O besity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have reached epidemic levels worldwide. These 2 metabolic disorders are independent risk factors for the development of heart failure. [1][2][3] Epidemiological and clinical studies strongly support the existence of obesity and diabetic cardiomyopathies unrelated to coronary artery disease, hypertension, and other comorbidities. 4,5 Clinical Perspective on p 564Studies in rodent models of obesity and DM have identified intrinsic cardiomyocyte dysfunctions secondary to alterations in energy substrate utilization, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and intracellular accumulation of lipotoxic byproducts. Similarly, human studies have shown that dysregulation of the energy conversion process is one of the major characteristics of the failing heart of subjects with cardiomyopathy related to DM or obesity. 6,7Background-Obesity and diabetes mellitus are independently associated with the development of heart failure. In this study, we determined the respective effects of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus on the intrinsic contraction and mitochondrial function of the human myocardium before the onset of cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results-Right atrial myocardium was obtained from 141 consecutive patients presenting no sign of cardiomyopathy. We investigated ex vivo isometric contraction, mitochondrial respiration and calcium retention capacity, and respiratory chain complex activities and oxidative stress status. Diabetes mellitus was associated with a pronounced impairment of intrinsic contraction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased myocardial oxidative stress, regardless of weight status. In contrast, obesity was associated with less pronounced contractile dysfunction without any significant perturbation of mitochondrial function or oxidative stress status. Tested as continuous variables, glycated hemoglobin A 1C , but neither body mass index nor the insulin resistance index (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance), was independently associated with cardiac mitochondrial function. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus was associated with cardiac mitochondrial network fragmentation and significantly decreased expression of the mitochondrial fusion related protein MFN1. Myocardial MFN1 content was inversely proportional to hemoglobin A 1C . Conclusion-Worsening

TAV-in-BAV is feasible with encouraging short- and intermediate-term clinical outcomes. Importantly, a high incidence of post-implantation AR is observed, which appears to be mitigated by MSCT-based TAV sizing. Given the suboptimal echocardiographic results, further study is required to evaluate long-term efficacy.

In this study, the outcome of severe LG/LF aortic stenosis with preserved EF was similar to that of mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis and was not favorably influenced by aortic surgery. Further research is needed to better understand the natural history and the progression of LG/LF aortic stenosis.

The presence of HMW-multimer defects and a high value for a point-of-care hemostatic test, the CT-ADP, were each predictive of the presence of aortic regurgitation after TAVR and were associated with higher mortality 1 year after the procedure. (Funded by Lille 2 University and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02628509.).

We demonstrated that the VWF defect reflects the balance between degradation induced by the shear stress and the endothelial release of new VWF triggered by the pulsatility. This modulation of VWF levels could explain the relationship between pulsatility and bleeding observed in CF-MCS recipients. Preservation of pulsatility may be a new target to improve clinical outcomes of patients.

Background: No randomized study powered to compare balloon-expandable (BE) with self-expanding (SE) transcatheter heart valve (THV) on individual endpoints after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been conducted to date. Methods: From January 2013 to December 2015, the FRANCE-TAVI nationwide registry included 12,141 patients undergoing BE-THV (Edwards, n=8038) or SE-THV (Medtronic, n=4103) for native aortic stenosis (AS). Long-term mortality status was available in all patients (median 20 months, IQR:14-30). Patients treated with BE-THV (n=3910) were successfully matched 1:1 with 3910 patients treated with SE-THV by using propensity-score (25 clinical, anatomical and procedural variables) and by date of the procedure (within 3 months). The first co-primary outcome was the occurrence of paravalvular regurgitation (PVR)≥moderate and/or in-hospital mortality. The 2 nd co-primary outcome was 2-year all-cause mortality. Results: In matched-propensity analyses, the incidence of the 1st co-primary outcome was higher with SE-THV (19.8%) compared with BE-THV(11.9%; RR=1.68; 95%CI:1.46-1.91; p<0.0001). Each component of the outcome was also higher in SE-THV patients: PVR≥moderate (15.5% vs. 8.3%; RR=1.90; 95% CI:1.63-2.22; p<0.0001) and in-hospital mortality (5.6% vs 4.2%, RR=1.34; 95%CI:1.07-1.66; p=0.01). During follow-up, all-cause mortality occurred in 899 patients treated with SE-THV (2-year mortality was 29.8%) and in 801 patients treated with BE-THV (2-year mortality 26.6%; HR=1.17; 95% CI:1.06-1.29; p=0.003). Similar results were found using inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity score analysis. Conclusions: The present study suggests that use of SE-THV was associated with a higher risk of PVR and higher in-hospital and 2-year mortality as compared with BE-THV. These data strongly support the need for a randomized trial sufficiently powered to compare head-to-head the latest generation of SE and BE-THV.

The transcarotid approach for TAVR is feasible using general or local anesthesia. A higher rate of perioperative strokes was observed with GA.

After 15 years of successive randomized, controlled trials, indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are rapidly expanding. In the coming years, this procedure could become the first line treatment for patients with a symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and a tricuspid aortic valve anatomy. However, randomized, controlled trials have excluded bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), which is the most frequent congenital heart disease occurring in 1% to 2% of the total population and representing at least 25% of patients 80 years of age or older referred for aortic valve replacement. The use of a less invasive transcatheter therapy in this elderly population became rapidly attractive, and approximately 10% of patients currently undergoing TAVR have a BAV. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the “European Conformity” have approved TAVR for low-risk patients regardless of the aortic valve anatomy whereas international guidelines recommend surgical replacement in BAV populations. Given this progressive expansion of TAVR toward younger and lower-risk patients, heart teams are encountering BAV patients more frequently, while the ability of this therapy to treat such a challenging anatomy remains uncertain. This review will address the singularity of BAV anatomy and associated technical challenges for the TAVR procedure. We will examine and summarize available clinical evidence and highlight critical knowledge gaps regarding TAVR utilization in BAV patients. We will provide a comprehensive overview of the role of computed tomography scans in the diagnosis, and classification of BAV and TAVR procedure planning. Overall, we will offer an integrated framework for understanding the current role of TAVR in the treatment of bicuspid aortic stenosis and for guiding physicians in clinical decision-making.