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Background Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) appears a reasonable alternative to coronary artery bypass graft in selected groups of patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease. Despite technological progression, improved operator skills and introduction of drug-eluting stents (DES), in-stent restenosis still remains a major limitation after PCI of ULMCA disease. The prognostic relevance of target lesion revascularization (TLR) after PCI of ULMCA disease is unknown. Objectives This study sought to evaluate the impact of elective, uncomplicated target lesion revascularization on long-term cardiac mortality after PCI of ULMCA disease. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing PCI for ULMCA disease between January 2003 and December 2015 in one interventional center in Italy were included. Patients presenting with cardiogenic shock, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), as well as those undergoing urgent or complicated TLR were excluded. The primary endpoint of the study was cardiac mortality. The secondary endpoints of the study were all-cause death, MI, stroke as individual endpoints, or the composite of cardiac death, MI or stroke defined as major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Results Among the 418 patients fulfilling the study criteria, 79 (18.46%) underwent elective, uncomplicated TLR. After a median follow-up of 5.5 years, there were 23 cardiac deaths among patients undergoing elective, uncomplicated TLR versus 50 in patients not undergoing TLR. After adjusting for possible confounders, TLR was an independent predictor of cardiac mortality (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 to 3.49; p = 0.03). Patients undergoing TLR had also significantly higher rates of the composite of cardiac death, MI and stroke compared with the no TLR group (adjusted HR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.72). Conclusion Elective, uncomplicated TLR after PCI of ULMCA disease is associated with increased risk of long-term cardiac mortality. Reducing the risk of TLR after PCI of ULMCA disease may potentially improve the survival of these patients.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has become a valid alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, regardless of baseline surgical risk. The incidence of periprocedural complications has steadily declined over the years, thanks to technical advancement of transcatheter heart valves, delivery systems, and increased operators’ experience. Beyond the most common periprocedural complications, there are a few uncommon but potentially severe complications that more often occur during follow-up, although they may also arise in the periprocedural phase. Stroke, infective endocarditis, valve thrombosis, and cognitive decline are among them. In this brief review, we describe the incidence, predictive factors, and potential preventive measures for those events.

A 57-year-old man with severe aortic valve stenosis at high surgical risk underwent transcatheter valve replacement with a 29-mm Edwards Sapien-3 valve (Edwards Lifesciences). The valve was successfully implanted using the right femoral access, but at the end of the deployment the balloon ruptured (Videos 1 and 2) and could not be retrieved from the e-Sheath. The Commander delivery system was then readvanced in the aorta over the wire (Video 3), which was snared and externalized using a 25-mm AndraSnare (Andramed GmbH) inserted through the left femoral artery using a 25-cm-long 22-F Cook sheath (Cook Medical) (Figure 1). Then, the Commander was pushed over the wire, across the aortic bifurcation, making the ruptured balloon get into the Cook sheath (Figure 2). The Commander was then truncated (Figure 3), and the ruptured balloon proximal part attached to the pusher/balloon catheter unit was retrieved through the eSheath (Figure 4). Then, the ruptured balloon distal part attached to the inner balloon shaft was pushed forward such that it could be externalized through the left femoral sheath, cut (Figure 5), and finally pulled back with the wire through the eSheath (Figure 6).

Background Incidence and long-term clinical consequences of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are still unclear. Methods We enrolled 710 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR. PPM was defined as absent if the index orifice area (iEOA) was >0.85 cm2/m2, moderate if the iEOA was between 0.65 and 0.85 cm2/m2 or severe if the iEOA was Results Among the 566 patients fulfilling the study criteria, the distribution of PPM was as follows: 50.5% none (n = 286), 43% moderate PPM (n = 243) and 6.5% severe PPM (n = 37). At 5-year follow-up, patients with severe PPM had a significantly higher incidence of the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death, acute myocardial infarction and stroke (p = .025) compared with the other patients. After adjusting the results for possible confounders, severe PPM remained an independent predictor of long-term adverse outcome (HR: 2.46; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.10–5.53). The independent predictors of severe PPM were valve-in-valve procedure and body mass index. Balloon-expandable valves were not associated with higher rates of severe PPM in comparison with self-expandable valves (8% vs. 5%, respectively, p = .245). Conclusions In our study severe PPM emerged as a risk factor for long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events.

