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We report the case of an exceptional association of a right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) ruptured into the right ventricle, a supracristal ventricular septal defect (VSD) and an atrial septal defect (ASD). Our patient was totally asymptomatic and the diagnosis was established by echocardiography. The patient underwent prompt surgery that consisted in closing the aneurysm and the VSD with a pericardium patch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress echocardiography has been completely validated in the diagnosis and follow-up of ischemic diseases. However, for difficult patient with poor ultrasound window, reliability of this examination can be altered. In these situations, contrast echocardiography significantly increases sensitivity and specificity of stress echo by improving the endocardial delineation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

111In-AMA scintigraphy coupled with rest 201Tl imaging may be useful for the positive diagnosis of subacute myocardial necrosis in patients with angina, aortic stenosis, and normal coronary arteries. The present observation suggests that diffuse myocyte necrosis, histologically confirmed in this case, can be identified with 111In-AMA and may be a cause of cardiac complications in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A patent foramen ovale is almost physiological (15% of the population) but can be associated with some pathological situations in which its closure can be considered. The only medical indication currently accepted is a right–left shunt without elevation of the right pulmonary pressure, whose most famous pattern is the rare platypnea–orthodeoxie syndrome. PFO may be responsible for diving decompression accidents. Before taking the decision of closing a PFO, each situation must be discussed on a case to case basis. In spite of the possible link between some kinds of migraine and PFO, according to current knowledge, there is no evidence of the efficiency of PFO closure in this situation. The secondary prevention of a cryptogenic ischaemic cerebrovascular attack on a young person with a PFO associated to a membranous septum aneurysm, is the most commonly considered indication, but we lack valid data for this indication. The PFO closing procedure is well codified and its success rate is close to 100%, with rare major complications. Residual permeability within the prosthesis ensuring the closure of the PFO decreases gradually to get under 15% after six months. The clinical result is often dramatic when treating right–left shunts. As far as the secondary prevention of cryptogenic ischaemic cerebro vascular attacks in young people is concerned, there might be some clinical benefit, but we are waiting for the results of ongoing randomized and scheduled studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study assessed the prognostic value of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in unstable angina, and specifically in patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease. These biochemical parameters, which are related to myocardial injury or to systemic inflammation, may help in short-term risk stratification of unstable angina. We prospectively studied 195 patients with unstable angina, 100 of whom had angiographically proven coronary artery disease (with normal creatine kinase [CK] and CK-MB mass). Serum concentrations of cTnI (N < 0.4 ng/ml) and CRP (N < 3 mg/L) were measured at admission, 12, and 24 hours later. The rate of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, or emergency revascularization) was higher in patients with increased cTnI within the first 24 hours, regardless of the results of coronary angiography (23% vs 7%; p < 0.001). Conversely, events occurred at similar rates in patients with or without increased CRP. In patients with angiographic evidence of coronary artery disease, multivariate analysis showed that increased cTnI within 24 hours of admission (35 patients) was an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio 6.7, range 1.7 to 27.3), but not cTnI levels at admission and CRP at 0, 12, and 24 hours. Thus, both in unselected patients with unstable angina and in patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease, increased cTnI within 24 hours of admission, but not CRP, is a predictor of in-hospital clinical outcome. We also found a temporal link between cTnI increase and late elevation of CRP, suggesting that systemic inflammation may partially be a consequence of myocardial injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During left heart disease, the chronic increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) results both in vascular alterations with increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and in progressive thickening of the alveolar-capillary membrane, which diffusing capacity (Dm) is reduced. However, the total lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (TLco) is inconstantly impaired, depending on the degree of pulmonary congestion. We evaluated the relation between the pulmonary hemodynamic repercussions of chronic heart disease and the 2 components of TLco, i.e., Dm and capillary blood volume. Forty-seven patients with chronic left heart disease (28 with valve disease, 19 with cardiomyopathy) underwent right heart catheterization with determination of PCWP and PVR. Pulmonary function tests, including spirometry, determination of TLco, and of its 2 components (percentage of predicted values) were performed in patients and in 15 healthy subjects. TLco and Dm, but not capillary blood volume, were significantly decreased in patients. Dm was related to PVR (p = 0.0006), and was markedly reduced in patients with high PVR (> or = 3 Wood U): 54 +/- 8% vs 80 +/- 19% in patients with normal PVR (p <0.0001). Dm < or = 66% identified all high PVR patients (sensitivity = 100%, specificity = 77%). Capillary blood volume was related to PCWP (p = 0.02), and was increased in patients with high PCWP (> 15 mm Hg): 126 +/- 30% vs 99 +/- 23% (p <0.01), but with a marked overlap. TLco values, although reduced in patients with high PVR (p <0.001), were not predictive of high PVR or high PCWP. Determination of Dm allows a more accurate detection of pulmonary hypertension complicating chronic left heart disease than the other pulmonary parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is the preferred method for the evaluation of right ventricular function and volumes. However validated thresholds are lacking., Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate CMR assessment of right ventricular volumes in patients with significant (moderate or severe) tricuspid regurgitation, and to define its association with outcomes., Methods: The PRONOVAL study is a retrospective multicentre study using the clinical data warehouse of Greater Paris University Hospitals (AP-HP). Patients were screened for CMR in the PMSI (Programme de médicalisation des systèmes d'information). Hospitalization reports were analysed by natural language processing to include patients with tricuspid regurgitation. Exclusion criteria were left heart valvular disease, heart transplantation and cardiac amyloidosis. Primary outcome was a combined criterion of death or tricuspid surgery., Results: Between September 2017 and September 2021, 151 patients with isolated tricuspid regurgitation were screened. Right ventricular function and volumes were available in 86 (57.0%) CMR reports (the complete CMR group). In the complete CMR group, tricuspid regurgitation was severe in 62 patients (72.1%). Median age was 67.0 years (interquartile range 58.0-75.8). Median right ventricular indexed end-diastolic volume was 98.0 mL/m 2 (interquartile range 66.8-118.5). At 2-year follow-up, six patients (9.2%) had undergone tricuspid valve surgery, and 12 patients (18.5%) had died. Right ventricular indexed end-diastolic volume was associated with death or surgery at 