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OBJECTIVES: The supra-annular aortic valve replacement (SA-AVR) allows for implantation of larger prostheses. We describe the technique, early post-operative outcomes and hospital mortality. METHODS: Patients who underwent SA-AVR with the Carpentier-Edwards Magna Ease bioprosthesis between December 2010 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The prosthesis was sutured to the aortic annulus along the coronary sinuses, and in a supra-annular position along the non-coronary sinus. RESULTS: 115 patients were included (mean age: 71,6 years ± 9,4). Mean bioprosthesis diameter was 23,3 ± 1,7 mm. Four early deaths were observed in the ICU. Early post-operative complications included: re-operation for bleeding (n=6), tamponade (n=7), permanent atrioventricular block (n=4) and hemodialysis (n=2). In-hospital mortality was 3,48%. Postoperative echocardiography showed a marked decrease in the mean left ventricle – aorta gradient (50,4 ± 16,1 mmHg vs 11,3 ± 4,05 mmHg). CONCLUSION: SA-AVR is safe and associated with favourable immediate outcomes in patients with small aortic annulus.

Neurologic lesions are unusual complications after coronary artery bypass surgery. Among them, paraplegia is one of the rarest, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We report a case of paraplegia after coronary artery bypass following previous thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Keywords: Paraplegia, Coronary artery bypass, TEVAR

Aims Although left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are currently approved for coverage and reimbursement in France, no French cost-effectiveness (CE) data are available to support this decision. This study aimed at estimating the CE of LVAD compared with medical management in the French health system. Methods and results Individual patient data from the ‘French hospital discharge database’ (Medicalization of information systems program) were analysed using Kaplan–Meier method. Outcomes were time to death, time to heart transplantation (HTx), and time to death after HTx. A micro-costing method was used to calculate the monthly costs extracted from the Program for the Medicalization of Information Systems. A multistate Markov monthly cycle model was developed to assess CE. The analysis over a lifetime horizon was performed from the perspective of the French healthcare payer; discount rates were 4%. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed. Outcomes were quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental CE ratio (ICER). Mean QALY for an LVAD patient was 1.5 at a lifetime cost of €190 739, delivering a probabilistic ICER of €125 580/QALY [95% confidence interval: 105 587 to 150 314]. The sensitivity analysis showed that the ICER was mainly sensitive to two factors: (i) the high acquisition cost of the device and (ii) the device performance in terms of patient survival. Conclusions Our economic evaluation showed that the use of LVAD in patients with end-stage heart failure yields greater benefit in terms of survival than medical management at an extra lifetime cost exceeding the €100 000/QALY. Technological advances and device costs reduction shall hence lead to an improvement in overall CE.

International audience; Objectives: This study sought to describe the procedural and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing transcarotid (TC) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the Edwards Sapien 3 device.Background: The TC approach for TAVR holds the potential to become the optimal alternative to the transfemoral gold standard. Limited data exist regarding safety and efficacy of TC-TAVR using the Edwards Sapien 3 device.Methods: The French Transcarotid TAVR prospective multicenter registry included patients between 2014 and 2018. Consecutive patients treated in 1 of the 13 participating centers ineligible for transfemoral TAVR were screened for TC-TAVR. Clinical and echocardiographic data were prospectively collected. Perioperative and 30-day outcomes were reported according to the updated Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2).Results: A total of 314 patients were included with a median (interquartile range) age of 83 (78 to 88) years, 63% were males, Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score 5.8% (4% to 8.3%). Most patients presented with peripheral artery disease (64%). TC-TAVR was performed under general anesthesia in 91% of cases, mostly using the left carotid artery (73.6%) with a procedural success of 97%. Three annulus ruptures were reported, all resulting in patient death. At 30 days, rates of major bleeding, new permanent pacemaker, and stroke or transient ischemic attack were 4.1%, 16%, and 1.6%, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 3.2%.Conclusions: TC-TAVR using the Edwards Sapien 3 device was safe and effective in this prospective multicenter registry. The TC approach might be considered, in selected patients, as the first-line alternative approach for TAVR whenever the transfemoral access is prohibited. Sapien 3 device was safe and effective in our multicenter cohort.

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized management of high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, survival and the incidence of severe complications have been assessed in relatively small populations and/or with limited follow-up. OBJECTIVES This report details late clinical outcome and its determinants in the FRANCE-2 (FRench Aortic National CoreValve and Edwards) registry. METHODS The FRANCE-2 registry prospectively included all TAVRs performed in France. Follow-up was scheduled at 30 days, at 6 months, and annually from 1 to 5 years. Standardized VARC (Valve Academic Research Consortium) outcome definitions were used. RESULTS A total of 4,201 patients were enrolled between January 2010 and January 2012 in 34 centers. Approaches were transarterial (transfemoral 73%, transapical 18%, subclavian 6%, and transaortic or transcarotid 3%) or, in 18% of patients, transapical. Median follow-up was 3.8 years. Vital status was available for 97.2% of patients at 3 years. The 3-year all-cause mortality was 42.0% and cardiovascular mortality was 17.5%. In a multivariate model, predictors of 3-year all-cause mortality were male sex (p = 2 of 4 (p < 0.001). Severe events according to VARC criteria occurred mainly during the first month and subsequently in < 2% of patients/year. Mean gradient, valve area, and residual aortic regurgitation were stable during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The FRANCE-2 registry represents the largest database available on late results of TAVR. Late mortality is largely related to noncardiac causes. Incidence rates of severe events are low after the first month. Valve performance remains stable over time. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2016; 68: 1637-47) (C) 2016 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Objectives The study sought to assess the safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive strategy (MIS) (local anesthesia and conscious sedation) compared to general anesthesia (GA) among the largest published cohort of patients undergoing transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Background Transcarotid TAVR has been shown to be feasible and safe. There is, however, no information pertaining to the mode anesthesia in these procedures. Methods Between 2009 and 2014, 174 patients underwent transcarotid TAVR at 2 French centers. All patients were unsuitable for transfemoral TAVR due to severe peripheral vascular disease. An MIS was undertaken in 29.8% (n = 52) and GA in 70.1% (n = 122). One-year clinical outcomes were available in all patients and were described according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 consensus. Results Transcarotid vascular access and transcatheter valve deployment was successful in all cases. Thirty-day mortality was 7.4% (n = 13) and 1-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were 12.6% (n = 22) and 8.0% (n = 14), respectively. According to the type of anesthesia, there was no between group difference in 30-day mortality (GA 7.3% vs. MIS 7.6%; p = 0.94), 1-year mortality (GA 13.9% vs. MIS 9.6%; p = 0.43), 1-month clinical efficacy (GA 85.2% vs. MIS 94.2%; p = 0.09), and early safety (GA 77.8% vs. MIS 86.5%; p = 0.18). There were 10 (5.7%) periprocedural cerebrovascular events: 4 strokes (2.2%) and 6 transient ischemic attacks (3.4%) among those treated with GA. There was neither stroke nor transient ischemic attack in the MIS group (p Conclusions The transcarotid approach for TAVR is feasible using general or local anesthesia. A higher rate of perioperative strokes was observed with GA.

We report 4 cases of off-pump ascending aorta wrapping combined with ascending aorta stenting in retrograde Stanford A acute aortic dissection (SAAD). Since 2008, 18 patients have undergone wrapping of the ascending aorta at our institution. Four patients had a persistent circulating false lumen in the ascending aorta after wrapping, with a threat to the aortic root. We chose an endovascular approach with ascending aorta stenting. Follow-up computed tomography showed a reapplication of the intimal flap in the reinforced aorta. Ascending aorta stenting after aortic wrapping for retrograde SAAD is a safe and efficient technique to prevent proximal progression of the dissection.

This study sought to describe the procedural and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing transcarotid (TC) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the Edwards Sapien 3 device.The TC approach for TAVR holds the potential to become the optimal alternative to the transfemoral gold standard. Limited data exist regarding safety and efficacy of TC-TAVR using the Edwards Sapien 3 device.The French Transcarotid TAVR prospective multicenter registry included patients between 2014 and 2018. Consecutive patients treated in 1 of the 13 participating centers ineligible for transfemoral TAVR were screened for TC-TAVR. Clinical and echocardiographic data were prospectively collected. Perioperative and 30-day outcomes were reported according to the updated Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2).A total of 314 patients were included with a median (interquartile range) age of 83 (78 to 88) years, 63% were males, Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score 5.8% (4% to 8.3%). Most patients presented with peripheral artery disease (64%). TC-TAVR was performed under general anesthesia in 91% of cases, mostly using the left carotid artery (73.6%) with a procedural success of 97%. Three annulus ruptures were reported, all resulting in patient death. At 30 days, rates of major bleeding, new permanent pacemaker, and stroke or transient ischemic attack were 4.1%, 16%, and 1.6%, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 3.2%.TC-TAVR using the Edwards Sapien 3 device was safe and effective in this prospective multicenter registry. The TC approach might be considered, in selected patients, as the first-line alternative approach for TAVR whenever the transfemoral access is prohibited. Sapien 3 device was safe and effective in our multicenter cohort.

