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Cardiac rehabilitation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with improved outcomes; however, it remains relatively underutilized in this patient population. As part of a quality improvement initiative, we sought to increase the rate of cardiac rehabilitation referral after TAVR at our institution. We designed and implemented a multidisciplinary program that included education of cardiothoracic surgery providers discharging post-TAVR patients on the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation with participation of cardiac rehabilitation personnel during discharge rounds with the surgical team. The study period was defined as 12 months prior to and 6 months following the implementation of the education program. Overall referral rates increased from 5% to 56% ( P0.0001), and referrals placed before hospital discharge increased from 0.8% to 53% ( P0.0001) over the study period. In conclusion, a combination of education regarding the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac rehabilitation personnel participation in discharge rounds significantly increased referral to cardiac rehabilitation after TAVR.

Background Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF); however, pathophysiology is not well described. Hypothesis We hypothesized that CMD in women with suspected ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) is associated with cardiomyocyte dysfunction reflected by plasma levels of a cardiomyocyte calcium handling protein, cardiac bridge integrator 1 (cBIN1). Methods Women with suspected INOCA undergoing coronary function testing were included. Coronary flow reserve, vasodilation to nitroglycerin, change in coronary blood flow (ΔCBF), and vasodilation to acetylcholine (ΔAch) were evaluated. cBIN1 score (CS) levels in these women (n = 39) were compared to women with HFpEF (n = 20), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n = 36), and reference controls (RC) (n = 50). Higher CS indicates cardiomyocyte tubule dysfunction. Results INOCA, HFpEF, and HFrEF women were older than RC (p

Background: Paravalvular Leak (PVL) refers to the retrograde flow of blood in the space between an implanted cardiac valve and native tissue. These are unfortunately but luckily relatively uncommon complications of prosthetic valve replacement that, especially when moderate or severe, have important clinical consequences. Objective: Addressing PVL requires a multidisciplinary team to properly diagnose this process and choose the corrective option most likely to result in success. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken to formulate this narrative review. Results: This review highlights the complex nature of PVL and the promising contemporary treatments available. Conclusion: Clinicians should be adept at recognizing PVL and characterizing it using multimodality imaging. Using the many available tools and a multidisciplinary approach should lead to favorable outcomes in patients with PVL.

Background Ischemia with no obstructed coronary arteries (INOCA) is prevalent among women and associated with an increased risk of developing heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), however the mechanism linking these conditions remains poorly understood. Coronary vascular dysfunction is common in INOCA, representing a putative mechanism driving heart failure progression. Purpose To evaluate the role of coronary vascular dysfunction on left ventricular (LV) function in women with INOCA. Methods Women with suspected INOCA, defined as having signs and symptoms of ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease, underwent LV pressure-volume assessment at rest and during 3 minutes of isometric handgrip stress at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction. Coronary function testing was performed by infusing standard doses of adenosine, acetylcholine, and nitroglycerine through a guiding catheter placed in the left main coronary artery, per our published protocols. Using standardized definitions of normal versus abnormal responses, cases with zero abnormal coronary pathways (n=12) were compared to cases with three abnormal coronary pathways (n=7). Results At rest, end-systolic pressure and end-systolic elastance were elevated in cases with abnormal coronary vascular function (Figure), while normalized peak filling rate was lower (0.45±0.15 s mmHg–1 vs 0.37±0.08 s mmHg–1). With isometric handgrip, end-systolic pressure and end-systolic elastance increased similarly between groups, remaining highest in those with abnormal coronary vascular function (Figure). End-diastolic pressure-volume declined with handgrip in those without coronary vascular dysfunction, while increasing (up and to the left) in those with coronary vascular dysfunction (Figure). Likewise, normalized peak filling rate improved with handgrip in those without coronary vascular dysfunction, but did not change in those with coronary vascular dysfunction (0.66±0.37 s mmHg–1 vs 0.38±0.15 s mmHg–1). Conclusions We show heightened ventricular and vascular stiffness in women with INOCA who have abnormal coronary vascular function. These preliminary data support the hypothesis that coronary vascular dysfunction may be a putative mechanistic pathway driving heart failure progression in INOCA. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Institutes of Health

