Outcomes among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement with very low baseline gradients

Background

While there is evidence that patients with low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (AS) benefit from transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), data are lacking regarding outcomes of patients with a very low gradient (VLG).

Methods

In this retrospective, single-center study of patients with severe AS who underwent TAVR, three groups were defined using baseline mean aortic valve gradient: VLG (≤25 mmHg), low gradient (LG, 26-39 mmHg), and high gradient (HG, ≥40 mmHg). The primary outcome was the composite of Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ)-12 of <45, decrease in KCCQ-12 of ≥10 compared with baseline, or death at 1 year.

Results

One-thousand six patients were included: 571 HG, 353 LG, and 82 VLG. The median age was 82.1 years [interquartile range (IQR) 76.3-86.9]; VLG patients had more baseline comorbidities compared with the other groups. The primary outcome was highest at 1 year in the VLG group (VLG, 46.7%; LG, 29.9%; HG, 23.1%; p = 0.002), with no difference between groups after adjustment for baseline characteristics. At baseline, <30% of VLG patients had an excellent or good (50-100) KCCQ-12, whereas more than 75% and 50% had an excellent or good KCCQ-12 at 30-day and 1-year follow-up, respectively.

Conclusion

Although patients with VLG undergoing TAVR have a higher rate of poor outcomes at 1 year compared with patients with LG and HG severe AS, this difference is largely attributable to baseline comorbidities. Patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR have significant improvement in health status outcomes regardless of resting mean gradient.

Different heart failure phenotypes of valvular heart disease: the role of mitochondrial dysfunction

Valvular heart disease (VHD)-related heart failure (HF) is a special subtype of HF with an increasingly concerned heterogeneity in pathophysiology, clinical phenotypes, and outcomes. The mechanism of VHD-related HF involves not only mechanical damage to the valve itself but also valve lesions caused by myocardial ischemia. The interactions between them will lead to the occurrence and development of VHD-related HF subtypes. Due to the spatial (combination of different valvular lesions) and temporal effects (sequence of valvular lesions) of valvular damages, it can make the patient's condition more complicated and also make the physicians deal with a dilemma when deciding on a treatment plan. This indicates that there is still lack of deep understanding on the pathogenic mechanism of VHD-related HF subtypes. On the other hand, mitochondrial dysfunction (MitD) is not only associated with the development of numerous cardiac diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, and HF but also occurs in VHD. However, the role of MitD in VHD-related HF is still not fully recognized. In this comprehensive review, we aim to discuss the current findings and challenges of different valvular damages derived from HF subtypes as well as the role of MitD in VHD-related HF subtypes.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Mortality Risk in Elderly Patients Undergoing Valve Replacement Surgery: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BACKGROUND

The prognostic value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in elderly patients is controversial. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the preoperative LDL-C and adverse outcomes in elderly patients undergoing valve replacement surgery (VRS).

METHODS

A total of 2,552 aged patients (age ≥ 60 years) undergoing VRS were retrospectively recruited and divided into two groups according to LDL-C level on admission: low LDL-C (<70 mg/dL, n = 205) and high LDL-C groups (≥ 70 mg/dL, n = 2,347). The association between the preoperative LDL-C with in-hospital and one-year mortality was evaluated by propensity score matching analysis and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The mean age was 65 ± 4 years and 1,263 (49.5%) were men. Patients in the low LDL-C group were significantly older (65.9 ± 4.6 vs. 64.9 ± 4.1, p = 0.002), with more male (65.4 vs. 48.1%, p < 0.001), higher alanine transaminase (ALT) (21 vs. 19, p = 0.001), lower serum albumin (35.3 ± 4.6 vs. 37.1 ± 4.1, p < 0.001), higher serum creatinine (92.2 ± 38.2 vs.84.6 ± 26.1, p = 0.006), lower lymphocyte count (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.6, p < 0.001), lower hemoglobin (121.9 ± 22.3 vs. 130.2 ± 16.5, p < 0.001), lower platelet count (171.3 ± 64.3 vs. 187.7 ± 58.7, p < 0.001), lower prognostic nutrition index (44 ± 6.2 vs. 46.7 ± 5.8, p < 0.001), and more severe tricuspid regurgitation (33.7 vs. 25.1%, p = 0.008). The rates of in-hospital death (11.2 vs. 3.7%, p < 0.001) and major adverse clinical events (17.6 vs. 9.6%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the low LDL-C group. The cumulative one-year death rate was significantly higher in the low LDL-C group (Log-Rank = 16.6, p < 0.001). After matching analysis and multivariate analysis, no association between LDL-C level and adverse outcomes was detected (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our study did not support the negative relationship between LDL-C level and mortality risk in elderly patients undergoing VRS.

