Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic characteristics of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with and without mitral anular calcium

Mitral annular calcification in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Incidence, risk factors, and prognostic value after myectomy

BACKGROUND

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a risk factor for cardiac surgery, but there is limited study on the prognosis value and the impact for valve function of MAC based on computed tomography (CT) diagnosis after myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (OHCM).

METHODS

Consecutive OHCM patients underwent septal myectomy were compared according to the existence of MAC and its severity in preoperative CT scans. The survival data were evaluated and compared by Kaplan Meier analysis and log rank test. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of MAC on endpoint events.

RESULTS

From the entire cohort of 1035 patients, 10.8% had MAC. In multivariate regression, female (OR = 2.23), age (OR = 1.07), aortic annular calcification (OR = 2.52), aortic calcification (OR = 2.56), systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) (OR = 0.42), mitral valve thickening (OR = 2.13), and tricuspid regurgitation (OR = 3.12) were independent predictors of MAC. All-cause mortality (3.57% vs. 1.08%, p = 0.031), major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (23.32% vs. 13.65%, p = 0.014), recurrent MR > 2+ (8.04% vs. 2.49%, p = 0.001) and NYHA III-IV (11.61% vs. 5.53%, p = 0.012) were more frequent in OHCM patients with MAC after myectomy. MAC was discovered to be an independent predictor of postoperative recurrent MR > 2+ after other risk factors were taken into account (HR 2.47, 95% CI 1.08-5.67, p = 0.0329). Moderate-to-severe MAC was an independent risk factor (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.09-3.75, p = 0.0244) for long-term major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE).

CONCLUSION

MAC was detected in one-tenth of OHCM patients in preoperative CT scanning and is mainly associated with aging and atherosclerosis. OHCM patients with MAC had a worse prognosis and more recurrent mitral valve regurgitation than those without MAC after septal myectomy.

Prognostic significance of serum alkaline phosphatase for all-cause mortality in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A cohort of the hospitalized population

Higher levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) as a novel risk factor was recently found associated with mortality in different population, whereas, the relationship remains unknown in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) population. In this study, we hypothesized that increased ALP could predict all-cause mortality in the adult HCM population. In this cohort study, retrospective data from 538 HCM patients consecutively recruited in West China Hospital were collected. Patients were divided into two groups by baseline ALP with 80 IU/L as the cutoff. All-cause mortality was set as the endpoint. Subgroup analysis was conducted in patients with normal liver function. In total, 461 adult HCM patients were included. After a median follow-up of 4.7 years, 91 patients died. Alkaline phosphatase was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality since patients in the higher ALP group had an increased risk (adjusted HR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-3.3, P < 0.01) compared with those in the lower ALP group. In subgroup analysis, the relationship was consistent with the overall (adjusted HR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.7-5.3, P < 0.01 for the higher ALP group). In the Chinese cohort study of HCM patients, serum ALP is independently associated with all-cause mortality. Patients with a measured value above 80 IU/L had an increased risk of all-cause mortality and this cutoff might help with risk stratification in HCM population.

Mitral annular calcification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Changes in mitral valve anatomy contribute to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is common among patients with HCM but its implications are currently unknown.

METHODS

We tested the hypothesis that echocardiographic MAC would be associated with anterior displacement of the mitral valve and LVOTO in a cohort of 304 patients with HCM aged ≥ 60 years (mean [SD] age 71.6 [7.7] years, 52% women).

RESULTS

MAC was present in 141 (46%) patients. The mean (SD) MAC offset distance was 9.8 (4.8) mm. A higher proportion of those with MAC compared to those without MAC had SAM (84.2 vs. 63.8%, p < 0.001) and LVOTO (80.9 vs. 57.9%, p < 0.001). In patients with MAC, the septal-mitral valve distance was shorter compared to those without (19.4 [4.0] vs 21.5 [4.9] mm, p < 0.001). The mitral valve position ratio was greater in those with MAC compared to those without (1.00 [0.79, 1.22] vs. 0.86 [0.67, 1.05], p < 0.001) denoting greater anterior displacement, especially in those with MAC and LVOTO. After multivariable adjustment, MAC offset distance was associated with LVOTO (OR 1.16 [95% CI 1.07, 1.28] per mm, p = 0.001). Over a median follow-up of 2.7 years, 42 (29.8%) patients with MAC underwent surgery to relieve LVOTO, with no deaths.

CONCLUSION

This study adds MAC to the known geometrical alterations of the mitral valve that predispose to LVOTO and suggests that surgical relief of LVOTO in the presence of MAC is safe when performed by an experienced surgeon.

Mitral Annular Calcification in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Prevalence and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

The prevalence and clinical impact of mitral annular calcification (MAC) in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are largely unknown.

METHODS

We reviewed 2113 HCM patients who underwent septal myectomy from January 2000 to April 2016. Preoperative and intraoperative echocardiograms along with operative notes were reviewed to identify MAC. Survival was estimated and compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with mortality.

