A new analysis from the CANTOS trial shows that individuals who initially respond to canakinumab benefit the most from this new drug as regards cardiovascular events. This sub-analysis presented at the American Heart Association 2017 Scientific Sessions and simultaneously published in the Lancet showed that the magnitude of the reduction in C-reactive protein following a...
From November 9th to November 11th, Punta del Este received the best cardiologists in Latin America. These 3 days of intense scientific activity included the SOLACI-SUC Joint Symposium, which was composed of a structural module (with presentations on TAVI, Mitraclip, paravalvular leaks, and clinical cases) and a coronary module (with activities centered on coronary bifurcation lesions,...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. Avoiding general anesthesia in intervention procedures has the benefits of faster recovery and shorter hospitalization. This has been already analyzed in the context of TAVR, but not in MitraClip procedures. The present study analyzed 232 patients receiving the MitraClip. 76 of these procedures were done under general anesthesia (32.7%) and...