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Introduction and objectives: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has proven safe and effective in low-to-high risk patients, but emergency procedures have been excluded from the landmark trials. We aimed to assess the current outcomes and main factors conditioning the prognosis during emergency TAVI. Methods: A systematic search in PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted for all studies comparing elective vs emergency TAVI. Searched terms were “emergency” and/or “urgent”, “elective”, and “transcatheter valve replacement” and/or “heart failure” and/or “cardiogenic shock”. Emergency TAVI was considered as any unscheduled TAVI performed to treat refractory heart failure or cardiogenic shock. A random-effects model was used. Results: A total of 7 studies with 84 427 TAVI patients were included (14 241 emergency procedures; 70 186 elective TAVIs). Emergency cases presented higher risk scores (logistic EuroSCORE 65.9% ± 21% vs 29.4% ± 18%, P < .001; Society of Thoracic Surgeons Risk Score 29.4% ± 27.4% vs 13.7% ± 11.6%, P < .001). More advanced heart disease was observed with deterioration of left ventricular (LV) function (39.5% ± 17.8% vs 52.5% ± 12.8%; P < .001) and larger LV end-diastolic diameters (55 ± 9 mm vs 48 ± 7 mm; P < .001) despite similar aortic valve areas and gradients. Elective TAVIs presented a greater success rate (93.6% vs 92.5%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95%CI, 0.74-0.95; P = .005), less acute kidney injury, and a lower need for dialysis and mechanical circulatory support. Overall, non-emergency cases had lower in-hospital (3.3% vs 5.7%; P < .001), 30-day (4.4% vs 8.8%; P < .001) and 1-year mortality rates (19.7% vs 34.75%; P = .0001). The main determinants of mortality were need for new dialysis (OR = 2.26; 95%CI, 1.84-2.76; P < .001) or mechanical circulatory support (OR = 2.55; 95%CI, 1.14-5.67; P < .001). Conclusions: Emergency TAVI recipients presented worse baseline risk and more advanced cardiac disease that determined greater in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortality rates. The early identification of patients at risk for requiring mechanical circulatory support or dialysis may contribute to a better indication of TAVI in emergency scenarios.

ObjectivesThe balloon-expandable Sapien-3 valve demonstrated superior results in terms of residual aortic regurgitation when compared with self-expandable devices. We aimed to compare for the first-time early outcomes of Sapien-3 transcatheter heart valve (THV) with the balloon-expandable Myval device.MethodsConsecutive real-world patients from nine European institutions with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis treated either with Sapien-3 or Myval THV devices after June 2018 were compared. Early clinical outcomes were prospectively gathered and blinded analysis of 30-day echocardiography was conducted. Matching for the following variables was performed: age, body surface area, Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score, left ventricular function, mean gradient, transfemoral approach, aortic valvular calcium, aortic annulus mean diameter, area and eccentricity index.ResultsA total of 416 patients treated either with the Sapien-3 (n=286, 68.7%) or with Myval THV (n=130, 31.3%) were included and 103 pairs compared after matching. Baseline characteristics were similar. Procedural success rate (Sapien-3: 94.2%; Myval: 93.2%, p=0.219), 30-day mortality (Sapien-3: 2.9%; Myval: 0.97%, p=0.625), clinical efficacy (12.6 vs 4.9%, p=0.057) and early safety (12.6 vs 4.9%, p=0.096) were comparable. There was a lower need for new permanent pacemaker (15.5 vs 5.8% p=0.020) with Myval. No significant differences were found in terms of ≥moderate aortic regurgitation (1% for Sapien-3, 0% for Myval, p=0.314), but mean gradients were higher following Sapien-3 than after Myval (pConclusionsThe new Myval balloon-expandable THV was favourable in terms of safety, with low rate of permanent pacemaker and with favourable residual gradients and paravalvular leak rate according to blinded echocardiographic analysis.

the SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from asymptomatic to critical forms and several prognostic factors have been described. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in acute situations where it is linked with more complications and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic information of AF in this population.retrospective analysis of a cohort of 517 patients consecutively admitted in a tertiary hospital due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We divided the patients in two groups according the development of AF and compared the main features of both groups. An univariable and multivariable analysis of mortality were also performed.among 517 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted in a tertiary center, 54 (10.4%) developed AF. These patients are older (81.6 vs 66.5 years old,Atrial fibrillation appears in 10% of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. These patients present more comorbidities and two-fold increase in hospital mortality. Atrial fibrillation is not an independent prognostic factor.La infección por SARS-CoV-2 presenta un amplio espectro clínico, y varios factores pronósticos han sido descritos. La fibrilación auricular (FA) es frecuente en situaciones agudas, donde se ha relacionado con aumento de complicaciones y mortalidad. Nuestro objetivo ha sido evaluar el impacto pronóstico de la FA en esta población.Análisis retrospectivo de una cohorte de 517 pacientes con infección SARS-CoV-2 consecutivamente ingresados en un hospital terciario. Dividimos a los pacientes en dos grupos de acuerdo al desarrollo de FA durante el ingreso y comparamos las características de los grupos. Realizamos análisis univariado y multivariado de mortalidad.De los 517 pacientes, 54 (10,4%) desarrollaron FA. Estos pacientes son mayores (81,6 vs. 66,5 años, p 0,001) y presentan más hipertensión (74% vs. 47%, p 0,001), miocardiopatía (9% vs. 1%, p = 0,002), ingreso previo por insuficiencia cardiaca (9% vs. 0,4%, p 0,001), historia de FA (83% vs. 1%, p 0,001) y mayor aurícula izquierda (47,8 vs. 39,9 mm, p 0,001). Los pacientes con FA presentan más fallo respiratorio agudo (72% vs. 40%, p 0,001) y mayor mortalidad hospitalaria (50% vs. 22%, p 0,001). Los predictores de FA son la edad y la historia de FA previa. La FA no es un predictor independiente de mortalidad hospitalaria. Los predictores son: edad, creatinina 1,5 mg/dL al ingreso, LDH 250 U/L al ingreso y el fallo respiratorio agudo.La FA aparece en el 10% de los pacientes hospitalizados por SARS-CoV-2. Estos presentan mayor comorbilidad y el doble de mortalidad hospitalaria, pero la FA no es un factor pronóstico independiente.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Determinar si la prescripcion de inhibidores del sistema renina-angiotensina (iSRA) se asocia a mejores resultados tras implante percutaneo de valvula aortica (TAVI) o recambio valvular aortico quirurgico (RVAQ). Metodos Se seleccionaron de PubMed, Web of Science, y Google Scholar hasta agosto de 2019 estudios comparativos de iSRA vs no-iSRA en pacientes sometidos a TAVI/RVAQ. Se extrajeron las hazard ratios (HR) con sus intervalos de confianza para mortalidad de cada estudio y estimadores especificos en el modelo de efectos aleatorios. Resultados Se incluyeron 6 estudios con un total de 21.390 pacientes (TAVI: 17.846, RVAQ: 3.544). Los 6 fueron estudios comparativos (3 analisis de propension y 3 de cohortes) comparando iSRA vs no-iSRA. Se demostro que la prescripcion de iSRA se asocia con una mortalidad significativamente menor en pacientes sometidos a intervencion valvular aortica (HR = 0,64; IC95%, 0,47-0,88; p Conclusiones Estos resultados sugieren reduccion de la mortalidad con la prescripcion de iSRA en pacientes con estenosis aortica sometidos a recambio valvular aortico, en particular tras TAVI. Futuros estudios aleatorizados deberan confirmar o refutar este relevante hallazgo.

ObjectiveTo identify differences in left ventricular (LV) remodelling between patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and trileaflet aortic valve (TAV) with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR).MethodsRetrospective cohort study of 210 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance for AR evaluation. We divided the study population according to valvular morphology. Independent predictors of LV enlargement AR were evaluated.ResultsThere were 110 patients with BAV and 100 patients with TAV. Patients with BAV were younger (mean age BAV vs TAV: 41±16 years vs 67±11 years; pConclusionsIn chronic AR, LV enlargement is an early finding. LV volumes display a direct correlation with regurgitant fraction and an inverse association with age. Patients with BAV present larger ventricular volumes, especially at mild AR. However, these differences are attributable to demographic disparities; valve type is not independently associated with LV size.

