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ObjectiveWe sought to investigate whether long-term clinical outcomes differ following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with three-vessel disease (3VD) and lesions in the proximal left anterior descending artery (P-LAD).MethodsThis post-hoc analysis of the Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) Extended Survival study included patients with 3VD who were classified according to the presence or absence of lesions located in the P-LAD. Ten-year all-cause death and 5-year major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were assessed.ResultsAmong 1088 patients with 3VD, 559 (51.4%) had involvement of P-LAD and their 10-year mortality was numerically higher following PCI versus CABG (28.9% vs 21.9%; HR: 1.39, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.95). Although patients without P-LAD lesions had significantly higher 10-year mortality following PCI compared with CABG, there was no evidence of a treatment-by-subgroup interaction (28.8% vs 20.2%; HR: 1.47, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.09, pinteraction=0.837). The incidence of MACCE at 5 years was significantly higher with PCI than CABG, irrespective of involvement of P-LAD (with P-LAD: HR: 1.86, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.55; without P-LAD: HR: 1.54, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.12; pinteraction=0.408). Individualised assessment using the SYNTAX Score II 2020 established that a quarter of patients with P-LAD lesions had significantly higher mortality with PCI than CABG, whereas in the remaining three-quarters CABG had similar mortality.ConclusionsAmong patients with 3VD, the presence or absence of a P-LAD lesion was not associated with any treatment effect on long-term outcomes following PCI or CABG.Trial registration numberSYNTAXES:NCT03417050; SYNTAX:NCT00114972.

Background The SYNTAX trial demonstrated negative impact of repeat revascularization (RR) on 5-year outcomes following PCI/CABG in patients with three-vessel(3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease(LMCAD). We aimed to investigate the impact of RR within 5 years, on 10-year mortality in patients with 3VD and/or LMCAD after PCI/CABG. Methods The SYNTAXES study evaluated the vital status out to 10 years of patients with 3VD and/or LMCAD. Patients were stratified by RR within 5 years and randomized treatment. The association between RR within 5 years and 10-year mortality was assessed. Results A total of 330 out of 1800 patients (18.3%) underwent RR within 5 years. RR occurred more frequently after initial PCI than after initial CABG (25.9% vs. 13.7%, p 0.001). Overall, 10-year mortality was comparable between patients undergoing RR and those not (28.2% vs. 26.1%, adjusted HR: 1.17, 95%CI 0.93–1.48, p = 0.187). In the PCI arm, RR was associated with a trend toward higher 10-year mortality (adjusted HR: 1.29, 95%CI 0.97–1.72, p = 0.075), while in the CABG arm, the trend was opposite (adjusted HR: 0.74, 95%CI 0.46–1.20, p = 0.219). Among patients requiring RR, those who underwent PCI as initial revascularization had a higher risk of 10-year mortality compared to initial CABG (33.5% vs. 17.6%, adjusted HR: 2.09, 95%CI 1.21–3.61, p = 0.008). Conclusion In the SYNTAXES study, RR within 5 years had no impact on 10-year all-cause death in the population overall. Among patients requiring any repeat procedures, 10-year mortality was higher after initial treatment with PCI than after CABG. These exploratory findings should be investigated with larger populations in future studies. Trial registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; SYNTAXES Unique identifier: NCT03417050. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; SYNTAX Unique identifier: NCT00114972. Graphical abstract

Background Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is an independent determinant of mortality in predictive models of revascularisation outcomes for complex coronary artery disease. Aims This study aimed to investigate the impact of preprocedural biological markers on 10-year mortality following coronary revascularisation. Methods The SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) study evaluated the 10-year vital status follow-up of 1,800 patients with de novo three-vessel (3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) randomised to include percutaneous or surgical coronary revascularisation. The associations between mortality and preprocedural C-reactive protein (CRP), haemoglobin, HbA1c, CrCl, fasting triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were analysed. Results Out of 1,800 patients, 460 patients died before the 10-year follow-up. CRP, HbA1c and CrCl with threshold values of ≥2 mg/L, ≥6% (42 mmol/mol) and l60 ml/min, respectively, were associated with 10-year all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.35 [1.01-1.82], 1.51 [1.16-1.95], and 1.46 [1.07-2.00], respectively). There was no significant interaction between the biological markers on all-cause mortality and the type of revascularisation. Preprocedural lipid markers were not significantly associated with 10-year all-cause death, but the non-use of statins was a determinant factor of worse prognosis (adjusted confidence interval [95% confidence interval]: 1.68 [1.26-2.25]). Conclusions Preprocedural biomarkers, such as CRP and HbA1c, are associated with long-term mortality post revascularisation, regardless of the revascularisation technique. Conventional lipidic biomarkers associated with high-risk of cardiovascular events seem to be effectively mitigated by the long-term use of statins, whereas the non-use of statins was a factor of a worse prognosis, emphasising the importance of pharmacological treatment. Trial registration SYNTAXES ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT03417050. SYNTAX ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT00114972.

Aim The aim of this study was to compare long-term all-cause mortality between patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using multiple (MAG) or single arterial grafting (SAG). Methods and results The current study is a post hoc analysis of the SYNTAX Extended Survival Study, which compared PCI with CABG in patients with three-vessel (3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) and evaluated survival with ≥10 years of follow-up. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at maximum follow-up (median 11.9 years) assessed in the as-treated population. Of the 1743 patients, 901 (51.7%) underwent PCI, 532 (30.5%) received SAG, and 310 (17.8%) had MAG. At maximum follow-up, all-cause death occurred in 305 (33.9%), 175 (32.9%), and 70 (22.6%) patients in the PCI, SAG, and MAG groups, respectively (P Conclusion Our findings suggest that MAG might be the more desirable configuration for CABG to achieve lower long-term all-cause mortality than PCI in patients with 3VD and/or LMCAD. Trial registration Registered on clinicaltrial.gov. SYNTAXES: NCT03417050 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03417050); SYNTAX: NCT00114972 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00114972).

