Ten Years of Percutaneous Pulmonary Valve Implantation in Australia and New Zealand

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to investigate the characteristics, morbidity (including the rate of infective endocarditis and valve replacement) and mortality of individuals undergoing percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation in Australia and New Zealand since the procedure has been performed.

BACKGROUND

The outcomes of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation in Australia and New Zealand have not been evaluated. Recent international data, including patients from New Zealand, suggests the rate of infective endocarditis is not insignificant.

METHODS

A retrospective multi-site cohort study was undertaken via medical record review at the centres where percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation has been performed. All procedures performed from 2009-March 2018 were included. Individuals were identified from local institution databases. Data was collected and analysed including demographics, details at the time of intervention, haemodynamic outcome, post procedure morbidity and mortality. Multi-site ethics approval was obtained.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-nine (179) patients attended the cardiac catheter laboratory for planned percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation. Of these patients, 172 underwent successful implantation. Tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia were the most common diagnoses. The median age at procedure was 19 years (range 3-60 yrs). There was a significant improvement in the acute haemodynamics in patients undergoing percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation for stenosis. Seven (7) patients (3.9%) experienced a major procedural/early post procedure complication (death, conversion to open procedure, cardiac arrest), including two deaths. The annualised rates of infective endocarditis and valve replacement were 4.6% and 3.8% respectively. There was one death related to infective endocarditis in follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement is a relatively safe method of rehabilitating the right ventricular outflow tract.

[Acute coronary syndrome in the prehospital phase and in the emergency department]

Acute coronary syndrome is the most common reason for the deployment of emergency medical services in Germany. Approximately 20-25% of all medical emergencies result from the indications for the suspicion of acute coronary syndrome. A substantial proportion of the total mortality rate is observed in the preclinical phase. Consequently, targeted diagnostics and treatment are of particular importance in this early phase. This article provides recommendations for the approach to patients with acute coronary syndrome in the prehospital phase and in the emergency department.

[Transcatheter mitral valve replacement : Indications, options, and techniques as well as important aspects for perioperative care]

Die interventionelle Therapie der Mitralklappe stellt im Gegensatz zur Aortenklappenintervention eine größere Herausforderung dar. Die Therapie mittels Mitra-Clip zur Rekonstruktion der Mitralklappe wurde erstmals im Jahr 2003 durchgeführt und ist seit dem Jahr 2008 in Europa zugelassen. Die erste Implantation der einzig zugelassenen interventionellen Mitralklappe erfolgte im Jahr 2014, die Zulassung in Europa erfolge im Jahr 2020. Es befinden sich zahlreiche andere Klappensysteme in klinischer Prüfung und werden das Portfolio wahrscheinlich erweitern. In diesem Artikel werden die Indikation für diese neue Therapieform, die technische Umsetzung sowie die spezifischen Herausforderungen für die perioperative Betreuung besprochen.

Propofol Versus 4-hydroxybutyric Acid in Pediatric Cardiac Catheterizations

Introduction

Pediatric patients require deep sedation at least for cardiac catheterizations (CCs). Usually, we perform these CCs applying propofol, but we have seen several side effects of this sedative. We have had good experience with 4-hydroxybutyric acid for other sedations. To optimize our standardized CC procedure, we initiated a prospective, randomized trial to compare the two substances.

Methods

We analyzed our sedation protocols of all CCs within a period of 12 months. In addition to the primary endpoints, the feasibility of the CCs and the occurrence of severe complications, several other parameters were included in the analysis (vital parameters, blood gas analysis, intervention measures). The protocols were blinded for the first part of the evaluation.

Results

During the 12-month-period, 36 patients were included in each group. The propofol group showed lower blood pressure values towards the end of the sedations, while the blood gas analyses revealed lower pH levels and higher pCO2 values. The complication rate was low in both groups.

Conclusion

Both procedures are suited for the safe performance of deep sedations for CCs. The application of 4-hydroxybutyric acid seems to have a few advantages with regard to spontaneous breathing, gas exchange, stability of cardiocirculatory parameters and sedation quality.

Removing an Entrapped Pigtail Catheter by Re-enforcing a Traditional Method

Right heart catheterization is the main step in the evaluation of pulmonary hypertension including Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) and is considered a relatively safe procedure. Complications can occur including perforation, tamponade, bleeding, etc. requiring different types of interventions such as manipulation or surgery. Here, we have described a case of pigtail catheter entrapment and the method we used to free it without invasive measures.

Left atrial appendage occlusion using LAmbre Amulet and Watchman in atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been suggested as an alternative to anticoagulation in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study aimed to compare a LAmbre LAA occluder system [Lifetech Scientific (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China] with the most investigated Amulet (St. Jude Medical Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) and Watchman (Boston Scientific, Plymouth, MN, USA) devices in terms of peri-procedural and short-term outcomes.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study.

RESULTS

Overall, 140 patients (50 female, mean age 76.2±8.4 years) were consecutively enrolled. Mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.8±1.5, and mean HAS-BLED score was 3.9±1.1. Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between the three groups (LAmbre, n=30; Amulet, n=74; Watchman, n=36); the LAmbre group had significantly more patients with complicated LAA morphology (p=0.006). The implant success rate was 100% in LAmbre, 99% in Amulet, and 100% in Watchman group (p=0.638). The number of device repositions was not significantly different between groups (0.7±1.1 in LAmbre, 1.0±2.0 in Amulet, and 1.4±1.8 in Watchman group, p=0.345). Fluoroscopic and procedural times were similar between groups. Major peri-procedural adverse events did not differ between groups (0% vs. 0% vs. 2.8%, p=0.233). Six months' follow-up showed good device stability and patients' clinical condition in all groups.

CONCLUSION

LAmbre, Amulet, and Watchman exhibit remarkable implant success rate, low risk of peri-procedural adverse events, and good clinical outcomes.