Global epidemiology of valvular heart disease

LTSI Consensus Guidelines: Preoperative Cardiac Evaluation in Adult Liver Transplant Recipients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among LT candidates and accounts for up to 40% of the overall mortality within one month. It is influenced by traditional and nontraditional risk factors related to end-stage liver disease. A large proportion of CLD patients have underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) especially if the etiology is metabolic associated steatohepatitis. Despite the large number of liver transplantations being conducted in India, there is a lack of an evidence-based guidelines for screening of CVD in this patient population. This consensus statement from Liver Transplant Society of India (LTSI) is the first attempt for developing an evidence-based document on preoperative cardiac evaluation from India. A task force consisting of transplant-anesthesiologists, transplant hepatologists, liver transplant surgeon and cardiologists from high volume centres was formed which reviewed the existing evidence and literature and formulated graded recommendations. The document focuses on identification of underlying cardiac pathologies, risk stratification and optimisation of modifiable cardiac diseases. Implementation of best practices and optimal strategies should be encouraged to improve cardiovascular outcomes in these populations.

The First International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) Standard Dataset for Reporting Outcomes in Heart Valve Disease: Moving From Device- to Patient-Centered Outcomes: Developed by a multisociety taskforce coordinated by the Heart Valve Society (HVS) including the American Heart Association (AHA), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), the Australian & New Zealand Society of Cardiac & Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS), the International Society for Applied Cardiovascular Biology (ISACB), the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS), the South African Heart Association (SHA), Heart Valve Voice, and Global Heart Hub

BACKGROUND

Globally significant variation in treatment and course of heart valve disease (HVD) exists, and outcome measurement is procedure focused instead of patient focused. This article describes the development of a patient-related (International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement) standard set of outcomes and case mix to be measured in patients with HVD.

METHODS

A multisociety working group was formed that included patient representatives and representatives from scientific cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies that publish current guidelines for HVD. The standard set was developed to monitor the patient's journey from diagnosis to treatment with either a surgical or transcatheter procedure. Candidate clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and case mix were identified through benchmark analyses and systematic reviews. Using an online modified Delphi process, the working group voted on final outcomes/case mix and corresponding definition.

RESULTS

Patients with aortic/mitral/tricuspid valve disease or root/ascending aorta >40 mm were included in the standard set. Patients entered the dataset when the diagnosis of HVD was established, allowing outcome measurement in the preprocedural, periprocedural, and postprocedural phases of patients' lives. The working group defined 5 outcome domains: vital status, patient-reported outcomes, progression of disease, cardiac function and durability, and complications of treatment. Subsequently, 16 outcome measures, including 2 patient-reported outcomes, were selected to be tracked in patients with HVD. Case-mix variables included demographic factors, demographic variables, echocardiographic variables, heart catheterization variables, and specific details on aortic/mitral/tricuspid valves and their specific interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Through a unique collaborative effort between patients and cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies, a standard set of measures for HVD was developed. This dataset focuses on outcome measurement regardless of treatment, moving from procedure- to patient-centered outcomes. Implementation of this dataset will facilitate global standardization of outcome measurement, allow meaningful comparison between health care systems and evaluation of clinical practice guidelines, and eventually improve patient care for those experiencing HVD worldwide.

Chemerin is a new sex-specific target in aortic stenosis concomitant with diabetes regulated by the aldosterone/mineralocorticoid receptor axis

Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of aortic stenosis (AS) and worsens its pathophysiology in a sex-specific manner. Aldosterone/mineralocorticoid receptor (Aldo/MR) pathway participates in the early stages of AS and in other diabetic-related cardiovascular complications. We aim to identify new sex-specific Aldo/MR targets in AS complicated with DM. We performed discovery studies using Olink Proteomics technology in 87 AS patient-derived aortic valves (AVs) (N = 28 and N = 19 nondiabetic and diabetic men; N = 32 and N = 8 nondiabetic and diabetic women, respectively) and human cytokine array (N = 24 AVs/sex/condition). Both approaches revealed chemerin as a target differentially upregulated in AVs from male diabetic patients, further validated in a cohort of stenotic AVs (N = 283, 27.6% DM, 59.4% men). Valvular chemerin levels are directly correlated with valve interstitial cell (VIC) activation, MR, inflammation, angiogenesis, and calcification markers exclusively in diabetic men. In vitro, Aldo (10-8 M) treatment exclusively increased chemerin levels in valve interstitial cells (VICs) from male patients with DM. Aldo also upregulated inflammatory, angiogenic, and osteogenic markers in DM and non-DM donors' VICs, which were prevented by MR antagonism. Increased glucose levels in cell media upregulated chemerin in VICs from male diabetic patients. Overall, RARRES2-knockdown in male diabetic VICs resulted in the downregulation of inflammatory, angiogenic, and osteogenic markers and blocked Aldo-induced responses in high glucose conditions. These data suggest the Aldo/MR pathway selectively increases chemerin in VICs from diabetic men, promoting inflammation, angiogenesis, and calcification associated with AS progression.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chemerin is upregulated in AV of male diabetic patients with AS, correlating with valve degeneration markers and influenced by Aldo/MR activation. This highlights chemerin as a sex-specific target for AS therapy.

A collagen-based laboratory model to mimic sex-specific features of calcific aortic valve disease

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) shows in the deposition of calcium phosphates in the collagen-rich layer of the valve leaflets. This stiffens the leaflets and eventually leads to heart failure. Recent research suggests that CAVD follows sex-specific pathways: at the same severity of the disease, women tend to have fewer and less crystalline calcifications, and the phases of their calcifications are decidedly different than those of men; namely, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) - one of the mineral phases in CAVD - occurs almost exclusively in females. Furthermore, the morphologies of heart valve calcifications might be sex-specific, but the sex dependence of the morphologies has not been systematically investigated. Herein, we first show that male CAVD patients have more compact and less fibrous calcifications than females, establishing sex-dependent morphological features of heart valve calcification. We then build a model that recapitulates the sex differences of the calcifications in CAVD, which is based on a collagen gel that we calcify in simulated body fluid with varying fetuin A concentrations. With increasing fetuin A concentration, the calcifications become less crystalline and more fibrous, and more DCPD deposits in the collagen matrix, resembling the physicochemical characteristics of the calcifications in female valves. Lower fetuin A concentrations give rise to a model that replicates male-specific mineral characteristics. The models could be used to develop sex-specific detection and treatment methods for CAVD. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Although calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) affects ∼10 million people globally, researchers have only discovered recently that the disease follows sex-specific pathways, and many of its sex-specific features remain unknown. To further our understanding of sex differences in CAVD and to develop better detection and treatment methods, there is an urgent need to establish models for CAVD that account for its sex-specific manifestations. In this study, we first show that CAVD calcifications in men and women take on different morphologies. Second, we present a model that can replicate physicochemical calcification characteristics of male or female valves, including morphology, and that can help to develop sex-specific detection and treatment methods for CAVD.

Current trends and challenges in infective endocarditis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a complex disease with increasing global incidence. This review explores recent trends in IE infection patterns, including healthcare-associated IE (HAIE), drug-use-associated IE (DUA-IE), multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), and challenges in managing prosthetic valve and device-related infections.

RECENT FINDINGS

Staphylococcus aureus has emerged as the leading cause of IE, especially in HAIE and DUA-IE cases. Increasingly prevalent MDROs, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, pose further clinical challenges. Advances in molecular diagnostics have improved the detection of culture-negative endocarditis. The introduction of the AngioVAC percutaneous aspiration device promises to change the management of right and possibly some left sided IE. Multidisciplinary team management and early surgery have demonstrated improved outcomes including partnerships with psychiatry and addictions services for those with intravenous DUA-IE.

SUMMARY

IE presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to evolving infection patterns, MDROs, and HAIE. Early diagnosis using advanced imaging, appropriate early antimicrobial therapy, and multidisciplinary care, including timely surgery, are critical for optimizing patient outcomes.

The prognostic value of estimated glomerular filtration rate change in elderly patients undergoing valvular replacement surgery

BACKGROUND

While the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a common metric for assessing kidney function, its prognostic value in elderly patients undergoing valvular replacement surgery remains uncertain.

METHODS

A total of 4531 elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) who underwent valvular replacement surgery at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital in China were retrospectively included in the study, covering the period from January 2010 to April 2019. The patients were divided into four groups based on the difference between early postoperative and preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR): ΔeGFR ≤ 0, 0 < ΔeGFR ≤ 25, 25 < ΔeGFR < 50, and ΔeGFR ≥ 50. The association between postoperative eGFR changes and both in-hospital and one-year mortality was examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to illustrate cumulative hazard rates.

