Sex-stratified differences in early antithrombotic treatment response in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms underlying the increased risk of bleeding that female patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) exhibit, remains unclear. The present report assessed sex-related differences in response to pre-hospital dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) initiation in patients with STEMI. METHODS: The COMPARE CRUSH trial randomized patients presenting with STEMI to receive a pre-hospital loading dose of crushed or integral prasugrel tablets in the ambulance. In this substudy, we compared platelet reactivity levels and the occurrence of high platelet reactivity (HPR; defined as platelet reactivity ≥208) between sexes at 4 prespecified time points after DAPT initiation, and evaluated post-PCI bleeding between groups. RESULTS: Out of 633 STEMI patients, 147 (23%) were female. Females compared with males presented with significantly higher levels of platelet reactivity and higher HPR rates at baseline (232 [IQR, 209-256] vs 195 [IQR, 171-220], P < .01, and 76% vs 41%, OR 4.58 [95%CI, 2.52-8.32], P < .01, respectively). Moreover, female sex was identified as the sole independent predictor of HPR at baseline (OR 5.67 [95%CI, 2.56-12.53], P < .01). Following DAPT initiation, levels of platelet reactivity and the incidence of HPR were similar between sexes. Post-PCI bleeding occurred more frequently in females compared with males (10% vs 2%, OR 6.02 [95%CI, 2.61-11.87], P < .01). Female sex was an independent predictor of post-PCI bleeding (OR 3.25 [95%CI, 1.09-9.72], P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: In this contemporary STEMI cohort, female STEMI patients remain at risk of bleeding complications after primary PCI. However, this is not explained by sex-specific differences in the pharmacodynamic response to pre-hospital DAPT initiation.

BAlloon expandable vs. SElf expanding transcatheter vaLve for degenerated bioprosthesIs: design and rationale of the BASELINE trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical aortic valve bioprostheses may degenerate over time and require redo intervention. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a less invasive alternative to redo surgery. The BAlloon Expandable vs. SElf Expanding Transcatheter VaLve for Degenerated BioprosthesIs (BASELINE) trial was designed to compare the performance of the balloon-expandable SAPIEN-3 Ultra and the self-expanding EVOLUT PRO+ valve systems in symptomatic patients with a failing surgical bioprosthesis. METHODS: The BASELINE trial is an investigator-initiated, non-funded, prospective, randomized, open-label, superiority trial enrolling a total of 440 patients in up to 50 sites in 12 countries in Europe and North-America. The primary endpoint is device success at 30-days defined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 Criteria as the composite of technical success, freedom from mortality, freedom for surgery or intervention related to the device or to a major vascular or access-related or cardiac structural complication with an intended performance of the valve (mean gradient <20 mmHg and less than moderate aortic regurgitation). The co-primary endpoint at 1 year is defined as the composite of all-cause death, disabling stroke, rehospitalization for heart failure or valve related problems. Independent Core Laboratories will conduct uniform analyses of echocardiography (pre-, post-, 1-year post-procedure), multi-sliced computed tomography (pre-, and if available post-procedure) and cine-fluoroscopy studies. CONCLUSIONS: The BASELINE trial is a head-to-head comparative trial investigating the 2 most used contemporary transcatheter heart valves for the treatment of a failing surgical aortic bioprosthesis. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT04843072).

