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Background Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with the MitraClip system is an alternative procedure for the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in high-risk patients who are not suitable for conventional surgery and is usually performed under general anaesthesia (GA). GA may be associated with potential haemodynamic complications. A new alternative approach is deep sedation (DS) with spontaneous breathing using a target-controlled infusion (TCI). The aim of this study is to compare TCI during DS with manual administration of total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) during GA in patients undergoing TEER evaluating the impact of these approaches on anaesthesia time, remifentanil dose administered, haemodynamic profile, vasopressor requirements, adverse events and postoperative hospital stay. Methods The study population included 90 consecutive patients treated with MitraClip (mean age 73.5 ± 9.54 years). 65 patients (72%) suffered from functional MR. Mean LVEF was 35 ± 13% and logistic EuroSCORE was 23 ± 19%. 24 patients received GA and TIVA; 66 patients underwent DS and TCI, consisting of administration of midazolam and fentanyl citrate as induction of anaesthesia followed by continuous infusion of remifentanil hydrochloride. Results Acute procedural success was 100%, with no major complications during the procedure. No statistical differences were found between the GA-TIVA and the DS-TCI group in terms of demographics and surgical risk profile. Anaesthesia time was significantly shorter in the DS-TCI group (71 ± 30 vs. 118 ± 35 minutes; p < 0.0001), as was procedure duration (54 ± 29 vs. 99 ± 74 minutes; p = 0.00007). In addition, there was a significant reduction in the remifentanil dose administered (249 µg vs. 2865 µg, p < 0.01), the incidence of hypotension (p = 0.08) and the need for vasopressors (29.6% vs. 63%, p = 0.03) in the DS-TCI group. There were no differences in days of hospital stay after the procedure (5.4 days vs. 5.8 days, p = 0.4). Conclusions DS with spontaneous breathing using TCI could be a valid alternative during TEER which can ensure stable anaesthetic conditions, less drug administration, higher haemodynamic stability and fewer side effects, with particular advantages in patients at high risk for general anaesthesia.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second most frequent valve heart disease in Europe and its underlying mechanism primary-organic (due to disease of the mitral leaflets), or secondary-functional (where valve leaflets and chordae are structurally normal and MR results from alterations in left ventricle and left atrium geometry), determines the therapeutic approach. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) with MitraClip implantation is a minimal-invasive treatment that according to 2021 ESC Guidelines should be considered (class of recomandation IIa) in selected symptomatic patients with severe MR despite optimal medical therapy, not eligible for surgery and fulfilling COAPT trial inclusion criteria, suggesting an increased chance of responding to treatment. Optimal valve morphology features for TEER are central pathology (second scallop), no leaflet calcifications, mitral valve area >4cm2, mobile length of posterior leaftel >10 mm, coaptation depth

Severe tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation (TR) has been associated with adverse long-term outcomes in several natural history studies, but isolated TV surgery presents high mortality and morbidity rates. Transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions (TTVI) therefore represent a promising field and may currently be considered in patients with severe secondary TR that have a prohibitive surgical risk. Tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) represents one of the most frequently used TTVI options. Accurate imaging of the tricuspid valve (TV) apparatus is crucial for T-TEER preprocedural planning, in order to select the right candidates, and is also fundamental for intraprocedural guidance and post-procedural follow-up. Although transesophageal echocardiography represents the main imaging modality, we describe the utility and additional value of other imaging modalities such as cardiac CT and MRI, intracardiac echocardiography, fluoroscopy, and fusion imaging to assist T-TEER. Developments in the field of 3D printing, computational models, and artificial intelligence hold great promise in improving the assessment and management of patients with valvular heart disease.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis. Statin therapy is the standard treatment for lowering LDL-C in primary and secondary prevention. However, some patients do not reach optimal LDL-C target levels or do not tolerate statins, especially when taking high doses long-term. Combining statins with different therapeutic approaches and testing other new drugs is the future key to reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recently, several new cholesterol-lowering drugs have been developed and approved; others are promising results, enriching the pharmacological armamentarium beyond statins. Triglycerides also play an important role in the development of CVD; new therapeutic approaches are also very promising for their treatment. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can lead to CVD early in life. These patients respond poorly to conventional therapies. Recently, however, new and promising pharmacological strategies have become available. This narrative review provides an overview of the new drugs for the treatment of dyslipidemia, their current status, ongoing clinical or preclinical trials, and their prospects. We also discuss the new alternative therapies for the treatment of dyslipidemia and their relevance to practice.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second most frequent valve heart disease in Europe and its underlying mechanism primary-organic (due to disease of the mitral leaflets), or secondary-functional (where valve leaflets and chordae are structurally normal and MR results from alterations in left ventricle and left atrium geometry), determines the therapeutic approach. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) with MitraClip implantation is a minimal-invasive treatment that according to 2021 ESC Guidelines should be considered (class indication IIa) in selected symptomatic patients with severe MR despite optimal medical therapy, not eligible for surgery and fulfilling COAPT trial inclusion criteria, suggesting an increased chance of responding to treatment. Optimal valve morphology features for TEER are central pathology (second scallop), no leaflet calcifications, mitral valve area >4 cm2, mobile length of posterior leaftel >10 mm, coaptation depth

