1
|
Synetos A, Vlasopoulou K, Drakopoulou M, Apostolos A, Ktenopoulos N, Katsaros O, Korovesis T, Latsios G, Tsioufis K. Impact of Stress Echocardiography on Aortic Valve Stenosis Management. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3495. [PMID: 38930024 PMCID: PMC11204470 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rest and stress echocardiography (SE) play a fundamental role in the evaluation of aortic valve stenosis (AS). According to the current guidelines for the echocardiographic evaluation of patients with aortic stenosis, four broad categories can be defined: high-gradient AS (mean gradient ≥ 40 mmHg, peak velocity ≥ 4 m/s, aortic valve area (AVA) ≤ 1 cm2 or indexed AVA ≤ 0.6 cm2/m2); low-flow, low-gradient AS with reduced ejection fraction (mean gradient < 40 mmHg, AVA ≤ 1 cm2, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%, stroke volume index (Svi) ≤ 35 mL/m2); low-flow, low-gradient AS with preserved ejection fraction (mean gradient < 40 mmHg, AVA ≤ 1 cm2, LVEF ≥ 50%, SVi ≤ 35 mL/m2); and normal-flow, low-gradient AS with preserved ejection fraction (mean gradient < 40 mmHg, AVA ≤ 1 cm2, indexed AVA ≤ 0.6 cm2/m2, LVEF ≥ 50%, SVi > 35 mL/m2). Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is indicated with the onset of symptoms development or LVEF reduction. However, there is often mismatch between resting transthoracic echocardiography findings and patient's symptoms. In these discordant cases, SE and CT calcium scoring are among the indicated methods to guide the management decision making. Additionally, due to the increasing evidence that in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis an early AVR instead of conservative treatment is associated with better outcomes, SE can help identify those that would benefit from an early AVR by revealing markers of poor prognosis. Low-flow, low-gradient AS represents a challenge both in diagnosis and in therapeutic management. Low-dose dobutamine SE is the recommended method to distinguish true-severe from pseudo-severe stenosis and assess the existence of flow (contractile) reserve to appropriately guide the need for intervention in these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Synetos
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
- School of Medicine, European University of Cyprus, 2404 Egkomi, Cyprus
| | - Konstantina Vlasopoulou
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Maria Drakopoulou
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Anastasios Apostolos
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Nikolaos Ktenopoulos
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Odysseas Katsaros
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Theofanis Korovesis
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
| | - George Latsios
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
| | - Kostas Tsioufis
- First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.D.); (A.A.); (N.K.); (O.K.); (T.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Scalia IG, Farina JM, Padang R, Jokerst CE, Pereyra M, Mahmoud AK, Naqvi TZ, Chao CJ, Oh JK, Arsanjani R, Ayoub C. Aortic Valve Calcium Score by Computed Tomography as an Adjunct to Echocardiographic Assessment-A Review of Clinical Utility and Applications. J Imaging 2023; 9:250. [PMID: 37998097 PMCID: PMC10672559 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging9110250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is increasing in prevalence due to the aging population, and severe AS is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Echocardiography remains the mainstay for the initial detection and diagnosis of AS, as well as for grading of severity. However, there are important subgroups of patients, for example, patients with low-flow low-gradient or paradoxical low-gradient AS, where quantification of severity of AS is challenging by echocardiography and underestimation of severity may delay appropriate management and impart a worse prognosis. Aortic valve calcium score by computed tomography has emerged as a useful clinical diagnostic test that is complimentary to echocardiography, particularly in cases where there may be conflicting data or clinical uncertainty about the degree of AS. In these situations, aortic valve calcium scoring may help re-stratify grading of severity and, therefore, further direct clinical management. This review presents the evolution of aortic valve calcium score by computed tomography, its diagnostic and prognostic value, as well as its utility in clinical care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel G. Scalia
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA; (I.G.S.)
| | - Juan M. Farina
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA; (I.G.S.)
| | - Ratnasari Padang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | - Milagros Pereyra
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA; (I.G.S.)
| | - Ahmed K. Mahmoud
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA; (I.G.S.)
| | - Tasneem Z. Naqvi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA; (I.G.S.)
| | - Chieh-Ju Chao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jae K. Oh
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Reza Arsanjani
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA; (I.G.S.)
| | - Chadi Ayoub
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA; (I.G.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tsigkriki L, Kleitsioti P, Dimitriadis F, Sidiropoulos G, Alkagiet S, Efstratiou D, Kalaitzoglou M, Charisopoulou D, Siarkos M, Mavrogianni AD, Giannakopoulou P, Zarifis J, Koulaouzidis G. The Utility of Low-Dose-Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: An Update. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2920. [PMID: 37761286 PMCID: PMC10527914 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13182920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite significant advancements in medical therapy, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) continues to be a significant cause of death and disability. Reversible ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction due to viable myocardium is one such contributing factor. In these cases, coronary revascularization has shown promise in improving left ventricular function and prognosis. For patients with HFrEF and wide QRS, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective option to address electromechanical dyssynchrony. However, approximately 30% of patients do not respond positively to CRT, highlighting the need to refine candidate selection for this treatment. In some patients with reduced HFrEF, there is a condition known as classical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (AS) that may be observed. This condition is characterized by a low transaortic flow, which leads to reductions in both the transaortic mean gradient and aortic valve area. Decision-making regarding revascularization, CRT, and pharmacological treatment play a crucial role in managing HFrEF. Cardiac imaging can be valuable in guiding decision-making processes and assessing the prognosis of patients with HFrEF. Among the imaging modalities, dobutamine stress echocardiography has come a long way in establishing itself as a feasible, safe, effective, relatively cheap non-invasive technique. The aim of this review is to explore the current literature on the utility of low-dose stress echocardiography in diagnosing and prognosticating patients with HFrEF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lamprini Tsigkriki
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - Panagiota Kleitsioti
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - Fotis Dimitriadis
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - George Sidiropoulos
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - Stelina Alkagiet
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - Dimitris Efstratiou
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - Maria Kalaitzoglou
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | | | - Michail Siarkos
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - Angeliki-Despoina Mavrogianni
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - Pinelopi Giannakopoulou
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - John Zarifis
- Cardiology Department, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.T.); (P.K.); (F.D.); (G.S.); (S.A.); (D.E.); (M.K.); (M.S.); (A.-D.M.); (P.G.); (J.Z.)
