Rationale and design of the ELEANOR trial early aortic valve surgery versus watchful waiting strategy in severe asymptomatic aortic regurgitation, ACRONYM: ELEANOR

Background

The optimal treatment of patients with severe symptomatic aortic regurgitation (AR) is state-of-the-art surgery. Asymptomatic patients with advanced left ventricular (LV) dilatation and/or impaired ejection fraction should undergo surgical treatment, but there is no guidelines consensus on cut-off values for this recommendation. Multimodality imaging has brought new tools for the accurate selection of asymptomatic patients at risk of early clinical deterioration, however, prospective and randomized data are pending. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived AR quantification along with LV remodeling assessment appears to be the most accurate tool for a selection of such patients at risk.

Trial design

The objective of our prospective and multicenter study is to determine whether patients at risk of early clinical deterioration as per CMR assessment will benefit from early surgical treatment. The study is designed as a superiority trial to demonstrate that early surgical treatment is safe and more effective than the standard treatment. A total of 217 asymptomatic patients with severe AR, but without current guidelines-based surgical indication, will be enrolled across all centers. We expect 24 % of patients identified as high clinical risk and therefore eligible for 1:1 randomization to early surgical treatment within 3 months or a watchful waiting strategy. Follow-up will be annual. We expect a complete restoration of LV size and function along with improved quality of life and physical performance in a short-term follow-up of 12 months. The primary endpoint will be a composite safety and efficacy with all criteria mandatory: 15 % or larger reduction of baseline CMR-derived LV end-diastolic volume index, LV ejection fraction >50 %, and no major adverse cardiovascular events. The annual follow-up will continue for a minimum of 4 years until the required number of endpoints is achieved to show a statistically significant difference in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in early surgically treated patients.

Conclusion

The ELEANOR trial is the first multicenter randomized controlled study to compare early surgical treatment with a watchful waiting strategy in asymptomatic patients with chronic severe AR at high risk of early clinical deterioration as per CMR assessment but without guidelines-based indications for surgical treatment.

Impact of smoking on the outcomes of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass

BACKGROUND

Tobacco smoking has been associated with an increased risk of complications after conventional coronary surgery. However, the impact of smoking on the risk of postoperative complications in minimally invasive coronary surgery is yet to be studied. We aimed to analyze the impact of the preoperative smoking status on the short- and long-term outcomes of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) in the context of isolated surgical revascularization or in association with percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of all patients undergoing MIDCAB at our institution between 2006 and 2020. Patients were divided into three groups: active smokers, ex-smokers who have quit smoking for at least 1 month before surgery, and non-smokers. The groups were compared using conventional statistical methods. Multivariate analysis was then performed where significant differences were found to eliminate bias.

RESULTS

Throughout the study period, 541 patients underwent MIDCAB, of which 135 (25%) were active smokers, 183 (34%) were ex-smokers, and 223 (41%) were non-smokers. Smokers presented for surgery at a younger age (p < 0.0001), more frequently with a history of myocardial infarction (p < 0.001), peripheral artery disease (p < 0.001) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.0001). Using multivariate analysis, active smoking was determined to be a significant risk factor for the need of urgent revascularization (odds ratio 2.36 [1.00-5.56], p = 0.049) and the composite of pulmonary complications (including pneumothorax, respiratory infection, respiratory dysfunction, subcutaneous emphysema and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; odds ratio 2.84 [1.64-4.94], p < 0.001). Preoperative smoking status did not influence the long-term survival (p = 0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, active smokers presented for MIDCAB at a younger age and more often with signs of atherosclerotic disease (history of myocardial infarction and peripheral artery disease). Active smoking was found to be the most significant risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications, and is also associated with a more frequent need for urgent surgery at diagnosis. Long-term postoperative survival is not affected by the preoperative smoking status.

Multiparametric Strategy to Predict Early Disease Decompensation in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Use of the current echocardiography-based indications for aortic regurgitation (AR) surgery might result in late valve replacement at the stage of irreversible myocardial damage. Therefore, we aimed to identify simple models combining multiple echocardiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived indices and natriuretic peptides (BNP [brain natriuretic peptide] or NT-proBNP [N-terminnal pro-B type natriuretic peptide]) to predict early disease decompensation in asymptomatic severe AR.

METHODS

This prospective and multicenter study included asymptomatic patients with severe AR, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (>50%), and sinus rhythm. The echocardiography and MRI images were analyzed centrally in the CoreLab. The study end point was the onset of indication for aortic valve surgery as per current guidelines.

