Light-chain and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis in severe aortic stenosis: prevalence, screening possibilities, and outcome

Aims

Concomitant cardiac amyloidosis (CA) in severe aortic stenosis (AS) is difficult to recognize, since both conditions are associated with concentric left ventricular thickening. We aimed to assess type, frequency, screening parameters, and prognostic implications of CA in AS.

Methods and results

A total of 191 consecutive AS patients (81.2 ± 7.4 years; 50.3% female) scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) were prospectively enrolled. Overall, 81.7% underwent complete assessment including echocardiography with strain analysis, electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), ^99mTc‐DPD scintigraphy, serum and urine free light chain measurement, and myocardial biopsy in immunoglobulin light chain (AL)‐CA. Voltage/mass ratio (VMR; Sokolow–Lyon index on ECG/left ventricular mass index) and stroke volume index (SVi) were tested as screening parameters. Receiver operating characteristic curve, binary logistic regression, and Kaplan–Meier curve analyses were performed. CA was found in 8.4% of patients (n = 16); 15 had transthyretin (TTR)‐CA and one AL‐CA. While global longitudinal strain by echo did not reliably differentiate AS from CA‐AS [area under the curve (AUC) 0.643], VMR as well as SVi showed good discriminative power (AUC 0.770 and 0.773, respectively), which was comparable to extracellular volume by CMR (AUC 0.756). Also, VMR and SVi were independently associated with CA by multivariate logistic regression analysis (P = 0.016 and P = 0.027, respectively). CA did not significantly affect survival 15.3 ± 7.9 months after TAVR (P = 0.972).

Conclusion

Both TTR‐ and AL‐CA can accompany severe AS. Parameters solely based on ECG and echocardiography allow for the identification of the majority of CA‐AS. In the present cohort, CA did not significantly worsen prognosis 15.3 months after TAVR.

Persistent atrial fibrillation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: Prognostic relevance and association with clinical, imaging and invasive haemodynamic parameters

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent finding in HFpEF. However, its association with invasive haemodynamics, imaging parameters and outcome in HFpEF is not well established. Furthermore, the relevance of AF subtype with regard to outcome is unclear. This study sought to investigate the prognostic impact of paroxysmal and persistent AF in a well-defined heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2010 and 2016, 254 HFpEF patients were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent echocardiography as well as left and right heart catheterization. Patients without contraindications underwent CMR including T1 mapping. Follow-up and outcome data were collected. Patients with significant coronary artery disease were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 153 patients (60%) suffered from AF, 119 (47%) had persistent and 34 (13%) had paroxysmal AF. By multiple logistic regression analysis, persistent AF was independently associated with NT-proBNP (P = .003), NYHA functional class (P = .040), left and right atrial size (P = .022 and <.001, respectively), cardiac output (P = .002) and COPD (P = .034). After a median follow-up of 23 months (interquartile range 5-48), 92 patients (36%) reached the primary end point defined as hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, only persistent AF (P = .005) and six-minute walk distance (P = .011) were independently associated with the primary end point.

CONCLUSIONS

Sixty percent of our HFpEF patients suffered from AF. Persistent but not paroxysmal AF was strongly associated with event-free survival and was independently related to NYHA functional class, serum NT-proBNP, atrial size, cardiac ouput and presence of COPD.

Gender-specific differences in valvular heart disease

The development of new devices and treatment options has greatly increased the interest in heart valve diseases. In this context, the consideration of gender differences in diagnosis, treatment success, and prognosis is of great importance. Available data show that women and men with heart valve disease have different risk profiles, which have a significant impact on treatment outcomes and prognosis.

It is the purpose of this review article to give an overview of gender-related differences in patients with valvular heart disease, regarding clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes. In light of the emerging treatment possibilities, future research should emphasize the role of gender since both sexes benefit from tailored management.

The importance of the Heart Team evaluation before transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Results from the BRAVO-3 trial

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Clinicians use validated scores to risk-stratify patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, evaluation by the Heart Team often deems patients to be at higher risk than their formal scores suggest. We sought to assess clinical outcomes of TAVR patients defined as high-risk by the Heart Team's assessment versus the patient's logistic EuroSCORE (LES).

METHODS

The BRAVO-3 trial randomized patients at high risk (LES ≥ 18, or deemed inoperable by the Heart Team) to TAVR with periprocedural anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin versus bivalirudin. Endpoints included net adverse cardiac events (NACE: the composite of all-cause mortality, MI, stroke, or bleeding), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: death, MI, or stroke), the individual components of MACE, major vascular complications, BARC ≥ 3b bleeding and VARC life-threatening bleeding at 30 days. We compared patients deemed high-risk based on LES ≥ 18 versus high-risk by the Heart Team despite lower LES.

RESULTS

A total of 467/800 (58.4%) patients were deemed high-risk by the Heart Team despite LES < 18. After multivariable analysis, there were no differences in the odds of endpoints between groups (NACE, OR_LES≥18 : 1.32, 95% CI 0.86-2.02, p = .21; MACE, OR_LES≥18 : 1.27, 95% CI 0.72-2.25, p = .41; major vascular complications, OR_LES≥18 : 0.97, 95% CI 0.65-1.44, p = .88; BARC ≥3b, OR_LES≥18 : 1.38, 95% CI 0.82-2.33, p = .23; and VARC life-threatening bleeding, OR_LES≥18 : 0.99, 95% CI 0.69-1.41, p = .95).

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing TAVR and labeled high-risk by LES ≥ 18 or Heart Team assessment despite LES < 18 have comparable short-term outcomes. Assignment of high-risk status to over 50% of patients is attributable to Heart Team's clinical assessment.

P1739 Diameter of the pulmonary artery in relation to the ascending aorta: a promising parameter for the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease with significant morbidity and mortality. The first imaging modality in the diagnostic algorithm is transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Despite significant technological advances in recent years, there are still patients with PH who are missed by TTE. The pulmonary artery to ascending aorta ratio (PA/Ao-R) has been evaluated in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and computed tomography (CT) studies. The ratio was able to detect patients with PH, it correlated with hemodynamics, and it was predictive for mortality. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of PA/Ao-R measured by TTE in the detection of PH.

Methods

We evaluated consecutive patients who received quasi-simultaneous transthoracic echocardiography and right heart catheterization (RHC) for evaluation of pulmonary hypertension between July 2015 and July 2016.

Results

A total of 84 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 47 were female, mean age was 65 years. Median PA/Ao-R was 0.8 (Q1;Q3 0.69;0.94). Seventy patients had PH (median mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was 35.5 mmHg, Q1;Q3 27;47). The area under the curve for the diagnosis of PH via PA/Ao-R was 0.853. A cut-off of 1 was chosen for further analysis. Sensitivity for the diagnosis of PH was 100%, specificity was 23%. PA/Ao-R correlated with mPAP (r = 0.65, p &lt; 0.001), and pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.68, p &lt; 0.001). In the subgroup of patients with PH, those patients with a PA/Ao-R of ≥1 had significantly (p &lt; 0.001) higher pulmonary pressures than those below, with a mean mPAP of 53 mmHg as compared to 38.5 mmHg.

Conclusion

PA/Ao-R correlates with mPAP. A ratio of ≥1 should prompt suspicion for the presence of PH. PA/Ao-R should be reported in every patient who is evaluated for PH.

552 Natural history of bivalvular functional regurgitation

Introduction

Bivalvular functional regurgitation (BVFR) defined as concomitant mitral and tricuspid insufficiency has not been described or systematically assessed before. The present study therefore sought to define incidence, impact and natural history of BVFR in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) to provide the foundation for risk assessment and directions for potential treatment strategies.

Methods

We enrolled 1021 consecutive patients with HFrEF under guideline-directed medical therapy and performed comprehensive echocardiographic and neurohumoral profiling. Mitral and tricuspid regurgitation was quantified by an integrated approach comprising valve morphology, width of the proximal regurgitant jet, proximal flow convergence, and pulmonary venous flow. All-cause mortality during a five-year follow up served as the primary endpoint.

