Global Longitudinal Strain Predicts Outcomes in Patients with Reduced Left Ventricular Function Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Repair

BACKGROUND

The timing and selection of optimal candidates for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge valve repair remains to be fully determined, especially in cases with severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The objective of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of myocardial strain (LVGLS) in this setting.

METHODS

Retrospectively, 172 consecutive patients with LVEF ≤40% and severe MR treated with MitraClip were included. Four groups were generated according to the LVEF (<30% or ≥30%) and median LVGLS. The primary end-point was cardiovascular mortality.

RESULTS

Procedural success was high (96.5%) and complications were rare. At one-year follow-up, 82.5% of patients maintained MR grade ≤2, 79.2% were at a NYHA class ≤II and a reduction of 80% in heart failure admissions was observed in all groups. Interestingly, among patients with a more depressed LVEF, LVGLS was found to be an independent predictor for cardiovascular mortality (HR: 3.3; 95% CI: 1.1-10, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Mitral valve repair with MitraClip is safe and it improves the mid-term functional class of patients regardless of LVEF. LVGLS can help in the selection of optimal candidates and timing for this procedure, as well as in the recognition of those patients with worse prognoses.

Prognostic Impact of Nutritional Status After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair: The MIVNUT Registry

Background Malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in several cardiovascular diseases. However, its prognostic impact in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is not well known. This study sought to assess the prevalence, clinical associations, and prognostic consequences of malnutrition in patients undergoing TEER. Methods and Results A total of 892 patients undergoing TEER from the international MIVNUT (Mitral Valve Repair and Nutritional Status) registry were studied. Malnutrition status was assessed with the Controlling Nutritional Status score. The association of nutritional status with mortality was analyzed with multivariable Cox regression models, whereas the association with heart failure admission was assessed by Fine-Gray models, with death as a competing risk. According to the Controlling Nutritional Status score, 74.4% of patients with TEER had any degree of malnutrition at the time of TEER (75.1% in patients with body mass index <25 kg/m², 72.1% in those with body mass index ≥25 kg/m²). However, only 20% had moderate-severe malnutrition. TEER was successful in most of patients (94.2%). During a median follow-up of 1.6 years (interquartile range, 0.6-3.0), 267 (29.9%) patients died and 256 patients (28.7%) were admitted for heart failure after TEER. Compared with normal nutritional status moderate-severe malnutrition resulted a strong predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.1 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]; P<0.001) and heart failure admission (adjusted subdistribution HR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]; P=0.015). Conclusions Malnutrition is common among patients submitted to TEER, and moderate-severe malnutrition is strongly associated with increased mortality and heart failure readmission. Assessment of nutritional status in these patients may help to improve risk stratification.

A Score to Assess Mortality After Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair

BACKGROUND

Risk stratification for transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is paramount in the decision-making process for treating severe mitral regurgitation (MR).

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to create and validate a user-friendly score (MitraScore) to predict the risk of mortality in patients undergoing TEER.

METHODS

The derivation cohort was based on a multicentric international registry that included 1,119 patients referred for TEER between 2012 and 2020. Score discrimination was assessed using Harrell's c-statistic, and the calibration was evaluated with the Gronnesby and Borgan goodness-of-fit test. An external validation was carried out in 725 patients from the GIOTTO registry.

RESULTS

After multivariate analysis, we identified 8 independent predictors of mortality during the follow-up (2.1 ± 1.8 years): age ≥75 years, anemia, glomerular filtrate rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m², left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high diuretic dose, and no therapy with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The MitraScore was derived by assigning 1 point to each independent predictor. The c-statistic was 0.70. Per each point of the MitraScore, the relative risk of mortality increased by 55% (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.44-1.67; P < 0.001). The discrimination and calibration for mortality prediction was better than those of EuroSCORE II (c-statistic 0.61) or Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (c-statistic 0.57). The MitraScore maintained adequate performance in the validation cohort (c-statistic 0.66). The score was also predictive for heart failure rehospitalization and was correlated with the probability of clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The MitraScore is a simple prediction algorithm for the prediction of follow-up mortality in patients treated with TEER.

