Localization of mitral periprosthetic leaks by transesophageal echocardiography

Utility of Real-Time 3-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Assessment of Mitral Paravalvular Leak

BACKGROUND

Mitral paravalvular leak (PVL) is a potential complication of surgical valve replacement procedures. Real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3DTEE) has emerged as an efficient tool for providing essential information about the anatomy of mitral PVLs compared with 2DTEE findings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of RT-3DTEE in the assessment of mitral PVLs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The 3D characteristics of PVLs were recorded and compared with 2D findings. We included 34 consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of mitral PVL in the study. Mitral PVLs were detected in 26 patients (76%); 26 PVLs were identified by 2DTEE and 37 by RT-3DTEE. Moderate or severe mitral regurgitation was present in 23 patients (88%). The most common PVL locations were the septal and posterior regions. The median PVL size measured by RT-3DTEE was 7 mm long×4 mm wide. The median vena contracta of defect measured by 2DTEE and RT-3DTEE was 5 mm and 4 mm, respectively. The median effective regurgitant orifice area of defect measured by RT-3DTEE was 0.36 cm(2). The defect types were "oval" (54%), "round" (35%), "crescentic" (8%) and highly irregular (3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with 2DTEE, RT-3DTEE provided detailed descriptions of the number, location, size and morphology of PVLs, which is essential for planning and guiding the potential corrective techniques. (Circ J 2016; 80: 738-744).

Percutaneous closure of perivalvular mitral regurgitation: how should the interventionalists and the echocardiographers communicate?

There is considerable interest in percutaneous closure of perivalvular leaks without the need for repeat surgery. Successful percutaneous closure of these defects requires extensive planning and coordination before and during the procedure. However, there is no standardized description of valve pathology in the presence of a prosthetic valve, which adds to the challenge of communication. Transesophageal echocardiography is ideally suited to guide percutaneous mitral valve procedures, because of the proximity of the mitral valve to the esophagus. Successful percutaneous procedures of the mitral valve require teamwork. Both the interventionalist and the echocardiographer must have great familiarity with mitral valve anatomy, structure, and function, and they must know how to effectively communicate with each other. The authors review the relevant periprocedural mapping of the mitral valve and provide guidance to echocardiographers and interventionalists on effective ways to communicate during percutaneous perivalvular mitral leak closures to accomplish a successful outcome.

Intraoperative echocardiography in valvular heart disease: an evidence-based appraisal

Intraoperative (IO) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is widely used for assessing the results of valvular heart disease (VHD) surgery. Epiaortic ultrasonography (EAU) has been recommended for prevention of perioperative strokes. To what extent does high-quality evidence justify the widespread use of these imaging modalities? In March 2009, we searched MEDLINE (PubMed and OVID interfaces) and EMBASE for studies published in English using database-specific controlled vocabulary describing the concepts of IOTEE, cardiac surgery, VHD, and EAU. We found no randomized trials or studies with control groups assessing the impact of IOTEE in VHD surgery. Pooled analysis of 8 observational studies including 15,540 patients showed an average incidence of 11% for prebypass surgical changes and 4% for second pump runs, suggesting that patients undergoing VHD surgery may benefit significantly from IOTEE, particularly from postcardiopulmonary bypass IOTEE in aortic repair and mitral repair and replacement, but less so in isolated aortic replacement. Further available indirect evidence was satisfactory in the test accuracy and surgical quality control aspects, with low complication rates for IOTEE. The data supporting EAU included 12,687 patients in 2 prospective randomized studies and 4 nonrandomized, controlled studies, producing inconsistent outcome-related results. Despite low-quality scientific evidence supporting IOTEE in VHD surgery, we conclude that indirect evidence supporting its use is satisfactory and suggests that IOTEE may offer considerable benefit in valvular repairs and mitral replacements. The value of IOTEE in isolated aortic valve replacement remains less clear. Evidence supporting EAU is scientifically more robust but conflicting. These findings have important clinical policy and research implications.

Usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography in percutaneous transcatheter repairs of paravalvular mitral regurgitation

This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as a guide in the percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of paravalvular defects and in subsequent follow-up. In 27 consecutive patients with mitral paravalvular leaks with significant regurgitation considered to be poor surgical candidates who were treated with percutaneous closure of the defects, TEE was performed before and during the procedure. If the device was successfully positioned, a reevaluation was made 1 month later. Events occurring during the procedure and 1-month follow-up were recorded. The device was correctly positioned in 17 of the patients (63%). TEE enabled the detection of complications (intraprosthetic insufficiencies due to passing the guide through the prosthesis, blockade of the prosthesis, etc.). It also confirmed the correct canalization of the leak with the catheter and the position of the device. In 8 patients (47% of patients with successful implantation), the degree of regurgitation was substantially reduced after 1 month. In conclusion, TEE is a fundamental technique when considering the percutaneous treatment of paravalvular leaks in patients with high surgical risk. It provides essential information on the characteristics of the dehiscence during implantation and follow-up.

