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Over the past few years, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) imposed itself as the first-choice therapy for symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) in elderly patients at surgical risk. There have been continuous technological advancements in the latest iterations of TAVI devices and implantation techniques, which have bolstered their adoption. Moreover, the favorable outcomes coming out from clinical trials represent an indisputable point of strength for TAVI. As indications for transcatheter therapies now include a low surgical risk and younger individuals, new challenges are emerging. In this context, the matter of prosthesis durability is noteworthy. Initial evidence is beginning to emerge from the studies in the field, but they are still limited and compromised by multiple biases. Additionally, the physiopathological mechanisms behind the valve's deterioration are nowadays somewhat clearer and classified. So, who outlasts who—the valve or the patient? This review aims to explore the available evidence surrounding this intriguing question, examining the various factors affecting prosthesis durability and discussing its potential implications for clinical management and current interventional practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment for aortic stenosis (AS) in patients at intermediate and high surgical risk. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles involved in cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to (i) determine the effect of TAVI on plasma concentrations of five EV subtypes and (ii) evaluate the predictive value of EVs for post-TAVI outcomes. Methods: Blood samples were collected 1 day before TAVI and at hospital discharge. Concentrations of EVs were evaluated using flow cytometry. Results: Concentration of leukocytes EVs decreased after TAVI, compared to the measurement before (p = 0.008). Among 123 patients discharged from the hospital, 19.5% experienced MACCE during the median of 10.3 months. Increased pre-TAVI concentration of phosphatidylserine-exposing EVs was an independent predictor of MACCE in multivariable analysis (OR 5.313, 95% CI 1.164–24.258, p = 0.031). Conclusions: Patients with increased pre-TAVI concentration of procoagulant, PS-exposing EVs have over fivefold higher odds of adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The sudden onset of heart failure in high-risk transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) candidates poses significant challenges, necessitating meticulous planning and consideration of mechanical circulatory support options. Nevertheless, existing data on the efficacy and safety of mechanical circulatory support in this context are limited, along with criteria for patient selection. Case summary An 87-year-old patient, with severe low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis, presented with acute heart failure and concurrent COVID-19 pneumonia. Despite initial conservative management, her clinical condition deteriorated, requiring inotropic support. The decision was made to perform a rescue TAVI procedure with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. The patient underwent successful TAVI while managing complications, including cardiac arrest, with haemodynamic support from veno-arterial ECMO. Post-procedure, the patient showed improved cardiac function and was discharged in stable condition. Discussion This case underscores the significance of strategic patient selection, proactive haemodynamic management, and the judicious use of veno-arterial ECMO in high-risk TAVI, particularly in complex scenarios involving acute heart failure and respiratory insufficiency, exacerbated by COVID-19. It highlights the challenges and critical decision points in TAVI planning, emphasizing the need for further research and standardized guidelines to refine indications for prophylactic mechanical circulatory support in TAVI procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background With the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the role of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in elderly patients has been called into question. We investigated the short-term outcomes of SAVR in the elderly population. Methods All patients aged ≥ 70 years who underwent isolated SAVR in our centre between 2008 and 2017 were included in the study. Survival at 30 days and 1 year were compared for patients aged 70–79 years (n = 809) versus patients aged ≥ 80 years (n = 322). Factors associated with poorer survival outcomes were identified using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Results Patients aged 70–79 years and patients aged ≥ 80 years had similar survival rates at 30 days (98.1% vs. 98.4%, p = 0.732) and 1 year (96.0% vs. 94.1%, p = 0.162) post-SAVR. This remained true after multivariable adjustment. Risk factors for 30 day all-cause mortality included insulin dependent diabetes (HR 6.17, 95% CI 1.32–28.92, p = 0.021) and increasing cardiopulmonary bypass time (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.89–3.91, p

