Myocardial adaptation after surgical therapy differs for aortic valve stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Comprehensive Plasma Proteomic Profiling Reveals Differentially Regulated Signaling Pathways Underlying Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Between Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Aortic Stenosis

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common genetic myocardial disease, characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) due to sarcomeric mutations. Aortic stenosis (AS) results in concentric LVH, due to pressure overload. The aim of this study was to identify signaling pathways differentially regulated in HCM compared to AS, using plasma proteomic profiling. 76 HCM cases and 36 AS controls were matched by age and sex. A machine-learning (ML) model to predict HCM was built in the training set (70% cohort) and examined in the test set (30% cohort). Pathway analysis of proteins differentially expressed between HCM and AS was performed. The ML model accurately distinguished HCM from AS, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.79-1.00). Pathway analysis revealed differential regulation of Ras-MAPK, inflammatory and metabolic pathways. In conclusion, this study identified distinctive proteomic profiles and signaling pathways underlying LVH in HCM compared to AS.

Echocardiographic Changes Following Surgical Myectomy in Severely Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Insights From the SPIRIT-HCM Study

BACKGROUND

In obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myectomy improves symptoms, quality of life, and left ventricular (LV) outflow tract gradients. We prospectively evaluated the temporal changes in various echo parameters after myectomy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 173 adults with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (53±10 years, 63% men) who underwent myectomy between March 2017 and June 2020, clinical and blinded echo assessment (before and at 12±6 months follow-up) was performed prospectively (SPIRIT-HCM [Quality of Life and Functional Capacity Following Septal Myectomy in Obstructive Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy]). Changes in echocardiographic parameters (left atrial volume index, E/e', LV outflow tract gradients, along with average LV global longitudinal strain on apical 2-, 3-, and 4-chamber views and regional LV strain from apical 4-chamber view) were measured in 126 patients. There was significant improvement in left atrial volume index (-6.9 mL/m2 [95% CI, 4-9.7]), E/e' (-2.9 [95% CI, -2.7 to -4.1]) and peak LV outflow tract gradient (-94 mm Hg [95% CI -87 to -100]) from baseline to follow-up (both P<0.001). There was no improvement in basal (0.91% [95% CI, -0.15 to 1.97], P=0.09) and midseptal (-0.98% [95% CI, -1.93 to 0.02], P=0.05) LV strain, worsening in apical septal strain (-4.5% [95% CI, -5.9 to -3.0], P<0.001) and an improvement in LV free wall strain (2.3% [95% CI, 0.67-3.9], P<0.001), with no change in overall LV-global longitudinal strain (0.47% [95% CI, -0.43 to 1.37], P=0.30). There was no correlation between change in LV-global longitudinal strain and change in 6-minute walk time (r=0.12, P=0.24) or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire summary score change (r=0.02, P=0.85), whereas it was significantly associated with change in E/e' (r=0.29, P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myectomy improved various echocardiography parameters at 1-year; however, LV-global longitudinal strain remained unchanged.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03092843.

Serial Changes in Ventricular Strain in Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Treated With Mavacamten: Insights From the VALOR-HCM Trial

BACKGROUND

In severely symptomatic patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, VALOR-HCM (A Study to Evaluate Mavacamten in Adults With Symptomatic Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Who Are Eligible for Septal Reduction Therapy) demonstrated that mavacamten reduces the need for septal reduction therapy with sustained improvement in left ventricular (LV) outflow tract gradients and symptoms. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), a measure of regional myocardial function, is a more sensitive marker of systolic function. In VALOR-HCM, we assessed serial changes in LV and right ventricular (RV) strain.

METHODS

VALOR-HCM included 112 patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (mean, 60 years; 51% male; LV ejection fraction, 68%). Patients assigned to mavacamten at baseline continued the drug for 56 weeks (n=56) and those assigned to placebo (n=52) transitioned to mavacamten from weeks 16 to 56 (40-week exposure). LV-GLS and RV-GLS assessment was performed using a vendor-neutral software. Non-foreshortened apical (4-, 3-, and 2-chamber) views were used to obtain peak LV-GLS. RV focused 4-chamber view was used to calculate RV 4-chamber and free wall strain. A more negative strain value is favorable.

RESULTS

At baseline, the mean LV-GLS, RV 4-chamber, and free wall strain values were -14.7%, -22.2%, and -16.8%, respectively (all worse than reported normal means). In the total study sample, LV-GLS significantly improved from baseline to week 56 (P=0.02). Twelve patients had transient reduction in LV ejection fraction (<50%) requiring temporary drug interruption (including 3 permanent discontinuations). The LV-GLS in this subgroup was worse at baseline versus total study population (-11.4%), with no significant worsening from baseline through week 56 (P=0.64). Both free wall and 4-chamber RV-GLS remained unchanged from baseline to week 56 (P=0.62 and P=0.56, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In VALOR-HCM, treatment with mavacamten improved LV-GLS from baseline through week 56 (with no significant worsening of LV-GLS in patients with a reduction in LV ejection fraction ≤50%), suggesting a favorable long-term impact on regional LV systolic function. Additionally, there was no detrimental impact on RV systolic function.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04349072.

