Dimensionless index and outcome in patients with aortic valve disease.

PURPOSE: Assessment of aortic stenosis (AS) is based on aortic valve (AV) gradients and calculation of aortic valve area (AVA). These parameters are influenced by flow and dependent on geometric assumptions. The dimensionless index (DI), the ratio of the LVOT time-velocity integral to that of the AV jet, is simple to perform, and is less susceptible to error but has only been examined in small selected groups of AS patients. The objective of this study was to assess the DI and prognosis in a large cohort. METHODS: All subjects who underwent echocardiography with an assessment of the AV that included DI were included. Association between AV parameters including mean gradient, AVA, DI and AV resistance and mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations was examined. RESULTS: A total of 9393 patients (mean age 71 ± 16 years; 53% male) were included. 731 (7.7%) patients had DI less than .25. Increasing age and a diagnosis of heart failure were significantly associated with lower DI. Subjects with low DI had significantly lower ventricular function, a higher incidence of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, worse diastolic function and more elevated pulmonary pressures. Decreasing DI was associated with significantly decreased survival and event-free survival which remained highly significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In a large population of patients with AV disease, decreased DI, was associated with increased mortality and decreased event-free survival. The easily obtained DI identifies a broad range of AS subjects with worse prognosis and should be integrated into the assessment of these complex patients.

Prognostic Value of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain for Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Aortic Valve Disease: A Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Valvular heart disease is one of the most common heart diseases. It is characterized by abnormal function or structure of the heart valves. There may be no clinical symptoms in the early stages. Clinical symptoms of arrhythmia, heart failure, or thromboembolic events may occur in the late stages of the disease, such as palpitation after activities, breathing difficulties, fatigue, and so on. Aortic valve disease is a major part of valvular heart disease. The main treatment for aortic valve disease is valve replacement or repair surgery, but it is extremely risky. Therefore, a rigorous prognostic assessment is extremely important for patients with aortic valve disease. The global longitudinal strain is an index that describes the deformation capacity of myocardium. There is evidence that it provides a test for systolic dysfunction other than LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) and provides additional prognostic information. METHOD: Search literature published between 2010 and 2023 on relevant platforms and contain the following keywords: "Aortic valve disease," "Aortic stenosis," "Aortic regurgitation," and "longitudinal strain" or "strain." The data is then extracted and collated for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15 articles were included. The total population involved in this study was 3,678 individuals. The absolute value of LVGLS was higher in the no-MACE group than in the MACE group in patients with aortic stenosis (Z = 8.10, p < 0.00001), and impaired LVGLS was a risk factor for MACE in patients with aortic stenosis (HR = 1.14, p < 0.00001, 95% CI: 1.08-1.20). There was also a correlation between impaired LVGLS and aortic valve surgery in patients with aortic valve disease (HR = 1.16, p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 1.08-1.25) or patients with aortic valve regurgitation (HR = 1.21, p = 0.0004, 95% CI: 1.09-1.34). We also found that impaired LVGLS had no significant association between LVGLS and mortality during the period of follow-up in patients with aortic valve stenosis (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.94-1.25, p = 0.28), but it was associated with mortality in studies of prospective analyses (HR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.02-1.75, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Impaired LVGLS correlates with major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with aortic valve disease, and it has predictive value for the prognosis of patients with aortic valve disease.

Progression of valve heart disease in a cohort of patients undergoing renal replacement therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of death among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Valve calcification is a predictor of cardiovascular mortality and coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE: To assess heart valve disease frequency, associated factors, and progression in CKD patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on 291 CKD patients at Hospital das Clínicas de Pernambuco. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 with CKD and valve disease, while those on conservative management or with missing data were excluded. Clinical and laboratory variables were compared, and patients were categorized by dialysis duration (<5 years; 5-10 years; >10 years). Statistical tests, including chi-square, Fisher's exact, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis, were employed as needed. Simple and multivariate binary regression models were used to analyze valve disease associations with dialysis duration. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mitral valve disease was present in 82.5% (240) of patients, followed by aortic valve disease (65.6%; 86). Over time, 106 (36.4%) patients developed valve disease. No significant association was found between aortic, pulmonary, mitral, or tricuspid valve disease and dialysis duration. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was the sole statistically significant factor for mitral valve disease in the regression model (OR 2.59 [95% CI: 1.09-6.18]; p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: CKD patients on renal replacement therapy exhibit a high frequency of valve disease, particularly mitral and aortic valve disease. However, no link was established between dialysis duration and valve disease occurrence or progression.

Single Coronary Artery with Severe Coronary Artery Disease and Aortic Valve Disease.

Coronary artery malformations are rare in the clinic. When with severe atherosclerosis, there is an additional risk. Specific coronary artery malformations, such as single right coronary artery, may be involved in the arteriosclerotic process, especially when accompanied by significant coronary artery tortuosity. It will remarkably challenge the treatment. We report a case of a single right coronary artery with severe stenosis and heart valve disease. She successfully underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement.

Body Mass Index and Mortality from Nonrheumatic Aortic Valve Disease among Japanese Men and Women.

AIM: We aimed to examine the impact of overweight and obesity on mortality from nonrheumatic aortic valve disease. METHODS: In the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study, we analyzed data of 98,378 participants aged 40-79 years, with no history of coronary heart disease, stroke, or cancer at baseline (1988-1990) and who completed a lifestyle questionnaire including height and body weight; they were followed for mortality until the end of 2009. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of nonrheumatic aortic valve disease mortality according to body mass index (BMI) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: During the median 19.2 years follow-up, 60 deaths from nonrheumatic aortic valve disease were reported. BMI was positively associated with the risk of mortality from nonrheumatic aortic valve disease; the multivariable HRs (95% CIs) were 0.90 (0.40-2.06) for persons with BMI ＜21 kg/m2, 1.71 (0.81-3.58) for BMI 23-24.9 kg/m2, 1.65 (0.69-3.94) for BMI 25-26.9 kg/m2, and 2.83 (1.20-6.65) for BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2 (p for trend=0.006), compared with persons with BMI 21-22.9 kg/m2. Similar associations were observed between men and women (p for interaction=0.56). Excluding those who died during the first ten years of follow-up or a competing risk analysis with other causes of death as competing risk events did not change the association materially. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight and obesity may be independent risk factors for nonrheumatic aortic valve disease mortality in Asian populations.

Aortic Size and Clinical Care Pathways Before Type A Aortic Dissection.

Patients with aortic enlargement are recommended to undergo serial imaging and clinical follow-up until they reach surgical thresholds. This study aimed to identify aortic diameter and care of patients with aortic imaging before aortic dissection (AD). In a retrospective cohort of AD patients, we evaluated previous imaging results in addition to ordering providers and indications. Imaging was stratified as >1 or <1 year: 62 patients (53% men) had aortic imaging before AD (most recent test: 82% echo, 11% computed tomography, 6% magnetic resonance imaging). Imaging was ordered most frequently by primary care physicians (35%) and cardiologists (39%). The most frequent imaging indications were arrhythmia (11%), dyspnea (10%), before or after aortic valve surgery (8%), chest pain (6%), and aneurysm surveillance in 13%. Of all patients, 94% had aortic diameters below the surgical threshold before the AD. Imaging was performed <1 year before AD in 47% and aortic size was 4.4 ± 0.8 cm in ascending aorta and 4.0 ± 0.8 cm in sinus. In patients whose most recent imaging was >1 year before AD (1,317 ± 1,017 days), the mean ascending aortic diameter was 4.2 ± 0.4 cm. In conclusion, in a series of patients with aortic imaging before AD, the aortic size was far short of surgical thresholds in 94% of the group. In >50%, imaging was last performed >1 year before dissection.

Left atrial function analysis in patients with functional mitral regurgitation associated with dilated cardiomyopathy / Análise da função atrial esquerda em pacientes com insuficiência mitral funcional associada à miocardiopatia dilatada

BACKGROUND: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DC), heart failure (HF), and worsening left atrial function (LAF). Patients with DC and FMR may present left atrial dysfunction resulting from both ventricular dysfunction and valve disease, but it is unknown whether the presence of valve disease will lead to greater LAF impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between LAF parameters and FMR degree in patients with DC. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 214 patients with DC, 46 without FMR (control group) and 168 with mild, moderate or severe FMR. An LAF analysis was performed by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and atrial volumetric variation. RESULTS: LAF analyzed by STE by means of reservoir strain, conduit strain and active contraction strain was reduced in the sample, with values of 14.3%, 8.49% and 5.92%, respectively. FMR degree was significantly associated with reservoir strain (0.27 ± 0.16 versus 0.15 ± 0.09; p < 0.001) and contraction strain (19.2 ± 7.3 versus 11.2 ± 2.7; p < 0.001). FMR was also associated with a reduced LAF assessed by volumetric analysis: total atrial emptying fraction of 0.51 ± 0.13 versus 0.34 ± 0.11 and active atrial emptying fraction of 0 .27 ± 0.16 versus 0.15 ± 0.09 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In a population with DC, FMR was associated with reduced LAF assessed by STE and atrial volume variation.

