Diabetes Mellitus Impairs Left Ventricular Mass Regression after Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis

BACKGROUND

It is well-documented that persistent myocardial hypertrophy in patients with aortic stenosis is related to suboptimal postoperative outcomes after aortic valve replacement. Although diabetes is known to potentially exacerbate myocardial hypertrophy, it has yet to be examined if it affects postoperative left ventricular mass regression (LVMR).

METHODS

A single-centre, retrospective analysis was performed on 183 consecutive patients who underwent either surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement between 2010 and May 2013. Patient demographics, postoperative outcomes and echocardiographic data were obtained preoperatively and a year after surgery.

RESULTS

There were 42 diabetic and 141 non-diabetic patients. Preoperative characteristics of diabetic patients were statistically similar to those of non-diabetic patients, except for higher prevalence of hyperlipidaemia (p <0.001) and history of cerebrovascular disorder (p=0.046) in diabetic patients. Median value of postoperative LVMR of all patients was -36.5 g/m(2), and was significantly greater in the non-diabetics compared to the diabetics (-39.1 vs. -22.2 g/m(2), p=0.008). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on preoperative variables, and stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that diabetes (standardised partial regression coefficient (SPRC)=-0.187, p=0.018), female gender (SPRC=0.245, p=0.026) and age (SPRC=0.203, p=0.018) were associated with poor postoperative LVMR.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with diabetes showed suboptimal postoperative LVMR, and the disease was a prognostic factor that was associated with poor LVMR. These findings suggest that diabetes may predispose the particular group of patients to worse postoperative outcomes.

Unmanipulated Haploidentical Reduced-Intensity Stem Cell Transplantation Using Fludarabine, Busulfan, Low-Dose Antithymocyte Globulin, and Steroids for Patients in Non-Complete Remission or at High Risk of Relapse: A Prospective Multicenter Phase I/II Study in Japan

This prospective, multicenter phase I/II study of unmanipulated HLA-haploidentical reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation using a low dose of anti-T lymphocyte globulin (ATG) and steroid was conducted in 5 institutions in Japan. Thirty-four patients with hematologic malignancies who were in an advanced stage or at a high risk of relapse at the time of transplantation were enrolled. Among them, 7 patients underwent transplantation as a second transplantation because of relapse after the previous allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The conditioning regimen consisted of fludarabine, busulfan, and ATG (Fresenius, 8 mg/kg), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of tacrolimus and methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg). All patients except 1 (97.1%) achieved donor-type engraftment. Rapid hematopoietic engraftment was achieved, with neutrophils > .5 × 10(9)/L on day 11 and platelets > 20 × 10(9)/L on day 17.5. Treatment was started for ≥grade I GVHD, and the cumulative incidences of acute grade I and grade II to IV GVHD were 27.5% and 30.7%, respectively. The incidence of chronic GVHD (extensive type) was 20%. Fourteen patients (41.2%) had a relapse. The cumulative incidence of transplantation-related mortality at 1 year after transplantation was 26.5%. The survival rate at day 100 was 88.2%. The survival rates at 1 year for patients with complete remission (CR)/chronic phase (n = 8) and non-CR (n = 26) status before transplantation were 62.5% and 42.3%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, non-CR status before transplantation was the only factor significant prognostic factor of increased relapse (P = .0424), which tended to be associated with a lower survival rate (P = .0524). This transplantation protocol is safe and feasible, if a suitable donor is not available in a timely manner. As the main cause of death was relapse and not GVHD, more intensified conditioning or attenuation of GVHD prophylaxis and/or donor lymphocyte infusion may be desirable for patients with non-CR status.

