Outcomes of transcatheter pulmonary SAPIEN 3 valve implantation: an international registry.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation (TPVI) is indicated to treat right-ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) dysfunction related to congenital heart disease (CHD). Outcomes of TPVI with the SAPIEN 3 valve that are insufficiently documented were investigated in the EUROPULMS3 registry of SAPIEN 3-TPVI. METHODS: Patient-related, procedural, and follow-up outcome data were retrospectively assessed in this observational cohort from 35 centres in 15 countries. RESULTS: Data for 840 consecutive patients treated in 2014-2021 at a median age of 29.2 (19.0-41.6) years were obtained. The most common diagnosis was conotruncal defect (70.5%), with a native or patched RVOT in 50.7% of all patients. Valve sizes were 20, 23, 26, and 29 mm in 0.4%, 25.5%, 32.1%, and 42.0% of patients, respectively. Valve implantation was successful in 98.5% [95% confidence interval (CI), 97.4%-99.2%] of patients. Median follow-up was 20.3 (7.1-38.4) months. Eight patients experienced infective endocarditis; 11 required pulmonary valve replacement, with a lower incidence for larger valves (P = .009), and four experienced pulmonary valve thrombosis, including one who died and three who recovered with anticoagulation. Cumulative incidences (95%CI) 1, 3, and 6 years after TPVI were as follows: infective endocarditis, 0.5% (0.0%-1.0%), 0.9% (0.2%-1.6%), and 3.8% (0.0%-8.4%); pulmonary valve replacement, 0.4% (0.0%-0.8%), 1.3% (0.2%-2.4%), and 8.0% (1.2%-14.8%); and pulmonary valve thrombosis, 0.4% (0.0%-0.9%), 0.7% (0.0%-1.3%), and 0.7% (0.0%-1.3%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of SAPIEN 3 TPVI were favourable in patients with CHD, half of whom had native or patched RVOTs.

Home-based prehabilitation improves physical conditions measured by ergospirometry and 6MWT in colorectal cancer patients: a randomized controlled pilot study.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: Prehabilitation aims to improve physical condition in the preoperative period and, therefore, decrease the loss of cardiopulmonary capacity postoperatively, with the aim of reducing complications and promoting an early recovery. This study aims to evaluate the impact of home-based prehabilitation on the physical condition of patients treated surgically for colorectal cancer. METHODS: A prospective and randomized clinical study was conducted on 60 patients during two periods from October 2018 to February 2019 and from September 2019 to September 2020, in a single university hospital. Patients were randomized into two study groups (30 per group): prehabilitation vs. standard care. Changes in physical condition, measured at diagnosis, the day before surgery, and at 6-8 weeks after surgery using the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were evaluated. RESULTS: Prehabilitation reduced postoperative complications (17.4% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.22) and hospital stay (5.74 vs. 6.67 days, p = 0.30). 6MWT showed a significant improvement in the prehabilitation group (+78.9 m). Six weeks after surgery, prehabilitation showed a significant improvement in the 6MWT (+68.9 m vs. -27.2 m, p = 0.01). Significant differences were also observed in the ergospirometry between the diagnosis and postoperative study (+0.79 METs vs. -0.84 METs, p = 0.001). A strong correlation was observed between CPET and 6MWT (0.767 (p < 0.001)). CONCLUSION: Home prehabilitation achieved lower overall postoperative complications than standard care and reached significant improvements in 6MWT and CET. A strong correlation was observed between CET and 6MWT, which allows validation of 6MWT as a valid and reliable measure of functional exercise capacity in colorectal patients when other, more specific and expensive tests are not available. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in ClinicalTrials.gov in August 2018 with registration number https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03618329?cond=Prehabilitation%20cancer&term=arroyo&distance=50&rank=1  (NCT03618329). Initial results published in Supportive Care in Cancer: Effect of home-based prehabilitation in an enhanced recovery after surgery program for patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06343-1 .

Subclinical Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 by Strain: A 30-Day Echocardiographic Follow-Up.

