Acute total occlusion of the unprotected left main coronary artery – patient characteristics and outcomes

Background

Acute total occlusion of the unprotected left main coronary artery (ATOLMCA) is a dramatic entity with very high mortality. Owing to its infrequency, there is limited and inconsistent data regarding this population.

Purpose

To describe the clinical presentation, short- and long-term outcomes of patients with ATOLMCA.

Methods

This retrospective multicentric cohort study included all patients presenting with acute (<12h) myocardial infarction (MI) due to ATOLMCA (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction - TIMI=0) between January 2008 and December 2020 in three tertiary hospitals.

Results

In the period of the study, 11,036 emergent coronary angiographies were performed in the participating centers, 59 of which were ATOLMCA (0.5%). Mean age of patients at the time of the event was 61.2 (±12.2) years. Seventy-three percent were male. At presentation, 72.9% of patients were in cardiogenic shock, and aborted cardiac arrest occurred in 27.1%. Right dominance was present in all patients except one, who had a balanced dominance. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 89.8% of the patients, with angiographic success being achieved in 55.6% of the procedures. Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate was 57.6%. Mortality was significantly higher in patients without angiographic criteria for PCI success (87.5 vs 36.7%, p<0.001). Among survivors, 91.7% were still alive at 1-year and 66.7% at 5 years of follow-up.

Conclusion

Patients with ATOLMCA have a dismal prognosis. Most patients present with cardiogenic shock, and a significant number develop cardiac arrest during the acute phase. Despite medical care, in-hospital mortality is high. Patients with left dominance may not even reach the hospital. Among survivors, long term outcomes are reasonable. Further studies are needed in order to improve the management and outcomes of patients with ATOLMCA.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Aortic valve calcium score: does it correlate with mean transaortic gradient?

Introduction

Aortic valvular calcium score (AVCS) is useful in patients with aortic stenosis for whom echocardiography was not conclusive in grading its severity. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established procedure of treatment in symptomatic severe AS. The burden of aortic valve calcification has been associated with some TAVI related complications (as perivalvular leaks), but at the same time it is well accepted that some degree of calcification is needed to ensure stable anchoring of the prosthesis to the aortic annulus.

Purpose

To assess if there is a correlation between aortic valve calcium score and mean transvalvular gradient 6 months after TAVI – is a higher AVCS correlated with lower mean transaortic gradient after TAVI?

Methods

We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent TAVI with a preoperative standardized contrast enhanced MSCT with AVCS available. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected previously to TAVI (pre-TAVI) and at 6 months follow up (6M-FUP).

Results

A total of 187 patients were included, with 54% female and a mean age of 79.4±9.0 years old. Most patients had tricuspid aortic valve (95.7%); 5 patients had aortic bicuspidy and 3 had aortic valve bioprothesis. Concerning the valve type, 73.3% had new generation prosthesis and the main valve used was the CoreValve Evolut Pro (33.7%). Also, 38,5% needed balloon pre-dilation before TAVI. The mean pre-TAVI aortic transvalvular maximum and mean gradients were 76.5±23.2 mmHg and 48.3±15.5 mmHg, respectively; mean aortic valve area was 0.75±0.16 cm2. The mean AVCS was 2851±1524 AU (Agaston Units); 81.2% of women had AVCS>1300 AU and 74.4% men had AVCS >2000 AU. Comparing transvalvular aortic gradients previously and 6M-FUP after TAVI, there was an average differential of maximum gradient of 61±22 mmHg and of mean gradient of 40±15 mmHg. A negative and weak correlation was found between the AVCS and the maximum gradient (pearson coefficient of −0.181, p=0.02) and between mean gradient at 6M-FUP (pearson coefficient of −0.191, p=0.014).

Discussion and conclusion

AVCS is a significant predictor for death, stroke and perivalvular leaks after TAVI. On the other hand, high AVCS is associated with better seating in the native annulus during deployment. Nevertheless, high AVCS did not strongly correlated with mean transaortic gradient 6 months after TAVI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Percutaneous valve commissurotomy in mitral stenosis patients: a 20 years follow-up

Background

Percutaneous valve commissurotomy (PMC) is a viable alternative to mitral valve surgery in the treatment of patients with clinically significant mitral stenosis (MS). Although rheumatic MS incidence has decreased in developed countries, it remains a prevalent healthcare problem in Cardiology clinics

Purpose

To evaluate the early and long-term results of PMC in patients with rheumatic MS and to compare long-term events between patients with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed all consecutive patients between 1991 and 2008 with clinically significant rheumatic MS undergoing PMC. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline and during long-term follow-up. MACE was a composite of adverse events defined as all-cause mortality, mitral valve re-intervention or hospitalization for a cardiovascular cause.

Results

A total of 124 patients were enrolled: 87% were female, with a mean age at the time of repair of 46±11 year-old and a mean follow-up of 20±6 years. Before the procedure, 34% were in NYHA class ≥ III and 81% had a Wilkins score ≤8; all patients had preserved biventricular systolic function, 83% presented PH, mean transvalvular gradient (TVG) and mitral valve area (MVA) were 12.8 mmHg and 1.0 cm2, respectively. Most of the procedures were successful (91%) and without complications (94%), with a mean MVA improvement of 0.9 cm2 and reduction of 8.5 mmHg in TVG and 9.7 mmHg in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) after PMC.

During long-term follow-up, 42% of patients were submitted to re-intervention (most of them surgically) and 24% died. In patients non-submitted to re-intervention, TVG and PASP remained similar with early post-procedure evaluation (p=0.109 and p=0.777, respectively), while MVA reduced over time, yet still statistically superior to baseline MVA (1.6 cm2 vs 1.0 cm2, p<0.001). Concerning time-to-event analysis, approximately 80% of patients kept uneventful after 10 years; after 30 years, more than 20% continued MACE-free and approximately 50% were alive. Regarding PH presence at time of PMC, there was no significant difference in MACE events and all-cause mortality between the two groups (Log Rank, p=0,846 and p=0.661, respectively).

Conclusion

PMC was safe and effective in clinically significant rheumatic MS. After a long-term follow-up patients maintained the reduction in TVG and PASP and a smaller but significative improvement in MVA. Most of the patients were free from adverse events after 10 years and half were alive after 30 years. There was no difference in all-cause mortality and in a composite of all-cause death, mitral valve re-intervention or cardiovascular hospitalization concerning PH presence.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Reduced 3D-left atrium ejection fraction predicts development of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), occurring in approximately 25% of patients, related to left atrial (LA) dilatation and remodeling. HCM patients who develop AF have increased risk of HCM-related death, functional impairment, and stroke. Accurate risk stratification for AF in this population is crucial as contemporary treatments are highly successful.

Purpose

To assess if new echocardiographic parameters can predict the development of AF in HCM patients.

Methods

HCM patients who underwent comprehensive echocardiographic examination during 2011 were followed and checked for “de novo” AF until November 2021. We searched for associations between AF development and novel echocardiographic parameters such as LA Volume index, Left Atrioventricular Coupling Index (LACI, as LAVI/a'), 3D LA volumes and 3D LA ejection fraction (3D-LAEF).

Results

A total of 43 patients were included, with 62.8% male and mean age 56,1±6,2 years old. 55.8% had the septal asymmetric HCM type and mean LV mass was 326±127g. Mean LA diameter and biplane 2D volume was 46±7 mm and 78±37 mL, respectively. 11.6% of patients already had AF. During a median follow-up of 9.4 years, the incidence of “de novo” AF was 31,6%. Within the total 17 patients with AF, 35,2% took warfarin and the remaining direct oral anti-coagulation. No stroke was documented. There were 3 deaths (mortality rate of 7,0%), none from cardiac causes.

No association was found between AF development and LAVI, LACI or 3D LA volumes. We only found a statistically significant difference regarding 3D-LAEF, which was lower in patients who developed AF compared with those without AF (26±12% VS 39±19%, p=0.04).

Binary logistic regression analysis found that reduced 3D-LAEF predicts the development of AF (p=0.019, odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 1.1). The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve using 3D-LAEF as a predictive marker for AF development in HCM patients was 0.743 (p=0.004). When the cut-off value of 3D-LAEF was set at 34,5%, the sensitivity and specificity for AF diagnosis were 66% and 86%, respectively.

Conclusion

In our study, 3D LAEF predicted the development of AF in HCM patients – this may be a useful tool to identify patients at high risk of future AF who may benefit from more intensive rhythm monitoring and a lower threshold for oral anticoagulation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Long-term success in percutaneous valve commissurotomy – is Wilkins score over 9 a definitive limit?

Background

Percutaneous valve commissurotomy (PMC) is an established treatment in patients with significative mitral stenosis (MS). Although rheumatic MS incidence has decreased in the last century, it remains a prevalent pathology worldwide. The Wilkins score (WS) is a reference in echocardiographic assessment of MS; a score ≤8 is considered a predictor of treatment success and score between 9 and 11 is a “grey zone” (WGZ) in which doubts persists regarding PMC success.