| | - George Koulaouzidis
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Powers A, Clavel MA. Calcium Scoring to Classify Aortic Valve Stenosis Severity: What Is the Current Data? Curr Cardiol Rep 2023; 25:1095-1101. [PMID: 37505400 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01929-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review explores current clinical value of aortic valve calcification (AVC) in classifying aortic valve stenosis (AS) severity, refining patient's follow-up, as well as novel and potential applications of this highly accurate marker in improving outcomes for AS patients. AVC limitations and important particularities regarding sex, valve phenotype, and ethnicity will also be addressed. RECENT FINDINGS Sex-specific AVC cut-offs have been included in current guidelines to identify severe AS when echocardiography is inconclusive. AVC is also associated with AS progression and could help refine the timing for patient's follow-up. In patients with AS, Doppler echocardiography is the gold standard for the assessment of AS severity. However, in more than one-third of patients, echocardiographic parameters are discordant, casting shadow on the true severity of the disease. Considering active leaflet calcification is the driving mechanism of AS, quantification of AVC has been shown to be of great interest for distinguishing true-severe from pseudo-severe AS. Moreover, AVC is closely associated with AS progression and outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andréanne Powers
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec (Quebec Heart & Lung Institute), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Annick Clavel
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec (Quebec Heart & Lung Institute), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sato K, Seo Y, Ishizu T, Albakaa NK, Izumo M, Okada A, Izumi C, Inami S, Takeda Y, Onishi T, Izumi Y, Kumagai A, Fukuda T, Takahashi N, Kitai T, Iwano H, Sugawara S, Akasaka K, Harada K, Masaoka Y, Kusunose K, Tanabe K, Sakamoto T, Takamura T, Ieda M. Cardiac Reversibility and Survival After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e029717. [PMID: 37581389 PMCID: PMC10492952 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.029717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Prognostic implications of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in low-gradient (LG) aortic stenosis (AS) remain controversial. The authors hypothesized that differences in cardiac functional recovery may solve this ongoing controversy. The aim was to evaluate clinical outcomes and the response of left ventricular (LV) function following TAVI in patients with LG AS. Methods and Results This multicenter retrospective study included 1742 patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI between January 2015 and March 2019. Patients were subdivided into low-flow (LF) LG, normal-flow (NF) LG, LF high-gradient, and NF high-gradient AS groups according to the mean gradient of the aortic valve (LG <40 mm Hg) and LV stroke volume index (LF <35 mL/m2). Outcomes and changes in echocardiographic parameters after TAVI were compared between the groups. A total of 227 patients (13%) had reduced ejection fraction, and 486 patients (28%) had LG AS (LF-LG 143 [8%]; NF-LG 343 [20%]). During a median follow-up period of 747 days, 301 patients experienced a composite end point of cardiovascular death and rehospitalization for cardiovascular events, which was higher in the LF-LG and NF-LG groups than in the high-gradient groups. LG AS was independently associated with the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 1.69; P<0.001). Among 1239 patients with follow-up echocardiography, LG AS showed less improvement in the LV mass index and LV end-diastolic volume compared with high-gradient AS after 1 year, while LV recovery was similar between the LF AS and NF AS groups. Conclusions LG AS was associated with poorer outcomes and LV recovery, regardless of flow status after TAVI. Careful evaluation of AS severity may be required in LG AS to provide TAVI within the appropriate time and advanced care afterward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimi Sato
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of TsukubaTsukubaJapan
| | - Yoshihiro Seo
- Department of CardiologyNagoya City University Graduate School of Medical SciencesNagoyaJapan
| | - Tomoko Ishizu
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of TsukubaTsukubaJapan
| | - Noor K. Albakaa
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of TsukubaTsukubaJapan
| | - Masaki Izumo
- Division of CardiologySt. Marianna Medical University HospitalKawasakiJapan
| | - Atsushi Okada
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Chisato Izumi
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
| | - Shu Inami
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineDokkyo Medical UniversityMibuJapan
| | - Yasuharu Takeda
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineOsaka University Graduate School of MedicineSuitaJapan
| | - Toshinari Onishi
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineSakai City Hospital OrganizationSakaiJapan
| | - Yuki Izumi
- Department of CardiologySakakibara Heart InstituteTokyoJapan
| | - Akiko Kumagai
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal MedicineIwate Medical UniversityIwateJapan
| | - Tomoko Fukuda
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination, Faculty of MedicineOita UniversityOitaJapan
| | - Naohiko Takahashi
- Department of Cardiology and Clinical Examination, Faculty of MedicineOita UniversityOitaJapan
| | - Takeshi Kitai
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineNational Cerebral and Cardiovascular CenterOsakaJapan
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineKobe City Medical Center General HospitalKobeJapan
| | - Hiroyuki Iwano
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Division of CardiologyTeine Keijinkai HospitalSapporoJapan
| | - Shigeo Sugawara
- Department of CardiologyNihonkai General HospitalYamagataJapan
| | - Kazumi Akasaka
- Medical Laboratory and Blood CenterAsahikawa Medical University HospitalAsahikawaJapan
| | - Kenji Harada
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal MedicineJichi Medical UniversityTochigiJapan
| | - Yoshiko Masaoka
- Department of CardiologyHiroshima City Hiroshima Citizens HospitalHiroshimaJapan
| | - Kenya Kusunose
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineTokushima University HospitalTokushimaJapan
| | - Kazuaki Tanabe
- Division of CardiologyShimane University Faculty of MedicineIzumoJapan
| | - Takahiro Sakamoto
- Division of CardiologyShimane University Faculty of MedicineIzumoJapan
| | | | - Masaki Ieda
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of TsukubaTsukubaJapan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Manzo R, Ilardi F, Nappa D, Mariani A, Angellotti D, Immobile Molaro M, Sgherzi G, Castiello DS, Simonetti F, Santoro C, Canonico ME, Avvedimento M, Piccolo R, Franzone A, Esposito G. Echocardiographic Evaluation of Aortic Stenosis: A Comprehensive Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2527. [PMID: 37568890 PMCID: PMC10417789 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13152527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Echocardiography represents the most important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of aortic stenosis. The echocardiographic assessment of its severity should always be performed through a standardized and stepwise approach in order to achieve a comprehensive evaluation. The latest technical innovations in the field of echocardiography have improved diagnostic accuracy, guaranteeing a better and more detailed evaluation of aortic valve anatomy. An early diagnosis is of utmost importance since it shortens treatment delays and improves patient outcomes. Echocardiography plays a key role also in the evaluation of all the structural changes related to aortic stenosis. Detailed evaluation of subtle and subclinical changes in left ventricle function has a prognostic significance: scientific efforts have been addressed to identify the most accurate global longitudinal strain cut-off value able to predict adverse outcomes. Moreover, in recent years the role of artificial intelligence is increasingly emerging as a promising tool able to assist cardiologists in aortic stenosis screening and diagnosis, especially by reducing the rate of aortic stenosis misdiagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Federica Ilardi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Division of Cardiology, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tessari FC, Lopes MAAADM, Campos CM, Rosa VEE, Sampaio RO, Soares FJMM, Lopes RRS, Nazzetta DC, de Brito Jr FS, Ribeiro HB, Vieira MLC, Mathias W, Fernandes JRC, Lopes MP, Rochitte CE, Pomerantzeff PMA, Abizaid A, Tarasoutchi F. Risk prediction in patients with classical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis undergoing surgical intervention. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1197408. [PMID: 37378406 PMCID: PMC10291604 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1197408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Classical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG-AS) is an advanced stage of aortic stenosis, which has a poor prognosis with medical treatment and a high operative mortality after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). There is currently a paucity of information regarding the current prognosis of classical LFLG-AS patients undergoing SAVR and the lack of a reliable risk assessment tool for this particular subset of AS patients. The present study aims to assess mortality predictors in a population of classical LFLG-AS patients undergoing SAVR. Methods This is a prospective study including 41 consecutive classical LFLG-AS patients (aortic valve area ≤1.0 cm2, mean transaortic gradient <40 mmHg, left ventricular ejection fraction <50%). All patients underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), 3D echocardiography, and T1 mapping cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Patients with pseudo-severe aortic stenosis were excluded. Patients were divided into groups according to the median value of the mean transaortic gradient (≤25 and >25 mmHg). All-cause, intraprocedural, 30-day, and 1-year mortality rates were evaluated. Results All of the patients had degenerative aortic stenosis, with a median age of 66 (60-73) years; most of the patients were men (83%). The median EuroSCORE II was 2.19% (1.5%-4.78%), and the median STS was 2.19% (1.6%-3.99%). On DSE, 73.2% had flow reserve (FR), i.e., an increase in stroke volume ≥20% during DSE, with no significant differences between groups. On CMR, late gadolinium enhancement mass was lower in the group with mean transaortic gradient >25 mmHg [2.0 (0.0-8.9) g vs. 8.5 (2.3-15.0) g; p = 0.034), and myocardium extracellular volume (ECV) and indexed ECV were similar between groups. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 14.6% and 43.8%, respectively. The median follow-up was 4.1 (0.3-5.1) years. By multivariate analysis adjusted for FR, only the mean transaortic gradient was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio: 0.923, 95% confidence interval: 0.864-0.986, p = 0.019). A mean transaortic gradient ≤25 mmHg was associated with higher all-cause mortality rates (log-rank p = 0.038), while there was no difference in mortality regarding FR status (log-rank p = 0.114). Conclusions In patients with classical LFLG-AS undergoing SAVR, the mean transaortic gradient was the only independent mortality predictor in patients with LFLG-AS, especially if ≤25 mmHg. The absence of left ventricular FR had no prognostic impact on long-term outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Castiglioni Tessari
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Antonieta Albanez A. de M. Lopes
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Hemodynamic, Real Hospital Português, Recife, Brazil
| | - Carlos M. Campos
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Hemodynamic, Instituto Prevent Senior, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitor Emer Egypto Rosa
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roney Orismar Sampaio
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Rener Romulo Souza Lopes
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniella Cian Nazzetta
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fábio Sândoli de Brito Jr
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Henrique Barbosa Ribeiro
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo L. C. Vieira
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wilson Mathias
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joao Ricardo Cordeiro Fernandes
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Pezzute Lopes
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos E. Rochitte
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pablo M. A. Pomerantzeff
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Abizaid
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavio Tarasoutchi
- Instituto do Coracao (InCor), Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ciampi Q, Cortigiani L, Rivadeneira Ruiz M, Barbieri A, Manganelli F, Mori F, D’Alfonso MG, Bursi F, Villari B. ABCDEG Stress Echocardiography in Aortic Stenosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:1727. [PMID: 37238211 PMCID: PMC10217228 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13101727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Rest and stress echocardiography (SE) plays a pivotal role in the evaluation of valvular heart disease. The use of SE is recommended in valvular heart disease when there is a mismatch between resting transthoracic echocardiography findings and symptoms. In aortic stenosis (AS), rest echocardiographic analysis is a stepwise approach that begins with the evaluation of aortic valve morphology and proceeds to the measurement of the transvalvular aortic gradient and aortic valve area (AVA) using continuity equations or planimetry. The presence of the following three criteria suggests severe AS: AVA < 1.0 cm2, a peak velocity > 4.0 m/s, or a mean gradient > 40 mmHg. However, in approximately one in three cases, we can observe a discordant AVA < 1 cm2 with a peak velocity < 4.0 m/s or a mean gradient <40 mmHg. This is due to reduced transvalvular flow associated with LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF < 50%) defined as "classical" low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) AS or normal LVEF "paradoxical" LFLG AS. SE has an established role in evaluating LV contractile reserve (CR) patients with reduced LVEF. In classical LFLG AS, LV CR distinguished pseudo-severe AS from truly severe AS. Some observational data suggest that long-term prognosis in asymptomatic severe AS may not be as favorable as previously thought, offering a window of opportunity for intervention prior to the onset of symptoms. Therefore, guidelines recommend evaluating asymptomatic AS with exercise stress in physically active patients, particularly those younger than 70 years, and symptomatic classical LFLG severe AS with low-dose dobutamine SE. A comprehensive SE assessment includes evaluating valve function (gradients), the global systolic function of the LV, and pulmonary congestion. This assessment integrates considerations of blood pressure response, chronotropic reserve, and symptoms. StressEcho 2030 is a prospective, large-scale study that employs a comprehensive protocol (ABCDEG) to analyze the clinical and echocardiographic phenotypes of AS, capturing various vulnerability sources which support stress echo-driven treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quirino Ciampi
- Cardiology Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, 82100 Benevento, Italy;
| | | | | | - Andrea Barbieri
- Department of Biomedical, Cardiology Division, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy;
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Cardiology Division, San Giuseppe Moscati Hospital, 83100 Avellino, Italy;
| | - Fabio Mori
- Cardiology Division, Careggi Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.M.); (M.G.D.)
| | | | - Francesca Bursi
- Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Cardiology Division, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, 20142 Milano, Italy;
| | - Bruno Villari
- Cardiology Division, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, 82100 Benevento, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sharma N, Sachedina AK, Kumar S. Low-flow, Low-gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis: A Review. Heart Int 2023; 17:8-12. [PMID: 37456345 PMCID: PMC10339455 DOI: 10.17925/hi.2023.17.1.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valve pathology experienced by patients worldwide. There are limited population-based studies assessing its prevalence; however, epidemiological studies emphasize that the burden of disease is growing. Recognizing AS relies on accurate clinical assessment and diagnostic investigations. Patients who develop severe AS are often referred to the heart team for assessment of aortic valve intervention. Although echocardiography has traditionally been used to screen and monitor the progression of AS, there can be discordance between measurements in a low-flow state. Such patients may have truly severe AS and potentially derive long-term benefit from aortic valve intervention. Accurately identifying these patients with the use of ancillary testing has been the focus of research for several years. In this article, we discuss the contemporary approaches and challenges in identifying and managing patients with low-flow, low-gradient severe AS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Sharma
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Ayaaz K Sachedina
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Sachin Kumar
- Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang TKM, Abou Hassan OK, Popović ZB, Griffin BP, Rodriguez LL. Quantification of Significant Aortic Stenosis by Echocardiography versus Four-Dimensional Cardiac Computed Tomography: A Multi-Modality Imaging Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12123106. [PMID: 36553113 PMCID: PMC9777111 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12123106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) grading of aortic stenosis (AS) is challenging when parameters are discrepant, and four-dimensional cardiac computed tomography (4D-CCT) is increasingly utilized for transcatheter intervention workup. We compared TTE and 4D-CCT measures contributing to AS quantification. AS patients (n = 80, age 86 ± 10 years, 71% men) referred for transcatheter replacement in 2014−2017 were retrospectively studied, 20 each with high-gradient AS (HG-AS), classical and paradoxical low-flow low-gradient AS (CLFLG-AS and PLFLG-AS), and normal-flow low-gradient AS (NFLG-AS). Correlation and Bland−Altman analyses were performed between TTE and 4D-CCT parameters. There were moderate-to-high TTE versus 4D-CCT correlations for left ventricular volumes, function, mass, and outflow tract dimensions (r = 0.51−0.88), though values were mostly significantly higher by 4D-CCT (p < 0.001). Compared with 4D-CCT planimetry of aortic valve area (AVA), TTE estimates had modest correlation (r = 0.37−0.43) but were significantly lower (by 0.15−0.32 cm2). The 4D-CCT estimate of LVSVi lead to significant reclassification of AS subtype defined by TTE. In conclusion, 4D-CCT quantified values were higher than TTE for the left ventricle and AVA, and the AS subtype was reclassified based on LVSVi by 4D-CCT, warranting further research to establish its clinical implications and optimal thresholds in severe AS management.
