6-Minute walk test predicts prolonged hospitalization in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair by MitraClip

BACKGROUND

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple functional test that can predict exercise capacity and is widely employed to assess treatment outcomes. Although mortality with transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) using the MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Menlo Park, CA) is significantly less than for open mitral valve surgery in high-risk patients, identifying which patient will benefit the most from TMVr remains a concern. There are limited prognostic metrics guiding patient selection and, no studies have reported relationship between prolonged hospitalization and 6MWT. This study aimed to determine if the 6MWT can predict prolonged hospitalization in patients undergoing TMVr by MitraClip.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 162 patients undergoing 6MWT before TMVr. Patients were divided into three groups according to the 6MWT distance (6MWTD) using the median (6MWTD ≥219 m, 6MWTD <219 m, and Unable to Walk). Multivariate logistic regression model was applied to select the demographic characteristics that were associated with the prolonged hospitalization defined as total length of stay ≥4 days in the study.

RESULTS

We found that 6MWT (odds ratio 3.64, 95% confidence interval 2.03-6.52, P < 0.001) was independently associated with prolonged hospitalization after adjustment in multivariate analysis. Area under the curve of 6MWT for predicting prolonged hospitalization was 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.72-0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that 6MWT was independently associated with prolonged hospitalization in patients with TMVr, and has a good discriminatory performance for predicting prolonged hospitalization.

Outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock treated with TandemHeart® percutaneous ventricular assist device: Importance of support indication and definitive therapies as determinants of prognosis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to review the characteristics of patients in cardiogenic shock treated with TandemHeart^® percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) to determine influential predictors of survival.

BACKGROUND

The TandemHeart^® pVAD is used in the management of patients with cardiogenic shock resulting from a variety of conditions. Several studies have documented the efficacy of this therapy and outlined its complications. Still, there is little data to guide the effective and appropriate use of this resource.

METHODS

Patients referred for TandemHeart^® pVAD implant for refractory cardiogenic shock at the University of Virginia between September 2007 and October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis was used to identify predictors of mortality.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients underwent successful TandemHeart^® implant. Hemodynamics significantly improved following TandemHeart^® implant. Cardiac index increased from 1.8 ± 0.6 to 3.1 ± 1.0 L/min/m² (P = 0.007) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased from 30. 5 ± 9.9 to 19.6 ± 7.4 mmHg (P =0.0007). Survival was significantly influenced by implant indication with 23.8% surviving in bridge to recovery vs. 51% in bridge to LVAD or surgery (P = 0.04). In patients who did not receive definitive therapy, only 4 (13.8%) were weaned from TandemHeart^® support and survived to hospital discharge. Only younger age, 51.8 vs. 62.7 years, predicted survival to hospital discharge (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Mortality from refractory cardiogenic shock is high even with TandemHeart^® support. Our study found that patients with an exit strategy with either cardiac surgery or durable LVAD implant significantly influenced survival to hospital discharge.

Usefulness of Psoas Muscle Area to Predict Mortality in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Frailty has become high-priority theme in cardiovascular diseases because of aging and increasingly complex nature of patients. Low muscle mass is characteristic of frailty, in which invasive interventions are avoided if possible because of decreased physiological reserve. This study aimed to determine if the psoas muscle area (PMA) could predict mortality and to investigate its utility in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We retrospectively reviewed 232 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR. Cross-sectional areas of the psoas muscles at the level of fourth lumbar vertebra were measured by computed tomography and normalized to body surface area. Patients were divided into tertiles according to the normalized PMA for each gender (men: tertile 1, 1,708 to 1,178 mm(2)/m(2); tertile 2, 1,176 to 1,011 mm(2)/m(2); and tertile 3, 1,009 to 587 mm(2)/m(2); women: tertile 1, 1,436 to 962 mm(2)/m(2); tertile 2, 952 to 807 mm(2)/m(2); and tertile 3, 806 to 527 mm(2)/m(2)). Smaller normalized PMA was independently correlated with women and higher New York Heart Association classification. After adjustment for multiple confounding factors, the normalized PMA tertile was independently associated with mortality at 6 months (adjusted hazard ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 2.21). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that tertile 3 had higher mortality rates than tertile 1 at 6 months (14% and 31%, respectively, p = 0.029). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that normalized PMA provided the increase of C-statistics for predicting mortality for a clinical model and gait speed. In conclusion, PMA is an independent predictor of mortality after TAVR and can complement a clinical model and gait speed.

