Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Balloon- Versus Self-Expandable Bioprostheses for the Treatment of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Background: Differences between balloon- and self-expandable transcatheter heart valves (BE-THVs and SE-THVs, respectively) may influence the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement with BE-THV or SE-THV for computed tomography-diagnosed bicuspid aortic valve stenosis at 29 centers were included. The primary outcome was death or stroke.

Transcatheter vs. surgical aortic valve replacement in women: the RHEIA trial.

Background And Aims: Although women with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis have more complications than men when undergoing surgical valve replacement, they are under-represented in clinical trials. The Randomized researcH in womEn all comers wIth Aortic stenosis (RHEIA) trial investigates the balance of benefits and risks of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) vs. surgery in women.

Long-term outcomes after echocardiography versus fluoroscopy-guided left atrial appendage closure: Is there still a role for a simplified approach?

Background: Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) represents an alternative to oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). While transoesophageal echocardiography is the current standard for guiding LAAC procedures, several centers have employed fluoroscopic guidance alone. However, data on long-term outcomes are lacking.

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Versus Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant Agents After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Studies comparing long-term outcomes between non-vitamin K antagonist (VKA) oral anticoagulant agents (direct oral anticoagulant agents [DOACs]) and VKA anticoagulant agents after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are scarce, with conflicting results.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the periprocedural, short-term, and long-term safety and effectiveness of DOACs vs VKAs in patients undergoing TAVR via femoral access with concomitant indications for oral anticoagulation.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR in the prospective national SwissTAVI Registry between February 2011 and June 2021 were analyzed.

Clinical Outcomes in High-Gradient, Classical Low-Flow, Low-Gradient, and Paradoxical Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Report From the SwissTAVI Registry.

Background In view of the rising global burden of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, its early recognition and treatment is key. Although patients with classical low-flow, low-gradient (C-LFLG) aortic stenosis have higher rates of death after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) when compared with patients with high-gradient (HG) aortic stenosis, there is conflicting evidence on the death rate in patients with severe paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient (P-LFLG) aortic stenosis. Therefore, we aimed to compare outcomes in real-world patients with severe HG, C-LFLG, and P-LFLG aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.

Trends in Coronary and Structural Heart Interventions in Switzerland over the Last 16 Years and Impact of COVID-19: Insights from the National Swiss PCI Survey.

Background: Considering the global burden of cardiovascular disease, we analysed trends in interventional coronary and structural procedures over the past 16 years (2005-2021), using continuous data from the Swiss national registry.

Methods: Based on a standardised questionnaire, data on coronary and structural interventions in Switzerland were assessed by the Working Group Interventional Cardiology of the Swiss Society of Cardiology (SSC). Here, we analysed the trend of annually performed interventions from 2005 to 2021 in Switzerland and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continued non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants versus vitamin K antagonists during transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: One-third of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC).

Aims: We aimed to investigate whether continued non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy compared with continued vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy during TAVI is equally safe and effective.  Methods: Consecutive patients on OAC with either NOAC or VKA undergoing transfemoral TAVI at five European centres were enrolled.

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device Embolization (The LAAODE Study): Understanding the Timing and Clinical Consequences from a Worldwide Experience.

Background: Left atrial appendage occlusion device embolization (LAAODE) is rare but can have substantial implications on patient morbidity and mortality. Hence, we sought to perform an analysis to understand the timing and clinical consequences of LAAODE.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed and Web of Science databases for LAAODE cases was performed from October 2nd, 2014 to November 1st, 2017.

Coronary and structural heart interventions in Switzerland 2019.

Since 1987 the Swiss Working Group Interventional Cardiology of the Swiss Society of Cardiology coordinates the assessment of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic heart interventions across Switzerland. The aim of this report is to summarise the data for the year 2019, which was collected using a standardised questionnaire. In 2019, 37 centres performed a total of 57,975 coronary angiographies.

Age-Related Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Insights From the SwissTAVI Registry.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate age-related outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as assessed in a nationwide, prospective, multicenter cohort study.

Background: TAVR is the preferred treatment for elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis and is expanding into lower age groups.

Methods: Data from the SwissTAVI Registry were analyzed.

Safety and Efficacy of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Continuation of Vitamin K Antagonists or Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Objectives: This study investigated whether transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with peri-procedural continuation of oral anticoagulation is equally safe and efficacious as TAVR with peri-procedural interruption of anticoagulation.

Background: A significant proportion of patients undergoing TAVR have an indication for long-term oral anticoagulation. The optimal peri-procedural management of such patients is unknown.

Plugs for left atrial appendage occlusion: an overview of available devices.

Introduction: Approximately one-third of all ischemic strokes and the ensuing health and economic burden can be attributed to the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The global prevalence of AF continues to rise, thus making it by far the most common diagnosed cardiac arrhythmia. Percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion or obliteration has been developed to protect from the occurrence of stroke in patients with nonvalvular AF.

Corrigendum to: Management of Tricuspid Regurgitation: The Role of Transcatheter Therapies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.15420/icr.2017:3:2.

Rationale and design of a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter heart valve replacement in female patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis requiring aortic valve intervention (Randomized researcH in womEn all comers wIth Aortic stenosis [RHEIA] trial).

Background: Limited data suggest that transcatheter (TAVR) as compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) may be more effective in female than male patients. To date, most evidence is derived from subgroup analyses of large trials, and a dedicated randomized trial evaluating whether there is a difference in outcomes between these interventions in women is warranted. The RHEIA trial will compare the safety and efficacy of TAVR with SAVR in women with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis requiring aortic valve intervention, irrespective of surgical risk.

Infective Endocarditis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Infective endocarditis may affect patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide detailed information on incidence rates, types of microorganisms, and outcomes of infective endocarditis after TAVR.

Methods: Between February 2011 and July 2018, consecutive patients from the SwissTAVI Registry were eligible.

Multimodality imaging derived energy loss index and outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Aims: To assess whether the combination of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) data affects the grading of aortic stenosis (AS) severity under consideration of the energy loss index (ELI) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods And Results: Multimodality imaging was performed in 197 patients with symptomatic severe AS undergoing TAVR at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. Fusion aortic valve area index (fusion AVAi) assessed by integrating MDCT derived planimetric left ventricular outflow tract area into the continuity equation was significantly larger as compared to conventional AVAi (0.

Proposal for Updated Nomenclature and Classification of Potential Causative Mechanism in Patent Foramen Ovale-Associated Stroke.

Importance: Recent epidemiologic and therapeutic advances have transformed understanding of the role of and therapeutic approach to patent foramen ovale (PFO) in ischemic stroke. Patent foramen ovale is likely responsible for approximately 5% of all ischemic strokes and 10% of those occurring in young and middle-aged adults.

Observations: Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that, to prevent recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with PFO and an otherwise-cryptogenic index ischemic stroke, PFO closure is superior to antiplatelet medical therapy alone; these trials have provided some evidence that, among medical therapy options, anticoagulants may be more effective than antiplatelet agents.