Efficacy of Native T1 Mapping for Patients With Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Functional Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the efficacy of left ventricular (LV) myocardial damage by native T1mapping obtained with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 40 symptomatic non-ischemic heart failure (HF) patients and ventricular functional mitral regurgitation (VFMR) undergoing TEER. LV myocardial damage was defined as the native T1Z-score, which was converted from native T1values obtained with CMR. The primary endpoint was defined as HF rehospitalization or cardiovascular death over 12 months after TEER. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the native T1Z-score was the only independent parameter associated with cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 3.40; 95% confidential interval 1.51-7.67), and that patients with native T1Z-scores <2.41 experienced significantly fewer cardiovascular events than those with native T1Z-scores ≥2.41 (P=0.001). Moreover, the combination of a native T1Z-score <2.41 and more severe VFMR (effective regurgitant orifice area [EROA] ≥0.30 cm2) was associated with fewer cardiovascular events than a native T1Z-score ≥2.41 and less severe VFMR (EROA <0.30 cm2; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of baseline LV myocardial damage based on native T1Z-scores obtained with CMR without gadolinium-based contrast media is a valuable additional parameter for better management of HF patients and VFMR following TEER.

Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy for refractory massive cardiac ascites in an adult with single ventricle haemodynamics: a case report.

Background: Cardiac ascites is a classical finding of right-sided heart failure, mainly caused by tricuspid valve disease and constrictive pericarditis. Refractory cardiac ascites, defined as ascites that is uncontrollable with any medication, including conventional diuretics and selective vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists, is a rare but challenging entity. Although cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is a therapeutic option for refractory ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis and malignancy, its efficacy in cardiac ascites has never been reported. We herein report a case of CART for refractory cardiac ascites in a patient with complex adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Case summary: A 43-year-old Japanese female with a history of ACHD involving single ventricle haemodynamics presented with refractory massive cardiac ascites due to progressive heart failure. Because conventional therapy using diuretics could not control her cardiac ascites, abdominal paracentesis was frequently required, resulting in hypoproteinaemia. Therefore, CART was initiated once per month in addition to conventional therapies, which enabled the prevention of hypoproteinaemia and further hospitalizations except to undergo CART. In addition, it helped improve her quality of life without any complications for 6 years until she died from cardiogenic cerebral infarction at the age of 49 years. Discussion: This case demonstrated that CART can be safely performed in patients with complex ACHD and refractory cardiac ascites due to advanced heart failure. Thus, CART may improve refractory cardiac ascites as effectively as massive ascites caused by liver cirrhosis and malignancy and lead to an improvement in the patients' quality of life.

Ventilator-assisted transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair for severe atrial functional mitral regurgitation: a case report.

Background: Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) is an entity of mitral regurgitation (MR) in atrial fibrillation (AF) with dilated left atrium (LA) and/or normal left ventricular function. Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with MitraClip is reportedly an effective therapy for AFMR. However, performing MitraClip for patients with such condition is challenging because of its characteristic morphology. Case summary: An 80-year-old man with permanent AF and severe MR was hospitalized for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. On echocardiography, a marked dilation of the LA caused the anterior mitral leaflet to flatten along the mitral annulus (MA) plane. The posterior mitral leaflet was tethered towards the posterior left ventricle, thus producing a coaptation gap of 6.5 mm between the leaflets. Given his high surgical risk, MitraClip therapy was performed, but leaflet grasping was difficult because of the notable coaptation gap. When positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was applied by mechanical ventilation, the MA gradually decreased in diameter. Under 20 cm H2O of PEEP, the coaptation gap decreased to 0 mm, which finally enabled the grasping of the leaflets. The clip was deployed, thus leaving only mild MR. Thereafter, the patient had an uneventful clinical course. Discussion: In patients with AFMR, the sagittal dilation of the MA and asymmetry in the tethering angles of the leaflets often produce a marked coaptation gap, which poses a challenge in MitraClip therapy. In our patient, the ventilator-assisted technique effectively reduced the coaptation gap between the leaflets, thus leading to successful results.

Impact of antithrombotic therapy on clinical outcomes in patients with type B acute aortic syndrome.

Objective: Antithrombotic therapy has the potential to interfere with false lumen thrombosis. In type B acute aortic syndrome, the degree of false lumen thrombosis affects clinical outcomes. We aimed to explore the association of antithrombotic therapy with the prognosis of patients with type B acute aortic syndrome. Methods: We reviewed 406 patients with type B acute aortic syndrome who were discharged alive with and without antithrombotic therapy. The primary outcome was aorta-related adverse events, defined as a composite of aorta-related death, aortic rupture, aortic repair, and progressive aortic dilation. Results: Of the 406 patients, 64 (16%) were discharged with antithrombotic therapy and 342 (84%) were discharged without antithrombotic therapy. A total of 249 patients (61%) presented with intramural hematoma with complete thrombosis of the false lumen, and 157 patients (39%) presented with aortic dissection. During a median follow-up of 4.6 years, 32 patients (50%) in the antithrombotic group and 93 patients (27%) in the nonantithrombotic group had a primary outcome event. Cumulative incidence of aorta-related events at 1 and 3 years with death as the competing risk was higher in the antithrombotic group than in the nonantithrombotic group (19% ± 5% vs 9% ± 2% at 1 year and 40% ± 7% vs 17% ± 2% at 3 years, P < .001). Conclusions: Antithrombotic therapy might be associated with an increased risk of aorta-related events in patients with type B acute aortic syndrome.

Aortic enlargement in two weeks is associated with subsequent aortic events in patients with type B acute aortic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether aortic enlargement in 2 weeks in patients with type B acute aortic syndrome is associated with aorta-related adverse events. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center study included 183 patients who were diagnosed with uncomplicated type B acute aortic syndrome (classic aortic dissection and intramural hematoma) between 2010 and 2019 and had follow-up computed tomography at second or third week. Aortic diameter was measured at admission and at predischarge follow-up. Aorta-related adverse events were defined by a composite of aortic rupture, surgical or endovascular aortic repair, redissection, severe intestinal malperfusion, and aortic enlargement. RESULTS: The patients whose aortic diameter enlarged ≥2 mm but <5 mm in 2 weeks were categorized as moderate aortic enlargement group. During follow-up, 51 patients (28%) had aorta-related adverse events and 36 patients (20%) had moderate aortic enlargement. Patients with moderate aortic enlargement showed lower aorta-related event-free survival rates than those without moderate enlargement (48 ± 9% vs 90 ± 3% at 1 year, P < .001). On multivariable analysis, moderate aortic enlargement (subhazard ratio, 3.64; 95% confidence interval, 2.08-6.35; P < .001) and aortic diameter ≥40 mm at admission (subhazard ratio, 2.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.60-5.48; P < .001) were associated with aorta-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate aortic enlargement in 2 weeks is a significant risk factor of aorta-related adverse events in patients with uncomplicated type B acute aortic syndrome. Patients with moderate aortic enlargement should be followed up carefully and may be candidates for subsequent endovascular treatment.

Rapidly progressive infective endocarditis after MitraClip therapy: A rare complication of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare, life-threatening complication of MitraClip (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL, USA) therapy. We report a case of an 84-year-old male who underwent transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve (MV) repair using MitraClip (Abbott, Abbott Park, IL, USA) 4 weeks prior for ventricular functional mitral regurgitation (MR) and returned with unstable hemodynamics and high-grade fever. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) on emergency admission showed thickening of the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) without apparent MR deterioration. TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) performed the next day showed severe MR due to rapidly progressing AML degeneration with aneurysmal formation. During the TEE examination, exacerbated heart failure due to severe MR caused cardiogenic shock and subsequent ventricular fibrillation, necessitating emergency extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Considering the positive findings of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in blood cultures and degenerative MV findings, MitraClip-related IE was diagnosed; finally, MV replacement was performed. Retrospective consideration suggested that the potential causes of this MitraClip-related IE were valve injuries caused by multiple full-close procedures and insufficient prophylaxis for preoperatively detected MRSA. MitraClip-related IE has destructive characteristics that necessitate surgical intervention despite high risks; therefore, we should prevent procedure-related MV injuries and implement preoperative infection precautions to prevent catastrophic complications, particularly in patients with preoperative nasal MRSA-positive findings. Learning objectives: MitraClip-related infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but fatal condition. IE caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in particular, has an inferior prognosis with high mortality rates due to its destructive nature. Therefore, interventionalists should consider preventive strategies to avoid procedure-related valve injuries and adequately prepare for prophylaxis of patients who are carriers of MRSA to prevent MitraClip-related IE caused by MRSA.

Impact of serum lactate dehydrogenase on the short-term prognosis of COVID-19 with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and underlying cardiovascular comorbidities have poor prognoses. Our aim was to identify the impact of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which is associated with mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome, on the prognoses of patients with COVID-19 and underlying cardiovascular comorbidities. METHODS: Among 1518 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 enrolled in the CLAVIS-COVID (Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection in Hospitalized Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases and/or Risk Factors study), 515 patients with cardiovascular comorbidities were analyzed. Patients were divided into tertiles based on LDH levels at admission [tertile 1 (T1), <235 U/L; tertile 2 (T2), 235-355 U/L; and tertile 3 (T3); ≥356 U/L]. We investigated the impact of LDH levels on the in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The mean age was 70.4 ± 30.0 years, and 65.3% were male. There were significantly more in-hospital deaths in T3 than in T1 and T2 [n = 50 (29.2%) vs. n = 15 (8.7%), and n = 24 (14.0%), respectively; p < 0.001]. Multivariable analysis adjusted for age, comorbidities, vital signs, and laboratory data including D-dimer and high-sensitivity troponin showed T3 was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.50-6.13; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: High serum LDH levels at the time of admission are associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death in patients with COVID-19 and known cardiovascular disease and may aid in triage of these patients.

Optimal Timing of Surgery for Patients with Active Infective Endocarditis.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but serious condition with a dismal prognosis. One of the keys to improving outcomes is the prompt identification of high-risk patients who have intracardiac and extracardiac (systemic and neurologic) complications. However, as cardiac and extracardiac complications indicating surgery add to the surgical risk for active IE, controversies surround the optimal indication and timing for surgery, especially in patients presenting neurologic complications. This article reviews the necessary evaluation for patients with suspected IE and proposes a state-of-the-art patient flow chart for evaluation of suspected IE.

Real-time observation of a high-echoic mass in the left ventricle during transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Increasing number of symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis is treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Stroke is one of the most serious complications of TAVI, and the majority of cerebral events in patients undergoing TAVI have an embolic origin. CASE SUMMARY: A 90-year-old female underwent trans-femoral TAVI for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Just before the implantation of the transcatheter heart valve (THV), transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) showed a mobile, high-echoic mass attached to the THV, which gradually enlarged to 26 mm, then spontaneously detached from the THV and flowed up the ascending aorta, disappearing from the TOE field of. After the procedure, the patient presented with ischaemic stroke. The patient's stroke was thought to have resulted from the embolism migrating to the distal cerebral arteries. DISCUSSION: The detailed images acquired with TOE during TAVI enabled the prompt identification of the unusual intracardiac mass.