P1525 Residual functional mitral regurgitation post-MitraClip is associated with worse hemodynamics and predicts poor outcome at 2-year follow-up

Background

Percutaneous mitral valve repair using MitraClip offers symptomatic benefit and improves rest and exercise hemodynamics in patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Recent randomized trials have shown contradictory results regarding the impact of MitraClip on mid-term survival in functional MR. It is unknown whether improved hemodynamics are related to patients" outcome.

Purpose

To assess whether residual MR and altered resting and exercise hemodynamics are predictors of outcome in patients with functional MR treated with MitraClip.

Methods

Consecutive patients (n = 45, 72 ± 10years, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 34 ± 9%) with symptomatic severe functional MR were prospectively evaluated by Doppler echocardiography at rest and during symptom-limited exercise on a semi-supine bicycle pre- and 6 months post-MitraClip procedure. LVEF, MR severity, cardiac output (CO), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) and a flow-corrected SPAP/CO ratio were assessed at rest and peak exercise. 2-year follow-up clinical data were collected from patient records.

Results

During 2-year follow-up post-MitraClip, 15 patients (33%) experienced major cardiac events (hospitalization for heart failure (n = 14) and/or cardiac death (n = 5)). Age, gender, a history of coronary artery disease, diabetes, baseline MR severity and baseline SPAP/CO ratio at rest and during exercise were not related to a worse event-free survival. In contrast, patients with events at 2-year follow up had more often a history of hospitalization for heart failure (73 vs. 37%, p = 0.029), lower baseline LVEF (30 ± 8 vs. 36 ± 10%, p = 0.041), more residual MR at 6 months post-MitraClip (MR jet area/left atrial area 27 ± 14 vs. 15 ± 10%, p = 0.004) and higher SPAP/CO ratios at rest and during exercise 6 months post-MitraClip (13.9 ± 5.3 vs. 9.9 ± 3.4mmHg/L/min, p = 0.007 and 13.6 ± 4.9 vs. 9.4 ± 4.6mmHg/L/min, p = 0.009, respectively). When corrected for baseline LVEF, residual MR 6 months post-MitraClip remained an independent predictor for worse 2-year outcome. Residual MR was moderately correlated to a worse SPAP/CO ratio 6 months post-MitraClip (Pearson Rho 0.518, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In patients with functional MR treated with MitraClip, residual MR at 6-month follow-up is associated with impaired hemodynamics, and is an independent predictor of cardiac events at 2-year follow-up.

P1364 Contractile reserve predicts reverse remodelling after successful percutaneous mitral valve repair in patients with functional mitral regurgitation

Background

Recent randomised trials have shown conflicting results regarding the usefulness of percutaneous mitral valve repair using MitraClip in patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). At present, it remains unclear whether patients with FMR and advanced heart failure might benefit from MitraClip therapy. Moreover, it has been shown that left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) post-MitraClip is associated with a favourable outcome.

Purpose

We sought to assess whether baseline contractile reserve (CR) can predict LVRR and improvement of LV ejection fraction (EF) in FMR patients undergoing MitraClip therapy.

Methods

Consecutive patients with symptomatic severe FMR referred for MitraClip were recruited in two tertiary centres. All patients were scheduled for a semi-supine bicycle exercise echocardiography before and 6 months after the intervention. Patients who were not able to perform an exercise test and who did not complete 6 month follow up were excluded from further analysis. Baseline CR was obtained by subtracting peak exercise LVEF from LVEF at rest. LVRR was defined as a 10% decrease in LV end systolic volume (ESV) at follow-up.

Results

34 patients completed 6 month follow up (61% male, age 71 ± 10 years, LVEF 32 ± 8%). LVRR was observed in 15 patients (44%). We found a trend towards a moderate correlation between baseline CR and relative decrease in LVESV at 6 months (Pearson Rho -0.321, p = 0.064). This correlation became significant in a sub-analysis considering only patients with post-procedural FMR grade ≤2 (n = 27; Pearson Rho -0.444, p = 0.020). In contrast, LVRR was not related to baseline LVEF, LV dimensions or volumes. Furthermore, baseline CR was strongly correlated with an increase of LVEF at 6 months post-MitraClip in these patients (Pearson Rho 0.653, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

CR predicts LVRR and improvement of LVEF in patients with FMR after successful MitraClip therapy (reduction of FMR towards grade ≤2), in contrast to resting indices of LV dysfunction and dilatation. More studies with outcome data are needed to determine whether CR is a useful parameter to identify patients with FMR who might benefit from MitraClip therapy.

Titanium transverse plate fixation: a new solution for old sternal problems

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate our initial results with the titanium transverse plate fixation system of the sternum in four patients.

METHODS

Two patients with late dehiscence and persistent instability of the sternum after cardiac surgery were treated with refixation by titanium transverse plates and screws. Two patients were treated with the same refixation method after pre-treatment with debridement, antibiotic therapy and vacuum-assisted closure therapy for extensive mediastinitis.

RESULTS

All four patients healed without complications. The mean postoperative length of stay was 17,3 days (range 7-44). The instability and/or pain disappeared in all patients. The postoperative imaging showed good positioning of the osteosynthesis material. There was no re-infection in patients with mediastinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The titanium transverse plate fixation system is a very promising adjunct to the armamentarium of the cardio-thoracic surgeon for treatment of sternal problems, including dehiscence and fractures, even when mediastinitis is involved. It offers more stability compared to simple rewiring, without the need for extensive retrosternal dissection.

The prognosis of patients operated on for gastric cancer in relation to the percentage of lymph nodes invaded by tumour

INTRODUCTION

In evaluating the type of gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer, adequate prognosis has been dependant on the retrieval of at least 15 lymph nodes. We propose an alternative method in which the prognostic value is evaluated, according to whether or not more than 20% of the retrieved lymph nodes are invaded by tumour.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Sixty-five patients (36 men, 29 women) with a median age of 69 years (mean age 68.9 +/-12.1 years) were evaluated, who were operated upon between 1985 and 1999 for gastric cancer by gastrectomy with either D1 or D2 lymphadenectomy.

RESULTS

The average number of retrieved lymph nodes was 10.4 +/- 8.6. In 51 patients (78.5%) less than 15 and in 14 patients (21.5%) 15 or more lymph nodes were retrieved, according to the TNM guidelines. In our study, there is a statistically significant difference in prognosis between patients with less than 20% and those with more than 20% of the retrieved lymph nodes invaded by tumour, irrespective of the total number of lymph nodes resected.

CONCLUSION

Gastric cancer patients in whom less than 20% of the retrieved lymph nodes are invaded, have a significantly better prognosis compared with patients in whom 20% or more of the lymph nodes retrieved are invaded by tumour, irrespective of the total number of retrieved lymph nodes.