RESULT

Overall, 204 patients (4.5 %) died during their hospital stay, and 344 patients (7.59 %) patients died within one year. Our analysis revealed significant differences in clinical outcomes between patients with ΔeGFR ≤ 0 and those with ΔeGFR ≥ 50. Patients with ΔeGFR ≥ 50 had higher rates of postoperative dialysis (P < 0.001), acute heart failure (P = 0.037), and in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001). Cumulative survival curves showed a markedly higher one-year mortality rate among patients with ΔeGFR ≥ 50 compared to the other three groups (p < 0.0001). Multivariable analyses demonstrated a significant association between ΔeGFR ≥ 50 and both in-hospital mortality (OR = 2.939, P < 0.001) and one-year all-cause mortality (HR = 2.567, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study identified ΔeGFR ≥ 50 as an independent risk factor for clinical events and in-hospital mortality.

The effectiveness of a nurse-led home-based cardiac rehabilitation based on instant information intervention in the prognosis of patients with TAVR: A randomized controlled trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Patients with poor prognosis after TAVR surgery require high-quality cardiac rehabilitation. Digital home-based rehabilitation based on real-time information intervention can improve outcomes. However, the parameters of the text message intervention, such as text message content, intervention duration, text message frequency, and other parameters, may vary.

METHODS

This is an evaluator-blinded randomized controlled trial. TAVR patients will be recruited from the cardiology intensive care unit of a hospital and randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. The control group will receive standard cardiac rehabilitation, while the experimental group will receive instant message rehabilitation intervention over six months in addition to the standard care. The primary outcomes are home-based cardiac rehabilitation adherence and six-minute walk distance. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, frailty, activities of daily living scale scores, incidence of adverse events, death during follow-up, NYHA functional classification, readmission rate, and length of hospital stay. Data will be collected at three time points: baseline, three months after intervention, and six months after intervention. Generalized equation assessment will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the instant message intervention.

DISCUSSION

Using behavior change theory as the overall framework, guided by behavior change techniques and based on evidence-based medicine, the digital HBCR intervention program that can be implemented by caregivers has been designed. If the intervention proves effective, it will promote the development of home-based rehabilitation for TAVR patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT06418555.

The First International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) Standard Dataset for Reporting Outcomes in Heart Valve Disease: Moving From Device- to Patient-Centered Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Globally significant variation in treatment and course of heart valve disease (HVD) exists, and outcome measurement is procedure focused instead of patient focused. This article describes the development of a patient-related (International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement) standard set of outcomes and case mix to be measured in patients with HVD.

METHODS

A multisociety working group was formed that included patient representatives and representatives from scientific cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies that publish current guidelines for HVD. The standard set was developed to monitor the patient's journey from diagnosis to treatment with either a surgical or transcatheter procedure. Candidate clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and case mix were identified through benchmark analyses and systematic reviews. Using an online modified Delphi process, the working group voted on final outcomes/case mix and corresponding definition.

RESULTS

Patients with aortic/mitral/tricuspid valve disease or root/ascending aorta >40 mm were included in the standard set. Patients entered the dataset when the diagnosis of HVD was established, allowing outcome measurement in the preprocedural, periprocedural, and postprocedural phases of patients' lives. The working group defined 5 outcome domains: vital status, patient-reported outcomes, progression of disease, cardiac function and durability, and complications of treatment. Subsequently, 16 outcome measures, including 2 patient-reported outcomes, were selected to be tracked in patients with HVD. Case-mix variables included demographic factors, demographic variables, echocardiographic variables, heart catheterization variables, and specific details on aortic/mitral/tricuspid valves and their specific interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Through a unique collaborative effort between patients and cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies, a standard set of measures for HVD was developed. This dataset focuses on outcome measurement regardless of treatment, moving from procedure- to patient-centered outcomes. Implementation of this dataset will facilitate global standardization of outcome measurement, allow meaningful comparison between health care systems and evaluation of clinical practice guidelines, and eventually improve patient care for those experiencing HVD worldwide.

Impact of Tricuspid Valve Repair on Less Than Moderate Tricuspid Regurgitation After Degenerative Mitral Repair

BACKGROUND

Whether tricuspid valve (TV) repair should be performed during degenerative mitral valve repair in patients with less than moderate regurgitation remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the clinical outcomes of degenerative mitral valve repair for less than moderate tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2019, 541 patients with less than moderate TR underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral disease at the Beijing Anzhen Hospital. Among these patients, 255 underwent concomitant TV repair. The median follow-up was 8 years (Q1-Q3: 6-11 years). The primary endpoint was the development of moderate TR. The secondary endpoint was death, recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR), reoperation for MR or TR, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and permanent pacemaker implantation. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce selection bias.

RESULTS

After baseline adjustment, propensity score matching analysis identified 207 pairs. There were no significant differences in the primary endpoints between the patients who underwent simultaneous TV repair and those who did not. Mortality, recurrent MR, permanent pacemaker implantation, and reoperation for MR or TR did not differ significantly between groups. Concomitant TV repair only contributed to new-onset atrial fibrillation, with 24 (11.6%) in the TV-repair group and 7 (3.4%) in the no-repair group (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering its minimal effects on the development of TR and potential contributions to postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation during follow-up among these patients, more aggressive TV repair is not encouraged among patients with less than moderate TR during MV surgery.

Polymeric Heart Valves: Do They Represent a Reliable Alternative to Current Prosthetic Devices?

With the increasing number of people suffering from heart valve diseases (e.g., stenosis and/or insufficiency), the attention paid to prosthetic heart valves has grown significantly. Developing a prosthetic device that fully replaces the functionality of the native valve remains a huge challenge. Polymeric heart valves (PHVs) represent an appealing option, offering the potential to combine the robustness of mechanical valves with the enhanced biocompatibility of bioprosthetic ones. Over the years, novel biomaterials (such as promising new polymers and nanocomposites) and innovative designs have been explored for possible applications in manufacturing PHVs. This work provides a comprehensive overview of PHVs' evolution in terms of materials, design, and fabrication techniques, including in vitro and in vivo studies. Moreover, it addresses the drawbacks associated with PHV implementation, such as their limited biocompatibility and propensity for sudden failure in vivo. Future directions for further development are presented. Notably, PHVs can be particularly relevant for transcatheter application, the most recent minimally invasive approach for heart valve replacement. Despite current challenges, PHVs represent a promising area of research with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of heart valve diseases, offering more durable and less invasive solutions for patients.

Simultaneous TAVR and PBPV in Patient With Multiple Valve Disease

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) are the first-line treatments for aortic stenosis and pulmonary stenosis. This paper presents the case of a 72-year-old woman who suffered from severe aortic stenosis with pulmonary stenosis, treated with simultaneous TAVR and PBPV. Postprocedural echocardiography revealed significant improvement in valve stenosis, with no complications. This case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of performing TAVR and PBPV together, offering a new treatment approach.

Emerging Gene Therapy Based on Nanocarriers: A Promising Therapeutic Alternative for Cardiovascular Diseases and a Novel Strategy in Valvular Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of global mortality, with many unresolved issues in current clinical treatment strategies despite years of extensive research. Due to the great progress in nanotechnology and gene therapy in recent years, the emerging gene therapy based on nanocarriers has provided a promising therapeutic alternative for cardiovascular diseases. This review outlines the status of nanocarriers as vectors in gene therapy for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, hypertension, and valvular heart disease. It discusses challenges and future prospects, aiming to support emerging clinical treatments. This review is the first to summarize gene therapy using nanocarriers for valvular heart disease, highlighting their potential in targeting challenging tissues.

The first International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) standard dataset for reporting outcomes in heart valve disease: moving from device- to patient- centered outcomes

BACKGROUND

Globally significant variation in treatment and course of heart valve disease (HVD) exists, and outcome measurement is procedure focused instead of patient focused. This article describes the development of a patient-related (International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement) standard set of outcomes and case mix to be measured in patients with HVD.

METHODS

A multisociety working group was formed that included patient representatives and representatives from scientific cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies that publish current guidelines for HVD. The standard set was developed to monitor the patient's journey from diagnosis to treatment with either a surgical or transcatheter procedure. Candidate clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and case mix were identified through benchmark analyses and systematic reviews. Using an online modified Delphi process, the working group voted on final outcomes/case mix and corresponding definition.

