Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Versus Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant Agents After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Studies comparing long-term outcomes between non-vitamin K antagonist (VKA) oral anticoagulant agents (direct oral anticoagulant agents [DOACs]) and VKA anticoagulant agents after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are scarce, with conflicting results.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the periprocedural, short-term, and long-term safety and effectiveness of DOACs vs VKAs in patients undergoing TAVR via femoral access with concomitant indications for oral anticoagulation.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR in the prospective national SwissTAVI Registry between February 2011 and June 2021 were analyzed.

Trends in Coronary and Structural Heart Interventions in Switzerland over the Last 16 Years and Impact of COVID-19: Insights from the National Swiss PCI Survey.

Background: Considering the global burden of cardiovascular disease, we analysed trends in interventional coronary and structural procedures over the past 16 years (2005-2021), using continuous data from the Swiss national registry.

Methods: Based on a standardised questionnaire, data on coronary and structural interventions in Switzerland were assessed by the Working Group Interventional Cardiology of the Swiss Society of Cardiology (SSC). Here, we analysed the trend of annually performed interventions from 2005 to 2021 in Switzerland and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Functional repair of the great saphenous vein by external valvuloplasty reduces the vein's diameter: 6-month results of a multicentre study.

Objectives: External valvuloplasty (eVP) is a reconstructive surgical method to repair the function of the terminal and preterminal valves. We evaluated the 6-month outcomes of eVP regarding the diameter of the great saphenous vein (GSV).

Methods: Patients from five vein centres were included in this observational study.

Safety and Efficacy of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Continuation of Vitamin K Antagonists or Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Objectives: This study investigated whether transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with peri-procedural continuation of oral anticoagulation is equally safe and efficacious as TAVR with peri-procedural interruption of anticoagulation.

Background: A significant proportion of patients undergoing TAVR have an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation. The optimal peri-procedural management of such patients is unknown.

External valvuloplasty of the saphenofemoral junction in insufficient great saphenous veins - six weeks results of a prospective multicentre trial.

: Varicosis of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is a common disease. Most of the therapeutic concepts attempt to remove or destroy the truncal vein. However, the absence of the GSV could be harmful for further treatments of artherosclerotic disease as the GSV is often used as bypass graft in lower extremity or coronary artery revascularisations.

A Glimpse into the Future: In 2020, Which Patients will Undergo TAVI or SAVR?

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved into a safe and effective procedure to treat symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), with predictable and reproducible results. Rates of important complications such as vascular complications, strokes and paravalvular leaks are lower than ever, because of improved patient selection, systematic use of multidector computer tomography, increasing operator experience and device iteration. Accumulating data suggest that transfemoral TAVI with newer generation transcatheter heart valves and delivery systems is superior to conventional surgical aortic valve replacement among intermediate- and high-risk patients with severe symptomatic AS with regard to all-cause mortality and stroke.

A new cryoenergy for ventricular tachycardia ablation: a proof-of-concept study.

Introduction: Lack of transmural lesion formation during radiofrequency (RF) ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is an important determinant of arrhythmia recurrence. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a new and more powerful cryoablation system for ventricular ablation.

Methods And Results: Five healthy female sheep (59 ± 6 kg) underwent a surgical sternotomy for epicardial and endocardial access [endocardial access via right atrial appendage and left ventricular (LV) apex].

Safety and efficacy of the nMARQ catheter for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Circular irrigated radiofrequency ablation using the nMARQ catheter has recently been introduced for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to report the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation using this technology in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF.

Methods And Results: The data of a prospective registry describing the experience of a single operator using this technology on 327 consecutive patients were analysed.

Initial results of linear duty-cycled radiofrequency for atypical flutter and atrial tachycardia.

Background: Duty-cycled radiofrequency (DCRF) is increasingly used for ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Many patients also have atrial flutter (AFL). Recently, a linear multielectrode has been shown to create linear block at the cavotricuspid isthmus and in the left atrium (LA).

Duty-cycled unipolar/bipolar versus conventional radiofrequency ablation in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Duty-cycled (DC) radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) has been introduced, however, data on large patient series and comparison to conventional RFA are scarce.

Methods: Between 2006 and 2008 DC RFA was performed in 209 consecutive patients (143 (68%) paroxysmal and 66 (32%) persistent AF). As controls served 211 patients, 155 (73%) with paroxysmal and 56 (27%) with persistent AF (p=0.

Linear ablation with duty-cycled radiofrequency energy at the cavotricuspid isthmus.

Background: Multielectrode catheters using duty-cycled radiofrequency (RF) have been developed to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). Many of these patients also have atrial flutter. Therefore, a linear multielectrode has been developed using the same RF energy.

Ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation using multielectrode catheters and duty-cycled radiofrequency energy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a novel, multielectrode, duty-cycled radiofrequency ablation (RFA) system for long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Background: RFA for persistent AF remains a lengthy and challenging procedure.

Methods: In 5 European centers, 50 patients with long-standing persistent AF underwent RFA.

Modification of the Norwood procedure in isomeric complete atrio-ventricular canal and hypoplastic right aortic arch.

We report a modification of the Norwood stage I procedure in a neonate with right aortic arch and complete atrio-ventricular canal in a variant of hypoplastic heart syndrome. Because of the unusual anatomy, the neo-aorta was reconstructed with a specially trimmed homograft patch and the pulmonary flow was maintained with implantation of a right ventricle to pulmonary artery shunt on the left side of the aorta. The patient had a favourable outcome and is now awaiting the stage II procedure.