Single suture-mediated closure system after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A single-center real-world experience.

BACKGROUND: Despite the use of two crossed Perclose ProGlide™ (Abbott Vascular Devices) is the most widespread technique to close the main arterial access in transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TF-TAVI), the safest and most effective strategy still remains much debated. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a single Perclose ProGlide suture-mediated closure device to obtain femoral hemostasis after sheathless implantation of self-expanding transcatheter heart valves through their 14 F-equivalent fix delivery systems. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 439 patients undergoing TF-TAVI at the "Montevergine" Clinic of Mercogliano, Italy. All patients underwent hemostasis of the large-bore access using a single Perclose ProGlide with preclose technique, after sheathless implantation of self-expanding transcatheter heart valves through 14 F-equivalent fix delivery systems. A multidetector computed tomography analysis of size, tortuosity, atherosclerotic, and calcification burdens of the ilio-femoral access route was made by a dedicated corelab. Vascular complications (VCs), percutaneous closure device (PCD) failure, and bleedings were adjudicated by a clinical events committee. RESULTS: A total of 81 different VCs were observed in 60 patients (13.7%); among these, 41 (5% of patients) were categorized as major. PCD failure occurred in 14 patients (3.2%). At the logistic regression analysis, no predictors of PCD failure have been identified. CONCLUSION: This registry suggests that the use of a single suture-mediated closure device could be considered a safe and efficient technique to achieve access site hemostasis in patients undergoing TF-TAVI through 14 F-equivalent fix delivery systems.

A comparison of intracardiac echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography for guiding device closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect: A 15-year experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Our aim was to evaluate the fluoroscopy time (FT), procedure time (PT) safety and efficacy when using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in comparison to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance for transcatheter closure of Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect (OS-ASD). METHOD: Ninety patients (n = 90) diagnosed with OS-ASD underwent transcatheter closure between March 2006 and October 2021. Fifty-seven patients were treated under ICE guidance, while 33 patients were treated under TEE guidance. RESULTS: Mean age was 43 ± 15 years and 42 ± 10 years in the ICE and TEE groups, respectively. The majority of patients had a centrally placed defect. Median FT was 8.40 min versus 11.70 min (p < .001) in the ICE group compared to the TEE group, respectively. Median PT was 43 min versus 94 min (p < .001) in the ICE group compared to the TEE group, respectively. Both ICE and TEE provided high quality images. All interventions were completed successfully, except for one patient in the ICE group who experienced a device migration, the development of atrial tachycardia in one patient and atrial fibrillation in two patients in the ICE group which spontaneously cardioverted. There were no other complications. CONCLUSION: This study on a consistent cohort of patients with OS-ASD undergoing percutaneous closure suggests that use of ICE is safe and efficacious. Compared to TEE, ICE demonstrated significantly shorter FT and PT, decreasing the entire duration of the procedure and x-ray exposure. No relevant differences were observed in terms of success rate and complications.

Degenerative Severe Aortic Stenosis and Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease: What Is Changing in the Era of the "Transcatheter Revolution"?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognostic relevance, and treatment options of coronary artery disease (CAD) when coupled with severe aortic stenosis (SAS). In regard to treatment options, we focused on the most recently adopted therapeutic approaches and on the future perspectives in light of the latest percutaneous and surgical technical improvements in the field of both CAD and SAS management. RECENT FINDINGS: Nowadays, SAS is the most common valve disease requiring intervention, either surgical or percutaneous. On the other side, CAD is one of the leading causes of death in the developed countries. CAD and degenerative SAS share several predisposing factors and are often concurrently found in clinical practice. Despite in the last years the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been deeply changing the therapeutic approach to SAS, the correct management of patients with concomitant CAD remains controversial due to limited and heterogeneous data in the literature. Coronary revascularization is often performed in patients with concomitant CAD and SAS. Complete surgical approach is still the standard of care according to international guidelines. However, in light of the recent results of TAVR trials, the therapeutic approach is expected to change. To date, percutaneous coronary intervention performed before TAVR is safe and feasible even if the optimal timing for revascularization remains debated. Due to the great complexity of the patients affected by SAS and CAD and until unquestionable truths will come from large randomized trials, the role of the Heart Team in the decision-making process is of primary importance to guarantee the best tailored therapeutic strategy for the single patient.