Purpose

To evaluate the early and long-term results of PMC in patients with rheumatic MS and to compare long-term events between patients with WS ≤8 and patients in WGZ.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed all patients between 1991 and 2008 with significative rheumatic MS undergoing PMC. Data were collected at baseline and during long-term follow-up. M ACE was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, mitral valve re-intervention or cardiovascular hospitalization.

Results

In our cohort, 124 patients were included. Most were female (87%), mean age at the time of repair was 46±11 year-old and mean follow-up was 20±6 years. Before the procedure, 81% had WS ≤8 and 19% were in WGZ. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics, namely age at first intervention, NYHA class and follow-up time. All patients had preserved biventricular systolic function, 83% presented PH, mean transvalvular gradient (TVG) and mitral valve area (MVA) were 12.8 mmHg and 1.0 cm2, respectively. Most of the procedures were successful (91%) and without complications (94%). Mean MVA improvement was similar in both groups [0.9 cm2 in WS ≤8 and 0.8 cm2 in WGZ, t(102)=0.173, p=0.863]; there was also no significative difference in TVG and PASP reduction after PMC. During long-term follow-up, re-intervention and mortality occurred in 40% and 23% in WS ≤8 and in 50% and 29% in WGZ, respectively, and none of these differences was statistically significant (p=0.389 and p=0.544, respectively). Concerning time-to-event analysis, approximately 80% of patients kept uneventful and >90% alive after 10 years in both groups and no significant difference in M ACE events and all-cause mortality between WS ≤8 and WGZ was observed (Log Rank, p=0,419 and p=0.950, respectively).

Conclusion

PMC was safe and effective in clinically significant rheumatic MS in both WS ≤8 and WS 9–11, with similar MVA improvement. After 10 years, approximately 80% of patients were MACE-free and >90% alive in both groups. There was no difference in all-cause mortality and in a composite of all-cause death, mitral valve re-intervention or cardiovascular hospitalization concerning WS groups.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Patient delay in acute myocardial infarction: a long journey still ahead

Background

It is overly known that time delays in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) strongly influence its outcomes. Patient delay (PD) is repeatedly pointed out as the longer one in this context, as well as it is the less modifiable one by organizational measures. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the reasons for longer PD in our population, to define proper strategies to improve PD and, ultimately, AMI-outcomes.

Methods

In this six-month prospective study of patients (pts) admitted in a tertiary hospital due to type-1 AMI, 194 pts were consecutively enrolled between May and October 2021. Data was based on a pts well-structured interview within 48h after admission and review of medical records.

Results

Our work spotted several aspects significantly influencing PD in AMI context (Figure 1). Concerning pts cardiovascular background, a trend towards a shorter PD was found in pts with at least one cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) (p=0,08) and with a previous history of AMI (p=0,08). Regarding clinical presentation, a significantly shorter PD was found in pts presenting with associated symptoms (p=0,02), higher chest pain intensity (chest pain intensity ≥7 vs <7 in a 0–10 scale; p=0,03) and symptoms onset on weekdays rather than weekends (p=0,003). Regarding pts knowledge, significant differences were found when pts recognized their symptoms as AMI, presenting a shorter PD in this context (p=0,006). Curiously, pts ability to correctly identify AMI symptoms, when asked, or to acknowledge their CVRF (when present), did not influence PD. Considering sociodemographic factors, higher incomes (p=0,03) and non-rural residence (p=0,03) significantly translated into shorter PD. No differences were found in PD according to pts age, gender or educational level. After this initial univariate analysis, multiple linear regression was performed to identify possible predictors of PD. Four variables were identified: pts ability to recognize their symptoms as AMI (β −0.199; 95% CI: −277 to −34,87; p=0.012), living in a non-rural residence (β 0.154; 95% CI: 0.12–161.44; p=0.05), presenting associated symptoms (β −0.194; 95% CI: −257.43 to −28.84; p=0.014) and occurrence of symptoms on weekdays (β 0.170; 95% CI: 12.73–259.49; p=0.031) predicted shorter patient delays.

Conclusion

Our study clearly points to the need for increasing public awareness and educational measures, mainly in pts living in rural areas, in order to: 1) Improve pts knowledge about AMI symptoms, clarifying that atypical symptoms can happen; 2) Reinforce the importance of shortening AMI time delays, clearly explaining the concept “time is muscle”.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

20 year-follow up of mitral stenosis patients after percutaneous valve commissurotomy: moderate disease of other valves as predictor for re-intervention

Background

Percutaneous valve commissurotomy (PMC) is a viable alternative to mitral valve (MV) surgery in the treatment of patients with clinically significant mitral stenosis (MS). About 40% of patients treated with PMC will require at least one reintervention (either PMC or MVS) along time.

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term results of PMC in patients with rheumatic MS.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed all consecutive patients between 1991 and 2008 with clinically significant rheumatic MS undergoing PMC. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline and during early and long-term follow-up. MACE was a composite of adverse events defined as all-cause mortality, MV re-intervention or cardiovascular hospitalization.

Results

A total of 124 patients were enrolled: 108 (87%) were female, with a mean age at the time of PMC of 46±11 years.

At baseline, 34% patients were in NYHA class ≥ III and 81% had a Wilkins score ≤8; all patients had preserved biventricular systolic function and 83% presented pulmonary hypertension. Regarding associated valve disease, 46 patients had mild tricuspid regurgitation (TR), 19 mild aortic regurgitation (AR), 14 moderate IT and 5 moderated AR.

Most of the procedures were successful (91%) and without complications (94%), with median improvement in MV area of 0.9 cm2 (IQR 0.5) and median reductions in mean transmitral gradient (MTG) of 6 mmHg (IQR 6) and in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) of 8 mmHg (IQR 10) early after PMC.

During the mean follow-up of 20±6 years, 52 (42%) of patients had MV re-intervention (86% surgery and 14% re-PMC), 37 (30%) were hospitalized and 30 (24%) died. Concerning time-to-event analysis, approximately 80% of patients kept MACE-free after 10 years; after 30 years, more than 20% continued MACE-uneventful, approximately 50% were alive and about 45% were free from re-intervention.

Considering patients submitted to surgical re-intervention, 9 underwent MV valvuloplasty and the others MV replacement with mechanical (32) or biological prothesis (11). At the same procedure, 23 patients were submitted to tricuspid annuloplasty, 9 to other valve replacement and one to coronary artery bypass graft.

Using Cox regression, we found that the presence of moderate disease of other valves at PMC time was associated with a 2.3-fold greater rate of re-intervention compared to patients with none or mid disease of other valves (HRcrude 2.3; 95% IC 1.221–4.331, p=0.017). After adjusting for the success of the PMC and for mitral regurgitation after PMC, the observed effect remained significant (HRadjusted = 2.7; 95% CI 1.417–5.233, p=0.003).

Conclusion

PMC was safe and effective in clinically significant rheumatic MS. Most of the patients were free from adverse events after 10 years and half were alive after 30 years. Still, about 40% required re-intervention, with moderate disease of other valves as its independent predictor.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Breast cancer patients presenting with cardiotoxicity - risk factors and role of cardioprotective drugs

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Recent advances in cancer treatment have led to improved survival, albeit with cardiovascular adverse effects being some of the most frequent and feared consequences. Patient’s risk stratification, prevention and treatment are still to be fully elucidated. Our aim was to evaluate the risk and therapy of cardiotoxicity (CT) secondary to cancer treatment in a subset of patients with breast cancer (BC).

Methods

We collected a retrospective cohort of female with BC treated with conventional chemotherapy (CHT) and/or anti-HER2-targeted therapies (AHT) referred to Cardio-oncology consultation from January 2017 to March 2020. All patients were evaluated before CHT and at least at 3, 6 and 12-months with echocardiogram and cardiac biomarkers, namely high sensitivity troponin I (hs-cTnI) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). CT was defined as left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) under 50% or decline of at least 10% in LVEF during follow-up. As cardioprotective drugs (CPD) we considered renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and beta-blockers.

