Risk of left atrial appendage thrombus in older patients with atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: We aimed to compare the prevalence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and its predictors between old and young patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Material and methods: The study included 1970 patients aged ≥ 65 (n = 822 (41.7%)) and < 65 (n = 1148 (58.3%)) referred for AF cardioversion or ablation preceded by transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Results: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) was prescribed in 799 (97.2%) patients aged ≥ 65 years and in 1054 (91.8%) of those aged < 65 years (p < 0.001). In patients treated with OAC, those aged ≥ 65 years less often received vitamin K antagonist (VKA) (267 (33.4%) vs. 416 (39.5%)) and more often non-VKA-OAC (NOAC) (532 (66.6%) vs. 638 (60.5%), p = 0.008, p = 0.008) compared to patients < 65 years. On TEE, LAA thrombus was more often observed in patients aged ≥ 65 years than those aged < 65 years (63 (7.7%) vs. 46 (4.0%), p < 0.001), with an absolute but not statistically significant difference between patients aged 65-74 and ≥ 75 years (47 (7.3%) vs. 16 (8.8%), p = 0.528). In patients aged ≥ 65 years, there was no difference in the prevalence of LAA thrombus between patients treated with VKA and NOAC, in contrast to patients aged < 65 years, in whom such a difference was observed (27 (6.5%) vs. 16 (2.5%), p = 0.002). In multivariate logistic regression, predictors of LAA thrombus in both age groups were older age, non-paroxysmal AF, and heart failure, whereas only in patients aged < 65 years - VKA use, and in those aged ≥ 65 years - lower glomerular filtration rate and platelet count. Conclusions: Despite OAC use, older patients with AF remain at high risk of LAA thrombus formation. Older age, non-paroxysmal AF, and heart failure are predictors of LAA thrombus, irrespective of age.

Left Atrial Thrombus in Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter Patients in Relation to Anticoagulation Strategy: LATTEE Registry.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter (AFl) increase the risk of thromboembolism. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in AF/AFl in relation to oral anticoagulation (OAC). Methods: LATTEE (NCT03591627) was a multicenter, prospective, observational study enrolling consecutive patients with AF/AFl referred for transesophageal echocardiography before cardioversion or ablation. Results: Of 3109 patients enrolled, 88% were on chronic, 1.5% on transient OAC and 10% without OAC. Of patients on chronic OAC, 39% received rivaroxaban, 30% dabigatran, 14% apixaban and 18% vitamin K antagonists (VKA). Patients on apixaban were oldest, had the worst renal function and were highest in both bleeding and thromboembolic risk, and more often received reduced doses. Prevalence of LAT was 8.0% (7.3% on chronic OAC vs. 15% without OAC; p < 0.01). In patients on VKA, prevalence of LAT was doubled compared to patients on non-VKA-OACs (NOACs) (13% vs. 6.0%; p < 0.01), even after propensity score weighting (13% vs. 7.5%; p < 0.01). Prevalence of LAT in patients on apixaban was higher (9.8%) than in those on rivaroxaban (5.7%) and dabigatran (4.7%; p < 0.01 for both comparisons), however, not after propensity score weighting. Conclusions: The prevalence of LAT in AF is non-negligible even on chronic OAC. The risk of LAT seems higher on VKA compared to NOAC, and similar between different NOACs.

Long-term outcomes and quality of life following implementation of dedicated mitral valve Heart Team decisions for patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation in tertiary cardiovascular care center.

BACKGROUND: This study was purposed to investigate which treatment strategy was associated with the most favourable prognosis for patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) following Heart Team (HT)-decisions implementation. METHODS: In this retrospective study, long-term outcomes of patients with severe MR qualified after HT discussion to: optimal medical treatment (OMT) alone, OMT and MitraClip (MC) procedure or OMT and mitral valve replacement (MVR) were evaluated. The primary endpoint was defined as cardiovascular (CV) death and the secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarctions (MI), strokes, hospitalizations for heart failure exacerbation and CV events during a mean (standard deviation [SD]) follow-up of 29 (15) months. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019, 176 HT meetings were held and a total of 157 participants (mean age [SD] = 71.0 [9.2], 63.7% male) with severe MR and completely implemented HT decisions (OMT, MC or MVR for 53, 58 and 46 patients, respectively) were included into final analysis. Comparing OMT, MC and MVR groups statistically significant differences between the implemented procedures and occurrence of primary and secondary endpoints with the most frequent in OMT-group were observed (p < 0.05). However, for interventional strategy MC was non-inferior to MVR for all endpoints (p > 0.05). General health status assessed at the end of follow-up were significantly the lowest for MVR, then for MC and the highest for OMT-group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study it was demonstrated that after careful HT evaluation of patients with severe MR at high risk of surgery, percutaneous strategy (MC) can be considered as equivalent to surgical treatment (MVR) with non-inferior outcomes.

