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Isr Med Assoc J 2019 Feb;21(2):88-93

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.

Background: Rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) is a relatively rare diagnosis in the developed countries and its treatment during pregnancy is challenging due to hemodynamic changes. With the demographic changes due to recent waves of immigration an increase in the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease is expected.

Objectives: To evaluate maternal and neonatal complications in patients with mitral stenosis. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2019 Feb;72(2):156-159

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Japan.

Ross procedure has been found to have a lower incidence of infective endocarditis compared to other aortic replacement procedure using prosthetic valves. We report a case of 25-year-old man who underwent Ross procedure for congenital aortic stenosis and regurgitation when he was 7 years old. He presented with fever and was highly suspected of infective endocarditis. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2019 Jan 17. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

The Fetal Center, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:

The aim of foetal cardiac therapy is to treat an abnormality at the developmental stage so that the process of cardiac growth, which is complex and relies on the volume and direction of circulating blood as well as genetic determinants, can continue. In reality, most cardiac interventions are palliative; hence, major abnormalities are still present at birth. Nevertheless, tangible benefits following successful foetal intervention include improved haemodynamics and reduction in secondary damage leading to better postnatal outcomes. Read More

Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

The Heart Centre for Children, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.

Despite advances in modern surgery, congenital heart disease remains a medical challenge and major cause of infant mortality. Valved conduits are routinely used to surgically correct blood flow in hearts with congenital malformations by connecting the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery (RV-PA). This review explores the current range of RV-PA conduits and describes their strengths and disadvantages. Read More

Clin Res Cardiol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonary Diseases and Vascular Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is the most common valve disease requiring therapeutic intervention. Even though the incidence of AS has been continuously rising and AS is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, to date, no medical treatments have been identified that can modify disease progression. This unmet medical need is likely attributed to an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanism driving disease development. Read More

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Necker Sick Children Hospital-M3C, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France.

Objectives: Repair of tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) can be challenging in the presence of an abnormal coronary artery (CA) in 5-12% of cases. The aim of this study was to report our experience with ToF repair without the systematic use of a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit.

Methods: We conducted a monocentric retrospective study from 2000 to 2016, including 943 patients with ToF who underwent biventricular repair, of whom 8% (n = 76) presented with an abnormal CA. Read More

J Tehran Heart Cent 2018 Jul;13(3):153-154

Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Int Heart J 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Cardiology, Sakakibara Heart Institute.

Cirrhosis is a significant adverse factor of cardiac surgeries. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved as a less invasive therapy for aortic stenosis, whereas detailed case analysis of TAVI in cirrhotic patients is limited.Among 444 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI in the Sakakibara Heart Institute between October 2013 and January 2018, we retrospectively reviewed 11 patients (2. Read More

Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2018 Dec;8(6):725-738

Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, St Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

A bicuspid aortic valve and/or coarctation of the aorta (COA) are often associated with dilatation of the ascending aorta and para-coarctation. Congenital heart diseases (CHD), such as truncus arteriosus, transposition of the great arteries (TGA), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), single ventricle with pulmonary stenosis/atresia and the Fontan procedure, are also associated with aortic root dilatation, aneurysm and rarely, dissection, which can be fatal and require aortic valve and root surgery. A significant subset of adults with complex CHD exhibit progressive dilatation of the aortic root even after repair due to aortic medial degeneration. Read More

Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am 2019 Mar 22;31(1):31-38. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

School of Nursing, Louisiana State University Health, 1900 Gravier Street, Room 328, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. Electronic address:

Valvular heart dysfunction (VHD) affects up to 7% of adults up to age 44 year, whereas up to 13% of individuals older than 75 years are affected. The broad term of valvular heart disease includes dysfunction of one or more of the 4 heart valves, including the pulmonary valve, tricuspid valve, mitral valve, or aortic valve. Specifically the more frequent anomalies, implication, assessment, and treatment that will be described more extensively include aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, or tricuspid regurgitation. Read More

JAMA Cardiol 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Heart & Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Importance: Severe aortic stenosis causes pressure overload of the left ventricle, resulting in progressive cardiac dysfunction that can extend beyond the left ventricle. A staging system for aortic stenosis has been recently proposed that quantifies the extent of structural and functional cardiac changes in aortic stenosis.

