Identification of congenital aortic valve malformations in juvenile natriuretic peptide receptor 2-deficient mice using high-frequency ultrasound.

Mouse models of congenital aortic valve malformations are useful for studying disease pathobiology, but most models have incomplete penetrance [e.g., ∼2 to 77% prevalence of bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) across multiple models]. For longitudinal studies of pathologies associated with BAVs and other congenital valve malformations, which manifest over months in mice, it is operationally inefficient, economically burdensome, and ethically challenging to enroll large numbers of mice in studies without first identifying those with valvular abnormalities. To address this need, we established and validated a novel in vivo high-frequency (30 MHz) ultrasound imaging protocol capable of detecting aortic valvular malformations in juvenile mice. Fifty natriuretic peptide receptor 2 heterozygous mice on a low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient background (Npr2+/-;Ldlr-/-; 32 males and 18 females) were imaged at 4 and 8 wk of age. Fourteen percent of the Npr2+/-;Ldlr-/- mice exhibited features associated with aortic valve malformations, including 1) abnormal transaortic flow patterns on color Doppler (recirculation and regurgitation), 2) peak systolic flow velocities distal to the aortic valves reaching or surpassing ∼1,250 mm/s by pulsed-wave Doppler, and 3) putative fusion of cusps along commissures and abnormal movement elucidated by two-dimensional (2-D) imaging with ultrahigh temporal resolution. Valves with these features were confirmed by ex vivo gross anatomy and histological visualization to have thickened cusps, partial fusions, or Sievers type-0 bicuspid valves. This ultrasound imaging protocol will enable efficient, cost effective, and humane implementation of studies of congenital aortic valvular abnormalities and associated pathologies in a wide range of mouse models.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We developed a high-frequency ultrasound imaging protocol for diagnosing congenital aortic valve structural abnormalities in 4-wk-old mice. Our protocol defines specific criteria to distinguish mice with abnormal aortic valves from those with normal tricuspid valves using color Doppler, pulsed-wave Doppler, and two-dimensional (2-D) imaging with ultrahigh temporal resolution. This approach enables early identification of valvular abnormalities for efficient and ethical experimental design of longitudinal studies of congenital valve diseases and associated pathologies in mice.

Low body mass index and risk of mortality after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedure: The "obesity paradox".

BACKGROUND: Most patients undergoing the mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) technique are elderly comorbid patients. Low body mass index (BMI) < 23 kg/m2 has been identified in other elderly populations as a risk factor, but has not been studied sufficiently in mitral TEER. AIMS: We aimed to study the impact of low BMI (23 kg/m2) on the outcome after mitral TEER. METHODS: Patients undergoing first-time TEER for mitral regurgitation at a single tertiary center were included, with the exclusion of patients with preprocedural hemodynamic instability or missing BMI. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints were long-term major bleeding or admission with heart failure. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients (mean age 76 ± 10 years, 76% men) were included in the study. Thirty-nine (31%) had low BMI. Patients with low BMI had a similar symptomatic benefit as patients with BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 at 1 year regarding decrease in diuretics dose and decrease in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (p > 0.05). In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, BMI as a continuous variable (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.93 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.87-0.99], p = 0.03) and low BMI (HR: 1.99 [95% CI: 1.12-3.52], p = 0.02) were associated with the primary outcome. Low BMI was not significantly associated with major bleeding (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR]: 2.39 [95% CI: 0.96-5.97], p = 0.06) or admission with heart failure (SHR: 1.06 [95% CI: 0.61-1.88], p = 0.83) during follow-up with univariable competing risk regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Low BMI is a risk factor for mortality after mitral valve TEER, confirming the presence of an "obesity paradox" in this population and should receive attention in patient selection.