Background: The significant interaction between major infection and 5-year mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for complex coronary artery disease (CAD) was observed previously. However, the very long-term outcomes beyond 5 years remains unclear. Methods and results: This is a subgroup analysis of the SYNTAX Extended Survival (SYNTAXES) trial, which is the extended follow-up of the randomized SYNTAX trial comparing PCI versus CABG in patients with three-vessel disease (3VD) or left-main CAD (LMCAD). Out of 1517 patients enrolled in the SYNTAX trial with available survival status from 5 to 10 years, 140 patients had experienced major infections and survived at 5 years (major infection group). From 5 to 10 years, the mortality of major infection group was 19.8% whereas the mortality of no major infection group was 15.1% (p = 0.157). After the adjustment of other clinical factors, the risk of mortality from 5 to 10 years did not significantly differ between major infection and no major infection groups (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.62–1.96; p = 0.740). When stratified by the presence or absence of periprocedural major infections, defined as a major infection within 60 days after index procedure, there was also no significant difference in 10-year mortality between two groups (30.8% vs. 24.5%; p = 0.057). Conclusions: Despite the initial association between major infections and 5 years mortality, postprocedural major infection was not evident in the 10 years follow-up, suggesting that the impact of major infection on mortality subsided over time beyond 5 years. Trial registration: SYNTAXES ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT03417050 SYNTAX ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT00114972

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was introduced in the 1960s as the first procedure for direct coronary artery revascularization and rapidly became one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide, with an overall total of more than 20 million operations performed. CABG continues to be the most common cardiac surgical procedure performed and has been one of the most carefully studied therapies. Best CABG techniques, optimal bypass conduits, and appropriate patient selection have been rigorously tested in landmark clinical trials, some of which have resolved controversy and most of which have stoked further debate and trials. The evolution of CABG cannot be properly portrayed without presenting it in the context of the parallel development of percutaneous coronary intervention. In this Historical Perspective, we a provide a broad overview of the history of coronary revascularization with a focus on the foundations, evolution, best evidence, and future directions of CABG.

Background: The optimal revascularization strategy for the elderly with complex coronary artery disease remains unclear. Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate 10-year all-cause mortality, life expectancy, 5-year major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and 5-year quality of life (QOL) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in elderly individuals (>70 years old) with 3-vessel disease (3VD) and/or left main disease (LMD). Methods: In the present pre-specified analysis on age of the SYNTAX Extended Survival study, 10-year all-cause death and 5-year MACCE were compared with Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards models among elderly or nonelderly patients. Life expectancy was estimated by restricted mean survival time within 10 years, and QOL status according to the Seattle Angina Questionnaire up to 5 years was assessed by linear mixed-effects models. Results: Among 1,800 randomized patients, 575 patients (31.9%) were elderly. Ten-year mortality did not differ significantly between PCI and CABG in elderly (44.1% vs. 41.1%; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84 to 1.40) and nonelderly patients (21.1% vs. 16.6%; HR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.69; pinteraction = 0.332). Among elderly patients, 5-year MACCE was comparable between PCI and CABG (39.4% vs. 35.1%; HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.56), whereas it was significantly higher in PCI over CABG among nonelderly patients (36.3% vs. 23.0%; HR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.36 to 2.10; pinteraction = 0.043). There were no significant difference in life expectancy (mean difference: 0.2 years in favor of CABG; 95% CI: −0.4 to 0.7) and 5-year QOL status between PCI and CABG among elderly patients. Conclusions: Elderly patients with 3VD and/or LMD had comparable 10-year all-cause death, life expectancy, 5-year MACCE, and 5-year QOL status irrespective of revascularization mode. (Synergy Between PCI With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery: SYNTAX Extended Survival [SYNTAXES]; NCT03417050) (SYNTAX Study: TAXUS Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries [SYNTAX]; NCT00114972)

Objectives: We investigated the impact of total stent length (TSL) and average nominal stent diameter (ASD) on 10-year mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the SYNTAXES trial. Background: TSL and ASD in patients treated with PCI are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. However, the treatment effect of PCI with extensive and/or small stenting as compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for complex coronary artery disease has not been fully evaluated. Methods: Impacts on mortality of extensive stenting defined as TSL >100 mm and small stenting as ASD

Background: The poorer prognosis of coronary artery disease in females compared with males is related mainly to differences in baseline characteristics. In the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) trial, the effect of treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) on mortality at 5 years differed significantly between females and males; however, the optimal revascularization beyond 5 years according to sex has not been evaluated. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sex on mortality and sex-treatment interaction at 10 years. Methods: The SYNTAXES (SYNTAX Extended Survival) study evaluated vital status up to 10 years in 1,800 patients with de novo 3-vessel and/or left main coronary artery disease randomized to treatment with PCI or CABG in the SYNTAX trial. All-cause death at 10 years was separately evaluated in female and male patients with complex coronary artery disease. Results: Of 1,800 patients, 402 (22.3%) were female and 1,398 (77.7%) were males. Females had a higher 10-year mortality rate compared with males (32.8% vs. 24.7%; log-rank p = 0.002), but female sex was not an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.02; 95% confidence interval: 0.76 to 1.36). Mortality at 10 years tended to be lower after CABG than after PCI, with a similar treatment effect for female and male patients (adjusted hazard ratio for females: 0.90 [95% confidence interval: 0.54 to 1.51]; adjusted hazard ratio for males: 0.76 [95% confidence interval: 0.56 to 1.02]; p for interaction = 0.952). Conclusions: Female sex was not an independent predictor of mortality at 10 years in patients with complex coronary artery disease. The interaction between sex and treatment with PCI or CABG that was observed at 5 years was no longer present at 10 years. (Synergy Between PCI With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery: SYNTAX Extended Survival [SYNTAXES], NCT03417050; SYNTAX Study: TAXUS Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries [SYNTAX], NCT00114972)