Objectives: To confirm the reproducibility of a proposed staging system and expand the study findings by performing a survival analysis and to evaluate the association of aortic stenosis staging with both cardiac and noncardiac post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) readmissions. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Heart and Vascular Hospital, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address:

This study was performed to investigate the prevalence and impact on survival of baseline mitral stenosis (MS) in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) due to the presence of severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. This retrospective study included 928 consecutive patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI in 2 institutions, from January 2012 to August 2016. Mean follow-up was 40. Read More

Int J Surg 2019 Jan 28;63:1-7. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

GVM Care & Research, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Anthea Hospital, Bari, Italy.

Background: The effects of surgical aortic valve replacement versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement on endothelial function are unknown. We investigated the effects of surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement on early and 90-day endothelial function measured by brachial flow mediated dilation and apoptotic rate in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells in patients with significant aortic stenosis, intermediate risk of surgery, and no coronary artery disease.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational case control single-blind study at a single tertiary center. Read More

J Comp Pathol 2019 Jan 30;166:29-34. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Strandings of live new-born West Indian manatees (WIMs; Trichechus manatus) are one of the main challenges for the conservation of this species in Brazil, particularly in the northeastern states. Congenital malformations (CMs) are rare in sirenians. We identified CMs in two of 19 stranded WIMs that were rescued, rehabilitated and subjected to complete pathological examinations in Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte States between 1992 and 2017. Read More

Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2019 Jan 20:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 20.

c Department of Medical Ultrasound , Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Wuhan , China.

Introduction: The main characteristics of absent pulmonary valve syndrome (APVS) include the absence or hypoplasia of the pulmonary valve, stenosis of the pulmonary valve annulus, and aneurysmal dilatation of the pulmonary trunk and its branches. In the more common type 1, the tetralogy of Fallot-like type, there is a ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta, pulmonary arterial dilatation, and absence of ductus arteriosus, The second type has an intact ventricular septum, less pulmonary artery dilatation, and a patent ductus arteriosus, with or without tricuspid atresia.

Case Report: This APVS had an intact ventricular septum with an absent ductus arteriosus. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Cardiology, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia; Department of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. Electronic address:

We studied the trends and outcomes of patients with intestinal angiodysplasia-associated gastrointestinal bleeding (Heyde's syndrome [HS]) with aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) versus transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The National Inpatient Sample (2007 to 2014) and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes were used to identify HS hospitalizations, pertinent co-morbidities, and outcomes of SAVR versus TAVI from 2011 to 2014. The incidence of HS with AS was 3. Read More

J Am Coll Cardiol 2019 Jan;73(2):148-157

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Background: Transcatheter aortic and pulmonary valves have been used to treat stenosis or regurgitation after prior surgical tricuspid valve (TV) replacement or repair. Little is known about intermediate-term valve-related outcomes after transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR), including valve function, thrombus, and endocarditis.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate mid-term outcomes in a large cohort of patients who underwent TTVR after surgical TV repair or replacement, with a focus on valve-related outcomes. Read More

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, PA, USA.

Objectives: Patients with patent internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts after prior coronary artery bypass grafting surgery who require aortic valve replacement (AVR) pose unique technical challenges for safe and optimal myocardial protection. The purpose of this study is to review our short- and long-term outcomes with redo minimally invasive AVR in patients with patent in situ ITA grafts.

Methods: From 2008 to 2016, 48 patients with at least 1 patent in situ mammary artery graft underwent minimally invasive AVR. Read More

Indian J Anaesth 2018 Dec;62(12):963-971

Department of Cardiac Anesthesia, Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Background And Aims: There is conflicting evidence on adverse effect of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) on outcomes after cardiac surgery for rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The authors studied Indian patients with RHD and preoperative PAH, who undergo cardiac surgery with a hypothesis that they have poor short and long-term outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 407 patients. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2018 2;30:245. Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Service de Chirurgie Thoracique et Cardio-vasculaire, Hôpital de Fann, UCAD, Dakar, Sénégal.

