ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of patients with valvular heart disease. A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association. Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Committee on Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease)

Atrial Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Comprehensive Review of Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management Strategies

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia, is intricately linked with atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation (AFTR), a condition distinguished from ventricular functional tricuspid regurgitation by its unique pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications. This review article delves into the multifaceted aspects of AFTR, exploring its epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and management strategies. Further, we elucidate the mechanisms underlying AFTR, including tricuspid annular dilatation, right atrial enlargement, and dysfunction, which collectively contribute to the development of tricuspid regurgitation in the absence of significant pulmonary hypertension or left-sided heart disease. The section on diagnostic evaluation highlights the pivotal role of echocardiography, supplemented by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and computed tomography (CT), in assessing disease severity and guiding treatment decisions. Management strategies for AFTR are explored, ranging from medical therapy and rhythm control to surgical and percutaneous interventions, underscoring the importance of a tailored, multidisciplinary approach. Furthermore, the article identifies gaps in current knowledge and proposes future research directions to enhance our understanding and management of AFTR. By providing a comprehensive overview of AFTR, this review aims to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and stimulate further research to improve patient care and outcomes in this increasingly recognized condition.

Mechanical versus bioprosthetic valve for aortic valve replacement in dialysis patients: Systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

There is little evidence regarding the most beneficial choice between a mechanical and a bioprosthetic valve in the aortic position in dialysis patients. This meta-analysis compares the survival and freedom from reintervention rates between mechanical and bioprosthetic valves in patients on dialysis undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery.

METHODS

Two databases were searched, and the systematic review was performed in accordance with the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. We conducted one-stage and two-stage meta-analysis with Kaplan-Meier-derived individual patient data and meta-analysis with random-effects model.

RESULTS

Eight studies were included, providing data about 1215 dialysis patients receiving mechanical valves and 1851 patients receiving bioprosthetic valves. During a mean follow-up of 43.1 months, overall survival rates were significantly improved in the mechanical valve group in comparison to the bioprosthetic one (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69-0.84, p < 0.001). This was confirmed by the two-stage meta-analysis (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62-0.83, p = 0.00, I2 = 17.79%). Regarding freedom from reintervention, no arm offered a statistically significant advantage, according to the two-stage generated analysis (HR: 1.025, 95% CI: 0.65-1.61, p = 0.914). Similarly, there was no evident superiority of a valve type for perioperative outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical valves are likely to be associated with a better survival outcome compared to bioprosthetic valves for patients on dialysis undergoing aortic valve replacement. However, freedom from reoperation rates and perioperative outcomes were comparable between the two valve types, with no arm exhibiting a statistically significant advantage.

Long-term outcomes of mitral valve replacement in dialysis patients: evidence from a nationwide database

BACKGROUND

To compare the late outcomes between mechanical and bioprostheses after isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR) in dialysis-dependent patients.

METHODS

A nationwide propensity-matched retrospective cohort study was conducted involving dialysis patients who underwent primary mitral replacement between 2001 and 2018. Ten-year postoperative outcomes were compared between mitral bioprosthesis and mechanical prosthesis using the Cox proportional hazard model and restricted mean survival time (RMST).

RESULTS

The all-cause mortality was 20.8 and 13.0 events per 100 person-years, with a 10-year RMST of 7.40 and 7.31 years for bioprosthesis and mechanical prosthesis, respectively. Major bleeding was the most common adverse event for both bioprosthesis and mechanical prosthesis, with an incidence rate of 19.5 and 19.1 events per 100 person-years, respectively. The incidence of valve reoperation was higher among those who received bioprosthesis (0.55 events per 100 person-years). After 1:1 matching, the all-cause mortality was 15.45 and 14.54 events per 100 person-years for bioprosthesis and mechanical prosthesis, respectively. The RMST at 10 years was comparable between the two groups after matching (5.10 years for bioprosthesis vs. 4.59 years for mechanical prosthesis), with an RMST difference of -0.03. Further, no difference was observed in the incidence of major adverse valve-related events between bioprosthesis and mechanical valves. However, bioprosthesis was associated with a higher incidence of mitral valve reoperation among all major adverse events (RMST difference -0.24 years, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.01, P =0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found no association between valve selection and long-term survival outcomes in dialysis patients after MVR. However, bioprosthetic valves may be associated with a slightly higher incidence of reoperation, while other valve-related adverse events, including major bleeding and stroke, were comparable between the two types of prostheses.

Diagnosis of Coexisting Valvular Heart Diseases Using Image-to-Sequence Translation of Contact Microphone Recordings

OBJECTIVE

Development of a contact microphone-driven screening framework for the diagnosis of coexisting valvular heart diseases (VHDs).

METHODS

A sensitive accelerometer contact microphone (ACM) is employed to capture heart-induced acoustic components on the chest wall. Inspired by the human auditory system, ACM recordings are initially transformed into Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) and their first and second derivatives, resulting in 3-channel images. An image-to-sequence translation network based on the convolution-meets-transformer (CMT) architecture is then applied to each image to find local and global dependencies in images, and predict a 5-digit binary sequence, where each digit corresponds to the presence of a specific type of VHD. The performance of the proposed framework is evaluated on 58 VHD patients and 52 healthy individuals using a 10-fold leave-subject-out cross-validation (10-LSOCV) approach.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses suggest an average sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and F1 score of 93.28%, 98.07%, 96.87%, 92.97%, and 92.4% respectively, for the detection of coexisting VHDs. Furthermore, areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.99 and 0.98 are respectively reported for the validation and test sets.

CONCLUSION

The high performances achieved prove that local and global features of ACM recordings effectively characterize heart murmurs associated with valvular abnormalities.

SIGNIFICANCE

Limited access of primary care physicians to echocardiography machines has resulted in a low sensitivity of 44% when using a stethoscope for the identification of heart murmurs. The proposed framework provides accurate decision-making on the presence of VHDs, thus reducing the number of undetected VHD patients in primary care settings.

Importance of concomitant functional mitral regurgitation on survival in severe aortic stenosis patients undergoing aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is commonly seen in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). But the long-term implications of MR in AS are unknown.

AIM

To investigate MR's impact on survival of patients undergoing surgical AVR for severe AS.

METHODS

Of the 740 consecutive patients with severe AS evaluated between 1993 and 2003, 287 underwent AVR forming the study cohort. They were followed up to death or till the end of 2019. Chart reviews were performed for clinical, echocardiographic, and therapeutic data. MR was graded on a 1-4 scale. Mortality data was obtained from chart review and the Social Security Death Index. Survival was analyzed as a function of degree of MR.

RESULTS

The mean age of the severe AS patients who had AVR (n = 287) was 72 ± 13 years, 46% women. Over up to 26 years of follow up, there were 201 (70%) deaths, giving deep insights into the determinants of survival of severe AS who had AVR. The 5, 10 and 20 years survival rates were 75%, 45% and 25% respectively. Presence of MR was associated with higher mortality in a graded fashion (P = 0.0003). MR was significantly associated with lower left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and larger LV size. Impact of MR on mortality was partially mediated through lower LV ejection fraction and larger LV size. By Cox regression, MR, lower ejection fraction (EF) and larger LV end-systolic dimension were independent predictors of higher mortality (χ2 = 33.2).

