A Comparison of Short-Term Clinical Outcomes Between the Navitor and Evolut Transcatheter Aortic Valve Prostheses.

The novel Navitor intra-annular self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis is designed to improve coronary access, reduce paravalvular leaks, and enhance hemodynamic performance. Comparative data with the established Evolut platform (R, Pro, FX) are still lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of Navitor (NAV) versus Evolut transcatheter heart valves.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation Compared to Surgery: One-Year Clinical Outcome.

Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is an evolving technology, expanding therapeutic options for patients at higher operative risk. Data comparing TMVI to surgical mitral valve replacement (SMVR) are lacking.Clinical outcomes after TMVI with the Tendyne mitral valve and SMVR were compared utilizing propensity score matching, including seven variables.

Bioprosthetic Valve Fracturing in Valve-in-Valve TAVI: Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes in Failing Perimount Aortic Bioprostheses-A Multicenter Registry.

Background: Data comparing clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of bioprosthetic valve fracturing (BVF) and "standard"-postdilatation during valve-in-valve transcatheter heart valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) are lacking. The authors aimed to analyze hemodynamic and clinical outcomes of BVF compared to "standard"-postdilatation during ViV-TAVI.

Methods: The REDUCE registry included patients who underwent ViV-TAVI within a Perimount surgical aortic valve bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, USA).

Exercise Performance and Right Ventricular Remodeling After the Cone Repair in Patients With Different Severity of Ebstein Anomaly.

Background: Although the cone repair has shown good outcome regarding valve competence, its effect on exercise performance and right ventricular remodeling are unclear.

Methods: Between January 2010 and June 2021, 60 patients underwent a cone repair at our center. We excluded patients with previous operation (n = 6), age <5 years (n = 3), in-hospital death (n = 2), replacement before discharge (n = 1), and missing follow-up (n = 2), resulting in a study population of 46 patients.

Understanding Surgical Management and Outcomes in Mitral Valve Endocarditis.

: Surgical patients with mitral valve endocarditis can be treated with valve reconstruction or valve replacement. Although valve repair should be preferred, the decision between the two options is nuanced. : In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we included all patients who underwent surgery for native mitral valve endocarditis between February 2001 and June 2019.

The Impact of Aortic Arch Morphology on Periprocedural Stroke in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

: Stroke after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) continues to be one of the most concerning complications. Anatomical variations of the aortic arch may increase the risk of embolic debris entering the brain during transfemoral catheter manipulation. We aimed to analyze the influence of aortic arch morphology on the occurrence of ischemic stroke during TAVR.

Outcomes after SynCardia® temporary total artificial heart implantation: A 20-year single-center experience in 196 patients.

Background: The SynCardia® temporary total artificial heart (TAH) serves as a mechanical circulatory support device for patients suffering from irreversible biventricular failure.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 196 consecutive patients who underwent TAH implantation at our center from 2001 to 2021. We assessed survival rates and all-cause mortality during TAH support, including survival post-heart transplantation.

Midterm results after aortic valve neocuspidization.

Objectives: Aortic valve neocuspidization with autologous pericardium is gaining increasing attention as a surgical treatment option for aortic valve disease. However, little is known about midterm durability and valve-related events.

Methods: Patients undergoing aortic valve neocuspidization between 2016 and 2021 were included.

Functional Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement? Our "Road Map" for the Appropriate Strategy.

The optimal surgical approach for the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) remains controversial. Current guidelines suggest that the surgical approach has to be tailored to the individual patient. The aim of the present study was to clarify further aspects of this tailored treatment.

Early outcomes of transapical mitral valve implantation versus surgical replacement in matched elderly patients at intermediate surgical risk.

Background: Data comparing transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) with surgical mitral valve replacement (SMVR) are lacking.

Aims: This study sought to compare the 30-day Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-3 device success of TMVI with that of SMVR.

Methods: Matching protocol combined exact matching (sex, atrial fibrillation, previous surgical aortic valve replacement [SAVR] or coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]), coarsened exact matching (age) and propensity score matching (body mass index, mitral valve pathology and concomitant tricuspid regurgitation).

Impact of calorie intake and weight gain after Norwood procedure on the outcome of stage II palliation.

Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of caloric intake and weight-for-age-Z-score after the Norwood procedure on the outcome of bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt.

Methods: A total of 153 neonates who underwent the Norwood procedure between 2012 and 2020 were surveyed. Postoperative daily caloric intake and weight-for-age-Z-score up to five months were calculated, and their impact on outcome after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt was analysed.

Impact of home monitoring program on interstage mortality after the Norwood procedure.

Objective: While early outcome after the Norwood operation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome has improved, interstage mortality until bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) remains a concern. Our aim was to institute a home monitoring program to (HMP) decrease interstage mortality.

Methods: Among 264 patients who survived Norwood procedure and were discharged before BCPS, 80 patients were included in the HMP and compared to the remaining 184 patients regarding interstage mortality.

Development of Weight and Height Age z-Score after Total Cavopulmonary Connection.

Objective: We aimed to analyze somatic growth of patients after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) as well as to identify factors influencing postoperative catch-up growth.

