Factors associated with changes in echocardiographic parameters following kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease leads to cardiac remodelling of multifactorial origin known as "uraemic cardiomyopathy", the reversibility of which after kidney transplantation (KT) remains controversial. Our objectives were to assess, in the modern era, changes in echocardiographic parameters following KT and identify predictive clinical and biological factors associated with echocardiographic changes. METHODS: One hundred six patients (mean age 48 ± 16, 73% male) who underwent KT at the University Hospital of Nancy between 2007 and 2018 were retrospectively investigated. Pre- and post-KT echocardiography findings (8.6 months before and 22 months after KT on average, respectively) were centralised, blind-reviewed and compared. RESULTS: A majority of patients (60%) had either a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction < 50%, at least moderately abnormal LV mass index or left atrial (LA) dilatation at pretransplanted echocardiography. After KT, LV remodelling and diastolic doppler indices did not significantly change whereas LA volume index (LAVI) increased (35.9 mL/m2 post-KT vs. 30.9 mL/m2 pre-KT, p = 0.006). Advancing age, cardiac valvular disease, delayed graft function, lower post-KT haemoglobin, and more severe post-KT hypertension were associated with higher LAVI after KT. Higher post-KT serum creatinine, more severe post-KT hypertension and lower pre-KT blood calcium levels were associated with a deterioration in LAVI after KT. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Adverse remodelling of the left atrial volume occurred after KT, predominantly in patients with lower pre-KT blood calcium, poorer graft function and post-KT hypertension. These results suggest that a better management of modifiable factors such as pre-KT hyperparathyroidism or post-KT hypertension could limit post-KT cardiac remodelling.

Real world experience of therapeutic monitoring of medically treated prosthetic valve infective endocarditis by 18F-FDG-PET/CT.

INTRODUCTION: 18F-FDG-PET/CT is recommended to improve the diagnosis of prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (PVIE) and is a major criterion in the ESC-2015 classification. However, there is little evidence for its usefulness in the follow-up of medically treated PVIE patients. METHODS: A monocentric retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized for PVIE between January 2013 and December 2019 who were not treated with surgery and who had at least two 18F-FDG-PET/CT examinations during their medical management. RESULTS: Among 170 patients with PVIE, 117 were treated with antibiotic therapy but no surgery. Of these, 36 (31%) had at least two 18F-FDG-PET/CT examinations. At initial imaging, 28 patients had heterogeneous FDG uptake on their prosthetic valve and eight on their associated aortic graft. Hypermetabolism of spleen and bone marrow (HSBM) was observed in 18 and 19 patients, respectively. At the first follow-up 18F-FDG-PET/CT, 21 (58%) patients still had heterogeneous uptake, indicating persistent active endocarditis. HSBM was still present at the last follow-up imaging in four of the six patients with recurrent PVIE. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG-PET/CT monitoring of medically treated patients with PVIE provides valuable additional information and prospective multicentric study should be conducted to assess its usefulness.

Ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) in a population-based cohort of middle-aged individuals: The STANISLAS cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Data exploring normal values of different ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) parameters and their association with anthropometric and cardiovascular (CV) factors are scarce. We aim to report values of two different methods of VAC assessment according to age and sex and explore their association with CV factors within a large population-based cohort of middle-aged individuals. METHODS: For 1333 (mean age 48 ± 14) individuals participating in the 4th visit of the STANISLAS cohort, VAC was assessed by two methods [1]: arterial elastance (Ea)/end-systolic elastance (Ees) and [2] Pulse wave velocity (PWV)/Global longitudinal strain (GLS). RESULTS: The mean values of Ea/Ees and PWV/GLS were 1.06 ± 0.20 and 0.42 ± 0.12, respectively. The two methods of VAC assessment were poorly correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.14 (0.08; 0.19)). Increased PWV/GLS was associated with older age and a higher degree of cardiovascular risk factors (i.e., BMI, blood pressure, LDL, diabetes, hypertension) in the whole population as well as in the parent generation. In contrast, higher Ea/Ees were associated with decreasing age, and lower prevalence of risk factors in the whole cohort but neutrally associated with risk factors in the parent generation. CONCLUSIONS: Higher PWV/GLS is significantly associated with CV factors regardless of age. In contrast, worse Ea/Ees is associated with a better CV risk profile when considering individuals aged 30 to 70 but neutrally associated with CV factors when considering only older patients. These results may suggest that PWV/GLS should preferably be used to explore VAC. In addition, age-individualized threshold of Ea/Ees should be used.

