Symptoms, disease severity and treatment of adults with a new diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis.

Objective: Contemporary data on patients with previously undiagnosed severe aortic stenosis (AS) are scarce. We aimed to address this gap by gathering data from consecutive patients diagnosed with severe AS on echocardiography.

Methods: This was a prospective, multicentre, multinational, registry in 23 tertiary care hospitals across 9 European countries.

Aortic valve calcium score as a predictor for outcome after TAVI using the CoreValve revalving system.

Background: TAVI is a novel treatment option for patients at too high risk for surgery. Risk scores for surgical valve replacement failed to accurately predict outcomes after TAVI and alternative risk parameters are lacking so far.

Objective: We evaluated the CT-derived aortic valve calcification score as a predictor for outcome during and after TAVI.

Infective endocarditis complicated by paravalvular abscess: a surgical challenge. An 11-year single center experience.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of paravalvular abscess in the surgical management and outcome of infective endocarditis.

Methods: Retrospective review of 35 patients with paravalvular abscess due to active endocarditis operated on at 1 institution from September 1996-August 2007. Patients' mean age was 59.

Dilemma of antithrombotic therapy in anticoagulated atrial fibrillation patients squeezed between thrombosis and bleeding events: a single-centre experience.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of bleeding, thromboembolic complications, and the rate of stent thrombosis or restenosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this retrospective analysis, we included patients with AF who underwent PCI with stent implantation from 2003 to 2006. Combinations of aspirin, clopidogrel, and oral anticoagulation with phenprocoumon (OAC) were used for antithrombotic management.

Sorin Bicarbon bileaflet valve: a 9.8-year experience. Clinical performance of the prosthesis after heart valve replacement in 587 patients.

Objectives: To determine early and mid-term clinical performance of the Sorin Bicarbon bileaflet prosthesis.

Methods: Between January 1993 and October 2000, 1092 patients received at least one Sorin Bicarbon prosthesis. Six hundred and fourteen of those fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were contacted by mail and/or telephone interview.