Impact of Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch on the Regression of Secondary Mitral Regurgitation After Isolated Aortic Valve Replacement With a Bioprosthetic Valve in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis

When Aortic Stenosis Is Not Alone: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management in Mixed and Combined Valvular Disease

Aortic stenosis (AS) may present frequently combined with other valvular diseases or mixed with aortic regurgitation, with peculiar physio-pathological and clinical implications. The hemodynamic interactions between AS in mixed or combined valve disease depend on the specific combination of valve lesions and may result in diagnostic pitfalls at echocardiography; other imaging modalities may be helpful. Indeed, diagnosis is challenging because several echocardiographic methods commonly used to assess stenosis or regurgitation have been validated only in patients with the single-valve disease. Moreover, in the developed world, patients with multiple valve diseases tend to be older and more fragile over time; also, when more than one valvular lesion needs to address the surgical risk rises together with the long-term risk of morbidity and mortality associated with multiple valve prostheses, and the likelihood and risk of reoperation. Therefore, when AS presents mixed or combined valve disease, the heart valve team must integrate various parameters into the diagnosis and management strategy, including suitability for single or multiple transcatheter valve procedures. This review aims to summarize the most critical pathophysiological mechanisms underlying AS when associated with mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, aortic regurgitation, and tricuspid regurgitation. We will focus on echocardiography, clinical implications, and the most important treatment strategies.

Managing the patient undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement with ongoing mitral regurgitation

INTRODUCTION

Significant mitral regurgitation (MR) frequently coexists in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). These patients have worse clinical outcomes than those with non-significant MR, especially if MR persists after treatment of the aortic stenosis. The optimal treatment approach for this challenging high-risk population is not well defined.

AREAS COVERED

This review aims to present the current literature on concomitant significant MR in the TAVR population, and to provide a comprehensive algorithmic approach for clinical decision-making in this challenging cohort of patients.

EXPERT OPINION

Concomitant mitral and aortic valve disease is a complex clinical entity. An exhaustive and comprehensive assessment of patient's clinical characteristics and mitral valve anatomy and function is required in order to assess the surgical risk, predict the MR response after AVR and evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous MV treatment if necessary. Further developments in transcatheter techniques will expand the indications for double valve treatment in operable and inoperable patients with concomitant significant MR and aortic stenosis.

Prosthesis-patient mismatch after mitral valve replacement: a single-centered retrospective analysis in East China

Background

Prosthesis–patient mismatch (PPM) may affect the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing mitral valve replacement (MVR) surgery. We aimed to investigate the incidence of PPM of the mitral position in our center and analyze the possible predictors of PPM as well as its effect on short-term outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively examined all consecutive patients with isolated or concomitant MVR at our center from 2013 to 2015. PPM was defined as an indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) of ≤1.2 cm2/m2. After inclusion and exclusion, a total of 1067 patients were analyzed. The baseline information were collected and compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the preoperative predictors of PPM as well as the effect of PPM on early mortality.

Results

A total of 1067 patients were included in the study. PPM was detected in 15.9% of the patients while 12 patients (1.12%) met the criteria for severe PPM. Patients with PPM compared to the non-PPM patients had higher age, larger body surface area and were more likely to be male and obese. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher age, larger BSA, bioprosthesis and smaller left ventricle end-diastolic diameter were predictors of PPM. There were no significant differences between the PPM and non-PPM groups regarding post-operative complications. Logistic regression analysis showed that PPM was not a risk factor of short-term mortality (P = 0.654). Also, there were no significant differences regarding short−/mid-term heart function between the PPM and non PPM groups (P = 0.902).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that higher age, bioprosthesis, larger BSA and smaller left ventricle size were associated with mitral PPM. However, PPM was not associated with poorer early outcomes after MVR surgery. In eastern of China, the prevalence of mitral valve stenosis is high; therefore, whether the standard PPM criteria are suitable for patients of this district needs to be further verified.

Insulin like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) for risk prediction in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

INTRODUCTION

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) caused by degenerative calcification is the most frequent acquired valvular heart disease worldwide and mortality rates are considerably high. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a well-established method for valve replacement in high risk patients with AS. However, there is a lack of reliable predictors for patients undergoing TAVI since commonly used scores were developed for surgical populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

208 patients subjected to TAVI were included in this study. Plasma samples were obtained before TAVI and were evaluated for IGFBP-2 using commercially available ELISA kits. IGFBP-2 levels were analyzed for their ability for risk prediction after TAVI.

RESULTS

IGFBP-2 levels measured before TAVI correlated significantly with left ventricular ejection fraction, EUROSCORE and other functional and prognostic parameters like the 6-minute walking test. When patients were retrospectively divided in two groups with a cut-off of serum IGFBP-2 levels of 275 ng/ml, IGFBP-2 was a strong predictor for 30-day and one-year mortality (3% vs. 11%, p = 0.05 and 18.2% vs. 46.2%; p < 0.001 respectively). Compared to an EUROSCORE above 20 or an STS score cut-off above 8, IGFBP-2 plasma levels above 275 ng/ml outperformed the established risk score for prediction of one-year mortality as assessed by NRI (0.65 95% CI 0.37-0.94; p < 0.001 and 0.54 95% CI 0.25-0.82; p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that IGFBP-2 could serve as new outcome predictor for patients undergoing TAVI procedure. By providing additional information to the commonly used EUROSCORE, IGFPB-2 analysis could further assist Heart Team decision making.

Impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch after mitral valve replacement in rheumatic population: Does mitral position prosthesis-patient mismatch really exist?

Background

Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is characterised by the effects of inadequate prosthesis size relative to body surface area (BSA).The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of PPM on late clinical outcomes after mitral valve replacement (MVR) in rheumatic population.

Methods

From 2000 to 2013, a total of 445 patients (mean age 54.2 ± 11.7 years) underwent isolated MVR (±tricuspid annuloplasty) for rheumatic disease were investigated. Effective orifice area (EOA) was determined by the continuity equation and PPM was defined as indexed EOA (EOA/BSA) ≤ 1.2 cm²/m². Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up (mean follow up 8.7 ± 4.0 years) results were compared.

Results

37% of patients (n = 165) had PPM. There were no significant differences in baseline and operative characteristics between patients with and without PPM except age and IEOA. A significant decrease in mean trans-valvular pressure gradient (MPG) over time following MVR, however the change of MPG showed no differences between groups (No PPM vs. PPM: 8.9 ± 4.7 mmHg → 3.6 ± 1.2 mmHg vs. 8.7 ± 4.5 mmHg → 3.8 ± 1.4 mmHg, p-value = 0.28). In all patients, there was a reduction of left atrium dimension (58.6 ± 12.0 mm → 53.2 ± 12.0 mm vs. 57.9 ± 8.9 mm → 52.2 ± 8.9 mm, p-value = 0.68) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (49.9 ± 5.7 mm → 48.9 ± 5.7 mm vs. 49.7 ± 6.0 mm → 48.3 ± 5.0 mm, p = 0.24) without statistical significance. Freedom from TR progression rates at 3 and 5 years (99% vs.98%, 99% vs. 98%, p-value = 0.1), and overall survival rates at 3 and 5 years (97% vs. 96%, 94% vs. 94%, p-value = 0.7) were similar.

Conclusion

This study shows that mitral PPM is not associated with atrial /ventricular remodeling and might not influence late clinical outcome including late TR progression, survival in rheumatic population.

[Long-term results of surgical treatment of patients with aortic valve disease and functional mitral insufficiency]

AIM

To analyze long-term surgical results in patients with aortic valve disease and concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) depending on volume of valve surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It was studied 5-year results in 71 patients with aortic valve disease and different degree of mitral regurgitation. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Control group included 40 patients after aortic valve replacement (AVR) and no mitral insufficiency. The 2nd group consisted of 16 patients after AVR and concomitant mitral regurgitation degree 2-3. The 3rd group - 15 patients after aortic and mitral valve replacement. Mortality in long-term postoperative period, quality of life, incidence of complications and echocardiography data were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no significant improvement of mitral regurgitation after AVR. It was showed that persistent MR decreases remote survival and quality of life as well as deteriorates echocardiography data. Herewith these data in the 3rd group did not differ from the control group.