A Score to Assess Mortality After Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair

BACKGROUND

Risk stratification for transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is paramount in the decision-making process for treating severe mitral regurgitation (MR).

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to create and validate a user-friendly score (MitraScore) to predict the risk of mortality in patients undergoing TEER.

METHODS

The derivation cohort was based on a multicentric international registry that included 1,119 patients referred for TEER between 2012 and 2020. Score discrimination was assessed using Harrell's c-statistic, and the calibration was evaluated with the Gronnesby and Borgan goodness-of-fit test. An external validation was carried out in 725 patients from the GIOTTO registry.

RESULTS

After multivariate analysis, we identified 8 independent predictors of mortality during the follow-up (2.1 ± 1.8 years): age ≥75 years, anemia, glomerular filtrate rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m², left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high diuretic dose, and no therapy with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. The MitraScore was derived by assigning 1 point to each independent predictor. The c-statistic was 0.70. Per each point of the MitraScore, the relative risk of mortality increased by 55% (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.44-1.67; P < 0.001). The discrimination and calibration for mortality prediction was better than those of EuroSCORE II (c-statistic 0.61) or Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (c-statistic 0.57). The MitraScore maintained adequate performance in the validation cohort (c-statistic 0.66). The score was also predictive for heart failure rehospitalization and was correlated with the probability of clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The MitraScore is a simple prediction algorithm for the prediction of follow-up mortality in patients treated with TEER.

Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve repair in atrial functional mitral regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Isolated atrial fibrillation can cause mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with normal left ventricular systolic function and no organic disease of the mitral valve. Little information is available regarding outcomes of Mitraclip in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR). We aimed to evaluate 12-month clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) with MitraClip in patients with AFMR compared to those with ventricular functional or degenerative/mixed MR.

METHODS

Registry-based analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent TMVR and were included in the Spanish Registry of Mitraclip. Changes in MR and NYHA functional class, and a combined endpoint including all-cause mortality and hospitalizations due to heart failure were the main outcomes.

RESULTS

Overall, 1074 (69.1% male, 73.3 ± 10.2 years-old) patients were analyzed in this report. 48 patients (4.5%) presented AFMR. AFMR was significantly reduced after TMVR, with a procedural success rate of 91.7%, and this reduction persisted at 12-month (p < 0.001). Patients with AFMR showed a significant functional improvement at 6- and 12-month follow-up in our series (baseline: NYHA III 70.8% IV 18.8% vs. 1-year: NYHA III 21.7% IV 0%; p < 0.001). The probability of survival free of readmission for heart failure and all-cause mortality within the first year after TMVR was 74.9%. Procedural and clinical outcomes, as well as recurrent rates of MR were similar acutely and at 1-year compared to other etiologies.

CONCLUSION

TMVR in patients with AFMR showed no significant differences compared to ventricular functional or degenerative/mixed MR regarding MR reduction or clinical outcomes.

Percutaneous treatment with Mitraclip for functional mitral regurgitation: medium-term follow up according to left ventricular function

Background

Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is a bad prognosis condition despite optimal medical treatment. Nowadays there is an open debate about the surgical versus percutaneous treatment. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the mid-term follow up clinical outcomes of patients with FMR treated with MitraClip^® system, according to their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods

Data was obtained from two experienced centers in transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). All consecutive cases of severe FMR undergoing TMVR in both centers with the same inclusion criteria were included prospectively in this study and followed-up. Periodical follow-ups with clinical and echocardiographic evaluation were scheduled from the baseline procedure, at 3 months and then yearly.

