Association Between Early Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Improvement After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and 5-Year Clinical Outcomes.

Importance: In patients with severe aortic stenosis and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50%, early LVEF improvement after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with improved 1-year mortality; however, its association with long-term clinical outcomes is not known. Objective: To examine the association between early LVEF improvement after TAVR and 5-year outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study analyzed patients enrolled in the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) 1, 2, and S3 trials and registries between July 2007 and April 2015. High- and intermediate-risk patients with baseline LVEF less than 50% who underwent transfemoral TAVR were included in the current study. Data were analyzed from August 2020 to May 2021. Exposures: Early LVEF improvement, defined as increase of 10 percentage points or more at 30 days and also as a continuous variable (ΔLVEF between baseline and 30 days). Main Outcomes and Measures: All-cause death at 5 years. Results: Among 659 included patients with LVEF less than 50%, 468 (71.0%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 82.4 (7.7) years. LVEF improvement within 30 days following transfemoral TAVR occurred in 216 patients (32.8%) (mean [SD] ΔLVEF, 16.4 [5.7%]). Prior myocardial infarction, diabetes, cancer, higher baseline LVEF, larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and larger aortic valve area were independently associated with lower likelihood of LVEF improvement. Patients with vs without early LVEF improvement after TAVR had lower 5-year all-cause death (102 [50.0%; 95% CI, 43.3-57.1] vs 246 [58.4%; 95% CI, 53.6-63.2]; P = .04) and cardiac death (52 [29.5%; 95% CI, 23.2-37.1] vs 135 [38.1%; 95% CI, 33.1-43.6]; P = .05). In multivariable analyses, early improvement in LVEF (modeled as a continuous variable) was associated with lower 5-year all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio per 5% increase in LVEF, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.88-1.00]; P = .04) and cardiac death (adjusted hazard ratio per 5% increase in LVEF, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.82-0.98]; P = .02) after TAVR. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a visual inflection point at ΔLVEF of 10% beyond which there was a steep decline in all-cause mortality with increasing degree of LVEF improvement. There were no statistically significant differences in rehospitalization, New York Heart Association functional class, or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary score at 5 years in patients with vs without early LVEF improvement. In subgroup analysis, the association between early LVEF improvement and 5-year all-cause death was consistent regardless of the presence or absence of coronary artery disease or prior myocardial infarction. Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with severe aortic stenosis and LVEF less than 50%, 1 in 3 experience LVEF improvement within 1 month after TAVR. Early LVEF improvement is associated with lower 5-year all-cause and cardiac death.

Trends in Utilization of Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the rapid growth of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS), limited data suggest symptomatic severe AS remains undertreated. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate temporal trends in AVR utilization among patients with a clinical indication for AVR. METHODS: Patients with severe AS (aortic valve area <1 cm2) on transthoracic echocardiograms from 2000 to 2017 at 2 large academic medical centers were classified based on clinical guideline indications for AVR and divided into 4 AS subgroups: high gradient with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HG-NEF), high gradient with low LVEF (HG-LEF), low gradient with normal LVEF (LG-NEF), and low gradient with low LVEF (LG-LEF). Utilization of AVR was examined and predictors identified. RESULTS: Of 10,795 patients, 6,150 (57%) had an indication or potential indication for AVR, of whom 2,977 (48%) received AVR. The frequency of AVR varied by AS subtype with LG groups less likely to receive an AVR (HG-NEF: 70%, HG-LEF: 53%, LG-NEF: 32%, LG-LEF: 38%, P < 0.001). AVR volumes grew over the 18-year study period but were paralleled by comparable growth in the number of patients with an indication for AVR. In patients with a Class I indication, younger age, coronary artery disease, smoking history, higher hematocrit, outpatient index transthoracic echocardiogram, and LVEF ≥0.5 were independently associated with an increased likelihood of receiving an AVR. AVR was associated with improved survival in each AS-subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Over an 18-year period, the proportion of patients with an indication for AVR who did not receive AVR has remained substantial despite the rapid growth of AVR volumes.

Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Leaflet Thickening in the Evolut Low Risk Sub-Study.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical leaflet thrombosis has been reported after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement, characterized using 4-dimensional computed tomographic imaging by hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) and reduced leaflet motion (RLM). The incidence and clinical implications of these findings remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, predictors, and hemodynamic and clinical correlates of HALT and RLM after aortic bioprosthetic replacement. METHODS: A prospective subset of patients not on oral anticoagulation enrolled in the Evolut Low Risk randomized trial underwent computed tomographic imaging 30 days and 1 year after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgery. The primary endpoint was the frequency of HALT at 30 days and 1 year, analyzed by an independent core laboratory using standardized definitions. Secondary endpoints included RLM, mean aortic gradient, and clinical events at 30 days and 1 year. RESULTS: At 30 days, the frequency of HALT was 31 of 179 (17.3%) for TAVR and 23 of 139 (16.5%) for surgery; the frequency of RLM was 23 of 157 (14.6%) for TAVR and 19 of 133 (14.3%) for surgery. At 1 year, the frequency of HALT was 47 of 152 (30.9%) for TAVR and 33 of 116 (28.4%) for surgery; the frequency of RLM was 45 of 145 (31.0%) for TAVR and 30 of 111 (27.0%) for surgery. Aortic valve hemodynamic status was not influenced by the presence or severity of HALT or RLM at either time point. The rates of HALT and RLM were similar after the implantation of supra-annular, self-expanding transcatheter, or surgical bioprostheses. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of computed tomographic imaging abnormalities of aortic bioprostheses were frequent but dynamic in the first year after self-expanding transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement, but these findings did not correlate with aortic valve hemodynamic status after aortic valve replacement in patients at low risk for surgery. (Medtronic Evolut Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Low Risk Patients; NCT02701283).

Association of Pulmonary Hypertension With Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair.

Importance: Pulmonary hypertension (pHTN) is associated with increased risk of mortality after mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation. However, its association with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) with a commercially available system (MitraClip) is unknown. Objective: To assess the association of pHTN with readmissions for heart failure and 1-year all-cause mortality after TMVr. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 4071 patients who underwent TMVr with the MitraClip system from November 4, 2013, through March 31, 2017, across 232 US sites in the Society of Thoracic Surgery/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy registry. Patients were stratified into the following 4 groups based on invasive mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP): 1103 with no pHTN (mPAP, <25 mm Hg [group 1]); 1399 with mild pHTN (mPAP, 25-34 mm Hg [group 2]); 1011 with moderate pHTN (mPAP, 35-44 mm Hg [group 3]); and 558 with severe pHTN (mPAP, ≥45 mm Hg [group 4]). Data were analyzed from November 4, 2013, through March 31, 2017. Interventions: Patients were stratified into groups before TMVr, and clinical outcomes were assessed at 1 year after intervention. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary end point was a composite of 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure. Secondary end points were 30-day and 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure. Linkage to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrative claims was performed to assess 1-year outcomes in 2381 patients. Results: Among the 4071 patients included in the analysis, the median age was 81 years (interquartile range, 73-86 years); 1885 (46.3%) were women and 2186 (53.7%) were men. The composite rate of 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure was 33.6% (95% CI, 31.6%-35.7%), which was higher in those with pHTN (27.8% [95% CI, 24.2%-31.5%] in group 1, 32.4% [95% CI, 29.0%-35.8%] in group 2, 36.0% [95% CI, 31.8%-40.2%] in group 3, and 45.2% [95% CI, 39.1%-51.0%] in group 4; P < .001). Similarly, 1-year mortality (16.3% [95% CI, 13.4%-19.5%] in group 1, 19.8% [95% CI, 17.0%-22.8%] in group 2, 22.4% [95% CI, 18.8%-26.1%] in group 3, and 27.8% [95% CI, 22.6%-33.3%] in group 4; P < .001) increased across pHTN groups. The association of pHTN with mortality persisted despite multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio per 5-mm Hg mPAP increase, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that pHTN is associated with increased mortality and readmission for heart failure in patients undergoing TMVr using the MitraClip system for severe mitral regurgitation. Further efforts are needed to determine whether earlier intervention before pHTN develops will improve clinical outcomes.

