Permanent pacemaker implantation after alcoholic septal ablation induced complete heart block: Long-term impact.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) that remain symptomatic despite optimized medical therapy often undergo alcohol septal ablation (ASA). One of the most frequent complications is complete heart block (CHB), requiring a permanent pacemaker (PPM) in variable rates of up to 20% of patients. The long-term impact of PPM implantation in these patients remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes in patients who implant PPM after ASA. METHODS: Patients who underwent ASA at a tertiary center were consecutively and prospectively enrolled. Patients with previous PPM or implantable cardio-defibrillator were excluded from this analysis. Patients with and without PPM implantation after ASA were compared based on their baseline characteristics, procedure data and three-year primary endpoint of composite of all-cause mortality and hospitalization and secondary endpoint of composite of all-cause mortality and cardiac cause hospitalization. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2019, 109 patients underwent ASA, 97 of whom were included in this analysis (68% female, mean age 65.2 years old). 16 patients (16.5%) required PPM implantation for CHB. In these patients, no vascular access, pacemaker pocket or pulmonary parenchyma complications were noted. The baseline characteristics of comorbidities, symptoms, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings were identical in the two groups, with higher mean age (70.6±10.0 years vs. 64.1±11.9 years) and lower beta-blocker therapy rate (56% vs. 84%) in the PPM group. Procedure-related data showed higher creatine kinase (CK) peaks in the PPM group (1692 U/L vs. 1243 U/L), with no significant difference in the alcohol dose. At three years after ASA procedure, there were no differences in the primary and secondary endpoints between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Permanent pacemaker after ASA induced CHB do not affect long term prognosis in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with Ebstein's anomaly: data from the Registry of Pregnancy And Cardiac disease (ROPAC).

OBJECTIVE: Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital cardiac condition and data regarding pregnancy outcomes in this patient group are scarce. We evaluated the maternal and perinatal risks of pregnancy in 81 women with Ebstein's anomaly. METHODS: The Registry of Pregnancy and Cardiac disease is a prospective global registry of pregnancies in women with structural cardiac disease. Pregnancy outcomes in women with Ebstein's anomaly were examined. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a major adverse cardiac event (MACE) defined as maternal mortality, heart failure, arrhythmia, thromboembolic event or endocarditis. Secondary endpoints were obstetric and perinatal outcomes and the influence of pregnancy on tricuspid valve regurgitation as well as right atrial and ventricular dimensions. RESULTS: In the 81 women with Ebstein's anomaly (mean age 29.7±6.1 years, 46.9% nulliparous), MACE occurred in 8 (9.9%) pregnancies, mostly heart failure (n=6). There were no maternal deaths. Prepregnancy signs of heart failure were predictive for MACE. Almost half of the women were delivered by caesarean section (45.7%) and preterm delivery occurred in 24.7%. Neonatal mortality was 2.5% and 4.9% of the infants had congenital heart disease. In the subgroup in which prepregnancy and postpregnancy data were available, there was no difference in tricuspid valve regurgitation grade or right atrial and ventricular dimensions before and after pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Most women with Ebstein's anomaly tolerate pregnancy well, but women with prepregnancy signs of heart failure are at higher risk for MACE during pregnancy and should be counselled accordingly.

Intracardiac echocardiography-guided left atrial appendage occlusion: The path to independence.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been the standard method for guiding left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures. Recently, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has emerged as an alternative to TEE due to several advantages, particularly the avoidance of general anesthesia. This analysis aims to assess the safety, feasibility and efficacy of ICE-guided LAAO procedures. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of ICE-guided LAAO procedures, including a comparison of embolic and bleeding events with the predicted standard scores and a comparison with TEE-guided procedures. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients underwent echocardiography-guided percutaneous LAAO (43 patients with TEE and 45 with ICE), mean age 74.9 years, 68.2% male. In the ICE-guided population, the technical success rate was 93% and the major complication rate was 8.8%. During follow-up, yearly stroke and major bleeding rates were 1.4% and 8.4%, respectively, compared to the 4.0% and 8.7% predicted by the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. In the TEE versus ICE analysis (similar baseline characteristics), no statistically significant differences were seen regarding technical success (95.3% vs. 93.3%), procedure-related complications (14.0% vs. 8.9%), device thrombus (2.3% vs. 0%), residual minor peridevice leaks (14.0% vs. 24.4%), one-year all-cause mortality (9.3% vs. 4.4%), stroke (9.3% vs. 2.2%) or major bleeding events (9.3% vs. 11.1%). CONCLUSION: ICE-guided LAAO was a safe and effective therapeutic strategy in a high embolic and bleeding risk population, compared to the event rates predicted by the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. The ICE-guided procedure compared well to TEE-guided procedures regarding procedure feasibility, safety, and efficacy.