Collapse
|
11
|
Pavasini R, Fabbri G, Bianchi N, Deserio MA, Sanguettoli F, Zanarelli L, Tonet E, Passarini G, Serenelli M, Campo G. The role of stress echocardiography in transcatheter aortic valve implantation and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair era: A systematic review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:964669. [PMID: 36465454 PMCID: PMC9708743 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.964669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the last decade, percutaneous treatment of valve disease has changed the approach toward the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS) and mitral regurgitation (MR). The clinical usefulness of stress echocardiography (SE) in the candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of MR remains to be established. Therefore, the key aim of this review is to assess the main applications of SE in patients undergoing TAVI or TEER. METHODS We searched for relevant studies to be included in the systematic review on PubMed (Medline), Cochrane library, Google Scholar, and Biomed Central databases. The literature search was conducted in February 2022. The inclusion criteria of the studies were: observational and clinical trials or meta-analysis involving patients with AS or MR evaluated with SE (excluding those in which SE was used only for screening of pseudo-severe stenosis) and treated with percutaneous procedures. RESULTS Thirteen studies published between 2013 and 2021 were included in the review: five regarding candidates for TEER and eight for TAVI. In TEER candidates, seeing an increase in MR grade, and stroke volume of >40% during SE performed before treatment was, respectively, related to clinical benefits (p = 0.008) and an increased quality of life. Moreover, overall, 25% of patients with moderate secondary MR at rest before TEER had the worsening of MR during SE. At the same time, in SE performed after TEER, an increase in mean transvalvular diastolic gradient and in systolic pulmonary pressure is expected, but without sign and symptoms of heart failure. Regarding TAVI, several studies showed that contractile reserve (CR) is not predictive of post-TAVI ejection fraction recovery and mortality in low-flow low-gradient AS either at 30 days or at long-term. CONCLUSION This systematic review shows in TEER candidates, SE has proved useful in the optimization of patient selection and treatment response, while its role in TAVI candidates is less defined. Therefore, larger trials are needed to test and confirm the utility of SE in candidates for percutaneous procedures of valve diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Pavasini
- Cardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Rizik DG, Goldstein JA. Intervention for aortic stenosis complicated by shock: Focus on the ventricle. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2022; 100:1117-1118. [DOI: 10.1002/ccd.30486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David G. Rizik
- Director of Structural & Coronary Intervention HonorHealth Medical Center Scottsdale Arizona USA
| | - James A. Goldstein
- Director of Research and Education Beaumont Health System Royal Oak Michigan USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Spilias N, Martyn T, Denby KJ, Harb SC, Popovic ZB, Kapadia SR. Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Aortic Stenosis: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management, and Future Directions. STRUCTURAL HEART : THE JOURNAL OF THE HEART TEAM 2022; 6:100089. [PMID: 37288060 PMCID: PMC10242576 DOI: 10.1016/j.shj.2022.100089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Degenerative calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease and often co-exists with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction at the time of diagnosis. Impaired LV systolic function has been associated with worse outcomes in the setting of AS, even after successful aortic valve replacement (AVR). Myocyte apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis are the 2 key mechanisms responsible for the transition from the initial adaptation phase of LV hypertrophy to the phase of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Novel advanced imaging methods, based on echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, can detect LV dysfunction and remodeling at an early and reversible stage, with important implications for the optimal timing of AVR especially in patients with asymptomatic severe AS. Furthermore, the advent of transcatheter AVR as a first-line treatment for AS with excellent procedural outcomes, and evidence that even moderate AS portends worse prognosis in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction patients, has raised the question of early valve intervention in this patient population. With this review, we describe the pathophysiology and outcomes of LV systolic dysfunction in the setting of AS, present imaging predictors of LV recovery after AVR, and discuss future directions in the treatment of AS extending beyond the traditional indications defined in the current guidelines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Samir R. Kapadia
- Address correspondence to: Samir Kapadia, MD, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Mail Code J2-3, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Stastny L, Dumfarth J, Friedrich G, Bonaros N. Low-flow/low-gradient aortic stenosis without contractile reserve—a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep 2022; 6:ytac273. [PMID: 35854884 PMCID: PMC9290351 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytac273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background Diagnosis and management of low-flow/low-gradient aortic stenosis are very challenging. Resting echocardiography is not capable of differentiating between different types and origins of low-flow and low-gradient state in aortic valve stenosis. Therefore, dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT) are necessary. This case report should illustrate the importance of these assessments. Case summary A 73-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with New York Heart Association III symptoms of exertional dyspnoea. In addition, the patient complained of fatigue and low resilience. On physical examination, auscultation revealed a systolic murmur over the aortic valve. Further diagnostic steps revealed a low-flow/low-gradient aortic valve stenosis (LF/LGAS) without contractile reserve (CR) in DSE and massive valve calcification in CCT. Discussion In this case, we demonstrate the importance of different assessments and workflow. The prognosis of LF/LGAS has been re-evaluated during the last decade and the current guidelines recommend the treatment of such patients even in the absence of CR. Furthermore, we are discussing the results of LF/LGAS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Stastny
- Department of Cardiac surgery, Medical University Innsbruck , Anichstraße 35 , Austria
| | - Julia Dumfarth
- Department of Cardiac surgery, Medical University Innsbruck , Anichstraße 35 , Austria
| | - Guy Friedrich
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University Innsbruck , 6020 Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Nikolaos Bonaros
- Department of Cardiac surgery, Medical University Innsbruck , Anichstraße 35 , Austria
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Vahanian A, Beyersdorf F, Praz F, Milojevic M, Baldus S, Bauersachs J, Capodanno D, Conradi L, De Bonis M, De Paulis R, Delgado V, Freemantle N, Gilard M, Haugaa KH, Jeppsson A, Jüni P, Pierard L, Prendergast BD, Rafael Sádaba J, Tribouilloy C, Wojakowski W. Guía ESC/EACTS 2021 sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las valvulopatías. Rev Esp Cardiol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.recesp.2021.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
16
|
Vahanian A, Beyersdorf F, Praz F, Milojevic M, Baldus S, Bauersachs J, Capodanno D, Conradi L, De Bonis M, De Paulis R, Delgado V, Freemantle N, Haugaa KH, Jeppsson A, Jüni P, Pierard L, Prendergast BD, Sádaba JR, Tribouilloy C, Wojakowski W. 2021 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. EUROINTERVENTION 2022; 17:e1126-e1196. [PMID: 34931612 PMCID: PMC9725093 DOI: 10.4244/eij-e-21-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
17
|
Gonska B, Buckert D, Mörike J, Scharnbeck D, Kersten J, Cuspidi C, Rottbauer W, Tadic M. Imaging Challenges in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Heart Failure: Did We Find a Way Out of the Labyrinth? J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11020317. [PMID: 35054012 PMCID: PMC8777924 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11020317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most frequent degenerative valvular disease in developed countries. Its incidence has been constantly rising due to population aging. The diagnosis of AS was considered straightforward for a very long time. High gradients and reduced aortic valve area were considered as "sine qua non" in diagnosis of AS until a growing body of evidence showed that patients with low gradients could also have severe AS with the same or even worse outcome. This completely changed the paradigm of AS diagnosis and involved large numbers of parameters that had never been used in the evaluation of AS severity. Low gradient AS patients may present with heart failure (HF) with preserved or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), associated with changes in cardiac output and flow across the aortic valve. These patients with low-flow low-gradient or paradoxical low-flow low-gradient AS are particularly challenging to diagnose, and cardiac output and flow across the aortic valve have become the most relevant parameters in evaluation of AS, besides gradients and aortic valve area. The introduction of other imaging modalities in the diagnosis of AS significantly improved our knowledge about cardiac mechanics, tissue characterization of myocardium, calcium and inflammation burden of the aortic valve, and their impact on severity, progression and prognosis of AS, not only in symptomatic but also in asymptomatic patients. However, a variety of novel parameters also brought uncertainty regarding the clinical relevance of these indices, as well as the necessity for their validation in everyday practice. The aim of this review is to summarize the prevalence of HF in patients with severe AS and elaborate on the diagnostic challenges and advantages of comprehensive multimodality cardiac imaging to identify the patients that may benefit from surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, as well as parameters that may help during follow-up.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Birgid Gonska
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.G.); (D.B.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (J.K.); (W.R.)