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was initially developed for adult patients, but there is a growing interest to expand this procedure to younger individuals with longer life expectancies. However, the gradual degradation of biological valve leaflets in transcatheter heart valves (THV) presents significant challenges for this extension. This study aimed to establish a multiphysics computational framework to analyze structural and flow measurements of TAVI and evaluate the integration of optical fiber and photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors for monitoring valve function. A two-way fluid–solid interaction (FSI) analysis was performed on an idealized aortic vessel before and after the virtual deployment of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3) THV. Subsequently, an analytical analysis was conducted to estimate the PPG signal using computational flow predictions and to analyze the effect of different pressure gradients and distances between PPG sensors. Circumferential strain estimates from the embedded optical fiber in the FSI model were highest in the sinus of Valsalva; however, the optimal fiber positioning was found to be distal to the sino-tubular junction to minimize bending effects. The findings also demonstrated that positioning PPG sensors both upstream and downstream of the bioprosthesis can be used to effectively assess the pressure gradient across the valve. We concluded that computational modeling allows sensor design to quantify vessel wall strain and pressure gradients across valve leaflets, with the ultimate goal of developing low-cost monitoring systems for detecting valve deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, the role of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in elderly patients has been called into question. We investigated the short-term outcomes of SAVR in the elderly population. Methods: All patients aged ≥ 70 years who underwent isolated SAVR in our centre between 2008 and 2017 were included in the study. Survival at 30 days and 1 year were compared for patients aged 70–79 years (n = 809) versus patients aged ≥ 80 years (n = 322). Factors associated with poorer survival outcomes were identified using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Results: Patients aged 70–79 years and patients aged ≥ 80 years had similar survival rates at 30 days (98.1% vs. 98.4%, p = 0.732) and 1 year (96.0% vs. 94.1%, p = 0.162) post-SAVR. This remained true after multivariable adjustment. Risk factors for 30 day all-cause mortality included insulin dependent diabetes (HR 6.17, 95% CI 1.32–28.92, p = 0.021) and increasing cardiopulmonary bypass time (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.89–3.91, p < 0.0001). Significant risk factors for 1 year all-cause mortality were New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV (HR 6.25, 95% CI 1.55–25.24, p = 0.010) and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (HR 1.94, 95% CI 1.40–2.69, p < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained for cardiac-specific mortality. Conclusions: Short-term outcomes of SAVR are excellent in elderly patients and age alone is not a predictor of poorer outcomes. However, the increased risk of mortality in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes and those with severe functional impairment (NYHA class IV) should be carefully considered when selecting patients for SAVR in this elderly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) now represents the mainstay of treatment for severe aortic stenosis. Owing to its exceptional procedural efficacy and safety, TAVI has been extended to include patients at lower surgical risk, thus now encompassing a diverse patient population receiving this treatment. Yet, long-term outcomes also depend on optimal medical therapy for secondary vascular prevention, with antithrombotic therapy serving as the cornerstone. Leveraging data from multiple randomized controlled trials, the current guidelines generally recommend single antithrombotic therapy, with either single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) or oral anticoagulation (OAC) alone in those patients without or with atrial fibrillation, respectively. Yet, individualization of this pattern, as well as specific case uses, may be needed based on individual patient characteristics and concurrent procedures. This review aims to discuss the evidence supporting antithrombotic treatments in patients treated with TAVI, indications for a standardized treatment, as well as specific considerations for an individualized approach to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with commissural alignment aims to limit the risk of coronary occlusion and maintain good coronary access. However, due to coronary origin eccentricity within the coronary cusp, coronary-commissural overlap (CCO) may still occur. TAVI using coronary alignment, rather than commissural alignment, may further improve coronary access. To compare rates of CCO after TAVI using commissural versus coronary alignment methodology. Cardiac CT scans from 102 patients with severe (tricuspid) aortic stenosis referred for TAVI were analysed. Native cusp asymmetry and coronary eccentricity were defined and used to simulate TAVI using commissural versus coronary alignment. Rates of optimal coronary alignment (< 10° from cusp centre) and severe misalignment (< 15° from coronary-commissural overlap) were compared. Additionally, the impact of valve misalignment during implantation was assessed. The native right coronary artery (RCA) origin was 15.8° (9.5 to 24°) closer to the right coronary cusp/non-coronary cusp (RCC-NCC) commissure than the centre of the right coronary cusp. The native left coronary artery (LCA) origin was 4.5° (0 to 11.5°) closer to the left coronary cusp/non-coronary cusp (LCC-NCC) commissure than the centre of the left coronary cusp (p < 0.01). Compared to commissural alignment, coronary alignment doubled the proportion of optimally-aligned RCAs (62/102 [60.8%] vs. 31/102 [30.4%]; p < 0.001), without a significant change in optimal LCA alignment (62/102 [60.8% vs. 74/102 [72.6%]; p = 0.07). There were no cases of severe misalignment with either strategy. Simulating 15° of valve misalignment resulted in severe RCA compromise risk in 7/102 (6.9%) of commissural alignment cases, compared to none using coronary alignment. Fluoroscopic projection was similar with both approaches. Coronary alignment resulted in a 2-fold increase of optimal TAVI positioning relative to the RCA ostium when compared to commissural alignment without impacting the LCA. Use of coronary alignment rather than commissural alignment may improve coronary access after TAVI and is less sensitive to valve rotational error, particularly for the right coronary artery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimsPatients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), low transvalvular flow (LF) and low gradient (LG) with normal ejection fraction (EF)—are referred to as paradoxical LF-LG AS (PLF-LG). PLF-LG patients develop more advanced heart failure symptoms and have a worse prognosis than patients with normal EF and high-gradient AS (NEF-HG). Despite its clinical relevance, the mechanisms underlying PLF-LG are still poorly understood.MethodsLeft ventricular (LV) myocardial biopsies of PLF-LG (n = 5) and NEF-HG patients (n = 6), obtained during transcatheter aortic valve implantation, were analyzed by LC-MS/MS after sequential extraction of cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins using a three-step extraction method. Proteomic data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD055391.Results73 cellular proteins were differentially abundant between the 2 groups. Among these, a network of proteins related to muscle contraction and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (e.g., cTnI, FKBP1A and CACNA2D1) was found in PLF-LG. Extracellularly, upregulated proteins in PLF-LG were related to ATP synthesis and oxidative phosphorylation (e.g., ATP5PF, COX5B and UQCRB). Interestingly, we observed a 1.3-fold increase in cyclophilin A (CyPA), proinflammatory cytokine, in the extracellular extracts of PLF-LG AS patients (p

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a suitable treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis and severely increased operative risk. There is need for a better preoperative risk assessment for TAVI candidates. To determine whether Tumour necrosis factor-alfa (TNFα) is an independent predictor of survival 500 days after TAVI. Sixty patients undergoing TAVI were enrolled in the study. TNFα was determined. The CT measured low-density muscle fraction (LDM%) of the psoas muscle was determined. Operative risk assessment by Logistic EuroSCORE, EuroSCORE II, and STS score was performed. Frailty scores (FRAIL scale and Barthel index) were determined. Mean age was 81.01 ± 7.54 years. Twenty-six (43.3%) of the patients were males. In the univariable analyses, FRAIL scale and Barthel index were no predictors of survival after TAVI. In the multivariable analysis, including EuroSCORE II, LDM% and TNFα serum concentration, TNFα serum level was an independent predictor of survival 500 days after TAVI (HR: 3.167; 95%: 1.279–7.842; p = 0.013). The multivariable analysis, including TNFα as a categorical variable, showed that compared to patients in the conjugated first and second TNFα serum level tertile, patients in the third tertile had a hazard ratio (HR) of 10.606 (95%CI: 1.203 − 93.467) (p = 0.033). TNFα is an incremental independent predictor of long-term survival after TAVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling after aortic valve replacement (AVR), in patients with aortic stenosis, is well-documented as an important prognostic factor. With this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to characterize the response of the unloaded LV after AVR. We searched on MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science for studies reporting echocardiographic findings before and at least 1 month after AVR for the treatment of aortic stenosis. In total, 1,836 studies were identified and 1,098 were screened for inclusion. The main factors of interest were structural and dynamic measures of the LV and aortic valve. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis to compute standardized mean differences (SMD) between follow-up and baseline values for each outcome. Twenty-seven studies met the eligibility criteria, yielding 11,751 patients. AVR resulted in reduced mean aortic gradient (SMD: −38.23 mmHg, 95% CI: −39.88 to −36.58, I2=92%), LV mass (SMD: −37.24 g, 95% CI: −49.31 to −25.18, I2=96%), end-diastolic LV diameter (SMD: −1.78 mm, 95% CI: −2.80 to −0.76, I2=96%), end-diastolic LV volume (SMD: −1.6 ml, 95% CI: −6.68 to 3.51, I2=91%), increased effective aortic valve area (SMD: 1.10 cm2, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.20, I2=98%), and LV ejection fraction (SMD: 2.35%, 95% CI: 1.31 to 3.40%, I2=94.1%). Our results characterize the extent to which reverse remodeling is expected to occur after AVR. Notably, in our study, reverse remodeling was documented as soon as 1 month after AVR.