Mitral valve periprosthetic leakage: anatomical observations in 135 patients from a multicentre study

OBJECTIVE

Prosthetic valve dysfunction after mitral valve replacement (MVR) may be caused by several factors, which often lead to repeated surgery. One of the most frequent determinants of reoperation is periprosthetic leakage (PPL). A few published reports have analysed PPL incidence and postoperative results after MVR, but no specific attention has been paid towards the potential relation between anatomical factors and PPL occurrence, particularly not bacterial-related. The aim of this study was to evaluate the location of PPL after MVR through a multicentre retrospective study.

METHODS

Between January 1985 and November 2005, 135 patients underwent reoperation at four institutions because of PPL after MVR and met the study inclusion criteria. The mitral valve annulus (MVA) was analysed in a clockwise format, indicating 12 o'clock as the mid-point of anterior annulus as viewed from the atrium.

RESULTS

Overall hospital mortality was 3.7% (five patients). Repair of PPL was carried out in 83 cases whereas prosthetic valve replacement was necessary in 52 cases. The total number of sectors involved in PPL was 244. PPL occurred more frequently between hour 5 and hour 6, and hour 10 and hour 11, with the risk of leakage being, 2.8 and 2.0 times higher, respectively, than in any other portion of the MVA.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that PPL occurs more frequently at antero-lateral and postero-medial segments of MVA. This finding might be linked to unusual anatomical and functional factors of the MVA and may call for adjunctive care to these sectors of MVA when performing suture placement during MVR.

The use of echocardiography in the critical care setting

Echocardiography has become an invaluable tool in the management of critically ill patients. Its safety and portability allow for use at the bedside to provide rapid, detailed information regarding the cardiovascular system. Echocardiography can elucidate cardiac structure and mechanical function. Recently, the power of clinical echocardiography has been augmented by the use of Doppler techniques to evaluate cardiovascular hemodynamics. An in-depth understanding of the proper use of echocardiography is a prerequisite for the intensivist.

Paravalvular leakage after mitral valve replacement: improved long-term survival with aggressive surgery?

BACKGROUND

Following mitral valve replacement, surgical closure of paravalvular leaks is usually advised in severely symptomatic patients and in those requiring blood transfusions for persisting haemolysis. However, the long-term prognosis of less symptomatic patients or those not needing blood transfusions is unknown.

METHODS

Between 1987 and 1997, we observed 96 patients with mitral paravalvular leakage. A paraprosthetic leak was diagnosed after a median time of 119 days (range: 1 day-23 years) after primary mitral valve replacement. During an average follow-up of 5 years (range: 1-23 years), 50/96 patients were referred for surgical closure.

RESULTS

Compared with patients who received conservative treatment, those referred for surgery had a significantly lower mean preoperative haematocrit (P = 0.002) with a higher proportion of patients being in the NYHA class III/IV (P = 0.03). Age, gender, left ventricular function and number and size of leaks did not differ between the groups. The 30-day postoperative mortality for valve reoperation was 6% (3/50); during follow-up three further patients died, resulting in an overall mortality rate of 12%. In the group treated conservatively there was a mortality rate of 26% (12/46). Thus, the actuarial survival for patients referred for surgery was 98, 90 and 88% after 1, 5 and 10 years, compared with 90, 75 and 68% for patients treated conservatively (long-rank P = 0.03). In addition, there was a significant increase in mean haematocrit levels (P = 0.0001) and an improvement in NYHA class III/IV symptoms (P = 0.002), vertigo (P = 0.001) and fatigue (P = 0.001) after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Following mitral valve replacement, a more aggressive surgical treatment is recommended for patients with paraprosthetic leaks. Surgery should be offered to less symptomatic patients, as well as those not requiring blood transfusion.

Accurate localization of mitral regurgitant defects using multiplane transesophageal echocardiography

BACKGROUND

Appropriate patient selection for surgical repair of the mitral valve depends on the specific location and mechanism of regurgitation, which, in turn, has necessitated a more detailed method to accurately describe mitral pathology. This study tests a strategy of using multiplane transesophageal echocardiography to systematically localize mitral regurgitant defects and compares these results with the surgical findings.

METHODS

Fifty patients with mitral regurgitation underwent intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for the evaluation of mitral pathology and potential repair. Mitral regurgitant defects were localized using a systematic strategy and a simple nomenclature that divides each mitral valve into six sections (three sections per leaflet) and each prosthetic sewing ring into six sections (60 radial degrees = one section).