INTRODUCTION Limited data are available about the outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) using transseptal approach in patients with prior mitral valve repair (valve-in-ring) or replacement (valve-in-valve) (TMViVR) and on modes of the prior surgical valve failures. We report our tertiary center TMVR experience in high surgical risk patients with prior mitral valve repair or replacement. METHODS From December 2016 to January 2020, patients with symptomatic severe mitral valve stenosis and/or insufficiency at increased redo surgical risk were included. TMViVR was performed off-label with Sapien S3 valve (Edwards Lifesciences). Patients were followed within 30-days and 1-year from the procedure. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients underwent transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve (n = 21) or valve-in-ring (n = 6) replacement. Mean ± SD age was 71.8 ± 11 years with Society of Thoracic Surgeons' calculated mortality 7.1 ± 4.6%. The etiology of valve failure was stenosis in 17 (63%) patients, insufficiency in 4 (14.8%) patients, and both in 6 (22.2%) patients. TMViVR technical success was 100% in all patients. Left ventricular outflow track (LVOT) obstruction was observed in only one (3.7%) patient. Zero patients had moderate or severe central mitral valve regurgitation or paravalvular leak. All patients had symptomatic improvement at 30 days. The mean transmitral diastolic pressure gradient decreased from 14.1 ± 4.6 to 6.9 ± 4.6 mm Hg (p

Aim Heart failure following myocardial infarction (MI) is a potentially lethal problem with a staggering incidence. The CardiAMP Heart Failure trial represents the first attempt to personalize marrow-derived cell-based therapy to individuals with cell characteristics associated with beneficial responses in prior trials. Before the initiation of the randomized pivotal trial, an open-label “roll-in cohort” was completed to ensure the feasibility of the protocol's procedures. Methods Patients with chronic post-MI heart failure (NYHA class II-III) receiving stable, guideline-directed medical therapy with a left ventricular ejection fraction between 20 and 40% were eligible. Two weeks prior to treatment, a ~ 5 mL bone marrow aspiration was performed to examine “cell potency”. On treatment day, a 60 mL bone marrow aspiration, bone marrow mononuclear cell (BM MNC) enrichment and transendocardial injection of 200 million BM MNC's was performed in a single, point of care encounter. Patients were then followed to assess clinical outcomes. Results The cell potency small volume bone marrow aspirate, the 60 mL bone marrow aspirate, and transendocardial injections were well tolerated in 10 patients enrolled. There were no serious adverse events related to bone marrow aspiration or cell delivery. Improvement in 6-min walk distance was observed at 6 months (+47.8 m, P = 0.01) and trended to improvement at 12 months (+46.4, P = 0.06). Similarly, trends to improved NYHA heart failure functional class, quality of life, left ventricular ejection fraction and recruitment of previously akinetic left ventricular wall segments were observed. Conclusion All CardiAMP HF protocol procedures were feasible and well tolerated. Favorable functional, echo and quality of life trends suggest this approach may offer promise for patients with post MI heart failure. The randomized CardiAMP Heart Failure pivotal trial is underway to confirm the efficacy of this approach. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02438306

The Age, Body mass index, Chronic kidney disease, Diabetes mellitus, and CYP2C19 GENEtic variants (ABCD-GENE) score was developed to identify patients at risk for diminished antiplatelet effects with clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The objective of this study was to validate the ability of the ABCD-GENE score to predict the risk for atherothrombotic events in a diverse, real-world population of clopidogrel-treated patients who underwent PCI and received clinical CYP2C19 genotyping to guide antiplatelet therapy. A total of 2,341 adult patients who underwent PCI, were genotyped for CYP2C19, and received treatment with clopidogrel across four institutions were included (mean age 64 ± 12 years, 35% women, and 20% Black). The primary outcome was major atherothrombotic events, defined as the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, stent thrombosis, or revascularization for unstable angina within 12 months following PCI. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or stent thrombosis, was assessed as the secondary outcome. Outcomes were compared between patients with an ABCD-GENE score ≥ 10 vs. 10. The risk of major atherothrombotic events was higher in patients with an ABCD-GENE score ≥ 10 (n = 505) vs. 10 (n = 1,836; 24.6 vs. 14.7 events per 100 patient-years, adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.25, P 0.001). The risk for MACE was also higher among patients with a score ≥ 10 vs. 10 (16.7 vs. 10.1 events per 100 patient-years, adjusted HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.11-2.30, P = 0.013). Our diverse, real-world data demonstrate diminished clopidogrel effectiveness in post-PCI patients with an ABCD-GENE score ≥ 10.

