Search

The PASCAL system is a novel device for transcatheter mitral valve repair based on the edge-to-edge concept. The unique features of this device might have a relevant impact on the repair outcomes. There are few data on clinical outcomes in real-life registries. The aim of this study was to report the early Iberian experience (Spain and Portugal) of the PASCAL system.Procedural and 30-day outcomes were investigated in consecutive patients with symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) treated with the PASCAL system at 10 centers. Primary efficacy endpoints were technical success and degree of residual MR at discharge. The primary safety endpoint was the rate of major adverse events (MAE) at 30 days.We included 68 patients (age, 75 [68-81] years; 38% women; EuroSCORE II 4.5%). MR etiology was degenerative in 25%, functional in 65%, and mixed in 10%. A total of 71% of patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class≥III. Technical success was achieved in 96% and independent capture was used in 73% of procedures. In the treated population, MR at discharge was≤2+ in 100%, with no in-hospital deaths. At 30 days, the MAE rate was 5.9%, the all-cause mortality rate was 1.6%, 98% were in NYHA functional class≤II, and 95% had MR≤2+ (P.001).Transcatheter mitral valve repair with the PASCAL system was safe and effective, with high procedural success and low rates of MAE. At 30 days, MR was significantly reduced, with a significant improvement in functional status.

BACKGROUND Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) optimization is mandatory before transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (M-TEER) in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) and heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the effect of M-TEER on GDMT is unknown. OBJECTIVES The authors sought to evaluate frequency, prognostic implications and predictors of GDMT uptitration after M-TEER in patients with SMR and HFrEF. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the EuroSMR Registry. The primary events were all-cause death and the composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization. RESULTS Among the 1,641 EuroSMR patients, 810 had full datasets regarding GDMT and were included in this study. GDMT uptitration occurred in 307 patients (38%) after M-TEER. Proportion of patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists was 78%, 89%, and 62% before M-TEER and 84%, 91%, and 66% 6 months after M-TEER (all P < 0.001). Patients with GDMT uptitration had a lower risk of all-cause death (adjusted HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.93; P = 0.020) and of all-cause death or HF hospitalization (adjusted HR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.38-0.76; P < 0.001) compared with those without. Degree of MR reduction between baseline and 6-month follow-up was an independent predictor of GDMT uptitration after M-TEER (adjusted OR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.08-2.71; P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS GDMT uptitration after M-TEER occurred in a considerable proportion of patients with SMR and HFrEF and is independently associated with lower rates for mortality and HF hospitalizations. A greater decrease in MR was associated with increased likelihood for GDMT uptitration.

This abstract has been withdrawn. Please see: https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvac183

This abstract has been withdrawn. Please see: https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvac183

This abstract has been withdrawn. Please see: https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvac183

To investigate the role of left atrial volume index (LAVi) in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER).Outcomes were evaluated in SMR patients of a European multicentre registry according to baseline LAVi. Main analysis was performed for all-cause mortality; residual mitral regurgitation (MR) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improvement were analysed for patients available. A total of 1074 patients were included with a median LAVi (interquartile range) of 58 ml/mProcedural success and symptomatic benefit were high throughout the whole range of LAVi. The prognostic impact of left atrial enlargement was relevant in patients with less severe SMR and without pulmonary hypertension, reinforcing the need to identify patients in the early course of backward congestion to achieve good long-term outcome after TEER.

AIMS The diagnostic performance of the new Peguero-Lo Presti ECG criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has not been validated by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of Peguero-Lo Presti, Cornell and Sokolow--Lyon voltage criteria for LVH as defined by CMR in an all-comers European population. METHODS A total of 240 consecutive patients referred for CMR who had a concomitant electrocardiogram for review were evaluated. LVH group patients were defined according to the reference values for sex and age of left ventricular mass index (LVMi). A control group, adjusted by sex, was randomly selected from a population without LVH. We applied the ECG voltage criteria to both groups and evaluated their diagnostic accuracy. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were compared. RESULTS Two hundred and forty patients (mean age 63 years; 65% men) were divided into two groups (LVH n = 149; control n = 91). The main causes of LVH were hypertension (24.8%) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (21.5%). The remaining patients of this group had a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (14.8%), valvular heart disease (7.4%) and infiltrative cardiomyopathy (2.0%). Overall, the sensitivity for LVH diagnosis of the Peguero-Lo Presti criteria outperformed both the Cornell (47 vs. 29%, P

BACKGROUND Body surface area (BSA) has been reported to be the stronger predictor for prognosis than body mass index in heart failure (HF) patients. The sex-specific association of BSA with mortality has been unclear. METHODS EuroSMR, a European multicenter registry, included patients who underwent edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). The outcome was two-year all-cause mortality. RESULTS The present cohort included 1594 HF patients (age, 74 ± 10 years; male, 66%). Association of calculated BSA with two-year all-cause mortality was evaluated. Patients were classified into three BSA groups: the lowest 10% (S), the highest 10% (L), and intermediate between S and L (M). Mean BSA was 1.87 ± 0.21 m2 (male, 1.94 ± 0.18 m2; female, 1.73 ± 0.18 m2). The association of BSA with the endpoint in females showed a U-shaped curve, indicating worse prognosis for both S and L. The association in males followed a linear regression, demonstrating better prognosis for L. Hazard ratio (HR) of L to S in males was 0.43 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-0.74; p = 0.002), whereas HR of L to M in females was 1.76 (95% CI, 1.11-2.78; p = 0.016) (p for interaction = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Sex-specific association patterns demonstrate the complex influence of anthropomorphic factors in HF patients scheduled for TEER. Further investigation beyond simple evaluation of weight and height is needed for better comprehension of the obesity paradox and better prediction of the results of transcatheter therapy in HF patients.

Among patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), atrial functional mitral regurgitation (aFMR) represents an underrecognized entity. Data regarding outcomes after mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) in aFMR remain scarce.The objective of this study was to analyze the outcome of aFMR patients undergoing M-TEER.Using patients from the international EuroSMR (European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Secondary Mitral Regurgitation) registry undergoing M-TEER for FMR, the authors analyzed baseline characteristics and 2-year outcomes in aFMR in comparison to non-aFMR and ventricular FMR. Additionally, the impact of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) (defined as right ventricular to pulmonary artery uncoupling) on outcome after M-TEER was assessed.Among 1,608 FMR patients treated by M-TEER, 126 (7.8%) were categorized as aFMR. All 126 aFMR patients had preserved left ventricular function without regional wall motion abnormalities, left arterial dilatation and Carpentier leaflet motion type I. Procedural success (defined as mitral regurgitation ≤2+ at discharge) was 87.2% (P 0.001) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class significantly improved during follow-up (NYHA functional class III/IV: 86.5% at baseline to 36.6% at follow-up; P 0.001). The estimated 2-year survival rate in aFMR patients was 70.4%. Two-year survival did not differ significantly between aFMR, non-aFMR, and ventricular FMR. Besides NYHA functional class IV, RVD was identified as a strong independent predictor for 2-year survival (HR: 2.82 [95% CI: 1.24-6.45]; P = 0.014).aFMR is a frequent cause of FMR and can be effectively treated with M-TEER to improve symptoms at follow-up. Advanced heart failure symptoms and RVD were identified as important risk factors for survival in aFMR patients.

Background The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is high among patients with severe aortic stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Indications for TAVR are now expanding to younger and lower risk patients. During their lifetime, these patients will be at risk of developing CAD and it is expected an increase in coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Aortic prosthesis, particularly if in supra-annular position, may pose important technical difficulties in coronary re-engagement after TAVR. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility to reengage the coronary ostia after TAVR, describe complications and compare technical differences between coronary procedures performed before and after TAVR. Methods Retrospective analysis of 714 patients submitted to TAVR from August 2007 to December 2019. Patients who needed coronary angiography after TAVR were selected. The primary endpoint was the rate of successful coronary ostia cannulation after TAVR, defined by the possibility to selectively cannulate and inject both coronary ostia. Secondary endpoint was complications associated with coronary catheterization after TAVR. Results Among 714 patients, 25 (3.5%) patients were submitted to a total of 28 coronary angiography after TAVR. 14 patients were male (56%), mean age 78.2±6.2 years and 9 (36%) had history of previous coronary revascularization. From the 28 coronary angiographies (balloon-expandable Edwards-Sapien n=11, 44%; self-expandable CoreValve n=10, 40%; Portico n=2, 8%; Symetis n=2, 8%), 25 (89%) met the primary endpoint. Only three was semiselective (Symetis, CoreValve Evolut R and CoreValve TAVR in TAVR), with impossibility to cannulate both coronary arteries, right coronary artery and left coronary artery, respectively. 13 (46%) patients had also indication for PCI and all were successfully performed (Edwards-Sapien n=4, 31%; CoreValve n=6, 46%; Portico n=2, 15%; Symetis n=1, 8%). The main indications for coronary angiography was chronic coronary syndrome (n=12, 43%) and acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation (n=7, 25%). Circumflex artery was the most frequently treated vessel (n=6), followed by left anterior descending artery (n=4), right coronary artery (n=3) and left main (n=2). There were no complications reported during or post-procedure. Comparing coronary angiographies before and after TAVR, there were no significant differences regarding arterial access site, catheter diameter, fluoroscopy time and quantity of contrast used in coronary angiography. Conclusion Although the need for coronary angiography was rare in patients after TAVR, selective diagnostic coronary angiographies were possible in 89% (25/28) and PCI was feasible in all patients in whom it was indicated, without any reported complications. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the great feasibility of performing coronary angiography after TAVR. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia / Espinho