The use of bioprostheses for surgical aortic valve replacement increased substantially within the last years. In case of prosthesis failure, re-SAVR is standard of care, whereas valve-in-valve deployment of a transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis (VinV-TFAVI) has recently emerged as an alternative. We sought to evaluate early safety, clinical efficacy, and all-cause 1-year-mortality of VinV-TFAVI and redo surgery for failing aortic bioprostheses (re-SAVR).Patients receiving either VinV-TFAVI (n = 147) or re-SAVR (n = 111) for a degenerated aortic bioprosthesis between 01/2006 and 05/2017 were included in this analysis. All-cause 1-year mortality was the primary outcome measure. Early safety and clinical efficacy according to VARC-2 endpoint definitions were evaluated at 30 days. Baseline characteristics differed significantly between both groups including age, STS-PROM, and incidence of relevant comorbidities. Re-stenosis was the predominant mode of failure in 45.9% of re-SAVR and 63.1% of VinV-TFAVI patients. The rate of "early safety" endpoints was lower with VinV-TFAVI (17.7% vs. 64.9%, p 0.01), the rate of "clinical efficacy" endpoints was lower, e.g. better with re-SAVR (53.1% vs. 32.4%, p 0.01). All-cause 1-year-mortality (VinV-TFAVI 8.8% vs re-SAVR 9.9%, p = 0.84) was not different. Treatment strategy was not associated with 1-year-mortality in a Cox regression analysis. The incidence of prosthesis-patient-mismatch was higher in VinV-TFAVI compared to re-SAVR.VinV-TFAVI represents a viable alternative for treatment of degenerated aortic bioprostheses in patients at increased surgical risk. However, in patients at low risk for reoperation, a better clinical efficacy and acceptable safety may favour re-SAVR.

Objective The objective of this study was to report midterm clinical outcomes with a self-expandable sutureless aortic valve. Methods Between 2010 and 2013, 658 patients at 25 European institutions received the Perceval sutureless valve (LivaNova Plc, London, United Kingdom). Mean follow-up was 3.8 years; late cumulative follow-up was 2325.2 patient-years. Results The mean age of the population was 78.3 ± 5.6 years and 40.0% (n = 263) were 80 years of age or older; mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons-Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 7.2 ± 7.4. Concomitant procedures were performed in 31.5% (n = 207) of patients. Overall duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time was 64.8 ± 25.2 minutes and aortic cross-clamping time was 40.7 ± 18.1 minutes. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was 3.7% (23 patients), with an observed:expected ratio of 0.51. Overall survival was 91.6% at 1 year, 88.5% at 2 years, and 72.7% at 5 years. Peak and mean gradients remained stable during follow-up, and were 17.8 ± 11.3 mm Hg and 9.0 ± 6.3 mm Hg, respectively, at 5 years. Preoperatively, 33.4% of those who received the Perceval valve (n = 210) were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II versus 93.1% (n = 242) at 5 years. Conclusions This series, representing, to our knowledge, the longest follow-up with sutureless technology in a prospective, multicenter study, shows that aortic replacement using sutureless valves is associated with low mortality and morbidity and good hemodynamic performance.

Background Coronary bypass artery grafting (CABG) has a higher procedural risk of stroke than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but may offer better long-term survival. The optimal revascularization strategy for patients with prior cerebrovascular disease (CEVD) remains unclear. Methods and results The SYNTAXES study assessed the vital status out to 10 year of patients with three-vessel disease and/or left main coronary artery disease enrolled in the SYNTAX trial. The relative efficacy of PCI vs. CABG in terms of 10 year all-cause death was assessed according to prior CEVD. The primary endpoint was 10 year all-cause death. The status of prior CEVD was available in 1791 (99.5%) patients, of whom 253 patients had prior CEVD. Patients with prior CEVD were older and had more comorbidities (medically treated diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes, metabolic syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, impaired renal function, and congestive heart failure), compared with those without prior CEVD. Prior CEVD was an independent predictor of 10 year all-cause death (adjusted HR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.04–1.73; p = 0.021). Patients with prior CEVD had a significantly higher risk of 10 year all-cause death (41.1 vs. 24.1%; HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.54–2.40; p -interaction = 0.624). Conclusion Prior CEVD was associated with a significantly increased risk of 10 year all-cause death which was similar in patients treated with PCI or CABG. These results do not support preferential referral for PCI rather than CABG in patients with prior CEVD. Trial registration: SYNTAX: ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT00114972. SYNTAX Extended Survival: ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT03417050. Graphic abstract

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly being used for treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis in patients at intermediate risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Currently, real-world data comparing indications and clinical outcomes of patients at intermediate surgical risk undergoing isolated TAVR with those undergoing SAVR are scarce. Methods: We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with intermediate surgical risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 4%–8%) who underwent isolated TAVR or conventional SAVR within the prospective, all-comers German Aortic Valve Registry. Results: A total of 7613 patients at intermediate surgical risk underwent isolated TAVR (n=6469) or SAVR (n=1144) at 92 sites in Germany between 2012 and 2014. Patients treated by TAVR were significantly older (82.5±5.0 versus 76.6±6.7 years, P P P P P =0.976), whereas unadjusted 1-year mortality was significantly higher in patients after TAVR (17.5% versus 10.8%, P P =0.59). Conclusions: Patients at intermediate risk undergoing TAVR differ significantly from those treated with SAVR with regard to age and baseline characteristics. Isolated TAVR and SAVR were associated with an in-hospital mortality rate of 3.6%. In the propensity score analysis, there was no significant difference in 1-year mortality between patients with TAVR and SAVR.

