Efficacy of different devices for transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale assessed by serial transoesophageal echocardiography and rates of recurrent cerebrovascular events in a long-term follow-up.

Aims: Closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is non-inferior to medical treatment for patients with cryptogenic stroke. Results in randomised trials might be based on the different types of used occluders. We determined residual shunting with serial contrast transoesophageal echocardiography (cTEE) and evaluated rates of recurrent cerebrovascular events in a long-term follow-up.

Left atrial appendage occlusion in atrial fibrillation after intracranial hemorrhage.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and previous intracranial hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: In an explorative, prospective, single-center, observational study, LAAO was performed in patients with previous ICH and AF using the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug device. Risks of ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic complications were estimated using the CHA2DS2Vasc score and the HAS-BLED score.

Preserved prognostic value of preinterventional troponin T levels despite successful TAVI in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Background: Elevated concentrations of troponin T have prognostic impact in patients with various cardiovascular diseases including those with severe aortic stenosis. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has improved prognosis for patients without a surgical option. Whether this affects the prognostic value of preinterventional troponin T remains unclear.

Percutaneous edge-to-edge repair of mitral regurgitation as a bail-out strategy in critically ill patients.

Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair using the MitraClip device has evolved as a new tool for the treatment of severe mitral valve regurgitation. This technique has been evaluated in both surgical low- and high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of MitraClip implantation in critically ill, unstable patients with severe mitral regurgitation who would persistently need inotropes or who could not be weaned from a ventilator.

Objective quantification of aortic valvular structures by cardiac computed tomography angiography in patients considered for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Purpose: To test the ability of a model-based segmentation of the aortic root for consistent assessment of aortic valve structures in patients considered for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) who underwent 256-slice cardiac computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 49) with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis considered for TAVI and patients without aortic stenosis (n = 17) underwent cardiac CT. Images were evaluated by two independent observers who measured the diameter of the aortic annulus and its distance to both coronary ostia (1) manually and (2) software-assisted.