REC Interventional Cardiology最新文献

Introduction and objectives: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but serious complication in patients with aortic valve stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The spread of this technique to lower risk patients means that this complication may increase. The objective of this study was to analyze the incidence and mortality of IE in TAVI patients vs patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Methods: We conducted an observational, single-center, retrospective cohort study that included all cases of IE diagnosed consecutively in a Spanish reference center from 2008 through 2022 in patients with TAVI vs SAVR.

Results: The study included a total of 10 cases of IE in 778 patients treated with TAVI, with an incidence rate of 0.09/100 patients/year vs an incidence rate of 0.12/100 patients/year in surgical bioprostheses with 24 cases in 1457 patients (P = .64) (median follow-up of 49 months (p25-p75: 29-108). Clinical features were very similar, with 50% of TAVI patients having cardiac complications vs 33% of SAVR patients (P = .33). Although 40% of the patients from the TAVI group had a surgical indication for IE and 50% for SAVR, P = .49), only half of them underwent surgery in both groups (20% TAVI vs 25% SAVR; P = .93). No differences were reported in the 1-year mortality rate (30% TAVI vs 29% SAVR; P = .56).

Conclusions: The incidence rate of IE in this long series of TAVI patients was low and despite the worse clinical profile of TAVI patients, no significant mortality differences were found compared with the group of patients with surgical bioprosthesis.

Introduction and objectives: Radiofrequency (RF) renal denervation (RDN) has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with uncontrolled hypertension. This analysis sought to explore the cost-effectiveness of this therapy in Spain.

Methods: A decision-analytic Markov model projected clinical events, quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and costs over the patients' lifetime. Treatment effectiveness in the base case analysis was informed by the change in office systolic blood pressure observed in the full cohort of the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED trial (-4.9 mmHg vs sham control). Alternate scenarios were calculated for effect sizes reported in the HTN-ON MED subcohort of patients on 3 antihypertensive medications treated outside the United States, the HTN-OFF MED trial, and the Global SYMPLICITY Registry high-risk and very high-risk cohorts. The analysis was conducted from the Spanish National Health System perspective and a willingness-to-pay a threshold of 25000 per QALY gained was considered.

Results: RF RDN therapy resulted in clinical event reductions (10-year relative risk 0.80 for stroke, 0.88 for myocardial infarction, and 0.72 for heart failure) and a lifetime gain of 0.35 (13.99 vs 13.63) QALYs. Incremental lifetime costs were 5335 (26 381 vs 21 045), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 15 057 per QALY gained. Cost-effectiveness was further improved among all the other clinical evidence scenarios.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that RF RDN can provide a cost-effective alternative in the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension in Spain.

Severe aortic stenosis is the most frequent valve condition requiring surgery, and its incidence is increasing yearly. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the first-line treatment for patients at all levels of surgical risk. Nevertheless, modifications to the procedure often appear to improve clinical outcomes. A major concern after TAVI is the higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) compared with surgical valve replacement. Optimal implantation depth is crucial to reduce the burden of PPMI without causing serious complications such as valve embolization. The classic implantation technique, where the 3 cusps are aligned in the same plane, has been modified to a cusp overlap projection by isolating the noncoronary cusp and superimposing the left and right cusps. This simple modification provides optimal visualization during deployment and helps to achieve the desired implant depth to reduce conduction disturbances and PPMI. Another limitation after TAVI is coronary reaccess due to the frame of the transcatheter valve obstructing the coronary ostia. Commissural alignment of the prostheses with the native valve may facilitate selective cannulation of the coronary arteries after this procedure. This review will discuss the techniques and supporting evidence for these modifications to the deployment and implant projection methods, and how they can improve TAVI outcomes.

Introduction and objectives: The bidirectional Glenn shunt (BDG) is an essential step in the repair of a physiologically single-ventricle heart. BDG increases pulmonary blood flow, allows growth of the pulmonary arteries, and improves SaO₂. The procedure also allows unloading of ventricular volume, thereby improving survival. Our aim was to register all patients who developed collaterals following BDG, document the management methods used, and assess their impact.

Methods: We included 56 patients who underwent BDG procedures at a median age of 2.08 (1-3) years. After BDG, peripheral pulmonary stenting was used in 2 patients. Symptomatic hyperviscosity was present in 10 patients (17.86%), who underwent venesection. BDG was unsuccessful in 2 patients. Venovenous collaterals were observed in 41 patients (73.2%), and aortopulmonary collaterals in 37 (66.1%).

Results: Hematocrit levels were significantly higher in patients with venovenous collaterals (50.00 ± 8.76) than in those without (P = .031). Mean pulmonary artery pressure was also significantly higher in patients with venovenous collaterals (15 [12-18] mmHg; P = .025). One patient had undergone successful closure of venovenous collaterals to epicardial veins and abdominal veins 3 years previously. Seven patients underwent transcatheter closure (TCC) of collaterals. Of these, 4 patients underwent TCC of venovenous collaterals to left and right pulmonary veins; 1 patient underwent closure of an aortopulmonary collateral; 1 patient underwent a failed attempt at venovenous collateral closure that was complicated by an ischemic stroke; and 1 patient had localized extravasation upon separation of the cable. A highly statistically significant increase in SaO₂ was observed after TCC of venovenous collaterals (69.83 ± 10.91 vs 82.83 ± 9.87; P = .008).

Conclusions: TCC of collaterals is a technically demanding but effective management strategy following BDG to improve patients' SaO₂ and quality of life. Awareness of possible complications and their effective management is crucial.

Introduction and objectives: Distal radial access (DRA) for coronary procedures is currently recognized as an alternative to conventional transradial access, with documented advantages primarily related to access-related complications. However, widespread adoption of DRA as the default approach remains limited. Therefore, this prospective cohort study aimed to present our initial experience with DRA for coronary procedures in any clinical settings.

Methods: From August 2020 to November 2023, we included 1000 DRA procedures (943 patients) conducted at a single center. The study enrolled a diverse patient population. We recommended pre- and postprocedural ultrasound evaluations of the radial artery course, with ultrasound-guided DRA puncture. The primary endpoint was DRA success, while secondary endpoints included coronary procedure success, DRA performance metrics, and the incidence of access-related complications.

Results: The DRA success rate was 97.4% (n = 974), with coronary procedure success at 96.9% (n = 969). The median DRA time was 40 [interquartile range, 30-60] seconds. Diagnostic procedures accounted for 64% (n = 644) of cases, while 36% (n = 356) involved percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including primary PCI in 13% (n = 128). Pre-procedure ultrasound evaluation and ultrasound-guided DRA were performed in 83% (n = 830) and 85% (n = 848) of cases, respectively. Access-related complications occurred in 2.9% (n = 29).

Conclusions: This study shows the safety and feasibility of DRA for coronary procedures, particularly when performed under ultrasound guidance in a diverse patient population. High rates of successful access and coronary procedure outcomes were observed, together with a low incidence of access-related complications. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NTC06165406).