Bicuspid Aortic Valves and Transcatheter Valve Replacement: Feasibility and Safety.

In the last few years, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has rapidly become the standard of care for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). If initially it was preferred only for high-risk surgical patients, now even low-risk patients are eligible candidates. There were several factors to consider why patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) were omitted from these trials.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Interventional Cardiology Workload in Private Versus Public Hospitals of Romania in 2020.

The Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected and changed medical activity worldwide. Public hospitals have been suffocated by the large number of Covid-19 patients, sometimes making it difficult for patients with other conditions to be admitted to hospital. This was also true for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Advanced two-stage cascade configurations for energy-efficient -80 °C refrigeration.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some vaccines have been developed requiring ultralow-temperature refrigeration, and the number of these freezers has been increased worldwide. Ultralow-temperature refrigeration operates with a significant temperature lift and, hence, a massive decrease in energy performance. Therefore, cascade cycles based on two vapor compression single-stage cycles are traditionally used for these temperatures.

Implications of Myocardial Bridge on Coronary Atherosclerosis and Survival.

Background: In this study, we aimed to describe the impact of MBs on atherosclerosis and survival, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We retrospectively studied 1920 consecutive patients who underwent conventional coronary angiography for suspected CAD. Atherosclerotic load (AL), defined as the sum of degrees of stenosis, and general atherosclerotic load (GAL), representing the sum of AL, were compared between patients with MB and a control group without MB; patients in these groups were similar in age and sex.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Interventional Cardiology Workload in Romania in 2020.

Coronavirus disease has overwhelmed the healthcare systems around the globe at an unprecedented level. The same was observed in the Romanian medical system. Interventional cardiology units have experienced a dramatic reduction in elective and urgent interventional procedures.

Antithrombotic Strategies in Invasively Managed Patients with Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes and Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in Romania.

Concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF) in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients complicates the decision-making process regarding short- and long-term antithrombotic strategies. Patient profiles and usage rates of different antithrombotic combinations in this patient subgroup in Romania are poorly described. To describe the characteristics of invasively managed NSTE-ACS patients with AF (either known or newly diagnosed) compared to patients with no oral anticoagulation (OAC) indications, and analyze the rates and factors that influence the different antithrombotic regimens at discharge in AF patients.

Ticagrelor Utilization in Patients With Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes in Romania.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) represents a major tool of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) management. The real-world usage of potent P2Y12 inhibitors within DAPT in middle-income countries is poorly described.

Study Question: To assess the factors that influence P2Y12 inhibitor choice at discharge in invasively managed NSTE-ACS patients, without an indication for oral anticoagulation, treated across Romania.

Optimal use of lipid-lowering therapy after acute coronary syndromes: A Position Paper endorsed by the International Lipid Expert Panel (ILEP).

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and consequent acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are substantial contributors to morbidity and mortality across Europe. Much of these diseases burden is modifiable, in particular by lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Current guidelines are based on the sound premise that with respect to low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), "lower is better for longer", and the recent data have strongly emphasized the need of also "the earlier the better".

The Romanian National Registry of non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes - Design and Rationale.

Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) form a large part of the number of annual emergency admissions in the Cardiology Departments in Romania, representing a significant burden on the health care system resources. The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of NSTE-ACS patients represent ideal standards, which are difficult to implement, given the significant differences in the socio-economic climates of the various European Union countries, as the access to modern reperfusion techniques for NSTE-ACS patients, including Romania, is usually suboptimal. The evaluate the current implementation state of the ESC recommended protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of NSTE-ACS patients in Romania.

Predictors of in-Hospital Mortality of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Interventional Treatment. An Analysis of Data from the RO-STEMI Registry.

Background: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is the preferred therapy for STEMI if it is done within 120 min from the first medical contact, by an experienced team in a high-volume center. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics and predictors of in-hospital mortality of patients with STEMI treated by percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs).

Interdisciplinary Approach in a Complex Case of STEMI.

We reported the case of a young man with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), with ventricular fibrillation on debut and cardiogenic shock, who needed a complex interdisciplinary approach for a favourable long term outcome. A 43-year-old man was admitted with inferior STEMI and cardiogenic shock. First coronary angiography revealed total chronic occlusion of left anterior descending artery (LAD) and tight stenosis with thrombus on right coronary artery (RCA).

Coronary balloon angioplasty in a severe takotsubo syndrome.

We reported a patient with Takotsubo syndrome, with severe symptoms, prolonged angina with hemodynamic compromise, in the context of severe coronary artery spasm, without response to full medical treatment, which was successfully managed with coronary balloon angioplasty. A 49-year old woman was admitted with chest pain, ECG changes and elevated myocardial necrosis markers suggestive for acute coronary syndrome. First coronary angiography revealed normal epicardial arteries and typical left ventricular apical ballooning, strongly suggestive for Takotsubo syndrome.

Outcome and Predictors of Stent Thrombosis in the First Romanian Registry of Drug Eluting Stent (RODESINO EXTENSION).

Background: Stent thrombosis (ST) is a rare, but extremely severe complication of PCI. Outside clinical trials, data are limited regarding the risks and the impact of this phenomenon.

Aims: To assess prevalence, predictors, and clinical outcome of ST after implantation of drug eluting stents (DES) compared with bare metal stents (BMS), in a large case-control study in a real world scenario, as well as the relation between ST and duration of combined antiplatelet treatment.

Impact of the Romanian national programme for interventional therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

A national programme for PPCI in STEMI patients was started in Romania in August 2010, based on an integrated and well-trained pre-hospital emergency medical system. Ten national centres experienced in PPCI were organised in a 24/7 system in five regional networks, in order to assist STEMI patients from areas offering PPCI within the first two hours after the first medical contact. For centres located further away, a strategy of local thrombolysis followed by transfer to the closest PCI centre was recommended.