Survival of people with valvular heart disease in a large, English community-based cohort study

Outcomes of patients with early calcific aortic valve disease detected by clinically indicated echocardiography

AIMS

Previous studies have demonstrated relatively slow rates of progression of early calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), which encompasses aortic sclerosis (ASc) and mild aortic stenosis (AS). The potential evolution to clinically significant AS is unclear, and we therefore examined the long-term outcomes of patients with ASc and mild AS detected at the time of clinically indicated echocardiography.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data from initial clinically indicated echocardiograms performed between 2010 and 2018 in patients aged ≥18 years were extracted and linked to nationally collected outcome data. Those with impaired right or left systolic ventricular function or other significant left-sided valve disease were excluded. A time to first event analysis was performed with a composite primary outcome of cardiovascular death and aortic valve intervention (AVI). Of the 13 313 patients, 8973 had no CAVD, 3436 had ASc, and 455 had mild AS. The remainder had moderate or worse stenosis. Over a median follow-up period of 4.2 (interquartile range 1.8-6.7) years (and after adjustment for age and sex), those with ASc were at greater risk of the primary outcome [hazard ratio (HR) 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1-4.0] and need for AVI (HR 26.8, 95% CI 9.1-79.1) compared with those with no CAVD. Clinical event rates accelerated after ∼5 years in those with mild AS.

CONCLUSION

Patients with ASc are >25 times more likely to require AVI than those with no CAVD, and follow-up echocardiography should be considered within 3-4 years in those with mild AS.

Risk Factors and Outcomes With Progressive Mitral Annular Calcification

Background Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a chronic degenerative process that may progress. This study aimed to investigate associating factors and clinical implications of MAC progression. Methods and Results Among 560 patients with MAC identified by transthoracic echocardiography between January 2012 and June 2016, 138 patients (mean±SD age 72.7±10.2 years, 73 women) with mild or moderate MAC who received follow-up examination within 18 to 36 months were retrospectively analyzed. Progressive MAC was defined as hemodynamic or structural profiles that had worsened by more than 1 grade. Hemodynamic features were assessed by the transmitral mean diastolic pressure gradient (MDPG), and structural features were assessed by the MAC angle in the parasternal short-axis view. The clinical outcome was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, and occurrence of ischemic stroke. Forty-three patients (31.2%) showed progressive MAC. Patients with progressive MAC had higher systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, MAC angle, and MDPG than those with stable MAC. Patients with progressive MAC had smaller left ventricular (LV) end-systolic dimensions and higher LV ejection fractions compared with those with stable MAC. In multivariate analysis, pulse pressure, LV ejection fraction, MAC angle, and MDPG at baseline were significantly associated with MAC progression. During a median of 39.2 months' follow-up, patients with progressive MAC showed poorer clinical outcomes than those with stable MAC (log-rank P=0.015). Conclusions MAC progression is not rare and is associated with structural substrate and hemodynamic loads that result in mechanical stress. Patients with progressive MAC have poor outcomes.

Echocardiographic detection of heart valve disease in a community cohort of asymptomatic Australians > 65 years with cardiovascular risk factors

BACKGROUND

Valvular heart disease is becoming an increasingly prevalent with population ageing. We sought to define the current prevalence of valvular heart disease in Australia.

METHODS

The TasELF and VicELF studies prospectively recruited 962 asymptomatic participants ≥65 years, with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, from the Tasmanian and Victorian communities. People were excluded if they had a previous diagnosis of heart failure, or a life expectancy <1 year. All underwent baseline echocardiography. Those with moderate or severe valvular disease were identified. The current prevalence of clinically significant valve disease was applied to the Australian Bureau of Statistics population projections.

RESULTS

Echocardiograms were interpretable in 943 participants (98%). Clinically significant valve disease was present in 5% of the population, and mitral regurgitation was the most common overall valvular lesion, present in 36% of the population. The projected numbers of people with clinically significant valvular disease is expected to increase significantly across all age groups by the year 2060.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically significant yet asymptomatic valvular disease was prevalent in a large community cohort of participants with at least one risk factor. The total burden of valvular heart disease is expected to increase dramatically over the coming decades.