[The role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension]. / Place de l'IRM cardiaque dans l'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire et l'hypertension pulmonaire thrombo-embolique chronique.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac MRI is increasingly used to assess and monitor pulmonary vascular disease. STATE OF THE ART: In pulmonary arterial hypertension, the role of cardiac MRI has become more clearly defined due to its proven capacity to assess the morphology and function not only of the heart, but also of pulmonary circulation. Complementarily to echocardiography, technological advances have rendered it possible for MRI to search and assess shunts. More generally, MRI provides prognostic information on the follow-up of patients undergoing treatment. In cases of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, chest MRI locates lesions and assesses pulmonary microcirculation, thereby guiding therapeutic choice. It is also an important prognostic marker in diagnosis and follow-up of patients undergoing treatment. To ensure high-quality examination, it is essential that the patient having to carry out repeated apneas cooperate. PROSPECTS: Studies are ongoing in view of clarifying the role of cardiac MRI as compared to right cardiac catheterization in the follow-up of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac MRI is the examination of choice in assessment of right ventricular morphology and function. It is a minimally invasive technique with good inter- and intra-operator reproducibility in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic pulmonary thromboembolic hypertension.

Design and evaluation of an abbreviated pixelwise dynamic contrast enhancement analysis protocol for early extracellular volume fraction estimation.

INTRODUCTION: T1-based method is considered as the gold standard for extracellular volume fraction (ECV) mapping. This technique requires at least a 10 min delay after injection to acquire the post injection T1 map. Quantitative analysis of Dynamic Contrast Enhancement (DCE) images could lead to an earlier estimation of an ECV like parameter (2 min). The purpose of this study was to design a quantitative pixel-wise DCE analysis workflow to assess the feasibility of an early estimation of ECV. METHODS: Fourteen patients with mitral valve prolapse were included in this study. The MR protocol, performed on a 3 T MR scanner, included MOLLI sequences for T1 maps acquisition and a standard SR-turboFlash sequence for dynamic acquisition. DCE data were acquired for at least 120 s. We implemented a full DCE analysis pipeline with a pre-processing step using an innovative motion correction algorithm (RC-REG algorithm) and a post-processing step using the extended Tofts Model (ECVETM). Estimated ECVETM maps were compared to standard T1-based ECV maps (ECVT1) with both a Pearson correlation analysis and a group-wise analysis. RESULTS: Image and map quality assessment showed systematic improvements using the proposed workflow. Strong correlation was found between ECVETM, and ECVT1 values (r-square = 0.87). CONCLUSION: A DCE analysis workflow based on RC-REG algorithm and ETM analysis can provide good quality parametric maps. Therefore, it is possible to extract ECV values from a 2 min-long DCE acquisition that are strongly correlated with ECV values from the T1 based method.

Sex-related differences in peri- and post-ablation clinical data for patients with atrial flutter.

UNLABELLED: Sex-related differences were not reported for the atrial flutter (AF). The purpose of the study was to look for the influence of gender on indications, clinical data and long-term results of AFl ablation. METHODS: 985 patients, [227 females (23%)] were referred for radiofrequency AFl ablation. Clinical history, echocardiography were collected. Patients were followed from 3 months to 10 years. RESULTS: Age of women and men was similar (65.5 ± 12 vs 64 ± 11.5 years). Underlying heart disease (HD) was as frequent in women as men (77.5 vs 77%), but women had more congenital HD (10 vs 2%;p<0.001), valvular HD (18 vs 10%;p<0.002), hypertensive HD (24 vs 18%;p<0.05), and less chronic lung disease (5 vs 10%;p<0.01), and ischemic HD (5 vs 20%;p<0.001). Atrial fibrillation (AF) history was more frequent in women (36 vs 27%;p<0.001). AFl-related tachycardiomyopathy (4.5 vs 8%;p<0.03) was more frequent, but 1/1 AFl (10 vs 6%;p=NS) as frequent. Failure of ablation (16 vs 10%;p<0.01), ablation-related major complications (3.5 vs 0.9%;p<0.005) were more frequent in women. After 3 ± 3 years, AFl recurrences were as frequent in women and men (10 vs 14%), AF occurrence more frequent in women (34 vs 19.5%; p<0.001). After excluding patients with previous AF, AF risk remained higher in women (19 vs 12%; p<0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In patients admitted for ablation, AFL was less common in women than in men, despite similar age and similarly prevalent HD. More than men, women had frequent AF history, a higher risk of failure of ablation and AFl ablation-related major complications and a higher risk of AF after ablation.