The original article [1] contains an error whereby all authors’ names are mistakenly inverted; this was an error mistakenly carried forward by the production team that handled this article, and thus was not the fault of the authors. As such, the correct configuration of the authors’ names can be viewed in this Correction article.

Background - Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is standard therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk. However, national data regarding procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes over time are limited. Objectives - The aim of this study was to assess nationwide performance trends and clinical outcomes of TAVR during a 6-year period. Methods - TAVRs performed in 48 centers across France between January 2013 and December 2015 were prospectively included in the FRANCE TAVI (French Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) registry. Findings were further compared with those reported from the FRANCE 2 (French Aortic National CoreValve and Edwards 2) registry, which captured all TAVRs performed from January 2010 to January 2012 across 34 centers. Results - A total of 12,804 patients from FRANCE TAVI and 4,165 patients from FRANCE 2 were included in this analysis. The median age of patients was 84.6 years, and 49.7% were men. FRANCE TAVI participants were older but at lower surgical risk (median logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation [EuroSCORE]: 15.0% vs. 18.4%; p < 0.001). More than 80% of patients in FRANCE TAVI underwent transfemoral TAVR. Transesophageal echocardiography guidance decreased from 60.7% to 32.3% of cases, whereas more recent procedures were increasingly performed in hybrid operating rooms (15.8% vs. 35.7%). Rates of Valve Academic Research Consortium-defined device success increased from 95.3% in FRANCE 2 to 96.8% in FRANCE TAVI (p < 0.001). In-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were 4.4% and 5.4%, respectively, in FRANCE TAVI compared with 8.2% and 10.1%, respectively, in FRANCE 2 (p

Background Conventional surgical treatment of Stanford type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is associated with considerable in-hospital mortality. As regards very elderly or high-risk patients with type A AAD, some may meet the criteria for less invasive surgery likely to prevent the complications associated with aortic replacement. Methods We have retrospectively analyzed a cohort of patients admitted to our center for Stanford type A AAD and having undergone surgery between 2008 and 2012. The outcomes of the patients having had an aortic replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass (group A) have been compared with the outcomes of the patients who underwent off-pump wrapping of the ascending aorta (group B). Results Among the 54 patients admitted for Stanford type A AAD, 15 with a mean age of 77 years [46 to 94] underwent wrapping of the aorta. Regarding the new standard European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE II), the median result in our group B patients was 10.47 [5.02 to 30.07]. In-hospital mortality was 12.80% in group A and 6.6% in group B ( p = 0.66). For patients who underwent external wrapping of the ascending aorta, follow-up mortality rate was 13.3% with a median follow-up of 15 months [range 0 to 47]. Conclusions The gold standard in cases of Stanford type A AAD consists of emergency surgical replacement of the dissected ascending aorta. In some cases in which the aortic root is not affected a less invasive surgical approach consisting of wrapping the dissected ascending aorta can be suggested as an alternative.

Purpose High sensitization limits the access to organs and increases the risk of acute allograft rejection. Desensitization therapy remains a major challenge in patients with cardiogenic shock. We report our experience of plasmapheresis (PP) in patients bridged to heart transplantation under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods Patients who underwent PP under ECMO before heart transplantation between January 2017 and September 2018 in our institution were included. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of HLA-specific antibodies was retrieved and reported as follow: score 4 for MFI lower than 1000, score 6 for MFI ranged from 1000 to 3000 and score 8 for MFI higher than 3000. Complications during PP, perioperative events and post-transplantation outcomes were reviewed. Results Six patients with a mean age of 37.5 years (16-70) underwent PP under ECMO before heart transplantation. The mean follow-up was 8.6 months (2-16). The mean duration of ECMO support was 29 days (1-74) and patients received a mean 6.8 PP sessions before heart transplantation (1-29). The mean of number of HLA-specific antibodies before heart transplantation was 9.6 for score 6 (4-13) and 5.8 for score 8 (1-12). Hemorrhagic shock occurred in two patients, leading to ECMO removal in one case. The mean number of blood transfusion products during the transplantation was 12.16 units of packed red blood cells (3-29), 7.3 fresh frozen plasma (0-25), 3.9 platelet concentrates (2-7.4), 5.4 gr of fibrinogen (0-10). Four patients had major complications after transplantation (2 hemorrhagic shocks, 5 infectious events). Mean MFI reduction rate was 94% (79-100) for Class I and 44.2% for Class II (0-83). Hospital survival was 100% and antibody mediated rejection was diagnosed and successfully treated in two patients respectively at 7 and 23 days after heart transplantation. Conclusion Plasmapheresis under ECMO support was associated with favorable early outcomes despite bleeding events before and during heart transplantation. Long-term incidence of acute and chronic rejections have to be further investigated in this population.

