CE Mark approval in September 2011 and to date over 100 commercial implants have been performed. The device is composed of a porcine biologic valve attached to a self-expanding nitinol stent designed for simple 2-step implantation and characterized by controlled positioning, self-seating in the native annulus resulting in a negligible paravalvular leak rate. The device was tested in patients at high-risk for mortality with open surgical repair. Methods: Ninety (90) patients (femaleϭ69%) with severe aortic stenosis, a mean age of 83.4 Ϯ 4.1 years, all presenting with NYHA Functional Class III or IV and a mean STS Score of 7.9 Ϯ 4.6 were enrolled in two studies in Germany at 6 centers. Patients are clinically followed at 7 and 30 days, at 6 and 12 months, and annually thereafter out to 5 years post-implant. The device was successfully implanted in 94.4% of patients (nϭ85) with a pacemaker implantation rate of 11.1% (nϭ10). Results: At 12 months the survival rate is 81.1% (nϭ73), the stroke rate is 4.4% (nϭ4), with no further re-intervention required on the implanted device since procedure. Of the returning patients, 87% presented with NYHA Functional Class I/II. The mean gradient at 6 months is 10.3 Ϯ 5.2 mmHg, the mean EOA is 1.5 Ϯ 0.4 cm2 and 77.3% of returning patients suffered no paravalvular leak, 21.2% exhibit mild paravalvular leak (ϩ1) and only 1 patient possesses a moderate paravalvular leak (ϩ2). Conclusions: These data confirm the safety profile at one year of this 2nd Generation TAVI system. We will report the full 12 months results of this multi-center, nonrandomized study of this transapically-placed transcatheter aortic valve at TCT 2012.

No abstract

Hypotension is commonly encountered during carotid artery stenting (CAS), mediated by vagal stimulation and suppression of sympathetic outflow. Some patients require treatment with intravenous vasopressors (dopamine, nor-epinephrine, or phenylephrine). The authors describe the successful use of the oral agent midodrine as an alternative to intravenous vasopressors in the treatment of hypotension related to CAS. Of 55 patients who underwent elective CAS, 19 (35%) experienced significant hypotension, and 15 (27%) required vasopressor therapy. Eleven patients received intravenous dopamine infusion in an intensive care setting, whereas 4 received oral midodrine in a regular telemetry unit. All patients eventually recovered and were discharged without any residual cardiovascular or neurological complications. No major side effects were noted with the use of both dopamine and midodrine. Cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in the dopamine group because of the need for ICU admission.

No abstract