Gender differences in left ventricle geometry and function in patients undergoing balloon dilatation of the aortic valve for isolated aortic stenosis. NHLBI Balloon Valvuloplasty Registry

Female showed favorable left ventricle hypertrophy regression during post-TAVR follow-up

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a well-established procedure using a catheter-introduced valve prosthesis for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). This retrospective study investigated sex-related differences in pre- and post-TAVR clinical and hemodynamic outcomes and analyzed data of the first 100 cases at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital (KMUH) between December 2013 and December 2021. Baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes, mortality rates, and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed and compared between sexes. Among the 100 patients, male (46%) and female (54%) were of similar age (mean age, male 86.0 years vs. female 84.5 years) and of the same severity of AS (mean pressure gradient, male 47.5 mmHg vs. female 45.7 mmHg) at the time receiving the TAVR procedure. Women had smaller aortic valve areas calculated by continuity equation (0.8 ± 0.3 cm2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 cm2, p < 0.001). In addition, women had better left ventricle ejection fraction (59.6 ± 14.0% vs. men 54.7 ± 17.2%, p < 0.01). In the post-TAVR follow-up, regression of left ventricle mass and dimension was better in women than in men. None of the patient died within 30 days after the procedure, and women tended to have a more favorable survival than men (2-year mortality and overall mortality rate in 8.3 year, women 9.1% and 22.2% vs. men 22.2% and 34.8%; p = 0.6385 and 0.1277, respectively). In conclusion, the sex-based difference in post-TAVR regression of LV remodeling suggests a need for sex-based evaluation for patients with severe AS and their post TAVR follow-up.

Sex-Dependent Mechanisms of Cell Death Modalities in Cardiovascular Disease

Despite currently available therapies, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of death globally. Biological sex is a critical determinant of the occurrence, progression and overall outcome of CVD. However, the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. A hallmark of CVD is cell death. Based on the inability of the human heart to regenerate, loss of functional cardiac tissue can lead to irreversible detrimental effects. Here, we summarize current knowledge on how biological sex affects cell death-related mechanisms in CVD. Initially, we discuss apoptosis and necrosis, but we specifically focus on the relatively newly recognized programmed necrosis-like processes: pyroptosis and necroptosis. We also discuss the role of 17β-estradiol (E2) in these processes, particularly in terms of inhibiting pyroptotic and necroptotic signaling. We put forward that a better understanding of the effects of biological sex and E2 might lead to the identification of novel targets with therapeutic potential.

Association Between Early Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Improvement After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and 5-Year Clinical Outcomes

Importance

In patients with severe aortic stenosis and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50%, early LVEF improvement after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with improved 1-year mortality; however, its association with long-term clinical outcomes is not known.

Objective

To examine the association between early LVEF improvement after TAVR and 5-year outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study analyzed patients enrolled in the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) 1, 2, and S3 trials and registries between July 2007 and April 2015. High- and intermediate-risk patients with baseline LVEF less than 50% who underwent transfemoral TAVR were included in the current study. Data were analyzed from August 2020 to May 2021.

Exposures

Early LVEF improvement, defined as increase of 10 percentage points or more at 30 days and also as a continuous variable (ΔLVEF between baseline and 30 days).

Main Outcomes and Measures

All-cause death at 5 years.

Results

Among 659 included patients with LVEF less than 50%, 468 (71.0%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 82.4 (7.7) years. LVEF improvement within 30 days following transfemoral TAVR occurred in 216 patients (32.8%) (mean [SD] ΔLVEF, 16.4 [5.7%]). Prior myocardial infarction, diabetes, cancer, higher baseline LVEF, larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and larger aortic valve area were independently associated with lower likelihood of LVEF improvement. Patients with vs without early LVEF improvement after TAVR had lower 5-year all-cause death (102 [50.0%; 95% CI, 43.3-57.1] vs 246 [58.4%; 95% CI, 53.6-63.2]; P = .04) and cardiac death (52 [29.5%; 95% CI, 23.2-37.1] vs 135 [38.1%; 95% CI, 33.1-43.6]; P = .05). In multivariable analyses, early improvement in LVEF (modeled as a continuous variable) was associated with lower 5-year all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio per 5% increase in LVEF, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.88-1.00]; P = .04) and cardiac death (adjusted hazard ratio per 5% increase in LVEF, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.82-0.98]; P = .02) after TAVR. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a visual inflection point at ΔLVEF of 10% beyond which there was a steep decline in all-cause mortality with increasing degree of LVEF improvement. There were no statistically significant differences in rehospitalization, New York Heart Association functional class, or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary score at 5 years in patients with vs without early LVEF improvement. In subgroup analysis, the association between early LVEF improvement and 5-year all-cause death was consistent regardless of the presence or absence of coronary artery disease or prior myocardial infarction.

Conclusions and Relevance

In patients with severe aortic stenosis and LVEF less than 50%, 1 in 3 experience LVEF improvement within 1 month after TAVR. Early LVEF improvement is associated with lower 5-year all-cause and cardiac death.

Sex similarities and differences in the reverse and anti-remodeling effect of pressure unloading therapy in a rat model of aortic banding and debanding

BACKGROUND

Investigating the effect of sex on pressure unloading therapy in a clinical scenario is limited by several non-standardized factors. Hence, we sought to study sex-related similarities and differences under laboratory conditions.

METHODS

Pressure overload was induced in male and female rats by aortic banding (AB) for 6 and 12 weeks. Age-matched sham operated animals served as controls. Pressure unloading was performed by aortic debanding at week 6. Different aspects of myocardial remodeling were characterized by echocardiography, pressure-volume analysis, histology, qRT-PCR and explorative proteomics.

RESULTS

Hypertrophy, increased fetal gene expression, interstitial fibrosis, and prolonged active relaxation were noted in the AB groups at week 6 in both sexes. However, decompensation of systolic function and further deterioration of diastolic function only occurred in male AB rats at week 12. AB induced similar proteomic alterations in both sexes at week 6, while characteristic differences were found at week 12. After debanding, regression of hypertrophy and recovery of diastolic function took place to a similar extent in both sexes. Nevertheless, fibrosis, transcription of β-to-α myosin-heavy chain ratio, and myocardial proteomic alterations were reduced to a greater degree in females compared to males. Debanding exposed anti-remodeling properties in both sexes, and prevented the functional decline in males.

CONCLUSIONS

Female sex is associated with greater reversibility of fibrosis, fetal gene expression, and proteomic alterations. Nevertheless, pressure unloading exposes a more pronounced anti-remodeling effect on the functional level in males, which is attributed to the more progressive functional deterioration in AB animals.

