Validation of a new score for the assessment of mitral stenosis using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Impact of commissural calcification on clinical outcome of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty; a retrospective cohort study of 876 patients

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is the ACC/AHA class I recommendation for treating symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis with suitable valve morphology, less than moderate MR and absence of left atrium clot. The mitral valve restenosis and significant mitral regurgitation (MR) are known adverse outcomes of PBMV. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of PBMV in patients with severe mitral stenosis and the effect of Commissural Calcification (CC) on the outcomes.

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective cohort study, 876 patients who underwent PBMV were categorized into three groups based on their Wilkins score (Group I: score ≤ 8, Group II: score 9-10, and Group III: score 11-12). Patients were evaluated before, early after PBMV and at 6- and 24-month follow-ups. Main clinical outcomes were defined as significant restenosis and or symptomatic significant MR (moderate to severe and severe MR) or candidate for mitral valve replacement (MVR). The outcomes were compared between patients with and without CC.

RESULTS

A total of 876 patients with mean age 46.4 ± 12.3 years (81.0% females) were categorized based on Wilkins score. 333 (38.0%) were in Group I, 501 (57.2%) were in Group II, and 42 (4.8%) were in Group III. CC was present in 175 (20.0%) of the patients, among whom 95 (54.3%) had calcification of the anterolateral commissure, 64 (36.6%) had calcification of the posteromedial commissure, and in 16 (9.1%) patients both commissures were calcified. There was a significant difference in Wilkins score between patients with and without CC (P < 0.001). CC was associated with higher odds of significant symptomatic MR at early and mid-term follow up (OR: 1.69, 95%CI 1.19-2.41, P = 0.003; and OR: 3.90, 95%CI 2.61-5.83, P < 0.001, respectively), but not with restenosis (P = 0.128). Wilkins Groups II and III did not show higher odds of significant symptomatic MR compared to Group I at early (II: P = 0.784; III: P = 0.098) and mid-term follow up (II: P = 0.216; III: P = 0.227). Patients in Wilkins Group II had higher odds of restenosis compared to Group I (OR: 2.96,95%CI: 1.35-6.27, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Commissural calcification (CC) is an independent predictor of the significant symptomatic MR (an important determinant of adverse outcome) following PBMV in the early and mid-term follow-up. Mitral valve restenosis occurs more in patients with higher Wilkins score compared to group I with score ≤ 8. Combined Wilkins score and CC should be considered for patient suitability for PBMV.

Assessment of suitability for percutaneous mitral commissurotomy: a contemporary review of key anatomical criteria and predictive models

The immediate result of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy is largely determined by the anatomy of the mitral valve complex. Several scores and models have been developed to assess anatomical suitability for percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy. Although none has an optimal predictive power, these models look at the valvular apparatus from different perspectives bearing the potential for a complementary role.

Multimodality imaging for patient selection, procedural guidance, and follow-up of transcatheter interventions for structural heart disease: a consensus document of the EACVI Task Force on Interventional Cardiovascular Imaging: part 1: access routes, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, and transcatheter mitral valve interventions

Transcatheter therapies for the treatment of structural heart diseases (SHD) have expanded dramatically over the last years, thanks to the developments and improvements of devices and imaging techniques, along with the increasing expertise of operators. Imaging, in particular echocardiography, is pivotal during patient selection, procedural monitoring, and follow-up. The imaging assessment of patients undergoing transcatheter interventions places demands on imagers that differ from those of the routine evaluation of patients with SHD, and there is a need for specific expertise for those working in the cath lab. In the context of the current rapid developments and growing use of SHD therapies, this document intends to update the previous consensus document and address new advancements in interventional imaging for access routes and treatment of patients with aortic stenosis and regurgitation, and mitral stenosis and regurgitation.

Clinical Utility of Three-Dimensional Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Mitral Valve Disease: Tips and Tricks

Although real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) has only been introduced in the last decades, its use still needs to be improved since it is a time-consuming and operator-dependent technique and acquiring a good quality data can be difficult. Moreover, the additive value of this important diagnostic tool still needs to be wholly appreciated in clinical practice. This review aims at explaining how, why, and when performing RT3DE is useful in clinical practice.

Mitral valve stenosis in the current era: a changing landscape

Mitral stenosis results from haemodynamic obstruction at the mitral valve level because of structural abnormalities of the valve apparatus, leading to increased resistance to the transmitral flow. Although rheumatic fever remains the predominant cause of mitral stenosis worldwide, other causes are increasingly relevant in the developed countries with degenerative mitral stenosis (DMS) because of mitral annulus calcification (MAC) becoming growingly prevalent in industrialized countries with higher life expectancy. Rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) and DMS display dramatic differences in pathophysiology, prognosis, and disease progression. Furthermore, to date, robust evidence regarding the management of DMS because of MAC is lacking. Nevertheless, new diagnostic techniques and catheter-based interventions are changing this landscape and paving the way to a significant reduction in DMS-related morbidity and mortality. Here we briefly review the current knowledge on the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of DMS and RMS, underscoring the current diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, as well as persisting uncertainties and perspectives.

Measurement of mitral valve area by direct three dimensional planimetry compared to multiplanar reconstruction in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis

Mitral valve area (MVA) measurement by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) has a crucial role in the evaluation of mitral stenosis (MS) severity. Three-dimensional direct (3D-direct) planimetry has been proposed as a new technique to measure mitral valve area. This study aimed to compare the 3D-direct mitral valve planimetry to conventional three-dimensional multiplanar reconstruction (3D-MPR) in severe MS using 3D-TEE. In this cross-sectional, prospective study; 149 patients with severe MS who were referred for transesophageal echocardiography in Shahid Madani Hospital (Tabriz Iran), just before percutaneous transmitral commissurotomy (PTMC), recruited consecutively. All patients underwent 2D transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) and 3D-TEE in a single session before PTMC. During 2D-TTE planimetry, pressure half time (PHT), and proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) were applied to measure the MVA. Transmitral mean pressure gradient (MPG) was measured. During 3D-TEE, MVA planimetry was carried out with both 3D-direct and 3D-MPR methods. 3D-direct was applied from both atrial and ventricular views. The consistency of MVA measurements with 3D-direct, 3D-MPR, and 2D-TTE methods was statistically investigated. Our sample consisted of 109 (73.2%) women and 40 (26.8%) men. The mean age was 51.75 ± 9.81 years. The agreement between 3D-direct and 3D-MPR planimetry was significant and moderate (0.99 ± 0.29 cm2 vs. 1.12 ± 0.26 cm2, intraclass correlation = 0.716, p value = 0.001).The accuracy of the 3D-direct method reduced significantly compared to the MPR method at MVA > 1.5 cm2. The maximum difference between two methods was observed in cases with MVAs larger than 1.5 cm2. MVA measured with the 3D-MPR method was significantly correlated with a 2D-TTE method, with a moderate agreement (intraclass correlation = 0.644, p value = 0.001). Also, 2D-TTE and 3D-direct TEE techniques yielded significantly consistent measurements of the MVA (1.06 ± 0.026 cm2 vs. 0.99 ± 0.29 cm2, intraclass correlation = 0.787, p value = 0.001); however, with a slight overestimation of the MVA by the former with a net difference of 0.06 ± 0.013 cm2. Mitral valve pressure gradient (MPG) had no significant correlation with planimetry results. A significant inverse correlation was seen between the MVA and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure. 3D-direct planimetry has an acceptable agreement with 3D-MPR planimetry at MVA less than 1.5 cm2, but their correlation decreases significantly at MVA above 1.5 cm2. 3D-direct planimetry underestimates MVA compared to 3D-MPR, especially at MVA above 1.5 cm2. It seems that the saddle shape of mitral valve, interferes with 3D-direct measurement of commissures at moderate MS. The 2D-TTE planimetry has generally acceptable accuracy, but its correlation to the 3D-TEE methods is significantly reduced in cases with moderate to severe MS (i.e. MVA > 1.0 cm2).

Impact of 3D transesophageal echocardiography assessment of mitral valve on short-term outcome of Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty using additional quantitative parameters

The goals of this prospective observational study were to identify quantitative morphological factors that might aid in the prediction of PBMV outcome, as well as to define the function of 3D TEE in mitral valve evaluation. Material and Methods: The trial comprised seventy individuals who had isolated severe rheumatic Mitral Stenosis (MS) who were scheduled for PBMV between October 2017 and March 2021. Trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) was used for pre-procedural evaluation. Posterior to Anterior Leaflet Length Ratio (P/ALLR), Commissural Area Ratio (CAR), Doming Height (DH), and Calcification Score (Ca score) were also assessed using 2D and 3D-Trans-esophageal Echocardiography (TEE). Following that, all patients were monitored for three months. Results: We have had 50(71.5%) successful procedures and 20(28.5%) unsuccessful procedures. The additional parameters showed highly significant difference between successful and un-successful groups (P-value <0.001). The cut-off points that predict successful procedures were; P/A LLR >0.6 and >0.55 by 2-D and 3-D TEE respectively, CAR ≤ 1.28 and ≤ 1.25 by 2-D and 3-D TEE respectively, DH > 1.2 cm by 2-D TEE, and Ca Score ≤ 2. Conclusion: In our research, we discovered that these characteristics may predict the result of PBMV and contribute value to the semi-quantitative methodologies we adopted to use.

The Role of 2D and 3D Echo in Mitral Stenosis

Mitral stenosis is an important cause of heart valve disease globally. Echocardiography is the main imaging modality used to diagnose and assess the severity and hemodynamic consequences of mitral stenosis as well as valve morphology. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is sufficient for the management of most patients. The focus of this review is the role of current two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic imaging for the evaluation of mitral stenosis.

3D Echocardiography for Rheumatic Heart Disease Analysis: Ready for Prime Time

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains to be a very important health issue worldwide, mainly in underdeveloped countries. It continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout developing countries. RHD is a delayed non-suppurative immunologically mediated inflammatory response to the throat infection caused by a hemolytic streptococcus from the A group (Streptococcus pyogenes). RHD keeps position 1 as the most common cardiovascular disease in young people aged <25 years considering all the continents. The disease can lead to valvular cardiac lesions as well as to carditis. Rheumatic fever valvular injuries lead most commonly to the fusion and thickening of the edges of the cusps and to the fusion, thickening, and shortening of the chordae and ultimately to calcification of the valves. Valvular commissures can also be deeply compromised, leading to severe stenosis. Atrial and ventricular remodeling is also common following rheumatic infection. Mixed valvular lesions are more common than isolated valvular disorders. Echocardiography is the most relevant imaging technique not only to provide diagnostic information but also to enable prognostic data. Further, it presents a very important role for the correction of complications after surgical repair of rheumatic heart valvulopathies. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography provides additional anatomical and morphofunctional information of utmost importance for patients presenting rheumatic valvopathies. Accordingly, three-dimensional echocardiography is ready for routine use in patients with RHD presenting with valvular abnormalities.