RESULTS

Patients with aortic/mitral/tricuspid valve disease or root/ascending aorta >40 mm were included in the standard set. Patients entered the dataset when the diagnosis of HVD was established, allowing outcome measurement in the preprocedural, periprocedural, and postprocedural phases of patients' lives. The working group defined 5 outcome domains: vital status, patient-reported outcomes, progression of disease, cardiac function and durability, and complications of treatment. Subsequently, 16 outcome measures, including 2 patient-reported outcomes, were selected to be tracked in patients with HVD. Case-mix variables included demographic factors, demographic variables, echocardiographic variables, heart catheterization variables, and specific details on aortic/mitral/tricuspid valves and their specific interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Through a unique collaborative effort between patients and cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies, a standard set of measures for HVD was developed. This dataset focuses on outcome measurement regardless of treatment, moving from procedure- to patient-centered outcomes. Implementation of this dataset will facilitate global standardization of outcome measurement, allow meaningful comparison between health care systems and evaluation of clinical practice guidelines, and eventually improve patient care for those experiencing HVD worldwide.

Gender specific echocardiographic prevalence of valvular stenosis and regurgitations in a large inpatient database of 24,265 patients

INTRODUCTION

Prevalence of different valvular pathologies has not been reported in female and male patients in large population-based studies. The goal of this study was to report the gender-specific prevalence of various valvular pathologies.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 24,265 echocardiograms performed between 1984 and 1998. The prevalence of mitral regurgitation (MR) aortic valve regurgitation (AR) and stenosis (AS), and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were calculated in female and male patients.

RESULTS

Echocardiograms were performed on 12,926 (53%) female and 11,339 (47%) male patients. Gender-specific echocardiographic prevalence of different valvular abnormalities was as follows: Prevalence of mitral regurgitations was similar in women and men (25% vs 24.7%). Aortic regurgitation was higher in males (5.5 vs 14.9%, P < 0.001). Aortic stenosis prevalence was similar between both genders (2.1 vs 2.3%). Tricuspid valve regurgitations were slightly higher in females (18.5 vs 16.7%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found a significantly higher prevalence of tricuspid valve regurgitation in women. Aortic regurgitation was more prevalent in men. Aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation had similar prevalence in both genders.

Wearable device-measured moderate to vigorous physical activity and risk of degenerative aortic valve stenosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Physical activity has proven effective in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but its role in preventing degenerative valvular heart disease (VHD) remains uncertain. This study aimed to explore the dose-response association between moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) volume and the risk of degenerative VHD among middle-aged adults.

METHODS

A full week of accelerometer-derived MVPA data from 87 248 UK Biobank participants (median age 63.3, female: 56.9%) between 2013 and 2015 were used for primary analysis. Questionnaire-derived MVPA data from 361 681 UK Biobank participants (median age 57.7, female: 52.7%) between 2006 and 2010 were used for secondary analysis. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of incident degenerative VHD, including aortic valve stenosis (AS), aortic valve regurgitation (AR), and mitral valve regurgitation (MR). The secondary outcome was VHD-related intervention or mortality.

RESULTS

In the accelerometer-derived MVPA cohort, 555 incident AS, 201 incident AR, and 655 incident MR occurred during a median follow-up of 8.11 years. Increased MVPA volume showed a steady decline in AS risk and subsequent AS-related intervention or mortality risk, levelling off beyond approximately 300 min/week. In contrast, its association with AR or MR incidence was less apparent. The adjusted rates of AS incidence (95% confidence interval) across MVPA quartiles (Q1-Q4) were 11.60 (10.20, 13.20), 7.82 (6.63, 9.23), 5.74 (4.67, 7.08), and 5.91 (4.73, 7.39) per 10 000 person-years. The corresponding adjusted rates of AS-related intervention or mortality were 4.37 (3.52, 5.43), 2.81 (2.13, 3.71), 1.93 (1.36, 2.75), and 2.14 (1.50, 3.06) per 10 000 person-years, respectively. Aortic valve stenosis risk reduction was also observed with questionnaire-based MVPA data [adjusted absolute difference Q4 vs. Q1: AS incidence, -1.41 (-.67, -2.14) per 10 000 person-years; AS-related intervention or mortality, -.38 (-.04, -.88) per 10 000 person-years]. The beneficial association remained consistent in high-risk populations for AS, including patients with hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and chronic kidney disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher MVPA volume was associated with a lower risk of developing AS and subsequent AS-related intervention or mortality. Future research needs to validate these findings in diverse populations with longer durations and repeated periods of activity monitoring.

Hilaire C. Non-Canonical TERT Activity Initiates Osteogenesis in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease

BACKGROUND

Calcific aortic valve disease is the pathological remodeling of valve leaflets. The initial steps in valve leaflet osteogenic reprogramming are not fully understood. As TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) overexpression primes mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts, we investigated whether TERT contributes to the osteogenic reprogramming of valve interstitial cells.

METHODS

Human control and calcific aortic valve disease aortic valve leaflets and patient-specific human aortic valve interstitial cells were used in in vivo and in vitro calcification assays. Loss of function experiments in human aortic valve interstitial cells and cells isolated from Tert-/- and Terc-/- mice were used for mechanistic studies. Calcification was assessed in Tert+/+ and Tert-/- mice ex vivo and in vivo. In silico modeling, proximity ligation, and coimmunoprecipitation assays defined novel TERT interacting partners. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and cleavage under targets and tagmentation sequencing defined protein-DNA interactions.

RESULTS

TERT protein was highly expressed in calcified valve leaflets without changes in telomere length, DNA damage, or senescence markers, and these features were retained in isolated primary human aortic valve interstitial cells. TERT expression increased with osteogenic or inflammatory stimuli, and knockdown or genetic deletion of TERT prevented calcification in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, TERT was upregulated via NF-κB (nuclear factor-kappa B) and required to initiate osteogenic reprogramming, independent of its canonical reverse transcriptase activity and the long noncoding RNA TERC. TERT exerts non-canonical osteogenic functions via binding with STAT5 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5). Depletion or inhibition of STAT5 prevented calcification. STAT5 was found to bind the promoter region of RUNX2 (runt-related transcription factor 2), the master regulator of osteogenic reprogramming. Finally, we demonstrate that TERT and STAT5 are upregulated and colocalized in calcific aortic valve disease tissue compared with control tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

TERT's non-canonical activity is required to initiate calcification. TERT is upregulated via inflammatory signaling pathways and partners with STAT5 to bind the RUNX2 gene promoter. These data identify a novel mechanism and potential therapeutic target to decrease vascular calcification.

Machine learning cluster analysis identifies increased 12-month mortality risk in transcatheter aortic valve replacement recipients

Background

Long-term mortality risk is seldom re-assessed in contemporary clinical practice following successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR). Unsupervised machine learning permits pattern discovery within complex multidimensional patient data and may facilitate recognition of groups requiring closer post-TAVR surveillance.

Methods

We analysed and differentiated routinely collected demographic, biochemical, and cardiac imaging data into distinct clusters using unsupervised machine learning. k-means clustering was performed on data from 200 patients who underwent TAVR for severe aortic stenosis (AS). Input features were ranked according to their influence on cluster assignment. Survival analyses were performed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Nested cox models were used to identify any incremental prognostic benefit cluster assignment achieved beyond conventional risk scores.

Results

Analysis identified two distinct clusters. Compared to Cluster 1, Cluster 2 demonstrated significantly worse all-cause mortality at 12 months (HR 6.3, p < 0.01), and was characterised by more advanced cardiac remodelling with worse indices of multi-chamber cardiac function, as quantified by strain imaging. Cluster assignment demonstrated greater predictive power for 12-month mortality as compared with conventional risk and frailty calculators.

Conclusion

k-means clustering identified two prognostically distinct phenogroups of patients who had undergone TAVR with better discriminatory power than conventional risk and frailty calculators. Our results highlight the utility of machine learning applications for clinical risk prediction and scope to improve patient surveillance.

The First International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) Standard Dataset for Reporting Outcomes in Heart Valve Disease: Moving From Device- to Patient-Centered Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Globally significant variation in treatment and course of heart valve disease (HVD) exists, and outcome measurement is procedure focused instead of patient focused. This article describes the development of a patient-related (International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement) standard set of outcomes and case mix to be measured in patients with HVD.

METHODS

A multisociety working group was formed that included patient representatives and representatives from scientific cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies that publish current guidelines for HVD. The standard set was developed to monitor the patient's journey from diagnosis to treatment with either a surgical or transcatheter procedure. Candidate clinical and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and case mix were identified through benchmark analyses and systematic reviews. Using an online modified Delphi process, the working group voted on final outcomes/case mix and corresponding definition.

