeks.