1
|
Gać P, Jaworski A, Grajnert F, Kicman K, Trejtowicz-Sutor A, Witkowski K, Poręba M, Poręba R. Aortic Valve Calcium Score: Applications in Clinical Practice and Scientific Research-A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4064. [PMID: 39064103 PMCID: PMC11277735 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13144064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we investigate the essential role played by the computed tomography Aortic Valve Calcium Score (AVCS) in the cardiovascular diagnostic landscape, with a special focus on its implications for clinical practice and scientific research. Calcific aortic valve stenosis is the most prevalent type of aortic stenosis (AS) in industrialized countries, and due to the aging population, its prevalence is increasing. While transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) remains the gold standard, AVCS stands out as an essential complementary tool in evaluating patients with AS. The advantage of AVCS is its independence from flow; this allows for a more precise evaluation of patients with discordant findings in TTE. Further clinical applications of AVCS include in the assessment of patients before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), as it helps in predicting outcomes and provides prognostic information post-TAVR. Additionally, we describe different AVCS thresholds regarding gender and the anatomical variations of the aortic valve. Finally, we discuss various scientific studies where AVCS was applied. As AVCS has some limitations, due to the pathophysiologies of AS extending beyond calcification and gender differences, scientists strive to validate contrast-enhanced AVCS. Furthermore, research on developing radiation-free methods of measuring calcium content is ongoing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Gać
- Centre of Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, Rudolfa Weigla 5, 50-981 Wrocław, Poland; (P.G.); (A.T.-S.); (K.W.)
- Department of Population Health, Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 7, 50-345 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Jaworski
- Healthcare Team “County Hospital” in Sochaczew, Batalionow Chlopskich 3/7, 96-500 Sochaczew, Poland
| | - Filip Grajnert
- 4th Military Hospital, Rudolfa Weigla 5, 50-981 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Kicman
- Healthcare Team “County Hospital” in Sochaczew, Batalionow Chlopskich 3/7, 96-500 Sochaczew, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Trejtowicz-Sutor
- Centre of Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, Rudolfa Weigla 5, 50-981 Wrocław, Poland; (P.G.); (A.T.-S.); (K.W.)
| | - Konrad Witkowski
- Centre of Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, Rudolfa Weigla 5, 50-981 Wrocław, Poland; (P.G.); (A.T.-S.); (K.W.)
| | - Małgorzata Poręba
- Department of Paralympic Sports, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Witelona 25a, 51-617 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Rafał Poręba
- Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Weferling M, Rolf A, Treiber J, Fischer-Rasokat U, Liebetrau C, Hamm CW, Dey D, Kim WK. Epicardial fat volume is associated with primary coronary slow-flow phenomenon in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter valve implantation. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2024; 24:253. [PMID: 38750455 PMCID: PMC11097472 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03927-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary coronary slow flow (CSF) is defined as delayed opacification of the distal epicardial vasculature during coronary angiography in the absence of relevant coronary artery stenoses. Microvascular disease is thought to be the underlying cause of this pathology. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is an active endocrine organ directly surrounding the coronary arteries that provides pro-inflammatory factors to the adjacent tissue by paracrine and vasocrine mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to investigate a potential association between EFT and primary CSF and whether EFT can predict the presence of primary CSF. METHODS Between 2016 and 2017, n = 88 patients with high-grade aortic stenosis who were planned for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were included in this retrospective study. EFT volume was measured by pre-TAVI computed tomography (CT) using dedicated software. The presence of primary CSF was defined based on the TIMI frame count from the pre-TAVI coronary angiograms. RESULTS Thirty-nine of 88 TAVI patients had CSF (44.3%). EFT volume was markedly higher in patients with CSF (142 ml [IQR 107-180] vs. 113 ml [IQR 89-147]; p = 0.009) and was strongly associated with the presence of CSF (OR 1.012 [95%CI 1.002-1.021]; p = 0.014). After adjustment, EFT volume was still an independent predictor of CSF (OR 1.016 [95%CI 1.004-1.026]; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION Primary CSF was independently associated with increased EFT volume. Further studies are needed to validate this finding and elucidate whether a causal relationship exists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maren Weferling
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Benekestr. 2-8, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany.
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site RheinMain, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Andreas Rolf
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Benekestr. 2-8, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Julia Treiber
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Benekestr. 2-8, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Ulrich Fischer-Rasokat
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Benekestr. 2-8, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Liebetrau
- Cardioangiological Center Bethanien (CCB), Department of Cardiology, Agaplesion Bethanien Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christian W Hamm
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site RheinMain, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Damini Dey
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd, Taper A238, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Won-Keun Kim
- Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Benekestr. 2-8, 61231, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site RheinMain, Frankfurt, Germany
- Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schulz A, Beuthner BE, Böttiger ZM, Gersch SS, Lange T, Gronwald J, Evertz R, Backhaus SJ, Kowallick JT, Hasenfuß G, Schuster A. Epicardial adipose tissue as an independent predictor of long-term outcome in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Clin Res Cardiol 2024:10.1007/s00392-024-02387-5. [PMID: 38324040 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-024-02387-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate risk stratification is important to improve patient selection and outcome of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). As epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is discussed to be involved in cardiovascular disease, it could be useful as a marker of poor prognosis in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR. METHODS A total of 416 patients diagnosed with severe AS by transthoracic echocardiography were assigned for TAVR and enrolled for systematic assessment. Patients underwent clinical surveys and 5-year long-term follow-up, with all-cause mortality as the primary endpoint. EAT volume was quantified on pre-TAVR planning CTs. Patients were retrospectively dichotomized at the median of 74 cm3 of EAT into groups with low EAT and high EAT volumes. Mortality rates were compared using Kaplan-Meyer plots and uni- and multivariable cox regression analyses. RESULTS A total number of 341 of 416 patients (median age 80.9 years, 45% female) were included in the final analysis. Patients with high EAT volumes had similar short-term outcome (p = 0.794) but significantly worse long-term prognosis (p = 0.023) compared to patients with low EAT volumes. Increased EAT volumes were associated with worse long-term outcome (HR1.59; p = 0.031) independently from concomitant cardiovascular risk factors, general type of AS, and functional echocardiography parameters of AS severity (HR1.69; p = 0.013). CONCLUSION Increased EAT volume is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR. It can be easily obtained from pre-TAVR planning CTs and may thus qualify as a novel marker to improve prognostication and management of patient with severe AS. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS, DRKS00024479.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Schulz
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Bo E Beuthner
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Zoé M Böttiger
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Svante S Gersch
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Torben Lange
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Judith Gronwald
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ruben Evertz
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sören J Backhaus
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Johannes T Kowallick
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gerd Hasenfuß
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Schuster
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August University, Robert-Koch-Str. 40, 37099, Göttingen, Germany.
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|