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Abstract Background Parameters that mark the timing of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are incompletely defined. This study aims to identify the dynamics of LV strain derived from speckle tracking echocardiography in a cohort of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent TAVR and its correlation with postprocedural outcomes. Methods We selected 150 consecutive patients (82 ± 4 years old, STS score 6.4 ± 6.2) who underwent transfemoral TAVR between 07/2016 and 12/2017 at our tertiary care center. All patients were evaluated at baseline, 1 week after TAVR, and 3 months following TAVR. Results The global longitudinal strain (GLS) 1 week following TAVR was comparable to that at baseline (− 15,9 ± 4.3 vs − 16.8 ± 4.1; p = NS) but significantly improved at 3 months following TAVR (− 15.9 ± 4.3% vs. -19.5 ± 3.5%; p

Abstract Background The pulsed electron avalanche knife (PEAK) PlasmaBlade™ is an innovative electrosurgical device that uses a novel technology to cut tissues. It has been proven to be safe and feasible in ear, nose, and throat surgery, but there are only limited data concerning the use of PlasmaBlade™ instead of conventional electrocautery in cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures except for generator replacements. Methods We conducted a retrospective, single-center study with patients undergoing CIED surgery at our center between December 2015 and March 2017 and evaluate the feasibility and the clinical outcome of the PlasmaBlade™. Results 282 patients (mean age 70.7 ± 12.9 years; 65.6% male) were included, of which 119 (42.2%) underwent pacemaker implantation, 95 (33.7%) implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, and 68 (24.1%) received a generator replacement. At the time of the procedure, 55 patients (19.5%) were on dual antiplatelet therapy, and 109 (38.7%) patients were on oral anticoagulation (30.5% vitamin K antagonists, 8.2% novel oral anticoagulants). The overall perioperative complication rate was 3.9%. Device-pocket hematoma occurred in 9 patients (3.2%) requiring further surgery. No lead damage was seen within a follow-up of 6 months. One patient presented with device-pocket infection 2.9 months after implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator requiring CIED system extraction. Conclusions Replacing conventional electrocautery by PlasmaBlade™ for CIED procedures is feasible with a moderate rate of perioperative complications compared to the literature. Studies comparing the PlasmaBlade™ with conventional electrocautery are necessary to investigate whether PlasmaBlade™ offers an additional benefit over conventional electrocautery.