CONCLUSION

Presence of greater than 2+ MR in patients with severe AS is independently associated with reduced survival in surgically managed patients, an effect incremental to reduced EF and larger LV size. We suggest that aortic valve intervention should be considered in severe AS patients when > 2+ MR occurs irrespective of EF or symptoms.

Impact of Age and Sex on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients With Aortic Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines for aortic regurgitation (AR) recommend the same linear left ventricular (LV) dimension for intervention regardless of age and sex.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of age and sex on the degree of LV remodeling and outcomes.

METHODS

We included consecutive patients with severe AR who were serially monitored by echocardiogram between 2010 and 2016. The 2 main endpoints were as follows: 1) LV end-systolic volume indexed to body surface area (LVESVi) and LV end-diastolic volume indexed to body surface area; and 2) adverse events (AE). We evaluated the longitudinal rate of LV remodeling and determined the association between LV volume and AE by age and sex.

RESULTS

A total of 525 adult patients (26% women) with a median echocardiogram follow-up of 2.0 years (IQR: 1.0-3.6 years) were included. At baseline, older patients (age ≥60 years) had smaller LV volumes compared with younger patients (age <60 years), eg, the mean LVESVi was 27.3 mL/m² vs 32.3 mL/m², respectively. Similarly, women had smaller LV volumes compared with men (mean LVESVi was 23.3 mL/m² vs 32.4 mL/m²). On serial evaluation, older patients and women maintained smaller LV volumes compared with younger patients and men, respectively. There were 210 (40%) AE during follow-up. The optimal discriminatory threshold for AE varies by age and sex, eg, the LVESVi threshold was highest for young men (50 mL/m²), intermediate for older men (35 mL/m²), and lowest for women (27 mL/m²).

CONCLUSIONS

On serial evaluation, older patients and women with chronic AR maintained smaller LV volumes than younger patients and men, respectively, and develop AE at lower LV volumes.

Diagnostic accuracy of heart auscultation for detecting valve disease: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy in detecting valvular heart disease (VHD) by heart auscultation, performed by medical doctors.

DESIGN/METHODS

A systematic literature search for diagnostic studies comparing heart auscultation to echocardiography or angiography, to evaluate VHD in adults, was performed in MEDLINE (1947-November 2021) and EMBASE (1947-November 2021). Two reviewers screened all references by title and abstract, to select studies to be included. Disagreements were resolved by consensus meetings. Reference lists of included studies were also screened. The results are presented as a narrative synthesis, and risk of bias was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios (LRs).

RESULTS

We found 23 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Auscultation was compared with full echocardiography in 15 of the articles; pulsed Doppler was used as reference standard in 2 articles, while aortography and ventriculography was used in 5 articles. One article used point-of-care ultrasound. The articles were published from year 1967 to 2021. Sensitivity of auscultation ranged from 30% to 100%, and specificity ranged from 28% to 100%. LRs ranged from 1.35 to 26. Most of the included studies used cardiologists or internal medicine residents or specialists as auscultators, whereas two used general practitioners and two studied several different auscultators.

CONCLUSION

Sensitivity, specificity and LRs of auscultation varied considerably across the different studies. There is a sparsity of data from general practice, where auscultation of the heart is usually one of the main methods for detecting VHD. Based on this review, the diagnostic utility of auscultation is unclear and medical doctors should not rely too much on auscultation alone. More research is needed on how auscultation, together with other clinical findings and history, can be used to distinguish patients with VHD.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018091675.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Degenerative vs. Functional Mitral Regurgitation

Current guidelines support the use of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for patients with both primary and secondary mitral regurgitation. We aimed to compare the prognoses of TEER in degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) vs. functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). A total of 208 consecutive patients who underwent TEER over a ten-year period were analyzed. Primary endpoints included rates of all-cause death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE: composite of all-cause death, hospitalizations for heart failure, mitral valve surgery, or TEER re-intervention). A total of 148 (71%) patients were identified with FMR, while 60 (29%) were identified with DMR. Patients in the FMR group were younger (77.2 ± 8.4 vs. 80.2 ± 7.2, p = 0.02), suffered more frequently from coronary artery disease (54.1% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.02), and atrial fibrillation/flutter (70.9% vs. 38.3%, p = 0.02). Rates of 1-year death (21.6% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.03) and MACE (41.2% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.02) were higher for the FMR group, as compared to the DMR group. After correcting for variables, FMR independently predicted rates of MACE (HR-1.78, 95% CI 1.23-2.48, p = 0.04) and had a non-significant effect on one-year mortality (HR-1.67, 95%CI 0.98-3.74, p = 0.07). In our experience, worse overall 1-year composite MACE outcomes were observed after TEER in patients with FMR as compared to patients with DMR.

Association between Cardiac Auscultation and Echocardiographic Findings in Warmblood Horses

Heart murmurs are detected frequently when auscultating horses and certain murmurs can usually be linked to specific valvular regurgitations. Limited information exists about the accuracy of these broad rules in warmblood horses and the influence of grade of the regurgitation and dimensional changes on murmur intensity. This study aims to clarify the accuracy of cardiac auscultation in warmblood horses and the influence of the grade of regurgitation and dimensional changes on the loudness of the murmur. In this retrospective study, 822 warmblood horses presented for cardiac examination in a large equine referral center in northern Germany underwent a thorough cardiac auscultation. In total, 653 of these revealed one or more heart murmurs. Most common auscultatory findings were left-sided systolic murmurs (68%) or left-sided diastolic murmurs (15%). On 635 of these horses, an echocardiographic examination was performed, revealing regurgitations of the mitral valve as the most common valvular regurgitation (77%) followed by regurgitations of the aortic valve (23%). Thirty-one percent of horses that underwent echocardiographic examination displayed dimensional changes of one or more compartments of the heart, with the left atrium being most affected (21%), followed by the left ventricle (13%). The main goal of this study was to link certain auscultatory findings with results of the echocardiographic examinations, trying to determine whether auscultation and echocardiography agreed on the valve affected, as well as to find out if loudness of the murmur coincided with grade of regurgitation and presence of dimensional changes. Agreement between auscultation and cardiac ultrasound was substantial (Kappa 0.74) if one or more murmurs and regurgitations were present and almost perfect (Kappa 0.94) if only one murmur and one regurgitation were found. Auscultation was particularly well suited for detection of left-sided systolic and diastolic murmurs, with 87% of left-sided systolic murmurs being caused by a mitral valve regurgitation and 81% of left-sided diastolic murmurs originating from an aortic valve regurgitation. We found a fair agreement between the grade of regurgitation and the respective murmur. Association was particularly good between mild regurgitations and low-grade murmurs, while differentiation between moderate to severe regurgitation based upon the loudness of the murmur was less reliable. Dimensional changes were usually linked to more severe regurgitations and higher-grade murmurs. However, a direct correlation between murmur intensity and the presence or severity of dimensional changes, independent of the grade of valvular regurgitation, could not be established in this cohort of horses.

