Arrhythmic risk profile in mitral valve prolapse: A systematic review and metanalysis of 1715 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common clinical condition in the general population. A subgroup of patients with MVP may experience ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death ("arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse" [AMVP]) but how to stratify arrhythmic risk is still unclear. Our meta-analysis aims to identify predictive factors for arrhythmic risk in patients with MVP. METHODS: We systematically searched Medline, Cochrane, Journals@Ovid, Scopus electronic databases for studies published up to December 28, 2022 and comparing AMVP and nonarrhythmic mitral valve prolapse (NAMVP) for what concerns history, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance features. The effect size was estimated using a random-effect model as odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD). RESULTS: A total of 10 studies enrolling 1715 patients were included. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (OR: 16.67; p = .005), T-wave inversion (TWI) (OR: 2.63; p < .0001), bileaflet MVP (OR: 1.92; p < .0001) and mitral anulus disjunction (MAD) (OR: 2.60; p < .0001) were more represented among patients with AMVP than in NAMVP. Patients with AMVP were shown to have longer anterior mitral leaflet (AML) (MD: 2.63 mm; p < .0001), posterior mitral leaflet (MD: 2.96 mm; p < .0001), thicker AML (MD: 0.49 mm; p < .0001), longer MAD length (MD: 1.24 mm; p < .0001) and higher amount of LGE (MD: 1.41%; p < .0001) than NAMVP. AMVP showed increased mechanical dispersion (MD: 8.04 ms; 95% confidence interval: 5.13-10.96; p < .0001) compared with NAMVP. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis proved that LGE, TWI, bileaflet MVP, and MAD are predictive factors for arrhythmic risk in MVP patients.

The r'-Wave Algorithm: A New Diagnostic Tool to Predict the Diagnosis of Brugada Syndrome after a Sodium Channel Blocker Provocation Test.

A diagnosis of Brugada syndrome (BrS) is based on the presence of a type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern, either spontaneously or after a Sodium Channel Blocker Provocation Test (SCBPT). Several ECG criteria have been evaluated as predictors of a positive SCBPT, such as the ß-angle, the α-angle, the duration of the base of the triangle at 5 mm from the r'-wave (DBT- 5 mm), the duration of the base of the triangle at the isoelectric line (DBT- iso), and the triangle base/height ratio. The aim of our study was to test all previously proposed ECG criteria in a large cohort study and to evaluate an r'-wave algorithm for predicting a BrS diagnosis after an SCBPT. We enrolled all patients who consecutively underwent SCBPT using flecainide from January 2010 to December 2015 in the test cohort and from January 2016 to December 2021 in the validation cohort. We included the ECG criteria with the best diagnostic accuracy in relation to the test cohort in the development of the r'-wave algorithm (ß-angle, α-angle, DBT- 5 mm, and DBT- iso.) Of the total of 395 patients enrolled, 72.4% were male and the average age was 44.7 ± 13.5 years. Following the SCBPTs, 24.1% of patients (n = 95) were positive and 75.9% (n = 300) were negative. ROC analysis of the validation cohort showed that the AUC of the r'-wave algorithm (AUC: 0.92; CI 0.85-0.99) was significantly better than the AUC of the ß-angle (AUC: 0.82; 95% CI 0.71-0.92), the α-angle (AUC: 0.77; 95% CI 0.66-0.90), the DBT- 5 mm (AUC: 0.75; 95% CI 0.64-0.87), the DBT- iso (AUC: 0.79; 95% CI 0.67-0.91), and the triangle base/height (AUC: 0.61; 95% CI 0.48-0.75) (p < 0.001), making it the best predictor of a BrS diagnosis after an SCBPT. The r'-wave algorithm with a cut-off value of ≥2 showed a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 83%. In our study, the r'-wave algorithm was proved to have the best diagnostic accuracy, compared with single electrocardiographic criteria, in predicting the diagnosis of BrS after provocative testing with flecainide.

Minimally Invasive Surgery: Standard of Care for Mitral Valve Endocarditis.

