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Mitral valve anatomy is complex, and one size does not fit all. More recently, percutaneous mitral valve interventions have revolutionized the management of primary and secondary mitral regurgitation (MR). However, edge-to-edge leaflet repair is not suitable for a large proportion of individuals including those with a failing bioprosthetic mitral valve/annuloplasty ring, and patients with significant mitral annular calcification resulting in mixed mitral valve disease/mitral stenosis. For this high risk cohort, transcatheter mitral valve replacement seems to be an attractive alternative.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has changed the management paradigm of severe aortic stenosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has an emerging role in the evaluation of aortic stenos...

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are intravascular imaging technologies widely used in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The impact of these modalities for optimizing the acute and longer-term clinical impact following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is supported by a wealth of clinical evidence. Intravascular imaging provides unique information for enhanced lesion preparation, optimal stent sizing, recognizing post PCI complications, and the etiology of stent failure. This review compares and contrasts the key aspects of these imaging modalities during PCI.

Acute coronary collateralisation of an infarct-related arterial (IRA) territory may be identified during angiography for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Whether the presence or absence of these collaterals affects outcomes remains uncertain. A search of EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted to identify studies which reported on the association between coronary collaterals and in-hospital and longer term mortality, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), risk of repeat acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and repeat revascularisation. Patients with Rentrop grade 0 or 1 were defined as poor collaterals whilst those with Rentrop grade two or three were defined as those with robust collaterals. Studies were eligible if they included patients ≥ 18 years of age who had immediate coronary angiography for STEMI. Included studies were observational which recorded the degree of collateral blood flow to the IRA. Two investigators reviewed all citations using a predefined protocol with final consensus for all studies, the data from which was then independently entered to ensure fidelity of results. Inverse variance random effects model for the meta-analysis along with risk of bias assessment was performed. 20 studies with a total of 14,608 patients were identified and included in the analysis. Patients with robust collaterals had lower mortality (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.48–0.64), both in-hospital (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.35–0.63) and longer term (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.46–0.75). Patients with robust collaterals also had a higher mean LVEF (SMD 0.23, 95% CI 0.10–0.37). There was no difference in the rates of AMI or repeat revascularisation between patients with robust or poor collaterals. The presence of robust collaterals during STEMI is associated with reduced in-hospital and longer term mortality and improved left ventricular function. These findings have implications for prognostication and identifying patients who require close monitoring following STEMI.

When the International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA) trial[1][1]–[3][2] was presented at the American Heart Association meeting in November, 2019, it generated multiple headlines in major news sources. CNN covered the story by saying, “

BACKGROUND: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has shown safe, robust results in elderly populations, and up until recently, was the gold standard for management of severe aortic stenosis. The approach to severe aortic stenosis in high-risk populations, such as octogenarians, has been challenged with the development of transcatheter-based strategies. We sought to systematically analyse outcomes between surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) in octogenarians. METHOD: Electronic databases were searched from their inception until November 2018 for studies comparing SAVR to TAVI in octogenarians, according to a predefined search criterion. The primary end point was mortality, and secondary end points included post-procedural complications. RESULTS: The review yielded four observational studies. The total number of patients included was 1221 including 395 who underwent TAVI and 826 SAVR. On average, patients from both subgroups carried a high number of cardiac risk factors, and STS-PROM scoring yielded mean values equating to high-risk population groups, with significantly higher values for TAVI patients across the board. The presence of post-procedural moderate aortic regurgitation was noted only in the TAVI population (OR = 8.88; 95% CI (1.47–53.64), χ(2) = 1.22; p = 0.02; I(2) = 0%). Otherwise, there were no significant differences when accounting for mortality (OR = 0.68; 95% CI (0.44–1.05), χ(2) = 1.88; p = 0.60; I(2) = 0%), permanent pacemaker implantation groups (OR = 0.45; 95% CI (0.44–1.49), χ(2) = 0.11; p = 0.19; I(2) = 0%), and neurological events (OR = 0.72; 95% CI (0.42–1.23), χ(2) = 2.57; p = 0.23; I(2) = 22%). DISCUSSION: The analysed data on TAVI versus SAVR in the octogenarian population show that TAVI shows similar outcomes with relation to mortality and inpatient admission times, in a population with significantly higher risk profiles than their SAVR counterparts. TAVI has higher occurrences of post-procedural AR. TAVI still does not have robust long-term data to ensure its efficacy and rate of complications, but is showing promising results nonetheless.

Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) develops secondary to annular dilation and leaflet tethering as a result of right ventricular remodeling. Invasive surgery for isolated TR is rarely performed due to high inpatient mortality. Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention is an appealing solution but is challenging as crucial structures are closely related to the tricuspid valve, and intracardiac devices pose further challenges to device delivery and implantation.

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Transcatheter aortic valve replacement has become the gold standard of care in the management of patients with severe aortic stenosis and transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement seems to be an attractive alternative to redo surgery. We report the first case of concomitant transcatheter aortic valve replacement/transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement that was performed under conscious sedation who was subsequently discharged the same day. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)

Robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become popular among operators due to substantial reduction in radiation dose. Complex coronary intervention often requires mechanical support and have long fluoroscopy time. Robotic PCI offers an elegant solution by reducing operator fatigue and offering better analysis in the robotic console. We report a hybrid robotic impella assisted single arterial access complex high-risk PCI to the left anterior descending artery via the left internal mammary artery.

Background: To explore the relationship between comorbidity burden and mortality, peri-procedural complications, and length of stay in patients treated with TAVR in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) often have multiple comorbidities. Whilst the impact of individual comorbid conditions on clinical outcomes following TAVR has been previously assessed, the impact of more global measures of comorbidity remains unknown in this cohort. To explore the relationship between comorbidity burden and mortality, peri-procedural complications, and length of stay in patients treated with TAVR NIS. Methods: TAVR procedures were identified between 2011 and 2014 and comorbidities were defined by the Elixhauser classification system (ECS) consisting of 30 comorbidity measures. Endpoints included in-hospital mortality, periprocedural complications, and length of stay. Patients were classified based on their ECS in five categories (ECS I < 0, ECS II = 0, ECS III = 1–5, ECS IV = 6–13, ECS V ≥ 14). Results: A total of 40,604 TAVR patients were identified. Mean age was 81.2 ± 8.5 years. Patients with ECS category V accounted for more than 40% of the cohort and experienced almost a 2.5-fold increase in in-hospital mortality (OR 2.42, 95% CI: 1.28–4.56), acute kidney injury (OR: 6.23, 95% CI: 4.13–9.41), major bleeding (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.71–2.99), post-procedural stroke or TIA (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.08–3.78). It was also associated with a mean 4.14-day increased length of stay (95% CI: 3.67 to 4.65) compared to patients with lower ECS category after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusions: Our study of over 40,000 TAVRs shows that Elixhauser comorbidity score was independently associated with higher mortality, periprocedural complications, and length of stay. Global comorbidity burden is an important consideration for risk stratification in patients undergoing TAVR.

Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the rates and causes of unplanned readmissions at different time periods following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background The rates and causes of readmission at different time periods after PCI remain incompletely elucidated. Methods Patients undergoing PCI between 2010 and 2014 in the U.S. Nationwide Readmission Database were evaluated for the rates, causes, predictors, and costs of unplanned readmission between 0 and 7 days, 8 and 30 days, 31 and 90 days, and 91 and 180 days after index discharge. Results This analysis included 2,412,000 patients; 2.5% were readmitted between 0 and 7 days, 7.6% between 8 and 30 days, 8.9% between 31 and 90 days, and 8.0% between 91 and 180 days (cumulative rates 2.5%, 9.9%, 18.0%, and 24.8%, respectively). The majority of readmissions during each time period were due to noncardiac causes (53.1% to 59.6%). Nonspecific chest pain was the most common identifiable noncardiac cause for readmission during each time period (14.2% to 22.7% of noncardiac readmissions). Coronary artery disease including angina was the most common cardiac cause for readmission during each time period (37.4% to 39.3% of cardiac readmissions). The second most common cardiac cause for readmission was acute myocardial infarction between 0 and 7 days (27.6% of cardiac readmissions) and heart failure during all subsequent time periods (22.2% to 23.7% of cardiac readmissions). Conclusions Approximately 25% of patients following PCI have unplanned readmissions within 6 months. Causes of readmission depend on the timing at which they are assessed, with noncardiovascular causes becoming more important at longer time points.

