Not to Rush-Laboratory Parameters and Procedural Complications in Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

Background: As a preventive procedure, minimizing periprocedural risk is crucially important during left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). Methods: We included consecutive patients receiving LAAC at nine centres and assessed the relationship between baseline characteristics and the acute procedural outcome. Major procedural complications were defined as all complications requiring immediate invasive intervention or causing irreversible damage.

Left Atrial Appendage Morphology and Left Atrial Wall Thickness Are Associated with Cardio-Embolic Stroke.

Background: New markers for stroke risk stratification in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are on demand. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association of left atrial appendage (LAA) and left atrium (LA) morphological parameters in patients with cardio-embolic (CE) stroke due to AF in comparison to controls without stroke.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) examinations performed between 2006 and 2017 for clinical indications in 158 patients (median age 65 (54-73) years, 48.

Indications and Outcome in Patients Undergoing Left Atrial Appendage Closure-The Austrian LAAC Registry.

Background: Complete real-world data on the indications and outcomes of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) outside of clinical trials are rare. In this study, we stratified patients undergoing LAAC by indication groups.

Methods: This analysis of the national multicentre Austrian LAAC Registry comprised all patients that underwent LAAC up until 2018 at the currently active centres in Austria.

Open surgical retrieval of an embolized PFO occluder system.

Device migration after intervention for persistent foramen ovale occlusion is a rare complication. In case of failure of endovascular device retrieval, open surgical removal is indicated, safe, and reliable.

Adult patent ductus arteriosus : An unusual cause of heart failure in an octogenarian female.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the third most common congenital abnormality in which the arterial duct, which normally closes spontaneously after birth within 24-48 h in full-term infants, remains permanently open. Breathlessness is very common in elderly patients and can be caused by several comorbidities, mostly cardiac and pulmonary diseases. PDA as a cause of heart failure in this patient population is very rare and diagnosis depends on high clinical awareness.

Fate of cellulose nanocrystal aerosols deposited on the lung cell surface in vitro.

When considering the inhalation of high-aspect ratio nanoparticles (HARN), the characterization of their specific interaction with lung cells is of fundamental importance to help categorize their potential hazard. The aim of the present study was to assess the interaction of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with a multicellular in vitro model of the epithelial airway barrier following realistic aerosol exposure. Rhodamine-labeled CNCs isolated from cotton (c-CNCs, 237 ± 118 × 29 ± 13 nm) and tunicate (t-CNCs, 2244 ± 1687 × 30 ± 8 nm) were found to display different uptake behaviors due to their length, although also dependent upon the applied concentration, when visualized by laser scanning microscopy.

An in vitro testing strategy towards mimicking the inhalation of high aspect ratio nanoparticles.

Background: The challenge remains to reliably mimic human exposure to high aspect ratio nanoparticles (HARN) via inhalation. Sophisticated, multi-cellular in vitro models are a particular advantageous solution to this issue, especially when considering the need to provide realistic and efficient alternatives to invasive animal experimentation for HARN hazard assessment. By incorporating a systematic test-bed of material characterisation techniques, a specific air-liquid cell exposure system with real-time monitoring of the cell-delivered HARN dose in addition to key biochemical endpoints, here we demonstrate a successful approach towards investigation of the hazard of HARN aerosols in vitro.

Relative amplitude index: a new tool for hemodynamic evaluation of periprosthetic regurgitation after transcatheter valve implantation.

Objective: The impact of paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PAR) on hemodynamic performance after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains disputable. Common parameters such as the diastolic blood pressure or the blood pressure amplitude do not provide reproducible results. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of PAR on hemodynamics and outcome using the relative amplitude index (RAI).

Bionanocomposites: differential effects of cellulose nanocrystals on protein diblock copolymers.

We investigate the effects of mixing a colloidal suspension of tunicate-derived cellulose nanocrystals (t-CNCs) with aqueous colloidal suspensions of two protein diblock copolymers, EC and CE, which bear two different self-assembling domains (SADs) derived from elastin (E) and the coiled-coil region of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (C). The resulting aqueous mixtures reveal improved mechanical integrity for the CE+t-CNC mixture, which exhibits an elastic gel network. This is in contrast to EC+t-CNC, which does not form a gel, indicating that block orientation influences the ability to interact with t-CNCs.

Prediction of paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation by computed tomography: value of aortic valve and annular calcification.

Background: The purpose of this study was to quantify and characterize aortic valve leaflet and aortic annular calcification with computed tomography angiography (CTA) and to define whether they predict paravalvular regurgitation (PAR) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Methods: In all, 94 patients (aged 83.6 years) with severe aortic stenosis underwent CTA.

Benefits of high-pitch 128-slice dual-source computed tomography for planning of transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an alternative treatment for high-risk and inoperable patients. Advanced multimodality imaging, including computed tomography (CT), plays a key role for optimized planning of TAVI.

Methods: Forty-nine patients (25 women; age, 82.

Detection of bioprosthetic valve infection by image fusion of (18)fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and computed tomography.

A 63-year old male with prior bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement and coronary artery bypass graft surgery presented with dyspnea. C-reactive protein and white blood cells were elevated and serial blood cultures were negative. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a paravalvular leak and a thickened anterior leaflet of unclear either infective or degenerative origin.

Quantification of aortic regurgitant fraction and volume with multi-detector computed tomography comparison with echocardiography.

Rationale And Objectives: Evaluate quantification of the aortic regurgitant fraction and volume with computed tomography (CT).

Materials And Methods: Fifty-three patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) and 29 controls were examined with 64-multi-detector CT coronary angiography and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). A dedicated software algorithm employing three-dimensional segmentation of left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) volumes and LV mass was applied.

Multislice computed tomography in infective endocarditis: comparison with transesophageal echocardiography and intraoperative findings.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the value of multislice computed tomography (CT) for the assessment of valvular abnormalities in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) in comparison with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and intraoperative findings.

Background: Multislice CT has recently shown promising data regarding valvular imaging in a 4-dimensional fashion.

Methods: Thirty-seven consecutive patients with clinically suspected IE were examined with TEE and 64-slice CT or dual-source CT.

Robotically assisted totally endoscopic atrial septal defect repair: insights from operative times, learning curves, and clinical outcome.

Background: Remote access perfusion and robotics have enabled totally endoscopic closure of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale. The aim of this study was to address learning curve issues of totally endoscopic atrial septal defect repair on the basis of a single-center experience and to investigate whether long cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic occlusion times influence intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Seventeen patients (median age, 35 years; range, 16 to 55 years) underwent totally endoscopic atrial septal defect repair using remote access perfusion and robotic technology (da Vinci telemanipulation system).

Mitral valve repair provides improved outcome over replacement in active infective endocarditis.

Objectives: Mitral repair in active infective endocarditis still remains controversial. Several studies demonstrate the feasibility of mitral repair in infective endocarditis; however, superiority of repair has never been shown. The aim of the investigation was to compare valve repair and valve replacement in respect to the extent of destruction and to analyze survival, recurrent endocarditis, and reoperation (event-free survival).

Experience on the way to totally endoscopic atrial septal defect repair.

Background: Remote-access perfusion and robotics have enabled totally endoscopic closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO). We report on a stepwise approach to a totally endoscopic procedure.

Methods: Seventeen patients (median age, 39 years; range, 21-55 years) underwent limited-access ASD or PFO closure.