A cautionary tale for transcatheter aortic valve implantation

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  Aortic Regurgitation (AR) is rare complication following surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). Contrary to AVR,  AR is common following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In the picture, the blue arrow represents normal flow, yellow regurgitation  (leakage). TAVI was developed as an alternative therapy for patients who no longer are candidates for traditional aortic valve replacement or repair, procedures that …

Statin usage in low-risk patients

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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is ranked as the number one cause of mortality and is a major cause of morbidity world-wide. Reducing high blood cholesterol, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in people with and without a past history of coronary heart disease (CHD) is an important goal of pharmacotherapy. Statins are the first-choice agents. Previous reviews of the …

A poor heart function and congestive heart failure

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Q: My husband is 62 and has Congestive Heart Failure.  He recently had an echocardiogram which showed his heart at 25%.  We were told that this was serious and that he should see his cardiologist ASAP.  We have an appointment tomorrow, but I would like to know what is normal procedure as far as tests etc. for a person who …