RESULTS

Patients with aortic/mitral/tricuspid valve disease or root/ascending aorta >40 mm were included in the standard set. Patients entered the dataset when the diagnosis of HVD was established, allowing outcome measurement in the preprocedural, periprocedural, and postprocedural phases of patients' lives. The working group defined 5 outcome domains: vital status, patient-reported outcomes, progression of disease, cardiac function and durability, and complications of treatment. Subsequently, 16 outcome measures, including 2 patient-reported outcomes, were selected to be tracked in patients with HVD. Case-mix variables included demographic factors, demographic variables, echocardiographic variables, heart catheterization variables, and specific details on aortic/mitral/tricuspid valves and their specific interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Through a unique collaborative effort between patients and cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery societies, a standard set of measures for HVD was developed. This dataset focuses on outcome measurement regardless of treatment, moving from procedure- to patient-centered outcomes. Implementation of this dataset will facilitate global standardization of outcome measurement, allow meaningful comparison between health care systems and evaluation of clinical practice guidelines, and eventually improve patient care for those experiencing HVD worldwide.

Mathematical representation and nonlinear modelling of the Wheatley mitral valve

This study is concerned with the Wheatley design of the mitral valve. A mathematical description, in terms of elementary functions, is provided for the S-shaped leaflets. This is based on a level set containing symmetric circles (or more generally ellipses) which allow parametrisation. A geometric nonlinear mechanical model subjected to a uniform pressure gradient and in the absence of inertial forces is introduced. The model results in a system of nonlinear equations that is solved using iterative incremental techniques. Under normal pressure loads, the S-shaped geometries induce internal forces which manifest themselves in two combined effects: bending and torsion. As a consequence, the supports are subject to periodic bending actions that tend to deform the support frame towards the interior of the valve. Providing resistance becomes vital for maintaining stable equilibrium. It is also observed that for circular base shape geometries, the mechanism for transmitting the equilibrium forces remains unchanged when the height/diameter ratio is kept below 2.

Association between triglyceride-glucose-body mass index and risk of aortic stenosis progression in patients with non-severe aortic stenosis: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Triglyceride-glucose-BMI (TyG-BMI) index is a surrogate marker of insulin resistance and an important predictor of cardiovascular disease. However, the predictive value of TyG-BMI index in the progression of non-severe aortic stenosis (AS) is still unclear.

METHODS

The present retrospective observational study was conducted using patient data from Aortic valve diseases RISk facTOr assessmenT andprognosis modeL construction (ARISTOTLE). A total of 190 patients were recruited from one-center. Patients were divided into two groups according to the cut-off value of TyG-BMI index (Ln[triglycerides (mg/dL)* glucose (mg/dL)/2]*BMI). Cox regression and restricted subgroup analysis were used to evaluate the association of TyG-BMI index and progression of non-severe AS.

RESULTS

A total of 190 patients (mean age 72.52 ± 11.97 years, 51.58% male) were included in the study. During a median follow-up period of 27.48 months, 44 participants experienced disease progression. The cut-off of the TyG-BMI index is 239. After fully adjusting for confounding factors, high TyG-BMI index group was associated with a 2.219-fold higher risk of aortic stenosis progression (HR 2.219, 95%CI 1.086-4.537, p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

TyG-BMI index was significantly associated with a higher risk of progression to non-severe AS. TyG-BMI index, as an effective alternative indicator of IR, can identify people at high risk of AS progression at an early stage of the disease, thereby improving the prognosis and reducing the socio-economic burden.

A New Type of Bioprosthetic Heart Valve: Synergistic Modification with Anticoagulant Polysaccharides and Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Valvular heart disease (VHD) poses a significant threat to human health, and the transcatheter heart valve replacement (THVR) is the best treatment for severe VHD. Currently, the glutaraldehyde cross-linked commercial bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) remain the first choice for THVR. However, the cross-linking by glutaraldehyde exhibits several drawbacks, including calcification, inflammatory reactions, and difficult endothelialization, which limits the longevity and applicability of BHVs. In this study, λ-carrageenan with anticoagulant function was modified by carboxymethylation into carboxymethyl λ-carrageenan (CM-λC); subsequently, CM-λC was used as a cross-linking agent to stabilize decellularized bovine pericardial tissue through amide bonds formed by a 1-(3-(Dimethylamino)propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide/N-Hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS)-catalyzed reaction between the amino functional groups within pericardium and the carboxyl group located on CM-λC. Lastly, the inclusion complex (CD/Rutin) (formed by encapsulating the rutin molecule through the hydrophobic cavity of the mono-(6-ethylenediamine-6-deoxy)-β-cyclodextrin) was immobilized onto above BHVs materials (λCar-BP) through the amidation reaction. The treated sample exhibited mechanical properties and collagen stability similar to those of GA-BP, except for improved flexibility. Because of the presence of sulfonic acid groups and absence of aldehyde group as well as the Rutin release from CD/Rutin immobilized onto BHVs, the hemocompatibility, anti-inflammatory, HUVEC-cytocompatibility, and anticalcification properties, of the CM-λC-fixed BP modified with CD/Rutin was significantly better than that of GA-BP. In summary, this nonaldehyde-based natural polysaccharide cross-linking strategy utilizing the combination of CM-λC and CD/Rutin provides a novel solution to obtain BHVs with durable and stable anticoagulant, anticalcification, and anti-inflammatory properties, and has a wide range of potential applications in improving the various properties of BHVs.

Application of low-intensity anticoagulation after On-X mechanical aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVE

To explore the safety and efficacy of low-intensity anticoagulation in patients after On-X mechanical aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

A total of 104 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement in Cardiac Surgery Department of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from December 2018 to December 2021 were randomly divided into low-intensity anticoagulant (INR:1.5-2.0) and high-intensity anticoagulant (INR:2.0-2.5) to compare the incidence of adverse events related to postoperative anticoagulation between the two groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients were included in the low-intensity anticoagulation group (INR 1.5-2.0), and 51 patients were included in the high-intensity group (2.0-2.5). There was no significant difference in baseline data and surgical index between the two groups (P > 0.05); there were statistically significant differences in PT, INR and bleeding events (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in embolic events (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For patients requiring On-X mechanical aortic valve replacement who have no risk factors for thromboembolism, it is appropriate to control the INR in the target range 1.5-2.0, which can reduce the incidence of bleeding adverse events and significantly improve the quality of life, without increasing the risk of thromboembolic adverse events.

Evolving perspectives on aortic stenosis: the increasing importance of evaluating the right ventricle before aortic valve intervention

Aortic stenosis (AS) was historically considered a disease of the left side of the heart, with the main pathophysiological impact being predominantly on the left ventricle (LV). However, progressive pressure overload in AS can initiate a cascade of extra-valvular myocardial remodeling that could also precipitate maladaptive alterations in the structure and function of the right ventricle (RV). The haemodynamic and clinical importance of these changes in patients with AS have been largely underappreciated in the past. Contemporary data indicates that RV dilatation or impairment identifies the AS patients who are at increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement (AVR). It is now increasingly recognised that effective quantitative assessment of the RV plays a key role in delineating the late clinical stage of AS, which could improve patient risk stratification. Despite the increasing emphasis on the pathological significance of RV changes in AS, it remains to be established if earlier detection of these changes can improve the timing for intervention. This review will summarise the features of normal RV physiology and the mechanisms responsible for RV impairment in AS. In addition, we will discuss the multimodality approach to the comprehensive assessment of RV size, function and mechanics in AS patients. Finally, we will review the emerging evidence reinforcing the negative impact of RV dysfunction on clinical outcomes in AS patients treated with AVR.

Similar, but not the same: multiomics comparison of human valve interstitial cells and osteoblast osteogenic differentiation expanded with an estimation of data-dependent and data-independent PASEF proteomics

Osteogenic differentiation is crucial in normal bone formation and pathological calcification, such as calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). Understanding the proteomic and transcriptomic landscapes underlying this differentiation can unveil potential therapeutic targets for CAVD. In this study, we employed RNA sequencing transcriptomics and proteomics on a timsTOF Pro platform to explore the multiomics profiles of valve interstitial cells (VICs) and osteoblasts during osteogenic differentiation. For proteomics, we utilized 3 data acquisition/analysis techniques: data-dependent acquisition (DDA)-parallel accumulation serial fragmentation (PASEF) and data-independent acquisition (DIA)-PASEF with a classic library-based (DIA) and machine learning-based library-free search (DIA-ML). Using RNA sequencing data as a biological reference, we compared these 3 analytical techniques in the context of actual biological experiments. We use this comprehensive dataset to reveal distinct proteomic and transcriptomic profiles between VICs and osteoblasts, highlighting specific biological processes in their osteogenic differentiation pathways. The study identified potential therapeutic targets specific for VICs osteogenic differentiation in CAVD, including the MAOA and ERK1/2 pathway. From a technical perspective, we found that DIA-based methods demonstrate even higher superiority against DDA for more sophisticated human primary cell cultures than it was shown before on HeLa samples. While the classic library-based DIA approach has proved to be a gold standard for shotgun proteomics research, the DIA-ML offers significant advantages with a relatively minor compromise in data reliability, making it the method of choice for routine proteomics.