Immature Surfactant Protein B Increases in the Serum of Patients with Calcific Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Valvular disease is a complex pathological condition that impacts countless individuals around the globe. Due to limited treatments, it is crucial to understand its mechanisms to identify new targets. Valve disease may result in pulmonary venous hypertension, which is linked to compromised functioning of the alveolar and capillary membranes and hindered gas exchange. Nonetheless, the correlation between surfactant proteins (SPs) and valve disease remains unexplored. A total of 44 patients were enrolled in this study, with 36 undergoing aortic valve replacement and 8 needing a second aortic valve substitution due to bioprosthetic valve degeneration. Ten healthy subjects were also included. The results showed that patients who underwent both the first valve replacement and the second surgery had significantly higher levels of immature SP-B (proSP-B) compared to control subjects. The levels of the extra-lung collectin SP-D were higher in patients who needed a second surgery due to bioprosthetic valve degeneration, while SP-A levels remained unchanged. The research also showed that there was no reciprocal relationship between inflammation and SP-D as the levels of inflammatory mediators did not differ between groups. The present study demonstrates that circulating proSP-B serves as a reliable marker of alveolar-capillary membrane damage in patients with valvular heart disease.

Three-Dimensional Geometry Values and Clinical Determinants for the Annulus of the Tricuspid Valve in a Japanese Population.

The tricuspid annulus (TA) is the primary target of tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, the reference values for TA geometry in the Japanese population is currently unavailable. We aimed to elucidate the geometric reference values of the TA in Japanese individuals using 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography.We conducted a prospective study using transthoracic 3D echocardiography on 142 healthy Japanese subjects aged between 20 and 79 years. The tricuspid geometric parameters in the late-diastole and the mid-systole were analyzed using custom 3D software (Realview™).After excluding 46 subjects with poor images, data from 96 subjects (67.6%) were analyzed. TA area and circumference showed strong correlations with body surface area (BSA) (P < 0.001 for all), while some of these parameters exhibited weak correlations with age. Gender differences in TV geometry were assessed across 3 age groups: 20-39 years (42 subjects), 40-59 years (28 subjects), and 60-79 years (26 subjects). In the youngest subjects (20-39 years), males had a significantly larger TA area and smaller anterior-posterior and medial-lateral diameters (P < 0.001 for all), even after adjusting for BSA, indicating gender differences of TA geometry. These differences diminished with age.We present reference values for TA geometry by age and gender in a Japanese cohort. BSA may be a suitable metric for indexing the TA parameters. While age-related changes in TA parameters may not be significant, gender differences, particularly in younger individuals, persist even after adjusting for BSA.

Epidemiology, microbiology, and outcomes of infective endocarditis in a tertiary center in Jordan.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a relatively rare but serious and life-threatening disease with substantial mortality and morbidity despite progress in diagnostic and treatment techniques. The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, microbiological profile, and outcomes of IE patients in a tertiary care facility in Jordan, the Jordan University Hospital (JUH). METHODS: This is a retrospective case series study which was conducted at JUH. A total of 23 patients with either definite or possible IE according to the Modified Duke Criteria were included in the study. Medical records were reviewed, and relevant information was collected. Descriptive data analysis was performed. RESULTS: Our study identified a total of 23 patients with infective endocarditis; 65.2% were males, with a mean age of 40.4 years. The majority of patients had an underlying cardiac disease (60.9%), with the most common being congenital heart diseases (17.4%). The most commonly affected valves were the left-side heart valves, with the mitral valve (52.2%) being the most common followed by the aortic valve (34.8%). The most common organism detected in blood culture was Streptococcus viridans (21.7%) followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The most common complications among the patients were heart failure and septic shock, and the mortality rate among the patients was 13%. CONCLUSION: In patients with endocarditis, Streptococcus viridans is the most common culture-positive bacteria at JUH. One third of our patients needed surgical intervention and the mortality rate was 13%.

Severe Libman-Sacks endocarditis complicating antiphospholipid syndrome: a retrospective analysis of 23 operated cases.

