Transcatheter Closure or Surgery for Symptomatic Paravalvular Leaks: The Multicenter KISS Registry.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of symptomatic paravalvular leak (PVL) remains controversial between transcatheter closure (TC) and surgery. This large-scale study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the long-term outcomes of the patients who underwent reoperation or TC of PVLs. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 335 (men, 209 [62.4%]; mean age, 58.15±12.77 years) patients who underwent treatment of PVL at 3 tertiary centers between January 2002 and December 2021 were included. Echocardiographic features, procedure details, and in-hospital or long-term outcomes were assessed. The primary end point was defined as the all-cause death during follow-up. The regression models were adjusted by applying the inverse probability weighted approach to reduce treatment selection bias. The initial management strategy was TC in 171 (51%) patients and surgery in 164 (49%) cases. Three hundred cases (89.6%) had mitral PVL, and 35 (10.4%) had aortic PVL. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 52.03±10.79%. Technical (78.9 versus 76.2%; P=0.549) and procedural success (73.7 versus 65.2%; P=0.093) were similar between both groups. In both univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis, the in-hospital mortality rate in the overall population was significantly higher (15.9 versus 4.7%) in the surgery group compared with the TC group (unadjusted odds ratio, 3.13 [95% CI, 1.75-5.88]; P=0.001; and adjusted odds ratio (inverse probability-weighted), 4.55 [95% CI, 2.27-10.0]; P<0.001). However, the long-term mortality rate in the overall population did not differ between the surgery group and the TC group (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.86 [95% CI, 0.59-1.25]; P=0.435; and adjusted HR (inverse probability-weighted), 1.11 [95% CI, 0.67-1.81]; P=0.679). CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest that percutaneous closure of PVL was associated with lower early and comparable long-term mortality rates compared with surgery.

Serum Levels of Cholesterol and Lipoproteins in Patients With Symptomatic Paravalvular Leaks.

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a complication of valve replacement surgery which may lead to serious clinical consequences including hemolytic anemia. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the effect of successful intervention on serum lipid parameters in patients with PVL. A total of 106 patients (mean age: 57.2 ± 13.6 years, male: 67) who underwent surgical or transcatheter closure for symptomatic PVL were enrolled in this study. During the follow-up period, hemolysis and lipid parameters were evaluated at each clinical visit. This is the first study describing the effects of PVL on lipid metabolism after surgical or transcatheter closure. In the study, 18 patients (17%) had aortic PVL, 84 patients (79%) had mitral PVL, and 4 patients (3.8%) had both aortic and mitral PVL. A total of 59 patients underwent transcatheter closure and 47 patients were treated surgically. Technical success of the procedures was 83%. After successful PVL closure, hemoglobin and haptoglobin levels increased significantly (9.5 ± 1.3 vs 11.9 ± 2.1 g/dl, p <0.001 and 16.6 ± 7.9 vs 34.1 ± 19.9 mg, p <0.001, respectively). A significant increase in total cholesterol (158.9 ± 42.7 vs 209.3 ± 58.7 mg/dl, p <0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (99.1 ± 33.8 vs 133.9 ± 45.7 mg/dl, p <0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (39.8 ± 12.4 vs 44.8 ± 11.7 mg/dl, p <0.001) levels was observed after successful PVL closure. In conclusion, symptomatic patients with PVL had hypocholesterolemia, reflected by low serum lipoprotein levels. After successful PVL closure, an increase in serum lipoprotein levels was observed. The recovery in levels of lipoproteins could be used as a marker of successful PVL closure, and absence of recovery of lipoprotein levels may indicate incomplete closure.

Do mobile phones pose a potential risk to autonomic modulation of the heart?

BACKGROUND: It has long been speculated that mobile phones may interact with the cardiac devices and thereby cardiovascular system may be a potential target for the electromagnetic fields emitted by the mobile phones. Therefore, the present study was designed to test possible effects of radiofrequency waves emitted by digital mobile phones on cardiac autonomic modulation by short-time heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 20 healthy young subjects were included to the study. All participants were rested in supine position at least for 15 minutes on a comfortable bed, and then time and frequency domain HRV parameters were recorded at baseline in supine position for 5 minutes. After completion of baseline records, by using a mobile GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) phone, HRV parameters were recorded at turned off mode, at turned on mode, and at calling mode over 5 minutes periods for each stage. CONCLUSION: Neither time nor frequency domain HRV parameters altered significantly during off mode compare to their baseline values. Also, neither time nor frequency domain HRV parameters altered significantly during turned on and calling mode compared to their baseline values. Short-time exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone does not affect cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy subjects.