Introduction Propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) is a rare entity that could lead to profound cardiogenic shock (CS). Mitochondrial toxicity and sympathetic blockade are the mechanisms leading to CS in PRIS. Case report We present a 22-year-old woman who developed refractory CS due to PRIS after aortic valve replacement surgery secondary to Coxiella infective endocarditis. She was rescued with VA-ECMO (veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and was discharged 2 months later with no cardiac dysfunction. Discussion PRIS diagnosis is difficult even though propofol is frequently used in critical care units. Abrupt refractory CS in patients with recent use of high doses of propofol (> 4 mg/Kg/h) together with rhabdomyolysis should raise the suspicion. Diagnostic confirmation is based on muscle biopsy and fat enzyme analysis. Conclusion Propofol withdrawal and support therapies—including VA-ECMO—are the treatment of choice in severe PRIS. VA-ECMO could increase survival as a bridge to recovery due to reversibility of PRIS.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a systemic connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene, and cardiovascular involvement is the leading cause of mortality. We sought to examine the genotype/phenotype realtionship in 61 consecutive patients with a phenotype and genotype compatible with MFS. The FBN1 gene was analyzed by massive sequencing using a hybridization capture-based target enrichment custom panel. Forty-three different variants of FBN1 were identified, of which 17 have not been previously reported. The causal variants of MFS were grouped into mutations resulting in haploinsufficiency (HI group; 23 patients) and mutations producing a dominant-negative effect (DN group; 38 patients). Patient information was collected from electronic medical records and clinical evaluation. While no significant differences were found between the two groups, the HI group included more cases with aortic dissection and occurring at a younger age that the DN group (34.7% vs. 15.8%; p = 0.160). Irrespective of the mutation group, males presented with a higher probability of aortic involvement (4-fold higher risk than females) and aortic dissections events occurred at younger ages. Patients with DN variants carrying a cysteine substitution had a higher incidence of ectopia lentis.

Calcific aortic stenosis is a prevalent and worrisome healthcare problem. The therapeutic approach in asymptomatic aortic stenosis is not well established. We argue that the natural history of this disease is based on old incomplete studies with many limitations. Likewise, studies suggesting that replacement, either surgical or percutaneous, improves prognosis in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis have important drawbacks and do not support this strategy as the treatment of choice. Despite the lack of evidence, some groups recommend early valve replacement in patients with severe asymptomatic aortic stenosis. There are five ongoing randomised trials which will shed light on this topic. Our conclusion is that unless a randomised study changes the evidence, valve replacement cannot be recommended in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Introduction Despite of the wide evidence of use fractional flow reserve (FFR), isolated angiography evaluation is still the main tool to indicate percutaneous coronary intervention. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a new functional index to assess functional significance. Recently, few studies have showed the capacity of QFR to predict significance stenosis. The aim of this research has been to describe the evidence of QFR in this clinical setting, to analyze the global diagnosis accuracy of QFR versus FFR and to compare the difference in feasibility between retrospective and prospective analysis. Methods and results Systematic review of literature was performed. Eligible studies for the meta-analysis were considered those directly evaluating de QFR versus FFR. Pooled values of diagnosis test and summary receiver operator curve were calculated. Main causes of not-perform QFR analysis according to study design were also evaluated. Sixteen studies were included. Good correlation and agreement were showed. Global sensibility, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 0.84, 0.89, 0.80, and 0.92, respectively. Then, 18% of evaluated vessels could not be analyzed. Significant differences were found in the percentage of discarded vessels and the cause of nonperformed analysis between retrospective or prospective analysis. Conclusions Excellent correlation and agreement between QFR and FFR was demonstrated. QFR assessment could be improved by its prospective analysis with a dedicated protocol.

Apical cannulation of a left ventricle for temporary support is still challenging, especially in case of prolonged support due to donor organ shortage. Traditional cannulation techniques with the cannula being directly inserted into the left ventricle cavity are technically easy, but prone to hemorrhage during circulatory support, unsafe for a prolonged support (over than 30 days) and limits the possibility to ambulate patient due to risk for cannula dislocation and related life-threatening bleeding. We describe a case of temporary left ventricular assist device placement in a 59-year-old male patient being on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support secondary to acute myocardial infarction. We present a very simple technique to secure insertion of an apical left ventricular cannula using patch of soft Teflon felt. Handmade created apical soft Teflon cuff is than fixed using twelve 4/0 prolene sutures supported with pledgets. This gives better fixation to apical myocardium (especially in case of fragile tissue after acute infarction) and secure intracavitary length of inflow cannula in a controlled mode, thus better than purse-string sutures only. Using anti-adhesive membrane, further dissection during heart transplant procedure was uneventful. This technique allowed safe circulatory support and patient ambulation in the ward during 85 days until heart transplantation.