Particle therapy for clinically diagnosed stage I lung cancer: comparison with pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present study was to present the treatment outcomes of particle therapy for indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs) diagnosed as stage I non-small cell lung cancer, including a comparative analysis involving pathologically proven lung cancer (PPLC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 54 patients (57 lesions) who underwent particle therapy for IPNs were enrolled in this study. Median patient age was 76 (range 52-87) years. T-classification was: T1a, 30; T1b, 16; and T2a, 11. Particle therapy using protons or carbon ions was delivered at total doses of 52.8-80 Gy equivalent in 4-26 fractions. The PPLC cohort included 111 patients.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 41 (range 7-90) months. For all IPN patients, the three-year overall survival, progression-free survival, local control and distant progression-free survival rates were 90%, 72%, 94% and 79%, respectively. Grade 2 toxicities were radiation pneumonitis (19%), dermatitis (9%), rib fracture (2%), chest wall pain (2%) and neuropathy (2%). No ≥grade 3 toxicities were observed. In univariate analysis, the IPN group showed significantly better survival relative to the PPLC group. However, after adjustment for baseline imbalances between these two groups in multivariate analysis, pathological confirmation did not correlate with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Particle therapy for IPNs provided favorable outcomes with minimal toxicities, which may be comparable to those for PPLC patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the optimal management of IPN patients.

High-dose proton beam therapy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer: Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors

BACKGROUND

Evidence has suggested that radiation therapy with a lower dose per fraction may be a reasonable option for the treatment of centrally located non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two proton beam therapy (PBT) protocols for stage I NSCLC and to determine prognostic factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included patients clinically diagnosed with stage I NSCLC. Based on the location of the tumor, one of the two PBT protocols was administered. Patients with peripherally located tumors were given 66 Gy relative biological dose effectiveness (RBE) over 10 fractions (Protocol A) while patients with centrally located tumors were given 80 Gy (RBE) over 25 fractions (Protocol B).

RESULTS

Between January 2009 and May 2012, 56 eligible patients were enrolled (protocol A: 32 patients; protocol B: 24 patients). The three-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) rates were 81.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 75.9-86.7%], 73.4% (95% CI 67.2-79.6%), and 96.0% (95% CI 93.2-98.8%), respectively. There were no significant differences in outcomes between the two protocols. Late grade 2 and 3 pulmonary toxicities were observed in nine patients (13.4%) and one patient (1.5%), respectively; no grade 4 or 5 toxicities were observed. Sex, age, performance status, T-stage, operability, and tumor pathology were not associated with OS and PFS. Only maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax; <5 vs. ≥5) was identified as a significant prognostic factor for OS and PFS.

CONCLUSION

Both high-dose PBT protocols achieved high LC rates with tolerable toxicities in stage I NSCLC patients, and SUVmax was a significant prognostic factor.

Novel method of evaluating liver stiffness using transient elastography to evaluate perioperative status in severe heart failure

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a non-invasive method, transient elastography (FibroScan), in measuring liver stiffness (LS), and whether LS can be used as a marker of cardiac - and hence perioperative - status.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Perioperative LS was prospectively measured using a FibroScan in 30 patients (21 male; 42.2 ± 13.3 years old) who underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. LS was checked pre- and postoperatively, then analyzed in regard to perioperative status. Preoperative LS was 13.3 ± 13.0 kPa (normal, <5.5 kPa), and was abnormal in 77% of patients. Four required bilateral VAD. LS in patients with bilateral VAD tended to be higher than in LVAD patients (25.1 ± 22.7 vs. 11.5 ± 10.5 kPa, P=0.051). No patient with LS ≤ 7.0 kPa required a right VAD. The incidence of major adverse events was lower in patients with LS ≤ 12.5 kPa (25% vs. 80%, P<0.05). There were also no mortalities among patients with LS ≤ 12.5 kPa.

CONCLUSIONS

LS was correlated with preoperative severity in patients with severe heart failure and reflected liver congestion, and may be useful to predict the requirement of right VAD, as well as postoperative complications in patients with LVAD implantation. This novel modality may be a useful non-invasive assessment method for management of severe heart failure.