Results

Thirty percent of patients suffered from moderate or severe BVFR. Long-term mortality increased with the presence and severity of FR with severe BVFR representing the highest risk-subset (P &lt; 0.001). Severe BVFR patients were more symptomatic and displayed an adverse remodeling and neurohumoral activation pattern (all P &lt; 0.05). Severe BVFR was associated with excess mortality (Figurel 1, Panel A) independently of clinical (adj.HR 1.52, 95%CI 1.39-1.84;P &lt; 0.001) and echocardiographic (adj.HR 1.31, 95%CI 1.11-1.54;P = 0.001) confounders, guideline-directed medical therapy (adj. HR 1.55, 95%CI 1.35-1.79;P &lt; 0.001) and neurohumoral activation (adj.HR 1.31, 95%CI 1.07-1.59;P = 0.009). Moderate BVFR (n = 99) comprised equal baseline characteristics and similar risk as isolated severe FR. (Figure 1, Panel B) (HR 0.95, 95%CI 0.69-1.30;P = 0.73).

Conclusion

This long-term outcome study shows the multi-faceted nature of FR and defines BVFR as an important clinical entity associated with impaired functional class, adverse cardiac remodeling and excess risk of mortality. Moderate BVFR conveys similar risk as isolated severe FR reflecting the deleterious impact of the global regurgitant load on the failing heart and the need of an integrated understanding for risk-assessment.

Abstract 552 Figure 1 (Panel A and B)

P1763 Impact of disproportionate functional mitral regurgitation

Background

Application of the effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume (RegVol) is potentially limited as such lesion-focused metrics inevitably lack flexibility to account for the heterogeneity of left ventricular size and function. A recently proposed conceptual framework seeks to rearrange EROA and RegVol cut-offs according to left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), introducing the novel term "disproportionate FMR" to describe clinically meaningful FMR.

Methods

To test the impact of disproportionate FMR, we embedded data of 291 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) under guideline directed therapy (GDT) into this framework. Regurgitant Volume and EROA were plotted against LVEDV using bubble plots that also account for the heterogeneity of EF (Figure 1 A and C). The black lines depict a regurgitant fraction (RegFrac) of 50% at the median EF (25%) or Vmax (4.3m/s) of the study population. Thus, above individual center lines (illustrated by different bubble sizes) FMR severity is disproportionate, within the area of measurement uncertainty it is proportionate to LV dilation and below, it is likely non-severe. The degree of uncertainty of proportionate FMR is determined by the imprecision of the measurements defined as 2SDs of regurgitant fraction (±6.6%) per Bland-Altmann analysis.

Results

During a median follow-up of 84 months (IQR 84-136), 166 patients died. Disproportionate FMR was associated with excess mortality (RegVol: HR 1.97, 95%CI 1.38-2.81, P &lt; 0.001; EROA: HR 2.22, 95%CI 1.52-3.22), whereas proportionate FMR was not associated with increased long-term mortality (RegVol: HR 1.04, 95%CI 0.71-1.53, P = 0.83; EROA: HR 1.06, 95%CI 0.71-1.58, P = 0.79; Figure 1B&D).

Conclusions

In this contemporary HFrEF cohort every fifth patient has disproportionate FMR which conveys a two-fold increased risk of mortality which provides evidence for the validity of the conceptual framework. Advancement of the proposed framework to clinical practice has several implications: 1)EROA and RegVol are metrics that do not account for the contextual variability of LVEDV and EF. 2)The RegFrac -not incorporated in ESC guidelines but integrated in AHA/ACC definitions- provides a metric proportionated to left ventricular size and function supporting its use to define relevant FMR. However, technical limits suggest its complementary use on top of more robust metrics such as EROA and RegVol. Future studies need to clarify whether disproportionate FMR reflects the subgroup of patients that benefit from mitral valve repair, and provide a robust algorithm that integrates the metrics of FMR severity in a complementary manner.

Abstract P1763 Figure.

P1580 Global regurgitant volume - approaching the critical mass in valvular-driven heart failure

Aims

Recent progress in the diagnosis of functional valve regurgitation forms a coherent perception of severity thresholds by quantitative assessment. However, thresholds focused on either valve in isolation -not accounting for the global hemodynamic burden arising from concomitant functional regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves. We sought to determine whether the global regurgitant volume is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling and mortality.

Methods and results

This long-term observational study included 414 patients on guideline-directed medical therapy. Baseline global regurgitant load defined as the sum of mitral and tricuspid regurgitant volume was assessed by the proximal flow convergence method. All-cause mortality during five years follow-up served as the primary endpoint. The median global regurgitant load was 30ml (IQR 15-49) with 67% accounting for mitral and 33% accounting for tricuspid regurgitant volume. The global regurgitant load had significant impact on outcome with a crude HR of 1.46 (1.28-1.66; P &lt; 0.001) for a 1-SD increase in global regurgitant volume, results that remained virtually unchanged after bootstrap or clinical confounder-based adjustment (P &lt; 0.001 for adjusted models). Spline curve analysis showed a linearly increasing risk with a threshold of 50ml and sustained increasing risk thereafter.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates the detrimental effect of the global regurgitant load in patients with HFrEF. The threshold where heart failure is driven by the valve lesions is a global regurgitant volume of 50ml with continuously increasing risk beyond that threshold. Future studies need to address whether an attempt to reduce the global regurgitant volume can improve outcome.

Abstract P1580 Figure 1 - Global RegVol

P1832 T1 mapping and echo-global longitudinal strain are early markers of cardiac involvement in patients with fabry disease

OnBehalf

Constantin Gatterer

Introduction

Fabry disease (FD) is one of the most common lysosomal storage diseases caused by deficiency of Alpha-Galactosidase A and accumulation of glycosphingolipids in all cells containing lysosomes. Cardiac involvement is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy, conduction abnormalities and myocardial fibrosis with consecutive cardiomyopathy in late stages.

Purpose

As the detection of early signs of cardiac involvement is crucial for the initiation of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or Chaperon therapy, we intended to find early imaging markers.

Methods

Cardiac MRI (CMR) including Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE), representing fibrosis, and T1-mapping as well as echocardiography with measurement of global longitudinal strain (GLS) were done as part of the regular check-ups for patients with FD.

Results

The study cohort of 30 FD patients (20-69 years, 53% women) in different stages of disease showed low GLS values already at the time of baseline echocardiography (mean: -17,22%), correlating with the amount of LGE (r = 0,73; p = 0,003) and ejection fraction measured by CMR (CMR-EF; r=-0,74; p = 0,002).

After an average follow-up of 39 months (STD 18), GLS values were significantly declined (-15,51 %; p = 0,009) and correlated with T1 times (r = 0,7; p = 0,04), while LGE and CMR-EF did not significantly change compared to baseline.

Baseline T1 times correlated negatively with the reduction of GLS (r=-0,7; p = 0,003), while LGE and CMR-EF showed no correlation with the course of GLS. ERT appeared to have no influence on the extend of GLS reduction.

Conclusion

Low native CMR T1 times, indicating sphingolipid accumulation in the myocardium, seem to represent the beginning of cardiac involvement in FD and might predict the course of GLS. GLS is a sensitive parameter for early detection of cardiac manifestation and disease progression, while LGE and CMR-EF could not recognize slight deterioration of left ventricular function.

P1764 A unifying concept for the quantitative definition of functional mitral regurgitation

Background

Diverging guideline definitions for the quantitative assessment of severe secondary mitral regurgitation (sMR) reflect the lacking link of the sMR spectrum to mortality and has introduced a source of uncertainty and continuing debate.

Objectives

The current study aimed to define improved risk-thresholds specifically tailored to the complex nature of sMR that provide a unifying solution to the ongoing guideline-controversy.