Aortic valve stenosis and cancer: a common and complex association

Introduction. The prevalence of aortic valve stenosis (AS) and malignancy are both high, especially in elderly people and in developed countries. These two conditions frequently coexist and share the same risk factors as atherosclerotic disease.Area covered. The progression of calcified AS may be accelerated by both cardiovascular risk factors and cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy. The standard treatment for symptomatic severe AS is surgical aortic valve replacement; however, in cancer patients, transcatheter implantation may be preferred as they are often at high-risk for cardiac surgery. In patients with AS and cancer, physicians may face difficult treatment decisions.To date, there is limited information on the impact of malignancy on outcomes in patients with severe AS; hence, there is no established treatment policy.Expert Opinion. Treating clinicians must integrate complex information about the severity of valve disease and expected cardiac outcomes with information regarding the cancer prognosis and the need for specific treatment, including surgery. Other comorbidities, age and frailty also contribute to decision-making about whether, when, and how to perform aortic valve replacement.

Left ventricular myocardial deformation as measure of hemodynamic burden in congenital valvular aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND

Changes in 2D echocardiography (2DE) speckle tracking imaging (STI) derived left ventricular (LV) strain (S) and strain rate (SR) precedes diminution of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in adult valvular aortic stenosis (AS). We prospectively examined whether 2DE-STI derived multidirectional LV S and SR correlate with AS severity in children using LV mass index (MI) as the principal outcome variable.

METHODS

52 children (10.4 ± 7.3 years) with isolated congenital AS were included; 13 mild (2.5 m/s < V_max < 3.0 m/s), 25 moderate (3.0 m/s < V_max < 4.0 m/s), and 14 severe (V_max > 4.0 m/s). 2DE including Doppler and STI longitudinal strain (LS), strain rate (LSR), circumferential strain (CS), and strain rate (CSR) were measured. Univariate and multivariable linear regressions identified correlations between LVMI and strain indices.

RESULTS

Three clinical and 2DE variables, and four strain indices were independently associated with LVMI. LVMI correlated positively with systolic blood pressure and aortic regurgitation, and negatively with LVEF. LVMI correlated positively with LSR (four-chamber) and CSR (basal), and negatively with segmental CS in the inferior (basal) and anteroseptal (distal) segments. LVMI showed significant inverse association with LS (P = .05), LSR (P < .001), CS (P < .005), and CSR (P < .0001), independent of AS severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent of clinical and 2DE findings including contemporaneous Doppler estimates of AS gradient, both longitudinal and circumferential strain indices correlate with LVMI as a measure of cumulative hemodynamic burden. This association implies subclinical LV dysfunction.

Tragic End or Expected Destiny?: Pulmonary Edema Due to Sewing Ring Dehiscence of Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve

The present case is unique because it describes transcatheter mitral valve replacement with a valve-in-valve procedure in an emergent setting of pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock. Although transcatheter mitral valve replacement is in its initial phase, it remains a viable option in an emergency. Further research is needed to evaluate the short term and long-term outcomes. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.)

Antithrombotic therapy and bleeding events after aortic valve replacement with a novel bioprosthesis

OBJECTIVE

Several recent-generation surgical tissue valves have been found to have bleeding rates exceeding rates recommended by regulatory bodies. We explored bleeding events using data from the Pericardial Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (PERIGON) Pivotal Trial for the Avalus valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minn) to examine whether this end point remains relevant for the evaluation of bioprostheses.

METHODS

Patients (n = 1115) underwent aortic valve replacement. Bleeding and thromboembolic event episodes in patients within 3 years postimplant were analyzed for frequency, timing, and severity, focusing on patients taking antiplatelet/anticoagulant medications at the time of the event. Clinical and hemodynamic outcomes are also reported.

RESULTS

At 3 years, the Kaplan-Meier cumulative probability estimate of all-cause death was 7.2% (cardiac, 3.6%; valve-related, 1.1%). The Kaplan-Meier cumulative probability estimates of all and major hemorrhage were 8.7% and 5.2%, respectively. Ninety-nine bleeding events occurred in 86 patients: most occurred >30 days postsurgery. Among the 51 late major bleeds, in 5 cases the patients were taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet medication for prophylaxis after surgical aortic valve replacement at the time of the event, whereas the remaining patients were taking medications for other reasons. Age (hazard ratio, 1.035; 95% confidence interval, 1.004-1.068), peripheral vascular disease (hazard ratio, 2.135; 95% confidence interval, 1.106-4.122), renal dysfunction (hazard ratio, 1.920; 95% confidence interval, 1.055-3.494), and antithrombotic medication use at the time of the event (hazard ratio, 1.417; 95% confidence interval, 1.048-1.915) were associated with late bleeds (major and minor).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall clinical outcomes demonstrated low mortality and few complications except for major bleeding. Most bleeding events occurred >30 days after surgery and in patients taking antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation for indications other than postimplant prophylaxis.

One-Year Outcomes After MitraClip for Functional Mitral Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) occurs in the absence of organic mitral valve disease and may develop as the left ventricle dilates or remodels or as a result of leaflet tethering with impaired coaptation, most commonly from apical and lateral distraction of the subvalvular apparatus, with late annular dilatation. The optimal therapy for SMR is unclear. This study sought to evaluate the 1-year adjudicated outcomes of all patients with SMR undergoing the MitraClip procedure in the EVEREST II (Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Study) Investigational Device Exemption program, which is comprised of the randomized clinical trial, the prospective High-Risk Registry, and the REALISM Continued Access Registry (Multicenter Study of the MitraClip System).

METHODS

Patients with 3+/4+ SMR enrolled in EVEREST II were stratified by non-high surgical risk (non-HR) and high surgical risk (HR) status (defined as Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk of mortality ≥12% or predefined risk factors). Clinical, echocardiographic, and functional outcomes at 1 year were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 616 patients (482 HR, 134 non-HR; mean age, 73.3±10.5 years; Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk, 10.2±6.9%) with SMR underwent the MitraClip procedure. At baseline, 80.5% of patients were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. Major adverse events at 30 days included death (3.6%), stroke (2.3%), and renal failure (1.5%). At discharge, 88.8% had MR ≤2+. At 1 year, there were 139 deaths, and the Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from mortality was 76.8%. The majority of surviving patients (84.7%) remained with MR ≤2+ and New York Heart Association class I/II (83.0%). Kaplan-Meier survival at 1 year was 74.1% in HR patients and 86.4% in non-HR patients ( P=0.0175). At 1 year, both groups achieved comparable MR reduction (MR ≤2+, 84.0% versus 87.0%) and improvement in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (-8.0 mL versus -12.7 mL), whereas New York Heart Association class I/II was found in 80.1% versus 91.8% ( P=0.008) of HR and non-HR patients, respectively. In HR patients, the annualized rate of heart failure hospitalizations decreased from 0.68 to 0.46 in the 12 months before to 12 months after the procedure ( P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter mitral valve repair with the MitraClip in patients with secondary MR is associated with acceptable safety, reduction of MR severity, symptom improvement, and positive ventricular remodeling.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifiers: NCT00209274, NCT01940120, and NCT01931956.

A 20-year multicenter analysis of dialysis-dependent patients who had aortic or mitral valve replacement: Implications for valve selection

OBJECTIVE

Valve selection in dialysis-dependent patients can be difficult because long-term survival is diminished and bleeding risks during anticoagulation treatment are greater in patients with renal failure. In this study we analyzed long-term outcomes of dialysis-dependent patients who underwent valve replacement to help guide optimal prosthetic valve type selection.

METHODS

Dialysis-dependent patients who underwent aortic and/or mitral valve replacement at 3 institutions over 20 years were examined. The primary outcome was long-term survival. A Cox regression model was used to estimate survival according to 5 ages, presence of diabetes, and/or heart failure symptoms.

RESULTS

Four hundred twenty-three available patients were analyzed; 341 patients had biological and 82 had mechanical valves. Overall complication and 30-day mortality rates were similar between the groups. Thirty-day readmission rates for biological and mechanical groups were 15% (50/341) and 28% (23/82; P = .005). Five-year survival was 23% and 33% for the biological and mechanical groups, respectively. After adjusting for age, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and diabetes using a multivariable Cox regression model, survival was similar between groups (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.29; P = .8). A Cox regression model on the basis of age, diabetes, and heart failure, estimated that patients only 30 or 40 years old, with NYHA class I-II failure without diabetes had a >50% estimated 5-year survival (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Dialysis-dependent patients who underwent valve replacement surgery had poor long-term survival. Young patients without diabetes or NYHA III or IV symptoms might survive long enough to justify placement of a mechanical valve; however, a biological valve is suitable for most patients.

Ten-year results of aortic valve replacement with first-generation Mitroflow bioprosthesis: is early degeneration a structural or a technical issue?

OBJECTIVES

Concerns have been raised about the durability of the first-generation Mitroflow aortic bioprosthesis (model 12 A-LX) due to the lack of anticalcification treatment. This study reflects a 10-year experience with this prosthesis for aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

From June 2003 to May 2012, the Mitroflow prosthesis was used for aortic valve replacement in 510 patients, of whom only 467 with complete clinical follow-up were included for analysis. Study end-points were survival and incidence of structural valve degeneration (SVD). Analysis of SVD was based on cumulative incidence function and competing-risk Cox regression.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 76.4 ± 6.1 years. Valve sizes from 23 to 25 were used in 70.4%, whereas sizes from 19 to 21 were used in only 19.2%, thereby avoiding patient-prosthesis mismatch in 89.1%. Within a median follow-up time of 6.6 years (interquartile range 4.4), a cumulative 2375 patient-years, the survival rate was 86.2%, 67.3% and 33.3% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. The cumulative incidence of SVD, with death as a competing risk, was 0%, 0.7% and 6.2% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Only age <75 years tended to affect the late hazard of SVD (hazard ratio 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.23-1.08, P  = 0.08), regardless of valve-specific issues.

CONCLUSIONS

The data do not support the concerns about early accelerated structural degeneration of the first-generation Mitroflow bioprosthesis used for aortic valve replacement in patients older than 75 years. We postulate that limiting the number of small prostheses using a proper implantation technique has enhanced the reduction in risk of significant patient-prosthesis mismatch as the main determinant of early SVD.

Aortic elasticity and carotid intima-media thickness in children with mitral valve prolapse

Aim We aimed to study the dimensions, systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle; dimensions and elasticity of the aorta; and carotid intima-media thickness and flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery in mitral valve prolapse.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 43 patients (mean age=13.3±3.9) and 42 healthy children (mean age=12.9±3.4). Left ventricular end-diastolic, end-systolic, left atrial diameters, interventricular septum, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness were measured. Ejection and shortening fractions were calculated by M-mode. Measurements were adjusted to the body surface area. Mitral annulus, and systolic and diastolic diameters of the aortic annulus and aorta at each level were obtained; z-scores, aortic strain, distensibility, stiffness index were calculated. Carotid intima-media thickness and flow-mediated dilatation were studied. Patients were classified as classical/non-classical mitral valve prolapse and younger/older patients.

RESULTS

Left ventricular end-systolic, end-diastolic, and left atrial diameters (p=0.009, p=0.024, p=0.001) and aortic z-scores at annulus, sinus valsalva, and sinotubuler junction were larger (p=0.008, p=0.003, p=0.002, respectively) in the mitral valve prolapse group. Aortic strain and distensibility increased and stiffness decreased at the ascending aorta in the patient group (p=0.012, 0.020, p=0.019, respectively). Classical mitral valve prolapse had lower strain and distensibility and higher stiffness of the aorta at sinus valsalva level (p=0.010, 0.027, 0.004, respectively). Carotid intima-media thickness was thinner in the patient group, especially in the non-classical mitral valve prolapse group (p=0.037). Flow-mediated dilatation did not differ among the groups.

CONCLUSION

Mitral valve prolapse is a systemic disease of the connective tissue causing enlarged cardiac chambers and increased elasticity of the aorta. Decreased carotid intima-media thickness in this group may indicate low atherosclerosis risk.

A review of intelligent systems for heart sound signal analysis

Intelligent computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems can enhance the diagnostic capabilities of physicians and reduce the time required for accurate diagnosis. CAD systems could provide physicians with a suggestion about the diagnostic of heart diseases. The objective of this paper is to review the recent published preprocessing, feature extraction and classification techniques and their state of the art of phonocardiogram (PCG) signal analysis. Published literature reviewed in this paper shows the potential of machine learning techniques as a design tool in PCG CAD systems and reveals that the CAD systems for PCG signal analysis are still an open problem. Related studies are compared to their datasets, feature extraction techniques and the classifiers they used. Current achievements and limitations in developing CAD systems for PCG signal analysis using machine learning techniques are presented and discussed. In the light of this review, a number of future research directions for PCG signal analysis are provided.

Management of antithrombotic agents in patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy

Bleeding is one of the most feared complications of flexible bronchoscopy. Although infrequent, it can be catastrophic and result in fatal outcomes. Compared to other endoscopic procedures, the risk of morbidity and mortality from the bleeding is increased, as even a small amount of blood can fill the tracheobronchial tree and lead to respiratory failure. Patients using antithrombotic agents (ATAs) have higher bleeding risk. A thorough understanding of the different ATAs is critical to manage patients during the peri-procedural period. A decision to stop an ATA before bronchoscopy should take into account a variety of factors, including indication for its use and the type of procedure. This article serves as a detailed review on the different ATAs, their pharmacokinetics and the pre- and post-bronchoscopy management of patients receiving these medications.

Bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement: Revisiting prosthesis choice in patients younger than 50 years old

OBJECTIVE

Aortic prosthesis choice is controversial in young adults because robust comparative outcome data are lacking. We therefore compared mortality and morbidity in young adults after bioprosthetic versus mechanical aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of 5111 patients aged 18 to 50 years undergoing primary aortic valve replacement in California and New York State from 1997 to 2006. Median follow-up time was 11.8 years (maximum 18.9 years). The primary endpoint was mortality; secondary endpoints were stroke, bleeding, and reoperation. Propensity score matching yielded 1175 patient pairs.

RESULTS

Bioprosthetic valves increased from 14% to 47% of aortic valve replacements between 1997 and 2014 (P < .001). There was no survival difference with bioprosthetic versus mechanical aortic valves in the propensity score-matched cohort: actuarial 15-year survival was 79.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75.8%-81.8%) versus 81.5% (95% CI, 78.5%-84.2%) respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 1.14; 95% CI, 0.93-1.40, P = .20). No interaction was found between age and prosthesis choice on survival (P_interaction = 0.16). After bioprosthetic valve replacement, stroke rates were lower (5.4% [95% CI, 3.8%-7.2%] vs 8.1% [95% CI, 6.3%-10.2%], HR 0.62 [95% CI 0.43-0.91]), bleeding rates were lower (4.2% [95% CI, 3.0-5.6%] vs 8.4% [95% CI, 6.6-10.4%], HR 0.48 [95% CI, 0.33-0.69]), but reoperation rates were greater (24.5% [95% CI, 21.3%-27.8%] vs 9.3% [95% CI, 7.2%-11.7%], HR 5.9 [95% CI 3.2-11.0]) at 15 years versus mechanical valve replacement.

CONCLUSIONS

Although lifetime risks are represented incompletely, these findings suggest that in adults aged 18-50 years, bioprostheses are a reasonable alternative to mechanical valves for aortic valve replacement.

Variation in the Echocardiographic Surveillance of Primary Mitral Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Clinical outcomes after surgical treatment of mitral regurgitation are worse if intervention occurs after deterioration of left ventricular size and function. Transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) surveillance of patients with mitral regurgitation is indicated to avoid adverse ventricular remodeling. Overly frequent TTEs can impair patient access and reduce value in care delivery. This balance between timely surveillance and overutilization of TTE in valvular disease provides a model to study variation in the delivery of healthcare services. We investigated patient and provider factors contributing to variation in TTE utilization and hypothesized that variation was attributable to provider practice even after adjustment for patient characteristics.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We obtained records of all TTEs from 2001 to 2016 completed at a large echocardiography laboratory. The outcome variable was time interval between TTEs. We constructed a mixed-effects linear regression model with the individual physician as the random effect in the model and used intraclass correlation coefficient to assess the proportion of outcome variation because of provider practice. Our study cohort was 55 773 TTEs corresponding to 37 843 intervals ordered by 635 providers. The mean interval between TTEs was 12.4 months, 17.0 months, 18.3 months, and 17.4 months for severe, moderate, mild, and trace mitral regurgitation, respectively, with 20% of providers deemed overutilizers of TTEs and 25% underutilizers.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that there is substantial variation in follow-up intervals for TTE assessment of mitral regurgitation, despite risk-adjustment for patient variables, likely because of provider factors.

Pulmonary homograft stenosis in the Ross procedure: Incidence, clinical impact and predictors in long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

The Ross procedure is used in the treatment of selected patients with aortic valve disease. Pulmonary graft stenosis can appear in the long-term follow-up after the Ross intervention, but the factors involved and its clinical implications are not fully known.

AIM

To describe the incidence, clinical impact and predictors of homograft stenosis and reintervention after the Ross procedure in a prospective series in a tertiary referral hospital.

METHODS

From 1997 to 2009, 107 patients underwent the Ross procedure (mean age: 30±11 years; 69% men; 21 aged<18 years), and were followed for echocardiographic homograft stenosis (peak gradient>36mmHg) and surgical or percutaneous homograft reintervention.

RESULTS

After 15 years of follow-up (median: 11 years), echocardiographic and clinical data were available in 91 (85%) and 104 (98%) patients, respectively: 26/91 (29%) patients developed homograft stenosis; 10/104 (10%) patients underwent 13 homograft reintervention procedures (three patients underwent surgical replacement, three received a percutaneous pulmonary valve and one needed stent implantation). The other three patients underwent two consecutive procedures in follow-up; one died because of a procedure-related myocardial infarction. Rates of survival free from homograft stenosis and reintervention at 1, 5 and 10 years were 96%, 82% and 75% and 99%, 94% and 91%, respectively. Paediatric patients had worse survival free from homograft stenosis (hazard ratio [HR] 3.50, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.56-7.90; P=0.002), although there were no significant differences regarding reintervention (HR: 2.01, 95% CI: 0.52-7.78; P=0.31). Younger age of homograft donor was also a stenosis predictor (HR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99; P=0.046).

CONCLUSIONS

The probabilities of homograft stenosis and reintervention 10 years after the Ross procedure were 29% and 10%, respectively; only one patient had a reintervention-related death. Younger donor and recipient age were associated with a higher rate of stenosis.

Is screening for abnormal ECG patterns justified in long-term follow-up of childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines?

BACKGROUND

ECG and echocardiography are noninvasive screening tools to detect subclinical cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). Our aims were as follows: (1) assess the prevalence of abnormal ECG patterns, (2) determine the agreement between abnormal ECG patterns and echocardiographic abnormalities; and (3) determine whether ECG screening for subclinical cardiotoxicity in CCSs is justified.

PROCEDURE

We retrospectively studied ECG and echocardiography in asymptomatic CCSs more than 5 years after anthracycline treatment. Exclusion criteria were abnormal ECG and/or echocardiogram at the start of therapy, incomplete follow-up data, clinical heart failure, cardiac medication, and congenital heart disease. ECG abnormalities were classified using the Minnesota Code. Level of agreement between ECG and echocardiography was calculated with Cohen kappa.

RESULTS

We included 340 survivors with a mean follow-up of 14.5 years (range 5-32). ECG was abnormal in 73 survivors (21.5%), with ventricular conduction disorders, sinus bradycardia, and high-amplitude R waves being most common. Prolonged QTc (>0.45 msec) was found in two survivors, both with a cumulative anthracycline dose of 300 mg/m² or higher. Echocardiography showed abnormalities in 44 survivors (12.9%), mostly mild valvular abnormalities. The level of agreement between ECG and echocardiography was low (kappa 0.09). Male survivors more often had an abnormal ECG (corrected odds ratio: 3.00, 95% confidence interval: 1.68-5.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal ECG patterns were present in 21% of asymptomatic long-term CCSs. Lack of agreement between abnormal ECG patterns and echocardiographic abnormalities may suggest that ECG is valuable in long-term follow-up of CCSs. However, it is not clear whether these abnormal ECG patterns will be clinically relevant.

Robotic cardiac surgery in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Brazil, the largest country and economy in South America, is a major driving force behind the development of new medical technologies in the region. Robotic cardiac surgery (RCS) has been evolving rapidly since 2010, when the first surgery using the DaVinci^® robotic system was performed in Latin America. The aim of this article is to evaluate short and mid-term results in patients undergoing robotic cardiac surgery in Brazil.

METHODS

From March 2010 to December 2015, 39 consecutive patients underwent robotic cardiac surgery. Twenty-seven patients were male (69.2%), with the mean age of 51.3±17.9 years. Participants had a mean ejection fraction of 62±5%. The procedures included in this study were mitral valve surgery, surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation, atrial septal defect closure, resection of intra-cardiac tumors, totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass and pericardiectomy.

