Mitral Annular Disjunction in the Context of Mitral Valve Prolapse: Identifying the At-Risk Patient

Mitral annular disjunction (MAD), a separation between the left atrium/mitral valve annulus and the left ventricular myocardium, is frequently seen in patients with arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse. Although an association exists between MAD and ventricular arrhythmias, little is known regarding the identification of individuals at high risk. Multimodality imaging including echocardiography, computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography can play an important role in both the diagnosis and risk stratification of MAD. Due to a paucity of data, clinical decision making in a patient with MAD is challenging and remains largely empirical. Although MAD itself can be corrected surgically, the prevention and treatment of associated arrhythmias may require medical therapy, catheter ablation, and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Prospective data are required to define the role of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, targeted catheter ablation, and surgical correction in selected, at-risk patients.

Comprehensive Myocardial Assessment by Computed Tomography: Impact on Short-Term Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

Quantification of myocardial changes in severe aortic stenosis (AS) is prognostically important. The potential for comprehensive myocardial assessment pre-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) by computed tomography angiography (CTA) is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate whether quantification of left ventricular (LV) extracellular volume-a marker of myocardial fibrosis-and global longitudinal strain-a marker of myocardial deformation-at baseline CTA associate with post-TAVR outcomes.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with symptomatic severe AS between January 2021 and June 2022 who underwent pre-TAVR CTA were included. Computed tomography extracellular volume (CT-ECV) was derived from septum tracing after generating the 3-dimensional CT-ECV map. Computed tomography global longitudinal strain (CT-GLS) used semi-automated feature tracking analysis. The clinical endpoint was the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization.

RESULTS

Among the 300 patients (80.0 ± 9.4 years of age, 45% female, median Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score 2.80%), the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 58% ± 12%, the median CT-ECV was 28.5% (IQR: 26.2%-32.1%), and the median CT-GLS was -20.1% (IQR: -23.8% to -16.3%). Over a median follow-up of 16 months (IQR: 12-22 months), 38 deaths and 70 composite outcomes occurred. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, accounting for clinical and echocardiographic variables, demonstrated that CT-ECV (HR: 1.09 [95% CI: 1.02-1.16]; P = 0.008) and CT-GLS (HR: 1.07 [95% CI: 1.01-1.13]; P = 0.017) associated with the composite outcome. In combination, elevated CT-ECV and CT-GLS (above median for each) showed a stronger association with the outcome (HR: 7.14 [95% CI: 2.63-19.36]; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive myocardial quantification of CT-ECV and CT-GLS associated with post-TAVR outcomes in a contemporary low-risk cohort with mostly preserved LVEF. Whether these imaging biomarkers can be potentially used for the decision making including timing of AS intervention and post-TAVR follow-up will require integration into future clinical trials.

Computed tomography calcium scoring in aortic stenosis: bicuspid versus tricuspid morphology

OBJECTIVE

CT aortic valve calcium score (AVCscore) and density (AVCdensity) thresholds have been recommended for aortic stenosis (AS) severity assessment in tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). We aimed to compare AVCscore and AVCdensity in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) versus TAV.

METHODS

Retrospective single-centre study of patients with echocardiographic AS-severity and CT-AVC assessments within 6 months, and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%, all referred for clinical AS evaluation.Severe AS was defined as aortic valve area (AVA) ≤1 cm2 or indexed AVA ≤0.6cm2/m2 plus mean gradient ≥40 mm Hg or peak velocity ≥4 m/s. AVC was assessed by Agatston method.

RESULTS

Of the 1957 patients, 328 had BAV and 1629 had TAV, age 65±11 vs 80±9 years (p<0.001), men 65% vs 56% (p=0.006), respectively. BAV morphology was associated with higher AVCscore and AVCdensity independent of age, comorbidities and AS severity (p<0.001) in men only (sex and BAV interaction p<0.001). In patients with severe AS, mean AVCscore and AVCdensity were higher in BAV-men than that in TAV-men (both p<0.001), but similar in BAV-women and TAV-women (both p≥0.4). Such patterns remained the same after adjustment for clinical covariates and AS severity. Best thresholds for severe AS diagnosis in BAV-men were 2916 AU by AVCscore and 600 AU/cm2 by AVCdensity which were higher than the guideline-recommended thresholds, while thresholds in BAV-women (1036 AU and 282 AU/cm2) were similar to guideline-recommended ones.

CONCLUSION

Valve calcification in AS differs according to valve morphology and sex. BAV-men with severe AS exhibit greater AVCscore and AVCdensity than TAV-men. This presents a diagnostic challenge to the current guidelines, which needs confirmation in larger studies.

