Risk factor analysis for aortic dissection after aortic valve replacement in patients with tricuspid aortic valve

OBJECTIVE

Aortic dilatation concurrent with aortic valve disease is a common condition. However, the incidence of aortic dissection after aortic valve replacement for tricuspid aortic valve has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we performed a risk factor analysis for the incidence of aortic dissection after aortic valve replacement in patients with tricuspid aortic valve.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 599 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement at our hospital between January 2000 and December 2020. We performed a risk factor analysis for the incidence of aortic dissection after aortic valve replacement in patients with tricuspid aortic valve.

RESULTS

Seven patients developed late aortic dissections during the follow-up period. All patients with aortic dissection underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation. Multivariable analysis revealed that aortic regurgitation was an independent predictor of aortic dissection (p < 0.0001). The mean ascending aortic diameter at aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation was significantly greater in patients with aortic dissection than in those without aortic dissection (46 [43.5-46] mm vs. 39 [36-42] mm, p < 0.001). The predictive cutoff value of ascending aortic diameter was indicated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis; 46.0 mm (area under the curve: 0.8987). Freedom rates from aortic dissection in patients with aortic regurgitation and an ascending aortic diameter ≥ 46 mm were significantly lower than those in patients with an ascending aortic diameter < 46 mm (66.7% vs. 100% at 5 years, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Aortic regurgitation combined with ascending aortic dilatation at aortic valve replacement could be a significant risk factor for late aortic dissection.

Fate of the distal aorta following root replacement in Marfan syndrome: a propensity score matched study

Objective

The aortic root is the most frequent segment involved in Marfan syndrome. However, Marfan syndrome is a systemic hereditary connective tissue disorder, and knowledge regarding the outcomes of the native distal aorta after prophylactic aortic root surgery is limited.

Methods

From April 2010 to December 2020, 226 patients with Marfan syndrome and 1,200 patients without Marfan syndrome who underwent Bentall procedures were included in this study. By propensity score matching, 134 patients were assigned to each group. Clinical manifestations and follow-up data were acquired from hospital records and telephone contact. The cumulative incidence of aortic events was estimated in Marfan and non-Marfan patients with death as a competing risk.

Results

Patients with and without Marfan syndrome had similar baseline characteristics after propensity score matching. Differences in the aortic root (62.25 ± 11.96 vs. 54.03 ± 13.76, P < .001) and ascending aorta (37.71 ± 9.86 vs. 48.16 ± 16.01, P < .001) remained after matching. No difference was observed in the frequency of aortic adverse events between the two groups (10.5% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.106). The cumulative incidence of aortic events was not different between Marfan and non-Marfan patients (15.03% ± 4.72% vs. 4.18% ± 2.06%, P = 0.147). Multivariate Cox regression indicated no significant impact of Marfan syndrome on distal aortic events (HR: 1.172, 95% CI: 0.263-5.230, P = 0.835). Descending and abdominal aortic diameter above normal at the initial procedure were associated with the risk of distal aortic events (HR: 20.735, P = .003, HR: 22.981, P = .002, respectively).

Conclusions

New-onset events of the residual aorta in patients undergoing Bentall procedures between the Marfan and non-Marfan groups were not significantly different. Distal aortic diameter above normal at initial surgery was associated with a higher risk of adverse aortic events.

The Presence of Ascending Aortic Dilatation in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Is Negatively Correlated with the Presence of Diabetes Mellitus and Does Not Impair Post-Procedural Outcomes

Both relevant aortic valve stenosis (AS) and aortic valve insufficiency significantly contribute to structural changes in the ascending aorta (AA) and thus to its dilatation. In patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), survival data regarding aortic changes and laboratory biomarker analyses are scarce.

METHODS

A total of 179 patients with severe AS and an available computed tomography were included in this retrospective study. AA was measured, and dilatation was defined as a diameter ≥ 40 mm. Thirty-two patients had dilatation of the AA. A further 32 patients from the present population with a normal AA were matched to the aortic dilatation group with respect to gender, age, body mass index and body surface area, and the resulting study groups were compared with each other. In addition to echocardiographic and clinical characteristics, the expression of cardiovascular biomarkers such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2), growth/differentiation of factor-15 (GDF-15), heart-type fatty-acid binding protein (H-FABP), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGF-BP2) and soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curves for short- and long-term survival were obtained, and Pearson's and Spearman's correlations were calculated to identify the predictors between the diameter of the AA and clinical parameters.