TAVI is an alternative solution for patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) who are refused for conventional surgery. We sought to evaluate the incidence, characteristics, predictors and prognosis impact of serious hemorrhagic complications following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).One hundred and seventy one consecutive patients with symptomatic severe AS (83.5 ± 6.1 y; 53% women; mean EuroSCORE=22.1 ± 12.3) underwent transapical (TA) or transfemoral (TF) TAVI in our institution using Edwards SAPIEN© and Medtronic CoreValve© devices. The primary evaluated criterion was the incidence of any bleeding complication, according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) criteria.VARC serious hemorrhagic complications occurred in 34.5% of patients (n=23 life-threatening/disabling (LT/D) and n=36 major bleedings). Most of these complications were related to access site complications (69%). Multivariable analysis revealed that TA access, low weight and underlying coronary artery diseases were independent predictors for development of serious bleeding. The mortality was significantly higher in patients with serious events compared to patients without bleeding (p=0.008, log-rank analysis). Although the survival didn't significantly differ in patients with major hemorrhagic events, subjects with LT/D bleeding events had a higher mortality than the subjects with no hemorrhagic complications (p0.001, log-rank analysis). Occurrence of VARC LT/D event independently predicted all-cause mortality (HR=5.35 [2.51-11.43], p0.001) during the first year following TAVI in multivariate Cox regression analysis.Severe bleeding is frequent following TAVI procedure and is mainly related to local hemorrhage. VARC LT/D events are associated with decreased survival after AS correction.

The study sought to assess the safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive strategy (MIS) (local anesthesia and conscious sedation) compared to general anesthesia (GA) among the largest published cohort of patients undergoing transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).Transcarotid TAVR has been shown to be feasible and safe. There is, however, no information pertaining to the mode anesthesia in these procedures.Between 2009 and 2014, 174 patients underwent transcarotid TAVR at 2 French centers. All patients were unsuitable for transfemoral TAVR due to severe peripheral vascular disease. An MIS was undertaken in 29.8% (n = 52) and GA in 70.1% (n = 122). One-year clinical outcomes were available in all patients and were described according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 consensus.Transcarotid vascular access and transcatheter valve deployment was successful in all cases. Thirty-day mortality was 7.4% (n = 13) and 1-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were 12.6% (n = 22) and 8.0% (n = 14), respectively. According to the type of anesthesia, there was no between group difference in 30-day mortality (GA 7.3% vs. MIS 7.6%; p = 0.94), 1-year mortality (GA 13.9% vs. MIS 9.6%; p = 0.43), 1-month clinical efficacy (GA 85.2% vs. MIS 94.2%; p = 0.09), and early safety (GA 77.8% vs. MIS 86.5%; p = 0.18). There were 10 (5.7%) periprocedural cerebrovascular events: 4 strokes (2.2%) and 6 transient ischemic attacks (3.4%) among those treated with GA. There was neither stroke nor transient ischemic attack in the MIS group (p 0.001).The transcarotid approach for TAVR is feasible using general or local anesthesia. A higher rate of perioperative strokes was observed with GA.

Background Surgical management of ventriculo-aortic disconnection and aortic root abscesses after prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis carries high mortality and morbidity. Initial experience with translocation of the aortic valve and distal coronary artery bypass grafting was disappointing in terms of short-term and long-term success in the few published reports. We describe a technique of translocation of the aortic valve into the ascending aorta with direct antegrade myocardial revascularization. Methods Between 1980 and 1992, we included 21 patients and evaluated their long-term outcome. The surgical technique included extracting the aortic valve prosthesis, resecting all infected tissue, restoring the left ventricular outflow tract, and translocating the aortic valve into the ascending aorta, associated with myocardial revascularization of the left main trunk and the proximal right coronary artery. Results All patients required emergency surgery: 15 patients were in severe congestive heart failure, 3 patients were in cardiogenic shock, and 3 patients had multiple neurologic and peripheral signs of distal embolization. Fifteen patients had active prosthetic valve endocarditis. Intraoperative findings dictated the translocation. The overall hospital mortality was 14%. None of the 18 hospital survivors had prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis recurrence. All patients were observed from 12 to 22 years, are alive, and have resumed normal activities. Conclusions In severe forms of prosthetic valve endocarditis, this technique provides a safe and reliable alternative to homograft replacement. The long-term results are satisfactory.

