Factors Associated With Maintenance of an Improved Ejection Fraction: An Echocardiogram-Based Registry Study.

Background Heart failure with improved ejection fraction (EF) is increasingly recognized as a sizable and distinct entity. While the features associated with improvedEF have been explored and new guidelines have emerged, factors associated with sustaining an improved EF over time have not been defined. We aimed to assess factors associated with maintenance of an improved EF in a large real-world patient cohort. Methods and Results A total of 7070 participants with heart failure with improved EF and a subsequent echocardiogram performed after at least 9 months of follow-up were included in a retrospective cohort study conducted at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, and medications were built to identify characteristics and therapeutic interventions associated with maintaining an improved EF. Mean age (SD) was 64.9 (13.8) years, 62.7% were men, and 75.1% were White participants. White race and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors were associated with maintaining the EF at least 9 months after EF improvement. In contrast, male sex or having atrial fibrillation/flutter, coronary artery disease, history of myocardial infarction, presence of an implanted cardioverter-defibrillator, and use of loop diuretics were associated with a decline in EF after previously documented improvement. Conclusions Continued use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors was associated with maintaining the EF beyond the initial improvement phase.

Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular safety of testosterone-replacement therapy in middle-aged and older men with hypogonadism has not been determined. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, noninferiority trial, we enrolled 5246 men 45 to 80 years of age who had preexisting or a high risk of cardiovascular disease and who reported symptoms of hypogonadism and had two fasting testosterone levels of less than 300 ng per deciliter. Patients were randomly assigned to receive daily transdermal 1.62% testosterone gel (dose adjusted to maintain testosterone levels between 350 and 750 ng per deciliter) or placebo gel. The primary cardiovascular safety end point was the first occurrence of any component of a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke, assessed in a time-to-event analysis. A secondary cardiovascular end point was the first occurrence of any component of the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or coronary revascularization, assessed in a time-to-event analysis. Noninferiority required an upper limit of less than 1.5 for the 95% confidence interval of the hazard ratio among patients receiving at least one dose of testosterone or placebo. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) duration of treatment was 21.7±14.1 months, and the mean follow-up was 33.0±12.1 months. A primary cardiovascular end-point event occurred in 182 patients (7.0%) in the testosterone group and in 190 patients (7.3%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 1.17; P<0.001 for noninferiority). Similar findings were observed in sensitivity analyses in which data on events were censored at various times after discontinuation of testosterone or placebo. The incidence of secondary end-point events or of each of the events of the composite primary cardiovascular end point appeared to be similar in the two groups. A higher incidence of atrial fibrillation, of acute kidney injury, and of pulmonary embolism was observed in the testosterone group. CONCLUSIONS: In men with hypogonadism and preexisting or a high risk of cardiovascular disease, testosterone-replacement therapy was noninferior to placebo with respect to the incidence of major adverse cardiac events. (Funded by AbbVie and others; TRAVERSE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03518034.).

2022 ACC/AHA guideline for the diagnosis and management of aortic disease: A report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, genetic evaluation and family screening, medical therapy, endovascular and surgical treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients with aortic disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, stable symptomatic, and acute aortic syndromes). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through June 2022 during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee, where appropriate. STRUCTURE: Recommendations from previously published AHA/ACC guidelines on thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, and bicuspid aortic valve disease have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with aortic disease have been developed. There is added emphasis on the role of shared decision making, especially in the management of patients with aortic disease both before and during pregnancy. The is also an increased emphasis on the importance of institutional interventional volume and multidisciplinary aortic team expertise in the care of patients with aortic disease.

Prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in Marfan syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysmal pathology of the aorta is well-defined in the Marfan syndrome (MFS) population. Owing in part to the rarity of pathologies, the prevalence of intracranial aneurysms (IA) in MFS is poorly defined. There is debate as to whether or not there is an association between the two. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of IA in a population of patients with MFS who underwent intracranial imaging. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective review of patients with MFS. Between 1995 and 2021, 983 patients were reviewed. We identified 198 patients with MFS who had intracranial imaging. Imaging consisted of CTA and/or MRA, and was read by an attending radiologist. Details of the aneurysm, patient demographics, and aortic characteristics were collected. RESULTS: The prevalence of IA was 7.1% (14/198). Age of patients with IA (55.0 ± 15.1 years) was not significantly different than those without IA (52.6 ± 16.0 years) (P = .58). The most common location of IA was the internal carotid artery. The mean diameter of the IA was 7 ± 5.8 mm. No ruptures of the internal carotid artery were identified. One patient (0.5%) underwent intervention for the IA. There were no significant differences found in aortic characteristic including dimensions, history of dissection, or aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, single-center experience over 20 years, we identified patients with confirmed MFS who underwent intracranial imaging. The prevalence of IA in our experience was 7.1%. There were no patient or aortic characteristics found to be significantly associated with IA; however, this finding may be due to the small number of aneurysms. Although this number is higher than the historically reported prevalence in the general population, a collection of experiences from multiple institutions will likely be required to truly define the risk of IA in MFS and to determine whether screening is warranted.