This study sought to investigate the impact of elective, uncomplicated target lesion revascularization (TLR) on long-term cardiac mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease. Consecutive patients undergoing PCI for ULMCA disease between January 2003 and December 2015 in 1 interventional center in Northern Italy were included. Patients presenting with cardiogenic shock, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), as well as those undergoing urgent or complicated TLR were excluded. The primary endpoint of the study was cardiac mortality. Among the 418 patients fulfilling the study criteria, 79 (18.46%) underwent elective, uncomplicated TLR. After a median follow-up of 5.5 years, there were 23 cardiac deaths among patients undergoing elective, uncomplicated TLR versus 50 in patients not undergoing TLR. After adjusting for possible confounders, TLR was an independent predictor of cardiac mortality (Hazard ratio [HZ] = 1.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 to 3.49; p = 0.03). Patients undergoing TLR had also significantly higher rates of the composite of cardiac death, MI and stroke compared with the no TLR group (adjusted HR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.72). In conclusion, elective, uncomplicated TLR after PCI of ULMCA disease is associated with increased risk of long-term cardiac mortality. Reducing the risk of TLR after PCI of ULMCA disease may potentially improve the survival of these patients.

Background Uncertainty exists over the optimal treatment strategy for patients presenting with acutely decompensated severe aortic stenosis (AS). The available options include a bridging balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) or a direct transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Purpose Our study compares TAVI outcomes in patients treated with two different strategies in acutely decompensated severe AS: bridged TAVI vs direct TAVI. Methods In this observational study all patients admitted with decompensated severe AS who underwent balloon aortic balloon valvuloplasty (BAV) and/or TAVI on the index admission were included. Comparison was made between bridged TAVI group (defined as initial BAV followed by TAVI) and direct TAVI group (TAVI on the index admission without bridging BAV). For this analysis we excluded patients in cardiogenic shock. Baseline characteristics, echocardiographic and periprocedural data were recorded in hospital database. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as death, major bleeding, rehospitalisation for heart failure, or stroke). The follow-up data was obtained by outpatient visits and/or telephone calls. Results 178 patients with acutely decompensated AS were analysed: 58 bridged TAVI, 23 direct TAVI, 9 bridged SAVR and 88 destination BAV (defined as BAV non followed by a definite treatment). There was no statistically significant difference between bridged TAVI and direct TAVI group in mean age (83.6±6.6 vs 80.4±8.3 years), the prevalence major comorbidities (coronary, respiratory, neurological or peripheral vascular disease), renal function (eGFR 43.4±18.9 vs 45.2±20.9 ml/min/m2), the mean LV ejection fraction (53.4±13.8 vs 48.6±14.6%) or aortic valve gradient (39.4±13.0 vs 34.1±12.3mmHg), respectively. Direct TAVI patients had a higher mean surgical risk scores (STS 6.1±3.7 vs 9.1±7.0%, logES 18.8±11.5 vs 30.8±20.9%, p=0.01) and higher prevalence of significant aortic regurgitation (5% vs 43%, p=0.0001). The femoral TAVI access was used in 98% of bridged and 78% of direct TAVI patients (p=0.006). The estimated 1-year survival and 1-year MACE-free survival did not differ significantly between the bridged TAVI and direct TAVI groups (86.8% vs 78.3%, p=0.20 and 79.7% vs 64.2%, p=0.11, respectively). Conclusions A large proportion of patients admitted with acutely decompensated AS were not eligible for definite treatment. There is no difference in procedural success, 1-year all-cause mortality and 1-year major adverse cardiovascular events between the bridged TAVI or direct TAVI strategies in acute decompensated aortic stenosis allowing to personalize treatment strategy for individual patient. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Table 1. Clinical and procedural data