Aim TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) is more challenging compared to individuals with trileaflet aortic valves (TAV). BAV have been excluded from the large randomized clinical trials assessing transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR) and has been considered as a relative contraindication to TAVR. To report the outcomes of TAVR in BAV and compare them to TAV in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Methods and results TAVR procedures were identified between 2011 and 2014 in the NIS dataset. Endpoints assessed included in-hospital mortality, periprocedural complications, length of stay and cost. Of 40,604 identified TAVR procedures, 407 (1%) were BAV and the 40,197 (99%) were TAV. Patients with BAV were younger and had a lower comorbidity burden. In hospital mortality (4.89% vs 4.17%, OR: 1.71, 95%CI: 0.57–5.12, P = 0.21), AMI (3.49% vs 3.58%, OR: 1.12, 95%CI: 0.36–3.54, P = 0.85), stroke and TIA (2.49% vs 3.55%, OR: 0.75, 95%CI: 0.18–3.16, P = 0.70), vascular complications (2.39% vs 5.58%, OR:0.47, 95%CI: 0.11–1.93, P = 0.29), major bleeding (16.96% vs 23.50%, OR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.34–1.17, P = 0.15) and rates of permanent pacemaker (PPM) (9.88% vs 10.88%, OR: 1.19, 95%CI: 0.57–2.51, P = 0.64) were similar in both cohorts. Conclusions With multimodality imaging and further improvement in technology, our study demonstrates off-label TAVR should not be considered prohibitive and can be successfully performed for BAV with similar peri-procedural outcomes compared to those with TAV. However, there is a need for robust large prospective studies.

Background Coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) are reported in up to 5% of patients undergoing coronary angiography . Treatment of CAAs with covered stents has been reported in several case reports, however there is limited evidence available on the effectiveness and safety of this interventional practice. Purpose To evaluate the current practice and outcomes of elective treatment of coronary artery aneurysms with covered stents. Methods We conducted a systematic review of published case reports and case series of patients presenting with CAA that have been treated with covered stents in a non-emergency setting. Results A total of 63 case reports and 3 case series were included in the final analysis comprising data from 81 patients. The treated CAA was situated in a native coronary artery in 92.6%, and in a saphenous vein graft in 7.4%. Procedural success was achieved in 95.1%. The types of stents used were mainly polytetrafluoroethylene (75.3%) and Papyrus (11.1%). In 11.0% of cases additional abluminal drug eluting stents (DES) and in 6.8% additional adluminal DES were implanted. After a mean follow up of 13.4 months overall major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, stent thrombosis and target lesion revascularization were reported in 26.2, 0.0, 7.6, 0.0, 4.6 and 18.5% of cases, respectively. Conclusions The use of covered stents for elective treatment of CAA appears to be effective and reasonably safe. Nevertheless, it is associated with higher MACE rate, driven mainly by higher target lesion revascularization. Further studies, particularly in form of randomized trials and controlled registries are warranted to identify patients who might profit the most from this procedure.

To compare and contrast the indications, clinical and procedural characteristics, and periprocedural outcomes of patients with cardiac transplant undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the United States and United Kingdom.The British Cardiovascular Intervention Society Registry (BCIS) (2007-2014) and the United States National Inpatient Sample (NIS) (2004-2014) data were utilized for this analysis. There were 466 PCIs (0.09%) and 1122 PCIs (0.02%) performed in cardiac transplant patients in the BCIS and NIS registries, respectively. The cardiac transplant PCI cohort was younger and mostly men, with an increased prevalence of chronic kidney disease, left main PCI, and multivessel disease, and with lower use of newer antiplatelets agents, antithrombotics, and radial artery access vs the non-cardiac transplant PCI cohort. In the BCIS registry, the cardiac transplant PCI cohort had similar in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; P=.91), 30-day mortality (OR, 1.38; P=.31), vascular complications (OR, 0.69; P=.46), and major adverse cardiovascular event (OR, 1.41; P=.26) vs the non-cardiac transplant PCI cohort. However, the cardiac transplant group had higher 1-year mortality (OR, 2.30; P.001). The NIS data analysis revealed similar rates of in-hospital mortality (OR, 2.40; P=.14), cardiac complications (OR, 0.26; P=.17), major bleeding (OR, 0.36; P=.16), vascular complications (OR, 0.46; P=.45), and stroke (OR, 0.50; P=.40) in the cardiac transplant PCI cohort vs the non-cardiac transplant PCI cohort.PCI in cardiac transplant recipients was associated with similar short-term mortality and vascular complications compared with PCI in the general populace. However, a higher 1-year morality was observed in the BCIS cohort.