Stent expansion in calcified coronary chronic total occlusions: The impact of different stent platforms.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the stent expansion of the durable-polymer Zotarolimus-eluting stent (dp-ZES), the durable-polymer Everolimus-eluting stent (dp-EES), and the bioabsorbable-polymer Sirolimus-eluting stent (bp-SES) in calcified coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO). BACKGROUND: The newer generation stents with ultrathin struts might raise concerns regarding reduced radial strength and higher stent recoil (SR) when implanted in calcified CTOs. METHODS: Between January 2017 and June 2021 consecutive patients with CTO undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with dp-ZES, dp-EES, or bp-SES were evaluated. The analysis was performed in calcific and in noncalcific CTOs. Quantitative coronary angiography analysis was used to assess diameter stenosis (DS), absolute and relative SR, absolute and relative focal SR, absolute and relative balloon deficit (BD), and absolute and relative focal BD. The primary endpoint was DS. RESULTS: A total of 213 CTOs were evaluated, 115 calcific CTOs (dp-ZES:25, dp-EES:29, bp-SES:61) and 98 non-calcific CTOs (dp-ZES:41, dp-EES:11, bp-SES:46). In calcific CTOs, residual DS was lower in dp-ZES than in dp-EES and bp-SES (-1.00% [-6.50-6.50] vs. 13.00% [7.0-19.00] vs. 15.00% [5.00-20.00]; p < 0.001). Dp-ZES was also an independent predictor of residual DS ≤ 10% (OR 11.34, 95% CI 2.6-49.43, p = 0.001). Absolute and relative focal SR and absolute and relative SR were similar between dp-ZES, dp-EES, and bp-SES (p = 0.913, p = 0.890, p = 0.518, p = 0.426, respectively). In noncalcified CTOs, the residual DS was similar in the three groups (p = 0.340). High relative focal SR was less frequent in dp-ZES than in dp-EES and in bp-SES (19.5% vs. 54.5% vs. 37.0%; p < 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The three stent platforms demonstrated an overall low residual DS when implanted in CTOs. However, dp-ZES was associated with the lowest residual DS and identified as independent predictor of residual DS ≤ 10% in patients with calcific CTOs. Dp-ZES was associated with a lower incidence of high relative focal stent recoil, in noncalcific CTOs. Balloon deficit might be considerate as a surrogate for stent expansion in calcified CTOs.

Culprit lesion plaque characterization and thrombus grading by high-definition intravascular ultrasound in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Dedicated prospective studies investigating high-definition intravascular ultrasound (HD-IVUS)-guided primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are lacking. The aim of this study was to qualify and quantify culprit lesion plaque characteristics and thrombus using HD-IVUS in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: The SPECTRUM study is a prospective, single-center, observational cohort study investigating the impact of HD-IVUS-guided primary PCI in 200 STEMI patients (NCT05007535). The first 100 study patients with a de novo culprit lesion and a per-protocol mandated preintervention pullback directly after vessel wiring were subject to a predefined imaging analysis. Culprit lesion plaque characteristics and different thrombus types were assessed. An IVUS-derived thrombus score, including a 1-point adjudication for a long total thrombus length, long occlusive thrombus length, and large maximum thrombus angle, was developed to differentiate between low (0-1 points) and high (2-3 points) thrombus burden. Optimal cut-off values were obtained using receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: The mean age was 63.5 (±12.1) years and 69 (69.0%) patients were male. The median culprit lesion length was 33.5 (22.8-38.9) mm. Plaque rupture and convex calcium were appreciated in 48 (48.0%) and 10 (10.0%) patients, respectively. Thrombus was observed in 91 (91.0%) patients (acute thrombus 3.3%; subacute thrombus 100.0%; organized thrombus 22.0%). High IVUS-derived thrombus burden was present in 37/91 (40.7%) patients and was associated with higher rates of impaired final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow (grade 0-2) (27.0% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HD-IVUS in patients presenting with STEMI allows detailed culprit lesion plaque characterization and thrombus grading that may guide tailored PCI.

Optical coherence tomography-derived predictors of stent expansion in calcified lesions.