Sex-Related Effects on Cardiac Development and Disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, male and female patients with CVD exhibit distinct epidemiological and pathophysiological characteristics, implying a potentially important role for primary and secondary sex determination factors in heart development, aging, disease and therapeutic responses. Here, we provide a concise review of the field and discuss current gaps in knowledge as a step towards elucidating the “sex determination–heart axis”. We specifically focus on cardiovascular manifestations of abnormal sex determination in humans, such as in Turner and Klinefelter syndromes, as well as on the differences in cardiac regenerative potential between species with plastic and non-plastic sexual phenotypes. Sex-biased cardiac repair mechanisms are also discussed with a focus on the role of the steroid hormone 17β-estradiol. Understanding the “sex determination–heart axis” may offer new therapeutic possibilities for enhanced cardiac regeneration and/or repair post-injury.

Role of Biological Sex in the Cardiovascular-Gut Microbiome Axis

There has been a recent, unprecedented interest in the role of gut microbiota in host health and disease. Technological advances have dramatically expanded our knowledge of the gut microbiome. Increasing evidence has indicated a strong link between gut microbiota and the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the present article, we discuss the contribution of gut microbiota in the development and progression of CVD. We further discuss how the gut microbiome may differ between the sexes and how it may be influenced by sex hormones. We put forward that regulation of microbial composition and function by sex might lead to sex-biased disease susceptibility, thereby offering a mechanistic insight into sex differences in CVD. A better understanding of this could identify novel targets, ultimately contributing to the development of innovative preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for men and women.

Surgical aortic valve replacement and left ventricular remodeling: Survival and sex-related differences

OBJECTIVES

To analyze how left ventricular (LV) remodeling and hypertrophy geometry evolve after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in octogenarian patients, and identify potential sex-related differences and implications for long-term outcomes.

METHODS

In 170 patients with aortic stenosis ([AS], age 80 ± 4 years, 59% women), hypertrophy geometry and remodeling (LV index) were reanalyzed one year post-SAVR. The six-year outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Pre-SAVR, 65% of the women and 38.6% of the men (P < .001) showed adaptive remodeling. Concentric hypertrophy was prevalent in adaptive remodeling, and mixed and dilated hypertrophy were more prevalent in maladaptive remodeling. At one year, the remodeling patterns and sex distribution were similar to those observed pre-SAVR, but the LV index decreased in women and increased in men (P < .0001). Women with adaptive remodeling had a higher incidence of persistent concentric hypertrophy with higher LV filling pressures. Long-term survival was better in women and worse in men with adaptive remodeling (P = .039). Men with adaptive remodeling and men with concentric hypertrophy had the highest risk of cardiac death. This risk was similar between sexes for patients with maladaptive remodeling and dilated hypertrophy. Women with LV ejection fraction >55% had a lower risk of cardiac death than men.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term outcomes of SAVR differ between sexes in older patients with AS and adaptive LV remodeling. The LV index facilitates studying the pathways of adaptation to AS. The follow-up shifts help explain the sex differences in long-term outcomes post-SAVR. Concentric hypertrophy is associated with the highest risk of cardiac death in men.

Sex-Related Differences in Cardiac Remodeling and Reverse Remodeling After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis in a Japanese Population

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling with aortic stenosis (AS) appears to differ according to sex, but reverse remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has not been elucidated in a Japanese population. This study aims to determine whether any sex-related differences in LV or reverse remodeling after TAVI exist in the context of severe AS.Of 208 patients who received TAVI for severe AS in our institution, 100 (men, 42; mean age, 83.0 ± 4.9 years) underwent transthoracic echocardiography before and 3 months after TAVI. Despite similar valvular gradients, women with severe AS had lower indexed LV mass (LVMi) than did men (152.3 ± 35.4 versus 173.2 ± 44.6 g/m², P = 0.005), with smaller indexed LV end-diastolic (LVEDVi) (50.2 ± 13.3 versus 61.4 ± 20.7 mL/m², P = 0.001) and end-systolic (LVESVi; 17.9 ± 8.7 versus 24.3 ± 13.8 mL/m², P = 0.006) volumes. After TAVI, women (-6.0% ± 14.4%) had higher reduction in the rate of change of relative wall thickness (RWT) than did men (4.4% ± 19.0%, P = 0.003). Men (-8.9% ± 3.9%) had higher reduction in the rate of change of LVEDVi than did women (1.5% ± 3.3%, P = 0.045). Incidence of LV reverse remodeling defined as a reduction in LVESV of >15% was significantly higher in men (50%) than in women (26%, P = 0.013).In addition to sex differences in the pattern of LV remodeling with AS, reverse LV remodeling after TAVI also differed between sexes.

Sex-Specific Features of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common valvular heart disease in developed countries predominantly affecting the elderly population therefore posing a large economic burden. It is a gradually progressive condition ranging from mild valve calcification and thickening, without the hemodynamic obstruction, to severe calcification impairing leaflet motion, known as aortic stenosis (AS). The progression of CAVD occurs over many years, and it is extremely variable among individuals. It is also associated with an increased risk of coronary events and mortality. The recent insights into the CAVD pathophysiology included an important role of sex. Accumulating evidence suggests that, in patients with CAVD, sex can determine important differences in the relationship between valvular calcification process, fibrosis, and aortic stenosis hemodynamic severity between men and women. Consequently, it has implications on the development of different valvular phenotypes, left ventricular hypertrophy, and cardiovascular outcomes in men and women. Along these lines, taking into account the sex-related differences in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcomes is of profound importance. In this review, the sex-related differences in patients with CAVD, in terms of pathobiology, clinical phenotypes, and outcomes were discussed.

Estrogen-related mechanisms in sex differences of hypertension and target organ damage

Hypertension (HTN) is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) events, target organ damage (TOD), premature death and disability worldwide. The pathophysiology of HTN is complex and influenced by many factors including biological sex. Studies show that the prevalence of HTN is higher among adults aged 60 and over, highlighting the increase of HTN after menopause in women. Estrogen (E2) plays an important role in the development of systemic HTN and TOD, exerting several modulatory effects. The influence of E2 leads to alterations in mechanisms regulating the sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, body mass, oxidative stress, endothelial function and salt sensitivity; all associated with a crucial inflammatory state and influenced by genetic factors, ultimately resulting in cardiac, vascular and renal damage in HTN. In the present article, we discuss the role of E2 in mechanisms accounting for the development of HTN and TOD in a sex-specific manner. The identification of targets with therapeutic potential would contribute to the development of more efficient treatments according to individual needs.