Aims The association between severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in-hospital mortality (IHM) as well as incidence of post-procedural intubation and length of in-hospital stay (LOHS) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transfemoral (TF) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is still unclear. We evaluated the impact of severe COPD on IHM, post-procedural tracheal intubation and LOHS in patients with severe AS undergoing TF TAVI. Methods We retrospectively analysed a total of 550 consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI in our centre between 2011 and 2021. We divided the patients in Group 1 (affected by severe COPD) and Group 2 (without COPD). We further divided the patients affected by COPD into Subgroup A (on COPD medical treatment) and Subgroup B (without COPD medical treatment). Results A total of 550 patients who underwent TF TAVI were included in this analysis. 38.55% (n=212) had a diagnosis of COPD (Group 1) and 61.45% (n=338) were not affected by COPD (Group 2). In Group 1, 29.38% (n=62) of patients were receiving medical treatment for COPD (Subgroup A), while 70.6% (n=149) were not on COPD medications (Subgroup B). The mean age was 81.83±6.67 in Group 1 vs. 81.33±7.21 in Group 2 (P=0.45), and 82.12±7.6 in Subgroup A vs. 82.14±6.82 in Subgroup B (P=0.98). The gender distribution showed 127 (45%) men in Group 1 vs. 96 (50%) men in Group 2 (P=0. 33), and 21 (42%) men in Subgroup 1 vs. 75 (53%) men in Subgroup B (P=0.28). The mean EUROSCOREII was 8.26±7.03 in Group 1 vs. 6.81± 7.57 in Group 2, P= 0.11, and 7.24±5.49 in Subgroup A vs. 9.30±7.5 in Subgroup B, P=0.52. There was no difference observed for in-hospital mortality between Group 1 and Group 2 (0.04% vs. 0.05%; P=0.6) and between Subgroup A and Subgroup B (0.04% vs. 0.04%; P=0.7). Similarly, the incidence of post-procedural intubation was comparable between Group 1 and Group 2 (0.06% vs. 0.03%; P=0.18), and between Subgroup A and Subgroup B (0.08% vs. 0.05%; P=0.78). Finally, also the mean length of in-hospital stay was similar between Group 1 and Group 2 (10±4.46 days vs. 9.68± 5.02 days; P=0.47), and between Subgroup A and Subgroup B (10.36±4.24 days vs. 9.87±4.54 days; P=0.5). Conclusions In patients with severe aortic stenosis treated with transfemoral TAVI, the presence of severe COPD does not affect in-hospital mortality, incidence of post-procedural intubation and length of in-hospital stay. COPD medications do not impact any of the outcomes evaluated. Therefore, TF TAVI is a safe procedure also for patients affected by severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that are not on COPD medications.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by venous and arterial thromboembolic (TE) disease, and/or pregnancy morbidity, associated with persistent elevated antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant, LA, anticardiolipin, aCL, and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I, anti-β2GPI). A 51 year-old man, smoker, presented to our ER with chest pain. EKG showed Q waves and STE in the anterior leads, with increased troponin levels. A diagnosis of anterior STEMI was