Management and outcomes of pregnant women with cardiovascular diseases in a cardio-obstetric team.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are currently the leading cause of maternal death in Western countries. Although multidisciplinary cardio-obstetric teams are recommended to improve the management of pregnant women with CVD, data supporting this approach are scarce. AIMS: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of pregnant patients with CVD managed within the cardio-obstetric programme of a tertiary centre. METHODS: We included every pregnant patient with history of CVD managed by our cardio-obstetric team between June 2017 and December 2019, and collected all major cardiovascular events (death, heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, stroke, endocarditis and aortic dissection) that occurred during pregnancy, peripartum and the following year. RESULTS: We included 209 consecutive pregnancies in 202 patients. CVDs were predominantly valvular heart diseases (37.8%), rhythm disorders (26.8%), and adult congenital heart diseases (22.5%). Altogether, 47.4% were classified modified World Health Organization (mWHO)>II, 66.5% had CARdiac disease in PREGnancy score (CARPREG II)≥2 and 80 pregnancies (38.3%) were delivered by caesarean section. Major cardiovascular events occurred in 16 pregnancies (7.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.5-12.2) during pregnancy and in three others (1.5%, 95% CI 0.3-4.1) during 1-year follow-up. Most events (63.1%) occurred in the 16.3% of patients with unknown CVD before pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The management of pregnant patients with CVD within a cardio-obstetric team seems encouraging as we found a relatively low rate of cardiovascular events compared to the high-risk profile of our population. However, most of the remaining events occurred in patients without cardiac monitoring before pregnancy.

Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects Including Multifenestrated and Gerbode-Type Defects Using the Lifetech Konar Device.

(1) Transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PmVSD) is becoming more attractive and effective with the development of new occluders. The aim of this study was to report a single-center experience in PmVSD closure using the Lifetech Konar-multifunctional occluder (MFO). (2) From March 2019 to October 2022, 43 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, 13 had multifenestrated PmVSD including 5 Gerbode-type defects. (3) There were 23 males/20 females, and the median age was 17 years (range 2-68 years). Trivial aortic regurgitation was noticed in 19 patients. Implantation was successful in all patients under general anesthesia. A retrograde approach was used in 35 patients (81%). The retrograde approach was associated with a lower radiation dose (p = 0.042) and shorter fluoroscopy time (p = 0.002) compared to the antegrade approach. Full occlusion was observed immediately in 12 patients (28%) and in 33 patients (77%) at a median follow-up of 11 months. There were no complications such as embolization, complete atrioventricular block, device dislocation, new onset above grade I, or progression of tricuspid or aortic valve regurgitation. Seven of the thirteen patients with a multifenestrated defect had no residual shunt. The persistent shunts were all trivial intra-prosthetic leaks. (4) MFO is effective and safe for PmVSD closure including multifenestrated/Gerbode-type defects with no complication. However, a longer follow-up remains warranted to establish the safety of this technique.

Association of Mortality With Aortic Stenosis Severity in Outpatients: Results From the VALVENOR Study.

Importance: Modern data regarding incidence and modes of death of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) are restricted to tertiary centers or studies of aortic valve replacement (AVR). Objective: To provide new insights into the natural history of outpatients with native AS based on a large regionwide population study with inclusion by all cardiologists regardless of their mode of practice. Design, Setting, and Participants: Between May 2016 and December 2017, consecutive outpatients with mild (peak aortic velocity, 2.5-2.9 m/s), moderate (peak aortic velocity, 3-3.9 m/s), and severe (peak aortic velocity, ≥4 m/s) native AS graded by echocardiography were included by 117 cardiologists from the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region in France. Analysis took place between August and November 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: Natural history, need for AVR, and survival of patients with AS were followed up. Indications for AVR were based on current guideline recommendations. Results: Among 2703 patients (mean [SD] age, 76.0 [10.8] years; 1260 [46.6%] women), 233 (8.6%) were recruited in a university public hospital, 757 (28%) in nonuniversity public hospitals, and 1713 (63.4%) by cardiologists working in private practice. A total of 1154 patients (42.7%) had mild, 1122 (41.5%) had moderate, and 427 (15.8%) had severe AS. During a median (interquartile range) of 2.1 (1.4-2.7) years, 634 patients underwent AVR and 448 died prior to AVR. Most deaths were cardiovascular (200 [44.7%]), mainly associated with congestive heart failure (101 [22.6%]) or sudden death (60 [13.4%]). Deaths were noncardiovascular in 186 patients (41.5%) and from unknown causes in 62 patients (13.8%). Compared with patients with mild AS, there was increased cardiovascular mortality in those with moderate (hazard ratio, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.07-2.02]) and severe (hazard ratio, 3.66 [95% CI, 2.52-5.31]) AS. The differences remained significant when adjusted for baseline characteristics or in time-dependent analyses considering AS progression. In asymptomatic patients, moderate and mild AS were associated with similar cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.44-2.21]). Conclusions and Relevance: While patients in this study with moderate AS had a slightly higher risk of cardiovascular death than patients with mild AS, this risk was much lower than that observed in patients with severe AS. Moreover, in asymptomatic patients, moderate and mild AS were associated with similar cardiovascular mortality.

