Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation in degenerated aortic bioprostheses: are patients with small surgical bioprostheses at higher risk for unfavourable mid-term outcomes?

Background

To examine outcomes of valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) according to the inner diameter (ID) of the degenerated aortic valve bioprosthesis.

Methods

We analyzed survival, stroke, permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation, paravalvular (PV) leakage, acute kidney injury and vascular complications in fifty-nine patients during a ten-year period. Patients were stratified according to the ID of the indwelling degenerated biological aortic valve (true ID ≤ and >20 mm). Differences in post-procedural transvalvular gradients and hospital re-admissions were analyzed.

Results

The median age of the small diameter group and large diameter group was eighty-one and eighty years, respectively. Median logistic EuroSCORE I was 23.9% and 26.2% and median Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was 5.7% and 7.8% for the small and large groups, respectively. Survival, stroke, PPM implantation, PV leakage, acute kidney injury and vascular complications did not reach any statistically significant difference between both groups. Postprocedural transvalvular gradients differed significantly according to the true ID of the degenerated bioprosthetic valve and consequently of the respective TAVI valve. There was a significant difference with regard to hospital readmissions according to the true ID.

Conclusions

TAVI ViV implantation for aortic bioprostheses with small true IDs of ≤20 mm is associated with comparable mid-term mortality and periprocedural stroke rate compared to implantation into larger bioprostheses. However, the periprocedural and mid-term transvalvular gradients, as well as hospital re-admission rates are significantly higher in the small diameter group.

Reporting incidental coronary, aortic valve and cardiac calcification on non-gated thoracic computed tomography, a consensus statement from the BSCI/BSCCT and BSTI

Incidental coronary and cardiac calcification are frequent findings on non-gated thoracic CT. We recommend that the heart is reviewed on all CT scans where it is visualised. Coronary artery calcification is a marker of coronary artery disease and it is associated with an adverse prognosis on dedicated cardiac imaging and on non-gated thoracic CT performed for non-cardiac indications, both with and without contrast. We recommend that coronary artery calcification is reported on all non-gated thoracic CT using a simple patient-based score (none, mild, moderate, severe). Furthermore, we recommend that reports include recommendations for subsequent management, namely the assessment of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and, if the patient has chest pain, assessment as per standard guidelines. In most cases, this will not necessitate additional investigations. Incidental aortic valve calcification may also be identified on non-gated thoracic CT and should be reported, along with ancillary findings such as aortic root dilation. Calcification may occur in other parts of the heart including mitral valve/annulus, pericardium and myocardium, but in many cases these are an incidental finding without clinical significance.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-lymphocyte Ratio as Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Surgery Procedures: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been studied so far as prognostic factors of cardiovascular diseases. Their role interplayed with endothelial inflammation has emerged as optimal predictors for major cardiovascular disease events and prognostic factors for post-procedural outcomes.

METHODS

A review of the current literature was undertaken to investigate the relationship between NLR and PLR with percutaneous, cardiac surgery, and vascular surgery procedures.

RESULTS

Our findings show that perioperative NLR and PLR levels are significantly correlated with patient morbidity and mortality rates.

CONCLUSION

These biomarkers have several attractive characteristics, as they are inexpensive and quickly available, and they can contribute to the early identification of patients at high risk for periprocedural adverse events.

Characteristics of Cardiac Injury in Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019

BACKGROUND

Cardiac injury has been reported in up to 30% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, cardiac injury is defined mainly by troponin elevation without description of associated structural abnormalities and its time course has not been studied.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the ECG and echocardiographic abnormalities as well as their time course in critically ill COVID-19 patients?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The cardiac function of 43 consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to two ICUs was assessed prospectively and repeatedly, combining ECG, cardiac biomarker, and transthoracic echocardiographic analyses from ICU admission to ICU discharge or death or to a maximum follow-up of 14 days. Cardiac injury was defined by troponin elevation and newly diagnosed ECG or echocardiographic abnormalities, or both.

RESULTS

At baseline, 49% of patients demonstrated a cardiac injury, and 70% of patients experienced cardiac injury within the first 14 days of ICU stay, with a median time of occurrence of 3 days (range, 0-7 days). The most frequent abnormalities were ECG or echocardiographic signs, or both, of left ventricular (LV) abnormalities (87% of patients with cardiac injury), right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction (47%), pericardial effusion (43%), new-onset atrial arrhythmias (33%), LV relaxation impairment (33%), and LV systolic dysfunction (13%). Between baseline and day 14, the incidence of pericardial effusion and of new-onset atrial arrhythmias increased and the incidence of ECG or echocardiographic signs, or both, of LV abnormalities as well as the incidence of LV relaxation impairment remained stable, whereas the incidence of RV and LV systolic dysfunction decreased.

INTERPRETATION

Cardiac injury is common and early in critically ill COVID-19 patients. ECG or echocardiographic signs, or both, of LV abnormalities were the most frequent abnormalities, and patients with cardiac injury experienced more RV than LV systolic dysfunction.

History, development and clinical perspectives of sutureless and rapid deployment surgical aortic valve replacement

Degenerative aortic stenosis is the most frequent valvular heart disease in industrialized countries. Conservative treatment may beneficially influence symptoms but is never successful. Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) was the only recognized treatment option to provide substantially prolonged survival until 2008. Operative mortality of isolated SAVR has been reported as low as 0.5% to 1% in experienced institutions, while long-term survival is close to that observed in a control healthy population of similar age. A multitude of studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of SAVR with regard to improvement in quality of life and physical performance in the majority of symptomatic patients. In the last decade, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an equal treatment modality, first in patients with high surgical risk and more recently in patients with intermediate and low surgical risk. Paravalvular regurgitation and the higher rate of pacemaker implantation remain points of consideration. Additionally, the long-term durability of TAVI devices and occurrence of stroke late after TAVI require additional analyses. Sutureless (SU-SAVR) and rapid deployment valve (R-SAVR) were designed to simplify and accelerate a conventional or less invasive surgical procedure while allowing complete excision of the calcified native valve. From 3 different implants tested more than 10 to 15 years ago, only two are available on the market today: the Perceval^® valve from Liva Nova and the Intuity^® sutureless prosthesis from Edwards Lifesciences. There has been extensive experience with these two devices in previous years and the results obtained are comparable to those observed following the use of conventional implants. The sutureless devices may be of particular interest for more complex and combined surgical procedures. This review summarizes the sutureless (SU-SAVR) and rapid deployment valve technologies and presents a clinical outlook for the patient population managed with these devices.

An Analysis of Myocardial Efficiency in Patients with Severe Asymptomatic Mitral Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

It is difficult to determine left ventricular systolic performance in patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) since left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) could be preserved until the end stages of the disease. Myocardial efficiency (MEf) describes the amount of external work (EW) done by the left ventricle per unit of oxygen consumed (mVO₂). In the present study, we aimed to investigate MEf in patients with asymptomatic severe MR using a novel echocardiographic method.