Sex differences in aortic stenosis: from pathophysiology to treatment

Introduction: In aortic stenosis (AS), there are clear sex differences in clinical presentation, left ventricular (LV) response to pressure overload, and pathophysiology of valvular calcification. These differences may affect outcome following valve intervention.Area covered: This review aims to discuss sex differences in clinical presentation, pathophysiology of aortic valve calcification, LV remodeling in view of historic and recent echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging studies, and outcome after valve intervention. In addition, it will also provide some brief insights on the exercise physiology in women and men with AS.Expert commentary: Women at presentation are often older, have higher prevalence of hypertension and diastolic dysfunction, while men are younger, and more often have a bicuspid aortic valve and higher atherosclerotic disease burden. Men have more valve calcification than women for a given severity of AS and develop different patterns of LV remodeling and myocardial fibrosis. Although women tend to walk shorter on treadmill and achieve lower metabolic equivalents, they achieve similar peak heart rates and blood pressure, and the frequency of revealed symptoms during exercise test is comparable in both sexes. Men are more likely to undergo a surgical AVR with better outcome, while women have generally better outcome after TAVI.

Sex-Specific Human Cardiomyocyte Gene Regulation in Left Ventricular Pressure Overload

OBJECTIVE

To assess gene expression in cardiomyocytes isolated from patients with aortic stenosis, hypothesizing that maladaptive remodeling and inflammation-related genes are higher in male vs female patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, 34 patients with aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement from March 20, 2016, through May 24, 2017, at the German Heart Centre in Berlin, Germany, were included. Isolated cardiomyocytes from interventricular septum samples were used for gene expression analysis. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected preoperatively.

RESULTS

Age, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, comorbidities, and medication were similar between the 17 male and 17 female patients. The mean ± SD left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (52±9 vs 45±4 mm; P=.007) and posterior wall thickness (14.2±2.5 vs 12.1±1.6 mm; P=.03) were higher in male vs female patients, while ejection fraction was lower in male patients (49%±14% vs 59%±5%; P=.01). Focusing on structural genes involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, we found that most were expressed higher in male vs female patients. Our modeling analysis revealed that 2 inflammation-related genes, CCN2 and NFKB1, were negatively related to ejection fraction, with this effect being male specific (P=.03 and P=.02, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These findings provide novel insight into cardiomyocyte-specific molecular changes related to sex differences in pressure overload and a significant male-specific association between cardiac function and inflammation-related genes. Considering these sex differences may contribute toward a more accurate design of research and the development of more appropriate therapeutic approaches for both male and female patients.

Aortic stenosis in women

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valve disorder in an ageing population in western countries, and women, with longer life expectancy, comprise a substantial percentage of elderly patients with AS. Compared with men, women exhibit distinctive characteristics at the level of stenotic valve leaflets and subsequent compensatory responses of the left ventricle to chronic pressure overload, and in clinical presentation, consequences and response to intervention. Randomised controlled trials of transcatheter aortic valve implantation have yielded new evidence of sex differences in both short-term and long-term outcomes after intervention. A comprehensive knowledge of the existing evidence may inform our understanding of gender differences during assessment and treatment of patients with AS. In this paper, we review the available evidence regarding sex differences in AS in terms of symptoms, clinical presentation, anatomical differences and pathophysiological progression, management and outcomes after aortic valve replacement. Implications for further research are suggested.

Women had favourable reverse left ventricle remodelling after TAVR

BACKGROUND

Being woman is associated with higher survival rates after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) despite the increase in periprocedural complications. The left ventricle (LV) remodelling process that follows TAVR is considered to play an important role. We aim to investigate whether gender difference affects the process of LV remodelling after TAVR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 100 patients (50 men and 50 women) after TAVR were enrolled. Echocardiography was performed at baseline before the TAVR procedure and repeated upon discharge, and at three, nine and 12 months post-TAVR.

RESULTS

Women exhibited an early regression of LV mass and the LV mass index (LVMi) decreased 12.0% from 148.3 ± 48.0 to 130.5 ± 43.7 g/m2 at just a median of 17 days after the procedure (P < .001). Almost one-half of the LVMi regression occurred by 17 days post-TAVR and the LVMi regressed 22.0% by 12 months post-TAVR. In contrast, the regression of LVMi in men seemed to be more gradual and the significant regression of LVMi from baseline began to be observed since three months later after TAVR. The LVMi reduction at nine months was 11.5% and achieved 15.4% over one year. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed only the female sex, better LVEF and greater baseline LVMi were independently associated with greater LVMi regression after TAVR, indicating female gender is an independent predictor for favourable LV remodelling after TAVR.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, female patients with AS had favourable reverse remodelling with greater and earlier LV mass regression post-TAVR compared with the male patients.

Men are from mars, women are from venus: Factors responsible for gender differences in outcomes after surgical and trans-catheter aortic valve replacement

Females suffer higher operative (30-day) mortality than males after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). In contrast, outcomes after trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) seem to favor females, both in terms of procedural mortality, and more prominently, medium to long-term survival. With an ever-greater number of TAVR procedures being performed, an understanding of factors responsible for gender differences in outcomes after the two AVR modalities is critical for better patient selection. Current evidence suggests that this gender difference in outcomes after SAVR and TAVR stems from differences in baseline risk profiles, as well as inherent anatomic/physiological differences between genders. This review attempts to examine these clinical and physiological factors, with a goal of guiding better patient selection for each AVR modality, and to highlight areas that beg further investigation.

Sex differences in left ventricular remodelling, myocardial fibrosis and mortality after aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES

To investigate sex differences in left ventricular remodelling and outcome in patients undergoing surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (SAVR/TAVR).

METHODS

In this multicentre, observational, outcome study with imaging core-lab analysis, patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) listed for intervention at one of six UK centres were prospectively recruited and underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and secondary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality.

RESULTS

674 patients (425 men, 249 women, age 75±14 years) were included: 399 SAVR, 275 TAVR. Women were older, had higher surgical risk scores and underwent TAVR more frequently (53% vs 33.6%, p<0.001). More men had bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) (26.7% vs 14.9%, p<0.001) and demonstrated more advanced remodelling than women. During a median follow-up of 3.6 years, 145 (21.5%) patients died, with no significant sex difference in all-cause mortality (23.3% vs 20.5%, p=0.114), but higher cardiovascular mortality in women (13.7% vs 8.5%, p=0.012). There were no significant sex-related differences in outcome in the SAVR or TAVR subgroups, or after excluding those with BAV. Factors independently associated with all-cause mortality were age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), BAV (better) and myocardial fibrosis detected with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in men, and age, LVEF and LGE in women. Age and LGE were independently associated with cardiovascular mortality in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Men demonstrate more advanced remodelling in response to a similar severity of AS. The higher cardiovascular mortality observed in women following AVR is accounted for by women having less BAV and higher risk scores resulting in more TAVR. LGE is associated with a worse prognosis in both sexes.