Percutaneous approach for valvular heart disease is accepted as a safe and feasible strategy to treat patients considered at high surgical risk with aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Additionally, the growing experience led to the increasing use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in several indications, such as in pure aortic regurgitation. The authors present the case of a 72-year-old woman with prohibitive surgical risk due to several comorbidities, including a chronic arterial dissection from the right carotid artery to the femoral arteries bilaterally that presented with signs and symptoms of heart failure, having a transthoracic echocardiography that showed severe functional mitral and aortic regurgitation. Combined percutaneous intervention for multivalvular disease in this clinical scenario is challenging, and the reported experience is still scarce and limited to inoperable patients.

Background High amounts of coronary artery calcium limit image quality and diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography (CTA) regarding the assessment of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). CT myocardial perfusion imaging may represent an opportunity to overcome this limitation. Objective To explore the additive value of CT myocardial perfusion to CTA depending on the patient's calcium score and in comparison to the reference standard of invasive coronary angiography plus fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement. Methods Symptomatic patients with intermediate pretest probability of CAD were prospectively recruited and underwent both cardiac MDCT (64-slice scanner, retrospectively-gated stress–rest protocol) and invasive coronary angiography including FFR assessment. We defined hemodynamically significant CAD by the presence of occlusive or subocclusive (99%) stenosis, >50% stenosis in left main or FFR≤0.80. Stress CT myocardial perfusion imaging was performed in all patients in addition to CTA. The additive value of CT myocardial perfusion to rule in or rule out the presence of hemodynamically relevant stenosis on a per-patient basis was assessed and analyzed relative to the patient's calcium score. Results 95 patients were included in the analysis (62 ± 8.2 years, 68%males). Hemodynamically significant CAD was present in 42 patients. Sixty-four patients had a fully evaluable CTA examination. Per-patient, CTA alone had a sensitivity, specificity and AUC of 100%, 59% and 0.79 respectively (77% patients correctly classified). Adding CT myocardial perfusion to evaluate uninterpretable vessel territories in CTA in 66 patients with a calcium score>100 yielded a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 74% and an AUC of 0.81 (81% patients correctly classified), and in 52 patients with a calcium score>400 sensitivity was 91%, specificity 70%, and AUC 0.80 (82% patients correctly classified, p = 0.733 versus using perfusion imaging in all patients). Conclusions From a pragmatic standpoint, limiting the use of CT perfusion to individuals with a calcium score above 400 might be a feasible strategy to optimize the diagnostic accuracy of CT imaging for diagnosis of obstructive CAD.

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has shown lower mortality compared with open surgical repair (OSR). However, the risk of spinal cord ischaemia (SCI) remains similar than OSR. As a prophylactic measure to reduce the risk of SCI, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage has been widely used in OSR. In TEVAR, the utility of this adjunct is still controversial. We report a case of a 56-year-old man referred for TEVAR for a descending thoracic aneurysm that previously underwent an abdominal aneurysmectomy with aortobifemoral bypass graft. On the day before, a lumbar cerebrospinal drain was placed prophylactically. Forty-eight hours after the procedure, meningeal symptoms without neurological deficits developed. Clinical investigation revealed meningeal haemorrhage. Therapy with nimodipine was initiated with symptomatic relief. Evidence from randomized controlled trials supporting the role of CSF drainage in TEVAR is still lacking. We discuss the current recommendations, potential benefits and risks and cautions associated with CSF drainage in TEVAR.