Invasive Coronary Physiological Assessment in Symptomatic Middle-Aged Endurance Athletes

Despite the health benefits of routine exercise, coronary artery disease (CAD) is common among older competitive athletes and is an important cause of sudden cardiac death. Athletes with suspected or confirmed CAD routinely undergo conventional coronary angiography involving the performance of invasive coronary physiological assessment using the fractional flow reserve (FFR) or the instantaneous-wave free ratio (iFR). Data defining the role of invasive coronary physiological assessment, while robust in general clinical populations, are untested among older competitive athletes with CAD. The paper discusses the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the use of the FFR and iFR in this unique population with an emphasis on the need for future work to better define this approach

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Prior Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Trends in Utilization and Propensity-Matched Analysis of In-Hospital Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of patients requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR) have undergone prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Reoperative heart surgery is associated with increased risk. Data on relative utilization and comparative outcomes of transcatheter (TAVR) versus surgical AVR (SAVR) in patients with prior CABG are limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: We queried the 2012 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample databases to identify isolated AVR hospitalizations in adults with prior CABG. In-hospital outcomes of TAVR versus SAVR were compared using propensity-matched analysis. Of 147 395 AVRs, 15 055 (10.2%) were in patients with prior CABG. The number of TAVRs in patients with prior CABG increased from 1615 in 2012 to 4400 in 2014, whereas the number of SAVRs decreased from 2285 to 1895 (Ptrend<0.001). There were 3880 records in each group in the matched cohort. Compared with SAVR, TAVR was associated with similar in-hospital mortality (2.3% versus 2.4%; P=0.71) but lower incidence of myocardial infarction (1.5% versus 3.4%; P<0.001), stroke (1.4% versus 2.7%; P<0.001), bleeding complications (10.6% versus 24.6%; P<0.001), and acute kidney injury (16.2% versus 19.3%; P<0.001). Requirement for prior permanent pacemaker was higher in the TAVR cohort, whereas the incidence of vascular complications and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis was similar in the 2 groups. Average length of stay was shorter in patients undergoing TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR is being increasingly used as the preferred modality of AVR in patients with prior CABG. Compared with SAVR, TAVR is associated with similar in-hospital mortality but lower rates of in-hospital complications in this important subset of patients.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Outcomes, Indications, Complications, and Innovations.

OPINION STATEMENT: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the standard of care for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis in individuals who are at prohibitive surgical risk and presents a viable alternative to surgery in selected patients who are at high operative risk. To date, outcomes from the PARTNER (Placement of AoRtic TraNscathetER Valve) and Medtronic CoreValve® US Pivotal trials continue to show the benefits of TAVR in these high-risk subgroups out to 5 and 3 years, respectively (as reported by Mack et al. Lancet. 85:2477-2484 2015; Kapadia et al. Lancet. 385:2485-2491 2015; Deeb et al. J Am Coll Cardiol. 67:2565-2574 2016). Furthermore, the recent release of the PARTNER-2 and SURTAVI trial results among other international data suggest that clinical outcomes for intermediate risk patients may be promising for TAVR compared to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) (as reported by Leon et al. N Engl J Med. 374:1609-1620 2016; Reardon et al. N Engl J Med. 376:1321-1331 2017). However, several questions persist regarding TAVR-specific complications as well as long-term durability. Paravalvular regurgitation, permanent pacemaker implantation, stroke, vascular access injury, and renal failure in post-TAVR patients remain adversaries in the quest to perfect this groundbreaking, game-changing technology (as reported by Khatri et al. Ann Intern Med. 158:35-46 2013). In this review, we provide an up-to-date synopsis of results from landmark clinical trials that cumulatively attest to the comparability of TAVR to best medical therapy and SAVR in extreme-risk, high-risk, and intermediate-risk patient populations. We continue with a review of studies that seek to compare transcatheter vs. surgical valve implantation in lower-risk subgroups. We also introduce ongoing efforts to optimize the peri-procedural management of TAVR and conclude with a presentation of management strategies and new generation valve platforms that seek to address some of the current limitations of transcatheter valve implantation.