Effect of ascending aorta replacement on the long-term outcomes of bicuspid aortic valve repair.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to determine the effect of sinutubular junction stabilization on long-term outcomes of bicuspid aortic valve repair. METHODS: From January 1998 to January 2020, 419 patients underwent bicuspid aortic valve repair with ascending aorta replacement and 421 without (bicuspid aortic valve repair alone). Propensity score matching (97 pairs) was used to compare outcomes. RESULTS: Before matching, prevalence of severe aortic regurgitation at 10 years was 5.4% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 10% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone; aortic valve gradient was 20 mm Hg after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 19 mm Hg after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone. Ten-year freedom from reoperation overall was 79% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 75% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone; freedom from late aortic regurgitation was 93% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 92% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone; and freedom from aortic stenosis was 87% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 93% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone. Ten-year survival was 95% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 96% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone. After matching, prevalence of severe aortic regurgitation at 10 years was 11% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 9.1% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone (P = .33); aortic valve gradient was 16 mm Hg after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 25 mm Hg after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone (P < .0001). Ten-year freedom from reoperation was 85% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 72% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone (P = .08) overall. Ten-year freedom from reoperation for late aortic regurgitation was 88% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 86% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone (P = .65). Freedom from aortic stenosis was 97% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 91% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone (P = .03). Ten-year survival was 96% after bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement and 96% after bicuspid aortic valve repair alone (P = .16). CONCLUSIONS: Bicuspid aortic valve repair with or without ascending aorta replacement is associated with good short- and long-term outcomes. Bicuspid aortic valve repair + ascending aorta replacement has a minimal effect on long-term repair durability. Sinutubular junction stabilization should not be performed for the sole purpose of long-term repair durability.

Aortic valve reimplantation in patients with connective tissue disorders: Are the leaflets durable?

OBJECTIVE: The durability of reimplanted myxomatous aortic valves in root replacements for patients with connective tissue disorders (CTD) is unclear; therefore, we sought to evaluate the long-term resilience of these repairs. METHODS: From January 1980 to January 2020, 214 patients with CTD and 645 without CTD underwent primary, elective aortic valve reimplantation operations at Cleveland Clinic. The CTD cohort included 164 (77%) with Marfan, 23 (11%) with Loeys-Dietz, and 7 (3.3%) with Ehlers-Danlos CTD. We accounted for differing patient characteristics between the groups by propensity score matching to compare outcomes, yielding 96 matched pairs. Longitudinal echocardiographic measures were compared using nonlinear mixed effects models. RESULTS: In the CTD cohort, there were no operative mortalities (30-day or in-hospital), 1 (0.47%) stroke, and 1 (0.47%) early in-hospital reoperation for valve dysfunction. Ten-year prevalence of no aortic regurgitation was 86%, mild 11%, and moderate 3%. Ten-year freedom from reoperation was 97%. In propensity matched cohorts, there were no significant differences in in-hospital outcomes, longitudinal aortic regurgitation and mean gradient, risk of reoperation on the aortic valve, or risk of late death. CONCLUSIONS: Aortic valve reimplantation is a durable operation in patients with CTD and root aneurysms. These patients do not experience early degeneration of their reimplanted aortic valves.

2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, genetic evaluation and family screening, medical therapy, endovascular and surgical treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients with aortic disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, stable symptomatic, and acute aortic syndromes). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through June 2022 during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee, where appropriate. Structure: Recommendations from previously published AHA/ACC guidelines on thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, and bicuspid aortic valve disease have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with aortic disease have been developed. There is added emphasis on the role of shared decision making, especially in the management of patients with aortic disease both before and during pregnancy. The is also an increased emphasis on the importance of institutional interventional volume and multidisciplinary aortic team expertise in the care of patients with aortic disease.