Prevalence and Prognostic Significance of Malnutrition Risk in Patients With Valvular Heart Disease

Background

Previous studies on the prevalence and prognosis of nutritional status in valvular heart disease (VHD) were primarily limited to aortic stenosis. The nutritional status of other types of VHDs remained an underexplored area.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition risk in different types of VHD and investigate the association between malnutrition risk and adverse clinical events.

Methods

A total of 8,908 patients with moderate or severe VHD in the China-VHD Study underwent echocardiography and malnutrition risk assessment using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). The primary outcome was 2-year all-cause mortality, while the secondary outcome was 2-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

Results

Among 8,908 patients (mean age 61.8 ± 13.4 years; 56% male), approximately half were at risk for malnutrition. Patients with moderate or severe malnutrition risk had significantly higher risks of all-cause death and MACEs in various VHDs than those without malnutrition risk (all P < 0.02). The strongest association was detected in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (mortality, HR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.99 to 5.10, P < 0.001; MACEs, HR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.58 to 3.44, P < 0.001). Adding GNRI score to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation improved risk stratification and outcome prediction (C-statistic P < 0.001; likelihood ratio test P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Malnutrition risk was prevalent in various VHDs and was strongly associated with increased mortality and MACEs. The GNRI score provided incremental prognostic information for clinical outcomes. Future research is needed to evaluate the impact of nutritional interventions on outcomes in these vulnerable patients.

A complexity evaluation system for mitral valve repair based on preoperative echocardiographic and machine learning

BACKGROUND

To develop a novel complexity evaluation system for mitral valve repair based on preoperative echocardiographic data and multiple machine learning algorithms.

METHODS

From March 2021 to March 2023, 231 consecutive patients underwent mitral valve repair. Clinical and echocardiographic data were included in the analysis. The end points included immediate mitral valve repair failure (mitral replacement secondary to mitral repair failure) and recurrence regurgitation (moderate or greater mitral regurgitation [MR] before discharge). Various machine learning algorithms were used to establish the complexity evaluation system.

RESULTS

A total of 231 patients were included in this study; the median ejection fraction was 66% (63-70%), and 159 (68.8%) patients were men. Mitral repair was successful in 90.9% (210 of 231) of patients. The linear support vector classification model has the best prediction results in training and test cohorts and the variables of age, A2 lesions, leaflet height, MR grades, and so on were risk factors for failure of mitral valve repair.

CONCLUSION

The linear support vector classification prediction model may allow the evaluation of the complexity of mitral valve repair. Age, A2 lesions, leaflet height, MR grades, and so on may be associated with mitral repair failure.

Diagnostic Impact of FISHseq as a New Pathologic Criterion for Endocarditis According to the Duke Criteria

Background

For clinicians treating patients with infective endocarditis (IE), identifying the causative microorganisms poses a critical diagnostic challenge. Standard techniques including blood and heart valve cultures often yield inconclusive results. According to the recent 2023 Duke-ISCVID Criteria, molecular methods represent potent tools to enhance this aspect of IE diagnostics and guide subsequent therapeutic strategies.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data from 124 consecutive patients who underwent heart valve surgery due to suspected IE at München Klinik Bogenhausen. The standard diagnostic pathway, which included blood culture, valve culture, histopathological analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing, was compared with the enhanced diagnostic pathway, which included fluorescence in situ hybridization + PCR/sequencing (FISHseq) instead of PCR/sequencing alone. The aim of this study was to assess the added value of combining standard diagnostics with molecular methods such as PCR/sequencing or FISHseq for the diagnosis of IE and the potential impact on therapy.

Results

Standard diagnostic methods and PCR/sequencing yielded inconclusive results in 57/124 cases (46.0%). FISHseq provided an added value for diagnostics in 79/124 cases (63.7%) and potentially would have impacted therapy in 95/124 (76.6%) of cases. By adding data through direct visualization and characterization of microorganisms, FISHseq reduced the number of inconclusive cases by 86.0%.

Conclusions

The comparison of 2 molecular diagnostic tools for IE from the same heart valve emphasizes the value of molecular methods including molecular imaging by FISH for IE diagnostics and supports the 2023 Duke-ISCVID Criteria.

Folic acid modified silver nanoparticles promote endothelialization and inhibit calcification of decellularized heart valves by immunomodulation with anti-bacteria property

Xenogeneic decellularized heart valves (DHVs) have become one of the most commonly used scaffolds for tissue engineered heart valves (TEHVs) due to extensive resources and possessing the distinct three-layer structure similar to native heart valves. However, DHVs as scaffolds face the shortages such as poor mechanical properties, proneness to thrombosis and calcification, difficulty in endothelialization and chronic inflammatory responses etc., which limit their applications in clinic. In this work, we constructed a novel TEHV with immunomodulatory functions by loading folic acid modified silver nanoparticles (FS NPs) on DHVs to overcome these issues. The FS NPs preferentially targeted M1 macrophages and reduced their intracellular H2O2 level, resulting in polarizing them into M2 phenotype. The increased M2 macrophages facilitated to eliminate inflammation, recruit endothelial cells, and promote their proliferation and endothelialization by secreting relative factors. We founded that FS NPs with the size of 80 nm modified DHVs (FSD-80) performed optimally on cytocompatibility and regulating macrophage phenotype ability in vitro. In addition, the FSD-80 had excellent mechanical properties, hemocompatibility and anti-bacteria property. The results of the subcutaneous implantation in rats revealed that the FSD-80 also had good performance in regulating macrophage phenotype, promoting endothelialization, remolding the extracellular matrix and anti-calcification in vivo. Therefore, FS NPs-loaded DHVs possess immunomodulatory functions, which is a feasible and promising strategy for constructing TEHVs with excellent comprehensive performance.

Mitral Valve Repair Versus Replacement in Patients Undergoing Concomitant Aortic Valve Replacement

AIM

Mitral valve repair (MVr) is associated with more favourable long-term outcomes than mitral valve replacement (MVR) in cases of isolated mitral valve disease suitable for repair. However, there is debate regarding whether the superiority of MVr extends to patients with concomitant aortic and mitral valve disease. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted to compare the survival benefits between aortic valve replacement (AVR) plus MVr with a double valve replacement (DVR).

METHOD

A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane until 20 October 2022. Studies comparing MVr and MVR in patients undergoing concomitant AVR were included. The primary outcome was long-term survival. The secondary outcomes were early mortality, mitral valve reoperation, and valve-related adverse events.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies with a total of 140,638 patients were included in this analysis. Patients undergoing AVR plus MVr exhibited a favourable trend in long-term survival (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.71-1.03; p=0.10; I2=58%). The reconstructed Kaplan-Meier curve revealed that the long-term survival at 5, 10, and 15 years was higher in the AVR plus MVr (80.95%, 67.63%, and 51.18%, respectively) than in the DVR group (76.62%, 61.36%, 43.21%, respectively). Aortic valve replacement plus MVr had a lower risk of early mortality (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.58-0.79; p<0.001; I2=77%), thromboembolic events (RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.67-0.98; p=0.03; I2=5%), and haemorrhagic events (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.78-0.98; p=0.01; I2=59%). Moreover, both groups displayed comparable rates of mitral valve reoperation (HR 1.73; 95% CI 0.86-3.48; p=0.13; I2=60%) and infective endocarditis (RR 1.60; 95% CI 0.65-3.93; p=0.31; I2=0%). However, the rate of reoperation for AVR plus MVr significantly increased in rheumatic heart disease patients (HR 3.30, 95% CI 1.66-6.59; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with DVR, AVR plus MVr was associated with favourable long-term survival, reduced early mortality risk, and a lower incidence of thromboembolic and haemorrhagic events without increasing the risk of mitral valve reoperation or infective endocarditis in unselected patients. However, higher reoperation rates were observed in rheumatic heart disease patients undergoing AVR plus MVr.

Approach and Effects of Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair in Women

Mitral valve disease, particularly mitral regurgitation (MR), exhibits significant sex-related differences in disease patterns and clinical presentation, as well as in management and outcomes. Lack of sex-specific parameters to assess the hemodynamic impact of MR may contribute to delayed recognition of disease progression and later referral of women for intervention. Globally, rheumatic heart disease accounts for most of the burden of mitral valve pathology and affects more women than men across all age groups but few studies have explored whether there are underlying sex-related differences in pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of interventions such as percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty.