The role of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) remains uncertain. Previous analyses compare PPCI outcomes with clopidogrel plus GPI, versus without GPI. This does not reflect modern contemporary PPCI practice with ticagrelor or prasugrel. Nor does it answer the important question faced daily by PPCI operators: should GPI be used routinely or selectively? We aim to determine whether a strategy of routine use of GPI in contemporary PPCI practice is superior to selective GPI use. A total of 110,327 consecutive PPCIs performed in England were prospectively recorded in the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society Database (2009 to 2015). The cohort was divided into routine and selective GPI usage groups based on the PPCI operator's strategy, defined as GPI used in75% and25% PPCIs, respectively. Overall, GPI use declined from 73.1% to 43.3% of PPCIs. Routine compared with selective GPI usage was associated with lower all-cause 1-year mortality: 9.7% versus 11.0%, p 0.001. There was a consistent survival benefit for routine GPI usage as compared with selective GPI usage: univariable analysis (hazard ratio = 0.88 [95% confidence interval 0.83 to 0.93], p 0.001), multivariable analysis (hazard ratio = 0.82 [0.77 to 0.88], p 0.001). For survival, there was no interaction between GPI usage and the type of P2Y12-inhibitor used. In conclusion, a strategy of routine GPI usage in patients who underwent PPCI was associated with lower all-cause mortality as compared with selective GPI usage. This benefit was maintained despite 44.3% of patients receiving prasugrel or ticagrelor.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is associated with ascending aortic (AA) ectasia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of different echocardiographic parameters (EP) in predicting the presence of CAE. METHODS: Four hundred-eighteen patients with AA ectasia candidate to coronary angiography were identified and divided in two groups in respect of the presence of CAE. Receiver-operating characteristic curves areas (AUC) were used to assess the discrimination power of the following EP: aortic annulus diameter, sinuses of Valsalva (SV) diameter, sino-tubular junction (STJ) diameter, AA diameter, STJ to SV ratio (STJ-to-SV) and STJ to AA ratio (STJ-to-AA). All these parameters were indexed by body surface area. The relationship between the best EP and the presence of CAE was investigated by means of multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The rate of CAE in the study population was 32%. On univariable logistic regression, aortic annulus, STJ, STJ-to-SV and STJ-to-AA were associated with the presence of CAE after Bonferroni correction. STJ-to-SV emerged as the parameter with the best discrimination power (AUC=0.81) compared to STJ (AUC=0.69), STJ-to-AA (AUC=0.68), aortic annulus (AUC=0.59), AA (AUC=0.56) and SV (AUC=0.55); (p for comparison

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and severe aortic stenosis (AS) often coexist. When significant coronary lesions were found in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement, combined coronary artery bypass grafting was the gold standard of treatment. Differently, the management of concomitant CAD in patients who are candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a matter of debate. In this review, we discuss the evidence and present the current viewpoints regarding the definition and prognostic implications of CAD in patients undergoing TAVI and the potential role and limitations of invasive functional coronary stenosis assessment in severe AS. We present the challenges of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in this setting, including timing of intervention, completeness of revascularization in the context of the complexity of the disease and the risk associated with the PCI procedure itself. Finally, we mention ongoing trials that should provide some long-awaited answers in this field.

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We thank Dr. Toselli and colleagues for their interest in the CORPROTAVR (Coronary Protection to Prevent Coronary Obstruction During TAVR) registry, a multicenter, international registry investigating clinical outcomes of 2 different approaches to protect coronary arteries in patients undergoing