Coronary artery aneurysms are uncommon but potentially hazardous entities found on a small percentage of coronary angiograms. The best management strategy remains to be determined; the coexistence of obstructive coronary artery disease is the main determinant of prognosis.We report the case of a middle-aged woman with mixed aneurysmal and obstructive coronary artery disease presenting as an acute myocardial infarction, probably due to atherosclerosis. The unusual severity and complexity of the angiographic presentation of this case, with involvement of all major coronary arteries, raises important issues in terms of the patient's treatment options. Resumo: Os aneurismas das artérias coronárias são entidades raras, presentes numa pequena percentagem das angiografias coronárias, embora associadas a complicações potencialmente graves. A melhor conduta no tratamento destas situações ainda não foi estabelecida e a coexistência de doença coronária obstrutiva é o principal determinante prognóstico.Reportamos o caso de uma mulher de meia-idade com doença coronária mista, obstrutiva e aneurismática, diagnosticada no contexto de enfarte agudo do miocárdio e de provável etiologia aterosclerótica. A gravidade e a complexidade incomuns da apresentação angiográfica do nosso caso, levantaram aos autores questões importantes no domínio da decisão terapêutica. Keywords: Coronary artery aneurysms, Atherosclerosis, Acute myocardial infarction, Palavras-chave: Aneurismas coronários, Aterosclerose, Enfarte agudo do miocárdio

Ischemic iatrogenic lesions can complicate surgical procedures on the mitral valve. One of the causative mechanisms is direct injury to or distortion of structures that lie in close proximity to the valve, such as the circumflex coronary artery. We report a case of iatrogenic circumflex coronary artery lesion after mitral replacement causing muscle wall dyskinesia, wall aneurism and papillary muscle rupture. We emphasize the role of post-operative echocardiography in the diagnosis of such complications by demonstrating a 25mm flail of a ruptured papillary muscle remaining sutured to the ring of the mitral prosthesis and moving freely inside the left ventricle intruding the aortic valve during systole.As lesões isquémicas iatrogénicas são complicações possíveis durante a abordagem cirúrgica da válvula mitral. Um dos mecanismos é a lesão direta e/ou distorção de estruturas próximas, como a artéria coronária circunflexa. Reportamos um caso de lesão iatrogénica da artéria coronária circunflexa após cirurgia de substituição valvular mitral, tendo como consequência discinesia e aneurisma da parede ventricular, bem como ruptura do músculo papilar. Salientamos o papel do ecocardiograma como ferramenta diagnóstica destas complicações demonstrando imagens interessantes como por exemplo o “flail” do músculo papilar, suturado ao anel da válvula protésica, que se move livremente dentro do ventrículo e em sístole se insinua através da válvula aórtica.

Resumo: O tratamento endovascular é utilizado num número cada vez maior de doentes, com diferentes tipos de patologias da aorta torácica. Atualmente, esta opção terapêutica deve ser considerada no tratamento dos aneurismas da aorta torácica, na dissecção aguda da aorta do tipo B complicada, nas lesões pós-traumáticas, nos hematomas intramurais e nas úlceras penetrantes da aorta.Neste artigo pretendemos discutir as indicações para a utilização desta técnica percutânea, partindo da apresentação de três casos clínicos, tratados no nosso centro, com diferentes patologias da aorta torácica: aneurisma degenerativo, dissecção aguda da aorta do tipo B, complicada e lesão pós-traumática da aorta.A discussão destes três casos clínicos ajudará a evidenciar que o tratamento endovascular é uma boa alternativa terapêutica em doentes selecionados com diferentes patologias da aorta torácica, associando-se a taxas de mortalidade relativamente baixas, a reduzida morbilidade e a curtos tempos de hospitalização. Serão ainda abordadas as mais recentes recomendações para a sua utilização, assim como as principais complicações e dificuldades associadas a este procedimento minimamente invasivo. Abstract: Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive technique which is increasingly used in different thoracic aortic pathologies such as aortic aneurysm, complicated type B aortic dissection, aortic trauma, intramural hematoma and penetrating aortic ulcer.In this paper we discuss the main indications for endovascular stent-grafts in the treatment of thoracic aortic disease, based on three cases in which this procedure was used for three different conditions: degenerative aneurysm, complicated type B dissection and post-traumatic injury.These case reports add to the evidence that TEVAR is a safe and feasible therapeutic alternative in selected patients with thoracic aortic disease, improving aortic remodeling, with relatively low morbidity and mortality. The main complications and difficulties related to the procedure are also discussed. Palavras-chave: Procedimentos endovasculares, Aorta torácica, Stent, Aneurisma aorta, Dissecção da aorta, Keywords: Endovascular procedures, Aorta thoracic, Stent, Aortic aneurysm, Aneurysm dissecting