RESUMEN Introducción y objetivos: El implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI) ha demostrado ser seguro y eficaz en pacientes tanto de bajo como de alto riesgo, pero los procedimientos emergentes se han excluido en los principales estudios. El objetivo fue determinar los resultados actuales y los condicionantes del pronóstico durante el TAVI emergente. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en PubMed y Google Scholar de cualquier estudio que comparara el TAVI electivo frente al emergente. Los términos empleados fueron «emergent» y/o «urgent», «elective», y «transcatheter valve replacement» y/o «heart failure» y/o «cardiogenic shock». Se consideró TAVI emergente todo procedimiento no programado realizado para tratar la insuficiencia cardiaca refractaria o el shock cardiogénico. Se utilizó un modelo de efectos aleatorios. Resultados: Se incluyeron 7 estudios (84.427 pacientes) tratados con TAVI (14.241 emergentes y 70.186 electivos). Los casos electivos presentaron una mayor puntuación de riesgo (EuroSCORE logístico 65,9 ± 21 frente a 29,4 ± 18%, p

Background Due to improvement in the management of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), the likelihood of their survival to adulthood is increasing. A relevant population suffers end-stage right ventricular failure (RVF) in their 3rd–4th decade of life. Hence, heart transplantation is still gold standard of treatment of end-stage heart failure, mechanical circulatory assistance has become a valuable tool in the bridging to heart transplant or definitive therapy. Use of implantable short-term or long-term devices is reported by others. However, within this clinical context, presence of significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) or CHD is used as exclusion criteria for insertion of a percutaneous right ventricular circulatory support. Case summary We described a 36-year-old patient diagnosed with Ebstein's anomaly and severe TR who is admitted to hospital due to RVF refractory to standard medical treatment. After case presentation to the heart team, an Impella RP device insertion was scheduled, in spite of the presence of TR or CHD after evaluation of pulmonary valve competency and 3D reconstruction with virtual device implantation. During support, the patient improved clinically and haemodynamically. Due to device displacement to the right ventricle, it was bedside explanted after 30 days of support. After mechanical unloading during 30 days patients’ right ventricle recovered partially, permitting patient to improve his functional class. Discussion Although TR and CHD are exclusion criteria for the implantation of the Impella RP device, we report clinical experience in patient with Ebstein's anomaly and severe TR supported with percutaneous device as bridge to heart transplantation during 30 days.

Introduction and objectives: Complete revascularization is recommended for the management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI). Although physiological evaluation is recommended for the assessment of nonculprit lesions, in this context, the use of fractional flow reserve (FFR) is limited. The quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a new angiography-based tool for the assessment of functional severity. We evaluated the functional changes occurring in nonculprit lesions after the acute phase and the QFR/FFR correlation in non-infarct-related arteries. Methods: We recruited all patients with multivessel disease admitted to our institution due to STEMI from January 2016 through December 2017 who underwent staged interventions for the management of nonculprit lesions. We conducted a retrospective QFR assessment at both the index and the staged procedures and drew a comparison. Also, the QFR/FFR concordance and agreement were prospectively evaluated between January and May 2018 in a cohort of patients with STEMI and multivessel disease. Results: We analyzed a total of 131 lesions in 88 patients. During the initial procedure, 93.1% of the lesions were considered significant based on the angiography compared to only 56.3% studied through QFR (P ≤ .001). The QFR reassessment during the staged intervention brought this percentage down to 32.1%. All patients with QFR values ≥ 0.82 during the index procedure remained nonsignificant at the staged assessment. Both the FFR and the QFR were compared in 12 patients showing good agreement and a mean difference of 0.015 ± 0.02 (P > .1). Conclusions: The QFR-based physiological assessment of nonculprit lesions in STEMI patients led us to consider nonsignificant 40% of the lesions classified as significant by the angiography. Also, the QFR significantly increased from the acute phase to the staged procedure, indicative that in patients with QFR ≥ 0.82 in the acute phase a new coronary angiography procedure may be unnecessary.