Acute thrombus formation on an Amplatzer device during transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect in a patient with homozygous factor V Leiden mutation.

A 32-year-old woman underwent transcatheter closure of a secundum type atrial septal defect with the Amplatzer device. The procedure was started under premedication with aspirin, clopidogrel, and heparin. During the procedure, a highly mobile thrombus attached to the left atrial disc of the device was detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The device and the associated thrombus were successfully withdrawn and the patient was started on a combination of heparin and tirofiban infusion. The procedure was successfully completed without any recurrent thrombus formation or residual shunt. Further investigation for thrombophilia revealed homozygous factor V Leiden mutation and the patient was started on a life-long warfarin therapy. Follow-up TEE showed proper device position with no recurrent thrombus and the follow-up was uneventful.

Primary angioplasty in a high-volume tertiary center in Turkey: in-hospital clinical outcomes of 1625 patients.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated in-hospital results of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a high-volume tertiary center. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively evaluated 1625 patients (1323 males, 302 females; mean age 56.0 ± 11.6 years) who underwent primary PCI for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction between January 2006 and April 2008. All coronary angiography procedures were performed using the femoral artery route. In-hospital clinical and angiographic results were recorded. RESULTS: On admission, 23% of the patients had diabetes mellitus, 49.6% had anterior myocardial infarction, and 4.9% had cardiogenic shock. The mean duration of pain was 171.2 ± 121.2 minutes, and the mean door-to-balloon time was 31.6 ± 7.2 minutes. Infarct-related artery was the left anterior descending artery in 49.7%, multivessel disease was present in 40.9%, TIMI 2/3 flow was present in 23.6%, and high-grade thrombus was observed in 66.8%. Primary PCI involved balloon dilatation (5.7%) and stent implantation (94.3%). The incidence of angiographic no-reflow was 11.9%. The mean hospital stay was 5.2 ± 3.3 days. All-cause mortality occurred in 71 patients (4.4%). Other in-hospital events were reinfarction (1.4%), target vessel revascularization (1.9%), hemorrhagic/ischemic stroke (0.6%), stent thrombosis (1.2%), major bleeding (3.8%), blood transfusion (4.8%), heart failure (10.5%), atrial fibrillation (4%), and ventricular tachycardia (3.9%). CONCLUSION: Primary PCI is an effective method in achieving complete revascularization of the infarct-related artery. Successful in-hospital results not only depend on the experience and equipment of the center, but also on how rapidly reperfusion is achieved.

The prognostic value of combined fractional flow reserve and TIMI frame count measurements in patients with stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of different fractional flow reserve (FFR) cutoff values and corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame (TIMI) count (CTFC) measurements in a series of consecutive patients with moderate coronary lesions, including patients with unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and/or positive noninvasive functional test findings. METHODS: We included 162 consecutive coronary patients in whom revascularization of a moderate coronary lesion was deferred based on a FFR value ≥0.75. Patients were divided according to the results of the intracoronary pressure and flow measurements into four groups: group A: 0.75 ≤ FFR ≤ 0.85 and CTFC > 28 (n=22), group B: 0.75 ≤ FFR ≤ 0.85 and CTFC ≤ 28 (n = 55), group C: 0.85 < FFR and CTFC > 28 (n = 19), and group D: 0.85 < FFR and CTFC ≤ 28 (n = 66). Adverse cardiac events and the presence of angina were evaluated at follow-up. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 18 ± 10 months, cardiac event rate in patients with 0.75 ≤ FFR ≤ 0.85 and FFR > 0.85 were 22% and 9%, respectively (P = 0.026) and also, a trend was observed toward a higher cardiac event rate in case of an abnormal CTFC (CTFC > 28) compared to a normal CTFC (24% vs 12%, P = 0.066). Furthermore, a significantly higher cardiac event rate was observed when group A was compared to group D (31.8% vs 7.6%, respectively, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Patients with potential microvascular dysfunction and borderline FFR values should be interpreted with caution, and management strategies should be guided not only by pressure measurement, but also by possibly supplementary clinical risk stratification and noninvasive tests.

A rare complication of percutaneous closure of coronary artery fistula: Inability to retrieve coil.

