Publications by authors named "Sami M Alnasser"

Background: Calcific mitral stenosis (calcific MS) presents a challenge for surgical treatment and is a contraindication for most contemporary transcatheter mitral valve replacement devices (TMVR), rendering patients with very limited therapeutic options.

Aims: This study aims to assess the clinical and hemodynamic follow-up after mitral valve lithotripsy (MVL).

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent MVL to treat symptomatic calcific MS at St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada, were included.

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Objectives: To report the initial clinical experience with a novel atrial septal defect (ASD) closure device, the GORE CARDIOFORM ASD Occluder (GCO).

Background: Transcatheter closure has become the treatment of choice for secundum ASD. A wide range of occluder devices are available, but concern has been raised about the risk of cardiac erosion associated with rigid devices and future access to the left atrium METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients treated with the GCO at three Canadian centers.

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Background: Studies showing an advantage of transradial approach (TR) for coronary angiography and intervention (PCI) compared to the transfemoral approach (TF) predominantly included a younger population. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of published studies to determine the efficacy of TR in the elderly population.

Methods And Results: A comprehensive search identified 16 studies [3 randomized controlled studies, 13 observational] comprising 777,841 elderly patients undergoing PCI.

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Objectives: The study sought to examine the risk of ischemic events and bleeding episodes associated with differing antithrombotic strategies in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: Guidelines recommend antiplatelet therapy (APT) post-TAVR to reduce the risk of stroke. However, data on the efficacy and safety of this recommendation in the setting of a concomitant indication for oral anticoagulation (due to atrial fibrillation [AF]) with a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) are scarce.

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Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with balloon-expandable (BE) or self-expanding (SE) transcatheter heart valves (THVs) is indicated for the treatment of high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Limited data are available comparing the two THV designs, and evidence suggests that each may offer unique advantages. Herein are described two patients who underwent TAVR with BE-THV and SE-THV, and who each developed a device-related complication that was successfully treated by using the alternate THV design.

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Purpose: Short-term outcomes have been well characterized in acute coronary syndromes; however, longer-term follow-up for the entire spectrum of these patients, including ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina, is more limited. Therefore, we describe the longer-term outcomes, procedures, and medication use in Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) hospital survivors undergoing 6-month and 2-year follow-up, and the performance of the discharge GRACE risk score in predicting 2-year mortality.

Methods: Between 1999 and 2007, 70,395 patients with a suspected acute coronary syndrome were enrolled.

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Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic condition caused by platelet-activating antibodies that react with platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin complexes. Delayed-onset HIT occurs after heparin is stopped. Fondaparinux, a synthetic pentasaccharide, is thought to be a safe alternative anticoagulant in HIT.

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