Results

From October 2015 to October 2019, a total of 119 patients with FMR at 2 centers in Spain underwent TMVR with the MitraClip^® procedure and were included in this study. The mean age was 73.8±8.9 years old and 32 patients (26.9%) were female. A 39.5% of cases [47] had a LVEF ≤30% (group 1) and 60.5% (72 cases) had a LVEF >30% (group 2). There was a similar distribution in cardiovascular risk factors, age and other diseases. All MitraClip^® implantations were elective and procedural success was achieved in 110 patients (92.4%) with a similar distribution between the groups. There were no differences in procedural time and the number of implanted clips. The median follow-up was 22.6 months (IQR, 11.43–34.98 months). The primary combined endpoint occurred in the 41.6% of the global cohort, 57.5% in group 1 and 30.99% in group 2 (P=0.036). LVEF was associated to the main event in the multivariate analysis (HR 2.09, 95% CI: 1.12–3.89; P=0.02).

Conclusions

The MitraClip edge-to-edge technique is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of FMR. In this study, patients with LVEF >30% treated with Mitraclip presented better clinical cardiovascular outcomes than those with a LVEF ≤30%. Regardless clinical outcomes, at the end of the follow-up, there was a sustained reduction in MR grades and an important improvement in NYHA functional class.

Transcatheter Mitral Repair for Functional Mitral Regurgitation According to Left Ventricular Function: A Real-Life Propensity-Score Matched Study

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) could improve survival in functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), but it is necessary to consider the influence of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Therefore, we compare the outcomes after TMVR with Mitraclip® between two groups according to LVEF.

METHODS

In an observational registry study, we compared the outcomes in patients with FMR who underwent TMVR with and without LVEF <30%. The primary endpoint was the combined one-year all-cause mortality and unplanned hospital readmissions due to HF. The secondary end-points were New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and mitral regurgitation (MR) severity. Propensity-score matching was used to create two groups with the same baseline characteristics, except for baseline LVEF.

RESULTS

Among 535 FMR eligible patients, 144 patients with LVEF <30% (group 1) and 144 with LVEF >30% (group 2) had similar propensity scores and were included in the analyses. The primary study endpoint was significantlly higher in group 1 (33.3% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.002). There was a maintained improvement in secondary endpoints without significant differences among groups.

CONCLUSION

FMR patients with LVEF <30% treated with MitraClip® had higher mortality and readmissions than patients with LVEF ≥30% treated with the same device. However, both groups improved the NYHA functional class and MR severity.

Surgical management of embolized Amplatzer septal occluder into the left ventricle tangled with the mitral valve

Device embolization is a rare major complication of atrial septal defect percutaneous closures which requires surgical management if noninvasive retrieval fails. We report a symptomatic delayed embolization of an Amplatzer septal occluder device into the left ventricle outflow tract tangled with the mitral valve, complicated with ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac tamponade during percutaneous retrieval attempt. Emergent surgical treatment was performed, requiring a combined approach through the right atrium and the aorta for surgical removal.

Beneficial effect of left atrial appendage closure during cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of 280 585 patients

In non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation (AF), left atrial appendage (LAA) is thought to be the source of embolism in 90% of the strokes. Thus, as recent clinical trials have shown the non-inferiority of percutaneous LAA closure (LAAc) in comparison to medical treatment, and despite a IIb recommendation in the latest guidelines for concomitant surgical LAAc, we sought to investigate the beneficial effect of LAAc in the surgical population. A meta-analysis model was performed comparing studies including any cardiac surgery with or without concomitant surgical LAAc reporting stoke/embolic events and/or mortality, from inception to January 2019. Twenty-two studies (280 585 patients) were included in the model. Stroke/embolic events both in the perioperative period [relative risk (RR) 0.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53–0.82; P = 0.0001] and during follow-up of >2 years (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.51–0.89; P < 0.005) were significantly reduced in patients who underwent surgical LAAc (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.58–0.87; P = 0.001). Regarding the rate of preoperative AF, LAAc showed protective effect against stroke/embolic events in studies with >70% preoperative AF (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.53–0.77; P < 0.00001) but no benefit in the studies with <30% of preoperative AF (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.46–1.28; P = 0.31). Postoperative mortality was also significantly lower in surgical patients with LAAc at the mid- and long-term follow-up. (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.67–0.78; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%). Based on these findings, concomitant surgical LAAc is associated with lower rates of embolic events and stroke in the postoperative period in patients with preoperative AF and also improves postoperative mortality in the mid- and long-term follow-up.

Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair Vs. Stand-Alone Medical Therapy in Patients with Functional Mitral Regurgitation and Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is a common finding among patients with heart failure (HF) and it is related to adverse events. Outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) are still a matter of debate. We performed a meta-analysis to assess mid- and long-term outcomes of patients with FMR treated with MitraClip® compared to medical management.

METHODS

We conducted an electronic database search of all published data PubMed Central, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar databases. The primary end-point was all-cause mortality. The secondary end-points were hospitalizations for HF, need for heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device, unplanned mitral valve surgery, myocardial infarction and stroke.

RESULTS

Five studies (n = 1513 patients) were included in the analysis. The summary estimate including all the available studies showed a statistically significant reduction in all-cause mortality favoring MitraClip® (HR 0.56, CI 95% [0.38-0.84]) and HF hospitalizations (HR 0.65; CI 95% [0.46-0.92]). A significant reduction in the indication for advanced HF therapies (OR 0.48; CI 95% [0.25-0.90]) or the need for unplanned mitral valve surgery (OR 0.20; CI 95% [0.07-0.57]) was also found in the group of patients that underwent TMVR. No differences in the incidence of myocardial infarction or stroke were found between both groups of treatment. No publication bias was detected.

CONCLUSION

TMVR with MitraClip® system was related to a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, hospitalizations for HF and the need for HF transplant, left ventricular assist device or unplanned surgery beyond 1-year follow up.

MitraClip improves cardiopulmonary exercise test in patients with systolic heart failure and functional mitral regurgitation

Aims

The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) after percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) with MitraClip in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction who are potentially candidates for heart transplantation or destination left ventricular assist device.

Methods and results

Prospective registry of all consecutive patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and functional mitral regurgitation (MR) underwent elective PMVR between October 2015 and March 2018 in our institution. Patients with preserved or mid‐range left ventricular ejection fraction (>40%), advanced age (>75 years old), or severe co‐morbidities (end‐stage organ damage) were not included. Treadmill exercise testing with respiratory gas exchange analysis was carried out in 11 patients (male, 72.7%; median age, 67 years old) within the month prior to the procedure and at 6 month follow‐up. PMVR was successfully performed in all patients. At 6 month follow‐up, PMVR was associated with an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class (P = 0.021) and a reduction in MR severity (P = 0.013) and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide levels (2805 [1878–5022] vs. 1485 [654–3032] pg/mL; P = 0.012). All patients completed pre‐procedural and post‐procedural CPET, and all the studies showed a respiratory exchange ratio ≥1 and were consistent with sufficient exercise effort. Compared with pre‐procedural CPET, patients showed a significant increase in exercise time (295 [110–335] vs. 405 [261–540] s; P = 0.047), VO₂ (9.8 [9.1–13.4] vs. 13.5 [12.1–16.8] mL/kg/min; P = 0.033), ventilatory anaerobic threshold (510 [430–950] vs. 850 [670–1070] mL/kg/min; P = 0.033), peak O₂ pulse (7.2 [4.3–8.6] vs. 8.3 [6.2–11.8] mL/beat; P = 0.033), and workload (5 [3–6] vs. 6 [5–8] metabolic equivalents; P = 0.049).

Conclusions

Percutaneous mitral valve repair with MitraClip was associated with an enhancement in cardiopulmonary performance in patients with systolic heart failure and secondary MR.

Internal Banding to Reduce Paravalvular Leaks for Open Transcatheter Valve Implantation

Transcatheter valve implantation has become an alternative to open-heart conventional surgery in high-risk patients. We describe a new surgical technique that allows the implantation of a transcatheter valvular prosthesis through an open surgical approach to prevent the appearance of paravalvular leaks in patients with large native rings.