An Asian Perspective on Gender Differences in Clinical Outcomes and Echocardiographic Profiles of Patients With Medically Managed Severe Aortic Stenosis

BACKGROUND

Gender differences in valvular heart disease are increasingly recognised. A prior study has suggested better surgical outcomes in women with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). We investigate gender differences in medically managed severe AS.

METHOD

We studied 347 patients with severe AS (aortic valve area index <0.6 cm²/m²) in terms of baseline clinical background, echocardiographic characteristics, and clinical outcomes. Appropriate univariate and multivariate models were employed, while Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare mortality outcomes.

RESULTS

In total, 205 (59%) patients were women. Despite higher incidences of hypertension (75.6% vs 47.3%) and diabetes mellitus (46.5% vs 29.5%) in women, women had improved survival (Kaplan-Meier log-rank = 6.24, p = 0.012). After adjusting for age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.034; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.014-1.054), hypertension (HR, 1.469; 95% CI, 0.807-2.673), diabetes (HR, 1.219; 95% CI, 0.693-2.145), and indexed aortic valve area (HR 0.145, 95% CI 0.031-0.684) on multivariate analyses, female gender remained independently associated with lower mortality (HR, 0.561; 95%, CI 0.332-0.947). Women tended to have smaller body surface area (BSA), left ventricular (LV) internal diastolic diameter, and smaller LV outflow tract diameter but were similar to men in terms of LV ejection fraction, AS severity, and patterns of LV remodelling.

CONCLUSIONS

Women appeared to have better outcomes compared to men in medically managed severe AS. These gender differences warrant further study and may affect prognosis, follow-up, and timing of valve surgery.

Predictors and Changes in Cardiac Hemodynamics and Geometry With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionized the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, despite the great clinical success of TAVI, less is known about the cardiac hemodynamics and structural changes to post-TAVI. We analyzed patients with AS who had a transthoracic echocardiography at most 6 months before index TAVI and follow-up transthoracic echocardiography 9 to 18 months later, performed at Duke University Medical Center from 2012 to 2014. A total of 152 TAVI patients with a median age of 81 years (median interquartile range 74 to 86) were included. TAVI resulted in the reduction of left ventricle (LV) mass index (g/m²), median (interquartile range) 130 (115 to 157) pre versus 106 (85 to 135) post, p <0.001; LV end-diastolic volume (ml) 127 (105 to 143) pre versus 120 (100 to 143) post, p = 0.013; and LV end-systolic volume (ml) 55 (38 to 77) pre versus 45 (40 to 65) post, p = 0.027. TAVI also significantly improved LV global longitudinal strain (%) -14.4 (-11.3, -15.5) pre versus -14.8 (-12.2, -16.6) post (p <0.001, respectively). Post-TAVI LV mass regression was predicted by baseline LV mass and LV global longitudinal strain whereas post-TAVI LV ejection fraction was predicted by baseline LV ejection fraction, LV mass, and post-TAVI paravalvular leak. In conclusion, TAVI results in significant cardiac hemodynamic, geometrical, and functional changes at approximately 1-year postprocedure for patients with AS. Better baseline myocardial structure and function leads to more reverse remodeling.

Sex-specific aortic root anatomy in patients with bicuspid aortic valve undergoing TAVR in a Chinese cohort

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the sex-specific aortic root anatomy in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).

Patients and methods

This retrospective study includes 73 consecutive patients with BAV who underwent CT evaluation before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) between July 2013 and April 2017 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University.

Result

The size of the annulus, diameter and height of the sinotubular junction (STJ), height of the coronary artery ostia, and dimension of the aorta were measured. Women had significantly smaller annulus parameters (mean diameter: 23.4 ± 1.8 vs. 26.1 ± 2.1 mm; area: 425.3 ± 59.4 vs. 527.4 ± 84.6 mm²; perimeter: 74.3 ± 5.2 vs. 83.2 ± 6.4 mm), and STJ diameter (29.7 ± 3.1 vs. 32.6 ± 4.5 mm) than men (p < 0.01 for all), even after adjustment for their smaller body surface area (BSA). Dimension of aorta and height of right coronary artery were also significantly smaller in women, although not when indexing for the BSA. The left ventricular ejection fraction of women is significantly higher than that of men before discharge (60.2 ± 9.7% vs. 53.7 ± 13.6%, p = 0.01). There were no differences between women and men in the all-cause 30-day and 1‑year mortality.

Conclusion

Women with BAV had smaller annulus and STJ diameter after indexing for BSA, reflecting a sex-specific difference. There were no differences in 30-day and 1‑year mortality between the two groups.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00059-018-4740-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of gender on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Backgound

The influence of gender on clinical outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was considerably discrepant in previous studies. We aimed to investigate the impact of gender in our registry.

Methods

The study is a retrospective observational analysis of a prospectively designed cohort (546 consecutive patients treated at the University Hospital Zurich who were enrolled in Swiss TAVI Cohort from May 2008 to April 2014). The Study took place in University Heart Centre at University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.

Results

Both genders were equally represented with 51.5 % (n = 281) of the populations being females, who were significantly older and had a more pronounced history of hypertension (P < 0.001). Males on the other hand showed a higher incidence of diabetes (P = 0.004), coronary artery disease (P < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < 0.001) and renal failure requiring renal replacement therapy (P = 0.018). Patients were followed up for a median of 391 days with a 100% complete follow-up at one year. The primary outcome (all-cause mortality) occurred in 6.8% (n = 37) and 15% (n = 82) of patients at 30 days and one year, respectively. The 30-day all-cause mortality outcome did not significantly differ between females (7.5%) and males (6.0%) (P = 0.619), but one year all-cause mortality occurred significantly more in males than in females (18.7% vs. 11.7%, P < 0.037).

Conclusion

After TAVI implantation for severe aortic stenosis, males have a less favorable long-term (one year) mortality outcome than females.