[Correlation between atrial function and functional capacity in highly trained subjects]. / Corrélation entre fonction atriale et capacité fonctionnelle chez les sportifs de haut niveau.

AIM: The aim of the study is to show the relationship existing between tissular Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters and functional capacity in highly trained subjects. METHODS AND PATIENTS: We therefore studied 46 patients including 22 untrained and 24 trained subjects. Each subject had pulsed TDI recording of systolic (S) and diastolic (E and A) longitudinal myocardial velocities in the basal portion of the RV free wall (RV), the septum (sep) and the LV free wall (LV) from apical 4C view. Athletes underwent the same day a cardiopulmonary test during which we measured peak V(O)2 (ml/kg/min) and anaerobic threshold (AT, ml/kg/min) and calculated VE/V(CO)2 slope. We studied differences between echocardiographic parameters in the two groups using Student test. Coefficients of correlations were calculated using the Spearman method. RESULTS: Differences between two groups concerned Tei index of right (RV) and left ventricle (LV), telediastolic diameter of LV, and A waves on each wall. In athletes RV, sep and LV S waves did not correlate with V(O)2, AT or VE/V(CO)2 RV, sep and LV A waves correlated significantly and negatively with V(O)2, RV and sep A waves negatively with AT, and sep and LV A waves positively with VE/V(CO)2. CONCLUSION: In athletes, atrial function shows a negative relationship with cardiopulmonary exercise parameters: the lower the proportion of LV filling due to atrial contraction, the better the level of functional capacity. This is probably due to myocardial structure, which allows more efficient early filling in hypertrophic athlete's heart.

[Transesophageal electrophysiological study in non sedated children younger than 11 years with a Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome]. / Etude électrophysiologique par voie transoesophagienne chez des enfants de moins de 11 ans, non sédatés, ayant un syndrome de Wolff-Parkinson-White.

UNLABELLED: The electrophysiological evaluation of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is recommended in children aged more than five years to detect a risk of life-threatening arrhythmia. The purposes of the study were to determine the feasibility of transesophageal EPS in a child between six and 10 years in out-patient clinic. METHODS: Electrophysiological study (EPS) was indicated in 22 children, aged six to 10 years, with a manifest WPW either for no documented tachycardia (n=7), unexplained dizziness (n=2) or for a sportive authorization in 10 asymptomatic children. Two of the last children had a history of permanent tachycardia after the birth but were asymptomatic since the age of one year without drugs. RESULTS: EPS was performed in all children. The main difficulty lied in passing the catheter through the mouth. Programmed stimulation at cycle length of 380 ms was performed in all children to avoid high rates of pacing when the conduction through the accessory pathway (AP) and normal AV system was evaluated. Isoproterenol was not required in five children, because they developed a catecholaminergic sinus tachycardia. The AP refractory period was determined in all children between 200 and 270 ms. Orthodromic reentrant tachycardia (RT) was induced in 11 children, three asymptomatic children (27%), seven complaining of tachycardia and one with syncope. Rapid antidromic tachycardia was induced in this last child with dizziness. Atrial fibrillation was never induced. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal EPS can be performed without sedation in a young child six to 10-year-old with a shortened protocol of stimulation, which was capable to clearly evaluate the WPW-related risks.