Trans-femoral and transapical are the most commonly used accesses for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, when these approaches are unsuitable, alternative accesses are needed. We report a series of 19 patients undergoing TAVI through common carotid artery (CCA) access under local anaesthesia in order to assess its feasibility and safety.From November 2008 to September 2013, 361 patients underwent TAVI at our institution. Nineteen of them (14 men) with mean age 82.2 ± 6.2 years, EuroSCORE 25.2 ± 15.7, Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 11.9 ± 5.1 and with severe peripheral arteriopathy were unsuitable for usual approaches and underwent TAVI through CCA access under local anaesthesia. Preoperative computed tomography assessed suitable carotid artery anatomy. Common carotid cross-clamping test allowed verifying patient's neurological status stability. An 18-Fr or 20-Fr sheath inserted into the CCA down into the ascending aorta was used for the delivery catheter. Valve implantation procedures were as usual. After sheath removal, the CCA was surgically purged and repaired. Feasibility and safety end points (VARC-2) were collected up to 30 days.Transcarotid insertion of the delivery sheath was successful in all cases (8 right, 11 left) and accurate deployment of the device was achieved in 18 patients (4 Edwards SAPIEN XT and 14 Medtronic CoreValve). There was 1 intraoperative death by annulus rupture during preimplant balloon valvuloplasty, and 1 in-hospital death due to multisystem organ failure. There was no myocardial infarction, stroke or major bleeding. Third-degree atrioventricular block requiring pacemaker implantation occurred in 3 patients. No vascular access-site, access-related or other TAVI-related complication occurred. Echocardiography revealed good prosthesis functioning with none, mild and moderate paravalvular leak in, respectively, 8, 9 and 1 patients. Patient ambulation was immediate after TAVI and hospital stay was 4.6 ± 2.3 days.TAVI through the CCA approach under local anaesthesia is feasible and safe. It allows continuous clinical neurological status monitoring with low risk of stroke, bleeding events, vascular access-site and access-related complications and immediate patient ambulation. It appears to be a valuable alternative access for patients who cannot undergo trans-femoral TAVI.

To assess the relation of aortic transvalvular gradient with outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).Relatively little is known about the predictors of adverse outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis following TAVI.We studied 126 consecutive patients (mean age 83.2 ± 6.3 years; 59% women) who underwent TAVI (23% transapical; 77% transfemoral) at our institution. All patients were followed for the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and cardiovascular death.The acute procedural success rate was 98%; at 1 year, the cumulative incidence of MACE and cardiovascular death was 29% and 10%, respectively. In multivariable analyses adjusting for clinical and echocardiographic risk factors, presence of a baseline mean transvalvular gradient (MTG)40 mmHg was a significant predictor of 30-day MACE in the total sample (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.7-11.4; P=0.003) as well as in patients with an ejection fraction ≥ 50% (OR 10.3, 95% CI 3.0-33.4; P0.001). In multivariable analyses, low MTG was also associated with 2-fold and 4-fold increased hazards for MACE (HR 4.2, 95% CI 2.0-8.9; P0.001) and cardiovascular death (HR 4.2 95% CI 1.2-14.9; P=0.03), respectively, within 1 year following TAVI.Presence of a low MTG (40 mmHg) prior to TAVI was associated with a greater risk of major adverse events, including cardiovascular death, up to 1 year following the procedure. Pre-procedural MTG could be used to identify patients at a high risk for adverse outcomes following TAVI.