Agreement between three-dimensional planimetry and mitral navigation method in the assessment of mitral valve area in rheumatic severe mitral stenosis

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatic heart disease predisposes to structural changes in the mitral valve including commissural fusion and calcification with subsequent narrowing of the mitral valve orifice resulting in rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS). To define the best therapeutic strategy, an accurate measurement of mitral valve area (MVA) for RMS is of paramount importance. The propose of the present study was to assess the agreement between the mitral navigation method (MVN) and three-dimensional (3D) planimetry in the assessment of MVA in patients with RMS.

METHODS

Patients who were diagnosed with a different degree of mitral stenosis with the standard transthoracic echocardiography methods such as the pressure half time and planimetry underwent 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination. 3D TEE zoom mitral valve planimetry was measured in the diastolic frame during the mitral valve's largest opening. By using MVN software of the Philips Q-Lab, MVA was measured at its maximum diastolic opening. Both 3D planimetry (3DPL) and MVN were measured at the mid diastole during the mitral valve's largest opening.

RESULTS

In this retrospective analysis, we examined consecutive 37 RMS patients (mean age 51.1 ± 11.6 years, 31 patients were female). MVA measured by the MVN method was found to be highly correlated with the 3D MVA measured by 3DPL (r = 0.937, p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our results, we showed that the MVN method may be additionally used in detecting the severity of RMS.

New perspectives by imaging modalities for an old illness: Rheumatic mitral stenosis

Mitral stenosis (MS) is a progressive and devastating disease and most often occurs among young women. Given its considerable prevalence in Mediterranean and Eastern European countries according to the Euro Heart Survey, new imaging modalities are warranted to improve the management of patients with this condition. A wide spectrum of abnormalities occurs involving all parts of this complex structure and causing different grades of MS and/or regurgitation as a consequence of rheumatic affection. Novel imaging modalities significantly improved the assessment of several aspects of this rheumatic destructive process including the morphological alterations of the mitral valve (MV) apparatus, left atrial (LA) function, LA appendage, right and left ventricular (LV) functions, and complications, namely, atrial fibrillation and thromboembolic events. Furthermore, new imaging modalities improved the prediction of outcome of patients who underwent percutaneous balloon mitral comissurotomy and changed the paradigm of patient selection for intervention and risk stratification. The present review aimed to summarize the role of new multimodality, multiparametric imaging approaches to assess the morphological characteristics of the rheumatic MS and its associated complications, and to guide patient management.

Degenerative mitral valve stenosis: Diagnosis and management

Mitral stenosis (MS) is a common valvular disease characterized by narrowing of the mitral valve orifice and a reduction in mitral valve area (MVA). While rheumatic MS (RMS) is frequently encountered in young individuals in developing countries, degenerative MS (DMS) is seen in the elderly in developed countries and its prevalence is increasing. DMS is usually a late presentation of mitral annular calcification (MAC). Accurate assessment of MVA in patients with MAC is challenging due to the alterations in the atrial and valvular structures as well as the presence of other comorbidities in this aging population. We will review the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic assessment, and management of DMS and compare the findings with RMS. The latest therapeutic approaches, including medical, surgical, and transcatheter valvular interventions, will be discussed.

Additive value of 3D-echo in prediction of immediate outcome after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty

Background

Results of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) are basically dependent on suitable patient selection. Currently used two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography (2DE) scores have many limitations. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography (3DE)-based scores were developed for better patient selection and outcome prediction. We aimed to compare between 3D-Anwar and 2D-Wilkins scores in mitral assessment for BMV, and investigate the additive value of 3DE in prediction of immediate post-procedural outcome. Fifty patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis and candidates for BMV were included. Patients were subjected to 2D- and real-time 3D-transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before and immediately after BMV for assessing MV area (MVA), 2D-Wilkins and 3D-Anwar score, commissural splitting, and mitral regurgitation (MR). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was also undertaken immediately before and intra-procedural. Percutaneous BMV was performed by either multi-track or Inoue balloon technique.

Results

The 2DE underestimated post-procedural MVA than 3DE (p = 0.008). Patients with post-procedural suboptimal MVA or significant MR had higher 3D-Anwar score compared to 2D-Wilkins score (p = 0.008 and p = 0.03 respectively). The 3D-Anwar score showed a negative correlation with post-procedural MVA (r = − 0.48, p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for both scores revealed superior prediction of suboptimal results by 3D-Anwar score (p < 0.0001). The 3DE showed better post-procedural posterior-commissural splitting than 2DE (p = 0.004). Results of both multi-track and Inoue balloon were comparable except for favorable posterior-commissural splitting by multi-track balloon (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

The 3DE gave valuable additive data before BMV that may predict immediate post-procedural outcome and suboptimal results.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s43044-019-0019-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A Modified Echocardiographic Classification of Mitral Valve Regurgitation Mechanism: The Role of Three-dimensional Echocardiography

In this report, we provide an overview of a new, updated echocardiographic classification of mitral regurgitation mechanisms to provide a more comprehensive and detailed assessment of mitral valve disorders. This is relevant to modern mitral valve repair techniques, with special attention to the added value of 3D-echocardiography.

Rheumatic Mitral Valve Stenosis: Diagnosis and Treatment Options

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides an update on rheumatic mitral stenosis. Acute rheumatic fever (RF), the sequela of group A β-hemolytic streptococcal infection, is the major etiology for mitral stenosis (MS).