Time-dependent benefits of pre-treatment with new oral P2Y12 -inhibitors in patients addressed to primary PCI for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this observational study was to determine the benefits of the novel, orally delivered P2Y12 -inhibitors (Is) in terms of angiographic endpoints and in relation to the time of the loading dose (LD) administration. BACKGROUND: The goal of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treatment is timely reperfusion. The P2Y12 -Is prasugrel and ticagrelor have improved the angiographic outcome of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and patients' prognosis. However, their onset of action is impaired in STEMI and delayed by their oral administration. METHODS: The 328 eligible patients with STEMI consecutively referred for pPCI were divided into three groups depending on the interval of "P2Y12 -I LD administration-to-balloon time": Group 2 included patients that received P2Y12 -I LD at least 60 min prior to pPCI, Group 1 within 60 min prior to pPCI, and Group 0 at the moment of pPCI. Angiographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Pre- and post-pPCI TIMI flow grade (TFG) and ST resolution (STR) were used as outcome measures to determine efficacy and optimal timing of pretreatment. RESULTS: Pre-pPCI TFG improved with increasing P2Y12 -I LD administration-to-balloon time; pre-PCI TFG 0/1 was 74.5% in Group 0, 65.5% in Group 1 and 54.9% in Group 2 (P < 0.002). Post-pPCI TFG 3 results also differed significantly between the three groups: 85.2% in Group 0, 88.1% in Group 1, 97.6% in Group 2 (P < 0.013). ST resolution rates were also positively associated with longer pretreatment intervals. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study suggests that the angiographic benefit of P2Y12 -I administration is time-dependent: longer pretreatment improves coronary reperfusion in terms of pre- and post-pPCI TFG and STR.

Atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale: early and long-term effects on endothelial function after percutaneous occlusion procedure.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect (ASD)/patent foramen ovale (PFO) can influence systemic hemodynamics. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of the closure procedure on morphological and functional characteristics of systemic vascular walls. Fourteen ASD (mean age 40 ± 16 years) and 14 PFO (45 ± 8 years) patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. All underwent percutaneous closure procedure; physical, clinical and biochemical evaluations; echocardiography; carotid evaluation; and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD). All the evaluations were performed at the time of enrollment, 24 h post-procedure, at 1-6-12-month follow-up. FMD at enrollment was higher in PFO patients as compared to ASD (8.5% [7.6-10.7%] versus 6.5% [5.6-7.6%], p < 0.0001). FMD values in ASD patients significantly increased during follow-up (enrollment: 6.5% [5.6-7.6%], 12-month follow-up: 8.8% [7.2-10.3%], p < 0.01). PFO patients showed reduced FMD values 24 h after the procedure (enrollment: 8.5% [7.6-10.7%], 24 h post-procedure: 7% [6.3-9%], p < 0.001), while recovering endothelial function during follow-up period to baseline values (FMD at 12-month follow-up: 8.2% [7.6-10.5%]). At one-year follow-up, FMD remained inversely related to systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and right and left atrial/ventricle chambers dimensions (RV proximal diameter efflux tract, right atrium [RA] longitudinal diameter, RA transverse diameter, RA area, left ventricle [LV] end-diastolic diameter, left atrium [LA] anteroposterior diameter, LA area; p < 0.01) in ASD patients. Endothelial function improved after percutaneous closure of ASD, while remaining stable after PFO closure. Therefore, ASD patients seem to improve their cardiovascular risk profile after percutaneous closure of their defect.

