Prioritization of Candidate Biomarkers for Degenerative Aortic Stenosis through a Systems Biology-Based In-Silico Approach.

Degenerative aortic stenosis is the most common valve disease in the elderly and is usually confirmed at an advanced stage when the only treatment is surgery. This work is focused on the study of previously defined biomarkers through systems biology and artificial neuronal networks to understand their potential role within aortic stenosis. The goal was generating a molecular panel of biomarkers to ensure an accurate diagnosis, risk stratification, and follow-up of aortic stenosis patients. We used in silico studies to combine and re-analyze the results of our previous studies and, with information from multiple databases, established a mathematical model. After this, we prioritized two proteins related to endoplasmic reticulum stress, thrombospondin-1 and endoplasmin, which have not been previously validated as markers for aortic stenosis, and analyzed them in a cell model and in plasma from human subjects. Large-scale bioinformatics tools allow us to extract the most significant results after using high throughput analytical techniques. Our results could help to prevent the development of aortic stenosis and open the possibility of a future strategy based on more specific therapies.

Validation of the usefulness of 2-dimensional strain parameters to exclude acute rejection after heart transplantation: a multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography has emerged as a promising alternative to endomyocardial biopsy to rule out acute cellular rejection after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) in single center studies. In an original cohort, 15.5% and 17% of cutoff points for left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and free-wall right ventricular longitudinal strain, respectively, achieved 100% negative predictive value to exclude moderate or severe acute cellular rejection (ACR ≥ 2R). Our objective was to demonstrate the usefulness of speckle-tracking and validate these cutoff points in an external cohort. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study that included patients who were monitored during their first year after OHT was conducted. Echocardiographic studies analyzed by local investigators were compared with simultaneous paired endomyocardial biopsies samples. RESULTS: A total of 501 endomyocardial biopsy-echocardiographic studies were included in 99 patients. ACR≥2R was present in 7.4% of samples. LVGLS and free-wall right ventricular longitudinal strain were significantly reduced during ACR≥2R on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, LVGLS was independently associated with the presence of ACR≥2R. The original cutoff points demonstrated a negative predictive value of 94.3% to exclude ACR≥2R. CONCLUSIONS: This study maintained a strong negative predictive value to exclude ACR≥2R after OHT and LVGLS was independently associated with the presence of ACR≥2R. We propose the use of speckle-tracking, especially LVGLS, as part of the noninvasive diagnosis and management of ACR.

Double pseudoaneurysm, recurrent subvalvular aortic membrane and small left ventricular outflow tract in the same patient: who dares?

Patients with pseudoaneurysm in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) commonly present vague and nonspecific symptoms making the diagnosis difficult. We present the case of a 37-year-old patient with two subvalvular pseudoaneurysms in whom a combined resection surgery, enlargement of the LVOT, aortic valve replacement (AVR) and aortic root replacement were performed using the technique of Cabrol.

Tomografía computarizada cardiaca: Nuevas aplicaciones de una técnica en evolución / Cardiac computed tomography: New applications of an evolving technique

En los últimos años hemos sido testigos del continuo desarrollo de las técnicas de imagen en cardiología. Entre ellas, la tomografía computarizada cardiaca, técnica emergente y en continua evolución. Con la posibilidad actual de realizar estudios con muy baja radiación se han ampliado sus indicaciones más allá de la coronariografía no invasiva. En el presente trabajo de revisión repasamos las novedades técnicas de la tomografía computarizada cardiaca así como sus nuevas aplicaciones.

During the last years we have witnessed an increasing development of imaging techniques applied in Cardiology. Among them, cardiac computed tomography is an emerging and evolving technique. With the current possibility of very low radiation studies, the applications have expanded and go further coronariography In the present article we review the technical developments of cardiac computed tomography and its new applications.

Infective endocarditis and caseous calcification of the mitral annulus: The odd couple / La endocarditis infecciosa y la calcificación caseosa del anillo mitral: la extraña pareja

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus is an infrequent echocardiographic finding. The differential diagnosis includes other entities like tumors, abscess or thrombus. Both cardiac CT and cardiac MRI may be useful for its definitive diagnosis.

La calcificación caseosa del anillo mitral es un hallazgo ecocardiográfico poco frecuente. Debe hacerse el diagnóstico diferencial con otras entidades tales como tumores, abscesos o trombos. Para su diagnóstico definitivo además del ecocardiograma tanto el TC cardiaco como la Cardio RM pueden ser de utilidad.

Infective endocarditis and caseous calcification of the mitral annulus: the odd couple.

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus is an infrequent echocardiographic finding. The differential diagnosis includes other entities like tumors, abscess or thrombus. Both cardiac CT and cardiac MRI may be useful for its definitive diagnosis.

Left ventricle non-compaction cardiomyopathy: Different clinical scenarios and magnetic resonance imaging findings / Miocardiopatía no compactada: diferentes escenarios clínicos y hallazgos en cardiorresonancia magnética

Left ventricle non-compaction cardiomyopathy is currently considered as a well-defined individual entity. However, it includes a broad spectrum of clinical, radiological and pathophysiological findings. In this review we describe 3 different scenarios of this entity: an isolated case with severe left ventricle dysfunction, an "associated" case in a patient with previous atrial septum defect and pulmonary stenosis and finally, as a finding in a patient with a transient cerebrovascular ischemic attack. In the 2 last cases, both asymptomatic, morphological criteria of left ventricle non-compaction were found but, ventricular function was normal and cardiac-MRI showed no late gadolinium hyperenhancement. Periodical follow-up and familial screening were recommended. Natural history and prognosis factors of this disease are still not well known. Further and longer series of patients with this diagnosis are needed to completely define radiological criteria, clinical presentation and evolution.