Retrieval of Embolized Transcatheter Aortic Valves in Left Ventricle Through Apical Ventriculotomy

Transcatheter valve placement complicated by left ventricular embolization is often treated with sternotomy, valve removal through the aorta, and conventional aortic valve replacement. We report three cases of ventricular embolization of aortic valves during deployment. We successfully placed a second transcatheter aortic valve in the correct position and retrieved the embolized valve through an apical ventriculotomy. All patients recovered well and survived for more than one year. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12701 (J Card Surg 2016;31:203-205).

Abstract TP299: The Feasibility of the Aldrete-FAST Screening Tool to Detect Stroke in the Post Cardiac Catheterization Setting: FAST-PC Study

Introduction: Peri-procedural cardiac catheterization related stroke (CRS) remains a feared complication. Risk estimates reach 7% but vary widely by institution and operator experience. Given the volume (>2 million/yr in US), the impact of CRS is substantial. Evidence-based data on diagnosis/treatment are lacking for these patients despite being ideal targets for acute stroke treatment. Many CRS go undetected due to a lack of a standardized assessment tool.

Hypothesis: A novel screening tool will be feasible to perform and effective in standardizing rapid diagnosis of CRS.

Methods: Two validated tools form the basis of this screen 1) Aldrete score: 10-pt scale used in anesthesia cases to assess activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness and color 2)FAST screen designed to reliably diagnose stroke in < 1 min: Facial droop, Arm weakness, Speech changes, Time. Patients are assessed pre/post procedure and catheterization sheath left in place until protocol completion to allow for CRS IA therapy. Feasibility criteria: Excellent if ≥80%; moderate if ≥50% had successful completion. Uni/multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed interaction with age, sedation & sheath location.

Results: 906 patients were enrolled over 7 months. Mean age was 64.9±13.6; 65% male. 727 cases completed 100% of Aldrete-FAST (80.2%, 95% CI: 77.5% - 82.8%). High dose Midazolam (>2mg) was associated with completion of Aldrete-FAST (P<0.001, OR 3.14 CI:1.79-5.52) while Fentanyl (100-200mcg) was a deterrent (P 0.027, OR 0.45 CI: 0.22-0.91). Fentanyl >200mcg had no association (30 patients). 748 maintained the sheath (88.0%, 95%CI: 85.6%-90.1%). There was no association between age, sex or access site location (femoral, radial or both) on outcomes.

Conclusions: This single-center prospective study demonstrates that the Aldrete-FAST score is a simple, safe screening tool with excellent feasibility to evaluate for CRS. No association between age, sex or access site implies generalizability. We found an interaction with sedation as midazolam and fentanyl had an inverse relationship regarding successful completion of the score. Further study is warranted to determine the optimal anesthesia for high risk patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Microbubble-mediated intravascular ultrasound imaging and drug delivery

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) provides radiation-free, real-time imaging and assessment of atherosclerotic disease in terms of anatomical, functional, and molecular composition. The primary clinical applications of IVUS imaging include assessment of luminal plaque volume and real-time image guidance for stent placement. When paired with microbubble contrast agents, IVUS technology may be extended to provide nonlinear imaging, molecular imaging, and therapeutic delivery modes. In this review, we discuss the development of emerging imaging and therapeutic applications that are enabled by the combination of IVUS imaging technology and microbubble contrast agents.

The influence of a percutaneous mitral repair program on surgical mitral valve volume

OBJECTIVES

Percutaneous mitral repair with the MitraClip system (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, Calif) has been available in trials since 2006 and is currently approved for patients with degenerative mitral valve disease at prohibitive risk for surgery. There has been concern that novel transcatheter approaches may detract from mitral valve surgical volumes. We sought to evaluate the influence of our MitraClip program on our surgical mitral valve volumes and outcomes.

METHODS

All patients referred for MitraClip underwent evaluation by a multidisciplinary team. Patients were screened for surgical candidacy and suitable valve anatomy for transcatheter repair. The fate of patients referred for MitraClip as well as the overall surgical mitral volumes and outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

From July 2007 to December 2014, 468 patients were referred for the MitraClip procedure at our institution. Of these, 156 patients (33.3%) received a MitraClip (including 45 implanted by surgeons), whereas 82 patients (17.5%) underwent surgical interventions. During this timeframe, the volume of isolated mitral valve operations increased from 50 procedures in 2007 to 93 in 2014 (80% increase; R(2) = 0.89). Importantly, operative mortality for all patients undergoing isolated mitral surgery from 2008 to 2014 was 2.6%, with an observed to expected ratio of 0.64.

