The use of drug-covered balloons (DCBs) has increased significantly for the endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal arterial disease. Previous studies on first-generation high-dose DCB (HD-DCB) have validated its benefits, thus supporting its recommendation in current clinical guidelines. However, there have been reports of adverse effects associated with paclitaxel and its excipients. Second-generation, lower-dose DCBs (LD-DCB) have...
The Left main coronary artery supplies circulation to roughly 70% of myocardium, and left main disease requires a high risk intervention with significant impact on patient prognosis. The current guidelines have set the threshold for intervention in LM disease at ≥50% stenosis, irrespective of the presence of symptoms or ischemic burden. LM calcification is an...
The edge-to-edge approach with MitraClip has been established as a valid strategy for patients who experience severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MI) with high risk for surgery, currently with a IIa indication. MI complicated by cardiogenic shock, which results in a high risk for conventional valve surgery, is a particularly complex scenario. In such a case,...
Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is indicated for symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS), while close follow-up is recommended for asymptomatic patients, unless they have elevated aortic gradients, low ejection fraction, or abnormal stress tests. However, the optimal timing to perform AVR is uncertain, especially with recent evidence suggesting that patients with AS associated with signs of myocardial...
Infiltrative diseases (ID) consist of a heterogeneous series of genetic conditions that cause infiltration and extracellular deposits which alter the diverse systems and organs affected. Amyloidosis, sarcoidosis and hemochromatosis affect the heart, altering the myocardium and the conduction system. PCI is often used at present to treat heart disease, and some of these patients present...
Roughly 20% or coronary angiographies show some form of chronic total occlusion (CTO), and this figure is twice as high for diabetic patients or those with cardiac failure and reduced ejection fraction (EF). CTO percutaneous intervention (PCI) has experienced a significant growth thanks to the development of new techniques and dedicated material. However, a considerable...
The XLVI SOLACI Regional Sessions – 16th Central America and the Caribbean Region took place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, between September 14 and 15, 2023. It was an extremely successful event that featured the participation of prestigious national and international guests and a high-level scientific program. Below, we share some of the presentations that...
The main studies carried out on patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS), such as the MASS II, COURAGE, BARI 2D and FAME-2, failed to show benefits in terms of mortality with the invasive approach. The ISCHEMIA, a large randomized study including patients with moderate to severe ischemia, with without left main disease and with acceptable...
Aortic stenosis shares risk factors with coronary artery disease (CAD), and its prevalence varies according to age, reaching approximately 50% or more in some registries. Deciding when to treat and the need for percutaneous intervention presents a challenge. It has been established that epicardial stenosis at proximal level, or the medial segment, requires intervention, especially...
Short dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has shown benefits in patients receiving drug eluting stents (DES), reducing bleeding with no concomitant increase in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Traditionally, the therapeutic window was limited to monotherapy with P2Y12 inhibitors during the first year and there are few data on short DAPT followed by long term monotherapy...