FUNDAMENTO: A insuficiência mitral funcional (IMF) está associada à miocardiopatia dilatada (MD), à insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e à piora da função atrial esquerda (FAE). A FAE pode decair tanto pela disfunção ventricular quanto pela valvopatia, mas não se sabe se esta leva a um prejuízo maior da FAE. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre a piora de parâmetros de FAE com o grau de IMF, em pacientes com MD. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo observacional transversal, que incluiu 214 pacientes com MD, sendo 46 sem IMF (controle) e 168 com IMF discreta, moderada ou grave. A análise da FAE foi realizada por ecocardiografia por speckle tracking (STE) e por variação volumétrica atrial. RESULTADOS: A FAE, analisada por STE­ por meio do strain de reservatório, conduto e contração ativa ­ encontrou-se reduzida na amostra, com valores respectivos de 14,3%, 8,49% e 5,92%. O grau de IMF associou-se significativamente com os valores do strain de reservatório (0,27±0,16 versus 0,15±0,09; p <0,001. CONCLUSÃO: Em uma população com MD, a presença de IMF associa-se à redução da FAE de reservatório e de contração, avaliada por STE e pela variação volumétrica atrial.

Optimized Use of the "Skirt" of the Valsalva Graft for the Completion Bentall Procedure.

This report discusses the case of a patient with an aortic root aneurysm who had previously undergone aortic valve replacement with a large mechanical prosthesis that proved to be normally functioning at the time of reoperation. This report describes a technique of replacing the aortic root while retaining the existing aortic valve, similar to the completion Bentall procedure, using a 32-mm Valsalva graft by suturing the skirted portion of the graft to the sewing ring of the mechanical valve. The ability of the skirt to increase its diameter is the key to this approach.

[Acute abdominal pain due to a cardiac tumor]. / Acute buikpijn door een cardiale tumor.

BACKGROUND: Primary cardiac tumors are rare. Myxomas are the most prevalent benign primary cardiac tumors, followed by papillary fibroelastomas. These tumors can cause local cardiac complications, but also thromboembolic events. This case report describes an aortic valve tumor, causing embolic complications at two rare locations. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 43-year-old female patient came to the emergency department with abdominal pain and shortly after chest pain with associated ECG abnormalities. CT angiography and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a tumor located at the aortic valve. The tumor caused thromboembolic complications in the left coronary artery and the right kidney. Valve-sparing excision of the tumor was performed. Histology revealed sclerosed material with myxoid degeneration. CONCLUSION: Unexplained thromboembolic events, particularly with multiplicity in time and location, are suspicious for a cardiac source of embolism. Cardiac tumors should be part of the differential diagnosis of cardiac sources of embolism. After diagnosis, tumor resection is the preferred treatment.

The Role of Extravalvular Cardiac Damage Staging in Aortic Valve Disease Management.

Current management of patients with aortic valve disease, including aortic valve stenosis (AS), aortic valve regurgitation (AR), and mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD), remains challenging. American and European guideline recommendations regarding the timing of intervention are mainly based on the assessment of disease severity (ie, grading), presence of symptoms related to aortic valve disease, left ventricular systolic dysfunction, or LV enlargement. Furthermore, the decision regarding the type of intervention (ie, surgical vs transcatheter) is primarily based on risk assessment from surgical risk scores. There is, however, less emphasis on the importance of the assessment of anatomic and functional cardiac repercussions of aortic valve disease to guide the clinical management of these patients. Recently, a novel approach has been proposed to improve the management of aortic valve disease with 2 main components for risk stratification of the disease: 1) grading the severity of aortic valve disease, and 2) staging the extent of extravalvular cardiac damage associated with aortic valve disease with the use of echocardiography. To date, this novel approach of extravalvular cardiac damage staging was proposed and validated only in the context of AS but could be extended to other valvular heart diseases, including AR and MAVD. Further studies are also needed to test the incremental value of additional imaging parameters (eg, myocardial fibrosis by magnetic resonance) as well as blood biomarkers (eg, natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin, and others) to the existing cardiac damage staging schemes.

