Impact of Atrial Fibrillation Type on Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis: A Single-Center Analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a recognized risk factor for mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis, but the impact of different types of AF on clinical outcomes remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective study included 982 patients divided into 3 groups: no AF, paroxysmal AF, and nonparoxysmal AF (persistent or permanent). Clinical outcomes were analyzed using inverse probability weighting and multivariate models.

Impact of Flow-Gradient Patterns on Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis with Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

To compare the clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved ejection fraction (pEF) according to flow-gradient status.This retrospective study focused on patients with severe AS and pEF (≥ 50%) undergoing TAVR with newer generation valves (Sapien3/3 Ultra, Evolut Pro/Pro+/FX) between 2018 and 2022 (n = 781). Patients were divided into 3 groups: normal-flow high-gradient (NF-HG, stroke volume index ≥ 35 mL/m and mean pressure gradient ≥ 40 mmHg or peak velocity ≥ 4 m/second), low-flow high-gradient (LF-HG), and paradoxical low-flow low-gradient (pLF-LG) groups.

Effect of Elevated Body Mass Index on Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: The association of body mass index (BMI) and an "obesity paradox" with cardiovascular risk prediction is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of elevated BMI on the outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1019 patients with a BMI of ≥18.

Impact of prior coronary artery bypass grafting and coronary lesion complexity on outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.

Objective: To investigate the impact of prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and coronary lesion complexity on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes for aortic stenosis.

Methods: Clinical outcomes of TAVR were retrospectively compared between patients with and without prior CABG, and between patients with prior CABG and without coronary artery disease (CAD). The impact of the CABG SYNTAX score was also evaluated in patients with prior CABG.

Impact of coronary artery disease and revascularization on outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.

Background/purpose: To evaluate the impact of coronary artery disease (CAD), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary lesion complexity on outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis.

Methods/materials: This retrospective study included 1042 patients divided into two groups by the presence or absence of CAD (SYNTAX score 0, no history of revascularization). Propensity score matching was used to compare the two groups.

Improved Hemodynamics With Self-Expanding Compared to Balloon-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Small Annulus Patients: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Patients with small aortic annuli (SAA) pose a challenge in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement because of the potential for prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM). This study aimed to compare the clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of self-expandable valve (SEV) versus balloon-expandable valve (BEV) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and SAA. All patients who underwent TAVI for severe native aortic stenosis with a SAA between January 2018 and December 2022 were retrospectively included in the study from a single center.

Clinical utility of plasma Aβ42/40 ratio by LC-MS/MS in Alzheimer's disease assessment.

Introduction: Plasma Aβ42/40 ratio can help predict amyloid PET status, but its clinical utility in Alzheimer's disease (AD) assessment is unclear.

Methods: Aβ42/40 ratio was measured by LC-MS/MS for 250 specimens with associated amyloid PET imaging, diagnosis, and demographic data, and for 6,192 consecutive clinical specimens submitted for Aβ42/40 testing.

Results: High diagnostic sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for Aβ-PET positivity were observed, consistent with the clinical performance of other plasma LC-MS/MS assays, but with greater separation between Aβ42/40 values for individuals with positive vs.

Direct aortic cannulation versus femoral arterial cannulation for early outcomes in acute type A aortic dissection: A study-level meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of direct aortic cannulation (DAC) versus femoral arterial cannulation (FAC) on clinical outcomes of surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched until August 25, 2023, to conduct a meta-analysis. Primary endpoints of the study were operative mortality and postoperative stroke.

Impact of mitral stenosis on early and late outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: a single-center analysis.

Objectives: To assess the impact of concomitant mitral stenosis (MS) on early and late outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis.

Methods: This study involved 952 patients undergoing TAVR for severe tricuspid aortic stenosis. The patients were classified into 3 groups: without MS, with progressive MS, and severe MS (mitral valve area ≤ 1.

Aortic versus axillary cannulation in acute type A aortic dissection repair: A meta-analysis.

Background: Research comparing the effectiveness of central aortic cannulation to axillary artery cannulation in repairing acute type A aortic dissection is limited and controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to compare early outcomes of central aortic cannulation versus axillary artery cannulation for surgery for acute aortic dissection type A.

Methods: A comprehensive systematic search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to September 1, 2023.

Clinical utility of plasma Aβ42/40 ratio by LC-MS/MS in Alzheimer's disease assessment.

Introduction: Plasma Aβ42/40 ratio can be used to help predict amyloid PET status, but its clinical utility in Alzheimer's disease (AD) assessment is unclear.

Methods: Aβ42/40 ratio was measured by LC-MS/MS in 250 specimens with associated amyloid PET imaging, diagnosis, and demographic data, and 6,192 consecutive clinical specimens submitted for Aβ42/40 testing.

Results: High diagnostic sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for Aβ-PET positivity were observed, consistent with the clinical performance of other plasma LC-MS/MS assays, but with greater separation between Aβ42/40 values for individuals with positive vs negative Aβ-PET results.

