Discordant Echocardiographic Grading in Low Gradient Aortic Stenosis (DEGAS Study) From the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging Research Network: Rationale and Study Design

Background

Low-gradient aortic stenosis (LG-AS) is characterized by the combination of an aortic valve area compatible with severe stenosis and a low transvalvular mean gradient with low-flow state (i.e., indexed stroke volume <35 mL/m²) in the presence of reduced (classical low-flow AS) or preserved (paradoxical low-flow AS) ejection fraction. Furthermore, the occurrence of a normal-flow LG-AS is still advocated by many authors. Within this diagnostic complexity, the diagnosis of severe AS remains challenging.

Objective

The general objective of the Discordant Echocardiographic Grading in Low-gradient AS (DEGAS Study) study will be to assess the prevalence of true severe AS in this population and validate new parameters to improve the assessment and the clinical decision-making in patients with LG-AS.

Methods and Analyses

The DEGAS Study of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging is a prospective, multicenter, observational diagnostic study that will enroll consecutively adult patients with LG-AS over 2 years. AS severity will be ideally confirmed by a multimodality approach, but only the quantification of calcium score by multidetector computed tomography will be mandatory. The primary clinical outcome variable will be 12-month all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome variables will be (i) 30-day mortality (for patients treated by Surgical aortic valve replacement or TAVR); (ii) 12-month cardiovascular mortality; (iii) 12-month new major cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular complications, and rehospitalization for heart failure; and (iv) composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization for heart failure. Data collection will take place through a web platform (REDCap), absolutely secure based on current standards concerning the ethical requirements and data integrity.

Characteristics and usefulness of unintended premature ventricular contraction during invasive assessment of aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND

Postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP)-associated augmentation in left ventricular-aorta pressure gradient (LVAoG) observed after incidental premature ventricular contraction (PVC) during resting echocardiography is similar to dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE)-associated augmentation in LVAoG in patients with low-flow, low-gradient (LF-LG) aortic stenosis (AS). What is not known is whether a similar relationship exists when unintended PVC causes PESP during cardiac catheterization in patients with AS.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all catheterizations performed for patients with at least moderate AS who had LVAoG assessment. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the predictors of pre- and post-PVC mean LVAoG ≥ 40 mmHg.

RESULTS

Between September 2015 to September 2017, of 140 individuals undergoing cardiac catheterization, 34 met study criteria. Mean pre-PVC gradient was 38.9 ± 22.8 mmHg. All patients exhibited PESP-associated augmentation of LVAoG by an average of 28 ± 12%. In multivariate analysis, the only significant predictor of post-PVC mean LVAoG ≥ 40 mmHg was preserved LV function (OR 6.81; 95% CI 1.41-32.82, p = 0.02). Inability to generate ≥ 40 mmHg of mean LVAoG post-PVC had 100% specificity for nonsevere AS in our observational cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Unintended but interpretable PVCs occurred in one in four patients with AS undergoing cardiac catheterization with measurable hemodynamics. All of our patients with PVCs, regardless of underlying LVEF, exhibited PESP-associated augmentation of LVAoG. Our exploratory analysis suggests that inability to generate ≥40 mmHg of mean LVAoG post-PVC is highly specific for nonsevere AS.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity, genetics and calcific aortic valve stenosis in humans