Interauricular communication (IAC) is the second most important congenital heart disease in children. It accounts for 6-8% of congenital cardiac malformations in children. However, many questions are still open about this pathology. Read More

Echocardiography 2019 Jan 6. Epub 2019 Jan 6.

Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bangalore, India.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) is a rare disorder characterized by a hypercoagulable state. Manifestations include arterial or venous thrombosis, recurrent fetal wastage, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary artery hypertension, and intracardiac thrombus. Most commonly mitral valve is affected followed by aortic and then tricuspid valve. Read More

Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2019 Jan 4:1089253218821694. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

1 Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.

J Cardiol Cases 2018 Dec 30;18(6):204-206. Epub 2018 Aug 30.

Department of Cardiology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.

The quadricuspid pulmonary valve is a relatively common congenital anomaly which is rarely complicated clinically and also tends to be under-diagnosed. The following case report shows a 62-year-old man with exertional dyspnea due to quadricuspid pulmonary valve stenosis that was diagnosed by using electrocardiography-gated multiple detector computed tomography. He was then treated effectively by transcatheter balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty using an Inoue balloon catheter. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Dec 19;70 Suppl 3:S68-S73. Epub 2018 May 19.

IGMC, Shimla, HP, India.

Objective: To report the prevalence, risk factors and consequences of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients of rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Methods: The Himachal Pradesh- Rheumatic Fever/Rheumatic Heart Disease (HP-RF/RHD) Registry database of 1918 patients was analyzed. AF was diagnosed with 12-lead ECG recording at entry in to the registry. Read More

Indian Heart J 2018 Dec 6;70 Suppl 3:S338-S346. Epub 2018 Oct 6.

Department of Cardiology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695011, India. Electronic address:

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the immediate and late clinical outcomes of balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV), based on the immediate post-BMV valve area and percentage gain in mitral valve area (MVA).

Methods: Clinical data of 818 consecutive patients who underwent BMV in our institute from 2000 to 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. They were categorized into three groups based on the postprocedural MVA and percentage gain in valve area-(1) 50% gain with final MVA <1. Read More

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

There is a paucity of cardiac surgery outcomes data for patients with Noonan syndrome (NS). Our objective was to evaluate early results in these patients. Between January 1999 and December 2015, 29 patients (18 males, 62%) with NS underwent cardiac surgery at our institution. Read More

Circulation 2018 Dec;138(23):2611-2623

Klinik für Herz- und Gefäßchirurgie, Deutsches Herzzentrum München, Germany (S.B., R.L.).

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly being used for treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis in patients at intermediate risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Currently, real-world data comparing indications and clinical outcomes of patients at intermediate surgical risk undergoing isolated TAVR with those undergoing SAVR are scarce.

Methods: We compared clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with intermediate surgical risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 4%-8%) who underwent isolated TAVR or conventional SAVR within the prospective, all-comers German Aortic Valve Registry. Read More

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2018 Dec;11(12):e007611

The Labatt Family Heart Center, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, ON, Canada (L.M., M.K.F.).

Background: The study objective was to assess the severity, progression rate, and risk factors for aortic root dilatation (ARD) in pediatric tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and to study its relationship to complications including aortic regurgitation.

Methods And Results: Seven hundred sixty-eight TOF patients were studied with echocardiography (median age at repair 6.1 months; interquartile range, 4. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 Dec 18;12(1):372. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is indicated for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in patients who have a very high or prohibitive surgical risk as assessed pre-procedurally by the Society of Thoracic Surgery Risk Score, EuroSCORE (II), frailty testing, and other predictors. When combined with another left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, careful consideration must be taken prior to proceeding with transcatheter aortic valve replacement because an additional masked left ventricular outflow tract pathology can lead to challenging hemodynamics in the peri-deployment phase, as reported in this case.

