Aortic size predicts aortic dissection in Turner syndrome - A 25-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Women with Turner syndrome (TS) have an increased risk of aortic dissection. The current recommended cutoff to prevent aortic dissection in TS is an aortic size index (ASI) of ≥2.5 cm/m2. This study estimated which aortic size had the best predictive value for the risk of aortic dissection, and whether adjusting for body size improved risk prediction. METHODS: A prospective, observational study in Sweden, of women with TS, n = 400, all evaluated with echocardiography of the aorta and data on medical history for up to 25 years. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the absolute ascending aortic diameter (AAD), ascending ASI and TS specific z-score. RESULTS: There were 12 patients (3%) with aortic dissection. ROC curves demonstrated that absolute AAD and TS specific z-score were superior to ascending ASI in predicting aortic dissection. The best cutoff for absolute AAD was 3.3 cm and 2.12 for the TS specific z-score, respectively, with a sensitivity of 92% for both. The ascending ASI cutoff of 2.5 cm/m2 had a sensitivity of 17% only. Subgroup analyses in women with an aortic diameter ≥ 3.3 cm could not demonstrate any association between karyotype, aortic coarctation, bicuspid aortic valve, BMI, antihypertensive medication, previous growth hormone therapy or ongoing estrogen replacement treatment and aortic dissection. All models failed to predict a dissection in a pregnant woman. CONCLUSIONS: In Turner syndrome, absolute AAD and TS-specific z-score were more reliable predictors for aortic dissection than ASI. Care should be taken before and during pregnancy.

Importance of through-plane heart motion correction for the assessment of aortic regurgitation severity using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To elucidate the influence of through-plane heart motion on the assessment of aortic regurgitation (AR) severity using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI). APPROACH: A patient cohort with chronic AR (n = 34) was examined with PC-MRI. The regurgitant volume (RVol) and fraction (RFrac) were extracted from the PC-MRI data before and after through-plane heart motion correction and was then used for assessment of AR severity. RESULTS: The flow volume errors were strongly correlated to aortic diameter (R = 0.80, p < 0.001) with median (IQR 25%;75%): 16 (14; 17) ml for diameter>40mm, compared with 9 (7; 10) ml for normal aortic size (p < 0.001). RVol and RFrac were underestimated (uncorrected:64 ± 37 ml and 39 ± 17%; corrected:76 ± 37 ml and 44 ± 15%; p < 0.001) and ~ 20% of the patients received lower severity grade without correction. CONCLUSION: Through-plane heart motion introduces relevant flow volume errors, especially in patients with aortic dilatation that may result in underestimation of the severity grade in patients with chronic AR.

The usefulness of left ventricular volume and aortic diastolic flow reversal for grading chronic aortic regurgitation severity - Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance as reference.

Echocardiographic evaluation of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) severity can lead to diagnostic ambiguity due to few feasible parameters or incongruent findings. The aim of the present study was to improve the diagnostic usefulness of left ventricular (LV) enlargement and aortic end-diastolic flow velocity (EDFV) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) as reference. Patients (n = 120) were recruited either prospectively (n = 45) or retrospectively (n = 75). Severe AR (CMR regurgitant fraction > 33%) was present in 51% and 93% of the patients had LV ejection fraction ≥ 50%. EDFV and LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) were assessed by echocardiography using the traditional (excluding trabeculae) and recommended approach (including trabeculae). The patients were randomised to a derivation (n = 60) or a test group (n = 60). EDVI (traditional/recommended) to rule in (>99/118 ml/m2) and rule out severe AR (≤75/87 ml/m2) were identified using ROC analyses in the derivation group. The corresponding thresholds for EDFV were >17 cm/s and ≤10 cm/s. In the test group, the positive/negative likelihood ratios to rule in/rule out severe AR using EDVI were 10.0/0.14 (traditional), 6.2/0.11 (recommended), and using EDFV were 10.2/0.08. To rule in and rule out severe AR using derived cut-off values instead of >2 SD reduced the false positives by 92%, whereas using EDFV ≤10 cm/s instead of ≤20 cm/s reduced the false negatives by 94%. In conclusion, EDVI and EDFV as quantitative parameters are useful to rule in or rule out severe chronic AR. Importantly, other causes of LV enlargement have to be considered.