BACKGROUND

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity has been shown to predict calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) outcomes. Our objective was to test the association between plasma Lp-PLA2 activity and genetically elevated Lp-PLA2 mass/activity with CAVS in humans.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Lp-PLA2 activity was measured in 890 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including 476 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for CAVS and 414 control patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. After multivariable adjustment, Lp-PLA2 activity was positively associated with the presence of CAVS (OR=1.21 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.41) per SD increment). We selected four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the PLA2G7 locus associated with either Lp-PLA2 mass or activity (rs7756935, rs1421368, rs1805017 and rs4498351). Genetic association studies were performed in eight cohorts: Quebec-CAVS (1009 cases/1017 controls), UK Biobank (1350 cases/349 043 controls), European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Norfolk (504 cases/20 307 controls), Genetic Epidemiology Research on Aging (3469 cases/51 723 controls), Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (682 cases/5963 controls) and three French cohorts (3123 cases/6532 controls), totalling 10 137 CAVS cases and 434 585 controls. A fixed-effect meta-analysis using the inverse-variance weighted method revealed that none of the four SNPs was associated with CAVS (OR=0.99 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.02, p=0.55) for rs7756935, 0.97 (95% CI 0.93 to 1.01, p=0.11) for rs1421368, 1.00 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.01, p=0.29) for rs1805017, and 1.00 (95% CI 0.97 to 1.04, p=0.87) for rs4498351).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher Lp-PLA2 activity is significantly associated with the presence of CAVS and might represent a biomarker of CAVS in patients with heart disease. Results of our genetic association study suggest that Lp-PLA2 is however unlikely to represent a causal risk factor or therapeutic target for CAVS.

Genetic and In Vitro Inhibition of PCSK9 and Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis

The authors investigated whether PCSK9 inhibition could represent a therapeutic strategy in calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS). A meta-analysis of 10 studies was performed to determine the impact of the PCSK9 R46L variant on CAVS, and the authors found that CAVS was less prevalent in carriers of this variant (odds ratio: 0.80 [95% confidence interval: 0.70 to 0.91]; p = 0.0011) compared with noncarriers. PCSK9 expression was higher in the aortic valves of patients CAVS compared with control patients. In human valve interstitials cells submitted to a pro-osteogenic medium, PCSK9 levels increased and a PCSK9 neutralizing antibody significantly reduced calcium accumulation.

Outcome of Flow-Gradient Patterns of Aortic Stenosis After Aortic Valve Replacement

Background:

Although aortic valve replacement is associated with a major benefit in high-gradient (HG) severe aortic stenosis (AS), the results in low-gradient (LG, mean gradient <40 mm Hg) AS are conflicting. LG severe AS may be subdivided in classical low-flow (left ventricular ejection fraction <50%) and LG (CLF-LG); paradoxical low-flow (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% but stroke volume index <35 mL/m 2 ) and LG; and normal-flow (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% and stroke volume index ≥35 mL/m 2 ) and LG. The primary objective is to determine in the PARTNER 2 trial (The Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves) and registry the outcomes after aortic valve replacement of the 4 flow-gradient groups.

Methods:

A total of 3511 patients from the PARTNER 2 Cohort A randomized trial (n=1910) and SAPIEN 3 registry (n=1601) were included. The flow-gradient pattern was determined at baseline transthoracic echocardiography and classified as follows: (1) HG; (2) CLF-LG; (3) paradoxical low-flow-LG; and (4) normal-flow-LG. The primary end point for this analysis was the composite of (1) death; (2) rehospitalization for heart failure symptoms and valve prosthesis complication; or (3) stroke.

Results:

The distribution was HG, 2229 patients (63.5%); CLF-LG, 689 patients (19.6%); paradoxical low-flow-LG, 247 patients (7.0%); and normal-flow-LG, 346 patients (9.9%). The 2-year rate of primary end point was higher in CLF-LG (38.8%) versus HG: 31.8% ( P =0.002) and normal-flow-LG: 32.1% ( P =0.05) but was not statistically different from paradoxical low-flow-LG: 33.6% ( P =0.18). There was no significant difference in the 2-year rates of clinical events between transcatheter aortic valve replacement versus surgical aortic valve replacement in the whole cohort and within each flow-gradient group.

Conclusions:

The LG AS pattern was highly prevalent (36.5%) in the PARTNER 2 trial and registry. CLF-LG was the most common pattern of LG AS and was associated with higher rates of death, rehospitalization, or stroke at 2 years compared with the HG group. Clinical outcomes were as good in the LG AS groups with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction compared with the HG group.

