About different localization of hypoattenuated lesions following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical leaflet thrombosis is diagnosed using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and is characterised by a meniscal-shaped hypoattenuated lesion of one or more leaflets. Transcatheter aortic self-expandable valves are commonly manufactured with pliable pericardium over a nitinol frame that forms leaflet and extra-leaflet components such as the valve skirt. Little is known about extra-leaflet hypoattenuated lesion localisation, including that at the anatomical sinus level. Thus, the main aim of this study was to describe leaflet and extra-leaflet (anatomic sinus and subvalvular level) hypoattenuated lesions following transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a self-expandable prosthesis. As a secondary aim, we sought to investigate predictors of hypoattenuated lesions. METHODS: Fifty patients underwent MDCT at the follow-up. RESULTS: At a follow-up of 12 months, hypoattenuated leaflet lesions with mild to severe restricted movement were detected in eight individuals (16%), anatomic sinus lesions were identified in nine patients (18%), with higher prevalence in the non-coronary sinus (16%), and subvalvular lesions with variable extension toward the valve inflow were diagnosed in eight patients (16%). In 4 patients (8%) the anatomic sinus thrombus was 'in overlap' with leaflet thrombus; in 3 patients (6%) was in continuity with subvalvular frame thrombus. Bicuspid valve was the only independent predictor associated with hypoattenuated lesions (adj OR 8.25 (95% CI: 1.38, 49.21), p = 0.02)). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that hypoattenuated lesions could be identified not only at the leaflet but also at the subvalvular and anatomic sinus levels. The clinical relevance of such lesions remains unclear.

Early-stage cervical cancer treatment - what's new?

The gold standard of treatment for patients with early-stage cervical cancer is radical hysterectomy, in agreement with the entire scientific community. During the last decade, growing evidence has supported the minimally invasive approach. Several studies have suggested that the minimally invasive approach could improve surgical and perioperative outcomes. Because of these findings, ESCO/ESTRO/ESP guidelines state that a "minimally invasive approach is favoured" in comparison with open surgery, as a grade B recommendation. Because of the lack of a grade A recommendation, this randomized Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer trial evaluated open vs. minimally invasive approach in the early stage. It demonstrated an increase in mortality among patients treated with minimally invasive surgery, revolutionizing current thinking on the primary surgical approach to early cervical cancer. The aim of this study is to analyse which is the best treatment for early cervical cancer and which approach is the most effective at the moment. Further studies are needed to state with certainty the appropriateness of the treatments offered to patients with early cervical cancer.

Self-Expandable Prosthesis Valve Adaptation: Non-Uniform Expansion and Stent Frame Decoupling.

The incidence of non-uniform expansion in the context of the self-expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV) is little investigated, along with stent-frame decoupling, which is a form of stent adaptation, in which the lower part of the THV stent conforms to both the ellipticity of the left ventricle outflow tract and the native annulus while maintaining the higher part of the valve more circular. We analyzed post-implant multi-detector computed tomography scans in 50 patients. Prosthesis non-uniform expansion was assessed by computing the prosthesis eccentricity on 6 prespecified levels: (1) frame inflow, (2) native annulus, (3) leaflet inflow, (4) prosthesis waist, (5) leaflet outflow, and (6) frame outflow. Stent-frame decoupling was assessed by comparing the mean eccentricity on 6 different prosthesis levels. Implantation depth, leaflet expansion and alignment, and residual anatomic sinus area ratios were also calculated. Subclinical leaflet thrombosis was defined as hypoattenuated lesion of a meniscal shape. At a 12-month follow-up, non-uniform expansion was consistently detected at each valvular level. Highest eccentricity was measured at the native annulus level (eccentricity: 0.54 ±  0.12), while the lowest index at the frame outflow level (0.23 ± 0.11). Similar results were observed in the subgroup analyses of sizes 23, 26, 29, and 34. Eccentricity significantly decreased from the annulus level to the prosthesis frame outflow (p <0.001). Notably, the incidence of mild-to-severe subclinical leaflet thrombosis was relevant (16%). In conclusion, prosthesis non-uniform expansion and stent frame decoupling frequently occur after self-expandable THV replacement. The clinical and hemodynamic implications remain uncertain.