Transcatheter mitral valve implantation in the ongoing structural heart revolution.

Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) has emerged as a less invasive approach potentially surmounting some of the current hurdles associated with transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and high-risk mitral valve surgery. In this review, we aimed to outline the main scenarios in the TMVI field, highlight current and upcoming devices, and describe challenges and clinical results. Finally, we briefly discuss the future perspectives for this emerging field and how TMVI might further advance the field of transcatheter treatments of mitral valve disease.

[Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Schools in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - First Results of a Prospective Case Study]. / Herausforderungen der COVID-19-Pandemie für Schulen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ­ erste Ergebnisse einer prospektiven Fallstudie.

BACKGROUND: The current risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in schools continues to be a subject of controversy. METHODOLOGY: "schugi-MV" collects data on the incidence of infection, hygiene management and other factors in structured inspections of schools in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Recommendations for safe teaching are to be derived from the results. This article presents information on the first 10 schools visited between 18.12.2020 and 20.01.2021. RESULTS: At the schools visited, the ratio of the number of index cases among adults and children was 1:1.25. The inspections showed a great heterogeneity of schools and school buildings and the resulting possibilities for implementing infection control measures. CONCLUSION: Based on the present preliminary results, hygiene and infection control measures at schools in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania cannot be standardised, but should leave room for design.

Surgical explantation of a partially detached cardioband device.

Transcatheter repair systems are becoming increasingly popular as a potential solution for high-risk and inoperable patients with mitral regurgitation. The cardioband (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) is a transcatheter direct annuloplasty device, based on the concept of an undersized ring annuloplasty. We report a case of minimally invasive surgical explantation of a failed cardioband device 21 months after its implantation. Intraoperatively, it was found that three anchors of the cardioband device were detached from the posterior annulus at P2. In this report, a "cut and unscrew" technique with some tips and tricks is presented for the removal of the device.