Mitral Regurgitation Evaluation in Modern Echocardiography: Bridging Standard Techniques and Advanced Tools for Enhanced Assessment

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is one of the most common valvular heart diseases worldwide. Echocardiography remains the first line and most effective imaging modality for the diagnosis of mitral valve (MV) pathology and quantitative assessment of MR. The advent of three-dimensional echocardiography has significantly enhanced the evaluation of MV anatomy and function. Furthermore, recent advancements in cardiovascular imaging software have emerged as step-forward tools, providing a powerful support for acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of cardiac ultrasound images in the context of MR. This review aims to provide an overview of the contemporary workflow for echocardiographic assessment of MR, encompassing standard echocardiographic techniques and the integration of semiautomated and automated ultrasound solutions. These novel approaches include advancements in segmentation, phenotyping, morphological quantification, functional grading, and chamber quantification.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Valvular Heart Disease, 1990 to 2021

BACKGROUND

Valvular heart disease poses an escalating global health challenge with an increasing impact on mortality and disability. This study aims to comprehensively analyze the global burden of valvular heart disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the Global Burden of Disease 2021 data, we analyzed the prevalence and disability-adjusted life years, examining implications across demographics and geographic regions. In 2021, an estimated 54.8 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 43.3-67.6) cases of rheumatic heart disease, 13.3 million (95% UI, 11.4-15.2) cases of nonrheumatic calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), and 15.5 million (95% UI, 14.5-16.7) cases of nonrheumatic degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) were reported globally. Despite the rising prevalence, disability-adjusted life years declined between 1991 and 2021. Among individuals aged 70 years or older, the age-standardized prevalences were 1803.6 per 100 000 (95% UI, 1535.5-2055.7) for CAVD and 2148.9 per 100 000 (95% UI, 2001.4-2310.1) for DMVD. Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest age-standardized prevalence for rheumatic heart disease; Conversely, high-income regions led in CAVD and DMVD prevalence. Rheumatic heart disease had the highest age-standardized prevalence of 1184.2 per 100 000 (95% UI, 932.4-1478.2) in low Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) regions, whereas CAVD peaked at 349.8 per 100 000 (95% UI, 303.6-395.8) in high SDI regions. The most substantial increases in age-standardized prevalences of CAVD from 1990 to 2021 occurred in the middle SDI and low-middle SDI regions. A parallel trend was noted for DMVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Rheumatic heart disease remains a significant burden in low SDI regions, whereas CAVD and DMVD pose challenges in high SDI regions with aging populations.

Calcific Aortic Stenosis: A Review

Importance

Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) restricts the aortic valve opening during systole due to calcification and fibrosis of either a congenital bicuspid or a normal trileaflet aortic valve. In the US, AS affects 1% to 2% of adults older than 65 years and approximately 12% of adults older than 75 years. Worldwide, AS leads to more than 100 000 deaths annually.

Observations

Calcific AS is characterized by aortic valve leaflet lipid infiltration and inflammation with subsequent fibrosis and calcification. Symptoms due to severe AS, such as exercise intolerance, exertional dyspnea, and syncope, are associated with a 1-year mortality rate of up to 50% without aortic valve replacement. Echocardiography can detect AS and measure the severity of aortic valve dysfunction. Although progression rates vary, once aortic velocity is higher than 2 m/s, progression to severe AS occurs typically within 10 years. Severe AS is defined by an aortic velocity 4 m/s or higher, a mean gradient 40 mm Hg or higher, or a valve area less than or equal to 1.0 cm2. Management of mild to moderate AS and asymptomatic severe AS consists of patient education about the typical progression of disease; clinical and echocardiographic surveillance at intervals of 3 to 5 years for mild AS, 1 to 2 years for moderate AS, and 6 to 12 months for severe AS; and treatment of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cigarette smoking as indicated. When a patient with severe AS develops symptoms, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is recommended, which restores an average life expectancy; in patients aged older than 70 years with a low surgical risk, 10-year all-cause mortality was 62.7% with TAVI and 64.0% with SAVR. TAVI is associated with decreased length of hospitalization, more rapid return to normal activities, and less pain compared with SAVR. However, evidence supporting TAVI for patients aged younger than 65 years and long-term outcomes of TAVI are less well defined than for SAVR. For patients with symptomatic severe AS, the 2020 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline recommends SAVR for individuals aged 65 years and younger, SAVR or TAVI for those aged 66 to 79 years, and TAVI for individuals aged 80 years and older or those with an estimated surgical mortality of 8% or higher.

Conclusions

Calcific AS is a common chronic progressive condition among older adults and is diagnosed via echocardiography. Symptomatic patients with severe AS have a mortality rate of up to 50% after 1 year, but treatment with SAVR or TAVI reduces mortality to that of age-matched control patients. The type and timing of valve replacement should be built on evidence-based guidelines, shared decision-making, and involvement of a multidisciplinary heart valve team.

Validity of a smartwatch for detecting atrial fibrillation in patients after heart valve surgery: a prospective observational study

OBJECTIVES

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common early arrhythmia after heart valve surgery that limits physical activity. We aimed to evaluate the criterion validity of the Apple Watch Series 5 single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) for detecting AF in patients after heart valve surgery.

DESIGN

We enrolled 105 patients from the University Hospital of North Norway, of whom 93 completed the study. All patients underwent single-lead ECG using the smartwatch three times or more daily on the second to third or third to fourth postoperative day. These results were compared with continuous 2-4 days ECG telemetry monitoring and a 12-lead ECG on the third postoperative day.

RESULTS

On comparing the Apple Watch ECGs with the ECG monitoring, the sensitivity and specificity to detect AF were 91% (75, 100) and 96% (91, 99), respectively. The accuracy was 95% (91, 99). On comparing Apple Watch ECG with a 12-lead ECG, the sensitivity was 71% (62, 100) and the specificity was 92% (92, 100).

CONCLUSION

The Apple smartwatch single-lead ECG has high sensitivity and specificity, and might be a useful tool for detecting AF in patients after heart valve surgery.

Epidemiology of valvular heart disease in France

BACKGROUND

Demographic changes and improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart diseases (VHDs) have led to changes in its epidemiological profile.

AIMS

To describe the epidemiology of VHD in France in 2022.

METHODS

Adults hospitalized due to VHD in 2022 were identified from the French National Health Data System and categorized by type of VHD on the basis of hospital diagnoses and interventions. Incidence and prevalence rates were calculated using national French demographic data.

RESULTS

In 2022, 51,894 adults (60.1% men) were hospitalized for VHD (97.0/100,000 inhabitants). The most frequently observed hospitalized VHDs were AS (61.6%) and MR (23.2%). The mean age at hospitalization was 74.0years, and this was higher for AS than MR (77.3 vs 71.2years). Infectious endocarditis was managed during the index hospitalization in 13.3% of patients. During the index hospitalization and the following 6months, 75.0% of patients underwent valve repair or replacement. Among hospitalized patients with AS, 56.9% had transcatheter aortic valve implantation and 24.9% had surgical aortic valve replacement. Among patients hospitalized for MR, 27.1% underwent surgical mitral valve repair, 12.7% transcatheter mitral valve repair and 19.1% mitral valve replacement. The all-cause death rate 1year after hospitalization for VHD was 13.7%. Overall, in France, on 1 January 2023, 1.90% of the adult population had VHD (2.08% of men and 1.72% of women). Overall, 363,574 had aortic stenosis (AS) and 409,570 had mitral regurgitation (MR).

CONCLUSION

VHDs are a major burden in France, particularly degenerative valve diseases of the left heart in older adults.

Rheumatic Heart Disease Burden: A Comparative Analysis between the United States and the European Union

Background

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major challenge to global health, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Even though RHD is rare in high-income countries, it still poses a health challenge, yet there is a lack of data on its impact within the highest-income regions.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the epidemiology of RHD in the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU).

Methods

Data on RHD burden were collected using the Global Disease Burden Study 2021 using the Global Health Data Exchange query tool. Age-standardized rates of incidence (ASIR), prevalence (ASPR), death (ASDR), disability-adjusted life years (ASDALY), years lived with disability (ASYLD), and years of life lost (ASYLL) were collected. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated.

Results

In USA in 2021, the ASPR was 123.4/100,000 with a decreasing annual trend of 0.32% since 1993. Between 2021 and 1993, the ASIR decreased from 10.6 to 10.0/100,000 cases. In the EU in 2021, the ASPR was 49.7/100,000 cases, with an annual decreasing trend of 1.6% between 2021 and 1993. Between 2021 and 1993, the ASIR decreased from 7.43 to 4.6/100,000 cases. The changing prevalence and incidence in the US was primarily driven by Florida, Nevada, and Tennessee. There has been a reversal in the burden of RHD since 2007 in the USA. In both regions, there was a significant gender disparity with female predominance. The EU reported higher age-standardized disability-adjusted life years and age-standardized years of life losts than the USA.

