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Objectives: To assess the feasibility and results of 'valve-in-valve' implantation using the 23-mm CoreValve for the treatment of degenerated 19-mm and 21-mm Mitroflow bioprostheses., Methods: We retrospectively analysed all consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation for 19-mm and 21-mm Mitroflow bioprostheses. The height of implantation with respect to the ring of the Mitroflow prosthesis was targeted at -6 mm for the first 3 cases. In the following cases, the target was higher to promote free supra-annular movement of the leaflets., Results: The procedure was successful in 17 of 18 patients (94%). For implantations above the limit of -6 mm, the mean gradient was 10.4 ± 2.6 mmHg compared with 28.1 ± 11.6 mmHg for implantations below the limit of -6 mm (P < 0.01). For patients with severe stenosis as main mechanism of failure of the bioprosthesis, the mean post-procedural gradient was 31.2 ± 11.8 mmHg compared with 12.7 ± 6 mmHg in the absence of severe stenosis (P < 0.01). Patient-prosthesis mismatch (indexed effective orifice area ≤ 0.85 cm2/m2) and severe mismatch (indexed effective orifice area ≤ 0.65 cm2/m2) were present in 83% (15 of 18) and 27% (5 of 18) of patients, respectively. We did not notice any complications following the procedures. Six months after the procedure, functional status was improved in all patients., Conclusions: Our short series demonstrates the ability to perform transcatheter 'valve-in-valve' implantation in 19-mm and 21-mm Mitroflow prostheses with satisfactory results, but high post-procedural gradients and patient-prosthesis mismatch remain a relatively frequent problem mostly when severe stenosis is the main mechanism of failure. Implantation in a high position is critical to decrease the rate of high postimplantation gradients.

Introduction: The discovery of an endocardial mass always raises the question of its nature. Infectious endocarditis is the most frequent cause, but others diagnoses must be considered., Exegesis: We report a case of endocardial metastasis originating from an upper respiratory tract epidermoid carcinoma in a 48-years-old man. The diagnosis was established while the patient was alive, and survival at the time of writing is 8 months. This case report provides an opportunity for discussion of the differential diagnosis when confronted with an endocardial tumor, i.e. bacterial endocarditis, non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis, primary cardiac tumors, metastatic osteogenic sarcoma and Libman-Sachs endocarditis., Conclusion: Non bacterial thrombotic endocarditis and valvular metastasis should be considered upon discovery of a valvular tumor, in the context of neoplastic disease. The prognosis of endocardial metastasis is poor, but early diagnosis and appropriate management should eventually prolong survival.

Twenty-two heterotopic heart transplantations were performed, in 19 of which the evolution of the recipient heart was estimated. Within the first postoperative hours the recipient heart was often more effective than the donor heart. The discrepant rhythm between the 2 hearts did not result in any pathological findings. The increased pressures in the recipient's right heart always decreased, sometimes within several weeks. The left atrial volume was found to be reduced while left ventricular contraction was sometimes unchanged, sometimes improved and in a few cases showed definite improvement with a mean decrease of the ultra-sound diastolic diameter of 20 mm on echocardiography. The technique of heterotopic systems seems to be a useful indication for end-stage cardiomyopathies with pulmonary hypertension (class IV) which is generally considered a contraindication for orthotopic heart transplantation.

The presence of a mass in the left ventricular outflow tract is often a sign of severe pathology. The authors report 4 cases illustrating this echocardiographic diagnosis. In bacterial or mycotic endocarditis these masses suggest either aortic valve vegetations or prolapse of an aortic cusp. Two causes may be observed in patients with aortic bioprostheses: paravalvular leak with rocking of the sewing ring and destruction of the bioprosthetic cusps. In the 4 cases presented hemodynamic and angiographic investigations were contra indicated because of the risk of embolism of bacterial vegetations. Echocardiography gave precise diagnosis of the causal disease process and led to early surgical cure. Correlations between the anatomical and echocardiographic appearances are described and discussed.