Echocardiographic Assessment of Recovered Patients with Mild COVID-19 Infection: A Case-Control Study.

Context: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been revealed as a severe illness with a wide-ranging cardiac manifestation and has a worldwide burden on the health-care system. Aims: Our aim in this study is to assess the impact of mild COVID-19 infection on cardiac function in patients without previous structural heart disease. Settings and Design: We evaluated 100 outpatients with a history of mild COVID-19 infection without needing hospitalization within 3 weeks to 3 months after recovery from the acute phase of the illness between August 2020 and July 2021. Subjects and Methods: The patients were compared with 105 healthy participants without a history of COVID-19 as the control group. All participants underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics 23. For all tests, P < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results: COVID-19 patients had higher global longitudinal strain (P = 0.001), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (P = 0.008), RV E' (P = 0.049), and RV A' (P = 0.003), while had lower septal tissue velocities (P = 0.01) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (LVEF) (P = 0.03). Abnormal EF (LVEF <55%) was noted in 19% of the COVID-19 patients and 8.6% of the control group (P = 0.03). Moderate or more diastolic dysfunction was noted in 10 COVID-19 patients but only in one participant in the control group (P = 0.005). Conclusions: Mild COVID-19 infection can result in cardiac functional and structural changes, even in patients without known previous structural heart disease. Echocardiography can be a useful modality for risk assessment and follow-up in patients with COVID-19.

Bosentan and Pulmonary Hypertension Caused by COVID-19: A Pilot Randomized Double-blind Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been the biggest pandemic in history, with severe complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary hypertension (PH). An endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor antagonist, such as bosentan, may be beneficial in treating elevated ET-1 levels. Hence, our study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of bosentan in patients with COVID-19-induced PH. METHODS: A single-centre, randomized, double-blind study involving 72 participants was carried out; 36 received bosentan and the other 36 received a placebo. Pulmonary arterial pressure, tricuspid valve pressure gradient, and right atrial pressure were measured using echocardiography. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to investigate the impact of bosentan and patients' age on mortality during a 6-month follow-up period. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the case group (13%) compared with the control group (33.3%) (P=0.003). Additionally, bosentan improved echocardiographic parameters, such as systolic pulmonary artery pressure and tricuspid regurgitation gradient (P=0.011 and P=0.003, respectively). Bosentan use was a significant predictor of long-term mortality rates for 600 days [age-adjusted hazard ratio of 5.24 (95% CI 1.34 to 20.46)]. CONCLUSION: This study provided a mixed perspective on the use of bosentan therapy in patients with COVID-19-related PH. Bosentan effectively reduced in-hospital mortality and improved echocardiographic measures. However, the treatment group showed an increased requirement for supplemental oxygen therapy and long-term mortality. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to elucidate the effects of bosentan in PH following COVID-19.

Association between Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure and Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine whether there is an elevated risk of developing contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with high systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 213 patients diagnosed with STEMI and who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled in the study. The patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence of CIN. Comparisons between these groups included an assessment of demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, and risk factors. SPAP was calculated for each patient upon admission through echocardiography, and subsequent comparisons were performed between the groups. Results: The distribution of the study population was as follows: 33 (15.5%) were CIN(+) and 180 (84.5%) were CIN(-). SPAP [odds ratio (OR) = 1.295, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.157-1.451, p < 0.001], and diabetes (OR = 1.241, 95% CI: 1.194-1.287, p = 0.013) were identified as independent factors associated with CIN development. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, SPAP above a cut-off level of 31.5 mmHg could determine the presence of CIN with a sensitivity of 91.0% and specificity of 90.0% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: SPAP on echocardiography is an independent predictor of the development of CIN in patients with STEMI. Its ease of calculation renders it a valuable tool for predicting CIN among STEMI patients.

Tricuspid repair: short and long-term results of suture annuloplasty techniques and rigid and flexible ring annuloplasty techniques.

