Hemodynamically significant prosthesis-patient mismatch can be predicted and is associated with early prosthetic valve dysfunction in aortic bioprosthesis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of predicted prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) regarding actual PPM measured postoperatively. To assess the association between PPM and prosthetic valve dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including adult patients after aortic valve replacement surgery with a biological prosthesis. Predicted PPM status was determined using mean reference effective orifice area indexed to total body surface (iEOA), without considering reference standard deviations. Postoperative PPM status was determined by measuring iEOA within the first 60 postoperative days. Prosthetic valve dysfunction was defined as thrombosis, pannus, valve degeneration, and/or disruption. RESULTS: 205 patients were enrolled between January 2003 and June 2017: predicted PPM was absent in 52 patients (25.4%), moderate in 137 patients (66.8%), and severe in 16 patients (7.8%). After surgery, the actual postoperative iEOA was measured: 53 (25.9%) did not have PPM, 73 had moderate PPM (35.6%), and 79 had severe PPM (38.5%). Predicted PPM identified the presence of hemodynamically significant actual postoperative PPM (OR = 2.56; 95%CI 1.30-5.05; P = .006), though not its degree of severity. Prosthetic valve dysfunction was more frequent among patients with hemodynamically significant PPM (53.9% vs. 11.3%; P < .001), compared to those without PPM. The association between PPM and prosthetic valve dysfunction was maintained after adjusting for gender, age, and ever-smoking (OR = 9.03; P < .001). The incidence of thrombosis or pannus was also nonsignificantly higher in patients with moderate or severe PPM. CONCLUSIONS: Predicted PPM identifies the presence, possibly not the severity, of actual postoperative PPM. Moderate or severe PPM is associated with prosthetic valve dysfunction. Actual postoperative prosthesis-patient mismatch measured within 60 postoperative days showed a distinctive hemodynamic profile and presented a stronger association with prosthetic valve dysfunction than predicted prosthesis-patient mismatch. A. Echocardiographic follow-up in patients according to the actual postoperative PPM measured within 60 postoperative days. B. Prediction of prosthetic valve dysfunction based on preoperative predicted PPM or on actual postoperative PPM within 60 postoperative days. PPM: prosthesis-patient mismatch. OR: Odds ratio.

Utility of Real Time 3D Echocardiography for the Assessment of Left Ventricular Mass in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Comparison with Cardiac Magnetic Resonance.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have irregular ventricular shapes with small and sometimes obliterated cavities at end-systole that affect the quantification of left ventricular mass (LVM) by conventional methods, such as M-mode or two-dimensional echocardiography. The goal of this study was to validate the use of real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) to quantify LVM using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) as a reference, in a large population of patients with different types of HCM. METHODS: Forty-eight consecutive patients with HCM had a complete transthoracic examination and CMR performed within 7 days. LVM was calculated by M-mode and RT3DE and compared to CMR that served as gold standard. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass calculated by RT3DE was 195 ± 41 g and 187 ± 49 g by CMR. The correlation between the two methods was moderate, with a Lin index of 0.63 and good linear correlation (r = 0.63, P < 0.0001). The correlation was high when RT3DE was of high or adequate image quality. The correlation between LVM by M-mode and CMR was poor. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional echocardiography is an accurate method for the quantification of LVM in patients with different subtypes of HCM that is in better agreement with CMR reference values than M-mode measurements.

Lateral left ventricular wall rupture following acute myocardial infarction: pathophysiological interpretation by multimodality imaging approach.

Lateral left ventricular wall rupture (LVWR) is a rare complication following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) less than 1%. After cardiogenic shock, LVWR constitutes the most common cause of in-hospital death in AMI patients. Around 40% of all LVWR occurred during the first 24 hours and 85% within the first week. In the present case, 76 hours following the intervention, LVWR was observed likely due to a small infarction at the lateral left ventricular wall possibly due to the marginal lesion. Our patient refused surgery and was followed clinically. Eighteen months later, real time three-dimensional echocardiography showed a pseudoaneurysm.

Coronary angiotomography in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation.

BACKGROUND: In patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) current clinical practice guidelines recommend coronary angiography for its study. This study aims to describe the role of coronary tomography (CT) in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). RESULTS: Patients over 18 years with a diagnosis of NSTE-ACS who did not meet high-risk criteria and consulted the emergency department of our institution were included. A total of 410 patients were included, in 7% of them, the study was not continued due to an elevated calcium score (>400 AU). 27% had no coronary lesions, 38% had non-obstructive coronary disease (plaques <50%), 27% had plaques over 50%, and 8% were not assessable. Of the total patients, 39% underwent coronary angiography, and 22% required percutaneous angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Performing CT in low and moderate-risk NSTE-ACS patients was feasible, avoiding invasive studies in a significant number of patients and providing extensive anatomical information.