Estimation of Stroke Volume and Aortic Valve Area in Patients with Aortic Stenosis: A Comparison of Echocardiography versus Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

BACKGROUND

In aortic stenosis, accurate measurement of left ventricular stroke volume (SV) is essential for the calculation of aortic valve area (AVA) and the assessment of flow status. Current American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines suggest that measurements of left ventricular outflow tract diameter (LVOTd) at different levels (at the annulus vs 5 or 10 mm below) yield similar measures of SV and AVA. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the location of LVOTd measurement on the accuracy of SV and AVA measured on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) compared with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

METHODS

One hundred six patients with aortic stenosis underwent both TTE and CMR. SV was estimated on TTE using the continuity equation with LVOTd measurements at four locations: at the annulus and 2, 5, and 10 mm below annulus. SV was also determined on CMR using phase contrast acquired in the aorta (SV_CMR-PC), and a hybrid AVA_CMR-PC was calculated by dividing SV_CMR-PC by the transthoracic echocardiographic Doppler aortic velocity-time integral. Comparison between methods was made using Bland-Altman analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with the referent method of phase-contrast CMR for the estimation of SV_CMR-PC and AVA_CMR-PC (SV_CMR-PC 83 ± 16 mL, AVA_CMR-PC 1.27 ± 0.35 cm²), the best agreement was obtained by measuring LVOTd at the annulus or 2 mm below (P = NS), whereas measuring 5 and 10 mm below the annulus resulted in significant underestimation of SV and AVA by up to 15.9 ± 17.3 mL and 0.24 ± 0.28 cm², respectively (P < .01 for all). Accuracy for classification of low flow was best at the annulus (86%) and 2 mm below (82%), whereas measuring 5 and 10 mm below the annulus significantly underperformed (69% and 61%, respectively, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Measuring LVOTd at the annulus or very close to it provides the most accurate measures of SV and AVA, whereas measuring LVOTd 5 or 10 mm below significantly underestimates these parameters and leads to significant overestimation of the severity of aortic stenosis and prevalence of low-flow status.

Why and How to Measure Aortic Valve Calcification in Patients With Aortic Stenosis

The first-line evaluation of aortic stenosis severity is Doppler echocardiography. However, in up to 40% of patients, resting echocardiographic assessment of aortic stenosis severity is discordant, leading to clinical uncertainty. Interest has therefore grown in aortic valve calcium scoring by multidetector computed tomography (CT-AVC) as an alternative load independent assessment of aortic stenosis severity. This paper will briefly review the pathophysiology of aortic stenosis and the crucial role that calcification plays in driving progressive obstruction of the valve. Subsequently, it will describe published reports that have investigated CT-AVC, validating this parameter against histology, and establishing its diagnostic accuracy versus echocardiography as well as its powerful independent prognostic capability. Finally, this review seeks to provide a practical guide about how best to acquire and interpret CT-AVC with a close focus on potential pitfalls and how these might be best avoided as this technique becomes more widely adopted in to clinical practice.

Immediate Outcomes of Aortic Valve Neocuspidization with Glutaraldehyde-treated Autologous Pericardium: a Multicenter Study

Objective

To determine the feasibility of aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium.

Methods

One hundred and seventy (170) AVNeo (84 males/86 females) were performed from January 2017 through March 2019 in three centers. All the records were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Most of the patients were older than 60 years and over 95% were operated for aortic stenosis. Preoperatively, pressure gradients were 69.9±21.3 mmHg for patients with aortic stenosis, and the surgical annular diameter was 21.0±2.0 mm for all patients. Effective orifice area (EOA) and indexed EOA (iEOA) averaged 0.7±0.3 cm² and 0.4±0.2 cm²/m² for patients with aortic stenosis before surgery, respectively. There was no conversion to prosthetic aortic valve replacement. Eight patients needed reoperation for bleeding, but no patient needed reoperation due to early infective endocarditis. There were five in-hospital deaths due to noncardiac cause. Compared to preoperative echocardiographic measurements, postoperative peak pressure gradient decreased significantly (-58.7±1.7 mmHg; P<0.001) and reached 11.2±5.6 mmHg, and mean pressure gradient also decreased significantly (-36.8±1.1 mmHg; P<0.001) and reached 6.0±3.5 mmHg. Accordingly, EOA and iEOA increased significantly 2.0 cm² and 1.0 cm²/m² (both P<0.001) to reach 2.7±0.6 cm² and 1.4±0.3 cm²/m² after surgery, respectively, with minimal significant aortic regurgitation (0.6% > mild).

