What Do We Know So Far About Ventricular Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death Prediction in the Mitral Valve Prolapse Population? Could Biomarkers Help Us Predict Their Occurrence?

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

To summarize currently available data on the topic of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and its correlation to the occurrence of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. To assess the prognostic value of several diagnostic methods such as transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, cardiac computed tomography, electrocardiography, and electrophysiology concerning arrhythmic episodes. To explore intra and extracellular biochemistry of the cardiovascular system and its biomarkers as diagnostic tools to predict rhythm disturbances in the MVP population.

RECENT FINDINGS

MVP is a common and mainly benign valvular disorder. It affects 2-3% of the general population. MVP is a heterogeneous and highly variable phenomenon with three structural phenotypes: myxomatous degeneration, fibroelastic deficiency, and forme fruste. Exercise intolerance, supraventricular tachycardia, and chest discomfort are the symptoms that are often paired with psychosomatic components. Though MVP is thought to be benign, the association between isolated MVP without mitral regurgitation (MR) or left ventricle dysfunction, with ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been observed. The incidence of SCD in the MVP population is around 0.6% per year, which is 6 times higher than the occurrence of SCD in the general population. Often asymptomatic MVP population poses a challenge to screen for VA and prevent SCD. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully assess the risk of VA and SCD in patients with MVP with the use of various tools such as diagnostic imaging and biochemical and genetic screening.

Accurate and efficient non-invasive strategy for early identification of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after acute pulmonary embolism (InShape II study)

Background

The current diagnostic delay of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is unacceptably long exceeding 1 year, causing loss of quality-adjusted life years and excess mortality. Validated screening strategies to diagnose CTEPH earlier are lacking. Importantly, performing echocardiography in all PE patients for this purpose has a low diagnostic yield, is associated with overdiagnosis and is not cost-effective. Moreover, expertise in performing high-quality PH-dedicated echocardiograms may not be available outside expert centers.

Aim

To validate a simple screening strategy aimed at identifying CTEPH early in the course after acute PE, avoiding echocardiography if possible (Figure 1).

Methods

In this prospective, international, multicenter management study, consecutive PE survivors were managed according to the predefined algorithm starting three months after acute PE. All were followed for a total period of two years. The study protocol was approved by all local IRBs and all patients provided informed consent.

Results

424 patients were included across three European countries (Table 1). Following the algorithm, CTEPH was considered excluded in 343 (81%) patients based on clinical pre-test probability assessment by the “CTEPH prediction score”, evaluation of symptoms and application of the “CTEPH rule-out criteria” (Figure 1); only 19% was subjected to echocardiography. Only 1 of 343 patients managed without echocardiography was diagnosed with CTEPH, 10 months after initial PE, for a failure rate of 0.29% (95% CI 0–1.6%). Overall, 13 patients were diagnosed with CTEPH (incidence 3.1%), of whom 10 within 4 months after PE diagnosis.

Conclusions

The algorithm accurately ruled out CTEPH and avoided echocardiography in 81% of patients. The vast majority of CTEPH cases were identified early in the course of acute PE which is a considerable improvement compared to current clinical practice with an economic use of healthcare resources.

Figure 1. Study flowchart

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): This study was supported by unrestricted grants from Bayer/Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. F.A. Klok and G.J.A.M. Boon were supported by the Dutch Heart Foundation (2017T064).

P304 The importance of echocardiographic pulmonary flow notch ratio in the assessment of patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Background

There are several echocardiographic features such as right ventricle dilatation, interventricular septum flattening, McConnel sign and 60/60 sign reflecting the extent and severity of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). In quite a large number of APE patients we can observe a pulmonary flow (PF) profile abnormality in the form of a mid-systolic notch (MSN).

Purpose

To assess the profile of pulmonary Doppler flow in consecutive patients with acute pulmonary embolism and to establish its clinical utility.