Effects of septal myectomy on left atrial and left ventricular function in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

AIMS

Mechanical function of the left atrium (LA) and the left ventricle (LV) has been demonstrated to be a prognostic factor in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We explore whether myocardial mechanical function can be improved by septal reduction therapy in symptomatic obstructive HCM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Among 65 patients who underwent septal myectomy for symptomatic obstructive HCM from 2006 to 2022, 44 were analysed after excluding those who underwent simultaneous valve repair or replacement or maze operation. LA and LV functional variables including LA strain and LV global longitudinal strain were evaluated by two-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography and compared before and 1 year after surgery. After septal myectomy, LA volume index (58.1 ± 18.3 vs. 45.3 ± 14.6 mL/m2 , P = 0.001) decreased significantly. As LV end-systolic dimension increased after surgery, the LV ejection fraction decreased (73.8 ± 6.7 vs. 62.9 ± 8.3%, P < 0.001). LA strain (24.4 ± 9.3 vs. 30.5 ± 13.6%, P = 0.004) improved after septal myectomy, but LV global longitudinal strain deteriorated (-12.6 ± 3.6 vs. -11.6 ± 4.3%, P = 0.033), mainly related to worsening non-septal longitudinal strain (-14.4 ± 4.3 vs. -10.9 ± 8.4%, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

As haemodynamic loads due to LV outflow tract obstruction was relieved through surgical septal reduction therapy in patients with symptomatic obstructive HCM, there was a significant reduction in LA volume and restoration of LA mechanical dysfunction. However, LV mechanical dysfunction deteriorated even after surgical septal reduction therapy.

Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Patients Diagnosed With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy During Childhood: Insights From the SHaRe Registry

BACKGROUND

The development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is rare but serious and associated with poor outcomes in adults. Little is known about the prevalence, predictors, and prognosis of LVSD in patients diagnosed with HCM as children.

METHODS

Data from patients with HCM in the international, multicenter SHaRe (Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry) were analyzed. LVSD was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction <50% on echocardiographic reports. Prognosis was assessed by a composite of death, cardiac transplantation, and left ventricular assist device implantation. Predictors of developing incident LVSD and subsequent prognosis with LVSD were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

We studied 1010 patients diagnosed with HCM during childhood (<18 years of age) and compared them with 6741 patients with HCM diagnosed as adults. In the pediatric HCM cohort, median age at HCM diagnosis was 12.7 years (interquartile range, 8.0-15.3), and 393 (36%) patients were female. At initial SHaRe site evaluation, 56 (5.5%) patients with childhood-diagnosed HCM had prevalent LVSD, and 92 (9.1%) developed incident LVSD during a median follow-up of 5.5 years. Overall LVSD prevalence was 14.7% compared with 8.7% in patients with adult-diagnosed HCM. Median age at incident LVSD was 32.6 years (interquartile range, 21.3-41.6) for the pediatric cohort and 57.2 years (interquartile range, 47.3-66.5) for the adult cohort. Predictors of developing incident LVSD in childhood-diagnosed HCM included age <12 years at HCM diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.72 [CI, 1.13-2.62), male sex (HR, 3.1 [CI, 1.88-5.2), carrying a pathogenic sarcomere variant (HR, 2.19 [CI, 1.08-4.4]), previous septal reduction therapy (HR, 2.34 [CI, 1.42-3.9]), and lower initial left ventricular ejection fraction (HR, 1.53 [CI, 1.38-1.69] per 5% decrease). Forty percent of patients with LVSD and HCM diagnosed during childhood met the composite outcome, with higher rates in female participants (HR, 2.60 [CI, 1.41-4.78]) and patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction <35% (HR, 3.76 [2.16-6.52]).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with childhood-diagnosed HCM have a significantly higher lifetime risk of developing LVSD, and LVSD emerges earlier than for patients with adult-diagnosed HCM. Regardless of age at diagnosis with HCM or LVSD, the prognosis with LVSD is poor, warranting careful surveillance for LVSD, especially as children with HCM transition to adult care.

Prospects for remodeling the hypertrophic heart with myosin modulators

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex but relatively common genetic disease that usually arises from pathogenic variants that disrupt sarcomere function and lead to variable structural, hypertrophic, and fibrotic remodeling of the heart which result in substantial adverse clinical outcomes including arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. HCM has had few effective treatments with the potential to ameliorate disease progression until the recent advent of inhibitory myosin modulators like mavacamten. Preclinical investigations and clinical trials utilizing this treatment targeted to this specific pathophysiological mechanism of sarcomere hypercontractility in HCM have confirmed that myosin modulators can alter disease expression and attenuate hypertrophic remodeling. Here, we summarize the state of hypertrophic remodeling and consider the arguments for and against salutary HCM disease modification using targeted myosin modulators. Further, we consider critical unanswered questions for future investigative and therapeutic avenues in HCM disease modification. We are at the precipice of a new era in understanding and treating HCM, with the potential to target agents toward modifying disease expression and natural history of this most common inherited disease of the heart.