Background. Minimally invasive surgery via right mini-thoracotomy has become the standard of care for the treatment of mitral valve disease worldwide, particularly at high-volume centers. In recent years, the spectrum of indications has progressively shifted and extended to fragile and higher-risk patients, also addressing more complex mitral valve disease and ultimately including patients with native or prosthetic infective endocarditis. The rationale for the adoption of the minimally invasive approach is to minimize surgical trauma, promote an earlier postoperative recovery, and reduce the incidence of surgical wound infection and other nosocomial infections. The aim of this retrospective observational study is to evaluate the effectiveness and the early and late outcome in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for mitral valve infective endocarditis. Methods. Prospectively collected data regarding minimally invasive surgery in patients with mitral valve infective endocarditis were entered into a dedicated database for the period between January 2007 and December 2022 and retrospectively analyzed. All comers during the study period underwent a preoperative evaluation based on their clinical history and anatomy for the allocation to the most appropriate surgical strategy. The selection of the mini-thoracotomy approach was primarily driven by a thorough transthoracic and especially transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation, coupled with total body and vascular imaging. Results. During the study period, 92 patients underwent right mini-thoracotomy to treat native (80/92, 87%) or prosthetic (12/92, 13%) mitral valve endocarditis at our institution, representing 5% of the patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral surgery. Twenty-six (28%) patients had undergone previous cardiac operations, whereas 18 (20%) presented preoperatively with complications related to endocarditis, most commonly systemic embolization. Sixty-nine and twenty-three patients, respectively, underwent early surgery (75%) or were operated on after the completion of the targeted antibiotic treatment (25%). A conservative procedure was feasible in 16/80 (20%) patients with native valve endocarditis. Conversion to standard sternotomy was necessary in a single case (1.1%). No cases of intraoperative iatrogenic aortic dissection were reported. Four patients died perioperatively, accounting for a thirty-day mortality of 4.4%. The causes of death were refractory heart or multiorgan failure and/or septic shock. A new onset stroke was observed postoperatively in one case (1.1%). Overall actuarial survival rate at 1 and 5 years after operation was 90.8% and 80.4%, whereas freedom from mitral valve reoperation at 1 and 5 years was 96.3% and 93.2%, respectively. Conclusions. This present study shows good early and long-term results in higher-risk patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for mitral valve infective endocarditis. Total body, vascular, and echocardiographic screening represent the key points to select the optimal approach and allow for the extension of indications for minimally invasive surgery to sicker patients, including active endocarditis and sepsis.

In the midst of a dangerous intersection with unclear therapeutic strategies: a challenging case of severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: One out of seven patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be affected by transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA), mostly presenting with low-flow low-gradient AS with mildly reduced ejection fraction. The complex interaction of these two pathologies poses specific diagnostic and management challenges. The prognostic implications of this clinical intersection are not defined yet. Moreover, whether TAVR may have a prognostic benefit in ATTR-CA patients with symptomatic severe AS remains unclear, posing doubts on the best management strategy in this increasingly recognized subset of patients. CLINICAL CASE: We present a case of an 87-year old man with low-flow low-gradient severe AS, for whom a diagnosis of ATTR-CA was suspected based on clinical and echocardiographic criteria specific to coexisting AS and ATTR-CA. The diagnosis was eventually confirmed by positive bone tracer scintigraphy imaging. Following in-depth Heart team discussion, integrating frailty and prognostic information from combined cardiomyopathy states, a decision was made to manage the patient's severe AS conservatively. CONCLUSION: In the presented case, we deemed the natural history of ATTR-CA amyloidosis to negatively affect both the patient' prognosis and procedural risk, adversing TAVR indication despite symptomatic severe AS. No clear evidence is currently available to guide decision making in this setting, advocating for prospective studies to clarify if TAVR may have a prognostic benefit in ATTR-CA - and which ATTR-CA - patients.

"The Starry Sky." A new intraprocedural three-dimensional echocardiographic technique.

The NeoChord procedure is a micro-invasive, trans-ventricular, beating-heart chordal replacement technique for patients with severe degenerative mitral valve regurgitation resulting from prolapsed or flail leaflets. Three dimensional transoesophageal echocardiographic guidance is crucial to assist the operator during the procedure. Equidistant placement of neochordae along the free edge of the prolapsing leaflet segment is important to ensure uniform stress distribution and to avoid damaging any of the previously placed neochordae. Lowering the image gain associated with the three-dimensional surgical view of the mitral valve allows for signal attenuation of the native structures delineating the precise placement location of the neochordae.

Use of a photo-realism 3D rendering technique to enhance echocardiographic visualization of the anatomical details during beating-heart mitral valve repair.

The NeoChord procedure is an innovative microinvasive, transventricular, beating-heart chordal replacement technique for patients with severe degenerative mitral valve regurgitation resulting from prolapsed or flail leaflets. Use of three-dimensional (3D) transoesophageal echocardiographic imaging is crucial to the physician operator for device navigation during the procedure and to assess the functional results of the repair at the end of the procedure. Photo-realistic, 3D rendering techniques have been recently developed for medical use. Philips TrueVue (Philips Healthcare, Eindhoven, NL) is a photo-realism technique that employs the use of a virtual light source that simulates the interaction of light on 3-dimensional surfaces. Use of photo-realism techniques, in conjunction with 3D echocardiography, improves the visualization of morphological characteristics of the mitral valve before, during, and after beating-heart mitral valve repair procedures.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation in Failed Transventricular Mitral Valve Repair.

An 84-year-old man presented with dyspnea at rest due to severe mitral regurgitation. He first underwent transventricular mitral valve repair with the Harpoon system, which relapsed owing to rupture of neochords. He was definitively treated with transcatheter mitral valve implantation of the Tendyne system 8 months later.

Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement: experience of a single center.

BACKGROUND: Even if prevalent among patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), the clinical suspicion for transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) remains difficult in this subset. We report our single center experience on ATTR-CA detection among TAVR candidates to provide insights on the prevalence and clinical features of dual pathology as compared to lone AS. METHODS: Consecutive severe AS patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) evaluation at a single center were prospectively included. Those with suspected ATTR-CA based on clinical assessment underwent 99m Tc-3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (DPD) bone scintigraphy. The RAISE score, a novel screening tool with high sensitivity for ATTR-CA in AS, was retrospectively calculated to rule-out ATTR-CA in the remaining patients. Patients were categorized as follow: "ATTR-CA+": patients with confirmed ATTR-CA at DPD bone scintigraphy; "ATTR-CA-": patients with negative DPD bone scintigraphy or a negative RAISE score; "ATTR-CA indeterminate": patients not undergoing ATTR-CA assessment with a positive RAISE score. The characteristics of ATTR-CA+ and ATTR-CA- patients were compared. RESULTS: Of 107 included patients, ATTR-CA suspicion was posed in 13 patients and confirmed in six. Patients were categorized as follow: 6 (5.6%) ATTR-CA+, 79 (73.8%) ATTR-CA-, 22 (20.6%) ATTR-CA indeterminate. Excluding ATTR-CA indeterminate patients, the prevalence of ATTR-CA was 7.1% (95% CI 2.6-14.7%). As compared to ATTR-CA - patients, ATTR-CA + patients were older, had higher procedural risk and more extensive myocardial and renal damage. They had higher left ventricle mass index and lower ECG voltages, translating into a lower voltage to mass ratio. Moreover, we describe for the first time bifascicular block as an ECG feature highly specific of patients with dual pathology (50.0% vs. 2.7%, P<0.001). Of note, pericardial effusion was rarely found in patients with lone AS (16.7% vs. 1.2%, P=0.027). No difference in procedural outcomes was observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among severe AS patients, ATTR-CA is prevalent and presents with phenotypic features that may aid to differentiate it from lone AS. A clinical approach based on routine search of amyloidosis features might lead to selective DPD bone scintigraphy with a satisfactory positive predictive value.