Methods

We reviewed pulmonary Doppler flow profiles from 127 consecutive patients (m. age 64 years,72 F) with symptomatic APE managed in our department. APE was confirmed by contrast-enhanced multi detector computed tomography when thromboemboli were visualized at least in segmental pulmonary arteries. Individuals with preexisting pulmonary arterial hypertension were excluded. The pulmonary flow notch ratio (PNR) defined as the time from onset of PF until mid-systolic notch divided by the time from notch to the end of pulmonary ejection was evaluated. The comparison of patients with PNR < 1 (Group 1) and PNR > 1 (Group 2) was performed.

Results

We found the MSN in 50 patients (39.4%). Seventy seven patients had a normal shape of Doppler PF envelope. The presence of MSN was associated with more pronounced echocardiographic signs of right ventricle overload (RVOT diameter 32.4± 5.2 vs 29.1 ±3.3 mm, p < 0.001; TRPG 42.3 ± 14.4 vs 24.8 ±9.5 mmHg, p < 0.0001; RVSP 49.4 ±14.9 vs 31.2 ±10.6 mmHg, p < 0.0001; TAPSE 20.3± 4.1 vs 23.4 ±4.0 mm, p < 0.001; PF Acceleration Time 64.5 ±13.7 vs 109.8 ±24.6 ms, p < 0.001, and a presence of septal flattening). Obviously, patients with MSN presented more proximal location of thrombi in comparison to those with symmetrical shape of PF envelope (in MPA 18% vs 5.2%, p = 0.038 and in both LPA + RPA 22% vs 9%, p = 0.08, respectively). The PNR < 1 was found in 35 (70%) of 50 patients with MSN (Group 1). In these patients thrombi were located more proximally than in patients with PNR > 1 (Group 2), and angio-CT confirm anatomically massive PE. A percentage of patients with thrombi in both, left and right pulmonary arteries, in both lobar pulmonary arteries and lobar+ segmental arteries was higher in Group 1 (PNR < 1) than in Group 2 (PNR > 1): LPA + RPA: 28.6 vs 6.7%, lobar L and R: 57 vs 26.6%, lobar + segmental: 31 vs 20%. A number of patients with thrombi in the MPA was similar in both groups.

Conclusion

A noninvasive pulmonary flow notch ratio (PNR) may be useful for indicating APE patients with more extensive disease and proximal location of thrombi, at least in lobar pulmonary arteries.

P2771A novel doppler index for the diagnosis of post pulmonary embolism impairment syndrome

Introduction

Follow-up studies demonstrated that after an episode of acute pulmonary embolism (PE), half of patients report functional limitation. Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is diagnosed in approximately 4%, while others are supposed to have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED). Echo can not only assess tricuspidal regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) indicating pulmonary hypertension but also with tissue Doppler, E/e' ratio can diagnose left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. We tried to asses if a novel echo index: TRPG to E/e' could be useful in differentiation between CTEPH, CTED and HFpEF.

Material and methods

We analyzed data of consecutive 535 PE survivors (313 F, aged 61±17 yrs). 342/535 (64%) reported significant functional impairment after at least 6 months anticoagulation. All symptomatic subjects underwent detailed diagnostic workup which included standardized echocardiography, lung scintigraphy, pulmonary functional tests, and chest CT, RHC and coronary angiography when appropriate.

Results

Eventually, out of 342 symptomatic PE survivors (220 F, aged 65±15 yrs) CTEPH was diagnosed In 17 cases, CTED in 8 pts and HFpEF in 174 pts and in the remaining other causes were found (i.e. coronary artery disease, anemia, pulmonary disease). Doppler echocardiography showed that TRPG/E/e' was significantly increased in CTEPH and CTED patients when compared to subjects with HFpEF (Table 1).

