TCTMD’s Top 10 Most Popular Stories for February 2018
A range of TAVR studies dominated this month, but stories looking at A-fib post-CABG, complex CAD, and large-bore closure devices also made the list.
Outcomes, patient subsets, and complications in TAVR dominated our top 10 stories this month, although complex coronary artery disease and its treatment and follow-up were also popular subjects. An A-fib substudy from EXCEL, a look at large-bore closure devices from ISET 2018, and news of an expanded indication for percutaneous heart pumps round out the list for February 2018.
Meta-analysis Raises ‘Red Flag’ on TAVR in Low-Risk Patients
Data from six studies show that while short-term mortality is similar between TAVR and SAVR, more low-risk TAVR patients die by 2 years.
Next-Generation Large-Bore Closure Devices Arrive
Several of the devices used for TAVR, EVAR, and other interventions have recently received a CE Mark and seem poised to enter the US market.
CABG Results in Better Long-term Outcomes Than PCI for Younger Patients With Three-Vessel Disease
Surgeons argue that the heart team approach for patients with CAD is not used as often as it should be in today’s practice.
Authors of three recent studies say this rate should give pause, particularly given the potential impact on TAVR outcomes.
PCI via Ulnar Artery Equally as Safe and Effective as Transradial Approach
Transulnar PCI is an option when doctors need to preserve radial patency or when patients have difficult radial anatomy, researchers say.
Meta-analysis Supports Benefits of Short-term DAPT Among Elderly Patients
Excluded from the major DAPT trials, elderly patients remain one of the more difficult subgroups in which to balance bleeding and ischemic risks.
One in Five CABG Patients Develop New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation: EXCEL
The condition is not benign either, with these patients at a significantly increased risk of death and stroke, report researchers.
Impella Heart Pumps Get Expanded Indication for Cardiogenic Shock in Setting of Cardiomyopathy
The temporary ventricular support devices are now the only ones approved by the FDA for that purpose.
Existing Neurocognitive Deficits Cloud Interpretation of Post-TAVR Changes: SENTINEL Analysis
Baseline impairment was more common than expected, with implications for future trial design and current clinical practice.
Combining Frailty Index With Existing Risk Models Improves Mortality Prediction in TAVR
When added to EuroSCORE or STS, information on frailty heightened 1-year prognostic ability in patients age 70 and over.
Deeper Dives
Beyond the news, there was plenty of noteworthy editorial content on TCTMD this month.
Calling It Quits: Cath Lab Pioneers Grapple With When to Go and What Comes Next
Many prominent interventional cardiologists have been active since the birth of their specialty and see pros and cons to moving on.
The ACC/AHA and AAFP have dug in their heels over the new hypertension guidelines, putting clinicians in a bind.
On Record: India Stent Price Caps
Shelley Wood gets both the physician and industry perspective on India's decision to cap stent prices, from Upendra Kaul and Ian Meredith.
Shelley Wood is Managing Editor of TCTMD and the Editorial Director at CRF. She did her undergraduate degree at McGill…
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