METHODS

A total of 27 patients with severe asymptomatic MR and 26 healthy volunteers were included in this cross-sectional study. EW was measured using stroke volume and blood pressure, while mVO₂ was estimated using double product and left ventricular mass.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the groups with regards to EF (66% ± 5% vs. 69% ± 7%), while MEf was significantly reduced in patients with severe MR (25% ± 11% vs. 44% ± 12%, p < 0.001). This difference was maintained even after adjustment for age, gender and body surface area (adjusted x-: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.39–0.49 for controls and adjusted x-: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.19–0.29 for patients with severe MR). Further analysis showed that this reduction was due to an increase in total mVO₂ in the severe MR group. MEf of thepatients who were both on β-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers were higher than those who were not on any drugs, but this difference was not statistically significant (32% ± 15% vs. 23% ± 9%, p = 0.41).

CONCLUSIONS

MEf was significantly lower in patients with asymptomatic severe MR and preserved EF.

In-home Compared With In-Clinic Warfarin Therapy Monitoring in Mechanical Heart Valves: A Population-Based Study

Objective

To evaluate differences in time in therapeutic range (TTR), major bleeding, thromboembolism, and survival comparing in-home and in-clinic international normalized ratio monitoring for patients with mechanical heart valves receiving warfarin anticoagulation.

Patients and Methods

An observational population-based study of 383 patients (mean ± SD age, 61.5±14.1 years; 38.6% female) with mechanical heart valves (aortic, 77.8%; mitral, 31.1%; tricuspid, 1%; pulmonic 0.2%; and multiple, 9.7%) was performed from January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017. The target international normalized ratio was 2.5 for 199 patients (52.0%) and 3.0 for 184 (48.0). Of these patients, 37.9% (n=145) were managed by in-home monitoring (cases) and 62.1% (n=238) were monitored in the clinic (controls).

Results

During median follow-up of 3.1 years, mean ± SD TTR was similar between in-home (66.6%±19.2%) and in-clinic (67.2%±19.8%) monitoring (P=.76). There were no differences between the in-home and in-clinic groups regarding survival to major bleeding (5.7% per person-year vs 6.7% per person-year; P=.66) or thrombotic complications (2.3% vs 1.8%; P=.56). In-home monitoring was associated with reduced all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.83; P=.01) on univariate analysis; however, this was no longer apparent when controlling for age and baseline left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusion

In this real-world population-based study of patients with mechanical heart valves, in-home monitoring was equivalent to in-clinic monitoring regarding TTR and important clinical outcomes.

Long-term experience with valve-sparing root reimplantation surgery in tricuspid aortic valve

Objective

To analyze our long-term experience with valve-sparing reimplantation technique in treating aortic root aneurysm, aortic regurgitation, and aortic dissection in patients with tricuspid aortic valve.

Methods

Between March 1998 and October 2018, 303 consecutive patients underwent valve-sparing reimplantation in our institution. The mean age of this cohort was 52.9 ± 15 years. Time to event analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk of death, reoperation, and aortic regurgitation (AR) recurrence were analyzed using the cox-regression method.

Results

In-hospital mortality was 1% (n = 3) of which two were admitted for acute aortic dissection. Median follow-up was 5.81 years ([IQR]: 2.8-10 years). Thirty-nine patients (14.4%) died during follow-up. At 5 and 10 years, overall survival was 92 ± 2%and 75 ± 4.9%, respectively. Seventeen patients required late aortic valve reoperation. Freedom from valve reoperation was 95 ± 2% and 90 ± 3%. Freedom from AR > 2+ and AR > 1+ at 10 years was 91 ± 4% and 71.5 ± 4.6%, respectively. Significant multivariate predictors of death included age, New York Heart Association dyspnea class (NYHA), type A acute dissection (TAAD), and preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD). Significant multivariate predictors of AR recurrence included indication for surgery, previous cardiac surgery, and presence of preoperative AR. Freedom from events like major bleeding, thromboembolic events, and infective endocarditis at 10 years were 97%, 98%, and 96%, respectively.

Conclusions

Aortic valve-sparing with the reimplantation technique has been performed for over two decades in our institution, and the results in patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) are excellent in terms of survival and freedom from valve-related adverse outcomes including valve reoperation. These results continue supporting the use of valve sparing root replacement using the reimplantation technique (VSRR) in patients with aortic aneurysm, irrespective of whether they have preoperative AR or not. VSRR is safe, durable, and reproducible, but further follow-up, well into the second decade is still necessary.

Aortic annulus and the importance of annuloplasty

Dystrophic aortic insufficiency accounts for the majority of Western cases of aortic insufficiency and can be divided into the three phenotypes of isolated aortic insufficiency, dilated aortic root, and dilated ascending aorta. Each of these phenotypes is associated with a dilated annulus and/or sinotubular junction. Recent international guidelines recommend reimplantation or remodeling with aortic annuloplasty for valve-sparing root replacement, as well as consideration of aortic valve repair in cases of aortic insufficiency. A dilated aortic annulus is a major risk factor for failure of aortic valve repair procedures, indicating the need to address the annulus at the time of aortic valve or root repair. Calibrated annuloplasty should be performed at sub- and supravalular levels in order to restore the ratio of the sinotubular junction and annulus and be adapted according to the phenotype of the root and ascending aorta. Standardization of aortic valve repair techniques with use of a calibrated annuloplasty will improve dissemination of techniques and rate of aortic valve repair. Current medical evidence shows that aortic valve repair is safe, produces better quality of life, and reduces valve-related mortality compared to prosthetic valve replacement.

Midterm results of mitral valve repair for atrial functional mitral regurgitation: a retrospective study

Background

Annular dilation by left atrial remodeling is considered the main cause of atrial function mitral regurgitation. Although acceptable outcomes have been obtained using mitral ring annuloplasty alone for atrial functional mitral regurgitation, data assessing outcomes of this procedure are limited. Therefore, we aimed to assess midterm outcomes of mitral valve repair in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 40 patients (mean age: 69 ± 9 years) who had atrial fibrillation that persisted for > 1 year, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction of > 40%, and mitral valve repair for atrial functional mitral regurgitation. The mean clinical follow-up duration was 42 ± 24 months.

Results

Mitral ring annuloplasty was performed for all patients. Additional repair including anterior mitral leaflet neochordoplasty was performed for 22 patients. Concomitant procedures included maze procedure in 20 patients and tricuspid ring annuloplasty in 31 patients. Follow-up echocardiography showed significant decreases in left atrial dimensions and left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions. Recurrent mitral regurgitation due to ring detachment or leaflet tethering was observed in five patients and was seen more frequently among those with preoperative left ventricular dilatation. Three patients without tricuspid ring annuloplasty or sinus rhythm recovery by maze procedure developed significant tricuspid regurgitation. Five patients who underwent the maze procedure showed sinus rhythm recovery. Rates of freedom from re-admission for heart failure at 1 and 5 years after surgery were 95 and 86%, respectively.

