BACKGROUND: In women with severe aortic stenosis, there are limited data regarding outcome differences following transcatheter (TAVR) vs surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to examine outcomes of TAVR vs SAVR in a patient-level pooled analysis of women in the RHEIA and PARTNER 3 trials. METHODS: Patients in both trials were randomly allocated to a balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3/Ultra valve or to surgical bioprostheses. Individual patient data of female participants in the 2 trials were pooled. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality, all stroke, or rehospitalization at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 376 women were randomized to TAVR and 336 to SAVR. The mean age was ∼73 years, and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was 2.1%. Kaplan-Meier estimates of event rates at 1 year with TAVR vs SAVR were 8.5% vs 16.8% for the composite of all-cause mortality, all stroke, or rehospitalization (absolute difference -8.2%; 95% CI: -13.1% to -3.3%; P < 0.001), 1.1% vs 2.1% (P = 0.27) for all-cause mortality, 2.7% vs 3.9% (P = 0.35) for all stroke, and 5.4% vs 11.9% (P = 0.002) for rehospitalization. The composite endpoint of all-cause death or stroke was similar between the 2 treatment groups: 3.5% vs 5.4% (absolute difference -1.9%; 95% CI: -5.0% to 1.1%; P = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Among women with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, TAVR led to a reduction in the rate of the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality, stroke, or rehospitalization at 1-year follow-up, largely due to a significant reduction in the rate of rehospitalization.

• MeSH
• aortální chlopeň * chirurgie   patofyziologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• aortální stenóza * mortalita   chirurgie   patofyziologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• bioprotézy MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• cévní mozková příhoda mortalita   etiologie   terapie   MeSH
• chirurgická náhrada chlopně * škodlivé účinky   mortalita   přístrojové vybavení   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• protézy - design MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie jako téma MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• srdeční chlopně umělé MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• transkatetrální implantace aortální chlopně * škodlivé účinky   mortalita   přístrojové vybavení   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• znovupřijetí pacienta MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prevalence and severity of fetal aortic regurgitation (AR) after undergoing successful fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FAV) and to evaluate its effects on fetal circulation and left ventricular (LV) growth. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all fetuses with critical aortic stenosis who underwent successful FAV at our center between 2010 and 2024 for whom postnatal echocardiograms were available in digital format. Fetal and postnatal echocardiographic examinations were analyzed for ventricular and valvular dimensions and characteristics, and Z-scores were calculated for middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI), umbilical artery (UA) PI and cerebroplacental ratio. AR severity was classified into no/mild AR or significant (moderate/severe) AR. The balloon-to-aortic valve ratio (BVR) was calculated as the ratio between the maximum actual balloon diameter and the aortic valve (AV) annulus diameter. The primary endpoints of this study were the prevalence, severity and risk factors for fetal AR following successful FAV. RESULTS: Ninety-nine fetuses who underwent successful FAV were included. Immediate post-FAV echocardiograms showed that 87% of fetuses developed some degree of AR, including 45% of all fetuses with significant AR. BVR was significantly higher in fetuses with significant AR compared to those with no/mild AR (mean, 1.09 (95% CI, 1.06-1.12) vs 1.02 (95% CI, 0.99-1.04); P < 0.001). In a subgroup of 66/99 fetuses with available postnatal echocardiograms, the prevalence of AR decreased significantly from 86% before birth to 58% after birth (P < 0.001), with the proportion of fetuses with significant AR reducing from 47% before birth to 17% after birth (P < 0.001). In the overall cohort of fetuses, AV maximum velocity (Vmax) increased significantly from post-FAV to after birth (mean, 1.93 (95% CI, 1.75-2.11) m/s vs 3.21 (95% CI, 2.89-3.55) m/s; P < 0.001), regardless of AR severity, but Vmax after birth was lower in the significant-AR group compared with the no/mild-AR group (mean, 2.85 m/s vs 3.55 m/s; P = 0.020). Fetuses with significant AR exhibited higher relative LV length increases from immediately post-FAV to after birth than did those with no/mild AR (25% (95% CI, 16-33%) vs 14% (95% CI, 6-21%); P = 0.044), although there was no significant difference in mean LV length Z-score after birth between the two groups. FAV led to significant short-term increases in MCA-PI and UA-PI Z-scores, with greater increases observed in fetuses with significant AR. CONCLUSIONS: FAV is associated with a high prevalence of fetal AR, which lessens in severity over the course of gestation. Significant fetal AR had the largest association with greater BVR and had significant impact on fetal hemodynamics. © 2025 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

