Association between retinal vein occlusion, axial length and vitreous chamber depth measured by optical low coherence reflectometry.

BACKGROUND: Results of ocular biometric measurements in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) eyes are still inconclusive and controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ocular axial length (AL), vitreous chamber depth (VCD) and both central (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVO) using optical low coherence reflectometry (OLCR). METHODS: Both eyes of 37 patients with unilateral CRVO (mean age: 66 +/- 14 years, male:female - 21:16) and 46 patients with unilateral BRVO (mean age: 63 +/- 12 years, male:female - 24:22) were enrolled in this study. The control group consisted of randomly selected single eyes of 67 age and gender matched volunteers without the presence or history of RVO (mean age: 64 +/- 14 years, male:female - 34:33). Optical biometry was performed by OLCR biometer (LenStar LS 900). Average keratometry readings, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), AL and VCD of eyes with RVO were compared with those of fellow eyes using paired t-tests and with those of control eyes using independent t-tests. RESULTS: Mean CCT, ACD and LT, average keratometry readings of affected RVO eyes, unaffected fellow eyes and control eyes was not statistically different in either groups. In eyes with CRVO mean AL and VCD of affected eyes were significantly shorter than those of control eyes (p < 0.001, p < 0.05), mean difference in AL and VCD between the affected and control eyes was 0.56 +/- 0.15 mm and 0.45 +/- 0.19 mm, respectively. In eyes with BRVO, mean AL of the affected eyes was significantly shorter with a mean difference of 0.57 +/- 0.15 mm (p < 0.001) and the VCD was significantly shorter with a mean difference of 0.61 +/- 0.15 mm (p < 0.001) comparing with the control eyes. CONCLUSION: Shorter AL and VCD might be a potential anatomical predisposing factor for development either of CRVO or BRVO

Impact of aspirin on takotsubo syndrome: a propensity score-based analysis of the InterTAK Registry

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of aspirin on prognosis in takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Methods and results: Patients from the International Takotsubo (InterTAK) Registry were categorized into two groups based on aspirin prescription at discharge. A comparison of clinical outcomes between groups was performed using an adjusted analysis with propensity score (PS) stratification; results from the unadjusted analysis were also reported to note the effect of the PS adjustment. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: a composite of death, myocardial infarction, TTS recurrence, stroke or transient ischaemic attack) were assessed at 30-day and 5-year follow-up. A total of 1533 TTS patients with known status regarding aspirin prescription at discharge were included. According to the adjusted analysis based on PS stratification, aspirin was not associated with a lower hazard of MACCE at 30-day [hazard ratio (HR) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50\u20133.04, P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.64] or 5-year follow-up (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.78\u20131.58, P&nbsp;=&nbsp;0.58). These results were confirmed by sensitivity analyses performed with alternative PS-based methods, i.e. covariate adjustment and inverse probability of treatment weighting. Conclusion: In the present study, no association was found between aspirin use in TTS patients and a reduced risk of MACCE at 30-day and 5-year follow-up. These findings should be confirmed in adequately powered randomized controlled trials. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01947621

Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: Pathogenesis, Visual Prognosis, and Treatment Modalities

In branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), abnormal arteriovenous crossing with vein compression, degenerative changes of the vessel wall and abnormal hematological factors constitute the primary mechanism of vessel occlusion. In general, BRVO has a good prognosis: 50–60% of eyes are reported to have a final visual acuity (VA) of 20/40 or better even without treatment. One important prognostic factor for final VA appears to be the initial VA. Grid laser photocoagulation is an established treatment for macular edema in a particular group of patients with BRVO, while promising results for this condition are shown by intravitreal application of steroids or new vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. Vitrectomy with or without arteriovenous sheathotomy combined with removal of the internal limiting membrane may improve vision in eyes with macular edema which are unresponsive to or ineligible for laser treatment

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement for Degenerated Bioprosthetic Valves and Failed Annuloplasty Rings

Cardiolog

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Patients With Malignancy and Takotsubo Syndrome: Observations From the International Takotsubo Registry

BackgroundClinical characteristics and outcomes of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) patients with malignancy have not been fully elucidated. This study sought to explore differences in clinical characteristics and to investigate short‐ and long‐term outcomes in TTS patients with or without malignancy.Methods and ResultsTTS patients were enrolled from the International Takotsubo Registry. The TTS cohort was divided into patients with and without malignancy to investigate differences in clinical characteristics and to assess short‐ and long‐term mortality. A subanalysis was performed comparing long‐term mortality between a subset of TTS patients with or without malignancy and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with or without malignancy. Malignancy was observed in 16.6% of 1604 TTS patients. Patients with malignancy were older and more likely to have physical triggers, but less likely to have emotional triggers compared with those without malignancy. Long‐term mortality was higher in patients with malignancy (PP=0.17). In a subanalysis, long‐term mortality was comparable between TTS patients with malignancies and ACS patients with malignancies (P=0.13). Malignancy emerged as an independent predictor of long‐term mortality.ConclusionsA substantial number of TTS patients show an association with malignancy. History of malignancy might increase the risk for TTS, and therefore, appropriate screening for malignancy should be considered in these patients.</p