Conclusion

AVNeo is feasible and reproducible with good clinical results. Hemodynamically, AVNeo produces immediate postoperative low-pressure gradients, large EOA, and minimal regurgitation of the aortic valve. Further studies are necessary to evaluate mid- and long-term evolution.

Age, Sex, and Valve Phenotype Differences in Fibro-Calcific Remodeling of Calcified Aortic Valve

Background

In calcific aortic valve disease on tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs), men have higher aortic valve calcification and less fibrosis than women. However, little is known in bicuspid aortic valves (BAV). We thus aimed to investigate the impact of age, sex, and valve phenotype (TAVs versus BAVs) on fibro‐calcific remodeling in calcific aortic valve disease.

Methods and Results

We included 2 cohorts: 411 patients who underwent multidetector computed tomography (37% women) for aortic valve calcification density assessment and 138 explanted aortic valves (histological cohort; 50% women). The cohorts were divided in younger (<60 years old) or older patients with BAV (≥60 years old), and TAV patients. In each group, women and men were matched. Women presented less aortic valve calcification density than men in each group of the multidetector computed tomography cohort (all P≤0.01). Moreover, in women, younger patients with BAV had the lowest aortic valve calcification density (both P=0.02). In multivariate analysis, aortic valve calcification density correlated with age (β estimate±standard error: 6.5±1.8; P=0.0004) and male sex (109.2±18.4; P<0.0001), and there was a trend with TAVs (41.5±23.0; P=0.07). Women presented a higher collagen content than men (77.8±10.8 versus 69.9±12.9%; P<0.001) in the entire cohort. In women, younger patients with BAV had denser connective tissue than TAV and older patients with BAV (both P≤0.05), while no difference was observed between men.

Conclusions

In calcific aortic valve disease, women had less calcification and more fibrotic remodeling than men, regardless of the phenotype of the valve or age of the patient. Moreover, younger women with BAVs had less valve calcification. Thus, mineralization/fibrosis of the aortic valve is likely to have sex/age‐specific mechanisms and be influenced by the valve morphology.

Sex-Related Differences in the Extent of Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients With Aortic Valve Stenosis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of sex on myocardial fibrosis as assessed by using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in aortic stenosis (AS).

BACKGROUND

Previous studies reported sex-related differences in the left ventricular (LV) remodeling response to pressure overload in AS. However, there are very few data regarding the effect of sex on myocardial fibrosis, a key marker of LV decompensation and adverse cardiac events in AS.

METHODS

A total of 249 patients (mean age 66 ± 13 years; 30% women) with at least mild AS were recruited from 2 prospective observational cohort studies and underwent comprehensive Doppler echocardiography and CMR examinations. On CMR, T1 mapping was used to quantify extracellular volume (ECV) fraction as a marker of diffuse fibrosis, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was used to assess focal fibrosis.

RESULTS

There was no difference in age between women and men (age 66 ± 15 years vs 66 ± 12 years; p = 0.78). However, women presented with a better cardiovascular risk profile than men with less hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and coronary artery disease (all, p ≤ 0.10). As expected, LV mass index measured by CMR imaging was smaller in women than in men (p < 0.0001). Despite fewer comorbidities, women presented with larger ECV fraction (median: 29.0% [25th to 75th percentiles: 27.4% to 30.6%] vs. 26.8% [25th to 75th percentiles: 25.1% to 28.7%]; p < 0.0001) and similar LGE (median: 4.5% [25th-75th percentiles: 2.3% to 7.0%] vs. 2.8% [25th-75th percentiles: 0.6% to 6.8%]; p = 0.20) than men. In multivariable analysis, female sex remained an independent determinant of higher ECV fraction and LGE (all, p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Women have greater diffuse and focal myocardial fibrosis independent of the degree of AS severity. These findings further emphasize the sex-related differences in LV remodeling response to pressure overload.