Prosthesis depth and conduction disturbances after last generation balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aims: Preliminary data on Sapien 3 valve (S3-THV) use for transcatheter aortic valve implantation have shown an increased permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) rate with respect to Sapien XT valve. Aim of this study was to investigate the role of S3-THV position in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) on electrocardiographic changes suggestive of atrioventricular (ΔPR) and/or intraventricular (ΔQRS) conduction abnormalities and 30 days PPMI rate. Methods and results: Eighty-six consecutive patients treated with S3-THV were included in the study. All patients underwent clinical and electrocardiogram evaluation. Left ventricular outflow tract prosthesis depth was assessed by fluoroscopy and expressed quantitatively (mm) and as aorto-ventricular ratio (AVR). Eight patients (9.3%) needed PPMI at 30 days. A low AVR (≤60/40) predicted PPMI (OR = 6.09, 95% CI 1.19-31.01, P = 0.030) and resulted into higher PPMI rate, compared with higher AVR (30.0 vs. 6.6%, P = 0.017). For each millimetre increase in the LVOT prosthesis depth PPMI risk increased by 1.41 times (95% CI 1.06-1.87, P = 0.017). In patients with low AVR, ΔPR was higher than in those with higher AVR (33.4 ± 56.7 vs. 12.1 ± 19.4 ms, P = 0.021) and ΔPR was associated to LVOT prosthesis depth (ß = 0.286, P = 0.009). Furthermore, ΔPR was associated with risk of PPMI (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P = 0.024). Conclusions: A low AVR is associated to higher ΔPR and PPMI rates. The correlation between LVOT prosthesis depth with ΔPR and higher PPMI rate suggests the need of a careful S3-THV implantation.

Correlation between endothelial dysfunction and myocardial damage in acute phase of Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy: brachial flow mediated dilation as a potential marker for assessment of patient with Tako-Tsubo.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by transient systolic ventricular dysfunction. It is supposed to be caused by a cathecolaminergic wave which leads to myocardial stunning through a massive action on beta2-adrenoreceptor. Moreover, beta2-receptor hyperactivity negatively influences endothelial function. It can be detected by brachial flow mediated dilation (b-FMD) which assesses endothelium regulated vasomotility. The study aim is to analyze the b-FMD variability during hospitalization in 50 patients admitted with TTC. In addition, we investigated a possible correlation between b-FMD at admission and both length of hospital stay (LOHS) and troponin I peak. We detected b-FMD by measuring the hypoxic induced vasoreactivity through assessing brachial artery dilation after 5 min of iatrogenic ischemia obtained by inflating a sphygmomanometer cuff. Artery diameter modifications were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound, and a dedicated software calculated accurately the percentage of dilation after ischemia by comparing it to the basal. These values were measured at admission and on discharge. The obtained values were compared for each patient to explore their variability during hospitalization. Moreover, the correlation between the b-FMD at admission and both the troponin I peak and the LOHS was investigated. There was a statistical significant difference between mean FMD measured at admission and at discharge (respectively 1.54 ± 0.34 and 8.92 ± 2.48%; p < 0.001). Moreover, we found a significant negative correlation between troponin I peak and FMD values at admission (r = - 0.7645; p < 0.001) and a significant inverse correlation between FMD at admission and LOHS (r = - 0.7543; p < 0.001). There is a significant improvement of b-FMD during hospitalization in patients admitted for Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy. Moreover, for the first time, a direct correlation among b-FMD, troponin I peak and LOHS has been detected.

Use of a NobleStitch™ EL Device for PFO Closure.

Cryptogenic stroke is the final diagnosis in almost 40% of ischemic acute cerebrovascular events. There is currently no definitive clinical evidence that percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) can prevent the recurrence of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Identification of the causes of neurologic ischemic syndromes is essential for any strategy intended to prevent the catastrophic consequences of cerebral infarction. Since the initial reports of an unexpectedly high prevalence of PFO in younger patients with cryptogenic stroke in 1988, there has been growing interest and experience in diagnosing and treating these patients, both medically and/or with percutaneous closure, in particular for the potential to eliminate paradoxical embolism via PFO, which is a likely mechanism for stroke in these patients. Selection of the appropriate occluder device is of paramount importance for the success of the procedure. While devices like the Amplatzer™ PFO Occluder (St. Jude Medical), which, based on the extended follow-up of the RESPECT Trial, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year for recurrent stroke prevention, have become generally accepted as being better than medical therapy for patients needing treatment, concerns remain regarding device- and procedure-related complications. NobleStitch™ EL is a novel device that offers a simple non-prosthetic implant method of PFO closure without the inherent risks seen with septal occluders: no risk of device embolization, device thrombosis or late erosion, and probably no risk of arrhythmia. Futhermore, there is no material that would hinder future access to the left atrium and no requirement for anti-coagulation.

Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair: Current Indications and Future Perspectives.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most prevalent valvular heart disease (VHD) and represents an important cause of heart failure. Medical therapy has a limited role in improving symptoms and does not hinder the progression of valvular disease. Surgery is the treatment of choice for severe symptomatic MR; valve repair is currently the preferred surgical approach because it reduces peri-operative mortality and ensures a good medium- to long-term survival outcome. Nevertheless, a non-negligible proportion of patients with indications for surgical correction are considered to be at prohibitive perioperative risk, mainly because of old age and multiple comorbidities. The introduction of percutaneous interventions to clinical practice has changed the natural history of this population. Percutaneous edge-to-edge transcatheter mitral valve repair (Mitraclip®, Abbott Vascular, Menlo Park, CA) is a state-of-the-art therapy for approaching MR in patients with a high surgical risk. Despite having been only recently introduced, this transvenous transfemoral percutaneous intervention has already been performed in more than 40,000 subjects worldwide, with reassuring post-operative results in terms of safety, feasibility, mortality and morbidity. Since Mitraclip® is considered to be minimally invasive, it is currently indicated in "frail" patients with severe comorbidities. We provide a critical review of the literature to clarify current indications, procedural details, patient selection criteria, and future perspectives for this innovative technique.

Feasibility and safety of early discharge after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation - rationale and design of the FAST-TAVI registry.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing trend towards shorter hospital stays after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), in particular for patients undergoing the procedure via transfemoral (TF) access. Preliminary data suggest that there exists a population of patients that can be discharged safely very early after TF-TAVI. However, current evidence is limited to few retrospective studies, encompassing relatively small sample sizes. METHODS: The Feasibility And Safety of early discharge after Transfemoral TAVI (FAST-TAVI) registry is a prospective observational registry that will be conducted at 10 sites across Italy, the Netherlands and the UK. Patients will be included if they have been scheduled to undergo TF-TAVI with the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (THV; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA). The primary endpoint is a composite of all-cause mortality, vascular-access-related complications, permanent pacemaker implantation, stroke, re-hospitalisation due to cardiac reasons, kidney failure and major bleeding, occurring during the first 30 days after hospital discharge. Patients will be stratified according to whether they were high or low risk for early discharge (≤3 days) (following pre-specified criteria), and according to whether or not they were discharged early. Secondary endpoints will include time-to-event (Kaplan-Meier) analysis for the primary outcome and its individual components, analysis of the relative costs of early and late discharge, and changes in short- and long-term quality of life. Multivariate logistic regression will be used to identify factors that indicate that a patient may be suitable for early discharge. DISCUSSION: The data gathered in the FAST-TAVI registry should help to clarify the safety of early discharge after TF-TAVI and to identify patient and procedural characteristics that make early discharge from hospital a safe and cost-effective strategy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02404467 (registration first received March 23rd 2015).