RESULTS

MAC was identified in 390 (18.5%) patients. Older age, female sex, and presence of mitral valve leaflet calcification were strongly associated with higher odds of having MAC. Patients with MAC had higher resting LVOT gradients, more likely to have worse mitral valve regurgitation (MR) preoperatively, and more likely to undergo a concomitant mitral valve replacement (6% vs 1%, P<0.001) compared to those without MAC. Postoperatively, patients with MAC had marginally higher residual MR (13% vs 8%). After a median follow-up of 6.95 (IQR 3.7- 12.1) years, survival of patients with MAC at 1, 5 and 10 years was 99%, 92% and 69% respectively. Adjusted analysis identified MAC as an independent predictor of poor survival (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.97; P=.014).

CONCLUSIONS

MAC is a frequent finding in older patients with obstructive HCM, more likely to be seen in females, and is associated with higher rates of concomitant mitral valve replacement. Despite higher prevalence of comorbidities, MAC remained an independent predictor for overall mortality following septal myectomy.

Imaging studies in patients with heart failure: current and evolving technologies

Technological advances continue to expand the clinical role of echocardiography in the intensive care unit, particularly in patients with heart failure. It has many advantages over tomographic techniques such as echo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac computed tomography, can provide rapid bedside cardiac assessment, and facilitate emergent decision-making for critically ill patients. Image quality problems in the intensive care setting have largely been overcome by the use of harmonic imaging, contrast opacification, and when indicated, transesophageal echocardiography. Newer techniques promise to advance the scope and prognostic power of echocardiography, and to expand the portability and availability of this tool.

Mitral annulus calcification--a window to diffuse atherosclerosis of the vascular system

Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) is a chronic, non-inflammatory, degenerative process of the fibrous support structure of the mitral valve. It occurs more often in women and the elderly. MAC is associated with known atherosclerotic risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. It is also known that patient with MAC have higher prevalence of left atrial and left ventricular enlargement, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, aortic valve calcification and stenosis, various cardiac conduction defects, bacterial endocarditis, cardiovascular events and stroke, though the etiological basis is unknown. Pathological studies from the 80s present a theory that MAC is a form of atherosclerosis. In order to test this theory we conducted during the last years a few clinical studies to examine the association of MAC and known atherosclerotic phenomena. We found higher prevalence of aortic atheroma in patients with MAC and atheroma thickness. We also found in MAC patients higher prevalence of carotid artery stenosis, coronary artery stenosis, peripheral artery stenosis and higher levels of beta2-Glycoprotein I antibodies in patients with MAC thickness equal or greater than 5 mm. These studies support the theory that MAC is a form of atherosclerosis and define a group of patients with higher prevalence of atherosclerotic disease in multiple blood vessels. The purpose of this review is to summarize the data concerning MAC and atherosclerotic processes, emphasizing that MAC in itself may be an atherosclerotic process.

Mitral valve calcification as an index of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with end-stage renal disease on peritoneal dialysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether mitral valve or anulus calcification (MC) in patients with end-stage renal disease is associated with abnormalities of left ventricular (LV) structure and function, cardiac characteristics of 55 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) with (n = 26; age: 59 +/- 10 years) vs without (n = 29; age: 58 +/- 12 years) MC were analyzed using echocardiography and Doppler echocardiography. Sclerosis of the mitral valve anulus was detected in 18 (7 women, 11 men; age: 58 +/- 10 years) patients, sclerosis of mitral valve leaflets in 24 (13 women, 9 men; age: 59 +/- 10 years) patients. Patients with MC had higher systolic arterial blood pressure before initiation of dialysis therapy (191/104 mm Hg vs 173/94 mm Hg; p < 0.05) and higher calcium-phosphorus products (55 +/- 13 vs 42 +/- 16; p < 0.05) during CAPD therapy than those without MC. Neither prevalence nor severity of MC was related to dialysis duration or patient age. Systolic LV function was reduced (ejection fraction: 58 +/- 12 percent vs 65 +/- 13 percent; p < 0.05) and LV end-diastolic diameters were dilated (54 +/- 5 vs 50 +/- 8 mm; p < 0.05) in patients with MC. Left atrial dilatation (73 percent vs 31 percent; p < 0.005) and mitral valve regurgitation (65 percent vs 21 percent; p < 0.001) were more frequent in patients with vs those without MC. Excluding patients with significant mitral regurgitation from pulsed Doppler analysis, diastolic LV function was comparably impaired in patients with vs those without MC (maximal early/atrial filling velocity ratio: 0.77 +/- 0.25 vs 0.75 +/- 0.22; atrial filling fraction: 47 +/- 10 percent vs 48 +/- 11 percent; p = NS). The presented data suggest that MC follows long-standing and severe arterial hypertension before start of dialysis therapy. Therefore, effective blood pressure control in the predialysis period may be a tool to prevent these lesions. MC has clinical significance as a marker of LV dilatation and reduced LV systolic function in patients with chronic CAPD.

