Percutaneous left ventricular restoration.

The ventricular partitioning device known as Parachute is the first and only percutaneously implantable device aimed at restoration of normal left ventricular geometry in humans. Since its conception, this technology has undergone extensive animal and human testing, with proved feasibility and safety, and is currently being studied in a pivotal randomized clinical trial. This article discusses ventricular remodeling and therapies attempted in the past, details the components of the ventricular partitioning device, describes the implanting technique, and reviews the most current experience of this device in humans.

Significance of aortic valve calcification in patients with low-gradient low-flow aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and impaired left ventricular function remains challenging. Aortic valve calcium (AVC) scoring with computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy has been proposed as means of diagnosing and predicting outcomes in patients with severe AS. HYPOTHESIS: Severity of aortic valve calcification correlates with the diagnosis of true severe AS and outcomes in patients with low-gradient low-flow AS. METHODS: Echocardiography and CT database records from January 1, 2000 to September 26, 2009 were reviewed. Patients with aortic valve area (AVA)<1.0 cm2 who had ejection fraction (EF)≤25% and mean valvular gradient≤25 mmHg with concurrent noncontrast CT scans were included. AVC was evaluated using CT and fluoroscopy. Mortality and aortic valve replacement (AVR) were established using the Social Security Death Index and medical records. The role of surgery in outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients who met the above criteria were included. Mean age was 75.1±9.6 years, and 15 patients were female. Mean EF was 21%±4.6% with AVA of 0.7±0.1 cm2. The peak and mean gradients were 35.5±10.6 and 19.0±5.1 mmHg, respectively. Median aortic valve calcium score was 2027 Agatston units. Mean follow-up was 908 days. Patients with calcium scores above the median value were found to have increased mortality (P=0.02). The benefit of surgery on survival was more pronounced in patients with higher valvular scores (P=0.001). Fluoroscopy scoring led to similar findings, where increased AVC predicted worse outcomes (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with low-gradient low-flow AS, higher valvular calcium score predicts worse long-term mortality. AVR is associated with improved survival in patients with higher valve scores.

Severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease--implications for management in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement era: a comprehensive review.

Management of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) referred for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is posing challenges. Due to limited and heterogeneous data on the prevalence and clinical impact of CAD on the outcomes of TAVR and the management strategies for CAD in patients undergoing TAVR, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature. Significant CAD is present in 40% to 75% of patients undergoing TAVR. The impact of CAD on outcomes after TAVR remains understudied. Based on existing data, not all patients require revascularization before TAVR. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) should be considered for severely stenotic lesions in proximal coronaries that subtend a large area of myocardium at risk. Ongoing studies randomizing patients to surgical or percutaneous management strategies for severe AS will help provide valuable data regarding the impact of CAD on TAVR outcomes, the role of PCI, and its timing in relation to TAVR.