Results

A total of 203 women were enrolled, with mean age 50.9 ± 10.9 year-old. As for the cardiovascular risk factors, 23.5% had hypertension, 32.4% dyslipidaemia, 9.8% diabetes and 33.0% were smokers or previous smokers. The majority of patients had a high or very-high CT risk score (98.5% with score ≥ 5) and 35.5% were already on CPD before CHT. All patients were submitted to CHT: anthracyclines (AC) and AHT were applied to 83.8% and 41.7% of patients, respectively, with 27.9% of patients on both therapies; 81.4% were submitted to radiotherapy (RT). At presentation, all patients had normal cardiac function with mean LVEF of 62.9% and mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) of -19.4; mean hs-cTnI and BNP were 3.3 ng/L and 33.4 pg/mL, respectively. During a median follow-up of 16 months, 8.5% of patients developed CT, leading to initiation or titration of CPD in 76.9% and treatment interruption in 23.5%; most of them recovered (88.2%). During treatment there was a significantly increase of hs-cTnI (mean 19.7 ng/L at 3 months, p < 0.001) and a decrease of GLS and LVEF at 12 months (decrease of 1.1 and 2.2%, respectively, both p < 0.001). Both AHT and AHT plus AC were significantly associated with CT (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively), with an extremely high prevalence in the latter group (19.6%). Nor CVRF neither RT raised the risk of CT. Although patients on CPD did not had lower prevalence of CT (5.6% vs 10.2%, p = 0.268), its initiation was associated with a higher rate of cardiac function recovery (100.0% vs 66.7%, p = 0.057).

Conclusion

Patients submitted to AHT or AHT plus AC were at higher risk of developing CT. This and the significant LVEF decline during follow-up highlight the importance of long-term-monitoring of these patients. CPD seemed to be associated with cardiac recovery, although this finding needs further validation.

Aortic valve calcium score and peri-prothesis leaks after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a hint?

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

The first-line evaluation of aortic stenosis (AS) severity is Doppler echocardiography. Aortic valvular calcium score (AVCS) measured by tomography scans (TS) is useful in patients for whom echocardiography is not conclusive. For high-risk patients with symptomatic severe AS, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established procedure of treatment. The burden of aortic valve calcification has been associated with some TAVI related complications. Peri-prothesis leaks (PPL) are an important complication that may compromise TAVI net results and further refinements are required to predict high-risk patients.  Purpose: To access if there is an association between aortic valve calcium score and moderate to severe (mod-sev) peri-prothesis leaks immediately and 6 month after TAVI.  Methods: We performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent TAVI with a preoperative standardised TS with AVCS available. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected previously to TAVI (pre-TAVI) and at 6 months follow up (6M-FUP).  Results: A total of 187 patients were included, with 54% female and a mean age of 79.37± 9.029 year-old. Most patients had tricuspid aortic valve (95.7%); 5 patients had aortic bicuspidy and 3 had aortic valve bioprothesis. Considering left ventricular systolic function, the majority had conserved function (73.0%), the remaining had mild (9.7%), moderate (11.4%) or severe (5.9%) dysfunction.  Concerning the valve type, 73.3% had new generation prosthesis and the main valve used was the CoreValve Evolut Pro (33.7%). Also, 38.5% patients underwent balloon valve pre-dilation before implantation. In-hospital mortality was 2.7%. At 6M-FUP, 8 of 182 patients had dead.  The mean AVCS was 2851 ± 1524 AU (Agaston Units); 81.2% of women had AVCS > 1300 AU and 74.4% men had AVCS >2000 AU.  Comparing AVCS with the presence or absence of moderate to severe peri-prothesis leaks, no statistically significant difference was found immediately (no vs mod-sev leak, AS: 2758 ± 2308 vs 3621 ± 1376, p= 0,13) and 6 months after the procedure (no vs mod-sev leak, AS: 2892 ± 2366 vs 3621 ± 1424, p = 0.15). Considering earlier (Portico, CoreValve Evolut R) vs newer valves (CoreValve Evolut Pro; Edward Sapiens 3; Accurate Neo), there was no statistically significant difference relating AVCS and PPL; however, in patients who had newer valves there was a trend to higher AVCS and moderate to severe leaks, both on the immediate (no vs mod-sev leak, AS: 2777 ± 2507 vs 3601 ± 1385, p = 0.07) and at 6 months (no vs mod-sev leak, AS: 2782 ± 2506 vs 3984 ± 1138, p = 0.06). No statistically significant difference was found when comparing pre-ballooning dilatation. Conclusion: Aortic calcium measured by Agatston score did not show an association with new moderate to severe peri-valvular leaks after TAVI. Nevertheless, it seems to be a trend for higher AS and moderate to severe peri-prothesis leaks when newer valves are implanted.

Impact of severe mitral annular calcification on mitral regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard of care treatment in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at intermediate or high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is frequent in patients with aortic stenosis, and its presence is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Not infrequently, it is associated with significant morphologic and functional abnormalities of the mitral valve apparatus.

Purpose

 The aim of this work is to evaluate the relationship between severe MAC and the presence and development of significant mitral regurgitation after TAVI.

Methods

 We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent TAVI at a tertiary center from October 2014 to November 2019. Clinical, echocardiographic and procedure-related data were collected until a follow-up of 6 months. Statistical analysis was conducted on IBM SPSS® Statistics software. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables. Sample T-test, Chi-square and Wilcoxon sign test were used. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. The presence and severity of MAC was defined according to echocardiographic data. Severe MAC was defined by the presence of calcification of more than half of the mitral annular circumference.

Results

 A total of 343 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the population was 80 ± 8 years, 45% were male. Mean functional area was 0.75 ± 0.18 cm2, mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 48 ± 15 mmHg and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 54 ± 14%.  MAC was detected in 231 (67%) patients. In 44 (19%) of these patients, MAC was graded as severe. Patients with severe MAC tended to have higher prevalence of moderate (27.3 vs 20.4%, p = 0.30) as well as severe (4.5 vs 1.8%, p = 0.24) mitral regurgitation at baseline. After TAVI, the prevalence of moderate mitral regurgitation at 6 months was similar between both groups (22.5 vs 20.4%, p = 0.76). Although not reaching statistical significance, patients with severe MAC had higher prevalence of severe mitral regurgitation at 6 months post-procedure (12.2 VS 5.0%, p = 0.07) as well as higher incidence of worsening of mitral regurgitation (34.2 vs 23.7%, p = 0.16). The proportion of patients that had improvement (13.2 vs 15.0%, p = 0.76) or no change (52.6 vs 61.3%, p = 0.31) in the degree of mitral regurgitation was similar in both groups. 

Conclusion

 The presence of severe MAC at baseline echocardiography in patients undergoing TAVI may be associated with worsening of mitral regurgitation after the procedure. These patients tend to have higher prevalence of severe mitral regurgitation post-TAVI. Further studies are needed in order to further elucidate this association.

Can aortic calcium score predict new conduction disturbances in pos-transcatheter aortic valve implantation?

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) may be the first line treatment for severe aortic stenosis according to overall patient characteristics. Semi-quantitative Agatston score (AS), which quantifies aortic calcium by cardiac computed tomography (CCT), has knowledgeable practical and clinical implications, and is performed in TAVI diagnostic workup. Since conduction disturbances continue to be the most frequent complication, further refinements are required to predict high-risk patients.

Purpose

To access if aortic AS relates with new conduction disturbances and permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent TAVI at a tertiary center from October 2014 to November 2019; patients with previous permanent pacemaker (PPM) or had no aortic AS were excluded. Clinical and electrocardiogram (ECG) data were collected at admission and after the procedure. All categorical variables are reported as numbers and percentages. Continuous variables were analyzed using the two-tailed unpaired Student’s t-test and are reported as mean values and the standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS.

Results

172 patients with a mean age 79 ± 9.1 years old were included (see table 1 for baseline characteristics). AS was on average 3008 ± 2262 (see table 2 for remaining diagnostic workup and procedure characteristics).

Comparing AS with new conduction disturbances, no statistically significant difference was found for new complete left branch block (LBBB) (no vs new LBBB, AS: 3179 ± 2555 vs 2637 ± 1388, p= 0,15) and with new complete atrioventricular block (AVB) (no vs new AVB, AS: 2834 ± 1520 vs 4485 ± 5285, p = 0.2). Considering PPM implantation after TAVI, there was a tendency for higher AS and PPM implantation (no vs PPM implantation, AS: 2756 ± 1451 vs 4242 ± 4310, p = 0.07).

In patients who had pre-ballooning, there was no difference relating to AS; however, in patients who had no pre-ballooning there was a trend to higher AS and PPM implantation (no vs PPM implantation, AS: 2417 ± 1301 vs 4616 ± 4969, p = 0.06). No statistically significant difference was found when comparing earlier (Portico, CoreValve Evolut R) vs newer valves (CoreValve Evolut Pro; Edward Sapiens 3; Accurate Neo).

Conclusion

Aortic calcium measured by Agatston score did not show a correlation with new LBBB or new AVB after TAVI. Nevertheless, it seems to be a trend for higher AS and PPM implantation; this was more noticeable when pre-ballooning was not performed. Further studies are needed in order to further elucidate this association. Abstract Figure. Patients baseline characteristics  Abstract Figure. TAVI diagnostic workup and procedure

Catheter ablation supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation -last resort treatment of arrhythmic storm?