Natural History of Mitral Annulus Calcification and Calcific Mitral Valve Disease

BACKGROUND

The natural history of mitral annular calcification (MAC) and risk for developing calcific mitral valve disease (CMVD) has been poorly defined. We sought to evaluate the progression rate of MAC and of the development of CMVD.

METHODS

Patients with MAC and paired echocardiograms at least one year apart between 2005 and 2019 were included. Progression rates from mild/moderate to severe MAC and to CMVD (defined as severe MAC and significant mitral stenosis and/or regurgitation) were assessed, along with potential association with sex.

RESULTS

A total of 11,605 patients (73±10years, 51%male) with MAC (78% mild, 17% moderate, 5% severe) were included and had a follow up echocardiogram at 4.2±2.7years. In patients with mild/moderate MAC, 33% presented with severe MAC at 10 years. The rate of severe MAC was higher in females than in males (41% vs. 24%, P<0.001, HR=1.3, P<0.001) and in patients with moderate vs. mild MAC (71% vs. 22%, P<0.001, HR=6.1, P<0.001). At 10 years 10% presented with CMVD (4%, 23% and 60% in patients with mild, moderate, and severe MAC respectively) and was predicted by female sex (15% vs. 5%, P<0.0001), even after adjustment for MAC severity (HR=1.9, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

In this large cohort of patients with MAC, progression to severe MAC was common and frequently results in CMVD. Female sex was associated with higher progression rates. MAC and CMVD are expected to dramatically increase as the population ages highlighting the importance of a better understanding of the pathophysiology of MAC in order to develop effective preventive medical therapies.

Association of Mild Valvular Lesions With Long-term Cardiovascular Outcomes Among Black Adults

IMPORTANCE

Little is known about the long-term outcomes of mild valvular lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations of 3 major types of valvular lesions (aortic stenosis, trace or mild aortic regurgitation, and trace or mild mitral regurgitation) with risk of cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study analyzed data from the ongoing Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and focused on Black participants in the Jackson, Mississippi, site who underwent echocardiography at visit 3 from 1993 to 1995. Data analysis was conducted between April 2021 and February 2022.

EXPOSURES

Three valvular lesions were analyzed: aortic sclerosis, aortic regurgitation (trace or mild), and mitral regurgitation (trace or mild).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The outcomes were cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the independent associations between the 3 valvular lesions and these outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 2106 Black participants were included, with a mean (SD) age of 59.1 (5.6) years and 1354 women (64.3%). The baseline prevalence was 7.7% for aortic sclerosis, 15.1% for aortic regurgitation (6.1% with trace, and 9.0% with mild), and 43.0% for mitral regurgitation (29.4% with trace, and 13.6% with mild). During a median (interquartile interval) follow-up of 22.5 (15.6-23.5) years, 890 participants developed at least 1 cardiovascular outcome. Each valvular lesion was significantly associated with at least 1 cardiovascular outcome: aortic sclerosis was associated with cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.06-2.22), mild mitral regurgitation was associated with atrial fibrillation (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.09-1.99), and trace or mild aortic regurgitation was associated with all outcomes (HRs ranging from 1.45 [95% CI, 1.17-1.81] to 1.75 [95% CI, 1.29-2.37]) except stroke. The total number of valvular lesions had graded associations with all cardiovascular outcomes except stroke: the HR of cardiovascular mortality was 1.77 (95% CI, 1.18-2.65) for those with 2 to 3 lesions and was 1.44 (95% CI, 1.05-1.96) for those with 1 lesion vs no lesions.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Results of this study indicate an association between valvular lesions, even at mild stage, and a long-term risk of cardiovascular events, suggesting the importance of recognizing and monitoring these valvular conditions.