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with a valve-tube ascending aortic graft (AAG) is a rare entity with a challenging diagnosis and treatment. This study describes the clinical features, diagnosis and outcome of these patients. Methods Between 1996 and 2019, 1654 episodes of IE were recruited in 3 centres, of which 37 patients (2.2%) had prosthetic aortic valve and AAG-IE (21 composite valve graft, 16 supracoronary graft) and conformed our study group. Results Patients with aortic grafts were predominantly male (91.9%) and the mean age was 67.7 years. Staphylococci were the most frequently isolated microorganisms (32%). Viridans group streptococci were only isolated in patients with composite valve graft. TEE was positive in 89.2%. PET/CT was positive in all 15 patients in whom it was performed. Surgical treatment was performed in 62.2% of patients. In-hospital mortality was 16.2%. Heart failure and the type of infected graft (supracoronary aortic graft) were associated with mortality. Mortality among operated patients was 21.7%. Interestingly, 14 patients received antibiotic therapy alone, and only one died. Mortality was lower among patients with a composite valve graft compared to those with a supracoronary graft (4.8% vs 31.3%; p = 0.03). Conclusions In patients with AAG and prosthetic aortic valve IE, mortality is not higher than in other patients with prosthetic IE. Multimodality imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of these patients. Heart failure and the type of surgery were risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Although surgical treatment is usually recommended, a conservative management might be a valid alternative treatment in selected patients.

Background: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases. Percutaneous closure is the preferred treatment, but certain complications remain a concern. The most common devices are AMPLATZER™ (ASO) (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) and Figulla Flex® septal occluders (FSO) (Occlutech GmbH, Jena, Germany). The present study aimed to assess main differences in outcomes. Methods: A systematic search in Pubmed and Google scholarship was performed by two independent reviewers for any study comparing ASO and FSO. Searched terms were “Figulla”, “Amplatzer”, and “atrial septal defect”. A random-effects model was used. Results: A total of 11 studies including 1770 patients (897 ASO; 873 FSO) were gathered. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were comparable although septal aneurysm was more often reported in patients treated with ASO (32% vs. 25%; p = 0.061). Success rate (94% vs. 95%; OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.38–1.71; p = 0.58) and peri-procedural complications were comparable. Procedures were shorter, requiring less fluoroscopy time with an FSO device (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.20–0.97; p = 0.003). Although the global rate of complications in long-term was similar, the ASO device was associated with a higher rate of supraventricular arrhythmias (14.7% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.009). Conclusions: Percutaneous closure of ASD is a safe and effective, irrespective of the type of device. No differences exist regarding procedural success between the ASO and FSO devices but the last was associated to shorter procedure time, less radiation, and lower rate of supraventricular arrhythmias in follow-up. Late cardiac perforation did not occur and death in the follow-up was exceptional.

Background and aim of the study In 2009 our group described a new surgical technique for patients with severe mitral valve calcification undergoing mitral valve surgery. This technique creates a new mitral annulus with plication of the mitral leaflet and the atrial wall. Our objective is to report the long-term results of the experience at our institution. Materials, methods, and results From 2007 to 2016, a total of 18 patients (mean age 70.5 ± 7.8 years) underwent mitral valve replacement at our institution with this technique. One patient died on the second postoperative day. Clinical and echocardiographic in-hospital and long-term follow-up (55.5 ± 40.4 months) were performed on all the remaining 17 patients. Functional improvement was achieved in all patients. Two patients died 6 and 8 years after surgery (cancer and hemorrhagic stroke). No prosthetic dysfunction, periprosthetic leak, or annular dehiscence were detected in the long-term echocardiographic examinations. Conclusions The reconstruction of the mitral annulus by using our technique in patients with severe calcification of the mitral annulus has low long-term mortality, good functional results, and a lack of prosthetic complications.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The SAPIEN 3 (S3) valve and the Medtronic Evolut R (EVR) are second-generation transcatheter valves, designed to further reduce the rate of paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AoR). The aim of this study was to compare the 2 devices in terms of valve performance in a case-matched study with independent echocardiographic analysis. METHODS Of a population of 201 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation, 144 patients (S3, n = 80; EVR, n = 64) were matched according to aortic annulus diameter and aortic valve calcium score, as assessed by computed tomography. All echocardiographic examinations collected at baseline and at 1- and 6-month follow-up were centrally analyzed. RESULTS The 2 groups were well balanced in baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics. The EVR valve showed a better hemodynamic profile as assessed by peak aortic gradient (EVR 13 ± 7 vs S3 20 ± 10mmHg; P

