Hemodynamics and Prognostic Impact of Concomitant Mitral Stenosis in Patients Undergoing Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Mitral stenosis frequently coexists in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Mitral stenosis severity evaluation is challenging in the setting of combined aortic stenosis and mitral stenosis because of hemodynamic interactions between the 2 valve lesions. The impact of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis on mitral stenosis is unknown. This study aimed to assess the effect of AVR on mitral stenosis hemodynamics and the clinical outcomes of patients with severe aortic stenosis with and without mitral stenosis. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated patients who underwent surgical AVR or transcatheter AVR for severe aortic stenosis from 2008 to 2015. Mean transmitral gradient by Doppler echocardiography ≥4 mm Hg was identified as mitral stenosis; patients were then stratified according to mitral valve area (MVA, by continuity equation) as >2.0 cm2 or ≤2.0 cm2. MVA before and after AVR in patients with mitral stenosis were evaluated. Clinical outcomes of patients with and without mitral stenosis were compared using 1:2 matching for age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, method of AVR (surgical AVR versus transcatheter AVR) and year of AVR. RESULTS: Of 190 patients with severe aortic stenosis and mitral stenosis (age 76±9 years, 42% men), 184 were matched with 362 with severe aortic stenosis without mitral stenosis. Among all mitral stenosis patients, the mean MVA increased after AVR by 0.26±0.59 cm2 (from 2.00±0.50 to 2.26±0.62 cm2, P<0.01). MVA increased in 105 (55%) and remained unchanged in 34 (18%). Indexed stroke volume ≤45 mL/m2 (odds ratio [OR] 2.40; 95% CI, 1.15-5.01; P=0.020) and transcatheter AVR (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.17-4.77; P=0.017) were independently associated with increase in MVA. Of 107 with significant mitral stenosis (MVA ≤2.0 cm2), MVA increased to >2.0 cm2 after AVR in 52 (49%, pseudo mitral stenosis) and remained ≤2.0 cm2 in 55 (51%, true mitral stenosis). During follow-up of median 2.9 (0.7-4.9) years, true mitral stenosis was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.20-2.94; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MVA improved after AVR in nearly half of patients with severe aortic stenosis and mitral stenosis. MVA remained ≤2.0 cm2 (true mitral stenosis) in nearly half of patients with severe aortic stenosis and significant mitral stenosis; this was associated with worse survival among patients undergoing AVR for severe aortic stenosis.

Clinical implications of Sokolow-Lyon voltage less than 3.5 mV in patients who have undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) is increasingly prevalent in the aging population, leading to the adoption of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as a less invasive alternative. While TAVR indications have expanded, the procedure is associated with a substantial incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The study aims to establish a preoperative risk-stratification system for TAVR candidates based on Sokolow-Lyon voltage (SLV) and other relevant factors. METHODS: A total of 181 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics, preoperative electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography findings, and TAVR procedures were assessed. Low SLV (<3.5 mV) was defined based on ECG measurements. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics revealed a mean age of 84 years, with 71.8% females. The two-year incidence of MACE defined as a composite of cardiac death and hospitalization due to heart failure, was 11.6%, significantly higher in the low SLV group. Low SLV emerged as an independent prognostic factor. The Tokyo Bay Risk (TBR) Score, including low SLV, Body Mass Index <18.5 kg/m2, and previous coronary artery disease, effectively stratified MACE risk. Higher TBR scores (2 or 3) correlated with increased MACE risk. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low SLV in pre-procedural ECG demonstrated a heightened risk of two-year MACE. The TBR score, incorporating low SLV, proved valuable for preoperative risk assessment. Careful consideration of TAVR indications, along with TBR score integration, is crucial for optimizing outcomes.

Impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement on hemodynamic status in patients with aortic stenosis and mitral stenosis: Doppler echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Mitral stenosis (MS) is often concomitant with aortic stenosis (AS). However, little is known about the functional status following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) alone in patients with severe AS and MS and the impact of TAVR for AS on MS hemodynamics. METHODS: We enrolled 11 patients (age 83.6±4.7 years, eight women) with severe AS and MS who underwent TAVR. We compared New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and mean transmitral pressure gradient (MPG), mitral valve area (MVA), and stroke volume (SV) measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography between baseline and after TAVR. We also examined the calcification of the mitral annulus and mitral leaflet opening. RESULTS: NYHA functional class improved after TAVR in all 11 patients. As SV increased after TAVR (52±12mL to 63±18mL, p=0.041), MPG decreased and MVA increased (6.9±3.8mmHg to 5.1±2.5mmHg, p=0.011 for MPG and 1.12±0.25cm2 to 1.49±0.43cm2, p=0.035 for MVA). However, MPG increased in one patient in whom calcification extended into the entire anterior mitral leaflet (AML) and AML mobility was severely reduced. CONCLUSIONS: NYHA functional class and hemodynamic status of MS improved after TAVR in patients with severe AS and MS. TAVR might provide therapeutic efficacy for selected symptomatic severe AS patients with MS.

Determinants of progression of aortic valve stenosis and outcome of adverse events in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) is an important risk factor for progression of aortic valve stenosis (AS). However, there are varying degrees of disease progression among patients with AS on HD. The aim of this study was to find determinants of rapid progression of AS in patients on HD. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients with AS on HD with a mean follow-up period of 4 years. The peak pressure gradient (PPG) between the initial echocardiography and the last echocardiography at least 3 months interval (ΔPPG) was adopted as the indicator of AS progression. We divided the patients into two groups according to ΔPPG per year [rapid progression (ΔPPG>4.5 mmHg/year), slow progression (ΔPPG<4.5 mmHg/year)] and compared the clinical characteristics between the two groups. RESULTS: Overall mean ΔPPG was 4.5 mmHg/year. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum calcium, and calcium-phosphate product were significantly higher in rapid progression group compared with slow progression group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: High systolic blood pressure, serum calcium, and calcium-phosphate product were associated with rapid progression of AS in patients on chronic HD.