CONCLUSION

Double-valve replacement may be advisable in patients with aortic valve disease and concomitant moderate MR because persistent MR deteriorates long-term

RESULTS

However prolonged time of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamping, greater blood loss require comprehensive approach to advanced cardiac surgery.

Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch after Mitral Valve Replacement: Comparison of Different Methods of Effective Orifice Area Calculation

PURPOSE

The incidence of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after mitral valve replacement (MVR) has been reported to vary. The purpose of the current study was to investigate incidence of PPM according to the different methods of calculating effective orifice area (EOA), including the continuity equation (CE), pressure half time (PHT) method and use of reference EOA, and to compare these with various echocardiographic variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 166 individuals who received isolated MVR due to rheumatic mitral stenosis and had postoperative echocardiography performed between 12 and 60 months after MVR. EOA was determined by CE (EOA(CE)) and PHT using Doppler echocardiography. Reference EOA was determined from the literature or values offered by the manufacturer. Indexed EOA was used to define PPM as present if ≤1.2 cm²/m².

RESULTS

Prevalence of PPM was different depending on the methods used to calculate EOA, ranging from 7% in PHT method to 49% in referred EOA method to 62% in CE methods. The intraclass correlation coefficient was low between the methods. PPM was associated with raised trans-prosthetic pressure, only when calculated by CE (p=0.021). Indexed EOA(CE) was the only predictor of postoperative systolic pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, even after adjusting for age, preoperative systolic PA pressure and postoperative left atrial volume index (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of mitral PPM varied according to the methods used to calculate EOA in patients with mitral stenosis after MVR. Among the various methods used to define PPM, EOA(CE) was the only predictor of postoperative hemodynamic parameters.

Impact of Mitral Regurgitation on Clinical Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) and mitral regurgitation (MR) are the two most common valvular lesions referred for surgical intervention in Europe and frequently co-exist. In patients with both severe AS and significant MR referred for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), a concomitant mitral valve intervention is typically performed if the MR is severe, despite the higher associated perioperative risk. The management of moderate MR among SAVR patients is controversial and depends on a number of factors including MR aetiology (i.e., organic versus functional MR), feasibility of repair and patient risk profile. Moderate or severe MR is present in up to one-third of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), is mainly of functional aetiology and is typically left untreated. Although data are conflicting, a growing body of evidence suggests that significant MR exerts an adverse effect on both short- and long-term clinical outcomes after TAVI. Moderate or severe MR improves in just over half of patients following TAVI and recent data suggest MR is more likely to improve among patients receiving a balloon-expandable as compared with a self-expandable transcatheter heart valve.

[Reverse myocardial remodeling in patients with aortic valve disease and mitral insufficiency in early postoperative period]

Surgical treatment of patients with aortic valve disease and concomitant mitral insufficiency remains debatable. We analyzed early postoperative results of surgical treatment of 80 patients depending on type of surgery. All patients were divided into three groups: the 1st - aortic valve replacement in patients without mitral valve dysfunction (control group) (n=44); the 2nd - isolated aortic valve replacement in patients with concomitant mitral regurgitation degree 2-3 (n=18), the 3rd - simultaneous aortic and mitral valve replacement (n=18). Combined valve replacement was associated with more intraoperative blood loss (852.78±442.08 ml) compared with aortic valve replacement (658.7±374.09 ml), p<0.05. In patients with mitral regurgitation greater hematocrit decrease was observed (22.13±3.6% in group 2 and 21.4±4.48 in group 3) in comparison with control group (24.17±3.72% in group 1), p<0.05. Incidence of postoperative complications did not differ in all groups. Mortality rate was 6.8% in group 1 and 11.1% in group 3, there were no deaths in group 2. Both valves correction provided faster myocardial remodeling. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume decreased on 50 ml in group 3, on 33.67 ml in group 2 and on 50.73 ml in group 1 (p<0.05). Pulmonary pressure decreased on 20 mm Hg in group 3, on 13 mm Hg - in group 2 and on 12.57 mm Hg - in group 1, p<0.05. In groups 1 and 3 pulmonary pressure became normal after operation, in group 2 signs of pulmonary hypertension were observed (pressure - 35.3 mm Hg). Analysis of the results showed that simultaneous mitral and aortic valves replacement initiates normalization of intracardiac hemodynamics in early postoperative period.