Conclusions

Mitral valve repair is not sufficient to prevent recurrent atrial functional mitral regurgitation in patients with preoperative left ventricular dilatation. Tricuspid ring annuloplasty may be required for long-term prevention of significant tricuspid regurgitation.

Relationship between myocardial energy expenditure and postoperative ejection fraction in patients with severe mitral regurgitation

Objective:

This prospective study aimed to investigate the myocardial energy metabolism in severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and explore its effect on postoperative differentiation of ejection fraction (EF).

Methods:

A total of 85 patients with severe MR were prospectively enrolled from October 2018 to June 2019. During the study period, a total of 50 patients underwent mitral valve surgery and 49 patients were finally enrolled due to 1 missing data. Left ventricular function, circumferential end-systolic stress (cESS), and myocardial energy expenditure (MEE) were measured by transthoracic echocardiography preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to absolute difference of postoperative differentiation of EF.

Results:

Nine patients underwent mitral valve repair and 40 underwent prosthetic valve replacement. Patients with reduced EF had higher MEE demonstrated with cESS and MEE. Negative correlation between preoperative EF and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cESS, MEEs, and MEEm and positive correlation between preoperative EF and effective regurgitant orifice area were found. Complications occurred in 12 patients during hospitalization. Basal NT-proBNP, left atrium (LA), and cESS were significantly higher in postoperatively decreased EF group. Taking into consideration the covariates of multiple logistic regression analysis, LA and cESS were found to be independent predictors of EF reduction postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Higher LA and cESS are independent predictors of postoperative EF reduction. Preoperative high end-systolic stress could predict postoperative EF reduction and hence could be helpful for determining the timing of mitral valve surgery. Although MEE was higher in postoperatively decreased EF group, it did not reach statistical significance.

Is Prophylactic Tricuspid Annuloplasty Beneficial for Degenerative Mitral Valve Repair?

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical impacts of prophylactic tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) in patients with mild tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who underwent mitral valve repair.

METHODS

One hundred fifty-one patients with mild TR who underwent mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation between 1997 and 2013 were categorized into the TAP (n = 85) or no TAP (n = 66) groups. The indications for TAP were atrial fibrillation and tricuspid annular dilatation. The mean follow-up duration was 115.5 ± 48.6 months. Inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis and propensity score matching with 53 patients in each group were used to adjust for the baseline differences between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

There were no early mortalities in either group, and early morbidities, including heart block, were not different between the groups. Inverse probability of treatment weighting-adjusted survival analysis did not reveal any difference in overall survival (P = .862), freedom from cardiac-related mortality (P = .535), or major adverse valve-related events (P = .972) between the groups. There was no difference in late TR progression (moderate or greater) between the groups (P = .316). These results were consistent in the matched analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic TAP in mild TR may not have a beneficial effect on TR progress in degenerative mitral regurgitation. Further large studies are necessary to define the role of prophylactic TAP in mild TR.

Long-term results after the Ross procedure with the decellularized AutoTissue Matrix P® bioprosthesis used for pulmonary valve replacement

OBJECTIVES

Since 1967, the Ross procedure has been performed to treat aortic valve disease using homografts for pulmonary valve replacement. The decellularized Matrix P® prosthesis was developed to overcome (some) limitations of homografts. Until now, the long-term outcome data have been unavailable.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2010, the Ross procedures using the Matrix P prosthesis were performed in 492 adult patients (mean age 57.2 ± 10.6 years, range 21-73 years) at our institution. Patient data were prospectively collected and analysed (3617.3 patient-years, mean follow-up 7.7  ±  4.3 years). Completeness of follow-up at 1, 5 and 10 years was 98.4%, 94.5% and 91.0%, respectively.

RESULTS

Hospital mortality was 3.9% (n  = 19). During follow-up, 121 patients died resulting in a survival rate at 5, 10 and 12.5 years of 82.8  ±  1.7%, 70.4  ±  2.3% and 62.4  ±  2.9%, respectively. Echocardiography revealed a high incidence of relevant dysfunction of the Matrix P prosthesis and subsequent right ventricular failure. Primary reoperation/reintervention was necessary for 150 Matrix P and 48 autografts. Freedom from pulmonary valve reoperation at 5, 10 and 12.5 years was 76.2  ±  2.1%, 58.6  ±  2.9% and 53.4  ±  3.4%, respectively. The autograft function and the left ventricular function showed similar results as previously reported with a freedom from autograft reoperation at 5, 10 and 12.5 years of 91.8  ±  1.4%, 86.1  ±  2.0% and 86.1  ±  2.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Matrix P prosthesis used for the right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in the Ross procedure showed unfavourable long-term echocardiographic results with a high rate of reoperation/reintervention for structural pulmonary valve failure. As a consequence, long-term survival of this patient cohort was impaired. Based on these findings, the use of the Matrix P prosthesis for pulmonary valve replacement for Ross procedures in adults should not be recommended.

Continued follow-up of the free margin running suture technique for mitral repair

OBJECTIVES

The free margin running suture (FMRS) technique was recently proposed to treat complex degenerative mitral lesions. Limited follow-up data are available. We evaluated the midterm reliability of this technique and the associated mitral valve parameters using rest/stress echocardiography.

METHODS

One-hundred-eight consecutive patients at 2 European centres were included. Prospective follow-up was performed (266.1 patient-years, average duration 2.5 ± 2.5 years). Echocardiographic scans at rest were obtained for all patients at hospital discharge and at follow-up. Stress echocardiography was also performed in 17 patients.

RESULTS

There were no operative deaths. FMRS was performed through a right minithoracotomy in 86.1% of patients, with a robotic-assisted technique in 5.6% and through a sternotomy in 8.3%. Bileaflet disease was noted in 31.4%. One patient (0.9%) presented a 2+/4+ residual mitral regurgitation at discharge; lower-degree or no residual regurgitation was noted in the remaining patients. At the follow-up examination, 1 patient (0.9%) presented with a 2+/4+ mitral regurgitation. Coaptation length at discharge versus that at follow-up was 1.3 ± 0.2 vs 1.3 ± 0.1 cm (P = 0.13); the average transmitral gradient was 4.8 ± 1.5 vs 3.5 ± 0.9 mmHg (P < 0.001). In a subpopulation, follow-up echocardiography indicated that the average transmitral gradient at rest versus that at peak effort was 3.2 ± 0.7 vs 5.1 ± 1.3 mmHg (P < 0.001), with no appearance of significant mitral regurgitation and marginally significant increases in pulmonary artery systolic pressures (P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Data indicate effectiveness and reproducibility of FMRS, with stability of valve function at midterm. FMRS was also associated with promising outcomes in diastolic performance both at rest and during exercise.