BACKGROUND: Severe coronary artery calcification is associated with stent underexpansion and subsequent stent failure. AIMS: We aimed to identify optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived predictors of absolute (minimal stent area [MSA]) and relative stent expansion in calcified lesions. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with OCT assessment before and after stent implantation between May 2008 and April 2022. Pre-PCI OCT was used to assess calcium burden and post-PCI OCT was used to assess absolute and relative stent expansion. RESULTS: A total of 361 lesions in 336 patients were analyzed. Target lesion calcification (defined as OCT-detected maximum calcium angle ≥ 30°) was present in 242 (67.0%) lesions. Following PCI, median MSA was 5.37 mm2 in calcified lesions and 6.24 mm2 in noncalcified lesions (p < 0.001). Median stent expansion was 78% in calcified lesions and 83% in noncalcified lesions (p = 0.325). In the subset of calcified lesions, average stent diameter, preprocedural minimal lumen area, and total calcium length were independent predictors of MSA in multivariable analysis (mean difference 2.69 mm2 /mm2 , 0.52 mm2 /mm, and -0.28 mm2 /5 mm, respectively, all p < 0.001). Total stent length was the only independent predictor of relative stent expansion (mean difference -0.465% per mm, p < 0.001). Calcium angle, thickness, and the presence of nodular calcification were not significantly associated with MSA or stent expansion in multivariable analyses. CONCLUSION: Calcium length appeared to be the most important OCT-derived predictor of MSA, whereas stent expansion was mainly determined by total stent length.

Changing haemodynamic status of patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Delays in the diagnosis and referral of aortic stenosis (AS) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have affected the haemodynamic status of AS patients. We aimed to compare clinical and haemodynamic characteristics of severe AS patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) before the pandemic versus two subsequent periods. METHODS: This study compared three 1­year historical cohorts: a pre-COVID-19 group (PCOV), a 1st-year COVID-19 group (COV-Y1) and a 2nd-year COVID-19 group (COV-Y2). The main parameters were baseline New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Demographics, procedural characteristics and 30-day clinical outcomes were assessed. The transition time between heart team decision and TAVI was examined. Pairwise group comparisons were performed (PCOV vs COV-1Y and COV-1Y vs COV-2Y). RESULTS: A total of 720 patients were included with 266, 249 and 205 patients in the PCOV, COV-Y1 and COV-Y2 groups, respectively. BAV was performed in 28 patients (4%). NYHA class did not differ across the cohorts. Compared to PCOV, LVEF was slightly lower in COV-Y1 (58% (49-60%) vs 57% (45-60%), p = 0.03); no difference was observed when comparing COV-Y1 and COV-Y2. LVEDP was higher in COV-Y1 than in PCOV (20 mm Hg (16-26 mm Hg) vs 17 mm Hg (13-24 mm Hg), p = 0.01). No difference was found when comparing LVEDP between COV-Y1 and COV-Y2. Thirty-day mortality did not differ between groups. Transition time was reduced in the COVID era. Duration of hospital stay declined over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing TAVI during the COVID-19 pandemic had more advanced AS illustrated by lower LVEF and higher LVEDP, but there were no differences in clinical outcome. The TAVI pathway became more efficient.

Initial experience with orbital atherectomy in a tertiary centre in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: In January 2021, the Diamondback 360 orbital atherectomy (OA) system received CE mark approval and became available in Europe. The first procedure in Europe was performed at the Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. AIMS: To report the procedural safety and efficacy of the initial experience with OA in a tertiary care institution in the Netherlands. METHODS: Patients with de novo severely calcified coronary artery disease who were treated with intended invasive imaging-guided OA were included in a prospective single-centre registry. Device success, defined as less than 50% stenosis after OA, and procedural success, defined as successful stent implantation with less than 50% residual stenosis, were evaluated. Calcium debulking effects were assessed by invasive imaging. Safety was assessed up to 30 days after the index procedure. RESULTS: Between February 2021 and June 2021, 29 patients with a total of 39 coronary arteries underwent OA. Target lesions were heavily calcified with a mean length of 32 mm and a calcium arc of 320 degrees. Invasive imaging was applied in all but one patient and 36 vessels. Superficial sanding was observed in almost all vessels (90%) and fracturing of deeper medial calcium in more than half of the vessels (63%), with a device success of 66% and procedural success of 94%. The mean stent symmetry index was 0.84, indicating good circular stent expansion. No primary safety events occurred during 30 days of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience with OA for heavily calcified coronary lesions demonstrated favourable debulking effects and plaque modification, with high procedural success and clinical safety.

Pre-hospital treatment with crushed versus integral tablets of prasugrel in patients presenting with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction-1-year follow-up results of the COMPARE CRUSH trial.

The present research letter reports the 1-year clinical outcomes of the randomized COMPARE CRUSH trial, which allocated STEMI patients at first medical contact in the ambulance to receive either crushed or integral tablets of prasugrel loading dose. This trial aimed to investigate whether early enhanced antiplatelet effect constituted by the crushed potent oral P2Y12 inhibitor prasugrel could lead to improved early myocardial reperfusion and clinical outcomes.

Effect of Prehospital Crushed Prasugrel Tablets in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Planned for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The Randomized COMPARE CRUSH Trial.

BACKGROUND: Early treatment with a potent oral platelet P2Y12 inhibitor is recommended in patients presenting with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction scheduled to undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). The impact on coronary reperfusion of crushed P2Y12 inhibitor tablets, which lead to more prompt and potent platelet inhibition, is unknown. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled, multicenter trial in the Netherlands, enrolling patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction scheduled to undergo pPCI. Patients were randomly allocated to receive in the ambulance, before transfer, a 60-mg loading dose of prasugrel either as crushed or integral tablets. The independent primary end points were thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 3 flow in the infarct-related artery at initial coronary angiography, and complete (≥70%) ST-segment resolution 1 hour after pPCI. The safety end points were TIMI major and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium ≥3 bleedings. Secondary end points included platelet reactivity and ischemic outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 727 patients were assigned to either crushed or integral tablets of prasugrel loading dose. The median time from study treatment to wire-crossing during pPCI was 57 (47-70) minutes. The primary end point TIMI 3 flow in the infarct-related artery before pPCI occurred in 31.0% in the crushed group versus 32.7% in the integral group (odds ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.65-1.30], P=0.64). Complete ST-segment resolution 1 hour after pPCI was present in 59.9% in the crushed group versus 57.3% in the integral group (odds ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.78-1.58], P=0.55). Platelet reactivity at the beginning of pPCI, measured as P2Y12 reactivity unit, differed significantly between groups (crushed, 192 [132-245] versus integral, 227 [184-254], P≤0.01). TIMI major and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium ≥3 bleeding occurred in 0% in the crushed group versus 0.8% in the integral group, and in 0.3% in the crushed group versus 1.1% in the integral group, respectively. There were no differences observed between groups regarding ischemic events at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital administration of crushed prasugrel tablets does not improve TIMI 3 flow in the infarct-related artery before pPCI or complete ST-segment resolution 1 h after pPCI in patients presenting with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction scheduled for pPCI. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03296540.

Validation of novel 3-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography based software to calculate fractional flow reserve post stenting.

OBJECTIVES: To validate novel dedicated 3D-QCA based on the software to calculate post PCI vessel-FFR (vFFR) in a consecutive series of patients, to assess the diagnostic accuracy, and to assess inter-observer variability. BACKGROUND: Low post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) fractional flow reserve (FFR) predicts future adverse cardiac events. However, FFR assessment requires the insertion of a pressure wire in combination with the use of a hyperemic agent. METHODS: FAST POST study is an observational, retrospective, single-center cohort study. One hundred patients presenting with stable angina or non ST-elevation myocardial infarction, who underwent post PCI FFR assessment using a dedicated microcatheter were included. Two orthogonal angiographic projections were acquired to create a 3D reconstruction of the coronary artery using the CAAS workstation 8.0. vFFR was subsequently calculated using the aortic root pressure. RESULTS: Mean age was 65±12 years and 70% were male. Mean microcatheter based FFR and vFFR were 0.91±0.07 and 0.91±0.06, respectively. A good linear correlation was found between FFR and vFFR (r = 0.88; p <.001). vFFR had a higher accuracy in the identification of patients with FFR values <0.90, AUC 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-1.00) as compared with 3D-QCA AUC 0.62 (95% CI: 0.94-0.74). Assessment of vFFR had a low inter-observer variability (r = 0.95; p <.001). CONCLUSION: 3D-QCA derived post PCI vFFR correlates well with invasively measured microcatheter based FFR and has a high diagnostic accuracy to detect FFR <0.90 with low inter-observer variability.

COMPARison of pre-hospital CRUSHed vs. uncrushed Prasugrel tablets in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary interventions: Rationale and design of the COMPARE CRUSH trial.

BACKGROUND: Dual antiplatelet therapy constitutes the cornerstone of medical treatment in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, oral antiplatelet agents, such as prasugrel or ticagrelor, are characterized by slow gastrointestinal drug absorption in the acute phase of STEMI, leading to decreased bioavailability and therefore delayed onset of platelet inhibition. Evidence suggests that administration of crushed tablets of the P2Y12 inhibitor prasugrel improves drug absorption and achieves earlier antiplatelet effects in STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the clinical implications of these pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic findings are unknown. HYPOTHESIS: The present study is designed to test the hypothesis that patients presenting with STEMI planned for primary PCI will have improved markers of optimal reperfusion and clinical outcomes by prehospital administration of crushed tablets of prasugrel loading dose. STUDY DESIGN: COMPARE CRUSH (NCT03296540) is a randomized trial in a regionally organized ambulance care setting evaluating the efficacy and safety of pre-hospital loading dose with prasugrel crushed tablets versus integral tablets in approximately 674 patients presenting with STEMI planned for primary PCI. The independent primary endpoints are percentage of patients reaching thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3 in the infarct-related artery at initial angiography, or achieving ≥70% ST-segment elevation resolution at 1 hour post-PCI. Secondary clinical endpoints are death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and stent thrombosis followed up to 1 year. Moreover, the primary safety endpoint is bleeding events assessed at 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The COMPARE CRUSH trial will assess whether prehospital administration of loading dose prasugrel in form of crushed tablets - which is expected to provide faster platelet inhibition compared to standard treatment with integral tablets - results in improved reperfusion and clinical outcomes. RCT# NCT03296540.

Incidence, determinants and consequences of delirium in older patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: delirium is an event leading to negative health outcomes and increased mortality in patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence, determinants and consequences of post-operative delirium (POD) in older patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: The TAVI Care and Cure program is a prospective, observational registry in patients referred for TAVI at Erasmus University Medical Centre. The presence of delirium was evaluated by daily clinical assessment by a geriatrician pre- and up to 3 days post-TAVI. Mortality data were obtained from the Dutch Civil Registry. RESULTS: A total of 543 patients underwent TAVI between January 2014 and December 2017. Overall, the incidence of POD was 14% (75/543 patients) but declined from 18% in 2014 to 7% in 2017 (P = 0.009). Patients who developed POD were older (81.9 ± 5.8 versus 78.6 ± 8.3 years, P < 0.001), had higher prevalence of renal dysfunction and prior stroke (54% versus 40%, P = 0.02; 31% versus 18%, P = 0.01) and were more often frail (32% versus 25%, P = 0.02). From a procedural perspective, general anesthesia (odds ratios (OR), 2.31; 95% CI, 1.40-3.83; P = 0.001), non-transfemoral access (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.20-4.70; P = 0.01) and longer procedural time (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.01-1.02; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with POD. One-year survival rate was 68% among patients who had suffered a POD and was 85% in patients without a POD (hazard ratio's 1.8 (95% CI 1.01-3.10), P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: POD frequently occurs after TAVI and is associated with increased mortality. It might be speculated that patient selection and the minimalistic approach of TAVI may reduce the frequency of delirium.

Impact of frailty on health-related quality of life 1 year after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) brings symptom relief and improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the majority of patients treated for symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis. However, there is a substantial group of patients that do not benefit from TAVI. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of frailty on HRQoL 1 year after TAVI. METHODS: The TAVI Care & Cure Program is an ongoing, prospective, observational study including patients referred for TAVI to our institution. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed to evaluate existence of frailty using the Erasmus Frailty Score (EFS). HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5 L at baseline and 1 year after TAVI. RESULTS: 239 patients underwent TAVI and completed HRQoL assessment 1 year after TAVI. Seventy (29.3%) patients were classified as frail (EFS ≥ 3). In non-frail patients, the EQ-5D-5 L index did not change (0.71(± 0.22) to 0.68(± 0.33) points, P = 0.22); in frail patients, the EQ-5D-5 L index decreased from 0.55(±0.26) to 0.44 points (±0.33) (P = 0.022). Frailty was an independent predictor of deteriorated HRQoL 1 year after TAVI (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.07-4.70, P = 0.003). In frail patients, the absence of peripheral artery disease (OR 0.17, 95% 0.05-0.50, P = 0.001) and renal dysfunction (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04-0.41, P = <0.001) at baseline was associated with improved HRQoL 1 year after TAVI. CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with deterioration of HRQoL 1 year after TAVI. Notably, HRQoL did improve in frail patients with no peripheral arterial disease or renal impairment at baseline.

Trends in the occurrence of new conduction abnormalities after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate trends over time in the occurrence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the Medtronic CoreValve System (MCS) and Edwards SAPIEN Valve (ESV). BACKGROUND: TAVI-induced conduction abnormalities (TAVI-CAs) such as LBBB and the need for PPI are frequent postoperative complication. New techniques, procedural refinements, and increased awareness are focused on the reduction of these abnormalities. METHODS: Electrocardiograms of 549 patients without preprocedural LBBB and/or pacemaker were assessed to determine the frequency and nature of TAVI-CAs. To study the effect of experience, patients were subdivided per center into tertiles based on the number of procedures. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to study predictors of TAVI-induced LBBB (TAVI-LBBB) and PPI. RESULTS: TAVI-LBBB occurred in 185 patients (33.7%) and significantly decreased over time, from 42.6% to 27.3% (P=0.006). This effect was only significant after implantation of the MCS (59.6% vs. 46.5% vs. 31.1%, P=0.001, ESV: 22.6% vs. 13.1% vs. 24.8%, P=0.11). Between tertiles there was no difference in the frequency of PPI after TAVI (n=73, 13.1% vs. 14.8% vs. 12%, P=0.74). Multivariate analysis revealed that, independent from valve type, depth of implantation was the only significant predictor of TAVI-LBBB (OR [95% C.I.]: 1.16 [1.10-1.24], P<0.001). In case of PPI pre-existing RBBB (OR [95% C.I.]: 7.22 [3.28-15.88], P<0.001) was the only significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Over time the frequency of LBBB after TAVI decreased significantly, especially in patients undergoing TAVI with the MCS. Experience and the subsequent reduction in depth of implantation seem responsible for this reduction. Contrary to TAVI-LBBB, the incidence of PPI remained unchanged over time and was not affected by experience. Although experience has led to a decrease in new CAs after TAVI, elucidation of pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these CAs and subsequent changes in patient stratification, valve design and the procedure are needed to further reduce this complication.

Advanced chronic kidney disease in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: insights on clinical outcomes and prognostic markers from a large cohort of patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) on early and late outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and to evaluate the predictive factors of poorer outcomes in such patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a multicentre study including a total of 2075 consecutive patients who had undergone TAVI. Patients were grouped according the estimated glomerular filtration rate as follows: CKD stage 1-2 (≥60 mL/min/1.73 m(2); n = 950), stage 3 (30-59 mL/min/1.73 m(2); n = 924), stage 4 (15-29 mL/min/1.73 m(2); n = 134) and stage 5 (<15 mL/min/1.73 m² or dialysis; n = 67). Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 30-days and at follow-up (median of 15 [6-29] months) and defined according to the VARC criteria. Advanced CKD (stage 4-5) was an independent predictor of 30-day major/life-threatening bleeding (P = 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.027), and late overall, cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality (P < 0.01 for all). Pre-existing atrial fibrillation (HR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.47-3.58, P = 0.001) and dialysis therapy (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.17-2.97, P = 0.009) were the predictors of mortality in advanced CKD patients, with a mortality rate as high as 71% at 1-year follow-up in those patients with these 2 factors. Advanced CKD patients who had survived at 1-year follow-up exhibited both a significant improvement in NYHA class (P < 0.001) and no deterioration in valve hemodynamics (P = NS for changes in mean gradient and valve area over time). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced CKD was associated with a higher rate of early and late mortality and bleeding events following TAVI, with AF and dialysis therapy determining a higher risk in these patients. The mortality rate of patients with both factors was unacceptably high and this should be taken into account in the clinical decision-making process in this challenging group of patients.