Metabolite Profiles Predict Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs commonly after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and is associated with markedly increased postoperative mortality. We previously identified plasma metabolites predictive of incident chronic kidney disease, but whether metabolite profiles can identify those at risk of AKI is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling on plasma from patients undergoing TAVR and subjects from the community-based Framingham Heart Study (N=2164). AKI was defined by using the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria. Of 44 patients (mean age 82±9 years, 52% female) undergoing TAVR, 22 (50%) had chronic kidney disease and 9 (20%) developed AKI. Of 85 metabolites profiled, we detected markedly concordant cross-sectional metabolic changes associated with chronic kidney disease in the hospital-based TAVR and Framingham Heart Study cohorts. Baseline levels of 5-adenosylhomocysteine predicted AKI after TAVR, despite adjustment for baseline glomerular filtration rate (odds ratio per 1-SD increase 5.97, 95% CI 1.62-22.0; P=0.007). Of the patients who had AKI, 6 (66.7%) subsequently died, compared with 3 (8.6%) deaths among those patients who did not develop AKI (P=0.0008) over a median follow-up of 7.8 months. 5-adenosylhomocysteine was predictive of all-cause mortality after TAVR (hazard ratio per 1-SD increase 2.96, 95% CI 1.33-6.58; P=0.008), independent of baseline glomerular filtration rate. CONCLUSIONS: In an elderly population with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR, metabolite profiling improves the prediction of AKI. Given the multifactorial nature of AKI after TAVR, metabolite profiles may identify those patients with reduced renal reserve.

Percutaneous Mitral Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation.

OPINION STATEMENT: Surgical mitral valve (MV) repair remains the gold standard to treat patients with significant degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). Medical therapy was the only option for patients found to be not appropriate for MV surgery until the development of percutaneous/transcatheter MV repair options that now allow to reduce MR less invasively and safely. This article discusses the basic mechanisms of MR and the rationale for MR intervention and offers a detailed review on percutaneous/transcatheter MV repair with the MitraClip.

The aortic valve calcium nodule score (AVCNS) independently predicts paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

BACKGROUND: Paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) is an important predictor of mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Aortic valve (AV) calcification is strongly associated with PVR. OBJECTIVES: This study proposes a new metric to quantify AV total calcium burden and its composition in large calcium nodules (CNs) and explores its relation with PVR after TAVR. METHODS: In 133 patients that underwent TAVR, calcium burden of the AV was quantified with multidetector row CT as calcium mass. Each CN was characterized. The AV CN score (AVCNS) was defined as AV calcium mass × mass of the largest CN. PVR was assessed with echocardiography at 1 month. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of PVR. RESULTS: Mean age was 84.1 ± 7.6 years (56% women). TAVR access was transapical in 56%. Procedural success was achieved in 92%. In-hospital mortality was 5%. At follow-up, the prevalence of absent/trace, mild, moderate, and severe PVR was 58%, 31%, 11%, and 0%, respectively. The only independent predictors of at least mild PVR were AVCNS (odds ratio [OR], 2.269; 95% CI, 1.433-3.593; P < .001), number of CNs on aortic annulus (OR, 1.822; 95% CI, 1.137-2.921; P = .013), and aortic annulus area (OR, 1.112; 95% CI, 1.010-1.223; P = .030). This model showed an area under the curve of 0.895 (95% CI, 0.830-0.960) for PVR prediction. CONCLUSIONS: AVCNS, a variable that comprises the total burden of AV calcification as well as calcification agglomeration in form of large nodules, is a novel and powerful independent predictor of PVR after TAVR.