RESULTS

A total of 19% of the total cohort had dilatation of the AA. The study group with an AA diameter ≥ 40 mm showed a significantly low comorbidity with respect to diabetes mellitus in contrast to the comparison cohort with an AA diameter < 40 mm (p = 0.010). This result continued in the correlation analyses performed, as the presence of diabetes mellitus correlated negatively not only with the diameter of the AA (r = -0.404; p = 0.001) but also with the presence of aortic dilatation (r = -0.320; p = 0.010). In addition, the presence of AA dilatation after TAVR was shown to have no differences in terms of patient survival at 1, 3 and 5 years. There were no relevant differences in the cardiovascular biomarkers studied between the patients with dilated and normal AAs.

CONCLUSION

The presence of AA dilatation before successful TAVR was not associated with a survival disadvantage at the respective follow-up intervals of 1, 3 and 5 years. Diabetes mellitus in general seemed to have a protective effect against the development of AA dilatation or aneurysm in patients with severe AS.

Short- to mid-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with ascending aorta dilation: a single-centre retrospective analysis

OBJECTIVES

Ascending aorta dilation (AAD) is frequently associated with aortic stenosis (AS). This study investigated the procedural and clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with AAD for tricuspid AS.

METHODS

This is a single-centre retrospective study that included patients with tricuspid AS and who underwent TAVR between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2021. A total of 239 patients met the inclusion criteria. The ascending aortic diameter was measured on computed tomography (CT) scans before TAVR, and AAD was identified as a maximal ascending aortic diameter of ≥ 40 mm. The outcomes were in line with the Valve Academy Research Consortium (VARC)-3 criteria.

RESULTS

Self-expandable (SE) valves were used in 88.7% of the total cohort (89.0% in the AAD group and 88.6% in the non-AAD group). Seventy-three patients (30.5%) were diagnosed with concomitant AAD (mean age 73.7 ± 7.3 years, 57.5% male). The median ascending aortic diameter was 36.0 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 34.0-37.0 mm) in the non-AAD group and 44.0 mm (IQR: 42.0-46.0 mm) in the AAD group (p < 0.001). The baseline characteristics were comparable across the groups. No significant difference was observed in cumulative all-cause mortality at 30 days (2.4% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.609), 1 year (9.2% vs. 5.0%, p = 0.191), or 3 years (13.1% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.201) between the non-AAD and AAD groups. The device success rate was not different between the non-AAD and AAD groups (74.7% vs. 82.2%, p = 0.205). The multivariable analysis identified prior percutaneous coronary intervention, prior stroke, and length of intensive care unit as independent predictors of 3-year all-cause mortality among the total cohort.

CONCLUSION

AAD does not appear to be associated with the procedural and mid-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR.

Postprocedural ascending aortic dissection after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a case report

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as an effective and safe treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). It is reported that vascular complications, especially aortic dissection, are rare. However, aortic dissection may be a serious consequence if it occurs. We experienced a case of delayed onset of ascending aortic dissection after TAVI.

Case summary

An 82-year-old woman presented with dyspnoea and general fatigue. Echocardiography revealed severe AS and she was diagnosed with heart failure associated with AS. She had difficulty controlling heart failure and required the intervention of the aortic valve. We evaluated the aortic valve and access routes with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), which showed marked dilatation of the ascending aorta. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed and the procedure was completed without major complications. Transoesophageal echocardiography during the procedure did not detect any obvious arterial injury. However, on the second postoperative day, the patient suddenly became unconscious and a CT indicated an ascending aortic dissection. Unfortunately, she passed away. An autopsy revealed the fragility of the ascending aorta.

Conclusion

Patients with AS and aortic root dilatation may develop delayed onset of ascending aortic dissection after TAVI.

Proximal aortic aneurysms: correlation of maximum aortic diameter and aortic wall thickness

OBJECTIVES

The goal of therapy of proximal aortic aneurysms is to prevent an aortic catastrophe, e.g. acute dissection or rupture. The decision to intervene is currently based on maximum aortic diameter complemented by known risk factors like bicuspid aortic valve, positive family history or rapid growth rate. When applying Laplace's law, wall tension is determined by pressure × radius divided by aortic wall thickness. Because current imaging modalities lack precision, wall thickness is currently neglected. The purpose of our study was therefore to correlate maximum aortic diameter with aortic wall thickness and known indices for adverse aortic events.