Coronary fistulae may lead to coronary steal phenomenon or considerable volume overload on the cardiac chambers, causing significant hemodynamic problems. Coronary fistulae can be closed either surgically or percutaneously. Percutaneous closure is frequently performed with coil embolization or a vascular plug. Although percutaneous closure has significant advantages, such as a shorter duration of hospitalization and no sternal scarring, several complications, including coil embolization or failure to retrieve the device, may occasionally occur. In the current report, a patient with a left coronary to right atrium fistula who declined to have surgery underwent percutaneous coil embolization. However, after release of the coil, the catheter could not be retrieved using the standard anti-torque mechanism.

Percutaneous retrieval of embolized Amplatzer septal occluder from pulmonary artery using a novel method.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects is accepted as a safe and effective treatment method. Device embolization is a rare, but potentially fatal complication. While embolized devices are typically removed surgically, in eligible cases, they can also be removed percutaneously at an experienced center. Presently described is the retrieval of an embolized device with a novel percutaneous technique.

Effects of isolated coronary artery ectasia on electrocardiographic parameters reflecting ventricular heterogeneity.

Isolated coronary ectatic but otherwise normal epicardial coronary arteries are an infrequent angiographic finding. We sought to determine whether coronary artery ectasia (CAE) may alter QT-interval duration and dispersion. The study population consisted of 24 patients with isolated CAE and otherwise normal epicardial coronary arteries (group 1) and sex- and age-matched subjects with atypical chest pain and otherwise normal coronary flow (group 2). Both groups underwent a routine standard 12-lead surface electrocardiogram recorded at 50 mm/s during rest. QT dispersion (QTd), corrected QT (QTc), and corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) were calculated. Distribution of sex, age, body mass index, and cardiac risk factors were similar in the 2 groups. Mean heart rate was similar in the 2 groups (74 +/- 10 vs 70 +/- 7, P > .05). In group 1, QTd, QTcd, and QTc were significantly higher than those of group 2 (QTd, 40 +/- 17 vs 29 +/- 10 milliseconds [P < .05]; QTcd, 43 +/- 19 vs 30 +/- 10 milliseconds [P < .05]; QTc, 410 +/- 21 vs 397 +/- 19 milliseconds [P < .05]). In conclusion, CAE was found to be associated with prolonged QT interval and increased QTd. Microvascular dysfunction and/or ischemia may be responsible mechanisms.

Assessing coronary blood flow with TIMI frame count method in isolated myocardial bridging.

Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital anomaly of coronary arteries and its functional significance remains controversial. Using the TIMI frame count (TFC) method, the authors investigated whether the coronary blood flow velocity is decreased in MB. The study included 18 patients (group 1; 12 men and 6 women; mean age 50 +/-6 years) who had angiographically proven MB and otherwise normal coronary arteries and 20 subjects (group 2; 13 men and 7 women; mean age 50 +/-7 years) with normal-appearing coronary arteriograms. TFC of each group was determined and correlation between TFC and various factors including percent systolic narrowing, age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, and echocardiographic parameters (ejection fraction, left-right ventricle wall thickness, and diameters) was investigated. Baseline characteristics were similar in the groups. All of the MB was localized to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Corrected TFC(LAD) frame count (CTFC) was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (24.7 +/-2.1 vs 22.1 +/-1.9 frames/s, p = 0.001). Circumflex and right coronary artery frames counts were similar in the groups (22.4 +/-2.4 vs 21.3 +/-2.3 frames/s, p = 0.18, 23.1 +/-2.2 vs 23.4 +/-2.1 frames/s, p = 0.7) On correlation analysis, there was no correlation between TFC and the factors investigated. CTFC of patients with MB was higher than of those with normal coronary arteries, irrespective of the degree of systolic narrowing. This may suggest that coronary blood flow is decreased in patients with MB compared to patients having normal coronary arteries.

Effect of slow coronary flow on P-wave duration and dispersion.

The slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon is often considered to be an incidental angiographic finding; however, several reports have shown it to be associated with cardiac events. In this study we aimed to assess P-wave duration and dispersion (PWD) in patients with SCF and to compare it with that of healthy subjects. Thus, 40 patients with angiographically proven SCF and otherwise normal coronary arteries (group 1) and 36 sex-age-matched healthy subjects (group 2) were included in this study. A 12-lead surface ECG, recorded at a paper speed of 50-mm/s and 2 mV/cm standardization, was obtained from each subject. P-wave duration was measured manually by use of a caliper. The difference between the maximum (Pmax) and minimum P (Pmin)-wave duration was calculated and defined as PWD. All subjects had undergone echocardiographic examination to exclude valvular disorders and wall motion abnormalities. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in demographies of age, sex, heart rate, or blood pressure. Maximum P-wave duration and PWD were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (120 +/-7 vs 115 +/-5, p = 0.003; 44 +/-12 vs 38 +/-9, p = 0.01, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in Pmin duration (75 +/-9 vs 78 +/-7, p = 0.4). In conclusion; SCF and otherwise normal epicardial coronary artery was found to be associated with prolonged P-wave duration and increased PWD. This may result from microvascular ischemia and/or altered autonomic control of cardiovascular system observed in this group of patients.