The impact of dynamic factors on surgical outcomes after double-door laminoplasty for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine

OBJECT

Laminoplasty is the preferred operation for most patients with cervical myelopathy due to multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Recent studies have demonstrated several significant risk factors for poor clinical outcomes after laminoplasty, including older age, lower preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, postoperative change in cervical alignment, cervical kyphosis, and high occupying ratio of the OPLL (that is, the ratio of the greatest anteroposterior thickness of the OPLL to the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal at the same level on a lateral image). However, the impact of dynamic factors on clinical outcomes is unclear. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of dynamic factors on the clinical outcome after laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy due to OPLL.

METHODS

A consecutive series of patients who underwent laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy due to OPLL between 2003 and 2009 was retrospectively reviewed. The indication for laminoplasty at the authors' hospital included preoperative straight or lordotic alignment of the cervical spine and an occupying ratio of OPLL less than 60%. The JOA score and recovery rate were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. A poor clinical outcome was defined as a recovery rate of less than 50%. Patient factors examined along with outcome included age, preoperative JOA score, preoperative somatosensory evoked potentials, preoperative motor evoked potentials, body mass index, and presence of high intensity on MRI. Radiographic measures included the preoperative C2-7 lordotic angle, preoperative C2-7 range of motion (ROM), preoperative segmental ROM at the level of myelopathy, and the occupying ratio of OPLL.

RESULTS

There were 45 patients (33 males and 12 females). The mean follow-up period was 4 years (range 2-6.8 years). The mean patient age was 66.9 years (range 50-85 years). The mean JOA score significantly increased from 9.1 before surgery to 13.1 at the final follow-up. The mean recovery rate was 51.2%. Nineteen patients (42%) had a recovery rate of less than 50%. Patient factors were not associated with surgical outcomes. Only the preoperative C2-7 ROM was significantly greater in the poor surgical outcome group (23.1° vs 14.1°). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal preoperative C2-7 ROM cutoff was 20°. Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with a preoperative C2-7 ROM of greater than 20° had a 4.6 times higher risk (p = 0.021) of a poor clinical outcome, indicating that dynamic factors may have an impact on the surgical outcome of laminoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Fusion surgery may be a useful strategy in patients with preoperative hypermobility of the cervical spine.

Improvement of Cardiac Stem Cell Sheet Therapy for Chronic Ischemic Injury by Adding Endothelial Progenitor Cell Transplantation: Analysis of Layer-Specific Regional Cardiac Function

The transplantation of cardiac stem cell sheets (CSC sheets) is a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic cardiomyopathy, although potential ischemia in the transplanted area remains a problem. Injected endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can reportedly induce angiogenesis in the injected area. We hypothesized that concomitant CSC sheet transplantation and EPC injection might show better therapeutic effects for chronic ischemic injury model than the transplantation of CSC sheets alone. Scaffold-free CSC sheets were generated from human c-kit-positive heart-derived cells. A porcine chronic ischemic injury model was generated by placing an ameroid constrictor around the left coronary artery for 4 weeks. The animals then underwent a sham operation, epicardial transplantation of CSC sheet over the ischemic area, intramyocardial injection of EPCs into the ischemic and peri-ischemic area, or CSC sheet transplantation plus EPC injection. The efficacy of each treatment was then assessed for 2 months. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to dissect the layer-specific regional systolic function by measuring the radial strain (RS). The epicardial RS in the ischemic area was similarly greater after treatment with the CSC-derived cell sheets alone (19 ± 5%) or in combination with EPC injection (20 ± 5%) compared with the EPC only (9 ± 4%) or sham (7 ± 1%) treatment. The endocardial RS in the ischemic area was greatest after the combined treatment (14 ± 1%), followed by EPC only (12 ± 1%), compared to the CSC only (11 ± 1%) and sham (9 ± 1%) treatments. Consistently, either epicardial CSC sheet implantation or intramyocardial EPC injection yielded increased capillary number and reduced cardiac fibrosis in the ischemic epicardium or endocardium, respectively. Concomitant EPC injection induced the migration of transplanted CSCs into the host myocardium, leading to further neovascularization and reduced fibrosis in the ischemic endocardium, compared to the CSC sole therapy. Transplantation of CSC sheets induced significant functional recovery of the ischemic epicardium, and concomitant EPC transplantation elicited transmural improvement in chronic ischemic injury.