Antibody-Free Quantification of Serum Chromogranin A by Targeted Mass Spectrometry.

Background: Chromogranin A (CgA) is a 48 kDa protein that serves as a diagnostically sensitive, but nonspecific, serum biomarker for neuroendocrine tumors. Immunoassays for CgA are not standardized and have a narrow dynamic range, which requires dilution of concentrated specimens. We developed and validated an antibody-free, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based method for CgA without these limitations.

Transcatheter and ministernotomy aortic valve replacement after bioprosthetic valve failure.

Background: Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation (TViV) and minimally invasive reoperative aortic valve replacement (MIrAVR) have rapidly increased as alternatives to conventional reoperative surgical AVR. This study reports a single-center experience of patients undergoing TViV and MIrAVR after bioprosthetic valve failure.

Methods: In this retrospective review between March 2009 and October 2018, 68 patients without reoperative full sternotomies, concomitant procedures, active endocarditis, and prior homografts or coronary artery bypass grafting underwent isolated AVR for degenerated aortic bioprostheses.

High-Throughput Mass Spectrometry Assay for Quantifying β-Amyloid 40 and 42 in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Background: The ratio of β-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ42) to Aβ40 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be useful for evaluating Alzheimer disease (AD), but quantification is limited by factors including preanalytical analyte loss. We developed an LC-MS/MS assay that limits analyte loss. Here we describe the analytical characteristics of the assay and its performance in differentiating patients with AD from non-AD dementia and healthy controls.

Incidence, Natural History, and Factors Associated With Paravalvular Leak Following Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

Our study investigates the incidence, cumulative incidence, natural history, and factors associated with intraoperative paravalvular leak (PVL) and the development of a postoperative PVL in a contemporary consecutive cohort of patients following surgical aortic valve replacement. A total of 636 patients underwent surgical aortic valve replacement from 2006 to 2016; 410 (64.5%) underwent minimally invasive aortic valve replacement and 226 (35.

Decellularized extracellular matrix microparticles seeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells for the treatment of full-thickness cutaneous wounds.

Extracellular matrix materials mechanically dissociated into submillimeter particles have a larger surface area than sheet materials and enhanced cellular attachment. Decellularized porcine mesothelial extracellular matrix microparticles were seeded with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and cultured in a rotating bioreactor. The mesenchymal stromal cells attached and grew to confluency on the microparticles.

Ministernotomy aortic valve surgery in patients with prior patent mammary artery grafts after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: Patients with patent internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts after prior coronary artery bypass grafting surgery who require aortic valve replacement (AVR) pose unique technical challenges for safe and optimal myocardial protection. The purpose of this study is to review our short- and long-term outcomes with redo minimally invasive AVR in patients with patent in situ ITA grafts.

Methods: From 2008 to 2016, 48 patients with at least 1 patent in situ mammary artery graft underwent minimally invasive AVR.

Measurement of Cortisol and Testosterone in Athletes: Accuracy of Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Assays for Cortisol and Testosterone Measurement in Whole-Blood Microspecimens.

Fragala, MS, Goldman, SM, Goldman, MM, Bi, C, Colletti, JD, Arent, SM, Walker, AJ, and Clarke, NJ. Measurement of cortisol and testosterone in athletes: Accuracy of LC-MS/MS assays for cortisol and testosterone measurement in whole-blood microspecimens. J Strength Cond Res 32(9): 2425-2434, 2018-Biomarker monitoring provides insight into athletes' training tolerance but is limited by the need for office-based specimen collection.

In vivo response to decellularized mesothelium scaffolds.

Biological surgical scaffolds are used in plastic and reconstructive surgery to support structural reinforcement and regeneration of soft tissue defects. Macrophage and fibroblast cell populations heavily regulate scaffold integration into host tissue following implantation. In the present study, the biological host response to a commercially available surgical scaffold (Meso BioMatrix Surgical Mesh (MBM)) was investigated for up to 9 weeks after subcutaneous implantation; this scaffold promoted superior cell migration and infiltration previously in in vitro studies relative to other commercially available scaffolds.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery III: Training and Robotic-Assisted Approaches.

Minimally invasive mitral valve operations are increasingly common in the United States, but robotic-assisted approaches have not been widely adopted for a variety of reasons. This expert opinion reviews the state of the art and defines best practices, training, and techniques for developing a successful robotics program.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery I: Patient Selection, Evaluation, and Planning.

Widespread adoption of minimally invasive mitral valve repair and replacement may be fostered by practice consensus and standardization. This expert opinion, first of a 3-part series, outlines current best practices in patient evaluation and selection for minimally invasive mitral valve procedures, and discusses preoperative planning for cannulation and myocardial protection.

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery II: Surgical Technique and Postoperative Management.

Techniques for minimally invasive mitral valve repair and replacement continue to evolve. This expert opinion, the second of a 3-part series, outlines current best practices for nonrobotic, minimally invasive mitral valve procedures, and for postoperative care after minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.