Methods: A total of 309 patients undergoing TCPC at 4 years old or less between 1994 and 2021 were included. Weight for age z-score (WAZ) and height for age-z-score (HAZ) at TCPC and at postoperative time between 1 and 3 years were calculated.

Self-expanding vs. balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves in small aortic annuli.

Background: Clinical consequences of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently in the focus of clinical research. Patients with small aortic annulus are at higher risk to display PPM. Data on incidence and clinical consequences of PPM after TAVR with either balloon-expandable (BEV) or self-expanding (SEV) transcatheter heart valves in small aortic annulus are sparse.

Protein-Losing Enteropathy and Plastic Bronchitis Following the Total Cavopulmonary Connections.

Background: We aimed to evaluate incidence, outcomes, and predictors of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) and plastic bronchitis (PB) in a cohort of total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).

Methods: We included 620 consecutive patients undergoing TCPC between 1994 and 2021. Prevalence and predictors for onset of PLE/PB were evaluated.

Longitudinal analysis of systemic ventricular function and atrioventricular valve function after the Fontan procedure.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the longitudinal change of systemic ventricular function and atrioventricular valve (AVV) regurgitation after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC).

Methods: In 620 patients who underwent TCPC between 1994 and 2021, 4219 longitudinal echocardiographic examinations of systemic ventricular function and AVV regurgitation were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: The most frequent primary diagnosis was hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 172, followed by single ventricle in 131, tricuspid atresia in 95 and double inlet left ventricle (LV) in 91 patients.

Changes in pulmonary artery index and its relation to outcome after stage II palliation in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Objectives: This study aimed to prove if pulmonary artery (PA) size influences survival and if an additional aortopulmonary shunt (APS) promotes left PA growth after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Methods: The medical records of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent Norwood procedure and BCPS between 2007 and 2020 were reviewed. Right, left and total (right + left) PA indices were calculated according to Nakata and colleagues.

Impact of Extracardiac Anomalies on Mortality and Morbidity in Staged Single Ventricle Palliation.

Background: This study was intended to determine the impact of extracardiac anomalies on outcomes in patients with functional single ventricle who underwent staged palliation.

Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients who underwent first-stage palliation at our center between 2001 and 2020. The prevalence and type of extracardiac anomalies were evaluated, and their impact on outcomes during staged palliation was analyzed.

Outcome after stage 1 palliation in non-hypoplastic left heart syndrome patients as a univentricular palliation.

Objectives: Studies focused on infants with univentricular heart undergoing stage I palliation other than the Norwood procedure remain a topic of great interest. This study evaluated the outcome of infants who underwent systemic to pulmonary shunt (SPS) or pulmonary artery banding (PAB).

Methods: Infants who underwent SPS or PAB as stage I palliation between 1994 and 2019 were included.

Hemodynamic Comparison between the Avalus and the Perimount Magna Ease Aortic Bioprosthesis up to 5 Years.

Background: We aimed to compare hemodynamic performance of the Avalus (Medtronic) and the Perimount Magna Ease (PME, Edwards Lifesciences) bioprosthesis up to 5 years by serial echocardiographic examinations.

Methods: In patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, 58 received PME prostheses between October 2007 and October 2008, and another 60 received Avalus prostheses between October 2014 and November 2015. To ensure similar baseline characteristics, we performed a propensity score matching based on left ventricular ejection fraction, age, body surface area, and aortic annulus diameter measured by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.

The impact of pulmonary artery size on midterm outcomes after nonfenestrated Fontan operation.

Objective: We sought to identify the impact of pulmonary artery size on outcomes after nonfenestrated total cavopulmonary connection. In a subgroup of patients with right-sided bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, the impact of each branch pulmonary artery size was individually determined.

Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent nonfenestrated total cavopulmonary connection between 2009 and 2021 were reviewed.

Management of failing bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt: Influence of additional systemic-to-pulmonary-artery shunt with classic Glenn physiology.

Objectives: Severe hypoxemia in the early postoperative period after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) is a critical complication. We aimed to evaluate patients who underwent additional systemic to pulmonary shunt and septation of central pulmonary artery (partial takedown) after BCPS.

Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent BCPS between 2007 and 2020 were reviewed.

Impact of Anatomical Sub-types and Shunt Types on Aortopulmonary Collaterals in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

This study aims to clarify the relation of development of aortopulmonary collateral arteries (APCs) with anatomical sub-types and the shunt types at Norwood procedure in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). A total of 140 patients with HLHS who completed 3 staged palliation between 2003 and 2019 were included. Incidence of APCs and corresponding interventions were examined using angiogram by cardiac catheterization, with respect to the anatomical sub-types and shunt types.

Aortopulmonary collaterals in single ventricle: incidence, associated factors and clinical significance.

Objectives: Clinical significance of aortopulmonary collaterals (APCs) in patients with univentricular heart remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and associated factors for APCs and their influence during staged palliation.

Methods: In total, 430 patients who underwent staged palliation by bidirectional Glenn shunt and total cavopulmonary connection between 2003 and 2019 were examined.