METHODS

Aortic samples from 292 patients were collected during cardiac surgery, of whom 158 presented with a bicuspid aortic valve and 134, with a tricuspid aortic valve. Aortic specimens were obtained during the operation and stored in 4% formaldehyde. Histological staining and analysis were performed to determine the thickness of the aortic wall.

RESULTS

Patients were 62 ± 13 years old at the time of the operation; 77% were men. The mean aortic dimensions were 44 mm, 41 mm and 51 mm at the aortic root, sinotubular junction and ascending aorta, respectively. Aortic valve stenosis was the most frequent (49%) valvular dysfunction, followed by aortic valve regurgitation (33%) and combined dysfunction (10%). The maximum aortic diameter at the ascending level did not correlate with the thickness of the media (R = 0.07) or the intima (R = 0.28) at the convex sample site. There was also no correlation of the ascending aortic diameter with age (R = -0.18) or body surface area (R = 0.07). The thickness of the intima (r = 0.31) and the media (R = 0.035) did not correlate with the Svensson index of aortic risk. Similarly, there was a low (R = 0.29) or absent (R = -0.04) correlation between the aortic size index and the intima or media thickness, respectively. There was a similar relationship of median thickness of the intima in the 4 aortic height index risk categories (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic diameter and conventional indices of aortic risk do not correlate with aortic wall thickness. Other indices may be required in order to identify patients at high risk for aortic complications.

Failure properties of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms with dysfunctional tricuspid aortic valves

OBJECTIVES

Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs) often coexist with dysfunctional tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs). How valvular pathology relates to the aortic wall mechanical properties requires detailed examination.

METHODS

Intact-wall and layer-specific mechanical properties from 40 and 21 patients with TAV-ATAAs, respectively, were studied using uniaxial tensile testing, longitudinally and circumferentially. Failure stress (tensile strength), failure stretch (extensibility) and peak elastic modulus (stiffness) measurements, along with histological assays of thickness and elastin/collagen contents, were compared among patients with no valvular pathology (NVP), aortic stenosis (AS) or aortic insufficiency (AI).

RESULTS

Intact-wall stiffness longitudinally and medial strength and stiffness, in either direction, were significantly lower in AI patients than in AS and NVP patients. Intact-wall/medial thickness and extensibility in either direction were significantly lower in AS patients than in AI and NVP patients. In contrast, intact-wall/medial stiffness circumferentially was significantly higher in AS patients than in NVP patients, consistent with the significantly increased medial collagen in AS patients. Failure properties and medial thickness and elastin/collagen contents were significantly lower (more impaired) in females. The left lateral was the thickest quadrant in NVP patients, but the 4 quadrants were equally thick in AS and AI patients. There were significant differences in strength and stiffness among quadrants, which varied however in the 3 patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The aortic wall load-bearing capacity was impaired in patients with ATAA in the presence of TAV stenosis or insufficiency. These findings lend biomechanical support to the current guidelines suggesting lower thresholds for elective ascending aorta replacement in cases of aortic valve surgery.

Pathogenic Mechanisms of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Aortopathy

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital valvular defect and is associated with ascending aortic dilation (AAD) in a quarter of patients. AAD has been ascribed both to the hemodynamic consequences of normally functioning and abnormal BAV morphology, and to the effect of rare and common genetic variation upon function of the ascending aortic media. AAD manifests in two overall and sometimes overlapping phenotypes: that of aortic root aneurysm, similar to the AAD of Marfan syndrome; and that of tubular AAD, similar to the AAD seen with tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs). These aortic phenotypes appear to be independent of BAV phenotype, have different embryologic origins and have unique etiologic factors, notably, regarding the role of hemodynamic changes inherent to the BAV phenotype. Further, in contrast to Marfan syndrome, the AAD seen with BAV is infrequently present as a strongly inherited syndromic phenotype; rather, it appears to be a less-penetrant, milder phenotype. Both reduced levels of normally functioning transcriptional proteins and structurally abnormal proteins have been observed in aneurysmal aortic media. We provide evidence that aortic root AAD has a stronger genetic etiology, sometimes related to identified common non-coding fibrillin-1 (FBN1) variants and other aortic wall protein variants in patients with BAV. In patients with BAV having tubular AAD, we propose a stronger hemodynamic influence, but with pathology still based on a functional deficit of the aortic media, of genetic or epigenetic etiology. Although it is an attractive hypothesis to ascribe common mechanisms to BAV and AAD, thus far the genetic etiologies of AAD have not been associated to the genetic etiologies of BAV, notably, not including BAV variants in NOTCH1 and GATA4.