Impact of left ventricular remodelling patterns on outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis

Aims

The objective of this study was to examine the association between the different patterns of left ventricular (LV) remodelling/hypertrophy on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods and results

In total, 747 consecutive patients (69 ± 14 years, 57% men) with AS and preserved LV ejection fraction were included in this study. According to LV mass index and relative wall thickness, patients were classified into four LV patterns: normal, concentric remodelling (CR), concentric hypertrophy (CH), and eccentric hypertrophy (EH). One hundred and sixteen patients (15%) had normal pattern, 66 (9%) had EH, 169 (23%) had CR, and 396 (53%) had CH. During a median follow-up of 6.4 years, 339 patients died (242 from cardiovascular causes). CH was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with the three other LV patterns (all P < 0.05). After multivariable adjustment, CH remained associated with higher risk of mortality (HR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.01-1.61, P = 0.046). There was a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between sex and CH with regards to the impact on mortality: CH was associated with worse outcome in women (P = 0.0001) but not in men (P = 0.22). In multivariable analysis, CH remained associated with higher risk of worse outcome in women (HR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.08-2.24, P = 0.018).

Conclusions

This study shows that CH was independently associated with increased risk of mortality in AS patients with preserved ejection fraction. This association was observed in women but not in men. The pattern of LV remodelling/hypertrophy should be integrated in the risk stratification process in patients with AS.

Sex Dimorphism in the Myocardial Response to Aortic Stenosis

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to explore sex differences in myocardial remodeling in aortic stenosis (AS) by using echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and biomarkers.

BACKGROUND

AS is a disease of both valve and left ventricle (LV). Sex differences in LV remodeling are reported in AS and may play a role in disease phenotyping.

METHODS

This study was a prospective assessment of patients awaiting surgical valve replacement for severe AS using echocardiography, the 6-min walking test, biomarkers (high-sensitivity troponin T and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), and CMR with late gadolinium enhancement and extracellular volume fraction, which dichotomizes the myocardium into matrix and cell volumes. LV remodeling was categorized into normal geometry, concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy, and eccentric hypertrophy.

RESULTS

In 168 patients (age 70 ± 10 years, 55% male, indexed aortic valve area 0.40 ± 0.13 cm2/m2, mean gradient 47 ± 4 mm Hg), no sex or age differences in AS severity or functional capacity (6-min walking test) were found. CMR captured sex dimorphism in LV remodeling not apparent by using 2-dimensional echocardiography. Normal geometry (82% female) and concentric remodeling (60% female) dominated in women; concentric hypertrophy (71% male) and eccentric hypertrophy (76% male) dominated in men. Men also had more evidence of LV decompensation (pleural effusions), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (67 ± 16% vs. 74 ± 13%; p < 0.001), and higher levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (p = 0.04) and high-sensitivity troponin T (p = 0.01). Myocardial fibrosis was higher in men, with higher focal fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement 16.5 ± 11.2 g vs. 10.5 ± 8.9 g; p < 0.001) and extracellular expansion (matrix volume 28.5 ± 8.8 ml/m2 vs. 21.4 ± 6.3 ml/m2; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CMR revealed sex differences in associations between AS and myocardial remodeling not evident from echocardiography. Given equal valve severity, the myocardial response to AS seems more maladaptive in men than previously reported. (Regression of Myocardial Fibrosis After Aortic Valve Replacement [RELIEF-AS]; NCT02174471).

Pressure-volume analysis reveals characteristic sex-related differences in cardiac function in a rat model of aortic banding-induced myocardial hypertrophy

Sex differences in pressure overload (PO)-induced left ventricular (LV) myocardial hypertrophy (LVH) have been intensely investigated. Nevertheless, sex-related disparities of LV hemodynamics in LVH were not examined in detail. Therefore, we aimed to provide a detailed characterization of distinct aspects of LV function in male and female rats during different stages of LVH. Banding of the abdominal aorta (AB) was performed to induce PO for 6 or 12 wk in male and female rats. Control animals underwent sham operation. The development of LVH was followed by serial echocardiography. Cardiac function was assessed by pressure-volume analysis. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis were evaluated by histology. At week 6, increased LV mass index, heart weight-to-tibial length, cardiomyocyte diameter, concentric LV geometry, and moderate interstitial fibrosis were detected in both male and female AB rats, indicating the development of an early stage of LVH. Functionally, at this time, impaired active relaxation, increased contractility, and preserved ventricular-arterial coupling were observed in the AB groups in both sexes. In contrast, at week 12, progressive deterioration of LVH-associated structural and functional alterations occurred in male but not female animals with sustained PO. Accordingly, at this later stage, LVH was associated with eccentric remodeling, exacerbated fibrosis, and increased chamber stiffness in male AB rats. Furthermore, augmented contractility declined in male but not female AB animals, resulting in contractility-afterload mismatch. Maintained contractility augmentation, preserved ventricular-arterial coupling, and better myocardial compliance in female rats contribute to sex differences in LV function during the progression of PO-induced LVH. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated sex differences in pressure overload-induced left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy for the first time on the functional level by pressure-volume analysis. We found that left ventricular hypertrophy was initially characterized by prolonged active relaxation, increased contractility, and maintained ventricular-arterial coupling in both sexes. However, at a later stage, augmented contractility declined in mate but not female rats, resulting in contractility-afterload mismatch. Furthermore, in male rats, increased myocardial stiffness also contributed to hypertrophy-associated diastolic dysfunction.

Prevention of βeta-adrenergic-induced Adverse Cardiac Remodeling by Gonadectomy in Male but Not Female Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Chronic β-adrenergic stimulation induces left ventricular (LV) remodeling in male but not in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). However, the role of sex steroids in mediating these effects has not been determined. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of gonadectomy on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced LV remodeling in SHR. Gonadectomy was performed on 9-month-old male and female SHR. LV remodeling was induced by daily ISO injection (0.04 mg/kg) for 6 months. LV dimensions and functions were determined in vivo by echocardiography and ex vivo using isolated perfused heart preparations. In males, ISO increased LV end diastolic (LVED) diameter in sham-operated (in millimeter, ISO: 8.12 ± 0.26 vs. Con: 6.67 ± 0.20, P = 0.0002) but not in castrated SHR (ISO: 6.97 ± 0.31 vs. Con: 6.53 ± 0.15, P = 0.66). Similarly, ISO increased the volume intercept of the LVED pressure-volume relationship in sham-operated (in milliliters, ISO: 0.26 ± 0.02 vs. Con: 0.19 ± 0.01, P = 0.01) but not in castrated SHR (ISO: 0.17 ± 0.02 vs. Con: 0.17 ± 0.01, P = 0.99). In females, ISO only increased LVED diameter (ISO: 6.43 ± 0.13 vs. Con: 6.07 ± 0.09, P = 0.027). However, ovariectomy did not modify any LV dimensions measured in vivo and ex vivo. In conclusion, testosterone may be responsible for the chronic β-adrenergic-induced LV dilation and eccentric remodeling observed in male but not female SHR.

