Early clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the NAVITOR system.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the NAVITOR system has been relatively underreported due to its recent introduction in Japan. This study aimed to assess the short-term outcomes of TAVI with the NAVITOR in real-world clinical practice. Patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI using the NAVITOR system at our institution between December 2022 and December 2023 were prospectively enrolled.

Robotically assisted mitral valve repair using the butterfly technique in a patient with a narrow chest.

Background: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery for mitral regurgitation is challenging in patients with narrow chests due to limited thoracic space. The butterfly technique can prevent systolic anterior motion in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation and redundant posterior leaflets, but it is difficult to perform via minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Few reports have described mitral valve repair using the butterfly technique or in a narrow chest.

Successful endovascular therapy with "Direct tip injection in occlusive lesions (DIOL)" fashion for persistent sciatic artery aneurysmal occlusion: A case report.

Unlabelled: Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital anomaly that may involve aneurysmal formations. During endovascular treatment for PSA aneurysm (PSAA) occlusion, guidewire crossing can be challenging due to complex anatomy. We report successful endovascular intervention for PSAA occlusion using the "direct tip injection in occlusive lesions (DIOL)" fashion, in which hydraulic pressure with contrast facilitates guidewire crossing by visualizing the vessel course and expanding the microchannel and vessel lumen.

The influence between plaque rupture and non-plaque rupture on clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Coronary atherosclerosis can lead to acute clinical events upon atherosclerotic plaque rupture (PR) or erosion and arterial thrombus formation. Identifying the effect of distinct plaque characteristics on clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is critical for clinical therapy. Our goal was to ascertain the correlation between clinical outcome, long-term prognosis, and morphological plaque characteristics in STEMI.

Impact of Angiographically Detected Residual Trabeculation After Left Atrial Appendage Closure Using the WATCHMAN Device: Insight From the OCEAN-LAAC Registry.

Background: Research on the impact of angiographically detected residual trabeculation after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is limited.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence, characteristics, and clinical implications of angiographically detected residual trabeculation after LAAC using the WATCHMAN device.

Methods: We analyzed 1350 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing LAAC using the WATCHMAN device from the OCEAN-LAAC registry, which is a prospective ongoing, multicenter Japanese registry.

Hemodynamic effect of supra-annular implantation of SAPIEN 3 balloon expandable valve.

The hemodynamic impact of the implantation depth for balloon-expandable valves is under-investigated, especially with higher implantation techniques. We assessed the hemodynamic performance of supra-annular SAPIEN 3 valve implantation. This retrospective study involved consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using the SAPIEN 3.

Steep right anterior oblique view of self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve to timely detect stent under-expansion or non-uniform expansion before final release: a case series.

Background: Severely calcified aortic valves are a major limitation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, because eccentric and heavy calcification of the aortic valve occasionally inhibits self-expansion of the valve frame, resulting in stent under-expansion, including non-uniform expansion or infolding. Nevertheless, the two-dimensional nature of fluoroscopic projection imaging can limit detection of stent under-expansion prior to the final release.

Case Summary: We present two cases demonstrating the importance of the steep right anterior oblique (RAO) view (>50°) in detecting significant stent under-expansion of a self-expanding valve prior to the final release.

Severe intraprosthetic aortic insufficiency immediately after implantation of a SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve with spontaneous resolution: case report.

Background: Aortic insufficiency (AI) is often encountered in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) but is only rarely haemodynamically significant. Even more uncommon is the occurrence of intraprosthetic AI that often leads to haemodynamic compromise requiring additional therapeutic intervention.

Case Summary: An 85-year-old female with severe aortic stenosis underwent elective TAVR with a size 23 mm SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA (S3UR) valve.

Bailout subintimal trans-catheter withdrawal (STRAW) technique for a distally extended coronary hematoma.

A coronary hematoma, which can sometimes obstruct coronary flow, may be left behind after tip-detection antegrade dissection and reentry. We present a novel bailout technique utilizing subintimal trans-catheter withdrawal technique with the assistance of a stent and a balloon. This technique can be used before performing bailout long stenting or a fenestration procedure with a cutting balloon, which are standard treatments for hematoma, to improve impaired coronary flow caused by a distally extended hematoma.

Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling and Outcome in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling (RVPAC) refers to the relationship between right ventricular systolic force and afterload. The ratio of echocardiograph-derived tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) has been proposed as a noninvasive measurement of RVPAC and reported as an independent prognostic parameter of heart failure. However, it has not been adequately in detail evaluated in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).