Retrospective analysis of single-center early and midterm results of transapical catheter-based mitral paravalvular leak closure with a purpose-specific device.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the recent lack of definitions to establish the severity of paravalvular leak (PVL) and endpoints for its treatment, the effectiveness and safety of a new device for PVL closure have not been comprehensively analyzed. AIM: To analyze a single center's experience of mitral PVL closure in a surgical transapical catheter-based fashion with a purpose-specific device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients following transapical catheter-based mitral PVL closure with a purpose-specific device. Data were analyzed at baseline, perioperatively, at discharge, at six months and annually after the procedure. RESULTS: Nineteen patients underwent surgical transapical catheter-based mitral PVL closure with the Occlutech PLD Occluder. Mean follow-up time was 20 ±7 (range: 9-33) months. The patients' mean age was 64 ±7 years, and 11 (58%) were male. Technical, device and individual patient success at follow-up was achieved in 18 (95%), 16 (84%) and 16 (84%) patients respectively. Median intensive therapy unit stay was one day (1-4) and mean hospital stay was 11 ±4 days. A reduction of paravalvular regurgitation to a mild or lesser degree was achieved in 18 (95%) patients. There were no strokes or myocardial infarctions at follow-up. There were no deaths at 30 days after the procedure. One (5%) patient expired due to progression of heart failure 12 months after surgery. None of the patients required immediate conversion to full sternotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical transapical catheter-based mitral PVL closure with the Occlutech PLD Occluder is a safe and clinically effective treatment.

FFR result post PCI is suboptimal in long diffuse coronary artery disease.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional result immediately post PCI and at nine-month follow-up, and to ascertain how often a functionally optimal result of >0.95 can be achieved in long coronary lesions treated with long second- or newer-generation DES. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients receiving DES measuring ≥30 mm with FFR value ≤0.8 were included in the study. Stent length was defined as long (30 to 49 mm; L-DES) and ultra-long (≥50 mm; UL-DES). Angiographic and FFR evaluation was performed before and after PCI and at nine-month follow-up. A total of 74 patients each received a mean stent length of 50.72±14.6 mm. Mean FFR post PCI was 0.88±0.06. An optimal post PCI FFR value of >0.95 was achieved in only 9/74 patients (12.2%), and was not achieved in any UL-DES patients. Only 12/74 (16.2%) had FFR post PCI of 0.91 to 0.95; 8/74 (10.8%) patients remained ischaemic (≤0.8). FFR gradient across the stent was higher in UL-DES patients compared to L-DES patients (0.07±0.03 vs. 0.04±0.03; p=0.001). At follow-up, the angiographic restenosis rate was 4.7%, and the functional restenosis rate was 15.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The FFR result post PCI was suboptimal in the majority of patients treated with long DES and was particularly poor when the total stent length exceeded 50 mm.

Hybrid approach for transcatheter paravalvular leak closure of mitral prosthesis in high-risk patients through transapical access.

OBJECTIVES: To report "hybrid" procedure feasibility and the clinical success of transcatheter paravalvular leak closure through apical access. METHODS: Seven patients (73.6±6.1 years; 4 men) with severe mitral prosthesis paravalvular leak were selected. All patients were at high risk for open surgery because of severe comorbidities and heart failure (New York Heart Association class III-IV). RESULTS: The defect size was 25±7.8 mm in the long axis and 9.3±2 mm in the short axis. Two defects were detected in 2 patients. The transapical procedure was performed in a "hybrid" surgery room using minithoracotomy and general anesthesia. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy were used for imaging. A total of 19 Amplatzer Vascular Plug III devices (St Jude Medical) were implanted in 7 patients, 2.7/patient and 1 to 3/fistula. The procedure time was 150.7±66.8 minutes. In 6 of 7 patients (85.7%), the paravalvular leak was successfully closed, resulting in no or mild residual regurgitation. One patient had moderate regurgitation despite deployment of 3 Amplatzer Vascular Plug III devices. Two patients required blood transfusion related to procedural blood loss. The patients were discharged at 15.3±6.5 days and followed up at 215.7±138.6 days. All but 1 patient reported symptomatic improvement by ≥1 New York Heart Association class at follow-up. One patient died 216 days postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: A "hybrid approach" for transcatheter paravalvular leak closure of mitral prosthesis from the apical route is effective in reducing the regurgitation grade and improving functional capacity in high-risk patients. Complete closure of the defect was maintained at follow-up in most patients.

Complicated congenital gluteal arteriovenous malformation with hemorrhage in pregnancy.

Extracranial congenital arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare clinical entities that can be progressive in nature. The influence of pregnancy on lesion progression has been discussed in the past. This report presents an unusual case of 23-year-old primigravida woman who presented at 36 weeks' gestation with complicated necrotic ulceration and hemorrhage of the right gluteal region. A hyperpigmented mark with varicosities was initially noted at birth, but during pregnancy it showed remarkable progression and was first identified as an AVM. After hemorrhage control and induced delivery, the lesion was successfully treated with several embolizations. Complete wound healing was achieved, but because of partial recurrence at 3 years, repeat embolization was performed, with satisfactory clinical improvement and residual 25% arteriovenous shunting on transarterial lung perfusion scintigraphy study. AVM complications during pregnancy are uncommon, and this case supports the prior opinion that pregnancy can stimulate lesion progression. Especially in undiagnosed and previously untreated cases, this can lead to life-threatening complications for the mother and fetus. Long-term lesion management usually requires combined endovascular and surgical treatment.

Classic dissection of thoracic aorta complicated by ascending aortic intramural hematoma: promt diagnosis and successful endovascular repair.

We reported a case of 68-year-old man, with a previous history of hypertension. Patient was admitted to our institution for evaluation of a severe, constant, tearing anterior chest pain radiated to the neck with suspicion of acute aortic dissection. A multidetector computed tomography scan of thorax and abdomen demonstrated a dissection starting from the middle part of aortic arch and extending downward to the descending aorta till the middle part of the thoracic aorta. The dissection was classified as Stanford A, De Bakey I. Surgical treatment of patient was started with bypass graft from the right common carotid artery to the left common carotid with subsequent revascularization of left subclavian artery. Lower parts of above-mentioned arteries were ligated. At the second stage an emergent prosthetic stent-graft was placed distally from the truncus brachiocephalicus up to the proximal part of the descending aorta. We reported a case report to present diagnostic and possible interventional treatment for patient with acute aortic type A dissection.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance for visualization of myocardial ischemia at rest.

This article presents the case of a 54-year-old male with evidence of myocardial ischemia at rest. In our case, by means of cardiovascular magnetic resonance, myocardial ischemia at rest in theoretical left anterior descending artery territory was proved, myocardial scar was excluded, and need for revascularization was validated.

[Reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction: primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or thrombolysis?]. / Uminio miokardo infarkto reperfuzine terapija: perkutanine transliuminaline vainikiniu arteriju angioplastika ar fibrinolize?

Randomized controlled trials that compared primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with thrombolysis have shown that primary angioplasty is more effective than intravenous thrombolysis in reducing mortality and morbidity in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Three large myocardial infarction registries - MITI, NRMI-2 and French registry - failed to show an advantage of primary angioplasty compared with thrombolysis. One of the latest trials mentioned in this paper restored the place of primary angioplasty as superior to thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction. Data of patients treated with primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in Clinic of Cardiology of Vilnius University are presented.