RECENT FINDINGS

While the incidence of acute RF in the Western world had substantially declined over the past five decades, this trend is reversing due to immigration from non-industrialized countries where rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is higher. Pre-procedural evaluation for treatment of MS using a multimodality approach with 2D and 3D transthoracic and transesophageal echo, stress echo, cardiac CT scanning, and cardiac MRI as well as hemodynamic assessment by cardiac catheterization is discussed. The current methods of percutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy (PMBC) and surgery are also discussed. New data on long-term follow-up after PMBC is also presented. For severe rheumatic MS, medical therapy is ineffective and definitive therapy entails PMBC in patients with suitable morphological mitral valve (MV) characteristics, or surgery. As procedural outcomes depend heavily on appropriate case selection, definitive imaging and interpretation are crucial. It is also important to understand the indications as well as morphological MV characteristics to identify the appropriate treatment with PMBC or surgery.

Stepwise Protocols for Scoring of Mitral Valve using Three-Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography in Mitral Stenosis

Aim:

This study aims to propose protocols that enable scoring of mitral valve (MV) in mitral stenosis using the three-dimensional (3D) scoring system.

Methods:

A two-staged study was conducted. The first stage was designed to select the best 3D images of MV leaflets and chordae through analysis of 471 images. The second stage was designed to organize the best 3D images into protocols for complete scoring of MV. It included 35 consecutive patients; 23 had sinus rhythm (SR) and 12 had atrial fibrillation (AF). Both single- and multi-beat 3D acquisition from apical and parasternal windows were focused on MV leaflets and chordae using all 3D modalities (live, zoom, and full volume). To propose the protocols, 1563 images were analyzed.

Results:

In SR with good apical window, 2 protocols were recommended for complete scoring of leaflets and chordae (4 zoom 3D images [1 image for leaflets and 3 images for chordae] and 1 full-volume 3D image) using single- and multi-beat acquisition. In AF, the same 2 protocols using single-beat acquisition were recommended. From parasternal window, complete scoring of leaflets was obtained by 3 recommended protocols (single- or multi-beat zoom 3D images from parasternal short axis [PSAX], multibeat live 3D images from PSAX, and single- or multi-beat full-volume 3D images from parasternal long axis) in SR and 1 protocol in AF (single-beat zoom 3D images from PSAX). Scoring of chordae was incomplete in all patients by all 3D modalities.

Conclusions:

The proposed 3D-transthoracic echocardiography protocols suit all patients regardless of echo window and heart rhythm and enabled complete MV scoring.

Quantification of rheumatic mitral stenosis severity with three-dimensional vena contracta area

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) is an important health issue in developing countries. Assessment of the correct mitral valve area (MVA) is essential for the timing of intervention. Most of the parameters for the assessment of rheumatic MS are derived from Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is commonly used in our daily practice at the present time. The aim of this study was to assess the value of 3D echocardiography mitral valve vena contracta area (VCA) in predicting the severity of Rheumatic MS by comparing 3D planimetry.

METHODS

The patients, who had been diagnosed as mild, moderate, and severe rheumatic MS with conventional methods (pressure half time, planimetry) by 2D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)/ transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), underwent 3D TEE evaluation. Also, the patients who had an atrial fibrillation and more than moderate aortic regurgitation were included in the study. 3D TEE full volume mitral valve VCA was measured in end-diastole during its largest dimensions. 3D TEE full volume and 3D zoom MVA planimetry were measured at the end-diastole during the mitral valve`s largest opening.

RESULTS

We studied 40 patients (the mean age: 51.1 ± 11.6 years, 31 females) with rheumatic MS. 3D TEE VCA was found to be highly correlated with the 3D TEE MVA (r = 0.82, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study findings provide evidence that 3D TEE mitral valve VCA can be additionally used in detecting the severity of rheumatic MS.

Role of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in predicting mitral regurgitation after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) can be complicated with significant mitral regurgitation (MR). We performed a pilot, prospective study to evaluate the role of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) in the prediction of MR after PBMV through mitral valve quantification (MVQ).

METHODS

Between October 2014 and October 2016, 37 patients with rheumatic, moderate-to-severe mitral stenosis, referred to the Cath lab of Bab Alshearia University hospitals for PBMV, were divided into two age and sex matched groups. Group I included 25 patients without significant MR following PBMV [vena contract area (VCA) <0.4cm2], while group II included 12 patients with significant MR after PBMV [VCA ≥0.4cm2]. Both groups were comparable in terms of TEE data, Wilkins score for favorability of PBMV and baseline hemodynamics.

RESULTS

Data from MVQ showed that both groups were comparable (p>0.05) in terms of MV annulus quantification (Anteroposterior diameter, annular sphericity, 3D area and height), MV scallops (A1, A2, A3, P1, P2 and P3) areas, as well as A1 and A2 tenting volumes. However, we recorded significant differences between the two groups as regard total MV, A2, P2 and P3 tenting volumes (p<0.05) and tenting height (p=0.03), as well as A2, A3 and P2 prolapse volumes (p<0.05). Moreover, our data showed a significant difference between both groups in terms of MV coaptation heights (p=0.01), but not in anterior coaptation length (p=0.13).

CONCLUSION

Mitral valve quantification through 3D-TEE is a simple automated method, easily applicable to patients before PBMV. Moreover, MVQ-derived data, such as MV scallops' tenting and prolapse volumes, coaptation heights, and exposed and total A2 lengths may predict the possibility of significant MR after PBMV.