Utility of Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography for Mitral Annular Sizing in Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Procedures: A Cardiac Computed Tomographic Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) imaging is frequently used as an initial screening tool in the evaluation of patients who are candidates for transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). However, little is known about the imaging correlation with the gold standard, computed tomographic (CT) imaging. The aims of this study were to test the quantitative differences between these two modalities and to determine the best 3D TEE parameters for TMVR screening. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients referred to the heart valve clinic for TMVR with prostheses specifically designed for the mitral valve were included. Mitral annular (MA) analyses were performed using commercially available software on 3D TEE and CT imaging. RESULTS: Three-dimensional TEE imaging was feasible in 52 patients (91%). Although 3D TEE measurements were slightly lower than those obtained on CT imaging, measurements of both projected MA area and perimeter showed excellent correlations, with small differences between the two modalities (r = 0.88 and r = 0.92, respectively, P < .0001). Correlations were significant but lower for MA diameters (r = 0.68-0.72, P < .0001) and mitroaortic angle (r = 0.53, P = .0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses showed that 3D TEE imaging had a good ability to predict TMVR screening success, defined by constructors on the basis of CT measurements, with ranges of 12.9 to 15 cm2 for MA area (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.88-0.91, P < .0001), 128 to 139 mm for MA perimeter (AUC = 0.85-0.91, P < .0001), 35 to 39 mm for anteroposterior diameter (AUC = 0.79-0.84, P < .0001), and 37 to 42 mm for posteromedial-anterolateral diameter (AUC = 0.81-0.89, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional TEE measurements of MA dimensions display strong correlations with CT measurements in patients undergoing TMVR screening. Three-dimensional TEE imaging should be proposed as a reasonable alternative to CT imaging in this vulnerable population.

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure improves left atrial mechanical function through Frank-Starling mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Modifications in left atrial (LA) flow velocities after left atrial appendage (LAA) exclusion have been shown in animal and ex vivo models. In a substudy of PROTECT AF (Percutaneous Closure of the Left Atrial Appendage Versus Warfarin Therapy for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation), an objective improvement in quality of life was observed after LAA closure. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of LAA closure on LA transport function. METHODS: Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography evaluation (2-dimensional [2D]/3-dimensional [3D], 2D speckle tracking) was prospectively performed before and after LAA closure (at discharge and 45 days after procedure) in 33 patients. RESULTS: LAA closure was associated with a significant improvement in LA reservoir function at discharge and 45 days after the procedure with (1) increased maximum LA volume index, (2) increased 2D-LA reservoir volume and expansion index, and (3) increased 2D speckle tracking-derived peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) (27.9 ± 14 and 26 ± 12.6 vs 21.7 ± 10.7%, P <.0001). LAA closure was also associated with a significant improvement in LA contractile function with (1) increased LA ejection fraction and (2) increased speckle tracking-derived peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) in sinus rhythm patients (19.1 ± 6.8 and 18.1 ± 5.4 vs 14.4 ± 6.4%, P = .0006). Conversely, the slope of the relation between PACS and PALS remained unchanged (0.5 ± 0.27 and 0.53 ± 0.3 vs 0.5 ± 0.25, P = .99), thus arguing for an improvement in LA contractile function secondary to a Frank-Starling effect rather than a modification in its intrinsic contractility. CONCLUSION: LAA closure was associated with an improvement in LA mechanical function. These changes appeared to be related to a modification in loading conditions, that is, a Frank-Starling effect.

Evaluation of screening for myocardial ischaemia in women at cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death in women. Prevention, screening and diagnosis are generally implemented at later stages and less frequently than in men, and provision of treatment is not optimal in women. AIMS: To assess the relevance of targeted screening for myocardial ischaemia in women with multiple risk factors, and to identify which specific factors target women more effectively. METHODS: We undertook a prospective observational study with retrospective data collection based on a cohort of symptomatic or asymptomatic women with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. All women underwent non-invasive diagnostic testing through the "Heart, arteries and women", healthcare pathway available at Lille University Hospital, between 1 January 2013 and 30 June 2014. RESULTS: Screening was positive in 15.7% of the 287 participants. Thirty women had a coronary angiography: of these, 22 (73.3%) had no evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease. The independent predictive factors for positive screening were >5 years since menopause (odds ratio [OR] 3.9; P=0.0016); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤0.5g/dL (OR 2.3; P=0.0356); and body mass index ≥30kg/m2 (OR 3.7; P=0.0009). Symptoms were predictive of positive screening (P=0.010), but were mostly atypical. Based on these observations, we developed a clinical coronary score to target screening more efficiently (area under the curve 0.733). Positive screening resulted in low rates of revascularization (16.6%), but a significant increase in the prescription of statins (P=0.002), antiplatelet agents (P<0.0001) and beta-blockers (P=0.024). CONCLUSION: Screening for myocardial ischaemia among selected women at risk of cardiovascular disease can be useful to improve medical treatment.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is a better outcome predictor than exercise echocardiography in asymptomatic aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Objective assessment of maximal aerobic capacity using peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) can be helpful in the management of patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). The relationship between peak VO2 and AS severity criteria derived from rest and supine exercise echocardiography (SEE) has never been explored. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether low peak VO2 (<85% of predicted value) is associated with severity parameters in SEE, and poor clinical outcome. METHODS: Fifty one asymptomatic patients (mean age of 54±21years) with moderate to severe aortic stenosis (Vmax>3m/s) and left ventricle ejection fraction>50% prospectively underwent resting and SEE and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX). RESULTS: Peak VO2 was lower than expected (21.9±7.4mL/kg/min), i.e. <85% of predicted value in 57% patients, secondary to cardiac limitation in most of them (69%). In multiple regression analysis, age, BMI and female gender were the only independent determinants of peak VO2. Interestingly no parameter derived from SEE was associated with peak VO2. After 21±7month follow-up, no patient died, 20 underwent cardiac surgery. Peak VO2<85% of predicted value was associated with lower event free survival compared to normal peak VO2 (57%±11% vs 93±6%, p=0.036) whereas no exercise echocardiographic parameter could predict such events. Peak VO2≥85% had a negative predictive value of 97%. CONCLUSION: CPX detects a high proportion of false asymptomatic AS patients with poorer outcome that cannot be predicted by SEE markers of AS severity. Assessment of aerobic capacity should be part of current approach within a "watchful waiting" strategy.

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect with the Figulla(®) ASD Occluder: a comparative study with the Amplatzer(®) Septal Occluder.