It is clear that existing cardiovascular disease is a major risk factor for COVID-19 and related adverse outcomes. In addition to acute respiratory syndrome, a large cohort also develop myocardial or vascular dysfunction, in part from inflammation and renin angiotensin system activation with increased sympathetic outflow, cardiac arrhythmias, ischemia, heart failure, and thromboembolic complications that portend poor outcomes related to COVID-19. We summarize recent information for hospitalists and internists on the front line of this pandemic regarding its cardiovascular impacts and management and the need for cardiovascular consultation.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) on 30-day readmission rates following hospitalization with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using a national database. Background AMI in the setting of SCAD represents an uncommon type of myocardial infarction with limited data on short-term outcomes. Methods All hospitalizations with primary or index diagnoses of AMI from 2010 to 2015 in the Nationwide Readmissions Database were queried. The primary outcome was overall 30-day readmission rates in both SCAD and non-SCAD cohorts. Propensity score matching (1:2) was conducted. Results A total of 2,654,087 patients with AMI were included in the final analysis, of whom 1,386 (0.052%) were diagnosed with SCAD. SCAD was associated with a higher readmission rate in the SCAD cohort (12.3% vs. 9.9%; p = 0.022). The main causes of readmissions in the SCAD cohort were cardiac causes (80.6%), and AMI was the most common cardiac cause (44.8%), followed by chest pain (20.1%) and arrhythmia (12.7%). Among the SCAD readmissions, 50.6% patients were readmitted in the first week post-discharge, with 54.5% of AMI readmissions occurring in the first 2 days post-discharge. Conclusions The incidence of 30-day readmission following AMI and SCAD is nontrivial and occurs early post-discharge. Most readmissions are due to cardiac causes, especially AMI. Targeted management approaches are needed to diminish the high rates of readmission and early recurrent AMI.

Women with myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) are increasingly recognized. Women with MINOCA are at high risk for major adverse cardiovascular events. In this case, we focus on the importance of early identification and management of MINOCA to improve patients’ angina and related quality of life. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.), Graphical abstract, Women with myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) are increasingly recognized…

Purpose We investigated the outcomes of patients who underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with and without Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (BAV) using the SAPIEN 3 (S3) valve. Methods All patients who underwent TAVR using S3 valve were included. The primary outcomes were the incidence of stroke and significant paravalvular leak (PVL). Secondary outcomes were the incidence of mortality, balloon post dilation, and need for permanent pacemaker . Results From July-2014 to April-2018, 34 (9%) patients underwent BAV prior to TAVR and 344 (91%) patients underwent direct TAVR without BAV using the S3 valve. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score was similar between two groups; 5.8 ± 3.5 in no BAV group and 5.4 ± 3.3 in BAV group, p = 0.53. After TAVR, 6 (1.7%) patients in no BAV group but no patient in BAV group developed stroke (p = 1.0). No patient had severe PVL and only 5 patients (1.3%) had moderate PVL at 30-day; 4 (1.2%) in no BAV group and 1 (2.9%) in BAV group (p = 0.38). Forty-six patients (13.4%) in the no BAV group and 4 (11.8%) patients in the BAV group needed balloon post dilation (p = 1.0). Six (1.6%) patients died during hospitalization, all in the no BAV group (p = 1.0). Forty-five (11.9%) patients needed new pacemaker implantation ; 44 (12.8%) patients in no BAV group and 1 (2.9%) patient in BAV group ( p = 0.1). Two-year survival rate was 85% in no BAV group and 84% in BAV group (p = 0.46). Conclusions TAVR using S3 valves is associated with very low rates of post-TAVR stroke and significant PVL. Outcomes of direct TAVR are similar to the outcomes of TAVR with BAV, without an increased rate of stroke, significant PVL, or balloon post dilation.

