Prognostic Value of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Patients.

Objective: Elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW) level has been shown to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. Limited data are available regarding the prognostic value of RDW in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of RDW variation on outcomes of TAVR patients.

Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve and valve-in-ring replacement: Lessons learned from bioprosthetic surgical valve failures.

Introduction: Limited data are available about the outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) using transseptal approach in patients with prior mitral valve repair (valve-in-ring) or replacement (valve-in-valve) (TMViVR) and on modes of the prior surgical valve failures. We report our tertiary center TMVR experience in high surgical risk patients with prior mitral valve repair or replacement.

Methods: From December 2016 to January 2020, patients with symptomatic severe mitral valve stenosis and/or insufficiency at increased redo surgical risk were included.

Transvalvular Gradients for Balloon-Expandable and Self-Expanding Valves.

Self-expanding valves have been associated with superior hemodynamics versus balloon-expandable valves. Our aim was to compare invasive gradients between valve types for similarly sized valves. Patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at the Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Bern University Hospital were considered for this analysis.

The relationship between baseline diastolic dysfunction and postimplantation invasive hemodynamics with transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Abnormal invasive hemodynamics after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with poor survival; however, the mechanism is unknown.

Hypothesis: Diastolic dysfunction will modify the association between invasive hemodynamics postTAVR and mortality.

Methods: Patients with echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function and postTAVR invasive hemodynamic assessment were eligible for the present analysis.

Predictors of ventricular pacing burden after permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: In the era of an expanding use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), conduction disturbances and the requirement for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation remains a clinical concern.

Hypothesis: Using a single-center experience, we sought to identify predictors of ventricular pacing burden after TAVR in patients who required PPM implantation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 359 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis who underwent TAVR at our institution between September 2013 and July 2019.

Outcomes of Florida Sleeve Procedure in Patients with Bicuspid Versus Tricuspid Aortic Valve.

Objective: Outcomes of the Florida Sleeve (FS) procedure in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have not been reported before. We compared outcomes of the FS procedure between patients with BAV and those with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV).

Methods: From May 1, 2002 to January 1, 2016, 177 patients including 18 BAV and 159 TAV underwent the FS procedure.

Relationship between Invasive and Echocardiographic Transvalvular Gradients after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Introduction: Lower transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) pressure gradients have been reported after implantation of self-expanding valves compared with balloon-expandable valves; however, there is a paucity of data on the relationship between invasively measured transvalvular pressure gradients and Doppler-derived measurements.

Methods: From September 2013 to September 2018, patients with native aortic valve stenosis who had both intraoperative invasive and postoperative echocardiography transvalvular pressure gradients were included for analysis. We used parametric and nonparametric statistics to compare aortic gradients within and between groups.

The Florida Sleeve Procedure Is Durable and Improves Aortic Valve Function.

Background:  The Florida (FL) Sleeve procedure was introduced as a simplified approach for valve-sparing correction of functional Type I aortic insufficiency (AI) associated with aortic root aneurysms. In this study, short- and long-term outcomes after the FL Sleeve procedure were investigated.

Methods:  From May 2002 to January 2016, 177 patients underwent the FL Sleeve procedure.

Minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery is an effective approach for treating inappropriate sinus tachycardia.

Introduction: Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) is characterized by increased heart rate out of proportion to normal physiologic demand. IST ablation is challenging for the electrophysiology community due to the epicardial location of the sinus node and the risk of phrenic nerve (PN) injury during catheter ablation. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery for elimination of IST.

Impact of Valve Size on Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch and Aortic Valve Gradient After Transcatheter versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objective: Limited data is available about the effect of implanted valve size on prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) incidence and aortic gradient (AG) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). We compared PPM incidence and postprocedural AG between TAVR and SAVR patients considering the impact of implanted valve size.

Methods: From March 20, 2012, to September 30, 2015, 563 consecutive patients underwent TAVR ( = 419) or isolated SAVR ( = 144).

Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes: A Review.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disease that can lead to increased afterload, left ventricular (LV) remodeling, and myocardial fibrosis. We reviewed the literature addressing the impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on LV remodeling and patients' outcomes by elimination of AS-related high afterload. TAVR reduces afterload and improves LV remodeling recovery.

Outcomes of Direct Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Without Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty Using a New Generation Valve.

Purpose: We investigated the outcomes of patients who underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with and without Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV) using the SAPIEN 3 (S3) valve.

Methods: All patients who underwent TAVR using S3 valve were included. The primary outcomes were the incidence of stroke and significant paravalvular leak (PVL).

Neurologic Outcomes in Aortic Arch Repair With Frozen Elephant Trunk Versus 2-Stage Hybrid Repair.

Background: We compared outcomes of single-stage hybrid aortic arch replacement (frozen elephant trunk) versus 2-stage hybrid repairs with primary open arch procedures followed by thoracic endovascular stenting.

Methods: This study reports a single-center retrospective review (2003 to 2016) of 118 patients undergoing hybrid repair of the aortic arch including 48 single-stage repairs versus 70 two-stage repairs.

Results: Single-stage repair was performed in 48 patients, including 31 (64.

Trend and Outcomes of Direct Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement from a Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: When transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was introduced, pre-implantation balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) was a routine part of the procedure. Smaller device profiles have resulted in selective use of BAV; however, there is a paucity of data about the trend in use of direct TAVR and the safety of this strategy.

Methods: All patients who underwent TAVR at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center from September 2013 to November 2016 were included in this retrospective analysis.

Early and midterm outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with bicuspid aortic valves.

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis has been considered a relative contraindication to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We compared the outcomes of TAVR in patients with BAV stenosis versus patients with trileaflet aortic valve stenosis.

Methods: From March 2012 to September 2017, 727 patients underwent TAVR.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Efficiency and Safety Improvements With Progressive Experience and Improved Technology.

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is now commercially available for intermediate-risk, high-risk, or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis. In this study, we investigated change in the safety and efficiency of the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure at our institution and patient outcomes comparing our first 100, second 100, and last 100 patients.

Methods: From March 2012 to June 2016, 544 patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement at our center.

Comparison of Different Invasive Hemodynamic Measurements as a Prediction Tool for Mortality after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Men: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Hemodynamic measurements can assess for paravalvular aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study compared the utility of different invasive hemodynamic measures in providing prognostic information.

Methods: This retrospective observational study of TAVR patients at a Veterans Hospital assessed aortic regurgitation index, diastolic delta, pulse pressure, and heart rate adjusted diastolic delta obtained at valve implantation.

Aneurysm-Specific miR-221 and miR-146a Participates in Human Thoracic and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

Altered microRNA expression is implicated in cardiovascular diseases. Our objective was to determine microRNA signatures in thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) compared with control non-aneurysmal aortic specimens. We evaluated the expression of fifteen selected microRNA in human TAA and AAA operative specimens compared to controls.