OBJECTIVE: Data on severe heart valve disease (HVD), including Libman-Sacks endocarditis, associated with SLE and/or APS requiring valvular surgery are scarce. We thus conducted a retrospective study, aimed at describing and clarifying clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, histopathological and evolutional features of SLE and/or APS patients with severe associated-HVD. METHODS: An observational retrospective multicentric analysis of 23 adults with SLE and/or APS and HVD between 1996 and 2019 and available histopathological report evaluating long-term follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-three individuals (20 females, median age 37 [range 17-76] years) were included. All had APS (thrombotic in 22, with an arterial phenotype in 15 and with catastrophic APS [CAPS] in six), and 11 (47%) had SLE. Systemic underlying disease had been diagnosed prior to HVD in 12 (52%). In 10 patients (43%), HVD was complicated by cerebral stroke prior to surgery. Twenty patients (87%) had only one pathological valve, the mitral valve in 18 patients (78%). Valvular thickening (n = 19) and valvular regurgitation (n = 19) were the most frequently reported lesions. Fifteen (62%) patients underwent mechanical valve replacement, six (26%) conservative valve repair (five were later re-operated after a median time of 1 [0-4] year), and two (9%) underwent biological valve replacement. Nine patients (39%) presented early-onset post-operative complications, including three CAPS immediately after surgery and one death. After surgery, 18 patients (78%) had normal postoperative valvular function, but almost half of the patients (43%) had post-operative neurological sequelae (median follow-up of 6 [2-20] years). CONCLUSION: Severe HVD leading to surgery was strongly associated with thrombotic APS, especially arterial phenotypes. Half of the reported patients presented cerebral stroke complicating the HVD. Valvular surgery carried a significant risk of CAPS.

Improving Valvular Pathologies and Ventricular Dysfunction Diagnostic Efficiency Using Combined Auscultation and Electrocardiography Data: A Multimodal AI Approach.

Simple sensor-based procedures, including auscultation and electrocardiography (ECG), can facilitate early diagnosis of valvular diseases, resulting in timely treatment. This study assessed the impact of combining these sensor-based procedures with machine learning on diagnosing valvular abnormalities and ventricular dysfunction. Data from auscultation at three distinct locations and 12-lead ECGs were collected from 1052 patients undergoing echocardiography. An independent cohort of 103 patients was used for clinical validation. These patients were screened for severe aortic stenosis (AS), severe mitral regurgitation (MR), and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) with ejection fractions ≤ 40%. Optimal neural networks were identified by a fourfold cross-validation training process using heart sounds and various ECG leads, and their outputs were combined using a stacking technique. This composite sensor model had high diagnostic efficiency (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values: AS, 0.93; MR, 0.80; LVD, 0.75). Notably, the contribution of individual sensors to disease detection was found to be disease-specific, underscoring the synergistic potential of the sensor fusion approach. Thus, machine learning models that integrate auscultation and ECG can efficiently detect conditions typically diagnosed via imaging. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of multimodal artificial intelligence applications.

Association of B-type natriuretic peptide with rapid progression in patients with aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Rapid progression of aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with poor outcomes, and the impact of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) on AS progression remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between BNP level and the AS progression rate. METHODS: From January 2016 to June 2021, 200 AS patients with progression who had at least two transthoracic echocardiograms with a maximum interval of 180 days were retrospectively analyzed. Rapid progression of AS was defined as the annual increase of aortic jet velocity (Vmax) ≥0.3 m/s/year. For analyses, both the log-transformed BNP and the BNP ratio were used. The linear regression and binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between BNP and the AS progression. RESULTS: At a median echocardiographic follow-up of 595 days, the annual median (interquartile) progression of Vmax was 0.26 (0.09-0.58) m/s/year. Patients with rapid progression had higher age, log BNP, and higher percentage of diabetes and male gender. Higher tertiles of log BNP and BNP ratio had more rapid increase in Vmax (p = 0.018 and 0.033, respectively). BNP ratio significantly correlated with Vmax progression in univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, both the univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses showed that the log BNP and BNP ratio were associated with the rapid progression of AS (p < 0.050 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Higher BNP was independently associated with the rapid progression of AS.