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients with native mitral valves were studied, for a total of 234 sections evaluated. Eighty-seven of these sections contained regurgitant defects by transesophageal echocardiography (mean number of regurgitant defects per valve, 2.2; range, 1 through 6). There was agreement between the transesophageal echocardiographic and surgical localizations in 96% (224/234; p < 0.0001) of the sections. Eleven patients with prosthetic mitral valves were studied, for a total of 66 sections evaluated. Twenty-three of these sections contained paravalvular leaks by transesophageal echocardiography (mean number of leaks per prosthesis, 2.1; range, 1 through 6). There was agreement between the transesophageal echocardiographic and surgical localizations in 88% (58/66; p < 0.001) of the sections.

CONCLUSIONS

This transesophageal echocardiographic strategy provides a systematic method to accurately localize mitral regurgitant lesions and has the potential to improve the preoperative assessment of patients with significant mitral regurgitation.

Improved Assessment of Pathological Regurgitation in Patients with Prosthetic Heart Valves by Multiplane Transesophageal Echocardiography

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic increment of individually optimized axes in the assessment of pathological prosthetic valve regurgitation. Forty-two patients with pathologically regurgitant prostheses in the aortic (n = 21), mitral (n = 15), and tricuspid (n = 6) positions were examined by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography. The investigation was performed utilizing the transverse axis first, the longitudinal axis second, and the intermediate axes afterwards. The presence of regurgitation, the differentiation between trans- and perivalvular origin, and the localization of perivalvular leakages at the sewing ring were evaluated. Findings in the biplane and intermediate axes were compared to surgery or autopsy in all patients. There was slightly higher detection rate for aortic prosthetic regurgitation using the intermediate axes than the biplane axes. The intermediate axes revealed significantly fewer differences to the morphological control than the biplane axes with regard to the differentiation of peri- and transprosthetic aortic regurgitation and to the localization of a periprosthetic aortic regurgitant origin. The intermediate axes provided significantly better agreement to surgery/autopsy than the biplane axes regarding the localization of the origin of mitral periprosthetic regurgitation. Morphological visualization of the perivalvular gap adds important information on the precise localization of the regurgitant origin. The pathological gap was visualized significantly more often using the intermediate than the biplane axes in all types of prostheses. The data in this study therefore suggest that multiplane transesophageal echocardiography is superior to biplane transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of pathologic prosthetic regurgitation.

Regurgitant flow of mitral valve prostheses: an intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic study

To assess the regurgitant characteristics of mitral biologic and mechanical prostheses immediately after implantation, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 27 patients, aged 32 to 69 years, undergoing open-heart surgery for rheumatic heart disease (n = 19), mitral valve prolapse (n = 3), malfunctioning prostheses (n = 3), or periprosthetic leaks (n = 2). The prostheses included 13 biologic (Carpentier-Edwards) and 14 mechanical valves (five Starr-Edwards, five Medtronic-Hall, and four Bjork-Shiley). Physiologic transvalvular regurgitant flow was detected in both biologic and mechanical prostheses. The spatial extent of the regurgitant jets was usually greater in the mechanical than in the biologic valves, and systolic jets, characteristic of each type of valve, were visualized consistently. Trivial periprosthetic jets (PPJs) were observed in many implanted valves (14/27). The median maximal jet area was 0.46 cm2 (range 0.1 to 1.5 cm2). Cardiopulmonary bypass was reinstituted in two patients. In one patient a PPJ was judged extensive enough (area 3.6 cm2) to warrant surgical revision of the implant, but no dehiscence was found. In the other patient a turbulent PPJ (area 5.5 cm2) was associated with a 0.5 cm dehiscence at the surgical inspection. In conclusion, (1) all mitral prostheses exhibit physiologic transvalvular regurgitation, (2) trivial mitral PPJ is a common finding in newly implanted mitral valves and does not require the revision of the implant, and (3) further experience based on larger series of patients is required to determine the maximal acceptable size of a mitral PPJ detected by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.

Intraoperative echocardiography by a new miniaturized epicardial probe: preliminary findings

Miniaturized probes constitute recent progress in the field of epicardial echocardiography. We recently used a new miniaturized probe, derived from a standard transesophageal probe, in a series of 12 adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery in order to test the possibility of obtaining new views for epicardial imaging. This study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of performing intraoperative echocardiography when using a miniaturized epicardial probe. This probe may be placed on a broader epicardial and vascular area, thus overcoming the size limitations of the commonly used epicardial probes. The major limitation found with the miniaturized probe, however, was the inability to obtain a true four-chamber view from the ventricular apex, due to the difficulty of holding the probe motionless between the apex and the diaphragm while the heart is beating. Although extensive experience with larger groups of patients and different pathologies will be required to define the full potential of this new probe, the advent of the miniaturized probe may further expand the applicability of epicardial echocardiography in pediatric patients during surgery for congenital heart disease.