De Winter Electrocardiographic Pattern Related with a Non-Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Occlusion.

The electrocardiographic pattern consisting of ST-segment depression and hyperacute T waves in patients with acute chest pain, known as "De Winter pattern," has been related with the occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). The association of these findings with the involvement of a different coronary artery has not been described. We present a 53-year-old patient with an occlusion of the first diagonal branch and an electrocardiogram showing a "De Winter pattern." The reported case demonstrates that "De Winter pattern" is not exclusively associated with the occlusion of the proximal segment of the LAD.

Procedural and clinical impact of intravascular lithotripsy for the treatment of peri-stent calcification.

BACKGROUND: Use of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for treating peri-stent calcification is increasing. However, this indication remains 'off-label'. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and clinical outcomes of in-stent IVL. METHODS: Patients from five European centers who underwent in-stent IVL were included between 2019 and 2023. Demographic, clinical, procedural and follow-up data were collected from electronic hospital records. Angiographic and intracoronary imaging (ICI) data were analyzed in a centralized core-laboratory. RESULTS: Of 101 patients (71.2 ± 9.2 years), 56(55 %) received in-stent IVL for late stent failure (median 109 days post-PCI) due to calcific neoatherosclerosis or extra-stent calcification(late-IVL), while 45(45 %) underwent bail-out IVL due to stent infraexpasion (immediate-IVL). Both late-IVL and immediate-IVL significantly improved angiographic %diameter stenosis (73.7[59.6-89.8]% to 16.4 [10.4-26.9]%;p < 0.0001 and 28.6[22.5-43.3]% to 14.1[10.3-29.4]%;p < 0.0001, and minimum lumen area (MLA) (3.4 ± 1.2 to 8.6 ± 2.5 mm2;p < 0.002 and 5.4 ± 1.9 to 7.3 ± 1.9;p < 0.0001).Device(98 %) and procedural success(80 %) were high. MACE rates in-hospital (2 %), 30-days (3 %),6-months(5 %) and 1-year(7 %) were low and comparable in both groups. Acute diameter gain was lower in immediate-IVL (2.1 ± 0.7 mm vs. 0.5 ± 0.4 mm;p < 0.0001). This, however, was explained by significant differences in pre-IVL angiographic and ICI parameters (%diameter stenosis 73.7[59.6-89.8] vs. 28.6[22.5-43.3]%; p < 0.0001 and MLA (3.4 ± 1.2 vs 5.4 ± 1.9 mm2; p < 0.0001), whereas post-IVL percentage diameter stenosis (16.4(10.4-26.9) vs. 14.1(10.3-29.4);p = 0.914) and MLA (8.6 ± 2.5vs. 7.4 ± 1.9 mm2;p = 0.064) in late- and immediate-IVL were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: IVL in-stent due to peri-stent calcification is an effective strategy, both late and immediately after stent implantation. Overall, MACE rates at short- and mid-term were low and comparable in both groups, although clinical findings should be taken with caution.

Bailout Intravascular Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Acutely Underexpanded Stents in Heavily Calcified Coronary Lesions: A Case Series.

Stent underexpansion is a common problem in heavily calcified coronary lesions treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, and has been associated with in-stent restenosis, stent thrombosis and, subsequently, poor clinical outcomes. Adequate preparation of heavily calcified coronary lesions (e.g. using non-compliant balloons, cutting/scoring balloons, rotational/orbital atherectomy or intravascular lithotripsy) prior to stent implantation is essential in preventing stent underexpansion. However, in certain cases the deployed stent may remain underexpanded despite extensive lesion preparation. To date, no consensus exists on how to treat stent underexpansion in this scenario. We present a cases series in which post-stenting intravascular lithotripsy was performed to treat acute stent underexpansion in heavily calcified lesions, describing the technical aspects, angiographic results as well as clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up.

Development of Central Venous Stenosis Upon ICD Implantation in Dialysis Patients: A Non-Negligible Issue.