Cryptococcus neoformans endocarditis in an immunocompetentpatient a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus neoformans is an invasive fungal infection commonly affecting immunocompromised patients as pneumonia or meningitis. More rarely, case reports describe Cryptococcus neoformans endocarditis, though nearly exclusively among patients with active immunosuppression, implanted cardiac devices or prosthetic valves. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a patient with underlying substance abuse disorder and systolic heart failure presenting with fever, altered mental status, and shower emboli subsequently found to have native tricuspid valve vegetations and blood cultures positive for cryptococcus neoformans in the absence of immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: Historically, Cryptococcus neoformans fungemia manifests clinically as pneumonia or meningitis among the immunosuppressed. There have been rare reports of endocarditis in this population and even fewer reports of native valve endocarditis exist. The present case along with mortality reported in prior literature, suggest suspicion must be maintained in the absence of immunosuppression, even in patients with native valves.

The Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), an acquired valvular disease, remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. This chronic illness starts from untreated streptococcal throat infection, resulting in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in susceptible individuals. Repeated infections lead to a chronic phase characterized by the damage of heart valves. Inflammation has been found to play important role in the development of this disease. All the studies presented in this review clearly show the involvement of the inflammatory state in the progression of this disease. However, the exact role of cytokines in inflammation sites remains to be examined, since most studies have so far focused on peripheral blood. Such analysis would provide information on inflammatory mechanisms in situ.

Change in Lung Fluid Volume during Exercise in Patients with Exercise-Induced Mitral Regurgitation.

Exercise-induced mitral regurgitation (MR) can be diagnosed during stress echocardiography testing. Remote dielectric sensing (ReDSTM) is a noninvasive electromagnetic-based modality to measure lung fluid levels. The change in lung fluid levels in patients with MR during stress echocardiography remains unknown. Patients with symptomatic MR at baseline and suspected worsening exercise-induced MR underwent stress echocardiography. ReDS values were measured before and after the tests. A total of four patients (ages ranging between 74 and 84 years old, three women) underwent stress echocardiography testing using a bicycle ergometer. In patient A, MR effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) remained unchanged and ReDS values decreased. EROA increased significantly with a small incremental change in ReDS values in patient B and patient C, who underwent valve repair with MitraClip later. Patient D had a mild increase in MR EROA but a considerable increase in ReDS values (from 22% to 32%), and eventually received valve repair with MitraClip. The ReDS system may be a complementary tool to conventional stress echocardiography in the evaluation of clinically significant MR and considering mitral valve intervention.

Trans-Apical Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in a Dialysis Patient with Systolic Heart Failure.

Mortality and morbidity remain high following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in dialysis patients or those with low left ventricular ejection fraction. Therapeutic strategy for those with these comorbidities remains unestablished. We had a dialysis patient with peripheral artery disease and low left ventricular ejection fraction, who received successfully scheduled trans-apical TAVR following sufficient reverse remodeling by 3-month optimal medical therapy. Our strategy should be validated in a larger robust cohort.

Remote Dielectric Sensing to Assess Residual Pulmonary Congestion Following Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair.

Background and Objectives: Percutaneous mitral valve repair using a MitraClip system is an established therapeutic strategy to treat severe mitral regurgitation, which is recommended by guidelines in Europe and in the United States, whereas residual mitral regurgitation is associated with mortality and morbidity. Accurate assessment of residual mitral regurgitation is crucial for risk stratification and further adequate intervention, whereas its quantification has technical limitations due to "double" regurgitation that is often encountered following valve clipping. Remote dielectric sensing (ReDSTM) is a non-invasive electromagnetic-based technology to quantify lung fluid levels and might be a promising tool to assess the impact of residual mitral regurgitation following MitraClip. Materials and Methods: Following MitraClip, ReDS values measurements and right heart catheterization were performed and correlated. Results: We had 13 patients (median 74 years, 7 men) who underwent successful MitraClip. According to the visual estimation, eight patients had none or mild regurgitation, and five patients had moderate regurgitation. ReDS values were distributed widely between 16% and 33%, irrespective of the severity of regurgitation. ReDS values had a moderate correlation with invasively measured pulmonary artery wedge pressure (r = 0.73, p = 0.004). Conclusions: ReDS value might be a promising tool to assess residual pulmonary congestion following MitraClip, irrespective of the visually estimated severity of residual mitral regurgitation.