Management of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The management of severe aortic stenosis mandates consideration of aortic valve intervention for symptomatic patients. However, for asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis, recent randomised trials supported earlier intervention. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate all the available data comparing the two management strategies.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from inception until 10 January 2022. The search key terms were 'asymptomatic', 'severe aortic stenosis' and 'intervention'.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis of two published randomised trials, AVATAR and RECOVERY, included 302 patients and showed that early intervention resulted in 55% reduction in all-cause mortality (HR=0.45, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.86; I2 0%) and 79% reduction in risk of hospitalisation for heart failure (HR=0.21, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.96; I2 15%). There was no difference in risk of cardiovascular death between the two groups (HR=0.36, 95% CI 0.03 to 3.78; I2 78%). Additionally, meta-analysis of eight observational studies showed improved mortality in patients treated with early intervention (HR=0.38, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.56; I2 77%).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis provides evidence that, in patients with severe asymptomatic aortic stenosis, early intervention reduces all-cause mortality and improves outcomes compared with conservative management. While this is very encouraging, further randomised controlled studies are needed to draw firm conclusions and identify the optimal timing of intervention.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022301037.

Genetically Predicted Atrial Fibrillation and Valvular Heart Disease: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

Background

Previous studies have found atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with valvular heart disease (VHD). However, whether there is a causal relationship between these two diseases or it is just a result of bias caused by confounding factors is uncertain. This study aims to examine the potential causal association between AF and VHD by using Mendelian randomization.

Methods

In order to examine the causal relationship between AF and VHD, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization study by collecting exposure and outcome data from genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets. We utilized data from FinnGen project (FinnGen, 11,258 cases for VHD including rheumatic fever, 3,108 cases for non-rheumatic VHD, and 75,137 cases for participants) and European Bio-informatics Institute database (EBI, 55,114 cases for AF and 482,295 cases for participants). Inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median approaches were performed to estimate the causal effect.

Results

The Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that AF increased the risk of VHD by all three MR methods [For VHD including rheumatic fever: IVW, odds ratio (OR) = 1.255; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.191~1.322; p = 1.23 × 10⁻¹⁷; Weighted median, OR = 1.305, 95% CI, 1.216~1.400, p = 1.57 × 10⁻¹³; MR-Egger, OR = 1.250, 95% CI, 1.137~1.375, p = 1.69 × 10⁻⁵; For non-rheumatic VHD: IVW, OR = 1.267; 95% CI, 1.169~1.372; p = 6.73 × 10⁻⁹; Weighted median, OR = 1.400; 95% CI, 1.232~1.591; p = 2.40 × 10⁻⁷; MR-Egger, OR = 1.308; 95% CI, 1.131~1.513; p = 5.34 × 10⁻⁴]. After the one outlier SNP was removed by heterogeneity test, the results remained the same. No horizontal pleiotropic effects were observed between AF and VHD.

Conclusions

Our study provides strong evidence of a causal relationship between AF and VHD. Early intervention for AF patients may reduce the risk of developing into VHD.

Spectrum of cardiovascular diseases at a referral tertiary care hospital in Somalia, Mogadishu: an echocardiographic study

BACKGROUND

To investigate the frequencies and patterns of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including rheumatic and congenital heart diseases, among patients with abnormal hearts assessed by echocardiographic examination.

METHODS

This retrospective, descriptive registry reviewed abnormal echocardiographic findings of 1140 patients aged 0-100 years who were admitted to the cardiology outpatient clinic at a tertiary training institution in Mogadishu.

RESULTS

Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) (n:454, 39.8%), valvular heart disease (VHD) (n:395, 34.6%), and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (n:351, 30.8%) were the most frequent comorbidities. Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) were detected in 151 (13.2%) of the patients, with the most common ones including atrial septal defect (ASD) (n:37, 3.2%) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n:26, 2.3%). Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) was observed in 84 (7.4%) patients, among whom the most common age range was 16-30 years (40.5%), followed by 31-45 years (31%) and 0-15 years (15.5%). Mitral insufficiency (n:541, 47.5%) was detected as the most frequent VHD, followed by aortic insufficiency (n:437, 38.3%), and tricuspid insufficiency (n:264, 23.2%) and mitral valve stenosis (n:39, 3.4%) was the least common VHD.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we found that HHD was the most common comorbidity, followed by VHD, and HFrEF. Moreover, the most common VHD was mitral insufficiency and the most common CHD was ASD.