Symptom Onset in Aortic Stenosis: Relation to Sex Differences in Left Ventricular Remodeling

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to establish sex differences in remodeling and outcome in aortic stenosis (AS) and their associations with biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis.

BACKGROUND

The remodeling response and timing of symptoms is highly variable in AS, and sex plays an important role.

METHODS

A total of 174 patients (133 men, mean age 66.2 ± 13.3 years) with asymptomatic moderate to severe AS underwent comprehensive stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, transthoracic echocardiography, and biomarker analysis (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-2, -3, -7, -8, and -9; tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -4; syndecan-1 and -4; and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), and were followed up at 6-month intervals. A primary endpoint was a composite of typical AS symptoms necessitating referral for aortic valve replacement, cardiovascular death, or major adverse cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

For a similar severity of AS, male patients demonstrated higher indexed left ventricular (LV) volumes and mass, more concentric remodeling (higher LV mass/volume), a trend to more late gadolinium enhancement (present in 51.1% men vs. 34.1% women; p = 0.057), and higher extracellular volume index than female patients (13.27 [interquartile range (IQR): 11.5 to 17.0] vs. 11.53 [IQR: 10.5 to 13.5] ml/m², p = 0.017), with worse systolic and diastolic function and higher MMP-3 and syndecan-4 levels, whereas female patients had higher septal E/e'. Male sex was independently associated with indexed LV mass (β = 13.32 [IQR: 9.59 to 17.05]; p < 0.001). During median follow-up of 374 (IQR: 351 to 498) days, a primary outcome, driven by spontaneous symptom onset, occurred in 21.8% of male and 43.9% of female patients (relative risk: 0.50 [95% confidence interval: 0.31 to 0.80]; p = 0.004). Measures of AS severity were associated with the primary outcome in both sexes, whereas N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, MMP-3, and mass/volume were only associated in men.

CONCLUSIONS

In AS, women tolerate pressure overload with less concentric remodeling and myocardial fibrosis but are more likely to develop symptoms. This may be related to higher wall stress and filling pressures in women.

Sex Differences in Severe Aortic Stenosis - Clinical Presentation and Mortality

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data on the sex differences in the prevalence, clinical presentation, and prognosis of aortic stenosis (AS).Methods and Results:A total of 3,815 consecutive patients with severe AS were enrolled in the multicenter CURRENT AS registry between January 2003 and December 2011. The registry included 1,443 men (38%) and 2,372 women (62%). Women were much older than men (79±10 vs. 75±10 years, P<0.0001), and the ratio of women to men increased with age. The cumulative 5-year incidence of all-cause death was significantly higher in men than in women (47% vs. 41%, P=0.003), although women were more symptomatic and much older. The 5-year mortality was similar between men and women at age <65 years (16% vs. 15%, P=0.99), whereas it was significantly higher in men than in women at age ≥65 years (65-74 years, 38% vs. 19%, P<0.0001; 75-84 years, 55% vs. 34%, P<0.0001; ≥85 years: 82% vs. 72%, P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

A large Japanese multicenter registry of consecutive patients with severe AS included a much higher proportion of women than men, with the female:male sex ratio increasing with age. The 5-year mortality rate of women was lower than that of men. Lower 5-year mortality rates in women were consistently seen across all age groups >65 years.

Comparison of Frequency of Ischemic Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Aortic Stenosis With Versus Without Asymmetric Septal Hypertrophy (from the SEAS Trial)

Asymmetric interventricular septum hypertrophy (ASH) has been associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with severe, symptomatic aortic valve stenosis (AS). Less is known about the prognostic impact of ASH during progression of AS. Clinical, echocardiographic, and outcome data from 1,691 patients with initially asymptomatic, mostly moderate AS, participating in the Simvastatin Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis (SEAS) study was used. ASH was considered present if interventricular septum/posterior wall thickness ratio in end-diastole ≥1.5. The associations of ASH with hazard rate of ischemic cardiovascular events were tested in time-dependent Cox regression analyses. Based on the presence of ASH at study echocardiograms, the study population was grouped in to a no-ASH, nonpersistent ASH, persistent ASH, and new-onset ASH groups. During a median of 4.3 years of follow-up, ASH persisted or developed in 17% of patients. Persistent or new-onset ASH was characterized by higher left ventricular mass index and ejection fraction at baseline (both p <0.05) but not with female gender or hypertension. In time-varying Cox regression analyses adjusting for these confounders, persistent or new-onset ASH was associated with higher hazard rate of ischemic cardiovascular events (hazard rate 1.45; 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.91, p = 0.01), in particular coronary artery bypass grafting (hazard rate 1.69; 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 2.47; p = 0.006), whereas no association with increased mortality was found. In conclusion, in patients with AS without diabetes or known renal or cardiovascular disease participating in the SEAS study, persistent or new-onset ASH during progression of AS was associated with higher rate of ischemic cardiovascular events.

Mechanistic Pathways of Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Disease

Major differences between men and women exist in epidemiology, manifestation, pathophysiology, treatment, and outcome of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as coronary artery disease, pressure overload, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. Corresponding sex differences have been studied in a number of animal models, and mechanistic investigations have been undertaken to analyze the observed sex differences. We summarize the biological mechanisms of sex differences in CVD focusing on three main areas, i.e., genetic mechanisms, epigenetic mechanisms, as well as sex hormones and their receptors. We discuss relevant subtypes of sex hormone receptors, as well as genomic and nongenomic, activational and organizational effects of sex hormones. We describe the interaction of sex hormones with intracellular signaling relevant for cardiovascular cells and the cardiovascular system. Sex, sex hormones, and their receptors may affect a number of cellular processes by their synergistic action on multiple targets. We discuss in detail sex differences in organelle function and in biological processes. We conclude that there is a need for a more detailed understanding of sex differences and their underlying mechanisms, which holds the potential to design new drugs that target sex-specific cardiovascular mechanisms and affect phenotypes. The comparison of both sexes may lead to the identification of protective or maladaptive mechanisms in one sex that could serve as a novel therapeutic target in one sex or in both.

Sex-Related Differences in the Physiology, Risk, and Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a less-invasive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for the management of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis in patients with inoperable, high, or intermediate surgical risk. Females undergoing TAVR exhibit distinct physiology and baseline characteristics from their male counterparts. Although rates of procedural complications are higher, medium-term survival appears better for females than males. These sex-based differences are discussed in depth in this review of TAVR in the female population.