[Berberine inhibits osteogenic differentiation of aortic valve interstitial cells induced by osteogenic induction medium].

This research focused on the effect and mechanism of berberine on osteogenic differentiation of valve interstitial cells(VICs) induced by osteogenic induction medium, in order to provide new insights into the clinical treatment of calcified aortic valve disease. The expression of osteogenic and fibrotic makers in three cases of calcified valve tissues and one case of normal control was assayed by Western blot. After the porcine aortic VICs were isolated, the effects of different concentrations of berberine on their viability were examined by MTT assay for determining the optimal concentration range. VICs were cultured in osteogenic induction medium and treated with different concentrations of berberine. Western blot and q-PCR were conducted to detect the effects of berberine on the expression of osteogenic and fibrotic makers in VICs. The effects of berberine on osteogenic differentiation of VICs in the early and late stages were separately measured by ALP staining and alizarin red S staining. The effects of berberine on the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 at different time points were assayed by Western blot. And PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK1/2, was added for verification. The results suggested that related osteogenic and fibrotic makers were significantly up-regulated in calcified valve tissues as compared with those in the normal control. The up-regulated fibrosis and osteogenic makers of VICs under osteogenic conditions were reversed by berberine and the ALP activity and calcium deposition in VICs were also reduced obviously. The level of ERK1/2 phosphorylation was decreased. Similarly, the osteogenic and fibrotic makers of VICs induced by osteogenic induction medium were lowered by PD98059. This study has confirmed that berberine is able to inhibit the differentiation of VICs into myofibroblasts or osteoblast-like cells, which may be associated with the inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Risk factors for second hip fracture in elderly patients: an age, sex, and fracture type matched case-control study.

PURPOSE: Prevention of second hip fracture is mandatory for orthopedic surgeons. We aimed to clarify the incidence and duration of second hip fracture, to compare survival rate and walking ability of patients with a second hip fracture to that of patients with a unilateral fracture, and to identify risk factors for second hip fracture using matched case-control methods. METHODS: This retrospective study conducted in a single tertiary emergency center comprised 119 patients with second hip fractures who underwent bilateral operations at our institution from 2007 to 2017 (second hip fracture group [Group A]). The control group (Group B) comprised 357 patients matched to Group A for age, sex, and fracture type. RESULTS: The incidence of second hip fracture was 7.6%, and the average interval from initial fracture to second hip fracture was 22.8 months. Significantly more patients in Group A had decreased postoperative walking ability. Five-year survival rates from initial fracture were 65.0% in Group A and 50.6% in Group B (P = 0.346). Dementia and heart disease were identified as independent risk factors (dementia: HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.27-3.41, P = 0.004; heart disease: HR 1.27, 95% CI1.11-3.22, P = 0.019). Valvular disease was also revealed to be a risk factor for heart disease (P = 0.0272). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of second hip fracture was not low. Although survival rates did not differ between the patients with or without second hip fracture, walking ability of patients with second hip fracture worsened. Dementia and cardiac disease could be risk factors for second hip fracture in elderly patients, and valvular disease might be associated with second hip fracture in patients with heart disease.

The effects of interventional mitral valve repair using the MitraClip System on the results of pulmonary function testing, pulmonary pressure and diffusing capacity of the lung.