Accuracy of Intravascular Ultrasound Evaluation for the Assessment of Native Valve Measures in Patients Undergoing TAVI: Preliminary Results.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) technique represents a real revolution in the field of interventional cardiology and medicine, in particular for the treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis in elderly patients or in patients when the periprocedural risk for the traditional surgical option is considered too high, as an alternative to the traditional aortic valve replacement. Although experience on the valves of the last generation is still limited in terms of time, the data currently available are definitely moving in the direction of a minimum hospital mortality (1%) as well as a drastic reduction in the incidence of complications when compared to the devices of the previous generation. Finally, the evolution of specified materials of the newest generation have greatly enhanced safety and efficacy of TAVI procedures in the last years. In order to ensure the selection of the most appropriate valve and the success of the procedure, the role of cardiac imaging (computed tomography scan evaluation and angiography) is crucial. These examinations require the use of contrast medium in patients suffering from renal dysfunction at the baseline. The need for fluoroscopy and angiography using contrast agents to aid positioning of the valve may lead to contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) as one form or one etiology of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study is to investigate the accuracy of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS-a technique which does not need contrast) for the assessment of native valve measures in patients undergoing TAVI by comparing values obtained with IVUS to those ones previously obtained in the same patients with computed tomography (CT) scans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 25 consecutive patients (10 males, average age 81.3±5,1 years) who underwent TAVI with femoral access in our Cardiac Surgery Cath-Lab (University of Bari) from January to October 2015 (Logistic EuroSCORE 21.6±15.4%; STS score mortality 20.9±14.9%). Each patient scheduled for TAVI underwent coronary angiography and high resolution angio-CT in order to obtain a complete evaluation (diameters, perimeters, and areas at annulus level, -3mm level, +15mm level, height of coronary ostia, shape, and conformation of left ventricle outflow tract, conformation, and calcifications of aortic and ileo-femoral axis) to choose the most suitable prosthetic aortic valve for each patient. In all patients, during the procedure (before the prosthetic valve implantation), we executed a manual IVUS pullback (from left ventricle outflow tract to ascending aorta) by using a 7F IVUS probe (Volcano Corporation, San Diego, CA). On the recorded IVUS pullback, a second operator (who did not know the values obtained by CT measurements) identified the aortic annulus and, at this level, measured: minimum and maximum diameter; perimeter; derived perimeter, and area. The t-student test has been used to compare the averages of these IVUS values to the CT ones. A p value< 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Independently from the kind and size of implanted prosthetic valve, no statistical differences were found when the averages of all considered parameters (obtained both with CT and IVUS) were compared. The following are the results obtained: minimum diameter (CT: 19,62mm±1,10 vs. IVUS: 19,55mm±1,40; p=0.41); maximum diameter (CT: 24,73mm±2,42 vs. IVUS: 25,9mm±1,80; p=0.08); perimeter (CT: 72,05mm±4,36 vs. IVUS: 73,32mm±6,09; p=0.164); derived perimeter (CT: 22,94mm±1,40 vs. IVUS: 23,32mm ± 1,95; p=0,198); and area (CT: 3,99cm2 ±0,97 vs. IVUS: 4,06 cm2 ± 0,47; p=0,073) (Figs. 1-3). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest accurate IVUS measures when compared to CT in the evaluation of valve parameters considered (minimum and maximum diameters, area, perimeter, and derived perimeter at the annulus level). In order to confirm these findings and to give them statistical significance, it will be necessary to increase the sample size.

Endovascular treatment of multiple aneurysms complicating Cogan syndrome.

To report the use of endografts to manage multiple aneurysms due to Cogan syndrome (CS). A 38-year-old woman with descending thoracic aorta and right common carotid artery aneurysms due to CS was treated with endovascular grafts. After 4 years, angio computed tomography scan demonstrated complete exclusion of the aneurysms with no signs of endoleak, whereas echo color Doppler showed patency of the carotid graft, no signs of restenosis, no progression of the disease in the landing zones, and complete aneurysm exclusion. Endovascular repair seems to have favorable long-term outcomes and should be considered a viable alternative to surgery in unfit for open surgery patients, even if they are young, and when the aneurysm size and location would pose a higher risk of perioperative and postoperative complications after an open surgical procedure.

Bifocal coronary sinus pacing and transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation: an innovative combined approach.