RESULTS

The mean time spent on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during RCS was 154.9±94.2 minutes and the mean aortic cross-clamp time was 114.48±75.66 minutes. Thirty-two patients (82%) were extubated in the operating room immediately after surgery. The median intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay was 1 day (ranging from 0 to 25) and the median hospital length of stay was 5 days (ranging from 3 to 25). For each type of procedure, endpoints were individually reported. There were no conversions to sternotomy and no intra-operative complications. Patient follow-up was complete in 100% of the participants, with two early deaths unrelated to the procedures and no re-operations at mid-term.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the heterogeneity of this series, RCS appears to be feasible, safe and effective when used for the correction of various intra- and extra-cardiac pathologies. Adopting the robotic system has been a challenge in Brazil, where its limited clinical application may be related to the lack of specific training and the high cost of technology.

Effects of lorcaserin on pre-existing valvulopathy: A pooled analysis of phase 3 trials

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of lorcaserin in patients with pre-existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-defined valvulopathy.

METHODS

This is a pooled, post hoc analysis of three Phase 3 studies. BLOOM and BLOSSOM patients were 18 to 65 years of age without diabetes and with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 to 29.9 kg/m² and ≥1 weight-related comorbidity or a BMI of 30 to 45 kg/m² . BLOOM-DM patients had a BMI of 27 to 45 kg/m² and type 2 diabetes. Patients were treated with placebo, lorcaserin 10 mg once daily, or lorcaserin 10 mg twice daily. Serial echocardiographs were obtained at baseline and every 6 months.

RESULTS

Included patients (N = 169) had FDA-defined valvulopathy at baseline and a week 52 echocardiogram. At week 52, 35.5% and 52.7% of patients experienced changes from baseline in aortic and mitral regurgitation, respectively. Numerically greater proportions of patients taking lorcaserin versus placebo had decreases in aortic (33.0% vs. 28.3%) or mitral (41.3% vs. 36.7%) regurgitation. Fewer patients taking lorcaserin versus placebo had increases in aortic (2.8% vs. 6.7%) or mitral (8.3% vs. 21.7%) regurgitation. No adverse event-related discontinuation was due to a valve problem.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that lorcaserin does not adversely affect valvular disease in patients with pre-existing FDA-defined valvulopathy.

Statement on cardiopulmonary exercise testing in chronic heart failure due to left ventricular dysfunction: recommendations for performance and interpretation Part III: Interpretation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in chronic heart failure and future applications: Task Force of the Italian Working Group on Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention (Gruppo Italiano di Cardiologia Riabilitativa e Prevenzione, GICR), endorsed by Working Group on Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology of the European Society of Cardiology

Optimal use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in clinical practice and chronic heart failure (CHF) requires appropriate data presentation and a flexible interpretative strategy. The greatest potential impact on the decision-making process may rest not on the value of any individual measurement, although some are obviously more important than others, but rather on their integrative use. Such an integrative approach relies on interrelationship, trending phenomena and patterns of key gas exchange variable responses. An multiparametric approach will be discussed in different clinical applications, for exercise prescription and monitoring, functional evaluation of drug therapy or cardiac resynchronisation therapy efficacy, and risk stratification. The role of CPET in the daily clinical decision-making process will be underscored. Future indications of CPET will be addressed, suggesting and promoting an extended candidacy either to all CHF patients, including those at high risk or most vulnerable, such as female, elderly patients, and patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator or in every clinical setting where objective definition of exercise capacity provides implications for medical, surgical, and social decision making.

Medication Use and Symptoms in Individuals With Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common valvular heart disease associated with a variety of frightening symptoms. Beta-adrenergic blockers along with calcium channel blockers and anxiolytics are widely used to treat symptoms associated with MVPS despite a lack of evidence that supports their efficacy. This study examined the relationship between prescribed medication use and frequency and intensity of MVPS symptoms. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. Descriptive statistics and Cramèr’s V correlational analysis were used to answer the research questions. Self-completed questionnaires were mailed to 2,282 MVPS individuals older than 21 years of age throughout the United States and Canada previously diagnosed with MVPS. Of the 837 participants, 337 (40%) were taking one or more medications. Although there were significant positive correlations between anxiety and calcium channel blockers, chest pain and digoxin, and mood swings and digoxin, the correlations were very weak.

Anticoagulation in Pregnant Women With Prosthetic Heart Valves

Background: Pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis in women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves. Effective anticoagulation is therefore critical in such patients but remains problematic, since oral anticoagulation and both unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin may be associated with important fetal and maternal side effects.

Purpose: To review information related to the use of anticoagulation with both warfarin and heparin and reassess the safety and efficacy of these therapies in pregnant women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves.

Data source and selection: A MEDLINE search from 1966 to October 2003 for English and non-English language articles that reported the use of anticoagulation in pregnancy was conducted. Articles were included if they reported use of anticoagulation in pregnancy with emphasis on those that included women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves.

Conclusions: Anticoagulation prophylaxis with both warfarin and heparin (unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin) may be associated with important fetal and maternal side effects. Optional regimens for the treatment of low-risk and high-risk patients are proposed to minimize potential complications.

Perioperative Circulating Blood Volume and Cardiac Function in Valve Disease

Circulating blood volume is important in managing fluid balance and cardiac function after surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. Appropriate management differs among the valve disorders, but perioperative blood volume has not yet been considered. From February 2001 to March 2003, perioperative blood volume, fluid balance, cardiac index, and left ventricular stroke work index were measured in 31 patients: 10 with aortic stenosis, 9 with aortic regurgitation, 3 with mitral stenosis, and 9 with mitral regurgitation. All immediate postoperative blood volume measurements were less than preoperative values, and gradually returned to baseline. At all time points, blood volume in patients with aortic or mitral regurgitation was high, whereas it was low in those with stenosis, especially mitral stenosis. Fluid balance was positive in all patients. Postoperatively, there was a positive correlation between cardiac index and blood volume in all groups. The left ventricular stroke work index in the mitral regurgitation group was significantly higher than other groups, the aortic stenosis group was slightly lower, the mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation groups were higher than the baseline, and the aortic regurgitation group was essentially unchanged. Thus, it is necessary to consider blood volume perioperatively in different valvular diseases to manage water balance.

Late Mortality and Morbidity in Elderly Patients with Mechanical Heart Valves

A retrospective study was performed in patients under and over 65 years old implanted with a mechanical valve, to compare late mortality and morbidity. Of 381 patients who underwent mechanical valve replacement at Nagoya University in the 1990s, 357 (11 hospital deaths and 13 lost to follow-up; 96.4% follow-up rate) were followed up for 7.9 ± 3.3 years (2,811 patient-years). They were divided into two groups either side of 65 years of age at operation. The young and elderly patient groups contained 275 and 82 patients, respectively. The survival rate in the young group was 96.1% (95% confidence interval, 93.7%–98.5%) at 5 years and 92.0% (95% confidence interval, 88.3%–95.7%) at 10 years, which was significantly better than 88.0% (95% confidence interval, 80.6%–95.4%) at 5 years and 73.8% (95% confidence interval, 66.2%–85.4%) at 10 years in the elderly group. The two groups did not differ significantly in the incidence of thromboembolic events, bleeding events, endocarditis, or reoperation. We are also encouraged by the fact that mechanical valves are not a risk factor for late mortality or morbidity, even in elderly patients.