BACKGROUND: The study analyzes changes in lung function, pulmonary pressure and diffusing capacity of the lung in patients with mitral valve regurgitation (MR) treated by MitraClip implantation. METHODS: A total of 43 patients (19 women and 24 men with an average age of 78.0 ± 6.6 years) who were able to perform pulmonary function testing including diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), vital capacity (VC), total lung capacity (TLC), residual volume (RV) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) before and 6 weeks after MitraClip implantation participated in this study. Furthermore, clinical and echocardiographic parameters including systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial diameter (LAD) measurements were recorded in all patients. RESULTS: The procedure was performed successfully in all 43 patients leading to a reduction of MR in 97.7% of cases. One patient died on day 4 after the intervention most likely due to pulmonary artery embolism. Six weeks after the implantation 79.1% of patients showed a MR of at most mild to moderate. Furthermore, we could demonstrate a significant reduction of systolic pulmonary artery pressure during follow-up (from 48.8 ± 11.4 mmHg to 42.9 ± 9.0 mmHg (t(41) = - 2.6, p = 0.01). However, no changes in LVEF were detected. Comparing pre and post implant lung function tests, no significant alterations were seen for VC, TLC, DLCO and FEV1. Though, in a subgroup of patients with moderate to severe preexisting deterioration of DLCO at the baseline (max. 50%) the MitraClip procedure resulted in a significant improvement in DLCO (37.8% ± 9.0 to 41.6% ± 10.0, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of MR with the MitraClip system successfully reduces MR severity in the vast majority of patients. Consecutively, a reduction in pulmonary pressure could be observed, however no changes in LVEF were obvious. Lung function tests remained unaltered during follow-up. However, in a subgroup of patients with severe preexisting deterioration of DLCO the MitraClip procedure resulted in a significant improvement in DLCO. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Name of the registry: Die Auswirkung der interventionellen Mitralklappenreparatur mit MitraClip-System auf die Ergebnisse der Lungenfunktionsmessung. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00022435; Date of registration: 09/07/2020 'Retrospectively registered'; URL of trial registry record: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00022435 .

Echocardiographic findings in acromegaly: prevalence of concentric left ventricular remodeling in a large single-center cohort.

PURPOSE: Acromegaly is a rare disease and is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with uncontrolled disease. We aimed to analyze the prevalence and severity of cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease in a large cohort of patients with a confirmed acromegaly diagnosis, at baseline and after treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed an institutional approved database; 190 patients with confirmed acromegaly and follow-up data available (years 2006-2018). Patients with at least one baseline echocardiogram, were included. Demographic, disease control and echocardiogram variables were collected for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 190 patients 110 (58%) had a baseline echocardiogram and 43 (39.1%) had at least one follow-up echocardiogram after surgical, medical or multimodal treatment. Baseline left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) prevalence was 17.8% (64.7% concentric; 35.3% eccentric), diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and overt cardiomyopathy with heart failure were 15.8, 7.9, and 3.0%, respectively. Concentric remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) was noted in 31.4% of patients without LVH. Valve defects were found in 87.3% of patients (14.6% with significant valvular heart disease). CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of acromegaly and disease control should be attempted to prevent LVH/LV dysfunction and development of valvular heart disease. Concentric LV remodeling develops prior to obvious LV hypertrophy in almost a third of patients with acromegaly, which is a novel finding. Similar to other epidemiological studies, we found a high prevalence of LVH/LV dysfunction. Although possible, reversal of systolic and diastolic dysfunction is sporadic after treatment of acromegaly.

Epidemiology of Heart Valve Disease in Taiwan.