Exposure to High Doses of Lipopolysaccharide during Ovalbumin Sensitization Prevents the Development of Allergic Th2 Responses to a Dietary Antigen

Food allergies are driven by aberrant T helper (Th) 2 cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) influences the development of Th2-mediated diseases, but its role in food allergy and tolerance remains unclear. To address this issue, we established mouse models presenting allergic or tolerant responses to ovalbumin (OVA). Mice sensitized with crude OVA developed Th2 responses including acute diarrhea, increases in serum OVA-specific IgE, dominant production of serum OVA-specific IgG1, increases in Th2-type cytokines and proliferation of mast cells in duodenal and colonic tissues. Sensitization of mice with crude OVA and LPS abrogated Th2-type responses observed in allergic mice. The level of OVA-specific proliferation in mesenteric lymph node CD4⁺ T cells was comparable in allergic and tolerant mice, indicating that the tolerance is not caused by anergy and apoptosis of antigen-primed T cells. Expression of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines was suppressed in whole spleen cells and/or purified spleen CD4⁺ T cells of tolerant mice, indicating that the tolerance was not caused by the shift from Th2 to Th1. On the other hand, interleukin (IL)-10, a regulatory cytokine produced by regulatory T cells, was upregulated in whole spleen cells and purified spleen CD4⁺ T cells of tolerant mice. Furthermore, spleen CD4⁺ T cells from tolerant mice suppressed the growth of CD4⁺ T cells from DO11.10 mice in co-culture. These results indicate that tolerance is induced in allergic mice by simultaneous exposure to LPS during sensitization with OVA and that a population of T cells producing IL-10 plays an important role in the tolerance induction.

Particle beam radiation therapy using carbon ions and protons for oligometastatic lung tumors

Background

A study was undertaken to analyze the efficacy and feasibility of particle beam radiation therapy (PBRT) using carbon ions and protons for the treatment of patients with oligometastatic lung tumors.

Methods

A total of 47 patients with 59 lesions who underwent PBRT for oligometastatic lung tumors between 2003 and 2011 were included in this study. Patient median age was 66 (range, 39–84) years. The primary tumor site was the colorectum in 11 patients (23.4%), lung in 10 patients (21.3%) and a variety of other sites in 26 patients (55.3%). Thirty-one patients (66%) received chemotherapy prior to PBRT. Thirty-three lesions were treated with 320-MeV carbon ions and 26 were treated with 150- or 210-Mev protons in 1–4 portals. A median total dose of 60 (range, 52.8–70.2) GyE was delivered at the isocenter in 8 (range, 4–26) fractions.

Results

The median follow-up time was 17 months. The local control, overall survival and progression-free survival rates at 2 years were 79%, 54 and 27% respectively. PBRT-related toxicities were observed; six patients (13%) had grade 2 toxicity (including grade 2 radiation pneumonitis in 2) and six patients (13%) had grade 3 toxicity. Univariate analysis indicated that patients treated with a biologically equivalent dose of 10 (BED₁₀) <110 GyE₁₀, had a significantly higher local recurrence rate. Local control rates were relatively lower in the subsets of patients with the colorectum as the primary tumor site. No local progression was observed in metastases from colorectal cancer irradiated with a BED₁₀ ≥ 110 GyE₁₀. There was no difference in treatment results between proton and carbon ion therapy.

Conclusions

PRBT is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of oligometastatic lung tumors. To further improve local control, high-dose PBRT with a BED₁₀ ≥ 110 GyE₁₀ may be promising. Further investigation of PBRT for lung oligometastases is warranted.

