Safety and efficacy of transcatheter mitral valve repair in patients with COPD; results from real-world cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). BACKGROUND: Heart failure and COPD share many clinical features and commonly coexist. Data about the safety and efficacy of TMVR in patients with COPD is not conclusive. METHODS: Three hundred and forty consecutive patients undergoing TMVR were retrospectively included. COPD diagnosis was based on pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Intra-hospital, 30-day- and 1-year outcomes were compared between both groups. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients had COPD (24%). There was no difference in intra-hospital mortality between patients with and without COPD (both 5%, p = 0.95). Among patients who had a successful procedure and survived to discharge there was a trend toward more rehospitalization due to decompensated heart failure at 30-day follow-up in patients with COPD (12.9% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.08) with no difference in mortality. At median follow-up of 1 year, New York heart association (NYHA) category was comparable among both groups and there was no significant difference in rehospitalization (COPD: 29.9% vs. non-COPD: 34%, p = 0.5). There was a trend toward increased 1-year mortality in COPD patients (31.2% vs. 20.6%, p = 0.06). However, a composite endpoint of rehospitalization or death at 1 year did not differ between both groups (48% vs. 42.5%, p = 0.4). Regression analysis showed no correlation between COPD severity and worse TMVR outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: COPD is highly prevalent among patients undergoing TMVR. However, TMVR seems to be safe and effective in COPD patients. COPD severity and PFT impairment alone should not be considered as a contraindication for TMVR.

General Anesthesia Leads to Underestimation of Regurgitation Severity in Patients With Secondary Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of general anesthesia (GA) on severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty consecutive patients with symptomatic severe MR and extremely high surgical risk. INTERVENTION: TMVR under GA. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiography was performed during the preprocedural workup under conscious sedation and during TMVR under GA. After the parameters of MR were assessed, color-flow jet area (CJA), vena contracta (VC), effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), regurgitant volume (RVOL), three-dimensional (3D) vena contracta area (VCA), and severity of MR were compared between the two examinations. In patients with primary MR (n = 11), there were no significant differences in CJA, VC, EROA, RVOL, or 3D-VCA between pre- and intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiography. In patients with secondary MR (n = 39), GA led to significant decreases of CJA (10 ± 7 v 7 ± 3 cm², p < 0.001), VC (5.5 ± 1.6 v 4.7 ± 1.5 mm, p = 0.002), EROA (30 ± 11 v 24 ± 10 mm², p < 0.001), and RVOL (47 ± 17 v 34 ± 13 mL/beat, p < 0.001). Consequently, GA led to a downgrade of regurgitation severity classification in 44% of patients when assessed by two-dimensional analysis. When evaluated by 3D analysis, GA also led to a significant but less extensive decrease of MR (3D-VCA: 66 ± 27 v 60 ± 29 mm², p = 0.002), and subsequent downgrade of MR classification in 20% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: GA underestimates regurgitation severity in patients with secondary, but not primary MR, undergoing TMVR. This effect must be considered when evaluating the immediate result of the procedure.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair in Patients with Cardiac Implanted Electrical Devices and Trans-Tricuspid Leads.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair using the edge-to-edge-technique (TEER) has emerged as an alternative therapy in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and high surgical risk. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of tricuspid valve TEER in patients with cardiac implanted electric devices (CIEDs). METHODS: All patients who underwent tricuspid valve TEER at our center were retrospectively included. Patients were classified according to the presence of CIEDs. Procedure success was defined as implantation of at least one clip and the reduction of TR of at least one grade. Procedure success and intrahospital outcome were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: One-hundred and six consecutive patients underwent tricuspid TEER (age 80.1 ± 6.4 years, male = 42; 39.6%). Among them, 25 patients (23.6%, age 80.6 ± 7.3 years, male = 14; 56%) had CIEDs. Patients with CIEDs had a significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) compared to those without CIEDs (47.2 ± 15% vs. 56.2 ± 8.2%, p = 0.004, respectively). Moreover, arterial hypertension was more common in patients with CIEDs (96% vs. 79%, p = 0.048). The success of the procedure did not differ between the non-CIED vs. CIED group (93.8% vs. 92%, p = 0.748). Furthermore, the number and position of implanted clips, the duration of the procedure, the post-procedural pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve, and post-procedural TR severity were comparable between both groups. CONCLUSION: Tricuspid valve TEER is feasible and efficient in patients with CIEDs. The success of the procedure, as well as the intrahospital outcome were comparable between patients with and without CIEDs.

[Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and the myocardium : Differentiation between vital and nonvital tissue]. / Kardiale Magnetresonanztomographie und Myokard : Differenzierung zwischen vitalem und avitalem Gewebe.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR), a well-established imaging tool, is indispensable in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. Given its high spatial resolution and ability to characterize tissue, cMR represents the gold standard in determining myocardial viability. Gadolinium-based contrast-enhanced cMR can accurately identify myocardial scars and fibrosis in the ventricle and the atria, and differentiate it from normal myocardium. Gadolinium is an extracellular molecule which has been shown to be safe and beneficial in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Due to the larger extracellular space in myocardial scars, there is more uptake (wash-in) and slower elimination (wash-out) of gadolinium in those areas as opposed to normal myocardium. When imaged several minutes after intravenous administration of gadolinium, nonviable myocardial areas appear brighter than viable myocardium. The use of late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique in assessing myocardial viability has been shown to highly correlate with histological examinations. Furthermore, this technique is highly reproducible and has very high intra- and interobserver agreement. Extent of LGE after myocardial infarction predicts the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events. Moreover, LGE is highly accurate in predicting functional recovery of dysfunctional myocardial segments in patients undergoing revascularization and consequently has a key role in guiding revascularization procedures. In addition, use of LGE in the identification of myocardial fibrosis or myocardial damage in inflammatory myocardial disease helps to differentiate the type of cardiomyopathy and to predict sudden cardiac death among patients with heart failure. The role of LGE-MRI in the field of electrophysiology through recognition of different substrate for arrythmias and guiding the ablation therapy is steadily increasing and has fundamentally changed our understanding of atrial myopathy.

Prediction of procedural success of transcatheter mitral valve repair with normal and extended clip arms.

TMVR using different clip sizes is a treatment option for selected patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). This study sought to identify predictors of successful transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) by 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and to compare different effects of the larger XTR and the smaller NT/NTR devices. 3D transesophageal echocardiography was performed on 54 patients with secondary MR undergoing TMVR with one clip (55.6% NT/NTR, 44.4% XTR). All NT/NTR and 96% of XTR patients had MR reduction ≤ 2+. Despite more severe baseline MR (3D vena contracta area (VCA): 0.67 ± 0.34 cm2 vs. 0.43 ± 0.19 cm2, p = 0.004) and greater mitral valve area (MVA) (6.8 ± 2.1 cm2 vs. 5.1 ± 1.6 cm2, p = 0.001) in the XTR group, MR severity after TMVR was not different between XTR and NT/NTR patients (3D VCA: 0.19 ± 0.14 vs. 0.17 ± 0.10, p = 0.51). Baseline 3D VCA > 0.45 cm2 in NT/NTR (AUC = 0.802, 95% CI 0.602 to 1.000) and 3D VCA > 0.54 cm2 in XTR devices (AUC = 0.868, 95% CI 0.719 to 1.000) were associated with ineffective MR reduction defined as residual VCA ≤ 0.2 cm2. Baseline MVA ≤ 4.2 cm2 in NT/NTR (AUC = 0.920, 95% CI 0.809 to 1.000) and MVA ≤ 6.0 cm2 in XTR devices (AUC = 0.865, 95% CI 0.664 to 1.000) were associated with postprocedural transmitral pressure gradient (TMPG) ≥ 5 mmHg. TMVR using the XTR device resulted in an equally effective reduction of MR despite of a greater baseline MR. Distinct cut-off values of baseline 3D VCA and MVA for prediction of successful MR reduction and postprocedural increase of TMPG were identified for the different devices.

Outcome of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair in patients with diabetes mellitus: Results from a real-world cohort.

BACKGROUND: There are only limited data on patients with diabetes undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in real-world settings. Previous data indicated patients with diabetes to have a worse prognosis. This study sought to evaluate safety and efficacy of TEER in patients with diabetes in a real-world cohort. METHODS: In this monocentric study 340 consecutive patients with severe primary and secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing TEER were included. Immediate results of the procedure, intrahospital and one-year outcome were compared between patients with and without diabetes. RESULTS: Diabetes was present in 109 patients (32%). Patients with diabetes were younger (77 y (71, 81) vs. 79 y (74, 83); p = 0.003), had more often ischemic cardiomyopathy (68% vs. 48%; p<0.001), previous coronary-artery bypass graft (35% vs. 20%; p = 0.002) and arterial hypertension (89% vs. 75%; p<0.001) compared to those without diabetes. Baseline NYHA class, type of MR (primary vs. secondary), left ventricular dimensions and function (ejection fraction: 37% (28, 50) vs. 40% (29, 55); p = 0.10) as well as severity of MR were not different between both groups. Success of the procedure (95% vs. 95%; p = 0.84), intrahospital mortality (5.5% vs. 4.8%; p = 0.98) and one-year follow-up regarding all-cause mortality (24.2% vs. 23.0%; p = 0.72), hospitalization for heart failure (37.4% vs. 31.0%, p = 0.23), NYHA class (p = 0.14) or MR severity (p = 0.59) did not differ between both groups. CONCLUSION: Our real-world data suggest that TEER seems to be similarly safe and effective in patients with severe MR and diabetes compared to those without diabetes.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair is feasible and effective in oldest-old patients: results from real-world cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) using MitraClip® devices in oldest-old patients compared to younger patients. METHODS: The study retrospectively included 340 consecutive patients who underwent TMVR. Patients were classified according to age into the oldest-old (age ≥ 85 years) patient group or the younger (age < 85 years) patient group. Immediate results of the procedure, intrahospital outcomes and one-year outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Oldest-old patients represented 15.9% (n = 54) of all patients. Procedure success was comparable for the oldest-old patient group and the younger patient group (92.6% vs. 95.8%, P = 0.30), and there was no difference in intrahospital mortality (9.2% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.12). At a one-year follow-up (interquartile range: 6-16 months), there was no significant difference in rehospitalization due to decompensated heart failure (25.5% vs. 34.3%, P = 0.24) or all-cause mortality (29.8% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.26) between the oldest-old patient group and the younger patient group. In patients with available echocardiographic follow-up, severity of residual mitral regurgitation was also comparable between the oldest-old patient group and the younger patient group. CONCLUSIONS: TMVR seems to be feasible and effective in oldest-old patients and should be considered for oldest-old patients presenting with symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation and high surgical risk.

Application of recommended therapies among patients with heart failure during the Syrian conflict: reality and barriers.

AIMS: Lower socio-economic status may delay and even prevent the application of guideline-directed heart failure (HF) therapy for most patients. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and possible difficulties facing the application of this treatment during the current Syrian conflict. METHODS AND RESULTS: A questionnaire on HF management and feasibility of recommended HF therapy was addressed to physicians practising cardiology in Syria. The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions and focused on the quality of HF management and awareness of recommended drug and device therapy for HF among physicians practising cardiology in Syria. A total of 228 physicians participated in the survey. Awareness of recommended medical and device therapy of HF was very high among participants (98% and 95%, respectively). The majority of participants (>75%) believe that more than half of HF patients do not receive optimal medical HF therapy. Ninety per cent of participants believe that <10% of patients with an appropriate indication for device therapy receive it. More than 75% of participants believe that the cost of medications, alone or in combination with other medical causes, represents the major problem facing the application of optimal HF medical therapy. More than 95% of participants reported that cost alone, or in combination with unavailability, is the primary reason why patients with appropriate indications are not offered device therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high level of awareness of recommended HF therapies among Syrian cardiologists, the majority of HF patients are still undertreated. Financial difficulties and lack of resources are the main causes of this problem.

A case report of transcatheter mitral valve repair in patient with severe acute mitral regurgitation, cardiogenic shock, and left atrial appendage thrombus as a rescue therapy: facing all enemies at once!

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) in patients with severe acute mitral regurgitation (MR) and high surgical risk has been described. Moreover, the use of cerebral protection device (CPD) during TMVR in patients without evidence of intracardiac thrombus has been investigated. To the best of our knowledge, TMVR as a rescue therapy in a patient with acute ischaemic MR, cardiogenic shock, and left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus with concurrent use of CPD has not been reported. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old female with subacute lateral myocardial infarction caused by subacute stent thrombosis after stent implantation in the left circumflex artery 3 weeks previously presented with acute heart failure due to acute severe MR at a peripheral hospital. The patient was transferred to our tertiary centre for operative mitral valve repair. Transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed the presence of LAA thrombus. During the admission, the patient developed an electrical storm and cardiogenic shock. Because of the extremely high surgical risk and the lack of other therapeutic options, the patient was treated with TMVR (MitraClip™, Abbott Structural Heart Devices, Santa Clara, CA, USA) with the use of CPD (Sentinel™; Boston scientific) as a rescue therapy. After the procedure, the clinical and haemodynamic conditions of the patient improved significantly, and she could be discharged home without any neurological sequelae. CONCLUSION: TMVR with concurrent use of CPD as a rescue therapy may be considered in non-operable patients with cardiogenic shock caused by acute severe MR and evidence of LAA thrombus when no other therapy options are possible.

Incidence and clinical relevance of persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect after percutaneous mitral valve repair.

Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) requires transseptal puncture and results in iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD). The impact of persistent iASD was previously investigated. However, data were diverse and inconclusive. 53 patients who underwent MITRACLIP were retrospectively included. Based on the presence of iASD in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after 6 months, patients were divided in two groups (iASD group vs. non-iASD group). Impact of iASD on outcome at 6 months and at two years was evaluated. Persistent iASD was detected in 62% of patients. Independent predictors for persistent iASD were female gender and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. At 6-month follow-up, there was no difference in reduction of NYHA class (ΔNYHA = 1.3 ± 1 in iASD group vs. 0.9 ± 1 in non-iASD group, p = 0.171). There was a significant difference in right ventricular end diastolic diameter (RVEDd) (42 ± 8 mm in iASD-group vs. 39 ± 4 mm in non-iASD group, p = 0.047). However, right ventricular systolic function (TAPSE) (14 ± 7 mm in iASD group vs. 16 ± 8 mm in non-iASD group, p = 0.176) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) (40 ± 12 mmHg in iASD group vs. 35 ± 10 mmHg in non-iASD group, p = 0.136) were still comparable between both groups. At 2 years follow-up, there was no significant difference regarding rate of rehospitalization (24% vs 15%, p = 0.425) or mortality (12% vs 10%, p = 0.941) between both groups. Incidence of persistent iASD after MITRACLIP is markedly high. Despite the increase in right ventricular diameter in patients with persistent iASD, these patients were not clinically compromised compared to patients without persistent iASD.

Dynamic handgrip exercise for the evaluation of mitral valve regurgitation: an echocardiographic study to identify exertion induced severe mitral regurgitation.

Handgrip exercise (HG) has been occasionally used as a stress test in echocardiography. The effect of HG on mitral regurgitation (MR) is not well known. This study aims to evaluate this effect and the possible role of HG in the echocardiographic evaluation of MR. 722 patients with MR were included (18% primary, 82% secondary disease). We calculated effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume (RVOL) at rest and during dynamic HG. Increase in MR was defined as any increase in EROA or RVOL. We analyzed the data to identify possible associations between clinical or echocardiographic parameters and the effect of HG on MR. MR increased during dynamic HG in 390 of 722 patients (54%) (∆EROA = 25%, ∆RVOL = 27%). Increase of regurgitation occurred in 66 of 132 patients with primary MR (50%) and in 324 of 580 patients with secondary MR (55%). This increase was associated with larger baseline EROA and RVOL, but it was independent from other clinical or echocardiographic parameters. In secondary MR, dynamic HG led to a reclassification of regurgitation severity from non-severe at rest to severe MR during HG in 104 of 375 patients (28%). There was a significant association between this upgrade in MR classification and higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (OR 1.486, 95%-CI 1.138-1.940, p = 0.004). Dynamic HG exercise increases MR in about half of patients independent of the etiology. Dynamic HG may be used to identify symptomatic patients with non-severe secondary MR at rest but severe MR during exercise.

Post-cardiac injury syndrome after transcatheter mitral valve repair using MitraClip system: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Post-cardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is an inflammatory process that may occur after myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, percutaneous cardiac interventions or chest trauma. To our knowledge, PCIS following transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) using the MitraClip system has not been reported. CASE SUMMARY: A 79-year-old female with chronic heart failure and severe mitral regurgitation received TMVr using the MitraClip system. After the procedure she developed elevated inflammatory markers, pericardial and pleural effusion. Cardiac magnetic resonance provided signs of pericardial and pleural inflammation. After initiating an anti-inflammatory therapy with Aspirin and Colchicine, inflammatory markers decreased markedly, pleural and pericardial effusions were regressive, and the patient showed rapid clinical improvement. DISCUSSION: Post-cardiac injury syndrome may occur after TMVr and should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients developing chest pain, signs of pericarditis with or without pericardial effusion and elevated inflammatory markers.