Minerva cardioangiologica
-
Minerva cardioangiologica · Apr 2014
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyEfficacy and safety assessment of isolated ultrafiltration compared to intravenous diuretics for acutely decompensated heart failure: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Intravenous diuretics at relatively high doses are currently used for treating acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, the existence of harmful side effects diuretic-related, such as electrolyte abnormalities, symptomatic hypotension and marked neuro-hormonal activation have led researchers to implement alternative therapeutic tools such as isolated ultrafiltration (IUF). ⋯ On the basis of this meta-analysis, IUF induced greater weight loss and larger fluid removal compared to iv diuretics in ADHF patients, whereas the probability of developing WRF was not significantly different in the comparison between iv diuretics and IUF.
-
Minerva cardioangiologica · Apr 2014
Review Comparative StudyThe most relevant complications of transcatheter aortic valve implantation according to VARC criteria.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been shown to be a viable alternative for high-risk patients who may not tolerate a surgical aortic valve replacement. The Edwards Sapien valve and the CoreValve are the most widely implanted valves worldwide. The indication may be expanded to intermediate and eventually low-risk patients in future; however, this will require a better understanding of potential complications and selecting the right valve for each individual patient. ⋯ However, as clinical experience with this technology has matured and expanded, certain definitions have become unsuitable or ambiguous. The VARC 2 recommendations try to define the following clinical endpoints: mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction, bleeding complications, acute kidney injury, vascular complications, conduction disturbances, and arrhythmias, as well as a miscellaneous category including relevant complications not otherwise categorized. This manuscript reviews the most relevant complications of TAVI-transapical and transfemoral.