Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries and Situs Inversus in an Octogenarian With Systemic Right Ventricular Failure

Systemic right ventricular (RV) failure in patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA), a major cause of mortality in the long-term follow-up, is usually induced by concomitant severe morphologically tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with/without Ebstein's anomaly or progressive conduction tissue disturbances. However, whether or not myocardial fibrosis is a common cause of systemic RV failure in patients with ccTGA remains unclear. Here, we describe an 82-year-old man who had been diagnosed previously as having uncomplicated ccTGA and situs inversus and recently developed systemic RV failure, which was neither associated with severe TR nor advanced conduction tissue abnormalities. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with delayed-enhancement imaging clearly detected extensive myocardial scars (presumably fibrosis) in the RV wall as well as prominent dilatation, hypertrophy, and systolic dysfunction of the systemic RV. These findings suggest that myocardial fibrosis can cause systemic RV failure in elderly patients with uncomplicated ccTGA despite the absence of severe TR or advanced conduction tissue abnormalities and that CMR may be a useful examination to accurately detect systemic RV failure associated with myocardial fibrosis and to subsequently clarify the prognosis in these patients.

Efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation after balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Objective

To determine safety and efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) initiated immediately following balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who presented with continuing exercise intolerance and symptoms on effort even after a course of BPA; 2–8 sessions/patient.

Methods

Forty-one consecutive patients with inoperable CTEPH who underwent their final BPA with improved resting mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 24.7±5.5 mm Hg and who suffered remaining exercise intolerance were prospectively studied. Participants were divided into two groups just after the final BPA (6.8±2.3 days): patients with (CR group, n=17) or without (non-CR group, n=24) participation in a 12-week CR of 1-week inhospital training followed by an 11-week outpatient programme. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, haemodynamics, and quality of life (QOL) were assessed before and after CR.

Results

No significant between-group differences were found for any baseline characteristics. At week 12, peak oxygen uptake (VO₂), per cent predicted peak VO₂ (70.7±9.4% to 78.2±12.8%, p<0.01), peak workload, and oxygen pulse significantly improved in the CR group compared with the non-CR group, with a tendency towards improvement in mental health-related QOL. Quadriceps strength and heart failure (HF) symptoms (WHO functional class, 2.2–1.8, p=0.01) significantly improved within the CR group. During the CR, no patient experienced adverse events or deterioration of right-sided HF or haemodynamics as confirmed via catheterisation.

Conclusions

The combination of BPA and subsequent CR is a new treatment strategy for inoperable CTEPH to improve exercise capacity to near-normal levels and HF symptoms, with a good safety profile.

Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Endothelin Receptor Antagonist, Macitentan, in Japanese Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Macitentan is a novel, dual endothelin receptor antagonist with sustained receptor binding, used for the long-term treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In the present study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of macitentan in Japanese patients with PAH.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Macitentan was administered at a once-daily dose of 10 mg in 30 patients. The primary endpoint was change in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) from baseline to week 24. Change to week 24 in the other hemodynamic parameters, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), World Health Organization (WHO) functional class, and plasmaN-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), as well as time to clinical deterioration up to week 52 were also assessed as secondary endpoints. In the 28 patients on per-protocol analysis, PVR decreased from 667±293 to 417±214 dyn·sec·cm(-5)(P<0.0001). 6MWD increased from 427±128 to 494±116 m (P<0.0001). WHO functional class improved in 13 patients (46.4%) and was maintained in 15 patients (53.6%), and NT-pro-BNP was reduced by 18% (P<0.0001). The favorable treatment effect on PVR was apparent regardless of concomitant therapy for PAH.

CONCLUSIONS

Macitentan was efficacious and well tolerated and improved the hemodynamic parameters, exercise capacity, symptoms, and clinical biomarkers in Japanese PAH patients. Macitentan can be a valuable therapeutic option for Japanese patients with PAH. (

TRIAL REGISTRATION

JAPIC Clinical Trials Information [JapicCTI-121986].) (Circ J 2016; 80: 1478-1483).

Evaluation of organized thrombus in distal pulmonary arteries in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension using cone-beam computed tomography

PURPOSE

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an emerging treatment for inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients. However, the approach to use to identify distal thrombi suitable for BPA has not yet been established. The purpose of this work was therefore to evaluate distal chronic thromboembolic lesions for BPA using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two patients (men/women: 9/23) with CTEPH who underwent CBCT before BPA were enrolled. We assessed representative forms of chronic thromboembolic lesions in 94 segmental and/or 208 subsegmental branches according to CBCT and compared the results to the findings of selective angiography during BPA.