Quantification of aortic valve area: comparison of different methods of echocardiography with 3-D scan of the excised valve

Accurate determination of severity of aortic valve stenosis (AS) by aortic valve area (AVA) is essential for choosing the best treatment strategy. We compared AVA quantified by 4 different in vivo echocardiographic methods with AVA measured by 3D ex vivo scanning of the excised AV. The data on 38 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement were assessed. The AVA was determined by 4 echocardiographic methods of planimetry in 2D transesophageal echocardiography [planimetry (2D-TEE)], plainemetry by multiplanar reconstruction approach in 3D transesophageal echocardiography [MPR (3D-TEE)], and two continuity equation (CE) approaches; conventional CE (2D-TTE) in which left ventricular outflow tract [LVOT] area derived by LVOT diameter obtained in 2D transthoracic echocardiography and CE (3D-TEE) in which LVOT area obtained by 3D MPR. After the surgical removal of the AV, AVA was determined by 3D ex vivo scanning. Lowest AVA mean difference with 3D ex vivo scanning was found between CE (2D-TTE), followed by CE (3D-TEE). Planimetry (2D-TEE) in male patients as well as severely and non-severely calcified valves revealed a significant higher AVA mean difference with 3D ex vivo scanning than CE (2D-TTE) and CE (3D-TEE) methods. However, with a nonsignificant effect, CE (2D-TTE) and planimetry (2D-TEE) had the least mean difference with 3D ex vivo scanning possibly due to less frequent bicuspid AV in females. CE (2D-TTE) was more accurate than other methods of AVA calculation. Moreover, CE (3D-TEE) and MPR (3D-TEE) methods had acceptable accuracy in comparison with planimetry (2D-TEE) for definition of AS severity.

Natural History of Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis and the Association of Early Intervention With Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Whether intervention should be performed in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) remains debated.

Objective

To meta-analyze the natural history of asymptomatic severe AS and examine the association of early intervention with survival.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to February 1, 2020.

Study Selection

Observational studies of adult patients with asymptomatic severe AS.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Two investigators independently extracted study and patient characteristics, follow-up time, events, and prognostic indicators of events. Random-effects models were used to derive pooled estimates.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The meta-analysis on natural history was performed on the primary end point of all-cause death occurring during a conservative treatment period, with secondary end points consisting of cardiac death, death due to heart failure, sudden death, development of symptoms, development of an indication for aortic valve intervention, and aortic valve intervention. The primary end point for the meta-analysis of early intervention vs a conservative strategy was all-cause death during long-term follow-up. Finally, meta-analysis was performed on the association of prognostic indicators with the composite of death or aortic valve intervention found in multivariable models.

Results

A total of 29 studies with 4075 patients with 11 901 years of follow-up were included. Pooled rates per 100 patients per year were 4.8 (95% CI, 3.6-6.4) for all-cause death, 3.0 (95% CI, 2.2-4.1) for cardiac death, 2.0 (95% CI, 1.3-3.1) for death due to heart failure, 1.1 (95% CI, 0.6-2.1) for sudden death, 18.1 (95% CI, 12.8-25.4) for an indication for aortic valve intervention, 18.5 (95% CI, 13.4-25.5) for development of symptoms, and 19.2 (95% CI, 15.5-23.8) for aortic valve intervention. Early intervention was associated with a significant reduction in long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.25-0.58). Factors associated with worse prognosis were severity of AS, low-flow AS, left ventricular damage, and atherosclerotic risk factors.

Conclusions and Relevance

Data from observational studies and a recent randomized clinical trial suggest that many patients with asymptomatic severe AS develop an indication for aortic valve intervention, and their deaths are mostly cardiac but not only sudden. Other end points besides sudden death should be considered during the decision to perform early intervention that are associated with improved survival.

Management of a giant aortic root aneurysm in a young patient with Marfan syndrome: a case report

Introduction

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a common heritable connective tissue disease involving multiple organs. Even though the clinical manifestations of MFS can be various, aortic root aneurysm is estimated as one of the most serious complications. We herein describe an individualized treatment decision-making process for a 23-year-old male with MFS, suffering from a giant but stable aortic root aneurysm which is extremely rare at his age.

Case

The patient, a 23-year-old male with a family history of MFS, presented to our cardiovascular department because of progressive exertional chest distress, fatigue and occasional precordial pain. Physical examinations revealed 190.5 cm of height, high myopia, and a diastolic murmur at the aortic valve area. Laboratory examinations for systemic vasculitis and infectious diseases were negative. Transthoracic echocardiography and enhanced thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed the existence of a giant aortic root aneurysm (125.1 mm in short-axis), severe aortic valve regurgitation, cardiac dilatation (LV; 99 mm in diastolic diameter) and a poor ejection fraction (EF; 18%). Considering the risk of rupture or dissection of the dilated aortic root, we performed Bentall procedure based on the results of multidisciplinary team discussion and intraoperative exploration. Postoperative thoracic CT scan revealed a normal sized reconstructed aortic root, and the patient was discharged uneventfully 7 days later.

Conclusion

It is extremely rare to report such a giant aortic root aneurysm in a young patient. In the treatment decision-making process, the patient’s specific situation should be taken into consideration. A mechanical Bentall procedure seems to be an acceptable option for some selected cases.

Tricuspid Valve Anterior Leaflet Strains in Ovine Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation

Functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is thought to arise due to annular dilation and alteration of right ventricular (RV) geometry in the presence of normal leaflets, yet mitral leaflets have been shown to remodel significantly in functional mitral regurgitation. We set out to evaluate tricuspid valve anterior leaflet deformations in ovine FTR. Eleven animals (FTR group) underwent implantation of a pacemaker with high rate pacing to induce biventricular dysfunction and at least moderate TR. Subsequently, both FTR (n = 11) and Control (n = 12) animals underwent implantation of 6 sonomicrometry crystals around the tricuspid annulus, 4 on the anterior leaflet, and 14 on RV epicardium. Tricuspid valve geometry and anterior leaflet strains were calculated from crystal coordinates. Left ventricular ejection fraction and RV fractional area change were significantly lower in FTR animals versus Control. Tricuspid annular area, septo-lateral diameter, RV pressures were all significantly greater in the FTR group. Mean TR grade (+0-3) was 0.7 ± 0.5 in Control and 2.4 ± 0.5 in FTR (P = < 0.001). The anterior leaflet area and length increased significantly. Global radial leaflet strain was significantly lower in FTR mostly driven by decreased free edge leaflet strain. Global circumferential anterior leaflet strain was also significantly lower in FTR with more remarkable reduction in the belly region. Rapid ventricular pacing in sheep resulted in a clinically pertinent model of RV and annular dilation with FTR and leaflet enlargement. Both circumferential and radial anterior leaflet strains were significantly reduced with FTR. Functional TR may be associated with alteration of leaflet mechanical properties.

Quality of Life Changes in Acute Coronary Syndromes Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There is little up-to-date evidence about changes in quality of life following treatment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The main aim of this review was to assess the changes in QoL in ACS patients after treatment. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative studies. The search included studies that described the change of QoL of ACS patients after receiving treatment options such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and medical therapy (MT). We synthesized findings using content analysis and pooled the estimates using meta-analysis. We used the PRISMA guidelines to select and appraise the studies and report the findings. Twenty-nine (29) articles were included in the review. We found a significant improvement of QoL in ACS patients after receiving treatment. Particularly, the meta-analytic association found that the mean QoL of patients diagnosed with ACS was higher after receiving treatment compared to baseline (overall pooled mean difference = 31.88; 95% CI = 31.64–52.11, I² = 98) with patients on PCI having slightly lower QoL gains (pooled mean difference = 30.22; 95% CI = 29.9–30.53, I² = 0%) compared to those on CABG (pooled mean difference = 34.01; 95% CI = 33.66–34.37, I² = 0%). The review confirmed that QoL of ACS patients improved after receiving treatment therapies although varied by the treatment options and patients’ preferences. This suggests the need to perform further study on the QoL, patient preferences and physicians’ decision to prescription of treatment options.

Propensity score matched comparison of isolated, elective aortic valve replacement with and without concomitant septal myectomy: is it worth it?

BACKGROUND

Septal myectomy during open aortic valve replacement (AVR) is an effective surgical treatment for asymmetric secondary basal septal hypertrophy. Concerns regarding higher rates of complications associated with this procedure have been raised - such as permanent pacemaker implantation. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes and complications of patients with and without concomitant septal myectomy using propensity score matching applied to a large, consecutive single center cohort.

METHODS

A total of 2199 consecutive patients undergoing either AVR with concomitant myectomy (AVR-M, N.=212) or AVR alone (N.=1987) were analyzed (2009-2015). Patients with previous cardiac or emergency surgery, concomitant cardiac procedures and endocarditis were excluded. As reference to previously published data, patient characteristics and outcomes of the overall cohort were examined and for comparison between groups propensity score matching utilized.

RESULTS

In the unmatched cohort, AVR-M patients were older (71.2±8 vs. 67.6±10 years, P<0.001) and more often female (68% vs. 37%, P<0.001) in comparison to patients receiving only AVR. After matching (N.=374) no significant difference in baseline features was evident. No significant difference in hospital mortality (2.1% vs. 1.6%, P=1.000) and pacemaker-implantation rate (5.3% vs. 3.7%, P=0.621) was observed. Mid-term survival was comparable between the two groups (86.1±5% vs. 84.4±5% after 6 years, P=0.957). The overall patient cohort showed a survival comparable to that of an adjusted regional normal population (P=0.178).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that concomitant myectomy in patients undergoing AVR is a safe surgical technique resulting in comparable hospital mortality and mid-term survival. Concomitant septal myectomy seems not to be associated with an increased pacemaker implantation rate.

Prognostic Impact of Redo Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair for Recurrent Mitral Regurgitation

There is little known about the prognostic impact of a redo transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) for residual or recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR). From January 2011 to March 2019, we identified 43 consecutive patients who underwent a redo TMVR procedure with the MitraClip system. A control cohort was treated medically for MR ≥2+ after the first TMVR and was propensity score 1:1 matched using age, gender, MR severity, trans-mitral pressure gradient, and etiology of MR. To investigate the association of redo TMVR with 1-year mortality, we fitted a Cox proportional hazard model. The technical success rate of redo TMVR was 95%. A reduction in MR to ≤2+ was achieved in 79% of patients, with a significant decline of tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient and improvement of the New York Heart Association class. After matching was performed, 43 well-matched pairs of patients were analyzed. Redo TMVR patients showed lower 1-year mortality (10.5% vs 37.6%, p = 0.01) compared with the control patients. Redo TMVR was associated with better survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08 to 0.79, p = 0.02) and lower risk of the composite end point (mortality and rehospitalization due to HF: HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.78; p = 0.01) at 1-year follow-up. The association with the primary end point remained significant after accounting for the New York Heart Association class III/IV, TR ≥severe, the type of MR (i.e., recurrent or residual MR), or the type of previous implanted TMVR device. In conclusion, redo TMVR in selected patients with residual or recurrent MR may be associated with lower 1-year mortality than medical therapy alone.

Rheumatic mitral stenosis in a 28-week pregnant woman treated by mitral valvuoplasty guided by low dose of radiation: a case report and brief overview

Rheumatic mitral stenosis is still a pathological condition that affects young patients and is an important cause of mortality. 2017-European Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease suggest a percutaneous approach with a mitral commissurotomy for the treatment of symptomatic pregnant women. Mitral commissurotomy procedure involves radiation exposure that is incompatible with the pregnancy condition. In our case, we present percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) to a 28-week pregnant woman with a low-radiation dose and the use of transesophageal echocardiography. The woman presented with a mitral transvalvular mean gradient of 21.6 mmHg and with symptoms non-responsive to medical treatment. PMC was driven by a transesophageal echocardiographic probe. This case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of PMC in a pregnant woman with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Impact of Mitral Valve Repair Case Volume on Postoperative Mortality - A Nationwide Korean Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Although mitral valve repair is recommended over replacement due to better outcomes, repair rates vary significantly among centers. This study examined the effect of institutional mitral valve repair volume on postoperative mortality.Methods and Results:All cases of adult mitral valve repair performed in Korea between 2009 and 2016 were analyzed. The association between case volume and 1-year mortality was analyzed after categorizing centers according to the number of mitral valve repairs performed as low-, medium-, or high-volume centers (<20, 20-40, and >40 cases/year, respectively). The effect of case volume on cumulative all-cause mortality was also assessed. In all, 6,041 mitral valve repairs were performed in 86 centers. The 1-year mortality in low-, medium-, and high-volume centers was 10.1%, 8.7%, and 4.7%, respectively. Low- and medium-volume centers had increased risk of 1-year mortality compared with high-volume centers, with odds ratios of 2.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.15-3.64; P<0.001) and 2.66 (95% CI 1.94-3.64; P<0.001), respectively. The risk of cumulative all-cause mortality was also worse in low- and medium-volume centers, with hazard ratios of 1.96 (95% CI 1.68-2.29; P<0.001) and 1.77 (95% CI 1.47-2.12; P<0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower institutional case volume was associated with higher mortality after mitral valve repair. A minimum volume standard may be required for hospitals performing mitral valve repair to guarantee adequate outcome.

3D-printed stenotic aortic valve model to simulate physiology before, during, and after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

AIMS

Pressure loss versus transvalvular flow analysis challenges physiologic models of current aortic valve stenosis. New conceptual frameworks are needed to explain these real-world observations.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A patient-specific, 3D-printed, silicon model of a stenotic valve was placed inside an in-vitro haemodynamic model of the circulatory system. Instantaneous pressure and flow in the aorta and left ventricle were simulated according to measured patient specific parameters. Thereafter, a realistic transcatheter aortic valve was implanted (TAVI) in the model. Simulated post-TAVI mean pressure gradients resembled patient observations (3.7 ± 0.7 mmHg vs 6.7 ± 2.3 mmHg), but pre-TAVI measurements underestimated the pressure gradient (35.1 ± 0.6 mmHg vs 45.3 ± 1.5 mmHg).

CONCLUSION

Patient-specific 3D-printed stenotic aortic valve models could simulate baseline haemodynamics. A TAVI procedure was successfully performed on the 3D silicone rubber valve in a physiologic in-vitro model. Pre-TAVI haemodynamics in the model underestimated in-patient mean pressure gradient, whereas post TAVI pressure gradient was predicted correctly with the TAVI valve inside the 3D printed model. This study shows that these types of models could be used to study AS hemodynamics with the TAVI valve inside the 3D printed model. Improvements in the 3D-printed model, like addition of calcification and fine-tuning of the haemodynamic model, could further enhance accuracy of the simulation.

Risk assessment in PAH using quantitative CMR tricuspid regurgitation: relation to heart catheterization

AIMS

Improved risk stratification is of value for decision making in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Right heart catheterization combined with quantitative tricuspid regurgitation (TR) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) may provide this. The aims were to study: (i) to what extent quantitative TR is associated with event-free survival; (ii) how quantitative TR is related to known prognostic markers in PAH; and (iii) to what extent quantitative TR and right atrial pressure determine right atrial dilation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifty patients (63 ± 17 years) with PAH referred for CMR were included. Volumes and pulmonary artery flow by CMR and pressure and vascular resistance by right heart catheterization were obtained. Composite outcome was lung transplantation or death. Four transplantations and 27 deaths occurred over a median of 2.7 years. A trend towards higher hazard ratio was shown for TR volume (TRV; 2.1, 95% CI 1.0-4.4) and TR fraction (TR%; 1.6, 95% CI 0.8-3.3) above median. TRV and TR% correlated with right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic (TRV r = 0.50; TR% r = 0.39) and end-systolic (TRV r = 0.35; TR% r = 0.30) volumes, pulmonary vascular resistance (TRV r = 0.28; TR% r = 0.43), N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (TRV r = 0.65; TR% r = 0.68), cardiac index (TRV r = -0.32; TR% r = -0.54), pulmonary artery stroke volume (TRV r = -0.32; TR% r = -0.58) and effective RV ejection fraction by pulmonary artery quantitative flow (TRV r = -0.56; TR% r = -0.69), but not RVEF. Both TR% and right atrial pressure determined right atrial volumes (r2  = 0.38; r2  = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS

A clear trend towards worse outcome with larger TRV or TR% was shown; however, the number of events was insufficient for significant outcome differences. Prognostic value of quantitative TR should be investigated in a larger multicentre cohort. Effective RV ejection fraction may be considered an improved measure of RV function in PAH.

TAVR-related echocardiographic assessment - status quo, challenges and perspectives

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an emerging and a well-established procedure for high-risk and inoperable patients worldwide. Recent studies revealed furthermore that TAVR is equal or even superior to surgical valve replacement in intermediate risk patients. Therefore, a successful procedure is not only dependent on precise preprocedural patient selection but also on careful intraprocedural multimodal imaging guidance and adequate postprocedural follow-up. Up to date, 2D/3D transthoracic and/or transoesophageal echocardiography is an easy and goal-oriented tool for periprocedural TAVR-assessment regarding annulus measurements, cardiac function and concomitant valve diseases. Further procedural success is directly related to prevention of severe early and late complications. Thus, a careful intra- and postprocedural echocardiographic guidance is crucial to evaluate prosthetic function, position and its haemodynamic implication and changes in the integrity of the left ventricle during intra- and postprocedural management. We explored the role of echocardiography for pre-, intra- and postprocedural TAVR-assessment, illustrated by cases and possible algorithms, in a comprehensive literature review. Furthermore, we describe the role of fusion imaging, that is, real-time fusion of transoesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy (EchoNavigator Release System^® I and II) during TAVR.

Left Circumflex Artery Injury After Mitral Valve Surgery: An Algorithm Management Proposal

BACKGROUND

Left circumflex coronary (LCx) artery injury during mitral valve surgery is a life-threatening complication. This report describes a series of patients with this complication in a high-volume mitral surgery center.

METHODS

Between January 2004 and December 2017, a total of 6501 mitral valve procedures were performed at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy. An LCx injury occurred in 10 patients (10 of 6501; 0.15%) after either mitral valve repair (n = 5) or replacement (n = 5). Coronary angiography was performed in 9 patients and showed 5 cases of left coronary artery dominance, 2 cases of right dominance, and 2 cases of codominance. All data were prospectively collected in the hospital database and were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Suspicion of LCx injury was raised in the operating room in 5 patients and in the intensive care unit in the other 5 patients. Postoperative coronary angiography confirmed the LCx lesion. In the presence of total LCx occlusion, coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 3) or partial removal of the annuloplasty ring(n = 1) was performed. In cases of partial kinking (n = 4), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was preferred. In the 2 patients with extrinsic subocclusion of the LCx, rescue PCI was initially attempted, but both procedures were complicated by artery disruption and stent underexpansion.

CONCLUSIONS

In our series, LCx occlusion occurred more commonly in patients with left-dominant coronary artery circulation. Clinical presentation may be variable. Rescue PCI is a valid option in cases of kinking of the artery, but in other cases emergency coronary bypass grafting should be the first choice. Repositioning of the prosthesis may be an option in specific circumstances.

Aortic root thrombus after left ventricular assist device implantation and aortic valve replacement

Data on the risk of aortic root thrombosis in patients with aortic valve replacement (AVR) and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery are scarce. Two out of nine patients receiving AVR concomitant with LVAD surgery and two out of two patients receiving AVR on LVAD support, at our centre, developed an aortic root thrombus, all diagnosed with computed tomography (CT) angiography. These results demonstrate that patients with concomitant AVR and LVAD surgery, or AVR on LVAD support, have an increased risk of aortic root thrombosis. Therefore, early anti-thrombotic therapy and vigilant diagnostic follow-up, using CT scans, are warranted to prevent thromboembolic events.

[Second look: practical diagnostic and therapeutic checks in neurorehabilitation]

Post-acute inpatient neurorehabilitation facilities are increasingly treating patients who are not only severely ill and multimorbid but who are also referred from non-neurological departments. These patients are still often medically unstable so that the previous diagnostics and treatment must be reevaluated and when necessary adapted or supplemented. Certain interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic problems, such as antithrombotic therapy, regularly reoccur. This article presents these problems in a checklist fashion, which should provide indications in individual cases when previously carried out measures need to be questioned and adapted.