Atrial secondary tricuspid regurgitation: pathophysiology, definition, diagnosis, and treatment

Atrial secondary tricuspid regurgitation (A-STR) is a distinct phenotype of secondary tricuspid regurgitation with predominant dilation of the right atrium and normal right and left ventricular function. Atrial secondary tricuspid regurgitation occurs most commonly in elderly women with atrial fibrillation and in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in sinus rhythm. In A-STR, the main mechanism of leaflet malcoaptation is related to the presence of a significant dilation of the tricuspid annulus secondary to right atrial enlargement. In addition, there is an insufficient adaptive growth of tricuspid valve leaflets that become unable to cover the enlarged annular area. As opposed to the ventricular phenotype, in A-STR, the tricuspid valve leaflet tethering is typically trivial. The A-STR phenotype accounts for 10%-15% of clinically relevant tricuspid regurgitation and has better outcomes compared with the more prevalent ventricular phenotype. Recent data suggest that patients with A-STR may benefit from more aggressive rhythm control and timely valve interventions. However, little is mentioned in current guidelines on how to identify, evaluate, and manage these patients due to the lack of consistent evidence and variable definitions of this entity in recent investigations. This interdisciplinary expert opinion document focusing on A-STR is intended to help physicians understand this complex and rapidly evolving topic by reviewing its distinct pathophysiology, diagnosis, and multi-modality imaging characteristics. It first defines A-STR by proposing specific quantitative criteria for defining the atrial phenotype and for discriminating it from the ventricular phenotype, in order to facilitate standardization and consistency in research.

TRI-SCORE and benefit of intervention in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Benefit of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) correction and timing of intervention are unclear. This study aimed to compare survival rates after surgical or transcatheter intervention to conservative management according to a TR clinical stage as assessed using the TRI-SCORE.

METHODS

A total of 2,413 patients with severe isolated functional TR were enrolled in TRIGISTRY (1217 conservatively managed, 551 isolated tricuspid valve surgery, and 645 transcatheter valve repair). The primary endpoint was survival at 2 years.

RESULTS

The TRI-SCORE was low (≤3) in 32%, intermediate (4-5) in 33%, and high (≥6) in 35%. A successful correction was achieved in 97% and 65% of patients in the surgical and transcatheter groups, respectively. Survival rates decreased with the TRI-SCORE in the three treatment groups (all P < .0001). In the low TRI-SCORE category, survival rates were higher in the surgical and transcatheter groups than in the conservative management group (93%, 87%, and 79%, respectively, P = .0002). In the intermediate category, no significant difference between groups was observed overall (80%, 71%, and 71%, respectively, P = .13) but benefit of the intervention became significant when the analysis was restricted to patients with successful correction (80%, 81%, and 71%, respectively, P = .009). In the high TRI-SCORE category, survival was not different to conservative management in the surgical and successful repair group (61% and 68% vs 58%, P = .26 and P = .18 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival progressively decreased with the TRI-SCORE irrespective of treatment modality. Compared to conservative management, an early and successful surgical or transcatheter intervention improved 2-year survival in patients at low and, to a lower extent, intermediate TRI-SCORE, while no benefit was observed in the high TRI-SCORE category.

Preprocedural Computed Tomography Planning for Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

Selection of transcatheter valve size using preprocedural computed tomography (CT) is standardized and well established. However, valve sizing for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is currently performed intraoperatively by using sizers, which may result in variation among operators and risk for prosthesis-patient mismatch. This study evaluated the usefulness of CT annulus measurement for SAVR valve sizing.

METHODS

This study included patients who underwent SAVR using Inspiris or Magna Ease and received preoperative electrocardiogram-gated CT imaging. Starting from June 2022, study investigators applied a CT sizing algorithm using CT-derived annulus size to guide minimum SAVR label size. The final decision of valve selection was left to the operating surgeon during SAVR. The study compared the appropriateness of valve selection (comparing implanted size with CT-predicted size) and prosthesis-patient mismatch rates without aortic root enlargement between 2 cohorts: 102 cases since June 2022 (CT sizing cohort) and 180 cases from 2020 to 2021 (conventional sizing cohort).

RESULTS

Implanted size smaller than CT predicted size and severe prosthesis-patient mismatch were significantly lower by CT sizing than by conventional sizing (12% vs 31% [P = .001] and 0% vs 6% [P = .039], respectively). Interoperator variability was a factor associated with implanted size smaller than CT predicted with conventional sizing, whereas it became nonsignificant with CT sizing.

CONCLUSIONS

Applying CT sizing to SAVR led to improved valve size selection, less prosthesis-patient mismatch, and less interoperator variability. CT sizing for SAVR could also be used to predict prosthesis-patient mismatch before SAVR and identify patients who need aortic root enlargement.

[Summary: International consensus statement on nomenclature and classification of the congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy, for clinical, surgical, interventional and research purposes]

This consensus of nomenclature and classification for congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy is evidence-based and intended for universal use by physicians (both pediatricians and adults), echocardiographers, advanced cardiovascular imaging specialists, interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, pathologists, geneticists, and researchers spanning these areas of clinical and basic research. In addition, as long as new key and reference research is available, this international consensus may be subject to change based on evidence-based data1.