RESULTS

We classified CTEPH lesions into five subtypes as follows: type 1a (11.1 %), webs; type 1b (14.4 %), web with severe narrowing of the subsegmental artery; type 2, (58.2 %) web and slits; type 3 (2.4 %), slits; and type 4 (13.9 %), pouch defect with incomplete obstruction of subsegmental branches or complete occlusion. In our study, 92.6 % of the CTEPH lesions diagnosed by CBCT were highly consistent with the findings of selective angiography during BPA.

CONCLUSION

CBCT clearly revealed and classified distal lesions in CTEPH patients. The CBCT findings for distal lesions were highly consistent with those of selective angiography during BPA. CBCT could be a useful modality to detect target lesions before BPA.

Successful balloon pulmonary angioplasty with gadolinium contrast media for a patient with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and iodine allergy

A 28-year-old male was referred to our hospital with dyspnea. He was diagnosed as having chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and a pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) was performed. However, exertional dyspnea remained because of residual pulmonary hypertension; therefore, the patient was re-admitted to our hospital 1 year after PEA. We performed computed tomography and pulmonary angiography and found web and band lesions in the distal pulmonary artery with a high pulmonary artery pressure. Although further management was complicated because the patient had an anaphylactic shock to iodine-based contrast media, we eventually completed five sessions of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) using gadolinium contrast medium. His symptoms and hemodynamics dramatically improved after a series of BPA. After 15 months, mean pulmonary arterial pressure reduced from 67 mmHg to 20 mmHg, and subjective symptoms improved from stage Ⅳ to I as per the WHO classification system. BPA is a potential procedure for residual pulmonary hypertension after PEA and could be safely performed using gadolinium contrast medium for patients with iodine allergy.

Rescue balloon pulmonary angioplasty in a rapidly deteriorating chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patient with liver failure and refractory infection

Pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) is the standard therapy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an alternative therapy for such patients. Here we report the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with severe CTEPH resulting in low cardiac output and liver failure. Her clinical status rapidly deteriorated after she developed a respiratory infection that was refractory to antibiotic treatment. PEA was risky because of her unstable hemodynamics, uncontrolled infection, and liver failure with jaundice. We thus performed rescue BPA. After 3 BPA procedures, her cardiac symptoms improved from World Health Organization functional class IV to II, and her jaundice resolved. The day after her final BPA procedure, her hemodynamics dramatically improved, and she continued to show improvement 3 months later. We thus suggest that BPA is a good treatment option in CTEPH patients with rapidly deteriorating heart failure and uncontrolled comorbidities.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare but debilitating and life-threatening complication of acute pulmonary embolism. CTEPH results from persistent obstruction of pulmonary arteries and progressive vascular remodelling. Not all patients presenting with CTEPH have a history of clinically overt pulmonary embolism. The diagnostic work-up to detect or rule out CTEPH should include ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy, which has high sensitivity and a negative predictive value of nearly 100%. CT angiography usually reveals typical features of CTEPH, including mosaic perfusion, part or complete occlusion of pulmonary arteries, and intraluminal bands and webs. Patients with suspected CTEPH should be referred to a specialist centre for right-heart catheterisation and pulmonary angiography. Surgical pulmonary endarterectomy remains the treatment of choice for CTEPH and is associated with excellent long-term results and a high probability of cure. For patients with inoperable CTEPH, various medical and interventional therapies are being developed.

BMPR2 gene mutation in pulmonary arteriovenous malformation and pulmonary hypertension: a case report

The transforming growth factor-β superfamily signaling pathway is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). However, the association between bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) gene mutations and PAVM remains unclear. We present a case of concurrent PAVM and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), with a deletion mutation in exon 6 and exon 7 of the BMPR2 gene. Drug treatment for PAH improved the patient's hemodynamics and exercise capacity, but worsened oxygenation. This case suggests that BMPR2 gene mutation may be associated with the complex presentation of PAVM combined with PAH.

Organized thrombus in pulmonary arteries in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; imaging with cone beam computed tomography

PURPOSE

To assess the usefulness of cone-beam CT (CBCT) during pulmonary angiography for the evaluation of organized thrombus at segmental or subsegmental arteries in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The segmental and/or subsegmental pulmonary arteries of 13 patients with CTEPH were evaluated by CBCT. We classified representative forms of organized thrombus into 4 types (type 1: webs, type 2: web and slits, type 3: slits, and type 4: narrowing or complete occlusion), and the distribution and frequency of the organized thrombus were evaluated. The relative detectability of these lesions using CBCT was compared with that in contrast-enhanced CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA).

