Hemodynamic Effects of Valve Asymmetry in Sapien 3 Transcatheter Aortic Valves.

BACKGROUND: Eccentric valve deployment after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been associated with abnormal leaflet shear stresses that may accelerate structural valve deterioration (SVD). This phenomenon has not been studied in patients receiving Sapien 3 prostheses (Edwards Lifesciences). METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis of 100 patients who received Sapien 3 valves between 2013 and 2015 at a single institution was performed. Axial fluoroscopic images from the co-planar view were used to assess TAVR asymmetry, which was defined as a ratio of left-to-right valve heights ≤0.9 or ≥1.1. Transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) were obtained at follow-up to analyze peak and mean aortic valve (AV) gradients, paravalvular leak (PVL), and aortic insufficiency (AI). RESULTS: Overall, 26 mm and 29 mm valves had greater asymmetry (45.2% and 46.9%) compared to 23 mm valves (21.2%; P=.06). There was no relationship between pre-TAVR eccentricity and post-TAVR asymmetry, but greater annular calcification was associated with a higher incidence of TAVR asymmetry. Although asymmetry was associated with higher mean and peak AV gradients among 23 mm and 26 mm valves at both 1-year and 2-year follow-up exams, these results did not reach significance. There were no significant differences in PVL or AI severity between asymmetric and symmetric valves. CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric deployment of Sapien 3 valves is common, particularly among 26 mm and 29 mm prostheses. Overall, we detected a small increase in gradients in smaller prostheses, which could reflect early subclinical SVD. Longer follow-up will be necessary to determine the extent to which eccentricity is associated with clinically significant SVD.

Contemporary Antiplatelet Pharmacotherapy in the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Antiplatelet therapies are pivotal treatments in the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with or without revascularization. In recent years, the use of P2Y12 antagonists prior to catheterization, so-called pretreatment, has been questioned, particularly in patients who may be at higher bleeding risks. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the current literature on contemporary and novel antiplatelet therapy in the pretreatment and treatment of ACS. RECENT FINDINGS: The P2Y12 receptor antagonists are associated with substantial reductions in morbidity and mortality for all types of ACS but only clopidogrel and ticagrelor have sufficient evidence for use in the pretreatment setting. The data regarding prasugrel support the use in patients undergoing percutaneous intervention (PCI). The glycoprotein IIa/IIIb antagonists are the most optimal for use in high-risk ACS as an adjuvant therapy during and after PCI. In summary, although all P2Y12 antagonists have morbidity- and mortality-reducing effects in ACS, only clopidogrel and ticagrelor have sufficient evidence in the pretreatment setting. Newer antiplatelet therapies, most notably the protease-activated receptor 1 antagonists, are evolving and promising but are associated with greater bleeding risks.

Robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention.

Performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with several occupational hazards including radiation exposure and musculoskeletal injury. Current methods to mitigate these risks range from suspended radiation suits to adjustable lead-lined glass shields. Robotic-assisted PCI is a novel approach to PCI that utilizes remote-controlled technology to manipulate catheters thereby significantly reducing radiation exposure to the operator and catheterization laboratory staff. Although limited, current evidence indicates that robotic-assisted PCI is associated with a high technical success rate and may have additional advantages over conventional PCI, such as a decreased incidence of geographical miss. However, as the technology is nascent, further studies including larger, randomized controlled trials are needed to expand on the long-term clinical and safety outcomes.

Catechins as Potential Mediators of Cardiovascular Health.

The impact of diet on cardiovascular disease has become an increasingly relevant topic as ongoing epidemiological evidence continues to demonstrate clear associations with disease burden and mortality. Certain diets, such as those high in sodium and saturated fat, are associated with cardiovascular disease states, while other diets can be cardioprotective. However, there is limited knowledge on how the micro- and macronutrients within such cardioprotective diets afford their benefits. One such micronutrient is the catechin class, which are naturally occurring compounds in plant foods, such as teas, cocoa, wine, pears, and apples. Recent evidence reveals that catechins may be a key mediator in cardiovascular health via mechanisms of blood pressure reduction, flow-mediated vasodilation, and atherosclerosis attenuation. This review evaluates the current literature on the interplay between catechins and cardiovascular disease, which may have important implications for nutrition counseling and pharmaceutical drug development.