Jean-Yves Riou

Transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation: a multicentre French study.

BACKGROUND Transcatheter valve-in-valve (VIV) implantation in failing bioprosthesis is an emerging field in cardiology. AIM To report on a French multicentre experience and a literature review of tricuspid VIV implantation. METHODS We approached different institutions and collected 10 unpublished cases; a literature review identified 71 patients, including our 10 cases. Clinical aspects and haemodynamic data are discussed. RESULTS Among our 10 unpublished cases, the reason for implantation was significant tricuspid stenosis (n = 4), significant tricuspid regurgitation (n = 1) or mixed lesion (n = 5). Implantation was performed under general anaesthesia at mean age 28 ± 17 years. The 22 mm Melody valve was implanted in seven patients; the Edwards SAPIEN valve was implanted in three patients. The procedure succeeded in all cases, despite two embolizations in the right cardiac chambers; in both cases, the valve was stabilized close to the tricuspid annulus using a self-expandable stent, before implantation of a second Edwards SAPIEN valve. Functional class improved in all but one case. Mean diastolic gradient decreased from 9 ± 2.45 mmHg to 3.65 ± 0.7 mmHg (p = 0.007); no more than trivial regurgitation was noticed. Among the published cases, the Melody valve was implanted in 41 patients, the Edwards SAPIEN valve in 29 patients and the Braile valve in one patient. Short-term results were similar for our 10 cases, but mid-term results are not yet available. CONCLUSIONS Tricuspid VIV implantation using the Melody or Edwards SAPIEN valves is a feasible and effective procedure for selected patients with failing bioprosthesis.

Multicenter Safety and Efficacy Analysis of Assisted Closure after Antegrade Arterial Punctures Using the StarClose Device

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the StarClose device for closure of antegrade punctures following infrainguinal endovascular interventions. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 221 consecutive patients treated with the StarClose device in a 12-month period at 5 centers (4 French and 1 British). Of these, 107 patients (69 men; median age 75 years, range 44–93) were from the UK cohort (111 closures), and 94 patients (75 men; median age 67 years, range 32–95) were from the French cohort (111 closures). Technical success, complication rates, demographic data, medical history, and procedural details were gathered for all patients. Residual bleeding and the requirement for additional manual compression were recorded when the device failed. Clinical evaluation was performed at discharge; color-coded duplex ultrasonography was done in a subset of French patients. Results: The overall technical success rate was 94.6% (210/222; 95% CI 3.1%–9.2%). The results were similar in the 2 cohorts: 95.5% (106/111; 95% CI 1.9%–10.1%) in the UK and 93.7% (104/111; 95% CI 3.1%–12.4%) in France. The 12 failures (5 UK and 7 France) were due to several mechanisms: device failure (n=5), obesity (n=1), groin scarring (n=2), and unexplained (n=4). In 2 failed cases, open surgical closure of the arteriotomy was performed because pressure hemostasis failed. Two pseudoaneurysms were observed: one after immediate failure was successfully treated by prolonged pressure; the other, after apparent success of the device, required surgical therapy. The incidence of serious vascular complication was 1.8% (4/222; 95% CI 0.7%–4.5%); 2 patients from each cohort. Conclusion: The StarClose device safely and effectively closes antegrade punctures after infrainguinal endovascular intervention, even in patients who would be considered to be at high risk for puncture-site bleeding. However, a randomized trial would be required to support any definitive recommendations.

Closure of tubular patent ductus arteriosus with the Amplatzer Vascular Plug IV: feasibility and safety.

Background: Closure of tubular patent ductus arteriosus remains a challenging procedure. Anecdotal use of Amplatzer Vascular Plug IV for tubular ductus closure has been reported but feasibility and safety in a consecutive patients’ series remain unknown. Methods: We performed a monocenter prospective study at the Marie Lannelongue Hospital in Paris, France. From 2009 to 2014, a total of 47 patients (39 infants, 3 children, and 5 adults) underwent ductus closure with the Plug IV. Results: Ductus morphology was a type E in 34 (72.3%) patients and a type C in 13 (27.7%) patients. Ductus closure occurred in 39 (83.0%) infants at a median age of seven months (range: 3-23 months) and a median weight of 6.9 kg (range: 4.1-17.0 kg). A past history of prematurity and very low birth weight was found in 33 (70.2%) of them. Twelve (25.5%) patients had pulmonary hypertension. Mean Plug IV diameter was 1.9 ± 0.1 mm larger than the mean maximal ductus diameter. Early complete closure of the ductus was obtained in all patients. Early migration of an undersized Plug IV occurred in one (2.1%) patient and was suitable for percutaneous device retrieval. After a mean follow-up of 3.4 ± 1.4 years, all patients are alive and asymptomatic, no late complication occurred. Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of tubular ductus with the Amplatzer Vascular Plug IV can be safe and effective, with a 100% early occlusion rate. This device, suitable for a 4F sheath, is a new alternative for tubular ductus closure in low-body-weight infants.

Coil embolization of traumatic false aneurysms after penetrating knife wound of a single ventricle.

25-year-old man with an extracardiac conduit Fontan Acirculation for tricuspid atresia and hypoplastic right ventricle had a penetrating knife wound of his functionally univentricular heart. He underwent an emergency operation for hemorrhagic shock because of left ventricular tears. Six weeks later he was referred for 2 growing false aneurysms located at the left ventricular apex and measuring 18 23 mm and 16 13 mm on 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional volume