Update on cardiac imaging techniques 2012

Cardiac imaging is one of the basic pillars of modern cardiology. The potential list of scenarios where cardiac imaging techniques can provide relevant information is simply endless so it is impossible to include all relevant new features of cardiac imaging published in the literature in 2012 in the limited format of a single article. We summarize the year's most relevant news on cardiac imaging, highlighting the ongoing development of myocardial deformation and 3-dimensional echocardiography techniques and the increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in daily clinical practice.

Significant mitral regurgitation left untreated at the time of aortic valve replacement: a comprehensive review of a frequent entity in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement era

Significant mitral regurgitation (MR) is frequent in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). In these cases, concomitant mitral valve repair or replacement is usually performed at the time of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has recently been considered as an alternative for patients at high or prohibitive surgical risk. However, concomitant significant MR in this setting is typically left untreated. Moderate to severe MR after aortic valve replacement is therefore a relevant entity in the TAVR era. The purpose of this review is to present the current knowledge on the clinical impact and post-procedural evolution of concomitant significant MR in patients with severe AS who have undergone aortic valve replacement (SAVR and TAVR). This information could contribute to improving both the clinical decision-making process in and management of this challenging group of patients.

Prosthesis-patient mismatch in aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND

The clinical impacts of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) have been debated since Rahimtoola first reported PPM in 1978. Many reports discussing several aspects of PPM have been published to date, but the definitive clinical impacts of PPM have not yet been clarified.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review is to evaluate recent articles regarding PPM and discuss the latest findings.

RESULTS

Moderate PPM (indexed effective orifice area ≤ 0.85 cm(2)/m(2)) did not affect the surgical outcomes in several papers, but severe PPM (indexed effective orifice area ≤ 0.65 cm(2)/m(2)) affected early and late mortality in almost of the all papers in which it was reported. PPM had a greater effect on younger patients and patients with left ventricular dysfunction than it did on elderly patients and patients with preserved left ventricular function.

CONCLUSION

Based on recent findings, it is difficult to define the impact of PPM after AVR. To some degree, PPM affects the clinical outcomes after AVR; therefore, it is important to avoid PPM, especially severe PPM.

Impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch on tricuspid valve regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension following mitral valve replacement

BACKGROUND

Mitral PPM can be equated to residual mitral stenosis, which may halt the expected postoperative improvement of PH and concomitant functional tricuspid regurgitation (fTR). Aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of mitral prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on late tricuspid valve regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension (PH).

METHODS

A total of 210 patients undergoing isolated mitral valve replacement (MVR) were investigated. Mitral valve effective orifice area was determined by the continuity equation and indexed for body surface area (EOAi) and PPM was defined as EOAi ≤ 1.2 cm(2)/m(2). Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was defined as systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) > 40 mmHg. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up (median 27 months) was 100% completed. A total of 88/210 (42%) patients developed mitral PPM.

RESULTS

There were no significative differences in baseline and operative characteristics between patients with and without PPM. At follow-up, the prevalence of fTR ≥ 2+ (57%vs.22%; p = 0.0001), and PH (62%vs.24%;p < 0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with PPM. On multivariable regression analysis, EOAi (p < 0.0001) and preoperative left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter (p < 0.0001) were found to be independently associated with fTR decrease after MVR. In addition, EOAi (p < 0.0001) and LV ejection fraction (p < 0.0001) were independently associated with PH decrease after MVR. No significant differences in mortality rates were found between patients having or not PPM.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that mitral PPM is associated with the persistence of fTR and PH following MVR. These findings support the realization of tricuspid valve annuloplasty when PPM is anticipated at the time of operation.