BACKGROUND The Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT) score was derived to determine which patients may benefit from prolonged DAPT therapy after 12 months based on the balance between ischaemic and bleeding events. Several studies have attempted to validate the score with inconsistent findings. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the studies that evaluated the DAPT score in PCI populations. A search was performed on MEDLINE and EMBASE and two independent reviewers reviewed the search results for study inclusion and extracted data from studies which met the inclusion criteria. Data are presented in tables and narrative synthesis was performed. RESULTS A total of 13 studies were included in this review. The study designs included post hoc analysis of randomised trials, prospective cohorts, retrospective cohorts and a case-control study. In the derivation/validation study, the c-statistic for ischaemic and bleeding outcomes were 0.64/0.70 and 0.68/0.64, respectively. Among the validation studies, the C-statistics for composite outcomes ranged from 0.53 to 0.71 for ischaemic outcomes and 0.49 to 0.71 for bleeding outcomes. Only one study randomised patients with high DAPT score to different combinations of antiplatelet after 1 year of DAPT and found that continuation of DAPT was associated with fewer deaths because of myocardial infarction, but more bleeding. CONCLUSIONS While not designed for this purpose many studies have shown that the DAPT score has modest predictive value for ischaemic and bleeding outcomes. A prospective randomised controlled trial is needed to evaluate the clinical benefits of utilising the DAPT score in guiding continued DAPT therapy beyond 1 year.

Introduction: Moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a poor prognostic factor regardless of right ventricular function. However, a majority of patients are managed medically rather than undergoing isolated tricuspid valve surgery due to high in-hospital mortality. Percutaneous therapy in the form of transcatheter tricuspid valve repair or replacement is an attractive option for this high risk multimorbid cohort.Areas covered: A literature search was performed for tricuspid valve repair or replacement using MEDLINE, Current Contents Connect, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochrane library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science (Till 10/19). This review outlines the anatomical challenges specific to the tricuspid valve, provides an insight into patient selection for percutaneous treatment, and summarizes the current evidence for the available devices.Expert opinion: With the recent understanding that percutaneous repair of TR is feasible and provides better patient outcomes, we must more closely evaluate our patients with tricuspid regurgitation and consider treatment. MitraClip in the tricuspid position (TriClip) is the most widely used TV repair device, and several prospective trials are currently investigating various devices in this arena that hopefully will hopefully provide greater insight into patient selection and anatomically specific device choice.

Objective To investigate the clinical and procedural characteristics in patients with a history of renal transplant (RT) and compare the outcomes with patients without RT in 2 national cohorts of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients and Methods Data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS) were used to compare the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing PCI who had RT with those who did not have RT. The primary outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality. Results Of the PCI procedures performed in 2004-2014 (NIS) and 2007-2014 (BCIS), 12,529 of 6,601,526 (0.2%) and 1521 of 512,356 (0.3%), respectively, were undertaken in patients with a history of RT. Patients with RT were younger and had a higher prevalence of congestive cardiac failure, hypertension, and diabetes but similar use of drug-eluting stents, intracoronary imaging, and pressure wire studies compared with patients who did not have RT. In the adjusted analysis, patients with RT had increased odds of in-hospital mortality (NIS: odds ratio [OR], 1.90; 95% CI, 1.41-2.57; BCIS: OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.05-2.46) compared with patients who did not have RT but no difference in vascular or bleeding events. Meta-analysis of the 2 data sets suggested an increase in in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.40-2.29) but no difference in vascular (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.77-2.00) or bleeding (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.86-1.68) events. Conclusion This large collaborative analysis of 2 national databases revealed that patients with RT undergoing PCI are younger, have more comorbidities, and have increased mortality risk compared with the general population undergoing PCI.

