The Journal of invasive cardiology
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Comparative Study
The incidence of transcatheter aortic valve implantation-related heart block in self-expandable Medtronic CoreValve and balloon-expandable Edwards valves.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been performed at Waikato Hospital for high-risk severe symptomatic aortic stenosis patients who are considered unsuitable for conventional cardiac surgery for the last 3 years. The Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) is a self-expandable device, while the Edwards SAPIEN valve (EV) requires the use of a balloon to expand the device. This observational study reports and compares the incidence of heart block in both Medtronic and Edwards transcatheter valves. ⋯ MCV implantation is associated with a higher incidence of significant AV block requiring PPM implantation and LBBB compared to EV. The overall rate of PPM requirement post MCV TAVI is, however, lower than previously published data. Pre-existing RBBB may help in predicting the likelihood of developing significant AV block.
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Patients in whom femoral arterial access is not feasible pose a challenge in terms of hemodynamic support during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. Patient's height adds another challenge given the fixed lengths of available intra-aortic balloon pumps, in terms of achieving an adequate infrasubclavian positioning in the descending thoracic aorta. We report a case where a modified intra-aortic balloon pump helped achieve a successful result in a patient undergoing intervention of an unprotected left main using bilateral arm approach.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Net clinical benefit of prehospital glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and high risk of bleeding: effect of tirofiban in patients at high risk of bleeding using CRUSADE bleeding score.
The aim of this subanalysis was to assess the net clinical effect of prehospital administration of tirofiban in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with high risk of bleeding. ⋯ Prehospital use of tirofiban in STEMI patients with high risk of bleeding improves post-PCI ST-segment resolution, but increases nonsignificantly the risk of non-CABG related bleeding. The net result is a balanced effect on 30-day NACE. Additional studies should clarify how use of bleeding risk scores should modify medical (antiplatelet) therapy.
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After transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in a 75-year-old male, chronic wide left bundle branch block (LBBB) developed. He experienced repeated episodes of decompensated systolic heart failure with severe systolic left ventricular dysfunction. After cardiac resynchronization therapy, his heart function improved substantially and he had no further admissions for heart failure. Cardiac resynchronization therapy can be effective in systolic heart failure associated with LBBB developing after TAVI.
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Simultaneous occlusion of multiple epicardial coronary arteries is an uncommon finding in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We describe a 41- year-old male Asian patient who presented with inferior and anterior STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock and frequent life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. ⋯ The patient was treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions for RCA and LAD, and intra-aortic balloon pump placement showed excellent results. Based on the available literature, early PCI for this very rare condition is paramount for patient survival.