Background: In hemodialysis patients, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation may result in central venous stenosis (CVS) with associated symptoms, such as pain, edema of the ipsilateral arm, facial edema, and loss of dialysis access. However, literature concerning CVS in dialysis patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device is scarce. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in which we investigated the incidence of CVS in end-stage renal disease patients on chronic dialysis who received an ICD as part of participation in the randomized ICD2 trial. A venography was performed before ICD implantation and at 1 year follow-up. Results: Between 2007 and 2017, 80 patients on dialysis received an ICD according to ICD2 trial protocol. Our population mainly consisted of males (76.3%), and had a median age of 67 years. Hemodialysis was the predominant dialysis modality (71.3%). The ICD was implanted in the right pectoral region in 58 patients (72.5%). A minority of the patients (27.5%) had a history of central venous catheters use, ipsilateral to ICD implantation site. Median follow-up was 16 months (IQR 13-35). Prospective assessment of central vein patency was possible in 56 patients (70.0%). Partial obstruction of central vein at follow-up was present in 19 out of 56 patients (33.9%) and complete occlusion in 4 patients (7.1%). With a complete clinical follow-up of all patients with a median duration of 3.5 years (IQR 2.7 - 6.3), 3 patients developed clinically significant symptoms of CVS. Conclusions: Development of CVS in patients on chronic dialysis who received an ICD is a cause of concern. Prevention of such complications deserves attention and further research. Trial Registration: ISRCTN20479861.

Emerging drugs for coronary artery disease. From past achievements and current needs to clinical promises.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, exerting a huge economic burden. Although drug treatment in the past decades has made large advances, significant residual risk remains. However, in the coming years, there are still a lot of great advances and major breakthroughs expected. AREAS COVERED: New treatments are expected to provide higher efficacy with favorable safety profiles. In this review article, we provide an almost complete overview of the recent and emerging drug therapies of CAD. This includes: drugs for the treatment of atherogenic dyslipidemia, drugs that stabilize atherosclerotic plaques and halt their progression guided by novel anti-inflammatory concepts in atherosclerosis treatment, anti-anginal treatments, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs. EXPERT OPINION: Efforts have been made to improve the clinical effectiveness and safety of established treatment strategies and target new frontiers through developing novel treatment strategies that tackle different mechanisms of action. Better understanding of the different molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying CAD has resulted in more innovations and achievements in CAD drug therapy, and still a lot more is anticipated in the coming years.

Left Ventricular Myocardial Work in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular myocardial work (LVMW) is a novel method to assess left ventricular (LV) function using pressure-strain loops that takes into consideration LV afterload. The estimation of LV afterload in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) may be challenging, and no study so far has investigated LVMW in this setting. The aim of this study was to develop a method to calculate LVMW in patients with severe AS and to analyze its relationship with heart failure symptoms. METHODS: Indices of LVMW were calculated in 120 patients with severe AS who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement and invasive LV and aortic pressure measurements. LV systolic pressure was also derived by adding the mean aortic valve gradient to the aortic systolic pressure. LV global longitudinal strain and echocardiography-derived LV systolic pressure were then incorporated to construct pressure-strain loops of the left ventricle. RESULTS: An excellent correlation was observed between LVMW indices calculated using the invasive and echocardiography-derived LV systolic pressure. Patients in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV (n = 97 [73%]) had lower LV global longitudinal strain, LV global work index, LV global constructive work, and right ventricular free wall strain compared with those in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. In contrast to LV global longitudinal strain, LV global work index (odds ratio per 100 mm Hg% increase, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.98; P = .012) and LV global constructive work showed independent associations with New York Heart Association functional class III or IV heart failure symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The calculation of echocardiography-based LVMW indices is feasible in patients with severe AS. In particular, LV global work index and global constructive work showed independent associations with heart failure symptoms and may provide additional information on myocardial remodeling and function in patients with severe AS.

Outcome of patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted in hospitals with or without catheterization laboratory: results from the HELIOS registry.