One of the most common complications of tricuspid valve replacement is atrioventricular block (AVB), often requiring permanent pacing. The endocardial pacemaker lead, placed in the right ventricle, may sometimes interfere with the implanted prosthesis, causing its early dysfunction and the need for alternative sites of pacing. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case of a successful combined percutaneous procedure consisting of the implantation of two leads in the coronary sinus for univentricular bifocal pacing and a transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation in a young patient with severe dysfunction of the tricuspid bioprosthesis, requiring permanent pacing for a postsurgical complete atrioventricular block.

Tricuspid valve replacement with surgery can often lead to cardiac rhythm disorders requiring a permanent pacemaker. This device may occasionally damage the tricuspid prosthesis. We present the first case of a combined procedure of tricuspid valve replacement and device implantation distant from the prosthesis without the need for a surgical approach in a young patient with severe tricuspid prosthesis malfunctioning and permanent pacing.

Characterization and Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background/Objectives: To date, data regarding the characteristics and management of obstructive, stable coronary artery disease (CAD) encountered in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are sparse. The aim of the study was to analyze granular details, treatment, and outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI with obstructive, stable CAD from real-world practice. Methods: REVASC-TAVI (Management of myocardial REVASCularization in patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation with coronary artery disease) is an investigator-initiated, multicenter registry, which collected data from patients undergoing TAVI with obstructive stable CAD found during the pre-TAVI work-up. Results: A total of 2025 patients from 30 centers worldwide with complete follow-up were included in the registry. Most patients had single-vessel CAD (56.1%). An involvement of proximal coronary tracts was detected in 62.5% of cases, with 12.0% of patients having CAD in left main (LM). Most patients received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 1617, 79.9%), especially those with proximal CAD (90.4%). At 2 years, the rates of all-cause death [Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimates 20.1% vs. 18.8%, plog-rank = 0.86] and of the composite of all-cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and rehospitalization for heart failure (KM estimates 29.7% vs. 27.5%, plog-rank = 0.82) did not differ between patients undergoing PCI and those who were not. Conclusions: Patients undergoing TAVI with obstructive CAD more commonly had a single-vessel disease and an involvement of proximal coronary tracts. They were commonly treated with PCI, with similar outcomes compared to those treated conservatively.

Fourth-generation endovascular stent-graft: the concept of laminar flow.

The stent graft is a noncompliant system inserted in a semi-compliant structure. This generates a mismatch. The media also shows a composite movement and is oriented 45° resulting in an arterial spiral movement that contributes to maintaining the clockwise orientation of laminar flow with an 80° deflection. Our multilayer stent is constituted by a single Nitinol thread, worked on 3 surfaces in order to realize a proper exoskeleton that reproduces the architecture of the tunica media, in particular its flexo-torsional forces, thus restoring the energy transmission and the match between the wall and the blood flow. A first in vivo implantation was performed by using an experimental pig model in our veterinary department. The pig underwent general anesthesia and the right femoral artery was surgically exposed in order to accommodate a 12F long introducer sheath. Under fluoroscopy three multilayer stents were consecutively implanted from the aortic isthmus to the iliac bifurcation in an overlap fashion. All the intercostal artery and visceral branches were covered by the overlapped stents. The final control angiography revealed an optimal sealing of the implanted stent with an evident flexotorsional oscillatory movement, which follows the conical architecture of the thoracic aorta and the complete patency of all the branches that arise from the aorta. After two months, the multilayer showed a normal endothelialization process with an optimal adhesion to the aortic wall both proximally and distally without provoking any inflammatory response or thickness wall alterations. The perfect and homogenous endothelialization preserved the patency of all the collateral branches arising from the treated aorta, in particular all the intercostal arteries, celiac trunk, and renal arteries. The disease of the aorta essentially concerns the tunica media as it causes disruption of the media components. This exoskeleton works like a neo-tunica media, is perfectly endothelialized, and seems to optimally transmit the flexotorsional forces, restoring the match between wall and flow that represents the primary condition for laminar flow and branch perfusion.

