Safety and effects of volume loading during transesophageal echocardiography in the pre-procedural work-up for left atrial appendage closure.

BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing left atrial appendage (LAA) closure, an accurate sizing of the LAA is key to optimize device sizing, procedural success and reduce complications. Previous studies have shown that intraprocedural volume loading increases LAA dimensions and improves device sizing. However, the safety and effects on LAA and device sizing of administering a fluid bolus during pre-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and impact on LAA dimensions and device sizing of an intravenous (IV) fluid bolus administered during TEE in the setting of the pre-procedural work-up for LAA closure. METHODS: The study included a total of 72 patients who underwent TEE to assess suitability for LAAC and received a 500 ml IV bolus of normal saline. The LAA landing zone (LZ) and depth were measured by TEE before and after volume loading, and these measurements were used to predict the device size implanted during a subsequent percutaneous LAAC procedure. RESULTS: There were no complications associated with volume loading. The baseline mean LZ was 19.6 ± 3.6 mm at 90o, and 20.2 ± 4.1 mm at 135o. Following fluid bolus, the maximum diameter increased 1.5 ± 1.0 mm at 90o (p<0.001), and 1.3 ± 1.0 mm at 135o (p<0.001). The baseline mean depth of the LAA was 26.5 ± 5.5 mm at 90o, and 23.9 ± 5.8 mm at 135o. After fluid bolus, the mean depth increased by 1.5 ± 1.8 mm (p<0.001) and 1.6 ± 2.0 (p<0.001), at 90o and 135o, respectively. Sizing based on post-bolus measurements of the LZ significantly improved the agreement with the final device size selection during the procedure in 71.0% of cases (vs. 42.0% with pre-bolus measurements). CONCLUSIONS: Volume loading during ambulatory TEE as part of the pre-procedural work-up of LAAC is safe and significantly increases LAA dimensions. This strategy may become the new standard, particularly in centers performing LAAC with no TEE guidance, as it improves LAA sizing and more accurately predicts the final device size.

Overcoming the transcatheter aortic valve replacement Achilles heel: conduction abnormalities-a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been shown to be a good alternative to surgery for treating severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) across the whole range of surgical risk patients. Whereas most periprocedural TAVR complications have significantly decreased over time, conduction disturbances remain high. Approaches to decrease this shortcoming are under continuous investigation. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review focusing on modifiable factors impacting post-TAVR conduction disturbances, such as balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV), type of new-generation transcatheter valve and implantation depth (ID). Search strategies were based on the best available evidence from each study. Primary endpoints were post-TAVR need of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) and new onset left bundle branch block (NOLBBB). RESULTS: Data from 35 studies with a total of 29,982 patients were analyzed. BAV did not negatively impact PPI rates after TAVR. In propensity-matched and randomized trials, the Evolut R valve was associated with higher rates of PPI compared to the Sapien 3 valve (25% vs. 19.2% in propensity-matched studies; 22.9% vs. 19% in a randomized trial). The Acurate Neo valve was associated with the lowest PPI rate in observational studies (10.4%), but a PPI rate similar to Sapien 3 was reported in a randomized trial (10% vs. 9%). The Portico valve system was associated with a higher PPI risk (PPI rate of 21.9% and 27.7% in propensity-matched and randomized studies, respectively). ID and its relation with the membranous septum (MS) length predicted post-TAVR conduction disturbances, particularly with Evolut R and Sapien 3 valves. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-TAVR BAV did not increase the risk of conduction disturbances post-TAVR. Among the new-generation transcatheter valve systems, Sapien 3 and Acurate Neo valves were associated with the lowest PPI rates followed by the Evolut and Portico valves. A deeper valve implantation and a shorter MS length determined an increased risk of conduction disturbances post-TAVR.

Safety of Transesophageal Echocardiography to Guide Structural Cardiac Interventions.