Background The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is considered to be the conduit of choice for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). In triple-vessel–disease patients, CABG can be performed exclusively using both ITAs in a Y fashion with multiple sequential side-to-side coronary anastomoses. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate by early postoperative angiographic control, the patency and particularly the quality of ITA grafts and coronary anastomoses in this configuration. Methods Between October 2002 and October 2003, 92 triple-vessel–disease patients underwent CABG with this technique and consented to immediate postoperative angiographic control. The right ITA was divided at its origin and connected to the in-situ left ITA (ITA-Y anastomosis). The left ITA was anastomosed to anterior coronary arteries and the right ITA was anastomosed to lateral and inferior coronary arteries, for a total of 374 coronary anastomoses (4.1 anastomoses per patient; range, 3 to 6). Results There was 1 hospital death by septic shock. Two patients were reoperated on for superficial wound infection. There was no postoperative myocardial infarction or stroke. On postoperative angiograms, all ITA-Y (92) and ITA-coronary anastomoses (374) were patent. Competition of flow in right ITA to the moderately stenosed right coronary artery was observed in 9 patients, and there were 4 distal ITA-coronary stenoses, both without clinical consequences. Conclusions In triple-vessel–disease patients, this procedure allows CABG without increasing operative risk. ITA-Y anastomoses and multiple sequential side-to-side ITA-coronary anastomoses are safe to perform and demonstrate excellent patency and quality in early postoperative angiographic control, particularly when coronary artery stenoses are significant (>70%).

Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) is characterized by restricted leaflet closure with increased leaflet tethering caused by displaced attachment of the papillary muscle (PM). Generally, the posterior PM is displaced by ventricular remodeling after posterolateral myocardial infarction. IMR carries a significantly negative prognostic effect for cardiac mortality within 5 years, even in patients without signs of established heart failure. A variety of surgical techniques of repairing or replacing the mitral valve have been advocated. These techniques are generally technically demanding and necessitate opening the left side of the heart. Experimental work on ventricular remodeling through reduction of the left ventricular circumference by plication of the left ventricle (LV) can restore mitral geometry toward a normal level. Recently, an external device that repositions the PM has been shown to reduce IMR without compromising LV function. We report the first 3 cases in human subjects of chronic IMR treated by means of plication of the fibrotic infarct in the posterolateral wall of the LV simultaneously with a coronary revascularization procedure without mitral annuloplasty.

We describe off-pump wrapping of the ascending aorta in 3 high-risk patients with acute type A aortic dissection when the primary intimal tear was not located in the ascending aorta and in the absence of aortic insufficiency. A Teflon plaque (Bard Inc, Murray Hill, NJ) was tailored to tightly wrap the aorta from the coronary ostia to the innominate artery. The mean age of the patients was 80.3 years. All patients were at high risk for conventional surgery. A postoperative computed tomographic scan showed a reapplication of the intimal flap and containment of the false lumen in the reinforced ascending aorta in all patients.

Background Although trans aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a promising alternative solution for patients who could not undergo conventional surgery, few data are available regarding post-procedure complications among these fragile subjects. Objectives We sought to evaluate the factors associated with adverse outcome in patients with TAVI. Methods Clinical, biological and echocardiographic characteristics of the patients were assessed before implantation. Patients were followed up to 30 days after procedure. Our main primary end-point was the composite of death+stroke+acute pulmonary edema at day 30. Results Between November 2008 and March 2010, n = 55 patients underwent TAVI in our institution (mean age = 84.4 ± 0.7 y; 40% men; mean STS score = 25.2 ± 1.3; 65% transfemoral). Primary endpoint occured in n = 9 subjects (n = 2 deaths; n = 1 stroke; n = 6 pulmonary edema), who presented a longer inhospital stay (14.4 ± 3.2 vs. 9.2 ± 0.6 days, p = 0.008). Patients experiencing the primary endpoint were comparable to the others in terms of age, gender, renal function, comorbidities, type of percutaneous approach and STS score. The pre-implantation aortic gradient was lower in patients with adverse outcome (35.9 ± 4.0 vs. 55.0 ± 2.9 mmHg, p = 0.007), yet the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF/56.4 ± 1.9 vs. 58.4 ± 6.0%, p = 0.7) and effective orifice area (0.43 ± 0.03 vs. 0.37 ± 0.02 cm2/m2, p = 0.12) did not significantly differ between the e groups. Among these patients, n = 7 had LVEF>50%. Receiver operating curve analysis showed a significant relationship between aortic gradient and primary end-point (AUC = 0.82 ± 0.07, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified presence of a low trans-aortic gradient ( Conclusion Patients with baseline low trans aortic gradient, as a result of either altered LVEF or paradoxical low flow aortic stenosis syndrome, have a higher incidence of major complications after TAVI and should be identified before procedure.