BACKGROUND: Functional tricuspid regurgitation may arise from left heart valve diseases or other factors. If not addressed concurrently with primary surgical intervention, it may contribute to increased morbidity and mortality rates during the postoperative period. This study investigates the impact of various repair techniques on crucial factors such as systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), tricuspid valve regurgitation, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional capacity class in the postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2007 to June 2013, 379 adults underwent open-heart surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation. Patients were categorized into four groups: Group 1 (156) with De Vega suture annuloplasty, Group 2 (60) with Kay suture annuloplasty, Group 3 (122) with Flexible Duran ring annuloplasty, and Group 4 (41) with Semi-Rigid Carpentier-Edwards ring annuloplasty. Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were recorded over a mean follow-up of 35.6 ± 19.1 months. Postoperative SPAP values, tricuspid regurgitation grades, and NYHA functional capacity classes were compared among the groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed among the groups regarding age, gender, preoperative disease diagnoses, history of previous cardiac operations, or echocardiographic characteristics such as preoperative ejection fraction, SPAP, and tricuspid regurgitation. Hospital and intensive care unit length of stay and postoperative complications also showed no significant differences. However, patients in Group 3 exhibited longer Cardio-Pulmonary Bypass duration, cross-clamp duration, and higher positive inotrope requirements. While the mortality rate within the first 30 days was higher in Group 1 compared to the other groups (p: 0.011), overall mortality rates did not significantly differ among the groups. Significant regression in functional tricuspid regurgitation and a notable decrease in SPAP values were observed in patients from Group 3 and Group 4 (p: 0.001). Additionally, patients in Group 3 and Group 4 showed a more significant reduction in NYHA functional capacity classification during the postoperative period (p: 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among the repair techniques, ring annuloplasty demonstrated superiority in reducing SPAP, regressing tricuspid regurgitation, and improving NYHA functional capacity in functional tricuspid regurgitation repairs.

The Influence of Preoperative Right Ventricle to Pulmonary Arterial Coupling on Short- and Long-Term Prognosis in Patients Who Underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

The present study evaluated the prognostic significance of right ventricular-pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling, assessed by the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to systolic pulmonary artery pressure (TAPSE/sPAP) ratio, in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS). This retrospective, single-center study involved 403 patients (mean age: 78.2 ± 8.4; 50.9% female). RV-PA coupling was categorized based on the pre-procedural TAPSE/sPAP ratio: severe uncoupling (≤0.32), moderate uncoupling (0.32-0.55), and normal coupling (>0.55). The study primary endpoints were in-hospital mortality and 2-year all-cause mortality. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the TAPSE/sPAP ratio is an independent predictor of both in-hospital (adjusted OR: 0.61, 95% CI [0.44-0.84], P = .002) and 2-year mortality (adjusted OR: 0.69, 95% CI [0.56-0.85], P = .001). Severe uncoupling was strongly associated with increased 2-year mortality (adjusted OR: 3.92, 95% CI [1.67-9.20], P = .002). Our study establishes a significant association between reduced preoperative TAPSE/sPAP ratios and increased risks of both in-hospital and 2-year all-cause mortality in patients undergoing TAVI for severe AS. These results highlight the prognostic utility of evaluating RV-PA coupling. Incorporating this metric into preoperative risk stratification could potentially refine prognostic accuracy and inform clinical decision-making.

Prognostic value of the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure ratio in cardiac amyloidosis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure (TAPSE/SPAP) ratio is a noninvasive surrogate of right ventricular to pulmonary circulation that has prognostic implications in patients with heart failure (HF) or pulmonary hypertension. Our purpose was to evaluate the prognostic value of the TAPSE/SPAP ratio in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. METHODS: We used the database of the AMIGAL study, a prospective, observational registry of patients with cardiac amyloidosis recruited in 7 hospitals of the Autonomous Community of Galicia, Spain, from January 1, 2018 to October 31, 2022. We selected patients whose baseline TAPSE/SPAP ratio was calculated with transthoracic echocardiography. Long-term survival and survival free of HF hospitalization were assessed by means of 5 different multivariable Cox regression models. Median follow-up was 680 days. RESULTS: We studied 233 patients with cardiac amyloidosis, among whom 209 (89.7%) had transthyretin type. The baseline TAPSE/SPAP ratio correlated significantly with clinical outcomes. Depending on the multivariable model considered, the adjusted hazard ratios estimated per 0.1mm/mmHg increase of baseline TAPSE/SPAP ratio ranged from 0.76 to 0.84 for all-cause mortality. Similarly, the ratios for all-cause mortality of HF hospitalization ranged from 0.79 to 0.84. The addition of the baseline TAPSE/SPAP ratio to the predictive model of the United Kingdom National Amyloidosis Centre resulted in an increase in Harrell's c-statistic from 0.662 to 0.705 for all-cause mortality and from 0.668 to 0.707 for all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced TAPSE/SPAP ratio is an independent adverse prognostic marker in patients with cardiac amyloidosis.

Elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure is a substantial predictor of increased mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in males, not in females.

BACKGROUND: While pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) is associated with increased mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), there is limited data on gender differences in the effects on long-term survival. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective, multicenter study was to investigate the prognostic impact of pre-interventional PH on survival of TAVR patients with respect to gender. METHODS: 303 patients undergoing TAVR underwent echocardiography to detect PH prior to TAVR via measurement of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Different cut-off values were set for the presence of PH. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1, 3 and 5 years. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis by gender showed that only males exhibited significant increased mortality at elevated sPAP values during the entire follow-up period of 5 years (sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg: p ≤ 0.001 and sPAP ≥ 50 mmHg: p ≤ 0.001 in 1- to 5-year survival), whereas high sPAP values had no effect on survival in females. In Cox regression analysis based on the selected sPAP thresholds, male gender was an independent risk factor for long-term mortality after TAVR in all time courses. CONCLUSION: Male gender was an isolated risk factor for premature death after TAVR in patients with echocardiographic evidence of PH and severe AS. This could mean that, the indication for TAVR should be discussed more critically in men with severe AS and an elevated sPAP, while in females, PH should not be an exclusion criterion for TAVR.

Relationship between echocardiographic parameters and ALBI score in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

An increase in the volume and pressure of the heart chambers has been shown to increase liver stiffness. The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is useful and easy-to-use for objectively assessing liver function. There is no information in the literature regarding changes in ALBI scores in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS). The aim of our study was to investigate changes in ALBI score and its clinical impact in patients with MS. Of the 247 patients analyzed, 54 were excluded from the study. The remaining 193 patients with MS were divided into two groups: Group I (64 patients with mitral valve area > 1.5 cm2 and mean transmitral gradient < 10 mmHg) and Group II (129 patients with mitral valve area ≤ 1.5 cm2 and mean transmitral gradient ≥ 10 mmHg). The ALBI score was calculated based on serum albumin and total bilirubin levels using the following formula: ALBI= (log10 bilirubin [µmol/L] × 0.66) + (albumin [g/L] × - 0.085). A significant correlation was found between the ALBI score and mitral valve area in patients with MS (r = - 0.479, p < 0.001*) (Table 4; Fig. 3A). An ALBI score greater than - 2.61 was associated with severe MS (mitral valve area < 1.5 cm2), with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 69% (Area under the ROC curve = 0.726; p < 0.001; 95% CI 0.650-0.802) (Fig. 4A). A significant correlation was found between the ALBI score and mean transmitral gradient in patients with MS (r = 0.476; p < 0.001*) (Table 4; Fig. 3B). An ALBI score greater than - 2.57 was associated with severe MS (mean transmitral gradient < 10 mmHg), with a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 67% (Area under the ROC curve = 0.684; p < 0.001; 95% CI 0.608-0.759) (Fig. 4B). In multivariate linear regression analysis, mitral valve area and mean transmitral gradient were significantly associated with increased ALBI scores (p < 0.05). Mitral valve area, mean transmitral gradient, and NT-proBNP levels were significantly associated with the ALBI score. The ALBI score could provide an information about the severity of MS. The ALBI score is a simple, evidence-based, objective, and discriminatory method for assessing liver function in patients with MS.Please check and confirm that the authors and their respective affiliations have been correctly identified and amend if necessary.Authors and their respective affiliations are correctly identified.

The relationship between echocardiographic parameters and albumin bilirubin score in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism.