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Las valvulas SAPIEN 3 (S3) y Medtronic Evolut R (EVR) son protesis transcateter de segunda generacion, disenadas para reducir el grado de insuficiencia aortica (IAo) paravalvular. El objetivo es comparar la hemodinamica valvular en un estudio de casos emparejados con analisis ecocardiografico independiente. Metodos De una poblacion de 201 pacientes tratados con implante percutaneo de valvula aortica, se emparejo a un total de 144 (S3, n = 80; EVR, n = 64) en funcion del diametro del anillo y de la puntuacion de calcio aortico medidos por tomografia computarizada. Los ecocardiogramas de seguimiento basal, al mes y a los 6 meses se analizaron de manera independiente y centralizada. Resultados No se observaron diferencias respecto a las caracteristicas basales clinicas y ecocardiograficas. La protesis EVR mostro un mejor perfil hemodinamico evaluado mediante gradiente aortico maximo (EVR frente a S3, 13 ± 7 frente a 20 ± 10; p Conclusiones En una cohorte de casos emparejados tratados con implante percutaneo de valvula aortica de segunda generacion, la S3 se asocio con una menor tasa de IAo paravalvular y mayor gradiente transprotesico residual que con la EVR.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos Muchos pacientes sometidos a implante percutaneo de valvula aortica (TAVI) presentan insuficiencia mitral (IM) de grado moderado o menor. El impacto de la insuficiencia tricuspidea (IT) sigue sin resolverse. Se analiza el impacto de la IM moderada frente a leve-ausente y su evolucion, y de la IT concomitante y su interaccion con la IM. Metodos Estudio retrospectivo multicentrico de 813 pacientes tratados con TAVI entre 2007 y 2015 con IM ≤ 2 y abordaje transfemoral. Resultados La edad media fue 81 ± 7 anos y el Society of Thoracic Surgeons-score fue de 6,9 ± 5,1%. El 37,3% presento IM moderada, con resultados comparables intrahospitalarios y de mortalidad a 6 meses frente a IM 2 tras el TAVI. La presencia de IT moderada/grave se asocio con una mortalidad intrahospitalaria y de seguimiento del 13 y el 34,1%, independientemente del grado de IM. La IT moderada-grave fue predictor independiente de mortalidad (HR = 18,4; IC95%, 10,2-33,3; p Conclusiones La presencia de IM moderada no supuso mayor mortalidad a corto-medio plazo tras el TAVI, pero asocio mas rehospitalizaciones. La presencia de IT moderada/grave implico mayor mortalidad. Esto sugiere que una evaluacion minuciosa de los mecanismos subyacentes entre ambas insuficiencias valvulares debe realizarse para determinar la mejor estrategia para evitar la futilidad relacionada con TAVI.

Introduction and objectives Many patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) of moderate grade or less. The impact of coexistent tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remains to be determined. We sought to analyze the impact of moderate vs none-to-mild MR and its trend after TAVI , as well as the impact of concomitant TR and its interaction with MR. Methods Multicenter retrospective study of 813 TAVI patients treated through the transfemoral approach with MR ≤ 2 between 2007 and 2015. Results The mean age was 81 ± 7 years and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 6.9% ± 5.1%. Moderate MR was present in 37.3% of the patients, with similar in-hospital outcomes and 6-month follow-up mortality to those with MR P = .257). However, they experienced more rehospitalizations and worse New York Heart Association class ( P = .008 and .001, respectively). Few patients (3.8%) showed an increase in the MR grade to > 2 post-TAVI. The presence of concomitant moderate/severe TR was associated with in-hospital and follow-up mortality rates of 13% and 34.1%, respectively, regardless of MR grade. Moderate-severe TR was independently associated with mortality (HR, 18.4; 95%CI, 10.2-33.3; P Conclusions The presence of moderate MR seemed not to impact short- and mid-term mortality post-TAVI, but was associated with more rehospitalizations. The presence of moderate or severe TR was associated with higher mortality. This suggests that a thorough evaluation of the mechanisms underlying concomitant mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation should be performed to determine the best strategy for avoiding TAVI-related futility.