Background and Objectives: Available studies confirm myocardial injury and its association with mortality in patients with COVID-19, but few data have been reported from echocardiographic studies. The aim of this study was to identify subclinical left ventricular dysfunction by global longitudinal strain (GLS) and its evolution in the short term in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one consecutive noncritical patients admitted for COVID-19 were included. Information on demographics, laboratory results, comorbidities, and medications was collected. Transthoracic echocardiograms were performed using a Philips Affinity 50, at the acute stage and at a 30-day follow-up. Automated left ventricular GLS was measured using a Philips Qlab 13.0. A GLS of <-15.9% was defined as abnormal. Results: The mean age was 65 ± 15.2 years, and 61.3% of patients were male. Nine patients (29%) had elevated levels of high-sensitivity troponin I. Left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved in all; however, 11 of them (35.5%) showed reduced GLS. These patients had higher troponin levels (median, 23.7 vs. 3.2 ng/L; p < 0.05) and NT-proBNP (median, 753 vs. 81 pg/mL; p < 0.05). The multivariate analysis revealed that myocardial injury, defined as increased troponin, was significantly associated with GLS values (coefficient B; p < 0.05). Follow-up at 30 days showed an improvement in GLS values in patients with subclinical left ventricular dysfunction (-16.4 ± 2.07% vs. -13.2 ± 2.40%; p < 0.01), without changes in the normal GLS group. Conclusions: Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction is common in noncritical hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (one in every three patients), even with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. This impairment tends to be reversible on clinical recovery.

Coronary artery fistulas after paediatric heart transplantation.

Coronary artery fistulas have been described in patients after heart transplantation more often than in the normal population. We reviewed our centre's database between 2008 and 2020. Thirty patients had coronary angiography and 13 showed non-cameral coronary artery fistulas in their first coronary angiography. Distribution, degree and evolution of the fistulas and characteristics of transplant procedure, patient and immunosuppressive treatments were analysed.

Tricuspid valve in valve procedure with an Edwards S3 valve© in a 10 kg child.

A 4-year-old child of 10 kg weight, with four previous sternotomies, presented a severe right heart failure, due to a severe regurgitation of his bioprosthetic tricuspid valve. A percutaneous tricuspid valve in valve procedure with an Edwards S3 valve was offered for compassionate use, and performed, with no complications, and significant clinical condition improvement.

Chronic chest pain after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect is recognised as a safe and effective procedure, however, in some patients complications may occur. Although chest pain has been sporadically reported, its exact aetiology has been poorly studied. Herein, a 14-year-old female with an atypical and long-lasting chest pain after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure is described.

Consensus document on the multidisciplinary management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis.

AIM: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) is very common in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to avoid irreversible damage and improve quality of life. Our aim was to develop recommendations to improve NLUTD identification in MS patients, along with their referral and management. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of 14 experts in the management of patients with MS and NLUTD (nine urologists, three neurologists, and two rehabilitators) was selected. A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken and a set of recommendations was generated and submitted to a Delphi panel of 114 experts. Recommendations were presented according to the grade of agreement (GA). RESULTS: Early diagnosis in asymptomatic patients with risk factors for complications is recommended (GA 94%). Postvoid residual volume should be measured if changes in urinary symptoms (GA 87%), preferably ultrasound-guided (GA 86%). Early referral to urologist is recommended if urinary incontinence (GA 91%), significant post-void residual volume (94%), quality of life impairment (GA 98%) and recurrent urinary infections (GA 97%). The initial evaluation should include physical examination (GA 99%) and urodynamics including cystometry (GA 89%), pressure-flow study (90%) and electromyography (GA 70%). The panel recommends multidisciplinary collaboration (GA 100%) with a rehabilitation specialist and trained nurses in the management of NLUTD (GA 99%). CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary management for patients with NLUTD due to MS is advised, including urologists, neurologists, rehabilitation, and nurses. Panel recommends early diagnosis with post-void residual volume in symptomatic patients before referring to urologist and urodynamics when referred.

Spontaneous "Coronary Bypass" in a Paediatric Transplanted Heart.

We report an asymptomatic 5-year-old boy with coronary artery fistulas to pulmonary parenchyma and to systemic thoracic arteries, like a "natural bypass", detected during a coronary angiography performed 11 months after his heart transplant. One year later, a new coronary angiography showed no fistula. Some changes to immunosuppressive therapy during this time could be related to this evolution.

Sinus Superflex DS© early collapse in systemic arterial duct.

We implanted two sinus Superflex DS© stents in a systemic non-stenotic arterial duct of a newborn with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Forty-eight hours later an important collapse of the stent was detected and treated with a balloon expandable stent. Sinus Superflex DS© has been specifically designed for systemic ducts. This complication generates doubts about its radial force in this scenario.