Long-term effectiveness and safety of transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale compared with antithrombotic therapy: A meta-analysis of 6 randomised clinical trials and 3560 patients with reconstructed time-to-event data

AIMS: Although three recent trials showed a significant stroke risk reduction after tPFOc, the impact on pooled evidence deserves attention and individual statistical power is limited. We aimed to pool available randomised clinical trials (RCT) to assess whether tPFOc is more effective and safe than antithrombotic therapy alone (ATA). METHODS AND RESULTS: Major electronic databases and tangential sources were searched and 6 trials (3560 patients) identified. At a median follow-up of 3.6 [2.0-5.2] years (13930 person-years), the risk of stroke was significantly lower after tPFOc compared with ATA (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.12\u25000.64, p=0.003). Significant heterogeneity was detected (I2=66.1%), though single trials did not significantly influence the results. Reconstructed time-to-event data revealed that tPFOc benefit accrues approximately after 1 year and persists over time without significant variations (96.4% versus 88.0%; HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.09\u25000.66, p=0.005; NNT=11). Although results showed a greater benefit in patients <45 years old, male, and with substantial shunt, interaction between subgroups was not significant. Trial sequential analysis showed that accumulated evidence is sufficient. However, tPFOc did not confer protection against transient ischemic attack (TIA; HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.31\u25001.54, p=0.365) and a significant excess in atrial fibrillation was observed (OR 4.99, 95% CI 1.99\u250010.10, p<0.001). Major bleeding and migraine were comparable between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ATA, tPFOc reduces the risk of stroke at long-term follow-up but no benefit is observed in terms of TIA. Atrial fibrillation is higher after tPFOc, while major bleeding and migraine are comparable between groups

Evaluation of a Low-Dose Radiation Protocol During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a low-dose imaging protocol to reduce intraprocedural radiation during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Observational analysis: 802 transfemoral TAVI patients receiving balloon-expandable devices ≥23 mm at a high-volume centre. After propensity score matching, a standard-dose group (SD, n = 333) treated between January 2014 and February 2016 was compared with a low-dose group (LD, n = 333) treated between August 2017 and March 2019 after departmental uptake of a low-dose imaging protocol (reduced field size, high table height, use of “fluoro save,” 3.75 frames/second acquisition, increased filtering). Primary end point was dose-area product (DAP). Secondary safety end points were VARC-2 device success and a composite of in-hospital complications. The LD protocol was associated with lower DAP (4.64 [2.93, 8.42] vs 22.73 [12.31, 34.58] Gy⋅cm2, p <0.001) and fluoroscopy time (10.4 [8.1, 13.9] vs 11.5 [9.1, 15.3] minutes, p = 0.001). Contrast use was higher in the LD group (LD 110 [94, 130] vs SD 100 [80, 135] milliliters, p = 0.042). Device success (LD 88.3% vs SD 91.3%, p = 0.25), and the composite end point (LD 8.1% vs SD 11.4%, p = 0.19) were similar. In multivariate analysis, the low-dose protocol was associated with a 19.8 Gy⋅cm2 reduction in procedural DAP (p <0.001). In conclusion, compared with standard imaging, a low-dose protocol for TAVI significantly reduced radiation dose without compromising outcomes

Safety and efficacy of minimalist transcatheter aortic valve implantation using a new-generation balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve in bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valves

BACKGROUND Bicuspid aortic valve may be associated with increased complications during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). AIMS Compare balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV) safety and efficacy in severe tricuspid (TAV) and bicuspid (BAV) aortic stenosis. METHODS Transfemoral TAVI was performed in 743 patients (Jan 2014-June 2019) using the SAPIEN 3 THV. Aortic valve morphology was determined using computed tomography. Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) derived safety and efficacy endpoints at 1 year were evaluated. RESULTS BAV patients (n = 78), were younger (77 [72, 81] vs. 81 [78, 85] years, p < 0.001) with lower surgical risk (EuroSCORE II 2.96% vs. 4.51% p < 0.001). Bicuspid valves were more calcified (BAV 1308mm$^{3}$, TAV 848mm$^{3}$ p < 0.001) with more asymmetric calcification (BAV 63/78 (81%), TAV 239/665 (36%), p < 0.001). Device success (BAV 94%, TAV 90%, p = 0.45) and major vascular complications (BAV 6%, TAV 9%, p = 0.66) were comparable. At 1 year, there was a trend toward lower combined all-cause mortality and rehospitalization for congestive heart failure in BAV patients (BAV 7%, TAV 13%, p = 0.08) with significantly lower all-cause mortality in this cohort (BAV 1%, TAV 9%, p = 0.020). VARC-2 time-related valve safety (BAV 22%, TAV 20%, p = 0.60) was comparable; however, bioprosthetic valve thrombosis remained more common in BAV patients (BAV 7%, TAV 2%, p = 0.010, Hazard ratio 3.57 [95% confidence interval 1.26, 10.10]). After propensity score matching, only bioprosthetic valve thrombosis remained significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Safety and efficacy of the SAPIEN 3 balloon-expandable THV in BAV is comparable with TAV. Higher rates of bioprosthetic valve thrombosis require further investigation