La miocardiopatía no compactada está considerada actualmente como una entidad independiente y bien definida. Sin embargo, presenta un espectro amplio de hallazgos clínicos, radiológicos y fisiopatológicos. En la presente revisión describimos 3 escenarios clínicos diferentes de dicha entidad: un caso con disfunción ventricular severa, un caso como entidad «asociada¼ a una cardiopatía congènita en un pacientes con un defecto del septo interauricular previo y estenosis pulmonar, y finalmente, como un hallazgo casual en un paciente con un accidente cerebrovascular transitorio. En estos 2 últimos casos se encontraron criterios morfológicos de miocardiopatía no compactada con función ventricular normal y sin presencia de realce tardío de gadolinio en el estudio de cardio-RM. En todos ellos se recomendó estudio familiar. La historia natural y el pronóstico de esta anatomía patológica no son todavía del todo conocidos. Series mayores y seguimiento más largos son necesarios para definir completamente los criterios radiológicos, la presentación clínica y la evolución de esta fascinante entidad.

Arteria coronaria única con origen en seno de Valsalva derecho: Utilidad de la angiotomografía coronaria con tomografía multicorte / Single coronary artery originated in the right Valsalva sinus: Usefulness of multislice coronary angiotomography

La arteria coronaria única con origen en el seno de Valsalva derecho es una anomalía coronaria congénita poco frecuente. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 77 años remitido para coronariografía invasiva con diagnóstico de síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST de localización ínfero-lateral. En el estudio se demostró enfermedad significativa en el tercio proximal de la coronaria derecha. Durante el procedimiento no se logró cateterizar el ostium de la coronaria izquierda que aparentemente se rellenaba desde la coronaria derecha. Ante la sospecha de un origen anómalo de la misma, se realizó coronariografía no invasiva mediante tomografía multicorte de 64 cortes que confirmó la existencia de una arteria coronaria única con origen en el seno de Valsalva derecho.

Single coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva is a rare congenital coronary anomaly. We report the case of a 77- year- old man who was referred for invasive coronary angiography with a diagnosis of a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome of inferior-lateral location. Significant lesion was detected in the proximal segment of the right coronary artery (RCA). During the procedure, it was impossible to catheterize the left coronary ostium, being the left anterior descending filled from the RCA. Given the suspicion of agenesis of the left main, 64-multidetector computed tomography was performed which confirmed the existence of a solitary coronary ostium with a single artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva.

Assessment of myocardial deformation: Predicting medium-term left ventricular dysfunction after surgery in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The development of left ventricular dysfunction after mitral valve replacement is a common problem in patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation. Assessment of myocardial deformation enables myocardial contractility to be accurately estimated. Our aim was to compare the value of the preoperative strain and strain rate derived by either speckle-tracking echocardiography or tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for predicting the medium-term decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following surgery. METHODS: This prospective study involved 38 consecutive patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation who were scheduled for mitral valve replacement. The longitudinal strain and strain rate in the interventricular septum were measured preoperatively using speckle-tracking echocardiography and TDI. The LVEF was determined preoperatively and postoperatively using 3-dimensional echocardiography. Echocardiographic assessments were performed in the 48 hours prior to surgery and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 59.9+/-11.3 years and 10 (29.4%) were male. Both speckle-tracking echocardiography and TDI were found to be predictors of a >10% decrease in LVEF at 6 months. However, the predictive value of speckle-tracking echocardiography was greater than that of TDI. The longitudinal strain at baseline in the interventricular septum as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography was the most powerful predictor; the area under the curve was 0.85 and the optimal cut-off value was -0.11. CONCLUSIONS: Speckle-tracking echocardiography can be used to predict a decrease in LVEF over the medium term after mitral valve replacement. Moreover, the predictive accuracy of speckle-tracking echocardiography was greater than that of TDI.

Huge tricuspid valve abscess.

A 60-year-old woman with colorectal adenocarcinoma underwent surgical mass resection in 2003; hepatic segmentectomy due to hepatic metastasis was performed in 2005. A port-a-cath for the administration of chemotherapy was cannulated. In April 2007, the patient developed fever and shivering, and the catheter was removed. Catheter and blood cultures were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. TEE showed a very mobile mass (3 x 2 cm) at the junction of the posterior and anterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve. The mass had large echolucent areas inside, exhibiting an appearance like a 'ball of wool' (Panel B). Cardiac MRI confirmed the presence of a mass attached to the tricuspid valve, as shown in the delayed enhancement sequence. At surgery, a ruptured tendinous cord as well as a large abscess within the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve was found.

Diagnosis and treatment of coronary stent entanglement complicated by extreme stent distortion.

A 2.5 x 32 mm Taxus Libert e stent was deployed at high pressure in the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) of a 71-year-old male patient, but the distal part of the lesion remained uncovered. A second stent (Driver 2.5 x 12 mm) could not be advanced through the first one and was withdrawn. The pullback traction resulted in dislodgement of the stent from its delivery balloon. Fluoroscopic examination suggested that the missing stent had traveled to the ascending aorta. Transesophageal echocardiography disclosed a dense, linear, mobile structure in the ascending aorta arising from the right coronary ostium. A 64-multislice computed tomographic scan revealed that both stents were entangled, with the first stent (Taxus 32 mm) elongated (approximately 90 mm in length), and the second one (Driver 12 mm) attached to the tail of the Taxus stent in the aorta. Stent retrieval was performed with a 15 mm snare loop catheter through a 7 Fr femoral sheath. Examination of the retrieved material revealed elongation of the Taxus stent entangled with the Driver stent. This case illustrates the potential for serious complications derived from stent entanglement, even with modern stent platforms, and how integrating noninvasive imaging modalities can provide crucial information regarding the cause of the complication and its solution.