Infective endocarditis in a cohort of adult CHD patients.

BACKGROUND: CHD increases the risk of infective endocarditis due to the substrate of prosthetic materials and residual lesions. However, lesion-specific and mortality risks data are lacking. We sought to analyse clinical course and mortality of infective endocarditis in a cohort of adult CHD. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all cases of proven and probable infective endocarditis (Duke's criteria) followed in our adult CHD clinic between 1970 and August, 2021. Epidemiological, clinical and imaging data were analysed. Predictors of surgical treatment and mortality were assessed using regression analysis. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 15.8 ± 10.9 years, 96 patients had 105 infective endocarditis episodes, half with previous cardiac surgery (corrective or palliative). The most frequent diagnoses were: ventricular septal defect, bicuspid aortic valve, Tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia. The site of infection was identified by echocardiography in 82 episodes (91%), most frequently in aortic (n = 27), tricuspid (n = 15), and mitral (n = 13) valves. Blood cultures were positive in 79% of cases, being streptococci (n = 29) and staphylococci (n = 23) the predominant pathogens. Surgery was necessary in 40% and the in-hospital mortality was 10.5%, associated with heart failure (p < 0.001; OR 13.5) and a non-surgical approach (p = 0.003; OR 5.06). CONCLUSIONS: In an adult CHD cohort, infective endocarditis was more frequent in patients with ventricular septal defect and bicuspid aortic valves, which contradicts the current guidelines that excludes them from prophylaxis. Surgical treatment is often required and mortality remains substantial. Prevention of this serious complication should be one of the major tasks in the care of adults with CHD.

Non-VKA Oral Anticoagulants in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: a Single-Center Study.

PURPOSE: Non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) prescription is increasing in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). However, data on efficacy and safety in ACHD is unclear, particularly in severe CHD. The study aimed to review the safety and efficacy of NOACs in ACHD. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of ACHD patients started on NOACs from 2014 to 2020, with the primary endpoints of bleeding or thromboembolic events (TE). CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were calculated, mortality was assessed, and risk factors for bleeding were identified. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were included, the mean age was 52 ± 15 years, 58% were female, 55.9% had moderate CHD, and 23.7% had severe CHD (3.2% Fontan). Most (66%) had a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2 and 82% HAS-BLED ≤ 2. In a median follow-up of 41 (IQR 21) months (400.4 patient-years), there were TE in two patients. The annual risk for TE was 0.49%/patient/year. The cardiovascular mortality was 2% and all-cause mortality 5%; there were no fatal TE or bleeding events. Minor (n = 6, 6.5%) and major (n = 3, 3.2%) bleeding events were observed, a median of 12 (IQR 15) months after starting NOAC therapy. The annual risk for bleeding was 2.2%/patient/year. Renal disease (HR 14.6 [95% CI 1.23-73.6], p = 0.033) and the HAS-BLED score were predictors of major (adjusted HR 6.97 [95% CI 1.69-28.78], p = 0.007) and minor (adjusted HR 3.80 [95% CI 1.48-9.78], p = 0.006) bleeding complications. CONCLUSION: In this real-life cohort of selected ACHD, the use of NOACs was safe and effective, with a low incidence of bleeding events.

Prognostic power of anaerobic threshold parameters in patients with transposition of the great arteries and systemic right ventricle.

