Comparison Between Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Regurgitation: Presentation, Survival, and Aorta Complications.

Background: Although the Asian population is growing globally, data in Asian subjects regarding differences between bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) in aortic regurgitation (AR) remain unexplored. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine differences between Asian BAV-AR and TAV-AR in significant AR, including aorta complications. Methods: The study included 711 consecutive patients with chronic moderate to severe and severe AR from 2008 to 2020. Outcomes included all-cause death, aortic valve surgery (AVS), and incidence of aortic dissection (AD). Results: There were 149 BAV-AR (mean age: 48 ± 16 years) and 562 TAV-AR (mean age: 68 ± 15 years; P < 0.0001) patients; baseline indexed left ventricle and indexed aorta size were larger in TAV-AR. Total follow-up was 4.8 years (IQR: 2.0-8.4 years), 252 underwent AVS, and 185 died during follow-up; 18 cases (only 1 BAV) of AD occurred, with a mean maximal aorta size of 60 ± 9 mm. The 10-year AVS incidence was higher in TAV-AR (51% ± 4%) vs BAV-AR (40% ± 5%) even after adjustment for covariates (P < 0.0001). The 10-year survival was higher in BAV-AR (86% ± 4%) vs TAV-AR (57% ± 3%; P < 0.0001) and became insignificant after age adjustment (P = 0.33). Post-AVS 10-year survival was 93% ± 5% in BAV-AR and 78% ± 5% in TAV-AR, respectively (P = 0.08). The 10-year incidence of AD was higher in TAV-AR (4.8% ± 1.5%) than in BAV-AR (0.9% ± 0.9%) and was determined by aorta size ≥45 mm (P ≤ 0.015). Compared with an age- and sex-matched population in Taiwan, TAV-AR (HR: 3.1) had reduced survival (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that TAV-AR patients were at a later stage of AR course and had a high AD rate as opposed to BAV-AR patients in Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of early referral for timely management. Surgery on the aorta with a lower threshold in TAV-AR should be considered.

Dual Left Main Coronary Arteries With Ischemia and Coronary Steal.

A 59-year-old man had angina and an abnormal perfusion scan. Work-up revealed 2 left main coronary arteries: the anomalous artery originated from the right coronary cusp and took an aberrant interventricular septal course; the other artery was atretic. He underwent surgical unroofing, with resolution of symptoms. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Aortic Sinus Contrast Retention During TAVR: A Warning Sign Preceding a Potential Thrombotic Complication.

Sinus contrast material retention after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a rare phenomenon that may reflect an increased risk for thrombotic complications. We present 3 cases of persistent contrast agent retention in the sinus of Valsalva during the TAVR procedure that portend the occurrence of embolic stroke or bioprosthetic valve thrombosis. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Distance between valvular leaflet and coronary ostium predicting risk of coronary obstruction during TAVR.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the distance between the aortic valve in projected position to the coronary ostium to determine risk of coronary artery obstruction after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). METHODS: An Expected Leaflet-to-ostium Distance (ELOD) was obtained on pre-TAVR planning computed tomography by subtracting leaflet thickness and the distances from the center to the annular rim at annulus level and from the center to the coronary ostium at mid-ostial level. Variables were compared between patients with and without coronary obstruction and the level of association between variables was assessed using log odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: A total of 177 patients with 353 coronary arteries was analyzed. Mean annulus diameters (22.8 ± 2.8 mm and 23.4 ± 1.0 mm, p > 0.05) and mean sinus of Valsalva (SOV) diameters (31.2 ± 3.6 mm and 31.9 ± 3.6 mm, p > 0.05) were similar between patients with lower and higher coronary heights, respectively. There were three coronary obstruction cases. ELOD ≤ 2 mm in combination with leaflet length longer than mid-ostial height allowed for discrimination of cases with and without coronary obstruction. There was a significant association between coronary obstruction event and ELOD ≤ 2 mm (log OR = 6.180, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that a combination of ELOD < 2 mm and a longer leaflet length than mid-ostial height may be associated with increased risk for coronary obstruction during TAVR.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Bicuspid Aortic Insufficiency After Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement.

Bicuspid aortic insufficiency (BAI) patients with root aneurysm often require aortic valve and root replacement in a composite procedure. The valve-sparing root replacement (VSARR) procedure is aimed at preserving the native valve when possible. This case highlights a successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure in a BAI patient previously treated with VSARR. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Follow-up aortic dilatation in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot using cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

PURPOSE: The study sought to determine the rate of aortic expansion and correlation with somatic growth in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF), and predictors for determining the annual growth rate of the aorta (Ao-AGR). METHODS: Ninety-four rTOF patients (mean age 14.5 ± 4.4 years) with two cardiac magnetic resonance tests (CMR) (median duration 52 months, interquartile range, IQR 24-71) were analyzed for aortic diameter (AoD) at the annulus, the sinus of Valsalva (SoV), the sinotubular junction, and the ascending aorta (AAo), and compared with the normal limit AoD (NL-AoD) values. The median age-at-repair was 60 months (IQR 36-84). Ao-AGR and its index (Ao-AGRI) were derived from changes of the AoD and AoD-index, respectively, divided by the duration between the two studies. Three potential predictors (baseline AoD, sex, and age-at-repair) for the progression of Ao-AGR were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a significant larger AoD than NL-AoD (p < 0.001). Slow aortic growth was encountered in 78-85 % of patients. The Ao-AGR was slow, the median AGR ranged from 0.37 mm (IQR 0.13-0.72) at annulus to 0.56 mm (IQR 0.22-0.91) at AAo. There was a regression in Ao-AGRI, ranged from -1.41 mm (IQR -1.94, -0.87) at annulus to -2.36 mm (IQR -3.09, -1.63) at SoV. The three predictors were not correlated with severity of Ao-AGR. CONCLUSION: Most adolescents with rTOF show significant aortic dilatation. There is a slow Ao-AGR with regression of Ao-AGRI, which may suggest that the rate of aortic growth is slower than the somatic growth. There are no significant predictors of the progression of Ao-AGR.

Roadmap to the Mechanisms of Aortic Regurgitation on Echocardiography.

The purpose of this series was to improve assessment of the aortic valve by echocardiography and to encourage echocardiographers to assess the cause of aortic regurgitation. The study illustrates the use of the Carpentier classification system for classifying the causes of regurgitation with a case series. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).