Importance of complex blood flow in the assessment of aortic regurgitation severity using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

This study aimed to investigate if and how complex flow influences the assessment of aortic regurgitation (AR) using phase contrast MRI in patients with chronic AR. Patients with moderate (n = 15) and severe (n = 28) chronic AR were categorized into non-complex flow (NCF) or complex flow (CF) based on the presence of systolic backward flow volume. Phase contrast MRI was performed repeatedly at the level of the sinotubular junction (Ao1) and 1 cm distal to the sinotubular junction (Ao2). All AR patients were assessed to have non-severe AR or severe AR (cut-off values: regurgitation volume (RVol) ≥ 60 ml and regurgitation fraction (RF) ≥ 50%) in both measurement positions. The repeatability was significantly lower, i.e. variation was larger, for patients with CF than for NCF (≥ 12 ± 12% versus ≥ 6 ± 4%, P ≤ 0.03). For patients with CF, the repeatability was significantly lower at Ao2 compared to Ao1 (≥ 21 ± 20% versus ≥ 12 ± 12%, P ≤ 0.02), as well as the assessment of regurgitation (RVol: 42 ± 34 ml versus 54 ± 42 ml, P < 0.001; RF: 30 ± 18% versus 34 ± 16%, P = 0.01). This was not the case for patients with NCF. The frequency of patients that changed in AR grade from severe to non-severe when the position of the measurement changed from Ao1 to Ao2 was higher for patients with CF compared to NCF (RVol: 5/26 (19%) versus 1/17 (6%), P = 0.2; RF: 4/26 (15%) versus 0/17 (0%), P = 0.09). Our study shows that complex flow influences the quantification of chronic AR, which can lead to underestimation of AR severity when using PC-MRI.

General anesthesia and positive pressure ventilation suppress left and right ventricular myocardial shortening in patients without myocardial disease - a strain echocardiography study.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial deformation imaging using speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess global longitudinal strain (GLS) is today considered a more sensitive measure of left ventricular (LV) systolic function than ejection fraction. General anesthesia and positive pressure ventilation (PPV) are known to change the right ventricular (RV) and LV loading conditions. However, little is known about the effects of anesthesia and PPV on RV free wall and LV GLS. We studied the influence of general anesthesia and PPV on RV and LV longitudinal strain in patients without myocardial disease. METHODS: Twenty-one patients scheduled for non-cardiac surgery were included. The baseline examination was performed on the un-premedicated patients within 60 min of anesthesia. The second examination was performed 10-15 min after induction of anesthesia (propofol, remifentanil), intubation and start of PPV. The examinations included apical four-, two- and three-chamber projections, mitral and aortic Doppler flow velocities and tissue Doppler velocities of tricuspid and mitral annulus. LV end-systolic elastance (Ees) and aortic elastance were determined (Ea). RESULTS: General anesthesia and PPV reduced the mean arterial blood pressure (- 29%, p <  0.0019), stroke volume index (- 13%, p <  0.001) and cardiac index (- 23%, p <  0.001). RV end-diastolic area index and LV end-diastolic volume index decreased significantly, while systemic vascular resistance was not significantly affected. Ees decreased significantly with the induction of anaesthesia (- 23%, p = 0.002), while there was a trend for a decrease in Ea (p = 0.053). The ventriculo-arterial coupling, Ea/Ees, was not significantly affected by the anesthetics and PPV. The LV GLS decreased from - 19.1 ± 2.3% to - 17.3 ± 2.9% (p <  0.001) and RV free wall strain decreased from - 26.5 ± 3.9% to - 24.1 ± 4.2% (p = 0.001). One patient (5%) had at baseline a LV GLS > - 16% compared with 6 patients (28%) during general anesthesia and PPV. Three patients (14%) had a RV free wall strain > - 24% compared to 8 patients (38%) during general anesthesia and PPV. CONCLUSIONS: General anesthesia and PPV reduces systolic LV and RV function to levels considered indicating dysfunction in a substantial proportion of patients without myocardial disease.

Evaluation of the Integrative Algorithm for Grading Chronic Aortic and Mitral Regurgitation Severity Using the Current American Society of Echocardiography Recommendations: To Discriminate Severe from Moderate Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: The recently published integrative algorithms for echocardiographic grading of native aortic regurgitation (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR) by the American Society of Echocardiography are consensus based and have not been evaluated. Thus, the aims of the present study were to investigate the feasibility of individual parameters and to evaluate the ability of the algorithms to discriminate severe from moderate regurgitation. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 93 patients with chronic AR (n = 45) and MR (n = 48). All patients underwent echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance within 4 hours. The algorithms were evaluated using two different definitions for severe regurgitation: (1) a cardiovascular magnetic resonance standard indicating future need for valve surgery and (2) a clinical standard using patients who underwent valve surgery with proven postoperative left ventricular reverse remodeling and improved functional class (AR/MR, n = 26/26). RESULTS: The feasibility of the criteria in the first step of the algorithm was higher (AR/MR, 95%/91%) compared with the second step using quantitative Doppler parameters (74%/57%). For the AR algorithm, sensitivity was 95% and specificity 44%, whereas for the MR algorithm, sensitivity was 73% and specificity 92%. Among patients with benefit of surgery, the algorithms correctly identified 77%, misclassified 8%, and were inconclusive in 15% of the patients with AR; the corresponding figures were 73%, 15%, and 12% in the patients with MR. CONCLUSIONS: Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance as reference, the recommended algorithms for grading of regurgitation have the ability to rule out severe AR and rule in severe MR. The quantitative Doppler methods are hampered by feasibility issues, and our findings suggest that the decision regarding surgical intervention in symptomatic patients with discordant or inconclusive echocardiographic grading should be based on a consolidated assessment of clinical and multimodality findings.

Pulsed-Wave Doppler Recordings in the Proximal Descending Aorta in Patients with Chronic Aortic Regurgitation: Insights from Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

BACKGROUND: The pulsed-wave Doppler recording in the descending aorta (PWDDAO) is one of the parameters used in grading aortic regurgitation (AR) severity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the assessment of chronic AR by PWDDAO with insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS: This prospective study comprised 40 patients investigated with echocardiography and CMR within 4 hours either prior to valve surgery (n = 23) or as part of their follow-up (n = 17) due to moderate or severe AR. End-diastolic flow velocity (EDFV) and the diastolic velocity time integral (dVTI) were measured. The appearance of diastolic forward flow (DFF) was noted. Phase-contrast flow rate curves were obtained in the DAO. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients had severe and eight had moderate AR by echocardiography (seven were indeterminate). The EDFV was below the recommended threshold (>20 cm/sec) in 13 patients (52%) with severe AR. Lowering the EDFV threshold (>13 cm/sec) and with a dVTI threshold >13 cm showed negative likelihood ratios of 0.27 and 0.09, respectively. Detection of DFF with PWDDAO identified a nonuniform velocity profile by CMR with positive and negative likelihood ratios of 7.0 and 0.19, respectively. The relation between EDFV and DAO regurgitant volume (DAO-RVolCMR) was strong in patients without (R = 0.88) and weak in patients with DFF (R = 0.49). The DAO-RVolCMR as a percent of the total RVolCMR decreased with increasing ascending aorta (AAO) size and increased with increasing AR severity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PWDDAO provides semiquantitative parameters useful to assess chronic AR severity. The limitations are related to nonuniform velocity contour and variable degree of lower body contribution, which depends on AR severity but also on the AAO size.

Characterization of Chronic Aortic and Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Valve Surgery Using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

Grading of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is currently based on thresholds, which are neither modality nor quantification method specific. Accordingly, this study sought to identify CMR-specific and quantification method-specific thresholds for regurgitant volumes (RVols), RVol indexes, and regurgitant fractions (RFs), which denote severe chronic AR or MR with an indication for surgery. The study comprised patients with moderate and severe chronic AR (n = 38) and MR (n = 40). Echocardiography and CMR was performed at baseline and in all operated AR/MR patients (n = 23/25) 10 ± 1 months after surgery. CMR quantification of AR: direct (aortic flow) and indirect method (left ventricular stroke volume [LVSV] - pulmonary stroke volume [PuSV]); MR: 2 indirect methods (LVSV - aortic forward flow [AoFF]; mitral inflow [MiIF] - AoFF). All operated patients had severe regurgitation and benefited from surgery, indicated by a significant postsurgical reduction in end-diastolic volume index and improvement or relief of symptoms. The discriminatory ability between moderate and severe AR was strong for RVol >40 ml, RVol index >20 ml/m2, and RF >30% (direct method) and RVol >62 ml, RVol index >31 ml/m2, and RF >36% (LVSV-PuSV) with a negative likelihood ratio ≤ 0.2. In MR, the discriminatory ability was very strong for RVol >64 ml, RVol index >32 ml/m2, and RF >41% (LVSV-AoFF) and RVol >40 ml, RVol index >20 ml/m2, and RF >30% (MiIF-AoFF) with a negative likelihood ratio < 0.1. In conclusion, CMR grading of chronic AR and MR should be based on modality-specific and quantification method-specific thresholds, as they differ largely from recognized guideline criteria, to assure appropriate clinical decision-making and timing of surgery.

Are biventricular assist devices underused as a bridge to heart transplantation in patients with a high risk of postimplant right ventricular failure?

OBJECTIVE: Right ventricular failure in patients treated using left ventricular assist devices is associated with poor outcomes. We assessed the strategy of preplanned biventricular assist device implantation in patients with a high risk for right ventricular failure. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2014, we assigned 20 patients to preplanned biventricular assist device and 21 patients to left ventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation on the basis of the estimated risk of postimplant right ventricular failure. Preimplant characteristics and postimplant outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Patients with a biventricular assist device were younger, more often female, and more frequently had nonischemic heart disease than left ventricular assist device recipients. At preoperative assessment, biventricular assist device recipients had poorer Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profiles, a lower cardiac index, and more compromised right ventricular function. Survival on device to heart transplantation/weaning/destination for biventricular assist device and left ventricular assist device recipients was 90% versus 86% (not significant), with shorter heart transplantation waiting times for biventricular assist device recipients (median days, 154 vs 302, P < .001). Overall survival at 1 year was 85% (95% confidence interval, 62-95) versus 86% (95% confidence interval, 64-95) (not significant). The majority of both biventricular assist device and left ventricular assist device recipients could be discharged to home during the heart transplantation waiting time (55% vs 71%, not significant), and complication rates on device were comparable between groups (major stroke 10% vs 10%, not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Planned in advance, the biventricular assist device seems to be a feasible option as bridge to heart transplantation for patients with a high risk of postimplant right ventricular failure. The outcomes for these patients were similar to those observed for contemporary left ventricular assist device recipients, despite those receiving biventricular assist devices being more severely ill.

Surgical decision-making in aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis: the influence of electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the value of electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT) in the surgical decision-making and preoperative evaluation in patients with aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). METHODS: Sixty-eight prosthetic valves in 67 patients with aortic PVE were prospectively evaluated with ECG-gated CT and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Imaging findings considered indications for surgery were as follows: (i) abscess/pseudoaneurysm formation; (ii) prosthetic valve dehiscence; (iii) valve destruction with valvular regurgitation; (iv) large vegetations (>1.5 cm). The coronary arteries were evaluated with ECG-gated CT. Clinical data including surgical reports and mortality data were collected. RESULTS: Fifty-eight of 68 cases had indication for surgery based on imaging findings (ECG-gated CT/TEE). In 8 of these cases (14%), there was indication for surgery based on CT but not on TEE findings (all had perivalvular pseudoaneurysms). In 11 cases (19%), there was indication for surgery based on TEE but not on CT findings [non-drained abscess (n = 5), prosthetic valve dehiscence (n = 4), large vegetation (n = 1), valve destruction (n = 1)]. In 31 of 32 patients with indication for preoperative coronary angiography, ECG-gated CT coronary angiography was diagnostic. In 1 patient, ECG-gated CT coronary angiography was inconclusive and invasive coronary angiography was performed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with aortic PVE, ECG-gated CT provides additional information over TEE regarding perivalvular extension of infection, which can influence surgical decision-making. Furthermore, ECG-gated CT provides a non-invasive coronary angiogram and can in most cases replace invasive coronary angiography in the preoperative evaluation.

Left ventricular volumes by echocardiography in chronic aortic and mitral regurgitations.

Objectives Cut-off values for left ventricular (LV) dimensions indicating severe valve regurgitation have not been defined. The aim of this study was to establish echocardiographic cut-off values for LV dimensions indicating severe chronic aortic (AR) or mitral (MR) regurgitation. Design The hemodynamic significance was confirmed by documented reduction of end-diastolic volume (EDV) and symptom relief after surgery. Eighty-three patients with moderate or severe regurgitation (AR, n = 41; MR, n = 42) without other cardiac conditions underwent prospectively two-dimensional (2DE), real-time three-dimensional (RT3DE) echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) exams within 4 h. Results The relationship between EDVCMR and EDV2DE and EDVRT3DE were strong (R 0.95 and 0.91). EDV index cut-offs for 2DE/RT3DE >87/104 ml/m(2) identified AR patients with severe regurgitation with a positive likelihood ratio (PLR) of 5.0/5.0. The corresponding in patients with MR EDV index cut-offs were >69/87 ml/m(2) with a PLR of 14.9/5.5. LV linear dimensions could not identify patients with severe regurgitation. Conclusions LV volumes by echocardiography can support the diagnosis of severe chronic regurgitation. Importantly, other causes for LV enlargement have to be considered.

18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Recent studies have shown promising results using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). However, previous studies did not include negative controls. The aim of this study was to compare (18)F-FDG-uptake around prosthetic aortic valves in patients with and without PVE and to determine the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of PVE. (18)F-FDG PET/CT examinations in patients with a prosthetic aortic valve performed 2008-2014 were retrieved. Eight patients with a final diagnosis of definite PVE were included in the analysis of the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT. Examinations performed on suspicion of malignancy in patients without PVE (n = 19) were used as negative controls. Visual and semi-quantitative analysis was performed. Maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the valve area was measured and SUVratio was calculated by dividing valve SUVmax by SUVmax in the descending aorta. The sensitivity was 75 %, specificity 84 %, positive likelihood ratio [LR(+)] 4.8 and negative likelihood ratio [LR(-)] 0.3 on visual analysis. Both SUVmax and SUVratio were significantly higher in PVE patients [5.8 (IQR 3.5-6.5) and 2.4 (IQR 1.7-3.0)] compared to non-PVE patients [3.2 (IQR 2.8-3.8) and 1.5 (IQR 1.3-1.6)] (p < 0.001). ROC-curve analysis of SUVratio yielded an area under the curve of 0.90 (95 % CI 0.74-1.0). (18)F-FDG-uptake around non-infected aortic prosthetic valves was low. The level of (18)F-FDG-uptake in the prosthetic valve area showed a good diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of PVE.

Mitral regurgitation quantification by cardiovascular magnetic resonance: a comparison of indirect quantification methods.

Quantification of mitral regurgitation (MR) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance can be achieved by three indirect methods. The aims of the study were to determine their agreement, observer variability and effect on grading MR severity. The study comprised 16 healthy volunteers and 36 MR patients. Quantification was performed using the 'standard' [left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV)-aortic forward flow (AoFF)], 'volumetric' [LVSV-right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV)] and 'flow' method [mitral inflow (MiIF)-AoFF]. In healthy volunteers without MR, LVSV was larger than AoFF (mean difference ±SD: 12 ± 6 ml, P < 0.0001). Only small differences were found between LVSV-RVSV (3 ± 6 ml) and MiIF-AoFF (1 ± 5 ml). In patients, mitral regurgitant volumes (MRVs)/fractions (MRFs) were larger (P < 0.0001) using the 'standard' method (90 ± 31 ml/51 ± 11%) compared with the 'volumetric' (76 ± 30 ml/42 ± 11%) and 'flow' method (70 ± 32 ml/44 ± 15%). Inter-observer variability was lowest for the 'flow' and highest for the 'volumetric' method, while intra-observer variability was similar for all three methods. In 29 operated patients with severe MR, MRVs were above the guideline threshold (≥60 ml) in 100, 86 and 83% of the cases, and MRFs were above the threshold (≥50%) in 76, 32 and 48% of the cases, when using the 'standard', 'volumetric' and 'flow' method respectively. In conclusion, the choice of method can affect the grading of MR severity and thereby eventually the clinical decision-making and timing of surgery.

Right ventricular ejection fraction during exercise as a predictor of mortality in patients awaiting lung transplantation: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of right ventricular dysfunction is a well-known indicator of poor prognosis in patients with chronic cardiopulmonary disease. The role of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) at rest and during exercise as predictors of outcome in patients awaiting lung transplantation (LTx) is unclear. DESIGN: We performed a retrospective analysis of lung transplant candidates who had undergone equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA), to determine baseline and exercise RVEF. Lung function, gas exchange and pulmonary haemodynamics were also assessed. PATIENTS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 152 patients (mean age 47±11 years; 59% women) were included in the study. Primary endpoint was death on the waiting list for LTx. Main diagnoses were α-1 antitrypsin deficiency (n=35), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=41), cystic fibrosis (n=10), interstitial lung disease (n=34) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (n=32). Twenty-five patients died (16, 4%). LTx was performed in 121 patients. The mean RVEF at rest was equal to mean RVEF during exercise (38±12%). In univariate analysis RVEF at rest, RVEF during exercise, heart rate and forced volume capacity (FVC) % of predicted were factors significantly associated with risk of death. In multivariate analysis RVEF during exercise and FVC% of predicted were independent predictors of death. CONCLUSIONS: In lung transplant candidates, right ventricular function during exercise is a stronger predictor of outcome than right ventricular function at rest. RVEF during exercise assessed by ERNA could be incorporated into priority-based allocation algorithms for LTx.

Pressure reflection in the pulmonary circulation in patients with severe mitral regurgitation indicates adverse postoperative outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a known risk factor in valvular surgery. In the present study, we hypothesized that the assessment of pressure reflection (PR) in the pulmonary circulation, indicating increased pulmonary vascular resistance, might improve the identification of patients with increased morbidity and mortality following surgery for severe mitral regurgitation. METHODS: A total of 103 patients without atrial fibrillation were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 48), patients without PR; Group 2 (n = 36), patients with PR and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ≤ 60 mmHg and Group 3 (n = 19), patients with PR and PASP >60 mmHg. Three variables related to PR were selected: the acceleration time in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), the interval between peak velocity in the RVOT and peak tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity and the right ventricular pressure increase after peak RVOT velocity. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in age, ejection fraction, need for coronary bypass grafting or creatinine. Patients with PR (Groups 2 and 3) had more use of vasoactive drugs (overall P < 0.0001, Group 1 vs Group 2 P = 0.018). The proportion of patients with >24 h in the intensive care unit was 27% in Group 1, 54% in Group 2 and 84% in Group 3 (overall P < 0.0001, Group 1 vs Group 2 P = 0.006). The in-hospital mortality in patients without PR (n = 49) was 0% compared with 10.9% in patients with PR (P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography assessment of PR in the pulmonary circulation and severe PH may identify patients with adverse outcome following mitral surgery.

ECG-gated computed tomography: a new role for patients with suspected aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the agreement in findings between ECG-gated CT and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with PVE underwent 64-slice ECG-gated CT and TEE and the results were compared. Imaging was compared with surgical findings (surgery was performed in 16 patients). RESULTS: TEE suggested the presence of PVE in all patients [thickened aortic wall (n = 17), vegetation (n = 13), abscess (n = 16), valvular dehiscence (n = 10)]. ECG-gated CT was positive in 25 patients (93 %) [thickened aortic wall (n = 19), vegetation (n = 7), abscess (n = 18), valvular dehiscence (n = 7)]. The strength of agreement [kappa (95 % CI)] between ECG-gated CT and TEE was very good for thickened wall [0.83 (0.62-1.0)], good for abscess [0.68 (0.40-0.97)] and dehiscence [0.75 (0.48-1.0)], and moderate for vegetation [0.55 (0.26-0.88)]. The agreement was good between surgical findings (abscess, vegetation and dehiscence) and imaging for ECG-gated CT [0.66 (0.49-0.87)] and TEE [0.79 (0.62-0.96)] and very good for the combination of ECG-gated CT and TEE [0.88 (0.74-1.0)]. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that ECG-gated CT has comparable diagnostic performance to TEE and may be a valuable complement in the preoperative evaluation of patients with aortic PVE.