INTRODUCTION: Both transposition of the great arteries (TGA) previously submitted to a Senning/Mustard procedure and congenitally corrected TGA (cc-TGA) have the systemic circulation supported by the morphological right ventricle, thereby rendering these patients to heart failure events risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters for stratifying the risk of heart failure events in TGA patients. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of adult TGA patients with systemic circulation supported by the morphological right ventricle submitted to cardiopulmonary exercise test in a tertiary centre. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year for the primary endpoint of cardiac death or heart failure hospitalisation. Several cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters were analysed as potential predictors of the combined endpoint and their predictive power were compared (area under the curve). RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed in 44 TGA patients (8 cc-TGA), with a mean age of 35.1 ± 8.4 years. The primary endpoint was reached by 10 (22.7%) patients, with a mean follow-up of 36.7 ± 26.8 months. Heart rate at anaerobic threshold had the highest area under the curve value (0.864), followed by peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) (0.838). Heart rate at anaerobic threshold ≤95 bpm and pVO2 ≤20 ml/kg/min had a sensitivity of 87.5 and 80.0% and a specificity of 82.4 and 76.5%, respectively, for the primary outcome. CONCLUSION: Heart rate at anaerobic threshold ≤95 bpm had the highest predictive power of all cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters analysed for heart failure events in TGA patients with systemic circulation supported by the morphological right ventricle.

Short- and long-term outcome after alcohol septal ablation in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Experience of a reference center.

INTRODUCTION: In obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), alcohol septal ablation (ASA) can lead to gradient reduction and symptom improvement. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ASA in a long-term outcome study. METHODS: We analyzed patients who underwent ASA over a seven-year period in a tertiary center. The primary echocardiographic endpoint was >50% reduction in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient within a year of the procedure. The primary clinical endpoints were improvement in functional capacity and a combined endpoint of cardiac death and rehospitalization for cardiac cause. The follow-up period was 4.17±2.13 years. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients, mean age 63.9±12.3 years, 30.0% male, were analyzed. Baseline LVOT gradient was 96.3±34.6 mmHg and interventricular septal thickness was 21.6±3.1 mm. Minor complications were observed in 6.3% and major complications in 2.5%, and 8.8% received a permanent pacemaker. The primary echocardiographic endpoint was achieved by 85.7%. At three-month follow-up, LVOT gradient was 25.8±26.0 mmHg in the successful procedure group, compared to 69.2±35.6 mmHg in the other patients (p=0.001). At six months, LVOT gradient was 27.1±27.4 vs. 58.2±16.6 mmHg (p=0.024). Among 74 patients in NYHA class III/IV before the procedure, 57 (77%) improved to NHYA class I/II. The combined primary clinical endpoint (cardiac death and rehospitalization for cardiac cause) was observed in 27.5% (n=22). In the unsuccessful group, the combined endpoint was observed in 54.5%, compared to only 22.7% in the successful group. Only two patients died of cardiac causes. CONCLUSION: ASA is a safe procedure with a high success rate. Patients who achieved significant reductions in LVOT gradient suffered less cardiac death and rehospitalization for cardiac cause.

Long-term follow-up of adult patients with congenital heart disease and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

OBJECTIVE: Sudden cardiac death is common in the adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) population. Knowledge and experience about the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) in ACHD patients is very limited. We aimed to characterize a cohort of patients with ACHD and ICDs. DESIGN: Thirty consecutive ACHD patients submitted to an ICD implantation in a single tertiary center were evaluated. Data on baseline clinical features, heart defect, indication for ICD, type of device, appropriate therapies, ICD-related complication, and mortality during follow-up were collected. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 56.7% received appropriate therapies due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). The rate of inappropriate therapies and device-related complications was 33.3%. Secondary prevention and primary prevention patients with class I indications for ICD had more appropriate therapies than complication, but this relationship was reversed for patients with class II indications. Remote monitoring played an important role in diagnosing new atrial arrhythmias before scheduled visits in 46.2% of patients, leading to a change in medication. VT/VF episodes were associated with a composite of death, cardiac transplantation, and hospital admission (OR 13.0; 95% CI: 2.1-81.5). CONCLUSION: ICDs are not only useful in preventing SCD, but also have a major role in diagnosing atrial tachyarrhythmias ahead of scheduled visits. Although improvements in ICD technology might reduce complications and inappropriate therapies, adequate selection of candidates for primary prevention still remains difficult because of the lack of clear indications.