Early myocardial changes in patients undergoing rheumatic mitral valve repair versus replacement

BACKGROUND

Rheumatic mitral valve repair and replacement techniques are frequently used with excellent outcomes in experienced centers. This study aims to evaluate the impact of procedural types on left ventricular function in quinquagenarians.

METHODS

Between January 2018 and September 2019, patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis were prospectively recruited. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce the selection bias. We compared the strain, twist and synchrony parameters of left ventricle in 70 quinquagenarian patients who underwent rheumatic mitral valve repair and replacement 12 hours before surgery, at 7 days and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

The overall group displayed significant improvement of left ventricular deformation after rheumatic mitral valve surgery. Compared with patients undergoing posterior chordal-sparing mitral valve replacement, patients undergoing rheumatic mitral valve repair showed more significant amelioration in global longitudinal strain (-18.6% versus -16.2%, P<0.001), twist (18.2° versus 15.9°, P<0.001), torsion (1.8°/cm versus 1.3°/cm, P<0.001), apical rotation (10.5° versus 8.8°, P<0.001), basal rotation (-7.7° versus -7.1°, P=0.049), systolic dyssynchrony index (4.7% versus 5.1%, P=0.021), standard deviation of time to peak longitudinal (46.9 ms versus 49.3 ms, P=0.024) and radial strain (15.8 ms versus 17.1 ms, P=0.037) at 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Rheumatic mitral valve repair might provide patients with better postoperative left ventricular performance than posterior chordal-sparing mitral valve replacement. Longer follow-up is required to compare long-term outcomes.

Impact of Incomplete Coronary Revascularization on Late Ischemic and Bleeding Events after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

The impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) and revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remain debated. A dismal prognosis in patients undergoing PCI has been associated with elevated baseline SYNTAX score (bSS) and residual SYNTAX score (rSS). The objective was to investigate whether the degree of bSS and rSS impacted ischemic and bleeding events after TAVR.

METHODS

bSS and rSS were calculated in 311 patients admitted for TAVR. The primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite endpoint of myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death, or rehospitalization for heart failure. The occurrence of late major/life-threatening bleeding complications (MLBCs) and each primary endpoint individually were the secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

bSS > 22 was associated with higher occurrence of MACE (p = 0.013). rSS > 8 and bSS > 22 had no impact on overall cardiovascular mortality. rSS > 8 and bSS > 22 were associated with higher rates of myocardial infarction (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004) and late occurrence of MLBCs. Multivariate analysis showed that bSS > 22 (sHR 2.48) and rSS > 8 (sHR 2.35) remained predictors of MLBCs but not of myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

Incomplete coronary revascularization and CAD burden did not impact overall and cardiac mortality but constitute predictors of late MLBCs in TAVR patients.

Comparison of effectiveness and survival after the MitraClip or Carillon procedure for severe functional mitral regurgitation: a single-center retrospective analysis

INTRODUCTION

Current studies suggest improved survival in patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) treated successfully with the MitraClip (MC) compared to medical treatment alone, in addition to a significant reduction of FMR severity. Recently, the Carillon system (CS) has also been shown to significantly reduce FMR. However, whether this beneficial effect of CS also translates into a survival benefit comparable to the MC system has not been investigated so far. The aim of the study was to compare the course of FMR grade and mortality after MC or CS in a retrospective, non-randomized, single-center analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A hundred and fifty-four patients with symptomatic FMR 2+ were included in this study (MC: n = 117, CS: n = 37). Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between groups.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Initially, the degree of FMR was reduced in the MC group from 2.9 ±0.3 to 1.7 ±0.7 and from 2.7 ±0.5 to 2.1 ±0.7 in the CS group, p within and between groups < 0.01. Within 6 months, FMR remained reduced in the MC group (1.83 ±0.6) and CS group (2.1 ±0.7). One-year survival was 34.8% in the MC group and 54.8% in the CS group (p = 0.663). Median long-term survival was 1.66 years in the MC group and 3.92 years in the CS group, log rank p = 0.001.

The Role of Novel Transcatheter Procedures in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

The development of percutaneous structural interventions in patients with acquired heart disease is happening at an exponential rate, and some of this technology is being used to treat patients with congenital heart disease. This review describes the pathophysiology of valvular abnormalities specific to congenital heart disease and discusses the application of structural procedures in this population. Although the overall experience has been encouraging, especially in high-risk patients, this article will highlight the reasons that a cautious approach to adoption of this technology is necessary in these patients.

Wearable devices can predict the outcome of standardized 6-minute walk tests in heart disease

Wrist-worn devices with heart rate monitoring have become increasingly popular. Although current guidelines advise to consider clinical symptoms and exercise tolerance during decision-making in heart disease, it remains unknown to which extent wearables can help to determine such functional capacity measures. In clinical settings, the 6-minute walk test has become a standardized diagnostic and prognostic marker. We aimed to explore, whether 6-minute walk distances can be predicted by wrist-worn devices in patients with different stages of mitral and aortic valve disease. A total of n = 107 sensor datasets with 1,019,748 min of recordings were analysed. Based on heart rate recordings and literature information, activity levels were determined and compared to results from a 6-minute walk test. The percentage of time spent in moderate activity was a predictor for the achievement of gender, age and body mass index-specific 6-minute walk distances (p < 0.001; R 2 = 0.48). The uncertainty of these predictions is demonstrated.

Screening for transcatheter mitral valve replacement: a decision tree algorithm

AIMS

The high frequency of screening failure for anatomical reasons in patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) is a limiting factor in the screening process for transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). However, data on optimal patient selection are scarce. The present study aimed to develop a screening algorithm based on TMVR screening data.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 195 screenings for six different TMVR devices were performed in 94 high-risk patients with severe MR. We compared baseline echocardiographic and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) parameters between the subgroups of patients accepted (N=33) and rejected for TMVR (N=61). Reasons for screening failure were assessed, and a decision tree algorithm was statistically derived. Reasons for screening failure were small LV dimensions (30.6%), small (7.5%) or large (22.5%) annular size, potential risk of LVOT obstruction (22.0%) or mitral annulus calcification (15.6%). A four-step decision tree algorithm to assess TMVR eligibility was developed resulting in an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.89, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents the first screening algorithm to assess anatomical eligibility for TMVR in patients with severe MR, based on simple MSCT criteria. Given the high rate of TMVR screening failure, this algorithm may facilitate the identification of potential TMVR candidates.

Mitral Valve Posterior Leaflet Reconstruction Using Extracellular Matrix: In Vitro Evaluation

PURPOSE

To investigate the anatomical and functional effects of complete surgical reconstruction of the posterior mitral leaflet and associated chordae tendineae with a patch made of 2-ply small intestinal submucosal extracellular matrix in vitro.

METHODS

Seven explanted mitral valves with intact subvalvular apparatus from 80-kg pigs were evaluated in a left heart simulator and served as their own controls. After testing the native valve, the mitral posterior leaflet and associated chordae tendineae were excised and reconstructed by using the 2-ply small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix patch. The characterization of the reconstruction was based on geometric data from digital images, papillary muscle force, annular tethering force and leaflet pressure force.