Outpatient tricuspid regurgitation in the community: Clinical context and outcome

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Epidemiology of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is poorly known and its burden in the community is challenging to define. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of TR in a geographically defined area and its outcome, in particular overall survival and hospitalization, considering different clinical contexts.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive outpatients referred between 2006 and 2013 for echocardiography and clinical evaluation. Patients with at least moderate TR were included and five different clinical settings were defined: concomitant significant left-sided valvular heart disease (LVHD-TR), heart failure (HF-TR), previous open-heart valvular surgery (postop-TR), pulmonary hypertension (PHTN-TR) and isolated TR (isolated-TR). Primary endpoint was a composite outcome of all-cause mortality or first hospitalization for HF.

RESULTS

Of 6797 consecutive patients with a clinical visit and echocardiograms performed in routine practice in a geographically defined community, moderate or severe TR was found in 4.8% of patients (327) . During median follow-up of 6.1 years, TR severity was a determinant of event-free survival. Analyzed for each clinical subset, eight-year event-free survival was 87 ± 7% for postop-TR subgroup, 75 ± 7% for isolated-TR, 67 ± 6% for PHTN-TR, 58 ± 6% for LHVD -TR and 52 ± 11% for HF-TR.

CONCLUSION

Moderate or more TR is a notable finding in the community and has impact on event-free survival in all clinical settings, with the worst outcomes when associated with relevant left-sided valvular heart disease and HF.

Severe aortic stenosis: secular trends of incidence and outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is the guideline-based indication for aortic valve replacement (AVR), which has markedly increased with transcatheter approaches, suggesting possible increasing AS incidence. However, reported secular trends of AS incidence remain contradictory and lack quantitative Doppler echocardiographic ascertainment.

METHODS

All adults residents in Olmsted County (MN, USA) diagnosed over 20 years (1997-2016) with incident severe AS (first diagnosis) based on quantitatively defined measures (aortic valve area ≤ 1 cm2, aortic valve area index ≤ 0.6 cm2/m2, mean gradient ≥ 40 mmHg, peak velocity ≥ 4 m/s, Doppler velocity index ≤ 0.25) were counted to define trends in incidence, presentation, treatment, and outcome.

RESULTS

Incident severe AS was diagnosed in 1069 community residents. The incidence rate was 52.5 [49.4-55.8] per 100 000 patient-year, slightly higher in males vs. females and was almost unchanged after age and sex adjustment for the US population 53.8 [50.6-57.0] per 100 000 residents/year. Over 20 years, severe AS incidence remained stable (P = .2) but absolute burden of incident cases markedly increased (P = .0004) due to population growth. Incidence trend differed by sex, stable in men (incidence rate ratio 0.99, P = .7) but declining in women (incidence rate ratio 0.93, P = .02). Over the study, AS clinical characteristics remained remarkably stable and AVR performance grew and was more prompt (from 1.3 [0.1-3.3] years in 1997-2000 to 0.5 [0.2-2.1] years in 2013-16, P = .001) but undertreatment remained prominent (>40%). Early AVR was associated with survival benefit (adjusted hazard ratio 0.55 [0.42-0.71], P < .0001). Despite these improvements, overall mortality (3-month 8% and 3-year 36%), was swift, considerable and unabated (all P ≥ .4) throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 20 years, the population incidence of severe AS remained stable with increased absolute case burden related to population growth. Despite stable severe AS presentation, AVR performance grew notably, but while declining, undertreatment remained substantial and disease lethality did not yet decline. These population-based findings have important implications for improving AS management pathways.

Tricuspid Regurgitation: From Imaging to Clinical Trials to Resolving the Unmet Need for Treatment

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a highly prevalent and heterogeneous valvular disease, independently associated with excess mortality and high morbidity in all clinical contexts. TR is profoundly undertreated by surgery and is often discovered late in patients presenting with right-sided heart failure. To address the issue of undertreatment and poor clinical outcomes without intervention, numerous structural tricuspid interventional devices have been and are in development, a challenging process due to the unique anatomic and physiological characteristics of the tricuspid valve, and warranting well-designed clinical trials. The path from routine practice TR detection to appropriate TR evaluation, to conduction of clinical trials, to enriched therapeutic possibilities for improving TR access to treatment and outcomes in routine practice is complex. Therefore, this paper summarizes the key points and methods crucial to TR detection, quantitation, categorization, risk-scoring, intervention-monitoring, and outcomes evaluation, particularly of right-sided function, and to clinical trial development and conduct, for both interventional and surgical groups.

Deformation of transcatheter heart valves with mitral valve-in-valve

BACKGROUND

The use of oversizing in mitral valve-in-valve (MViV) procedures can lead to non-uniform expansion of transcatheter heart valves (THV). This may have implications for THV durability.

AIMS

The objective of this study was to assess the extent and predictors of THV deformation in MViV procedures.