• MeSH
• aortální chlopeň diagnostické zobrazování   embryologie   MeSH
• aortální insuficience * diagnostické zobrazování   epidemiologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• aortální stenóza diagnostické zobrazování   embryologie   epidemiologie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• balónková valvuloplastika * MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• echokardiografie metody   MeSH
• fetální srdce diagnostické zobrazování   patofyziologie   MeSH
• gestační stáří MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci plodu epidemiologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ultrasonografie prenatální * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVE: We investigated long-term outcomes of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) repair, with external annuloplasty, according to aorta phenotype. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2020, all patients with BAV operated on for aortic insufficiency (AI) and/or aneurysm were included. Repairs included isolated AI repair with subvalvular with or without sinotubular junction (STJ) (single or double) annuloplasty, supracoronary aorta replacement (with or without hemiroot remodeling), and root remodeling with external subvalvular ring annuloplasty. RESULTS: Among 343 patients operated, reparability rate was 81.3% (n = 279; age 46 ± 13.3 years). At 10 years (median follow-up: 3.42 years; interquartile range, 1.1, 5.8), survival was 93.9% (n = 8 deaths, similar to general population), cumulative incidence of reoperation was 6.2% (n = 10), AI grade >2 was 5.8% (n = 9), and grade >1 was 23.0% (n = 30). BAV repair stabilizing both the annulus and STJ with annuloplasty, compared with nonstabilized STJ repair (single annuloplasty), had lower incidence of reoperation (2.6% vs 22.5%, P = .0018) and AI grade >2 (1.2% vs 23.6%, P < .001) at 9 years. Initial commissural angle <160° was not a risk factor for reoperation, compared with angle ≥160° if symmetrical repair was achieved (2.7% and 4.1%, respectively, at 6 years, P = .85). Multivariable model showed that absence of STJ stabilization (odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-20, P = .001) increased recurrent AI, but not initial commissural angle <160° (odds ratio, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-2.63, P = .98). Commissures adjusted symmetrically led to lower transvalvular gradient, compared with nonsymmetrical repair (8.7 mm Hg vs 10.2 mm Hg, P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: BAV repair, tailored to aorta phenotype, is associated with excellent durable outcomes if both annulus and STJ are reduced and stabilized with external ring annuloplasty. Commissural angle <160° is not associated with reoperation if symmetrical repair is achieved.

• MeSH
• anuloplastika srdeční chlopně * škodlivé účinky   mortalita   metody   MeSH
• aortální aneurysma chirurgie   diagnostické zobrazování   mortalita   MeSH
• aortální chlopeň chirurgie   abnormality   diagnostické zobrazování   patofyziologie   MeSH
• aortální insuficience * chirurgie   patofyziologie   diagnostické zobrazování   mortalita   MeSH
• bikuspidální aortální chlopeň * chirurgie   patofyziologie   MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• chirurgická náhrada chlopně škodlivé účinky   přístrojové vybavení   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pooperační komplikace etiologie   MeSH
• reoperace statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Class I triggers for severe and chronic aortic regurgitation surgery mainly rely on symptoms or systolic dysfunction, resulting in a negative outcome despite surgical correction. Therefore, US and European guidelines now advocate for earlier surgery. We sought to determine whether earlier surgery leads to improved postoperative survival. METHODS: We evaluated the postoperative survival of patients who underwent surgery for severe aortic regurgitation in the international multicenter registry for aortic valve surgery, Aortic Valve Insufficiency and Ascending Aorta Aneurysm International Registry, over a median follow-up of 37 months. RESULTS: Among 1899 patients (aged 49 ± 15 years, 85% were male), 83% and 84% had class I indication according to the American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology, respectively, and most were offered repair surgery (92%). Twelve patients (0.6%) died after surgery, and 68 patients died within 10 years after the procedure. Heart failure symptoms (hazard ratio, 2.60 [1.20-5.66], P = .016) and either left ventricular end-systolic diameter greater than 50 mm or left ventricular end-systolic diameter index greater than 25 mm/m2 (hazard ratio, 1.64 [1.05-2.55], P = .030) predicted survival independently over and above age, gender, and bicuspid phenotype. Therefore, patients who underwent surgery based on any class I trigger had worse adjusted survival. However, patients who underwent surgery while meeting early imaging triggers (left ventricular end-systolic diameter index 20-25 mm/m2 or left ventricular ejection fraction 50% to 55%) had no significant outcome penalty. CONCLUSIONS: In this international registry of severe aortic regurgitation, surgery when meeting class I triggers led to postoperative outcome penalty compared with earlier triggers (left ventricular end-systolic diameter index 20-25 mm/m2 or ventricular ejection fraction 50%-55%). This observation, which applies to expert centers where aortic valve repair is feasible, should encourage the global use of repair techniques and the conduction of randomized trials.

