The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of dualsource computed tomography (DSCT) for evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a population with extensive coronary calcifications without heart rate control. Thirty patients (24 male, 6 female, mean age 63.1±11.3 years) with a high pre-test probability of CAD underwent DSCT coronary angiography and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) within 14 ± 9 days. No beta-blockers were administered prior to the scan. Two readers independently assessed image quality of all coronary segments with a diameter ≥1.5 mm using a four-point score (1: excellent to 4: not assessable) and qualitatively assessed significant stenoses as narrowing of the luminal diameter >50%. Causes of false-positive (FP) and false-negative (FN) ratings were assigned to calcifications or motion artifacts. ICA was considered the standard of reference. Mean body mass index was 28.3 ± 3.9 kg/m 2 (range 22.4-36.3 kg/m 2 ), mean heart rate during CT was 70.3 ± 14.2 bpm (range 47-102 bpm), and mean Agatston score was 821 ± 904 (range 0-3,110). Image quality was diagnostic (scores 1-3) in 98.6% (414/420) of segments (mean image quality score 1.68 ± 0.75); six segments in three patients were considered not assessable (1.4%). DSCT correctly identified 54 of 56 significant coronary stenoses. Severe calcifications accounted for false ratings in nine segments (eight FP/one FN) and motion artifacts in two segments (one FP/one FN). Overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for evaluating CAD were 96.4, 97.5, 85.7, and 99.4%, respectively. First experience indicates that DSCT coronary angiography provides high diagnostic accuracy for assessment of CAD in a high pre-test probability population with extensive coronary calcifications and without heart rate control.

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AimsTo assess the feasibility, short-term durability and clinical outcomes of MitraClip w therapy for mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with end-stage heart failure and a severely reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. Methods and resultsWe analysed retrospectively collected data from seven European centres. Included in the study were 50 heart failure patients [mean age 70 + 11 years, 38 men (76%)] with a LV ejection fraction ≤25% and MR of at least grade 3+. All patients had functional MR, were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV, and their mean logistic EuroSCORE was 34%. The patients underwent a total of 53 MitraClip w procedures; one or more clips were implanted in 50 procedures (48 patients), for an acute procedural success rate of 94%. Severity of MR was reduced in all successfully treated patients, 44 (92%) were discharged with MR ≤2+. Thirty-day mortality was 6%; cumulative survival at 6 months was 81.2%. Clinical and echocardiographic 6-month follow-up data were obtained from 32 and 31 successfully treated patients, respectively. At 6 months, MR ≤2+ was present in 27 (87%) of 31 patients, and 23 (72%) of 32 patients were in NYHA functional class I or II. Six-minute walk distance improved significantly, and significant reductions in LV volumes indicative of reverse LV remodelling were concordant with significant reductions in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide plasma levels. ConclusionMitraClip w therapy reduces functional MR in patients with end-stage heart failure and marked LV dysfunction and entails clinical benefit at 6 months.--

For the first time, the feasibility and long-term functionality of transcatheter-based homologous off-the-shelf tissue engineered heart valves are demonstrated in a relevant pre-clinical model. Such engineered heart valves may represent an interesting alternative to current prostheses because of their rapid cellular repopulation, tissue remodeling, and therewith self-repair capacity. The concept of homologous off-the-shelf tissue engineered heart valves may therefore substantially simplify previous tissue engineering concepts toward clinical translation.