made and he was taken into our catheterization laboratory, where a high burden thrombotic plaque determining LM and ostial LAD subocclusion was treated with PPCI and a DES implantation; in addition, multiple failed PCI attempts were performed on a distal LAD occlusion, and an integrilin bolus was administered. The patient was admitted to our CICU and a DAPT with ASA and Ticagrelor was started. TTE showed LVEF 40%, apical akinesis, septal and anterior hypokinesis, and no significant valve disease. An aPTT abnormal value (100.5 s; reference range 25–38.5 s) was detected, not corrected by aPTT mixing study. Given suspected autoimmune prothrombotic state, normal Hb and PLT values and low bleeding risk, LMWH 100 IU/kg every 12 h was started, in addition to DAPT with switch from Ticagrelor to Clopidogrel. LA and aCL and anti-β2GPI IgG were positive, with negativity of others rheumatologic tests, confirming primary APS diagnosis. Repeat TTE showed EF 50%. The patient was discharged in ‘triple therapy’ (DAPT plus LMWH), and referred to the rheumatology clinic. LA, aCL, and anti-β2GPI tests 12 weeks later were positive, confirming a triple positive APS and satisfying revised Sapporo criteria. The rheumatologist switched therapy to Clopidogrel plus Warfarin. At 3 months follow-up, the patient, former smoker, was asymptomatic and TTE confirmed EF 50%, so he was recommended to continue with his medical therapy. APS is rarely associated with AMI (∼5.5%) and in only 2.8% cases AMI represents the onset of the disease. AMI pathogenesis in APS is considered to be acute thrombosis of coronary arteries, in contrast with atherosclerotic plaque rupture in typical AMI. Key discriminators to identify APS as potential underlying cause of AMI include young age, previous unprovoked thromboses, low platelets count (they are consumed in the thrombotic process), high aPTT value (LA may interfere with assembly of the prothrombinase complex on phospholipids), coronary artery thromboses in the setting of otherwise normal otherwise appearing coronary arteries. APS antibodies have also pro-inflammatory activity on vascular endothelial cells, leading to accelerated atherosclerosis. aGAPSS score (high risk ≥10) is useful for risk stratification of recurrent thrombosis and AMI in young patients with APS. The treatment of AMI in APS is therefore a clinical challenge. Strict management of additional CV risk factors is crucial. VKA (INR >3 with Warfarin, INR2–3 with Warfarin and ASA) should be provided for life, because of the very high risk of recurrent TE. DOACs are less effective and less safe than VKAs for TE prevention in APS. The role of coronary stents, considering higher rates of stent thrombosis after PCI in APS patients triple therapy concomitant risks, requires further studies. Due to lack of large, randomized, prospective studies, there is no clear experts consensus about optimal antithrombotic therapy in secondary prevention after arterial TE. APS patients with STEMI should undergo PCI, usually associated with thrombus aspiration, and in selected cases DES implantation in culprit lesion followed by triple antithrombotic therapy with short-term DAPT and long-term VKA.

