TCT

SAN FRANCISCO — Patients with failing stentless bioprostheses who undergo valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement appear be at higher risk for early death than those with failing stented valves, but the trend becomes less apparent over time, according to a presentation at TCT 2013.

SAN FRANCISCO — Data presented at TCT 2013 indicate that a biolimus-A9-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer was clinically noninferior to everolimus-eluting and sirolimus-eluting stents, and may improve long-term clinical outcomes for up to 5 years.

SAN FRANCISCO — At TCT 2013, Linda D. Gillam, MD, MPH, outlined the most recent treatment strategies for pregnant patients with varying degrees of mitral stenosis.

SAN FRANCISCO —  Substantial research on many specific approaches to neuromodulatory therapies for HF is ongoing, with some exciting preliminary results. One such therapy, involving vagus nerve stimulation with the CardioFit system, is now in a pivotal, prospective trial that is rapidly accruing patients.

SAN FRANCISCO — For nonoperative, high-risk and potential intermediate-risk surgical patients experiencing structural bioprosthetic valve degeneration, mitral valve-in-valve replacement provides a suitable surgical option, according to a speaker at TCT 2013.

SAN FRANCISCO — Performing PCI on patients with chronic total occlusion is a tough but rewarding task, and a doctor’s success rates tend to increase with experience, three experts said at TCT 2013.

SAN FRANCISCO — While aortic valve-in-valve is an effective overall procedure, malpositioning, ostial coronary occlusion and residual stenosis are three main problems identified in a global registry of aortic valve-in-valve procedures, according to a speaker at TCT 2013.

SAN FRANCISCO — Technological advances and design evolutions have enhanced drug-eluting stent development in recent years. Modifications in stent design and delivery of the everolimus-eluting stent (Xience, Abbott Vascular) and Promus Element (Boston Scientific) platforms were the focus of discussions by James B. Hermiller, MD, and Hyo-Soo Kim, MD, PhD, at TCT 2013, with particular emphasis on safety data established in recent clinical trials.

SAN FRANCISCO — Two trials are giving support for novel treatment approaches to certain PCI patients. The DEFER-STEMI trial showed that in selected STEMI patients, deferring stenting for several hours can reduce no-reflow incidence and improve myocardial salvage following the procedure, and the EUROMAX study showed that bivalirudin initiated in the prehospital setting can improve outcomes. Both trials were discussed at TCT 2013.

SAN FRANCISCO — A presentation at TCT 2013 chronicled the evolution of transcatheter aortic valve replacement and the importance of a multidisciplinary heart team.