PURPOSE: The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is useful and easy-to-use for objectively assessing liver function. We investigated whether the ALBI score, a parameter indicating liver stiffness, congestion and fibrosis, has any relationship with echocardiographic parameters in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 140 patients diagnosed with acute PTE were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into three groups according to the hemodynamic severity of acute PTE: Group I [Low risk]; Group II [Submassive or intermediate-risk]; and Group III [Massive or high-risk]. Biochemical data obtained from venous blood samples taken at admission were analyzed. In addition, data were also analyzed from transthoracic echocardiography and pulmonary computed tomographic angiography performed at admission. ALBI, Bova, and PESI scores were calculated. RESULTS: ALBI scores (-3.32 ± 0.21 vs -2.86 ± 0.15 vs -2.46 ± 0.2, p < .001) were statistically significantly higher in Group III than Groups I and II. There was a significant difference between the three groups in terms of echocardiographic parameters, and LVEF and TAPSE values tended to decrease from group I to group III. In multivariate linear regression analysis, sPAP, RV/RA diameter, and NT-pro-BNP were found to be significantly associated with the ALBI score. An ALBI score higher than -2.87 was associated with Bova stage II-III in patients with Group I and Group II PTE, with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 62% (AUC = 0.804; 95% CI 0.713-0.895; p < .001). CONCLUSION: The ALBI score, which is a common, easy-to-use, and inexpensive method, may be beneficial to select intermediate and high-risk patients in patients with acute PTE. Additionally, it may have prognostic value in distinguishing low and intermediate-risk acute PTE patients.

The Effect of L-Arginine Oral Supplementation on the Improvement of Cardiovascular Function and Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients with Major and Intermedia ß-Thalassemia.

Background: Thalassemia is the most common inherited anemia in worldwide. Heart failure is the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with major and intermedia ß-thalassemia. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral administration of L-arginine on the improvement of systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP) and cardiac function in patients with major and intermedia ß-thalassemia. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was done on 88 patients with ß-thalassemia admitted to Ali Asghar Hospital, Tehran, Iran between 2020 and 2021. Echocardiography was performed for all the patients before the intervention. Afterwards, the patients were randomly divided into two groups of placebo and L-arginine. The patients underwent echocardiography after eight weeks and were compared with respect to the results. Results: The mean blood transfusion interval was 20.21 d in the placebo group and 17.14 d in the L-arginine group (P=0.082). The results revealed no significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean levels of Hemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin, frequency of splenectomy. However, the mean PAP significantly decreased from 32.88 to 26.02 in the L-arginine group (P=0.009), but did not change in the placebo group. Nonetheless, no significant change was observed in the mean Ejection Fraction (EF) before and after L-arginine administration. Conclusion: L-arginine administration prevented the increase of PAP and was effective in preventing cardiovascular disorders including increased systolic PAP in patients with major and intermedia B-thalassemia. However, the results have to be confirmed in further studies with larger sample sizes.

Predicting hospitalization by TAPSE/SPAP and the role of spironolactone in asymptomatic heart failure patients.

Aim: To appraise the prediction of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) with regard to hospitalization and the effect of spironolactone use. Materials & methods: A total of 245 patients were evaluated for the study. Patients were followed for 1 year and cardiovascular outcomes were determined. Results: It was determined that TAPSE/SPAP was an independent predictor of hospitalization. A 0.1-mmHg decrease in TAPSE/SPAP was associated with a 9% increase in relative risk. No event was observed above the 0.47 level. Negative correlation with TAPSE (uncoupling) began in the spironolactone group when SPAP was ≥43 and in nonusers when SPAP was 38 (Pearson's correlation coefficient: -,731 vs -,383; p < 0.001 vs p = 0.037). Conclusion: TAPSE/SPAP measurement may be useful in predicting 1-year hospitalization in asymptomatic heart failure patients. This ratio was also found to be higher in patients who used spironolactone.

CT measured pulmonary artery to ascending aorta ratio stratified by echocardiographically obtained systolic pulmonary artery pressure values for noninvasive detection of pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) offers a measurement method for the determination of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) with determination of maximal tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRVmax) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Radiological parameters for noninvasive detection of PH, most importantly computed tomography (CT) based PA/AA-ratio = ratio of pulmonary artery diameter (PA) and ascending aorta diameter (AA), are also included in the latest ESC guidelines. The aim of the present study was to define cut-off values for PA/AA-ratio taking also into account cardiovascular biomarkers to determine criteria for noninvasive diagnosis of PH. METHODS: 194 patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) underwent pre-procedural TTE and CT with measurement of PA/AA-ratio. Additionally, common cardiovascular biomarkers were determined. RESULTS: TAVR patients with an sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg or a TRVmax ≥ 2.9 m/s had a PA/AA-ratio ≥ 0.80 in an AUROC analysis. The cut-off value of ≥ 0.80 resulted in a significantly higher mortality rate (log-rank test: p = 0.034) in these patients in a Kaplan-Meier analysis regarding 1-year survival after TAVR. Significant differences in biomarker expression between patients with a PA/AA-ratio ≥ 0.80 or < 0.80 occurred for BNP (p = 0.001), cTnI (p = 0.032), GDF-15 (p = 0.002) and H-FABP (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: PA/AA-ratio ≥ 0.80 is a promising radiological parameter that can provide information about mortality in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR; combined with biomarkers it may contribute to noninvasive detection of PH in patients with severe AS.

