Evidently, we are still uncertain. The information goes both ways, even on our own web page, we have been coming and going just like any other publication around the world. After a 2-day debate, the Circulatory System Devices FDA panel has confirmed the tendency to higher mortality with paclitaxel-based devices and is expected to debate<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/06/19/the-fda-affirms-mortality-signs-with-paclitaxel-based-devices/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Degenerated surgical bioprostheses can be safely treated with CoreValve or CoreValve Evolut using the valve-in-valve procedure. Excellent 1-year clinical and hemodynamic outcomes were achieved in a non-selected regular population, i.e., “real-world” patients. The VIVA (Valve in Valve) registry, conducted at 23 sites, was a prospective study designed to systematically collect data from patients with degenerated<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/06/18/valve-in-valve-with-self-expanding-prosthesis-what-happens-with-gradients-at-one-year/" title="Read more" >...</a>
This post hoc analysis of what had been a trial with negative outcomes should be considered only as a hypothesis generator. Patients receiving complex PCI treated with ticagrelor monotherapy after one-month dual antiaggregation therapy (DAPT) showed better results at 2 years when compared against patients receiving a conventional DAPT scheme. In the global analysis, this<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/05/23/europcr-2019-global-leaders-ticagrelor-monotherapy-at-long-term-could-have-a-role-in-complex-pci/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) unsuitable for anticoagulation because of bleeding risk, require other strategies to prevent stroke. For some years, there have been in the market (limited to some places; not as part of the regular agenda of cardiologists and hematologists) devices to occlude the atrium that have been proved safe and effective. These<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/05/19/new-percutaneous-devices-to-prevent-embolism-in-atrial-fibrillation/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Patent foramen ovale closure is the standard treatment for cryptogenic stroke patients. However, there are is little information on its long-term evolution. The aim of this study was to determine clinical outcomes (death, ischemic or bleeding events) after foramen ovale closure over a 10-year evolution. The study included 201 consecutive patients (mean age 47<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/04/22/long-term-foramen-ovale-closure-after-cryptogenic-stroke/" title="Read more" >...</a>
1- What to Do with Blood Pressure Levels Between 130/80 and 139/89 mmHg The decision to be made with a treatment-free patient with systolic blood pressure over 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure over 100 mmHg is an easy one. All guidelines agree: treatment should be started immediately alongside lifestyle changes. Read more 2-<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/04/22/the-most-read-articles-of-march-in-interventional-cardiology/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) with a cerebral protection system has emerged as an alternative to surgery, particularly for patients with high surgical risk. Nowadays, there are a considerable number of cerebral protection systems, but these may sometimes fail due to anatomical issues, the diameter of embolized particles, or placement difficulties (among<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/03/27/paladin-new-carotid-protection-system-with-good-results/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Eighty years did the trick for one the countries with more experience in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which made it the new “standard of care” to treat elderly patients. Following in the footsteps of pioneer Alain Cribier, Germany has led the adoption of TAVR in Europe and the rest of the world. Since 2008,<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/03/26/after-100000-patients-tavr-becomes-the-new-standard-of-care/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Aspirin is against the ropes: first, it was primary prevention; now, its use is being reconsidered even in relation to angioplasty. There might be paradigm changes as regards antiplatelet therapy after angioplasty. These two studies presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2019 Scientific Session can really change what we have been doing unquestioningly<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/03/25/acc-2019-stopdapt-2-p2y12-monotherapy-after-short-term-dual-antiplatelet-therapy-after-angioplasty/" title="Read more" >...</a>
Aspirin increases bleeding with no ischemic benefit, but a trend toward more stent thrombosis with placebo warrants further studies. Patients with atrial fibrillation who receive an anticoagulant agent and coronary angioplasty with a stent, and then continue with aspirin, experience an increased risk of bleeding without any ischemic benefit whatsoever. The use of a<a href="https://solaci.org/en/2019/03/25/acc-2019-augustus-apixaban-plus-p2y12-inhibitor-is-the-best-combination-in-atrial-fibrillation-and-angioplasty/" title="Read more" >...</a>