Risk of left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, the incidence of left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus and its predictors, and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in a population of patients with AF depending on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values. METHODS: This study included 1962 patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiographic examination prior to cardioversion or ablation in the years 2014-2018 in three cardiac centers. RESULTS: More than a quarter of AF patients had decreased eGFR (< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and were characterized as a high-risk population, with more comorbidities, higher thromboembolic and bleeding risk compared to those with normal renal function. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) was prescribed in 97% and 93% of patients with decreased and normal eGFR, respectively, with a higher prevalence of prescribed non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The incidence of LAA thrombus (24%, 9% and 4%) and SEC (25%, 25% and 19%) increases simultaneously with a decrease in eGFR (< 30, 30-59 and ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively). Among patients prescribed reduced doses of NOAC, those with decreased eGFR were more often observed with LAA thrombus (10% vs. 2.5%). Non-paroxysmal AF, heart failure and previous bleeding were predictors of LAA thrombus, irrespective of eGFR value. CKD was the predictor of LAA thrombus in all patients including those with non-paroxysmal AF, males, without diabetes, without hypertension and with CHA2DS2-VASc < 2. CONCLUSIONS: Despite OAC, patients with concomitant AF and CKD remain at high risk for LAA thrombus formation.

NT-proBNP increase during stress echocardiography predicts significant changes in ischemic mitral regurgitation severity in patients qualified for surgical revascularization.

BACKGROUND: In many patients, significant changes in ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) severity during exercise can be observed independent of the degree of IMR at rest. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between N-terminal fragment B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and echocardiography measurements at rest and at peak exercise in patients with moderate IMR who qualified for surgical revascularization. METHODS: A total of 100 patients eligible for coronary artery bypass grafting, were included in this prospective study. All patients underwent exercise echocardiography. Additionally, the levels of NT-proBNP were measured at rest and after peak exercise. RESULTS: A positive correlation of absolute NT-proBNP levels with effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) were observed and with tricuspid regurgitant peak gradient (TRPG) at peak exercise. Absolute ΔNT-proBNP during exercise and the tenting area at rest were independent predictors of severe IMR at peak exercise. The level of absolute ΔNT-proBNP during exercise and coaptation height at rest were the most important predictors of significant increases in TRPG. The best cutoff value for ΔNT-proBNP as a predictor for increases in EROA at peak exercise was 68.9 pg/mL and to predict an increase in TRPG ≥ 50 mmHg at peak exercise was 68 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The level of ΔNT-proBNP during exercise was the most important parameter in predicting significant changes in IMR severity and pulmonary pressure. Based on the present data, it can be speculated that integration of the assessment of NT-proBNP at rest and at exercise might improve patient selection for valve surgery.

The quality of life in patients with at least moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation qualified to cardiosurgery treatment.

B a c k g r o u n d: To assess and compare mid-term outcomes and the quality of life (QoL) in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) and moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), treated with either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; group I) or CABG + mitral annuloplasty (CABG+MA; group II) in 12-months follow-up after surgery. M e t h o d s: We prospectively analyzed 74 patients (50.7% female, 66 [67-72] years) with at least moderate IMR, 3-24 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI). The effective regurgitation orifice (ERO) was used for a quantitative IMR assessment. To evaluate QoL we used a Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. R e s u l t s: Patients in group II spent more time in the hospital, expired more infection complications and received more often in-hospital complications requiring use amines and intra-aortic balloon pump as compared to those in group I. Analysis of SF-36 showed that all patients treated surgically notable improved their QoL during 12 months of follow-up. C o n c l u s i o n s: We observed a significant improvement in QoL among patients with MVD in 12 months follow-up after surgery irrespective of treatment type.

Stress Echocardiography Protocol for Deciding Type of Surgery in Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Predictors of Mitral Regurgitation Recurrence following CABG Alone.