Introduction

Arrhythmic storm (AS) is associated with high mortality, even with best medical care and hemodynamic support. If medical therapeutic failure, electrophysiological mapping and ablation are potential lifesaving therapies. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides temporary mechanical circulatory support and can be used as a salvage intervention in patients with cardiogenic shock. Considering the seriousness of AS and the technical complexity involved, catheter ablation supported by VA-ECMO is infrequently performed. We sought to assess the safety and effectiveness of emergent catheter ablation procedures performed in patients on VA-ECMO at our hospital.

Methods

Retrospective study of all ventricular tachycardia (VT) catheter ablation procedures performed with VA-ECMO support at a tertiary centre between 2016 and 2020. Follow-up data was obtained from review of electronical records.

Results

Five patients underwent 6 emergent VT ablation procedures due to AS. The median age was 62 years (range, 52) and 4 patients were men. Three patients had VT at admission, while 2 were admitted with an acute coronary syndrome and developed VT during the hospitalization. Four patients had ischemic heart disease, though only 1 had previous history of VT; the remaining patient presented no structural heart disease. Median left ventricle ejection fraction was 11% (range 30).

All patients had incomplete response to amiodarone, lidocaine or overdrive pacing, before being proposed to catheter ablation. Four patients were on ECMO support before ablation, while 1 was cannulated during the procedure due to hemodynamic instability. Ablation was performed using a retrograde approach in 3 patients, and combined retrograde and transeptal access in 2; one patient had epicardial ablation after unsuccessful endovascular approach. Three patients had left ventricle substrate ablation and the remaining 2 of the right ventricle. No major complications were seen directly related to the procedures.

The median length of stay in intensive care unit was 22 days (range 41 days). Weaning of VA-ECMO was accomplished in all patients. Two patient died during the same hospitalization (one due to uncontrolled arrhythmic events). At a median 23 months (range 31) of follow-up of the surviving patients, two had recurrence of VT but no one had return of AS.

Conclusion

In our sample VT ablation on VA-ECMO support was a safe procedure, with no immediate complications. However, as reported in the literature, a high mortality rate was observed both in-hospital and during follow-up, mostly related to advanced structural heart disease. Also, considerable VT recurrence rates were seen, but with no re-hospitalization. Our experience shows that catheter ablation is a life-saving procedure in otherwise uncontrollable AS and allowed absolute success in weaning VA-ECMO.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Cardiac remodelling and reverse remodelling in pregnant women: what can be expected?

Introduction

Hemodynamic overload during pregnancy induces cardiac remodelling which is characterized by left ventricle (LV) eccentric hypertrophy and left-atrium enlargement.After delivery,the woman's heart undergoes reverse remodelling and myocardial performance normalize to their pre-gravid structure and function.

Aim

To characterize cardiac remodelling and reverse remodelling during pregnancy and postpartum, respectively, as well as to investigate the impact of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in these processes.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included volunteer pregnant women recruited in a tertiary centre between 2019 and 2020.Women were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography and pulse wave velocity at the 1st trimester [1T, baseline], 3rd trimester [3T, peak of CV remodelling] of pregnancy as well as at the 1st month and 6th month after delivery (reverse remodelling). Mann-whitney,wilcoxon and Ffriedman test were used as appropriate to between and within groups comparisons. Bonferroni correction was applied. Spearman correlation was performed to determine the relationship between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and echocardiographic variables.

Results

We included 32 pregnant women with a median age of 34 [26; 41] years, 50% being hypertensive and/or obese. The pregnant women tended to develop eccentric hypertrophy pattern during pregnancy, characterized by significant increase of cardiac mass index (CMi) from 1T to 3T (table 1, p=0.006) and slight modification of relative wall thickness (RWT, table 1, p=0.339). During postpartum, hypertrophy regression became significant only at 6 months after delivery (CMi: table 1, p<0.001; RWT: table 1, p<0.001). In contrast, a fastest recovery of indexed left atrial (3T to 1 month postpartum:table 1,p=0.033) and ventricular volumes (table 1, p<0.001) was observed after delivery, despite its slight enlargement during pregnancy (atrium-table 1, p=0.55; LV-table 1, p=0.084). RWT correlated positively with PWV at 3T (r=0.447, p=0.012). Compared to the healthy pregnant women,CV risk factors group showed higher RWT in all time points of follow-up period,without any differences in CMi and cardiac volumes indexed. Filling pressures increased during gestation (table 1, p=0.002),normalizing as soon as 1 month after delivery (table 1, p=0.001) and maintained at the 6th month (table 1, p<0.001). Pregnant women with CV risk factors revealed a significant higher value of E/e' in comparison with the healthy group, but only at the 6th month of postpartum (5.6 [5.2; 8.2] vs 5.4 [4.4; 7.7], p=0.036).

Conclusion

In our cohort, complete reverse remodelling occurs as soon as one month after delivery, with the exception of hypertrophy.The positive correlation between relative wall thickness and pulse wave velocity highlighted arterial-ventricular coupling relevance for the cardiac remodelling process during pregnancy. Pregnant women with CV risk factors showed higher relative wall thickness when compared with healthy women at all time points of the follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Universidade do Porto/FMUP and FSE-Fundo Social Europeu; FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology

The role of coronary collateral circulation in patients presenting with acute left main coronary artery occlusion

Introduction

Acute occlusion of the unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) is an uncommon occurrence associated with a dismal prognosis. Whereas the role of early recruited coronary collateral circulation (CC) in prognosis of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is still controversial, it seems to be important in patients with acute LMCA occlusion. This study aimed to evaluate the coronary CC in patients with acute LMCA occlusion and its impact in short and long-term outcomes.

Methods

In a retrospective two-center study, we identified 7630 patients with STEMI or high-risk non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent emergent coronary angiography between January 2008 and December 2020. Among this cohort, we analyzed 83 patients who presented with unprotected LMCA acute occlusion (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction – TIMI ≤2) and classified them in 2 groups based on the degree of CC through the right coronary artery as seen in the emergent angiography: patients with no filling of collateral vessels or filling of collateral vessels without any epicardial filling of the occluded vessel [Rentrop class 0–1 (71 patients)]; and patients with partial or complete epicardial filling by collateral vessels [CC Rentrop class 2–3 (12 patients)].

Results

Compared to patients with CC Rentrop 0–1, patients with CC Rentrop 2–3 presented significantly later to medical attention (symptom to coronary angiography time 8.7 vs 4.3 hours, p=0.02). Despite that, patients with CC Rentrop 2–3 had a significantly lower prevalence of cardiogenic shock at admission (16.7 vs 57.7%, p=0.01). During hospitalization, Killip class III-IV presentation (33.3 vs 88.7%, p<0.001) and inotropic/vasopressor therapy use (25.0 vs 69.0%, p=0.01) were less frequent in CC Rentrop 2–3 patients. The CC Rentrop 2–3 group had a significantly lower in-hospital (16.7 vs 53.5%, p=0.02) and 30-day mortality (9.1 vs 52.2%, p=0.01). In patients surviving hospitalization there was no significant difference in 1-year (30.0 vs 19.4%, p=0.48) and 5-year mortality (70.0 vs 77.4%, p=0.68).

Conclusion

A well-developed coronary CC was associated to lower short-term mortality in patients presenting with acute occlusion of the unprotected LMCA. Nevertheless, in patients surviving index-event, there was no difference in the long-term outcomes. Further studies are needed to clarify if clinical approach (eg. early short-term mechanical circulatory support) of patients with CC Rentrop 0–1 should be different from those with CC Rentrop 2–3 in order to improve the outcomes of the former patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The world upside down – after 20 years follow-up of dextro-transposition of the great arteries

Introduction

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) affects under 1% of newborns and thanks to its prognosis improvement, most patients survive until adulthood. Dextro-transposition of the great arteries (dTGA) is a CHD classically palliated with atrial switch (ATS) procedure and nowadays corrected with an arterial switch (ARS), with better clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, several post-ATS patients remain alive and questions persist regarding their long-term prognosis.

Purpose

To observe a group of dTGA patients followed in an Adult CHD outpatients clinic, access their comorbidities, surgical interventions, complications and clinical outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a group of dTGA patients born between 1974 and 2001. Clinical features were collected and time-to-event statistics were analyzed. Adverse event was defined as at least one of the follows: death, stroke, myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization, arrhythmia and ventricular, valvular or conduct dysfunction.