Acute effect of cigarette smoking on heart rate variability.

Acute cigarette smoking enhances adrenergic activity and thus may be associated with hemodynamic changes in the cardiovascular system. In this study, the acute effect of cigarette smoking on heart rate variability (HRV) was studied. Fifteen subjects were included in the study. Time domain (the mean R-R interval, the standard deviation of R-R interval, and the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences) and frequency domain (high-frequency, low-frequency ratio, and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio) parameters of HRV were obtained from all participants for each 5-minute segment: 5 minutes before and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after smoking a cigarette. The mean R-R interval, the standard deviation of R-R interval, and the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences significantly decreased within the first 5-minute period compared with baseline, and then the standard deviation of R-R interval increased within the 20- to 30-minute period. The low-frequency high-frequency ratio significantly decreased within the first 5 minutes after smoking and then remained unchanged throughout the study period. Similarly, low-frequency and high-frequency power increased within the first 5 minutes compared with baseline. Acute cigarette smoking alters HRV parameters, particularly within the first 5 to 10 minutes after smoking.

Identifying cardiovascular risk factors in a patient population with coronary artery ectasia.

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is frequently considered as a form of coronary artery disease. Cardiovascular risk factors were determined in a patient population with CAE. The 51 patients with isolated CAE (group 1), 61 patients with CAE coexisting with significant coronary stenosis (group 2), and 62 subjects with significant coronary stenosis (group 3) were included in the study, and the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors was compared. Thirty of 51 patients with isolated CAE had presented with typical angina pectoris, 8 patients with unstable angina pectoris, and 13 patients had atypical chest pain or palpitation. The 21 of 51 patients with isolated CAE had definitive positive treadmill exercise test results. Positive family history was similar in each group. The history of smoking was similar in group 1 and group 2 but higher than group 3. Frequency of hypertension was similar in group 1 and group 2 but higher than that in group 3. Frequency of diabetes mellitus was similar in group 1 and group 2 but lower than group 3. Plasma lipid levels and the number of patients with lipid disturbances were also similar in each group. In addition, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were above the normal limits and there was no difference among groups with respect to plasma CRP levels. CAE appears to be associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, and hyperlipidemia. In addition, elevated CRP level in patients with CAE may suggest the role of inflammatory process in development of CAE.

Closure of mitral paravalvular defects without performing an arteriovenous loop: a case series of fourteen patients.

INTRODUCTION: The arteriovenous (AV) loop is recommended when further support is needed during paravalvular leak (PVL) closure. AIM: We report the feasibility and safety of mitral PVL closure without constructing an AV loop, based on a single-centre experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with mitral valve replacement (MVR) who had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV dyspnoea or NYHA class II symptoms with significant haemolytic anaemia caused by severe or moderate-to-severe paravalvular regurgitation and who underwent transcatheter PVL closure (TPVLC) between May 2014 and February 2017 were enrolled. RESULTS: In total, 15 PVL procedures and 19 device deployments were performed. The patients had one (n = 10), three (n = 1) or four (n = 1) devices for closure at the time of the procedure; one patient had two devices from two procedures at different times with different access ways. Nineteen devices (10 (66.6%) via transseptal access; 4 (26.6%), transapical access; and 1 (6.6%), retrograde access) were deployed successfully without making an AV loop. CONCLUSIONS: The TPVLC is a less invasive and effective alternative to surgery in symptomatic patients with significant PVLs and high operational risks. The success rates are satisfactory, with improving techniques and devices. Procedural success without using an AV loop can be achieved with reduced costs, fluoroscopic times and complications.

Acute smoking-induced alterations in Doppler echocardiographic measurements in chronic smokers.