Interventional Echocardiography of the MV: What the Interventionalist Wants to Know

The past 2 decades have seen a proliferation of transcatheter mitral valve (MV) therapies, which are less invasive and distinct from surgical MV repair or replacement. The commonly used MV transcatheter therapies include (1) percutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy (PMBC) for rheumatic mitral stenosis; (2) edge-to-edge repair with the MitraClip for mitral regurgitation; (3) valve-in-valve implantation in bioprosthetic MV, native MV, or mitral ring; and (4) closure of paravalvular leaks (PVLs). This article will focus on the use of echocardiography in the diagnosis, patient selection, procedural guidance, and postprocedural follow-up for PMBC, with notes on the role of transesophageal echocardiography in transcatheter interventions for prosthetic valve degeneration and PVL closure.

Current Clinical Applications of Three-Dimensional Echocardiography: When the Technique Makes the Difference

Advances in ultrasound, computer, and electronics technology have permitted three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) to become a clinically viable imaging modality, with significant impact on patient diagnosis, management, and outcome. Thanks to the inception of a fully sampled matrix transducer for transthoracic and transesophageal probes, 3DE now offers much faster and easier data acquisition, immediate display of anatomy, and the possibility of online quantitative analysis of cardiac chambers and heart valves. The clinical use of transthoracic 3DE has been primarily focused, albeit not exclusively, on the assessment of cardiac chamber volumes and function. Transesophageal 3DE has been applied mostly for assessing heart valve anatomy and function. The advantages of using 3DE to measure cardiac chamber volumes derive from the lack of geometric assumptions about their shape and the avoidance of the apical view foreshortening, which are the main shortcomings of volume calculations from two-dimensional echocardiographic views. Moreover, 3DE offers a unique realistic en face display of heart valves, congenital defects, and surrounding structures allowing a better appreciation of the dynamic functional anatomy of cardiac abnormalities in vivo. Offline quantitation of 3DE data sets has made significant contributions to our mechanistic understanding of normal and diseased heart valves, as well as of their alterations induced by surgical or interventional procedures. As reparative cardiac surgery and transcatheter procedures become more and more popular for treating structural heart disease, transesophageal 3DE has expanded its role as the premier technique for procedure planning, intra-procedural guidance, as well as for checking device function and potential complications after the procedure.

Development and Validation of a Teaching Module for Echocardiographic Scoring of Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis

BACKGROUND

The Wilkins score and commissural calcification scores predict outcomes after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty. However, many cardiologists are inadequately trained in their application-both in the United States where the incidence of rheumatic heart disease has fallen and in rheumatic heart disease endemic countries where training infrastructure is weak.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to develop a computer-based educational module teaching 2 scoring systems for rheumatic mitral stenosis and to validate the module among cardiology fellows in the United States and Uganda.

METHODS

We developed a module organized into 3 sets of 10 echocardiograms each. The module was completed by 13 cardiology fellows from 2 academic centers in the United States and 1 in Uganda. Subject answers were compared with a score assigned by 2 experts in echocardiography. The primary outcome was change in subjects' accuracy from set 1 to set 3, measured by mean absolute deviation from expert scores. Secondary outcomes included change in interoperator variability and individual subject bias from set 1 to set 3.

RESULTS

The mean absolute deviations from expert scores in sets 1 and 3 were 2.09 and 1.82 for the Wilkins score (possible score range 0 to 16) and 1.13 and 0.94 for the commissural calcification score (possible score range 0 to 4). The change from set 1 to set 3 was statistically significant only for 1 of the Wilkins component scores (leaflet calcification, p < 0.001.) No change was seen in the interoperator variability. Individual subject bias in assigning the total Wilkins score was reduced from set 1 to set 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of this module has the potential to enhance the training of cardiologists in the echocardiographic assessment of mitral stenosis. Modified versions of this module or similar ones should be tested in targeted populations of cardiology trainees with the most exposure to mitral stenosis interventions.

Use of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate mitral valve morphology for risk stratification prior to mitral valvuloplasty

Mitral stenosis is often managed percutaneously with an interventional procedure such as balloon commissurotomy. Although this often results in an increased mitral valve area and improved clinical symptoms, this procedure is not benign and may have serious complications including the development of hemodynamically significant mitral valve regurgitation. Multiple scoring systems have been developed to attempt to risk stratify these patients prior to their procedure.

CASE

A 64-year-old patient underwent an emergent mitral valve replacement after having percutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy complicated by development of severe mitral regurgitation. Prior to valvuloplasty, her mitral valve was evaluated by traditional methods including calculation of a Wilkins score. Her mitral valve was evaluated after valvuloplasty and preoperatively with three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. This examination demonstrated heterogeneous distribution of calcification affecting the mitral valve commissures more than the leaflets, which is consistent with the noncommissural leaflet tearing that occurred during her procedure, causing severe mitral regurgitation. In the future, careful 3D evaluation of mitral valve morphology including leaflets, annular calcification, and subvalvular apparatus may help risk stratify patients prior to intervention.

Significance of silent carditis and investigation of follow-up signs in acute rheumatic fever

AIM

This study aimed to demonstrate the importance of ECHO in the diagnosis and long-term follow-up of silent carditis.

MATERIAL & METHODS

This study included 182 (157 arthritis; 25 chorea) patients out of 214 patients who had been diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever for the first time. All of the patients were scanned with ECHO between specific intervals.