AIMS Empirically, transfemoral (TF) approach is the first choice for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We aimed to investigate whether transubclavian (TSc) and TF approaches present comparable major outcomes according to current evidence. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane database for studies with symptomatic aortic stenosis patients who underwent TAVI through TF or TSc/axillary access from January/2006 to January/2017. Searched terms were: ("aortic stenosis" OR "transcatheter aortic" OR "TAVI" OR "TAVR") and ("transfemoral" OR "transaxillary" OR "transubclavian"). Major outcomes according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria were gathered. The odds ratio (OR) was used as a summary statistic. A random-effects model was used. A fully percutaneous TSc TAVI case from our institution illustrates minimalist approach. RESULTS Final analysis was made with six studies including 4,504 patients (3,886 TF and 618 TSc). Baseline characteristics of compared groups in individual studies were similar, with the exception of a higher logistic EuroSCORE in the TSc group (23.7 ± 1.92 vs. 21.17 ± 3.51, P = 0.04) and higher prevalence of coronary and peripheral artery disease with OR = 0.67 [95% CI: 0.54-0.83] (P = 0.0003) and OR = 0.08 [95% CI: 0.05-0.12] (P

To explore the impact of obesity on the cardiac lipid profile in rats with diet-induced obesity, as well as to evaluate whether or not the specific changes in lipid species are associated with cardiac fibrosis. Methods: Male Wistar rats were fed either a high-fat diet (HFD, 35% fat) or standard diet (3.5% fat) for 6 weeks. Cardiac lipids were analyzed using by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: HFD rats showed cardiac fibrosis and enhanced levels of cardiac superoxide anion (O 2 ), HOMA index, adiposity, and plasma leptin, as well as a reduction in those of cardiac glucose transporter (GLUT 4), compared with control animals. Cardiac lipid profile analysis showed a significant increase in triglycerides, especially those enriched with palmitic, stearic, and arachidonic acid. An increase in levels of diacylglycerol (DAG) was also observed. No changes in cardiac levels of diacyl phosphatidylcholine, or even a reduction in total levels of diacyl phosphatidylethanolamine, diacyl phosphatidylinositol, and sphingomyelins (SM) was observed in HFD, as compared with control animals. After adjustment for other variables (oxidative stress, HOMA, cardiac hypertrophy), total levels of DAG were independent predictors of cardiac fibrosis while the levels of total SM were independent predictors of the cardiac levels of GLUT 4. Conclusions: These data suggest that obesity has a significant impact on cardiac lipid composition, although it does not modulate the different species in a similar manner. Nonetheless, these changes are likely to participate in the cardiac damage in the context of obesity, since total DAG levels can facilitate the development of cardiac fibrosis, and SM levels predict GLUT4 levels, This work was supported by funds from the Sociedad Española de Arteriosclerosis (Basic Research Award 2015), from Plan Estatal I+D+I 2013-2016: PI15/01060 and SAF2016-81063. The study was cofunded by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), a way to build Europe

Resumen Antecedentes y objetivos Debido al aumento en las indicaciones de implante de dispositivos cardiacos y el envejecimiento de la poblacion, la epidemiologia de la endocarditis infecciosa derecha (EID) ha cambiado drasticamente, siendo hoy en dia los portadores de dispositivos cardiacos el principal grupo afectado. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la epidemiologia, el perfil clinico y los resultados de la EID en portadores de dispositivos cardiacos. Pacientes y metodos Se incluyeron episodios de endocarditis infecciosa definitiva diagnosticados consecutivamente en 3 centros terciarios entre marzo de 1995 y septiembre de 2014. Se realizo un analisis retrospectivo de 85 variables, seguimiento de un ano y analisis univariante de la mortalidad hospitalaria. Resultados Entre 1.182 episodios, 100 portadores de dispositivos cardiacos presentaron EID (8,5%). La edad media ± DE fue de 67 ± 14 anos. Los estafilococos fueron los principales microorganismos responsables (coagulasa negativos 44%, aureus 31%), y de ellos, el 37% eran resistentes a meticilina. Los dispositivos cardiacos fueron retirados en el 95% de los pacientes. La mortalidad hospitalaria y al ano fue del 8 y el 4%, respectivamente. El analisis univariante demostro que la insuficiencia renal al ingreso (OR 6,2; IC 95% 1,3-30,3), el shock septico (OR 8,9; IC 95% 1,7-47,9) y la infeccion persistente durante la evolucion (OR 19,4; IC 95% 3-125,7) aumentan la mortalidad hospitalaria, mientras que la retirada del dispositivo es un factor protector (OR 0,08; IC 95% 0,02-0,39). Conclusiones La EID sobre dispositivos cardiacos tiene una baja mortalidad intrahospitalaria y al ano. Los estafilococos coagulasa negativos son responsables de casi la mitad de los episodios y la incidencia de resistencia a meticilina es elevada. La retirada de los dispositivos disminuye la mortalidad hospitalaria.