Levantamento etnobotânico de plantas medicinais comercializadas no município de Buriticupu / Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants sold in the municipality of Buriticupu

Introdução: a etnobotânica é a ciência que estuda a relação do homem com as plantas ao longo do tempo. O estudo de plantas medicinais revela espécies de plantas localmente importantes, muitas vezes úteis para a descoberta de novas drogas. Objetivos: realizar um levantamento das plantas medicinais comercializadas no município de Buriticupu, MA, bem como identificar as principais partes utilizadas e doenças tratadas. Métodos: foram coletadas informações através da aplicação de questionário semiestruturado, escolhendo os informantes pela técnica "Bola de Neve". Resultados: foram citadas 84 espécies distribuídas em 49 famílias botânicas. As famílias com maior número de espécies citadas foram Fabaceae, Lamiaceae e Asteraceae. A planta com maior número de citação foi a aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi). As folhas, sementes e cascas foram as mais citadas sendo o preparo mais utilizado a garrafada. As doenças mais tratadas foram as relacionadas ao sistema reprodutor feminino e doenças do sistema digestivo. Conclusão: observou-se que há necessidade de realizar atividades educativas para ampliar as informações sobre formas de coletas das diversas partes botânicas para garantir a perpetuação das plantas medicinais.

Introduction: ethnobotany is the scientific study of the relationships between people and plants throughout time. The study of medicinal plants reveals locally important species, many of which are useful for the development of new drugs. Objectives: conduct a survey of the medicinal plants sold in the municipality of Buriticupu, MA, and identify the main parts used and the diseases treated. Methods: data were collected by the application of a semi-structured questionnaire. Respondents were selected by snowball sampling. Results: eighty-four species from 49 botanical families were mentioned. The best represented families were Fabaceae, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae. The plant most often mentioned was aroeira (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi). The parts most commonly cited were leaves, seeds and peels, and the most common preparation was decantation. The diseases most frequently treated were those related to the digestive system and the female reproductive system. Conclusion: it was found that it is necessary to perform educational actions aimed at broadening knowledge about techniques for the collection of the various botanical parts to ensure the preservation of medicinal plants.

Uhl's disease: An uncommon presentation of a rare disease.

Uhl's disease, also known as Uhl anomaly, is a rare disease secondary to selective but uncontrolled apoptosis of right ventricular myocytes during the perinatal period, after complete cardiac development, leading to the absence of right ventricular myocardium and the direct apposition of endocardium to epicardium without a myocardial layer in between, resulting in right ventricular failure. The present paper describes a case of Uhl's disease with an uncommon presentation. A 28-year-old man was admitted with dyspnea and cyanosis. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe dilation of the right chambers, impaired right ventricular systolic function and a large ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). Cardiac catheterization revealed pulmonary hypertension, with increased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (mean 19mmHg) and Qp:QS 0.88:1. At this point, the authors considered that a main diagnosis of ASD could not explain the clinical features and hemodynamic data. A primary disease of the right ventricle was the most likely hypothesis and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which demonstrated an extremely thin-walled right ventricle, with almost complete absence of right ventricular free wall myocardium, compatible with Uhl's disease.

Successful percutaneous closure of a residual atrial septal defect due to device failure.

A 39-year-old woman underwent uneventful percutaneous occlusion of an ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with a 22 mm Ultrasept ASD Occluder®. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) performed two years after implantation revealed a de novo residual left-to-right shunt through the correctly implanted device. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) further clarified this finding by showing a perforation of the device membrane coating. The patient underwent transcatheter closure of the residual shunt with a 20 mm Ultrasept PFO® device. The procedure was guided by fluoroscopy and real-time 3D TEE. At the end of the procedure 3D TEE documented correct device deployment with complete defect coverage and absence of residual shunt.