RESULTS

The derivative cohort consisted of 127 asymptomatic patients (age 45±14 years, 84% males) with 41 (32%) end points during a median follow-up of 1375 (interquartile range, 1041-1783) days. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, age, BNP, 3-dimensional vena contracta area, MRI left ventricular end-diastolic volume index, regurgitant volume, and a fraction were identified as independent predictors of end point (all P<0.05). However, a combined model including one parameter of AR assessment (MRI regurgitant volume or regurgitant fraction or 3-dimensional vena contracta area), 1 parameter of left ventricular remodeling (MRI left ventricular end-diastolic volume index or echocardiography 2-dimensional global longitudinal strain or E wave), and BNP showed significantly higher predictive accuracy (area under the curve, 0.74-0.81) than any parameter alone (area under the curve, 0.61-0.72). These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort (n=100 patients, 38 end points).

CONCLUSIONS

In asymptomatic severe AR, multimodality and multiparametric model combining 2 imaging indices with natriuretic peptides, showed high accuracy to identify early disease decompensation. Further prospective studies are warranted to explore the clinical benefit of implementing these models to guide patient management.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; Unique identifier: NCT02910349.

Comparison of bicuspidization and Ross procedure in the treatment of unicuspid aortic valve disease in adults – Insight from the AVIATOR registry

Background

Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is the second most common underlying cause of aortic valve dysfunction in young adults after the bicuspid valve. The valve may be replaced (for example by pulmonary autograft) or repaired using the bicuspidization technique. The aim of our study was to compare short- and mid-term outcomes of Ross procedure with bicuspidization in patients with severe UAV dysfunction.

Methods

This was a multi-center retrospective observational cohort study comparing data from two dedicated Ross centers in the Czech Republic with bicuspidization outcomes provided by AVIATOR registry. As for the Ross group, only the patients with UAV were included. Primary endpoint was mid-term freedom from reintervention. Secondary endpoints were mid-term freedom from major adverse events, endocarditis and pacemaker implantation.

Results

Throughout the study period, 114 patients underwent the Ross procedure (years 2009-2020) and 126 patients underwent bicuspidization (years 2006-2019). The bicuspidization group was significantly younger and presented with a higher degree of dyspnea, a lower degree of aortic valve stenosis and more often with pure regurgitation. The primary endpoint occurred more frequently in the bicuspidization group than in the Ross group – 77.9 vs. 97.9 % at 5 years and 68.4 vs. 75.2 % at 10 years (p < 0.001). There was no difference in secondary endpoints.

Conclusion

Ross procedure might offer a significantly lower mid-term risk of reintervention than bicuspidization in patients with UAV. Both procedures have comparable survival and risk of other short- and mid-term complications postoperatively.

NT-proBNP and Echocardiographic Parameters in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Aim. The aim of this study was to analyse the relation between clinical, haemodynamic and X-ray parameters and plasma NT-proBNP level in pts with symptoms of left ventricular dysfunction. Methods. The plasma NT-proBNP levels, chest x-ray, transthoracic 2-d and Doppler echocardiography were performed at the time of admission in a group of 96 consecutive patients (mean age 68 ± 11 years) with symptoms of acute heart failure. NT-proBNP levels were assessed with the use of commercial tests (Roche Diagnostics). Results. All patients have significant increase in NT-proBNP (8 000 ± 9 000 pg/mL vs. controls 90 ± 80 pg/mL, p < 0.001). The group of all patients has shown a significant increase in cardiothoracic ratio (CTR, 0.6 ± 0.1, vs. 0.4 ± 0.1, p <0.001), left atrium diameter (LAD, 4.4 ± 0.8 cm, vs.3.5 ± 0.4 cm, p <0.01). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was decreased (37 ± 15%, vs. 64 ± 5%, p <0.001). In patients with acute heart failure, NT-proBNP significantly correlated with end-systolic and end-diastolic left ventricle diameters, ejection fraction, vena cava inferior diameter and plasma creatinine levels. Conclusion. Increased plasma NT-proBNP level is influenced by the clinical severity of acute heart failure and correlates with LVEF and IVCD. NT-proBNP can serve as a marker for the clinical severity of the disease.

[Chest drain injury of the heart]

INTRODUCTION

Injury to the heart during chest drainage is a very rare but potentially fatal complication of the procedure.

CASE REPORT

A 56-year-old, polymorbid, poorly co-operative and extremely obese patient with chronic cardiac subcompensation and pleural effusion was admitted to a district hospital. A drain was inserted into the left pleural cavity in order to evacuate the pleural effusion. Fresh oxygenated blood was flowing out from the drain. The drain was clamped immediately. Echocardiography showed drain insertion into the left ventricle. A cardiac surgeon was contacted and indicated patient transfer to a cardiac surgery department followed by an emergency surgery. During the surgery performed through a left thoracotomy, a defect in the left ventricular wall was sutured. The patient was then stabilized, transferred back to the district hospital and, after achieving cardiopulmonary compensation, discharged home.

