A large study conducted in 19 countries has found that a policy of restrictive red-cell transfusion during cardiac surgery is just as safe and effective as more liberal policies. TRICS III enrolled 5243 patients and was presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Patients were…
Study Confirms Lead Shields Protect Cath Lab Staff from Radiation Exposure
The recent publication of several reports on risk of cataract, left sided brain tumors, subclinical atherosclerosis and chromosome damage among interventional cardiologists has raised increasing concerns about radiation exposure in the cath lab. Recognizing these risks has created a demand of these new forms of protection. Unfortunately, these have mainly been focused on the main operator,…
Here you will find the last news about TAVR
1) New Study Confirms TAVR Durability at 5 Years The ADVANCE study was designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with self-expanding prosthesis CoreValve in “real world” patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis at high surgical risk. Read the conclusions of this study 2) An Important Study Shows That Renal Function Must Be Cared for in…
Though on the Rise, the Transradial Approach to Primary PCI Remains Underused
There is evidence to support the use of the transradial approach to coronary angioplasty. Several randomized studies have shown reduced bleeding and vascular complications when adopted, compared against patients treated with the femoral approach. There are also studies and meta-analysis suggesting that, in the context of primary PCI, the benefit would be even bigger, with significant events…
Efficacy of Micromesh-Covered Stents in Carotid Artery Stenting
Most literature, old and recent, associates carotid artery stenting with a higher rate of stroke (although minor) when compared with carotid endarterectomy during the acute period. However, 30-day outcomes of angioplasty and surgery are comparable. Many technical advancements, including new stent designs and different cerebral protection mechanisms, have improved the outcomes of angioplasty in clinical…
Mitral Valve Repair with MitraClip Is Safe in High-Risk Patients
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. Transcatheter mitral valve repair with MitraClip has shown good results in symptomatic patients with extreme surgical risk in different studies. However, its “real world” benefits have not been studied in depth due to how complex this strategy is compared with other usual procedures. This study analyzed 2952 patients who underwent mitral…
Important Study Detects Radiation-Induced DNA Damage in Operators After an Endovascular Procedure
In recent years, we have seen (both as witnesses and actors) an exponential increase in the number of fluoroscopically-guided cardiovascular interventions carried out by interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and vascular surgeons. Not long ago, most pathologies treated with these procedures were the exclusive domain of open surgery. Now, a large number of patients can be treated…
The End of Aspirin for Anticoagulated Patients Undergoing PCI
The discussion about the best anti-thrombotic strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing PCI seemed never-ending until the RE-DUAL PCI trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). This study has arrived to simplify the tough choice between the risk of a thrombotic event vs. the risk of bleeding with a simpler scheme, without…
TCT 2017 | FAME 2 at 3 Years: Better Results with Angioplasty and at a Cost Similar to Medical Treatment
Courtesy of SBHCI. Angioplasty in patients with chronic stable angina and functionally significant lesions improves clinical outcomes and quality of life over the long term, as compared with optimal medical therapy alone. Furthermore, the invasive approach becomes more cost-effective as the years go by. Previously, FAME 2 had shown that angioplasty was initially more expensive, but…
TCT 2017 | ORBITA: The Placebo Effect of Angioplasty
Courtesy of the SBHCI. Chronic stable angina and severe coronary lesion patients who undergo angioplasty in a single vessel show no better outcomes than individuals who undergo a placebo sham procedure when it comes to exercise capacity and symptoms, according to this study presented at TCT and published simultaneously in the Lancet. The curious results…