Aims To evaluate the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on 10-year all-cause death and the treatment effect of CABG versus PCI on 10-year all-cause death in patients with three-vessel disease (3VD) and/or left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) and COPD. Methods Patients were stratified according to COPD status and compared with regard to clinical outcomes. Ten-year all-cause death was examined according to the presence of COPD and the revascularization strategy. Results COPD status was available for all randomized 1800 patients, of whom, 154 had COPD (8.6%) at the time of randomization. Regardless of the revascularization strategy, patients with COPD had a higher risk of 10-year all-cause death, compared with those without COPD (43.1% vs. 24.9%; hazard ratio [HR]: 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.56–2.64; p p = 0.858), whereas among those without COPD, CABG had a significantly lower risk of 10-year all-cause death (22.7% vs. 27.1%; HR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67–0.99, p = 0.041). There was no significant differential treatment effect of CABG versus PCI on 10-year all-cause death between patients with and without COPD (pinteraction = 0.544). Conclusions COPD was associated with a higher risk of 10-year all-cause death after revascularization for complex coronary artery disease. The presence of COPD did not significantly modify the beneficial effect of CABG versus PCI on 10-year all-cause death. Trial registration: SYNTAX: ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT00114972. SYNTAX Extended Survival: ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT03417050 Graphic abstract

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was introduced in the 1960s as the first procedure for direct coronary artery revascularization and rapidly became one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide, with an overall total of more than 20 million operations performed. CABG continues to be the most common cardiac surgical procedure performed and has been one of the most carefully studied therapies. Best CABG techniques, optimal bypass conduits, and appropriate patient selection have been rigorously tested in landmark clinical trials, some of which have resolved controversy and most of which have stoked further debate and trials. The evolution of CABG cannot be properly portrayed without presenting it in the context of the parallel development of percutaneous coronary intervention. In this Historical Perspective, we a provide a broad overview of the history of coronary revascularization with a focus on the foundations, evolution, best evidence, and future directions of CABG.

OBJECTIVES Minimally invasive staged segmental artery (SA) coil- and plug embolization is a new method for paraplegia prevention associated with extensive aortic procedures. Near-infrared spectroscopy of the paraspinal collateral network (cnNIRS) has emerged as a non-invasive method for spinal cord monitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate cnNIRS to guide minimally invasive SA occlusion. METHODS In a chronic large animal experiment, 18 juvenile pigs underwent two-stage minimally invasive staged SA coil- and plug embolization for complete SA occlusion. Coil-embolization was performed either by SA main stem occlusion (characteristic of pig anatomy) or separately for the left- and right SA. Lumbar cnNIRS was recorded during and after the procedure. Neurological status was assessed up to 3 days after complete SA occlusion. RESULTS Mean time from SA coil embolization to minimum cnNIRS values was 11 ± 5 min with an average decrease from 101 ± 2% to 78 ± 8% of baseline (difference: −23 ± 9, P CONCLUSIONS Lumbar cnNIRS independently reacts to unilateral SA occlusion. cnNIRS-guided SA occlusion is feasible and may become a useful adjunct facilitating adequate and complete vessel occlusion.

Background Numerous definitions for peri-procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary bypass grafting (CABG) surgery exist. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the PMI rates according to various definitions, their clinically relevant association with all-cause mortality at 10 years, and their impact on composite endpoints at 5 years in the SYNTAXES (Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Extended Survival) trial. Methods PMI was classified as a myocardial infarction occurring within 48 h of the procedure according to definitions of the SYNTAX (TAXUS Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries), ISCHEMIA (International Study Of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical And Invasive Approaches), and EXCEL (Evaluation of XIENCE versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for Effectiveness of Left Main Revascularization) trials; the Fourth Universal Definition of MI; and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI). Of the 1,800 patients enrolled, 1,652 with creatine kinase and/or creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) post-procedure were included. The association between PMI and mortality was analyzed by Cox regression. Results PMI rates according to the SYNTAX and Fourth Universal Definition of MI, both of which required CK-MB elevation and electrocardiographic evidence of permanent myocardial damage, were 2.7% and 3.0%, respectively, in the PCI arm versus 2.4% and 2.1%, respectively, in the CABG arm. PMI rates according to the SCAI or EXCEL definition were higher in the PCI (5.7%) and CABG (16.5%) arms. PMIs according to the SYNTAX and Fourth Universal Definition of MI were more strongly associated with mortality than EXCEL and SCAI PMIs defined by isolated enzyme elevation when CK-MB was more than 10 times ULN. The impact of these “enzyme-driven events” on time-to-event curves and the composite endpoints was greater in the surgical cohort. PMIs after PCI were associated with 10-year mortality regardless of definition, whereas their impact on mortality after CABG was limited to 1 year. Conclusions The rates of PMI are highly dependent on their definition, which affects time-to-event curves, composite endpoints, and their lethal prognostic relevance. (Synergy Between PCI With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery: SYNTAX Extended Survival [SYNTAXES]; NCT03417050 ; SYNTAX Study: TAXUS Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for the Treatment of Narrowed Arteries [SYNTAX]; NCT00114972 )

[Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] Aortic stenosis is the most prevalent valve disease in the elderly. Surgical aortic valve replacement was until recently the treatment of choice and has excellent outcomes in patients amenable to surgery. Transcatheter aortic valve