RESULTS

While there was no recovery observed in isolated aortic insufficiency during long-term follow-up, recovery in isolated mitral insufficiency was found. As the follow-up time of the mitral and aortic insufficiencies became longer, there was an increase in recovery in aortic insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

Follow-up results of silent carditis support that ECHO should be among the major criteria used to diagnose rheumatic carditis.

Update on percutaneous mitral commissurotomy

Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) is the first-line therapy for managing rheumatic mitral stenosis. Over the past two decades, the indications of the procedure have expanded to include patients with unfavourable valve anatomy as a consequence of epidemiological changes in patient population. The procedure is increasingly being performed in patients with increased age, more deformed valves and associated comorbidities. Echocardiography plays a crucial role in patient selection and to guide a more efficient procedure. The main echocardiographic predictors of immediate results after PMC are mitral valve area, subvalvular thickening and valve calcification, especially at the commissural level. However, procedural success rate is not only dependent on valve anatomy, but a number of other factors including patient characteristics, interventional management strategies and operator expertise. Severe mitral regurgitation continues to be the most common immediate procedural complication with unchanged incidence rates over time. The long-term outcome after PMC is mainly determined by the immediate procedural results. Postprocedural parameters associated with late adverse events include mitral valve area, mitral regurgitation severity, mean gradient and pulmonary artery pressure. Mitral restenosis is an important predictor of event-free survival rates after successful PMC, and repeat procedure can be considered in cases with commissural refusion. PMC can be performed in special situations, which include high-risk patients, during pregnancy and in the presence of left atrial thrombus, especially in centres with specialised expertise. Therefore, procedural decision-making should take into account the several determinant factors of PMC outcomes. This paper provides an overview and update of PMC techniques, complications, immediate and long-term results over time, and assessment of suitability for the procedure.

Semi-automated segmentation and quantification of mitral annulus and leaflets from transesophageal 3-D echocardiographic images

Quantification of three-dimensional (3-D) morphology of the mitral valve (MV) using real-time 3-D transesophageal echocardiography (RT3-D TEE) has proved to be a valuable tool for the assessment of MV pathologies, but of limited use in clinical practice because it relies on user-intensive approaches. This study presents a new algorithm for the segmentation and morphologic quantification of the mitral annulus (MA) and mitral leaflets (ML) in closed valve configuration from RT3-D TEE volumes. Following initialization, the MA and the ML and the coaptation line (CL) are automatically obtained in 3-D. Validation with manual tracings was performed on 33 patients, resulting in segmentation errors in the order of 0.7 mm and 0.6 mm for the MA and ML segmentation, in addition to good intra- and inter-observer reproducibility (coefficients of variation below 12% and 15%, respectively). The ability of the algorithm to assess different MV pathologies as well as repaired valves with implanted annular rings was also explored. The reported performance of the proposed fast, semi-automated MA and ML quantification makes it promising for future applications in clinical settings such as the operating room, where obtaining results in short time is important.

Role of modern 3D echocardiography in valvular heart disease

Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography has been conceived as one of the most promising methods for the diagnosis of valvular heart disease, and recently has become an integral clinical tool thanks to the development of high quality real-time transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). In particular, for mitral valve diseases, this new approach has proven to be the most unique, powerful, and convincing method for understanding the complicated anatomy of the mitral valve and its dynamism. The method has been useful for surgical management, including robotic mitral valve repair. Moreover, this method has become indispensable for nonsurgical mitral procedures such as edge to edge mitral repair and transcatheter closure of paravaluvular leaks. In addition, color Doppler 3D echo has been valuable to identify the location of the regurgitant orifice and the severity of the mitral regurgitation. For aortic and tricuspid valve diseases, this method may not be quite as valuable as for the mitral valve. However, the necessity of 3D echo is recognized for certain situations even for these valves, such as for evaluating the aortic annulus for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. It is now clear that this method, especially with the continued development of real-time 3D TEE technology, will enhance the diagnosis and management of patients with these valvular heart diseases.

Predictors of successful percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy using the Bonhoeffer Multi-Track system in patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis: Can we see beyond the Wilkins score?

Objective

To know the predictors of a successful outcome of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) other than described in the Wilkins scoring system.

Methods

Two hundred fifty-eight consecutive patients were enrolled for this observational study in a tertiary care heart center of Pakistan who had a Wilkins score of ≤8. Patients with more than mild mitral regurgitation (MR) or having a clot in the left atrium were excluded. The Bonhoeffer multi-track system was used as a default technique. Successful PTMC was defined as achieving a mitral valve area (MVA) of ≥1.5 cm² with no more than mild MR.

Results

Out of 258 PTMC procedures, 197 were successful. The Bonhoeffer multi-track system was used in ~94% cases. Among unsuccessful procedures, 41 patients did not achieve the required valve area, and 21 patients developed more than mild MR, including those 8 patients who did not achieve the required valve area and had more than mild MR. Bigger mean annulus size (33.5±2.6 versus 32.8±2.1 mm; p=0.02) and pre-procedure MVA (0.93±0.1 versus 0.87±0.1 cm²; p=0.002) had a significant effect on successful PTMC. Lower mean preprocedure systolic right ventricular pressure on echo (65.4±19.4 versus 75.3±18 mm Hg; p=0.000) and on cath (74±21.5 versus 81.5±24.6 mm Hg; p=0.002), lower grade of left ventricular dysfunction (p=0.04), and tricuspid regurgitation on echo (p=0.003) also had positive effects on the outcome.

