Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society
-
Despite the completion of more than 60,000 transcutaneous aortic valve implantations (TAVI) per year and an approximately 10-15 % incidence of vascular access site complications (VAC), there is a paucity of data on the efficacy and safety of percutaneous VAC treatment. ⋯ Percutaneous treatment of VAC during TAVI is safe and effectively helps to minimize the need for surgery in the vast majority of VAC. During short- and mid-term follow-up, percutaneous VAC management is associated with low complication rates and good clinical outcomes.
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Procedural safety of a fully implantable intravenous prostanoid pump for pulmonary hypertension.
In patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension, subcutaneous or catheter-based intravenous application of prostanoids carries a risk of local side effects or systemic infections, which limits their use and acceptance. Recently, a fully implantable pump for continuous application of intravenous treprostinil was approved in Germany. However, surgery is a major risk for patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of a fully implantable pump inserted under local or general anesthesia in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. ⋯ Our observational study provides preliminary evidence supporting the procedural safety of a fully implantable pump inserted under local or general anesthesia for patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. The observation of major complications in a subset of patients requires extensive pre- and post-operative assessments. Future trials are required to provide further evidence for the long-term safety and efficacy of the pump using this approach.