BACKGROUND: Despite the widespread use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to guide structural cardiac interventions, studies evaluating safety in this context are lacking. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the incidence, types of complications, and factors associated with esophageal or gastric lesions following TEE manipulation during structural cardiac interventions. METHODS: This was a prospective study including 50 patients undergoing structural cardiac interventions in which TEE played a central role in guiding the procedure (mitral and tricuspid valve repair, left atrial appendage closure, and paravalvular leak closure). An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed before and immediately after the procedure to look for new injuries that might have arisen during the course of the intervention. Patients were divided in 2 cohorts according to the type of injury: complex lesions (intramural hematoma, mucosal laceration) and minor lesions (petechiae, ecchymosis). The factors associated with an increased risk of complications were assessed. RESULTS: Post-procedural EGD showed a new injury in 86% (n = 43 of 50) of patients, with complex lesions accounting for 40% (n = 20 of 50) of cases. Patients with complex lesions presented more frequently with an abnormal baseline EGD (70% vs. 37%; p = 0.04) and had a higher incidence of post-procedural dysphagia or odynophagia (40% vs. 10%; p = 0.02). Independent factors associated with an increased risk of complex lesions were a longer procedural time under TEE manipulation (for each 10-min increment in imaging time, odds ratio: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 1.59) and poor or suboptimal image quality (odds ratio: 4.93; 95% confidence interval: 1.10 to 22.02). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients undergoing structural cardiac interventions showed some form of injury associated with TEE, with longer procedural time and poor or suboptimal image quality determining an increased risk. Imaging experts performing this technique should be aware of the nature of potential complications, to take the necessary precautions to prevent their occurrence and facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.

Transesophageal echocardiography complications associated with interventional cardiology procedures.

BACKGROUND: Although there have been several reports documenting complications related with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) manipulation following cardiac surgery, there is a paucity of data regarding the safety of TEE used to guide catheter-based interventions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, types and risk factors of complications associated with procedures requiring active TEE guidance. METHODS: This study included 1249 consecutive patients undergoing either transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), Mitraclip, left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) or paravalvular leak closure (PVLC). Patients were divided into 2 cohorts based on the degree of probe manipulation required to guide the procedure and the risk of developing a TEE-related complication: low-risk (TAVI, n = 1037) and high-risk (Mitraclip, LAAO and PVLC, n = 212). Patients were further analyzed according to the occurrence of major and minor TEE-related complications. RESULTS: The overall incidence of TEE-related complications was 0.9% in the TAVI group and 6.1% in the rest of the cohort (P < .001). Patients in the high-risk cohort had also a higher incidence of major-complications (2.8% vs 0.6%, P = .008), and factors associated with an increased risk were being underweight, having a prior history of gastrointestinal bleeding and the use of chronic steroids/immunosuppressive medications. Procedural time under TEE-manipulation was longer in patients exhibiting complications and was an independent predictor of major complications (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.25, for each 10 minutes increments in imaging time). Patients with major complications undergoing Mitraclip had the longest median time under TEE-manipulation (297 minutes) and a risk of developing a major-complication that was 10.64 times higher than the rest of the cohort (95% CI 3.30-34.29, P < .001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TEE-related complications associated with interventional procedures is higher than previously reported. Undergoing a prolonged procedure, particularly in the setting of Mitraclip, was the main factor linked to TEE-related complications.

Contemporary epidemiology and outcomes in recurrent infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: Recurrent infective endocarditis (IE) is a major complication of patients surviving a first episode of IE. This study sought to analyse the current state of recurrent IE in a large contemporary cohort. METHODS: 1335 consecutive episodes of IE were recruited prospectively in three tertiary care centres in Spain between 1996 and 2015. Episodes were categorised into group I (n=1227), first-IE episode and group II (n=108), recurrent IE (8.1%). After excluding six patients, due to lack of relevant data, group II was subdivided into IIa (n=87), reinfection (different microorganism), and IIb (n=15), relapse (same microorganism within 6 months of the initial episode). RESULTS: The cumulative burden and incidence of recurrence was slightly lower in the second decade of the study (2006-2015) (7.17 vs 4.10 events/100 survivors and 7.51% vs 3.82, respectively). Patients with reinfections, compared with group I, were significantly younger, had a higher frequency of HIV infection, were more commonly intravenous drug users (IVDU) and prosthetic valve carriers, had less embolic complications and cardiac surgery, with similar in-hospital mortality. IVDU was found to be an independent predictor of reinfection (HR 3.92, 95% CI 1.86 to 8.28).In the relapse IE group, prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and periannular complications were more common. Among patients treated medically, those with PVE had a higher relapse incidence (4.82% vs 0.43% in native valve IE, p=0.018). Staphylococcus aureus and PVE were independent predictors of relapse (HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.11 to 8.86 and 3.19, 95% CI 1.13 to 9.00, respectively) and in-hospital-mortality was similar to group I. Three-year all-cause mortality was similar in recurrent episodes compared with single episodes. CONCLUSION: Recurrent IE remains a frequent late complication. IVDU was associated with a fourfold increase in the risk of reinfection. PVE treated medically and infections caused by S. aureus increased the risk of relapse. In-hospital and long-term mortality was comparable among groups.

