[TAVR and bicuspid aortic valve]. / TAVI dans la bicuspidie aortique.

Percutaneous aortic valve implantation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve has long been the subject of controversy or even regarded as contra-indicated. Recently, the availability of second-generation valves as well as an improved understanding of valve anatomy and sizing have resulted in outcomes which are equivalent to those achieved in tricuspid valves. This technique may, therefore, be proposed to patients at high or intermediate surgical risk, whose anatomy is suitable for TAVI.

Aortic valve anatomy and outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in bicuspid aortic valves.

PURPOSE: Aortic stenosis (AS) in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) remains a challenge for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). BAV is a condition encountered in young adults as well as elderly patients. Frequently we face in clinical practice elderly patients with BAV and severe AS, but there is little evidence concerning TAVI in this population. The aim of our study was to compare anatomic features and outcomes of bicuspid and tricuspid patients with AS undergoing TAVI. METHODS: 83 consecutive BAV patients undergoing TAVI were matched, in a 1:2 ratio, to 166 tricuspid patients. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) were assessed at baseline. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and early safety at 30 days according to Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria 2 (VARC-2). Secondary endpoint included device success. RESULTS: BAV patients presented more aortic root calcifications, smaller diameter of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and dilated aorta. We did not observe any statistically significant difference concerning all-cause mortality and early safety at 30 days. However higher intra-procedural TAV-in-TAV bailout procedure was observed in the BAV cohort, with consequent reduction of device success rate. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BAV present more complex anatomy at baseline as compared to tricuspid AS patients. These anatomical features lead to more frequent TAV-in-TAV bailout procedure and lower device success rate, but are not associated with higher mortality rate at 30 days. Our findings support the feasibility of TAVI in BAV, but larger studies with longer follow-up and a focus on sizing are required.

Periodontopathogens antibodies and major adverse events following an acute myocardial infarction: results from the French Registry of Acute ST-Elevation and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (FAST-MI).

BACKGROUND: Periodontopathogens antibodies have been shown to be associated with primary myocardial events, but little is known regarding their impact on major adverse events after a prior acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The present prospective study evaluates the association between antibody levels of 4 periodontopathogens and the risk of all-cause death or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) at 1 year in 975 patients admitted for acute ST segment or non-ST segment elevation MI in French Registry of Acute ST-Elevation and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (FAST-MI), a nationwide French survey. METHODS: Multiserotype ELISAs were performed to assess levels of IgG and IgA against Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia and Tannerella forsythia. RESULTS: Adjusted HRs indicate the lack of association between IgG-anti-Po. gingivalis levels (0.96 (0.78 to 1.18)), IgA-anti-Po. gingivalis levels (1.13 (0.90 to 1.42)) and the risk of all-cause death or non-fatal MI at 1 year. Additionally, no significant association was found between the occurence of an event at 1 year and immunoglobulins levels against the others periodontopathogens. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate that circulating levels of periodontopathogens antibodies are not associated with an increased risk of major adverse events in patients with a prior AMI. Studies dealing with bacterial and clinical data are needed to assess the role of oral health in comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

[Transradial peripheral angioplasty]. / Angioplastie périphérique par voie radiale.

Radial access for coronary intervention has gained popularity due to a low rate of access site bleeding complications and the possibility for early discharge. The preferential access site for peripheral intervention remains femoral, via antegrade or retrograde puncture. Not all peripheral lesions are suitable for transradial intervention due to the distance between the access site and the lesion location. This technique requires a precise strategy planning and knowledge of the available devices. We describe accessible sites from radial approach and the techniques to be used.

[Patent foramen ovale percutaneous closure: indications, techniques and results]. / Fermeture percutanée des foramens ovales perméables: indications, techniques et résultats.

A patent foramen ovale is almost physiological (15% of the population) but can be associated with some pathological situations in which its closure can be considered. The only medical indication currently accepted is a right-left shunt without elevation of the right pulmonary pressure, whose most famous pattern is the rare platypnea-orthodeoxie syndrome. PFO may be responsible for diving decompression accidents. Before taking the decision of closing a PFO, each situation must be discussed on a case to case basis. In spite of the possible link between some kinds of migraine and PFO, according to current knowledge, there is no evidence of the efficiency of PFO closure in this situation. The secondary prevention of a cryptogenic ischaemic cerebrovascular attack on a young person with a PFO associated to a membranous septum aneurysm, is the most commonly considered indication, but we lack valid data for this indication. The PFO closing procedure is well codified and its success rate is close to 100%, with rare major complications. Residual permeability within the prosthesis ensuring the closure of the PFO decreases gradually to get under 15% after six months. The clinical result is often dramatic when treating right-left shunts. As far as the secondary prevention of cryptogenic ischaemic cerebro vascular attacks in young people is concerned, there might be some clinical benefit, but we are waiting for the results of ongoing randomized and scheduled studies.

[Treatment of intrastent restenosis by drug eluting stents: experience from one cardiology centre]. / Traitement des resténoses intrastent par un stent actif: experience monocentrique.

Many interventional treatments have been proposed for intrastent stenosis, in particular by drug-eluting stents, with encouraging results. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of patients with restenosis of an ordinary uncovered stent treated by a drug eluting stent in a prospective series. The register included 43 patients (50 intrastent restenoses) treated by a drug eluting stent (Cypher or Taxus). The restenosis lesion was focal in 32% of cases with an average length of 14.8 +/- 8 mm and diameter inferior to 2.5 mm in 48% of cases. A Cypher stent was implanted in 44% of cases and a Taxus stent in 56% of cases. After an average follow-up of 6.7 +/- 1.3 months, the major adverse cardiac event rate was 9.3%. It included one transmural infarct in a patient, due to stent thrombosis, and symptomatic restenoses in 3 patients (clinical restenosis rate: 7%). An angiographic control was performed in 15 patients (35%) identifying focal restenosis at the exit of the stent in the 3 symptomatic patients. As in previously reported studies, these results show that with well conducted platelet antiaggregant therapy, the treatment of intrastent restenosis with a drug eluting stent is effective with a low rate of adverse cardiovascular events which compares favourably with previously proposed techniques of management.

[Contrast media and percutaneous coronary interventions]. / Produits de contraste en cardiologie interventionnelle coronaire.

Contrast media are widely used for percutaneous coronary interventions. Currently, about a dozen types of contrast media are available in France. On account of their overall safety, only low osmolar and isosmolar contrast media are used in practice. However, the appropriate use of contrast media remains difficult as accurate recommendations are lacking. Several doubts are still present regarding potential adverse effects of contrast media. Our review summarizes contrast media-related risks (hypersensitivity, arrhythmic risk, effects on coagulation and platelets, contrast media-induced nephrotoxicity) underlying mechanisms, prophylaxis strategies, and differences among contrast media. Many questions remain in this area and we need further prospective randomised trials.

[Gene therapy of restenosis and atherosclerosis: hopes and facts]. / Thérapie génique des resténoses et de l'athérosclérose: espoirs et réalités.

Stents are the main technique of coronary revascularization in France and western countries. However, a better understanding of the pathophysiology of in-stent restenosis and the well-recognized roles played by inflammation and cell proliferation led to the development of drug-eluting stents, which have nearly eliminated the risk of restenosis. In this context, the success of gene therapy will depend on our ability to simplify and optimize current protocols of arterial gene transfer. For the time being, arterial gene therapy remains a powerful tool for deciphering the complex pathophysiology of restenosis and will certainly have far-reaching implications in the fields of vascular biology and therapeutics.