Staphylococcus aureus and repeat bacteremia in febrile patients as early signs of sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Sternal wound infection is a devastating complication of cardiothoracic surgery that carries high postoperative morbidity and mortality rates. We explored whether our current program of extensive bacteriological examination including repeat blood cultures may contribute to the early diagnosis of sternal wound infection.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 112 patients who were subjected to our bacteriological examination protocol including within 90 days after cardiothoracic surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were made in order to identify risk factors for sternal infection.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 75 years, and 65 patients were male. In 35 cases (31.2%) the blood cultures showed the presence of bacterial infection with the following frequencies: Staphylococcus aureus, 18 cases; Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, 7 cases; other organisms, 10 cases. Eleven patients presented repeat bacteremia on at least 2 different occasions. Twenty patients (17.8%) presented sternal wound infections. There was no difference in operative mortality between the patients with and without sternal wound infection. Univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that bilateral mammary artery use (OR, 13.68, 95% CI, 1.09-167.36, p = 0.043), positive blood culture for Staphylococcus aureus (OR, 19.51, 95% CI, 4.46-104.33, p < 0.0001), repeat bacteremia (OR, 17.98, 95% CI, 2.51-161.77, p = 0.004) were risk factors that were associated for sternal wound infection.

CONCLUSION

Repeat blood cultures in febrile patients appear to be useful for the early detection of Staphylococcus aureus and repeat bacteremia, and these were associated with sternal wound infection. Bilateral internal mammary artery use was another risk factor of sternal wound infection in febrile patients. These factors may identify patients suitable for expeditious radiological examination and aggressive treatments.

Impacts of patient characteristics on the effectiveness of landiolol in AF/AFL patients complicated with LV dysfunction: Subgroup analysis of the J-Land study

Introduction

Results from the multicenter trial (J-Land study) of landiolol versus digoxin in atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction revealed that landiolol was more effective for controlling rapid HR than digoxin. The subgroup analysis for patient characteristics was conducted to evaluate the impact on the efficacy and safety of landiolol compared with digoxin.

Methods

Two hundred patients with AF/AFL, heart rate (HR) ≥ 120 beats/min, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) 25–50% were randomized to receive either landiolol (n = 93) or digoxin (n = 107). Successful HR control was defined as ≥20% reduction in HR together with HR < 110 beats/min at 2 h after starting intravenous administration of landiolol or digoxin. The subgroup analysis for patient characteristics was to evaluate the impact on the effectiveness of landiolol in AF/AFL patients complicated with LV dysfunction.

Results

The efficacy in patients with NYHA class III/NYHA class IV was 52.3%/35.3% in landiolol, and 13.8%/9.1% in digoxin (p < 0.001 and p = 0.172), lower LVEF (25–35%)/higher LVEF (35–50%) was 45.7%/51.1% in landiolol, and 14.0%/12.7% in digoxin (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), CKD stage 1 (90 < eGFR)/CKD stage 2 (60 ≤ eGFR < 90)/CKD stage 3 (30 ≤ eGFR < 60)/CKD stage 4 (15 ≤ eGFR < 30) was 66.7%/59.1%/39.6%/66.7% in landiolol, and 0%/13.8%/17.0%/0% in digoxin (p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.015 and p = 0.040).

Conclusions

This subgroup analysis indicated that landiolol was more useful, regardless of patient characteristics, as compared with digoxin in AF/AFL patients complicated with LV dysfunction. Particularly, in patients with impaired renal function, landiolol should be preferred for the purpose of acute rate control of AF/AFL tachycardia.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12325-014-0111-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Particle therapy using carbon ions or protons as a definitive therapy for patients with primary sacral chordoma

OBJECTIVE

This study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of particle therapy using carbon ions or protons for primary sacral chordomas.

METHODS

We evaluated 23 patients with primary sacral chordoma treated with carbon ion therapy (CIT) or proton therapy (PT) between July 2005 and June 2011 at the Hyogo Ion Beam Medical Center, Hyogo, Japan. The median patient age was 72 years. 14 patients were treated with 70.4 Gy equivalents (GyE) in 16 fractions and 9 were treated with 70.4 GyE in 32 fractions. CIT was used for 16 patients, and PT was used for 7 patients.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 38 months. At 3 years, local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for all patients were 94%, 83% and 68%, respectively. The log-rank test revealed that male sex was significantly related to better PFS (p=0.029). No other factors, including dose fractionation and ion type, were significant for LC, OS or PFS. In nine patients, ≥ Grade 3 acute dermatitis was observed, and ≥ Grade 3 late toxicities were observed in nine patients. The 32-fraction protocol reduced severe toxicities in both the acute and late phases compared with the 16-fraction protocol.