PURPOSE: Although coronary artery bypass grafting alone (CABGa), or, with mitral annuloplasty (CABGmp), is considered the best therapeutic strategy for patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), some recurrences are still reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the mitral deformation indices (MDI) as a predictor of recurrence of mitral regurgitation in a 12-month follow-up after CABG alone. METHODS: A total of 145 patients after myocardial infarction with significant IMR, eligible for CABG, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Mitral valve morphology, left ventricle function, IMR degree as assessed by effective regurgitation orifice area (ERO), myocardial viability, and MDI were assessed prior to surgery. Patients were referred for CABGa (gr.1; n = 90) or CABGmp (gr.2; n = 55) based on clinical assessment, and the results of rest and stress echocardiography (exercise echocardiography and low dose dobutamine echocardiography-DBX). One year after surgery, each patient underwent the evaluation of cardiovascular events. Univariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors of recurrence of IMR in 1 year follow-up. Serial echo examinations were performed in all patients at discharge, and at 1 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed that in CABGa, group preoperative changes of tenting area (TA) and coaptation high (CH) during DBX remained the predictors of the recurrence of IMR in 12 months follow-up. TAdbx > 1 cm2 provided a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 29%, (AUC 0.6436). The best cut-off value for CHdbx was 0.4 cm (sensitivity 90%, specificity 34%; AUC 0.6432). In both groups (CABGa vs. CABGmp) no significant differences were observed in 12-month mortality (1.2% vs. 0%; p = 1.0), hospitalizations due to the heart failure (HF) exacerbation (5.9% vs. 8.5%; p = 0.72), and in the incidence of the composite endpoint (deaths/CV hosp/stroke) (7% vs. 8.5%; p = 0.742). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative assessment of MDI changes during dbx can be used to identify patients with IMR qualified to CABG alone at increased risk of recurrence of IMR in 1 year follow-up. Mitral deformation analysis should be used for a better qualification of patients with IMR to the exact surgical approach.

Polish Multicenter Registry (Pol-LAS-SE registry). Stress echocardiography in low-gradient aortic stenosis in Poland: numbers, settings, results, complications and clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic workup of low-gradient aortic stenosis (LG AS) is a challenge in clinical practice. AIMS: Our goal was to assess the diagnostic value of stress echocardiography (SE) performed in patients with undefined LG AS with low and preserved ejection fraction (EF) and the impact of its result on therapeutic decisions in Polish third level of reference. METHODS: All the patients with LG AS and with SE performed were recruited in 16 Polish cardiology departments between 2016 and 2019. The main exclusion criteria were as follows: moderate or severe aortic or mitral regurgitation and mitral stenosis. RESULTS: The study group included 163 patients (52% males) with LG AS who underwent SE for adequate diagnostic and therapeutic decision. In 14 patients DSE was non-diagnostic. The mean aortic valve (AV) pressure gradient was 24.1 (7.3) mm Hg, while an AV area was 0.86 (0.2) cm2. Among 149 patients with conclusive DSE, severe AS was found in 59.8%, pseudo-severe in 22%, and moderate AS in 18%. There were no cases of death or vascular events related to DSE. Among 142 patients 63 (44%) patients had an aortic valve intervention in a follow-up (median: 208 days; lower-upper quartile: 73-531 days). Based on the result of the DSE test, severe AS was significantly more often associated with qualification to interventional treatment compared to the moderate and pseudo-severe subgroups (P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The DSE test in severe AS is a valuable diagnostic tool in patients with LG AS in Poland.

Transparency of TEE3D surface rendering helps to assess the scale of hidden disaster.

Presented case illustrates additional value of applying a new visualization technique - 3D Surface Rendering during the three-dimensional echocardiography.

Echocardiographic Features of Cardiomyopathy in Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a very rare type of muscular dystrophy characterized by musculoskeletal abnormalities accompanied by cardiac defects. Two most common genetic subtypes are EDMD1 due to EMD and EDMD2 caused by LMNA gene mutations. The aim of the study was to characterize and compare the cardiac morphology and function in the two main genetic subgroups of EDMD with the use of echocardiography. METHODS: 41 patients with EDMD (29 EDMD1 and 12 EDMD2) as well as 25 healthy controls were enrolled in our study. Transthoracic echo with the use of a prescribed protocol was performed. RESULTS: Highly statistically significant differences with regard to left ventricle (LV) volumes between the EDMD and the control group were found. 51% of EDMD patients had an enlarged left atrium and as many as 71% had an enlarged right atrium. The LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly lower in EDMD patients than in the control group which corresponded also with a lower systolic velocity of the mitral annulus. 43% of EDMD patients had LVEF below the normal limit. Diastolic dysfunction was detected in 17% of EDMD patients. There were no significant differences between the two types of EDMD in terms of diameters and volumes of any chamber, as well as the systolic function of both left and right ventricles. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of EDMD patients present LV dilatation and different degrees of systolic dysfunction. Dilatation of the atria dominates over ventricle dilatation. We did not present any significant differences between EDMD1 and EDMD2 in terms of the morphology and the function of the heart.