Pitfalls in the echo-Doppler diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

While Doppler echocardiography has become the gold standard for the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, there are many pitfalls in its use. Some of these pitfalls are technical in nature resulting from inadequate image quality, incorrect transducer angulation, and improper equipment settings. Other pitfalls relate to the diversity and heterogeneity in defining hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and to the host of disorders that may mimic it by echocardiography. The pattern and extent of ventricular hypertrophy, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, and Doppler determination of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, diastolic dysfunction, and mitral regurgitation are discussed, as are wall-motion abnormalities and myocardial echo reflectivity. While these echocardiographic features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are nonspecific when seen in isolation, their combined presence in the appropriate clinical setting makes the diagnosis likely.

Progression of valvular sclerosis in end-stage renal disease treated by long-term peritoneal dialysis

While patients with end-stage renal disease treated by intermittent hemodialysis have frequent and progressive valve disease, nothing is known of the prevalence and course of valvular abnormalities in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Therefore, valves of 24 CAPD patients (ages 55 +/- 11 years; CAPD duration: 29 +/- 28 months) were studied in a prospective echocardiographic and Doppler echocardiographic follow-up analysis over 35 months. Most frequent findings were sclerosis of the aortic annulus (100% at both assessments) and of the anterior mitral valve leaflet (first vs. follow-up assessment: 88 vs. 96%). Sclerosis of the mitral valve annulus (58% vs. 63%), right coronary (54 vs. 63%) and noncoronary (50 vs. 67%) cuspis of the aortic valve and of the posterior mitral valve leaflet (25 vs. 50%) were less frequent but tended to be progressive (p = NS). The moderate form of mitral and aortic valve sclerosis was more frequent than the severe form (p < 0.01 each) at both assessments. Patients with progressive valve disease were older (60 +/- 9 vs. 50 +/- 11 years; p < 0.025) and had a higher frequency angina pectoris than those without a progression (5 vs. 0 patients; p < 0.05). The number of patients with regular sinus rhythm decreased (from 22 to 16; p < 0.03), atrial fibrillation developed in four patients, atrioventricular node rhythm following atrioventricular conduction defect developed in one patient, and atrioventricular conduction defect required implantation of a pacemaker in one patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and its association with mitral anular calcium in elderly patients

We investigated the prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) and its association with mitral anular calcium (MAC) detected by Doppler echocardiography in 379 unselected elderly patients in a long-term health care facility. HC was present in 17 of 379 patients (4 percent). Of 17 patients with HC, ten (59 percent) had asymmetric septal hypertrophy, and seven (41 percent) had idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis with resting gradients of 20 to 110 mm Hg across the left ventricular outflow tract. The mean age of patients with HC was 85 +/- 7 years compared with 82 +/- 8 years in patients without HC (difference not significant). MAC was present in 13 of 17 patients (76 percent) with HC and in 176 of 362 (49 percent) without HC (p less than 0.025).

Mitral annular calcification and coarctation of aorta

Although coarctation of the aorta is associated with various cardiac abnormalities, its association with mitral annular calcification (MAC) is not reported. We therefore report a 37-year-old patient with postductal coarctation of the aorta and MAC. Considered to be a degenerative process, MAC is usually seen in elderly patients. It is uncommon in patients less than 50 years old and rare before the age of 40 years. Previous studies have reported increased frequency of cardiac conduction disturbances in patients with MAC compared to age- and sex-matched controls. This is in agreement with complete right bundle-branch block noted on the electrocardiogram of our patient. Clinicopathologic correlative studies and long-term follow-up may determine how such conduction disturbances develop and progress.

Frequency and significance of mitral anular calcium in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: analysis of 200 necropsy patients

To determine the frequency and significance of mitral anular calcium (MAC) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC), 43 clinical and morphologic variables in 200 necropsy cases of HC were examined. Of 100 patients less than 40 years of age, none had MAC. Of the 100 necropsy patients greater than 40 years, 30 (30%) had MAC, 21 (70%) of whom were women. The mean age of the 30 MAC patients was older than that of the 70 non-MAC patients greater than 40 years of age (66 years vs 53 years). The frequency of MAC increased with age. MAC was present in 3 of 31 patients (10%) aged 41 to 50 years; in 6 of 34 patients (18%) aged 51 to 60 years; in 11 of 21 patients (52%) aged 61 to 70 years; and in 10 of 14 patients (71%) aged 71 to 90 years. Compared with the 70 patients greater than 40 years of age without MAC, the 30 patients greater than 40 years of age with MAC had higher average systemic arterial peak systolic pressure (133 mm Hg vs 113 mm Hg); a larger percentage of the MAC patients had calcific deposits in the epicardial coronary arteries (93% vs 41%) and in the aortic valve cusps (33% vs 6%); and a larger percentage of the MAC patients had severe narrowing by atherosclerotic plaques of 1 or more of the 4 major epicardial coronary arteries (47% vs 24%). The frequency of a history of systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus and total serum cholesterol levels greater than 200 mg/dl in the patients with and without MAC was similar.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)