Case Presentation: A 56-year-old Caucasian man with multiple comorbidities and severe aortic stenosis underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement under monitored anesthesia care. Read More

Congenit Heart Dis 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of Noonan spectrum disorders (NSD) in a pediatric population with valvar pulmonary stenosis (vPS) and identify the clinical characteristics that differentiate those with NSD from those without NSD.

Design: A retrospective chart review of 204 patients diagnosed with vPS between 9/1/2012 and 12/1/2016 at a pediatric medical center was performed. The quantitative features of vPS, genetic diagnosis information, and phenotypic characteristics of Noonan syndrome were collected. Read More

Environ Int 2019 Jan 12;122:381-388. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.

Background: Natural gas drilling may pose multiple health risks, including congenital anomalies, through air pollutant emissions and contaminated water. Two recent studies have evaluated the relationship between natural gas activity and congenital anomalies, with both observing a positive relationship.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate whether residence near natural gas wells is associated with critical congenital heart defects (CCHD), neural tube defects (NTD), and oral clefts in Oklahoma, the third highest natural gas producing state in the US. Read More

Rom J Morphol Embryol 2018 ;59(3):903-909

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania;

A 46-year-old female diagnosed several years ago with arterial hypertension and an ischemic stroke with significant recovery was admitted for dyspnea on usual physical activity and fatigue. Physical examination revealed signs of heart failure with crackles on both lung bases, distented jugular veins, accentuated pulmonic valve closure (P2) and tricuspid regurgitation murmur. Echocardiography identified a large tumor in the left atrium, suggestive of atrial myxoma, which caused a severe functional mitral stenosis and produced severe pulmonary hypertension. Read More

Heart Lung Circ 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

The Heart Centre, Royal Stoke Hospital, University Hospital of North Midlands Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, UK; Keele Cardiovascular Research Group, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

Background: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valvular abnormality and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is being increasingly used to treat patients considered too high risk for conventional surgery. We aimed to assess the prevalence of comorbid conditions in patients undergoing TAVI using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and to assess their impact on clinical and procedural outcomes.

Methods: We analysed 158 patients who underwent a TAVI at our institution between June 2009 and September 2015 to define their co-morbid burden as measured with CCI, and study its impact on procedural characteristics and mortality at 30 days. Read More

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2018 Oct 3. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Objective: Carcinoid heart disease is characterized by tricuspid valve regurgitation and varying degrees of pulmonary valve regurgitation or stenosis. Valve replacement procedures may be complicated by systemic effects of carcinoid syndrome, as well as hepatic dysfunction and right heart failure. This study was performed to identify factors that might be associated with improving early mortality rates and late outcomes. Read More

Can J Cardiol 2018 Dec 20;34(12):1688.e13-1688.e15. Epub 2018 Aug 20.

Department of Cardiology and Internal Intensive Medicine, Kepler University Hospital, Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) replacement is an effective therapy of right ventricular outflow tract conduit dysfunction. Acute complications after TPV implantation include infective endocarditis, stent fracture, and device dislocation. We present a novel, life-threatening complication: an acute, noninfectious TPV thrombosis. Read More

J Vet Cardiol 2018 Dec 18;20(6):405-414. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Department of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Université Paris-Est, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire D'Alfort, 7 Avenue Du Général de Gaulle, 94704, Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.

Introduction: The objectives of this study were to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and echocardiographic features of French bulldogs (FBs) with congenital pulmonic stenosis and document their survival times and risk factors for cardiac death (CD).

Animals: This study included 66 FBs with congenital pulmonic stenosis.