Acute Modification of Hemodynamic Forces in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the established first-line treatment for patient with severe aortic stenosis not suitable for surgery. Echocardiographic evaluation of hemodynamic forces (HDFs) is a growing field, holding the potential to early predict improvement in LV function. A prospective observational study was conducted. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and after TAVI. HDFs were analyzed along with traditional left ventricular (LV) function parameters. Twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing TAVI were enrolled: mean age 83 ± 5 years, 74.5% male, mean LV Ejection Fraction (LVEF) at baseline 57 ± 8%. Post-TAVI echocardiographic evaluation was performed 2.4 ± 1.06 days after the procedure. HDF amplitude parameters improved significantly after the procedure: LV Longitudinal Forces (LF) apex-base [mean difference (MD) 1.79%; 95% CI 1.07-2.5; p-value < 0.001]; LV systolic LF apex-base (MD 2.6%; 95% CI 1.57-3.7; p-value < 0.001); LV impulse (LVim) apex-base (MD 2.9%; 95% CI 1.48-4.3; p-value < 0.001). Similarly, HDFs orientation parameters improved: LVLF angle (MD 1.5°; 95% CI 0.07-2.9; p-value = 0.041); LVim angle (MD 2.16°; 95% CI 0.76-3.56; p-value = 0.004). Conversely, global longitudinal strain and LVEF did not show any significant difference before and after the procedure. Echocardiographic analysis of HDFs could help differentiate patients with LV function recovery after TAVI from patients with persistent hemodynamic dysfunction.

New Echocardiographic Parameters Predicting Successful Trans-Ventricular Beating-Heart Mitral Valve Repair with Neochordae at 3 Years: Monocentric Retrospective Study.

The NeoChord procedure is an echo-guided trans-ventricular beating-heart mitral valve repair technique to treat degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) due to prolapse and/or flail. The aim of this study is to analyze echocardiographic images to find pre-operative parameters to predict procedural success (≤moderate MR) at 3-year follow-up. Seventy-two consecutive patients with severe MR underwent the NeoChord procedure between 2015 and 2021. MV pre-operative morphological parameters were assessed using 3D transesophageal echocardiography with dedicated software (QLAB, Philips). Three patients died during their hospitalization. The remaining 69 patients were retrospectively analyzed. At follow-up, MR > moderate was found in 17 patients (24.6%). In the univariate analysis, end-systolic annulus area (12.5 ± 2.5 vs. 14.1 ± 2.6 cm2; p = 0.038), end-systolic annulus circumference (13.2 ± 1.2 vs. 14 ± 1.3 cm; p = 0.042), indexed left atrial volume (59 ± 17 vs. 76 ± 7 mL/m2; p = 0.041), and AF (25% vs. 53%; p = 0.042) were lower in the 52 patients with ≤ MR compared to those with > moderate MR. Annular dysfunction parameters were the best predictors of procedural success: 3D early-systolic annulus area (AUC 0.74; p = 0.004), 3D early-systolic annulus circumference (AUC 0.75; p = 0.003), and 3D annulus area fractional change (AUC 0.73; p = 0.035). Patient selection relying on 3D dynamic and static MA dimensions may improve the maintenance of procedural success at follow-up.

Echocardiographic Parameters to Predict Malignant Events in Arrhythmic Mitral Valve Prolapse Population.

Bileaflet Mitral Valve Prolapse (bMVP) has been linked to major arrhythmic events and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Consistent predictors in this field are still lacking. Echocardiography is the best tool for the analysis of the prolapse and its impact on the ventricular mechanics. The aim of this study was to find new echocardiographic predictors of malignant events within an arrhythmic MVP population. We evaluated 22 patients with arrhythmic bMVP with a transthoracic echocardiogram focused on mitral valve anatomy and ventricular contraction. Six of them had major arrhythmic events that required ICD implantation (ICD-MVP group), while sixteen presented with a high arrhythmic burden without major events (A-MVP group). The best predictors of malignant events were the Anterior Mitral Leaflet (AML) greater length and greater Mechanical Dispersion (MD) of basal and mid-ventricular segments, while other significant predictors were the larger mitral valve annulus (MVA) indexed area, lower MVA anteroposterior diameter/AML length ratio, higher inferolateral basal segment S3 velocity.

Three-Dimensional Finger Test: A New Echocardiographic Method to Locate the Best Access Site During NeoChord Procedure.