• MeSH
• aneurysma vzestupné aorty MeSH
• aortální aneurysma chirurgie   mortalita   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• aortální chlopeň chirurgie   diagnostické zobrazování   patofyziologie   MeSH
• aortální insuficience * chirurgie   mortalita   diagnostické zobrazování   patofyziologie   MeSH
• čas zasáhnout při rozvinutí nemoci MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• chirurgická náhrada chlopně škodlivé účinky   mortalita   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• registrace * MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stupeň závažnosti nemoci MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Pure aortic regurgitation and dilation of aortic annulus are the most significant risk factors for the failure of pulmonary autograft after the Ross procedure. Aortic annuloplasty has a positive effect on the durability of the autograft. Previously, we described a technique for external annuloplasty with dedicated CORONEO ring. In the present manuscript, we suggest the sizing of annuloplasty based on the diameter of pulmonary autograft annulus.

• MeSH
• aortální chlopeň diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• aortální insuficience * diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   etiologie   MeSH
• aortální stenóza * chirurgie   MeSH
• autologní štěp MeSH
• autologní transplantace škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• plicní chlopeň * transplantace   MeSH
• reoperace škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

• MeSH
• aortální chlopeň diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• chirurgická náhrada chlopně * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• multicentrické studie jako téma MeSH
• roboticky asistované výkony * MeSH
• srdeční chlopně umělé * MeSH
• transkatetrální implantace aortální chlopně * MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• úvodníky MeSH

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected health care systems. Patients in need of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are especially susceptible to treatment delays. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global TAVR activity. METHODS: This international registry reported monthly TAVR case volume in participating institutions prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2018 to December 2021). Hospital-level information on public vs private, urban vs rural, and TAVR volume was collected, as was country-level information on socioeconomic status, COVID-19 incidence, and governmental public health responses. RESULTS: We included 130 centers from 61 countries, including 65,980 TAVR procedures. The first and second pandemic waves were associated with a significant reduction of 15% (P < 0.001) and 7% (P < 0.001) in monthly TAVR case volume, respectively, compared with the prepandemic period. The third pandemic wave was not associated with reduced TAVR activity. A greater reduction in TAVR activity was observed in Africa (-52%; P = 0.001), Central-South America (-33%; P < 0.001), and Asia (-29%; P < 0.001). Private hospitals (P = 0.005), urban areas (P = 0.011), low-volume centers (P = 0.002), countries with lower development (P < 0.001) and economic status (P < 0.001), higher COVID-19 incidence (P < 0.001), and more stringent public health restrictions (P < 0.001) experienced a greater reduction in TAVR activity. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR procedural volume declined substantially during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Africa, Central-South America, and Asia. National socioeconomic status, COVID-19 incidence, and public health responses were associated with treatment delays. This information should inform public health policy in case of future global health crises.

• MeSH
• aortální chlopeň diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• aortální stenóza * diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• transkatetrální implantace aortální chlopně * škodlivé účinky   metody   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Use of the mechanically expandable transcatheter aortic valve (MEV) has been recently linked to increased risks of valve dysfunction and cardiovascular mortality. The risk of developing conduction disturbance with the MEV valve is well known, and the negative prognostic impact of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation is another consideration. AIM: This study aimed to compare the mid-term survival of patients with MEV and self-expandable valves (SEV), and to examine survival of both groups according to the presence or absence of PPI. METHODS: This single-centre, retrospective, observational study examined data from MEV and SEV groups comprising 92 and 373 patients, respectively. The mean clinical follow-up was 2.5±1.7 years. Mortality information was obtained from the National Institutes of Health Information and Statistics. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. The log-rank test showed higher cardiovascular mortality in the MEV group (p=0.042; the relative risk (RR) 1.594 (95% CI 1.013 to 2.508)). The Cox proportional hazards model identified MEV implantation as an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality. The rate of PPI was twice as high in the MEV vs SEV group (33.7% vs 16.1%; p<0.001). We compared the survival of both groups according to the presence or absence of PPI and found higher mortality in the MEV group without PPI versus the SEV group without PPI (p=0.007; RR 2.156 (95% CI 1.213 to 3.831)). Survival did not differ in the groups with PPI. CONCLUSIONS: A higher mid-term cardiovascular mortality rate was observed with MEV versus SEV implants. Comparing both groups according to the presence or absence of PPI, we observed a higher mortality risk in patients with MEV without PPI than in SEV without PPI. In contrast, mortality did not differ between the groups when PPI was implanted.