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive technique which is increasingly used in different thoracic aortic pathologies such as aortic aneurysm, complicated type B aortic dissection, aortic trauma, intramural hematoma and penetrating aortic ulcer.In this paper we discuss the main indications for endovascular stent-grafts in the treatment of thoracic aortic disease, based on three cases in which this procedure was used for three different conditions: degenerative aneurysm, complicated type B dissection and post-traumatic injury.These case reports add to the evidence that TEVAR is a safe and feasible therapeutic alternative in selected patients with thoracic aortic disease, improving aortic remodeling, with relatively low morbidity and mortality. The main complications and difficulties related to the procedure are also discussed. Resumo: O tratamento endovascular é utilizado num número cada vez maior de doentes, com diferentes tipos de patologias da aorta torácica. Atualmente, esta opção terapêutica deve ser considerada no tratamento dos aneurismas da aorta torácica, na dissecção aguda da aorta do tipo B complicada, nas lesões pós-traumáticas, nos hematomas intramurais e nas úlceras penetrantes da aorta.Neste artigo pretendemos discutir as indicações para a utilização desta técnica percutânea, partindo da apresentação de três casos clínicos, tratados no nosso centro, com diferentes patologias da aorta torácica: aneurisma degenerativo, dissecção aguda da aorta do tipo B, complicada, e lesão pós-traumática da aorta.A discussão destes três casos clínicos ajudará a evidenciar que o tratamento endovascular é uma boa alternativa terapêutica em doentes selecionados com diferentes patologias da aorta torácica, associando-se a taxas de mortalidade relativamente baixas, a reduzida morbilidade e a curtos tempos de hospitalização. Serão ainda abordadas as mais recentes recomendações para a sua utilização, assim como as principais complicações e dificuldades associadas a este procedimento minimamente invasivo. Keywords: Endovascular procedures, Aorta, thoracic, Stent, Aortic aneurysm, Aneurysm, dissecting, Palavras-chave: Procedimentos endovasculares, Aorta torácica, Stent, Aneurisma aorta, Dissecção da aorta

Background Preliminary studies have shown the potential of myocardial computed tomography perfusion (CTP) analysis for ischemia detection in both animals and humans. Objective To provide validation data on stress-rest CTP protocols as additive tools to improve the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for coronary artery disease (CAD) in symptomatic patients. Methods Ninety symptomatic patients with suspected CAD (62 ± 8 years, 66% males) underwent both MDCT and invasive coronary angiography (XA). The MDCT protocol included a prospective calcium score acquisition, a helical acquisition with retrospective gating during infusion of adenosine (140 μg/kg/min) and a prospective scan for computed tomography angiography (CTA) at rest (total effective radiation dose: 5.1 ± 0.8 mSv). Significant and higher-grade CADs were defined by the presence of ≥50% or ≥70% stenosis in at least one coronary artery, as evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) using XA images. Results On a patient-based model, CTA sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) to detect ≥50% or ≥70% stenosis were 98%, 71%, 80%, and 97% (global accuracy 86%) and 100%, 60%, 64%, and 100% (accuracy 77%), respectively. An integrative approach of CTA and CTP results had the best performance for detection of CAD with sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 98%, PPV of 98%, and NPV of 84% (accuracy 84%) for detection of 50% stenosis and 97%, 90%, 88%, and 98% (accuracy 93%), respectively, for the 70% threshold. The integration of results had the best overall performance in all scenarios but was particularly advantageous in the prediction of higher-grade CAD, with an area under the curve of 0.93, compared with 0.80 for isolated CTA and 0.82 for CTP and in patients with severe calcifications (sensitivity 92%, specificity 87%, overall accuracy of 90%). Conclusions The integration of functional and morphological data using CTA and CTP improved MDCT accuracy for detection of clinically relevant CAD at both thresholds of 50% and 70% in this intermediate to high pretest probability population.

