Successful closure of transcatheter aortic valve replacement-induced Gerbode defect with valve-in-valve technique: A case report.

We present the first documented case of a successful closure of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)-induced Gerbode defect using a valve-in-valve approach. A 90-year-old female with severe aortic stenosis underwent TAVR. Following post-dilatation, the patient experienced hemodynamic deterioration and collapse due to tamponade and sub-annular rupture leading to hemodynamic deterioration and the development of a Gerbode defect with communication between the left ventricle and right atrium.

The Role of Intracoronary Imaging for the Management of Calcified Lesions.

Interventional cardiologists in everyday practice are often confronted with calcified coronary lesions indicated for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). PTCA of calcified lesions is associated with diverse technical challenges resulting in suboptimal coronary stenting and adverse long-term clinical outcomes. Angiography itself offers limited information regarding coronary calcification, and the adjuvant use of intracoronary imaging such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) can guide the treatment of calcified coronary lesions, optimizing the different stages of the procedure.

Assessment of myocardial salvage in patients with STEMI undergoing thrombolysis: ticagrelor versus clopidogrel.

Background: In the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the faster and stronger antiplatelet action of ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel, as well as its pleiotropic effects, could result in a greater degree of cardioprotection and final infarct size (FIS) limitation. The aim of our study was to comparatively evaluate the effect of ticagrelor and clopidogrel on myocardial salvage index (MSI) in STEMI patients undergoing thrombolysis.

Methods: Forty-two STEMI patients treated with thrombolysis were randomized to receive clopidogrel (n = 21) or ticagrelor (n = 21), along with aspirin.

Functional Recovery of a Failed Radial Artery Graft After Progression of Native Coronary Stenosis.

Competitive flow from the native vessel can lead to coronary graft failure. However, restoration of graft patency can occasionally occur. We present the case of subtotal occlusion of a radial artery graft bypassing a lesion with moderate stenosis, with subsequent late functional recovery once the native vessel disease had progressed.

Non-typhoidal myocarditis in an immunocompetent young adult with diarrhea.

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle and it is caused by a wide range of infectious and non-infectious conditions. Non-typhoidal infection, a common foodborne illness worldwide, only rarely causes myocarditis. We describe a case of an immunocompetent adult with serovar Typhimurium myocarditis who had a favorable outcome due to early recognition of the causative factor and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment.

Interaction between platelets and endothelium: from pathophysiology to new therapeutic options.

Platelets were traditionally considered to purely have a role in the maintenance of haemostasis. Recently their role in vasomotor function, inflammation and atherosclerosis has been very well-recognized. Endothelium which was originally considered as a simple passive barrier, it is now viewed as an organ whose normal functioning is crucial for maintaining vascular health.

Antiplatelet treatment in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a GReek AntiPlatElet registry substudy.

Background And Aims: We compared the clinical outcome of diabetic versus nondiabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the GReek AntiPlatElet (GRAPE) registry.

Patients And Methods: GRAPE is a prospective observational study, focusing on contemporary antiplatelet use in moderate-risk to high-risk ACS patients receiving PCI. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), (composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, urgent revascularization, and stroke) and bleeding events (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definition) at 1 year of follow-up were analyzed using propensity score adjustment.

Endothelial progenitor cells as markers of severity in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are bone marrow-derived cells that are mobilized into the circulation to migrate and differentiate into mature endothelial cells contributing to post-natal physiological and pathological neovascularization. In this study, we evaluated circulating EPCs in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and examined a potential association with clinical parameters of the disease.

Methods And Results: We included 40 HCM patients and 23 healthy individuals.

In-hospital switching of oral P2Y12 inhibitor treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: prevalence, predictors and short-term outcome.

Background: P2Y12 inhibitor switching has appeared in clinical practice as a consequence of prasugrel and ticagrelor availability, apart from clopidogrel, for use in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: In the context of the GReek AntiPlatelet REgistry (GRAPE) we assessed the prevalence, predictive factors and short-term outcome of in-hospital P2Y12 inhibitor switching in 1794 ACS patients undergoing PCI.

Results: Switching occurred in 636 (35.

Implementation of contemporary oral antiplatelet treatment guidelines in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a report from the GReek AntiPlatelet rEgistry (GRAPE).

Background: Few data exist about the implementation of contemporary oral antiplatelet treatment guidelines in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: GReek AntiPlatelet rEgistry (GRAPE), initiated on January 2012, is a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study focusing on contemporary use of P2Y12 inhibitors. In 1434 patients we evaluated appropriateness of P2Y12 selection initially and at discharge by applying an eligibility-assessing algorithm based on P2Y12 inhibitors' contraindications/specific warnings and precautions.