BMPR2 promoter methylation and its expression in valvular heart disease complicated with pulmonary artery hypertension

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a common heart disease that affects blood flow. It usually requires heart surgery. Valvular heart disease complicated with pulmonary artery hypertension (VHD-PAH) may be lethal due to heart failure that results from increased heart burden. It is important for these patients to seek early treatment in order to minimize the heart damage. However, there is no reliable diagnosis method in VHD. In this study, we found DNA methylation was increased at the promoter of BMPR2 gene in the VHD patients compared with the healthy controls. This finding was confirmed by an independent cohort study of VHD patients and healthy controls. In addition, BMPR2 mRNA levels were reduced in the plasma of the VHD patients. There is strong correlation between BMPR2 promoter DNA methylation and the severity of VHD. Indeed, we found that both BMPR2 promoter DNA methylation and BMPR2 mRNA levels in the plasma are good biomarkers of VHD by themselves, with the respective AUC value of 0.879 and 0.725, respectively. When they were used in combination, the diagnostic value was even better, with the AUC value of 0.93. Consistent with the results in the VHD patients, we observed decreased BMPR2 and increased fibrosis in the lung of a PAH model mouse. BMPR2 was also decreased in the hearts of the PAH mice, whereas BMP4 was increased. Furthermore, BMPR2 was reduced in the heart valve tissue samples of human VHD patients after valve replacement with moderate/severe PAH compared with those with mild PAH. There was also increased apoptosis in the hearts of the PAH mice. BMPR2 promoter DNA methylation and its expression appear to be good biomarkers for VHD. Our results also suggest that DNA methylation may cause PAH through deregulation of BMP signaling and increased apoptosis.

Cardiologic Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Treated With Chest Radiotherapy: When and How?

Introduction: Radiotherapy may cause valvular (VHD), pericardial, coronary artery disease (CAD), left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), arrhythmias. The risk of radiation induced heart disease (RIHD) increases over time. The current guidelines suggest a screening for RIHD every 5 years in the long-term survivors who had been treated by chest RT.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical and instrumental data of 106 patients diagnosed with RIHD. In one group (Group A: 69 patients) RIHD was diagnosed in an asymptomatic phase through a screening with ECG, echocardiogram and stress test. A second group (37 patients) was seen when RIHD was symptomatic. We compared the characteristics of the two groups at the time of RT, of RIHD detection and at last follow-up.

Results: Overall, 64 patients (60%) had CAD (associated to other RIHD in 18); 39 (36.7%) had LVD (isolated in 20); 24 (22.6%) had VHD (isolated in 10 cases). The interval between the last negative test and the diagnosis of moderate or severe RIHD was <5 years in 26 patients, and <4 years in 18. In group A, 63% of the patients with CAD had silent ischemia. The two groups did not differ with regard to type of tumor, cardiovascular risk factors, use of anthracycline-based chemotherapy, age at RT treatment, radiation dose and interval between RT and toxicity detection. The mean time from RT and RIHD was 16 years in group A and 15 in group B. Interventional therapy at RIHD diagnosis was more frequent in group B (54 vs. 30%, p < 0.05). At last follow-up, 27 patients had died (12 of cancer, 9 of cardiac causes, 6 of other causes); mean ejection fraction was 60% in group A and 50% in group B (p < 0.01). Patients with ejection fraction ≤ 50% were 14.5% in group A and 40% in group B (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Clinically relevant RIHD become evident at a mean interval of 16 years after RT. The most frequent clinical manifestations are CAD and LVD. RIHD diagnosis in asymptomatic patients may preserve their cardiac function with timely interventions. We suggest -after 10 years from radiotherapy- a screening every 2–3 years.

Identification of key immune-related genes and immune infiltration in atrial fibrillation with valvular heart disease based on bioinformatics analysis

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common persistent arrhythmia. Valvular heart disease (VHD) and AF frequently coexist. In our study, from performing bioinformatics analysis, we sought to identify immune-related genes (IRGs) and explore the role of immune cell infiltration in AF-VHD in depth, aiming at investigating the potential molecular mechanism and developing new therapeutic targets for AF, including AF-VHD.

Methods

The gene expression of the GSE41177 and GSE79768 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed via the limma package in Bioconductor with R software. Differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs) were selected via combination ImmPort database with DEGs, and the enrichment function and pathway analysis were explored. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was built with a Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins plugin in Cytoscape. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to evaluate immune infiltration in the left atrial (LA) tissues between AF-VHD and sinus rhythm (SR) patients. Finally, a correlation analysis between key DEIRGs and infiltrating immune cells was performed.