METHODS

We examined 33 patients who underwent MViV with SAPIEN prostheses. The extent of THV deformation (deformation index, eccentricity, neosinus volume, asymmetric leaflet expansion and vertical deformation) and hypoattenuating leaflet thickening (HALT) were assessed using cardiac computed tomography (CT), performed prospectively at 30 days post-procedure. For descriptive purposes, the THV deformation index was calculated, with values >1.00 representing a more hourglass shape.

RESULTS

Non-uniform underexpansion of THV was common after MViV implantation, with a median expansion area of 74.0% (interquartile range 68.1-84.1) at the narrowest level and a THV deformation index of 1.21 (1.13-1.29), but circularity was maintained with eccentricity ranging from 0.24 to 0.28. The degree of oversizing was a key factor associated with greater underexpansion and a higher deformation index (β=-0.634; p<0.001; β=0.594; p<0.001, respectively). Overall, the incidence of HALT on the 30-day postprocedural CT was 27.3% (9 of 33). Most patients (32 of 33) were on anticoagulation therapy, but the prothrombin time and international normalised ratio (PT-INR) at the time of the CT scan was <2.5 in 23 of 32 patients. Among patients with a PT-INR of <2.5, HALT was predominantly observed with a high THV deformation index of ≥1.18.

CONCLUSIONS

THV deformation, i.e., underexpansion and an hourglass shape, commonly occurs after MViV implantation and is negatively affected by excessive oversizing. Optimising THV expansion during MViV could potentially prevent HALT.

Bicuspid aortic valve: long-term morbidity and mortality

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart anomaly. Lifetime morbidity and whether long-term survival varies according to BAV patient-sub-groups are unknown. This study aimed to assess lifetime morbidity and long-term survival in BAV patients in the community.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively identified all Olmsted County (Minnesota) residents with an echocardiographic diagnosis of BAV from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 2009, including patients with typical valvulo-aortopathy (BAV without accelerated valvulo-aortopathy or associated disorders), and those with complex valvulo-aortopathy (BAV with accelerated valvulo-aortopathy or associated disorders).

RESULTS

652 consecutive diagnosed BAV patients [median (IQR) age 37 (22-53) years; 525 (81%) adult and 127 (19%) paediatric] were followed for a median (IQR) of 19.1 (12.9-25.8) years. The total cumulative lifetime morbidity burden (from birth to age 90) was 86% (95% CI 82.5-89.7); cumulative lifetime progression to ≥ moderate aortic stenosis or regurgitation, aortic valve surgery, aortic aneurysm ≥45 mm or z-score ≥3, aorta surgery, infective endocarditis and aortic dissection was 80.3%, 68.5%, 75.4%, 27%, 6% and 1.6%, respectively. Survival of patients with typical valvulo-aortopathy [562 (86%), age 40 (28-55) years, 86% adults] was similar to age-sex-matched Minnesota population (P = .12). Conversely, survival of patients with complex valvulo-aortopathy [90 (14%), age 14 (3-26) years, 57% paediatric] was lower than expected, with a relative excess mortality risk of 2.25 (95% CI 1.21-4.19) (P = .01).

CONCLUSION

The BAV condition exhibits a high lifetime morbidity burden where valvulo-aortopathy is close to unavoidable by age 90. The lifetime incidence of infective endocarditis is higher than that of aortic dissection. The most common BAV clinical presentation is the typical valvulo-aortopathy with preserved expected long-term survival, while the complex valvulo-aortopathy presentation incurs higher mortality.

Restoration of Life Expectancy After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair

BACKGROUND

Survival data after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) are scarce, and its impact on predicted life expectancy is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of TEER on postprocedural life expectancy among patients enrolled in the MitraSwiss registry through a relative survival (RS) analysis.

METHODS

Consecutive TEER patients 60 to 89 years of age enrolled between 2011 and 2018 (N = 1140) were evaluated. RS was defined as the ratio between post-TEER survival and expected survival in an age-, sex- and calendar period-matched group derived from the Swiss national 2011 to 2019 mortality tables. The primary aim was to assess 5-year survival and RS after TEER. The secondary aim was to assess RS according to the etiology of mitral regurgitation, age class and sustained procedural success over time.

RESULTS

Overall, 5-year survival after TEER was 59.3% (95% CI: 54.9%-63.4%), whereas RS reached 80.5% (95% CI: 74.6%-86.0%). RS was 91.1% (95% CI: 82.5%-98.6%) in primary mitral regurgitation (PMR) and 71.5% (95% CI: 63.0%-79.3%) in secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). Patients 80 to 89 years of age (n = 579) showed high 5-year RS (93.0%; 95% CI: 83.3%-101.9%). In this group, restoration of predicted life expectancy was achieved in PMR with a 5-year RS of 100% (95% CI: 87.9%-110.7%), whereas sustained procedural success increased the RS rate to 90.6% (95% CI: 71.3%-107.3%) in SMR.

CONCLUSIONS

Mitral TEER in patients 80 to 89 years of age is able to restore predicted life expectancy in PMR, whereas in SMR with sustained procedural success, high RS estimates were observed. Our analysis suggests that successful, sustained mitral regurgitation reduction is key to survival improvement, particularly in patients 80 to 89 years of age.

Arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse and mitral annular disjunction: pathophysiology, risk stratification, and management

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most frequent valve condition but remains a conundrum in many aspects, particularly in regard to the existence and frequency of an arrhythmic form (AMVP) and its link to sudden cardiac death. Furthermore, the presence, frequency, and significance of the anatomic functional feature called mitral annular disjunction (MAD) have remained widely disputed. Recent case series and cohorts have shattered the concept that MVP is most generally benign and have emphasized the various phenotypes associated with clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias, including AMVP. The definition, evaluation, follow-up, and management of AMVP represent the focus of the present review, strengthened by recent coherent studies defining an arrhythmic MVP phenotypic that would affect a small subset of patients with MVP at concentrated high risk. The role of MAD in this context is of particular importance, and this review highlights the characteristics of AMVP phenotypes and MAD, their clinical, multimodality imaging, and rhythmic evaluation. These seminal facts lead to proposing a risk stratification clinical pathway with consideration of medical, rhythmologic, and surgical management and have been objects of recent expert consensus statements and of proposals for new research directions.

Unmet needs in valvular heart disease

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is the next epidemic in the cardiovascular field, affecting millions of people worldwide and having a major impact on health care systems. With aging of the population, the incidence and prevalence of VHD will continue to increase. However, VHD has not received the attention it deserves from both the public and policymakers. Despite important advances in the pathophysiology, natural history, management, and treatment of VHD including the development of transcatheter therapies, VHD remains underdiagnosed, identified late, and often undertreated with inequality in access to care and treatment options, and there is no medication that can prevent disease progression. The present review article discusses these gaps in the management of VHD and potential actions to undertake to improve the outcome of patients with VHD.

Deformation of Transcatheter Heart Valve Following Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Implications for Hemodynamics

BACKGROUND

Valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be associated with adverse hemodynamics, which might affect clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the extent and predictors of transcatheter heart valve (THV) deformity in ViV TAVR and the relation to postprocedural hemodynamics.

METHODS

We examined 53 patients who underwent ViV TAVR in surgical heart valves with self-expanding Evolut prostheses. THV deformation was examined using cardiac computed tomography prospectively performed 30 days after ViV TAVR, and correlated with 30-day echocardiographic hemodynamic data.

RESULTS

Near complete expansion of the functional portion of the implanted ViV prostheses (ie, >90%) was observed in 16 (30.2%) patients. Factors related to greater expansion of the functional portion and consequently larger neosinus volume were absence of polymer surgical frame, higher implantation and use of balloon aortic valvuloplasty or bioprosthetic valve fracture during the procedure (all P < 0.05). Underexpansion of the functional portion, but not the valve inflow frame, was closely associated with mean gradient and effective orifice area at 30 days on echocardiography, with and without adjustment for the sizes of the THV and surgical heart valve.

CONCLUSIONS

Underexpansion of the functional portion of THV prostheses is common during ViV TAVR, occurs more frequently with deep implantation and the presence of a polymer surgical stent frame, and is associated with worse postprocedural hemodynamics. Procedural techniques, such as higher implantation and balloon postdilatation, may be used to help overcome problems with THV underexpansion and improve clinical outcomes.

The MIDA-Q Mortality Risk Score: A Quantitative Prognostic Tool for the Mitral Valve Prolapse Spectrum

BACKGROUND

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is responsible for a considerable disease burden but is widely heterogeneous. The lack of a comprehensive prognostic instrument covering the entire MVP spectrum, encompassing the quantified consequent degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR), hinders clinical management and therapeutic trials.

METHODS

The new Mitral Regurgitation International Database Quantitative (MIDA-Q) registry enrolled 8187 consecutive patients (ages 63±16 years, 47% women, follow-up 5.5±3.3 years) first diagnosed with isolated MVP, without or with DMR quantified prospectively (measuring effective regurgitant orifice [ERO] and regurgitant volume) in routine practice of 5 tertiary care centers from North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The MIDA-Q score ranges from 0 to 15 by accumulating guideline-based risk factors and DMR severity. Long-term survival under medical management was the primary outcome end point.