Are there any subclinical myocardial dysfunctions in subjects with aortic valve sclerosis? A 3D-speckle tracking echocardiography study.

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is defined as calcified and thickened aortic leaflets without restriction of leaflet motion. We have not found any studies that previously assessed the effect of AVS on myocardial functions with three dimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE). Therefore, we aimed to identify any early changes in left atrial (LA) myocardial dynamics and/or left ventricular (LV) systolic functions in patients with AVS using 3D-STE. Seventy-five patients with AVS and 80 age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled into the study. The baseline clinical characteristics of the study patients were recorded. Conventional 2D echocardiographic and 3D-STE analyses were performed. The LV-global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and LV-global circumferential strain (LV-GCS) were significantly decreased in the AVS (+) group than in the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.013, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis; LV-GLS (p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 3.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-5.63) and Triglyceride (TG) (p = 0.033, OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.11-1.72) were found to be independent predictors of AVS. ROC analysis was performed to find out the ideal LV-GLS cut-off value for predicting the AVS. A LV-GLS value of > - 18 has 85.8% sensitivity, 67.5% specificity for the prediction of the AVS. Our results support that subjects with AVS may have subclinical LV deformation abnormalities even though they have not LV pressure overload. According to our findings, patients with AVS should be investigated in terms of atherosclerotic risk factors, their dysmetabolic status should be evaluated and closely followed up for their progression to calcific aortic stenosis.

Characterization of the Rate of Aortic Dilation in Young Patients with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Longitudinal changes in aortic diameters of young patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) have not been completely described, particularly over long periods of follow-up. This retrospective study sought to characterize the rates of proximal aortic dilation in young patients, identify risk factors for TAA progression, and evaluate the predictive utility of early echocardiographic follow-up. Inclusion criteria were: (1) TAA or TAA-predisposing genetic diagnosis, (2) age < 25 years at first echocardiogram, and (3) minimum of 5 years of echocardiographic follow-up. Proximal aortic diameters were measured by echocardiography and Z-scores calculated to index for body surface area. TAA severity was classified as no TAA (Z-score < 2), mild (Z-score 2 to 4), or at least moderate (Z-score > 4). Among 141 included patients, mean age at first echocardiogram was 7.3 ± 3.5 years. Mean follow-up duration was 9.8 ± 3.5 years. Fifty five patients had a genetic syndrome, and 38 of the non-syndromic patients had bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). The rate of aortic dilation was significantly higher at the ascending aorta than other aortic segments. BAV and age > 10 years at first echocardiogram were associated with increased rate of ascending aorta dilation. At the ascending aorta, over 25% of patients had categorical increase in TAA severity between first and last echocardiograms, and such patients demonstrated higher rate of dilation within their first 2 years of follow-up. These longitudinal findings highlight progressive ascending aorta dilation in young patients, which may worsen around adolescence. This may help determine timing of follow-up and target ages for clinical trials.

Dos casos de reemplazo transcatéter de válvula aórtica en Honduras, año 2019 / Two cases of aortic valve transcateter replacement in Honduras, 2019

Antecedentes: Las valvulopatías cardiacas se presentan en 1 de 100,000 habitantes en Centro América. La estenosis aórtica representa el 25% de estas patologías. La principal causa es la iebre reumática y en países de ingresos altos, las anomalías congénitas. La valvulopatía aórtica bicúspide es una anomalía rara, presente en 0.5% de la población total. Tradicionalmente en Honduras, las correcciones de estas anomalías se habían hecho con cirugía vascular. Descripción de los casos clínicos: Se presentan los dos primeros casos realizados en Honduras mediante reemplazo transcateter o terapia endovascular (transcatheter aortic valve replacement, TAVR), en el año 2019, en un centro asistencial privado en Tegucigalpa. El primer caso sobre una aorta bivalva, con el apoyo de un sistema En Snare, por el difícil abordaje, con EuroScore II <4%. El segundo caso sobre una estenosis aórtica secundaria a iebre reumática. Ambos procedimientos se ejecutaron sin complicaciones inmediatas o tardías. La ecocardiografía reportó resolución de los gradientes de presión y reducción de la velocidad transvalvular máxima aórtica (Vmax Ao). Conclusión: Siendo esta una terapia de primer mundo, respaldada para pacientes de alto y bajo riesgo quirúrgico, abre la oportunidad a nuestra población de recibir una terapia efectiva, segura y con resultados inmediatos...(AU)

Antiphospholipid syndrome and valvular heart disease, a complex scenario of thrombotic events, a case report.