• MeSH
• aortální chlopeň diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• aortální stenóza * diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• kardiostimulátor * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH

AIMS: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the standard of care for selected patients with severe aortic stenosis. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and transoesophageal 2D/3D (two-dimensional/three-dimensional) echocardiography (ECHO) are used for aortic annulus (AA) sizing. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of AA sizing by ECHO versus MDCT for Edwards Sapien balloon expandable valve in a single center. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 145 consecutive patients with TAVR (Sapien XT or Sapien S3) were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 139 (96%) patients had favorable outcomes after TAVR (at most mild aortic regurgitation and only one valve implanted). The 3D ECHO AA area and area-derived diameter were smaller than the corresponding MDCT parameters (464 ± 99 vs. 479 ± 88 mm2 , p < .001, and 24.2 ± 2.7 vs. 25.0 ± 5.5 mm, p = .002, respectively). The 2D ECHO annulus measurement was smaller than both the MDCT and 3D ECHO area-derived diameters (22.6 ± 2.9 vs. 25.0 ± 5.5 mm, p = .013, and 22.6 ± 2.9 vs. 24.2 ± 2.7 mm, p < .001, respectively) but larger than the minor axis diameter of the AA derived from MDCT and 3D ECHO by multiplanar reconstruction (p < .001). The 3D ECHO circumference-derived diameter was also smaller than the MDCT circumference-derived diameter (24.3 ± 2.5 vs. 25.0 ± 2.3, p = .007). The sphericity index by 3D ECHO was smaller than that by MDCT (1.2 ± .1 vs. 1.3 ± .1, p < .001). In up to 1/3 of the patients, 3D ECHO measurements would have predicted different (generally smaller) valve size than was the valve size implanted with favorable result. The concordance of the implanted valve size with the recommended size based on preprocedural MDCT and 3D ECHO AA area was 79.4% versus 61% (p = .001), and for the area-derived diameter, the concordance was 80.1% versus 61.7% (p = .001). 2D ECHO diameter concordance was similar to MDCT (78.7%). CONCLUSIONS: 3D ECHO AA measurements are smaller than MDCT measurements. If 3D ECHO-based parameters alone are used to size the Edwards Sapien balloon expandable valve, then the selected valve size would have been smaller than the valve size implanted with favorable result in 1/3 of the patients. MDCT preprocedural TAVR assessment should be the preferred method over 3D ECHO in routine clinical practice to determine Edwards Sapien valve size.

• MeSH
• aortální chlopeň diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• aortální stenóza * diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   etiologie   MeSH
• echokardiografie transezofageální metody   MeSH
• echokardiografie metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• multidetektorová počítačová tomografie metody   MeSH
• protézy - design MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• srdeční chlopně umělé * MeSH
• transkatetrální implantace aortální chlopně * metody   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Background The goal of this study was to evaluate long-term results of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty (BVPL) used exclusively for initial management of congenital aortic stenosis in children. Methods and Results A total of 409 consecutive pediatric patients (134 newborns, 275 older patients) who underwent BVPL as initial treatment of aortic stenosis in a single nationwide pediatric center were subjected to a retrospective follow-up study. The resulting follow-up time reached a median of 18.5 (interquartile range, 12.2-25.1) years. Successful BVPL was defined by residual Doppler gradient <70/40 (systolic/mean) mm Hg. The primary end point was death; secondary end points included any valve reintervention, balloon revalvuloplasty, any aortic valve surgery, and aortic valve replacement, respectively. BVPL effectively reduced the peak and mean gradient both immediately and at the latest follow-up (P<0.001). There was significant procedure-related progression of aortic insufficiency (P<0.001). Higher aortic annulus z score was predictive for severe aortic regurgitation (P<0.05) and lower z score for insufficient gradient reduction (P<0.05). The actuarial probability of survival/survival free from any valve reintervention was 89.9%/59.9%, 85.9%/35.2%, and 82.0%/26.7% at 10, 20, and 30 years after first BVPL, respectively. Left ventricular dysfunction or arterial duct dependency as the indication for BVPL was predictive of both worse survival and survival free from any reintervention (P<0.001). Lower aortic annulus z score and lower balloon-to-annulus ratio were predictive of a need for revalvuloplasty (P<0.001). Conclusions Percutaneous BVPL provides good initial palliation. In patients with hypoplastic annuli and left ventricular or mitral valve comorbidity, the results are less favorable.

• MeSH
• aortální chlopeň diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   MeSH
• aortální insuficience * chirurgie   MeSH
• aortální stenóza * diagnostické zobrazování   chirurgie   vrozené   MeSH
• balónková valvuloplastika * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• vrozené srdeční vady * MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH