Our results show a close correlation between genetic and biomolecular patterns of elastin and mechanical properties of the aorta in patients with BAV.
We investigated 19 patients affected by chronic peripheral neurological disorders treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to verify the efficacy of the therapeutic protocol used in these diseases. Every patient was clinically considered after 5 TPE. Those who showed an improvement started chemotherapy and continued TPE at the rate of 2 procedures/week for 2 weeks, then 1 procedure/week for 1 month and finally 1 procedure every 2 weeks for 2 months. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) were infused at the end of apheretic treatment in one of the patients affected by neurological disorders due to monoclonal gammopathy undetermined significance. HCV-positive patients with cryoglobulins were treated with alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) for 6 months before TPE. Eleven patients (58%) had a symptomatic improvement, 2 (1.5%) stopped TPE treatment owing to side effects and 6 (31.5%) did not respond to apheretic therapy. In order to improve the advantages of TPE we suggest using IVIg at the end of apheretic therapy, while in HCV-positive patients, at least one year of alpha-IFN therapy is required before initiating TPE.
We investigated 19 patients affected by chronic peripheral neurological disorders treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to verify the efficacy of the therapeutic protocol used in these diseases. Every patient was clinically considered after 5 TPE. Those who showed an improvement started chemotherapy and continued TPE at the rate of 2 procedures/week for 2 weeks, then 1 procedure/week for 1 month and finally 1 procedure every 2 weeks for 2 months. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) were infused at the end of apheretic treatment in one of the patients affected by neurological disorders due to monoclonal gammopathy undetermined significance. HCV-positive patients with cryoglobulins were treated with α-interferon (α-IFN) for 6 months before TPE. Eleven patients (58%) had a symptomatic improvement, 2 (1.5%) stopped TPE treatment owing to side effects and 6 (31.5%) did not respond to apheretic therapy. In order to improve the advantages of TPE we suggest using IVIg at the end of apheretic therapy, while in HCV-positive patients, at least one year of α-IFN therapy is required before initiating TPE.
Background:The 6 minute walk test (6-MWT) has been established as an important tool for functional assessment in heart failure patients. However, its prognostic impact on outcome in a mitral regurgitation population undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair is unknown. Purpose: The present study assessed the 1-year outcome of patients after MitraClip implantation depending on the result of the pre-procedural 6-MWT. Methods: This present work represents a sub-analysis of the German, prospective, multicenter, transcatheter mitral valve interventions (TRAMI) registry. Of the main study cohort (n=828) 326 patients underwent a 6-MWT prior to their procedure. Patients were assigned to 2 groups depending on the pre-procedural 6-MWT distance using the median (<200m [group 1] vs. ≥200m [group 2]). Results: A total of 153 patients in group 1 and 173 patients in group 2 were available for the analysis. Among other differences in baseline characteristics patients in group 1 were older (77±8 years vs. 73±9 years; p<0.001) and had more severe multimorbidity as indicated by the STS score (12±8% vs. 8±6%; p=0.026). No differences regarding technical success defined as the absence of conversion to open heart surgery and residual mitral regurgitation ≤2+ (3% vs. 4%; p=0.71) and hospital MACCE (2% vs. 2%; p=0.88) were observed between the groups. With regard to 1-year outcome, patients with a distance in 6-MWT <200m had higher all-cause mortality (26% vs. 14%; p=0.013) as compared to those with a 6-MWT distance ≥200m. After adjustment for baseline risk factors, 6-MWT distance <200m still showed a strong trend towards increased 1-year all-cause mortality (HR 1.62, 95% confidence interval 0.95-2.74; p=0.075). Conclusion:In the present study pre-procedural 6-MWT distance <200m was associated with significantly higher 1-year all-cause mortality in patients undergoing MitraClip implantation. Based on these results, the 6-MWT can be used as additional prognostic tool in this patient cohort. Background: Cardiac valve diseases cause damage to health, leading to detriment of the quality of life of the patient. Among these diseases, the main ones are aortic stenosis, mitral insufficiency and degeneration of bioprostheses previously implanted. The gold standard in the treatment is surgical intervention, with replacement of the valve by a new bioprosthesis, being classified as a procedure of high surgical risk. However, traditional treatment is not indicated for people with advanced age and associated comorbidities. The development of expandable transcatheter valves presented as an alternative treatment and brought an option to inoperable patients. Purpose: Presentation of the clinical indications of the transcatheter treatment and evaluation of patients submitted to transapical transcatheter valve implantation in the aortic (stenosis and valve-in-valve) and mitral (valve-in-valve) positions. Methods: Transapical procedures were performed to implant the Brazilian transcatheter valve in patients with contraindications to the surgical gold s...
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