Registro Nacional Argentino de Resonancia Cardíaca (RENAREC) / Argentine National Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Registry (RENAREC)

RESUMEN Introducción: La utilidad de la resonancia magnética cardíaca (RMC) ha crecido ampliamente en los últimos años, en los cuales se han publicado distintos registros internacionales sobre su uso e impacto clínico. Sin embargo, no contamos con este tipo de información en Argentina. Objetivo: Evaluar indicaciones, protocolos utilizados, seguridad y consecuencias terapéuticas de la RMC en la República Argentina. Material y métodos: Se diseñó un registro prospectivo a nivel nacional con recolección de datos demográficos, indicaciones de RMC, complicaciones asociadas, diagnósticos y consecuencias terapéuticas. Resultados: Participaron 34 centros de 10 provincias de Argentina (85% centros privados, 59% centros con internación). Se incluyeron 1131 pacientes (edad 54 ± 18 años, 61% varones). Las principales indicaciones para el estudio de RMC fueron la miocardiopatía hipertrófica (13,9%) y la arritmia ventricular (12,3%). El 99,7% de los estudios fueron reportados sin complicaciones. Los resultados más frecuentes de la RMC fueron: normal (31,2%), miocardiopatía no isquémica (14,7%), miocardiopatía isquémico-necrótica (11,6%) y miocardiopatía hipertrófica (8,9%). La sospecha clínica fue confirmada en el 23,6% de los casos y la RMC generó un diagnóstico nuevo no sospechado en el 48,7% de los casos. Las consecuencias terapéuticas más frecuentes fueron el alta hospitalaria (31,6%) seguida por el cambio en la medicación (28,1%). Conclusiones: La RMC es un estudio ampliamente utilizado en Argentina, principalmente en centros privados, con un número muy bajo de complicaciones. Las principales indicaciones son las miocardiopatías (hipertrófica y dilatada) y la arritmia ventricular, y provee un diagnóstico nuevo no sospechado en casi la mitad de los casos. Se requieren de otros estudios en el futuro para evaluar las implicancias clínicas y terapéuticas.

ABSTRACT Background: The usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has greatly increased in the last years. Different international registries have been published on its use; however, there is no data available from Argentina. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate different indications, protocols, safety and therapeutic consequences of cardiac MRI in Argentina. Methods: A prospective national registry was designed with collection of demographic data, indications for cardiac MRI, associated complications, diagnoses and therapeutic consequences. Results: A total of 34 centers from 10 provinces of Argentina (85% private and 59% with inpatient capacity) participated in the study, including 1131 patients (mean age 54±18 years and 61% males). The main indications for cardiac MRI were hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (13.9%), and ventricular arrhythmia (12.3%). In 99.7% of cases, no study complications were reported. The most frequent results of cardiac MRI were: normal (31.2%), non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (14.7%), ischemic-necrotic cardiomyopathy (11.6%) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (8.9%). Clinical suspicion was confirmed in 23.6% of cases and cardiac MRI generated an unsuspected new diagnosis in 48.7% of cases. The main therapeutic consequences were hospital discharge (31.6%) followed by change in medication (28.1%). Conclusions: Cardiac MRI is widely used in Argentina, mainly in private centers with a very low incidence of complications. Cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic and dilated) and ventricular arrhythmia are its main indication, and it provides a new unsuspected diagnosis in almost half of the cases. Further studies are required to assess its clinical and therapeutic impact.

Aneurisma de aorta ascendente: ¿cuál es el riesgo de reemplazar la raíz? / Ascending Aorta Aneurysm: What is the Risk of Replacing the Aortic Root?