Introduction. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a treatment method for aortic stenosis with proven efficacy and recommended by professional societies in the cardiovascular field. Complications during TAVI are rare but important and potentially devastating, especially embolization or migration of prothesis. Case presentation. We present a case of an 82-year-old patient in whom the prosthesis was displaced during implantation and later expanded in the descending aorta with a new prosthesis implanted in the aortic valve position. Conclusion. Dislocation of the prosthesis during implantation is a serious complication. In most cases the prosthesis can be repositioned elsewhere in the aorta or perform a valve-in-valve procedure. In case of failure, the availability of cardiac surgery is important. Technological improvements, increasing operator experience and adequate periprocedural preparation minimize the risk of complications.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has undergone significant advancements in the last two decades, expanding its indications and refining transcatheter heart valve (THV) and delivery system designs to improve procedural success and patient outcomes. This review focuses on the Navitor™ valve, a third-generation intra-annular Portico™ valve (Abbott Structural Heart, St Paul, MN, USA) designed to address TAVR complications, particularly paravalvular leak (PVL). We present an overview of the Navitor™ system, comparing it to the first-generation Portico™ THV in terms of THV design, key iterations and clinical outcomes. The Navitor™ THV introduces two key refinements--a protective outer sealing skirt and a more flexible delivery system. These enhancements have led to a significant reduction in 30 day PVL rates, from 6.3% with the first-generation Portico™ to 0% with the Navitor™ system. Additionally, the Navitor™ system exhibited lower rates of severe bleeding (27.3% versus 13.1%) and major vascular complications (5.8% versus 0.7%) compared with the first-generation Portico™. The Navitor™ valve represents a promising advancement in TAVR technology, with notable reductions in complications such as PVL, severe bleeding, and major vascular issues, compared with its predecessor. While further research is needed to assess long-term durability, these results underscore its potential benefits in enhancing patient outcomes and reducing complications. This review provides insights into the evolving landscape of TAVR technology and its quantifiable impact on patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is commonly accepted method of treatment of aortic stenosis in most patients with currently increasing number of TAVI procedures. Patients after TAVI frequently have indications for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) that might be technically challenging due to the presence of transcatheter valve. Compromising coronary ostia involves such issues as design of the prosthesis and its position in the aortic root with respect to the commissures of native aortic valve. Since TAVI with commissural alignment can mitigate risk of compromising coronary ostia, this option should be considered while planning TAVI, especially in younger patients with coronary atherosclerosis and relatively high probability of PCI in the future. The algorithm of commissural alignment in clinical practice of TAVI up to date has been proposed only for several transcatheter heart valves reported in this paper.

Objective:Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement and has become a popular treatment modality for inoperable or patients at high surgical risk with severe aortic stenosis. We aimed to evaluate our perioperative anaesthetic experiences with patients undergoing TAVI under sedation or general anaesthesia (GA).Methods:One hundred and fifty-nine patients who underwent TAVI procedures were enrolled. Effects on TAVI outcomes of sedation and GA were compared.Results:The duration of surgery and anaesthesia was significantly longer in patients who received GA. Insertion site complication and post-TAVI pacemaker implantation rates were similar between the groups, but the frequency of intraoperative complications (10% vs. 0.8%; P=0.015), intraoperative hypotension (35.3% vs. 70%; P < 0.001), and acute kidney injury (12.6% vs. 27.5%; P=0.028) was significantly higher in the GA group. Stroke occurred in seven patients, and all were in the sedation group.Conclusion:GA is related to increased procedure time and acute kidney injury; therefore, local anaesthesia and sedation may be the first option in patients undergoing TAVI.

Abstract Background To compare functional and health related quality of life outcomes post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with critical aortic stenosis (AS) across low to high-risk surgical candidates. These patient-centred factors will be compared between both groups in the short to medium term time frames and will aid in shared decision making between patients and healthcare workers. Materials and methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials which compared TAVI with SAVR and reported on quality of life (QoL) and functional scores. The scores used were the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), Euroqol-5DL (EQ5DL), the short form-36/12 (SF-36/12) and the NYHA. Results We identified eight trials with a total of 8898 participants. Both groups showed improvements from baseline at one month. At one month there was a statistically significant difference in standardised mean difference (SMD) in favour of TAVI for EQ5DL (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.26,0.49), KCCQ (SMD 0.53,95% CI 0.48, 0.58), SF physical summary (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.31 – 0.78) and SF mental summary (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.27 – 0.40). At one year there was no statistically significant difference between any of these QoL metrics. For NYHA, no significant difference in odds ratio of class III/IV was observed at one month between TAVI and SAVR (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83, 1.07), however, TAVI was associated with reduced odds ratio of NYHA class I/II at one year (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78, 0.98). Conclusion Both groups were associated with improvements in QoL and functional outcomes with TAVI reporting more significant improvements in QoL at one-month post-procedures. No significant improvements between groups were seen at one year. This is the largest meta-analysis comparing post-operative health-related quality of life outcomes post SAVR and TAVI and has major implications in shared decision making for the treatment of aortic stenosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was initially developed for adult patients, but there is a growing interest to expand this procedure to younger individuals with longer life expectancies. However, the gradual degradation of biological valve leaflets in transcatheter heart valves (THV) presents significant challenges for this extension. This study aimed to establish a multiphysics computational framework to analyze structural and flow measurements of TAVI and evaluate the integration of optical fiber and photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors for monitoring valve function. A two-way fluid–solid interaction (FSI) analysis was performed on an idealized aortic vessel before and after the virtual deployment of the SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3) THV. Subsequently, an analytical analysis was conducted to estimate the PPG signal using computational flow predictions and to analyze the effect of different pressure gradients and distances between PPG sensors. Circumferential strain estimates from the embedded optical fiber in the FSI model were highest in the sinus of Valsalva; however, the optimal fiber positioning was found to be distal to the sino-tubular junction to minimize bending effects. The findings also demonstrated that positioning PPG sensors both upstream and downstream of the bioprosthesis can be used to effectively assess the pressure gradient across the valve. We concluded that computational modeling allows sensor design to quantify vessel wall strain and pressure gradients across valve leaflets, with the ultimate goal of developing low-cost monitoring systems for detecting valve deterioration.