The Ross Operation: Clinical Results and Echocardiographic Findings

Between November 2001 and September 2004, 80 patients aged 11 to 56 years (mean, 27.6 years) underwent the Ross operation. The mean preoperative New York Heart Association functional class was 2.37 ± 0.72, and the mean ejection fraction was 52.8% ± 16%. Aortic involvement included stenosis in 19 (24%) patients, regurgitation in 22 (28%), and both in 39 (49%). Root replacement was the technique used in all cases. The mean hospital stay was 5 days, and 74 patients (93%) were followed up for 4–48 months. Four-year actuarial survival rate was 96.25%. Postoperative echocardiography revealed no pulmonary autograft insufficiency in 50 patients (63%), trivial to mild insufficiency in 22 (28%), moderate insufficiency in 2 (3%), and severe insufficiency in one (1%). Two patients required autograft re-intervention. Postoperative echocardiography of the pulmonary homograft valve showed severe stenosis (peak gradient > 50 mm Hg) in 2 patients, and moderate stenosis (peak gradient 25–50 mm Hg) in one. The mean postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction was 51.4%. The Ross operation can be considered an elegant alternative to prosthetic valves in the treatment of aortic valve diseases in developing countries.

Aortic and Mitral Prosthetic Valve Replacement in Age Groups 61–65 & 66–70 Years

Prosthesis choice for aortic and mitral valve replacements in patients aged 61–70 years is difficult. We evaluated prostheses in age groups 61–65 and 66–70 years. Freedom from major thromboembolism and hemorrhage was greater for bioprostheses than mechanical prostheses in both age groups after aortic valve replacement, but only in the younger age group after mitral valve replacement. Freedom from valve-related re-operation was greater after mitral valve replacement with mechanical prostheses in both age groups, but no difference after aortic valve replacement. Valve type was predictive of major thromboembolism and hemorrhage, except in older patients undergoing mitral valve replacement. Bioprostheses are favored for aortic valve replacement in both age groups, but the risk of re-operation with a bioprosthesis in the mitral position in patients aged 61–65 years favors a mechanical prosthesis. Prosthesis choice is less definite in those aged 66–70 years.

Does the CHA2DS2-Vasc score predict procedural and short-term outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation?

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is associated with periprocedural and postprocedural morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is a paucity of risk stratification models for potential TAVI candidates. We employed the CHA2DS2-Vasc score to quantify the risk of 30-day mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing TAVI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retrospective analysis of registry data for consecutive patients undergoing TAVI at 3 tertiary centres in Northwest England between 2008 and 2013. The CHA2DS2-Vasc score and its modification-the R2CHA2DS2-Vasc score, which includes pre-existing renal impairment and pre-existing conduction abnormality (right bundle branch block/left bundle branch block, RBBB/LBBB)-were calculated for all patients. A total of 313 patients with a mean age of 80 (79.1-80.8) years underwent TAVI. The implanted devices were either the CoreValve or the Edwards-SAPIEN prosthesis. The 30-day mortality was 14.3% in those with a CHA2DS2-Vasc score ≥6, whereas it was only 6.2% in those with a score <6 (p=0.04). Using the R2-CHA2DS2-Vasc score, the difference was more pronounced with a 30-day mortality of 22.6% in those patients with an R2-CHA2DS2-Vasc score ≥7 compared to 6.0% in those with a R2-CHA2DS2-Vasc score <7 (p=0.001). In multivariable Cox regression analyses, there was a significant and independent relationship between the CHA2DS2-Vasc score (hazard ratio (HR)= 2.71, (1.01 to 7.31); p<0.05) and the modified R2CHA2DS2-Vasc score (HR=4.27 (1.51 to 12.07); p=0.006) with 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the potential use of the CHA2DS2-Vasc or the R2CHA2DS2-Vasc score to quantify the risk of mortality in patients undergoing TAVI. This could have significant implications in terms of clinical as well as patients' decision-making.

Imaging of Mitral Valve Prolapse: What Can We Learn from Imaging about the Mechanism of the Disease?

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common mitral valve disorder affecting 2%-3% of the general population. Two histological forms for the disease exist: Myxomatous degeneration and fibroelastic disease. Pathological evidence suggests the disease is not confined solely to the valve tissue, and accumulation of proteoglycans and fibrotic tissue can be seen in the adjacent myocardium of MVP patients. MVP is diagnosed by demonstrating valve tissue passing the annular line into the left atrium during systole. In this review we will discuss the advantages and limitations of various imaging modalities in their MVP diagnosis ability as well as the potential for demonstrating extra associated valvular pathologies.

Successful fibrinolytic treatment of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis using streptokinase

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcome of fibrinolytic treatment of prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) with 'streptokinase' as a first line treatment for these cases.

METHODS

The study group was 20 consecutive patients (10 females) diagnosed with PVT. The protocol for streptokinase administration was either accelerated (intravenous infusion of 0.5 million IU over 30 minutes followed by 0.15 million IU/h) or conventional (intravenous infusion of 0.25 million IU over 30 minutes followed by 0.15 million IU/h). Success of fibrinolytic therapy was defined as complete restoration of valve function in the presence or absence of complications.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (90%) had mitral PVT and two (10%) had aortic PVT. Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase was successful in all but one case, with a total mortality of four cases (20%). In PVT episodes, before streptokinase therapy, the prosthetic valve areas (in all cases, mitral and aortic positions) were 0.82 ± 0.21, 0.83 ± 0.21, and 0.73 ± 0.18 cm²; and the peak and mean transvalvular gradients were 38.7 ± 16.7 and 25.4 ± 8.7, 34.1 ± 8.8 and 23.2 ± 5.4, and 80.0 ± 14.1 and 45.0 ± 7.1 mmHg, respectively. After streptokinase therapy, the prosthetic valve area and peak and mean transvalvular gradients improved significantly (for all cases, mitral and aortic positions: valve area 2.17 ± 0.58, 2.21 ± 0.61, and 1.85 ± 0.07 cm², peak gradient 18.7 ± 11.0, 16.4 ± 7.7, and 39.0 ± 18.4, and mean gradient 9.6 ± 7.1, 8.2 ± 5.3, and 22.0 ± 11.3 mmHg, respectively; paired t-test, P<0.001 for pre- versus post-streptokinase infusion for all variables).

CONCLUSION

Fibrinolytic therapy using streptokinase was an effective therapeutic strategy for the management of PVT and is a reasonable alternative to surgery.

Early pericardial valve deterioration as a result of adhesions with native mitral valve

We report an unusual case of early pericardial tissue valve prosthesis deterioration that required replacement. Four years after mitral valve replacement, 1 of the 3 leaflets of the valve was thickened and retracted in a fixed open position, which resulted in severe mitral insufficiency. The cause of this was adhesion of the leaflet and the patient's own retained posterior mitral valve leaflet. The finding was confirmed at operation and by histologic examination.