RESULTS

MVP was associated with DMR absent/mild (ERO <20 mm2) in 50%, moderate (ERO 20-40 mm2) in 25%, and severe or higher (ERO ≥40 mm2) in 25%, with mean ERO 24±24 mm2, regurgitant volume 37±35 mL. Median MIDA-Q score was 4 with a wide distribution (10%-90% range, 0-9). MIDA-Q score was higher in patients with EuroScore II ≥1% versus <1% (median, 7 versus 3; P < 0.0001) but with wide overlap (10%-90% range, 4-11 versus 0-7) and mediocre correlation (R2 0.18). Five-year survival under medical management was strongly associated with MIDA-Q score, 97±1% with score 0, 95±1% with score 1 to 2, 82±1% with score 3 to 4, 67±1% with score 5 to 6, 60±1% with score 7 to 8, 44±1% with score 9 to 10, 35±1% with score 11 to 12, and 5±4% with MIDA-Q score ≥13, with hazard ratio 1.31 [1.29-1.33] per 1-point increment. Excess mortality with higher MIDA-Q scores persisted after adjustment for age, sex, and EuroScore II (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.13 [1.11-1.15] per 1-point increment). Subgroup analysis showed persistent association of MIDA-Q score with mortality in all possible subsets, in particular, with EuroScore II<1% (hazard ratio, 1.08 [1.02-1.14]) or ≥1% (hazard ratio, 1.11 [1.08-1.13]) and with no/mild DMR (hazard ratio, 1.14 [1.10-1.19]) or moderate/severe DMR (hazard ratio, 1.13 [1.10-1.16], all per 1-point increment with P<0.0001). Nested-model and bootstrapping analyses demonstrated incremental prognostic power of MIDA-Q score (all P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This large, international cohort of isolated MVP, with prospective DMR quantification in routine practice, demonstrates the wide range of risk factor accumulation and considerable heterogeneity of outcomes after MVP diagnosis. The MIDA-Q score is strongly, independently, and incrementally associated with long-term survival after MVP diagnosis, irrespective of presentation, and is therefore a crucial prognostic instrument for risk stratification, clinical trials, and management of patients diagnosed with all forms of MVP.

Factors influencing post-surgical survival in degenerative mitral regurgitation

AIMS

Indications for surgery in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) are increasingly liberal in all clinical guidelines but the role of secondary outcome determinants (left atrial volume index ≥60 mL/m2, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥50 mmHg and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation) and their impact on post-operative outcome remain disputed. Whether these secondary outcome markers are just reflective of the DMR severity or intrinsically affect survival after DMR surgery is uncertain and may have critical importance in the management of patients with DMR. To address these gaps of knowledge the present study gathered a large cohort of patients with quantified DMR, accounted for the number of secondary outcome markers and examined their independent impact on survival after surgical correction of the DMR.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The Mitral Regurgitation International DAtabase-Quantitative registry includes patients with isolated DMR from centres across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Patient enrolment extended from January 2003 to January 2020. All patients undergoing mitral valve surgery within 1 year of registry enrolment were selected. A total of 2276 patients [65 (55-73) years, 32% male] across five centres met study eligibility criteria. Over a median follow-up of 5.6 (3.6 to 8.7) years, 278 patients (12.2%) died. In a comprehensive multivariable Cox regression model adjusted for age, EuroSCORE II, symptoms, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LV ESD) and DMR severity, the number of secondary outcome determinants was independently associated with post-operative all-cause mortality, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.56 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.20, P = 0.011], 1.78 (95% CI: 1.23-2.58, P = 0.002) and 2.58 (95% CI: 1.73-3.83, P < 0.0001) for patients with one, two, and three or four secondary outcome determinants, respectively. A model incorporating the number of secondary outcome determinants demonstrated a higher C-index and was significantly more concordant with post-operative mortality than models incorporating traditional Class I indications alone [the presence of symptoms (P = 0.0003), or LVEF ≤60% (P = 0.006), or LV ESD ≥40 mm (P = 0.014)], while there was no significant difference in concordance observed compared with a model that incorporated the number of Class I indications for surgery combined (P = 0.71).

CONCLUSION

In this large cohort of patients treated surgically for DMR, the presence and number of secondary outcome determinants was independently associated with post-surgical survival and demonstrated better outcome discrimination than traditional Class I indications for surgery. Randomised controlled trials are needed to determine if patients with severe DMR who demonstrate a cardiac phenotype with an increasing number of secondary outcome determinants would benefit from earlier surgery.

Contemporary Anatomic Criteria and Clinical Outcomes With Transcatheter Mitral Repair

BACKGROUND

Consensus-driven criteria have recently been proposed for prediction of mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair outcomes, yet validation for response to therapy is needed. We examined the relation between contemporary criteria and outcomes with mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair therapy.

METHODS

Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair patients were classified according to anatomic and clinical criteria (1) Heart Valve Collaboratory criteria for nonsuitability; (2) commercial indications (suitable); and (3) neither (ie, intermediate). Analyses for Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium-defined outcomes of reduction in mitral regurgitation and survival were performed.

RESULTS

Among 386 patients (median age, 82 years; 48% women), the most common classification was intermediate (46%), with 138 patients (36%) and 70 patients (18%) in the suitable and nonsuitable categories, respectively. Nonsuitable classification was related to prior valve surgery, smaller mitral valve area, type IIIa morphology, larger coaptation depth, and shorter posterior leaflet. Nonsuitable classification was associated with less technical success (P<0.001) and survival free of mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and mitral surgery (P<0.001). Among the nonsuitable patients, technical failure or any 30-day major adverse cardiac event occurred in 25.7%. Nevertheless, in these patients, acceptable mitral regurgitation reduction without adverse events still occurred in 69%, and their 1-year survival with mild or no symptoms was 52%.