Studies conducted in developed nations have shown that increase in life expectancy has brought with it a rise in the incidence and treatment of degenerative aortic and mitral heart valve diseases. Current standards recommend valve replacement among even some asymptomatic patients. In this research, we examine the epidemiology of valvular heart disease and rate of valve replacement in Taiwan, where life expectancy now stands at 80.69 years. Patients were enrolled based on claims from a widely used national database and categorized into cohorts defined by type of valve disease and, further, by valve replacements and type of valve (mechanical, porcine, or bovine). Data, including disease type, age, and gender, were analyzed to determine annual and cumulative incidence rates and prosthetic usage from 2000 to 2017. Results showed that across the cohorts, the cumulative incidence rate in 2017 was 3.59%, and in the aortic valve cohort, the percentage of surgical valve replacement for those ≥60 years was 6.99%. Compared with other developed nations, this demonstrates that incidence rates are slightly higher, yet surgical replacements are less than half that of other developed nations. This under-treatment of patients with valvular heart disease presents an important public health challenge in Taiwan.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI: case report with first neonatal presentation with ascites fetalis and rapidly progressive cardiac manifestation.

BACKGROUND: The Mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI), also known as Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (OMIM 253200) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder, caused by the deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase (also known as arylsulfatase B) due to mutations of the ARSB gene. Cardiologic features are well recognized, and are always present in MPS VI patients. Generally, the onset and the progression of the cardiologic symptoms are insidious, and just a few patients have developed a rapidly progressive disease. Cardiac involvement in MPS VI is a common and progressive feature. For MPS patients, cardiac evaluations are recommended every 1 to 2 years, including blood pressure measurement, electrocardiography and echocardiography. However, congestive heart failure and valvular surgical repair are not frequently seen, and if so, they are performed in adults. Here we report on an atypical MPS VI case with ascites fetalis and a rapidly progressive cardiac disease. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-month-old Brazilian male, only child of a Brazilian healthy non-consanguineous couple. During pregnancy, second trimester ultrasonography observed fetal ascites and bilateral hydrocele. Physical exam at 6 months-old revealed a typical gibbus deformity and MPS was suspected. Biochemical investigation revealed a diagnosis of MPS type VI, confirmed by molecular test. Baseline echocardiogram revealed discrete tricuspid regurgitation and a thickened mitral valve with posterior leaflet prolapse, causing moderate to severe regurgitation. The patient evolved with mitral insufficiency and congestive heart failure, eventually requiring surgical repair by the first year of age. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of MPS VI whose manifestations started in the prenatal period with fetal ascites, with severe cardiac valvular disease that eventually required early surgical repair. Moreover, in MPS with neonatal presentation, including fetal hydrops, besides MPS I, IVA and VII, clinicians should include MPS VI in the differential diagnosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation for failed surgical bioprosthetic valves. A minimalist approach without contrast aortography or echocardiographic guidance.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate safety, feasibility and short-term clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve (ViV) implantation under local anesthesia without contrast aortography or echocardiographic guidance. BACKGROUND: Transcatheter ViV implantation is an emerging treatment modality for patients with degenerative surgical bioprostheses. Given the radiopaque properties of the surgical aortic valve (SAV) frame, ViV procedures can often be performed with fluoroscopic guidance alone. METHODS: ViV implantation was performed in 37 patients with SAV failure under local anesthesia without contrast aortography. Clinical and echocardiographic data were obtained at baseline, discharge, and 30 days. RESULTS: Mean age was 74 ± 10 years and STS predicted risk of mortality was 5.6 ± 2.4%. Mean transaortic gradient decreased from 39.4 ± 15.5 mmHg to 13 ± 6.3 mmHg at discharge (p < .001), and 20 ± 7.5 mmHg at 30 days (p < .001 compared to baseline), aortic valve area increased from 0.9 ± 0.3 cm2 to 1.2 ± 0.4 cm2 at 30 days (p = .007). No patient had more than mild aortic regurgitation. Hospital discharge occurred at a median of 2.6 ± 4.4 days. At 30-day follow-up there were no deaths, myocardial infarctions, strokes, repeat hospital admissions for heart failure, or renal failure. One patient (2.7%) required a new pacemaker. 93% of the patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter aortic ViV implantation for selected patients with degenerative surgical bioprostheses under local anesthesia without aortography or echocardiographic guidance is feasible and safe.