Methods

We enrolled 423 heart failure patients under guideline directed medical therapy and assessed sMR by effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), regurgitant volume (RegVol) and regurgitant fraction (RegFrac).

Results

Measures of sMR severity were consistently associated with 5-year mortality with a HR for a 1-SD increase of 1.42 (95%CI 1.25-1.63, P &lt; 0.001) for EROA, 1.37 (95%CI 1.20-1.56, P &lt; 0.001) for RegVol and 1.50 (95%CI 1.30-1.73, P &lt; 0.001) for RegFrac. Results remained statistically significant after bootstrap- or clinical confounder-based adjustment. Spline-curve analyses (Figure 1A-C) showed a linearly increasing risk enabling to stratify in low-risk (EROA &lt; 20mm2 and RegVol &lt; 30ml), intermediate-risk (EROA 20-30mm2 and RegVol 30-45ml) and, high-risk (EROA≥30mm2 and RegVol≥45ml). In the intermediate-risk group, a RegFrac ≥50% as indicator for hemodynamic severe sMR was associated with poor outcome (P = 0.017). A unifying concept based on combined assessment of the EROA, the RegVol, and the RegFrac (Figure 1D) showed a significantly better discrimination compared to the currently established algorithms (Table 1).

Conclusions

Risk-based thresholds tailored to the pathophysiological concept of sMR provide a unifying solution to the ongoing guideline controversy. An algorithm based on the combined assessment of the unifying cut-offs for EROA, RegVol and RegFrac improves risk prediction compared to currently established grading.

Table 1 Definition of severe sMR Cox regression analysis ROC analysis IDI analysis HR (95%CI) P-Value ROC P-Value-for-comparison IDI P-Value Unifying concept 3.76 (2.71-5.23) &lt;0.001 0.63 –- –- –- ACC/AHA definition 3.20 (2.14-4.78) &lt;0.001 0.57 &lt;0.001 0.06 &lt;0.001 ESC/EACTS definition 1.52 (1.10-2.09) 0.01 0.55 &lt;0.001 0.13 &lt;0.001 ACC/ASE expert consensus 1.89 (1.40-2.56) &lt;0.001 0.59 0.04 0.08 &lt;0.001 Comparison of the unifying concept with the ACC/AHA, ESC/EACTS and ACC/ASE expert consensus definitions of sMR by Cox regression, ROC, and IDI demonstrated the most powerfull prediction by the unifying concept with significantly higher ROC area under the curve and better discriminatory power by IDI.

Abstract P1764 Figure 1 A-D

Clinical outcomes after TAVR with heparin or bivalirudin as periprocedural anticoagulation in patients with and without peripheral arterial disease: Results from the BRAVO-3 randomized trial

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with and without peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the BRAVO-3 trial with respect to the effect of bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH).

BACKGROUND

PAD is found frequently in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and is reported to confer an increased risk of adverse events. It is unknown whether patients with and without PAD may demonstrate a differential response to bivalirudin versus UFH.

METHODS

BRAVO-3 was a randomized multicenter trial comparing transfemoral TAVR with bivalirudin versus UFH (31 centers, n = 802). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were a composite of 30-day death, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Net adverse cardiovascular events (NACE) were a composite of major bleeding or MACE.

RESULTS

The total cohort included 119 patients with PAD. Vascular complications occurred significantly more frequently in patients with PAD both in-hospital (25.2 vs. 16.7%; OR 1.68) and at 30 days (29.4 vs. 17.3%; OR 1.99). No significant differences were observed regarding mortality, NACE, MACE, major bleeding or CVA with bivalirudin versus UFH among patients with or without PAD. In patients with PAD, bivalirudin was associated with an increased risk of minor vascular complications at 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PAD undergoing transfemoral TAVR did not exhibit an increased risk of any major adverse events, according to the procedural anticoagulant randomization. However, patients treated with Bivalirudin had significantly higher rates of minor vascular complications.

KCND3 potassium channel gene variant confers susceptibility to electrocardiographic early repolarization pattern

BACKGROUNDThe presence of an early repolarization pattern (ERP) on the surface ECG is associated with risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. Family studies have shown that ERP is a highly heritable trait, but molecular genetic determinants are unknown.METHODSTo identify genetic susceptibility loci for ERP, we performed a GWAS and meta-analysis in 2,181 cases and 23,641 controls of European ancestry.RESULTSWe identified a genome-wide significant (P < 5 × 10-8) locus in the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily D member 3 (KCND3) gene that was successfully replicated in additional 1,124 cases and 12,510 controls. A subsequent joint meta-analysis of the discovery and replication cohorts identified rs1545300 as the lead SNP at the KCND3 locus (OR 0.82 per minor T allele, P = 7.7 × 10-12) but did not reveal additional loci. Colocalization analyses indicate causal effects of KCND3 gene expression levels on ERP in both cardiac left ventricle and tibial artery.CONCLUSIONSIn this study, we identified for the first time to our knowledge a genome-wide significant association of a genetic variant with ERP. Our findings of a locus in the KCND3 gene provide insights not only into the genetic determinants but also into the pathophysiological mechanism of ERP, discovering a promising candidate for functional studies.FUNDINGThis project was funded by the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK Shared Expertise SE081 - STATS). For detailed funding information per study, see the Supplemental Acknowledgments.

Stratified Approaches to Antiplatelet Therapies Based on Platelet Reactivity Testing

Antiplatelet therapy with P2Y₁₂ receptor inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor, cangrelor) is a cornerstone of medical therapy after percutaneous coronary interventions. Significant prevalence of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) on clopidogrel treatment led to introduction of more potent P2Y₁₂ inhibitors: prasugrel (a third generation thienopyridine), ticagrelor, and cangrelor (cyclopentyl-triazolo-pyrimidines). Nevertheless, more potent platelet inhibition and resulting low on-treatment platelet reactivity (LTPR) has led to increased risk of major bleeding events. These limitations resulted in a need for an individualized antiplatelet therapy approach. This review discusses the current role and future perspectives of diagnostic tools such as platelet function testing to optimize antiplatelet therapy with a focus on deescalating therapies to reduce bleeding risks.

Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis with a particular focus on subgroups

BACKGROUND

The role of aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the benefit-risk ratio of aspirin for primary prevention of CVD with a particular focus on subgroups.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of aspirin for primary prevention of CVD versus control and including at least 1000 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. The primary efficacy outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and net clinical benefit. The primary safety outcome was major bleeding. Subgroup analyses involving sex, concomitant statin treatment, diabetes, and smoking were performed.

RESULTS

Thirteen randomized controlled trials comprising 164,225 patients were included. The risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was similar for aspirin and control groups (RR 0.98; 95% CI, 0.93-1.02; RR 0.99; 95% CI, 0.90-1.08; respectively). Aspirin reduced the relative risk (RRR) of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 9% (RR 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.95), myocardial infarction by 14% (RR 0.86; 95% CI, 0.77-0.95), and ischemic stroke by 10% (RR 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.99), but was associated with a 46% relative risk increase of major bleeding events (RR 1.46; 95% CI, 1.30-1.64) compared with controls. Aspirin use did not translate into a net clinical benefit adjusted for event-associated mortality risk (mean 0.034%; 95% CI, - 0.18 to 0.25%). There was an interaction for aspirin effect in three patient subgroups: (i) in patients under statin treatment, aspirin was associated with a 12% RRR of MACE (RR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-0.96), and this effect was lacking in the no-statin group; (ii) in non-smokers, aspirin was associated with a 10% RRR of MACE (RR 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.99), and this effect was not present in smokers; and (iii) in males, aspirin use resulted in a 11% RRR of MACE (RR 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.95), with a non-significant effect in females.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspirin use does not reduce all-cause or cardiovascular mortality and results in an insufficient benefit-risk ratio for CVD primary prevention. Non-smokers, patients treated with statins, and males had the greatest risk reduction of MACE across subgroups.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42019118474.

