Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society
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Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) represents a common and highly relevant co-morbidity in patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been identified as an independent risk factor for developing Afib and for Afib recurrence after treatment, but the role of central sleep apnea (CSA) is less clear. This study investigated characteristics of SDB in Afib patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (PEF). ⋯ SDB was highly prevalent in this cohort of patients with Afib and PEF. The proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe OSA, for whom treatment is recommended by current guidelines, was about 15%. With 36% of patients presenting with moderate-to-severe mixed sleep apnea and almost 10% of patients having CSA, treatment guidelines for these types of SDB in the setting of Afib are needed.
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Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is an established treatment option for chronic heart failure patients with left bundle branch block. Although a concomitant functional mitral regurgitation is often reduced by CRT, many patients need additional mitral valve repair. Placing a CARILLON® Mitral Contour System (CMCS) over a transvenous CRT lead is currently not recommended, since both of them are implanted in the coronary sinus (CS). The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sequential implantation of a transvenous LV lead followed by CMCS implantation, and to assess LV lead performance and possibility of extraction. ⋯ In an animal model of healthy adult sheep, implantation of CMCS with a transvenous LV lead already in place was feasible and without major problems with either the CMCS or the LV lead. Electrical performance of the LV leads was excellent. All LV leads could be extracted without migration of the CMCS.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Intravenous treprostinil infusion via a fully implantable pump for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Parenteral prostanoids infused via external pumps are well-established pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatments. However, local side-effects and systemic infections restrict their use. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety of a fully implantable treprostinil infusion pump (LENUS Pro®) in patients with PAH. ⋯ This study supports use of a fully implantable treprostinil infusion pump in patients with PAH requiring parenteral prostanoids. Refills should be performed by specialized healthcare professionals at patients' homes or at experienced centers using approved equipment.
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Multicenter Study
Insights on mid-term TAVR performance: 3-year clinical and echocardiographic results from the CoreValve ADVANCE study.
Extensive evidence relating to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has accumulated in recent years, but mid-term outcomes are less reported. We investigated 996 patients after implantation of the CoreValve prosthesis for severe aortic stenosis in a real-world setting. ⋯ Our 3-year data demonstrate significant hemodynamic benefits and durable symptom relief after CoreValve prosthesis implantation. Postprocedural patient management should be carefully considered, since postprocedural valve-related events were identified as independent predictors of mid-term mortality.
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Multicenter Study
Whom are we treating with adaptive servo-ventilation? A clinical post hoc analysis.
Recent evidence has shown that adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) is contraindicated in patients with predominant central sleep apnea (CSA) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤45%). The objective of this study was to assess the clinical usage of ASV in patients at the time-point of the release of a safety warning by type of SDB, breathing pattern and LVEF. ⋯ Clinical usage of ASV changed for a small subgroup of patients after release of the SERVE-HF results. Nevertheless, ASV treatment should be monitored and evaluated with diligence in the reminder indications.