Objectives: Adoption of health technologies may yield significant individual and societal benefits. Because different healthcare systems vary in their adoption speeds, an understanding of the underlying healthcare system is critical. We compared the United States (US) and Portugal (PT) healthcare systems focusing on coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD remains one of the main causes of death in high-income countries with significant economic costs. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review based on publications from national governmental bodies, international institutional organizations, professional associations, and scientific journals. We abstracted information regarding risk factors, incidence, access to health technologies, and hospital mortality rates in CHD observed between 2000 and 2011. Findings: The prevalence of obesity and high cholesterol levels is higher in the US while higher rates of hypertension and tobacco consumption prevail in PT. The 2009 incidence of cardiovascular disease per 100000 population in the US is 1944.5 versus 1320.4 in PT. The percentage of total health expenditure financed through public funds is 48.2% in the US versus 65.8% in PT. Public hospitals represent 26% (1526 of 5754) of US hospitals and 55% (129 of 231) of hospitals in PT. Between 2000 and 2011, the average high-risk device approval time was 43 months quicker in the European Union (EU) compared to the US. Drug-eluting stents were approved in 2002 in the EU and in PT versus 2003 in the US. Speeds of approval for pharmaceuticals vary – prasugrel, and ticagrelor were approved 5 and 8 months faster in PT compared to the US but PT approval of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors was slower (18 months slower on average). However, US CHD standardized mortality is more than twice that of PT (126.5 vs 59.4 per 100000). Conclusions: Procedure and new technology use differ dramatically between the two healthcare systems for CHD care. Portugal offers an interesting contrast to the US for studies focusing on health technologies adoption, diffusion, cost-effectiveness and determinants of outcomes in the realm of CHD. How these factors directly impact patient outcomes remains unknown and deserves further investigation.

Background— Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a state-of-the-art noninvasive modality for detection of myocardial ischemia and coronary artery disease. Magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) allows visualization of the coronary tree, but its incremental value as part of a CMR protocol including MPI and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is not well established. We aimed to evaluate the additive diagnostic value of a 3-dimensional whole-heart MRCA integration into a 1.5T CMR-MPI/LGE protocol for the detection of functionally significant coronary artery disease. Methods and Results— Forty-three symptomatic patients (61±8.3 years; 65% men) with suspected coronary artery disease and intermediate/high-pretest probability underwent CMR (including CMR-MPI, MRCA, and LGE) and x-ray invasive coronary angiography (XA) with fractional flow reserve evaluation. Diagnostic performances of MRCA, CMR-MPI/LGE, and MRCA+CMR-MPI/LGE integration were determined having XA+fractional flow reserve as standard for coronary artery disease (≥90% stenosis/occlusion or fractional flow reserve≤0.80 in vessels>2 mm). MRCA inclusion into the CMR protocol was associated with a mean increase of 7.9±4.69 (0–17.7) minutes in total examination duration (14%). On patient-based analysis, MRCA had 96% sensitivity, 68% specificity, positive predictive value of 79%, and negative predictive value of 93%. CMR-MPI/LGE had 79% sensitivity, 95% specificity, positive predictive value of 95%, and negative predictive value of 78%. Integration of MRCA with CMR-MPI/LGE further improved CMR performance to 96% sensitivity, 89% specificity, positive predictive value of 92%, and negative predictive value of 94%, with a global accuracy of 93%. Conclusions— In this intermediate/high-pretest population, integration of noncontrast-enhanced whole-heart MRCA nonsignificantly improved per-patient diagnostic accuracy of a comprehensive 1.5-T stress-rest CMR-MPI/LGE protocol at a cost of longer scanning times.

Background Cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging (CMR-MPI) is considered a state of the art non-invasive modality for the detection of reversible ischemia. Recent studies have shown its utility in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and superiority over other established techniques. However, only a few studies compared CMR-MPI against the invasive standard including fractional flow reserve (FFR) and clinical validation in non-specialized centers is scarce. The aim of this study was to validate CMR-MPI in a real-world clinical environment and to test its diagnostic accuracy in symptomatic patients with suspected CAD versus FFR as the reference standard of functionally significant disease. Methods and results 103 symptomatic consecutive patients (62±8.0years, 66% males) with suspected CAD and intermediate or high probability of disease underwent sequential CMR and invasive coronary angiography (XA). The CMR protocol included stress-rest adenosine perfusion, SSFP cine imaging and late-enhancement imaging. Functionally significant CAD was defined as occlusive/sub-occlusive stenoses on XA or non-occlusive stenoses with a FFR measurement of 2mm. On a patient-based model, CMR-MPI had sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 89%, 88%, 85%, and 91%, respectively, with a global accuracy of 88%. On a vessel-based analysis, these values were 80%, 93%, 79% and 94%, respectively, with a global accuracy of 90%. Conclusions CMR-MPI had a very high accuracy for detection of functionally significant CAD as assessed by FFR in patients with intermediate to high pretest probability.