Background After the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, social isolation measures were introduced to contain infection. Although there is currently a slowing down of the infection, a reduction of hospitalizations, especially for myocardial infarction, was observed. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of the infectious disease on ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, through the analysis of recent cases of patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods and Results Consecutive patients affected by STEMI from March 1 to 31, 2020, during social restrictions of Italian government, were collected and compared with patients with STEMI treated during March 2019. During March 2020, we observed a 63% reduction of patients with STEMI who were admitted to our catheterization laboratory, when compared with the same period of 2019 (13 versus 35 patients). Changes in all time components of STEMI care were notably observed, particularly for longer median time in symptom‐to‐first medical contact, spoke‐to‐hub, and the cumulative symptom‐to‐wire delay. Procedural data and in‐hospital outcomes were similar between the 2 groups, whereas the length of hospitalization was longer in patients of 2020. In this group, we also observed higher levels of cardiac biomarkers and a worse left ventricular ejection fraction at baseline and discharge. Conclusions The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak induced a reduction of hospital access for STEMI with an increase in treatment delay, longer hospitalization, higher levels of cardiac biomarkers, and worse left ventricular function.

Background Light chains are proteins produced by plasma cells, also called light chains kappa and lambda, are tied together with other proteins (heavy chains) to form the intact immunoglobulins or antibodies. Recent studies have shown a possible role of combined free light chains (cFLC) as an inflammatory marker in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). HF is a significant contributor to overall mortality in the community, but often patients with chronic HF also have chronic renal failure, which could alter the concentration of cFLC. Methods We evaluated the FLC in patients with STEMI ( n = 113), who were treated with primary angioplasty in the Cardiology Department of the University Hospital “Tor Vergata”. For each patient during hospitalization we have determined blood concentration of cFLC, in addition to routine blood tests and we also performed an echocardiogram to evaluate cardiac function. Results We performed cFLC serum concentration in 113 patients with STEMI and observed that the cFLC concentration correlates with Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF). We identified that the majority of patients (97%) who had one of the two positive light chains also had a reduced systolic function (LVEF Conclusions For the first time in this paper we highlight the increase of serum free light chains concentrations in acute ischemic heart failure in patients with STEMI and without kidney failure. The cFLC could be proposed as a new biomarker for left ventricle dysfunction, further studies are required to confirm these results.

Objective To evaluate results of the ‘pSORRIDI’ experience (which is a prevention campaign to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities, multidisciplinary needs and appropriateness of the therapeutic approach for comorbidities) in patients already being treated for psoriasis. Methods Telephone interviews were conducted in patients with psoriasis, who then underwent comprehensive evaluation and investigation of comorbidities. If necessary, patients were referred to specialist cardiology, endocrinology and/or rheumatology services. Results Overall, 72.0% (54/75) of patients required a multidisciplinary consultation. Among patients referred to cardiology, therapeutic adjustment was needed in 33.3% (five of 15) patients and a redefined diagnosis in 26.7% (four of 15) cases. Among patients undergoing endocrinology evaluations, therapeutic adjustment and a redefined diagnosis were needed in 61.1% (11/18) and 33.3% (six of 18) patients, respectively; for rheumatology evaluations, therapeutic adjustment and a redefined diagnosis were needed in 76.2% (16/21) and 19.0% (four of 21) of patients, respectively. Conclusions Among patients with psoriasis, there may be a need for an improvement in the diagnosis of underlying comorbid conditions, and in disease management of both psoriasis and any comorbid conditions.

Transcatheter MitraClip repair is a new tool for the management of severe mitral regurgitation in patients at very high risk for conventional surgery. Aim of our study was reporting one-year clinical outcomes in candidates to MitraClip procedures, divided into three groups according to the cardiovascular medicine heart failure (CVM-HF) index. The study population consists of 46 consecutive patients, divided, in accordance with CVM-HF index, as follows: one patient in the low-risk category (group A); 27 patients in the medium-risk (group B) and 18 patients in high-risk category (group C). The primary study endpoint was a combined of all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization rate. Secondary endpoints were all-cause mortality and cardiac mortality. Patients of group B and group C were compared. Regarding the primary endpoint, patients in group C had significantly poorer outcomes than patients in group B, with a 12-month survival freedom from events of 44.4 and 74.1 %, respectively (log-rank test, p = 0.039); survival freedom from cardiac mortality was 100 and 83.3 % in group B and C, respectively (log-rank test, p = 0.027). One-year survival free from re-hospitalization was 74.1 % in group B and 39.9 % in group C (log-rank test; p = 0.036). Survival free from all-cause of mortality was 92.6 and 77.8 %, respectively (log-rank test; p = 0.129). In our initial experience the CVM-HF index showed to be valuable for understanding if the patient with advanced heart failure and functional mitral regurgitation can really benefit by MitraClip therapy.