Left Ventricular Myocardial Remodeling and Prognostic Marker Derived from Postmyectomy Cardiac MRI Feature Tracking in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

Purpose

To investigate myocardial remodeling using cardiac MRI (CMR) feature tracking (FT) and to explore the relationship between CMR parameters with outcomes in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) after myectomy.

Materials and Methods

In this single-center retrospective study, patients with HOCM undergoing myectomy between 2011 and 2019 were included. Pre- and postmyectomy global and regional strains were compared. Healthy participants were included for comparison. Composite events were recorded at follow-up performed after a minimum of 12 months. The paired-samples t test was utilized to compare pre- and postmyectomy variables.

Results

A total of 73 patients (44 years ± 14 [SD]; 45 men) were evaluated. Compared with preoperative parameters, global circumferential strain (CS) (-17.6% ± 4.4 vs -16.7% ± 3.9, P = .02) was impaired, but global longitudinal strain (LS) was improved (-9.3% ± 2.8 vs -10.8% ± 3.3, P < .001). Septal CS (-14.2% ± 4.0 vs -11.0% ± 4.4, P < .001) and septal radial strain (RS) (16.4% ± 10.6 vs 13.7% ± 9.5, P = .007) worsened, while septal LS (-8.1% ± 3.5 vs -10.2% ± 3.4, P < .001), lateral RS (40.1% ± 16.6 vs 54.4% ± 22.6, P < .001), lateral CS (-20.2% ± 4.1 vs -23.1% ± 4.8, P < .001), and lateral LS (-5.6% ± 5.6 vs -8.4% ± 5.2, P = .001) were improved. Sixteen of 73 patients (22%) experienced composite events after median follow-up of 39.1 months. Postoperative global CS provided the highest discrimination for composite event occurrence (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.73; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.83) with a cutoff of -16.7%. Patients with postoperative global CS greater than -16.7% had reduced event-free survival compared with those with postoperative global CS less than or equal to -16.7% (log-rank P = .002).

Conclusion

CMR-FT analysis demonstrated longitudinal and lateral restorations, but impaired global CS, after myectomy in patients with HOCM; furthermore, increased global CS was associated with poorer outcomes.Keywords: MR Imaging, Cardiac, Outcomes Analysis, Comparative Studies, Surgery© RSNA, 2022 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: Insights From the SHaRe Registry

BACKGROUND

The term "end stage" has been used to describe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), defined as occurring when left ventricular ejection fraction is <50%. The prognosis of HCM-LVSD has reportedly been poor, but because of its relative rarity, the natural history remains incompletely characterized.

METHODS

Data from 11 high-volume HCM specialty centers making up the international SHaRe Registry (Sarcomeric Human Cardiomyopathy Registry) were used to describe the natural history of patients with HCM-LVSD. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of prognosis and incident development.

RESULTS

From a cohort of 6793 patients with HCM, 553 (8%) met the criteria for HCM-LVSD. Overall, 75% of patients with HCM-LVSD experienced clinically relevant events, and 35% met the composite outcome (all-cause death [n=128], cardiac transplantation [n=55], or left ventricular assist device implantation [n=9]). After recognition of HCM-LVSD, the median time to composite outcome was 8.4 years. However, there was substantial individual variation in natural history. Significant predictors of the composite outcome included the presence of multiple pathogenic/likely pathogenic sarcomeric variants (hazard ratio [HR], 5.6 [95% CI, 2.3-13.5]), atrial fibrillation (HR, 2.6 [95% CI, 1.7-3.5]), and left ventricular ejection fraction <35% (HR, 2.0 [95% CI, 1.3-2.8]). The incidence of new HCM-LVSD was ≈7.5% over 15 years. Significant predictors of developing incident HCM-LVSD included greater left ventricular cavity size (HR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0-1.3] and wall thickness (HR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.1-1.4]), left ventricular ejection fraction of 50% to 60% (HR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.2, 2.8]-2.8 [95% CI, 1.8-4.2]) at baseline evaluation, the presence of late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (HR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.0-4.9]), and the presence of a pathogenic/likely pathogenic sarcomeric variant, particularly in thin filament genes (HR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.0-2.1] and 2.5 [95% CI, 1.2-5.1], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

HCM-LVSD affects ≈8% of patients with HCM. Although the natural history of HCM-LVSD was variable, 75% of patients experienced adverse events, including 35% experiencing a death equivalent an estimated median time of 8.4 years after developing systolic dysfunction. In addition to clinical features, genetic substrate appears to play a role in both prognosis (multiple sarcomeric variants) and the risk for incident development of HCM-LVSD (thin filament variants).