Feasibility of C-arm computed tomography for transcatheter aortic valve replacement planning.

BACKGROUND: The C-arm used for fluoroscopy during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may also be used to acquire 3-dimensional data sets similar to multidetector row CT (MDCT). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of C-arm CT (CACT) for aortic annulus and root (AoA/R) measurements in TAVR planning compared with MDCT. METHODS: Twenty patients who were studied for TAVR underwent MDCT and CACT. Two independent observers measured predicted perpendicular projection to annular plane, diameters of the aortic annulus, sinus of Valsalva, sinotubular junction and ascending aorta, distance of coronary ostia to annular plane, sinus of Valsalva height, and leaflet length. Correlation between MDCT and CACT and interobserver variability were analyzed. RESULTS: MDCT and CACT showed strong correlation for all the measurements of the AoA/R (r ranging from 0.62 to 0.94; P between <.001 and .042) and also for the predicted perpendicular projection (left/right anterior oblique: r = 0.96, P = .002; cranial/caudal: r = 0.83, P = .043). Interobserver variability analysis showed disagreement for the measurements of the aortic annulus structures with CACT (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], <0.25) but not for the rest of the variables (ICC between 0.47 and 0.97). MDCT showed no interobserver variability for all the measurements (ICC between 0.45 and 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: CACT showed strong correlation with MDCT for the measurement of all AoA/R structures. However, CACT showed also important interobserver variability for the assessment of the aortic annulus. Therefore, valve sizing may not be reliably performed on the basis of CACT measurements alone.

Outcomes of transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement in high-risk patients with aortic stenosis and left ventricular dysfunction: results from the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) trial (cohort A).

BACKGROUND: The Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) trial demonstrated similar survival after transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR and SAVR, respectively) in high-risk patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction on clinical outcomes after TAVR and SAVR and the impact of aortic valve replacement technique on LV function. METHODS AND RESULTS: The PARTNER trial randomized high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis to TAVR or SAVR. Patients were stratified by the presence of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%. All-cause mortality was similar for TAVR and SAVR at 30-days and 1 year regardless of baseline LV function and valve replacement technique. In patients with LV dysfunction, mean LVEF increased from 35.7±8.5% to 48.6±11.3% (P<0.0001) 1 year after TAVR and from 38.0±8.0% to 50.1±10.8% after SAVR (P<0.0001). Higher baseline LVEF (odds ratio, 0.90 [95% confidence interval, 0.86, 0.95]; P<0.0001) and previous permanent pacemaker (odds ratio, 0.34 [95% confidence interval, 0.15, 0.81]) were independently associated with reduced likelihood of ≥10% absolute LVEF improvement by 30 days; higher mean aortic valve gradient was associated with increased odds of LVEF improvement (odds ratio, 1.04 per 1 mm Hg [95% confidence interval, 1.01, 1.08]). Failure to improve LVEF by 30 days was associated with adverse 1-year outcomes after TAVR but not SAVR. CONCLUSIONS: In high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and LV dysfunction, mortality rates and LV functional recovery were comparable between valve replacement techniques. TAVR is a feasible alternative for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and LV dysfunction who are at high risk for SAVR. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00530894.