Background Transapical, beating heart, off-pump implantation of neochordae for repair of mitral valve (MV) prolapse is of increasing interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate long term results for MV repair using the NeoChord system (NeoChord, St. Louis Park, MN). Methods Six patients underwent treatment for severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR) with the NeoChord DS1000 system as part of the initial device safety and feasibility Transapical Artificial Chordae Tendinae (TACT) trial at our institution (University of Leipzig-Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany). The primary pathology in all patients was isolated posterior leaflet prolapse of the P2 or P3 segment, or both. Results Successful repair resulting in no or trace MR was achieved in 5 of 6 patients by implantation of three neochordae under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance and normal left ventricular loading conditions. One patient underwent intraoperative conversion to an open MV replacement as a result of leaflet injury. The early postoperative course was uneventful in all remaining patients. Two patients had to undergo reoperation for recurrent MR at 3 and 16 months postoperatively. The remaining 3 patients were followed up for a period of 5 years. These patients were free of cardiac symptoms, and transthoracic examination showed trace or mild to moderate MR at 1-, 2-, and 5-year follow-up. A trend toward reverse remodeling of the left ventricle with no increase in mitral annular dilatation over 5 years was observed. Conclusions In select patients, MV repair using the NeoChord system results in very good long-term results without recurrent prolapse, MR, or annular dilatation.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are used for coronary revascularization in patients with multivessel and left main coronary artery disease. Stroke is among the most feared complications of revascularization. Due to its infrequency, studies with large numbers of patients are required to detect differences in stroke rates between CABG and PCI.OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare rates of stroke after CABG and PCI and the impact of procedural stroke on long-term mortality.METHODS: We performed a collaborative individual patient-data pooled analysis of 11 randomized clinical trials comparing CABG with PCI using stents; ERACI II (Argentine Randomized Study: Coronary Angioplasty With Stenting Versus Coronary Bypass Surgery in Patients With Multiple Vessel Disease) (n = 450), ARTS (Arterial Revascularization Therapy Study) (n = 1,205), MASS II (Medicine, Angioplasty, or Surgery Study) (n = 408), SoS (Stent or Surgery) trial (n = 988), SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) trial (n = 1,800), PRECOMBAT (Bypass Surgery Versus Angioplasty Using Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease) trial (n = 600), FREEDOM (Comparison of Two Treatments for Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease in Individuals With Diabetes) trial (n = 1,900), VA CARDS (Coronary Artery Revascularization in Diabetes) (n = 198), BEST (Bypass Surgery Versus Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation for Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease) (n = 880), NOBLE (Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Treatment of Unprotected Left Main Stenosis) trial (n = 1,184), and EXCEL (Evaluation of Xience Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery for Effectiveness of Left Main Revascularization) trial (n = 1,905). The 30-day and 5-year stroke rates were compared between CABG and PCI using a random effects Cox proportional hazards model, stratified by trial. The impact of stroke on 5-year mortality was explored.RESULTS: The analysis included 11,518 patients randomly assigned to PCI (n = 5,753) or CABG (n = 5,765) with a mean follow-up of 3.8 ± 1.4 years during which a total of 293 strokes occurred. At 30 days, the rate of stroke was 0.4% after PCI and 1.1% after CABG (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20 to 0.53; p < 0.001). At 5-year follow-up, stroke remained significantly lower after PCI than after CABG (2.6% vs. 3.2%; HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.97; p = 0.027). Rates of stroke between 31 days and 5 years were comparable: 2.2% after PCI versus 2.1% after CABG (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.38; p = 0.72). No significant interactions between treatment and baseline clinical or angiographic variables for the 5-year rate of stroke were present, except for diabetic patients (PCI: 2.6% vs. CABG: 4.9%) and nondiabetic patients (PCI: 2.6% vs. CABG: 2.4%) (p for interaction = 0.004). Patients who experienced a stroke within 30 days of the procedure had significantly higher 5-year mortality versus those without a stroke, both after PCI (45.7% vs. 11.1%, p < 0.001) and CABG (41.5% vs. 8.9%, p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: This individual patient-data pooled analysis demonstrates that 5-year stroke rates are significantly lower after PCI compared with CABG, driven by a reduced risk of stroke in the 30-day post-procedural period but a similar risk of stroke between 31 days and 5 years. The greater risk of stroke after CABG compared with PCI was confined to patients with multivessel disease and diabetes. Five-year mortality was markedly higher for patients experiencing a stroke within 30 days after revascularization.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, its effect on procedural and follow-up performance after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains controversial. We performed an observational study of all consecutive patients treated with a transfemoral TAVR in a single-center cohort (n = 1818). All patients were stratified by diabetes status and gender. All-cause 3-year mortality was the primary endpoint. Male patients with DM were identified to have substantially increased 3-year mortality [125/314 (39.8%)] compared to males without DM [142/478 (29.7%), p

Background Surgical aortic valve replacement using conventional biological valves (CBVs) is the standard of care for treatment of old patients with aortic valve disease. Recently, rapid deployment valves (RDVs) have been introduced. Objectives The purpose of this study was to report the nationwide German experience concerning RDVs for treatment of aortic valve stenosis and provide a head-to-head comparison with CBVs. Methods A total of 22,062 patients who underwent isolated surgical aortic valve replacement using CBV or RDV between 2011 and 2015 were enrolled into the German Aortic Valve Registry. Baseline, procedural, and in-hospital outcome parameters were analyzed for CBVs and RDVs using 1:1 propensity score matching. Furthermore, 3 RDVs were compared with each other. Results A total of 20,937 patients received a CBV, whereas 1,125 patients were treated with an RDV. Patients treated with an RDV presented with significantly reduced procedure (160 min [25th to 75th percentile: 135 to 195 min] vs. 150 min [25th to 75th percentile: 127 to 179 min]; p Conclusions In this large, all-comers database, the incidence of pacemaker implantation and disabling stroke was higher with RDVs, whereas no beneficial effect on in-hospital mortality was seen. The 3 RDVs presented different complication profiles with regard to pacemaker implantation and transvalvular gradients. (German Aortic Valve Registry [GARY]; NCT01165827)