PURPOSE The aim of our study was to assess the arterial cerebral blood flow variations in patients with aortic valve stenosis, immediately after the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS The study population includes 62 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI for aortic valve stenosis (95%) and sugical bioprosthesis degeneration (5%). Carotid Doppler examination was performed recording blood flow, systolic peak velocity, time average mean velocity and mean acceleration time at baseline, after balloon aortic valvuloplasty, and within 10 min after the device release. RESULTS A significant improvement of blood flow was recorded at the end of the procedure (from 315.05 ± 141.72 to 538.67 ± 277.46 ml/min; P

Trans-catheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is actually the most attractive technique for treating patients with severe mitral regurgitation, who are denied surgical therapy. Recently, trans-catheter implantation of aortic biological prosthesis in mitral position has been done in compassionate cases, and very few experiences of TMVI in native non-calcified valves have been recently reported in very-high-risk patients, mainly with functional mitral regurgitation.Here, we report our case of TMVI using the second-generation CardiAQ prostheisis (CardiAQ Valve Technologies, Irvine, California, USA), reviewing the current state of the art.

The CoreValve Revalving System (CRS) (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) is currently available in four sizes: 23 mm, 26 mm, 29 mm and 31 mm. Aim of our study was to assess the acute clinical results after implantation of a 31 mm CRS.We assessed device safety, procedural success and 30-day outcomes of 76 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) from January 2012 to September 2013, for severe aortic valve disease. The device sizes used were 26 mm in 21 (28%), 29 mm in 20 (26%) and 31 mm in 35 (46%) patients. Patients who received the 31 mm CRS were significantly younger, predominantly male, with higher STS scores and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Device success was obtained in 70 cases (92%) in the overall population, without significant differences among groups. Procedural, fluoroscopy and revalving time and procedural outcomes did not differ. A significant reduction in transaortic gradient was obtained in all groups. We observed a low incidence of paraprosthetic leak in the 31 mm group. Permanent pacemaker implantation, bleeding, vascular and renal complications were similar among groups. Time of hospitalisation in CRS 31 mm patients did not differ from the other groups and 30-day outcomes were comparable.The 31 mm CRS can be safely implanted in patients with complex aortic valve disease, large annuli and dilated left ventricles.

We describe an alternative access approach for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using surgical cut down of the distal axillary artery, in cases wherein transfemoral access is not feasible.From January 2012 to July 2013, 61 patients (59% men; mean age 81 ± 8 years) underwent TAVI at our institution. The mean logistic EuroSCORE and EuroSCORE II were 36 ± 24 and 14 ± 10, respectively. We assessed device success, 30-day safety and clinical efficacy using VARC II criteria.TAVI was performed with the CoreValve Revalving System (CRS) (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) in all cases, using transfemoral approach in 57 patients and distal trans-axillary route in four patients. A device was successfully implanted in 94%, without any major intraprocedural complications. One case of acute kidney disease, four cases of minor vascular complication and two cases of life-threatening bleeding occurred after the procedure for pericardial bleeding requiring pericardiocentesis. Permanent pacemaker was implanted in 26% of patients. There was no instance of in-hospital mortality, while two deaths (3%) occurred in the first 30 days. The total procedure time (skin-to-skin) was longer in the trans-axillary group secondary to surgical management of access site (P = 0.027), whereas revalving and fluoroscopy time were similar (P = 0.95 and P = 0.83, respectively).The location and anatomical relations of the distal axillary artery make it a safer, reproducible and operator friendly access option for TAVI.

There are concerns about percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) using nitinol-alloys devices in patients with nickel hypersensitivity. We describe our experience with Atriasept II (Cardia Eagan, Minnesota, USA) used in four patients with known nickel allergy. No intraprocedural or in-hospital adverse events occurred. The follow-up was negative for allergic manifestations, without complications, as assessed by echocardiography. Because of the risk of adverse outcomes in nickel-allergic patients, devices with higher biocompatibility, low-profile, and low nickel content should be preferred in cases of known hypersensitivity. Atriasept II, containing less metallic material, appears to be a safe option in allergic patients undergoing PFO closure.