Cardiac fat-containing lesions are common in tuberous sclerosis complex.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a highly variable, multisystem, genetic disorder that affects approximately 1:6,000 individuals. It has previously been thought that the cardiac manifestation of TSC is congenital rhabdomyomas, which occur during infancy and typically regress during childhood. Recently, there have been findings of cardiac fat-containing lesions in adult TSC patients that appear distinct from the presence of cardiac rhabdomyomas. We review the chest CT scans of 73 individuals with TSC to check for cardiac fat-containing lesions. Fat-containing lesions were found in the heart of approximately one-third of adolescents and adults with TSC. In this population with cardiac fat-containing lesions, no statistically significant difference was observed between the genders and between the different mutation types. Compared to those without cardiac fat findings, those with cardiac fat were more than twice as likely to have another abdominal manifestation of TSC. The results indicate that it may be appropriate to consider these cardiac fat foci as a clinical criterion for the diagnosis of TSC, given their frequency in our population. Our findings also suggest that a relation exists between the cardiac fat-containing lesions and other abdominal angiomyolipomas. More research regarding these cardiac fat-containing lesions is needed to better characterize their origin and clinical significance.

Patients with small left ventricular size undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty have worse intraprocedural outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of left ventricular (LV) chamber size on procedural and hospital outcomes of patients undergoing aortic valvuloplasty. BACKGROUND: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is used as an integral step during transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Patients with small, thickened ventricles are thought to have more complications during and following BAV. METHODS: Retrospective study of consecutive patients with severe, symptomatic calcific aortic stenosis who underwent retrograde BAV at Massachusetts General Hospital. We compared patients with left ventricular end-diastolic diameters (LVEDD) <4.0 cm (n = 31) to those with LVEDD ≥4.0 cm (n = 78). Baseline and procedural characteristics as well as clinical outcomes were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used for the adjusted analysis. RESULTS: Patients with smaller LV chamber size were mostly women (80.7% vs. 19.4%, P < 0.01) and had a smaller body surface area (BSA), (1.61 ± 0.20 m(2) vs. 1.79 ± 0.25 m(2) , P < 0.01). Patients with smaller LV chamber size had higher ejection fractions and thicker ventricles. Otherwise, baseline characteristics were similar. The intraprocedural composite of death, cardiopulmonary arrest, intubation, hemodynamic collapse, and tamponade was higher for patients with LVEDD < 4.0 cm (32.3% v. 11.5%, P = 0.01). Adjusting for age, gender, BSA, LV pressure, and New York Heart Association class, LVEDD < 4.0 cm remained an independent predictor of procedural (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.4-18.2) and in-hospital complications (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2-11.6). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to patients undergoing BAV with LVEDD ≥4.0 cm, those with smaller LV chambers had worse procedural and in-hospital outcomes.

Comparison of procedural and in-hospital outcomes of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty in patients >80 years versus patients < or =80 years.

Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (PBAV) is a procedure used for palliation, bridging to surgery, and as an integral step in the procedure for percutaneous aortic valve replacement. Older patients with severe aortic stenosis are thought to have greater risk for adverse perioperative events than younger patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients aged >80 years and those aged < or =80 years who underwent PBAV to identify factors associated with adverse clinical outcomes. This was a retrospective study of 111 consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent retrograde PBAV at Massachusetts General Hospital from December 2004 to December 2008. Forty-nine patients (44%) were men, and the mean age for the whole group was 82 +/- 8 years. Patients were divided into 2 age groups: those aged >80 years (n = 73) and those aged < or =80 years (n = 38). Procedural outcomes, complications, and in-hospital adverse events were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used for the adjusted analysis. Nearly 90% of patients were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. Patients aged >80 years had lower baseline ejection fractions (43.5% vs 56.1%, p <0.01) and smaller aortic valve areas (0.59 vs 0.73 cm(2), p <0.01). Although the 2 age groups had a similar percentage of aortic valve area increase (55.5% vs 45.2%, p = 0.28), those aged >80 years had smaller post-PBAV aortic valve areas (0.89 vs 1.02 cm(2), p <0.05). Overall, in-hospital mortality was 8.1%, with no significant differences between the groups. Advanced age was not an independent predictor of in-hospital death, myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac arrest, or tamponade; however, patients aged >80 years had a significantly higher incidence of intraprocedural emergent intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation compared to the younger group. New York Heart Association class was the only independent predictor of worse in-hospital outcomes. In conclusion, compared to younger patients, those aged >80 years had less favorable preprocedural characteristics for PBAV but similar overall in-hospital clinical outcomes. Patients aged >80 years had significantly higher incidence of emergent intubation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation during PBAV.