Early Experience With Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review.

Background Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) has emerged as an alternative therapeutic option for the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation in patients with prohibitive or high surgical risk. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the clinical procedural characteristics and outcomes associated with the early TMVR experience. Methods and Results Published studies and international conference presentations reporting data on TMVR systems were identified. Only records including clinical characteristics, procedural results, and 30-day and midterm outcomes were analyzed. A total of 16 publications describing 308 patients were analyzed. Most patients (65.9%) were men, with a mean age of 75 years (range: 69-81 years) and Society for Thoracic Surgery Predicted Risk of Mortality score of 7.7% (range: 6.1-8.6%). The etiology of mitral regurgitation was predominantly secondary or mixed (87.1%), and 81.5% of the patients were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. A transapical approach was used in 81.5% of patients, and overall technical success was high (91.7%). Postprocedural mean transmitral gradient was 3.5 mm Hg (range: 3-5.5 mm Hg), and only 4 cases (1.5%) presented residual moderate to severe mitral regurgitation. Procedural and all-cause 30-day mortality were 4.6% and 13.6%, respectively. Left ventricular outflow obstruction and conversion to open heart surgery were reported in 0.3% and 4% of patients, respectively. All-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality rates were 27.6% and 23.3%, respectively, after a mean follow-up of 10 (range: 3 to 24) months. Conclusions TMVR was a feasible, less invasive alternative for treating severe mitral regurgitation in patients with high or prohibitive surgical risk. TMVR was associated with a high rate of successful valve implantation and excellent hemodynamic results. However, periprocedural complications and all-cause mortality were relatively high.

Aortic Stenosis and Small Aortic Annulus.

The presence of a small aortic annulus poses a considerable challenge in the management of patients with severe aortic stenosis, especially in elderly women, where it is a very frequent finding. The optimal approach for treating these patients remains controversial, and several surgical strategies such as aortic root enlargement, supra-annular stented prosthetic valves, stentless bioprosthesis, and sutureless bioprostheses have been proposed to improve valve hemodynamics and clinical outcomes. More recently, transcatheter aortic valve replacement has emerged as a valid alternative for the treatment of aortic stenosis and excellent valve hemodynamic results have been observed among patients with a small aortic annulus. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current definition, prevalence, and clinical impact of small aortic annulus in patients with aortic stenosis, and evaluate the different therapeutic strategies currently available to improve valve hemodynamics and outcomes in this population.

Incidence, Causes, and Impact of In-Hospital Infections After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

In-hospital infections (IHI) are one of the most common and serious problems after invasive procedures. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an increasingly used alternative to surgery in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, origin, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of IHI after TAVI. A total of 303 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent transfemoral TAVI were included and followed during a median time of 21 months. We examined the occurrence, types, origin, and timing of infections during hospital stay as well as short- and long-term clinical outcomes according to the occurrence of IHI. A total of 51 patients (17%; 62 infectious episodes) experienced IHI after TAVI. Respiratory and urinary tract infections were the most frequent type of infections (44% and 34%, respectively), followed by surgical site infection (8%) and bloodstream infection (5%). Positive cultures were obtained in 74% of the samples, of which 65% were gram-negative bacilli. Modifiable factors such as bleeding (p = 0.005) and length of coronary care unit stay (p <0.001) were independently associated with an increased infection risk. Patients with IHI had a longer hospital stay (14 vs 6 days, p <0.001), an increased mortality (hazard ratio 2.48, 95% CI 1.45 to 4.23) and readmission rate (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% CI 1.27 to 3.14) during the follow-up. In conclusion, IHI is a frequent complication after TAVI with a significant impact on short- and long-term clinical outcomes. The most important risk factors associated with the development of this complication were modifiable periprocedural aspects. These results underline the importance to implement specific preventive strategies to reduce in-hospital-acquired infections after TAVI.