Aims We sought to assess the hemodynamic sequel and the therapy adopted in patients treated with MitraClip system, who experienced a persistent interatrial communication (IAC) after the procedure. Methods From January 2012 to March 2013, 28 consecutive patients (mean age 74 ± 8 years) underwent transcatheter MitraClip repair, as part of an ongoing prospective study to assess the IAC. Results Acute procedural success was 100% and a 30-days survival of 97% was reported. Immediately after the procedure, a residual IAC was present in all patients with an average diameter of 0.51 ± 0.39 cm. At 30 days, IAC was detected in 81% of patients with a diameter of 0.45 ± 0.31 cm (P = 0.53). To date, three patients developed different hemodynamic impairment secondary to the residual IAC, requiring percutaneous closure of the defect. Conclusion Anatomic and hemodynamic criteria for early recognition of harmful residual IAC have to be identified, in order to select those patients who are benefited the most from atrial septal defect closure.

Our aim was to compare 4-slice spiral computed tomography with conventional coronary angiography in the detection of significant (50%) coronary stenosis.Sixty-two patients (41 males, 21 females, mean age 60 +/- 8 years) with suspected coronary artery disease were submitted to coronary angiography and then to multislice spiral computed tomography (GE Light Speed 4 slice) performed 12 +/- 5 days later.We excluded 25% of the patients from analysis because of a heart rate70 b/min or because of frequent ectopic beats. We also excluded from analysis 23% of all the angiographic segments judged not evaluable at multislice spiral computed tomography. Within these limits, the sensitivity was 65%, the specificity 98%, the positive predictive value 88%, and the negative predictive value 92%.By considering the intrinsic limitations such as its low temporal and spatial resolution, 4-slice spiral computed tomography has a limited applicability and has to be used with caution in the evaluation of native coronary arteries.

ejd.2011.1610 Auteur(s) : Maria Esposito1 espositomaria@virgilio.it, Alessandro Giunta1, Graziella Babino1, Caterina Schipani1, Massimo Marchei2, Maria Sole Chimenti3 1 Departments of Dermatology, 2 of Cardiology and 3 of Rheumatology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy A 42-year-old man, affected by plaque type psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for 22 and 16 years, respectively, was referred to our department. His Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was 8.8 [...]

Background: The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) vs. surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis at low surgical risk. Methods: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (Obs) published from January 2014 until March 31 st , 2020 were retrieved through the PubMed computerized database and at the site https:// www.clinicaltrials.com . The relative risk (RR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention under comparison. The primary endpoints were all-cause 30-day mortality and 1-year mortality. The 30-day safety endpoints were: stroke, acute kidney injury stage 2 or 3, major bleeding, moderate/severe paravalvular leak, need for new permanent pacemaker (PM) implantation. Results: After detailed review 9 studies, related to 4 RCTs and 5 Obs, were selected. The overall analysis of RCTs plus Obs showed a significantly lower 30-day mortality for TAVI (RR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.45–0.68, p < 0.00001; I 2 = 0%). However, an increased risk of new PM implantation (RR = 2.87; 95% CI 2.01–3.67, p < 0.00001, I 2 = 0%) and of paravalvular leak (RR = 7.28; 95% CI 3.83–13.81, p < 0.00001, I 2 = 0%) was observed in TAVI compared to SAVR. On the contrary, a lower incidence of major bleeding (RR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.27–0.54, p < 0.00001, I 2 = 0%) and of acute kidney injury was observed (RR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.19–0.56, p < 0.0001, I 2 = 0%) in TAVI. Conclusions: TAVI and SVAR in the treatment of AS in the patients at low surgical risk are not superimposable. In particular, if 30-day and 1-year mortality, major bleeding and acute kidney injury were significantly lower for TAVI, the need of new PM implantation and paravalvular leak were significantly lower in SAVR. Consequently, we suggest the need of more trials to evaluate the effectiveness of TAVI as routine therapeutic procedure in the treatment of patients with low surgical risk AS.

Abstract —The objective of this study was to evaluate diastolic parameters and left ventricular geometry in gestational hypertension. Twenty-one consecutive pregnant women with gestational hypertension and 21 normotensive women matched for age and gestational age were enrolled in the third trimester of gestation. Echocardiographic and uterine color Doppler evaluations were performed. Systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure, total vascular resistance (TVR), and uterine resistance index were higher in hypertensive women than in control subjects ( P P P P P P P P P P P