Plasma Concentrations of Extracellular Vesicles Are Decreased in Patients with Post-Infarct Cardiac Remodelling.

Background, the mechanisms underlying left ventricular remodelling (LVR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remain obscure. In the course of AMI, blood cells and endothelial cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs). We hypothesized that changes in EV concentrations after AMI may underlie LVR. Methods, plasma concentrations of EVs from endothelial cells (CD146+), erythrocytes (CD235a+), leukocytes (CD45+), platelets (CD61+), activated platelets (P-selectin+), and EVs exposing phosphatidylserine after AMI were determined by flow cytometry in 55 patients with the first AMI. LVR was defined as an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume by 20% at 6 months after AMI, compared to baseline. Results, baseline concentrations of EVs from endothelial cells, erythrocytes and platelets were lower in patients who developed LVR (p ≤ 0.02 for all). Concentrations of EVs from endothelial cells and erythrocytes were independent LVR predictors (OR 8.2, CI 1.3-54.2 and OR 17.8, CI 2.3-138.6, respectively) in multivariate analysis. Combining the three EV subtypes allowed to predict LVR with 83% sensitivity and 87% specificity. Conclusions, decreased plasma concentrations of EVs from endothelial cells, erythrocytes and platelets predict LVR after AMI. Since EV release EVs contributes to cellular homeostasis by waste removal, decreased concentrations of EVs may indicate dysfunctional cardiac homeostasis after AMI, thus promoting LVR.

Echocardiographic photorealistic imaging of leiomyomatosis intravascularis.

We present a case of patient with leiomyomatosis intravascularis. To diagnose, we used 3D photorealistic imaging which allowed us better visualisation of pathological structures as well as planning the surgical procedure in greater detail. The main advantage of this technique is the possibility to move the virtual light source and thus visualize the specific part of the heart.

Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus Formation Despite Continuous Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Electrical Cardioversion or Catheter Ablation: A Comparison of Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban.

Left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) may be detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) despite continuous anticoagulation therapy. We examined the factors predisposing to LAAT in patients treated with the anticoagulants dabigatran and rivaroxaban. We retrospectively evaluated 1,256 AF patients from three centres who underwent TOE before electrical cardioversion (n = 611, 51.4%) or catheter ablation (n = 645, 48.6%) from January 2013 to December 2019 and had been on at least three weeks of continuous dabigatran (n = 603, 48%) or rivaroxaban (n = 653, 52%) therapy. Preprocedural TOE diagnosed LAAT in 51 patients (4.1%), including 30 patients (5%) treated with dabigatran and 21 patients (3.2%) treated with rivaroxaban (p=0.1145). In multivariate logistic regression, predictors of LAAT in patients treated with dabigatran were non-paroxysmal AF (vs. paroxysmal AF) (OR = 6.2, p=0.015), heart failure (OR = 3.22, p=0.003), and a eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (OR = 2.65, p=0.012); the predictors in patients treated with rivaroxaban were non-paroxysmal AF (vs. paroxysmal AF) (OR = 5.73, p=0.0221) and heart failure (OR = 3.19, p=0.116). In ROC analysis of the dabigatran group, the area under the curve (AUC) for the CHA2DS2-VASc-RAF score was significantly higher (0.78) than those for the CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHADS2 scores (0.67, 0.70, and 0.72, respectively). In the rivaroxaban group, the CHA2DS2-VASc-RAF score also performed significantly better (AUC of 0.77) than the CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHADS2 scores (AUC of 0.66, 0.64, and 0.67, respectively). The risk of LAAT was the same for patients in both treatment groups. In all patients, non-paroxysmal AF or heart failure, and in patients treated with dabigatran an eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, were independent predictors of LAAT. The new CHA2DS2-VASc-RAF scale had the highest predictive value for LAAT in the entire study population.

