Treatment with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device in patients with advanced heart failure significantly improved the probability of survival free from stroke and device failure at 2 years as compared with a pulsatile device. Both devices significantly improved the quality of life and functional capacity. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00121485.)

In patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at increased surgical risk, TAVR with a self-expanding transcatheter aortic-valve bioprosthesis was associated with a significantly higher rate of survival at 1 year than surgical aortic-valve replacement. (Funded by Medtronic; U.S. CoreValve High Risk Study ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01240902.).

TAVR was a noninferior alternative to surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis at intermediate surgical risk, with a different pattern of adverse events associated with each procedure. (Funded by Medtronic; SURTAVI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01586910 .).

A continuous-flow left ventricular assist device can provide effective hemodynamic support for a period of at least 6 months in patients awaiting heart transplantation, with improved functional status and quality of life. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00121472 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).

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TAVR with a self-expanding bioprosthesis was safe and effective in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis at prohibitive risk for surgical valve replacement. (Safety and Efficacy Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis in High Risk and Very High Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement; NCT01240902).

A continuous-flow LVAD provides effective hemodynamic support for at least 18 months in patients awaiting transplantation, with improved functional status and quality of life. (Thoratec HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist System [LVAS] for Bridge to Cardiac Transplantation; NCT00121472).

Background The development of a ventricular septal defect(VSD) after myocardial infarction(MI) is an uncommon but highly lethal complication. We examined the Society of Thoracic Surgeons(STS) database to characterize patients undergoing surgical repair of post-MI VSD and to identify risk factors for poor outcomes. Methods This was a retrospective review of the STS database to identify adult(≥18 years) patients who underwent post-MI VSD repair between 1999–2010. Patients with congenital heart disease were excluded. The primary outcome was operative mortality. The covariates in the current STS model for predicted coronary artery bypass(CABG) operative mortality were incorporated in a logistic regression model in this cohort. Results There were 2,876 patients included. Mean age was 68±11 years, and 1,624(56.5%) were men. 215(7.5%) patients had prior CABG surgery, 950(33%) had prior percutaneous intervention, and 1,869(65.0%) were supported preoperatively with an intra-aortic balloon pump. Surgical status was urgent in 1,007(35.0%) and emergent in 1,430(49.7%). Concomitant CABG was performed in 1,837(63.9%). Operative mortality was 54.1%(1,077/1,990) if repair was ≤7 days from MI, and 18.4%(158/856) if >7 days from MI. Multivariable analysis identified several factors associated with increased odds of operative mortality. Conclusions In the largest study to date to examine post-MI VSD repair, ventricular septal rupture remains a devastating complication. As alternative therapies emerge to treat this condition, these results will serve as a benchmark for future comparisons.