2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.

AIM: The "2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the diagnosis, genetic evaluation and family screening, medical therapy, endovascular and surgical treatment, and long-term surveillance of patients with aortic disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, stable symptomatic, and acute aortic syndromes). METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through June 2022 during the guideline writing process, were also considered by the writing committee, where appropriate. STRUCTURE: Recommendations from previously published AHA/ACC guidelines on thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, and bicuspid aortic valve disease have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with aortic disease have been developed. There is added emphasis on the role of shared decision making, especially in the management of patients with aortic disease both before and during pregnancy. The is also an increased emphasis on the importance of institutional interventional volume and multidisciplinary aortic team expertise in the care of patients with aortic disease.

Valve-Preserving Root Reimplantation Combined with Arch Procedure: Optimizing Patient Selection.

Objective: Patients with thoracic aortic disease commonly present with concomitant multisegment pathology. We describe the patient population, analyze outcomes, and define the patient selection strategy for valve-preserving aortic root reimplantation (VPARR) combined with the arch procedure. Methods: From 2008 to 2018, 98 patients underwent VPARR combined with the aortic arch procedure (hemi-arch, 50% [n = 49, limited repair]; total arch, 50% [n = 49, complete repair] including 39 with elephant trunk). Indications for surgery were aneurysmal disease (61%) and aortic dissection (39%). The median follow-up was 17 months (IQR, 8 to 60 months). Results: There were no operative deaths or paraplegia, and 5 patients underwent re-exploration for bleeding. During follow-up, 2 patients required aortic valve replacement for severe aortic insufficiency at 1 and 5 years, and 4 patients died. In the limited repair group, 1 patient underwent reintervention for aortic arch replacement, whereas 4 patients underwent planned intervention (1 endovascular and 3 open thoracoabdominal aortic repair). In the complete repair group, 23 patients underwent planned intervention (15 endovascular and 8 open thoracoabdominal repair). Conclusions: Single-stage, complete, proximal aortic repair including VPARR combined with total aortic arch replacement is as safe and feasible to perform as limited arch repair and facilitates further intervention in carefully selected patients with diffuse aortic pathology at centers of expertise.

Racial disparities in presentation and short-term outcomes for patients with acute type B aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Racial disparities in cardiovascular risk factors and disease outcomes have been well documented. A knowledge gap exists regarding the role that health maintenance plays in the development and outcomes of type B aortic dissection (TBAD). In the present study, we evaluated the comparative presentation and short-term outcomes of patients with TBAD across race. METHODS: In the present single-center, retrospective study, TBAD patients who had been admitted to the intensive care unit from 2015 to 2020 were identified. Patients who had self-identified as Black (n = 57) or White (n = 123) were included. The demographics, socioeconomic status, and pre-event health maintenance were compared between the two groups. Socioeconomic disadvantage was quantified using the area deprivation index (ADI). Management strategies included nonoperative and surgical repair. The outcomes assessed included 30-day mortality, hospital length of stay, and the APACHE II (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) score. RESULTS: The present study included 180 consecutive patients with TBAD. TBAD included complicated (n = 42) and uncomplicated (n = 138) cases, of which 79 had had high-risk features. Black patients were younger than were White patients (58.9 vs 67.6 years; P < .01) and were more likely to have end-stage renal disease (8.8% vs 0.8%; P = .01) and to present with anemia (10.5% vs 2.4%; P = .03). The TBAD anatomic features and management were similar in both groups. The rate of surgical intervention during hospitalization was 40% and 46% for the Black and White patients, respectively (P = .4). Black patients were more likely to be taking three or more hypertension agents (42.2% vs 16.4%; P = .005) and were less likely to be adherent to taking the prescribed agents (27.1% vs 6.7%; P < .001). Also, Black patients had fewer primary care physician visits before TBAD (P = .03) and more emergency department usage before TBAD (57.9% vs 26.9%; P < .001). Black patients had also had higher ADI scores (86.0 ± 14.6 vs 64.4 ± 21.3; P < .001). The median APACHE II score was the same for both Black and White patients (9 [interquartile range (IQR), 6-12] and 9 [IQR, 7-13], respectively; P = .7). The median hospital length of stay was identical for both groups (7 days; IQR, 5-13 days). The readmission rate was 24.5% for Black patients vs 15.5% for White patients (P = .16), with the 30-day mortality similar between the two groups (Black, 7.0%; White, 5.7%; P = .7). CONCLUSIONS: Black patients had presented at a younger age but with similar dissection morphology, rate of anatomic high-risk features, and APACHE II scores. The fewer primary care physician visits, greater emergency department usage, and higher ADI scores suggested lower health maintenance for the Black patients. White patients with TBAD were also highly deprived of health maintenance compared with the national percentile, indicating that TBAD is a disease that affects vulnerable populations, regardless of race.