The chimney technique has been utilized to minimize the risk of coronary artery obstruction during valve-in-valve procedures. Here, we present a case involving an 89-year-old female patient with low coronary ostia, severe aortic regurgitation, and intractable heart decompensation caused by degenerated aortic bioprosthesis. The patient underwent a successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure using the chimney technique in both coronary ostia.

An increasing number of surgical aortic bioprostheses (SAVR) have been implanted in recent years, and increasingly more patients will be candidates for reintervention due to structural deterioration of the valve. Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) has become a safe and effective alternative to surgery in highrisk patients with lower early mortality; however, as a complex procedure with many pitfalls, ViV-TAVI should be performed in high-volume centers with experienced staff. A higher risk of peri- and postprocedural complications involves prosthesis-patient mismatch with a risk of high residual gradient, a risk of coronary obstruction, or an increased risk of thrombosis of the leaflets of the bioprosthesis. An exact preproce‑ dural planning as well as detailed information and knowledge of specific features of the original bioprosthesis are all of crucial importance. The operator must be familiar with the proper implantation technique and selection of a suitable type of TAVI prosthesis for specific anatomy. Because TAVI is now available to younger patients with a longer life expectancy, a lifetime strategy of aortic stenosis treatment must be considered since the initial intervention will influence all future therapeutic choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To compare functional and health related quality of life outcomes post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with critical aortic stenosis (AS) across low to high-risk surgical candidates. These patient-centred factors will be compared between both groups in the short to medium term time frames and will aid in shared decision making between patients and healthcare workers. Materials and methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials which compared TAVI with SAVR and reported on quality of life (QoL) and functional scores. The scores used were the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), Euroqol-5DL (EQ5DL), the short form-36/12 (SF-36/12) and the NYHA. Results: We identified eight trials with a total of 8898 participants. Both groups showed improvements from baseline at one month. At one month there was a statistically significant difference in standardised mean difference (SMD) in favour of TAVI for EQ5DL (SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.26,0.49), KCCQ (SMD 0.53,95% CI 0.48, 0.58), SF physical summary (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.31 – 0.78) and SF mental summary (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.27 – 0.40). At one year there was no statistically significant difference between any of these QoL metrics. For NYHA, no significant difference in odds ratio of class III/IV was observed at one month between TAVI and SAVR (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83, 1.07), however, TAVI was associated with reduced odds ratio of NYHA class I/II at one year (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78, 0.98). Conclusion: Both groups were associated with improvements in QoL and functional outcomes with TAVI reporting more significant improvements in QoL at one-month post-procedures. No significant improvements between groups were seen at one year. This is the largest meta-analysis comparing post-operative health-related quality of life outcomes post SAVR and TAVI and has major implications in shared decision making for the treatment of aortic stenosis. Key points: Aim: To compare functional and health related quality of life outcomes across all surgical risk groups post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with critical aortic stenosis (AS). Findings: Both groups were associated with improvements in QoL and functional outcomes with TAVI reporting more significant improvements in QoL at one-month post-procedures. No significant improvements between groups were seen at one year. Message: Greater short-term improvements in quality of life/functional outcome measures seen in the TAVI group are likely due to its less invasive nature and this should be taken into consideration in patient-centred decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive alternative to open-heart surgery for treating severe aortic stenosis. Despite its benefits, the risk of procedural complications necessitates careful preoperative planning. Methods: This study proposes a fully automated deep learning-based method, TAVI-PREP, for pre-TAVI planning, focusing on measurements extracted from computed tomography (CT) scans. The algorithm was trained on the public MM-WHS dataset and a small subset of private data. It uses MeshDeformNet for 3D surface mesh generation and a 3D Residual U-Net for landmark detection. TAVI-PREP is designed to extract 22 different measurements from the aortic valvular complex. A total of 200 CT-scans were analyzed, and automatic measurements were compared to the ones made manually by an expert cardiologist. A second cardiologist analyzed 115 scans to evaluate inter-operator variability. Results: High Pearson correlation coefficients between the expert and the algorithm were obtained for most parameters (0.90–0.97), except for left and right coronary height (0.8 and 0.72, respectively). Similarly, the mean absolute relative error was within 5% for most measurements, except for left and right coronary height (11.6% and 16.5%, respectively). A greater consensus was observed among experts than when compared to the automatic approach, with TAVI-PREP showing no discernable bias towards either the lower or higher ends of the measurement spectrum. Conclusions: TAVI-PREP provides reliable and time-efficient measurements of the aortic valvular complex that could aid clinicians in the preprocedural planning of TAVI procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a procedure to treat severe aortic stenosis. There are several clinical concerns related to potential complications after the procedure, which demand the analysis of computerized tomography (CT) scans after TAVI to assess the implant's result. This work introduces a novel, fully automatic method for the analysis of post-TAVI 4D-CT scans to characterize the prosthesis and its relationship with the patient's anatomy. The method enables measurement extraction, including prosthesis volume, center of mass, cross-sectional area (CSA) along the prosthesis axis, and CSA difference between the aortic root and prosthesis, all the variables studied throughout the cardiac cycle. The method has been implemented and evaluated with a cohort of 13 patients with five different prosthesis models, successfully extracting all the measurements from each patient in an automatic way. For Allegra patients, the mean of the obtained inner volume values ranged from 10,798.20 mm3 to 18,172.35 mm3, and CSA in the maximum diameter plane varied from 396.35 mm2 to 485.34 mm2. The implantation of this new method could provide information of the important clinical value that would contribute to the improvement of TAVI, significantly reducing the time and effort invested by clinicians in the image interpretation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement and has become a popular treatment modality for inoperable or patients at high surgical risk with severe aortic stenosis. We aimed to evaluate our perioperative anaesthetic experiences with patients undergoing TAVI under sedation or general anaesthesia (GA). Methods: One hundred and fifty-nine patients who underwent TAVI procedures were enrolled. Effects on TAVI outcomes of sedation and GA were compared. Results: The duration of surgery and anaesthesia was significantly longer in patients who received GA. Insertion site complication and post-TAVI pacemaker implantation rates were similar between the groups, but the frequency of intraoperative complications (10% vs. 0.8%; P=0.015), intraoperative hypotension (35.3% vs. 70%; P < 0.001), and acute kidney injury (12.6% vs. 27.5%; P=0.028) was significantly higher in the GA group. Stroke occurred in seven patients, and all were in the sedation group. Conclusion: GA is related to increased procedure time and acute kidney injury; therefore, local anaesthesia and sedation may be the first option in patients undergoing TAVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The presence of aortic and mitral disease in a patient who is not a suitable candidate for surgical correction poses significant challenges in the diagnostic workup as well as management plans. Percutaneous treatment can be staged to fix the aortic valve with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as a first step, followed by reassessment and percutaneous correction of mitral regurgitation (MR). Case summary A 65-year-old female with multiple co-morbidities presented with acute coronary syndrome and heart failure. She was diagnosed with three-vessel coronary artery disease and degenerative low-flow low-gradient severe aortic stenosis, along with severe degenerative MR with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%. Because of the high surgical risk, she underwent multi-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was done as a staged procedure, which partially improved her symptoms. Mitral regurgitation was not suitable for percutaneous mitral valve edge-to-edge repair. After a discussion by the heart team, she underwent transcatheter mitral valve implantation, for which the Tendyne mitral valve (Tendyne™; Abbott) was used through a transapical approach. There was no paravalvular leak, and the mean gradient across the valve was 2 mmHg. She was symptomatically better at follow-up and an echocardiogram showed a normally functioning aortic valve and Tendyne mitral valves. Discussion Transapical transcatheter mitral valve implantation using the Tendyne valve is a feasible option for patients with prior TAVI. This can be considered an alternative treatment for MR in patients who are not suitable for edge-to-edge mitral repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global demand for cardiac transplants continues to rise, even with advancements in assistive devices. Currently, the estimated annual mortality rate stands at 3–5%, and patients often face a waiting time of approximately four years on transplant waiting lists. Consequently, many transplant centers have started to consider heart transplants from donors who may be deemed "less than ideal" or marginal. However, the decision to accept such donors must be highly individualized, taking into consideration the risks associated with remaining on the waiting list versus those posed by the transplantation procedure itself. A potential solution lies in the creation of two distinct recipient lists, matched with donor criteria, allowing marginal donors to provide the lifeline that selected patients require. This paper follows a two-step approach. Firstly, it offers an overview of the current state of affairs regarding the topic of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) patients. Secondly, it presents firsthand experience from our clinical center with a comprehensive case presentation of a patient in this unique medical context. The clinical case refers to a 62-year-old male patient, a smoker with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a prior OHT a decade earlier, who presented with fatigue during minimal physical exertion. The Heart Team carefully reviewed the case, considering the patient's immunosuppressed status and the heightened risk associated with a repeat intervention. In this instance, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was deemed the appropriate treatment. The TAVI procedure yielded successful results, leading to improved clinical status and enhanced cardiac function. The inclusion of marginal donors has introduced novel challenges related to the utilization of previously diseased marginal organs. TAVI has already demonstrated its efficacy and versatility in treating high-risk patients, including heart transplant recipients. Consequently, it emerges as a vital tool in addressing the unique challenges posed by the inclusion of marginal donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a frequent complication associated with adverse outcomes and mortality. Various scores have been developed to predict this complication in the coronary setting. However, none have ever been tested in a large TAVI population. This study aimed to evaluate the power of four different scores in predicting AKI after TAVI. Methods: Overall, 1535 consecutive TAVI patients from the observational multicentric “Magna Graecia” TAVI registry were included in the analysis. Of the study population, 235 (15.31%) developed AKI early. The Mehran, William Beaumont Hospital, CR4EATME3AD3, and ACEF scores were calculated retrospectively. Results: The patients who developed TAVI-related AKI had significantly higher absolute values of all risk scores than those who did not. The receiver-operating characteristic analysis also showed a significant correlation between these four scores and AKI, but without a significant difference among all of them (p value = 0.176). Nevertheless, based on their area under the curve values (≤0.604 for all), none had adequate diagnostic accuracy in predicting TAVI-related AKI. Importantly, multivariate analysis identified myocardial revascularization close to the TAVI procedure and implantation of self-expanding prostheses, as well as atrial fibrillation, low-osmolar contrast media administration, corrected contrast medium volume, and any transfusion (p value

Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a wellaccepted alternative to open aortic valve replacement with recent developments improving patient outcomes. Optimal outcomes post-TAVI are based on selecting the most appropriate patients for the procedure, recognising frailty and serum albumin as important determinants. Pre-procedure patient/whanau education is also key in promoting the expectation of next day discharge post-procedure. Other factors in improved patient outcomes include the growing experience of TAVI cardiologists, improved valve design and the procedure becoming more minimally invasive. The current pathway means the procedure is performed under conscious sedation with no central venous access or urinary catheter required and an expected Coronary Care Unit (CCU) stay of three to four hours, with most patients discharged home the following day. The less is best approach has decreased complications and morbidity. New advances in other transcatheter valve procedures is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimsCardiac decompensation (CD) in patients with aortic stenosis is a “red flag” for future adverse events. We classified patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) into those with acute, prior, or no prior CD at the timepoint of TAVI and compared their clinical presentation, prognosis, and effects of the prescribed medication during follow-up.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients of one center fulfilling the criteria of 30-day device success after transfemoral TAVI.ResultsFrom those patients with no CD (n = 1,985) ranging to those with prior CD (n = 497) and to those with acute CD (n = 87), we observed a stepwise increase in the proportion of patients in poor clinical condition, NYHA class III/IV, low psoas muscle area, fluid overload (rales, oedema, pleural effusion), reduced ejection fraction, renal insufficiency, and anemia. More diuretics but less renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (ACEI/ARB) were prescribed for patients with acute CD compared to other groups. Prior CD (hazard ratio and 95% CI 1.40; 1.02–1.91) and acute CD (1.72; 1.01–2.91), a reduced general condition (1.53; 1.06–2.20), fluid overload (1.54;1.14–2.08), atrial fibrillation (1.76; 1.32–2.33), and anemia (1.43;1.08–1.89) emerged as strong independent predictors of one-year mortality. In all three classes of CD, prescribing of ACEI/ARB was associated with a substantial improvement of survival.ConclusionsThe clinical presentation of (acute or prior) cardiac decompensation in patients with AS overlapped substantially with that of patients with classical signs of heart failure. Our results may support an early treatment strategy in patients with left ventricular dysfuntion before clinical signs of congestion are manifest. Moreover, these patients require intensive medical attention after TAVI.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose protamine in reducing access site-related complications during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) as compared to full-dose protamine. Background: Access site-related complications represent an independent predictor of poor outcomes of TAVI. Data regarding heparin reversal with protamine and the dosage needed to prevent bleeding complications are scarce among patients undergoing TAVI. Methods: A total of 897 patients were retrospectively included in the study. Patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention within 4 weeks before or concomitantly with TAVI (n = 191) were given 0.5 mg protamine for each 100 units of unfractionated heparin. All other patients (n = 706) were considered as a control group and 1 mg protamine for each 100 units of heparin was administered. Results: The combined intra-hospital endpoint of death, life-threatening major bleeding, and major vascular complications were significantly more frequent in patients receiving low-dose protamine [29 (15.2%) vs. 50 (7.1%), p < 0.001]. After propensity matching (n = 130 for each group) for relevant clinical characteristics including anti-platelet therapy [19 (14.6%) vs. 6 (4.6%), p = 0.006], low-dose protamine predicted the combined endpoint (OR 3.54, 95%-CI 1.36–9.17, p = 0.009), and even in multivariable analysis, low-dose protamine continued to be a predictor of the combined endpoint in the matched model (OR 3.07, 95%-CI 1.17–8.08, p = 0.023) alongside baseline hemoglobin. Conclusions: In this propensity-matched retrospective analysis, a low-dose protamine regime is associated with a higher rate of major adverse events compared to a full-dose protamine regime following transfemoral TAVI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombocytopenia is a common condition that recognizes an infinite number of possible causes, especially in specific settings like the one covered in this case report: the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. We report a case of an old male with multiple comorbidities who underwent a coronary angioplasty procedure and aortic valve replacement. He showed severe thrombocytopenia in the postoperative days. Differential diagnosis required a big effort, also for the experts in the field. Our goal was to aggressively treat the patient with prednisolone, platelets, and intravenous immunoglobulins to maximize the prognosis. Our patient developed no complications and was discharged successfully.

Abstract Background Aortic stenosis is a prevalent heart valvular disorder in Iran. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) are two common procedures for treating the disease in the current clinical pathway. However, TAVI is an expensive procedure, and for Iran with severe limitations in financial resources, it is crucial to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the technology against other competing alternatives with the same purpose. This study aims to analyse the cost-effectiveness of TAVI vs SAVR in elderly patients who are at a higher risk of surgery. Methods This study is a decision economic evaluation modeling, with a lifetime horizon and a healthcare payer (health insurer) perspective. The utility values are from a previous study, transitional probabilities come from an established clinical trial called PARTNER-1, and the unit costs are from Iran’s national fee schedule for medical services. The probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses have been performed to mitigate the uncertainty. Results The incremental cost, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness ratio for the base case were: 368,180,101 Iranian Rial, (US$ 1,473), 0.37 QALY-per-patient, and, 995,081,354 Iranian Rial (US$ 3,980), respectively. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded 981,765,302 I.R.I Rials (US$ 3,927) per patient for the ICER. The probability of being cost-effective at one and three times the country’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) is 0.31 and 0.83, respectively. Conclusions TAVI does not seem a cost-effective procedure in comparison with SAVR at the current willingness to pay thresholds of the country. However, by increasing the WTP threshold to 3 times the GDP per capita the probability of being cost-effective will raise to 83%.

Abstract Background Severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is a common disorder in the elderly and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate. Traditionally, surgical aortic valve replacement has been considered the most effective treatment for advanced disease. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as a valuable alternative treatment option for inoperable and high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Pre-procedure ECG-gated CT aortography study is important in planning the procedure. The aim of the study was to correlate the aortic valve calcium score with the post-TAVI complications. Results Thirty patients who were candidates for TAVI procedure were enrolled for ECG-gated CT aortic valve calcium score and CT aortography. The calcium score was calculated. The patients were followed up both clinically and by echocardiography every 3 months for 1 year. Those who developed complications were enrolled for another CT study. Fourteen out of 30 patients (46.7%) presented with post-TAVI complications [9 cases (30%) presented with paravalvular leak (PVL) and 5 cases (16.7%) presented with major adverse cardiac events (MACE), while 16 cases (53.3%) had no complications]. There was a strong correlation between the calcium score and post-procedure complications. Conclusions The degree of aortic valve calcification can be considered as a predictor of post-TAVI complications: PVL and MACE.

Background: Surgical aortic valve replacement with a rapid deployment valve (RDV) is a relatively recent treatment option. The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic performance of balloon-expandable (BE)-RDVs and BE-transcatheter heart valves (THVs) in a high surgical risk and frail-elderly population. Methods: BE-THVs and BE-RDVs were implanted in 138 and 47 patients, respectively, all older than 75 years and with a Canadian Study of Health and Aging category of 5 or above. Echocardiographic assessment was performed at discharge and six months later. Results: At discharge, transprosthetic pressure gradients and indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) were similar in both cohorts. At six-month follow-up, BE-RDVs showed lower peak (14.69 vs. 20.86 mmHg; p

This review gives an overview of sex-based differences in aortic valve stenosis, spanning from pathophysiological mechanisms and disease progression, clinical presentation, presence of comorbidities, and diagnostic assessment, to treatment and outcomes. In particular, sex-related differences in the degree of aortic valve calcification, the response of the left ventricle to pressure overload, as well as in the referral to procedures, with women being less frequently referred for surgical aortic valve replacement and experiencing longer waiting times for transcatheter procedures, will be discussed. Sex-related differences are also particularly evident in outcomes of patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing surgical or transcatheter procedures. The apparent sex paradox seen in women undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation refers to the phenomenon of women experiencing higher rates of short-term mortality and bleeding events, but demonstrating improved long-term survival as compared to men. Women who undergo surgical aortic valve replacement have generally worse outcomes as compared to men, which is reflected by the inclusion of female sex in surgical risk calculation scores. Hence, a thorough understanding of sex-related differences in aortic valve stenosis is important to provide optimal and personalized patient care.

BackgroundAortic regurgitation is a major concern following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), as even low-grade regurgitation is associated with increased mortality. This is of particular concern to patients with pre-existing aortic disease who are at increased risk of TAVI valve slippage. Furthermore, conduction system disturbances after TAVI, namely left bundle branch block (LBBB), may have an additional detrimental effect on cardiac function.Case presentationThis report documents a successful treatment strategy in a frail patient with a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic disease after valve-sparing surgical repair in 1998, who subsequently developed aortic stenosis and underwent TAVI with an Evolut R self-expanding aortic valve. The progression of aortic disease, aortic root dilatation, and leaflet degeneration over the following years caused aortic regurgitation of the self-expanding aortic valve, resulting in left ventricular dilatation and heart failure along with LBBB and left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony. Diagnostic workup of the patient showed persistence of the aneurysm distal to the graft with a dissection spanning the ascending aorta, arch, and terminating proximal to the aortic isthmus. After consideration by the cardiac team, a balloon-expandable valve was chosen for a valve-in-valve (ViV) procedure to provide sufficient radial force to expand the existing valve and correct the regurgitation. Due to the anatomy, a J-wire and pigtail catheter were successfully used for a safe approach and placement of the valve. Following the procedure, intermittent complete atrioventricular block was observed in addition to the pre-existing left bundle branch block, necessitating resynchronization pacing. Due to anatomical considerations, ease of placement, and the expected good level of resynchronization due to the proximal block, we opted for left bundle branch pacing, which showed improvement in left ventricular dyssynchrony and LV function at follow-up.ConclusionValve-in-valve implantation of a balloon-expandable Myval TAVI device to treat aortic regurgitation caused by slippage and right leaflet disfunction of slef valve is feasible in challenging anatomical scenarios. Left bundle branch pacing is a viable alternative to correct mechanical dyssynchrony in complex patients with LBBB and anatomical challenges necessitating resynchronization.

BackgroundWith technological advancements, the incidence of most transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)-related complications, with the exception of conduction disturbances, has decreased. Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is also no longer considered a contraindication to TAVI; however, the effect of BAV on postoperative conduction disturbances after TAVI is unknown.MethodsWe collected information on patients who met the indications for TAVI and successfully underwent TAVI at our center between January 2018 and January 2021. Patients with preoperative pacemaker implantation status or conduction disturbances (atrioventricular block, bundle branch block, and intraventricular block) were excluded. Based on imaging data, the patients were categorized into the BAV group and the tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) group. The incidence of new perioperative conduction disturbances was compared between the two groups.ResultsA total of 187 patients were included in this study, 64 (34.2%) of whom had BAV. The incidence of third-degree block in the BAV group was 1.6%, which was lower than that (13.0%) in the TAV group (P 0.05).ConclusionThe present study found that patients with BAV had a lower rate of third-degree conduction disturbances after TAVI than patients with TAV.