CONCLUSIONS

Contemporary classification criteria identify patients less suitable for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with respect to acute procedural success and survival, though patients most commonly fit an intermediate category. In experienced centers, sufficient mitral regurgitation reduction can be achieved safely in the selected patients even with challenging anatomy.

Arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse in 2023: Evidence-based update

Patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) may develop ventricular arrhythmias, ranging from premature ventricular contractions through more complex non-sustained ventricular tachycardia to sustained life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The prevalence of MVP in autopsy series of young adults who died suddenly has been estimated to be between 4% and 7%. Thus, "arrhythmic MVP" has been reported as an underappreciated cause of sudden cardiac death, leading to a renewed interest in the study of this association. The term "arrhythmic MVP" refers to a small subset of patients who have, in the absence of any other arrhythmic substrate, MVP, with or without mitral annular disjunction, and frequent or complex ventricular arrhythmias. Our understanding of their coexistence in terms of contemporary management and prognosis is still incomplete. While literature regarding the arrhythmic MVP may be contrasting despite recent consensus document, the present review summarizes the relevant evidence concerning the diagnostic approach, prognostic implications, and targeted therapies for MVP-related ventricular arrhythmias. We also summarize recent data supporting left ventricular remodeling, which complicates the coexistence of MVP with ventricular arrhythmias. As the evidence for a putative link between MVP-associated ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death is scarce and based on scant and retrospective data, risk prediction remains a challenge. Thus, we aimed at listing potential risk factors from available seminal reports for further use in a more reliable prediction model that requires additional prospective data. Finally, we summarize evidence and guidelines on targeted therapies of ventricular arrhythmias in the setting of MVP, including implantable cardioverter defibrillators and catheter ablation. Our review highlights current knowledge gaps and provides an action plan for structured research on the pathophysiological genesis, diagnosis, prognostic impact, and optimal management of patients with arrhythmic MVP.

Watchful surgery in asymptomatic mitral valve prolapse

The most common organic etiology of mitral regurgitation is degenerative and consists of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Volume overload because of mitral regurgitation is the most common complication of MVP. Advocating surgery before the consequences of volume overload become irreparable restores life expectancy, but carries a risk of mortality in patients who are often asymptomatic. On the other hand, the post-surgical outcome of symptomatic patients is dismal and life expectancy is impaired. In the present article, we aim to bridge the gap between these two therapeutic approaches, unifying the concepts of watchful waiting and early surgery in a "watchful surgery approach".

Significance of Spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast in Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Mitral Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) in the left atrium can occur with transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), but the clinical significance is unknown.

METHODS

The authors examined the clinical association of the procedural appearance of SEC in 316 patients (median age, 82 years; interquartile range, 76-86 years; 43.4% women) undergoing TEER with the MitraClip for mitral regurgitation. Acute, 30-day, and 2-year clinical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

SEC was common, occurring following device implantation in 106 patients (34%). Although the occurrence of SEC was not related to clinical characteristics, such as atrial fibrillation, anticoagulant use, or left ventricular function, there was a strong relation to beneficial outcomes with TEER. The frequency of optimal reduction in mitral regurgitation was higher in patients who had SEC (99.1% vs 72.9%, P < .001). Survival was greater, with a 2-year estimate for freedom from all-cause mortality of 88.4% versus 71.5% (log-rank P = .004). Importantly, the higher survival observed in patients with SEC was present without increased rates of procedural complications or stroke and remained significant in multivariate analyses that adjusted for baseline clinical and echocardiographic variables (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of SEC in patients with TEER is associated with beneficial acute and intermediate-term outcomes.

Comparison of effective regurgitant orifice area by the PISA method and tricuspid coaptation gap measurement to identify very severe tricuspid regurgitation and stratify mortality risk

Introduction

Various definitions of very severe (VS) tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have been proposed based on the effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) or tricuspid coaptation gap (TCG). Because of the inherent limitations associated with the EROA, we hypothesized that the TCG would be more suitable for defining VSTR and predicting outcomes.

Materials and methods

In this French multicentre retrospective study, we included 606 patients with ≥moderate-to-severe isolated functional TR (without structural valve disease or an overt cardiac cause) according to the recommendations of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. Patients were further stratified into VSTR according to the EROA (≥60 mm²) and then according to the TCG (≥10 mm). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality and the secondary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality.