2years, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.75-0.77) for a threshold of 119mL/m 2 ., Conclusion: Right ventricular indexed end-diastolic volume >119mL/m 2 was found to be an independent indicator of death or surgery in patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: There is currently no established recommendation for antithrombotic treatment following transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). However, based on the analogy with surgical mitral bioprosthesis, vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are predominantly used., Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare bleeding and thrombotic events associated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) or VKAs in a prospective cohort of TMVR patients., Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients who underwent transseptal TMVR using a SAPIEN family prosthesis at our center between 2011 and 2023. The primary outcome was the occurrence of bleeding. VKAs were administered to patients until October 2019, after which DOACs were prescribed. The median follow-up was 4.7 months (Q1-Q3: 2.6-6.7 months)., Results: A total of 156 patients were included. The mean age was 65 ± 18.5 years, and 103 patients (66%) were women. The median EuroSCORE II was 7.48% (Q1-Q3: 3.80%-12.97%). Of the participants, 20.5% received DOACs and 79.5% were treated with VKAs. The primary outcome was observed in 50 (40%) patients in the VKA group and 3 (9%) patients in the DOAC group (adjusted HR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06-0.74; P = 0.02). Treatment with DOAC was associated with a shorter length of hospital stay. No significant differences were found in terms of thrombotic events, major vascular complications, stroke, or death., Conclusions: The use of DOACs after TMVR, compared with VKAs, appears to reduce the risk of bleeding complications and decrease the length of hospital stay for patients, without a significant increase in the risk of thrombotic events., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Dr Himbert is a proctor for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott. Dr Brochet is a proctor for Abbott. Prof Urena has received speaker fees from Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: In France, 40,000 Port-a-Cath (PAC) are inserted each year. These medical devices are prone to complications during their insertion or use. The education of patients wearing these devices could be a lever to reduce the risk of complications. The objective of this work was to develop, in a multi-professional and consensual manner, a unique and specific skills reference framework for patients with PAC and to propose it as a reference tool for health professionals., Methods: A multidisciplinary working group was set up to draw up this reference framework of skills. The first stage of the work consisted of a reflection leading to an exhaustive list of competencies necessary for the patient. These skills were then classified according to three different fields of knowledge (theoretical, know-how and attitudes). Finally, the working group identified priority competencies and established a grid that can be used to evaluate the level of acquisition of these competencies., Results: Fifteen competencies were identified: five relating to theoretical knowledge, six relating to know-how and four relating to attitudes. These competencies were broken down into sub-competences. Seven competencies or sub-competencies were selected to constitute the list of priority competencies., Discussion: This competency framework provides a reference framework for the education of patients with PAC and will help to harmonise practices within the different teams that care for patients with PAC., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Transcatheter therapies for the treatment of structural heart diseases (SHD) have expanded dramatically over the last years, thanks to the developments and improvements of devices and imaging techniques, along with the increasing expertise of operators. Imaging, in particular echocardiography, is pivotal during patient selection, procedural monitoring, and follow-up. The imaging assessment of patients undergoing transcatheter interventions places demands on imagers that differ from those of the routine evaluation of patients with SHD, and there is a need for specific expertise for those working in the cath lab. In the context of the current rapid developments and growing use of SHD therapies, this document intends to update the previous consensus document and address new advancements in interventional imaging for access routes and treatment of patients with aortic stenosis and regurgitation, and mitral stenosis and regurgitation., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: E.A.: speaker and proctoring fees, research and educational grant from Philips, Edwards, Abbott, GE, and Siemens. E.B.: Proctoring fees from Abbott. M.D.: speaker fees from Pfizer and have participated on advisory boards for Novartis. F.F.: speaker's fees from Philips. P.M.-H.: Shareholder of Neumann Medical Ltd. M.S.: lecturer/proctor for Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, Philips Healthcare, and Bioventrix inc. R.S.V.B.: Trials (un-paid): IIT IZKS University of Go¨ttingen, Abbott Vascular, Bioventrix, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic; Speaker/ Advisory: Abbott Lifesciences, Bioventrix, Boston Scientific, Cardiac Dimensions, Edwards Lifesciences, and Philips. J.-L.Z.: research grants from Abbott. Speaker fee Daichii Sankio, Pfizer. B.A.P.: research grants and lecture fees from GE Healthcare and Hitachi-Aloka., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Competing Interests: Disclosures Dr Brochet’s only conflict of interest is proctoring fees from Abbott. The other authors report no conflicts.

Background: Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) may be attractive to treat high-risk patients with mitral bioprosthesis or annuloplasty ring failure or severe mitral annular calcification., Aim: To report the outcomes of patients after valve-in-valve/ring/mitral annular calcification TMVI using balloon expandable transcatheter aortic valves, according to the degree of urgency of the procedure., Methods: All patients who underwent TMVI in our centre from 2010 to 2021 were classified into three groups: elective, urgent or emergent/salvage TMVI., Results: A total of 157 patients were included: 129 (82.2%) had elective, 21 (13.4%) urgent and 7 (4.4%) had emergent/salvage TMVI. Patients with emergent/salvage TMVI had a higher EuroSCORE II: elective, 7.3%; urgent, 9.7%; emergent/salvage, 54.5% (P<0.0001). The indication for TMVI was bioprosthesis failure in all of the emergent/salvage group, in 13 of the urgent group (61.9%) and in 62 of the elective group (48.1%). Overall, the technical success rate of TMVI was 86%, and was similar in the three groups (elective, 86.1%; urgent, 95.2%; emergent/salvage, 71.4%). The cumulative survival rate at 2-year follow-up was lower in the emergent/salvage group than in the elective or urgent group (42.9% vs 71.2% for the elective group; 76.2% for the urgent group; log-rank test, P=0.012). The excess mortality in the emergent/salvage group occurred during the first month postprocedure. Thereafter, the 30-day landmark analysis did not show any more statistical difference between the three groups (log-rank test, P=0.94)., Conclusions: Emergent/salvage TMVI was associated with high early mortality, but 1-month survivors had similar outcomes to patients with elective/urgent TMVI. The degree of urgency of the procedure should not prevent TMVI in high-risk patients., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Dr Himbert is a proctor for Abbott Vascular and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Brochet is a proctor for Abbott Vascular. Dr Ducrocq is a proctor for Abbott Vascular and Boston Scientific. Dr Urena has received speaker fees from Edwards Lifesciences. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose.