Outcomes From Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis and Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Less Than 30%: A Substudy From the TOPAS-TAVI Registry

Importance

In low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG AS), the severity of left ventricular dysfunction remains a key factor in the evaluation of aortic valve replacement.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical outcomes and changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with LFLG AS and severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This multicenter registry is a substudy of the True or Pseudo-Severe Aortic Stenosis-TAVI registry that included patients with classic LFLG AS, defined as a mean transvalvular gradient less than 35 mm Hg, an effective orifice area less than 1.0 cm2, and an LVEF of 40% or less. Patients were divided in groups with very low (<30%) LVEF and low (30%-40%) LVEF. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed before TAVR in a subset with very low LVEF, and presence of contractile reserve was defined as an increase of 20% or more in stroke volume. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 1 and 12 months and yearly thereafter, and echocardiography was performed at 1-year follow-up. Retrospective data were collected from 2007 to 2013 and prospective data from January 2013 to March 2018. Data were analyzed from March to October 2018.

Exposures

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with LFLG AS.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Changes in LVEF over time; periprocedural and late mortality.

Results

A total of 293 patients were included, including 128 (43.7%) with very low LVEF and 165 with low LVEF (56.3%). Their mean (SD) age was 80 (7) years, and most (214 [73.0%]) were men. The mean (SD) LVEF in the very low LVEF group was 22% (5%), compared with 37% (7%) in the low LVEF group (P < .001). There were no differences between groups in rates of periprocedural mortality and late mortality (median [interquartile range], 23 [6-38] months). Patients with very low LVEF displayed a greater increase in LVEF at the 1-year follow-up examination (mean absolute increase, 11.9% [95% CI, 8.8%-15.1%]), than the low LVEF group (3.6% [95% CI, 1.1%-6.1%]; P < .001). In 92 patients with very low LVEF who had preprocedural DSE, results showed a lack of contractile reserve in 45 (49%), but this had no effect on clinical outcomes or changes in LVEF over time.

Conclusions and Relevance

In patients with LFLG AS and severe left ventricular dysfunction, TAVR was associated with similar clinical outcomes as in counterparts with milder left ventricular dysfunction. The TAVR procedure was associated with a significant increase in LVEF, irrespective of contractile reserve. These results support TAVR for LFLG AS, irrespective of the severity of left ventricular dysfunction and DSE results.

Airway smooth muscle adapting in dynamic conditions is refractory to the bronchodilator effect of a deep inspiration

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is continuously strained during breathing at tidal volume. Whether this tidal strain influences the magnitude of the bronchodilator response to a deep inspiration (DI) is not clearly defined. The present in vitro study examines the effect of tidal strain on the bronchodilator effect of DIs. ASM strips from sheep tracheas were mounted in organ baths and then subjected to stretches (30% strain), simulating DIs at varying time intervals. In between simulated DIs, the strips were either held at a fixed length (isometric) or oscillated continuously by 6% (length oscillations) to simulate tidal strain. The contractile state of the strips was also controlled by adding either methacholine or isoproterenol to activate or relax ASM, respectively. Although the time-dependent gain in force caused by methacholine was attenuated by length oscillations, part of the acquired force in the oscillating condition was preserved postsimulated DIs, which was not the case in the isometric condition. Consequently, the bronchodilator effect of simulated DIs (i.e., the decline in force postsimulated versus presimulated DIs) was attenuated in oscillating versus isometric conditions. These findings suggest that an ASM operating in a dynamic environment acquired adaptations that make it refractory to the decline in contractility inflicted by a larger strain simulating a DI.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis: Flow Reserve Does Not Matter Anymore