Bicuspid aortic valve outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common CHD. Its association with early valvular dysfunction, endocarditis, thoracic aorta dilatation, and aortic dissection is well established. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and predictors of cardiac events in adults with bicuspid aortic valve. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of cardiac outcomes in ambulatory adults with bicuspid aortic valve followed-up in a tertiary hospital centre. Outcomes were defined as follows: interventional - intervention on the aortic valve or thoracic aorta; medical - death, aortic dissection, aortic valve endocarditis, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, or ischaemic heart disease requiring hospital admission; and a composite end point of both. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to determine event rates, and predictors of cardiac events were determined by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 227 patients were followed-up over 13±9 years; 29% of patients developed severe aortic valve dysfunction and 12.3% reached ascending thoracic aorta dimensions above 45 mm. At least one cardiac outcome occurred in 38.8% of patients, with an incidence rate at 20 years of follow-up of 47±4%; 33% of patients were submitted to an aortic valve or thoracic aorta intervention. Survival 20 years after diagnosis was 94±2%. Independent predictors of the composite end point were baseline moderate-severe aortic valve dysfunction (hazard ratio, 3.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-7.54; p<0.01) and aortic valve leaflets calcification (hazard ratio, 4.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.91-11.64; p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In this study of bicuspid aortic valve, the long-term survival was excellent but with occurrence of frequent cardiovascular events. Baseline aortic valve calcification and dysfunction were the only independent predictors of events.

The value of right ventricular longitudinal strain in the evaluation of adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: a new tool for a contemporary challenge.

OBJECTIVE: The role of right ventricular longitudinal strain for assessing patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot is not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate its relation with other structural and functional parameters in these patients. METHODS: Patients followed-up in a grown-up CHD unit, assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and treadmill exercise testing, were retrospectively evaluated. Right ventricular size and function and pulmonary regurgitation severity were assessed by echocardiography and MRI. Right ventricular longitudinal strain was evaluated in the four-chamber view using the standard semiautomatic method. RESULTS: In total, 42 patients were included (61% male, 32±8 years). The mean right ventricular longitudinal strain was -16.2±3.7%, and the right ventricular ejection fraction, measured by MRI, was 42.9±7.2%. Longitudinal strain showed linear correlation with tricuspid annular systolic excursion (r=-0.40) and right ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.45) (all p<0.05), which in turn showed linear correlation with right ventricular fractional area change (r=0.50), pulmonary regurgitation colour length (r=0.35), right ventricular end-systolic volume (r=-0.60), and left ventricular ejection fraction (r=0.36) (all p<0.05). Longitudinal strain (ß=-0.72, 95% confidence interval -1.41, -0.15) and left ventricular ejection fraction (ß=0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.11, 0.67) were independently associated with right ventricular ejection fraction. The best threshold of longitudinal strain for predicting a right ventricular ejection fraction of <40% was -17.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricular longitudinal strain is a powerful method for evaluating patients with tetralogy of Fallot. It correlated with echocardiographic right ventricular function parameters and was independently associated with right ventricular ejection fraction derived by MRI.

New-Onset Hemolytic Anemia after Percutaneous Paravalvular Leak Closure.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Despite being usually clinically silent, paravalvular leak can present with congestive heart failure (CHF) or haemolytic anemia. Here, the case is reported of a paravalvular leak presenting with CHF, complicated by new-onset severe hemolytic anemia after percutaneous closure with a large ventricular septal duct (VSD) occlude device. METHODS: A 57-year-old patient presented with infectious endocarditis of a native mitral valve with major mitral regurgitation and was submitted for mitral valvuloplasty. However, one month later failure of the valvuloplasty forced the need for mechanical prosthetic valve implantation. Early endocarditis of the mechanical valve with CHF was noted two months later and led to mechanical valve substitution. One year later the patient presented with a major paravalvular leak and CHF recurrence. Hence, percutaneous paravalvular leak closure was proposed. RESULTS: A 16-mm VSD occluder was used, and clinical and echocardiography success was noticed. However, new-onset hemolytic anemia with acute kidney injury forced surgical re-intervention, with the successful implantation of a third mechanical valve. CONCLUSIONS: Usually, percutaneous paravalvular leak closure is a safe and successful method to treat high-risk surgical patients. However, hemolytic anemia may develop after a technically successful procedure, forcing surgical intervention. Dedicated devices are needed to overcome this important safety issue. Video 1: Periprocedural acquisition of 3-D transesophageal echocardiography showing two AVP II in the left atrium after unsuccessful deployment. Video 2: Periprocedural imaging of a muscular ventricular septal duct (mVSD) occluder (16 mm), with successful closure of the paravalvular leak.