Conclusion

Bigger preprocedure mitral valve annulus size and mitral valve area, and better left and right ventricular hemodynamics are correlated with successful PTMC.

3-dimensional echocardiography and its role in preoperative mitral valve evaluation

Echocardiography plays a key role in the preoperative evaluation of mitral valve disease. 3-dimensional echocardiography is a relatively new development that is being used more and more frequently in the evaluation of these patients. This article reviews the available literature comparing the use of this new technology to classic techniques in the assessment of mitral valve pathology. The authors also review some of the novel insights learned from 3-dimensional echocardiography and how they may be used in surgical decision making and planning.

The echo score revisited: Impact of incorporating commissural morphology and leaflet displacement to the prediction of outcome for patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty

BACKGROUND

Current echocardiographic scoring systems for percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) have limitations. This study examined new, more quantitative methods for assessing valvular involvement and the combination of parameters that best predicts immediate and long-term outcome after PMV.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two cohorts (derivation n=204 and validation n=121) of patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis undergoing PMV were studied. Mitral valve morphology was assessed by using both the conventional Wilkins qualitative parameters and novel quantitative parameters, including the ratio between the commissural areas and the maximal excursion of the leaflets from the annulus in diastole. Independent predictors of outcome were assigned a points value proportional to their regression coefficients: mitral valve area ≤1 cm(2) (2), maximum leaflets displacement ≤12 mm (3), commissural area ratio ≥1.25 (3), and subvalvular involvement (3). Three risk groups were defined: low (score of 0-3), intermediate (score of 5), and high (score of 6-11) with observed suboptimal PMV results of 16.9%, 56.3%, and 73.8%, respectively. The use of the same scoring system in the validation cohort yielded suboptimal PMV results of 11.8%, 72.7%, and 87.5% in the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively. The model improved risk classification in comparison with the Wilkins score (net reclassification improvement 45.2%; P<0.0001). Long-term outcome was predicted by age and postprocedural variables, including mitral regurgitation, mean gradient, and pulmonary pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

A scoring system incorporating new quantitative echocardiographic parameters more accurately predicts outcome following PMV than existing models. Long-term post-PMV event-free survival was predicted by age, degree of mitral regurgitation, and postprocedural hemodynamic data.

The role of echocardiography during mitral valve percutaneous interventions

Transesophageal echocardiography is routinely used to guide percutaneous interventions involving the mitral valve. Mitral balloon valvuloplasty for rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (MS) was the first percutaneous intervention to gain wide acceptance. New techniques have been developed to treat degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation (MR) as well as paravalvular mitral leak (PVML). This review describes the use of echocardiography for transcatheter treatment of MS, MR, and PVML.

Native Cardiac Valve Pathology

Anatomy of the native cardiac valves, reasons for surgical excision and examination, and a summary of the gross examination and documentation are presented. Aortic stenosis, aortic valve regurgitation, tricuspid and pulmonary valve pathology, mitral stenosis, and mitral insufficiency are each presented with an overview, focused anatomy, and discussion of pathologic diagnosis by gross examination and histology.

Current clinical applications of transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography

The advent of three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) has significantly improved the impact of non-invasive imaging on our understanding and management of cardiac diseases in clinical practice. Transthoracic 3DE enables an easier, more accurate and reproducible interpretation of the complex cardiac anatomy, overcoming the intrinsic limitations of conventional echocardiography. The availability of unprecedented views of cardiac structures from any perspective in the beating heart provides valuable clinical information and new levels of confidence in diagnosing heart disease. One major advantage of the third dimension is the improvement in the accuracy and reproducibility of chamber volume measurement by eliminating geometric assumptions and errors caused by foreshortened views. Another benefit of 3DE is the realistic en face views of heart valves, enabling a better appreciation of the severity and mechanisms of valve diseases in a unique, noninvasive manner. The purpose of this review is to provide readers with an update on the current clinical applications of transthoracic 3DE, emphasizing the incremental benefits of 3DE over conventional two-dimensional echocardiography.

World Heart Federation criteria for echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease--an evidence-based guideline

Over the past 5 years, the advent of echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has revealed a higher RHD burden than previously thought. In light of this global experience, the development of new international echocardiographic guidelines that address the full spectrum of the rheumatic disease process is opportune. Systematic differences in the reporting of and diagnostic approach to RHD exist, reflecting differences in local experience and disease patterns. The World Heart Federation echocardiographic criteria for RHD have, therefore, been developed and are formulated on the basis of the best available evidence. Three categories are defined on the basis of assessment by 2D, continuous-wave, and color-Doppler echocardiography: 'definite RHD', 'borderline RHD', and 'normal'. Four subcategories of 'definite RHD' and three subcategories of 'borderline RHD' exist, to reflect the various disease patterns. The morphological features of RHD and the criteria for pathological mitral and aortic regurgitation are also defined. The criteria are modified for those aged over 20 years on the basis of the available evidence. The standardized criteria aim to permit rapid and consistent identification of individuals with RHD without a clear history of acute rheumatic fever and hence allow enrollment into secondary prophylaxis programs. However, important unanswered questions remain about the importance of subclinical disease (borderline or definite RHD on echocardiography without a clinical pathological murmur), and about the practicalities of implementing screening programs. These standardized criteria will help enable new studies to be designed to evaluate the role of echocardiographic screening in RHD control.