Acute effects of smoking on left ventricular function have been studied previously. However, effects on right ventricular function have not yet been investigated. In this study, we attempted to investigate, through a combination of conventional and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), the acute effects of smoking on both left and right ventricular function in chronic smokers. Thirty chronic smokers (with smoking habits of > or =1 pack/day for 74 +/- 1.3 years) underwent a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination (2-dimensional, pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral and transtricuspid recordings, and TDI recordings of mitral and tricuspid annular velocities) by 3.5-MHz sector transducer. Pulsed-wave Doppler indices of left and right ventricular diastolic function-such as mitral and tricuspid inflows, peak early (E) and late (A) velocities, and E/A ratios-were obtained by conventional Doppler and TDI. Echocardiographic indices of the left and right ventricles--including isovolumetric relaxation time, isovolumetric contraction time, ejection time, and myocardial performance index of right ventricle-were also measured before and 30 minutes after each subject smoked a cigarette. Both mitral and tricuspid inflow measurements changed significantly after smoking a cigarette. Among the TDI measurements, mitral lateral annulus and tricuspid lateral annulus (diastolic, but not systolic) velocities changed after smoking a cigarette. Also, the right ventricular myocardial performance index increased immediately after smoking a cigarette. We found that acute cigarette smoking impaired both left and right ventricular diastolic function in chronic smokers.

Percutaneous Retrieval of an Embolized Catheter Tip With the Balloon Dilatation Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing numbers of complex percutaneous coronary interventions have been accompanied by various intra-procedural complications. The fracture and embolization of devices or their fragments are potentially life-threatening situations, depending on the site of embolization. Different non-surgical methods to handle embolic complications have been proposed for different clinical situations. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a distally embolized catheter fragment that was percutaneously retrieved. The catheter fragment was tightly held by the inflated balloon, moved together with the system, and successfully retrieved out of the circulation via the femoral sheath. Considerable distal embolization of the foreign body and retrieval with the balloon dilatation technique are the unique features of this case. CONCLUSIONS: The present case appears to offer a safe and relatively simple method of balloon dilatation inside the lumen of the embolized fragment when the foreign body is too distal to retrieve with conventional snare systems.

Exercise-induced QRS amplitude changes in patients with isolated myocardial bridging: a marker of myocardial ischemia.

Myocardial bridging (MB) of coronary arteries has been considered as an incidental angio-graphic finding; however, several reports suggest its association with angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia, and even infarction. In this study the authors aimed to assess exercise-induced QRS changes in patients with isolated MB and to compare those with coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy subjects. The study population consisted of 17 patients with angiographically proven MB (group 1), 16 patients with left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis (group 2), and 14 healthy subjects (group 3). Each subject underwent treadmill exercise testing according to Bruce protocol. In each subject amplitude of the Q, R, and S waves in leads aVF and V(5) was measured manually before and immediately after exercise. The Athens QRS score was calculated by subtracting the Q-, R-, and S-wave differences in leads aVF and V(5). Baseline characteristics of each group were similar. There was no difference among the groups with respect to exercise testing parameters (peak heart rate, blood pressure, test duration, etc). In group 1, ST-segment depression ratio was found to be higher than that of group 3 but lower than that of group 2. In group 1, exercise QRS score was found to be lower than that of group 3 while it was higher than that of group 2 (2.9 +/- 2.3 vs 6.5 +/- 3.2 p = 0.001 and 2.9 +/- 2.3 vs 2.6 +/- 2.4 p = 0.001, respectively). In patients with MB exercise, QRS score was significantly lower than in those with normal coronary flow while it was higher in those with CAD. This may result from exercise-induced ischemia at the area perfused by the bridged artery.

Plasma factor XI and XII activity in patients with slow coronary flow.

The exact pathophysiology of slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon, characterized by delayed opacification of coronary arteries during coronary angiography, is still unknown, although endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, vasomotor disorders and atherosclerosis are shown. The present study was conducted to investigate whether there is a coagulation pathway abnormality in patients with SCF measuring plasma factor XI and XII activity. The study included 55 patients with angiographically proven SCF (group I) and 40 individuals with normal coronary flow (NCF, group II). Baseline demographic properties were similar in both groups. Echocardiographic parameters were also similar in patients with SCF and NCF. Factor XI activity was significantly higher in group I when compared with group II. Factor XII activity was also significantly higher in group I when compared with group II (108.9 ±â€Š19 vs. 98.8 ±â€Š20, P = 0.018 and 131.2 ±â€Š17 vs. 119.1 ±â€Š16, P = 0.001, respectively). We conclude that SCF phenomenon appears to be associated with enhanced procoagulant state, which may support the role of inflammation and atherosclerosis in the pathogenesis of this phenomenon.