Conclusions

The varied trends underscore the complexity of RHD epidemiology and the need for region-specific strategies to address this persistent health challenge.

Noninvasive Imaging for Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is associated with left ventricular (LV) volume and pressure overload, resulting in eccentric LV remodeling and enlargement. This condition may be well tolerated for years before the onset of myocardial dysfunction and symptoms. Echocardiography plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of AR, assessing its mechanism and severity, and detecting LV remodeling. The assessment of AR severity is challenging and frequently requires the integration of information from multiple different measurements to assess the severity. Recent data suggest that echocardiographically derived LV volumes (end-systolic volume index > 45 mL/m2), an ejection fraction threshold of <60%, and abnormal global longitudinal strain may help identify early dysfunction and may be used to improve clinical outcomes. Consequently, these parameters can identify candidates for surgery. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is emerging as a valuable tool for assessing severity when it remains unclear after an echocardiographic evaluation. This review emphasizes the importance of imaging, particularly echocardiography, in the evaluation of AR. It focuses on various echocardiographic parameters, including technical details, and how to integrate them for assessing the mechanism and severity of AR as well as LV remodeling.

Valvular Heart Disease-Related Mortality Between Middle- and High-Income Countries During 2000 to 2019

Background

Valvular heart disease (VHD) management has evolved rapidly in recent decades, but disparities in health care access persist among countries with varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate global mortality trends from VHD and assess the difference between middle- and high-income countries.

Methods

We obtained mortality data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database for VHD and its subgroups (rheumatic valvular disease [RVD], infective endocarditis [IE], aortic stenosis [AS], and mitral regurgitation [MR]) from 2000 to 2019. Age-specific and age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 persons in middle- and high-income countries were calculated, and trends were analyzed using joinpoint regression.

Results

A total of 93 countries (42 middle-income and 51 high-income) were included in the analysis. Both middle- and high-income countries showed an increasing trend in crude VHD mortality rate. In middle-income countries, the age-standardized VHD-related mortality rate was constant (0.0%/year), with decreasing RVD (-2.7%/year) and increasing IE, AS, and MR (0.8%/year, 2.0%/year, and 2.2%/year, respectively). In high-income countries, the age-standardized VHD-related mortality rate was decreasing (-0.6%/year). However, there was a rapid increase in mortality rate from IE in age ≤39 years after 2009 (7.0%/year). Moreover, there was a decreasing mortality rate from AS after 2015 but an increasing rate from MR after 2013, particularly in age ≥80 years.

Conclusions

Our study identified a rising burden of VHD-related mortality worldwide. The distribution and trends of VHD mortality differed between middle- and high-income countries. Further investigation is needed to understand the underlying etiology of these varying mortality trends in VHD and its subgroups.

Valvular Heart Disease Care in Pakistan: Impact of the Multidisciplinary Valve Heart Team

Background

Patients with complex valvular heart disease (VHD) should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary heart team (HT). In low- and middle-income countries, referral practices are more variable, permitting any physician to refer patients directly to a cardiac surgeon without prior formal evaluation by a cardiologist with expertise in VHD.

Objectives

The goal of the study was to examine the demographics of VHD patients seen in a large heart valve center in a low- and middle-income country and to assess the impact of the multidisciplinary HT in patients referred for valve surgery.

Methods

Over a 20-month period, all patients with VHD seen in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (Karachi, Pakistan) outpatient cardiovascular surgery clinic were referred to the heart valve center and assessed by a multidisciplinary HT. The multidisciplinary HT developed individualized plans for each patient.

Results

A total of 2,003 patients (52.8% female, mean age: 43.9 ± 14.4 years) were enrolled. Rheumatic heart disease was identified as the predominant cause of mitral valve disease, whereas bicuspid valve was the most common cause of significant aortic stenosis. All patients had been referred for valve surgery. Based on the HT's evaluation, 1,521 patients (76%) were deemed suitable for surgery, 335 patients (17%) were recommended for medical therapy, and 147 patients (7%) were considered candidates for transcatheter treatments. Notably, the HT reclassified the management strategies for 24% of the patients, all of whom had initially been referred for surgical intervention.

Conclusions

The integration of collaborative decision-making through a multidisciplinary HT led to individualized and tailored treatment strategies, with a significant proportion of patients receiving alternative interventions or medical management instead of surgery.

Butterfly-Inspired Multiple Cross-Linked Dopamine-Metal-Phenol Bioprosthetic Valves with Enhanced Endothelialization and Anticalcification

Valve replacement is the most effective means of treating heart valve diseases, and transcatheter heart valve replacement (THVR) is the hottest field at present. However, the durability of the commercial bioprosthetic valves has always been the limiting factor restricting the development of interventional valve technology. The chronic inflammatory reaction, calcification, and difficulty in endothelialization after the implantation of a glutaraldehyde cross-linked porcine aortic valve or bovine pericardium often led to valve degeneration. Improving the biocompatibility of valve materials and inducing endothelialization to promote in situ regeneration can extend the service life of valve materials. Herein, inspired by the hardening process of butterfly wings, this study proposed a dopamine-metal-phenol strategy to modify decellularized porcine pericardium (DPP). This is a strategy to make dopamine (DA) coordinate trivalent metal chromium ions (Cr(III)) with antiplatelets (PLTs) and anti-inflammatory properties, and then cross-link it with tea polyphenols (TP) to generate a valve scaffold that is mechanically comparable to glutaraldehyde-cross-linked scaffolds but avoids the cytotoxicity of aldehyde and presents better biocompatibility, hemocompatibility, anticalcification, and anti-inflammatory response properties.

Survival loss linked to guideline-based indications for degenerative mitral regurgitation surgery

AIMS

Operating on patients with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) is based on ACC/AHA or ESC/EACTS guidelines. Doubts persist on best surgical indications and their potential association with postoperative survival loss. We sought to investigate whether guideline-based indications lead to late postoperative survival loss in DMR patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed outcome of 2833 patients from the Mitral Regurgitation International Database registry undergoing surgical correction of DMR. Patients were stratified by surgical indications: Class I trigger (symptoms, left ventricular end-systolic diameter ≥ 40 mm, or left ventricular ejection fraction < 60%, n = 1677), isolated Class IIa trigger [atrial fibrillation (AF), pulmonary hypertension (PH), or left atrial diameter ≥ 55 mm, n = 568], or no trigger (n = 588). Postoperative survival was compared after matching for clinical differences. Restricted mean survival time (RMST) was analysed. During a median 8.5-year follow-up, 603 deaths occurred. Long-term postoperative survival was lower with Class I trigger than in Class IIa trigger and no trigger (71.4 ± 1.9, 84.3 ± 2.3, and 88.9 ± 1.9% at 10 years, P < 0.001). Having at least one Class I criterion led to excess mortality (P < 0.001), while several Class I criteria conferred additional death risk [hazard ratio (HR): 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42-1.66]. Isolated Class IIa triggers conferred an excess mortality risk vs. those without (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.00-2.13, P = 0.05). Among these patients, isolated PH led to decreased postoperative survival vs. those without (83.7 ± 2.8% vs. 89.3 ± 1.6%, P = 0.011), with the same pattern observed for AF (81.8 ± 5.0% vs. 88.3 ± 1.5%, P = 0.023). According to RMST analysis, compare to those operated on without triggers, operating on Class I trigger patients led to 9.4-month survival loss (P < 0.001) and operating on isolated Class IIa trigger patients displayed 4.9-month survival loss (P = 0.001) after 10 years.

CONCLUSION

Waiting for the onset of Class I or isolated Class IIa triggers before operating on DMR patients is associated with postoperative survival loss. These data encourage an early surgical strategy.

Contemporary diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease in Korea: a nationwide hospital-based registry study

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to determine the current status of diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease (VHD) in Korea.

METHODS

A nationwide registry study was conducted in 45 hospitals in Korea involving adult patients with at least moderate VHD as determined by echocardiography carried out between September and October of 2019. Of a total of 4,094 patients with at least moderate VHD, 1,482 had severe VHD (age, 71.3 ± 13.5 years; 49.1% male). Echocardiographic data used for the diagnosis of each case of VHD were analyzed. Experts from each center determined the diagnosis and treatment strategy for VHD based on current guidelines and institutional policy. The clinical outcome was in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Each valve underwent surgical or transcatheter intervention in 19.3% cases of severe mitral stenosis, 31.4% cases of severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR), 7.5% cases of severe secondary MR, 43.7% cases of severe aortic stenosis, 27.5% cases of severe aortic regurgitation, and 7.2% cases of severe tricuspid regurgitation. The overall in-hospital mortality rate for patients with severe VHD was 5.4%, and for secondary severe MR and severe tricuspid regurgitation, the rates were 9.0% and 7.5%, respectively, indicating a poor prognosis. In-hospital mortality occurred in 73 of the 1,244 patients (5.9%) who received conservative treatment and in 18 of the 455 patients (4.0%) who received a surgical or transcatheter intervention, which was significantly lower in the intervention group (P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides important information about the current status of VHD diagnosis and treatment through a nationwide registry in Korea and helps to define future changes.