RESULTS

The reconstructed valves were fully functional without regurgitation, tearing or rupture during incrementally increased pressure from 0 to 120 mmHg. The leaflet areas were preserved after reconstruction, with a normal configuration of the coaptation line. However, the coaptation midpoint moved posteriorly after reconstruction (A2: 15.8 ± 1.4 vs. 18.9 ± 1.5 mm, p = 0.002, diff = 3.1 mm, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.8 mm). The anterior papillary muscle force increased significantly (3.9 vs. 4.6 N, p = 0.029, diff = 0.7 N, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.4 N at 120mmHg) after reconstruction. The posterior papillary muscle force, leaflet pressure force and annular pressure force did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

In this in vitro model, mitral valve anatomy and function were comparable between the native mitral valve and our new surgical technique for complete reconstruction of the posterior mitral leaflet and associated chordae tendineae. These promising results warrant further in vivo evaluation.

Outcomes of urgent/emergent transcatheter mitral valve repair (MitraClip): A single center experience

OBJECTIVES

To describe the outcomes of urgent/emergent transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVr) and compare the clinical, echocardiographic, and procedural characteristics of survivors and nonsurvivors.

BACKGROUND

TMVr is a treatment strategy for select patients with severe primary or secondary mitral regurgitation. However, knowledge regarding outcomes for urgent/emergent TMVr is limited.

METHODS

All urgent or emergent TMVr procedures using MitraClip performed at the University of Washington Medical Center between January 2018 and March 2019 were identified and clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, procedural, and outcomes data were obtained by chart review. Outcomes included all-cause mortality, hospital mortality, procedural success, periprocedural complications, and hospital readmission.

RESULTS

Of the 20 patients who underwent urgent/emergent TMVr, eight were treated for cardiogenic shock (CS), four for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and eight for ADHF with failure of inpatient medical therapy. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) was used in six patients; preceding TMVr in three patients and immediately post-TMVr in three patients. Overall, 30-day mortality and hospital readmission rates were 21 and 13%, respectively. Over a median 153 days (IQR 20-491) of follow-up, 10 patients (50%) died. Preprocedure CS, new or ongoing MCS post-TMVr, refractory respiratory failure post-TMVr, and acute kidney injury post-TMVr were associated with mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In a single-center retrospective analysis, urgent/emergent TMVr in high-risk patients with ADHF or CS was associated with high short-term mortality and periprocedural complications. Prospective studies are warranted to inform patient selection and periprocedural management for urgent/emergent TMVr.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in low-risk patients: is it too early?

The median age of patients treated by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is falling across Europe, and low-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) represent 80% of patients with severe AS undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). There are few data for TAVI in low-risk patients, but there are four ongoing randomised trials of SAVR versus TAVI. The key issues relate to pacemaker implantation rates and the associated potential longer term deleterious effects, and the need to minimise vascular complications and paravalvular leak. Valve leaflet thrombosis and paucity of data on valve durability remain a concern. Given the higher incidence of bicuspid aortic valves in younger patients, outcomes of TAVI in this setting need clarification and are discussed.

Artificial intelligence and automation in valvular heart diseases

Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually changing every aspect of social life, and healthcare is no exception. The clinical procedures that were supposed to, and could previously only be handled by human experts can now be carried out by machines in a more accurate and efficient way. The coming era of big data and the advent of supercomputers provides great opportunities to the development of AI technology for the enhancement of diagnosis and clinical decision-making. This review provides an introduction to AI and highlights its applications in the clinical flow of diagnosing and treating valvular heart diseases (VHDs). More specifically, this review first introduces some key concepts and subareas in AI. Secondly, it discusses the application of AI in heart sound auscultation and medical image analysis for assistance in diagnosing VHDs. Thirdly, it introduces using AI algorithms to identify risk factors and predict mortality of cardiac surgery. This review also describes the state-of-the-art autonomous surgical robots and their roles in cardiac surgery and intervention.

Impact of inferior caval valve implantation on severity of tricuspid regurgitation and right heart function

AIMS

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common finding in heart failure patients and associated with increased mortality. New interventional therapeutic options are needed as many heart failure patients are unfit for surgery. The TRICAVAL study compared valve implantation into the inferior vena cava (CAVI) with optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with severe TR. Here, we report details on the impact of CAVI on TR severity as well as right heart function and morphology.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We randomized 28 patients with severe TR to CAVI (n = 14) with transfemoral implantation of an Edwards Sapien XT valve into the inferior vena cava or OMT (n = 14). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on anatomical and clinical parameters. Echocardiographic measurements were performed at baseline, at the first postoperative day and one, three, and twelve months after randomization. As proof of concept of an effective sealing of the inferior vena cava, we detected a significant decrease in systolic hepatic vein reflux volume (11.0 [6.2-21.9] mL vs 3.5 [0.6-8.5] mL, P = .016) and hepatic vein diameter (11.5 [10.0-14.8] mm vs 10.0 [9.3-11.8] mm, P = .034) at thirty-day follow-up. However, CAVI had no significant impact on TR, cardiac function, and morphology.

CONCLUSIONS

Caval valve implantation significantly reduced systolic reflux into the hepatic veins but was not associated with an improvement in cardiac function, morphology, or TR severity.

Long-Term Outcome and Quality of Life After Biological Aortic Valve Replacement in Nonelderly Adults

BACKGROUND

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a standard of care in the treatment of aortic stenosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term outcome and quality of life (QoL) after biological AVR in patients younger than 60 years of age.

METHODS

A total of 354 consecutive patients less than or equal to 60 years who underwent biological AVR at our institution (2005-2015) were included. The primary endpoint was actual freedom from AV reintervention, and secondary endpoints were actual freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) as well as mental and physical QoL.

RESULTS

Mean age was 52.3 ± 7.1 years and mean follow-up duration was 78.7 ± 38.1 months. Overall survival at 5, 10, and 12 years was 87.6%, 76.3%, and 63.5%, and actual freedom from AV reintervention was 85.5%, 67.8%, and 52.9%, respectively. Actual freedom from MACCE was 82.8%, 63.2%, and 50.4%, respectively. Cox regression revealed concomitant coronary artery disease (P < .001) and creatinine at baseline (P < .001) as independent predictors of survival, AV reintervention, and MACCE. Physical QoL was similar (P = .427) and mental QoL (P = .005) was significantly better compared with the published age-matched control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Biological AVR in patients less than or equal to 60 years of age is associated with a significant occurrence of actual AV reintervention and MACCE at 10 to 12 years. Mental QoL after biological AVR was superior compared with healthy control subjects. The effect of the most recently developed bioprosthesis, specifically for younger patients, needs to be evaluated. Therefore, a shared decision-making process in prosthetic AV selection is mandatory in AVR patients less than or equal to 60 years of age.