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Purpose To evaluate the post-coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outcome of thyroid function in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-related thyrotoxicosis. Methods This was a single-center prospective study involving 29 patients (11 females, 18 males; median age 64 years, range: 43-85) with thyrotoxicosis diagnosed after hospitalization for COVID-19 and then followed-up for a median period of 90 days (range: 30-120) after hospital discharge. At follow-up, patients were evaluated for serum thyrotropin (TSH), freethyroxine (FT4), free-triiodiothyronine (FT3), TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and ultrasonographic thyroid structure. Results After recovery of COVID-19, serum TSH values significantly increased (P < 0.001) and FT4 values significantly decreased (P = 0.001), without significant change in serum FT3 (P = 0.572). At follow-up, 28 subjects (96.6%) became euthyroid whereas overt hypothyroidism developed in one case. At the ultrasound evaluation of thyroid gland, hypoecogenicity was found in 10 patients (34.5%) and in these cases serum TSH values tended to be higher than those without thyroid hypoecogenity (P = 0.066). All subjects resulted to be negative for TgAb, TPOAb and TRAb. Conclusion In a short-term follow-up, thyroid function spontaneously normalized in most subjects with SARS-CoV-2-related thyrotoxicosis. However, thyroid hypoecogenicity was found in a remarkable number of them and future longer-term studies are needed to clarify whether this ultrasonographic alteration may predispose to develop late-onset thyroid dysfunction.

Objectives: At present, limited experience exists on the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing mitral valve repair (MVR) for Barlow disease. The aim of this investigation was to prospectively evaluate the radiofrequency ablation of AF in patients undergoing MVR for severe regurgitation due to Barlow disease. Methods: From January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010, out of 85 consecutive patients with Barlow disease, 27 with AF underwent RF ablation associated with MVR. They were examined every 4 months in the first year after surgery and thereafter twice yearly. Results: At follow-up, AF was observed in 4/25 (16.0%). NYHA (New York Heart Association) functional class improved significantly, with no patients in class III or IV (before surgery, 81.5% had been). Otherwise, among 58 patients in sinus rhythm, 6 (11%) developed AF during follow-up. No clinical or echocardiographic predictive factor was found in this subgroup. Conclusions: Results from our investigation suggest that radiofrequency ablation of AF in patients with Barlow disease undergoing MVR for severe regurgitation is effective and should be considered in every patient with Barlow disease and AF undergoing valve surgical repair.

Background and Aim: Transcarotid TAVR under loco-regional anesthesia represents a new alternative peripheral route for patients without femoral or subclavian access options and poor candidates for thoracotomy. We report a case of a successful TAVR via left occluded carotid axis. Methods: A very frail class NYHA IV 83-year-old man with several comorbidities was referred for treatment of severe aortic stenosis. Transfemoral TAVR was excluded because of severe peripheral vascular disease. At Angio-CT scan both subclavians arteries and the ascending aorta were widely calcified. The right internal carotid artery (ICA) had 50% of stenosis. The left ICA was chronically occluded with permeability of ipsilateral common carotid artery (CCA). The Heart Team concluded that left CCA was the preferred conduit for TAVR. The procedure was performed under loco-regional anesthesia by cervical block and bilateral cerebral oximetry was continuously monitored. Left CCA was surgically exposed by low cervicotomy and a 3-minutes carotid clamping test was realized to evaluate patient's neurological status and oximetry. Aortic balloon valvuloplasty was performed and a 29-mm Edwards Sapien3 transcatheter aortic valve was deployed under 5-seconds rapid pacing at 180/min with excellent seating and no paravalvular leak. Results: The patient was monitored 12-hours in intensive care unit and transferred to rehabilitation clinic in second post-operative day. Any cerebrovascular or access-related complications occurred. Conclusions: In frail patients with femoral contraindication and associated occluded internal carotid axis, the ipsilateral common transcarotid access represents a safe approach for TAVR, even in presence of a non-significant contralateral carotid stenosis.

Background and Aim: Trans-carotid access with loco-regional anesthesia has been developped as peripheral approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in alternative to transthoracic more invasive accesses for patients with transfemoral contraindications, high vascular risk and severe comorbidities. In this study, we report our experience and mid-term results in trans-carotid TAVI under loco-regional anesthesia by cervical block. Methods: Thirty patients were selected by the Heart Team of our institution for trans-carotid TAVI between September 2014 and December 2017. Mean age was 83.6 ± 6, 9 years old. the Logistic EuroSCORE was 21,7 ± 12,2, EuroSCORE 2 was 7.7 ± 5,2 and STS Score was 21,1 ± 8,8. The carotid approach was performed through a small low longitudinal cervicotomy with loco-regional anaesthesia by cervical block. Results: The transcatheter Edwards SAPIEN 3 valves (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) (n = 27; 90%) and the Medtronic Corvalve Evolut R (Medtronic, Inc., Mineapolis, Minnesota) (n = 3;10%) were used. All patients were successfully implanted. Two procedural not-access related deaths were registered, no vascular access complications occurred. There was one in-hospital minor stroke. Two patients required a pacemaker implantation for atrioventricular block. Post-operative echocardiogram showed satisfactory transvalvular gradients without significant paravalvular leak. At late follow-up (mean 12,3 ± 9,2 months) two non-cardiac deaths and one major stroke were registered and functional NYHA class improved. Conclusions: Carotid artery access for TAVI is a safe and feasible access compared to trans-apical and trans-aortic approaches. It can be realized under loco-regional anaesthesia with continuous clinical monitoring of neurological status. This approach should be considered a valid alternative for TAVI in patients with unfavourable vascular access.