Transapical mitral valve-in-valve ring implantation with the Edwards Sapien 3 prosthesis

We present the case of a high-risk patient with symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation following a surgical annuloplasty ring. An inverted aortic Edwards Sapien 3 bioprosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) was successfully implanted through a transapical approach inside the previously implanted annuloplasty ring.

Survival Advantage of MitraClip® Over Medical Treatment in Patients with Mitral Regurgitation: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The MitraClip® system is a percutaneous treatment for mitral regurgitation (MR) that has shown promising results in patients who are inoperable or at high risk for mitral surgery. Data on the efficacy of the system over optimal medical therapy, above all in patients with functional MR, are scarce. The study aim was to assess the effect of MitraClip on the survival of patients with moderate/severe or severe MR compared to medical therapy, using meta-analytical techniques.

METHODS

Independently, reviewers searched electronically for relevant articles based on predefined criteria and end-points. Only articles with a comparison between MitraClip and conservative therapy were included. Standard meta-analysis techniques were used. The primary outcomes were 30-day and one-year mortalities.

RESULTS

Five observational reports were included that enrolled a total of 1,271 patients: 720 patients underwent percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) with the MitraClip device, and 551 were managed conservatively. A total of 49 all-cause mortality events was reported at 30 days: 3.05% (22/720) in the PMVR arm, and 4.90% (27/510) in the conservative group, with no significant differences in all-cause mortality (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.36-1.14). A total of 269 all-cause mortality events at one year was reported: 15.14% (109/720) in the PMVR arm, and 29.04% (160/551) in the conservative group. A significant difference favoring PMVR with the MitraClip system over medical therapy alone was observed (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.30-0.64, p <0.0001). Neither significance between study heterogeneity (p = 0.18) nor publication bias was detected (p = 0.3).

CONCLUSIONS

PMVR with the MitraClip system may be associated with an improvement in one-year survival compared to stand-alone medical management.

Trileaflet Mitral Valve Treated with the MitraClip® System

A 79-year-old woman with a history of ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction and significant mitral regurgitation (MR) was admitted to the authors´ institution for percutaneous mitral valve repair. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed the presence of a posterior mitral cleft at the P2 level, causing a trileaflet mitral valve that contributed significantly to the regurgitant jet. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia and guided by real-time three-dimensional TEE. Three MitraClip® devices (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA) were implanted, which reduced the MR to grade 1+.

Emergent aortic surgery in octogenarians: is the advanced age a contraindication?

Surgery of both the ascending and descending aortic segments in the context of an acute aortic syndrome is one of the greatest challenges for the cardiac surgeon. In the case of surgery of the descending aorta, surgical risk increases due to the technical complexity, the required aggressive approach and because surgical indication is usually established as a result of complications and therefore involves, almost always, critically ill patients. The aging of the population is causing such surgery to be considered in an increasing number of octogenarians. The present review analyzes the available scientific evidence on the surgical indications and outcomes of these complex procedures in this population, particularly in the emergent scenario. Ascending and descending thoracic aortic diseases are reviewed separately, and the role of both the current risk scores and frailty assessments are comprehensively discussed.

Percutaneous paravalvular leak closure after CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve implantation using an arterio-arterial loop

Significant periprosthetic aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation has become a major concern of this technique given its association with impaired survival. We report the successful closure of such defect using a vascular occlusion device with the creation of an arterio-arterial loop to gain enough support to advance the delivery sheath into de the left ventricle.

A Simple Technique for Aortic Root Dissection and Massive Aortic Regurgitation Repair after Blunt Chest Trauma

Aortic regurgitation due to valve injury after blunt chest trauma is a rare condition that may be caused by leaflet or commissural rupture, aortic dissection, or a combination of both. The case is presented of a 48-year-old male patient with an aortic dissection and aortic valve commissural detachment and massive aortic regurgitation after a 12-meter vertical free fall and secondary thoracic blunt trauma. The aortic root tear and dissection was repaired with a continuous polypropylene 5/0 suture and subcommissural annuloplasty that restored the aortic valve geometry and resulted in a normally functioning aortic valve.

