Methodist DeBakey cardiovascular journal
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Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J · Jan 2013
ReviewVentricular assist devices (VAD) therapy: new technology, new hope?
Ventricular assist devices are commonly utilized in the treatment of end-stage heart failure. Advances in continuous flow technology have improved efficiency, size, implantability, extended support, and overall patient outcomes. This has led to an expanded role of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) clinical use and applications. This review describes the advances and current state of LVAD devices and provides a future outlook for this technology.
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Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J · Jul 2012
ReviewAcute kidney injury after cardiovascular surgery: an overview.
Acute kidney injury is a complication of open-heart surgery that carries a poor prognosis. Studies have shown that postoperative renal function deterioration in cardiovascular surgery patients increases in-hospital mortality and adversely affects long-term survival. Identifying individuals at risk for developing AKI and aggressive early intervention is extremely important to optimize outcomes. This paper provides an overview of the etiology, prognostic markers, risk factors, and prevention of AKI and treatments that may favorably affect outcomes.
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Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J · Apr 2012
ReviewMultimodality noninvasive imaging for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a primer.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has recently emerged as a treatment option for patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS). For patients who are deemed inoperable for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), TAVI has a significant mortality benefit compared to medical therapy. This review discusses established and emerging roles for multimodality imaging and focuses on the application of these technologies for patient selection, intraprocedural guidance, and the detection and quantification of acute and chronic complications of this novel procedure.
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Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J · Apr 2012
ReviewRole of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) versus conventional aortic valve replacement in the treatment of aortic valve disease.
Conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery has been in clinical use since 1960. Results, particularly in high-risk populations such as the very elderly and frail, continue to improve in response to the challenges posed by this growing segment of the patient population. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a fairly recent development, performed for the first time in 2002. ⋯ Results of recent randomized prospective trials demonstrate both the future promise and current problems of the TAVI approach. Many patients deemed inoperable for AVR have been treated successfully by TAVI. However, elevated procedural and late mortality rates, excessive early and late stroke, and a significant incidence of periprosthetic aortic valve insufficiency and patient-prosthesis mismatch all suggest caution in extending this technology to patients able to undergo conventional AVR with a low risk of early or late complications.
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Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J · Apr 2012
ReviewNext-generation transcatheter heart valves: current trials in Europe and the USA.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has proven to be a viable alternative for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis who are at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. At the same time, there is increasing evidence that moderate-to-severe periprosthetic aortic regurgitation after TAVI is associated with dramatically increased mortality and morbidity. ⋯ The next generation of transcatheter heart valves will most likely address repositionability to facilitate accurate placement with additional features that minimize paravalvular leakage. Upcoming devices promise to improve outcomes and usability of current TAVI systems.