Clinical characteristics, beliefs, and coping strategies among older patients with overactive bladder.

AIMS: To describe clinical characteristics and assess beliefs and coping strategies in older patients with overactive bladder (OAB) attending urology and gynecology clinics in Spain. METHODS: This non-interventional, multicenter, cross-sectional study collected demographic and clinical details from individuals aged ≥60 years with a diagnosis of OAB and score ≥3 on the Patient Perception of Intensity of Urgency Scale. Symptoms were assessed using the Bladder Control Self-Assessment Questionnaire (B-SAQ) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) rated using a simple visual analogue scale. Coping strategies and OAB beliefs were assessed using two specially designed questionnaires. RESULTS: Patients (n = 786) reported a mean (±SD) of 4.9 ± 2.9 urinary urgency episodes and 2.9 ± 2.3 urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) episodes per 24 hr. Mean times since diagnosis and symptom onset were 18 ± 34 and 38 ± 46 months, respectively. B-SAQ symptom and bother scores were 7.5 ± 2.3 and 8.3 ± 2.5, respectively. Most patients (92%) reported worse HRQoL after symptom onset. Approximately, 50% of patients considered their symptoms normal for their age/gender and most (71.5%) expected symptoms to worsen with age/time. However, 80% believed that symptoms would improve with treatment. For coping strategies, 81% of patients changed their urinary frequency, 71% controlled fluid intake, and 64% used pads. Use of coping strategies was associated with UI severity. CONCLUSIONS: Many older individuals view their OAB symptoms as a normal feature of age, which may delay diagnosis. Reduced HRQoL and adoption of coping strategies are also common. The results support the need for improved patient education, earlier recognition, and effective intervention in the older OAB population. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:774-779, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Implantation of atrial flow regulator devices in patients with congenital heart disease and children with severe pulmonary hypertension or cardiomyopathy-an international multicenter case series.

Background: The Occlutech Atrial Flow Regulator (AFR) is a self-expandable double-disc nitinol device with a central fenestration. Its use has been approved in the adult population with heart failure and described for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Only case reports and small series have been published about its use in the paediatric population and for congenital heart disease (CHD). Objectives: The authors sought to investigate the feasibility, safety, and short-term follow-up of AFR implantation in patients with CHD or children with PH or cardiomyopathy. Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective study involving 10 centers worldwide. Patients of any age with CHD or patients aged < 18 years with PH or cardiomyopathy needing AFR implantation were included. Results: A total of 40 patients underwent AFR implantation. The median age of the population at the time of the procedure was 58.5 months (IQR: 31.5-142.5) and the median weight was 17 kg (IQR: 10-46). A total of 26 (65.0%) patients had CHD, nine (22.5%) children, a cardiomyopathy, and five (12.5%), a structurally normal heart. The implantation success rate was 100%. There were two early and one late device thrombosis. Two patients (5.0%) with dilated cardiomyopathy on extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) died during the hospital stay. At a median follow-up of 330 days (IQR: 125-593), 37 (92.5%) patients were alive. At follow-up, 20 patients improved their New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, 12 patients did not change their NYHA class, and one patient with idiopathic PH worsened. Conclusions: AFR implantation in patients with CHD and children with severe PH or cardiomyopathy is promising and seems to have beneficial effects at short-term follow-up.

Approach to Patients with Obesity and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Primary Care Using the Delphi Methodology.

BACKGROUND: Implementing preventive strategies for patients with obesity would improve the future burden of cardiovascular diseases. The objective was to present the opinions of experts on the approach to treating patients with obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors from a primary care perspective in Spain; Methods: Using the Delphi technique, a 42-question questionnaire was developed based on results from the scientific literature, and sent to 42 experts in primary care. Two rounds of participation were held; Results: There is a close relationship between obesity and cardiovascular risk factors among primary care physicians. It is necessary to use a checklist in primary care that includes metabolic parameters such as body mass index, waist circumference, and levels of C-reactive protein and ferritin. It is also useful to combine pharmacological treatment, such as liraglutide, with a change in lifestyle to achieve therapeutic goals in this population; Conclusions: There is a high level of awareness among experts in Spain regarding obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors, and the need to address this pathology comprehensively. The need to incorporate specific tools in primary care consultations that allow for better assessment and follow-up of these patients, such as cuffs adapted to arm size or imaging techniques to assess body fat, is evident. Teleconsultation is imposed as a helpful tool for follow-up. Experts recommend that patients with obesity and associated comorbidities modify their lifestyle, incorporate a Mediterranean diet, and administer liraglutide.