RESULTS

Type 1 lesions were most frequently observed in both segmental (30/65 = 46 %) and subsegmental branches (72/156 = 46 %). Type 2 lesions were relatively less frequent than type 1, but subsegmental branches were frequently involved (29/156 = 19 %). Type 3 lesions observed as a thin flap in 9/156 subsegmental branches (6 %). Comparing with CTPA, all 40 lesions in segmental branches were detectable in CTPA, whereas only 62 lesions among 90 lesions (69 %) in subsegmental branches could be observed by CTPA.

CONCLUSION

CBCT is found to be useful for the treatment planning of balloon pulmonary angioplasty distal to segmental arteries.

Right ventricular reverse remodelling after balloon pulmonary angioplasty

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has been reported to improve haemodynamics and functional capacity, with an acceptable risk, in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who are not candidates for pulmonary endarterectomy. However, right ventricular (RV) function, an important predictor in CTEPH, remains to be elucidated. We aimed to examine the impact of BPA on RV remodelling and dysfunction relative to haemodynamic improvements in patients with inoperable CTEPH. 20 consecutive patients with inoperable CTEPH who underwent BPA with cardiovascular magnetic resonance before and after BPA were retrospectively studied. BPA led to significant amelioration of the mean pulmonary arterial pressure, cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), without death or major complications. Furthermore, BPA significantly ameliorated right-sided heart failure symptoms and signs, and exercise capacity. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance revealed a marked improvement in RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index, with concomitant improvements in RV ejection fraction, mass and interventricular septal bowing after BPA. Changes in RV volumes strongly correlated with changes in cardiac index and PVR. BPA induced RV reverse remodelling and improved systolic dysfunction safely by ameliorating haemodynamics in patients with inoperable CTEPH. Evaluating RV function with cardiovascular magnetic resonance may be effective for noninvasively monitoring BPA efficacy.

Risk factors of acute pulmonary thromboembolism in Japanese patients hospitalized for medical illness: results of a multicenter registry in the Japanese society of pulmonary embolism research

BACKGROUND

Although the prophylaxis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE) in hospitalized patients has been improving in Japan, there is no report concerning APTE of Japanese medical patients. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the characteristics of APTE in Japanese patients hospitalized for medical illness, through a retrospective study.

METHODS

In a total of 1,438 registry patients with pulmonary thromboembolism for recent 10 years, 1,027 patients with APTE were analyzed with respect to underlying diseases or predisposing factors, and clinical course.

RESULTS

A hundred thirty three patients hospitalized for medical illness developed APTE, among 433 in-hospital APTE patients. The prevalence of APTE in women was more than in men. The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 61 +/- 17 years. Main risk factors were a prolonged immobilization, stroke, cancer, indwelling central venous catheter. Fifty-four patients had 3 or more risk factors. In-hospital mortality rate was 23%.

CONCLUSIONS

Japanese patients in this registry had almost the same findings as in western patients, except for some points that had the possibility of demonstrating a difference between westerners and Japanese in the development of APTE. Our results will be available for establishing the prevention of APTE in medical patients in Japan.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension as the first manifestation in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

A 17-year-old Japanese girl visited our hospital for an evaluation of exertional dyspnea. A diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was confirmed based on the findings of right heart catheterization. Detailed questioning revealed a family history of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), and a genetic mutation analysis disclosed a mutation in the activin receptor-like kinase 1 gene (ACVRL1). The patient was finally diagnosed with HHT according to the Curaçao diagnostic criteria eight years after the diagnosis of PAH. This case supports previous reports indicating that signs of PAH can be the first manifestation of disease in ACVRL1 mutation carriers.

Survey of reoperation indications in tetralogy of fallot in Japan

BACKGROUND

Although the survival rate for repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is dramatically improving, anatomical and functional residua and sequelae followed by arrhythmias and sudden death are still challenging issues to be resolved. Reoperation can reduce the incidence of arrhythmias and sudden death, but there is no consensus on the indications of reoperation for patients with TOF, especially in Japan.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of reoperation indications in patients with TOF was performed through a Japanese multicenter study. The questionnaire, which focused on the number of repaired TOF patients aged >15 years old, reoperation indications and management, was sent to the institutions belonging to Japanese Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease. In total, 41.5% (78/188) of the institutions replied. The total number of repaired TOF patients was 4,010, and sudden cardiac death was observed in 45.236/4,010 (5.9%) experienced reoperation. Pulmonary stenosis (32%) and pulmonary regurgitation (29%) were the most common reasons for reoperation. There were only 2 implantable cardioverter defibrillator or resynchronization therapy defibrillator implantations. The physiological/anatomical indications of reoperation differed among the hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 1.1% of patients suffered sudden death and 6% of repaired TOF patients had reoperation. The indications of reoperation, however, varied among the institutions. Therefore, detailed information for each case of sudden death or reoperation should be collected and analyzed in order to establish guidelines for reoperation.