Objective Elevated red blood cell distribution width (RDW) level has been shown to be associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. Limited data are available regarding the prognostic value of RDW in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of RDW variation on outcomes of TAVR patients. Methods From March 20, 2012, to February 20, 2020, the pre-TAVR RDW levels of 1,163 consecutive TAVR patients were examined. Receiver operating curves were set to define the most accurate cut-point, which was subsequently validated in our validation set. Associations of RDW levels with early and long-term outcomes were investigated. Results A total of 988 patients were eligible for the analysis. Patients with 30-day, 1-year, and 7-year mortality had significantly higher pre-TAVR RDW levels (15.8% [12.9-19.1] vs 14.7% [11.6-26.3], P = 0.01; 16% [12.3-26.3] vs 14.7% [11.6-24.3], P < 0.001; 15.6% [12.3-26.3] vs 14.6% [11.6-24.3], P < 0.001, respectively). A RDW of 14.5% was found as the most sensitive and specific cut-point for mortality at 1 and 7 years (HR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.2, P < 0.001; HR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.4, P < 0.001), with mortality of 22% versus 10% at 1 year ( P < 0.001) and 37% versus 27% at 7 years ( P < 0.001) in patients with RDW ≥14.5% versus those with RDW Conclusions RDW is an important prognostic factor in TAVR patients. A RDW level higher than 14.5% is significantly associated with post-TAVR early and late mortality. RDW levels should be incorporated into current risk assessment models as an additional variable to predict post-TAVR outcomes.

Objectives Individual randomized trials comparing drug-eluting balloons (DEB) versus everolimus-eluting stents (EES) for in-stent restenosis (ISR) were underpowered for clinical end-points. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of DEB versus EES for any ISR. Materials & methods Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials which compared DEB versus EES for any ISR (i.e., drug eluting or bare metal stents). Summary estimate risk ratios (RRs) were constructed using a DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. Results Five trials with 962 patients were included. In-segment minimum lumen diameter (MLD) was lower with DEB (standardized mean difference −0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.46 – −0.01) on angiographic follow-up at a mean of 8.6 months. There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 1 year (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.60–2.19), but TVR was increased with DEB at 3 years (RR 1.87, 95% CI 1.15–3.03). The risk of target lesion revascularization (TLR) was statistically increased with DEB (RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.13–4.19) at a mean of 24.4 months. There was no difference in the risk of MI, stent thrombosis , cardiac mortality and all-cause mortality between both groups. Conclusion In patients with any type of ISR, DEB was associated a similar risk of TVR at 1-year, but increased risk of TVR and TLR at longer follow-up, as compared with EES. The quality of evidence was moderate, suggesting the need for further randomized trials with longer follow-up to confirm the role of DEB in the management of ISR.

