Courtesy of Dr. Agustín Vecchia. Recent investigations and certain randomized trials suggest that the administration of CD34+ stem cells to patients with refractory angina improves exercise tolerance and decreases angina frequency. The following is a phase 3, randomized, double-blind multicenter trial comparing three groups of patients: active treatment through intramyocardial administration of CD34+ stem cells (autologous, purified), standard of care…
Sex Specific Outcomes: Women after TAVI
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. The benefits of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have been widely shown, but there is no evidence on sex-specific outcomes. Some studies have shown lower mortality and better evolution of the ventricular function in women, yet with more bleeding and stroke; however, it remains unclear. This study included 1,019 patients…
No Extra Benefit for Combined Use of Bivalirudin and Transradial Approach
The aim of this meta-analyzis was to study the relation between bivalirudin and access site in patients undergoing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Both bivalirudin and the transradial access site are strategies aiming at reducing bleeding complication in patients with ACS undergoing invasive approaches. The interaction of both strategies and the potential benefits of their combined use…
BVS: Comparable to Second-Generation DES in Complex Lesions
A center carrying out a mid- to long-term follow-up of the performance of everolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffolds (Absorb) observed that this new device has an acceptable rate of major cardiovascular events, when compared to second-generation drug-eluting stents. Furthermore, although the population was complex and non-selected, no cases of early thrombosis were reported. This study enrolled 249 patients…
Low BMI Is a Predictor of Death for TAVI
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. Body mass index (BMI) has always played an important role in heart surgery. However, there is little evidence on BMI effects on TAVI. This study included 491 patients, which were divided according to BMI into: low (<20 Kg/m2 ) normal (20-24.9 Kg/m2 ) overweight (25-30 Kg/m2 ) obese…
Non-Compliant Balloons Improve Bifurcation Outcomes
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. The provisional approach is the standard strategy to treat bifurcations, but it might cause dissection of the ostium, a serious complication of the side branch. The use of non-compliant balloons (NCB) ensures uniform, constant, and controlled expansion along balloon length, reducing the risk of dissection. The COBIS II registry enrolled…
Ticagrelor Reduces Events in Diabetics with Prior MI
All studies on diabetics have shown these patients have higher risk rates of thrombotic events. This study sought to determine the optimal antiaggregation therapy with ticagrelor to prevent thrombotic events in diabetic patients with prior MI. The study analyzed diabetic patient and non-diabetic patient subgroups (n=6806 and n=14355, respectively) from the PEGASUS–TIMI 54…
A New Score to Predict Post TAVI Mortality
Few studies have evaluated the impact of new comorbidities, fragility and disability indices on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) outcomes. This study analyzes Medtronic CoreValve U.S. Pivotal patients to develop a new, simpler scoring system to use in addition to the standard assessment of TAVI patients. A multidisciplinary heart team used objective criteria, the…
Visual Assessment and Misinterpretation of Coronary Lesion Severity
Courtesy of Dr. Pablo Baglioni. The visual interpretation of coronary angiographies is still used to decide for or against revascularization of ambiguous coronary lesions. Multiple factors other than stenosis degree, have been associated with the functional significance of lesions. The aim of this study was to analyze the ability of interventionists to visually assess…
DAPT after PCI with EES: 6 or 12 Months?
Original Title: 6-Month versus 12-Month Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy Following Long Everolimus-Eluting Stent Implantation. The IVUS-XPL Randomized Clinical Trial. Reference: Hong et al. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2016 May 11. [Epub ahead of print] Courtesy of Dr. Brian Nazareth Donato. This publication stems from the IVUS-XPL published by JAMA in November 2015. This study presents outcomes on the…