BACKGROUND: Single-centre experience in transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) using the Figulla(®) ASD Occluder (FSO; Occlutech GmbH, Jena, Germany) and the Amplatzer(®) Septal Occluder (ASO; Saint-Jude Medical, Zaventem, Belgium) has been reported. AIM: To perform a retrospective comparison of the two occluders. METHODS: From September 2009 to December 2012, 131 consecutive patients underwent percutaneous ASD occlusion: One hundred with the ASO device; 31 with the FSO device. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding patient characteristics, stretched diameter, age and device size. In the ASO group, implantation succeeded in all but two patients because of deficient rim. Another patient had device embolization in the aorta retrieved percutaneously. During follow-up, 86 patients had no residual shunt and nine patients had a residual shunt (small in seven; moderate in two). Two other patients had persistent interatrial small shunt caused by an adjacent ASD close to the device. In the FSO group, implantation succeeded in all but two patients: one because of deficient posterior rim; and one because of complete atrioventricular block that resolved after device extraction. During follow-up, no shunt was observed in all but one patient. At late follow-up (up to 36months), full occlusion was observed in 88 (88.0%) patients in the ASO group and 28 (90.3%) patients in the FSO group (with no significant difference between groups). CONCLUSION: Transcatheter closure of ASD with the FSO is feasible and safe. FSO results compare favorably with ASO results. However, additional long-term studies that include more patients are mandatory.

To spare or not to spare ? The aortic valve in scleroderma and aortic root aneurysm.

Acute valve-sparing procedures are effective in the treatment of aortic root dilation when there is no valve pathology. In this review, we discuss the role of aortic valve-sparing procedures in the presence of connective tissue disorders such as scleroderma.

Right ventricular systolic function in organic mitral regurgitation: impact of biventricular impairment.

BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence, determinants, and prognosis value of right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF) impairment in organic mitral regurgitation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred eight patients (62±12 years, 138 males) with chronic organic mitral regurgitation referred to surgery underwent an echocardiography and biventricular radionuclide angiography with regional function assessment. Mean RV EF was 40.4±10.2%, ranging from 10% to 65%. RV EF was severely impaired (≤35%) in 63 patients (30%), and biventricular impairment (left ventricular EF<60% and RV EF≤35%) was found in 34 patients (16%). Pathophysiologic correlates of RV EF were left ventricular septal function (ß=0.42, P<0.0001), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (ß=-0.22, P=0.002), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (ß=-0.14, P=0.047). Mitral effective regurgitant orifice size (n=84) influenced RV EF (ß=-0.28, P=0.012). In 68 patients examined after surgery, RV EF increased strongly (27.5±4.3-37.9±7.3, P<0.0001) in patients with depressed RV EF, whereas it did not change in others (P=0.91). RV EF ≤35% impaired 10-year cardiovascular survival (71.6±8.4% versus 89.8±3.7%, P=0.037). Biventricular impairment dramatically reduced 10-year cardiovascular survival (51.9±15.3% versus 90.3±3.2%, P<0.0001; hazard ratio, 5.2; P<0.0001) even after adjustment for known predictors (hazard ratio, 4.6; P=0.004). Biventricular impairment reduced also 10-year overall survival (34.8±13.0% versus 72.6±4.5%, P=0.003; hazard ratio, 2.5; P=0.005) even after adjustment for known predictors (P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with organic mitral regurgitation referred to surgery, RV function impairment is frequent (30%) and depends weakly on pulmonary artery systolic pressure but mainly on left ventricular remodeling and septal function. RV function is a predictor of postoperative cardiovascular survival, whereas biventricular impairment is a powerful predictor of both cardiovascular and overall survival.

Lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusion in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

RATIONALE: Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) is a good marker of disease severity in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). The combined diffusing capacity of nitric oxide (DLNO) and DLCO determines the two components of diffusion: membrane conductance (Dm, CO) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate Vc and Dm, CO in patients with fibrosing IIP in order to determine the relative contribution of membrane resistance and vascular resistance to the loss of DLCO. METHODS: 32 patients with IIP (IPF: n = 22, NSIP: n = 10) were evaluated using MRC dyspnea scale, plethysmography, combined DLNO/DLCO, 6-min walk test (6 MWT), echocardiography and chest computed tomography (chest CT). RESULTS: DLCO (41.8 ± 11.9%pred), Dm, CO (40.5 ± 12.7%pred) and Vc (41.9 ± 18%pred) were severely and equally reduced. Dm, CO and Vc were related to MRC scale, FVC, maximal desaturation during 6 MWT, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). There was no correlation with the extent of fibrotic changes on chest CT. CONCLUSIONS: Our main results indicate that Dm, CO and Vc contribute almost equally to DLCO reduction in IIP. Dm, CO and Vc are related to functional indicators of disease severity and to sPAP in agreement with the concept of vascular involvement in IIP.