OBJECTIVE: Transventricular beating-heart mitral valve repair (TBMVR) with artificial chordae implantation is a technique to treat mitral valve prolapse. Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography completed with simultaneous biplane view during surgeon finger pushing on the left ventricular (LV) wall (finger test [FT]) is currently used to localize the desired LV access, on the inferior-lateral wall, between the papillary muscles (PMs). We aimed to compare a new three-dimensional (3D) method with conventional FT in terms of safety and better localization of LV access. METHODS: During TBMVR, conventional FT was completed using 3D transesophageal echocardiography by placing the sample box in the bicommissural view of the LV, including the PMs and the apex. The 3D volume was subsequently edited to visualize the LV from above (surgical view) to localize the bulge of the operator's finger pushing on the LV. We asked the first operator, the second operator, and the cardiac surgery fellow, separately, to evaluate the location of their finger pushing, both with the 2D method and the 3D method, to estimate the interoperator concordance. RESULTS: From 2019 to 2021, 42 TBMVRs were performed without complications related to access using FT completed with the 3D method. Regarding the choice of the right and safe entry site, the operator's agreement was higher using 3D rendering compared with conventional FT (mean agreement 0.59 ± 0.29 for 2D vs 0.83 ± 0.20 for 3D), while full operator agreement was 10 of 42 for 2D and 23 of 42 for 3D (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional FT is easy to perform and facilitates surgeons choosing the best access for TBMVR in term of anatomical localization and safety.

Echocardiographic abnormalities in the assessment of cardiac organ damage in never-treated hypertensive patients.

Hypertension-related cardiac organ damage, other than left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH), has been described: in particular, concentric remodeling, LV diastolic dysfunction (DD), and left atrial (LA) enlargement are significantly associated with cardiovascular morbility and mortality in different populations. This study evaluated the prevalence of these latter morphofunctional abnormalities, in never-treated essential hypertensive patients and the role of such a serial assessment of hypertensive cardiac damage in improving cardiovascular risk stratification in these patients. A total of 100 never-treated essential hypertensive subjects underwent a complete clinical and echocardiographic evaluation. Left ventricular morphology, systolic and diastolic function, and LA dimension (linear and volume) were evaluated by echocardiography. Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 14% of the patients, whereas concentric remodeling was present in 25% of the subjects. Among patients free from LV morphology abnormalities, the most frequent abnormality was LA enlargement (global prevalence 57%); the percentage of patients with at least one parameter consistent with DD was 22% in the entire population, but DD was present as the only cardiac abnormality in 1% of our patient. Left atrial volume indexed for body surface area was the most sensitive parameter in identifying hypertension-related cardiac modification. The global prevalence of cardiac alteration reached 73% in never-treated hypertensive patients. Left ventricular remodeling and LA enlargement evaluation may grant a better assessment of cardiac organ damage and cardiovascular risk stratification of hypertensive patients without evidence of LVH after routine examination.

Successful Percutaneous Retrieval of an Embolized Left Atrial Appendage Occluder.

A 75-year-old man with a previous mitral valve repair experienced embolization of a left atrial appendage occlusion device in the left atrium. The device was successfully retrieved using a double snaring technique, without the need for open surgery. This is an unusual report of left atrial appendage occluder retrieval, confirming the feasibility of the technique and the high flexibility of the device. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Clinical Outcomes Following Isolated Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the pooled clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of different isolated transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (ITTVR) strategies for significant (moderate or greater) tricuspid regurgitation (TR). BACKGROUND: Significant TR is a common valvular heart disease worldwide. METHODS: Published research was systematically searched for studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of ITTVR for significant TR in adults. The primary outcomes were improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and 6-minute walking distance and the presence of severe or greater TR at the last available follow-up of each individual study. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed comparing outcomes before and after ITTVR. RESULTS: Fourteen studies with 771 patients were included. The mean age was 77 ± 8 years, and the mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score was 6.8% ± 5.4%. At a weighted mean follow-up of 212 days, 209 patients (35%) were in NYHA functional class III or IV compared with 586 patients (84%) at baseline (risk ratio: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.13-0.40; P < 0.001). Six-minute walking distance significantly improved from 237 ± 113 m to 294 ± 105 m (mean difference +50 m; 95% CI: +34 to +66 m; P < 0.001). One hundred forty-seven patients (24%) showed severe or greater TR after ITTVR compared with 616 (96%) at baseline (risk ratio: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.20-0.42; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing ITTVR for significant TR experienced significant improvements in NYHA functional status and 6-minute walking distance and a significant reduction in TR severity at mid-term follow-up.