Introduction: Indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are progressively extending to younger and lower risk patients. In this scenario, minimizing periprocedural complications and optimizing procedural result are both crucial to achieve an excellent long-term outcome. Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the main strategies that can be adopted before, during, and after TAVR to predict and prevent complications, to optimize procedural results and ultimately improve outcomes, with an emphasis on more recent evidence, new devices, and new techniques. Expert opinion: In the next future TAVR will probably represent the first treatment option for patients affected by aortic valve stenosis who are candidates to receive a biological valve. Continuous refinement of TAVR devices has been key to allow safer and most effective procedures and further progress is expected. Development of new techniques and devices, such as ultrasound-guided puncture and intravascular lithotripsy, will expand safety and eligibility to transfemoral procedures. Effective preemptive measures for coronary occlusion have been developed. Open issues include cerebral protection, re-access to coronary arteries, post-procedural management, and therapy.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a valid alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for the treatment of symptomatic aortic stenosis. The EuroScore (ES) II, logistic EuroScore (log ES), and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score are the most applied scores for surgical risk stratification. However, their predictive value for patients undergoing TAVI is still unclear.To evaluate the performance of STS, log ES and ES II as predictors of short-term and long-term mortality in patients undergoing TAVI.Between February 2008 and October 2017, a total of 384 patients underwent transfemoral TAVI at our institution and constituted the study population. Patients were divided into three groups based on the class of risk (low, intermediate, and high) calculated by each score. In-hospital complications, 30-day outcomes, and 5-year outcomes were assessed.In-hospital mortality rate was 2.6% (n = 10). All scores over-estimated the risk of 30-day mortality, especially for the highest risk classes. At the end of follow-up (5 years), STS risk stratification was able to stratify all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality (P.01 and P=.02, respectively). Patients with intermediate ES II risk showed a lower survival rate (P=.04) while CV deaths did not differ between classes of risk. All-cause mortality and CV mortality curves did not diverge according to the patients' risk profiles derived from log ES.Conventional surgical risk scores are not appropriate to predict 30-day mortality in patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI. STS assessment was the only risk score able to stratify long-term all-cause and CV mortality.

Aims Many patients have a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) extracted at the time of heart transplantation. CIED components may be retained after heart transplantation, but their frequency, nature, and clinical significance is uncertain. Methods and results Consecutive patients that underwent heart transplantation over 10 years from 1 January 2007 until 1 January 2017 were identified from the unit database. Pre- and post-operative chest radiographs were reviewed by two independent observers for the presence of CIED components. Adverse events relating to any retained CIED component were recorded. Two hundred and six patients had a CIED removed at the time of transplantation. Retained CIED components were present in 86 (42%) patients. The most common retained CIED components were suture sleeves and superior vena cava (SVC) coils of dual coil implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads. An SVC coil was retained in 25% of patients that had a dual coil ICD lead. Seven adverse events were associated with CIED removal or retained CIED components, including one fatal event. However, retained CIED components were not associated with reduced long-term survival after heart transplantation. Conclusion Retained CIED components were seen in 42% of patients that had a CIED prior to transplantation, may be associated with serious adverse events but are not associated with reduced long-term survival. Cardiac surgeons should be aware of all CIED system components and be familiar with techniques for their complete removal at the time of transplantation.

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a marker of myocardial injury, and improvements to assay sensitivity allow for precise quantification at extremely low concentrations. In stable coronary artery disease (CAD), high-sensitivity (hs)-cTnI concentrations are independently associated with subsequent cardiac

A 65-year-old man was transferred to the intensive cardiac care unit with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome following resuscitated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The arrest was preceded by anginal chest pain with prominent ST-segment depression in I, II, aVL, V4–V6, and elevation in aVR leads. On admission, the patient was intubated and in cardiogenic shock (blood …

Background Ventricular septal defect are the most common congenital defect but only accounts for 10% of congenital defects in the adults due to spontaneous closure. The objective of this study is to review the natural course and outcomes of the repaired and unrepaired VSD in this large follow up cohort in non surgical (CHD) centre. Methods We reviewed the NORPAP database (n = 2322) and found 300 patients with ventricular septal defect (12.9% incidence) Results 137/300 were male, 163/300 (54%) were female. Age range 17–83, median age at FU was 39 years. Spectrum of type of ventricular septal defect is described Table 1 and associated concomitant cardiac lesions. Surgical closure of VSD occurred in 122 and percutaneous closure in 3 (total 125). 24/125 had redo surgery and 10/24 had 3 rd operation. 1/10 had 4 th , 5 th and 6 th procedure for repeated tricuspid valve obstruction (thrombus and pannus). 175 patients were unoperated at transition to adult clinic, 26 have since had spontaneous closure, 6 partial closure; 1 is waiting VSD closure. Arrhythmia incidence was low (33) and equal in both operated and unoperated. Atrial arrhythmias in 21, ventricular in 9, bradycardia requiring pacemaker in 3; overall incidence of device therapy was low (7). 22 patients had endocarditis – 9 had had previous surgery, 13 unoperated (1 twice). 12/163 (7.3%) females and 10 males/137 (7.3%) was against male preponderance. IHD disease was not a common associated feature of VSD n = 4. 10 patients had RVOT – obstruction associated VSD out of which 6 required resection and repair of VSD- 1 patient required further intervention due to LVOT-obstruction caused by aneurysmal septal patch 38 patients developed pulmonary hypertension out of which 21 patients had Eisenmenger syndrome. 32 patients were unoperated in this group while 6 patients developed pulmonary hypertension post repair Conclusion Ventricular septal defects associated with concomitant lesions require long term follow up in dedicated adult CHD clinics. Small unoperated VSD’s and repaired VSD’s can be followed in physiologist led echo clinics with ACH-CSN review as required to watch for late outflow tract obstruction or other sequelae. No death was reported in our cohort up to date. Over 50% of endocarditis in this cohort occurred in unoperated VSD’s