Cause of death after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate survival and cause of death in a consecutive patient cohort undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve implantation (TAVI). BACKGROUND: TAVI is a valid treatment option in patients with severe Aortic Stenosis (AS) who are deemed at (very) high operative risk. Because of (non-)cardiac comorbidities life expectancy in this patient, population is reduced when compared with the general population. METHODS: Consecutive patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI between November 2005 and December 2011 were included. (1) Survival status was obtained from the Dutch Civil Registry, (2) cause of death was derived by reviewing hospital charts, and (3) contacting referring physicians and patients' general practitioners. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-seven consecutive patients were included with an overall all-cause mortality of 31% at a median follow up of 13 months (IQR 2-24 months). Four patients (1.6%) died < 48 hr of the TAVI procedure, and another 16 patients died up to the 30-day interval representing an all-cause 8.4% 30-day mortality. Between 30 days and 1-year another 30 patients died. Twenty-four patients died >1 year post TAVI. The predominant cause of death >48 hr post TAVI was noncardiac. One third of these deaths were due to sepsis/infection, one-fifth to cancer and stroke in 16%. CONCLUSIONS: In our series of AS patients undergoing TAVI, the cause of death >48 hr post procedure was predominantly noncardiac at every time interval. Mortality was driven by sepsis/infection, cancer, and stroke. Rigorous patient selection may improve outcome after TAVI.

Clinical implications of conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an established treatment option for patients with aortic stenosis at prohibitive risk to undergo surgical aortic valve replacement. Despite conveying obvious clinical benefits and a decreasing frequency of complications, the occurrence of new conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias remains an important issue. Generally considered a minor complication, they may have a profound impact on prognosis and quality of life after TAVI. Therefore the purpose of this review is to assess and discuss the available information on clinical implications of both new conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias after TAVI.

Case report of increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure with pulsatile left ventricular assist device.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly utilized in cardiogenic shock and high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). These devices aspirate and expel blood from the left ventricle (LV) into the aorta, consequently reducing left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). We report a case of unexpected LVEDP rise under LV-to-aorta LVAD in the context of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and concomitant multi-vessel PCI. Case summary: A patient with acute heart failure, severely depressed systolic LV function, severe aortic stenosis, and multi-vessel coronary artery disease underwent TAVI and concomitant PCI under pulsatile LVAD. Notably, the patient experienced unexpected shortness of breath and elevated LVEDP while under LVAD, which normalized immediately upon LVAD removal. Discussion: Pulsatile LVAD enhances cardiac output by providing pulsatile support through a percutaneous bi-directional flow catheter. Despite expectations of reduced LVEDP and improved myocardial oxygen supply under LVAD support, we observed high LVEDP and clinical complaints of shortness of breath following TAVI and multi-vessel PCI. This case illustrates that an LVAD across the aortic valve may immobilize aortic leaflets and generate acute aortic regurgitation.

Role of Lipid-Lowering and Anti-Inflammatory Therapies on Plaque Stabilization.

Atherosclerosis is the predominant underlying etiopathology of coronary artery disease. Changes in plaque phenotype from stable to high risk may spur future major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Different pharmacological therapies have been implemented to mitigate this risk. Over the last two decades, intravascular imaging modalities have emerged in clinical studies to clarify how these therapies may affect the composition and burden of coronary plaques. Lipid-lowering agents, such as statins, ezetimibe, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, were shown not only to reduce low-density lipoprotein levels and MACE but also to directly affect features of coronary plaque vulnerability. Studies have demonstrated that lipid-lowering therapy reduces the percentage of atheroma volume and number of macrophages and increases fibrous cap thickness. Future studies should answer the question of whether pharmacological plaque stabilization may be sufficient to mitigate the risk of MACE for selected groups of patients with atherosclerotic coronary disease.