AIMS: To compare the treatment and outcomes of myocardial infarction patients in hospitals with and without catheterization laboratory. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Hellenic Infarction Observation Study was a countrywide registry of acute myocardial infarction, conducted during 2005-2006. The registry enrolled 1840 patients with myocardial infarction from 31 hospitals with a proportional representation of all types of hospitals and of all geographical areas. Out of these patients, 645 (35%) were admitted in 11 hospitals with and 1195 (65%) in 20 hospitals without catheterization laboratory. Patients admitted in hospitals with catheterization laboratory in comparison with patients admitted in hospitals without were younger (66+/-14 vs. 68+/-13, P<0.004) with less diabetes (27 vs. 33%, P<0.001), but without other baseline differences (female 27 vs. 25%, prior myocardial infarction 20 vs. 17%, Killip class>1 22 vs. 23%). Reperfusion rates for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were 67% (43% lytic, 24% primary percutaneous coronary interventions) versus 56% (55% lytic, 1% percutaneous coronary interventions; P<0.01). In-hospital outcomes in hospitals with versus in hospitals without laboratory were: mortality 6.5 versus 8.3% (NS), stroke 2.2 versus 1.1% (NS), major bleeding 1.1 versus 0.6% (NS), and heart failure 11 versus 16% (P<0.01). In multivariate regression analysis, being admitted in a hospital without catheterization laboratory was not an independent predictor of increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio=1.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.72-1.93, P=0.505). CONCLUSION: Although the majority of acute myocardial infarction patients was admitted in hospitals without catheterization laboratory, these patients do not have a survival disadvantage, provided they are treated with lytic therapy, medical secondary prevention drugs, and eventual revascularization according to current guidelines.

Altered expression of early cardiac marker genes in circulating cells of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Early cardiac marker genes, such as cardiac-specific homeobox (Csx/Nkx2.5), myocardin, homeodomain only protein, GATA4, and myocyte enhancer factor 2C, are thought to participate in cardiomyocyte differentiation and to contribute to heart hypertrophy in animal models. In this study, we investigated whether the expression of early cardiac genes is altered in the peripheral blood of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 30 consecutive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients and 20 healthy controls, and gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Csx/Nkx2.5, myocardin, and GATA4 expressions were significantly higher in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients by 5.14+/-0.89 (P<.001), 1.65+/-0.21 (P<.05), and 2.04+/-0.41 (P<.04) times, respectively, while homeodomain only protein showed a fourfold decrease in expression (P<.02) compared to controls. In addition, expression of the differentiation-specific marker genes beta-myosin heavy chain and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain was significantly higher in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients by 3.72+/-0.82 (P<.02) and 2.57+/-0.72 (P<.05) times, respectively, compared to controls. Myocyte enhancer factor 2C expression was not different between patients and controls. Furthermore, increased expression of GATA4, myocardin, and beta-myosin heavy chain positively correlated with increased left ventricular mass. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we found altered expressions of early cardiac marker genes and differentiation-specific marker genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients compared to control individuals, possibly reflecting changes in response to disease.

Risk factors for ischaemic heart disease in a Cretan rural population: a twelve year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Crete has been of great epidemiological interest ever since the publication of the Seven Countries Study. In 1988 a well-defined area of rural Crete was studied, with only scarce signs of coronary heart disease (CHD) despite the unfavorable risk profile. The same population was re-examined twelve years later aiming to describe the trends of CHD risk factors over time and discuss some key points on the natural course of coronary heart disease in a rural population of Crete. METHODS AND RESULTS: We re-examined 200 subjects (80.7% of those still living in the area, 62.4 +/- 17.0 years old). The prevalence of risk factors for CHD was high with 65.9% of men and 65.1% of women being hypertensive, 14.3% of men and 16.5% of women being diabetic, 44% of men being active smokers and more than 40% of both sexes having hyperlipidaemia. Accordingly, 77.5% of the population had a calculated Framingham Risk Score (FRS) > or = 15%, significantly higher compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The overall occurrence rate for CHD events was calculated at 7.1 per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval: 6.8-7.3). CONCLUSION: The study confirms the unfavorable risk factor profile of a well defined rural population in Crete. Its actual effect on the observed incidence of coronary events in Cretans remains yet to be defined.