Fluoroscopy Time as a New Predictor of Short-Term Outcomes after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an almost totally cine-fluoroscopic guided procedure. The amount of radiation used during the procedure is strictly related to the fluoroscopy time (FT), that has already been demonstrated to be associated with outcomes and complexity of coronary procedures. The aim of our study is to demonstrate the relationship between FT and the short-term outcomes after TAVR defined by to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 and -3 consensus documents. METHODS: After splitting 1797 consecutive patients into tertiles of FT, the composite endpoint early safety (ES) was adjudicated according to VARC-2 and VARC-3 definitions, whereas the composite endpoints device success (DS) and technical success (TS) according to VARC-3 criteria. RESULTS: The absence of all these outcomes (VARC-2 ES amd VARC-3 TS, DS, and ES) was significantly associated with longer FT: this association was independent from both intraprocedural complications and other intraprocedural factors linked to longer FT, and still persisted after propensity score matching analysis. Notwithstanding, after receiver operating characteristic analysis, FT had adequate diagnostic accuracy in identifying the absence of only VARC-3 TS and VARC-2 ES. CONCLUSION: Longer FT is related with periprocedural and short-term outcomes after the procedure, especially in those that are more challenging. A FT duration of more than 30 min has an adequate accuracy in identifying VARC-3 technical failure (TS and DS) and absence of VARC-2 ES, selecting patients who are likely to take advantage from more careful in-hospital follow-up.

Surgical Mortality Risk Scores in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Is Their Early Predictive Value Still Strong?

BACKGROUND: Surgical mortality risk scores, even if not properly designed and rarely tested in the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) setting, still guide the heart team in managing significant aortic stenosis. METHODS: After splitting 1763 consecutive patients retrospectively based on their mortality risk thresholds, the composite endpoint early safety (ES) was adjudicated according to Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 and -3 consensus documents. RESULTS: ES incidence was higher if VARC-2 rather than VARC-3 defined. Despite only patients showing VARC-2 ES had significantly lower absolute values of all three main risk scores, these last still failed to foresee both VARC-2 and -3 ES in intermediate-risk patients. The receiver operating characteristic analysis also showed a significant correlation, but with poor diagnostic accuracy, among the three scores and only VARC-2 ES; moreover, the absence of VARC-2 ES and low-osmolar contrast media administration were identified as independent predictors of 1-year mortality and absence of VARC-3 ES, respectively. Finally, even a single complication included in the ES definition could significantly affect 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: Currently, the most used mortality risk scores do not have adequate diagnostic accuracy in predicting ES after TAVI. The absence of VARC-2, instead of VARC-3, ES is an independent predictor of 1-year mortality.

Impaired Vagal Activity in Long-COVID-19 Patients.

Long-COVID-19 refers to the signs and symptoms that continue or develop after the "acute COVID-19" phase. These patients have an increased risk of multiorgan dysfunction, readmission, and mortality. In Long-COVID-19 patients, it is possible to detect a persistent increase in D-Dimer, NT-ProBNP, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. To verify the dysautonomia hypothesis in Long-COVID-19 patients, we studied heart rate variability using 12-lead 24-h ECG monitoring in 30 Long-COVID-19 patients and 20 No-COVID patients. Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability was lower in Long-COVID-19 patients both for total power (7.46 ± 0.5 vs. 8.08 ± 0.6; p < 0.0001; Cohens-d = 1.12) and for the VLF (6.84 ± 0.8 vs. 7.66 ± 0.6; p < 0.0001; Cohens-d = 1.16) and HF (4.65 ± 0.9 vs. 5.33 ± 0.9; p = 0.015; Cohens-d = 0.76) components. The LF/HF ratio was significantly higher in Long-COVID-19 patients (1.46 ± 0.27 vs. 1.23 ± 0.13; p = 0.001; Cohens-d = 1.09). On multivariable analysis, Long-COVID-19 is significantly correlated with D-dimer (standardized ß-coefficient = 0.259), NT-ProBNP (standardized ß-coefficient = 0.281), HF component of spectral analysis (standardized ß-coefficient = 0.696), and LF/HF ratio (standardized ß-coefficient = 0.820). Dysautonomia may explain the persistent symptoms in Long COVID-19 patients. The persistence of a procoagulative state and an elevated myocardial strain could explain vagal impairment in these patients. In Long-COVID-19 patients, impaired vagal activity, persistent increases of NT-ProBNP, and a prothrombotic state require careful monitoring and appropriate intervention.