Combination of a Giant Dissected Ascending Aortic Aneurysm with Multiple Fistulae into the Cardiac Chambers Caused by Prosthetic Aortic Valve Endocarditis

The combination of a dissected ascending aortic aneurysm (AA) with multiple fistulae to the periaortic root structures is a life-threatening complication that occurs rarely after infective endocarditis of the prosthetic aortic valve. Many risk factors are potentially associated with this complication, including aortic diameter, connective tissue disease of the aortic wall, hypertension and infection. We report a rare case of dissected ascending AA with fistulae to the left atrium and pulmonary artery and a paravalvular leak in a 47-year-old woman with a history of an aortic valve replacement. The patient had presented to the Imam Ali Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran, in January 2015 with clinical features of heart failure. After initially being treated for congestive heart failure, she underwent open-heart surgery via a classic Bentall procedure and double fistula closure. She was discharged 23 days after the operation in good condition. A six-month follow-up showed normal functioning of the composite conduit prosthetic valve and no fistulae recurrence.

Natural history of the ascending aorta after aortic valve replacement: risk factor analysis for late aortic complications after aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to clarify the natural history of the ascending aorta and to identify risk factors for late ascending aortic events after first isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR).

METHODS

A total of 287 patients undergoing AVR were enrolled. The patients were categorized into two groups based on the diameter of the ascending aorta at the time of AVR, as determined by computed tomography: Group A (n = 233) was defined as an ascending aortic diameter <40 mm, and Group B (n = 54) was defined as an ascending aortic diameter ≥40 mm.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 7.6 years. The baseline diameter of the ascending aorta was 31.4 ± 4.8 mm in Group A and 44.7 ± 4.2 mm in Group B. These values increased to 35.9 ± 7.4 mm in Group A and 50.1 ± 7.3 mm in Group B during the follow-up period (P < 0.001). Ten patients had acute type A aortic dissection (Group A: 1 patient vs. Group B: 9 patients; P < 0.001), and three patients had enlargement of the ascending aorta to ≥55 mm in diameter (Group A: 1 patient vs. Group B: 2 patients). Multivariate analysis revealed that the baseline ascending aortic diameter was the only significant risk factor for developing late ascending aortic events (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

AVR alone may not prevent further enlargement of the ascending aorta. An ascending aorta ≥40 mm in diameter at the time of AVR increased the risk of late ascending aortic events.

A giant dissecting aneurysm of ascending aorta following aortic valve replacement

Ascending aortic dissection and aneurysm are rare but life-threatening complications after aortic valve replacement. Preoperative evaluation of risk factors such as aortic diameter, structural features of aortic wall, and associated diseases may decrease complication rate. We herein present analysis of risk factors of proximal aortic events following aortic valve replacement based on patient with giant dissecting aneurysm who underwent modified Bentall procedure.

Risk of proximal aortic dissection in patients with bicuspid aortic valve: how to address this controversy?

The risk of acute aortic events in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is a controversial issue. The real risk of aortic dissection in patients with BAV disease is unknown. An indirect assessment of this risk, however, could be gained with a more detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of BAV aortopathy. There are two major issues that should be clarified before one addresses the question of aortic dissection risk in BAV patients. The first issue, when analysing the data from previous BAV cohorts, is to determine what stage of BAV disease was present in the described patient population. In particular, was the risk of aortic dissection in BAV patients determined before or after aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery? The second issue to consider is the functional state of the pathological valve within the observed population. In particular, did patients predominantly suffer from BAV stenosis or BAV insufficiency? Unfortunately, the vast majority of published reports do not separate between the different BAV phenotypes, thereby complicating interpretation of the results. Considering these two important clinical variables (i.e. the stage of BAV disease and the functional phenotype), we herein aim to explain the inconsistency of the published data with regard to the risk of aortic dissection in patients with BAV disease.