Background: Data regarding the impact of the tricuspid valve gradient (TVG) after tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) are scarce., Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the association between the mean TVG and clinical outcomes among patients who underwent tricuspid TEER for significant tricuspid regurgitation., Methods: Patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation who underwent tricuspid TEER within the TriValve (International Multisite Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies) registry were divided into quartiles based on the mean TVG at discharge. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization. Outcomes were assessed up to the 1-year follow-up., Results: A total of 308 patients were included from 24 centers. Patients were divided into quartiles of the mean TVG as follows: quartile 1 (n = 77), 0.9 ± 0.3 mm Hg; quartile 2 (n = 115), 1.8 ± 0.3 mm Hg; quartile 3 (n = 65), 2.8 ± 0.3 mm Hg; and quartile 4 (n = 51), 4.7 ± 2.0 mm Hg. The baseline TVG and the number of implanted clips were associated with a higher post-TEER TVG. There was no significant difference across TVG quartiles in the 1-year composite endpoint (quartiles 1-4: 35%, 30%, 40%, and 34%, respectively; P = 0.60) or the proportion of patients in New York Heart Association class III to IV at the last follow-up (P = 0.63). The results were similar after adjustment for clinical and echocardiographic characteristics (composite endpoint quartile 4 vs quartile 1-quartile 3 adjusted HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.52-2.12; P = 0.88) or exploring post-TEER TVG as a continuous variable., Conclusions: In this retrospective analysis of the TriValve registry, an increased discharge TVG was not significantly associated with adverse outcomes after tricuspid TEER. These findings apply for the explored TVG range and up to the 1-year follow-up. Further investigations on higher gradients and longer follow-up are needed to better guide the intraprocedural decision-making process., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Dr Coisne has served as a consultant for Abbott; and has received speaker fees from Abbott and GE Healthcare. Dr Scotti has served as a consultant for NeoChord Inc; and has received consulting fees from NeoChord Inc. Dr Taramasso has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, 4Tech, and CoreMedic; and has received speaker honoraria from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Ludwig has received travel compensation from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Rodés-Cabau has received institutional research grants from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Lurz has received speaker fees from Abbott. Dr Hausleiter has received speaker honoraria from Abbott Vascular and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Kodali has served on the scientific advisory board for Microinterventional Devices, Dura Biotech, Thubrikar Aortic Valve, and Supira; has served as a consultant for Meril Lifesciences, Admedus, Medtronic, and Boston Scientific; has served on the steering committee for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott Vascular; has received honoraria from Meril Lifesciences, Admedus, Abbott Vascular, and Dura Biotech; and owns equity in Dura Biotech, Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Supira, and MID. Dr Alessandrini has received consulting fees from Abbott and Edwards LifeSciences. Dr Brochet has received speaker fees from Abbott Vascular. Dr Denti has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, 4Tech, Neovasc, and InnovHeart; and has received honoraria from Abbott and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Estévez- Loureiro has received speaker fees from Abbott, Boston, and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Ho has served as a consultant for NeoChord Inc; and has received consulting fees from NeoChord Inc. Dr Praz has received travel expenses from Edwards Lifesciences, Abbott Vascular, and Polares Medical. Dr Sievert has received study honoraria, travel expenses, and consulting fees from 4Tech Cardio, Abbott, Ablative Solutions, Ancora Heart, Bavaria Medizin Technologie, Bioventrix, Boston Scientific, Carag, Cardiac Dimensions, Celonova, Comed BV, Contego, CVRx, Edwards Lifesciences, Endologix, Hemoteq, Lifetech, Maquet Getinge Group, Medtronic, Mitralign, Nuomao Medtech, Occlutech, PFM Medical, ReCor, Renal Guard, Rox Medical, Terumo, Vascular Dynamics, and Vivasure Medical. Dr Tang has served as a consultant, physician advisory board member, and faculty trainer for Abbott Structural Heart; has served as a consultant for Medtronic and NeoChord; and has served as a physician advisory board member for JenaValve. Dr Andreas has served as a proctor/consultant for and has received speaker fees from Abbott, Edwards LifeSciences, Boston, Zoll and Medtronic; and has received institutional grants from Edwards Lifesciences, Abbott, Medtronic, and LSI Solutions. Dr Gavazzoni has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular. Dr Braun has received speaker honoraria and travel support from Abbott Vascular. Dr Lubos has received grant support and lecture fees from Abbott; and has received lecture fees from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Kalbacher has received lecture fees from Abbott and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Connelly has received honoraria from Abbott. Dr Schofer has served as a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Windecker reports research, travel, or educational grants to the institution from Abbott, Abiomed, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biotronik, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Scientific, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cardinal Health, CardioValve, Corflow Therapeutics, CSL Behring, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Guerbet, InfraRedx, Janssen-Cilag, Johnson & Johnson, Medicure, Medtronic, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Miracor Medical, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Organon, OrPha Suisse, Pfizer, Polares, Regeneron, Aventis, Servier, Sinomed, Terumo, Vifor, and V-Wave. Dr Windecker serves as an unpaid advisory board member and/or unpaid member of the steering/executive group of trials funded by Abbott, Abiomed, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, Bristol Myers Squibb, Edwards Lifesciences, Janssen, MedAlliance, Medtronic, Novartis, Polares, Recardio, Sinomed, Terumo, V-Wave, and Xeltis, but has not received personal payments by pharmaceutical companies or device manufacturers. He is also a member of the steering/executive committee group of several investigator-initiated trials that receive funding by industry without impact on his personal remuneration. Dr Maisano has served as a consultant for and received consulting fees and honoraria from Abbott Vascular, Edwards Lifesciences, Cardiovalve, SwissVortex, Perifect, Xeltis, Transseptal Solutions, Magenta, Valtech, and Medtronic; has reported being a cofounder of 4Tech; has received research grant support from Abbott, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, NVT, and Terumo; has received royalties and owns intellectual property rights from Edwards Lifesciences (FMR surgical annuloplasty); and has reported being a shareholder in Cardiovalve, Swiss Vortex, Magenta, Transseptal Solutions, Occlufit, 4Tech, and Perifect. Dr Leon has received institutional clinical research grants from Abbott, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic. Dr Hahn has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, Abbott Structural, NaviGate, Philips Healthcare, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, and GE Healthcare; has been the Chief Scientific Officer for the Echocardiography Core Laboratory at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation for multiple industry-supported trials, for which she receives no direct industry compensation; has received speaker fees from Boston Scientific and Baylis Medical; and has received nonfinancial support from 3mensio. Dr Latib has served on the advisory board for Medtronic, Abbott Vascular Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Shifamed, NeoChord Inc, V-dyne, and Philips. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Aims: The impact of sexuality in patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate sex-specific outcomes in patients with significant TR treated with TTVI vs. medical therapy alone., Methods and Results: The Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies (TriValve) registry collected data on patients with significant TR from 24 centres who underwent TTVI from 2016 to 2021. A control cohort was formed by medically managed patients with ≥severe isolated TR diagnosed in 2015-18. The primary endpoint was freedom from all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints were heart failure (HF) hospitalization, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional status, and TR severity. One-year outcomes were assessed for the TriValve cohort and compared with the control cohort with the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). A total of 556 and 2072 patients were included from the TriValve and control groups, respectively. After TTVI, there was no difference between women and men in 1-year freedom from all-cause mortality 80.9% vs. 77.9%, P = 0.56, nor in HF hospitalization (P = 0.36), NYHA Functional Classes III and IV (P = 0.17), and TR severity >2+ at last follow-up (P = 0.42). Multivariable Cox-regression weighted by IPTW showed improved 1-year survival after TTVI compared with medical therapy alone in both women (adjusted hazard ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.83, P = 0.01) and men (adjusted hazard ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.89, P = 0.03)., Conclusion: After TTVI in high-risk patients, there were no sex-related differences in terms of survival, HF hospitalization, functional status, and TR reduction up to 1 year. The IPTW analysis shows a survival benefit of TTVI over medical therapy alone in both women and men., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: A.S. has served as a consultant and received consulting fees from NeoChord Inc. A.C. has served as a consultant for Abbott and received speaker fees from Abbott and GE Healthcare. M.T. has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, 4Tech, and CoreMedic; and has received speaker honoraria from Edwards Lifesciences. S.L. has received travel compensation from Edwards Lifesciences. J.R.C. has received institutional research grants from Edwards Lifesciences. P.L. has received speaker fees from Abbott. J.H. has received speaker honoraria from Abbott Vascular and Edwards Lifesciences. S.K.K. has served on the scientific advisory board for Microinterventional Devices, Dura Biotech, Thubrikar Aortic Valve, and Supira; has served as a consultant for Meril Lifesciences, Admedus, Medtronic, and Boston Scientific; has served on the steering committee for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott Vascular; has received honoraria from Meril Lifesciences, Admedus, Abbott Vascular, and Dura Biotech; and owns equity in Dura Biotech, Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Supira, and MID. H.A. has received consulting fees from Abbott and Edwards LifeSciences. E.B. has received speaker fees from Abbott Vascular. P.D. has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, 4Tech, Neovasc, and InnovHeart; and has received honoraria from Abbott and Edwards Lifesciences. R.E.L. has received speaker fees from Abbott, Boston, and Edwards Lifesciences. E.C.H. has served as a consultant and received consulting fees from NeoChord Inc. F.P. has received travel expenses from Edwards Lifesciences, Abbott Vascular, and Polares Medical. H.S. has received study honoraria, travel expenses, and consulting fees from 4Tech Cardio, Abbott, Ablative Solutions, Ancora Heart, Bavaria Medizin Technologie, Bioventrix, Boston Scientific, Carag, Cardiac Dimensions, Celonova, Comed BV, Contego, CVRx, Edwards Lifesciences, Endologix, Hemoteq, Lifetech, Maquet Getinge Group, Medtronic, Mitralign, Nuomao Medtech, Occlutech, PFM Medical, ReCor, Renal Guard, Rox Medical, Terumo, Vascular Dynamics, and Vivasure Medical. G.H.L.T. has served as a consultant, physician advisory board member, and faculty trainer for Abbott Structural Heart; has served as a consultant for Medtronic and NeoChord; and has served as a physician advisory board member for JenaValve. M.A. has served as a proctor/consultant for and has received speaking fees from Abbott, Edwards LifeSciences, Boston, Zoll, and Medtronic; and has received institutional grants from Edwards Lifesciences, Abbott, Medtronic, and LSI Solutions. M.G. has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular. D.B. has received speaker honoraria and travel support from Abbott Vascular. D.K. has received lecture fees from Abbott and Edwards Lifesciences. K.A.C. has received honoraria from Abbott. J.S. has served as a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences. S.W. reports research, travel, or educational grants to the institution from Abbott, Abiomed, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Biotronik, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Scientific, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cardinal Health, CardioValve, Corflow Therapeutics, CSL Behring, Daiichi Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Guerbet, InfraRedx, Janssen-Cilag, Johnson & Johnson, Medicure, Medtronic, Merck Sharp & Dohm, Miracor Medical, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Organon, OrPha Suisse, Pfizer, Polares, Regeneron, Sanofi-Aventis, Servier, Sinomed, Terumo, Vifor, V-Wave. S.W. serves as unpaid advisory board member and/or unpaid member of the steering/executive group of trials funded by Abbott, Abiomed, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, Bristol Myers Squibb, Edwards Lifesciences, Janssen, MedAlliance, Medtronic, Novartis, Polares, Recardio, Sinomed, Terumo, V-Wave, and Xeltis, but has not received personal payments by pharmaceutical companies or device manufacturers. He is also member of the steering/executive committee group of several investigator-initiated trials that receive funding by industry without impact on his personal remuneration. F.M. has served as a consultant for and received consulting fees and honoraria from Abbott Vascular, Edwards Lifesciences, Cardiovalve, SwissVortex, Perifect, Xeltis, Transseptal Solutions, Magenta, Valtech, and Medtronic; has reported being a cofounder of 4Tech; has received research grant support from Abbott, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, NVT, and Terumo; has received royalties and owns intellectual property rights from Edwards Lifesciences (FMR surgical annuloplasty); and has reported being a shareholder in Cardiovalve, Swiss Vortex, Magenta, Transseptal Solutions, Occlufit, 4Tech, and Perifect. M.B.L. has received institutional clinical research grants from Abbott, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic. R.T.H. has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, Abbott Structural, NaviGate, Philips Healthcare, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, and GE Healthcare; has been the Chief Scientific Officer for the Echocardiography Core Laboratory at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation for multiple industry-supported trials, for which she receives no direct industry compensation; has received speaker fees from Boston Scientific and Baylis Medical; and has received nonfinancial support from 3mensio. A.L. has served on the advisory board for Medtronic, Abbott Vascular Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Shifamed, NeoChord Inc, V-dyne, and Philips. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation now has a major role in the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, evidence is scarce on its feasibility and safety to treat patients with pure aortic regurgitation., Aims: We sought to evaluate the results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) in patients with pure aortic regurgitation on native non-calcified valves., Methods: We conducted a retrospective and prospective French multicentre observational study. We included all patients with symptomatic severe pure aortic regurgitation on native non-calcified valves, contraindicated to or at high risk for surgical valve replacement, who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve., Results: A total of 37 patients (male sex, 73%) with a median age of 81years (interquartile range 69-85years) were screened using transthoracic echocardiography and computed tomography and were included at eight French centres. At baseline, 83.8% of patients (n=31) had dyspnoea New York Heart Association class≥III. The device success rate was 94.6% (n=35). At 30days, the all-cause mortality rate was 8.1% (n=3) and valve migration occurred in 10.8% of cases (n=4). Dyspnoea New York Heart Association class≤II was seen in 86.5% of patients (n=32), and all survivors had aortic regurgitation grade≤1. At 1-year follow-up, all-cause mortality was 16.2% (n=6), 89.7% (n=26/29) of survivors were in New York Heart Association class≤II and all had aortic regurgitation grade≤2., Conclusion: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the SAPIEN 3 transcatheter heart valve seems promising to treat selected high-risk patients with pure aortic regurgitation on non-calcified native valves, contraindicated to surgical aortic valve replacement., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Transcatheter closure of a symptomatic prosthetic paravalvular leak (PVL) is feasible, but there is presently no conclusive evidence to show consistent efficacy. We aimed to identify predictors of clinical success after transcatheter PVL closure., Methods: Consecutive patients referred to 24 European centers for transcatheter PVL closure in 2017 to 2019 were included in a prospective registry ( Fermeture de Fuite ParaProthétique , FFPP). Clinical success was absence of any of the following within 1 month: re-admission for heart failure, blood transfusion, open-heart valvular surgery, and death., Results: We included 216 symptomatic patients, who underwent 238 percutaneous PVL closure procedures on the mitral (64.3%), aortic (34.0%), or tricuspid (1.7%) valve. Symptoms were heart failure, hemolytic anemia, or both in 48.9%, 7.8%, and 43.3% of patients, respectively. One, 2, and 3 leaks were treated during the same procedure in 69.6%, 26.6%, and 3.8% of patients, respectively. The PVL was pinpoint or involved 1/8 or 1/4 of the valve circumference in 18.6%, 52.4%, and 28.1% of cases, respectively. The most frequently used devices were the Vascular Plug 3, Ventricular Septal Defect Occluder, Vascular Plug 2, and Paravalvular Leak Device (45.0%, 16.6%, 14.2%, and 13.6% of cases, respectively). Successful device(s) implantation with leak reduction to ≤grade 2 was obtained in 85.0% of mitral and 91.4% of aortic procedures, respectively ( P =0.164); with major periprocedural adverse event rates of 3.3% and 1.2%, respectively ( P =0.371); and clinical success rates of 70.3% and 88.0%, respectively ( P =0.004). By multivariate analysis, technical failure, mechanical valve, and hemolytic anemia were independently associated with absence of clinical success (odds ratios [95% CIs], 7.7 [2.0-25.0]; P= 0.002; 3.6 [1.1-11.1]; P =0.036; and 3.7 [1.2-11.9]; P =0.025; respectively)., Conclusions: Transcatheter PVL closure is efficient and safe in symptomatic patients but is associated with a lower clinical success rate in patients with hemolysis and/or a mechanical valve., Registration: URL: https://www., Clinicaltrials: gov; Unique identifiers: NCT05089136.

Purpose: Characterization of malignant cardiac masses is usually performed with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and staging with whole-body contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT). In this study, our objective was to evaluate the role of 18 Fluor-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ( 18 F-FDG-PET) with CMR for both characterization and staging of cardiac masses., Methods: Patients with cardiac masses who underwent CMR, CECT, and 18 F-FDG-PET were retrospectively identified. For the characterization of cardiac masses, we calculated the respective performances of CMR alone, 18 F-FDG-PET alone, and the combination of 18 F-FDG-PET and CMR. For staging, we compared head-to-head the respective performances of 18 F-FDG-PET and CECT. Histology served as gold standard for malignancy, and response to anticoagulation for thrombus., Results: In a total of 28 patients (median age 60.5 years, 60.7% women), CMR accurately distinguished malignant from benign masses with sensitivity (Se) of 86.7%, specificity (Sp) of 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 86.7%, and accuracy of 92.9%. 18 F-FDG-PET demonstrated 93.3% Se, 84.6% Sp, 87.5% PPV, 91.7% NPV, and 89.3% accuracy. Combining CMR with 18 F-FDG-PET allowed to benefit from the high sensitivity of 18 F-FDG-PET (92.9%) and the excellent specificity of CMR (100%) for malignant diseases. For staging, 18 F-FDG-PET outperformed CECT on per-patient (66.7% vs 55.6% correct diagnosis, respectively), per-organ (10 vs 7 organs, respectively), and per-lesion basis (> 29 vs > 25 lesions, respectively)., Conclusion: Combining 18 F-FDG-PET with CMR improved the characterization of cardiac masses compared to each modality alone. Additionally, the diagnostic performance of 18 F-FDG-PET was better than CECT for staging. This study suggests that the combination of CMR and 18 F-FDG-PET is the most effective for the characterization of cardiac masses and the staging of these lesions., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: This study evaluated the incidence, management, and outcome of patients who experienced MitraClip (Abbott Vascular) failure secondary to loss of leaflet insertion (LLI), single leaflet detachment (SLD), or embolization., Background: Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with MitraClip is an established therapy for the treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR), but no data exist regarding the prevalence and outcome according to the mode of clip failure., Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2020, we retrospectively screened 4,294 procedures of MitraClip performed in 19 centers. LLI was defined as damage to the leaflet where the MitraClip was attached, SLD as demonstration of complete separation between the device and a single leaflet tissue, and clip embolization as loss of contact between MitraClip and both leaflets., Results: A total of 147 cases of MitraClip failure were detected (overall incidence = 3.5%), and these were secondary to LLI or SLD in 47 (31.9%) and 99 (67.3%) cases, respectively, whereas in 1 (0.8%) case clip embolization was observed. MitraClip failure occurred in 67 (45.5%) patients with functional MR, in 64 (43.5%) patients with degenerative MR, and 16 (10.8%) with mixed etiology. Although the majority of MitraClip failures were detected before discharge (47 intraprocedural and 42 in the hospital), up to 39.5% of cases were diagnosed at follow-up. In total, 80 (54.4%) subjects underwent a redo procedure, either percutaneously with MitraClip (n = 51, 34.7%) or surgically (n = 36, 24.5%) including 4 cases of surgical conversion of the index procedure and 7 cases of bailout surgery after unsuccessful redo MitraClip. After a median follow-up of 163 days (IQR: 22-720 days), 50 (43.9%) subjects presented moderate to severe MR, and 43 (29.3%) patients died. An up-front redo MitraClip strategy was associated with a trend toward a reduced rate of death at follow-up vs surgical or conservative management (P = 0.067), whereas postprocedural acute kidney injury, age, and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation were independent predictors of death., Conclusions: MitraClip failure secondary to LLI and SLD is not a rare phenomenon and may occur during and also beyond hospitalization. Redo MitraClip strategy demonstrates a trend toward a reduced risk of death compared with bailout surgery and conservative management. A third of those patients remained with more than moderate MR and had substantial mortality at the intermediate-term follow-up., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Dr Mangieri has received a research grant (to the institution) from Boston Scientific; and has served on a medical advisory board for Boston Scientific. Dr Tagliari has received a research grant from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-Brasil (finance code 001). Dr Denti received speaker honoraria from Abbott and Edwards Lifesciences; and is a consultant for Innovheart. Dr De Marco serves as a proctor for Boston Scientific and Kardia. Dr Montorfano serves as a proctor for Edwards Lifesciences, Abbott, and Kardia. Dr Toggweiler is a proctor and consultant for Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Biosensors/NVT; is a proctor for Abbott Vascular; and is a consultant for Medira, Shockwave, Teleflex, AtHeart, VeoSource, and Equity in Hi-D Imaging. Dr Sievert has received study honoraria, travel expenses, and consulting fees from 4tech Cardio, Abbott, Ablative Solutions, Ancora Heart, Bavaria Medizin Technologie GmbH, Bioventrix, Boston Scientific, Carag, Cardiac Dimensions, Celonova, Comed BV, Contego, CVRx, Edwards Lifesciences, Endologix, Hemoteq, Lifetech, Maquet Getinge Group, Medtronic, Mitralign, Nuomao Medtech, Occlutech, pfm Medical, Recor, Renal Guard, Rox Medical, Terumo, Vascular Dynamics, and Vivasure Medical. Dr Latib has served on advisory boards for Medtronic and Abbott; and has been a consultant to Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Fam serves as consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott. Dr Maisano received a grant and/or research institutional support from Abbott, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, Biotronik, Boston Scientific Corporation, NVT, and Terumo; has received consulting fees and honoraria personal and an institutional grant from Abbott, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, Xeltis, Cardiovalve, Occlufit, Simulands, Mtex; royalty income/IP rights from Edwards Lifesciences; and is a shareholder (including share options) of Cardiogard, Cardiovalve, Magenta, SwissVortex, Transseptalsolutions, 4Tech, and Perifect. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 American College of Cardiology Foundation. All rights reserved.)