Aortic root replacement with bicuspid valve reimplantation: Are outcomes and valve durability comparable to those of tricuspid valve reimplantation?

OBJECTIVES: To assess intermediate-term outcomes of aortic root replacement with valve-sparing reimplantation of bicuspid aortic valves (BAV), compared with tricuspid aortic valves (TAV). METHODS: From January 2002 to July 2017, 92 adults underwent aortic root replacement with BAV reimplantation and 515 with TAV reimplantation at the Cleveland Clinic. Balancing-score matching based on 28 preoperative variables yielded 71 well-matched BAV and TAV pairs (77% of possible pairs) for comparison of postoperative mortality and morbidity, longitudinal echocardiogram data, aortic valve reoperation, and survival. RESULTS: In the BAV group, 1 hospital death occurred (1.1%); mortality among all reimplantations was 0.2%. Among matched patients, procedural morbidity was low and similar between BAV and TAV groups (1 stroke in TAV group; renal failure requiring dialysis, 1 patient each; red cell transfusion, 25% each). Five-year results: Severe aortic regurgitation was present in 7.4% of the BAV group and 2.9% of the TAV group (P = .7); 39% of BAV and 65% of TAV patients had none. Higher mean gradients (10 vs 7.4 mm Hg; P = .001) and left ventricular mass index (111 vs 101 g/m2; P = .5) were present in BAV patients. Freedom from aortic valve reoperation was 94% in the BAV group and 98% in the TAV group (P = .10), and survival was 100% and 95%, respectively (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Both BAV and TAV reimplantations can be performed with equal safety and good midterm outcomes; however, the constellation of higher gradients, less ventricular reverse remodeling, and more aortic valve reoperations with BAV reimplantations raises concerns requiring continued long-term surveillance.

Effects of long-term testosterone treatment on cardiovascular outcomes in men with hypogonadism: Rationale and design of the TRAVERSE study.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone exerts some effects on the cardiovascular system that could be considered beneficial; some other effects may potentially increase the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. Neither the long-term efficacy nor safety of testosterone treatment has been studied in an adequately-powered randomized trial. METHODS: The Testosterone Replacement therapy for Assessment of long-term Vascular Events and efficacy ResponSE in hypogonadal men (TRAVERSE) study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, non-inferiority, multicenter study. Eligible participants are men, 45 to 80 years, with serum testosterone concentration <300 ng/dL and hypogonadal symptoms, who have evidence pre-existing CV disease or increased risk of CV disease. Approximately 6,000 subjects will be randomized to either 1.62% transdermal testosterone gel or a matching placebo gel daily for an anticipated duration of up to 5 years. The primary outcome is CV safety defined by the major adverse CV event composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or death due to CV causes. The trial will continue until at least 256 adjudicated major adverse CV event endpoints have occurred to assess whether the 95% (2-sided) upper confidence limit for a hazard ratio of 1.5 can be ruled out. Secondary endpoints include prostate safety defined as the incidence of adjudicated high grade prostate cancer and efficacy in domains of sexual function, bone fractures, depression, anemia, and diabetes. RESULTS: As of July 1, 2021, 5,076 subjects had been randomized. CONCLUSIONS: The TRAVERSE study will determine the CV safety and long-term efficacy of testosterone treatment in middle-aged and older men with hypogonadism with or at increased risk of CV disease.