Microcatheters: A valuable tool in the presence of a challenging coronary anatomy in the setting of acute coronary interventions. Case report and mini review.

Popularity of microcatheters (MCs) is growing among interventional cardiologists, especially when complex coronary anatomy is involved. However, MCs are still considered by many as a niche tool and their value in common clinical practice and in the setting of acute coronary interventions has not been fully appreciated. This case report highlights the decisive role of MC use in the successful completion of a primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Characteristics and indications of the most commonly used MC are briefly discussed.

Guide extension catheter stepwise advancement facilitated by repeated distal balloon anchoring.

Coronary stent delivery can be extremely challenging in tortuous and calcified lesions especially when radial approach is chosen. Guide extension catheter is a useful tool for overcoming the inherent difficulties arising by the use of radial access in complex percutaneous interventions. We describe a technique for guide extension catheter system advancement by presenting two cases. This was performed stepwise by repeated distal balloon anchoring in the coronary artery of interest.

A systematic review on the safety of Prostar XL versus ProGlide after TAVR and EVAR.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) and transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are widely spreading minimally invasive procedures performed mainly through the femoral artery. Prostar XL and ProGlide vascular closure devices are used in clinical practice for the hemostasis in these procedures and they have been shown to be safe and effective. PURPOSE: The aim of our systematic review is to compare the safety of these two devices for percutaneous closure of large arteriotomies in patients undergoing TAVR and EVAR. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for all randomized and observational published studies that compared Prostar XL vs. ProGlide. Relative risk was calculated by random-effects model. Review Manager 5.1 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total number of 2909 patients were included in our analysis. The rate of overall vascular complications did not differ between Prostar XL and ProGlide {RR 1.35 (0.80-2.29), p=0.27}. In contrary, the risk ratio of all bleeding complications with Prostar XL compared to ProGlide was 1.82 (1.47-2.24, p<0.001) and for major and life-threatening bleeding complications was 2.48 (1.65-3.73, p<0001, suggesting a lower bleeding risk with ProGlide). No statistical difference was found between groups for end-stage acute kidney injury (AKI), with a risk ratio of 2.14 (0.81-5.66), p=0.05. Finally, there were no differences in in-hospital and 30-days mortality rate between the two groups (1.41, 0.56-3.54, p=0.46 and 1.43, 0.55-3.73, p=0.47, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Prostar XL is associated with greater risk of any bleeding as well as life threatening bleeding compared to the ProGlide device. However, no significant differences were observed in the rate of overall vascular complications, end stage AKI and in-hospital and 30-days mortality.

Impact of age on transcatheter aortic valve implantation outcomes: a comparison of patients aged ≤ 80 years versus patients > 80 years.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the procedural outcomes and the long-term survival of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and compare study results of patients ≤ 80 years and patients > 80 years old. METHODS: A total of 240 patients treated with TAVI were divided into two groups according to age ≤ 80 years (n = 105; 43.8%) and > 80 years (n = 135; 56.2%). The baseline characteristics and the procedural outcomes were compared between these two groups of patients. RESULTS: With the exception of peripheral artery disease and hypercholesterolemia, which were more frequently observed in the older age group, baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Complication rates did not differ significantly between patients ≤ 80 years and patients > 80 years. There were no differences in 30-day mortality rates between patients aged ≤ 80 years and patients > 80 years old (9.5% vs. 7.4%, respectively; P = 0.557). After a median follow-up of 28 months (interquartile range: 16-42 months), 50 (47.6%) patients aged ≤ 80 years died compared to 57 (42%) deaths in the group of patients > 80 years old (P = 0.404). CONCLUSION: The results of the present single center study showed that age did not significantly impact the outcomes of TAVI.