This review highlights the evidence surrounding the adjunctive diagnostic and therapeutic benefits of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Meta-analyses of randomized trials demonstrate that IVUS has a major impact on PCI-related outcomes with drug-eluting stents by reducing cardiovascular mortality and repeat revascularization. Its application in calcific coronary artery disease has helped identify the benefits and safety of coronary atherectomy, along with playing an important role for primarily guiding PCI while significantly reducing contrast volume in individuals with renal dysfunction. IVUS applications have been extended to the realms of CTO intervention, aneurysmal coronary disease, and iatrogenic/spontaneous coronary artery dissection. IVUS is also a proven cost-effective strategy. Nevertheless, despite these benefits, the global uptake of IVUS-guided PCI remains low. IVUS plays a pivotal role during PCI, particularly complex calcific and long lesions. IVUS-guided PCI is safe, cost-effective, and associates with substantial reductions in MACE. However, the worldwide uptake of IVUS-guided PCI remains considerably low. Further efforts are required to promote this evidence-based PCI strategy among the global interventional cardiology community to further improve the outcomes of our PCI candidates.

Background Unplanned hospital readmissions are an important quality metric for benchmarking, but there are limited data following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aims to examine the 30-day unplanned readmission rate, predictors, causes and outcomes after hospitalization for AMI. Methods The USA Nationwide Readmission Database was utilized to analyze patients with a primary diagnosis of AMI between 2010 and 2014. Rates of readmissions, causes and costs were determined and multiple logistic regressions were used to identify predictors of readmissions. Results Of 2 204 104 patients with AMI, the 30-day unplanned readmission rate was 12.3% (n = 270 510), which changed from 13.0 to 11.5% between 2010 and 2014. The estimated impact of readmissions in AMI was ~718 million USD and ~281000 additional bed days per year. Comorbidities such as diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-1.29], chronic lung disease (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.26-1.31), renal failure (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.35-1.40) and cancer (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.30-1.41) were independently associated with unplanned readmission. Discharge against medical advice was the variable most strongly associated with unplanned readmission (OR 2.40, 95% CI 2.27-2.54). Noncardiac causes for readmissions accounted for 52.9% of all readmissions. The most common cause of cardiac readmission was heart failure (14.3%) and for noncardiac readmissions was infections (8.8%). Conclusion Readmissions during the first month after AMI occur in more than one in 10 patients resulting in a healthcare cost of ~718 million USD per year and ~281000 additional bed days per year. These findings have important public health implications. Strategies to identify and reduce readmissions in AMI will dramatically reduce healthcare costs for society.

In the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease, novel oral anticoagulants have emerged as alternatives to warfarin. A major challenge continues to be the reversal of their anticoagulant effect in the case of life-threatening haemorrhagic complications. We report a case of spontaneous splenic rupture treated by splenic artery embolisation in a 77-year-old woman who was anticoagulated with rivaroxaban.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL) remains a challenge in contemporary practice due to the procedural and technical difficulties involved. We sought to review the current evidence on the safety and clinical outcomes of dedicated bifurcation stent (DBS) implantation in comparison with established treatment strategies for CBL-PCI.We conducted a comprehensive search to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) reporting 1-year clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients undergoing CBL-PCI with DBS vs conventional CBL-PCI strategies. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate the effect of DBS compared with conventional CBL-PCI using aggregate data.A total of 5 RCTs comprising 1249 participants met the inclusion criteria. The use of DBS was comparable to conventional stenting techniques in terms of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) rate (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90- 1.82; I²=0%), all-cause mortality (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.31-2.07; I²=0%), cardiac mortality (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.02-1.39; I²=0%), myocardial infarction (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.84-1.89; I²=0%), definite stent thrombosis (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 0.36-8.52; I²=0%), cumulative target-lesion revascularization (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.85-2.27; I²=0%), clinically driven target-lesion revascularization (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.68-2.22; I²=0%), or target-vessel revascularization (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 0.92-2.22; I²=0%).The present analysis suggests that CBL-PCI with DBS may be associated with similar 1-year clinical and angiographic outcomes compared with conventional CBL-PCI strategies. However, the low quality of evidence and limited follow-up warrant further studies to ascertain any significant differences in patient-important outcomes before the adoption of DBS into routine CBL-PCI practice.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an accepted treatment for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, with an intermediate or high risk of surgical mortality. 1,2 Despite bei...