The role of pre-existing left-sided valvular heart disease in the prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and valvular heart disease (VHD) are the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The epidemiology of VHD has changed in recent decades with an aging population, increasing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and migration, all of which have a significant implifications for healthcare systems. Due to common pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors, AMI and VHD often coexist. These patients have more complicated clinical characteristics, in-hospital course and outcomes, and are less likely to receive guideline-directed therapy. Because of the reciprocal negative pathophysiological influence, these patients need to be referred to VHD specialists and further discussed within the Heart team to assess the need for earlier intervention. Since the results of the number of studies show that one third of the patients are referred to the heart teams either too early or too late, there is a need to better define the communication networks between the treating physicians, including internists, general practitioners, outpatient cardiologists and heart teams, after the discharge of patients with pre-existing VHD and AMI.

Computational modelling of valvular heart disease: haemodynamic insights and clinical implications

An aging population and an increasing incidence of cardiovascular risk factors form the basis for a global rising prevalence of valvular heart disease (VHD). Research to further our understanding of the pathophysiology of VHD is often confined to the clinical setting. However, in recent years, sophisticated computational models of the cardiovascular system have been increasingly used to investigate a variety of VHD states. Computational modelling provides new opportunities to gain insights into pathophysiological processes that may otherwise be difficult, or even impossible, to attain in human or animal studies. Simulations of co-existing cardiac pathologies, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and mixed valvular disease, have unveiled new insights that can inform clinical research and practice. More recently, advancements have been made in using models for making patient-specific diagnostic predictions. This review showcases valuable insights gained from computational studies on VHD and their clinical implications.

Age-related changes in mitral annular disjunction: A retrospective analysis using enhanced cardiac CT

AIMS

The current recognition of mitral annular disjunction (MAD) as an anatomical abnormality potentially associated with ventricular arrhythmias has sparked controversy regarding its prevalence and clinical implications. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and extent of MAD in individuals with no significant structural abnormalities involving the left heart using enhanced cardiac CT, while also exploring potential factors, such as age, that may be associated with MAD.

METHODS

Systolic datasets of cardiac CT from 742 subjects were retrospectively included. MAD was determined by rotating orthogonal multiplanar reconstruction images around the central axis of the mitral annulus. The maximal distance of disjunction (DMAD) and segments involved (SI, 0 to 5 basal segments at left ventricular wall) was quantified to evaluate the extent of separation.

RESULTS

In total, 449 (60.5%) had MAD. Subjects with MAD were significantly older (51.3 ± 19.9 years vs. 29.6 ± 20.3 years, P < 0.001). Age was found to be an independent relevant factor for MAD (OR = 1.059; 95%CI: 1.033, 1.085; P < 0.001). Subjects with MAD were then divided into 4 subgroups (G1: ≤20 years, G2: 21-40 years, G3: 41-60 years, G4: ≥61 years). DMAD and SI of each age subgroup were 1.9 ± 0.2 mm, 2.0 ± 1.2 (G1, n = 36), 2.7 ± 0.8 mm, 2.9 ± 1.3 (G2, n = 51), 3.0 ± 0.8 mm, 3.0 ± 1.3 (G3, n = 183), and 3.0 ± 1.0 mm, 3.7 ± 1.1 (G4, n = 179). Age was an independent relevant factor associated with DMAD (R2 = 0.132; β = 0.014; 95%CI: 0.004, 0.024; P = 0.007) and SI (OR = 1.030; 95%CI: 1.005, 1.055; P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

MAD is a common finding on cardiac CT. Its prevalence and extent increase with age.

A recurrent neural network and parallel hidden Markov model algorithm to segment and detect heart murmurs in phonocardiograms

The detection of heart disease using a stethoscope requires significant skill and time, making it expensive and impractical for widespread screening in low-resource environments. Machine learning analysis of heart sound recordings can improve upon the accessibility and accuracy of diagnoses, but existing approaches require further validation on larger and more representative clinical datasets. For many previous algorithms, segmenting the signal into its individual sound components is a key first step. However, segmentation algorithms often struggle to find S1 or S2 sounds in the presence of strong murmurs or noise that significantly alter or mask the expected sound. Segmentation errors then propagate to the subsequent disease classifier steps. We propose a novel recurrent neural network and hidden semi-Markov model (HSMM) algorithm that can both segment the signal and detect a heart murmur, removing the need for a two-stage algorithm. This algorithm formed the 'CUED_Acoustics' entry to the 2022 George B. Moody PhysioNet challenge, where it won the first prize in both the challenge tasks. The algorithm's performance exceeded that of many end-to-end deep learning approaches that struggled to generalise to new test data. As our approach both segments the heart sound and detects a murmur, it can provide interpretable predictions for a clinician. The model also estimates the signal quality of the recording, which may be useful for a screening environment where non-experts are using a stethoscope. These properties make the algorithm a promising tool for screening of abnormal heart murmurs.

Quantification of Replacement Fibrosis in Aortic Stenosis: A Narrative Review on the Utility of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with the development of replacement myocardial fibrosis/scar. Given the dose-dependent relationship between scar and clinical outcomes after aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery, scar quantity may serve as an important risk-stratification tool to aid decision-making on the optimal timing of AVR. Scar is non-invasively assessed and quantified by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Several quantification techniques exist, and consensus on the optimal technique is lacking. These techniques range from a visual manual method to fully automated ones. This review describes the different scar quantification techniques used and highlights their strengths and shortfalls within the context of AS. The two most commonly used techniques in AS include the semi-automated signal threshold versus reference mean (STRM) and full-width half-maximum (FWHM) techniques. The accuracy and reproducibility of these techniques may be hindered in AS by the coexistence of diffuse interstitial fibrosis and the presence of relatively small, non-bright scars. The validation of these techniques against histology, which is the current gold standard for scar quantification in AS, is limited. Based on the best current evidence, the STRM method using a threshold of three standard deviations above the mean signal intensity of remote myocardium is recommended. The high reproducibility of the FWHM technique in non-AS cohorts has been shown and merits further evaluation within the context of AS. Future directions include the use of quantitative T1 mapping for the detection and quantification of scar, as well as the development of serum biomarkers that reflect the fibrotic status of the myocardium in AS.

Polymeric artificial heart valves derived from modified diol-based polycarbonate polyurethanes

A series of polycarbonate silicone polyurethanes (SiPCUs) have been synthesized to develop elastomers with the mechanical properties, biostability, and biocompatibility required for artificial heart valve manufacturing. In these SiPCUs, the polar functional group 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (HMDI) was incorporated into the soft segment 1,6-poly (hexamethylene carbonate) diol (PCDL) to form the modified macromolecular diol, PCDL-HMDI-PCDL. The hard segment consisted of HMDI and the chain extenders 1,4-butanediol and 1,3-bis(4-hydroxybutyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl disiloxane (BHTD). The synthesized PHC-PCUB improves the excessive microphase separation caused by the introduction of PDMS. This material possesses good physicochemical properties, long-term oxidative degradation stability, and comparatively low mechanical performance loss after degradation. Compared to the commercially available bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) material Glut-PP, PHC-PCUB demonstrated enhanced biocompatibility, good thromboresistant properties, less calcification, and higher endothelial cell adhesion. Furthermore, valve prototypes fabricated with PHC-PCUB showed improved hemodynamic performance under various simulated conditions, highlighting the potential of PHC-PCUB as an advanced material for valve leaflets. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Artificial heart valves are crucial for treating valve diseases, and polyurethane-based valves present a promising alternative due to their durability, strong biocompatibility, and customizable properties. This study improves the biostability and post-degradation mechanical properties of siloxane polyurethanes by reducing the content of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and adding modified diol (PCDL-HMDI-PCDL). By integrating hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and chain extenders, we developed polycarbonate siloxane polyurethanes (SiPCUs) that improve phase mixing, mechanical strength, and oxidative stability. These SiPCUs also exhibit good thromboresistance and calcification resistance, low cytotoxicity, and promote cell adhesion, positioning them as highly promising materials for heart valve leaflets, effectively addressing the limitations of current mechanical and bioprosthetic valves.