| | - Dominik Buckert
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.G.); (D.B.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (J.K.); (W.R.)
| | - Johannes Mörike
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.G.); (D.B.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (J.K.); (W.R.)
| | - Dominik Scharnbeck
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.G.); (D.B.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (J.K.); (W.R.)
| | - Johannes Kersten
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.G.); (D.B.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (J.K.); (W.R.)
| | - Cesare Cuspidi
- Department for Internal Medicine, University of Milan-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | - Wolfang Rottbauer
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.G.); (D.B.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (J.K.); (W.R.)
| | - Marijana Tadic
- Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (B.G.); (D.B.); (J.M.); (D.S.); (J.K.); (W.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-176-3236-0011
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Sato K, Wang TKM, Desai MY, Kapadia SR, Krishnaswamy A, Rodriguez LL, Grimm RA, Griffin BP, Popović ZB. Physical and physiological effects of dobutamine stress echocardiography in low-gradient aortic stenosis. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 322:H94-H104. [PMID: 34860593 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00183.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a useful tool for assessing low-gradient significant aortic stenosis (AS) and contractile reserve (CR), but its prognostic utility has become controversial in recent studies. We evaluated the impact of DSE on aortic valve physiological, structural, and left ventricular parameters in low-gradient AS. Consecutive patients undergoing DSE for low-gradient AS evaluation from September 2010 to July 2016 were retrospectively studied, and DSE findings were divided into four groups: with and without severe AS and/or CR. Relationships between left ventricular chamber quantification, CR, aortic valve Doppler during DSE, and calcium score [by computerized tomography (CT)] were analyzed. There were 258 DSE studies performed on 243 patients, mean age 77.6 ± 10.8 yr and 183 (70.1%) were males. With increasing dobutamine dose, apart from systolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, flow, cardiac power output, and longitudinal strain magnitude, along with aortic valve area and mean aortic gradient were all significantly increased (P < 0.05). Flow and mean gradient increased in both the presence and absence of CR, whereas stroke volume and aortic valve area increased mainly in those with CR only. The aortic valve area increased in both patients with low and high calcium scores; however, the baseline area was lower in those with a higher calcium score. During DSE, aortic valve area increases with increase in aortic valve gradient. Higher calcium score is associated with lower baseline aortic valve area, but the aortic valve area still increases with dobutamine even in presence of a high calcium score.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that even in most severe aortic stenosis, there is some residual valve pliability. This suggests that a complete loss of pliability is not compatible with survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimi Sato
- Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Tom Kai Ming Wang
- Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Milind Y Desai
- Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Samir R Kapadia
- Section of Invasive and Interventional Cardiology, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Amar Krishnaswamy
- Section of Invasive and Interventional Cardiology, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - L Leonardo Rodriguez
- Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Richard A Grimm
- Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Brian P Griffin
- Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Zoran B Popović
- Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Snir AD, Ng MK, Strange G, Playford D, Stewart S, Celermajer DS. Prevalence and Outcomes of Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis-From the National Echo Database of Australia. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e021126. [PMID: 34719256 PMCID: PMC8751961 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.021126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background The prevalence and outcomes of the different subtypes of severe low‐gradient aortic stenosis (AS) in routine clinical cardiology practice have not been well characterized. Methods and Results Data were derived from the National Echocardiography Database of Australia. Of 192 060 adults (aged 62.8±17.8 [mean±SD] years) with native aortic valve profiling between 2000 and 2019, 12 013 (6.3%) had severe AS. Of these, 5601 patients (47%) had high‐gradient and 6412 patients (53%) had low‐gradient severe AS. The stroke volume index was documented in 2741 (42.7%) patients with low gradient; 1750 patients (64%) with low flow, low gradient (LFLG); and 991 patients with normal flow, low gradient. Of the patients with LFLG, 1570 (89.7%) had left ventricular ejection fraction recorded; 959 (61%) had paradoxical LFLG (preserved left ventricular ejection fraction), and 611 (39%) had classical LFLG (reduced left ventricular ejection fraction). All‐cause and cardiovascular‐related mortality were assessed in the 8162 patients with classifiable severe AS subtype during a mean±SD follow‐up of 88±45 months. Actual 1‐year and 5‐year all‐cause mortality rates varied across these groups and were 15.8% and 49.2% among patients with high‐gradient severe AS, 11.6% and 53.6% in patients with normal‐flow, low‐gradient severe AS, 16.9% and 58.8% in patients with paradoxical LFLG severe AS, and 30.5% and 72.9% in patients with classical LFLG severe AS. Compared with patients with high‐gradient severe AS, the 5‐year age‐adjusted and sex‐adjusted mortality risk hazard ratios were 0.94 (95% CI, 0.85–1.03) in patients with normal‐flow, low‐gradient severe AS; 1.01 (95% CI, 0.92–1.12) in patients with paradoxical LFLG severe AS; and 1.65 (95% CI, 1.48–1.84) in patients with classical LFLG severe AS. Conclusions Approximately half of those patients with echocardiographic features of severe AS in routine clinical practice have low‐gradient hemodynamics, which is associated with long‐term mortality comparable with or worse than high‐gradient severe AS. The poorest survival was associated with classical LFLG severe AS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afik D Snir
- Faculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney Australia
| | - Martin K Ng
- Faculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney Australia.,Department of Cardiology Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Camperdown Australia
| | - Geoff Strange
- Heart Research Institute Newtown Australia.,School of Medicine University of Notre Dame Fremantle Australia
| | - David Playford
- School of Medicine University of Notre Dame Fremantle Australia
| | - Simon Stewart
- Torrens University Australia Adelaide Australia.,University of Glasgow Scotland
| | - David S Celermajer
- Faculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney Australia.,Department of Cardiology Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Camperdown Australia.,Heart Research Institute Newtown Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Vahanian A, Beyersdorf F, Praz F, Milojevic M, Baldus S, Bauersachs J, Capodanno D, Conradi L, De Bonis M, De Paulis R, Delgado V, Freemantle N, Gilard M, Haugaa KH, Jeppsson A, Jüni P, Pierard L, Prendergast BD, Sádaba JR, Tribouilloy C, Wojakowski W. 2021 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2021; 60:727-800. [PMID: 34453161 DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezab389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 304] [Impact Index Per Article: 101.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
|
21
|
Abstract
Aortic stenosis (AS) is defined as severe in the presence of: mean gradient ≥40 mmHg, peak aortic velocity ≥4 m/s, and aortic valve area (AVA) ≤1 cm2 (or an indexed AVA ≤0.6 cm2/m2). However, up to 40% of patients have a discrepancy between gradient and AVA, i.e. AVA ≤1 cm2 (indicating severe AS) and a moderate gradient: >20 and <40 mmHg (typical of moderate stenosis). This condition is called ‘low-gradient AS’ and includes very heterogeneous clinical entities, with different pathophysiological mechanisms. The diagnostic tools needed to discriminate the different low-gradient AS phenotypes include colour-Doppler echocardiography, dobutamine stress echocardiography, computed tomography scan for the definition of the calcium score, and recently magnetic resonance imaging. The prognostic impact of low-gradient AS is heterogeneous. Classical low-flow low-gradient AS [reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)] has the worst prognosis, followed by paradoxical low-flow low-gradient AS (preserved LVEF). Conversely, normal-flow low-gradient AS is associated with a better prognosis. The indications of the guidelines recommend surgical or percutaneous treatment, depending on the risk and comorbidities of the individual patient, both for patients with classic low-flow low-gradient AS and for those with paradoxical low-flow low-gradient AS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Rizzello
- Dipartimento Cardiovascolare, Unità di Cardiologia d’Urgenza e UTIC, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Addolorata, Roma, Italy
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Vahanian A, Beyersdorf F, Praz F, Milojevic M, Baldus S, Bauersachs J, Capodanno D, Conradi L, De Bonis M, De Paulis R, Delgado V, Freemantle N, Gilard M, Haugaa KH, Jeppsson A, Jüni P, Pierard L, Prendergast BD, Sádaba JR, Tribouilloy C, Wojakowski W. 2021 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. Eur Heart J 2021; 43:561-632. [PMID: 34453165 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2108] [Impact Index Per Article: 702.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
|
23
|
Wikstrom J, Liu Y, Whatling C, Gan LM, Konings P, Mao B, Zhang C, Ji Y, Xiao YF, Wang Y. Diastolic dysfunction and impaired cardiac output reserve in dysmetabolic nonhuman primate with proteinuria. J Diabetes Complications 2021; 35:107881. [PMID: 33612386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2021.107881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiorenal complications are common in patients with dysmetabolism and diabetes. The present study aimed to examine if a nonhuman primate (NHP) model with spontaneously developed metabolic disorder and diabetes develops similar complications to humans, such as proteinuria and cardiac dysfunction at resting condition or diminished cardiac functional reserve following dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 66 dysmetabolic and diabetic cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) NHPs were enrolled to select 19 NHPs (MetS) with marked metabolic disorders and diabetes (fasting blood glucose: 178 ± 18 vs. 61 ± 3 mg/dL) accompanied by proteinuria (ACR: 134 ± 34 vs. 1.5 ± 0.4 mg/mmol) compared to 8 normal NHPs (CTRL). Under resting condition, MetS NHPs showed mild left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (E/A: 1 ± 0.06 vs. 1.5 ± 0.13), but with preserved ejection fraction (EF: 65 ± 2 vs. 71 ± 3%) compared to CTRL. DSE with an intravenous infusion of dobutamine at ascending doses (5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 μg/kg/min, 7 min for each dose) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cardiac function, however, with a significantly diminished magnitude at the highest dose of dobutamine infusion (40 μg/kg/min) in both diastole (E/A: -12 ± 3 vs. -38 ± 5%) and systole (EF: 25 ± 3 vs. 33 ± 5%) as well as ~42% reduced cardiac output reserve (COR: 63 ± 8 vs. 105 ± 18%, p < 0.02) in the MetS compared to CTRL NHPs. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that MetS NHPs with cardiorenal complications: proteinuria, LV diastolic dysfunction and preserved LV systolic function under resting conditions displayed compromised cardiac functional reserve under dobutamine stress. Based on these phenotypes, this NHP model of diabetes with cardiorenal complications can be used as a highly translational model mimic human disease for pharmaceutical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Wikstrom
- Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Yongqiang Liu
- Crown Bioscience Inc., 6 West Beijing Road, Taicang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Carl Whatling
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Li-Ming Gan
- Early Clinical Development, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Konings
- Quantitative Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Binchen Mao
- Crown Bioscience Inc., 6 West Beijing Road, Taicang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Crown Bioscience Inc., 6 West Beijing Road, Taicang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanqin Ji
- Crown Bioscience Inc., 6 West Beijing Road, Taicang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong-Fu Xiao
- Crown Bioscience Inc., 6 West Beijing Road, Taicang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yixin Wang
- Crown Bioscience Inc., 6 West Beijing Road, Taicang, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Is there a benefit of ICD treatment in patients with persistent severely reduced systolic left ventricular function after TAVI? Clin Res Cardiol 2021; 111:492-501. [PMID: 33758967 PMCID: PMC9054877 DOI: 10.1007/s00392-021-01826-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and heart failure with severely reduced ejection fraction, prediction of postprocedural left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement is challenging. Decision-making and timing for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) treatment are difficult and benefit is still unclear in this patient population. OBJECTIVE Aims of the study were to analyse long-term overall mortality in TAVI-patients with a preprocedural LVEF ≤ 35% regarding LVEF improvement and effect of ICD therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS Retrospective analysis of a high-risk TAVI-population suffering from severe AS and heart failure with a LVEF ≤ 35%. Out of 1485 TAVI-patients treated at this center between January 2013 and April 2018, 120 patients revealed a preprocedural LVEF ≤ 35% and had sufficient follow-up. 36.7% (44/120) of the patients suffered from persistent reduced LVEF without a postprocedural increase above 35% within 1 year after TAVI or before death, respectively. Overall mortality was neither significantly reduced by LVEF recovery above 35% (p = 0.31) nor by additional ICD treatment in patients with persistent LVEF ≤ 35% (p = 0.33). CONCLUSION In high-risk TAVI-patients suffering from heart failure with LVEF ≤ 35%, LVEF improvement to more than 35% did not reduce overall mortality. Patients with postprocedural persistent LVEF reduction did not seem to benefit from ICD treatment. Effects of LVEF improvement and ICD treatment on mortality are masked by the competing risk of death from relevant comorbidities.