Intracoronary autologous mononucleated bone marrow cell infusion for acute myocardial infarction: results of the randomized multicenter BONAMI trial.

AIMS: Intracoronary administration of autologous bone marrow cells (BMCs) leads to a modest improvement in cardiac function, but the effect on myocardial viability is unknown. The aim of this randomized multicentre study was to evaluate the effect of BMC therapy on myocardial viability in patients with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to identify predictive factors for improvement of myocardial viability. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and one patients with AMI and successful reperfusion, LVEF ≤45%, and decreased myocardial viability (resting Tl201-SPECT) were randomized to either a control group (n = 49) or a BMC group (n = 52). Primary endpoint was improvement of myocardial viability 3 months after AMI. Baseline mean LVEF measured by radionuclide angiography was 36.3 ± 6.9%. Bone marrow cell infusion was performed 9.3 ± 1.7 days after AMI. Myocardial viability improved in 16/47 (34%) patients in the BMC group compared with 7/43 (16%) in the control group (P = 0.06). The number of non-viable segments becoming viable was 0.8 ± 1.1 in the control group and 1.2 ± 1.5 in the BMC group (P = 0.13). Multivariate analysis including major post-AMI prognostic factors showed a significant improvement of myocardial viability in BMC vs. control group (P = 0.03). Moreover, a significant adverse role for active smoking (P = 0.04) and a positive trend for microvascular obstruction (P = 0.07) were observed. CONCLUSION: Intracoronary autologous BMC administration to patients with decreased LVEF after AMI was associated with improvement of myocardial viability in multivariate-but not in univariate-analysis. A large multicentre international trial is warranted to further document the efficacy of cardiac cell therapy and better define a group of patients that will benefit from this therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier NCT00200707.

Echocardiography predictors and prognostic value of pulmonary artery systolic pressure in chronic organic mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictors of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) in organic mitral regurgitation (MR) and its prognostic value after surgery. DESIGN: Prospective observational study, conducted from 1998 to 2006. SETTING: Echocardiography and cardiac surgery departments, University Hospital. PATIENTS: Echocardiography was carried out in 256 patients (63+/-12 years, 170 male) with organic MR (degenerative aetiology: 91%) referred for surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Echocardiography predictors of PASP. Postoperative end points were overall mortality and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Baseline PASP was 45+/-14 mmHg, ranging from 25 to 105 mmHg. PASP was > or = 50 mmHg in 82 patients (32%). Left atrial volume (p=0.003), mitral deceleration time (p<0.0001) and mitral medial E/E' (p<0.0001) were independent predictors of PASP, whereas left ventricular size and systolic function were not predictors. Mitral valve repair was performed in 194 patients (76%) and mitral valve replacement in 62 (24%). In a Cox model mitral valve repair (HR=0.41 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.85), p=0.016) and PASP (HR=1.43 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.88) per 10 mmHg increment, p=0.011) were independent predictors of overall mortality, even after adjustment for known predictors. PASP (HR=1.49 (95% CI 1.03 to 2.16) per 10 mmHg increment, p=0.033) was also an independent predictor of cardiac mortality. Eight-year survival after surgery was 58.6% and 86.6% in patients with baseline PASP > or = 50 mmHg or <50 mmHg, respectively (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In organic MR, mitral deceleration time, mitral E/E' and left atrial volume correlate with PASP. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure > or = 50 mmHg is an independent predictor of overall and cardiovascular mortality after surgery in organic MR.

Longitudinal right ventricular function as a predictor of functional capacity in patients with mitral stenosis: an exercise echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: The influence of right ventricular (RV) function on exercise capacity has been poorly explored in mitral stenosis (MS). The objective of this study was to assess the determinants of functional status with exercise echocardiography in MS. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients (55 +/- 12 years, 29 female) with MS (1.3 +/- 0.5 cm(2)) underwent an exercise echocardiography (14 patients had previous balloon valvuloplasty). RV function was assessed by tricuspid annulus S-wave velocity (Tric-S) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). RESULTS: Tric-S correlated with TAPSE (P = .03), cardiac output (P = .006), and mitral valve area (P = .009). With exercise, Tric-S and TAPSE increased significantly (11.3 +/- 3.1 cm/s to 15.5 +/- 3.4 cm/s and 21.2 +/- 5.2 mm to 24.0 +/- 5.8 mm, respectively, both P < .05). TAPSE was lower in patients in New York Heart Association class 3 or 4. In multivariate analysis, Tric-S at rest (beta = 0.34, P = .006) and mitral Delta mean diastolic gradient (beta = 0.34, P = .006) were the independent determinants of maximum workload. CONCLUSION: Resting RV longitudinal function assessed through Tric-S is an important determinant of functional capacity in MS.

