Risk of Bleeding after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: impact of Preoperative Antithrombotic Regimens.

Introduction: Bleeding after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has a negative impact on the outcome of the procedure. Risk factors for bleeding vary widely in the literature, and the impact of preoperative antithrombotic agents has not been fully established. The objectives of our study were to assess bleeding after TAVR as defined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2), identify its risk factors, and correlate with antithrombotic treatment in addition to its effect on procedural mortality.

Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Diastolic Dysfunction.

Objectives: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with poor outcomes; however, the effect of its severity is controversial. We sought to assess the impact of diastolic dysfunction on hospital outcomes and survival after TAVR and identify prognostic factors.

Methods: We included patients who underwent TAVR for severe aortic stenosis with preexisting LVDD from 2009 to 2018 (n = 325).

Saudi Arabian Society of Echocardiography Recommendations for Echocardiography Service During Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak.

We are summarizing the recommendations for the use of Echocardiography in patients during COVID-19 pandemic. The patient risk for COVID-19 should be assessed according to the Saudi CDC guidelines. Echocardiography should only be performed of considered appropriate and will likely alter the clinical decision.

The change in mitral regurgitation severity after trans-catheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a frequent finding in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). The objective of this study is to assess the change in MR severity following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: MR changes were assessed by comparing transthoracic echocardiography before and after the procedure.

Initial experience of using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for guiding balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV).

Background And Aims: BMV is an established treatment for rheumatic mitral valve stenosis. The procedure is historically guided by fluoroscopy, and the role of intracardiac echocardiogram (ICE) guidance is not well defined. We report our initial experience of using ICE to guide BMV procedures.

Posterior chordal cutting in rheumatic mitral regurgitation due to hypomobility of the posterior leaflet.

A technique is described for correction of mitral regurgitation when the posterior leaflet has a reasonable length (approximately 10 mm), but its movements are limited by thickened and short chords. To avoid further retraction when a band or a ring is positioned to force leaflets coaptation, native chords are replaced by artificial chords (leaving 10 mm of extra length), which are then cut. In 6 patients, after 6 months of follow-up, the results are good.

Dysplastic aortic cusp presenting with myocardial ischemia: diagnostic value of transesophageal echocardiography.

Dysplastic aortic cusp causing myocardial ischemia is a rare entity. We report a case and review 16 previously reported cases, and we discuss the limitation of different cardiac imaging modality in defining this abnormality.

Isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection: Diagnostic value of suprasternal color flow imaging and contrast echocardiography.

Isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection is frequently missed even when patients present with mild right ventricular enlargement. We describe the value of imaging from suprasternal window with color flow and ultrasound contrast echocardiography in aiding the diagnosis.