Technique to avoid left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Preserving the subvalvular mitral valve apparatus during mitral valve replacement is extremely important to minimize progressive postoperative left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. We describe a simple and reproducible surgical technique that prevents the complications that can occur after total mitral anterior leaflet preservation.

Late Chronic Tamponade after Intraoperative Right Ventricular Rupture Repair with Mediastinal Fat

Advanced age and female sex are known risk factors for ventricular wall rupture during open-heart procedures. We present the case of an 83-year-old female patient with an intraoperative traumatic right ventricular free wall rupture during an aortic valve replacement procedure. Pledgetted interrupted sutures reinforced with large pieces of mediastinal fat were used for rupture repair. After 6 months, the patient was readmitted with the diagnosis of a retrosternal mediastinal mass and clinical signs of cardiac tamponade that required reoperation.

[Biatrial vs. isolated left atrial cryoablation for the treatment of long-lasting permanent atrial fibrillation. Midterm recurrence rate]

The long-term results of cryomaze in patients with longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation during concomitant surgical procedures are still uncertain.

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2011, 150 consecutive patients with associated long-lasting permanent atrial fibrillation and associated heart disease underwent heart surgery were treated by biatrial Cox-Maze (63 patients) or by isolated endocardial or epicardial left atrial cryoablation (83 patients) concomitantly. The results at 3 years in these groups were compared with clinical monitoring, electrocardiography, 24-hour Holter, and echocardiography with measurement of the transmitral A wave at 1, 6 and 12 months and annually thereafter in all patients.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing Cox-Maze IV ablation presented rates of freedom from atrial fibrillation of 97, 94, 89, 80 and 54% at 1, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. In the 12-month follow-up, these differences were significant (p<.05). The independent risk factors of atrial fibrillation recurrence was isolated ablation of left atrium.

CONCLUSIONS

Atrial fibrillation by cryothermia ablation had a high success rate before 2 years postoperatively. Recurrence of atrial fibrillation increased thereafter regardless of the technique used, although it was more intense and developed earlier in cases of monoatrial ablation. For the treatment of other long-lasting permanent atrial fibrillation cardiac surgery-associated pathology, an aggressive biatrial treatment with Cox maze ablation should be performed.

Chordal Rupture Following MitraClip Implantation Resulting in Massive Mitral Regurgitation

MitraClip (Abbott Vascular) therapy has been reported to be a safe and effective treatment for mitral regurgitation, even when the commissures are targeted. However, complications during the procedure may occur. We present a 44-year-old patient who underwent MitraClip implantation complicated by chordal rupture, resulting in emergent mitral valve replacement.

Efficacy of Oral Anticoagulation in Stroke Prevention among Sinus-Rhythm Patients Who Lack Left Atrial Mechanical Contraction after Cryoablation

The customary recommendation is that oral anticoagulation be withdrawn a few months after cryoablation for atrial fibrillation, independently of left atrial mechanical contraction in patients in sinus rhythm. Recently, a 5-fold increase in stroke has been described in sinus-rhythm patients who lack atrial mechanical contraction. One aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral anticoagulation in preventing postoperative stroke in such patients. This prospective study divided 154 sinus-rhythm patients into 2 groups, depending on the presence (108 patients) or absence (46 patients) of left atrial mechanical contraction at 6 months after surgery, and monitored them annually for 5 years. Those without left atrial contraction were maintained on acenocumarol. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of ischemic stroke. The median follow-up period was 29 ± 16 months; 4 patients (2.5%), all belonging to the group with preserved atrial contraction, had ischemic stroke; the group of patients without left atrial contraction had no episodes of stroke during follow-up. Logistic binary regression analyses showed no evidence of factors independently predictive of stroke. Among anticoagulated patients in sinus rhythm without left atrial contraction, we found the incidence of stroke to be zero. In a small, nonrandomized group such as this, we cannot discount the element of chance, yet we suggest that maintaining anticoagulation might lower the incidence of stroke in this population.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism Might Increase the Risk of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Aortic Valve Replacement

