Molecular Targeted Positron Emission Tomography Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has an inauspicious prognosis, mainly due to difficulty in early detection of the disease by the current imaging modalities. The upcoming development of tumour-specific tracers provides an alternative solution for more accurate diagnostic imaging techniques for staging and therapy response monitoring. The future goal to strive for, in a patient with PDAC, should definitely be first to receive a diagnostic dose of an antibody labelled with a radionuclide and to subsequently receive a therapeutic dose of the same labelled antibody with curative intent.

Occurrence and Persistency of Conduction Disturbances during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

: Conduction disturbances such as left bundle branch block (LBBB) and complete atrio-ventricular block (cAVB) are relatively frequent complications following trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We investigated the dynamics of these conduction blocks to further understand luxating factors and predictors for their persistency. : We prospectively included 157 consecutive patients who underwent a TAVI procedure.

Effective Distance between Aortic Valve and Conduction System Is an Independent Predictor of Persistent Left Bundle Branch Block during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Persistent left bundle branch block (P-LBBB) has been associated with poor clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures. We hypothesized that the distance from the aortic valve to the proximal conduction system, expressed as the effective distance between the aortic valve and conduction system (EDACS), can predict the occurrence of P-LBBB in patients undergoing a TAVI procedure. In a retrospective study, data from 269 patients were analyzed.

Reservations about the Selvester QRS score in left bundle branch block - Experience in patients with transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: The Selvester QRS score (S-score) estimates myocardial scar using electrocardiographic criteria. We evaluated the S-score for left bundle branch block (LBBB).

Material And Methods: Studied were 36 patients who developed persistent LBBB upon transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI, TAVI-LBBB group) and 36 matched patients with persistent narrow QRS (TAVI-nQRS group).

Electrical remodelling in patients with iatrogenic left bundle branch block.

Aims: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is induced in approximately one-third of all transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures. We investigated electrophysiological remodelling in patients with TAVI-induced LBBB.

Methods And Results: This retrospective study comprises 107 patients with initially narrow QRS complex of whom 40 did not and 67 did develop persistent LBBB after TAVI.

Severely Thrombosed Transcatheter Aortic Valve 9 Months After Implantation.

Bioprosthetic aortic valve thrombosis is a rare complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation; however, one with a high mortality. We describe the case of a patient with a completely thrombosed transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis 9 months after implantation and review the diagnosis and management of this complication.

Trends in the occurrence of new conduction abnormalities after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate trends over time in the occurrence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the Medtronic CoreValve System (MCS) and Edwards SAPIEN Valve (ESV).

Background: TAVI-induced conduction abnormalities (TAVI-CAs) such as LBBB and the need for PPI are frequent postoperative complication. New techniques, procedural refinements, and increased awareness are focused on the reduction of these abnormalities.

Frequency and prognosis of new bundle branch block induced by surgical aortic valve replacement.

Objectives: Recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been introduced, but one of its complications is left bundle branch block (LBBB), a conduction disturbance that has been associated with increased mortality. We investigated the incidence and fate of both right bundle branch block (RBBB) and LBBB after aortic valve replacement (AVR) using a retrospective analysis. We also studied the predictive value of both disorders for all-cause mortality.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation-induced left bundle branch block: causes and consequences.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative treatment option for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who do not qualify for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). Besides its proven clinical benefits, one of the complications of TAVI is the creation of conduction abnormalities, like left bundle branch block (LBBB). New LBBB occurs between 7 and 65% of cases, numbers that differ considerably between devices.

Occurrence, fate and consequences of ventricular conduction abnormalities after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is frequently complicated by new left bundle branch block (LBBB). We investigated the development and persistence of LBBB during follow-up and its clinical consequences.

Methods And Results: ECGs at baseline, within 24 hours, before discharge and at 12 months after TAVI were assessed in 476 patients without pre-existing LBBB and/or pacemaker before or after TAVI.

Left bundle-branch block induced by transcatheter aortic valve implantation increases risk of death.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a novel therapy for treatment of severe aortic stenosis. Although 30% to 50% of patients develop new left bundle-branch block (LBBB), its effect on clinical outcome is unclear.

Methods And Results: Data were collected in a multicenter registry encompassing TAVI patients from 2005 until 2010.