Valve-in-Valve-in-Ring: A Bailout Strategy to Tackle Paravalvular Leaks due to Device Malapposition.

A 55-year-old male with a history of severe organic mitral regurgitation treated with surgical mitral valve (MV) repair was referred for a transcatheter MV replacement due to recurrent regurgitation. After the release of the first transcatheter MV, a severe paravalvular leak coming from the lateral side was observed. To promptly tackle this issue, a second valve with further postdilation was successfully implanted and the paravalvular leak disappeared. This case highlights the feasibility of implanting a second valve in case of severe paravalvular leaks after MV-in-ring procedures due to device malapposition.

The Neochord Procedure After Failed Surgical Mitral Valve Repair.

Surgical mitral valve reintervention is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and repeat repair is not always feasible. We examine the clinical outcomes of the NeoChord procedure after failed conventional mitral valve repair. A total of 312 patients were treated with the NeoChord repair procedure between January 2014 and December 2018 at 5 European centers. Clinical and echocardiographic data were reviewed to identify patients who had a prior surgical mitral valve repair procedure. The primary endpoint (Patient Success) was a composite of placement of at least 2 neochordae and end-procedure mitral valve regurgitation (MR) ≤ mild, freedom from death, stroke, structural or functional procedure failure (MR > moderate), procedure or device-related unplanned procedures, cardiac-related rehospitalization, or worsening NYHA functional class at 1 and 2-year FU. Fifteen (15) patients were identified who required reoperation for failed surgical mitral valve repair. Mean time-to-reoperation was 2.7 years (2.2-6.1). Median intensive care unit stay was 24 hours and median hospitalization time was 7 days (6-8). No in-hospital deaths were observed. At discharge, mitral regurgitation was ≤ mild in 13 patients (86.7%). Patient success and freedom from more than mild MR were 92.3 ± 7.4% and 83.9 ± 10.4% at 1 and 2-year follow-up respectively. One high-risk patient presented with severe recurrent MR and died during surgical reintervention due to an acute aortic dissection. Selected patients can be successfully treated with the NeoChord procedure after failed surgical mitral valve repair. These results support a wider adoption of the NeoChord procedure as a first-line minimally invasive, alternative therapy to treat failed mitral valve repair.

Subclinical Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Severe Obesity and Reverse Cardiac Remodeling after Bariatric Surgery.

AIM: Obesity is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to assess the role of echocardiography in the early detection of subclinical cardiac abnormalities in a cohort of obese patients with a preserved ejection fraction (EF) undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty consecutive severely obese patients (body mass index≥35 kg/m2) referring to our center for bariatric surgery were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. Despite a baseline EF of 61% ± 3%, almost half patients (43%) had a systolic dysfunction (SD) defined as global longitudinal strain (GLS)>-18%, and most of them (60%) had left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or concentric remodeling (CR). At 10-months after surgery, body weight decreased from 120 ± 15 kg to 83 ± 12 kg, body mass index from 44 ± 5 kg/m2 to 31 ± 5 kg/m2 (both P < 0.001). Septal and left ventricular posterior wall thickness decreased respectively from 10 ± 1 mm to 9 ± 1 mm (P = 0.004) and from 10 ± 1 mm to 9 ± 1 mm (P = 0.007). All systolic parameters improved: EF from 61% ± 3% to 64% ± 3% (P = 0.002) and GLS from -17% ± 2% to -20% ± 1% (P < 0.001). Epicardial fat thickness reduction (from 4.7 ± 1 mm to 3.5 ± 0.7 mm, P < 0.001) correlated with the reduction of left atrial area (P < 0.001 R = 0.35) and volume (P = 0.02 R = 0.25). Following bariatric surgery, we observed a reduced prevalence of LVH/CR (before 60%, after 22%, P = 0.001) and a complete resolution of preclinical SD (before 43%, after 0%, P < 0.001). Moreover, a postoperative reduction of at least 30 kg correlated with regression of septal hypertrophy (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients candidate to bariatric surgery have an high prevalence of preclinical SD and LVH/CR, early detectable with echocardiography. Bariatric surgery is associated with reverse cardiac remodeling; it might also have a preventive effect on atrial fibrillation occurrence by reducing its substrate.