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (CPFE) are rare findings in patients who present to assessment of chest pain. We present a case of a 59 year old female, symptomatic of atypical chest pain, whom was found to have a left ventricular mass, later confirmed to be a papillary fibroelastoma on histology following surgical excision. Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are an infrequent finding within cardiac tumours, and more commonly involve cardiac valves. Symptoms are often related to their mass effect, and vary with regards to their position in the heart. CPFEs are benign in nature, however pose a cardio-embolic risk, and often require surgical excision This paper presents a summary of the 39 cases of CPFEs involving the left ventricle published previously in English literature; together with summary of symptoms, and surgical approach. The aim of this paper is to bring to light the various presentations of CPFEs, together with a summary of previously performed management options.

This article presents Bacillus thuringiensis, a new pathogen implicated in causing infective endocarditis, in combination with Cardiobacterium hominis, which has never been reported in a dual pathogen endocarditis scenario. This is the first reported case of dual pathogen HACEK endocarditis that was identified by the authors. Our patient presented with a subacute course of infective symptoms and investigations found prosthetic valve endocarditis with C. hominis and B. thuringiensis. This is the first instance where B. thuringiensis has been implicated in infective endocarditis, where it was thought to previously be non-pathogenic. This is the nineteenth case of C. hominis prosthetic valve endocarditis and eighth case of C. hominis prosthetic valve endocarditis requiring re-do surgery reported in the English language. The pathogens isolated in this instance provide insight into causative pathogens and appropriate treatment modalities for successful management of sub-acute bioprosthetic infective endocarditis.

•Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 has affected 188 countries worldwide with a global death toll of over half a million•Patients with valvular heart disease are also at an increased risk of adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease-2019•Prognosis of patients with the combination of COVID 19 and severe valvular heart disease is poor•This is the first reported case of MitraClip insertion in a patient with severe COVID 19 infection. This procedure assisted in the patient's recovery relieving his cardiac burden and pulmonary edema enabling him to undergo colorectal surgery.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the context of heavily calcified coronary arteries can be challenging. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has been suggested as an alternative to rotational atherectomy (RA). We report a case of stent under expansion, despite plaque modification using rotational atherectomy that was successfully managed with intravascular lithotripsy.

Patients with asymptomatic Type 2 Brugada ECG patterns are not often associated with the sinister cardiac presentations that are more often related to the Type 1 Brugada pattern. The use of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) are not recommended in this patient group. We present the case of a 56 year old male whom was brought following a witnessed out of hospital cardiac arrest. His background included a drug-induced type 1 Brugada pattern following a flecanide challenge. He has been asymptomatic until this event. In the absence of other causes for a cardiac arrest, he received an implantable cardiac defibrillator. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of a patient with a Drug Induced Type 1 Brugada pattern. These situations pose challenges to clinicians in surveillance of patients, and highlights the need for further research into predictive markers for sudden cardiac death.

OBJECTIVES: This review aims to evaluate the adverse outcomes for patients after treatment with covered stents. BACKGROUND: Coronary perforation is a potentially fatal complication of percutaneous coronary revascularization which may be treated using covered stents. Studies have evaluated long-term outcomes among patients who received these devices, but hitherto no literature review has taken place. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of adverse outcomes for patients after treatment with covered stents. Data from studies were pooled and outcomes were compared according to stent type. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies were analyzed with data from 725 patients who received covered stents. The proportion of patients with chronic total occlusions, vein graft percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), intracoronary imaging and rotational atherectomy were 16.9, 11.5, 9.2, and 6.6%, respectively. The stents used were primarily polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (70%) and Papyrus (20.6%). Mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, pericardiocentesis/tamponade and emergency surgery were 17.2, 35.3, 27.1, and 5.3%, respectively. Stratified analysis by use of PTFE, Papyrus and pericardial stents, suggested no difference in mortality (p = .323), or target lesion revascularization (p = .484). Stent thrombosis, pericardiocentesis/tamponade and emergency coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) occurred more frequently in patients with PTFE stent use (p = .011, p = .005, p = .012, respectively). In-stent restenosis was more common with pericardial stent use (