The Parachute is a novel left ventricular (LV) partitioning device that is deployed percutaneously in the left ventricle in patients with anteroapical regional wall motion abnormalities, dilated LV and systolic dysfunction after anterior myocardial infarction (MI). The implantable device is a partitioning membrane that isolates the dysfunctional region of the ventricle and decreases chamber volume.Data from the first-in-human clinical trial – the Percutaneous Ventricular Restoration in Chronic Heart Failure (PARACHUTE) trial– has shown that this new device is associated with significant and sustained LV volume reduction and improvement in LV hemodynamics and functional capacity in the 12 months after implantation, with a relatively low rate of clinical events, indicating that it may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of ischemic heart failure.We aim to describe our initial experience with implantation of the Parachute LV partitioning device and its short-term safety, defined as the successful delivery and deployment of the device. Resumo: O dispositivo Parachute é um dispositivo inovador, implantado percutaneamente no ápex do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) em doentes com discinésia ou acinésia antero-apical, dilatação e disfunção sistólica do VE, no decurso de um enfarte do miocárdio envolvendo a artéria descendente anterior esquerda. O dispositivo corresponde a uma membrana de partição, desenhada de forma a isolar a região acinética ou discinética e reduzir o volume do VE.O estudo piloto - the Percutaneous Ventricular Restoration in Chronic Heart Failure (PARACHUTE) trial - mostrou que o dispositivo está associado a uma redução significativa e sustentada do volume do VE, com melhoria hemodinâmica e da capacidade funcional. Estes resultados positivos mantiveram-se durante os 12 meses após a implantação, com uma taxa relativamente baixa de eventos adversos relacionados com o dispositivo. Estes dados indicam que o dispositivo Parachute poderá ser benéfico no tratamento de doentes com insuficiência cardíaca com dilatação e disfunção sistólica do VE secundária a cardiopatia isquémica.Os autores pretendem demonstrar a experiência inicial com a implantação do dispositivo, assim como a segurança do mesmo a curto-prazo relativamente à entrega e deposição do dispositivo no ápex do VE. Keywords: Heart failure, Left ventricular remodeling, Anterior myocardial infarction, Anteroapical wall motion dysfunction, Parachute left ventricular partitioning device, Palavras-chave: Insuficiência cardíaca, Remodelação ventricular, Enfarte agudo do miocárdio da parede anterior, Alterações cinética segmentar antero-apical, Dispositivo de partição ventricular

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) remains the standard therapy for left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease.However, in recent years, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has shown good results and is being used in an increasing number of patients. We aimed to assess mid and long term clinical outcomes of patients undergoing LMCA PCI in a hospital with cardiac surgery.Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing LMCA PCI between January 2005 and June 2011.F our groups (G) of indications for PCI were defined: G1 - patients refused for surgery (29.2%), G2 - emergent PCI (14.6%),G3 - PCI of protected LMCA (37.5%) and G4 - LMCA PCI as preferred revascularization strategy due to favorable coronary anatomy (18.8%).Ninety-six patients were treated, mostly male (69.8%), mean age of 69.4±10.5 years. Most patients (69%) had acute coronary syndrome and 14% were in cardiogenic shock. Critical stenosis of distal LMCA was seen in 58% and drug-eluting stents were used in 60%. Mean logistic EuroScore was 13.9±11.9%. Patients from groups 1, 2 and 3 had more multivessel disease (96, 79 and 89%, respectively) than those from G4 (isolated LMCA disease in 58%). Follow-up was performed in 100% of patients (median of 21 months; IQR 10.0 - 43.5), with a total mortality rate of 28.1% (14.6% of cardiovascular (CV) causes). Seven patients (7.3%) had in-hospital death. MACCE rate (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke and LMCA reintervention) was 26% and one-year mortality was 15.4%. Five patients (5.6%) required percutaneous reintervention; CABG was performed only in 1 patient.In subgroup analysis it was found that total mortality in G1 and G2 (46.4% and 64.3%) was significantly higher than that of G3 and G4 (11.1% and 5.6% respectively), p0.001. The same trend was observed for CV mortality: G1 (25.0%) and G2 (35.7%) vs G3 (5.6%) and G4 (0%), p = 0.005.LMCA PCI proved to be a safe technique with low mortality in patients with protected LMCA and those with favorable coronary anatomy for percutaneous revascularization. Patients undergoing emergent PCI or refused for surgery had a large number of events, according to their very high baseline risk profile.