Plasma markers of angiogenesis in pregnancy induced hypertension.

This study tests the hypothesis that abnormalities in plasma indices of angiogenesis, such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and angiopoietins (Ang-1, Ang-2), as well as their soluble receptors Flt-1 (sFlt-1) and Tie 2 (sTie-2) respectively, are present in women with in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). We also measured platelet levels of VEGF and Ang-1 (pVEGF and pAng-1 respectively). We studied 69 consecutive women with PIH (34 without proteinuria, and 35 with proteinuria, i.e. preeclampsia) who were compared to 64 consecutive women with normotensive pregnancies and 30 normotensive non-pregnant women, in a cross-sectional study. Using ELISA, we measured levels of plasma VEGF, Ang-1 & 2, Tie-2 and sFlt-1, and also the levels of angiogenic markers within the platelet [platelet VEGF (pVEGF) and platelet Ang-1 (pAng1)] by lysing a fixed number of platelets with 0.5% tween. Results show that levels of plasma VEGF, Ang-1, Ang2, sFlt-1 and Tie-2 were significantly different between the study groups. Post hoc analyses revealed plasma Ang-1 was highest in the preeclampsia group (p<0.001), whilst Ang-2 was highest in the normotensive pregnant group (p-=0.018). Plasma Tie-2 was highest in the PIH group. VEGF levels were significantly different between the preeclampsia group and the PIH group (p<0.05). Platelet VEGF levels were higher in the non-pregnant group than in the pregnant group, but there were no significant differences in the platelet levels of Ang-1 between the different groups. Ang-2, sFlt-1 and Tie-2 were undetectable in the platelet lysate in any of the patient groups or controls. Blood pressure was a major determinant of the different angiogenic factors studied. Abnormal indices of angiogenesis are evident in PIH and preeclampsia, with higher levels of sFlt-1 and lower levels of VEGF; in PIH, increased levels of Ang-1 and Tie-2, but reduced Ang-2, are evident compared to normal pregnancy. These abnormalities may have implications for the pathogenesis of PIH and preeclampsia.

Circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 and -2 levels in gestational hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Gestational hypertension (GH) is dangerous to both mother and child. Arterial invasiveness and growth are dependent on successful extracellular matrix (ECM) breakdown, which may be abnormal in GH. We hypothesized abnormalities in circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 and -2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, respectively) in patients with GH, when compared with normotensive women with normal pregnancies and healthy nonpregnant control subjects. METHODS: Plasma MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were measured by ELISA in 23 women with GH, 30 normotensive pregnant women, and 28 nonpregnant women who were matched for age, gestational age, and parity. RESULTS: Levels of circulating MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-2 ratios were significantly different among the three groups (P = .026, P = .006, P = .007, P = .001 and P = .008 respectively). Within the GH group, MMP-9 and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio correlated negatively with age (r = -0.581, P = .004 and r = -0.563, P = .005, respectively) and levels of diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.432, P = .040 and r = -0.461, P = .027, respectively). With multiple regression analysis, only age independently correlated with circulating levels of MMP-9 (P = .010); neither age nor levels of diastolic blood pressure had any effect on the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated altered MMP/TIMP ratios in maternal blood during GH. These observations suggest pregnancy-related changes in ECM breakdown and turnover. Given the importance of changes in ECM composition to vascular and cardiac structure in hypertension, we suggest that these observations may be related to the pathophysiology of human GH.