The relationship between echocardiographic parameters and albumin bilirubin (ALBI) score in patients with isolated secundum type atrial septal defect.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that the increase in volume and pressure in the right heart chambers increases liver stiffness. The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is a useful and easy-to-use score for objectively assessing liver function. There is no information in the literature about changes in ALBI score in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of our study is to investigate the changes in ALBI score and its clinical impact in patients with ASD. METHODS: Of the 206 analyzed patients, 77 were excluded. The remaining 129 patients with secundum type ASD with left to right shunt were divided into three groups; Group I (16 patients with Qp/Qs < 1.5 and defect diameter < 10 mm), Group II (52 patients with Qp/Qs > 1.5 and defect diameter 10-20 mm) and Group III (61 patients with Qp/Qs > 1.5 and defect diameter > 20 mm). The ALBI score was calculated based on serum albumin and total bilirubin levels using the following formula: ALBI = (log10 bilirubin [umol/L] * .66) + (albumin [g/L] * -.085). RESULTS: ALBI scores as well as total bilirubin levels, transaminases, and functional-structural heart abnormalities (increase in RA and RV dimensions, sPAP, ASD size and decrease in LVEF and TAPSE) showed a significant increasing trend from Group I to Group III (p < .001 for all comparisons). The mean ALBI scores for Group I, Group II, and Group III were -3.71 ± .37, -3.51 ± .25, and -3.27 ± .34, respectively. In multivariate linear regression analysis, ASD size, sPAP, RV-RA diameter were found to be significantly associated with increased ALBI score. CONCLUSION: The ALBI score offers a simple, evidence-based, objective, and discriminatory method of assessing liver function in patients with ASD. ASD size, sPAP, RV and RA diameters were significantly associated with ALBI score.

Impact of pulmonary hypertension on arteriovenous fistula failure of hemodialysis patients: A 10 years follow-up cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) creation may involve in the pathogenesis of PH. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of PH after AVF creation on the AVF failure rate in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. METHODS: From January 1, 2009, to January 1, 2019, we retrospectively collected data of 578 MHD patients in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Blood Purification Center, China. Patients were followed-up until AVF failure or death or May 25, 2020. According to the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) within 1 year after the establishment of AVF, the MHD patients were divided into three groups: SPAP ⩽ 35 mmHg, 35 < SPAP < 45 mmHg, SPAP ⩾ 45 mmHg. The primary outcome was AVF failure defined as AVF cannot complete hemodialysis. The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 578 patients were analyzed. The average age was 60.66 ± 15.34 years (58.1% men). Of these, 26.1% of patients were reported PH. The SPAP exhibited a left-skewed nonparametric distribution and the overall SPAP after the creation of AVF was 39.00 (29.00-52.00) mmHg. The median follow-up was 5.8 (5.5-6.3) years. Overall, 12.8% (74/578) patients were reported AVF failure events. There was no significant difference in AVF failure rate among three groups (p = 0.070). A total of 111 (19.2%) died during the follow-up period. Compared with the SPAP ⩽35 mmHg group, only the all-cause death rate significantly increased in MHD patients with PH (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The secondary pulmonary hypertension after AVF creation did not increase the risk of AVF failure in MHD patients, but significantly increased the risk of mortality for this portion of the patients. Future larger sample sizes, multi-center, and prospective trials are needed to make sure which type of access will benefit on their survival for MHD patients with SPAP ⩾35 mmHg.