RESUMEN Introducción: El riesgo-beneficio del reemplazo de los senos de Valsalva con el consiguiente reimplante coronario frente a la alternativa de mantenerlos, cuando hay dilataciones moderadas de la raíz, es un tópico que se debe definir. Objetivo: Analizar la morbimortalidad posoperatoria y a largo plazo en pacientes sometidos a reemplazo de la raíz aórtica comparados con aquellos en los que se han respetado los senos de Valsalva. Material y métodos: Entre 2002 y 2016, a 426 pacientes se les realizó reemplazo de aorta ascendente. Tras excluir de esa población las cirugías de urgencia, las aortopatías genéticas (excepto bicúspide), las reoperaciones y las cirugías del arco, se conformó una población de 259 pacientes. En 99 de ellos (38,2%) se reemplazó la aorta ascendente conservando la raíz; estos pacientes fueron comparados con los 160 (61,8%) pacientes restantes, en quienes se reemplazaron los senos de Valsalva. Resultados: El grupo en el que se preservó la raíz fue más añoso, con más mujeres, con un Euroscore mayor, con mayor incidencia de válvula bicúspide y enfermedad coronaria. El tiempo de circulación extracorpórea fue mayor en el grupo en el que se reemplazó la raíz. La mortalidad hospitalaria no fue diferente (1% para la conservación de raíz vs. 3,1% para el reemplazo de los senos de Valsalva (p = 0,272). En el análisis multivariado, el tiempo de circulación extracorpórea fue predictor de mortalidad posoperatoria. La sobrevida a 8 años no mostró diferencias significativas entre grupos. En el seguimiento, ningún paciente requirió reoperación debido a complicaciones de la aorta. En el análisis multivariado, la edad y la presencia de enfermedad valvular mitral fueron predictores de mortalidad alejada. Conclusión: El reemplazo de la aorta ascendente, ya sea reemplazando la raíz o respetando los senos de Valsalva, es una cirugía segura, con baja morbimortalidad hospitalaria. A largo plazo, la preservación de los senos de Valsalva no se asocia con más eventos ni con mayor mortalidad.

ABSTRACT Background: In mildly dilated aortic root, the cost-benefit of replacing of the sinuses of Valsalva with reimplantation of the coronary arteries or preserving them is still a matter of debate. Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze the postoperative and long-term morbidity and mortality of patients undergo-ing aortic root replacement versus aortic root surgery with sinuses of Valsalva preservation. Methods: Between 2002 and 2016, 426 patients underwent replacement of the ascending aorta. After excluding patients under-going urgent procedures, genetic aortic diseases (except for bicuspid aortic valve), reoperations and surgery of the aortic arch, the cohort was made up of 259 patients. In 99 of them (38.2%) the ascending aorta was replaced, preserving the aortic root; these patients were compared with the remaining 160 (61.8%) patients who underwent replacement of the sinuses of Valsalva. Results: Patients undergoing preservation of the aortic root were older, had higher percentage of female sex, higher EuroSCORE and with greater incidence of bicuspid aortic valve and coronary artery disease. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in the group undergoing aortic root replacement. There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality between both groups (1% in the group with preservation of the aortic root vs. 3.1% for replacement of the sinuses of Valsalva, p=0.272). Multivariate analysis showed that cardiopulmonary bypass was a predictor of in-hospital mortality. Survival at 8 years was similar in both groups. There were no new operations due to complications in the aorta during follow-up. At multivariate analysis, age and mitral valve disease were identified as predictors of long-term mortality. Conclusion: Replacement of the ascending aorta, either replacing the aortic root or preserving the sinuses of Valsalva, is a safe procedure, with low in-hospital mortality. Preservation of the sinuses of Valsalva is not associated with greater rate of events or mortality at the long-term.

Evolución a largo plazo de pacientes con miocardiopatía hipertrófica / Long-term Outcome of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Introducción: La miocardiopatía hipertrófica es una enfermedad compleja que se ha asociado durante años con tasas altas de morbimortalidad. Sin embargo, mucha de la información que tenemos en relación con su evolución proviene de centros en los que se incluyeron pacientes seleccionados, principalmente de riesgo alto. Objetivo: Evaluar los eventos en el seguimiento de pacientes con miocardiopatía hipertrófica en nuestro medio. Material y métodos: Se evaluó una cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes con diagnóstico de miocardiopatía hipertrófica. Se analizó la evolución de la clase funcional junto con la ocurrencia de eventos clínicos. Se recabaron datos del ecocardiograma y de la resonancia magnética cardíaca. Resultados: Se incluyeron 259 pacientes, con una mediana de seguimiento de 3,5 años (2-10). La edad promedio fue de 56 ± 16,8 años y el 38,2% de los pacientes tenían formas obstructivas de la enfermedad. Al inicio del seguimiento, el 67% se encontraban en clase funcional I. En la evolución, la mortalidad global fue del 1,6%, con el 1,1% de muerte súbita o choque apropiado de desfibrilador y el 6,6% de los pacientes presentaron fibrilación auricular. La tasa de internación por insuficiencia cardíaca resultó del 5,8% y en el 14,3% de los pacientes empeoró la clase funcional. Se realizaron 22 procedimientos de ablación septal y 15 miectomías, con mejoría significativa de la sintomatología. Conclusiones: El trabajo muestra que en el seguimiento de esta cohorte de pacientes con miocardiopatía hipertrófica la tasa de morbimortalidad fue baja; el principal evento adverso fue el empeoramiento de la clase funcional, seguido por el desarrollo de fibrilación auricular y la insuficiencia cardíaca, con una tasa baja de muerte súbita.