Alcohol septal ablation in obstructive acromegalic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a first case report.

Acromegaly is a rare disease, mostly caused by a growth hormone (GH)-secreting benign pituitary tumor, with an increased production of GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Cardiovascular complications are common and are associated with cardiomyocyte apoptosis and concentric cardiac hypertrophy. Suppression of GH and IGF-1 appears to improve cardiac function only in the short term, with little or no decrease in left ventricular mass or improvement in cardiac function after prolonged treatment. Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to septal myectomy, with significant improvement in symptoms, gradients and left ventricular remodeling. In this report, we describe the case of a 73-year-old woman with acromegaly due to a pituitary adenoma diagnosed and treated surgically at the age of 38 but with recurrence and reoperation at the age of 50. She was referred to our cardiology department due to a three-month history of progressively worsening exercise-induced dyspnea and orthopnea under optimal medical therapy. Echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe basal hypertrophy of the interventricular septum (19 mm), dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with a gradient of 70 mmHg at rest and 120 mmHg with Valsalva maneuver, and systolic anterior movement (SAM). Genetic testing excluded the most frequent forms of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. ASA was performed with injection of 2 cc of alcohol in the first septal branch of the left coronary artery, without complications. At one-year reassessment, significant clinical and echocardiographic improvement was noted, with disappearance of SAM. To our knowledge, there have been no previously reported cases of ASA in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to acromegaly. We report a case of successful ASA in acromegalic cardiomyopathy.

Percutaneous closure of a giant left ventricular wall pseudoaneurysm: Anterograde approach with a double snare technique.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, trauma or infection. Since surgical repair is associated with high morbidity and mortality, percutaneous closure has been described as an alternative. In this regard, we present a case in which a symptomatic large left ventricular pseudoaneurysm was treated by percutaneous closure due to the patient's high surgical risk, using a double snare technique. Despite the technical difficulties, this procedure had a good final result followed by clinical success, confirming that this procedure is an effective alternative to surgery in high-risk patients.

Percutaneous closure of a large ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm.

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare complication, usually after thoracic surgery or trauma. Since surgical repair is associated with very high morbidity and mortality, percutaneous closure has been described as an alternative. In this regard, we present a case in which a symptomatic large pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta was treated percutaneously due to the high surgical risk. Despite the technical difficulties, this procedure had a good final result followed by clinical success.

Percutaneous occlusion of vascular malformations in pediatric and adult patients: 20-year experience of a single center.

OBJECTIVE: A case series on different vascular malformations (VM) treated with percutaneous occlusion in children and adults is presented. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous occlusion is usually the preferred treatment method for VM. Previous series have mostly focused on single types of devices and/or VM. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent percutaneous occlusion of VM in a single center, from 1995 to 2014, excluding patent ductus arteriosus. Clinical and angiographic data, procedural details, implanted devices, and complications were assessed. Procedural success was defined as effective device deployment with none or minimal residual flow. Predictors of procedural failure and complications were determined by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 123 VM were intervened in 47 patients with median age of 12 years (25 days-76 years). The VM included 55 pulmonary arteriovenous fistulae, 39 aortopulmonary collaterals, 10 systemic venovenous collaterals, 8 peripheral arteriovenous fistulae, 5 Blalock-Taussig shunts, 4 coronary fistulae, and 2 Fontan fenestrations. The 143 devices used included 80 vascular plugs, 38 coils, 22 duct occluders, and 3 foramen ovale or atrial septal defect occluders. Median vessel size was 4.5 (2.0-16.0) mm and device/vessel size ratio was 1.4 (1.1-2.0). Successful occlusion was achieved in 118 (95.9%) VM, including three reinterventions. Four (3.3%) clinically relevant complications occurred, without permanent sequelae. Lower body weight was independently associated with procedural failure and complications. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the largest series on different VM occluded percutaneously in children and adults, excluding patent ductus arteriosus. Percutaneous occlusion was effective and safe, using different devices.