BACKGROUND: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare coagulation disorder associated with thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and valvular heart disease. During valvular replacement surgery, the high risk of thrombosis combined with the operative risks in these specific groups of patients poses a challenge to the medical team. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a female patient with APS and mixed aortic valve disease. During surgery, she suddenly developed complete cardiac arrest. Three months later, after she recovered, and while she was still on close follow up, a thrombotic event caused myocardial infarction. After prompt and precise treatment, the patient successfully recovered; one year after surgery patient is doing well. CONCLUSION: Adequate surgical technique along with optimal anticoagulation strategies and long term follow up are of paramount importance to ensure an uneventful recovery. A multidisciplinary team is required to manage these complex scenarios and high-risk patients.

Impact of Preoperative Measurement of Right Heart Chambers in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension Following Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with aortic stenosis is related to poor prognosis following aortic valve replacement (AVR). Current European PH guidelines recommend adding two different echocardiographic signs to tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) in PH estimation, classifying its probability as low (TRV ≤ 2.8 m/s), intermediate (TRV 2.9-3.4 m/s), and high (TRV > 3.4 m/s). The right ventricle is an important determinant of prognosis in PH. The goal of this study was to analyze the value of right atrial area > 18 cm2 and right ventricular/left ventricular ratio > 1 in the long-term prognosis following AVR, mainly in the intermediate probability group. METHODS: This study included 429 consecutive patients (mean age, 73 ± 8 years; 55% male) with a median follow-up of 4.25 years (completed in 98%). Patients were divided into low (n = 247), intermediate (n = 117), and high probability groups (n = 65). The intermediate probability group was divided into two subgroups: subgroup 2a (n = 27; TRV nonmeasurable or ≤ 2.8 m/s and two signs present) and subgroup 2b (n = 90; TRV 2.9-3.4 m/s, and none or only one sign present). RESULTS: Overall mortality rates during follow-up of the low, intermediate, and high probability groups were 24%, 32%, and 42%, respectively. High PH probability was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.11-3.00), but the intermediate probability group did not reach significance following multivariate analysis (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.91-2.16). When the intermediate probability group was divided into subgroups, the subgroup 2a mortality rate (56%) was higher than that of both subgroup 2b (24%; P = .002) and the low probability group (24%; P < .001). Following multivariate analysis, subgroup 2a showed a significantly higher mortality (HR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.11-4.10) in contrast to subgroup 2b (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.75-2.05), both compared with the low probability group. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating measurement of the right cavities into the PH probability model in the assessment of long-term prognosis following AVR allowed better risk discrimination, especially in the intermediate probability group.

Truncus arteriosus with retrograde aortic flow: a unique case.

Truncus arteriosus is a rare cyanotic congenital heart defect that involves septation failure of the heart's main arterial outflow tract. Varying morphologies of the truncal valve and aorta have been reported; however, the ascending aorta is typically supplied via anterograde blood flow through the truncal valve. We present the first reported case of neonatal truncus arteriosus with the ascending aorta being supplied entirely by retrograde flow.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Valvular Disease.

Over the last few decades, outcomes with living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) have improved significantly. This has resulted in patients who were denied liver transplantation previously, due to various comorbidities and high risk, now being considered for LDLT. This includes patients with severe valvular heart disease such as aortic stenosis. These patients require aortic valve replacement to help cope with significant perioperative hemodynamic changes. High-risk cardiac procedures like aortic valve replacement are associated with serious perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease. Since the advent of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in 2002, there have been a few case reports of its successful use prior to deceased donor liver transplantation, but there is no literature on this procedure before LDLT. In this article, we report our experience with 2 patients, the first patient with infective endocarditis-induced acute aortic regurgitation and the second patient with bicuspid aortic stenosis who underwent uneventful TAVI followed by successful LDLT. In conclusion, with the increasing expertise and experience in this procedure, an increasing number of potential recipients, previously considered as high-risk transplant candidates, can now be offered liver transplantation by performing pretransplant TAVI.