Severe foetal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy evolving to left ventricular non-compaction.

A 29-week-old male foetus was diagnosed by foetal echocardiography with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction and generalized oedema, undergoing a Caesarean section at 33 weeks. Mechanical ventilation and milrinone infusion were required during the first week. Systolic function and output parameters improved progressively. Metabolic and infectious screenings were negative. At the follow-up, during the first year of life, hypertrophy regressed, posterior right auricular hypertrophy evolved to a mass with cysts, and left ventricular myocardium developed trabeculations accomplishing non-compaction criteria. Recently, mutations in genes previously implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have been identified in patients with left ventricular non-compaction without hypertrophy. This report suggests that these cardiomyopathies may have a similar genetic origin, and can co-exist in the same patient.

[Association between nocturia, subjective satisfaction with sleep and insomnia in patients with overactive bladder]. / Asociación entre nocturia, satisfacción subjetiva con el sueño e insomnio en pacientes con vejiga hiperactiva.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study the relationship between nocturia and subjective sleep satisfaction (SSS) was analysed, aiming at establishing if nocturia could be used as a relevant predictive parameter for insomnia assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Epidemiologic and observational study of 1454 patients with overactive bladder. The bivariate association of sleep-, clinical- and personal parameters with SSS, assessed by a specific questionnaire, was analyzed. A multiple regression model was defined for SSS prediction. RESULTS: Insomnia, hypersomnia, nocturia, Charlson Index, sex and age were associated with SSS in a bivariate analysis. Nocturia, hypersomnia and insomnia severity were independent predictive parameters of SSS and explained 33% of its variance. CONCLUSIONS: Nocturia is an important predictive parameter of SSS.

Nocturia in patients with overactive bladder.

OBJECTIVES: Nocturia is a frequent urinary symptom in overactive bladder (OAB) patients, which usually exerts a negative impact upon their quality of life. This study describes the profile of the OAB patient with nocturia, in order to contribute to the adequate identification and medical management of these subjects. METHODS: Multicenter, national observational study of 1454 patients over 18 years of age,previously diagnosed with OAB. The relationship between nocturia and different personal and clinical variables was studied, and logistic regression models were used to identify variables independently associated with nocturia in both women and men. RESULTS: 84.6% of the patients presented nocturia, considering the restrictive criterion of two or more micturition episodes per night (96.8% according to the ICS definition). Urinary symptoms of frequency, urgency and urge incontinence were associated in a bivariate analysis with nocturia for both genders, while the voiding difficulty variable "pain" was only associated in women, and the voiding difficulty variable "straining" only in men. Older age and presence of comorbidities were associated both in bivariate analysis and independently in logistic regression models to the presence of nocturia in OAB patients of both genders. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the profile of subjects with previously diagnosed OAB and nocturia corresponded to older age and the presence of comorbidities of a certain impact for both men and women. The profile for OAB patients with nocturia differs from those previously reported for patients suffering from nocturia and other urinary pathologies.

Stenting Coarctation of the "Fifth Aortic Arch": A Safe and Attractive Therapeutic Alternative to Surgery.

"Persistence of the fifth aortic arch" is a rare congenital cardiovascular anomaly that consists of an abnormal vessel arising from the distal ascending aorta connecting with the systemic or pulmonary circulation. We report a case of a type A interruption of the aortic arch and a coarctation of the fifth aortic arch, which connected the ascending with the descending aorta. No cardiac surgery was required because a covered stent was successfully implanted in the fifth aortic arch when the patient was 4 years old. A chromosome 9 q arm duplication of uncertain significance was also found, an anomaly never described before in this clinical context.

Spontaneous improvement of a haemodynamically significant ventricular septal defect produced by blunt chest trauma in a child.

We describe the progress of a girl aged 5 years, who suffered blunt trauma to the chest producing a ventricular septal defect of 1 centimetre in diameter. The shunt generated a mild dilation of the left-sided chambers, and exertional dyspnoea. Three months later, therapeutic catheterisation revealed important diminution in the extent of shunting. We decided, therefore, not to close the defect, and she has since remained asymptomatic.