CONCLUSIONS

The availability of MitraClip resulted in an increase in our mitral valve referrals. Despite seeing an increase in higher risk referrals, operative mortality for mitral surgery remained excellent. Multidisciplinary evaluation, including input from experienced mitral surgeons, is necessary to have a successful percutaneous and surgical mitral valve program.

Input strategy analysis for an air quality data modelling procedure at a local scale based on neural network

In recent years, a significant part of the studies on air pollutants has been devoted to improve statistical techniques for forecasting the values of their concentrations in the atmosphere. Reliable predictions of pollutant trends are essential not only for setting up preventive measures able to avoid risks for human health but also for helping stakeholders to take decision about traffic limitations. In this paper, we present an operating procedure, including both pollutant concentration measurements (CO, SO₂, NO₂, O₃, PM10) and meteorological parameters (hourly data of atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, wind speed), which improves the simple use of neural network for the prediction of pollutant concentration trends by means of the integration of multivariate statistical analysis. In particular, we used principal component analysis in order to define an unconstrained mix of variables able to improve the performance of the model. The developed procedure is particularly suitable for characterizing the investigated phenomena at a local scale.

Left main coronary artery disease: importance, diagnosis, assessment, and management

Left main coronary disease is seen in 4%-6% of patients undergoing coronary angiography for an ischemic evaluation and is a potentially fatal condition if not promptly identified and treated. Recent studies have increased our understanding of the complexity of left main coronary artery disease. This lesion subset offers numerous challenges in diagnosis and management. Fractional flow reserve and intravascular ultrasound are important adjuncts to angiography to determine the significance of ambiguous lesions of the left main coronary artery. Surgery is associated with much better outcomes than medical therapy and is considered by many to be the standard of care in patients who are surgical candidates. Recent studies comparing surgery with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have defined subgroups with lesser extent of disease burden that may do just as well with PCI. Challenges remain in the management of bifurcation disease, and the interventional community anxiously awaits the results of the large-scale randomized trials comparing PCI with surgery.

Adenosine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance with variable-density spiral pulse sequences accurately detects coronary artery disease: initial clinical evaluation

BACKGROUND

Adenosine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance perfusion imaging can be limited by motion-induced dark-rim artifacts, which may be mistaken for true perfusion abnormalities. A high-resolution variable-density spiral pulse sequence with a novel density compensation strategy has been shown to reduce dark-rim artifacts in first-pass perfusion imaging. We aimed to assess the clinical performance of adenosine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance using this new perfusion sequence to detect obstructive coronary artery disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance perfusion imaging was performed during adenosine stress (140 μg/kg per minute) and at rest on a Siemens 1.5-T Avanto scanner in 41 subjects with chest pain scheduled for coronary angiography. Perfusion images were acquired during injection of 0.1 mmol/kg Gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentacetate at 3 short-axis locations using a saturation recovery interleaved variable-density spiral pulse sequence. Significant stenosis was defined as >50% by quantitative coronary angiography. Two blinded reviewers evaluated the perfusion images for the presence of adenosine-induced perfusion abnormalities and assessed image quality using a 5-point scale (1 [poor] to 5 [excellent]). The prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease by quantitative coronary angiography was 68%. The average sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 89%, 85%, and 88%, respectively, with a positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 93% and 79%, respectively. The average image quality score was 4.4±0.7, with only 1 study with more than mild dark-rim artifacts. There was good inter-reader reliability with a κ statistic of 0.67.

CONCLUSIONS

Spiral adenosine stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance results in high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease with excellent image quality and minimal dark-rim artifacts.

Multi-modality imaging of the aortic valve in the era of transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a guide for patient selection, valve selection, and valve delivery

Aortic stenosis is a common condition traditionally treated surgically. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an exciting and new method allowing treatment of high risk and inoperable patients. Multimodality imaging is extremely important in the preprocedural evaluation, the performance of the procedure, and the post-procedural assessment and includes transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, conventional angiography, multi-detector computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance. This paper will review the role of various imaging modalities during the phases of the TAVR procedure with an emphasis on the advantages and limitations of each approach.

Percutaneous transjugular implantation of MELODY® valve into tricuspid bioprosthesis

We present the technique of transcatheter balloon expandable (MELODY®) valve-in-valve deployment in a frail octogenarian with a failed previous tricuspid bioprosthesis. In patients who are not candidates for conventional surgery, transcatheter approach provides an alternative that warrants careful consideration.