Results

A total of 80 patients were enrolled with a mean follow-up of 26 years after surgery: 46% were female, median age 27 (19–57) year-old. Concerning other concomitant defects, 25% had ventricular septal defect, 12% pulmonary stenosis, 3% aortic coarctation and 1% single coronary ostium. ATS palliation was performed in 54% of patients (Senning procedure in 95%) and ARS (Jatene procedure) in 45% of patients; median age at procedure was 13 months and 10 days, respectively. During follow-up, almost all patients submitted to ARS remained in sinus rhythm (97%) versus 64% of ATS patients (p=0.037). The latter group had higher incidence of arrythmias (40% vs 3%, p=0.013), mostly atrial flutter or fibrillation (present in 28%), followed by bradyarrhythmia (10%); median time from surgery to first arrhythmic event in these patients was 23 years. Also, systemic ventricle systolic dysfunction (SVSD) and chronotropic incompetence were significantly higher in ATS (41% vs 3%, p<0.001 and 46% vs 9%, p=0.005, respectively); mean time to SVSD was 29 years. In respect to long-term outcomes in ARS, the most frequent complications were moderate to severe aortic regurgitation, pulmonary stenosis and regurgitation, occurring in 21%, 7% and 3%, respectively. Concerning both groups, mean time to first adverse-event was 21 years. Regarding gender and demographic features, there were no differences in time-to-adverse-event, comparing patients living in urban versus rural neighbourhoods and female versus male (Log Rank, p=0.368 and p=0.693). Only one patient died, submitted to ATS, at 46 years-old, from chronic heart failure.

Conclusion

After a long-term free of events, ATS patients experienced more arrhythmic complications and SVSD. ARS complications were anastomosis related. This report highlights the efforts that should be made to identify late complication is this particular population. Of note, no demographic or gender differences were observed.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Gender analysis

Sex disparities in lipid-lowering therapy and dyslipidemia control in a coronary rehabilitation program

Introduction

Lipid control is one of the most important secondary cardiovascular prevention targets. Although cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death for both genders, several studies have consistently shown that women are less likely to receive guideline-recommended secondary prevention medications after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Purpose

To compare sex disparities in dyslipidemia control in a secondary prevention population with ACS in light of the ESC Dyslipidemia Guidelines.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed all patients who participated in a Coronary Rehabilitation Program (CRP) after an ACS from January 2011 to October 2019. Clinical data was collected at presentation and during 12 months follow-up. Doses of atorvastatin ≥40 mg, rosuvastatin ≥20 mg or a combination of a statin and ezetimibe were considered high-intensity LDL-lowering therapy (HIT).

Results

Of a total of 881 patients enrolled, mean age 55.0±10.0 year-old, 16.1% were female. At baseline there were no differences respecting clinical features between genders. At admission, 51.4% of patients had ST-elevation myocardial infarction and, concerning to cardiovascular risk factors, 63% patients had dyslipidemia, 46% had hypertension, 19% were diabetic, 76% were smokers or previous smokers, 27% had family history of coronary disease and 12% had previous coronary disease (ACS or >50% coronary artery stenosis). At hospital admission, females and males had similar mean LDL-levels [120.7 vs 118.1 mg/dL, t(708)=0.691, p=0.496]. The vast majority of patients from both genders were prescribed with statins on hospital discharge (99.5%) and maintain it during follow-up (99.3%). Female patients received more HIT during follow-up (67.8% vs 53.9% at baseline, p=0.015; 75.6% vs 59.0% after CRP, p=0.003; and 79.8% vs 65.1% at 1-year-follow-up, p=0.007). During follow-up, at the end of the CRP (about 3 months after event), male patients exhibit a better control of LDL [82.0 vs 75.6 mg/dL, t(597)=2.4, p=0.016)] with 12.8% vs 16.4% below 55 mg/dL and 29.8% vs 44.5% below 70 mg/dL (p=0.008). At 1-year follow-up, both genders exhibited similar LDL-control due to a worsening control of the male population (81.9 vs 80.6 mg/dL, t(540)=0.52, p=0.605). Only 13.3% of females had LDL below 55 mg/dL (vs 12.9%, p=0.921) and 32.5% below 70 mg/dL (vs 37.0%, p=0.432).

Conclusion

This real-life study showed that guideline recommended LDL target is not achieved in the majority of patients, even under a structured CRP. Unlike other reports, there were more women receiving potent anti-dyslipidemic therapy. Nevertheless, women showed a poor control of LDL-concentration after three months of ACS and a similar control after 1-year; this highlights the uncertainties concerning the efficacy of lipid-lowering therapy in women, an underrepresented population in clinical trials.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

HER2 positive breast cancer: is there a preventive role of cardioprotective drugs?

Introduction

In patients with breast cancer, anti-HER2-targeted therapies (AHT) are highly associated with cardiotoxicity (CT), being the main reason for treatment interruption in patients receiving adjuvant trastuzumab. Guidelines recommend regular left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessments and CT's management with cardioprotective drugs (CPD). However, while secondary prevention has already entered clinical practice, primary prevention is still in the research domain. Our aim was to evaluate risk of CT and the role of CPD in a subset of breast cancer patients treated with AHT.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a population of breast cancer female patients treated with AHT referred to Cardio-oncology consultation at a tertiary center from January 2017 to March 2020. All patients were evaluated with echocardiogram before treatment initiation and at least at 3, 6, 9 and 12-months. CT was defined as LVEF under 50% or decline of at least 10% in LVEF during follow-up. As CPD we considered renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and beta-blockers.

Results

A total of 85 patients were included with mean age of 52.4±10.2 year-old. Concerning cardiovascular risk factors 11.8% had diabetes, 32.9% dyslipidaemia, 29.4% hypertension and 22.4% were smokers or previous smokers; most patients had a high or very-high CT risk score (98.8% with score ≥5). Besides AHT, 68.2% and 80% were also on anthracyclines and radiotherapy, respectively. Patients were followed for a median follow-up of 16 months. At baseline, mean high sensitivity troponin I was 3.9 ng/L, mean LVEF was 63.1% and mean global longitudinal strain was −19.7, with all patients having normal cardiac function. During follow-up, 15.7% developed CT with a higher prevalence in patients concomitantly on anthracyclines (19.6% vs 7.4%, p=0.151). CPD was initiated or titrated in 84.6% of patients and 30.8% needed to suspend AHT; overall 92.3% of CT patients recovered. Unlike AHT suspension, CPD initiation after CT was associated with a higher rate of cardiac function recovery (100.0% vs 50.0%, p=0.020). When comparing patients already medicated with CPD before cancer treatment (41.7%) to those naïve of CPD, the first group presented a significative lower incidence of CT [2.9% vs 25.0%, p=0.006, OR=0.09 (95% CI 0.01 – 0.72)]. When analysed all sample (with or without CT), patients already on CPD also presented a higher LVEF at 6 months follow-up (62.5% vs 59.2%, t(69)=−2.4, p=0.017 at 6 months), despite a non-significative lower LVEF at baseline (62.3% vs 63.6%, p=0.139). Medication with statins before chemotherapy didn't reduce the risk of CT.

Conclusion

Pre-treatment with CPD was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of CT and a higher LVEF at 6-months follow-up. CPD initiation after CT was associated with cardiac function recovery. These results highlights the importance of cardiac evaluation in HER2+ patients and strengthen the primary prevention field in these patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Emergent coronary angiography in a 90-plus population – outcomes at 5-years follow-up

Introduction

Elderly people represents a vulnerable and increasing population presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Several data suggest the benefit of an early revascularization in ST-elevation (STE)-ACS or non-STE-ACS with positive troponin. However questions persist considering the unavoidable adverse prognosis, patient's functional and cognitive status, comorbidities and preferences.

Purpose

To evaluate a group of very old patients who underwent emergent coronary angiography (CA).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a group of very old patients (≥90 year-old) who underwent emergent CA from January 2008 to September 2020. Clinical features were collected; survival and MACE were compared with an aged-matched control population with ACS not submitted to emergent CA. MACE was defined as a composite of all-cause death, ischemic stroke, ACS or hospitalization for acute heart failure.

Results

A total of 34 patients were enrolled: 56% female, with mean age 92±2 year-old. As for the cardiovascular risk factors, 88% had hypertension, 49% dyslipidaemia, 12% diabetes and 15% were previous smokers. Concerning other comorbidities, 27% had atrial fibrillation, 21% chronic kidney disease, 12% had cerebrovascular disease and median modified Rankin scale for neurologic disability was 2. Almost all patients had STE-ACS, 68% anterior and 29% inferior, inferolateral or inferoposterior infarction; 3% had infarction of indeterminate location. In CA, 65% had multivessel disease, 14% of them involving left main coronary artery; coronary intervention was performed in 71% of patients (mostly stent implantation), the remaining 29% had no invasive treatment. Concerning to clinical status, median troponin was 131 517 ng/L and median BNP 496 pg/mL; 36% of patients evolved in Killip class III or IV and only 32% of patients had normal left ventricular systolic function. Regarding mortality, 38% of patients died in the index-event versus 25% in the aged-matched control group (p=0.319). During five years of follow-up, there was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (Log Rank, p=0.403) and more than 50% of patients died in two years. Comparing MACE occurrence, both groups were similar (Log Rank, p=0,662), with more than 80% having at least one event in five years.