Impact of pre- and postprocedural mitral regurgitation on outcomes after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty for mitral stenosis.

Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is an effective therapy in patients with significant mitral stenosis. Few studies have examined the effect of mitral regurgitation (MR), a frequent periprocedural finding, on PMV outcomes. We examined the effects of pre- and postprocedural MR after PMV. Contrast left ventriculography was performed before and after PMV, and the MR severity was assessed using Sellers' classification. Clinical, hemodynamic, and morphologic variables were collected for all patients. Consecutive patients (n = 876) undergoing a first PMV procedure at a single tertiary center were evaluated. An increasing preprocedural MR severity was associated with reduced PMV success (no MR, 75%; 1+ MR, 65%; 2+ MR, 44%; p <0.0001), increased in-hospital mortality (0.6% vs 2.8% vs 4.9%, respectively; p = 0.007), and other complications. Increasing grades of pre- and postprocedural MR predicted, independently and in a grade-dependent manner, the composite outcome of mortality, mitral valve surgery, or redo PMV (preprocedural MR >or=1+, relative risk [RR] 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2 to 1.8; preprocedural MR >or=2+, RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4; postprocedural MR >or=1+, RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0; postprocedural MR >or=2+, RR 2.2, 95% CI 1.7 to 2.7; and postprocedural MR >or=3+, RR 4.6, 95% CI 3.4 to 6.2, respectively). In conclusion, increasing pre- and postprocedural MR grades independently predicted the long-term clinical outcomes after PMV. Patients with moderate preprocedural MR, in particular, appeared to have suboptimal short- and long-term outcomes, necessitating careful monitoring and early referral for mitral valve surgery, when appropriate.

Complete pulmonary venous occlusion after radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Pulmonary vein stenosis is a known, yet under-recognized complication of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation. We present the case of a patient developing complete left-sided pulmonary venous occlusion following radiofrequency ablation. Recommendations are made to allow earlier diagnosis of this complication.

Impact of concomitant aortic regurgitation on percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty: Immediate results, short-term, and long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of concomitant aortic regurgitation (AR) on percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) procedural success, short-term, and long-term clinical outcome. No large-scale study has explored the impact of coexistent AR on PMV procedural success and outcome. METHODS: Demographic, echocardiographic, and procedure-related variables were recorded in 644 consecutive patients undergoing 676 PMV at a single center. Mortality, aortic valve surgery (replacement or repair) (AVR), mitral valve surgery (MVR), and redo PMV were recorded during follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 676 procedures performed, 361 (53.4%) had no AR, 287 (42.5%) mild AR, and 28 (4.1%) moderate AR. There were no differences between groups in the preprocedure characteristics, procedural success, or in the incidence of inhospital adverse events. At a median follow-up of 4.11 years, there was no difference in the overall survival rate (P = .22), MVR rate (P = .69), or redo PMV incidence (P = .33). The rate of AVR was higher in the moderate AR group (0.9% vs 1.9% vs 13%, P = .003). Mean time to AVR was 4.5 years and did not differ significantly between patients with no AR, mild AR, or moderate AR (2.9 +/- 2.1 vs 5.7 +/- 3.6 vs 4.1 +/- 2.5 years, P = .46). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant AR at the time of PMV does not influence procedural success and is not associated with inferior outcome. A minority of patients with MS and moderate AR who undergo PMV will require subsequent AVR on long-term follow-up. Thus, patients with rheumatic MS and mild to moderate AR remain good candidates for PMV.