Objectives The aims of this study were to report on the use of local anesthesia or conscious sedation (LACS) and general anesthesia in transcatheter aortic valve replacement and to analyze the impact on outcome. Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement can be performed in LACS or general anesthesia. Potential benefits of LACS, such as faster procedures and shorter hospital stays, need to be balanced with safety. Methods A total of 16,543 patients from the German Aortic Valve Registry from 2011 to 2014 were analyzed, and propensity-matched analyses were performed to correct for potential selection bias. Results LACS was used in 49% of patients (8,121 of 16,543). In hospital, LACS was associated with lower rates of low-output syndrome, respiratory failure, delirium, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and death. There was no difference in paravalvular leakage (II+) between LACS and general anesthesia in the entire population (5% vs. 4.8%; p = 0.76) or in the matched population (3.9% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.13). The risk for prolonged intensive care unit stay (≥3 days) was significantly reduced with LACS (odds ratio: 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73 to 0.92; p = 0.001). Thirty-day mortality was lower with LACS in the entire population (3.5% vs. 4.9%; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.86; p Conclusions Use of LACS in transcatheter aortic valve replacement is safe, with fewer post-procedural complications and lower early mortality, suggesting its broad application.

BACKGROUND: Numerous randomised trials have compared coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with coronary artery disease. However, no studies have been powered to detect a difference in mortality between the revascularisation strategies.METHODS: We did a systematic review up to July 19, 2017, to identify randomised clinical trials comparing CABG with PCI using stents. Eligible studies included patients with multivessel or left main coronary artery disease who did not present with acute myocardial infarction, did PCI with stents (bare-metal or drug-eluting), and had more than 1 year of follow-up for all-cause mortality. In a collaborative, pooled analysis of individual patient data from the identified trials, we estimated all-cause mortality up to 5 years using Kaplan-Meier analyses and compared PCI with CABG using a random-effects Cox proportional-hazards model stratified by trial. Consistency of treatment effect was explored in subgroup analyses, with subgroups defined according to baseline clinical and anatomical characteristics.FINDINGS: We included 11 randomised trials involving 11 518 patients selected by heart teams who were assigned to PCI (n=5753) or to CABG (n=5765). 976 patients died over a mean follow-up of 3·8 years (SD 1·4). Mean Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score was 26·0 (SD 9·5), with 1798 (22·1%) of 8138 patients having a SYNTAX score of 33 or higher. 5 year all-cause mortality was 11·2% after PCI and 9·2% after CABG (hazard ratio [HR] 1·20, 95% CI 1·06-1·37; p=0·0038). 5 year all-cause mortality was significantly different between the interventions in patients with multivessel disease (11·5% after PCI vs 8·9% after CABG; HR 1·28, 95% CI 1·09-1·49; p=0·0019), including in those with diabetes (15·5% vs 10·0%; 1·48, 1·19-1·84; p=0·0004), but not in those without diabetes (8·7% vs 8·0%; 1·08, 0·86-1·36; p=0·49). SYNTAX score had a significant effect on the difference between the interventions in multivessel disease. 5 year all-cause mortality was similar between the interventions in patients with left main disease (10·7% after PCI vs 10·5% after CABG; 1·07, 0·87-1·33; p=0·52), regardless of diabetes status and SYNTAX score.INTERPRETATION: CABG had a mortality benefit over PCI in patients with multivessel disease, particularly those with diabetes and higher coronary complexity. No benefit for CABG over PCI was seen in patients with left main disease. Longer follow-up is needed to better define mortality differences between the revascularisation strategies.FUNDING: None.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate short-term and five-year follow-up results from patients randomised to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with paclitaxel-eluting stents in the SYNTAX trial, focusing on patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods and results: Baseline glomerular filtration rate estimates (eGFR) were available in 1,638 patients (PCI=852 and CABG=786). The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) threshold was used to define staging of CKD. At five years, death was significantly higher in patients with CKD compared to patients with normal kidney function after PCI (26.7% vs. 10.8%, p

Surgical aortic valve replacement (sAVR) is coming under close scrutiny with the recent upswing in the use of less invasive approaches. The aim of this analysis was to identify current trends in patient selection, procedural characteristics and outcomes after sAVR in Germany.We analysed data from 42 776 patients included in the German Aortic Valve Registry who underwent sAVR with and without coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) between 2011 and 2015. Baseline, procedural and short-term outcome parameters were analysed.Of all registered patients, 26 618 (62.2%) underwent isolated sAVR and 16 158 (37.8%) sAVR + CABG. The median age was 72 years, and the median Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS PROM) was 2.3%. From 2011 to 2015, there was a decline in STS PROM (2.4-2.2%, P 0.001) and a decline in risk factors, such as pulmonary hypertension (9.1-3.2%, P 0.001), occlusive arterial disease (19.6-17.7%, P = 0.003), mitral regurgitation ≥2° (10.6-7.6%, P 0.001) and New York Heart Association Class III/IV (65.3-59.2%, P 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 2.3%, 1.3% had disabling stroke, 0.4% residual aortic regurgitation ≥2°, and the incidence of new-onset pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation was 3.9%. There was an increase in the use of biological valves in patients65 years (50.1-65.7%, P 0.001), and the proportion of rapid deployment valves increased significantly (1.5-8.4%, P 0.001) over the investigated time period.Both isolated sAVR as well as sAVR + CABG resulted in excellent in-hospital outcomes based on 42 000 patients treated between 2011 and 2015. The implementation of alternative treatment strategies has resulted in palpable changes in patient and device selection.