Conclusion

Very old patients submitted to emergent CA had a high percentage of multivessel disease, left ventricular dysfunction and mortality during hospitalization. Compared to an aged-matched control group, they showed no survival or MACE benefit of emergent CA strategy during a five-years follow-up. Although this is a small study, these findings highlight the efforts that should be made to optimize care in this vulnerable population, under-represented in the clinical trials. Special caution should be given to avoid possible unnecessary discomfort in this setting.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. MACE analysis

Myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease - can the underlying causes be identified by cardiac magnetic resonance?

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

 Myocardial Infarction in the Absence of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (MINOCA) is a clinical entity that occurs in up to 15% of all acute coronary syndromes (ACS). It is a "working diagnosis", as it is constituted by several etiologies.

Purpose

To identify the utility of CMR in determining the etiological diagnosis of MINOCA events, with potential impact in the therapeutic management of these patients.

Methods

 Patients with MINOCA who were admitted to the Cardiology department at a tertiary center, between 2015 and 2020, were included. MINOCA was defined as an ACS with non-obstructive (<50%) coronary artery disease and no other clinically specific cause, in accordance with definition adopted in the 2020 ESC Guidelines for the management of ACS in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation. Patients who did not had a coronary exam (either CT or invasive angiogram) or a CMR were excluded.  All CMR exams were performed in a 3 Tesla equipment using a comprehensive protocol (cine, T2-weighted, and late gadolinium sequences). Clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and CMR data were collected.

Results

In a population of 29 patients, the mean age was 55 ± 17 years-old at the time of the cardiac event, 51.7% were male. Concerning to cardiovascular risk factors, 58.6% of patients had dyslipidaemia, 51.7% had hypertension, 13.7% were diabetic, 41.4% were smokers or previous smokers and 31.0% had obesity. Atrial fibrillation was present in 3.4% of patients. As for the EKG patterns, 41.4% of the patients had ventricular repolarization changes, 13.8% had a transitory ST elevation pattern, 6.9% had a complete left bundle branch block and 37.9% had a normal EKG; most of the ischemic EKG alterations were on the anterior wall (66.7%). The median high sensitivity I troponin levels were 1877.5 (IQR 225.3 – 5985.8) ng/L. The majority of patients (58.6%) had echocardiographic wall motion abnormalities; of those, the most common (41.1%) were on the left anterior descendent artery territory. CMR (performed at a median of 5 days from presentation) was able to identify the cause for the troponin rise in 58.6% of the cases; late gadolinium enhancement and oedema were present in 41.4% and 62.1% of patients, respectively. The mean left ventricle ejection fraction (EF) was 57.7 ± 8.5% and the mean right ventricle EF was 61.5 ± 6.1%. An ischemic pattern was present in 29.4% of the total population. In 17.6% of the patients findings were consistent with Takotsubo syndrome and in 29.4% with myocarditis.

Conclusion

 CMR established the etiological cause in 58.6% of the cases, with potential implications in medical therapy. These findings highlight the importance of CMR in MINOCA diagnosis and the potential improvement in patient care with multi-modality imaging.

Conduction disturbances after TAVR - a 1-year follow-up

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established procedure to treat patients (pts) with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Although conduction disturbances remain the most frequent complication, there is a lack of consensus on their management, which leads to significant differences in permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation rates between centers.

Purpose

To evaluate new conduction disturbances and PPM implantation in pts undergoing TAVR, peri-procedure and up to 1 year.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed all pts who underwent TAVR at a tertiary center from October 2014 to November 2019; pts with a previous PPM were excluded (n = 30). Clinical and ECG data were collected at presentation and up to 1 year after implantation, including systematic interrogation of implanted PPM.

Results

340 pts underwent TAVR (57% female, mean age 80 ± 8years). CoreValve Evolut R was the most used valve (41% of pts), followed by CoreValve Evolut Pro (21%) and Acurate Neo (13%). Of the 77% pts who were in sinus rhythm pre-TAVR, 79% had normal atrioventricular (AV) conduction and 20% 1st degree AV block (AVB); 60% had no intraventricular (IV) conduction disturbance, 9% left bundle branch block (LBBB), 7% right bundle branch block (RBBB) and 7% RBBB plus fascicular block.

After TAVR, 50.9% of pts exhibited new conduction disturbances. Regarding AV conduction, 12.4% of pts developed advanced AVB and 20% of pts without previous disturbances developed 1st degree AVB. Concerning IV conduction, the most frequent disturbance was de novo LBBB (n = 109, 32,2%) which resolved in 56% of cases after 6 months. Among pts with previous RBBB, 42% developed advanced AVB; the presence of previous RBBB was the major risk factor for advanced AVB [OR = 8.5 (95% CI 4.1-17.5; p < 0.001)] and PPM implantation [OR = 5.2 (95% CI 2.7-10.0; p < 0.001)], followed by previous 1st degree AVB [OR = 2.3 (95% CI 1.2-4.4; p = 0.016) for PPM implantation]; previous FA or LBBB were not associated with advanced AVB or PPM implantation.

Overall, 19% of pts implanted a PPM post-TAVR (n = 63). The main reason was advanced AVB (60%), followed by LBBB plus 1st degree AVB (22%), isolated LBBB (5%) and alternating bundle branch block (ABBB) (5%). At first PPM evaluation, pts with advanced AVB had a median percentage of ventricular pacing (VP) of 80% (52% had VP >90% and 14% <1%) and one year after-TAVR the median percentage of VP was 83%. Concerning pts with LBBB plus 1st degree AVB, median VP at first assessment was 4% (38% had < 1% of VP). In pts with isolated LBBB or ABBB, median VP at first evaluation was 13% and 11%, respectively.

Conclusion

LBBB was the most frequent de novo conduction disturbance after TAVR, with more than half of the cases resolving in the first 6 months. RBBB, on the other hand, was the major risk factor for advanced AVB and PPM implantation. Advanced AVB was associated with a high percentage of VP at 1-year follow-up, unlike pts with milder degrees of conduction delay.

Long term prognosis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to idiopathic ventricular fibrillation - a tertiary center experience

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

 Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an uncommon event in the absence of structural heart disease. However, ventricular fibrillation (VF) may occur in patients with unknown cardiac disease and a comprehensive work-up is needed to further improve diagnostic. Still, a significant and heterogenous group of patients remains labelled of Idiopathic VF and limited data is available regarding their natural history.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of survivors of an aborted sudden cardiac death due to idiopathic VF or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) and to assess possible predictors of recurrence.

Methods

 Patients who survived an idiopathic VF or pulseless VT between 2005 and 2019 referred to a cardiac defibrillator (ICD) implantation were included. Patients were followed for 1 to 15 years (median follow-up of 7 years). Clinical and device data were collected.

Results

A population of 29 patients, 59% male, with a median age of 50 years (age ranging from 18 to 76) at the time of the aborted SCD was studied. All patients implanted an ICD (69% single chamber, 24% dual chamber and 3% subcutaneous) at the index hospitalization. The initial rhythm was VF in 76% and pulseless VT in 24%. In relation to the context of the arrhythmic event, 48.3% occurred during daily life activities, 13.8% after an emotional stress, 6.9% during efforts and a similar percentage occurred either in rest or asleep. Of note, 12.5% of patients had previous history of syncope. Normal ECG was present in 83% of patients. Family history of SCD was present in 12% of the cases. As for the cardiovascular risk factors, 61.5% had hypertension, 19% dyslipidemia, 17% diabetes, 31% were smokers or previous smokers. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was present in 15% of patients. To exclude possible causes of VF, all patients were submitted to coronary angiogram and echocardiogram, 64% to genetic testing, 68% to cardiac magnetic resonance, 20% to electrophysiologic study, 12% to pharmacological provocative test and 4% were submitted to endomyocardial biopsy. At follow-up, an etiological diagnosis was established in 31% of patients: 3 events were attributed to coronary vasospasm, 3 to short coupled polymorphic VT, 1 patient had long QT syndrome, 1 had Brugada syndrome and in 1 patient an ANK2 mutation was identified. As for the clinical outcomes, 8% patients died (from non-arrhythmic causes), 31% patients received appropriate therapies and 19% had unappropriated shocks (of those 60% for sinus tachycardia and 40% for supraventricular tachycardia).

Conclusion

Etiologic diagnosis and prediction of recurrence of arrhythmic events in patients with idiopathic VF is challenging, even with a long-term follow-up and more sophisticated diagnostic evaluation.  Idiopathic VF is a rare but serious condition with recurrence in about one third of patients. Although not free of complications, ICD remains the gold standard of treatment.

Secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome - can we achieve dyslipidemia guideline targets?

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Lipid control is one of the most important secondary cardiovascular prevention targets. The 4S trialin 1994 was the first study to demonstrate the benefit of statin therapy in coronary artery disease patients. More recently, the FOURIER trial (2017) and the ODYSSEY Outcomes (2018) demonstrated the cardiovascular benefit of adding a PCSK9 inhibitor to optimized antidyslipidemic therapy.