Symptomatic non-obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) is an increasingly recognised entity that is associated with poor cardiovascular outcomes. Nearly half of those undergoing coronary angiography for appropriate indications, such as typical angina, or a positive stress test have no obstructive lesion. There are no guideline recommendations as to how to care properly for these patients. Physiologic assessment of the coronary arteries beyond two-dimensional angiography is not standardised, yet it can provide valuable information in patients presenting with typical angina in the setting of NOCAD. In this consensus document, we detail steps for the interventional cardiologist to evaluate the patient with symptomatic NOCAD in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, first with the assessment of coronary flow reserve (CFR), and then with delineation of deficiencies in non-endothelium-dependent CFR (CFRne) versus endothelium-dependent CFR (CFRe) using provocative agents such as adenosine and acetylcholine, respectively, followed by the evaluation of smooth muscle function with nitroglycerine (NTG). Once the mechanism behind the anginal symptoms is established, one can identify the appropriate treatment strategies to address the physiologic deficiency that is present. Despite an established safety profile, a comprehensive assessment may be considered for selected patients which requires an understanding of the appropriate invasive evaluation by the practising interventional cardiologist when evaluating not only patients with obstructive CAD but also those with NOCAD.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate dose of aspirin to lower the risk of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke and to minimize major bleeding in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a subject of controversy. METHODS: Using an open-label, pragmatic design, we randomly assigned patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to a strategy of 81 mg or 325 mg of aspirin per day. The primary effectiveness outcome was a composite of death from any cause, hospitalization for myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for stroke, assessed in a time-to-event analysis. The primary safety outcome was hospitalization for major bleeding, also assessed in a time-to-event analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15,076 patients were followed for a median of 26.2 months (interquartile range [IQR], 19.0 to 34.9). Before randomization, 13,537 (96.0% of those with available information on previous aspirin use) were already taking aspirin, and 85.3% of these patients were previously taking 81 mg of daily aspirin. Death, hospitalization for myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for stroke occurred in 590 patients (estimated percentage, 7.28%) in the 81-mg group and 569 patients (estimated percentage, 7.51%) in the 325-mg group (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91 to 1.14). Hospitalization for major bleeding occurred in 53 patients (estimated percentage, 0.63%) in the 81-mg group and 44 patients (estimated percentage, 0.60%) in the 325-mg group (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.77). Patients assigned to 325 mg had a higher incidence of dose switching than those assigned to 81 mg (41.6% vs. 7.1%) and fewer median days of exposure to the assigned dose (434 days [IQR, 139 to 737] vs. 650 days [IQR, 415 to 922]). CONCLUSIONS: In this pragmatic trial involving patients with established cardiovascular disease, there was substantial dose switching to 81 mg of daily aspirin and no significant differences in cardiovascular events or major bleeding between patients assigned to 81 mg and those assigned to 325 mg of aspirin daily. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute; ADAPTABLE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02697916.).

To determine the relationship between coronary vascular dysfunction and history of migraines in women with suspected ischemia and no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA).In the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction study, 402 women with suspected INOCA answered baseline angina questionnaires, including the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). Coronary function testing (CFT) performed in a subgroup of 252 women evaluated for nonendothelial and endothelial-dependent coronary vascular function. Wilcoxon rank sum test,Of the 252 women who underwent CFT, 126 (50%) women reported migraine history. Compared to women who reported no migraines, women with migraines were younger and more were premenopausal. They had more angina at rest, with strong emotions, and hot/cold temperatures, as well as angina that wakes them from sleep (Among women with suspected INOCA, migraine history is prevalent and women with migraines have worse angina compared to those without migraines. Coronary vascular dysfunction diagnosed by CFT does not appear to relate to migraine history.

BACKGROUND: Women with suspected ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) often have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) as measured by impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR), which is associated with angina and adverse cardiovascular events. CFR is a ratio of hyperemic to baseline average peak velocity (bAPV), and the relation of baseline flow to angina is not understood. METHODS: We evaluated 259 women enrolled in the WISE-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) project with suspected CMD who underwent invasive coronary functional testing. We analyzed variables stratified by high (e.g. ≥22 cm/sec) vs low (

Background: Relatively high left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (>65%) in women was recently associated with higher all-cause mortality over 6 years follow-up in the CONFIRM study. We sought to evaluate high EF and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. Methods: The WISE original cohort (enrolled 1996-2000) is a multicenter prospective study of women with suspected ischemic heart disease undergoing clinically indicated invasive coronary angiography. We investigated the relationship between high (>65%) and normal (55-65%) EF and MACE, defined as all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and heart failure (HF) hospitalization using Kaplan Meier (KM) and regression analyses. Results: A total of 653 women were included (298 high and 355 normal EF). Mean age was 58±11 years and mean EF was 68±7%. There was no significant difference in MACE by EF group over a 10-year follow-up period (log rank p=0.54, Figure ). When patients were stratified by the presence of obstructive CAD, MACE rates remained similar between high and normal EF. High EF was not associated with stroke or HF but had a lower MI risk (log rank p=0.03, Table ). EF was not associated with MACE in a multivariable regression model. Conclusions: Among women presenting with evidence of ischemia, there was no significant difference in MACE between high and normal EF groups. High EF was associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction as an individual component of MACE.