[Relationships between age and accessory pathway location in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome]. / Rapports entre l'âge et l'incidence d'une voie accessoire atrioventriculaire de localisation antéroseptale dans le syndrome Wolff-Parkinson-White.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular accessory pathway (AP) which is currently used, remains associated with a risk of complete AV block in the case of anteroseptal (AS) location and its indication remains debatable. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of AS location in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) and the clinical and electrophysiological data of these patients. METHODS: Electrophysiologic study (EPS) was performed in 503 pts aged from six to 85 years (35+/-17), 297 men, 206 women, recruited for a patent WPW syndrome. The location of AP was determined on a 12 lead ECG during atrial pacing at maximal preexcitation according to classical criteria. The location was confirmed at EPS. Eleven pts were excluded because the location remained not clearly defined. EPS was indicated for suspected or documented tachycardias (n=264), syncope (n=68) or was systematic in asymptomatic patients (n=171). RESULTS: AS AP location was identified in 34 patients aged eight to 48 years (7%). Their mean age was younger than the age of remaining population (25+/-13 versus 36+/-17, p<0.001). According to the age, the prevalence of AS location was significantly higher in children and adolescents (14%) than after 40 years (3%) (p<0.01). There was no AS location among 108 patients aged more than 50 years. The maximal rate conducted over AP was lower in patients with AS location than in other locations either in control state (174+/-60 per minute versus 197+/-63 per minute) (p<0.01) or after isoproterenol (206+/-71 versus 248+/-69) (p<0.01). The number of induced reciprocating tachycardia (47% versus 57.5%), atrial fibrillation (15% versus 21%) and malign forms (12% versus 17%) did not differ significantly in patients with AS location and in other patients. Anterograde conduction disappeared spontaneously in three of six patients followed 8+/-1.5 years, and significantly increased in two other patients. CONCLUSIONS: AS AP location in WPW syndrome was more frequent in children than in adults. The maximal rate conducted over the AP was lower than in other locations. The incidence decreased after 40 years. AS AP location was never noted after 50 years in our population. This disappearance with age should be taken into account for the indications of AS AP ablation.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in the elderly: clinical and electrophysiological findings.

BACKGROUND: Screening for Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is recommended in children and young adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of patent WPW syndrome in subjects > or =60 years of age. METHODS: Four-hundred and fifty-nine consecutive patients with WPW syndrome, aged 8-80 years, were recruited; 32 (7%) of these patients were > or =60 years of age. The clinical, electrophysiological and therapeutic data for these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixteen men and 16 women, aged 60-81 years (67+/-4.5), were admitted for resuscitated sudden death (1), rapid atrial fibrillation (4), syncope (4), or junctional tachycardia (13); 10 patients were asymptomatic (10). Left lateral bundles of Kent were detected more frequently in patients over 60 years (56%) than in those<60 years of age (40.5%). Reciprocal tachycardia was induced in 58% of subjects<60 years of age and 53% of those > or =60 years old (difference not significant); atrial fibrillation was more frequent in subjects > or =60 years of age (37.5% vs. 19%) (p<0.05). The incidence of malignant forms of WPW syndrome was identical in older and younger subjects. Ablation of the accessory pathway was indicated 18 times; effective ablation of a left bundle of Kent required a second intervention more often in patients > or =60 years of age (22% vs. 5%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: WPW syndrome is not uncommon in subjects over 60 years of age (7%). Left lateral accessory pathways, that have similar conduction properties to those in much younger subjects, are common. Ablation of the bundle of Kent is often difficult but is indicated in symptomatic subjects or those with more serious forms of WPW syndrome.

Interest of non-invasive and semi-invasive testings in asymptomatic children with pre-excitation syndrome.

AIMS: To determine the feasibility and the results of exercise testing (ET) and electrophysiological study (EPS) in outpatient asymptomatic children with a Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Exercise testing and transesophageal EPS were performed in 55 outpatient asymptomatic children aged 6 to 19 years old (14 +/- 3) with WPW. Wolff-Parkinson-White persisted during maximal exercise. Isoproterenol was not required in five children younger than 10 years old, because they developed a catecholaminergic sinus tachycardia. Maximal rate conducted through accessory pathway (AP) was higher in children younger than 16 years old than in teenagers (P < 0.05). Atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT) was induced in six children; atrial fibrillation (AF) in 12 children. The induction of tachycardias and the dangerous forms (18%) were not influenced by age. After 5 +/- 1 years, one child, 12 year old with inducible rapid AF, had a sudden cardiac arrest; two children became symptomatic after ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Transesophageal EPS was required to determine the prognosis of asymptomatic WPW in children. The maximal rate conducted in AP was higher in children younger than 16 years old than in teenagers; other data did not differ. AVRT was rare; 71% of children had no inducible arrhythmia and were authorized to resume physical activities.