Results

The relationship between the EROA and TCG was poor (R²=0.22), especially when the size of the defect was large. Four-year survival was comparable between patients with an EROA <60 mm² vs. ≥60 mm² (68 ± 3% vs. 64 ± 5%, p = 0.89). A TCG ≥10 mm was associated with lower four-year survival than a TCG <10 mm (53 ± 7% vs. 69 ± 3%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for covariates, including comorbidity, symptoms, dose of diuretics, and right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction, a TCG ≥10 mm remained independently associated with higher all-cause mortality (adjusted HR[95% CI] = 1.47[1.13-2.21], p = 0.019) and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR[95% CI] = 2.12[1.33-3.25], p = 0.001), whereas an EROA ≥60 mm² was not associated with all-cause or cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR[95% CI]: 1.16[0.81-1.64], p = 0.416, and adjusted HR[95% CI]: 1.07[0.68-1.68], p = 0.784, respectively).

Conclusion

The correlation between the TCG and EROA is weak and decreases with increasing defect size. A TCG ≥10 mm is associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and should be used to define VSTR in isolated significant functional TR.

Research Opportunities in the Treatment of Mitral Valve Prolapse: JACC Expert Panel

In light of the adverse prognosis related to severe mitral regurgitation, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death in a subset of patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP), identifying those at higher risk is key. For the first time in decades, researchers have the means to rapidly advance discovery in the field of MVP thanks to state-of-the-art imaging techniques, novel omics methodologies, and the potential for large-scale collaborations using web-based platforms. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recently initiated a webinar-based workshop to identify contemporary research opportunities in the treatment of MVP. This report summarizes 3 specific areas in the treatment of MVP that were the focus of the workshop: 1) improving management of degenerative mitral regurgitation and associated left ventricular systolic dysfunction; 2) preventing sudden cardiac death in MVP; and 3) understanding the mechanisms and progression of MVP through genetic studies and small and large animal models, with the potential of developing medical therapies.

Lifetime Management of Aortic Stenosis: Transcatheter Versus Surgical Treatment for Young and Low-Risk Patients

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is now indicated across all risk categories of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and has been proposed as first line option for the majority of patients >74 years old. However, median age of patients enrolled in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement low-risk trials is 74 years and transcatheter aortic valve replacement has never been systematically investigated in young low risk patients. Although the long-term data in surgical aortic valve replacement in young patients (age <75) are well known, such data remain lacking in transcatheter aortic valve replacement. In the absence of clear guideline recommendations in patients with challenging anatomies (eg, hostile calcium, bicuspid), it is important to know the potential advantages and disadvantages of each treatment and to consider how they might integrate with each other in the lifetime management of such patients. In this review, we discuss current outstanding issues on the management of severe aortic stenosis from a lifetime management perspective, particularly in terms of initial intervention and future reinterventions.

Clinical outcomes in patients with bicuspid aortic valves and ascending aorta dilatation equal or above 50mm

Background

Little is known about clinical outcomes in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and ascending aortic diameters ≥50 mm where the elective surgical-indication zone begins.

Purpose

To assess incident aortic dissection (AoD), post-surgical survival and guideline implementation.

Methods

Multi-center retrospective study of BAV patients (≥18 years) with maximal root or tubular-ascending aortic diameters ≥50mm detected by transthoracic echocardiography at baseline. Ascertainment of aortic surgery, AoD and death was carried-out at their respective institutions. The primary outcome was AoD: “confirmed” AoD by surgery or death certificate, or “possible” AoD defined as sudden cardiac death of unknown cause by death certificate. Secondary outcomes were aortic surgery, post-surgical survival and guideline implementation.

Results

We included 506 consecutive BAV patients, mean age 61±14 years, 83% men, mean maximal aortic diameter 52±2 mm at baseline, ascending aorta was the most common segment ≥50mm (85%). During a median follow-up of 7.7 years, 356 (71%) underwent elective surgery (89% of class 1 patients). Early-surgery (≤6 months from baseline) occurred in 195 patients and 311 patients remained “under-surveillance”. Surgery under-surveillance (&gt;6 months from baseline) occurred in 161/311 (52%) patients at 2.6 [IQR: 1.5–4.7] years of follow-up. Surgical mortality was 1.4%. Ten-year post-surgical survival was &gt;90% and similar between early-surgery and surgery under-surveillance (p=0.8). Of 8 AoD events, 3 confirmed and 5 possible (all occurring in unoperated patients under-surveillance), 5 events occurred with maximal aortic baseline diameter ≥55 mm and/or &gt;1 year without clinical follow-up; therefore, under guideline non-compliance. Incidence of confirmed plus possible aortic dissection was 0.37% per year with size 50–54mm, 1.13% per year between 55–59mm, and 10.41% per year with size ≥60mm. Aortic stenosis was associated with AoD (p=0.04) and all-cause death in unoperated patients (p=0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that BAV patients can be safely followed as per guidelines after aortic diameters enter the elective surgical zone (≥50mm), with excellent post-surgical survival regardless of whether surgery is early- or under-surveillance. Appropriate guideline implementation for surgical thresholds and interval clinical follow-up could have prevented most AoD events. Valvular disease guideline should also be followed to prevent AoD and improve survival in these patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.