CONCLUSION

Particle therapy for patients with sacral chordoma showed favourable LC and OS. Severe toxicities were successfully reduced by modifying the dose fractionation and treatment planning in the later treatment era. Thus, this therapeutic modality should be considered useful and safe.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This is the first study including both CIT and PT for sacral chordomas.

Enhanced survival of transplanted human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes by the combination of cell sheets with the pedicled omental flap technique in a porcine heart

BACKGROUND

Transplantation of cardiomyocytes that are derived from human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CMs) shows promise in generating new functional myocardium in situ, whereas the survival and functionality of the transplanted cells are critical in considering this therapeutic impact. Cell-sheet method has been used to transplant many functional cells; however, potential ischemia might limit cell survival. The omentum, which is known to have rich vasculature, is expected to be a source of blood supply. We hypothesized that transplantation of hiPS-CM cell sheets combined with an omentum flap may deliver a large number of functional hiPS-CMs with enhanced blood supply.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Retrovirally established human iPS cells were treated with Wnt signaling molecules to induce cardiomyogenic differentiation, followed by superparamagnetic iron oxide labeling. Cell sheets were created from the magnetically labeled hiPS-CMs using temperature-responsive dishes and transplanted to porcine hearts with or without the omentum flap (n=8 each). Two months after transplantation, the survival of superparamagnetic iron oxide-labeled hiPS-CMs, assessed by MRI, was significantly greater in mini-pigs with the omentum than in those without it; histologically, vascular density in the transplanted area was significantly greater in mini-pigs with the omentum than in those without it. The transplanted tissues contained abundant cardiac troponin T-positive cells surrounded by vascular-rich structures.

CONCLUSIONS

The omentum flap enhanced the survival of hiPS-CMs after transplantation via increased angiogenesis, suggesting that this strategy is useful in clinical settings. The combination of hiPS-CMs and the omentum flap may be a promising technique for the development of tissue-engineered vascular-rich new myocardium in vivo.

Impact of electrocardiogram-gated multi-slice computed tomography-based aortic annular measurement in the evaluation of paravalvular leakage following transcatheter aortic valve replacement: the efficacy of the OverSized AortiC Annular ratio (OSACA ratio) in TAVR

BACKGROUND

Even mild paravalvular leakage (PVL) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with increased late mortality. Electrocardiogram-gated multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) enables detailed aortic annulus assessment. We describe the impact of MSCT for PVL following TAVR.

METHODS

Congruence between the prosthesis and annulus diameters affects PVL; therefore, we calculated the OverSized AortiC Annular ratio (OSACA ratio) and OSACA (transesophageal echocardiography, TEE) ratio as prosthesis diameter/annulus diameter on MSCT or TEE, respectively, and compared their relationship with PVL ≤ trace following TAVR.

RESULTS

Of 36 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR (Group A), the occurrence of PVL ≤ trace (33.3%) was significantly related to the OSACA ratio (p = 0.00020). In receiver-operating characteristics analysis, the cutoff value of 1.03 for the OSACA ratio had the highest sum of sensitivity (75.0%) and specificity (91.7%; AUC = 0.87) with significantly higher discriminatory performance for PVL as compared to the OSACA (TEE) ratio (AUC = 0.69, p = 0.028). In nine consecutive patients (Group B) undergoing TAVR based on guidelines formulated from our experience with Group A, PVL ≤ trace was significantly more frequent (88.9%) than that in Group A (p = 0.0060).

CONCLUSIONS

The OSACA ratio has a significantly higher discriminatory performance for PVL ≤ trace than the OSACA (TEE) ratio, and aortic annular measurement from MSCT is more accurate than that from TEE.