Strain evaluation for mitral annular disjunction by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is an increasingly recognized entity associated with mitral valve prolapse (MVP), ventricular arrhythmias and death. Few studies have investigated the utility of myocardial deformation analysis in MAD. We compared chamber quantification including strain by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) between MVP patients with and without MAD. METHODS: Forty-two patients with MVP (21 with MAD, 21 without MAD) and 21 controls were studied. Global, basal and basal inferolateral (BIL) segmental strains were measured and compared using velocity-vector imaging TTE and feature-tracking CMR. RESULTS: Mean age was 54 ± 17 years, 19 (46%) were female, and 19 (46%) underwent surgical mitral valve repair with no deaths during follow-up in the 2 groups with MVP. Patients with MAD and MVP had lower basal longitudinal strain by TTE than those with MVP without MAD. Those with MAD and MVP had lower magnitude in BIL and basal segments by circumferential and radial strain by CMR compared to those with MVP without MAD and controls. Amongst global strain parameters, CMR-derived global circumferential strain was independently associated with MAD diagnosis odds ratio 1.49 (per 1%), 95% confidence interval 1.09-2.05, P = 0.014, with optimal threshold of -18.0% having 76% sensitivity and specificity for MAD. CONCLUSION: Abnormal circumferential and radial strain patterns in the basal segments by CMR may be useful for identifying regional LV dysfunction associated with MAD.

Modified Ravitch Procedure for Pectus Excavatum Combined With Complex Cardiac Surgery.

Pectus excavatum is common in patients with connective tissue disorders or congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery, and is occasionally severe enough to warrant repair. The optimal surgical strategy is currently debated. We report our experience with simultaneous repair. From January 2012 to January 2020, 11 patients (median age of 35 ± 18 years, range 12-74) underwent a modified Ravitch procedure for severe pectus excavatum performed by a single thoracic surgeon at the time of simultaneous complex cardiac surgery. Eight patients (73%) had a confirmed connective tissue disorder and 2 patients (18%) had recurrent pectus excavatum following a failed Nuss procedure in adolescence. The mean Haller index was 7.3 ± 3.2 (range 3.8-13). The most common concomitant cardiac procedures were valve-preserving aortic root replacement (n=7, 64%) and mitral valve repair (n = 4, 36%). Patients are presented as a case series with descriptive analysis. The median total operative and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 400 minutes (±109 minutes) and 168 minutes (± 43 minutes), respectively. No deaths occurred in-hospital or during follow-up. There were no reoperations for bleeding, tamponade or other indications. No deep or superficial sternal wound infections occurred. Postoperative analgesia regimens were multimodal to facilitate early mobilization and pulmonary hygiene. None of the patients required prolonged ventilation or reintubation for respiratory failure. The mean stay in the intensive care unit was 82 hours (±56 hours) and the mean hospital stay was 9.1 days (2.4 days). Concurrent pectus excavatum repair at the time of cardiac surgery using a modified Ravitch technique can be safely performed by a multi-disciplinary team and should be considered for patients with multiple indications for operation.

Incidental Thoracic Aortic Dilation on Chest Computed Tomography in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have risk factors that predispose to thoracic aneurysmal disease (TAD) and atherosclerosis. In this study in patients with AF, we assessed the occurrence of incidental TAD and assessed if a validated predictive score used to predict AF, the CHARGE-AF score, was associated with greater aortic dimensions. We also assessed the prevalence of coronary calcification. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,000 consecutive patients with AF undergoing chest multidetector CT during evaluation for pulmonary vein isolation. A dilated aortic root or ascending aorta (AA, dimension/ body surface area >2.05 cm/m2) were found in 195 (20%). A total of 12 (1%) had significant aortic aneurysmal enlargement of > 5.0 cm. Advancing age, a bicuspid aortic valve, hypertension, and male gender were associated with increased aortic dimensions. Aortic root dimensions increased linearly (p < 0.001) and ascending aortic dimensions increased nonlinearly across CHARGE-AF deciles (p < 0.001). Nearly two-thirds (63%) had coronary calcification, 38% of whom were not on lipid-lowering therapy. In conclusion, in patients with AF undergoing gated chest CT, 1 in 5 had previously undetected TAD, with a small proportion having significantly aneurysmal dimensions approaching surgical thresholds. Risk factors previously established to increase the propensity to develop AF are also associated with increased TAD. These findings raise the need to consider a surveillance strategy for TAD in patients with AF, particularly in those with other risk factors for aortic disease. A high prevalence of coronary calcium was also detected, representing an opportunity to optimize statin therapy in patients with AF.

A 27-Year-Old Woman With Postpartum Papillary Muscle Rupture.

Postpartum papillary muscle rupture (PMR) is extremely uncommon and tolerated poorly with limited management options other than emergency surgical intervention. This case demonstrates the challenges of postpartum PMR in a young woman with unrecognized vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and highlights the importance of preconception screening of cardiovascular disease. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).