Advances in 3D echocardiography for mitral valve

The advent of real-time (RT) 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 2007 has enhanced our understanding of the location and extent of the pathology of the native, as well as prosthetic, mitral valve (MV), particularly for MV prolapse and the anatomy of perivalvular dehiscence with prosthetic MV. MV quantification programs provide precise assessment of many quantitative MV parameters allowing 3D echocardiography to determine and quantify the geometry of mitral apparatus, including mitral annulus and periannular region, leaflet volume and anatomy, tethering distances, and tenting volumes. The detailed, accurate and optimal RT spatial visualization of the MV with 3D TEE gives greater confidence to the echocardiographer, interventionalist and the surgeon alike, facilitating medical and surgical treatment decisions. This article highlights recent advances in RT 3D TEE and transthoracic echocardiography echocardiographic imaging of the MV.

Mitral annular calcification predicts immediate results of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy

BACKGROUND

Many previous studies have evaluated the impact of mitral valve (MV) deformity scores on the percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) outcome in patients with mitral stenosis; however, the relationship between mitral annulus calcification (MAC) and the PTMC result has not yet been established. The current study aimed to investigate whether MAC could independently influence the immediate result of PTMC.

METHODS

Of all patients undergoing PTMC in our institution between April 2005 and November 2009, we included 87 patients (28.7%male, mean ± SD age = 42.8 ± 12.6 years) with rheumatic mitral stenosis who had additional data on the echocardiographic evaluation of MAC along with MV leaflets morphology. Echocardiographic assessments were repeated up to six weeks after PTMC to evaluate the immediate PTMC outcome. The frequency of the optimal PTMC result (secondary MV area > = 1.5 cm(2) with > = 25% increase and without final mitral regurgitation grade > 2) was compared between two groups of patients with MAC (n = 17) and those without MAC (n = 70).

RESULTS

The optimal result was obtained in 55 (63.2%) patients, whereas the result was suboptimal in 32 (36.8%) patients due to insufficient MV area increase in 31(96.9%) subjects and post-procedure mitral regurgitation grade > 2 in 1(3.1%). The rate of optimal PTMC results was less in patients with MAC in comparison to those without MAC (29.4% vs.71.4%). After adjustments for possible confounders such as age and leaflets morphological subcomponents (thickening, mobility, calcification, and subvalvular thickening), MAC remained a significant negative predictor of a suboptimal PTMC result (odds ratio = 0.154; 95%CI = 0.038-0.626, p value = 0.009) together with leaflet thickening (odds ratio = 0.214; 95%CI = 0.060-0.770, p value = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

MAC appeared to independently influence the immediate result of PTMC; therefore, mitral annulus evaluation may be considered in the echocardiographic assessment of the mitral apparatus prior to PTMC.

Real-time 3D transoesophageal measurement of the mitral valve area in patients with mitral stenosis

AIMS

Planimetry measured by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE, MVA2D) is the reference method for the evaluation of the severity of mitral stenosis (MS) but requires experienced operators and good echocardiographic windows. Real-time three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE, MVA3D) may overcome these limitations but its accuracy has never been evaluated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively enrolled 80 patients (58±15 years, 86% female) referred for MS evaluation who underwent, within 1 week, a clinically indicated TTE and TEE. MVA2D was measured by experienced operators (Level III), MVA3D by one experienced and one non-experienced (Level I) operators blinded of any clinical or TTE information. MVA3D measured by the experienced operator [1.11±0.32 cm2; median, 1.1 cm2; range (0.45-2.20)] did not differ from and correlated well with MVA2D [1.10±0.34 cm2; median, 1.05 cm2; range (0.45-2.30)], P=0.87; r=0.79, P<0.0001; ICC=0.79) and mean difference between methods was small (+0.004±0.21 cm2). MVA3D measured by the non-experienced operator [1.08±0.34 cm2; median 1.02 cm2; range (0.45-2.23)] also did not differ from and correlated well with MVA2D measured by experienced operators (P=0.25; r=0.86, P<0.0001; mean difference -0.02±0.18 cm2; ICC=0.86). Intra and interobserver variability were 0.02±0.25 and 0.01±0.33 cm2.

CONCLUSION

3D-TEE provides accurate and reproducible MVA measurements similar to 2D planimetry performed by experienced operators. Thus, 3D-TEE could be considered as a second-line alternative tool for the evaluation of MS severity in patients with poor echocardiographic windows or for team less accustomed to evaluate MS patients.

New Scores for the Assessment of Mitral Stenosis Using Real-Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Nonsurgical management of patients with symptomatic mitral valve stenosis has been established as the therapeutic modality of choice for two decades. Catheter-based balloon dilation of the stenotic valvular area has been shown, at least, as effective as surgical interventions. Unfavorable results of catheter-based interventions are largely due to unfavorable morphology of the valve apparatus, particularly leaflets calcification and subvalvular apparatus involvement. A mitral valve score has been proposed in Boston, MA, about two decades ago, based on morphologic assessment of mitral valve apparatus by two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography to predict successful balloon dilation of the mitral valve. Several other scores have been developed in the following years in order to more successfully predict balloon dilatation outcome. However, all those scores were based on 2D echocardiography, which is limited by ability to distinguish calcification and subvalvular involvement. The introduction of new matrix-based ultrasound probe has allowed 3D echocardiography (3DE) to provide more detailed morphologic analysis of mitral valve apparatus including calcification and subvalvular involvement. Recently, a new 3DE scoring system has been proposed by our group, which represents an important leap into refinement of the use of echocardiography guiding mitral valve interventions.