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prognosis and specific complications of patients with prosthetic mitral valves (PMVs) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Background TAVR is performed relatively often in patients with PMVs, but specific risks are not well described. Methods A multicenter analysis was conducted, including patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR at 10 centers. Patients’ clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated according to the presence of a PMV. Results The mean age of the study population (n = 2,414) was 81 ± 8 years, and 48.8% were men. A total of 91 patients (3.77%) had PMVs. They were more commonly women, younger, and had higher surgical risk. PMVs were implanted a median of 14 years before TAVR, and most patients had mechanical prostheses (73.6%). Eighty-six patients (94.5%) were on long-term vitamin K inhibitor therapy, and bridging antithrombotic therapy was administered in 59 (64.8%). TAVR device embolization occurred in 6.7% (vs. 3.3% in the non-PMV group; p = 0.127), in all instances when distance between the PMV and the aortic annulus was Conclusions TAVR presents similar mortality irrespective of the presence of a PMV. However, patients with PMVs had higher bleeding risk that was independently associated with higher mortality. Risk for valve embolization was relatively high, but it occurred only in patients with PMV–to–aortic annulus distances

Resumen Objetivo Estudiar la utilidad de la tomografia computarizada multidetector (TCMD) en la evaluacion previa y el seguimiento de los pacientes sometidos a ablacion de venas pulmonares mediante radiofrecuencia, y la actitud terapeutica basada en los hallazgos. Metodo Analisis retrospectivo de 92 estudios de TCMD consecutivos realizados entre enero de 2011 y junio de 2013 en 80 pacientes; de ellos, 70 (76%) antes de un primer procedimiento de ablacion y 22 (24%) en pacientes que ya habian recibido algun procedimiento de ablacion. Resultados Se encontraron hallazgos relevantes en el 34% de los pacientes en quienes se realizo el estudio antes del primer procedimiento de ablacion y en el 68% de los estudios realizados tras algun procedimiento. La incidencia de ictus asociado al procedimiento de ablacion fue del 3%, similar a la registrada en nuestro centro antes de utilizar la TCMD para la evaluacion de la anatomia de la auricula izquierda. Todos los pacientes sintomaticos tenian algun grado de estenosis de las venas pulmonares, significativa en el 80%. Ademas, la progresion de estas fue muy rapida; el tratamiento con angioplastia-balon se asocio a reestenosis precoz. El implante de stent fue una alternativa en los casos de angioplastia fallida. Conclusion La TCMD en la evaluacion previa y el seguimiento de los pacientes sometidos a un procedimiento de ablacion de venas pulmonares permite guiar el tratamiento y detectar complicaciones.

Resumen La endocarditis infecciosa (EI) sobre protesis valvulares (EIPV) es una de las formas mas graves de esta enfermedad y se asocia con elevada mortalidad intrahospitalaria y necesidad de cirugia. Todo paciente con EIPV debe ser atendido en centros hospitalarios de referencia en endocarditis, en los que exista un equipo de endocarditis muldisciplinar que incluya a cardiologos clinicos y expertos en imagen cardiaca, cirujanos cardiacos, microbiologos y especialistas en enfermedades infecciosas con experiencia en EI. En este trabajo se revisan los aspectos diagnosticos, terapeuticos y pronosticos de esta entidad.