Phenotyping progression of secondary mitral regurgitation in chronic systolic heart failure

BACKGROUND

Secondary mitral regurgitation (sMR) drives adverse cardiac remodelling in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Progression in severity over time contributes to a transition towards more advanced HF stages. Early identification of patients at risk for sMR progression remains challenging. We therefore sought to assess a broad spectrum of neurohumoral biomarkers in patients with HFrEF to explore their ability to predict progression of sMR.

METHODS

A total of 249 HFrEF patients were enrolled. Biomarkers encompassing key neurohumoral pathways in heart failure were sampled at baseline, and sMR progression was assessed over 3 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 191 patients with nonsevere sMR at baseline, 18% showed progressive sMR within three years after study enrolment. Progression of sMR was associated with higher levels of MR-proADM (adj.OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.29-3.93; P = .004), MR-proANP (adj.OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.14-3.00; P = .012), copeptin (adj.OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.04-2.67; P = .035) and CT-pro-ET1 (adj.OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.06-2.68; P = .027) but not with NT-proBNP (P = .54).

CONCLUSION

Increased plasma levels of neurohumoral cardiac biomarkers are predictors of sMR progression in patients with HFrEF and add easily available incremental prognostic information for risk stratification. Importantly, NT-proBNP was not useful to predict progressive sMR in the present analysis. On the contrary, MR-proANP, primarily produced in the atria, copeptin partly triggered by intra-cardiac and intra-arterial pressures and MR-proADM, a marker of forward failure and peripheral released vasoactive CT-proET1, increase based on a progressive loading burden by sMR and may thus serve as better predictors of sMR progression.

P896Effects of tafamidis in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy

Background

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CA) is caused by deposition of amyloid fibrils in the myocardium. The deposition occurs when transthyretin (TTR) becomes unstable and misfolds. Tafamidis is a kinetic stabilizer of TTR that prevents tetramer dissociation and amyloidogenesis by TTR.

Methods

Eighteen patients with diagnosis of ATTR-CA (hATTR or wtATTR) from our national amyloidosis registry were treated with 20 mg of tafamidis for a period of six months. In our explorative analysis we aimed to evaluate the effects of tafamdis by changes from baseline of the serum NT-proBNP concentration, 6-minute walking distance, as well as cardiac structure and function.

Results

The exploratory analysis showed a decrease in serum NT-proBNP concentration in tafamidis treated patients, compared to increase in untreated patients (median difference, −481.0 pg/mL). Tafamidis improved the walking distance during the 6-minute walk test at month six, compared to baseline (mean, 31.25 m). Echocardiographic findings revealed an improvement of the global longitudinal strain (mean, 0.77%), a decrease in left atrial size (mean, −1.65 mm) and a decrease in left ventricular size (mean, −4.13 mm) in tafamidis treated patients compared to untreated patients. Due to insufficient power the results did not differ significantly between tafamidis treated patients and untreated patients.

Change from baseline Tafamidis No treatment Treatment Difference p-value Cardiac Biomarkers n=18 n=15   NT-proBNP, ng/L Baseline, median 2740.0 2835.0 CFB to 6 months, median −207.0 274.0 −481.0 0.329 Functional Status n=8 n=7   6MWT, m Baseline, mean 441.00 420.50 CFB to 6 months, mean 31.25 −16.50 +47.75 0.373 Echocardiogram n=17 n=15   LA, mm Baseline, mean 63.41 61.33 CFB to 6 months, mean −1.65 0.60 −2.25   LV, mm Baseline, mean 44.13 41.80 CFB to 6 months, mean −4.13 0.33 −4.46 0.075   LV wall thickness, mm Baseline, mean 22.06 18.47 CFB to 6 months, mean 0.68 −0.60 +1.28 0.055   Longitudinal strain, % Baseline, mean −10.66 −12.42 CFB to 6 months, mean 0.77 −1.03 +1.80 0.652 MRI n=7 n=6   ECV, % Baseline, mean 52.26 44.22 CFB to 6 months, mean 0.81 3.70 − 2.89 0.493   LV mass, g Baseline, mean 187.71 170.33 CFB to 6 months, mean 24.29 19,67 +4.62 0.612

Conclusion

Treatment with tafamidis for a period of six months in patients with ATTR-CA leads to positive effects on NT-proBNP level, 6-minute walking distance, as well as cardiac structure and function compared to untreated patients.

Comparison of a Complete Percutaneous Versus Surgical Approach to Aortic Valve Replacement and Revascularization in Patients at Intermediate Surgical Risk: Results From the Randomized SURTAVI Trial

BACKGROUND

For patients with severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease, the completely percutaneous approach to aortic valve replacement and revascularization has not been compared with the standard surgical approach.

METHODS

The prospective SURTAVI trial (Safety and Efficiency Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Severe, Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis in Intermediate Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement) enrolled intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis from 87 centers in the United States, Canada, and Europe between June 2012 and June 2016. Complex coronary artery disease with SYNTAX score (Synergy Between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Trial) >22 was an exclusion criterion. Patients were stratified according to the need for revascularization and then randomly assigned to treatment with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Patients assigned to revascularization in the TAVR group underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, whereas those in the SAVR group had coronary artery bypass grafting. The primary end point was the rate of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke at 2 years.

RESULTS

Of 1660 subjects with attempted aortic valve implants, 332 (20%) were assigned to revascularization. They had a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score for mortality (4.8±1.7% versus 4.4±1.5%; P<0.01) and were more likely to be male (65.1% versus 54.2%; P<0.01) than the 1328 patients not assigned to revascularization. After randomization to treatment, there were 169 patients undergoing TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention, 163 patients undergoing SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting, 695 patients undergoing TAVR, and 633 patients undergoing SAVR. No significant difference in the rate of the primary end point was found between TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention and SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting (16.0%; 95% CI, 11.1-22.9 versus 14.0%; 95% CI, 9.2-21.1; P=0.62), or between TAVR and SAVR (11.9%; 95% CI, 9.5-14.7 versus 12.3%; 95% CI, 9.8-15.4; P=0.76).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients at intermediate surgical risk with severe aortic stenosis and noncomplex coronary artery disease (SYNTAX score ≤22), a complete percutaneous approach of TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention is a reasonable alternative to SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov. Unique identifier: NCT01586910.

Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation: Advanced intraprocedural imaging in challenging hybrid procedures

This video tutorial is a guide to transfemoral, transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation using advanced preoperative planning and intraprocedural fusion imaging. We demonstrate mitral valve-in-valve implantation in a patient after surgical bioprosthetic replacement of the mitral valve, with severe restenosis and elevated surgical risk, and we discuss preoperative planning and work-up using advanced imaging software.. The procedure itself is documented in a step-by-step fashion for every important phase of the intervention. Finally, we present the postoperative result after successful implantation and provide a brief discussion of the key points of the case and procedure.

P4572Lipoprotein(a) is not associated with survival after acute coronary syndromes

Aims

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with coronary artery disease in population studies, however studies on its predictive value in patients with established cardiovascular disease, in particular after acute coronary syndromes (ACS), are conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Lp(a) is associated with survival after ACS.

Methods and results

We analyzed 4469 consecutive patients that underwent coronary angiography for ACS. Lp(a) measurement at time of ACS was available in 1245 patients and median follow-up for cardiovascular and total mortality was 5.0 (IQR 3.2–8.0) years. 655 (52.6%) presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 424 (34.1%) with Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 166 (13.3%) underwent coronary angiography for unstable angina. Cardiovascular mortality was 9.1% and total mortality was 15.7%. Patients were stratified into four groups to their Lp(a) levels. (≤15 mg/dL, >15–30 mg/dL, >30–60 mg/dL, and >60 mg/dL). Multivessel disease was significantly more common in patients with Lp(a) >60 mg/dL (p<0.05). Increased levels of Lp(a) were not associated with cardiovascular mortality (HR compared with Lp(a) ≤15 mg/dL were 1.2, 1.2, and 1.0, respectively; p=0.69) and not with total mortality (HR compared with Lp(a) ≤15 mg/dL were 1.2, 1.2, and 1.2, respectively; p=0.46).

