Predictors of Clinical Success After Transcatheter Paravalvular Leak Closure: An International Prospective Multicenter Registry.

Background: Transcatheter closure of a symptomatic prosthetic paravalvular leak (PVL) is feasible, but there is presently no conclusive evidence to show consistent efficacy. We aimed to identify predictors of clinical success after transcatheter PVL closure.

Methods: Consecutive patients referred to 24 European centers for transcatheter PVL closure in 2017 to 2019 were included in a prospective registry (, FFPP).

Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak on acute coronary syndrome admissions: four weeks to reverse the trend.

Data whether the COVID-19 outbreak impacts the acute coronary syndromes (ACS) admissions and the time required to reverse the downward curve are scarce. We included all consecutive patients referred for an ACS who underwent PCI from February 17, 2020 to April 26, 2020 in a high-volume PCI coronary care unit. We compared the number of ACS patients in 2020 to the same period in 2018 and 2019.

Screening coronary artery disease with computed tomography angiogram should limit normal invasive coronary angiogram, regardless of pretest probability.

Backgound: Performing functional testing (FT) or a computed tomography angiogram (CCTA) before invasive coronary angiogram (ICA) is recommended for coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate, in a real life setting, the rate of strictly normal ICA following a positive noninvasive test result.

Methods: We included all patients who underwent an ICA with a prior positive FT or CCTA.

Multimodality imaging guidance for percutaneous paravalvular leak closure: Insights from the multi-centre FFPP register.

Background: Percutaneous paravalvular leak (PVL) closure has emerged as a palliative alternative to surgical management in selected high-risk patients. Percutaneous procedures are challenging, especially for mitral PVL. Accurate imaging of the morphologies of the defects is mandatory, together with precise guidance in the catheterization laboratory to enhance success rates.

Optimizing the management of acute coronary syndromes in sub-Saharan Africa: A statement from the AFRICARDIO 2015 Consensus Team.

Background: Whereas the coronary artery disease death rate has declined in high-income countries, the incidence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, where their management remains a challenge.

Aim: To propose a consensus statement to optimize management of ACS in sub-Saharan Africa on the basis of realistic considerations.

Methods: The AFRICARDIO-2 conference (Yamoussoukro, May 2015) reviewed the ongoing features of ACS in 10 sub-Saharan countries (Benin, Burkina-Faso, Congo-Brazzaville, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo), and analysed whether improvements in strategies and policies may be expected using readily available healthcare facilities.

Incidence, Characteristics, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy With and Without Ventricular Arrhythmia.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a medical entity mimicking an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in TC has been reported in small studies, leading to uncertain knowledge of its incidence. We sought to describe the characteristics, incidence, predictive factors, and outcomes of VA in patients presenting with TC.

Diagnostic value of contrast echocardiography in Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy.

Background: Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy is a clinical entity mimicking acute coronary syndrome. Assessment of left ventricular function may be difficult using conventional echocardiography.

Aims: to characterize left ventricular systolic function using contrast echocardiography in Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy.

Apical-sparing variant of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy: prevalence and characteristics.

Background: Several patterns of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) have been described recently.

Aims: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of an apical-sparing variant of TTC.

Methods: This study included consecutive patients admitted to our catheterization laboratory for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Usefulness of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography for assessment of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy.

The aim of this study was to characterize left ventricular (LV) systolic function using 2-dimensional strain in Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC). Forty-two women were prospectively studied using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography, divided into 3 groups: 14 patients with TTC (group 1), 14 patients with coronary artery disease (group 2), and 14 healthy patients (group 3). In patients with TTC, mean values of systolic peak velocity, strain, and strain rate were significantly lower than those in group 3 (p <0.

Prevalence and characteristics of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in Tako-Tsubo syndrome.

Background And Objective: Tako-Tsubo syndrome is a clinical entity mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction may occur in Tako-Tsubo syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and features of LVOT obstruction in Tako-Tsubo syndrome in a population presenting with ACS.