Results

A total of 130 DEIRGs were detected. Enrichment function of DEIRGs demonstrated that they are significant in immune and inflammatory responses. The key DEIRGs assessed by the PPI network and involved in both the immune and inflammatory responses were the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1, pro-platelet basic protein (PPBP), CXCL12, and C-C motif chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4). The immune infiltration findings indicated that, compared with the LA tissues from SR patients, the tissues from AF-VHD patients contained a higher proportion of gamma delta T cells, but a lower proportion of CD8 and regulatory T cells. The results of correlation analysis demonstrated that CXCL1 was positively correlated with activated mast cells and significantly negatively correlated with resting mast cells. PPBP, CXCL12, and CCL4 were positively correlated with the infiltration of various immune cells, such as neutrophils, plasma cells, and resting dendritic cells.

Conclusions

The key immune-related genes and the differences in immune infiltration in LA tissues play an essential role in the occurrence and progression of AF-VHD.

Development and trend in the field of valvular heart disease in China: an analysis based on the National Natural Science Foundation of China

Background

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) plays a vital role promoting advancement of science in China. The incidence and mortality rate of valvular heart disease (VHD) increase with aging population. Therefore, it is of significance to discuss the development and trend in the field of VHD and provide references for scholars to carry out further Foundations.

Methods

Internet-based Science Information System and other websites were used to search for projects supported by NSFC related to VHD in 2008–2019 and related information of applicants. Publications, citations and impact factors were queried by Google Scholar and InCites Journal Citation Reports 2.0 and analyzed by SPSS for Windows version 24.0. Key words extracted from these project titles were imported into Citespace for analysis.

Results

A total of 117 projects and related information were acquired. Although the annual amount of projects and funding has fluctuated in recent years, they still maintained an upward trend. Institutes were mainly distributed over Hubei Province, Shanghai and Jiangsu Province. Applicants characterized as senior title, male, cardiac surgeon have accounted for a larger proportion of projects, with a greater amount of funding. Through the analysis of keywords and subject distribution, molecular-biology-based mechanism study combined with tissue engineering has become the principal research hot spot and trend in recent years. Annual changes in output in scientific research were consistent with changes in the amount of funding.

Conclusions

This paper collated funding situation supported by NSFC in VHD, analyzed distribution of keywords and summarized the research trend, so as to supply guidance to researchers for advanced researches.

Five-year epidemiological survey of valvular heart disease: changes in morbidity, etiological spectrum and management in a cardiovascular center of Southern China

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the present study is to analyze the epidemiological profile of patients with abnormal valvular structure and function and highlight the etiological spectrum and management of valvular heart disease (VHD) in a single cardiovascular center of Southern China in five years.

METHODS

The retrospective study included 19,428 consecutive patients (9,441 men and 9,987 women with a mean age of 52.03±20.50 years) with abnormal valvular structure and function who were screened by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at the in-patient department of Guangdong General Hospital from January 2009 to December 2013. Data on baseline characteristics, potential etiology, treatment strategies and discharge outcomes were collected from electronic medical records.

RESULTS

There were 13,549 (69.7%) patients with relatively definite etiology for VHD. VHD was rheumatic in 7,197 (37.0%) patients, congenital in 2,697 (13.9%), degenerative in 2,241 (11.5%), ischemic in 2,460 (12.7%). The prevalence decreased significantly in rheumatic VHD from 2009 to 2013 (from 42.8% to 32.8%, P<0.001), but increased markedly in congenital VHD (from 9.0% to 12.3%, P<0.001), ischemic VHD (from 9.2% to 11.3%, P=0.003) and degenerative VHD (from 8.8% to 14.5%, P<0.001). Meantime, the prevalence of ischemic VHD increased after the age of 45, similar to that of degenerative VHD. From 2009 to 2013, the proportion of patients with VHD undergoing open cardiac valvular surgery decreased (from 49.5% to 44.3%, P<0.001) and that of patients treated with general medication increased (from 49.2% to 54.1%, P<0.001). However, there was markedly increment in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) from 2009 to 2013 (from 0.3% to 4.4%, P<0.001). Increasing tendencies were showed in aortic mechanical valve replacement (from 32.1% to 34.5%, P=0.001) and double mechanical valve replacement (from 20.9% to 22.3%, P=0.035), especially in mitral valvuloplasty (from 8.5% to 15.7%, P<0.001). However, the proportion of patients undergoing bioprosthetic valve replacement decreased from 2009 to 2013 (from 26.3% to 15.5%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a significant shift from rheumatic towards degenerative etiology from 2009 to 2013, rheumatic VHD remains the leading etiology in Southern China, with a significant increase in the prevalence of ischemic, congenital and degenerative VHD. General medication and cardiac valvular surgery remain the main treatment options. The proportion of VATS increased markedly from 2009 to 2013, and mechanical valve replacement and mitral valvuloplasty showed an increasing tendency.