Central Figure

Conclusion

Lp(a) levels at time of ACS were neither associated with cardiovascular nor with total mortality. Although Lp(a) has been shown to be associated with incidence of coronary artery disease, this study does not support any role of Lp(a) as a risk factor after ACS. This should be taken into account for development of outcome studies for agents targeting Lp(a) plasma levels.

5943Mechanistic insights of papillary muscle dyssynchrony mediated function mitral regurgitation and modulation by cardiac resynchronization

Background

Mechanistic features of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) include papillary muscle displacement due to left ventricular remodeling. Intraventricular conduction delay might further augment this condition by introducing interpapillary muscle dyssynchrony.

Objectives

To define this mechanism as a major contributing factor in FMR and prove the reversibility of FMR by interpapillary muscle resynchronization.

Methods

We enrolled 269 chronic HFrEF patients with conduction delay and comprehensively assessed dyssynchrony by complementary echocardiographic techniques. Opposing wall delay, calculated by speckle tracking, was determined as the time difference between peak longitudinal strain of the mid-anterior and inferior wall from a 2-chamber view. Furthermore, opposing wall delay was assessed as the time difference between peak strain values from tissue Doppler velocity-coded data of the mid-inferior septal and mid-lateral wall segments.

Results

Patients with severe FMR had markedly increased interpapillary longitudinal dyssynchrony (160ms [IQR 120–200]) compared to those with moderate (70ms [IQR 40–110]), no, or mild FMR (60ms [IQR 30–100]; P<0.001). Increased interpapillary muscle dyssynchrony was correlated with effective regurgitant orifice area (P<0.001; Figure A), regurgitant volume (P<0.001, Figure B) and vena contracta width (P<0.001, Figure C). Restoration of longitudinal papillary muscle synchronicity by cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was correlated with FMR regression, as reflected by the reduction in regurgitant volume (P<0.001) and vena contracta width (P<0.001). Conversely, the improvement of FMR was associated with improved interpapillary radial (P=0.006) and longitudinal (P<0.001) dyssynchrony. The improvement of dyssynchrony-mediated FMR signified a better prognosis compared to no improvement in FMR during the 8-year follow-up period even after comprehensive adjustment by a bootstrap-selected confounder model (adj. HR of 0.41; 95% CI 0.18–0.91; P=0.028; Figure D). The results remained virtually unchanged after adjustment for left bundle branch block.

Figure 1. Dyssynchrony-FMR-CRT

Conclusion

Intraventricular dyssynchrony introduces unequal contraction by papillary muscle bearing walls, which has an adverse effect on FMR. CRT can effectively restore interpapillary balance and thus create a less tented leaflet configuration, resulting in a clinically meaningful reduction of FMR. The restoration of papillary muscle synchronicity in dyssynchrony-mediated FMR translates into a significantly better prognosis.

P6492Quantitative definition of severe functional mitral regurgitation - A matter of intercontinental debate

Background

Recent divergence between AHA/ACC and ESC/EACTS guidelines of the quantitative definition for severe functional mitral regurgitation (sFMR) introduced uncertainty, inconsistency and continuing debate. The relation of each threshold with long-term outcome, in patients under guideline directed therapy (GDT) remains however uncertain.

Methods

We enrolled 269 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and graded sFMR according to both guideline-recommendations [AHA/ACC: effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) ≥40mm2 or regurgitant volume (RegVol) ≥60ml/beat and ESC/EACTS: EROA ≥20mm2 or RegVol ≥30ml/beat]. All-cause mortality was defined as the primary endpoint.

Result

According to AHA/ACC guidelines sFMR occurred in 17% by EROA with a median EROA of 0.5mm2 (IQR 0.4–0.6) and in 13% by RegVol with a median RegVol of 76ml/beat (IQR 69–101). According to ESC/EACTS guidelines sFMR occurred in 53% by EROA with a median EROA of 0.4mm2 (IQR 0.2–0.4)and 40% according to RegVol with a median RegVol of 51ml/beat (IQR 37–69). During 8-years follow-up, 165 patients died. We observed a significant association with outcome for sFMR according to AHA/ACC guidelines quantified by EROA (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.13–2.43, P=0.009; Figure 1A) as well as RegVol (HR 2.02, 95% CI 1.34–3.05, P=0.001; Figure 1A). In contrast, the ESC/EACTS definition of sFMR was related with outcome exclusively if quantified by RegVol (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.05–2.05, P=0.026; Figure 1B) but not for EROA (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.91–1.86, P=0.15; Figure 1B).

Figue 1

Conclusion

In this contemporary HFrEF cohort under GDT there is significant association of the ACC/AHA proposed cut-off for severe FMR and long-term mortality. The ESC/EACTS definitions are associated with mortality exclusively for the RegVol. The lack of association between sFMR based on ESC/EACTS EROA cut-offs with mortality potentially results from incorporating patients where the regurgitant burden may still be compensated and has not yet become a driving force of disease progression. Contemporary definition of sFMR entails decision making for surgical/transcatheter repair. Cut-offs need to account for the competing risks of the procedure versus the potential benefit of reducing mortality. Lower thresholds may expose a significant proportion of patients to unnecessary risk of futile procedures and higher thresholds may withhold potentially life-extending therapies. The disagreement between the two guidelines does not only convey a source of uncertainty for treating physicians but also lead to inconsistent treatment allocation thereby hindering comprehensive and comparable research. Future studies need to approximate to the true nature of severe functional mitral valve disease in an attempt to facilitate a unifying definition of sFMR.

P2727Hemodynamic profiles in patients with cardiac amyloidosis

Background

Intracardiac filling and pulmonary arterial pressures play a central role in various heart failure entities, as they are strong predictors of outcome. However, their role in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is less clear.

Purpose

We aimed to characterize hemodynamic profiles of CA patients and assess their association with outcomes.

Methods

The present study was conducted within a prospective, national CA registry.

Patients underwent invasive hemodynamic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiography assessment, as well cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with T1-mapping. The main outcome measure was a combined endpoint consisting of hospitalization for heart failure or cardiovascular death.

Results

Between March 2012 and October 2018, 63 consecutively recruited CA patients underwent invasive hemodynamic profiling. Of those, 36 had cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) and 25 cardiac light-chain amyloidosis (AL). In two patients amyloid subtyping was not possible.

Median age of the study population was 74.0 years and the majority were male (61.9%). Almost half of the patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥III (47.6%) and showed elevated N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP) with a median of 3222 pg/mL. In comparison to AL, cardiac TTR patients were older (75.0 years versus 69.0 years, p=0.004), more often male (80.6% versus 40.0%, p=0.001), less symptomatic (NYHA class ≥III: 38.9% versus 64.0%, p=0.021), and had lower NT-proBNP values (2324pg/mL versus 5151pg/mL, p=0.004).

Hemodynamic profiling revealed significantly increased intracardiac as well as pulmonary arterial pressures (PAP). On an average, pulmonary artery wedge pressure was 20.0mmHg [interquartile range (IQR): 17.0–25.0], mean PAP (mPAP) was 30.0mmHg (IQR: 25.0–37.0), and mean right atrial pressure (mRAP) was 11.0mmHg (IQR: 7.0–16.0). No differences between ATTR and AL patients could be detected (p=0.148, p=0.398, p=0.620). During a median follow-up of 63.0 weeks, 28 study participants (44.4%) reached the combined endpoint. Moreover, cardiac AL patients had significantly more events as their ATTR counterparts (72.0% versus 27.8%, p=0.001). In cardiac ATTR patients, mPAP was significantly associated with outcome [hazard ratio (HR): 1.083, p=0.034, Figure 1A], which was not the case in the AL group (HR: 1.024, p=0.186, Figure 1B). Cardiac output and pulmonary vascular resistance were not associated with outcome. Neither in the ATTR (p=0.144; p=0.063) nor in AL cohort (p=0.420; p=0.115).