Echocardiography Parameters in Behcet's Disease, A Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with multiple organ involvements. Although cardiac involvement is not common, it can increase patient morbidity and mortality and decrease life quality. In the present study, echocardiographic abnormalities in BD with no cardiac symptoms were investigated. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was performed on patients referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad from 2015 to 2018. The participants were divided into control and BD groups. Patients with BD were diagnosed based on ISG criteria. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Echocardiographic parameters were compared between BD and control groups. RESULTS: In this study, the severity of aortic (AR), mitral (MR), and tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) was higher in BD than in the control group, while only TR severity showed a statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.001). Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure (sPAP) was significantly higher in BD compared to the control group (24.6 mmHg versus 22.81 mmHg, respectively) (pvalue = 0.019). CONCLUSION: It seems echocardiography is valuable in evaluating a cardiac function, even in asymptomatic patients. Cases with moderate mitral and aortic regurgitation were only observed in BD. Long-term follow-up is suggested, and further studies are required.

Comparability between Computed Tomography Morphological Vascular Parameters and Echocardiography for the Assessment of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis-Results of a Multi-Center Study.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) of the aorta and cardiac vessels, which is performed in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), offers the possibility of non-invasive detection of pulmonary hypertension (PH), for example, by determining the diameter of the main pulmonary artery (PA), the right pulmonary artery (RPA) or the left pulmonary artery (LPA). An improvement of the significance of these radiological parameters is often achieved by indexing to the body surface area (BSA). The aim of this study was to compare different echocardiographic systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) values with radiological data in order to define potential clinical cut-off values for the presence or absence of PH. Methods: A total of 138 patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR underwent pre-interventional transthoracic echocardiography with determination of sPAP values and performance of CT angiography (CTA) of the aorta and femoral arteries. Radiologically, the PA, RPA, LPA, and ascending aorta (AA) diameters were obtained. Vascular diameters were not only indexed to BSA but also ratios were created with AA diameter (for example PA/AA-ratio). From these CT-derived vascular parameters, AUROC curves were obtained regarding the prediction of different sPAP values (sPAP 40−45−50 mmHg) and finally correlation analyses were calculated. Results: The best AUROC and correlation analyses were generally obtained at an sPAP ≥ 40 mmHg. When considering diameters alone, the PA diameter was superior to the RPA and LPA. Indexing to BSA generally increased the diagnostic quality of the parameters, and finally, in a synopsis of all results, PA/BSA had the best AUC 0.741 (95% CI 0.646−0. 836; p < 0.001; YI 0.39; sensitivity 0.87; specificity 0.52) and Spearman's correlation coefficient (r = 0.408; p < 0.001) at an sPAP of ≥40 mmHg. Conclusions: Features related to pulmonary hypertension are fast and easily measurable on pre-TAVR CT and offer great potential regarding non-invasive detection of pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe AS and can support the echocardiographic diagnosis. In this study, the diameter of the main pulmonary artery with the additionally determined ratios were superior to the values of the right and left pulmonary artery. Additional indexing to body surface area and thus further individualization of the parameters with respect to height and weight can further improve the diagnostic quality.

Impact of Periprocedural Pulmonary Hypertension on Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the prognostic impact of periprocedural pulmonary hypertension (PH) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of normalized, new-onset, and residual PH after TAVR. METHODS: The OCEAN-TAVI (Optimized Transcatheter Valvular Intervention-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) registry is an ongoing, multicenter Japanese registry that includes 2,588 patients who underwent TAVR. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to periprocedural systolic pulmonary artery pressure by echocardiography: no PH before and after TAVR (no PH), PH before but not after TAVR (normalized PH), PH after but not before TAVR (new-onset PH), and PH before and after TAVR (residual PH). A systolic pulmonary artery pressure cutoff of >36 mm Hg was applied for PH. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 2 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify clinical predictors of residual and new-onset PH. RESULTS: In total, 1,872 patients were divided into 4 groups: 1,027 (54.9%) in the no PH group, 257 (13.7%) in the normalized PH group, 280 (15.0%) in the new-onset PH group, and 308 (16.5%) in the residual PH group. There was a significant difference in all-cause mortality among the 4 groups at 2 years (11.0%, 12.8%, 18.6%, and 24.7%, respectively; P < 0.01). Among 565 patients who had preprocedural PH, 257 (45.5%) experienced normalization of PH, with mortality comparable with that in the no PH group. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, predictors of residual PH after TAVR were atrial fibrillation and baseline tricuspid regurgitation moderate or greater, whereas prosthesis-patient mismatch was a predictor of new-onset PH. CONCLUSIONS: Risk stratification on the basis of post-TAVR PH status can identify patients at increased mortality after TAVR. Prosthesis-patient mismatch was identified as a novel predictor of new-onset PH. (Optimized Transcatheter Valvular Intervention-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation [OCEAN-TAVI]; UMIN000020423).