Background: The right ventricular (RV)-pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling ratio relates the efficiency with which RV stroke work is transferred into the PA. Lower ratios indicate an inadequate RV contractile response to increased afterload., Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the prognostic significance of RV-PA coupling in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who were undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve repair or replacement (TTVR)., Methods: The study investigators calculated RV-PA coupling ratios for patients enrolled in the global TriValve registry by dividing the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) by the PA systolic pressure (PASP) from transthoracic echocardiograms performed before the procedure and 30 days after the procedure. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1-year follow-up., Results: Among 444 patients analyzed, their mean age was 76.9 ± 9.1 years, and 53.8% of the patients were female. The median TAPSE/PASP ratio was 0.406 mm/mm Hg (interquartile range: 0.308-0.567 mm/mm Hg). Sixty-three patients died within 1 year of TTVR, 21 with a TAPSE/PASP ratio >0.406 and 42 with a TAPSE/PASP ratio ≤0.406. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, a TAPSE/PASP ratio >0.406 vs ≤0.406 was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.35-0.93; P = 0.023). In 234 (52.7%) patients with echocardiograms 30 days after TTVR, a decline in RV-PA coupling was independently associated with reduced odds of all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19-0.93; P = 0.032). The magnitude of TR reduction after TTVR (≥1+ vs <1+; OR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.06-6.03; P = 0.037) was independently associated with a reduction in post-TTVR RV-PA coupling., Conclusions: RV-PA coupling is a powerful, independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with TR undergoing TTVR. These data suggest that the TAPSE/PASP ratio can inform patient selection and prognostication following TTVR., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Dr Brener has received funding from a National Institute of Health grant (NHLBI-T32HL007343). Dr Lurz has received speaker fees from Abbott. Dr Hausleiter has received speaker honoraria from Abbott Vascular and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Rodés-Cabau has received institutional research grants from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Kodali has served on the scientific advisory board for Microinterventional Devices, Dura Biotech, Thubrikar Aortic Valve, and Supira; has served as a consultant for Meril Lifesciences, Admedus, Medtronic, and Boston Scientific; has served on the steering committee for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott Vascular; has received honoraria from Meril Lifesciences, Admedus, Abbott Vascular, and Dura Biotech; and owns equity in Dura Biotech, Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Supira, and MID. Dr Gavazzoni has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular. Dr Nazif has served as a consultant for and received consulting honoraria from Edwards Lifesciences, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Biotrace Medical. Dr Latib has served on the advisory board for Medtronic and Abbott Vascular; has served on the Speakers Bureau for Abbott Vascular; has served on the scientific advisory board for Millipede; and has served as a consultant for 4Tech, Mitralign, and Millipede. Dr Alessandrini has received consulting fees from Abbott and Edwards LifeSciences. Dr Braun has received speaker honoraria and travel support from Abbott Vascular. Dr Brochet has received speaker fees from Abbott Vascular. Dr Lubos has received grant support and lecture fees from Abbott; and has received lecture fees from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Denti has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, 4Tech, Neovasc, and InnovHeart; and has received honoraria from Abbott and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Ludwig has received travel compensation from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Kalbacher has received lecture fees from Abbott and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Estévez-Loureiro has received speaker fees from Abbott, Boston, and Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Connelly has received honoraria from Abbott. Dr Praz has received travel expenses from Edwards Lifesciences, Abbott Vascular, and Polares Medical. Dr Schofer has served as a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Sievert has received study honoraria, travel expenses, and consulting fees from 4Tech Cardio, Abbott, Ablative Solutions, Ancora Heart, Bavaria Medizin Technologie, Bioventrix, Boston Scientific, Carag, Cardiac Dimensions, Celonova, Comed BV, Contego, CVRx, Edwards Lifesciences, Endologix, Hemoteq, Lifetech, Maquet Getinge Group, Medtronic, Mitralign, Nuomao Medtech, Occlutech, PFM Medical, ReCor, Renal Guard, Rox Medical, Terumo, Vascular Dynamics, and Vivasure Medical. Dr Tang has served as a consultant, physician advisory board member, and faculty trainer for Abbott Structural Heart; has served as a consultant for Medtronic and NeoChord; and has served as a physician advisory board member for JenaValve. Dr Andreas has served as a proctor/consultant for and has received speaking fees from Abbott, Edwards LifeSciences, and Medtronic; and has received institutional grants from Edwards Lifesciences, Abbott, Medtronic, and Life Systems International. Dr Windecker has received research and educational grants to the institution from Abbott, Amgen, BMS, Bayer, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, Cardinal Health, CardioValve, CSL Behring, Daiichi-Sankyo, Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Querbet, Polares, Sanofi, Terumo, and Sinomed; has served as an unpaid advisory board member and/or unpaid member of the steering or executive group of trials funded by Abbott, Abiomed, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, Cardiovalve, Edwards Lifesciences, MedAlliance, Medtronic, Novartis, Polares, Sinomed, V-Wave, and Xeltis, but has not received personal payments by pharmaceutical companies or device manufacturers; has reported membership on the steering or executive committee group of several investigator-initiated trials that receive funding by industry without an impact on his personal remuneration; and has been an unpaid member of the Pfizer Research Award selection committee in Switzerland. Dr Maisano has served as a consultant for and received consulting fees and honoraria from Abbott Vascular, Edwards Lifesciences, Cardiovalve, SwissVortex, Perifect, Xeltis, Transseptal Solutions, Magenta, Valtech, and Medtronic; has reported being a cofounder of 4Tech; has received research grant support from Abbott, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, NVT, and Terumo; has received royalties and owns intellectual property rights from Edwards Lifesciences (FMR surgical annuloplasty); and has reported being a shareholder in Cardiovalve, Swiss Vortex, Magenta, Transseptal Solutions, Occlufit, 4Tech, and Perifect. Dr Leon has received institutional clinical research grants from Abbott, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic. Dr Taramasso has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, 4Tech, and CoreMedic; and has received speaker honoraria from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr Hahn has served as a consultant for Abbott Vascular, Abbott Structural, NaviGate, Philips Healthcare, Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences, and GE Healthcare; has been the Chief Scientific Officer for the Echocardiography Core Laboratory at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation for multiple industry-supported trials, for which she receives no direct industry compensation; has received speaker fees from Boston Scientific and Baylis Medical; and has received nonfinancial support from 3mensio. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the causes and predictors of mortality after valve-in-mitral annulus calcification (MAC) transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI)., Background: Conventional surgical mitral valve replacement is associated with a high risk in patients with mitral valve disease associated with severe MAC. In this population, TMVI may be an attractive alternative option. However, its prognostic factors are poorly understood., Methods: All patients undergoing valve-in-MAC TMVI from 2013 to 2018 in our center were included. Indication for TMVI relied on the judgment of the local heart team. Patients were followed at 30 days and 1 year., Results: A total of 34 patients underwent valve-in-MAC TMVI. The mean age was 79 ± 11 years and 73% of patients were women. Their mean EuroSCORE 2 was 8 ± 7%. The transseptal approach was used in 79% of patients and a hybrid transatrial in 29%. Balloon expandable transcatheter heart valves were used in all the patients. Technical success was achieved in 76% of the patients. Thirty-day and 1-year all-cause mortality rates were 14.7% and 32.4%, respectively. The main two causes of 1-year mortality were congestive heart failure (8.8%) and infective endocarditis (5.9%). In multivariate analysis, the only predictor of 1-year mortality was the presence of periprothetic mitral regurgitation grade 2 (HR, 5.69; 95%CI, 1.59-27.88, p = 0.032)., Conclusion: Early and mid-term mortality remains high after valve-in-MAC TMVI and seems to be associated with the presence of paravalvular mitral regurgitation. However, whether the latter is a prognostic factor or marker remains to be determined to improve clinical outcomes in this high-risk population., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Mitral annular calcium (MAC) is a common finding in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and may be associated with mitral stenosis (MAC-MS). Their impact on post-TAVI outcomes remains controversial. We sought to assess the impact of MAC and MAC-MS on clinical outcomes following TAVI. We included 1,177 patients who consecutively underwent TAVI in our institution between January 2008 and May 2018. MAC diagnosis reposed on echocardiogram and computed tomography. The combination of MAC and a mean transmitral gradient ≥ 5 mmHg defined MAC-MS. The study included 1,177 patients, of whom 504 (42.8%) had MAC and 85 (7.2%) had MAC-MS. Patients with and without MAC had similar outcomes except for a higher rate of pacemaker implantation in MAC patients (adjusted HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.03-1.69, p = 0.03). The subgroup of patients with severe MAC had similar outcomes. However, MAC-MS was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality at 30 days (adjusted HR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.08-4.86, p = 0.03) and 1 year (adjusted HR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.04-2.89, p = 0.04). In conclusion, MAC is present in nearly half of the patients treated with TAVI but MAC-MS is far less frequent. In itself, even severe, MAC does not influence outcomes while MAC-MS is an independent predictor of all-cause 1-year mortality. Measurement of mean transmitral gradient identifies patients with MAC at high risk after TAVI., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The contribution of exercise echocardiography in primary asymptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) remains debated. The aim of this study was to gain evidence regarding its usefulness in this setting and to investigate the prognostic value of peak exercise systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP)., Methods: One hundred seventy-seven patients (mean age, 56 ± 13 years; 69% men) with moderate to severe (grade 3+) or severe (grade 4+) degenerative MR and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, in sinus rhythm, referred for clinically indicated exercise echocardiography were identified. The end point, MR-related events, was a composite of all-cause death or occurrence of symptoms, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular ejection fraction < 60%, left ventricular end-systolic diameter ≥ 45 mm, or resting SPAP > 50 mm Hg., Results: At rest, effective regurgitant orifice area was 48 ± 16 mm 2 , regurgitant volume 74 ± 26 mL, and SPAP 32 ± 7 mm Hg, and MR was severe in 138 patients (78%). Peak exercise SPAP was 55 ± 10 mm Hg. Positive results on exercise testing motivated surgery in 26 patients, 11 underwent prophylactic surgery, 10 were lost to follow-up, and 130 were included in the outcome analysis. During a follow-up period of 19 ± 7 months, 31 MR-related events (24%) were reported. Peak exercise SPAP was predictive of outcomes in univariate analysis (P = .01) and after adjustment for age, gender, MR severity, and resting SPAP (P < .05). Peak exercise SPAP ≥ 50 mm Hg was associated with worse event-free survival (hazard ratio, 5.24; 95% CI, 1.77-15.53; P = .003), but not the threshold of ≥60 mm Hg proposed in previous guidelines (hazard ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 0.71-4.03; P = .24)., Conclusions: The present findings support the use of exercise echocardiography for risk stratification in patients with asymptomatic primary MR and suggest a lower peak exercise SPAP threshold (50 mm Hg) than previously recommended to define the timing of intervention. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings., (Copyright © 2021 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options and is frequently accompanied by right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions (TTVI) to reduce TR have been shown to be safe and feasible with encouraging early results. Patient selection for TTVI remains challenging, with the role of right ventricular (RV) function being unknown., Aims: The aims of this study were 1) to investigate survival in a TTVI-treated patient population and a conservatively treated TR population, and 2) to evaluate the outcome of TTVI as compared to conservative treatment stratified according to the degree of RV function., Methods: We studied 684 patients from the multicentre TriValve cohort (TTVI cohort) and compared them to 914 conservatively treated patients from two tertiary care centres. Propensity matching identified 213 pairs of patients with severe TR. As we observed a non-linear relationship of RV function and TTVI outcome, we stratified patients according to tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to preserved (TAPSE >17 mm), mid-range (TAPSE 13-17 mm) and reduced (TAPSE <13 mm) RV function. The primary outcome was one-year all-cause mortality., Results: TTVI was associated with a survival benefit in patients with severe TR when compared to matched controls (one-year mortality rate: 13.1% vs 25.8%; p=0.031). Of the three RV subgroups, only in patients with mid-range RV function was TTVI associated with an improved survival (p log-rank 0.004). In these patients, procedural success was associated with a reduced hazard ratio for all-cause mortality (HR 0.22; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.57)., Conclusions: TTVI is associated with reduced mortality compared to conservative therapy and might exert its highest treatment effect in patients with mid-range reduced RV function.