Collapse
|
25
|
Contorni F, Fineschi M, Iadanza A, Santoro A, Mandoli GE, Cameli M. How to deal with low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis and reduced left ventricle ejection fraction: from literature review to tips for clinical practice. Heart Fail Rev 2021; 27:697-709. [PMID: 33683509 PMCID: PMC8898219 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-021-10090-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG AS) with reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) is still a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The aim of this paper is to review the latest evidences about the assessment of the valvular disease, usually difficult because of the low-flow status, and the therapeutic options. Special emphasis is given to the available diagnostic tools for the characterization of LFLG AS without functional reserve at stress echocardiography and to the factors that clinicians should evaluate to choose between surgical aortic valve repair, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, or medical therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Contorni
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - M Fineschi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - A Iadanza
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - A Santoro
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - G E Mandoli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - M Cameli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Division of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Bavishi C, Trivedi V, Sellke FW, Gordon PC, Abbott JD. Myocardial Contractile Reserve and Mortality in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis With Impaired Left Ventricular Function Who Underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Am J Cardiol 2021; 141:150-152. [PMID: 33248116 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2020.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chirag Bavishi
- Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island; Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Rhode Island.
| | - Vrinda Trivedi
- Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island; Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Rhode Island
| | - Frank W Sellke
- Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island; Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Rhode Island
| | - Paul C Gordon
- Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island; Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Rhode Island
| | - Jinnette Dawn Abbott
- Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island; Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Rhode Island
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Micali LR, Algargoosh S, Parise O, Parise G, Matteucci F, de Jong M, Ioanna Moula A, Tetta C, Gelsomino S. Patient survival in severe low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis after aortic valve replacement or conservative management. J Card Surg 2020; 36:1030-1039. [PMID: 33336497 PMCID: PMC7898507 DOI: 10.1111/jocs.15209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background and aim Classical and paradoxical low‐flow, low‐gradient (LFLG) aortic stenosis (AS) are the most challenging subtypes of AS. The current therapeutic options are aortic valve replacement (AVR) and conservative management: AVR promotes long‐term survival but is invasive, while conservative management yields a poor prognosis but is noninvasive since it uses no aortic valve replacement (noAVR). The present meta‐analysis investigated the rate of survival of patients with LFLG AS undergoing either AVR or noAVR interventions. Methods The meta‐analysis compared the outcomes of AVR with those of noAVR in terms of patient survival. In both groups, a meta‐regression was conducted to investigate the impact on patient survival of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), either preserved (paradoxical LFLG AS) or reduced (classical LFLG AS). Results The relative risk of survival between the AVR and noAVR groups was 1.99 [1.40, 2.82] (p = .0001), suggesting that survival tends to be better in AVR patients than in noAVR patients. The meta‐regression revealed that a reduced LVEF may be related to a higher survival in AVR patients when compared to a preserved LVEF (p = .04). Finally, the analysis indicated that LVEF seems not to be prognostic of survival in noAVR patients (p = .18). Conclusions Patients with LFLG AS have better survival if they undergo AVR. In AVR patients, reduced LVEF rather than preserved LVEF is related to better survival, whereas there seems to be no difference in prognostic value between reduced and preserved LVEF in noAVR patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda R Micali
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Salma Algargoosh
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Orlando Parise
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gianmarco Parise
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Matteucci
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Monique de Jong
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Amalia Ioanna Moula
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Cecilia Tetta
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sandro Gelsomino
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Annabi M, Côté N, Dahou A, Bartko PE, Bergler‐Klein J, Burwash IG, Orwat S, Baumgartner H, Mascherbauer J, Mundigler G, Fukui M, Cavalcante J, Ribeiro HB, Rodès‐Cabau J, Clavel M, Pibarot P. Comparison of Early Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Versus Conservative Management in Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis Using Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting: Results From the TOPAS Prospective Observational Cohort Study. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e017870. [PMID: 33289422 PMCID: PMC7955363 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.017870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background No randomized comparison of early (ie, ≤3 months) aortic valve replacement (AVR) versus conservative management or of transcatheter AVR (TAVR) versus surgical AVR has been conducted in patients with low-flow, low-gradient (LFLG) aortic stenosis (AS). Methods and Results A total of 481 consecutive patients (75±10 years; 71% men) with LFLG AS (aortic valve area ≤0.6 cm2/m2 and mean gradient <40 mm Hg), 72% with classic LFLG and 28% with paradoxical LFLG, were prospectively recruited in the multicenter TOPAS (True or Pseudo Severe Aortic Stenosis) study. True-severe AS or pseudo-severe AS was adjudicated by flow-independent criteria. During follow-up (median [IQR] 36 [11-60] months), 220 patients died. Using inverse probability of treatment weighting to address the bias of nonrandom treatment assignment, early AVR (n=272) was associated with a major overall survival benefit (hazard ratio [HR], 0.34 [95% CI, 0.24-0.50]; P<0.001). This benefit was observed in patients with true-severe AS but also with pseudo-severe AS (HR, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.18-0.81]; P=0.01), and in classic (HR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.22-0.49]; P<0.001) and paradoxical LFLG AS (HR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.20-0.92]; P=0.03). Compared with conservative management in the conventional multivariate model, trans femoral TAVR was associated with the best survival (HR, 0.23 [95% CI, 0.12-0.43]; P<0.001), followed by surgical AVR (HR, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.23-0.56]; P<0.001) and alternative-access TAVR (HR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.31-0.82]; P=0.007). In the inverse probability of treatment weighting model, trans femoral TAVR appeared to be superior to surgical AVR (HR [95% CI] 0.28 [0.11-0.72]; P=0.008) with regard to survival. Conclusions In this large prospective observational study of LFLG AS, early AVR appeared to confer a major survival benefit in both classic and paradoxical LFLG AS. This benefit seems to extend to the subgroup with pseudo-severe AS. Our findings suggest that TAVR using femoral access might be the best strategy in these patients. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01835028.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed‐Salah Annabi
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec‐Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Nancy Côté
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec‐Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Abdellaziz Dahou
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec‐Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Philipp E. Bartko
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIMedical University of ViennaVienna General HospitalViennaAustria
| | - Jutta Bergler‐Klein
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIMedical University of ViennaVienna General HospitalViennaAustria
| | | | - Stefan Orwat
- Department of Cardiology III–Adult Congenital and Valvular Heart DiseaseUniversity Hospital MuensterMuensterGermany
| | - Helmut Baumgartner
- Department of Cardiology III–Adult Congenital and Valvular Heart DiseaseUniversity Hospital MuensterMuensterGermany
| | - Julia Mascherbauer
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIMedical University of ViennaVienna General HospitalViennaAustria
| | - Gerald Mundigler
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of Internal Medicine IIMedical University of ViennaVienna General HospitalViennaAustria
| | - Miho Fukui
- CardiologyMinneapolis Heart InstituteMinneapolisMN
| | - Joao Cavalcante
- Division of CardiologyUniversity of PittsburghPA
- CardiologyMinneapolis Heart InstituteMinneapolisMN
| | | | - Josep Rodès‐Cabau