See Article by Sato et al

Imaging and Impact of Myocardial Fibrosis in Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis is characterized both by progressive valve narrowing and the left ventricular remodeling response that ensues. The only effective treatment is aortic valve replacement, which is usually recommended in patients with severe stenosis and evidence of left ventricular decompensation. At present, left ventricular decompensation is most frequently identified by the development of typical symptoms or a marked reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. However, there is growing interest in using the assessment of myocardial fibrosis as an earlier and more objective marker of left ventricular decompensation, particularly in asymptomatic patients, where guidelines currently rely on nonrandomized data and expert consensus. Myocardial fibrosis has major functional consequences, is the key pathological process driving left ventricular decompensation, and can be divided into 2 categories. Replacement fibrosis is irreversible and identified using late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance, while diffuse fibrosis occurs earlier, is potentially reversible, and can be quantified with cardiac magnetic resonance T₁ mapping techniques. There is a substantial body of observational data in this field, but there is now a need for randomized clinical trials of myocardial imaging in aortic stenosis to optimize patient management. This review will discuss the role that myocardial fibrosis plays in aortic stenosis, how it can be imaged, and how these approaches might be used to track myocardial health and improve the timing of aortic valve replacement.

Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis and Atherosclerotic Calcification

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes the pathophysiology of calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) and surveys relevant clinical data and basic research that explain how CAVS arises.

RECENT FINDINGS

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), oxidized phospholipids (OxPL), autotaxin, and genetic driving forces such as mutations in LPA gene and NOTCH gene seem to play a major role in the development of CAVS. These factors might well become targets of medical therapy in the coming years. CVAS seems to be a multifactorial disease that has much in common with coronary artery disease, mainly regarding lipidic accumulation and calcium deposition. No clinical trials conducted to date have managed to answer the key question of whether Lp(a) lowering and anti-calcific therapies confer a benefit in terms of reducing incidence or progression of CAVS, although additional outcome trials are ongoing.

P924 Benefits of bariatric surgery on subclinical myocardial function using global longitudinal strain in severely obese individuals with and without diabetes

Purpose

To evaluate changes in subclinical LV myocardial function following bariatric surgery in obese individuals with and without diabetes.

Methods

Thirty-eight severely obese individuals [body mass index (BMI) &gt;35kg/m2] with preserved LV ejection fraction (≥ 50%) who underwent bariatric surgery (Surgery group) (BMI 48 ± 7 kg/m2), 19 obese individuals managed conservatively (Cons. group) (BMI 47 ± 9 kg/m2), and 18 age and sex-matched non-obese controls (Non-obese group) were included. Echocardiography with GLS measurements was performed at the beginning of the study and at 6 months. Abnormal myocardial function was defined as a GLS &gt;-17%.

Results

Mean age of obese patients was 42 ± 11, BMI 48 ± 8 kg/m2, and 82% were female. The percentage of total weight loss at 6 months after bariatric surgery (Surgery group) was 26.3 ± 5.2%. Body weight remains unchanged at 6 months in the Cons. group. Proportions of hypertension (61 vs. 30%, P = 0.0005), dyslipidemia (42 vs. 5%, P = 0.0001) and type 2 diabetes (40 vs. 13%, P = 0.002) were reduced in the Surgery group. At the beginning, severely obese patients (Surgery group) displayed subclinical myocardial dysfunction vs. non-obese controls (LV GLS, -17.3 ± 2.5 vs. -19.6 ± 1.7%, P = 0.003). Six months after bariatric surgery, the subclinical myocardial function was comparable between both groups (LV GLS, -19.2 ± 2.1 vs. -19.6 ± 1.7%, P = NS). 22 severely obese individuals (58%) in the Surgery group showed abnormal GLS, which normalized in 82% after bariatric surgery (P = 0.0001). On the contrary, half of severely obese individuals managed conservatively (n = 10, 53%) worsened their GLS during the follow-up (P = 0.002). Remission of type 2 diabetes 6 months after bariatric surgery was associated with improvement in GLS (-17.5 ± 2.6 vs. -18.6± 1.8%), whereas obese individuals with type 2 diabetes managed conservatively showed a worsening in their subclinical myocardial function during the follow-up (-18.0 ± 2.4 vs. -17.4 ± 1.7%).