Purpose Device characteristics are key in ensuring effective sealing of Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). With a unique design and biocompatible material allowing device conformity to varying PFO anatomies, the Gore Septal Occluder (GSO) might be ideal for percutaneous closure of complex PFO. Methods Between August 2011 to September 2013, 58 consecutive patients underwent PFO closure using GSO device at our institution. Indications for closure included stroke or transient ischaemic attack (n = 44), paradoxical embolus (n = 8), migraine (n = 1), decompression illness (n = 3) and shunt with hypoxia (n = 2). All patients underwent detailed assessment of PFO anatomy using 3D transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). ‘Complex’ anatomical characteristics were recorded according to pre-defined criteria, see Table 1. Results All 58 patients (mean age 41 years; age range 17–71, male 54%) underwent successful GSO device implantation. 34/58 (59%) had one or more ‘complex’ PFO anatomical features as shown in Table 1. Devices used were: 15 mm (n = 1), 20 mm (n = 8), 25 mm (n = 41), 30 mm (n = 8). Procedure and fluoroscopy times were 59 ± 11 mins and 6.3 ± 3.8 mins respectively. There were no significant post-procedure complications except one patient developed migraine and another had asymptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. An immediate assessment post procedure with TEE confirmed good positioning of the device with no evidence of shunts in 58 patients. One patient had moderate shunting, however device position was excellent. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at follow-up 12 weeks post procedure has been performed in 48 patients to date. In all patients this confirmed good device position with no evidence of a shunt on colour doppler. One year follow-up bubble TTE is available on 33 patients. 21 had no residual shunting, confirming complete PFO closure. 3 patients had moderate shunting and 9 patients had mild shunting on valsalva. All patients have remained clinically well. Conclusions ’Complex’ PFO closure with the GSO device is feasible and safe. Our data suggests that the role of 3D TEE in defining ‘complex’ features is essential in determining device selection and the GSO device appears to be promising in these complex PFOs. Further studies are needed.

Background The use of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is increasing in the current transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) era. There are no clear guidelines regarding follow-up or predictors of functional and echocardiographic recovery following BAV, which can affect timing of subsequent intervention. We present our experience of BAV. Methods We performed retrospective analysis of patients who underwent BAV for severe aortic stenosis (AS) at our institution, between August 2008 and October 2013. We reviewed population characteristics, indications, periprocedural and follow-up transthoracic echocardiographic data (TTE). Results Between August 2008 and October 2013 86 BAV procedures were performed on 78 patients.A single BAV was performed in 72 patients, 6 had >1 procedure. Males 55.1% (n = 43), mean age 82.2 years, all had multiple co-morbidities. Indications for BAV included: i) symptoms palliation (n = 46), including discharge facilitation (n = 7), ii) facilitate non-cardiac surgery (n = 5), iii) assess symptomatic response (in multifactorial breathlessness) and potential bridge to destination therapy (n = 27); no data (n = 8). Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A, LV EF≥40% (n = 56) and group B, LV EF 2 ± 0.22 to 0.91cm 2 ± 0.20, p 2 ± 0.28 to 0.88cm 2 ± 0.29, p Conclusions BAV was performed in a high risk elderly population for a number of indications. After BAV, an early improvement in all AS parameters was seen. It appears be a useful screening tool to help determine which patients will benefit from definitive therapy and used to facilitate discharge and palliation. Further data is needed to establish predictors of left ventricular recovery and optimal timing of subsequent interventions.