The hemodynamic performance of balloon-expandable aortic bioprostheses in the elderly: a comparison between rapid deployment and transcatheter implantation.

BACKGROUND: Surgical aortic valve replacement with a rapid deployment valve (RDV) is a relatively recent treatment option. The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic performance of balloon-expandable (BE)-RDVs and BE-transcatheter heart valves (THVs) in a high surgical risk and frail-elderly population. METHODS: BE-THVs and BE-RDVs were implanted in 138 and 47 patients, respectively, all older than 75 years and with a Canadian Study of Health and Aging category of 5 or above. Echocardiographic assessment was performed at discharge and six months later. RESULTS: At discharge, transprosthetic pressure gradients and indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) were similar in both cohorts. At six-month follow-up, BE-RDVs showed lower peak (14.69 vs. 20.86 mmHg; p < 0.001) and mean (7.82 vs. 11.83 mmHg; p < 0.001) gradients, and larger iEOA (1.05 vs. 0.84 cm2/m2; p < 0.001). Similar findings were also shown considering only small-sized valves. Moderate-to-severe paravalvular leakage was more prevalent in BE-THVs at discharge (14.49 vs. 0.00%; p = 0.032) and, considering exclusively small prostheses, at six months too (57.69 vs. 15.00%; p = 0.014). Nevertheless, BE-THVs determined amelioration in left ventricular ejection fraction (53.79 vs. 60.14%; p < 0.001), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (35.81 vs. 33.15 mmHg; p = 0.042), and tricuspid regurgitation severity (40.58 vs. 19.57%; p = 0.031), from discharge to mid-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: BE-RDVs showed better hemodynamic performance, especially when implanted in small annuli. Despite their worse baseline conditions, transcatheter patients still exhibited a greater improvement of their echocardiographic profile at mid-term follow-up.

Management of Myocardial Revascularization in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

BACKGROUND: The best management of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is still unclear due to the marked inconsistency of the available evidence. METHODS: The REVASC-TAVI registry (Management of Myocardial Revascularization in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With Coronary Artery Disease) collected data from 30 centers worldwide on patients undergoing TAVI who had significant, stable CAD at preprocedural work-up. For the purposes of this analysis, patients with either complete or incomplete myocardial revascularization were compared in a propensity score matched analysis, to take into account of baseline confounders. The primary and co-primary outcomes were all-cause death and the composite of all-cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and rehospitalization for heart failure, respectively, at 2 years. RESULTS: Among 2407 patients enrolled, 675 pairs of patients achieving complete or incomplete myocardial revascularization were matched. The primary (21.6% versus 18.2%, hazard ratio' 0.88 [95% CI, 0.66-1.18]; P=0.38) and co-primary composite (29.0% versus 27.1%, hazard ratio' 0.97 [95% CI, 0.76-1.24]; P=0.83) outcome did not differ between patients achieving complete or incomplete myocardial revascularization, respectively. These results were consistent across different prespecified subgroups of patients (< or >75 years of age, Society of Thoracic Surgeons score > or <4%, angina at baseline, diabetes, left ventricular ejection fraction > or <40%, New York Heart Association class I/II or III/IV, renal failure, proximal CAD, multivessel CAD, and left main/proximal anterior descending artery CAD; all P values for interaction >0.10). CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis of the REVASC-TAVI registry showed that, among TAVI patients with significant stable CAD found during the TAVI work-up, completeness of myocardial revascularization achieved either staged or concomitantly with TAVI was similar to a strategy of incomplete revascularization in reducing the risk of all cause death, as well as the risk of death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and rehospitalization for heart failure at 2 years, regardless of the clinical and anatomical situations.