Background: Relatively high left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (>65%) was recently associated with higher all-cause mortality in women but not men undergoing noninvasive coronary angiography in the CONFIRM study, although this did not remain significant following adjustment for risk variables and mortality was not adjudicated. We investigated high EF and adjudicated all-cause mortality in the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. Methods: The WISE original cohort (enrolled 1996-2000), is a multicenter prospective study of women with suspected ischemic heart disease undergoing clinically indicated coronary angiography. EF was calculated by invasive left ventriculography. We investigated the relationship among high (>65%), normal (55-65%) and low ( Results: Overall 734 women included 298 (41%) high, 355 (48%) normal, and 81 (11%) low EF. The mean age was 58±11 years and mean EF was 65±11% (43%, 63% and 75% in the low, normal and high groups respectively). Over 10 years of follow-up, all-cause mortality occurred in 18% of patients, ranging from 12% in the high EF group to 41% in the low EF group. EF was associated with mortality among groups ( Figure ). Low EF remained a significant predictor of mortality compared to high EF, but normal EF compared to high EF did not in a multivariable regression model. Compared to women in the CONFIRM study, our cohort had higher mean EF (65% v. 62%), higher rates of obstructive CAD and diabetes, and lower rates of hypertension and dyslipidemia. Conclusions: Higher EF was not associated with higher all-cause mortality adjudicated predominantly cardiovascular in women with evidence of ischemia. Potential explanations for the lack of concordance with the CONFIRM study may include lack of death adjudication, differences in comorbidities, or other unknown factors.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) can be associated with poor prognosis. Transcatheter valve technology was adopted to treat the upstream effects of severe TR by placing a transcatheter valve in the inferior vena cava (IVC). In this study, we report off-label transcatheter valve implantation into the stented IVC in patients with severe TR for compassionate use. From September 2018 to February 2020, 6 inoperable patients with severe TR who failed medical treatment underwent percutaneous caval valve implantation (CAVI). Severity of TR was confirmed by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. Z-stents (Cook, Inc., Bloomington, IN, USA) were placed in the proximal IVC, and then a transcatheter valve was deployed in the suprahepatic cava without rapid pacing. Six patients, 2 females and 4 males, with a mean ± SD age of 74.7 ± 8.0 years were included. The procedure was successfully performed in all 6 patients (100%) employing a 29-mm SAPIEN 3 valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) with supranominal volume. No procedural complication was detected. At 30 days, TR improved from severe to trace in 1 patient, to mild-moderate in 3 patients, and 2 patients remained with severe TR. Among patients with improved TR, left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 47.5% ± 18.5% to 55% ± 20.4% ( P = 0.014). No patient had readmission at 30 days. Four patients needed rehospitalization within 6 months. Percutaneous CAVI is feasible and can be considered as a short-term palliative measure in patients with severe TR. CAVI can improve TR and potentially improve cardiac output in selected patients.

Objective: Women with symptoms or signs of myocardial ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) often have coronary vascular dysfunction and elevated risk for adverse cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that u-hscTnI (ultra-high–sensitivity cardiac troponin I), a sensitive indicator of ischemic cardiomyocyte injury, is associated with coronary vascular dysfunction in women with INOCA. Approach and Results: Women (N=263) with INOCA enrolled in the WISE-CVD study (Women’s Ischemic Syndrome Evaluation–Coronary Vascular Dysfunction) underwent invasive coronary vascular function testing and u-hscTnI measurements (Simoa HD-1 Analyzer; Quanterix Corporation, Lexington, MA). Logistic regression models, adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors were used to evaluate associations between u-hscTnI and coronary vascular function. Women with coronary vascular dysfunction (microvascular constriction and limited coronary epicardial dilation) had higher plasma u-hscTnI levels (both P =0.001). u-hscTnI levels were associated with microvascular constriction (odds ratio, 1.38 per doubling of u-hscTnI [95% CI, 1.03–1.84]; P =0.033) and limited coronary epicardial dilation (odds ratio, 1.37 per doubling of u-hscTnI [95% CI, 1.04–1.81]; P =0.026). u-hscTnI levels were not associated with microvascular dilation or coronary epicardial constriction. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that higher u-hscTnI is associated with coronary vascular dysfunction in women with INOCA. This suggests that ischemic cardiomyocyte injury in the setting of coronary vascular dysfunction has the potential to contribute to adverse cardiovascular outcomes observed in these women. Additional studies are needed to confirm and investigate mechanisms underlying these findings in INOCA. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT00832702.