Relationship between pattern of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy and age: from midventricular to apical ballooning syndrome.

Several patterns of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) have been recently published. However, its physiopathology is still unclear. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman who had a previous history of transient midventricular ballooning and was admitted 11 years after the first TTC, for a recurrence of typical pattern of TTC.

Prevalence of patent foramen ovale and usefulness of percutaneous closure device in carcinoid heart disease.

The aim of this study was to assess (1) the incidence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in carcinoid syndrome (CS) and (2) the feasibility of percutaneous closure procedure in selected patients with CS. One hundred eight patients were prospectively studied: 54 with CS and an age- and gender-matched control group. All patients underwent conventional and contrast echocardiography.

Non-surgical septal myocardial reduction by coil embolization for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: early and 6 months follow-up.

Aims: To evaluate the feasibility and the incidence of complete heart block (CHB) after non-surgical septal myocardial reduction by coil embolization in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Methods And Results: Twenty patients with HOCM and drug-refractory symptoms underwent non-surgical myocardial septal reduction by coil embolization with detachable coils. Occlusion of septal perforator branches was successfully performed in all patients.

Usefulness of contrast echocardiography for assessment of left ventricular thrombus after acute myocardial infarction.

Fifty consecutive patients referred to a coronary care unit for acute anterior myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation underwent coronary arteriography, left ventricular (LV) angiography, and revascularization. Transthoracic echocardiography was systematically performed using fundamental imaging, second harmonic imaging, and contrast agents to assess the LV chamber. Six patients (12%) presented with a confirmed LV mural thrombus.

Prevalence of tako-tsubo syndrome in a large urban agglomeration.

Among 4,551 patients referred to the investigators' catheterization laboratory, 1,613 presented with acute coronary syndrome, and 12 had confirmed Tako-Tsubo syndrome (prevalence 0.7%). In conclusion, the present study emphasizes the underestimation of this new heart disease.

Echocardiographic automated cardiac output measurement of pulmonary output and quantification of intracardiac shunt.

Background: The quantification of intracardiac shunt (ICS) with echocardiographic pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD) method using pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (QP/QS ratio) remains difficult and may induce false quantification of pulmonary output. We sought to validate the recent echocardiographic automated cardiac output measurement (ACM) for the calculation of pulmonary output and the quantification of ICS in adults.

Methods: One hundred and twenty consecutive patients were divided in 1) 40 patients who underwent echocardiographic and invasive explorations (group I) with groups IA (quantification of ICS using ACM, PWD and invasive oximetric methods in 20 patients) and IB (calculation of pulmonary output with ACM, PWD and thermodilution methods in 20 patients); 2) 80 patients underwent calculation of aortic and pulmonary outputs using echocardiographic ACM and PWD methods (group II).

Benefits of obstructive sleep apnoea treatment in coronary artery disease: a long-term follow-up study.

Aim: The aim of this long-term prospective study was to evaluate the effect of treating obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) on the rate of cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: We prospectively studied 54 patients (mean age 57.3 +/- 10.

Effect of a closure device on complication rates in high-local-risk patients: results of a randomized multicenter trial.

Clinical trials have shown that coronary stenting is associated with a high level of complications at the access site. Arterial sealing devices have proven their efficacy in obtaining immediate hemostasis after sheath removal, in allowing early ambulation, and in improving patient comfort. However, there is no report showing a reduction of local complications related to their use.

Aneurysms of saphenous vein grafts as late complication of coronary artery bypass surgery: successful exclusion by percutaneous transcatheter embolization.

We report a case of a 71-year-old man with a long coronary artery disease history and two sets of coronary artery bypass grafts. He developed large aortocoronary saphenous vein graft aneurysms in the two grafts from the first set of aortocoronary saphenous venous 20 years later. During the previous 3 years, the aneurysms grew in diameter from 22 to 50 mm.