Howard C Herrmann

5 days ago | ahajournals.org | Howard C Herrmann |Toby Rogers

Research ArticleOpen AccessCirculation: Cardiovascular InterventionsThe SMART trial (URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04722250) is an international, prospective, postmarket, randomized trial designed to compare the outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a supraannular self-expanding valve (SEV) versus an intraannular balloon-expandable valve (BEV) in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and a small aortic annulus (≤430 mm2).

Jan 21, 2025 | jwatch.org | Howard C Herrmann

Howard C. Herrmann, MD, reviewing The coronary sinus reducer, approved in Europe, appears to improve angina and quality of life in patients with CMD or refractory angina. Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), characterized by abnormal vasodilatory capacity or intense vasoconstriction affecting smaller coronary arteries, can occur without epicardial obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and is a challenging condition without widely effective treatments.

Dec 6, 2024 | jwatch.org | Howard C Herrmann

Howard C. Herrmann, MD, reviewing Although major cardiovascular events were not reduced at 1 year, this study confirms a benefit in patient-reported outcome measures. Several recent trials demonstrate that transcatheter valve repair (TRILUMINATE; NEJM JW Cardiol Mar 6 2023 and N Engl J Med 2023; 388:1833) or replacement (TRISCEND II; NEJM JW Cardiol Nov 13 2024 and 2024 Oct 30; [e-pub]) can improve quality of life for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Nov 13, 2024 | jwatch.org | Howard C Herrmann

Howard C. Herrmann, MD, reviewing Valve replacement improved symptoms and quality of life more than medical therapy. In this international, manufacturer-funded, randomized (2:1) trial ( NCT04482062), investigators compared transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) with medical therapy in 400 patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR; mean age, 79 years; 76% women).

Nov 7, 2024 | jwatch.org | Howard C Herrmann

Howard C. Herrmann, MD, reviewing A strategy of early AVR was superior to clinical surveillance due to a reduction in hospitalizations. Although aortic-valve replacement (AVR) is recommended for severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS), close clinical surveillance has been the standard of care for asymptomatic patients for more than 50 years. Two recent trials provide new data that challenge this recommendation.