Prospective assessment of multiple cardiac papillary fibroelastomas: an echocardiographic and surgical study.

Multiple cardiac papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are thought to account for less than 10% of patients with PFE. We aimed at evaluating the frequency and location of multiple PFEs and the reliability of transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal (TEE) echocardiography in diagnosing multiple PFEs. Twenty-six consecutive patients (52±14 years, 65% males) with pathologically confirmed PFE had 21 PFEs diagnosed by TTE, 33 by TEE, and 62 at surgery. Eight patients (31%) had multiple PFEs found either by TEE or at surgery. Aortic valve was involved in 75% of patients with multiple PFEs and left ventricle in 38% of patients. The sensitivity of TTE in diagnosing any PFEs was 51.3% and 76.9% for TEE. Our study emphasizes the high frequency of multiple PFEs, the need of TEE for all presumed PFE and the need for careful assessment of left-sided endocardial surfaces, especially of the aortic valve, during PFE excision.

Functional impairment of von Willebrand factor in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: relation to rest and exercise obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy submits blood to conditions of high shear stress. High shear stress impairs von Willebrand factor (VWF) and promotes abnormal bleeding in aortic stenosis. We sought to evaluate VWF impairment and its relationships to baseline or exercise obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: Outflow obstruction was evaluated by rest and exercise echocardiography in 62 patients with HCM (age 44+/-16 years, 40 males). HCM was considered obstructive in 28 patients with rest or exercise peak gradient >or=30 mm Hg. Blood was sampled to assess VWF. History of bleeding was recorded. Baseline median (25th to 75th percentile) peak gradient was 11 (5-62) mm Hg. Shear-induced platelet adhesion was impaired in patients with obstructive HCM. The ratio of VWF-collagen-binding activity to antigen and the percentage of high-molecular-weight multimers of VWF were lower in patients with obstructive HCM than in those with nonobstructive HCM (0.49 [0.43 to 0.59] versus 0.82 [0.73 to 1.03] and 5.0% [3.9% to 7.2%] versus 11.7% [10.8% to 12.5%], respectively; both P<0.0001). Platelet adhesion time, VWF-collagen-binding activity-to-antigen ratio, and the percentage of high-molecular-weight multimers correlated closely and independently with peak gradient (r=0.81, r=-0.68, and r=-0.89, respectively; all P<0.0001). According to receiver operating characteristic curves, a peak gradient threshold of 15 mm Hg at rest and 35 mm Hg during exercise was sufficient to impair VWF. Conversely, VWF function tended to improve with a decrease in peak gradient. Obstructive HCM patients had a trend toward abnormal spontaneous bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: In obstructive HCM, VWF impairment is frequent and is closely and independently related to the magnitude of outflow obstruction. A resting peak gradient of 15 mm Hg is sufficient to impair VWF. VWF abnormalities might favor abnormal bleeding in this setting.

Clinical value of exercise Doppler echocardiography in patients with cardiac-valvular disease.

Besides its usefulness for the detection of exercise-induced ischemia, conventional exercise testing may help to predict the onset of clinical events and the need for surgery in asymptomatic patients with cardiac-valvular disease. Doppler echocardiography examination during exercise recently emerged as a new stress testing modality that may add useful information regarding dynamism of LV function, valve disease severity and pulmonary circulation. Few studies have demonstrated a correlation between the results of exercise Doppler echocardiography and clinical outcome. Preliminary experience needs to be confirmed to warrant routine use of Doppler echocardiography examination during exercise in the evaluation of patients with cardiac-valve disease.