Figure 1

Conclusion

Despite differences in the severity of symptoms between cardiac AL and cardiac ATTR patients, no differences with regards to hemodynamic profiles could be detected.

Furthermore, intracardiac filling and pulmonary arterial pressures seem to be of greater clinical importance in cardiac ATTR as compared to cardiac AL, as these parameters were associated with outcome in the first, but not the latter group.

P668Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Background

Platelet inhibition by aspirin reduces ischemic events but increases the risk of bleeding events. Yet, the role of aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease remains unclear.

Purpose

To produce a clinically relevant benefit-risk assessment of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis of aspirin effects in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease comprising 13 randomized-controlled trials in 164.225 patients comparing aspirin versus placebo/control during a mean follow-up period of 6.4 years. Using a random effect model, relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each outcome.

Results

Aspirin reduced the relative risk of ischemic stroke by 10% (RR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82–0.99), myocardial infarction by 14% (RR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.77–0.95) and the major adverse cardiovascular events by 9% (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.86–0.95) but was associated with a 46% relative risk increase of major bleeding events (RR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.30–1.64). Aspirin did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.90–1.08), all-cause mortality (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.93–1.02) or cancer (RR 1.05; 95% CI, 0.87–1.26). Aspirin use did not translate into a net clinical benefit adjusted for event-associated mortality risk (mean 0.034%; 95% CI: −0.18 to 0.25%).

Forest plot of major outcomes.

Conclusions

Aspirin use in primary prevention is associated with a reduced risk of stroke and myocardial infarction, but at a cost of an increased risk of major bleeding.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P5261Feature tracking by CMR: left ventricular dysfunction predicts outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Objectives

To investigate the association between global longitudinal strain (GLS) using feature tracking (FT) cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and prognosis in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Background

Echocardiography-based studies have demonstrated that in HFpEF left ventricular (LV) strain analyses can detect impaired systolic function despite preserved ejection fraction and might also predict outcome. CMR also allows strain analysis using FT and is furthermore the gold standard for assessment of ventricular volumes and ejection fractions. In addition, T1-mapping allows non-invasive tissue characterization. However, the prognostic relevance of FT-CMR is unknown. In addition right ventricular (RV) FT-CMR is poorly investigated.

Methods

Consecutive patients with confirmed diagnosis of HFpEF underwent CMR on a 1.5T scanner. We used dedicated software (cvi42, Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc.) for global longitudinal left ventricular strain (LV-GLS) in a 3D and global longitudinal RV strain (RV-GLS) in a 2D model using feature tracking (FT). In addition, we performed uni- and multivariable Cox regression using a combined endpoint of heart failure hospitalizations, and cardiovascular death to determine the prognostic relevance of FT-CMR.

Results

We included a total of 131 HFpEF patients (70.4±8.6 years old, 70.2% female). Median LV-GLS by FT-CMR was −8% [IQR: −10% to 5%] and median RV-GLS was −11.9% [IQR: −16.57% to −12.23%]. LV and RV GLS values were significantly correlated with LV and RV ejection fractions (r=−0.463, p<0.001 for LV, and r=−0.306, p=0.001 and RV, respectively). 77 (58.8%) events were recorded during a follow-up of 42.0±31.4 months. Patients with an LV-GLS worse than the median (−8%) showed a significantly reduced event-free survival rate (log-rank, p=0.009).In a multivariable Cox-regression model correcting for the strongest clinical variables, including age (HR 1.018 [0.985–1.052], p=0.290), GFR (HR 0.987 [0.975–1.000], p=0.055), diabetes (HR 1.696 [1.028–2.799], p=0.039), and 6-min-walking distance (HR 0.997 [0.995–0.999)], p=0.014), LV-GLS remained significantly associated with outcome (HR 1.093 [1.039–1.150], p=0.001) while RV-GLS had no effect on outcome (p>0.05).

Conclusions

In patients with HFpEF, LV-GLS but not RV-GLS by FT-CMR is significantly associated with cardiovascular events.

P2726Extremely boosted prediction of cardiac amyloidosis by routine laboratory paramaters

Background/Introduction

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare and complex condition with poor prognosis. Novel therapies have been shown to improve outcome, however, most of the affected individuals remain undiagnosed, mainly due to a lack in awareness among clinicians. One approach to overcome this issue is to use automated diagnostic algorithms that act based on routinely available laboratory results.

Purpose

We tested the performance of flexible machine learning and traditional statistical prediction models for non-invasive CA diagnosis based on routinely collected laboratory parameters. Since laboratory routines vary between hospitals or other health care providers, special attention has been taken to adaptive and dynamic parameter selection, and to dealing with the frequent occurrence of missing values.

Methods

Our cohort consisted of 376 clinically accepted patients with various types of heart failure. Of these, 69 were diagnosed with CA via endomyocardial biopsy (positives), and 307 had unrelated cardiac disorders (negatives). A total of 63 routine laboratory parameters were collected from these patients, with a high incidence of missing values (on average 60% of patients for each parameter). We tested the performance of two prediction models: logistic regression, and extreme gradient boosting with regression trees. To deal with missing values we adopted two strategies: a) finding an optimal overlap of parameters and deleting all patients with missing values (reduction of parameters and samples), and b) retaining all features and imputing missing values with parameter-wise means. To fairly assess the performance of prediction models we employed a 10-fold cross validation (stratified to preserve sample class ratio). Finally, area under curve for receiver-operator characteristic (ROC AUC) was used as our final performance measure.

Results

A complex machine learning model based on forests of regression trees proved to be the most performant (ROC AUC 0.94±4%) and robust to missing values. The best regression model was obtained with the 25 most frequent variables and patient deletion in case of missing values (ROC AUC 0.82±0.8%). While progressive inclusion of predictor variables worsened the performance of the logistic regression, it increased that of the machine learning approach.

Conclusions

Extreme gradient boosting of regression trees by routine laboratory parameters achieved staggering accuracy results for the automated diagnosis of CA. Our data suggest that implementations of such algorithms as independent interpreters of routine laboratory results may help to establish or suggest the diagnosis of CA in patients with heart failure symptoms, even in the absence of specialized experts.

P5258Native T1 time of right ventricular insertion points by CMR: relation with invasive hemodynamics and outcome in HFPEF

Background

Increased afterload to the right ventricle (RV) has been shown to induce myocardial fibrosis at the RV insertion points (RVIPs). Such changes can be discrete but potentially detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1-mapping. Whether RVIP fibrosis is associated with prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unknown.

Methods

We prospectively investigated 167 consecutive HFpEF patients, a population frequently suffering from postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH), who underwent CMR including T1-mapping. 92,8% also underwent right heart catheterization for hemodynamic assessment. Kaplan–Meier analysis, cox regression analysis and Spearman's rank order correlation were applied as statistical methods. The parameter with the strongest discriminative power of each group (clinical, hemodynamic and CMR) by receiver operating curve analysis was selected to the enter the multivariate cox model.

Results

Native T1 times were 995±73 ms at the anterior and 1040±90 ms at the inferior RVIP. By Spearman's rank order testing, RVIP T1 times were significantly correlated with pulmonary artery pressure (mean PAP, r=0.313 and 0.311 for anterior and inferior RVIP, respectively), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (r=0.301 and 0.251) and right atrial pressure (r=0.245 and 0.185; p for all<0.05). During a mean follow-up of 43.2±22.6 months, 30 (18.0%) subjects died. By multivariable Cox regression, NTproBNP (Hazard ratio [HR] 2.105, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.332–3.328; p=0.001), systolic PAP (HR 1.618, 95% CI 1.175–2.230; p=0.003), and native T1 time of the anterior RVIP (HR 1.659, 95% CI 1.125–2.445; p=0.011) were significantly associated with outcome. Also, by Kaplan-Meier analysis, T1 time at the anterior RVIP had a significant effect on survival (log-rank, p=0.002).