Background: Scarce data exist on patients with previous left valve surgery (PLVS) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI). This study sought to investigate the procedural and early outcomes in patients with PLVS undergoing TTVI., Methods: This was a subanalysis of the multicenter TriValve registry including 462 patients, 82 (18%) with PLVS. Data were analyzed according to the presence of PLVS in the overall cohort and in a propensity score-matched population including 51 and 115 patients with and without PLVS, respectively., Results: Patients with PLVS were younger (72 ± 10 vs 78 ± 9 years; p < 0.01) and more frequently female (67.1% vs 53.2%; P = 0.02). Similar rates of procedural success (PLVS 80.5%; no-PLVS 82.1%; P = 0.73), and 30-day mortality (PLVS 2.4%, no-PLVS 3.4%; P = 0.99) were observed. After matching, there were no significant differences in both all-cause rehospitalisation (PLVS 21.1%, no-PLVS 26.5%; P = 0.60) and all-cause mortality (PLVS 9.8%, no-PLVS 6.7%; P = 0.58). At last follow-up (median 6 [interquartile range 1-12] months after the procedure), most patients (81.8%) in the PLVS group were in NYHA functional class I-II (P = 0.12 vs no-PLVS group), and TR grade was ≤ 2 in 82.6% of patients (P = 0.096 vs no-PVLS group). A poorer right ventricular function and previous heart failure hospitalization determined increased risks of procedural failure and poorer outcomes at follow-up, respectively., Conclusions: In patients with PLVS, TTVI was associated with high rates of procedural success and low early mortality. However, about one-third of patients required rehospitalisation or died at midterm follow-up. These results would support TTVI as a reasonable alternative to redo surgery in patients with PLVS and suggest the importance of earlier treatment to improve clinical outcomes., (Copyright © 2021 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Percutaneous therapeutic options for an increasing variety of structural heart diseases (SHD) have grown dramatically. Within this context of continuous expansion of devices and procedures, there has been increased demand for physicians with specific knowledge, skills, and advanced training in multimodality cardiac imaging. As a consequence, a new subspecialty of 'Interventional Imaging' for SHD interventions and a new dedicated professional figure, the 'Interventional Imager' with specific competencies has emerged. The interventional imager is an integral part of the heart team and plays a central role in decision-making throughout the patient pathway, including the appropriateness and feasibility of a procedure, pre-procedural planning, intra-procedural guidance, and post-procedural follow-up. However, inherent challenges exist to develop a training programme for SHD imaging that differs from traditional cardiovascular imaging pathways. The purpose of this document is to provide the standard requirements for the training in SHD imaging, as well as a starting point for an official certification process for SHD interventional imager., (Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. © The Author(s) 2021. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Aims: The aim of this study was to report the predictors and clinical impact of transcatheter heart valve (THV) thrombosis in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI)., Methods and Results: We included 130 patients who consecutively underwent TMVI. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) and/or computed tomography (CT) were performed in 91.7% of patients at discharge, in 73.3% at three months and in 72% beyond three months. THV thrombosis was defined as the presence of at least one thickened leaflet with restricted motion confirmed by TOE or contrast CT and classified as immediate, early, or late according to the timing of diagnosis. THV thrombosis was observed in 16 (12.3%) patients: immediate in 43.7%, early in 37.5% and late in 18.8%. Most of these thromboses were subclinical (93.7%) and non-obstructive (87.5%). No thromboembolic event occurred. After optimisation of antithrombotic treatment, THV thromboses resolved in all but one patient. Predictors were shock for immediate (p<0.001), male sex for early (p=0.045) and absence of anticoagulation for both early (p=0.018) and late (p=0.023) THV thromboses., Conclusions: THV thrombosis is frequent after TMVI, occurs mainly within the first three months, is mostly subclinical and resolves after optimisation of antithrombotic treatment. An anticoagulation therapy for at least three months after the procedure is mandatory.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify a subset of patients based on echocardiographic parameters who might have benefited from transcatheter correction using the MitraClip system in the MITRA-FR (Percutaneous Repair with the MitraClip Device for Severe Functional/Secondary Mitral Regurgitation) trial., Background: It has been suggested that differences in the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR) and left ventricular (LV) remodeling may explain the conflicting results between the MITRA-FR and the COAPT (Cardiovascular Outcomes Assessment of the MitraClip Percutaneous Therapy for Heart Failure Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation) trials., Methods: In a post hoc analysis, we evaluated the interaction between the intervention and subsets of patients defined based on MR severity (effective regurgitant orifice [ERO], regurgitant volume [RVOL] and regurgitant fraction [RF]), LV remodeling (end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters and volumes) and combination of these parameters with respect to the composite of death from any cause or unplanned hospitalization for heart failure at 24 months., Results: We observed a neutral impact of the intervention in subsets with the highest MR degree (ERO ≥30 mm 2 , RVOL ≥45 ml or RF ≥50%) as in patients with milder MR degree. The same was seen in subsets with the milder LV remodeling using either diastolic or systolic diameters or volumes. When parameters of MR severity and LV remodeling were combined, there was still no benefit of the intervention including in the subset of patients with an ERO/end-diastolic volume ratio ≥ 0.15 despite similar ERO and LV end-diastolic volume compared with COAPT patients., Conclusions: In the MITRA-FR trial, we could not identify a subset of patients defined based on the degree of the regurgitation, LV remodeling or on their combination, including those deemed as having disproportionate MR, that might have benefited from transcatheter correction using the MitraClip system. (Multicentre Study of Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair MitraClip Device in Patients With Severe Secondary Mitral Regurgitation [MITRA-FR]; NCT01920698)., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Funded by the French Ministry of Health and Research National Program and Abbott Vascular. Dr. Messika-Zeitoun has received consultant fees from Edwards Lifesciences. Dr. Iung, has received consultant fees from Edwards Lifesciences; and travel fees from Boehringer Ingelheim. Dr. Trochu has received speaker honoraria, travel, and grant support from Abbott and Novartis; honoraria for lectures or advisory boards from Amgen, Bayer, and Resmed; and grants from the EU programme Horizon 2020; and is an unpaid member of the Corvia Medical Scientific Advisory Group outside the submitted work. Dr. Donal has received research facilities from General Electric Healthcare; and consultant fees from Abbott. Dr. Brochet has served as proctor for Abbott. Dr. Piriou has received consultant fees from Abbott. Dr. Guerin has been a consultant for Abbott, Edwards Lifesciences, and Boston Scientific. Dr. Lefèvre has served as proctor for Abbott. Dr. Vahanian has been a consultant for Cardiovalve. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)