Background Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are often characterized by risk factors not reflected in conventional risk scores. In this context, little is known about the outcome of patients suffering from an active cancer disease (ACD). The objective was to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and mortality of patients with ACD undergoing TAVR compared to those with a history of cancer (HCD) and controls without known tumor disease. Methods TAVR patients between 02/2006 and 09/2014 were stratified according to the presence of ACD, HCD, and control. All-cause-mortality at 1-year was the primary end point. All end point definitions were subject to the Valve Academic Research Consortium II definitions. Results Overall, 1821 patients were included: 99 patients (5.4%) suffered from ACD and 251 patients (13.8%) had HCD. ACD was related to a solid organ or hematological source in 72.7% and 27.3%, respectively. Patients with ACD were more often male (P = 0.004) and had a lower logisticEuroScore I (P = 0.033). Overall rates of VARC-II defined periprocedural myocardial infarction, stroke, bleeding, access-site complications, and acute kidney injury were not different between groups. Thirty-day mortality did not differ between patients with ACD, HCD, and controls (6.1% vs 4.4% vs 7.6%, P = 0.176). All-cause 1-year mortality was higher in patients with ACD compared HCD and controls (37.4% vs 16.4% vs 20.8%, P

Zusammenfassung Zielsetzung Defektdeckung einer persistierenden, sternalen Wundheilungsstörung, die nach frustranem Deckungsversuch mittels eines gestielten Latissimus-dorsi-Lappens durch eine Omentumplastik zur Ausheilung gebracht wurde. Indikation Tiefe sternale Wundheilungsstörungen sind seltene, aber schwerwiegende Komplikationen nach medianer Sternotomie. Wenn reguläre Deckungsverfahren fehlschlagen oder nicht zu entfernendes Fremdmaterial wie „Drivelines“ oder Gefäßprothesen mittels Muskellappen nicht zur Ausheilung gebracht werden können, bildet der Omentumlappen, aufgrund seiner immunologischen Kompetenz, eine sinnvolle Alternative. Methode Nach Exploration des persistierenden, sternalen Defekts schießt sich das radikale tangentiale Débridement und die Spülung der Wunde mittels einer Jet-Lavage an. Das Gewebe des Omentums wird nach Medianlaparotomie und Präparation des Lappens durch einen im vorderen Diaphragma angelegten Tunnel in den Defekt verlagert und kann hier spannungsfrei zur Ummantelung der Prothese verwendet werden. Der im Vorfeld verwendete Latissimuslappen wird in diesem Fall für den oberflächlichen Weichteilverschluss wiederverwendet. Schlussfolgerung Insbesondere bei infiziertem, nicht entfernbarem Restmaterial stellt der Omentumlappen aufgrund seiner immunologischen Kompetenz eine gute Behandlungsalternative zu Muskellappen dar.

Tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation in patients after previous mitral valve surgery is usually a secondary failure and conditioned by a long-lasting left-sided valve failure. TV surgery in these patients represents a high-risk procedure regarding the operative strategy and perioperative management. This article will discuss the indication for TV surgery in patients with secondary TV regurgitation and previous mitral valve surgery, the choice of surgical access, as well as TV repair techniques and their postoperative results.

Background Once aortic stenosis (AS) is severe, patients develop symptoms at different stages. Indeed, symptom status may correlate poorly with the grade of valve narrowing. Multiple pathophysiological mechanisms, other than valvular load, may explain the link between AS and symptom severity. We aimed to describe the relationship between the severity of symptoms and the characteristics of a cohort of patients with severe AS already referred for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods We analyzed 118 consecutive patients (70 ± 9 years, 55% men) with severe AS referred for AVR. We identified 84 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) I–II, and 34 with NYHA III–IV symptoms. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were compared between these two groups. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLPS), NT-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and high-sensitive troponin T (hs-TNT) were determined at the time of admission. Results AS severity was similar between groups. Compared with the NYHA I–II group, patients in NYHA III–IV group were older and more likely to have comorbidities, worse intracardiac hemodynamics and more LV damage. Variables independently associated with NYHA III–IV symptomatology were the absence of sinus rhythm, higher E/e′ ratio, and increased hs-TNT. GLPS showed a good correlation not only with hs-TNT as a marker of myocardial damage, but also with markers of increased afterload imposed on LV, being not directly related with advanced symptoms. Conclusions Advanced symptoms in patients with severe AS referred for AVR are associated with worse intracardiac hemodynamics, absence of sinus rhythm, and more myocardial damage. It supports the concept of transition from adaptive LV remodeling to myocyte death as an important determinant of symptoms of heart failure.

There is evidence for a lower mortality in female patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), but the underlying reasons for the gender-specific differences in prognosis are not well understood. In particular, the role of left ventricular dysfunction is unclear. In this study, we addressed the question of whether differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) could account for the gender benefit for female TAVI patients.From January 2011 to December 2013, a total of 15,616 patients treated with TAVI were prospectively enrolled in the German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY). For the present analysis, female TAVI patients (N=8,456) were compared with male TAVI patients (N=7,160) with a particular focus on LVEF. Mortality at one year was 18.1% in women and 22.6% in men (p0.001). Multivariate analysis also revealed that female gender was associated with a lower one-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.88 [0.81-0.95]). There was no difference in gender-specific mortality in patients with baseline LVEF50% (women: 16.4%; men 17.6%, p=0.268), but in patients with LVEF 30%-50% (21.0% versus 25.7%, p0.001) and30% (26.2% versus 37.6%, p0.001) one-year mortality was significantly lower in women than in men.The survival benefit for women over men after TAVI was only observed in patients with a preprocedural LVEF ≤50%.