Kaplan Meier Curve

Conclusions

Interstitial expansion of the anterior RVIP as detected by CMR T1-mapping reflects hemodynamic alterations, and is independently related with prognosis in HFpEF.

P605Correlation of left atrial phasic transport function and arrhythmogenic substrate in patients with atrial fibrillation: cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking and bipolar voltage mapping

Background

Bipolar voltage mapping is a widely accepted approach to identify areas of arrhythmogenic substrate in patients presenting for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation.

However, until now little is known about the correlation of left atrial (LA) bipolar voltage distribution and LA transport function.

Purpose

To study the impact of LA low voltage zones (LVZ) on LA transport function.

Methods

107 consecutive patients presenting for ablation of symptomatic AF (34 paroxysmal AF, 73 persistent AF) were prospectively enrolled. Each patient underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) within 24 hours prior to the ablation procedure. 59 patients were in sinus rhythm (SR) and 48 in AF. LA phasic indexed volumes (LAVi) and ejection fractions were calculated using biplane area length formula. In addition LA phasic strains and strain rates were analyzed using dedicated software (Figure 1A & B).

LA bipolar voltage mapping was performed prior to beginning of ablation in sinus rhythm using a 3-dimensional mapping system and LVZ were defined as areas of bipolar voltage <0.5mV.

Results

LVZ were present in 47 patients (23 in SR). The area of LVZ was 14.6cm2 (5.3–34.0). For patients in AF at the time of CMR only elevated minimal and maximal LAVi (p=0.001 and p=0.002 respectively) but no LA functional parameter was predictive for the occurrence of LVZ. In contrast for patients in SR all LA phasic volumes (endsystolic, pre atrial contraction and enddiastolic LAVi) and LA function parameters (passive, active and total ejection fraction (EF), reservoir, conduit and booster pump strains and strain rates) were predictive for the occurrence of LVZ. After clustered and pooled multivariate logistic regression only impaired booster pump strain rate was still predictive for occurrence of LVZ (OR 0.974, 95% CI 0.950–0.998, p=0.036).

In addition Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong link between LA booster pump functional parameters and cm2 expansion of LVZ areas: LA active EF, LA booster pump strain and SR (r=−0.42, p=0.044; r=−0.47, p=0.024; r=−0.65, p=0.001 [Figure 1C] respectively).

Conclusion

For patients in SR LA transport function is closely linked to the occurrence of LA LVZ and outperforms LA volumetric measurements for the prediction of LA LVZ.

Furthermore LA booster pump function parameters show robust correlation to the extension of LA LVZ.

P5573Disproportionate functional mitral regurgitation: advancing a conceptual framework from bench to bedside

Introduction

A recently proposed conceptual framework seeks to rearrange the effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume (RegVol) cut-offs according to left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in functional mitral regurgitation introducing “disproportionate FMR” to describe clinically meaningful FMR. The conceptual framework, however, remains hypothetical.

Purpose

To test the significance of disproportionate FMR.

Methods

Data of 291 heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) under guideline directed therapy were embedded into this conceptual framework (Figure 1A). The black line represents the relationship when the degree of FMR is proportionate to LVEDV with a regurgitant fraction of (RegFrac) of 50%. The dashed lines represent the degree of uncertainty determined by the imprecision inherent to the measurement of RegFrac defined as 2SD for inter- and intraobserver variability by Bland-Altmann analysis (equals ±6.6%). Cox-regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were applied to assess the association between FMR proportionality and mortality.

Results

Median age was 68 years (IQR 61–75), 77% were male. Median LVEF was 25% (IQR 18–33) and LVEDV was 214ml (IQR 165–267). Disproportionate FMR was present in 71 patients (24%) (red dots Figure 1A) with a median EROA of 0.26cm2 (IQR 0.18–0.34) and a median RegVol of 42ml (IQR 28–52), proportionate FMR (yellow dots Figure 1 A) in 81 patients (28%) with a median EROA of 0.12cm2 (IQR 0.09–0.17) and a median RegVol of 18ml (IQR 14–27). During 7-years follow-up, 166 patients died. Disproportionate FMR was associated with excess mortality compared to patients with non-severe FMR (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.04–0.71, P<0.001), whereas proportionate FMR was not associated with increased long-term mortality (HR 1.04, 95% CI −1.53–0.71, P=0.83, Figure 1B).

Figure 1. Panel A and B

Conclusion

Every fifth patient suffers from disproportionate FMR which conveys a two-fold increased risk of mortality. Disproprtionate FMR corresponds to an EROA of roughly 0.3cm2 and a RegVol of 45ml – the unifying intersection between ESC and ACC/AHA guidelines to define severe FMR. The RegFrac provides a measure proportionated to left ventricular size and function supporting its use to define clinically relevant FMR. However, RegFrac is subject to compound error due to imputation of multiple measurements limiting its use as the leading contender for FMR grading. Regardless of the term used to describe clinically significant FMR, the conceptual framework emphasizes the unmet clinical need for recalibrated cut-offs for FMR severity condensed to an algorithm that combines the strengths of several measurements of FMR severity in an integrated manner.

P789TLR-4 expression predicts mortality in patients with acute heart failure

Background

Inflammation is regarded as an important trigger for disease progression in heart failure (HF) and activation of the inflammatory system was implicated in the pathophysiology of acute heart failure (AHF).

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in acute inflammatory processes in critically ill patients by binding to pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMP) and danger associated molecular patterns (DAMP). However, it is not known whether the expression patterns of TLRs on neutrophils and monocytes are associated with outcome in patients with severe AHF requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

The aim of this prospective, observational study was to analyze whether TLR-expression on monocytes or neutrophils is associated with 30-day survival in patients with severe AHF.

Methods

We included 84 patients with severe AHF admitted to a cardiac ICU. Blood was taken at admission and mean fluorescence activity (MFI) of TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-9 on monocytes and neutrophils was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

Median age was 64 (IQR 48–74) years and 76.2% of patients were male. Median NT-proBNP was 4941 (IQR 1298–12273) pg/mL and 30-day mortality was 33.3%. TLR-4 expression on monocytes in survivors (740 IQR 694–854) was significantly lower than in non-survivors (871 IQR 723–979; p<0.05). TLR-2 and TLR-9 expression on monocytes and TLR expression on neutrophils was not associated with survival. TLR-4 expression on monocytes was significantly associated with survival independent of age, sex, creatinine and NT-proBNP levels.

Conclusion

Monocyte TLR-4 expression predicts mortality in patients admitted to a cardiac ICU for severe acute heart failure. This suggests that activation of the innate immune system by TLR-binding of DAMPS may play a significant role in critically ill acute heart failure patients.

131Left atrial phasic function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking, invasive hemodynamics and outcome

Background

Global left atrial (LA) size and function have been shown to be associated with adverse events in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The machanism of coupling from left heart failure to pulmonary circulation is still controversially discussed.

Purpose

To study the prognostic most relevant determinant of LA size and function and its backward and forward interplay.

Methods

188 HFpEF patients were prospectively enrolled and underwent baseline clinical assessment, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and invasive hemodynamic assessment. Coronary artery disease was ruled out by coronary angiography. 92 patients were in atrial fibrillation (AF), 96 in sinus rhythm. LA size and function were assessed by CMR including LA strain imaging by myocardial feature tracking (Figure 1A & B).

Results

Patients in AF had more pronounced dilatation of all phasic LA volumes and reduction of all phasic LA functions when compared to sinus rhythm (each p<0.001 respectively).