CONCLUSION

Injury to the heart in chest drainage is a very serious iatrogenic complication. If it is to be managed successfully, the site of the insertion of the drain tip needs to be correctly identified and the drain must not be extracted. A surgical department capable of adequately addressing this complication needs to be contacted promptly, as emergency surgery may be the only lifesaving possibility.Key words: chest drainage - complication - heart injury.

Plasma Interleukin-6 Level is Associated with NT-proBNP Level and Predicts Short- and Long Term Mortality in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Objectives: Interleukin 6 plays an important role in chronic heart failure (HF), but little is known about its involvement in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). The aim of our study is to evaluate the prognostic role of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the patients with ADHF. Methods: Plasma levels of interleukin IL-6, N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide levels, and clinical covariates were measured in 92 patients with ADHF. Survival was followed up to 12 months, and prognostic factors were evaluated. Results: Elevated plasma IL-6 levels were increased in nonsurvivors and were associated with 1-year mortality (p<0.01). Plasma IL-6 levels were associated with plasma NT-proBNP levels. In multivariate analysis, increased plasma IL-6 and NT-proBNP levels remained strong independent predictors of 1-year mortality. Conclusions: Plasma IL-6 levels provide important prognostic information in the patients with ADHF. Measurement combining plasma IL-6 and NT-proBNP should serve as a powerful prognostic tool of multimarker strategy in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

[Practical questions on therapy with new antithrombotic agents]

Recently, new peroral antithrombotic agents have proved better prevention of thrombotic complications in many clinical events such as acute coronary syndrome, tromboembolic disease or atrial fibrillation. New peroral anticoagulants (NPA) were introduced - dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban and new antiplatelet agents - ticagrelol and prasugrel. Outcomes of pilot studies: RE-LY, ROCKET AF, ARISTOTLE, PLATO a TIMI 38 TRITON and subsequent clinical experiences supported their usage. NPA have proved non-inferiority in incidence of stroke or systemic embolism. Moreover, apixaban and dabigatran with administration of 150 mg twice a day have proved superiority. In addition, all 3 molecules have been non-inferior in incidence of severe bleeding. Apixaban and dabigatran - 110 mg twice a day have been proved as superior. Therefore, the guidelines favour NPA before warfarin in most patients. Previous antiplatelet agent - clopidogrel is ineffective due to genetic polymorphism in P450 (polymorphism of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 allele - *1 isoforms in function, *2 and *3 non-functioning alleles) and due to failure of metabolic conversion to active molecule. This resistance depends on population and is present in 20-35% patients. New antiplatelet medications have faster and more homogenous onset in comparison with clopidogrel. Their metabolism is different and resistance is not so frequent. Prasugrel is contraindicated in patients after stroke or TIA, in elderly patients (more than 75 years) and in patients with weight less than 60 kg. Prasugrel has data of benefit especially in patients with STEMI or diabetes. Ticagrelor reduces mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome concurrently without clinically significant bleeding comparing ticagrelor to clopidogrel administration. On the other hand, higher incidence of significant bleeding has been revealed unrelated to aortocoronary bypass with ticagrelor therapy, including higher incidence of fatal intracranial hemorrhage and reduced incidence of fatal hemorrhage of other types. Ticagrelor significantly reduced the primary end-point compared to clopidogrelu in patients with chronic kidney disease and creatinine clearance 30-60 ml/min. In addition, ticagrelor reduces all cause mortality in these patients. New antithrombotic agents have brought improvement not only in reducing the incidence of thrombotic and bleeding complications, but in decision-making algorithm as well. However, search for optimal therapy of thrombosis will clearly require more intensive clinical research.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ mass level is increased in elderly subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) is extensively expressed by advanced atherosclerotic lesions and may play a role in plaque instability. We selected a group of elderly subjects that underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or balloon angioplasty (BA) and separated them into two groups, diabetic and nondiabetic, to compare the level of Lp-PLA₂ mass between them. METHODS. 44 patients aged 79.6 ± 5.6 years with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis underwent TAVI (n = 35) or BA (n = 9). 21 subjects had confirmed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lp-PLA₂ mass was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (USCN Life Science, China) before and 3 days after the procedure. RESULTS. Lp-PLA₂ mass was significantly elevated in this population (1296 ± 358 ng/mL before TAVI; 1413 ± 268 ng/mL before BA) and further increased after TAVI (1604 ± 437 ng/mL, P < 0.01) or BA (1808 ± 303 ng/mL, P < 0.01). Lp-PLA₂ mass was significantly increased on the diabetic group before these interventions. CONCLUSION. Lp-PLA₂ may be a novel biomarker for the presence of rupture-prone atherosclerotic lesions in elderly patients. Levels of Lp-PLA₂ in diabetic patients may accompany the higher amount of small dense LDL particles seen in these subjects.