Targeted basic research to highlight the role of estrogen and estrogen receptors in the cardiovascular system

Epidemiological, clinical and animal studies revealed that sex differences exist in the manifestation and outcome of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The underlying molecular mechanisms implicated in these sex differences are not fully understood. The reasons for sex differences in CVD are definitely multifactorial, but major evidence points to the contribution of sex steroid hormone, 17β-estradiol (E2), and its receptors, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). In this review, we summarize past and present studies that implicate E2 and ER as important determinants of sexual dimorphism in the physiology and pathophysiology of the heart. In particular, we give an overview of studies aimed to reveal the role of E2 and ER in the physiology of the observed sex differences in CVD using ER knock-out mice. Finally, we discuss recent findings from novel transgenic mouse models, which have provided new information on the sexual dimorphic roles of ER specifically in cardiomyocytes under pathological conditions.

Calcific Aortic Valve Disease: Part 2-Morphomechanical Abnormalities, Gene Reexpression, and Gender Effects on Ventricular Hypertrophy and Its Reversibility

In part 1, we considered cytomolecular mechanisms underlying calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), hemodynamics, and adaptive feedbacks controlling pathological left ventricular hypertrophy provoked by ensuing aortic valvular stenosis (AVS). In part 2, we survey diverse signal transduction pathways that precede cellular/molecular mechanisms controlling hypertrophic gene expression by activation of specific transcription factors that induce sarcomere replication in-parallel. Such signaling pathways represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention and prevention of decompensation/failure. Hypertrophy provoking signals, in the form of dynamic stresses and ligand/effector molecules that bind to specific receptors to initiate the hypertrophy, are transcribed across the sarcolemma by several second messengers. They comprise intricate feedback mechanisms involving gene network cascades, specific signaling molecules encompassing G protein-coupled receptors and mechanotransducers, and myocardial stresses. Future multidisciplinary studies will characterize the adaptive/maladaptive nature of the AVS-induced hypertrophy, its gender- and individual patient-dependent peculiarities, and its response to surgical/medical interventions. They will herald more effective, precision medicine treatments.

The role of cardiac biochemical markers in aortic stenosis

Calcified aortic stenosis is one of the most common causes of heart failure in the elderly. Current guidelines recommend aortic valve replacement in patients with severe disease and evidence of decompensation based on either symptoms or impaired systolic ejection fraction. However, symptoms are often subjective whilst impaired ejection fraction is not a sensitive marker of ventricular decompensation. Interest has surrounded the use of cardiac biochemical markers as objective measures of left ventricular decompensation in aortic stenosis. We will first examine mechanisms of release of biochemical markers associated with myocardial wall stress (BNP/NT-proBNP), myocardial fibrosis (markers of collagen metabolism, galectin-3, soluble ST2) and myocyte death/myocardial ischemia (high-sensitivity cardiac troponins, heart-type fatty acid binding protein, myosin-binding protein C); and discuss future directions of these markers.

Sex differences in porcine left ventricular myocardial remodeling due to right ventricular pacing

Background

Although sex differences in heart failure (HF) prevalence and severity have been recognized, its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We used a tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy model to determine the sex specific remodeling pattern in male and female adult pigs.

Methods

We compared the echocardiographic and molecular measures of myocardial remodeling in 19 male and 12 female pigs with chronic symptomatic systolic HF due to right ventricle (RV) pacing (170 bpm) and 6 male and 5 female sham-operated controls. Males achieved subsequent HF stages earlier than females.

Results

The progression of symptomatic HF was associated with the reduction of the left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction in both sexes (all p < 0.05). A significant LV dilatation occurred only in males (p < 0.001). The HF development was accompanied by an increased pro-hypertrophic factor GATA4 and TGF-β1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the LV only in male pigs (all p < 0.01). The total gelatinolytic activity in LV was higher in males than females (irrespective of HF, p < 0.05), and the HF progression was associated with a reduced total gelatinolytic activity (p < 0.05) in the LV only in males. No differences in LV myocardial collagen content were found between HF groups and sexes. Cardiomyocyte cross-sectional diameter was significantly smaller in male hearts as compared to female (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Male and female porcine hearts respond differently to RV pacing. Males, most likely due to a higher extracellular matrix turnover, demonstrated a significant LV dilatation, followed by a strong induction of pro-hypertrophic program, and an earlier development of symptomatic HF.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13293-015-0048-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Sex Differences in Aortic Stenosis and Outcome Following Surgical and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Aortic stenosis is the commonest valve defect in the developed world and is associated with a high mortality once symptomatic. There is a difference in the way that male and female hearts remodel in the face of chronic pressure overload: women develop a concentrically hypertrophied, small cavity left ventricle (LV), whereas men are more prone to the development of eccentric hypertrophy. At a cellular level, there is an increase in collagen and metalloproteinase gene expression in males suggesting a different regulation of extracellular volume composition according to sex. Male hearts with aortic stenosis appear to have more fibrosis than their female comparators. The trigger for this appears to be in part related to estrogen receptor signaling, but other factors such as renin-angiotensin activation, nitric oxide, and circulating noradrenaline levels may also be implicated. Treatment options include surgical valve replacement (SAVR) and more recently transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Female sex may be a risk factor for adverse outcome following SAVR and conversely appears to confer a survival advantage when undergoing TAVR. Whether the lower mortality seen following TAVR in women compared with men (despite their increased age and frailty) reflects their longer life expectancy, smaller annular size (and less post-TAVR aortic regurgitation), more favorable LV reverse remodeling, or more likely, a combination of these factors remains to be established.

Sex differences in cardiovascular outcome during progression of aortic valve stenosis

Objective

Women with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) have better LV systolic function and more concentric LV geometry than their male counterparts. However, sex differences in cardiovascular (CV) outcome during progression of AS have not been reported from a longitudinal prospective study.

Methods

Doppler echocardiography and CV events were recorded during a median of 4.0 years in 979 men and 632 women aged 28–86 (mean 67±10) years in the Simvastatin Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis (SEAS) study. LV systolic function was assessed by EF and midwall shortening (MWS). Study outcomes were AS-related events, ischaemic CV events and total mortality.

Results

The annular cumulative incidence of AS events, ischaemic CV events and death was 8.1%, 3.4% and 2.8% in women, and 8.9%, 4.4% and 2.4% in men, respectively. Women and men had similar AS progression rate whether measured by peak jet velocity, mean gradient or valve area. In multivariate analyses, female sex independently predicted less reduction in LV MWS and EF during follow-up (both p<0.05). In time-varying Cox analyses, women had a 40% lower rate of ischaemic CV events (95% CI 21% to 54%), in particular, more than 50% lower rate of stroke and coronary artery bypass grafting, and a 31% lower all-cause mortality (95% CI 1% to 51%), independent of active study treatment, age and hypertension, as well as time-varying valve area, low systolic function and abnormal LV geometry. AS event rate did not differ by sex.