Background: Management of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) has evolved considerably over the last fifty years, and includes medical treatment as well as septal myectomy (SM) to relief symptoms caused by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). We report the Leipzig Heart Center experience in the surgical management of patients with HOCM. Methods: We collected data from all patient treated surgically with a myectomy for LVOTO in patients with HOCM between 1997 and 2016. Patients with absent data were excluded from our analysis. All data were obtained from our surgical database and analyzed retrospectively. Results: We identified 115 patients who underwent surgical treatment for HOCM, where a male:female ratio of 1.1:1, a mean age of 60.8±14.6 years and a body mass index of 27.7±4.5 were observed. The most common symptom was dyspnea (n=102). Of all patients, 50% had New York Heart Association (NYHA) III class symptoms. Arterial hypertension was the most common comorbidity (n=80). Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography showed a mean ejection fraction (EF) of 65.9%±9.7%, median septal thickness of 21.1±5.3 mm, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (MV) in 61.7% of patients, and mean LVOT gradient of 70.1±45.2 mmHg. Surgery resulted in a mean decrease of the septal thickness by 15±3.7 mm and LVOT gradient by 9.7±8.5 mmHg. Isolated SM was carried out on 20 patients. Postoperatively, we were able to notice a significant improvement in NYHA classification, in which patients with NYHA III benefitted most from SM. Long-term follow-up data up to 11.3±0.7 years were available for 114 patients. During follow-up, 16 patients died, and one patient was lost to follow up. Conclusions: Surgical treatment of LVOT in patients with HOCM is an effective intervention that improves cardiac function and quality of life (QoL) and is associated with a low operative risk.

BACKGROUND There is a long-standing debate about the role of beta-adrenoceptor polymorphisms in the cardiovascular system. We wanted to elucidate whether β1-adrenoceptor-polymorphisms affects the postoperative catecholamine consumption and the length of intermediate care unit stay in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and whether this might be enhanced or attenuated by catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) polymorphism. MATERIAL AND METHODS We included 116 patients (63±1.2 years; 34% females; 81±1 kg) undergoing cardiac surgery. We assessed Arg389Gly and Ser49Gly-β1-adrenoceptor (B1AR) polymorphism together with Val158Met-COMT polymorphism by real-time PCR using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (PCR-FRET). The preoperative risk was assessed by EuroSCORE. In addition, we measured the endogenous preoperative epinephrine and norepinephrine plasma concentrations using an electrochemical HPLC method. RESULTS 84.6% were homozygous for Ser49Ser, 52.1% homozygous for Arg389Arg B1AR, and 32.5% for Val158Val-COMT, while 15.4% showed Ser49Gly B1AR, 38.5% Arg389Gly-B1AR, and 35.6% Val158Met-COMT. We found that the Gly49-variant, the Gly389-variant, and the Val158-COMT-variant were associated with higher postoperative norepinephrine consumption. All patients carrying the Val158-COMT allele exhibited higher preoperative norepinephrine concentrations. Moreover, we found that both β1-adrenoceptor polymorphisms were associated with a longer stay in hospital, which was modulated by the COMT polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS These data show that the β1-adrenoceptor polymorphisms, together with the COMT polymorphism, affect norepinephrine consumption and stay in hospital in a situation of enhanced cardiovascular stress, reflected here by the postoperative period after cardiac surgery. Moreover, we conclude that patients with the Val158-COMT genotype exhibit higher endogenous resting plasma norepinephrine levels.

Background Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), the most frequent congenital cardiac abnormality, is associated with a higher risk for ascending aortic aneurysms and aorta-related complications (ie, dissection and rupture). The aim of this study was to quantify granular media calcinosis (GMC) in the ascending aortic wall of patients with BAV. Methods We analyzed samples of the ascending aorta from patients with BAV (n = 54) and patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) (n = 33) who underwent aortic repair, regarding medial thickness and diameter expansion. Additionally, the convexity and concavity of the samples were stained for GMC and elastin fragmentation. Results The quantitative analysis revealed a significantly higher extent of GMC in patients with BAV at the aortic convexity and concavity compared with patients with TAV, independent of aortic diameter. Additionally, GMC increased with enlargement of the aortic diameter in patients with BAV. Furthermore, we found a significantly reduced total medial thickness in patients with BAV compared with patients with TAV. Conclusions Our findings highlight GMC as a prominent feature of bicuspid aortopathy.

Objectives The study sought to determine the incidence, predictors, characteristics, and outcomes of repeat revascularization during 5-year follow-up of the SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery) trial. Background Limited in-depth long-term data on repeat revascularization are available from randomized trials comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods Incidence and timing of repeat revascularization and its relation to the long-term composite safety endpoint of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction were analyzed in the SYNTAX trial (n = 1,800) using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results At 5 years, repeat revascularization occurred more often after initial PCI than after initial CABG (25.9% vs. 13.7%, respectively; p Conclusions Repeat revascularization rates are significantly higher after initial PCI than after initial CABG for complex coronary disease. Repeat revascularization is an independent predictor of death, stroke, and myocardial infarction for myocardial revascularization.

Objectives This study sought to analyze health-related quality-of-life (HrQoL) outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) based on data from GARY (German Aortic Valve Registry). Background Typically, patients currently referred for and treated by TAVR are elderly with a concomitant variable spectrum of multiple comorbidities, disabilities, and limited life expectancy. Beyond mortality and morbidity, the assessment of HrQoL is of paramount importance not only to guide patient-centered clinical decision-making but also to judge this new treatment modality in this high-risk patient population. Methods In 2011, 3,875 patients undergoing TAVR were included in the GARY registry. HrQoL was prospectively measured using the EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire self-complete version on paper at baseline and 1 year. Results Complete follow-up EuroQol 5 dimensions questionnaire evaluation was available for 2,288 patients (transvascular transcatheter aortic valve replacement [TAVR-TV]: n = 1,626 and transapical TAVR [TAVR-TA]: n = 662). In-hospital mortality was 5.9% (n = 229) and the 1-year mortality was 23% (n = 893). The baseline visual analog scale score for general health status was 52.6% for TAVR-TV and 55.8% for TAVR-TA and, in parallel to an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class, improved to 59.6% and 58.5% at 1 year, respectively (p Conclusions TAVR treatment led to improvements in HrQoL, especially in terms of mobility and usual activities. The magnitude of improvements was higher in the TAVR-TV group as compared to the TAVR-TA group. However, there was a sizable group of patients who did not derive any HrQoL benefits. Several independent pre- and post-operative factors were identified being predictive for less pronounced HrQoL benefits.