We report the case of a 77-year-old man with heart failure (NYHA class IV), angina (CCS class III) and multiple comorbidities. The evaluation showed severe aortic sten osis and left main coronary disease. Due to the very high perioperative risk, conventional surgery was denied. It was therefore decided to perform a combined percutaneous intervention. First, left main PCI was successfully performed. A few days later, a percutaneous aortic valve prosthesis was implanted via a femoral approach using the CoreValve ReValving system. Immediately after prosthesis implantation, the control angiogram showed severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation, which was corrected by implanting another percutaneous aortic prosthesis inside the first one (valve-in-valve procedure). During follow-up the patient experienced a remarkable improvement in hemodynamic and clinical status. We demonstrate that the combination of two different percutaneous interventions in severe aortic and coronary disease is feasible and can be a suitable alternative approach in high surgical risk patients.

Percutaneous aortic valve implantation is an emerging procedure for the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis.The procedure was performed in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, who had been refused for aortic valve replacement surgery. A self-expanding bioprosthesis within a nitinol frame delivered by an 18F catheter was used. Most of the procedures were performed through a femoral artery approach and under local anesthesia and sedation.Thirty-two patients were treated, mean age 80 years, with various comorbidities and mean logistic EuroSCORE of 22%. The procedure was successful in all patients, with a significant improvement in transvalvular gradients. Two patients died due to procedure-related complications. The most common complications were vascular access related and high-degree atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker. No events were reported after one month follow-up, with most patients showing improvement in functional capacity. After 23 months of follow-up (mean 13 months) five additional deaths had occurred. No prosthesis-related events were observed.Percutaneous aortic valve implantation is safe and improves quality of life in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. It may be an alternative therapeutic option for patients with high risk features for aortic replacement surgery.

Background— Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has shown high negative predictive value in ruling out obstructive coronary artery disease. Preliminary studies in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) have demonstrated the potential of MSCT angiography (CTA) in such patients, precluding need for invasive angiography (XA). However, larger prospectively designed studies, including patients with atrial fibrillation and incorporating dose reduction algorithms, are needed. Methods and Results— To evaluate the clinical utility of 64-slice CT in the preoperative assessment in patients with VHD, we prospectively studied 452 consecutive patients undergoing routine cardiac catheterization for eligibility. Two hundred thirty-seven patients underwent both MSCT and XA. Segment-based, vessel-based, and patient-based agreement between CTA and XA was estimated assuming that “nonevaluable” segments were positive for significant coronary stenosis. In a patient-based analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of CTA were 95%, 89%, 66%, and 99%, respectively; in vessel-based analysis, 90%, 92%, 48%, and 99%, respectively; and in segment-based analysis, 89%, 97%, 38%, and 100%, respectively. No significant differences were found between patients with or without atrial fibrillation. A CAC value of 390 was the best cutoff for the identification of patients with positive or inconclusive CTA (which would not be exempted from XA in the clinical setting). Conclusions— In the preoperative assessment of patients with predominant VHD, the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice CTA for ruling out the presence of significant coronary artery disease is very good even when including patients with irregular heart rhythm. Using this approach, CAC quantification before CTA can be successfully used to identify patients who should be referred directly to XA, sparing unnecessary exposure to radiation.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of heart failure. In patients with left ventricular (LV) dilatation, low ejection fraction, and transmural scar in an anteroseptal distribution, surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) is a treatment option.We describe our first experience with the Less Invasive Ventricular Enhancement (LIVE) technique using the Revivent™ system (Bioventrix Inc., San Ramon, CA), in the treatment of a large anteroapical aneurysm. Resumo: A cardiomiopatia isquémica é a principal causa de insuficiência cardíaca. A cirurgia de reconstrução ventricular é uma opção terapêutica em doentes com dilatação e disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo e cicatriz de enfarte transmural da parede anterior e septo.Os autores pretendem descrever a sua experiência inicial com uma técnica menos invasiva de reconstrução ventricular (Less Invasive Ventricular Enhancement [LIVE]) utilizando o sistema Revivent™ (Bioventrix Inc., San Ramon, CA, EUA), no tratamento de um volumoso aneurisma ântero-apical. Keywords: Ischemic cardiomyopathy, Heart failure, Surgical ventricular reconstruction, Off-pump surgery, Palavras-chave: Cardiomiopatia isquémica, Insuficiência cardíaca, Reconstrução ventricular esquerda, Cirurgia sem circulação extracorporal