Atrial fibrillation symptom reduction and improved quality of life following the hybrid convergent procedure: a CONVERGE trial subanalysis.

Background: CONVERGE was a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial that evaluated the safety of Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Convergent (HC) and compared its effectiveness to endocardial catheter ablation (CA) for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) and longstanding PersAF (LSPAF). In 2020, we reported that CONVERGE met its primary safety and effectiveness endpoints. The primary objective of the present study is to report CONVERGE trial results for quality of life (QOL) and Class I/III anti-arrhythmic drug (AAD) utilization following HC.

Integrating simulation and interpretive description to explore operating room leadership: critical event continuing education.

In Obstetrics and Gynecologic operating room emergencies, the surgeon cannot both operate and lead a suddenly expanded and redirected team response. However, one of the most often used approaches to interprofessional continuing education designed to improve teams' ability to respond to unanticipated critical events still emphasizes surgeon leadership. We developed Explicit Anesthesia and Nurse Distributed (EXPAND) Leadership to imagine a workflow that might better distribute emergency leadership task responsibilities and practices.

Cerebral Embolic Protection during Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement.

Background: Transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) for the treatment of aortic stenosis can lead to embolization of debris. Capture of debris by devices that provide cerebral embolic protection (CEP) may reduce the risk of stroke.

Methods: We randomly assigned patients with aortic stenosis in a 1:1 ratio to undergo transfemoral TAVR with CEP (CEP group) or without CEP (control group).

Creating a safe workplace by universal testing of SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic patients and healthcare workers in the electrophysiology units: a multi-center experience.

Background: As the coronavirus cases continue to surge, the urgent need for universal testing to identify positive cases for effective containment of this highly contagious pandemic has become the center of attention worldwide. However, in spite of extensive discussions, very few places have even attempted to implement it. We evaluated the efficacy of widespread testing in creating a safe workplace in our electrophysiology (EP) community.

Sizing Strategy and Implant Considerations for the Avalus Valve.

Hemodynamic performance of the Avalus valve through 3 years after implant is comparable to that of contemporary surgical bioprostheses. Many variables affect hemodynamic outcomes, including surgical technique. This article describes our experience with the Avalus bioprosthesis and strategies to achieve optimal hemodynamic performance.

Multicenter study to evaluate the benefits of technology-assisted workflow on i.v. room efficiency, costs, and safety in small community hospitals.

Purpose: To evaluate the benefits of technology-assisted workflow (TAWF) compared to manual workflow (non-TAWF) on i.v. room efficiency, costs, and safety at community hospitals with less than 200 beds.

Safety and Feasibility of Intravascular Lithotripsy for Treatment of Common Femoral Artery Stenoses.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of treating calcified, stenotic common femoral arteries (CFAs) using the Peripheral Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) System.

Methods: An analysis was performed of 21 patients (mean age 71.9±10.

1-Year Outcomes of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement in Patients With Severe Mitral Annular Calcification.

Background: The risk of surgical mitral valve replacement in patients with severe mitral annular calcification (MAC) is high. Several patients worldwide with severe MAC have been treated successfully with transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) using balloon-expandable aortic transcatheter valves. The TMVR in MAC Global Registry is a multicenter registry that collects data on outcomes of these procedures.

Lower Extremity Revascularization Using Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Directional Atherectomy: Final Results of the EValuatIon of the PantheriS OptIcal COherence Tomography ImagiNg Atherectomy System for Use in the Peripheral Vasculature (VISION) Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided atherectomy catheter in treating patients with symptomatic femoropopliteal disease.

Methods: The VISION trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01937351) was a single-arm, multicenter, global investigational device exemption study enrolling 158 subjects (mean age 67.

Premeasured Chordal Loops for Mitral Valve Repair.

Premeasured expanded polytetrafluoroethylene chordal loops with integrated sutures for attachment to the papillary muscle and leaflet edges facilitate correction of mitral valve prolapse. Configured as a group of 3 loops (length range 12 to 24 mm), the loops are attached to a pledget that is passed through the papillary muscle and tied. Each of the loops has 2 sutures with attached needles; these needles are passed through the free edge of the leaflet and then the sutures are tied to each other, securing the chordal loop to the leaflet.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement in Native Mitral Valve Disease With Severe Mitral Annular Calcification: Results From the First Multicenter Global Registry.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the outcomes of the early experience of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) with balloon-expandable valves in patients with severe mitral annular calcification (MAC) and reports the first large series from a multicenter global registry.

Background: The risk of surgical mitral valve replacement in patients with severe MAC is high. There are isolated reports of successful TMVR with balloon-expandable valves in this patient population.

Short and long-term outcomes of percutaneous left atrial appendage suture ligation: Results from a US multicenter evaluation.

Background: Published studies of epicardial ligation of left atrial appendage (LAA) have reported discordant results.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to delineate the safety and efficacy of LAA closure with the LARIAT device.

Methods: This is a multicenter registry of 712 consecutive patients undergoing LAA ligation with LARIAT at 18 US hospitals.

Final results of the Chronic Total Occlusion Crossing With the Ocelot System II (CONNECT II) study.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the optical coherence tomography-guided Ocelot catheter to cross femoropopliteal chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Methods: The CONNECT II study was a prospective, multicenter, non-randomized single-arm study of the safety and effectiveness of the Ocelot catheter in CTO crossing. Key inclusion criteria were a 99% to 100% stenosed femoropopliteal segment, lesion length between 1 and 30 cm, and resistance to guidewire crossing.