Conclusions

A great proportion of severely obese individuals with preserved LV ejection fraction have subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Bariatric surgery in obese individuals was associated with significant improvements in the metabolic profile and in subclinical myocardial function.

Low and elevated B-type natriuretic peptide levels are associated with increased mortality in patients with preserved ejection fraction undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: an analysis of the PARTNER II trial and registry

Aims

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac neurohormone that is secreted in response to ventricular volume expansion and pressure overload. There are conflicting data regarding the association between BNP levels and outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We therefore sought to assess the association between baseline BNP and adverse outcomes in patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis (AS), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50%, undergoing TAVR in the PARTNER 2 Trial and Registry.

Methods and results

A total of 1782 patients were included in the analysis, and BNP was evaluated both as a continuous log-transformed value and by a priori categories: low (&lt;50 pg/mL), normal (≥50 and &lt;100 pg/mL), moderately elevated (≥100 and &lt;400 pg/mL), or markedly elevated (≥400 pg/mL). Clinical outcomes from discharge to 2 years were compared between patients according to their baseline BNP level, using Kaplan–Meier event rates and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. After adjustment, spline curves revealed a non-linear association between log-transformed BNP and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in which both the lowest and highest values were associated with increased mortality. Two-year all-cause mortality rates for those with low (n = 86), normal (n = 202), moderately elevated (n = 885), and markedly elevated (n = 609) baseline BNP were 20.0%, 9.8%, 17.7%, and 26.1%, respectively. In adjusted models, compared to a normal baseline BNP, low [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–5.0, P-value 0.005], moderately elevated (adjusted HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.6, P-value 0.06), and markedly elevated (adjusted HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–3.5, P-value 0.003) BNP were associated with increased all-cause mortality, driven by cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions

In a large cohort of patients with severe symptomatic AS and preserved LVEF undergoing TAVR, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates at 2 years were higher in patients with low and markedly elevated BNP levels.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ unique identifier #NCT01314313, #NCT02184442, #NCT03222128, and #NCT03222141.

Multimarker Approach to Identify Patients With Higher Mortality and Rehospitalization Rate After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate whether a multimarker approach might identify patients with higher mortality and hospitalization rates after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS).

BACKGROUND

The society valve guidelines include accepted triggers for AVR in patients with severe asymptomatic AS, but circulating biomarkers do not have a clear role.

METHOD

From a prospective registry of patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 2000 and 2012, 665 treated with surgical AVR (441 isolated) were evaluated. Seven biomarkers were measured on blood samples obtained before AVR. Biomarker levels were adjusted to account for the influence of age, sex, body mass index, and renal function; the median was used to determine an elevated value. Endpoints included all-cause mortality and all-cause and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Mean follow-up was 10.7 years and 299 (45%) died.

RESULTS

Patients with 0 to 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 6, and 7 biomarkers elevated had 5-year mortality of 10%, 12%, 24%, and 33%, respectively, and 10-year mortality of 24%, 35%, 58%, and 71%, respectively (log-rank p < 0.001). The association between an increasing number of elevated biomarkers and increased all-cause mortality was observed among those with minimal symptoms (New York Heart Association functional class I or II) and those with a low N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (p < 0.01 for both). Compared with those with 0 to 1 biomarkers elevated, patients with 4 to 6 or 7 biomarkers elevated had an increased hazard of mortality after adjustment for clinical risk scores (p < 0.01) and a 2- to 3-fold higher rate of all-cause and cardiovascular rehospitalization after AVR. Similar findings were obtained when evaluating cardiovascular mortality. Among patients with no or minimal symptoms, 42% had ≥4 biomarkers elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with severe AS treated with surgical AVR, an increasing number of elevated biomarkers of cardiovascular stress was associated with higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and a higher rate of repeat hospitalization. A multimarker approach may be useful in the surveillance of asymptomatic patients with severe AS to optimize surgical timing.