Echocardiographic doppler assessment HFpEF p CTEPH p CTED p n=174 HFpEF vs CTEPH n=17 CTEPH vs CTED n=8 HFpEF vs CTED TRPG (mmHg) 26.7±8.9 <0.01 59.5±32.0 0.013 34.4±15.1 ns E/e' 11.1±2.9 ns 10.1±32.0 ns 8.9±2.0 ns TRPG / E/e' 2.5±1.0 <0.001 6.0±2.4 <0.01 3.8±1.1 0.013 TRPG, Tricuspidal regurgitation pressure gradient; CTEPH, Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; CTED, Chronic thromboembolic disease; HFpEF, Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that echocardiographic index TRPG/(E/e') may be helpful in the differentiation of functional limitation in patients after pulmonary embolism.

P5020Modified CT-based Bova score may improve the classification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism at risk of adverse events

Background

Whether the Bova score with right ventricle dysfunction (RVD) assessed is computed tomography (CT) may be used for prognosticating adverse events (AE) in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is not fully determined.

Aim

To determine: (1)the optimal cut-off for RVD in CT for AE;(2)whether CT-assessed RVD may accurately substitute TTE-assessed RVD and improve the Bova score for risk assessment in PE.

Methods

Post-hoc analysis of a prospective study of 171 consecutive normotensive pts (93F, mean age 64.7 y.o. ±19) with at least segmental APE confirmed in CT. BP, HR, hsTnT and TTE for RVD were assessed within the first 24-hours from admission. CT-RVD was measured from a diagnostic angio-CT using the RV/LV transverse-axis diameter ratio. The Bova score was calculated from patient records. The combined endpoint (PCE) included PE-related death and/or hemodynamic deterioration requiring catecholamines i.v., rescue thrombolysis, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; the secondary combined endpoint (SCE) included PE and non-PE events as above and hemorrhagic events. Proposed CT-RVD cut-offs and subsequent CT-based Bova vs TTE-based scores were compared using AUROCs and net reclassification improvements (NRI).

Results

70 (41%) low-risk patients and 101 (59%) intermediate-risk pts classified according to the ESC algorithm. The PCE occurred in 5 pts, the SCE in 23 pts. TTE-Bova showed AUROC=0.918 (0.806–1.0; p=0.000) for the PCE, and 0.623 (0.545–0.696; p=0.000) for the SCE. The NRIs for the investigated cut-offs for CT-Bova vs TTE-Bova for the PCE are presented in the Table. AUROCs for SCE for CT-Bova vs TTE-Bova are presented in the Figure.

Comparison of CT-Bova and TTE-Bova NRIs for CT-Bova vs TTE-Bova for primary endpoint CT-Bova AUROC (95% CI) RV/LV cut-off No of points NRI (SE) p >0.9 2 0.02 (0.03) 0.58 – >1.0 2 0.17 (0.04) 0.00 0.948 (0.903–0.976)* >1.1 2 0.06 (0.20) 0.75 – when >1.0 and >1.2 1; 2 0.20 (0.04) 0.00 0.927 (0.877–0.961)* AUROC for TTE-Bova 0.918 (0.806–1). AUROC, area under the receiver-operator curve; NRI, net reclassification improvement; SE, standard error. *Denotes no significant differences in AUROCs for CT-based Bova with investigated cut-offs.

AUROC for CT-Bova RV/LV>1.0 and TTE-Bova

Conclusion

CT-based Bova with RV/LV>1.0 for RVD is non-inferior to TTE-based score in the prediction of PE-related in-hospital adverse events in normotensive patients and might improve the stratification of the occurrence of any adverse event. A modified score with a two-step cut-off for RV/LV (1 point for >1.0 and 2 points for >1.2) may more accurately predict PE-related events.

P2768Post-PE impairment is mostly related to newly diagnosed heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Introduction

Recently, the concept of post-PE impairment (PPEI) was proposed which includes various combinations of functional, haemodynamic or imaging abnormalities in patients after acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Chronic residual obstruction of pulmonary vascular bed, despite adequate anticoagulation, is suggested to be a major cause of PPEI.

Material and methods

We report data of consecutive 700 PE survivors (390 F, aged 62±18 yrs). In all patients PE was diagnosed and treated according to ESC recommendations. Patients were anticoagulated and followed for at least 6 months in outpatient clinic (median 6, 6–18 months). All symptomatic subjects underwent detailed diagnostic workup which included standardized echocardiography, lung scintigraphy, pulmonary functional tests, and chest CT, RHC and coronary angiography when appropriate.

Results

207/700 (29,6%) of PE survivors completely recovered functionally. However, when compared to prePEperiod 493/700 (70,4%) patients reported functional limitation compatible with PPEI. Exertional dyspnoea was present in 36,5% of symptomatic patients, then 25,5% others presented effort angina with or without dyspnoea, 11% of symptomatic patients reported palpitations and 27% complained of reduced exercise tolerance.

After diagnostic workup, CTEPH was diagnosed in 38 of 493 (7,7%) symptomatic subjects (5,4% of all survivors) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTED) in 12/493 (2,4%) of them. 52,9% pts have chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF) 4,2% and 37,2% with preserved EF; valve heart disease was detected in 8,9% and significant arrhythmia, mostly atrial fibrillation, in 2,6%. Breathlessness and reduce exercise tolerance in the others were caused by coronary artery diseases or non-cardiovascular pathologies (e.g. anaemia, pulmonary disease).

Conclusions

Follow-up demonstrated that after an episode of PE, approximately 70% of patients report functional impairment. Although persistent pulmonary artery thromboemobli resulting in CTEPH or CTED were detected in 7,1% of PE survivors and 10% of symptomatic patients. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is the most common cause of PPEI.

P4369Direct comparison of prognostic value of echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular dysfunction in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Background

Although various echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) were reported to be of prognostic value in normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE), an optimal definition of RVD on echocardiography is missing.

Purpose

We performed a direct comparison of prognostic value of RV/LV ratio, TAPSE, and TRPG/TAPSE for complicated clinical course that included: in-hospital APE related mortality, hemodynamic collapse or rescue thrombolysis.

Methods

Prospective cohorts of APE patients normotensive at admission, managed according to the ESC Guidelines 2014 were merged in a collaborative database. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at admission, as soon as possible. All studied parameters were available in each patient. AUC in ROC analysis were assessed for each parameter and were compared between them. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the combination of echo-parameters.

Results

Overall, 490 pts were included in the study (229F), aged 64±18 years. Clinical endpoint occurred in 31 pts including 8 APE related deaths. AUC for SAE of RV/LV, TAPSE and TRPG/TAPSE were similar (Figure 1). TAPSE <16mm compared to other echo-parameters showed the highest PPV and NPV (Table 1). Cox regression analysis including SBP, HR, age, elevated troponin and echo-parameters showed that only blood pressure, RV/LV >1 and TAPSE <16mm were identified as independent predictors of outcome (HR 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96–0.99), p=0.03; 2,53 (95% CI: 1.2–5.7), p<0.03 and 3,76 (95% CI: 1.74–8.11), p<0.001).

Table 1. Predictive values of proposed cut offs of echocardiographic parameters Parameter Sensitivity Specificity PPV NPV TAPSE <16mm 52% 85% 18% 96% RV/LV >1.0 74% 63% 12% 95% TAPSE<20 & TRPG/TAPSE >4.5 10% 94% 10% 94%

Figure 1

Conclusions

Although all TAPSE, RV/LV ratio and TRPG/TAPSE showed similar performance for prognosticating of in-hospital outcome in normotensive PE patients, TAPSE<16mm showed the highest predictive value for identification of patients at risk of complicated clinical course.

A positive outcome in patient with massive acute pulmonary embolism and right atrial mobile thrombus fragmented during thrombolysis: a serial echocardiographic examination

The case report presents a patient with acute, massive pulmonary embolism diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography, with the mobile thrombus visualized in the right atrium. During the thrombolytic therapy the thrombus was fragmented and migrated to the pulmonary artery, with a rapid transient worsening of the clinical status of the patient. The continuation of thrombolysis led to the gradual improvement of the patient condition. In this case report the importance of serial echocardiographic examinations in revealing right heart masses, the right ventricle overloading and the effectiveness of treatment is shown.