Prevalence and risk factors of left atrial thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation and lower class (IIa) recommendation to anticoagulants.

BACKGROUND: Oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) prevents ischaemic incidents in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). CHA2DS2-VASc risk score of ≥2 points in men and ≥3 in women is a class I indication for OAT. OAT should also be considered as a prevention of thromboembolism in AF men with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1 point and women with 2 points, but the class of recommendation is lower (IIa). This study aims to assess the occurrence of left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) and risk factors of its formation in patients with lower class recommendation to oral antiocoagulation treatment. METHODS: The study group consisted of 1,858 patients: 555 patients with class IIa indication to OAT (IIa group) and 1,303 patients with class I indication as a control group (I group). Patients were admitted to three cardiology departments. All subjects underwent transoesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: The incidence of LAAT was comparable in both IIa and I group: LAAT was confirmed in 30 (5.4%) subjects of IIa group and in 77 (5.9%) of I group. The prevalence of LAAT in IIa group was higher on treatment with VKAs (in comparison to NOACs) (8.4% vs. 3.4%, P=0.010), and lower in case of paroxysmal AF (in comparison to non-paroxysmal AF) (2.4% vs. 9.8%, P=0.0002). Multivariate logistic regression revealed the following variables as the independent predictors of LAAT in IIa group: treatment with VKAs (OR 2.99, 95% CI: 1.33-6.69; P=0.007), paroxysmal AF (OR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11-0.62; P=0.002) and eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR 3.19, 95% CI: 1.42-7.16; P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LAAT in AF patients with lower class (IIa) recommendation to anticoagulants was comparable to higher (I). Treatment with VKAs, along with non-paroxysmal type of AF and eGFR <60 mL/min/1.72 m2 were identified as the strongest predictors of LAAT in IIa group.

Decreased left atrial appendage emptying velocity as a link between atrial fibrillation type, heart failure and older age and the risk of left atrial thrombus in atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Decreased left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAV) is a known predictor of LAA thrombus in atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of our study was to identify which of the clinical risk factors for LAA thrombus are associated with decreased LAAV. METHODS: The study included 1476 consecutive AF patients who underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before AF direct current cardioversion or ablation in two high-reference cardiology departments. Patients were divided into two groups: 71 (4.8%) patients with LAAV < 20 cm/s and 1405 patients (95%) with LAAV ≥ 20 cm/s. RESULTS: Compared with patients with LAAV ≥ 20 cm/s, those with decreased LAAV were older, more often had non-paroxysmal AF, were burdened with more concomitant diseases (including hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, and heart failure [HF]) with higher median CHA2 DS2 -VASc score (3 [2-4] vs 2 [1-3], P < .0001), and had lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Prevalence of LAA thrombus was higher in patients with decreased LAAV compared with those with LAAV ≥ 20cm/s (20% vs 4.6%, P < .0001). In patients with decreased LAAV, there was no difference in the frequency of LAA thrombus between those treated with VKA and those receiving NOAC, while in patients with LAAV ≥ 20 cm/s a trend was observed towards a benefit with NOAC. In multivariate logistic regression, non-paroxysmal AF, HF and age ≥ 65 years predicted both LAAV < 20 cm/s and LAA thrombus, while GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 predicted only the presence of LAA thrombus. CONCLUSION: One in five AF patients with decreased LAAV had LAA thrombus, regardless of the type of OAC. Non-paroxysmal AF, HF and age ≥ 65 years might increase LAA thrombus risk via reduced LAAV.

Serum copeptin and copeptin/NT-proBNP ratio - new tools to differentiate takotsubo syndrome from acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Today no established biomarkers are available for the early diagnosis of takotsubo syndrome and its differentiation from ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that copeptin and copeptin/NT-proBNP ratio may serve a routine marker combination for non-invasive differentiation. METHODS: The study compared the serum concentrations of copeptin, troponin I (TnI) and NT-proBNP in 19 consecutive women diagnosed with takotsubo syndrome according to the Mayo Clinic criteria and 10 consecutive women diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Copeptin concentrations were significantly lower in patients with takotsubo syndrome than in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The diagnostic accuracy to distinguish takotsubo syndrome from ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is highest for copeptin/NTproBNP ratio, copeptin/TnI at admission ratio and copeptin alone (AUC 0.8713, 0.8538, 0.8480, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The serum copeptin to NTproBNP ratio could be an additional tool in the non-invasive differentiation between takotsubo syndrome and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. However, further researches are needed.