Owing to the growing number of evidence showing the importance of aggressive lipid control, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2019 Dyslipidemia Guidelines changed the recommendation of LDL targets from below 70 mg/dL to below 55 mg/dL in very high risk patients.

In the light of this new recommendation, we retrospectively analysed all patients who participated in a Coronary Rehabilitation Program (CRP) after an Acute Coronary Syndrome at a tertiary center from May 2008 to June 2019. The CRP consisted in a multi-disciplinary approach to these patients, including 8 to 12 weekly sessions of phase II rehabilitation, exercise prescription, nutrition counselling and life-style intervention, with Cardiology follow-up at the end of the CRP (3 months), 6 months and 12 months after the event. Lipid profile was requested at baseline, 3 months and 12 months after the event. Dyslipidemia was defined using the ESC Guidelines definition.

In total, 989 patients were enrolled: the mean age was 54 ± 10 years and 15% were female. Concerning to cardiovascular risk factors, 56.7% of patients had dyslipidaemia, 41.5% had hypertension, 18.1% were diabetic, 73.1% were smokers or previous smokers, 26.0% had family history of coronary disease and 14.0% had previous coronary disease.

At hospital admission, mean LDL concentration was 121,7 ± 38,8 mg/dL with 2,9% of the patients with values below 55 mg/dL and 7,6% below 70 mg/dL. The vast majority of patients were medicated with statin at hospital discharge and maintained the prescription during the follow-up (97.5% and 97.1%, respectively).

At the end of the CRP, there was a significant decrease of LDL values (p < 0.001) with 18.7% patients with LDL below 55 mg/dL and 46.3% below 70 mg/dL (mean LDL 76.6 ±23.6 mg/dL). At 1-year follow-up, the lipid control was better than at admission, but inferior than at the end of the rehabilitation program, both findings statistically significant (11.0% patients were below 55 mg/dL and 33.1% were below 70 mg/dL, with a mean LDL of 82.7 ± 28.3 mg/dL; p < 0.001).

In conclusion, our real-life observational cohort showed that guideline recommended LDL target is not achieved in most of very high-risk patients even in a structured coronary rehabilitation program. Of note, the number of patients at LDL-target decreased from 3 months to 1-year follow-up. This state the importance of a sustained healthy lifestyle and therapy adherence, with aggressive pharmacologic therapy.

Does age at aortic coarctation repair have an impact on left ventricle size and function?

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Adults with repaired aortic coarctation (CoA) require lifelong follow-up due to late complications, including left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction. Age at the time of CoA repair is an important prognostic factor in these patients (pts).

Purpose

To evaluate LV size, ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) values using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in a population of adult pts with repaired CoA and to assess the relationship between these echocardiographic parameters and age at the time of CoA repair.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of adult pts with repaired CoA, followed in a Grown Up Congenital Heart Disease Centre. Pts with hemodynamically significant concomitant cardiac lesions were ruled out. Epidemiologic and clinical data were obtained from clinical records. Transthoracic echocardiograms were reviewed in order to assess GLS using 2DSTE (Echopac Software, GE).

Results

The study population consisted of 63 pts (61.9% male), with a mean age of 35.3 years at the time of the echocardiographic evaluation. The mean age at the time of the CoA repair was 117 months (95% CI 89.8-144.1 months).

Surgical repair was performed in 46 pts (73%): resection with subclavian artery flap aortoplasty (n = 21); patch aortoplasty (n = 15) and head-to-head anastomosis (n = 10). In 10 pts there was no data regarding the type of surgical repair. Seven pts (11.1%) were submitted to percutaneous intervention (6 with aortic stent implantation and 1 with balloon aortic angioplasty).

Mean LVEF was 63.4% (CI 95% 55.6 – 71.2%) and mean LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) was 50mm (CI 95% 43-57mm). Mean GLS was - 17.3 (CI 95% 14.8- 19.8), which is inferior to the mean normal values reported for the software used.

Age at the time of CoA repair had a statistically significant positive linear relationship with LVEDD (r= 0.282; p= 0.026) and a linear negative relationship with both GLS (r= -0,29; p= 0.022) and LVEF (r= -0.33; p= 0.05).

Conclusion

Older age at the time of CoA repair was associated with increased LVEDD and decreased GLS and LVEF. Also, GLS may be an important tool for the identification of subclinical LV dysfunction in adult pts with repaired CoA.

Supraventricular ectopic activity as a predictor of atrial fibrillation – what we didn't see 10 years ago

Background

Cardioembolism induced by atrial fibrillation (AF) is responsible for up to 33% of all ischemic strokes. 24-hour Holter monitoring in stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients is used as a routine investigation to search for occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), which may have crucial prognostic impact. Excessive supraventricular ectopic activity (ESVEA) is also a stroke risk factor, probably related to the risk of developing AF.

Purpose

To observe the incidence of AF at a long-term follow-up and to evaluate the clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic predictors of new onset AF in stroke patients.

Methods

Patients in sinus rhythm who performed Holter between October 2009 and October 2011 in the setting of post stroke or TIA were included; patients with previous AF were excluded. These patients were followed for 8 to 10 years. Clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data were collected. ESVEA was defined by ≥500 premature atrial contractions per 24 hours or any sustained supraventricular tachycardia episode.

Results

104 patients were included, 54% were male, with a mean age of 63.8±14.7 years at the time of the event. In relation to cardiovascular risk factors, 59% had hypertension, 47% dyslipidemia, 14% diabetes, 44% were smokers or previous smokers; 67% of patients were high consumers of alcohol. 79.8% had a stroke and 21.2% a TIA. 24-hour Holter monitoring revealed ESVEA in 13.5% of patients and PAF in 1.9%. All patients with PAF had a previous stroke and were older than 55.

At a follow-up of 8–10 years, new onset AF was detected in 11.5%; these patients had similar mortality comparing to those in sustained sinus rhythm (21.2% vs 16.7%, p=0.724). Alcohol intake, an established risk factor for development of AF, was associated with a non-significant increase of AF (17.3% vs 11.5%) while the presence of cardiovascular risk factors was not associated with AF development. We found a statistically significant difference between patients with and without ESVEA concerning to new onset of AF (35.7% vs 8.0%, p=0.010). ESVEA seems to be related with a higher mortality at a long follow-up, although this difference wasn't statistically significant (35.7% vs 18.2%, p=0.132). Concerning to echocardiographic parameters, patients whit left atrium enlargement showed a higher incidence of AF at follow-up (14.7% vs 7.9%), and the presence of mitral regurgitation were not related with new onset of AF. Patients' age was also not related with new onset of AF during follow-up.

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation is considered the main cause of stroke. Our study showed that ESVEA is a strong predictor of new onset AF and highlights that Holter monitoring could be an important tool not only to diagnose AF but also to identify patients in risk of develop AF. Diagnostic of new AF during long-term follow up didn't correlate with higher mortality.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Coronary artery fistulas: a single-center case series

Introduction

Coronary artery fistulas (CAFs) are rare anomalous connections between a coronary artery and a major vessel or cardiac chamber. Currently they are being increasingly encountered due to the more widespread use of various imaging modalities and coronary angiography. Although the vast majority of CAFs are incidentally diagnosed and have no clinical relevance, they can cause significant morbidity such as myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure and endocarditis.

Methods

A consecutive series of 55867 coronary arteriograms performed in our Cardiology Department from 2007 to 2019 was retrospectively investigated for the presence of coronary artery fistulas. Patients clinical, angiographic and therapeutic data up to november 2019 were analyzed. Data were obtained from medical records of hospital stay and subsequent consultations.

Results

We identified 50 patients who were diagnosed with one or more CAFs, with ages between 5 and 85 years (mean 59 years). 62% (n=31) were males.

The great majority of patients had a single fistula (n=34, 68%), 11 patients had two fistulas (22%), 1 patient had 3 fistulas (2%) and 4 patients had multiple fistulas (8%).

CAFs arose more frequently from the left anterior descending artery (n=27), followed by the right coronary (n=18), left circumflex (n=15), left main (n=5) and intermediate artery (n=2). The most frequent drainage site was the pulmonary artery (n=38).

The majority of CAFs were incidentally found (n=32; 64%) and thought to have no significance for the patients' clinical status. As for the rest of the patients, CAFs were diagnosed during evaluation of: a heart murmur (n=7); exertional chest pain with no associated significant atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (n=7); exertional dyspnea (n=2); positive exercise stress test (n=1); NSTEMI and cardiac arrest (n=1).

Regarding treatment, watchful waiting was the main approach (n=40; 80%). 3 patients had their CAFs closed during surgery for another heart condition (CABG/aortic valve replacement). In 1 patient, heart surgery was specifically conducted for fistula closure. 6 patients (12%) underwent fistula transcatheter closure.