Platelet activation in pregnancy-induced hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Although excess platelet activation, as indicated by increased plasma beta thromboglobulin (beta-TG), has been shown in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), platelet adhesion, platelet morphology and a comparison of platelet and soluble (plasma) levels of the adhesion molecules P-selectin (pPsel and sPsel, respectively) have not been studied. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 35 consecutive women with PIH (age 31+/-6 years), 31 consecutive women with normotensive pregnancies (age 29+/-5 years) and 30 normotensive non pregnant women (age 30+/-5 years). Platelet adhesion was studied in vitro by binding to fibrinogen-coated microwells, platelet morphology [mass and volume by flow cytometry], whole-platelet P-selectin (pPsel) by ELISA of the lysate of 2 x 10(8) cells, and the plasma markers soluble P-selectin (sP-sel) and beta-TG, by ELISA. RESULTS: The women with PIH had significantly raised sPsel, pPsel and (as expected) beta-TG (all p<0.05), when compared to the normotensive pregnant women and controls. However, in PIH platelet adhesion was similar to that in the normotensive pregnancy, but still higher than the normal controls (p<0.001). There was no difference among the three groups with respect to platelet mass and volume. pPsel and platelet adhesion correlated with gestational age and with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased platelet activation and adhesion develop during normal pregnancy, with some indices being further altered in PIH.

Pericardial effusion following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: echocardiography and multi-detector row computed tomography evaluation.

Although pericardial effusion (PE) early after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been reported in few registries, late PE at follow-up remains unexplored. Particularly, after transapical TAVI, diagnosis of PE with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) may be challenging. The present evaluation assessed the incidence of PE early after TAVI and at 1 month follow-up using TTE and multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). The agreement between TTE and MDCT to diagnose the presence and severity of PE at 1 month follow-up was evaluated. Overall 293 patients undergoing TAVI were included. Pre-discharge TTE was performed in all patients. At 1 month, repeat TTE was performed in 234 patients and additional MDCT evaluation in 143 patients. Pre-discharge small and moderate PE was observed in 74.1 and 4.1 % of patients, respectively, whereas significant PE was diagnosed in 8 (2.7 %) patients without differences between procedural access: 1.6 versus 3.6 % for transfemoral and transapical respectively, p = 0.474. At 1 month new-onset moderate PE was noted in 6 (2.5 %) patients all of who underwent transapical TAVI. MDCT and TTE disagreed on the grade of PE in 38 patients. Importantly, one patient with small PE on TTE was considered having moderate PE and two patients with small and moderate PE were considered having large PE. Also, two patients with moderate PE on echocardiography were considered small PE on MDCT. In conclusions, significant PE early after TAVI is infrequent. The prevalence of small and moderate PE remains stable at 1 month follow-up. MDCT refines the diagnosis of significant PE.

Insights into new-onset rhythm conduction disorders detected by multi-detector row computed tomography after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

New-onset rhythm conduction disorders are frequent after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Multidetector row computed tomography may shed light on the pathophysiology of rhythm conduction disorders in patients who undergo TAVI with the Edwards SAPIEN valve. A total of 94 patients (mean age 81 ± 7 years, 48% men) treated with TAVI with the Edwards SAPIEN valve who underwent pre- and post-TAVI multidetector row computed tomography were included. Patients with preexisting right bundle branch block or left bundle branch block (LBBB) and permanent pacemakers were excluded. Pacemaker implantation or new-onset LBBB at 1-month follow-up was the combined end point. Overall, 1 pacemaker was implanted, and 14 cases of new-onset LBBB were recorded. Among several clinical and multi-detector row computed tomographic variables, overexpansion of the transcatheter valve >15% of native annular area (odds ratio 5.277, 95% confidence interval 1.398 to 19.919, p = 0.014) and depth of frame into the left ventricular outflow tract (odds ratio 1.401, 95% confidence interval 1.066 to 1.770, p = 0.010) were independently related to the need for a pacemaker or new-onset LBBB. In conclusion, overexpansion of the transcatheter prosthesis by >15% of native aortic annular area and implantation depth of the frame into the left ventricular outflow tract were independently associated with the need for a pacemaker or new-onset LBBB in patients who underwent TAVI with the Edwards SAPIEN valve.

¿Podría ser la arteria septal descendente otra variante de la doble arteria descendente anterior? Respuesta / Could descending septal artery be another variant of the dual left anterior descending artery? Response

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