BackgroundParavalvular leak is one of the most common complications and is among the most important prognostic factors of short- and long-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Percutaneous valvular leak repair constitutes a first-line treatment for paravalvular leaks and is associated with high success rates and few serious complications nowadays. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case where placement of the device through the stenting of the bioprosthesis resulted in creating a new symptomatic stenosis that required surgery.Case summaryWe present a case of a patient with low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis treated with transfemoral implantation of a biological aortic prosthesis. One month after the procedure, the patient presented with acute pulmonary oedema and a paravalvular leak was discovered, which was corrected by percutaneous repair with a plug device. Five weeks after the valvular leak repair, the patient was readmitted for heart failure. At this time, a new aortic stenosis and paravalvular leak were diagnosed and the patient was referred for surgery. The new aortic mixed diseased was caused by the positioning of the plug device through the valve's metal stenting, which resulted in a paravalvular leak and pressed against the valve's leaflets, causing valvular stenosis. The patient was referred for surgical replacement and evolved well afterward.ConclusionThis case illustrates a rare complication of a complex procedure, and it highlights the need for multidisciplinary decisions and good cooperation between the cardiology and cardiac surgery teams to develop better criteria in the selection of the appropriate technique for managing paravalvular leaks after TAVI.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established choice for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS) in patients who are deemed inoperable or at high surgical risk. There are limited data for the safety and effi cacy of the method in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), the most common congenital valve defect. Patients with BAV were excluded from randomized clinical trials (RCTs), comparing TAVI to surgery due to the heterogeneous anatomy of this nosological unit and concerns about unsatisfactory procedural and clinical outcomes after TAVI. With the improvement of the design of the new generations devices, with the growing technical experience of the teams and the progress in the imaging techniques, better results and fewer complications are observed, which could be a prerequisite for expanding the indications for TAVI in patients with BAV. This review presents TAVI treatment options for patients with BAV, the results of available registers in terms of safety and effi cacy of the procedure, and future perspectives.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established therapy for the treatment of aortic valve disease in appropriately selected patients. Previous studies using the self-expanding Portico transcatheter heart valve (THV), (Abbott Structural Heart, St Paul, MN, USA) have demonstrated the technical feasibility of this system albeit in the hands of relatively inexperienced Portico users. The objective of this study was to assess the real-world safety and efficacy of the Portico THV (with and without the FlexNav delivery system, Abbott Structural Heart) at the 30-day timepoint in an Australian cohort.Methods and Results: This study was a retrospective real-world cohort analysis of 269 consecutive patients with severe aortic valve disease who underwent TAVI at multiple centres within Australia between February 2015 and April 2021. Of the 269 patients, 51.7% were female, mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was 5.2 (±6.8) and 98.5% had successful implantations. Thirty (30)-day post-implantation all-cause mortality was observed in one (0.4%) patient, major vascular complications in two (0.7%) patients, more-than-mild paravalvular leak in six (2.2%) patients and requirement for new permanent pacemaker implantation in 27 (10.2%) patients. Haemodynamic parameters at 30 days included mean effective orifice area (EOA) of 2.3 (±0.9) cm2 and mean aortic valve gradient (AVG) of 9.6 (±6.2) mmHg.Conclusion: This analysis of the Portico THV in a real-world setting suggested that the system is associated with satisfactory safety and efficacy parameters. Previously published datasets may not have found similar findings owing to lower operator experience with the Portico THV system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aortic stenosis is a prevalent heart valvular disorder in Iran. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) are two common procedures for treating the disease in the current clinical pathway. However, TAVI is an expensive procedure, and for Iran with severe limitations in financial resources, it is crucial to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the technology against other competing alternatives with the same purpose. This study aims to analyse the cost-effectiveness of TAVI vs SAVR in elderly patients who are at a higher risk of surgery. Methods: This study is a decision economic evaluation modeling, with a lifetime horizon and a healthcare payer (health insurer) perspective. The utility values are from a previous study, transitional probabilities come from an established clinical trial called PARTNER-1, and the unit costs are from Iran's national fee schedule for medical services. The probabilistic and one-way sensitivity analyses have been performed to mitigate the uncertainty. Results: The incremental cost, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness ratio for the base case were: 368,180,101 Iranian Rial, (US$ 1,473), 0.37 QALY-per-patient, and, 995,081,354 Iranian Rial (US$ 3,980), respectively. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis yielded 981,765,302 I.R.I Rials (US$ 3,927) per patient for the ICER. The probability of being cost-effective at one and three times the country's Gross Domestic Production (GDP) is 0.31 and 0.83, respectively. Conclusions: TAVI does not seem a cost-effective procedure in comparison with SAVR at the current willingness to pay thresholds of the country. However, by increasing the WTP threshold to 3 times the GDP per capita the probability of being cost-effective will raise to 83%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) are important for transcatheter valve replacement. Current commercial BHVs on the market are basically porcine or bovine pericardium (BP) crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA). Simply applying GA to BHVs can enhance mechanical stability, but cannot alleviate in vivo calcification. In this work, we developed a two-step decellularization (TSD) strategy to modify this biomacromolecular network, in which BP was post-treated, as the second step of decellularization, with a mild biosurfactant n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside in a mixture of isopropanol and phosphate-buffered saline after the first step of traditional decellularization and GA cross-linking. The TSD-treated BP exhibited not only low cytotoxicity and excellent mechanical properties in vitro, but also low immune responses and significant anticalcification in vivo. After 60 days of subcutaneous implantation in the back of Wistar rats, the calcium content was, as quantified with an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer, only 1.1 µg/mg compared to 138.6 µg/mg in the control group without the post-treatment. In addition, collagen fibrils were observed with field emitting scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the morphology and composition of the calcified sites resulting from in vivo biomineralization were studied with SEM with energy dispersive spectroscopy and also X-ray diffraction. This study proposes a facile yet effective anticalcification strategy for the modification of the bovine pericardial bioprosthetic heart valve, a natural biomacromolecular network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombocytopenia is a common condition that recognizes an infinite number of possible causes, especially in specific settings like the one covered in this case report: the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. We report a case of an old male with multiple comorbidities who underwent a coronary angioplasty procedure and aortic valve replacement. He showed severe thrombocytopenia in the postoperative days. Differential diagnosis required a big effort, also for the experts in the field. Our goal was to aggressively treat the patient with prednisolone, platelets, and intravenous immunoglobulins to maximize the prognosis. Our patient developed no complications and was discharged successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe symptomatic aortic stenosis is a common disorder in the elderly and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate. Traditionally, surgical aortic valve replacement has been considered the most effective treatment for advanced disease. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as a valuable alternative treatment option for inoperable and high-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Pre-procedure ECG-gated CT aortography study is important in planning the procedure. The aim of the study was to correlate the aortic valve calcium score with the post-TAVI complications. Results: Thirty patients who were candidates for TAVI procedure were enrolled for ECG-gated CT aortic valve calcium score and CT aortography. The calcium score was calculated. The patients were followed up both clinically and by echocardiography every 3 months for 1 year. Those who developed complications were enrolled for another CT study. Fourteen out of 30 patients (46.7%) presented with post-TAVI complications [9 cases (30%) presented with paravalvular leak (PVL) and 5 cases (16.7%) presented with major adverse cardiac events (MACE), while 16 cases (53.3%) had no complications]. There was a strong correlation between the calcium score and post-procedure complications. Conclusions: The degree of aortic valve calcification can be considered as a predictor of post-TAVI complications: PVL and MACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thai Guidelines for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) were initiated by the Thai Heart Association, Society of Thoracic Surgeons of Thailand, and Cardiovascular Intervention Association of Thailand. There are several factors in Thailand that differ from western countries, such as patient life expectancy, the types of available TAVI valves, socio-economic status, and experiences in TAVI. Therefore, Thailand-specific guidelines would be of great benefit for Thai patients. The objectives of the guidelines are to provide update recommendations regarding best practice in patients undergoing TAVI in Thailand, to emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary heart valve team, and to emphasize the importance of data collection and follow up in patients undergoing TAVI for quality improvement. Classes of recommendation were based on standard classification and level of evidence. Recommendations were categorized into recommendation for multidisciplinary heart valve team, for perioperative risk assessment, for patient selection, for antithrombotic treatment after TAVI, for hospital and operator requirement, and for TAVI data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]