After 31 (9–57) months 66 patients reached the combined endpoint defined as combination from hospitalization due to heart failure and cardiovascular death. In AF no atrial functional or volume parameter was correlated to outcome. In contrast in sinus rhythm several phasic LA volume and functional parameters were associated with outcome. After multivariate cox regression analysis only reduced total LA ejection fraction and conduit strain rate were still predictive for worse outcome (p=0.031 and <0.001 respectively). After adjustment for known risk factors in HFpEF like age, six minute walking distance (6MWD), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) and right ventricular ejection fraction as derived by CMR only impaired LA conduit strain rate remained predicitve for cardiovascular events (p=0.001). In contrast to LA booster pump function LA conduit function parameters were significantly correlated to reduced 6MWD (Figure 1C) and coupled backwards to pulmonary vasculature via correlation to sPAP and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) but without coupling to CMR derived elevated LV extracellular volume and left ventricular end diastolic pressure.

Conclusion

Total LA ejection fraction plays a key role in the prognosis of HFpEF. This effect seems to be mainly related to its LA conduit function but not to LA booster pump function. LA conduit function correlates to impaired 6MWD, sPAP and PVR.

P4128The right heart in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: insights from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) provides the gold standard for the assessment of ventricular volumes and mass. However, data on right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) and its prognostic significance on outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are lacking.

Methods

We consecutively enrolled patients with severe aortic stenosis scheduled for TAVR who underwent preprocedural CMR. Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariate Cox-regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with outcome, including RVSD. A composite of heart failure hospitalization and/or cardiovascular death was selected as primary study endpoint.

Results

145 consecutive patients (80.5±7.6 years; 51.7% female) were prospectively included, 25 (17.2%) of which had RVSD defined as RV ejection fraction (RVEF) <40%. RVSD was significantly associated with male sex, atrial fibrillation, reduced left ventricular (LV) EF (<50%) and RV endsystolic volume on CMR (all p<0.05). Serum NT-proBNP (14065±12042 vs. 3203±4615 ng/ml; p<0.001) and creatinine levels (1.59±0.96 vs. 1.29±1.03 mg/dl; p=0.201) were elevated in patients with RVSD. A total of 27 events occurred during follow-up (29±13 weeks). While LVSD was not significantly associated with outcome (p=0.654), RVSD showed a strong and independent association with event-free survival in the multivariate Cox-regression analysis [hazard ratio 3.836 (95% confidence interval 1.670–8.810); p=0.002], which included all relevant CMR parameters, cardiovascular risk factors and routine biomarkers.

Conclusions

RVSD rather than LVSD, as determined by CMR, is an important predictor of outcome in patients undergoing TAVR. RV function might thus add useful prognostic information on top of established risk factors.

5937Natural history of functional tricuspid regurgitation: implications of quantitative doppler assessment

Objectives

To establish the prognostic value of quantitative measures of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) severity i.e. effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume.

Methods

382 patients with HFrEF on guideline-directed medical therapy were enrolled and TR EROA as well as regurgitant volume by Doppler/2D-echocardiography were assessed. All-cause mortality was defined as the primary study endpoint.

Results

Quantitative metrics of TR severity were consistently associated with mortality with a HR of 1.27 (95% CI 1.13–1.42, P<0.001) for the EROA and of 1.29 (95% CI 1.14–1.45, P<0.001) for the regurgitant volume (Figure 1, Panels A and B). Results remained unchanged after bootstrap- or clinical confounder-based adjustment. A spline curve pattern illustrates the association with mortality with thresholds for the EROA≥0.2cm2, and the regurgitant volume≥20ml with sustained excess mortality thereafter (Figure 1 Panels C-D).

Figure 1. Panels A–D

Conclusions

This large-scale study demonstrates the prognostic value of quantitative measures of TR severity in HFrEF. Thresholds for EROA and TR regurgitant volume associated with mortality fall within current ranges defining non-severe TR. This may potentially impact therapeutic decision making particularly timing of intervention.

Aortic valve stenosis awareness in Austria-results of a nationwide survey in 1001 subjects

Despite the prognostic significance of severe aortic valve stenosis, knowledge is limited in the general population. To document the status quo for Austria, knowledge about valvular heart disease/aortic valve stenosis was documented in 1001 participants >60 years of age. 6.7% of respondents were knowledgeable of aortic valve stenosis, with 1.6% being concerned about the condition (24.1% cancer, 18.8% Alzheimer’s disease, 15.1% stroke). 29.5% were familiar with valvular heart disease (76.7% heart attack, 36.9% stroke). Only 1/3 reported auscultation by their general practitioner (GP) at least every third visit. Typical symptoms of aortic valve stenosis were likely to be reported by 50%. After exposure to further information on aortic valve stenosis, only 20% reported to be more concerned and ready to obtain more disease-related information. Awareness of surgical and catheter-based treatment options was claimed by 77% of respondents. Awareness campaigns on valvular heart disease are warranted to improve patient care in Austria.

Native T1 time of right ventricular insertion points by cardiac magnetic resonance: relation with invasive haemodynamics and outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Aims

Increased afterload to the right ventricle (RV) has been shown to induce myocardial fibrosis at the RV insertion points (RVIPs). Such changes can be discrete but potentially detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1-mapping. Whether RVIP fibrosis is associated with prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unknown.

Methods and results

We prospectively investigated 167 consecutive HFpEF patients, a population frequently suffering from post-capillary pulmonary hypertension, who underwent CMR including T1-mapping. About 92.8% also underwent right heart catheterization for haemodynamic assessment.

Native T1 times were 995 ± 73 ms at the anterior and 1040 ± 90 ms at the inferior RVIP. By Spearman’s rank order testing, RVIP T1 times were significantly correlated with pulmonary artery pressure (mean PAP, r = 0.313 and 0.311 for anterior and inferior RVIP), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (r = 0.301 and 0.251) and right atrial pressure (r = 0.245 and 0.185; P for all &lt;0.05). During a mean follow-up of 43.2 ± 22.6 months, 30 (18.0%) subjects died. By multivariable Cox regression, NTproBNP [Hazard ratio (HR) 2.105, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.332–3.328; P = 0.001], systolic PAP (HR 1.618, 95% CI 1.175–2.230; P = 0.003), and native T1 time of the anterior RVIP (HR 1.659, 95% CI 1.125–2.445; P = 0.011) were significantly associated with outcome. Also, by Kaplan–Meier analysis, T1 times at the anterior RVIPs had a significant effect on survival (log-rank, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Interstitial expansion of the anterior RVIP as detected by CMR T1-mapping reflects haemodynamic alterations, and is independently related with prognosis in HFpEF.

The ESC ACCA EAPCI EORP acute coronary syndrome ST-elevation myocardial infarction registry

Aims 

The Acute Cardiac Care Association (ACCA)–European Association of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (EAPCI) Registry on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) of the EurObservational programme (EORP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) registry aimed to determine the current state of the use of reperfusion therapy in ESC member and ESC affiliated countries and the adherence to ESC STEMI guidelines in patients with STEMI.

Methods and results 

Between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2018, a total of 11 462 patients admitted with an initial diagnosis of STEMI according to the 2012 ESC STEMI guidelines were enrolled. Individual patient data were collected across 196 centres and 29 countries. Among the centres, there were 136 percutaneous coronary intervention centres and 91 with cardiac surgery on-site. The majority of centres (129/196) were part of a STEMI network. The main objective of this study was to describe the demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics of patients with STEMI. Other objectives include to assess management patterns and in particular the current use of reperfusion therapies and to evaluate how recommendations of most recent STEMI European guidelines regarding reperfusion therapies and adjunctive pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are adopted in clinical practice and how their application can impact on patients’ outcomes. Patients will be followed for 1 year after admission.

Conclusion 

The ESC ACCA-EAPCI EORP ACS STEMI registry is an international registry of care and outcomes of patients hospitalized with STEMI. It will provide insights into the contemporary patient profile, management patterns, and 1-year outcome of patients with STEMI.