Larger pulmonary artery to ascending aorta ratios are associated with decreased survival of patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy.

Objectives: The ratio of pulmonary artery (PA) and ascending aorta (AA) diameters has recently been shown to be a useful indicator for disease severity and predictor of outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. This study aimed at evaluating the applicability of this ratio for perioperative risk assessment of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study on 149 patients undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy between 2013 and 2020, the preoperative PA to AA ratio was analyzed on axial computed tomography. Variables of pulmonary hemodynamic status were assessed during preoperative right heart catheterization and postoperative Swan-Ganz catheter measurements. Perioperative survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests. Results: Preoperative computed tomography measurements showed a median AA diameter of 31 mm (range, 19-47 mm), and a median PA diameter of 36 mm (range, 25-55 mm). The calculated median PA to AA ratio was 1.13 (range, 0.79-1.80). PA to AA ratio correlated positively with PA pressure (systolic, r = 0.352 [P < .001]; diastolic, r = 0.406 [P < .001]; mean, r = 0.318 [P < .001]) and inversely with age (r = -0.484 [P < .001]). Univariable Cox regression analysis identified PA diameter (P = .008) as a preoperative parameter predictive of survival. There was a significant difference (log-rank P = .037) in 30-day survival probability for patients with lower PA to AA ratios (<1.136; survival probability, 97.4%) compared with patients with higher ratios (>1.136; survival probability, 88.9%). Conclusions: PA to AA ratio shows a correlation with other variables associated with pulmonary hypertension. In addition, patients with higher PA to AA ratios have lower survival probabilities after PEA. Further analysis of PA to AA ratio on the selection of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension for different treatment modalities-pulmonary endarterectomy, medical therapy, and or balloon pulmonary angioplasty-is warranted.

Transthoracic Echocardiography-Based Prediction Model of Adverse Event Risk in Patients with COVID-19.

Cardiopulmonary disorders cause a significant increase in the risk of adverse events in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods for comorbid disorders in COVID-19 patients is one of the main public health challenges. The aim of the study was to analyze patient survival and to develop a predictive model of survival in adults with COVID-19 infection based on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) parameters. We conducted a prospective, single-center, temporary hospital-based study of 110 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. All patients underwent TTE evaluation. The predictors of mortality we identified in univariate and multivariable models and the predictive performance of the model were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and area under the curve (AUC). The predictive model included three factors: right ventricle (RV)/left ventricle (LV) area (odds ratio (OR) = 1.048 per 1/100 increase, p = 0.03), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (OR = 1.209 per 1 mm Hg increase, p < 0.001), and right ventricle free wall longitudinal strain (RV FW LS) (OR = 0.873 per 1% increase, p = 0.036). The AUC-ROC of the obtained model was 0.925 ± 0.031 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.863−0.986). The sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) measures of the models at the cut-off point of 0.129 were 93.8% and 81.9%, respectively. A binary logistic regression method resulted in the development of a prognostic model of mortality in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19 based on TTE data. It may also have additional implications for early risk stratification and clinical decision making in patients with COVID-19.

Evolution of Echocardiographic Abnormalities Identified in Previously Healthy Individuals Recovering from COVID-19.

(1) Background: Although the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus affects primarily the lungs, it is well known that associated cardiovascular (CV) complications are important contributors to the increased morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. Thus, in some situations, their diagnosis is overlooked, and during recovery, some patients continue to have symptoms enclosed now in the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. (2) Methods: In 102 patients, under 55 years old, and without a history of CV diseases, all diagnosed with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, we assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) four patterns of abnormalities frequently overlapping each other. Their evolution was followed at 3 and 6 months. (3) Results: In 35 subjects, we assessed impaired left ventricular function (LVF), in 51 increased systolic pulmonary artery pressure, in 66 diastolic dysfunction (DD) with normal LVF, and in 23 pericardial effusion/thickening. All TTE alterations alleviated during the follow-up, the best evolution being observed in patients with pericarditis, and a considerably worse one in those with DD, thus with a reduction in severity (4) Conclusions: In patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, several cardiac abnormalities may be assessed by TTE, most of them alleviating in time. Some of them, especially DD, may persist, raising the presumption of chronic alterations.