Methods: Prospective cohort study including a survival analysis to assess time to CD. Read More

J Vet Cardiol 2018 Dec 18;20(6):399-404. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, 1925 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address:

An 8-month-old Hanoverian gelding was presented with a history of cardiac murmurs that were not apparent as a foal nor reported at the time of castration. Major echocardiographic findings included mitral valvular thickening, functional stenosis, and mitral regurgitation of sufficient severity to cause diastolic and systolic cardiac murmurs, left-sided volume overload, and pulmonary hypertension. Due to the hemodynamic severity of the lesion and poor prognosis for future performance and longevity, euthanasia was elected. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2019 Feb 6;123(3):454-459. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction occurs in some infants born with critical pulmonary stenosis (PS) or membranous pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS) after pulmonary valve (PV) balloon dilation (BD). The cause for this is not well understood. We sought to characterize this LV dysfunction by investigating regional differences in this cohort using myocardial strain imaging. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2019 Apr 16;280:38-42. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Department of Cardiology, Sakakibara Heart Institute, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has not been well-known. This study aimed to assess characteristics and computed tomography (CT) findings of the aortic valve in old patients with RHD and to investigate the safety and efficacy in the patients who underwent TAVR.

Methods And Results: Of 352 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent TAVR at the Sakakibara Heart Institute between 2013 and 2016, 10 patients (2. Read More

Future Cardiol 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Departments of Pediatrics & Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Heart Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, Stanford-94304-5731, CA, USA.

The introduction of transcatheter therapy for valvular heart disease has changed the spectrum of care of patients with a variety of cardiovascular conditions. Transcatheter valve placement has become established as a method of treating pathologic regurgitation or stenosis of the pulmonary valve, right ventricular outflow tract or a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. In this review, we examine the pathophysiology of and indications for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement along with procedural complications. Read More

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Dec;56(12):916-921

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Cardiocvascular Diseases Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China.

To analyze the early and midterm results of surgical treatment of interrupted aortic arch (IAA) with double-ventricular procedure. The data of the 68 cases with the main diagnosis of IAA with biventricular structure from June 2009 to June 2017 at Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital was collected, including 46 cases of type A, 22 cases of type B. There was no type C case. Read More

Eur Radiol 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester and Cardiovascular Theme, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Groby road, Leicester, LE3 9QP, UK.

Objectives: To compare aortic size and stiffness parameters on MRI between bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients with aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods: MRI was performed in 174 patients with asymptomatic moderate-severe AS (mean AVAI 0.57 ± 0. Read More

Mymensingh Med J 2018 Oct;27(4):851-858

Dr Md Nazmul Hasan, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Asia Metropolitan University, Johor, Malaysia.

Mitral stenosis (MS) affects left atrial (LA) function as a result of hemodynamic and myocardial factors that causes significant symptoms and complications. Conventional echocardiographic methods have been practicing to see the improvement of left atrial function after successful percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PMBV). Introduction of tissue doppler imaging allows direct and non-invasive measurement of myocardial velocities. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2019 Mar 20;655:880-886. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Gestational exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with Congenital Heart Diseases (CHDs). However, only a few studies, with inconsistent results, have investigated the effects of PM exposure during early pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to PM and CHDs occurrence. Read More

Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) is one of the most commonly diagnosed congenital heart defects in dogs. Currently, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the standard modality used to evaluate PS. Image acquisition by TTE can be challenging in some brachycephalic breeds of dogs. Read More

Rev Recent Clin Trials 2019 ;14(1):56-60

Department of Cardiology, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, 44405 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48341, United States.

Introduction: This study was done to review the association of pulmonary hypertension (PH) with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures done in the US for years 2010 to 2012.

Methods: We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data to extract data for patients who were hospitalized with a primary/secondary diagnosis of TAVR as specified by International Classification of Disease (ICD-9) codes 35.05 and 35. Read More

Clin Res Cardiol 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.

Introduction: The implications of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) in the context of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are still controversial. The objective of our study was thus to investigate the incidence and prognostic impact of PPM after TAVI.

Methods: Our analysis included 613 TAVI patients in whom the indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) after TAVI was obtained in vivo using echocardiography. Read More

Kyobu Geka 2018 11;71(12):983-988

Second Department of Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.

Background: The SOLO SMART valve is a bovine pericardial stentless bioprosthesis which shows superior hemodynamic performance compared to the stented valves. It is designed for supraannular and subcoronary implantation. We report our surgical experience and results in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement(AVR) with this new bioprosthesis. Read More