[Minimally invasive video-assisted operations for heart disease]

INTRODUCTION

Minimally invasive surgical access for the treatment of mitral and tricuspid valves has become an alternative method to the conventional approach via median sternotomy. The aim of this paper is to evaluate our experience and results with minimally invasive approach in cardiac surgery at our institution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 52 patients underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery between November 2011 and March 2013. Right lateral minithoracotomy and femoral vessels cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass was used. Follow-up data was collected in a prospective database and analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 60.9 ± 11.6 years (female patients accounted for 63.5%). The procedures performed included mitral valve repair in 44 (85%) patients and tricuspid valve repair in 25 (48%). Atrial septal defect closure was performed in 8 (15%) patients and cryoablation of atrial fibrillation in 26 (50%) patients. There were 75% combined procedures. The median duration of the operation was 235 (155-315) minutes. The median length of cardiopulmonary bypass and crossclamp time was 139 (89-225) and 92 (51-168) minutes, respectively. The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was 12.5 (6-34) days. Hospital and 30-day mortality was 0%. At follow-up (121.3 ± 32.72 days), two patients (3.8%) required reoperation (1 for right haemothorax, 1 for aortic valve insufficiency).

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive access has been adopted as a routine method for the therapy of valve disease. The minithoracotomy approach is a safe and feasible technique with comparable mortality and in-hospital morbidity.

Mechanical properties of mitral allografts are not reasonably influenced by cryopreservation in sheep model

A mitral allograft is used exceptionally in the mitral, as well as in the tricuspid position, mostly as an experimental surgical procedure. The authors decided to evaluate the possibility of inserting a cryopreserved mitral allograft into the tricuspid position in a sheep experimental model. Within the framework of this experimental project the mechanical properties of the cryopreserved mitral allograft were tested. A novel methodology studying the functional unit composed of mitral annulus, leaflet, chordae tendinaea, and papillary muscle is presented. A five-parameter Maxwell model was applied to characterize the viscoelastic behavior of sheep mitral valves. A control group of 39 fresh mitral specimens and a test group of 13 cryopreserved mitral allografts from tissue bank were tested. The testing protocol consisted of six loading cycles with 1 mm elongation every 5 min. There was no significant difference in the mean values of the determined parameters (p>0.05) which confirms the main hypothesis that cryopreservation does not influence significantly material parameters characterizing the tissue mechanics. Slight discrepancy is observed in variances of viscous parameters suggesting that the values of the test group may be spread over larger interval due to the treatment.

Time-course of tissue factor plasma level in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Enhanced expression of tissue factor (TF) may result in thrombosis contributing to acute clinical consequences of coronary artery disease. Several studies demonstrated elevated plasma levels of TF in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of our study was to compare the concentrations of TF in coronary sinus (CS), proximal part of the left coronary artery (LCA) and peripheral vein (PV) of patients with ACS and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). Time course of the TF plasma levels in PV was followed on day 1 and day 7 after index event of ACS presentation and was compared to day 0 values. No heparin was given prior to the blood sampling. Twenty-nine patients in the ACS group (age 63.6+/-10.8 years, 20 males, 9 females) and 24 patients with SCAD (age 62.3+/-8.1 years, 21 males, 3 females) were examined. TF plasma level was significantly higher in patients with ACS than in those with SCAD (239.0+/-99.3 ng/ml vs. 164.3+/-114.2 ng/ml; p=0.016). There was no difference in TF plasma levels in PV, CS and LCA (239.0+/-99.3 ng/ml vs. 253.7+/-131.5 ng/ml vs. 250.6+/-116.4 ng/ml, respectively). TF plasma levels tended to decrease only non-significantly on the day 7 (224.4+/-109.8 ng/ml). Significant linear correlation between TF and high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) levels on day 0 was found. In conclusion, TF plasma levels are elevated in patients with ACS not only locally in CS but also in systematic circulation. Our data support the relationship between TF production and proinflammatory mediators.

Plasma tissue factor in coronary artery disease: further step to the understanding of the basic mechanisms of coronary artery thrombosis

Tissue factor is a cell surface protein that is expressed constitutively by monocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts, but also by some other cells in response to a variety of stimuli. The main function of the tissue factor is to form a complex with factor VII/VIIa that converts factors IX and X to their active forms. Tissue factor is also involved in the pathophysiology of systemic inflammatory disorders, coagulopathies, atherosclerotic disease, tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Increased tissue factor expression either locally in the coronary plaques or systematically on circulating blood elements of patients with acute coronary syndromes may be responsible for increased thrombin generation, thus leading to platelet activation and fibrin formation. Tissue factor therefore plays a pivotal role in the initiation of thrombotic complications in patients with coronary artery disease.