Conclusions

In the SEAS study, women and men had similar rates of AS progression and AS-related events. However, women had lower total mortality and ischaemic CV event rate than men independent of confounders.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00092677.

Effects of biological sex on the pathophysiology of the heart

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in men and women in industrialized countries. While the effects of biological sex on cardiovascular pathophysiology have long been known, the sex-specific mechanisms mediating these processes have been further elucidated over recent years. This review aims at analysing the sex-based differences in cardiac structure and function in adult mammals, and the sex-based differences in the main molecular mechanisms involved in the response of the heart to pathological situations. It emerged from this review that the sex-based difference is a variable that should be dealt with, not only in basic science or clinical research, but also with regards to therapeutic approaches.

A critical review of hemodynamic changes and left ventricular remodeling after surgical aortic valve replacement and percutaneous aortic valve replacement

The introduction of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in clinical practice has widened options for symptomatic patients at high surgical risk; however, it is not known whether TAVR has equivalent or prolonged benefits in terms of left ventricular (LV) remodeling.

METHODS

To explore the relative hemodynamic benefits and postoperative LV remodeling associated with TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), we performed a critical review of the available literature. A total of 67 studies were included in this systematic review.

RESULTS

There is at least equivalent if not slightly superior hemodynamic performance of TAVR over SAVR, and TAVR showed lower prosthesis-patient mismatch compared with SAVR. However, LV mass appears to regress to a greater degree after SAVR compared with TAVR. Aortic regurgitation, paravalvular in particular, is more common after TAVR than SAVR, although it is rarely more than moderate in severity. Improvements in diastolic function and mitral regurgitation are reported in only a handful of studies each and could not be compared across prosthesis types.

CONCLUSIONS

The published data support the hemodynamic comparability of SAVR and TAVR, with the higher incidence of prosthesis-patient mismatch in SAVR offset by higher incidence of paravalvular leak in TAVR. These results highlight the need for further studies focusing on hemodynamic changes after valve therapy.

Association of the common genetic polymorphisms and haplotypes of the chymase gene with left ventricular mass in male patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis

We investigated the association between polymorphisms and haplotypes of the chymase 1 gene (CMA1) and the left ventricular mass index (LVM/BSA) in a large cohort of patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Additionally, the gender differences in cardiac remodeling and hypertrophy were analyzed. The genetic background may affect the myocardial response to pressure overload. In human cardiac tissue, CMA1 is involved in angiotensin II production and TGF-β activation, which are two major players in the pathogenesis of hypertrophy and fibrosis. Preoperative echocardiographic data from 648 patients with significant symptomatic AS were used. The LVM/BSA was significantly lower (p<0.0001), but relative wall thickness (RWT) was significantly higher (p = 0.0009) in the women compared with the men. The haplotypes were reconstructed using six genotyped polymorphisms: rs5248, rs4519248, rs1956932, rs17184822, rs1956923, and rs1800875. The haplotype h1.ACAGGA was associated with higher LVM/BSA (p = 9.84×10⁻⁵), and the haplotype h2.ATAGAG was associated with lower LVM/BSA (p = 0.0061) in men, and no significant differences were found in women. Two polymorphisms within the promoter region of the CMA1 gene, namely rs1800875 (p = 0.0067) and rs1956923 (p = 0.0015), influenced the value of the LVM/BSA in males. The polymorphisms and haplotypes of the CMA1 locus are associated with cardiac hypertrophy in male patients with symptomatic AS. Appropriate methods for the indexation of heart dimensions revealed substantial sex-related differences in the myocardial response to pressure overload.

Acquired aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis is the most commonly encountered valvular disease in the elderly, with approximately 2-3% of individuals over 65 years of age afflicted. The most common cause of acquired aortic stenosis is calcific degeneration, characterized by a slowly progressive, asymptomatic period which can last decades. Once symptomatic, the clinical manifestation of aortic stenosis is from functional obstruction of left ventricular outflow and the additional hemodynamic effects on the left ventricle and vasculature. With advances in echocardiography, individuals with aortic stenosis are increasingly diagnosed in the asymptomatic latent period. However, echocardiographic measures alone cannot identify clinically significant outflow obstruction as there is considerable overlap in hemodynamic severity between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Current clinical guidelines predicate the timing of surgical valve replacement on the presence or absence of symptoms. Management for symptomatic, significant stenosis is surgical valve replacement as there are no current medical therapies reliably proven to decrease aortic stenosis severity or improve long-term outcomes. However, recent retrospective studies have demonstrated an association between atherosclerotic disease risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia and aortic stenosis. Given these findings, there are now advocates for prospective primary prevention trials for aortic stenosis in patients with mild or moderate valvular disease. The following paper will discuss etiology, diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic options of acquired aortic stenosis. This review will discuss etiology, diagnostic evaluation, and therapeutic options of acquired aortic stenosis.

Gender differences in factors influencing electrocardiographic findings of left ventricular hypertrophy in severe aortic stenosis

We investigated gender differences in factors influencing the electrocardiographic (ECG) findings of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). The functional and geometric responses of the left ventricle to chronic pressure overload, such as hypertension and AS, have been reported to be different between men and women. However, gender differences in the factors influencing the ECG findings of LVH in pressure overload remain unknown. We conducted a retrospective observational study in consecutive patients with severe AS (aortic valve area (AVA) assessed by cardiac catheterization <1.0 cm(2)) without concomitant significant aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis and/or regurgitation, conduction disturbance, or myocardial infarction (n = 35 males, 68 females). The ECG criteria were classified into three categories: (1) high voltage by the Sokolow-Lyon index associated with ST-T wave changes (with no digitalis therapy); (2) high voltage alone; and (3) normal. Groups 1 and 2 were defined as LVH on ECG. We compared the ECG findings in relation to the AS severity between genders. Women were older, but there were no significant differences in the prevalence of hypertension, AVA index (AVAI), mean pressure gradient or peak velocity across the AV, LV mass index (LVMI) derived from echocardiography or the distribution of ECG categories between genders. A multiple logistic regression analysis including age, gender, hypertension, AVAI, mean pressure gradient, and LVMI revealed that the LVMI (P = 0.001) and AVAI (P = 0.0434) were significantly related to the distribution of ECG categories. LVMI significantly predicted LVH on ECG in both genders, but AVAI was a predictive factor in only women. ECG LVH in patients with severe AS may be mainly reflected by LVMI in men and by both LVMI and AVAI in women. Factors other than AVA, such as end-stage disease and/or complicating factors such as hypertension, may underlie the observed differences in ECG findings of LVH between men and women.