Background To evaluate the influence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Methods A prospective study in a tertiary hospital between July 2005 and December 2013 in which all patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with no other valve surgery were consecutively included. Patients who were in preoperative sinus rhythm were selected and they underwent thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone determination in the month before surgery. Postoperative AF was defined as the development of AF during hospital admittance. Descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression were performed for the target variable. Results A total of 467 patients were studied, with 35 cases of SCH. The incidence of postoperative AF was 57% in the group with SCH versus 30.3% (p = 0.001) in the group without hypothyroidism, without significant differences in other postoperative complications. In the logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of postoperative AF were SCH, age, and aortic clamping time. SCH multiplies the odds ratio of postoperative AF by 3.14 (95% confidence interval: 1.24-7.96). Conclusion SCH behaves like a risk factor for the development of postoperative AF in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with extracorporeal circulation. Other studies are needed to determine whether preoperative T4 replacement therapy and/or more aggressive AF prophylaxis can prevent this complication in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement.

Third CoreValve™ insertion for treatment of a severe paravalvular leak after a failed valve-in-valve procedure

An 83-year-old high-risk gentleman diagnosed with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis was scheduled for TAVR. A 31 mm CoreValve was implanted but severe paravalvular leak was noted. A valve-in-valve procedure was performed. However, the valve frame was partially dislodged into de ascending aorta. We report our strategy to solve this severe leak after a failed valve-in-valve procedure.

Left main coronary artery compression by a left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm

Myocardial ischaemia due to extrinsic left main coronary artery compression is unusual. Most cases are related to pulmonary hypertension with severe main pulmonary artery dilatation. An extremely rare cause is a left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA). We describe the case of a patient diagnosed of left SVA after a coronary angiography and aortography, whose initial clinical manifestation was an acute coronary syndrome complicated with an out-hospital resuscitated sudden cardiac death.

Mitral stenosis after IMR ETlogix ring annuloplasty for ischemic regurgitation

Objectives: Ring annuloplasty combined with coronary artery bypass grafting is the standard approach for treatment of patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation. We evaluated mitral valve hemodynamic performance and recurrence of mitral regurgitation after ring annuloplasty.

Patients and methods: 40 consecutive patients (mean age, 70 ± 8 years) with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation grade ≥2+ received annuloplasty with an IMR ETlogix ring. During follow-up (25.9 ± 15.5 months), 84% of surviving patients underwent exercise stress echocardiography to assess recurrence of mitral regurgitation and differences between rest and exercise mitral valve hemodynamic performance.

Results: Hospital mortality was 10%. During follow-up, we found no significant differences between left ventricular ejection fraction or end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters pre- and postoperatively (41% vs. 45%, 59 vs. 56 mm, and 49 vs. 46 mm, respectively), but there was a significant increase in mitral mean gradient with exercise (3.3 ± 1.2 vs. 7.8 ± 4 mm Hg, p < 0.001). Two patients had mitral regurgitation ≥grade III–IV.

Conclusions: Mitral annuloplasty with the IMR ETlogix ring provides effective correction of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation, but this technique may induce functional mitral stenosis.

Early thrombosis of a tricuspid annuloplasty ring and mild hyperhomocysteinemia

Tricuspid annuloplasty ring thrombosis is an extremely infrequent pathology, and no evidence-based antithrombotic management has been described. We present the case of a 40-year-old female with isolated mild hyperhomocysteinemia and early ring thrombus formation after surgical primary closure of an atrial septal defect and ring tricuspid annuloplasty. Clinical management, antithrombotic treatment, and hyperhomocysteinemia implications are discussed.

Mitral valve prosthesis implanted in atrial wall over huge calcified annulus

We describe an alternative technique for mitral valve replacement in patients with severe mitral annular calcification, in whom conventional techniques are not feasible. A new annulus that allows supra-annular prosthetic implantation is created.