Gender Disparities after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement with Newer Generation Transcatheter Heart Valves: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Previous studies have demonstrated gender disparities in mortality and vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with early generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs). It is unclear, however, whether gender-related differences persist with the newer generation THVs. We aim to assess gender disparities after TAVR with newer generation THVs.

Gender difference in outcomes of patients undergoing MitraClip therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve with MitraClip therapy is an emerging treatment in selected patients with severe mitral regurgitation. Identifying the patient with increased risk of poorer outcomes, including mortality, is crucial in these patients. Recent studies suggested conflicting data regarding the effects of gender on outcome in this patient population.

Recurrent Multivalvular Endocarditis Causing Complete Heart Block after TAVR.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (PVE after TAVR) is a feared complication most often observed during the early postprocedural period. We report a case of severe, multivalvular PVE after TAVR with complete heart block caused by an uncommon organism. A 78-year-old female with prior mitral valve endocarditis treated with antibiotics presented one year later with severe, symptomatic aortic insufficiency.

Admission hyperglycemia is associated with reperfusion failure in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Admission hyperglycemia (AH) is a common finding in patients with acute coronary syndrome and has been reported to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Prior studies suggest that AH could be associated with reperfusion failure. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore an association between AH and risk of reperfusion failure in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Cardiac Tamponade Secondary to IVC Filter Retrieval.

Cardiac tamponade is a rare but potentially fatal complication of inferior vena cava filter retrieval. We discuss such a case to facilitate prompt recognition and prevention of this complication by medical providers. ().

Pre-Procedural Hyperglycemia Increases the Risk of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) frequently occurs following coronary angiography (CAG) and is associated with worse outcomes, including both short and long-term mortality. Previous studies reported an association between procedural hyperglycemia (PH) and CIN, with or without diabetes mellitus (DM). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the association of PH and CIN in patients undergoing CAG.

Subclinical leaflet thrombosis following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Since the inception of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), there have been significant reductions in complications due to improvements of transcatheter heart valve (THV) designs and technologies. Given expanding TAVR applications, reducing complications further and better understanding THV durability has become a focus within the structural heart space. Recently, dedicated cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CTA) performed at 1 month post-TAVR has identified subclinical leaflet thrombosis (SLT), with rates as high as 40%.

Prognostic value of normal stress echocardiography in obese patients.

Background: Chest pain is a common problem in obese patients. Because of the body habitus, the results of noninvasive evaluation for CAD may be limited in this group.

Methods: We reviewed the records of 1446 consecutive patients who had undergone clinically indicated stress echocardiography (SE).

Relationships of mitral annular calcification to cardiovascular risk factors: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Background: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a fibrous, degenerative calcification of the mitral valve. The relationship between MAC and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is not well defined. Thus, we performed a cross-sectional study to determine which CVD risk factors are independently associated with MAC in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Integral role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnostic workup of suspected takotsubo cardiomyopathy: Avoiding misdiagnosis.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), or stress cardiomyopathy, is an increasingly recognized acute but reversible myopathic process affecting the ventricle. Although specific criteria have been published to diagnose this entity, traditionally, coronary angiography has been used to exclude coronary artery disease in this condition. We present a case initially suspected to be TC based on clinical and angiographic data.

Painless acute aortic dissection presenting as left lower extremity weakness and numbness.

Acute aortic dissection usually presents with a sudden, painful, tearing sensation in the chest or back. However, acute aortic dissection may also present atypically without pain and with solely neurological symptoms. We describe a case of painless acute aortic dissection which presented as acute left lower extremity weakness and numbness.

Tension chylothorax: a rare life threatening entity after pneumonectomy.

Chylothorax is an accumulation of chyle in the pleural space due to disruption or blockage of the thoracic duct or its lymphatic tributaries. The thoracic duct carries chyle, which is defined as lymphatic fluid of intestinal origin, to the bloodstream. Chylothorax can occur due to traumatic or non-traumatic a etiologies.

Propionibacterium acnes: a rare cause of late prosthetic valve endocarditis and aortic root abscess.

Propionibacterium acnes is an anaerobic, non-spore forming, gram-positive bacillus, and is often part of the normal flora of human skin. It usually has relatively low virulence. However, it can rarely cause serious infections including infections of prosthetic valves, native valves, and annuloplasty rings.

Citalopram induced torsade de pointes, a rare life threatening side effect.

Acquired Long QT syndrome is a disorder caused by medications, electrolyte imbalances, and drug interactions. This syndrome is associated with an increased risk of a characteristic life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, known as torsade de pointes (TdP). In the setting of Long QT syndrome (LQTS), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can precipitate TdP.

Pulmonary artery sarcoma masquerading as saddle pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary artery sarcoma is a highly malignant tumour. Therefore, making the diagnosis is very important. We describe a case which presented with dyspnea on exertion and was initially diagnosed as saddle pulmonary embolism per CT thorax with contrast.