Background Recurrent hospitalization is prevalent in women with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease. We hypothesized that rates of angina hospitalization might have changed over time, given advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Methods and Results We evaluated 551 women enrolled in the WISE (Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation) study with no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) for a follow‐up period of 9.1 years. We analyzed angina hospitalization rates using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Univariate analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were developed for prediction of angina hospitalization in women with signs and symptoms of angina and no CAD. A total of 223 women had nonobstructive CAD (>20–50% P =0.03). Hypertension, dyslipidemia, nonobstructive CAD, use of nitrates, statins, and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors were univariate predictors of angina hospitalization. Adjusted multivariate hazard ratios for angina hospitalization were significant for use of nitrates 2.58 (1.80–3.69, P P =0.004), and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers 1.81 (1.22–2.68, P =0.003). Conclusions Angina hospitalization rates continued at a relatively constant rate in all women with no obstructive CAD despite medical advances. Clinical trials aimed at reducing angina hospitalization rates and identifying the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to angina symptoms in women with no CAD and women with no obstructive CAD.

BACKGROUND. Women with evidence of ischemia and no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) often have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) indicated by impaired coronary flow reserve (CFR) to adenosine. Low CFR is associated with an adverse prognosis, including incident heart failure. Because the CFR calculation relies on the baseline intrinsic coronary vasomotor flow velocity, a major determinate of CFR and the degree of variation in baseline flow alone may be an important contributor to risk of adverse outcomes in women with CMD. A better understanding of baseline blood flow in the setting of low CFR and its association with myocardial performance would be helpful. METHODS. We evaluated 74 women who underwent invasive coronary reactivity testing in the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) study and had impaired CFR (

Supplemental material, Presentation S1, for Percutaneous Inferior Vena Cava Valve Implantation May Improve Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation and Cardiac Output: Lessons Learned by Seyed Hossein Aalaei-Andabili, Anthony A. Bavry, Calvin Choi, George Arnaoutakis, R. David Anderson and Thomas M. Beaver in Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery

Supplemental material, Table S1, for Percutaneous Inferior Vena Cava Valve Implantation May Improve Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation and Cardiac Output: Lessons Learned by Seyed Hossein Aalaei-Andabili, Anthony A. Bavry, Calvin Choi, George Arnaoutakis, R. David Anderson and Thomas M. Beaver in Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery

BACKGROUND Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis has been considered a relative contraindication to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We compared the outcomes of TAVR in patients with BAV stenosis versus patients with trileaflet aortic valve stenosis. METHODS From March 2012 to September 2017, 727 patients underwent TAVR. Thirty-two patients with BAV were included in this study and compared to 96 patients with comparable risk factors (1:3) with a trileaflet aortic valve (TAV). Transesophageal echocardiography was used to estimate post-TAVR degree of paravalvular leak (PVL). RESULTS Mean ± standard deviation Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk was 6.01 ± 3.42 in the BAV group and 6.08 ± 3.76 in the TAV group (P = 0.92). Thirty-day mortality was 4.2% (N = 4) in the TAV group and 6.25% (N = 2) in the BAV group (P = 0.63). Three (3.1%) patients in the TAV group and two (6.25%) patients in the BAV group developed a post operative stroke (P = 0.59). Following TAVR, mean aortic valve gradient significantly decreased in both TAV (42.56 ± 14.93 vs 9.27 ± 5.57, P