Conclusion

CAFs are rare coronary anomalies and the majority has no clinical relevance, so watchful waiting is the commonest approach. When they are hemodynamically significant or symptoms/complications arise, surgical or transcatheter closure should be considered. This study describes the angiographic, clinical and therapeutic data of CAFs detected along the last 12 years in a single tertiary care center catheterization laboratory.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P1310 Prosthetic valve endocarditis or thrombus?

One cause of constitutional syndrome in patients previously submitted to valve replacement surgery is a prosthetic endocarditis; this occurs in 1-6% of valve surgeries and has an adverse prognosis. Although this is a likely etiology, it is important to keep other possibilities in mind. This clinical case is about a 61 years old male, with known history of smoking, atrial fibrillation anticoagulated with warfarin (with low TTR), and rheumatic fever in childhood, with severe aortic stenosis/regurgitation and moderate mitral regurgitation. In August 2018 he was admitted in our hospital with mitral valve endocarditis cause by Streptococcus agalactiae. He was submitted to an aortic and mitral valve replacement surgery with 2 bioprothesis. Three months later he was admitted again with weight loss, fatigue, dyspnea for small efforts and worsening anemia. The first diagnosis hypothesis was prosthetic endocarditis. The echocardiogram showed normo-functioning aortic bioprothesis; obstructive mitral bioprothesis with an image suggestive of a vegetation; and a de novo mass in the left auricle, compatible with a thrombus. This clinical case was discussed in Heart Team: as the patient was clinically stable, it was opted for an initial conservative approach; although there was a strong clinical suspicion that all the clinical case was due to thrombotic manifestations (assuming that the vegetations had a non-infectious origin), he was nonetheless medicated with vancomycin, gentamicin and rifampicin, as the diagnosis of early culture negative prosthetic endocarditis could not be discarded. He was anticoagulated with enoxaparin. In the reevaluation echocardiogram there was a significative reduction of the left atrial thrombus and disappearance of the mitral valve vegetation image, with improvement of the mitral valve prosthetic gradients. The case was discussed again in Heart Team: due to the clinical evolution, the hypothesis that this was all caused by a thrombotic manifestation grew stronger; it was opted not to submit the patient to a new surgery and the antibiotic therapy was suspended. To study the pro-thrombotic state and the constitutional syndrome, a full body CT was requested: "hilar-mediastinal and bilateral hilar adenopathy; right supraclavicular adenopathy; splenomegaly with infarcted area." The right hilar adenopathy was biopsied; the pathologic exam revealed non-small cells lung carcinoma. The patient was discharged, medicated with warfarin and oriented to outpatient Oncology consult. Any cancer can be associated with thrombotic manifestations. In this case, considering the heavy smoking burden, lung cancer is one of the first etiologies to consider. The thrombotic manifestations of the non-small cells lung carcinoma are due to a paraneoplastic mechanism and might precede the cancer diagnosis. This clinical case highlights the importance of thinking of different etiologies in the differential diagnosis of a constitutional syndrome.

Abstract P1310 Figure. Left auricle mass

P704 Mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction in the era of early reperfusion therapy: a case report

Introduction

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is a rare mechanical complication of myocardial infarction, and its incidence has decreased with the widespread use of reperfusion therapies. Pseudoaneurysm is the result of a free wall rupture contained by pericardial adherences and mural thrombi, which contain the bleeding and prevent cardiac tamponade.

Clinical Presentation

A 68-year-old woman who had hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease (caused by diabetic nephropathy) was first admitted with acute myocardial infarction of the inferior wall. Emergent coronary angiography revealed proximal occlusion of the right coronary artery. Primary angioplasty was performed with three stents implantation. However due to transitory no reflow, verapamil, nitrate and intracoronary abciximab were administered with recovery of coronary flow. Patient remained stable, without recurrence of symptoms. Echocardiography, at discharge, showed normal biventricular function and no mechanical complications.

Two months later, the patient was readmitted in the emergency room with constant chest pain, fatigue, prostration and loss of appetite beginning ten days earlier and an episode of syncope. Physical examination revealed fever, cardiac auscultation was rhythmic and without murmurs or pericardial friction rub, and pulmonary auscultation revealed crackles in inferior hemithorax. 12-lead electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm, Q waves and negative T waves in inferior leads. Blood tests revealed leucocytosis, high sensibility troponin I was 28,8 ng/L and brain natriuretic peptide was 264,9 pg/mL. Chest-X-ray demonstrated enlargement of the cardiac silhouette and echocardiography showed moderate to large pericardial effusion with large amounts of fibrin close to right cardiac chambers and a basal inferior pseudoaneurysm with 23 mm x 24 mm; intracavitary contrast was administered without opacification of pericardial space; biventricular function remained normal.

Patient was promptly admitted on Cardiac Intensive Care Unit with diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm due to myocardial infarction. Therapeutic with ticagrelor was suspended and surgical correction was proposed, after discussion in Heart Team. False aneurysm correction was performed with a bovine pericardial patch without complications, and the patient was discharged asymptomatic eight days later.

Conclusion

Even with lower incidence, pseudoaneurysms remains as a potential life-threatening due to its high risk of rupture. Prompt diagnosis, usually with echocardiography and surgical referral are crucial.

Abstract P704 Figure. Inferior Pseudoaneurysm

P863 Large pericardial effusion two months after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: case report of a post-cardiac injury syndrome

We present a case of a 87-year-old female with a symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (aortic valve area 0.9 cm2, mean transvalvular pressure gradient 44 mmHg). She was refused to surgical aortic valve replacement due to marked aortic root calcification. A transcatheter aortic valve (ACCURATE neo™ 27) was electively implanted. In immediate post-procedure, the patient presented an episode of hypotension, rapidly reverted with supportive treatment. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a circumferential mild pericardial effusion (PE) without prosthetic valve disfunction and with preserved biventricular systolic function. Due to paroxysmal episodes of atrial fibrillation, it was decided to withdraw anti-aggregation and to start anticoagulation. Four days after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) the patient presented newer intraventricular and atrioventricular conduction disturbance (left bundle branch block and type-I second-degree atrioventricular block). A definitive pacemaker was implanted without complications. PE maintained stable and seven days after TAVI the patient was discharged from hospital.

Two months after TAVI, the patient was admitted to Intensive care unit (ICU) with increasing asthenia, dyspnea and pleuritic thoracic pain over the preceding two weeks. Laboratory workup exhibited elevation of inflammatory markers (leukocytosis and C-reactive protein). A TTE was performed and showed a large circumferential PE (29 mm) with signs of hemodynamic impact (swinging heart, inferior vena cava dilation with <50% inspiratory collapse, right atrial collapse >1/3 of cardiac cycle, proto-diastolic right ventricular collapse and mitral respiratory flow variation >25%). The patient started treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin 1000mg every 8h plus colchicine 0.5mg twice daily) and pericardiocentesis was initially postponed. In spite of clinical and echocardiographic improvement, she maintained elevated inflammatory markers and a moderate PE. Prednisolone 30mg daily was added to initial therapy and serial evaluations showed a pronounced reduction of PE as well as of inflammatory markers. Two weeks after admission to ICU the patient was discharged with a residual PE measuring less than 5mm. The previous recent cardiac intervention and the effective response to anti-inflammatory treatment suggest a post-cardiac injury syndrome.

This case report wants to show that post-cardiac injury syndrome is a diagnosis that should be keep in mind after TAVI.

Abstract P863 Figure. TTE showing large pericardial effusion

1115 Ultra-slow low-dose thrombolytic therapy as an option of treatment in intracardiac thrombus: a case report

We present a case of a 57-year-old male with previously known primary severe mitral regurgitation, who was admitted to the ICU due to massive venous thromboembolism with associated right ventricle dysfunction and with two large mobile right atrial thrombi (2.4 x 1.5 cm and 3.6 x 3.7 cm). Despite of five days with a therapeutic aPTT achieved with unfractionated heparin (UFH), a TTE showed deterioration of the right ventricle systolic function, persistence of the right atrial masses with similar dimensions together with new mobile thrombi on the coronary sinus and on the right pulmonary artery. Due to deterioration of his clinical condition and given the refractoriness to the classical treatment with UFH, it was decided to administer an ultra-slow low-dose thrombolysis protocol, which consisted in a 24-hour infusion of 24 mg of alteplase at a rate of 1 mg per hour, without bolus. The treatment was continued by 48 consecutive hours, with clinical improvement and important reduction of the right atrial masses with resolution of the coronary sinus and right pulmonary artery thrombi. The patient started hypocoagulation with warfarin bridging with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Seven days after alteplase discontinuation there was complete resolution of the intracardiac thrombi. One month after ICU admission a successful mitral valve replacement surgery was conducted. Three months after discharge, the patient is in functional New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I with no cardiovascular events or hospitalizations. This case demonstrates that ultra-slow low-dose thrombolysis is a valid bailout treatment option in patients with large intracardiac thrombi refractory to anticoagulation.

Abstract 1115 Figure. TTE showing right atrial masses