Chest ultrasonography in emergency Cesarean delivery in multi-valvular heart disease with pulmonary edema during spinal anesthesia

Valvular heart disease in a parturient presenting for Cesarean section is challenging. A 25 year old primigravida parturient with severe mitral stenosis, mild mitral regurgitation, mild aortic regurgitation, and mild pulmonary arterial hypertension required Cesarean delivery after developing pulmonary edema. Low-dose spinal with hyperbaric bupivacine 0.5% 1.8 mL plus 25 μg of fentanyl was used for anesthesia. Chest ultrasonography (US) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were used for monitoring purposes. Spinal-induced preload reduction improved the pulmonary edema, as evidenced by chest US. Chest US and TTE helped in fluid management.

Isolated right ventricular dysfunction in patients with human immunodeficiency virus

BACKGROUND

HIV-infected individuals are at increased risk for pulmonary hypertension and cardiomyopathy, portending a poor prognosis. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is associated with worse outcomes in these conditions, yet its prevalence is poorly defined in HIV. We sought to determine the prevalence of RV dysfunction in an outpatient HIV cohort.

METHODS

Echocardiograms were evaluated from 104 HIV-infected adults. Measurements included estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and several measures of RV function, including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV longitudinal myocardial strain (RVLMS), RV fractional area change (RVFAC), and myocardial performance index (MPI).

RESULTS

Sixteen subjects (15%) had PASP >35 mm Hg, yet RV function did not differ significantly from those with normal estimated PASP. RV dysfunction defined by RVFAC <35% occurred in 11%. RVLMS had a median value of -27.3%, and individuals below the median had lower TAPSE but no differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), PASP, or other measures. Dyspnea was associated with the lowest quintile of RVLMS (≥-21.05%). There were 6 subjects with LVEF <50%, and these individuals had lower TAPSE but no differences in PASP or other RV functional measures.

CONCLUSIONS

RV dysfunction was common as estimated PASP >35 mm Hg and LV dysfunction, but these findings did not cosegregate. RV dysfunction in HIV-infected individuals may be a separate entity from LV/global cardiomyopathy or pulmonary hypertension and deserves further study.

Effect of aortic aneurysm replacement on outcomes after bicuspid aortic valve surgery: validation of contemporary guidelines

OBJECTIVE

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is associated with aortic dilatation and aneurysm (AN) formation. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) 2006 guidelines recommend replacement of the ascending aorta for an aortic diameter (AD)> 45 mm in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). We evaluated the outcomes of AVR and AVR with aortic replacement (AVR/AN).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed (2004-2011) the data from 456 patients with BAV and compared the morbidity and mortality between the AVR and AVR/AN groups and 3 subgroups: AVR with an AD<45 mm; AVR/AN with an AD of 45 to 49 mm; and AVR/AN with an AD of ≥50 mm. Propensity score matching was used to reduce bias.

RESULTS

Of the 456 patients, 250 (55%) underwent AVR and 206 (45%) AVR/AN, with 98% compliance with the current guidelines. The overall 30-day mortality was 0.9%. The AVR AD<45-mm group had adjusted short- and medium-term survival similar to that of the AVR/AN AD 45- to 49-mm and AVR/AN AD≥50-mm groups, with a 30-day mortality of 0.8%, 0%, and 1.9%, respectively (P=.41). The propensity score-matched AVR/AN AD≥50-mm group had significantly greater rates of reintubation than either the AVR AD<45-mm (P=.012) or AVR/AN AD 45- to 49-mm (P=.04) group and greater rates of prolonged ventilation (P=.022) than the AVR AD<45-mm group. No significant differences were found in reoperation or myocardial infarction among the subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with undergoing AVR, no increase was seen in morbidity or mortality when adding aortic replacement with an AD of 45 to 49 mm, in accordance with the 2006 ACC/AHA guidelines, although the AVR/AN AD≥50-mm group had a greater risk of respiratory complications. Our findings indicate that compliance with the ACC/AHA guidelines is safe in select centers.

Incidence of new onset atrial fibrillation in patients with permanent pacemakers and the relation to the pacing mode

Background

Atrial fibrillation is a relatively common arrhythmia often seen in patients with permanent pacemakers. In this study we aimed to assess the incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients whose pacemakers were programmed to pace in the right ventricle (VVI) and compared it with patients whose pacemakers were programmed in non-VVI mode(i.e. AAI or DDD).

Material/Methods

Records of the patients with permanent pacemaker or implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator were evaluated and analyzed. These patients had regular periodic follow-up evaluation over the last 10 years. (January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2012).

Patient demographic, pacemaker data, pacing mode, review and analysis of arrhythmia log for occurrence of new atrial fibrillation and echocardiographic findings for left atrial size, mitral regurgitation, were analyzed and recorded. Left atrial size was classified as mild, moderate or severe enlargement, depending on the left atrial dimension.

Results

Average age was 68 years. There was no gender predominance (51% male). Mean follow-up duration was 6 years and 3 months. Hispanic population represented the majority of the patients (65.4%). Majority of the devices (80.0%) were programmed as DDD pacing mode. Fifty-five patients (52.8%) did not develop atrial fibrillation. 85.7% of the patients paced in VVI-mode had atrial fibrillation while atrial fibrillation occurred in 37.4% among patients paced in non-VVI-mode. This difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Right ventricular pacing in a VVI mode was associated with higher incidence of atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation and left atrial enlargement. Non-VVI based pacing demonstrated lower incidence of new onset atrial fibrillation.

Percutaneous methods of left atrial appendage exclusion: an alternative to the internist

Thromboembolic stroke from the left atrial appendage (LAA) is the most feared complication in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The cornerstone for the management of chronic non-valvular AF is stroke reduction with oral anticoagulation (OAC). However, poor compliance, maintaining a narrow therapeutic window, and major side effects such as bleeding have severely limited their use, which creates a therapeutic dilemma. As much as 20% of AF patients are not receiving OAC due to contraindications and less than half of AF patients are not on OAC due to reluctance of the prescribing physician and/or patient non-compliance. Fortunately, over the past decade, there have been great interests in providing an alternative strategy unbeknownst to the practicing internist. The introduction of percutaneous approaches for LAA occlusion has added a different dimension to the management of chronic AF in patients with OAC intolerance. Occlusion devices such as the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug and WATCHMAN device are currently being investigated for stroke prophylaxis. More recently, the LARIAT device may provide an alternative means for potential stroke prophylaxis without the need for short-term post-procedural OAC. We aim to review the current literature and bring attention to an alternative strategy for high-risk AF patients intolerant to OAC.

Transcatheter occlusion of the left atrial appendage for stroke prevention

Patients with atrial fibrillation are at an increased risk of having a cardioembolic stroke. Most of the thrombi responsible for these ischemic events originate in the left atrial appendage. Percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage is a new approach to stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation and contraindication for long-term warfarin treatment. Three different devices have been used so far: the PLAATO system, the WATCHMAN filter system and the Amplatzer septal occluder. Left atrial appendage occlusion using these devices is feasible and safe and has shown promising results. The risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients appears to be reduced.