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec‐Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Marie‐Annick Clavel
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec‐Université LavalQuébecCanada
| | - Philippe Pibarot
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec‐Université LavalQuébecCanada
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Guzzetti E, Annabi MS, Pibarot P, Clavel MA. Multimodality Imaging for Discordant Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis: Assessing the Valve and the Myocardium. Front Cardiovasc Med 2020; 7:570689. [PMID: 33344514 PMCID: PMC7744378 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.570689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aortic stenosis (AS) is a disease of the valve and the myocardium. A correct assessment of the valve disease severity is key to define the need for aortic valve replacement (AVR), but a better understanding of the myocardial consequences of the increased afterload is paramount to optimize the timing of the intervention. Transthoracic echocardiography remains the cornerstone of AS assessment, as it is universally available, and it allows a comprehensive structural and hemodynamic evaluation of both the aortic valve and the rest of the heart. However, it may not be sufficient as a significant proportion of patients with severe AS presents with discordant grading (i.e., an AVA ≤ 1 cm2 and a mean gradient <40 mmHg) which raises uncertainty about the true severity of AS and the need for AVR. Several imaging modalities (transesophageal or stress echocardiography, computed tomography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography) exist that allow a detailed assessment of the stenotic aortic valve and the myocardial remodeling response. This review aims to provide an updated overview of these multimodality imaging techniques and seeks to highlight a practical approach to help clinical decision making in the challenging group of patients with discordant low-gradient AS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ezequiel Guzzetti
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (Quebec Heart & Lung Institute), Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Mohamed-Salah Annabi
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (Quebec Heart & Lung Institute), Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Philippe Pibarot
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (Quebec Heart & Lung Institute), Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Annick Clavel
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (Quebec Heart & Lung Institute), Quebec, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Prognostic Value of Computed Tomography-Derived Extracellular Volume in TAVR Patients With Low-Flow Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 13:2591-2601. [PMID: 33129731 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2020.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The association between extracellular volume (ECV) measured by computed tomography angiography (CTA) and clinical outcomes was evaluated in low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) aortic stenosis (AS) patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND Patients with LFLG AS comprise a high-risk group with respect to clinical outcomes. Although ECV, a marker of myocardial fibrosis, is traditionally measured with cardiac magnetic resonance, it can also be measured using cardiac CTA. The authors hypothesized that in LFLG AS, increased ECV may be associated with adverse clinical outcomes. METHODS In 150 LFLG patients with AS who underwent TAVR, ECV was quantified using pre-TAVR CTA. Echocardiographic and clinical information including all-cause death and heart failure rehospitalization (HFH) was obtained from electronic medical records. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between ECV and death+HFH. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 13.9 months (range 0.07 to 28.9 months), there were 31 death+HFH events (21%). Patients who experienced death+HFH had a greater median Society of Thoracic Surgery score (9.9 vs. 4.7; p < 0.01), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (42.3 ± 20.2% vs. 52.7 ± 17.2%; p < 0.01), lower mean transvalvular gradient (24.9 ± 8.9 mm Hg vs. 28.1 ± 7.3 mm Hg; p = 0.04) and increased mean ECV (35.5 ± 9.6% vs. 29.9 ± 8.2%; p < 0.01) compared with patients who did not experience death+HFH. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, increase in ECV was associated with increase in death+HFH, (hazard ratio per 1% increase: 1.04, 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.09; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS In patients with LFLG AS, CTA measured increase in ECV is associated with increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes post-TAVR and may thus serve as a useful noninvasive marker for prognostication.
Collapse
|
31
|
Sato K, Sankaramangalam K, Kandregula K, Bullen JA, Kapadia SR, Krishnaswamy A, Mick S, Rodriguez LL, Grimm RA, Menon V, Desai MY, Svensson LG, Griffin BP, Popović ZB. Contemporary Outcomes in Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis Patients Who Underwent Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 8:e011168. [PMID: 30879370 PMCID: PMC6475055 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.118.011168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Detection of flow reserve (FR) by dobutamine stress echocardiography is used for risk stratification in low‐gradient aortic stenosis (AS). Prognostic significance of dobutamine stress echocardiography in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement era is unclear. We aimed to assess the current relevance of FR. Methods and Results We studied 235 patients with low‐gradient severe AS (rest aortic valve area ≤1.0 cm2 or indexed aortic valve area ≤0.60 cm2/m2; mean aortic valve gradient <40 mm Hg) and left ventricular ejection fraction <50%) with dobutamine stress echocardiography done September 2010 through July 2016. FR was defined by ≥20% stroke volume increase. We diagnosed “true‐severe AS” if peak aortic valve velocity ≥4 m/s occurred with aortic valve area ≤1.0 cm2 (or indexed aortic valve area ≤0.6 cm2/m2). At a median time of 51 days, 128 patients underwent aortic valve replacement,either surgical aortic valve replacement (n=42) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (n=86). FR was observed in 138 patients, while 86 patients had true‐severe AS. During median follow‐up of 2.3 years, 138 patients died. In a multivariable model, aortic valve replacement (hazard ratio 0.41, 95% CI: 0.29–0.58, P <0.001) and lower Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (hazard ratio 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04–1.09, P<0.001) were associated with better survival, while FR was not predictive. aortic valve replacement was associated with survival regardless of the presence or absence of FR or AS severity stratification. Conclusions In low‐gradient AS with reduced ejection fraction, FR or AS severity stratification by dobutamine stress echocardiography was not associated with survival. Aortic valve replacement was associated with better survival in low‐gradient AS independent of FR. See Editorial by Annabi et al
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimi Sato
- Heart and Vascular InstituteCleveland ClinicClevelandOH
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Venu Menon
- Heart and Vascular InstituteCleveland ClinicClevelandOH
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Anand V, Mankad SV, Eleid M. What Is New in Low Gradient Aortic Stenosis: Surgery, TAVR, or Medical Therapy? Curr Cardiol Rep 2020; 22:78. [DOI: 10.1007/s11886-020-01341-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
33
|
Jiang T, Hasan SM, Faluk M, Patel J. Evolution of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement | Review of Literature. Curr Probl Cardiol 2020; 46:100600. [PMID: 32522375 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2020.100600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Aortic valve stenosis is the most common primary valvular heart disease leading to either surgical or transcatheter valve replacement in the United States with its prevalence on the rise due to the elderly population. Over the recent years, the rise of transcatheter aortic valve replacement has been exponential due to technologic developments and randomized control trials. In this review article, we aim to review current literature on transcatheter aortic valve replacements.
Collapse
|
34
|
Low Gradient Aortic Stenosis: Role of Echocardiography. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12410-019-9518-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
35
|
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Bing
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marc R Dweck
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Annabi M, Clavel M, Pibarot P. Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Low-Flow, Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis: Flow Reserve Does Not Matter Anymore. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 8:e012212. [PMID: 30879376 PMCID: PMC6475035 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.012212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
See Article by Sato et al.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed‐Salah Annabi
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec/Québec Heart & Lung InstituteUniversité Laval/Laval UniversityQuébec CityQuébecCanada
| | - Marie‐Annick Clavel
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec/Québec Heart & Lung InstituteUniversité Laval/Laval UniversityQuébec CityQuébecCanada
| | - Philippe Pibarot
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec/Québec Heart & Lung InstituteUniversité Laval/Laval UniversityQuébec CityQuébecCanada
| |
Collapse
|