Current status and future perspectives of fractional flow reserve derived from invasive coronary angiography.

Assessment of the functional significance of coronary artery stenosis using invasive measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) or non-hyperemic indices has been shown to be safe and effective in making clinical decisions on whether to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite strong evidence from clinical trials, utilization of these techniques is still relatively low worldwide. This may be to some extent attributed to factors that are inherent to invasive measurements like prolongation of the procedure, side effects of drugs that induce hyperemia, additional steps that the operator should perform, the possibility to damage the vessel with the wire, and additional costs. During the last few years, there was a growing interest in the non-invasive assessment of coronary artery lesions, which may provide interventionalist with important physiological information regarding lesion severity and overcome some of the limitations. Several dedicated software solutions are available on the market that could provide an estimation of FFR using 3D reconstruction of the interrogated vessel derived from two separated angiographic projections taken during diagnostic coronary angiography. Furthermore, some of them use data about aortic pressure and frame count to more accurately calculate pressure drop (and FFR). The ideal non-invasive system should be integrated into the workflow of the cath lab and performed online (during the diagnostic procedure), thereby not prolonging procedural time significantly, and giving the operator additional information like vessel size, lesion length, and possible post-PCI FFR value. Following the development of these technologies, they were all evaluated in clinical trials where good correlation and agreement with invasive FFR (considered the gold standard) were demonstrated. Currently, only one trial (FAVOR III China) with clinical outcomes was completed and demonstrated that QFR-guided PCI may provide better results at 1-year follow-up as compared to the angiography-guided approach. We are awaiting the results of a few other trials with clinical outcomes that test the performance of these indices in guiding PCI against either FFR or angiography-based approach, in various clinical settings. Herein we will present an overview of the currently available data, a critical review of the major clinical trials, and further directions of development for the five most widely available non-invasive indices: QFR, vFFR, FFRangio, caFFR, and AccuFFRangio.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Report on Serbia's First Systematic Program.

Introduction: Severe aortic stenosis, a highly-common valve disease in the elderly, has a poor prognosis if left untreated. To address the concern of effective procedures for severe aortic stenosis, a systematic TAVI program was established at the Dedinje Cardiovascular Institute (Belgrade, Serbia). Methods: Our cohort was composed of 56 patients (74±15 years old). The mean logistic EuroScore was 10.17%; the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 3.22%. One third of the patients were categorized as class III or IV of the New York Heart Association (NYHA). The valves selected for use were either self-expandable or balloon expandable (Evolut R, Medtronic; Acurate Neo, Boston Scientific and Myval, Meril). The choice of valve type was made by the Institute's Structural Heart Team, in accordance with the patient's native aortic valve, size and calcification of ilio-femoral vessels, as well as the need for alternative access. TAVI procedure was conducted according to current guidelines provided by the European Society of Cardiology. Results: The procedure success rate was 100%. Trans-femoral approach was achieved in 100% of patients; percutaneously in 87.5%, while a surgical cut was necessary in 12.5%. No patient showed moderate or severe aortic regurgitation after the procedure, although trace or mild regurgitation was recorded in 30.3%. Permanent pacemaker was implanted in one patient (1.78%), contrast induced acute kidney injury occured in one patient (1.78%), no stroke was recorded, and three pseudo-aneurysms which required surgical intervention occurred. Three patients required blood transfusions (5.33%). A 30-day all-cause mortality rate was 1.78%. Conclusion: The Dedinje Cardiovascular Institute spearheaded all efforts to establish a TAVI program in Serbia. Our initial TAVI results are promising, encouraging, and comparable with the results of previous large randomized trials. This initial experience opens the door for further development with a goal of our Institute to become a high-volume TAVI center.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in a patient with Noonan syndrome after corrective surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is considered to be a gold standard for patients with the suitable anatomy as compared to cardiac surgery. Reocurrence of ASD after surgical closure is a very rare late complication which can be successfully managed with transcatheter procedure. CASE REPORT: We reported a female patient with Noonan syndrome who presented with hemodinamically significant ASD 37 years after the corrective cardiac surgery. Due to numerous comorbidities which included severe kyphoscoliosis, pectus excavatum and multiple surgeries we decided to perform transcatheter closure of ASD. The procedure itself was very challenging due to the patient's short stature and heart's orientation in the chest, but was performed successfully. The subsequent follow-up was uneventful and the patient reported improvement in the symptoms. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of ASD in a patient with Noonan syndrome with the history of surgically corrected ASD can be performed successfully, despite challenging chest anatomy.

Challenges in treatment of postinfarction ventricular septal defect and heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired ventricular septal defect (VSD) is uncommon, but serious mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction with poor outcome and high mortality rate in surgically or medically treated patients. CASE REPORT: We report a 58-year-old male patient admitted to our hospital six days following acute inferior myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular septal rupture with signs of heart failure. Coronary angiography revealed 3-vessel disease, with proximally occluded dominant right coronary artery. Transthoracic echo exam revealed aneurysm of a very thin inferior septum and the basal portion of the inferior left ventricular wall, with septal wall rupture. One of the VSD dimensions was 15 mm and left- to right shunt was calculated 2:1. Since the patient was at too high risk for surgical closure, transcatheter closure of VSD was chosen as a better option. Under short intravenous sedation, 24 mm Am- platzer device was implanted percutaneously with transesophageal echo guidance. The post-procedural result revealed a small residual shunt, but it was followed by significant improvement of the patient's clinical status. A 24h Holter ECG monitoring did not show cardiac rhythm or conduction disturbances. Coronary angiography was repeated ten days following the procedure, after hemodynamic stabilization of the patient, with direct stenting of the circumflex artery and the intermediate artery. Ostial left descending artery lesion was left for further functional significance assessment. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure with a septal occluder device can be definitive primary treatment for anatomically suitable patients or it can serve as a bridge to surgical treatment.