Impact of body composition, fat distribution and sustained weight loss on cardiac function in obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with alterations in left ventricular function varying along with the degree of fatness, but the mechanisms underlying this co-variation are not clear. In a case-control study we examined how sustained weight losses affect cardiac function and report on how body composition and fat distribution relate to the left ventricular performance. METHODS: At the 10-year follow-up of the Swedish obese subjects (SOS) study cohort we identified 44 patients with sustained weight losses after bariatric surgery (surgery group) and 44 matched obese control patients who remained weight stable (obese group). We also recruited 44 matched normal weight subjects (lean group). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computed tomography and echocardiography were performed to evaluate body composition, fat distribution and cardiac function. RESULTS: BMI was 42.5 kg/m(2), 31.5 kg/m(2) and 24.4 kg/m(2) for the obese, surgery and lean groups respectively. Increasing degree of obesity was associated with larger left ventricular volumes (p < 0.001), higher cardiac output (p < 0.001), reduced systolic myocardial velocity (p<0.001) and impaired ventricular relaxation (p = 0.015). In multivariate analyses, left ventricular volume, stroke volume and cardiac output primarily associated with lean body mass, whereas blood pressure, heart rate and variables reflecting cardiac dysfunction were more related to total body fat and visceral adiposity. CONCLUSION: Obesity is associated with discrete but distinct disturbances in the left ventricular performance appearing to be related to both the total amount of body fat and degree of visceral adiposity. Patients with sustained weight losses display superior left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions as compared with their obese counterparts remaining weight stable.

The influence of body composition, fat distribution, and sustained weight loss on left ventricular mass and geometry in obesity.

Alterations in left ventricular mass and geometry vary along with the degree of obesity, but mechanisms underlying such covariation are not clear. In a case-control study, we examined how body composition and fat distribution relate to left ventricular structure and examine how sustained weight loss affects left ventricular mass and geometry. At the 10-year follow-up of the Swedish obese subjects (SOS) study cohort, we identified 44 patients with sustained weight losses after bariatric surgery (surgery group) and 44 matched obese control patients who remained weight stable (obese group). We also recruited 44 matched normal weight subjects (lean group). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computed tomography, and echocardiography were performed to evaluate body composition, fat distribution, and left ventricular structure. BMI was 42.5 kg/m(2), 31.5 kg/m(2), and 24.4 kg/m(2) for the obese, surgery, and lean groups, respectively. Corresponding values for left ventricular mass were 201.4 g, 157.7 g, and 133.9 g (P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, left ventricular diastolic dimension was predicted by lean body mass (ß = 0.03, P < 0.001); left ventricular wall thickness by visceral adipose tissue (ß = 0.11, P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (ß = 0.02, P = 0.019); left ventricular mass by lean body mass (ß = 1.23, P < 0.001), total body fat (ß = 1.15, P < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (ß = 2.72, P = 0.047); and relative wall thickness by visceral adipose tissue (ß = 0.02, P < 0.001). Left ventricular adjustment to body size is dependent on body composition and fat distribution, regardless of blood pressure levels. Obesity is associated with concentric left ventricular remodeling and sustained 10-year weight loss results in lower cavity size, wall thickness and mass.

Atrial function after left atrial epicardial cryoablation for atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery.

PURPOSE: To explore the effects on atrial and ventricular function of restoring sinus rhythm (SR) after epicardial cryoablation and closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with mitral valve disease and atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing surgery. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with permanent AF were randomized to mitral valve surgery combined with left atrial epicardial cryoablation and LAA closure (ABL group, n = 30) or to mitral valve surgery alone (control group, n = 35). Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were performed before and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: At 6 months, 73% of the patients in the ABL group and 46% of the controls were in SR. Patients in SR at 6 months had a reduction in their left ventricular diastolic diameter while the left ventricular ejection fraction was unchanged. In patients remaining in AF, the left ventricular ejection fraction was lower than at baseline. The left atrial diastolic volume was reduced after surgery, more in patients with SR than AF. In patients in SR, the peak velocity during the atrial contraction and the reservoir function were lower in the ABL group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients in SR, signs of atrial dysfunction were observed in the ABL but not the control group. Atrial dysfunction may have existed before surgery, but the difference between the groups implies that the cryoablation procedure and/or closure of the LAA might have contributed.

Dilatation of the pulmonary autograft and native aorta after the Ross procedure: a comprehensive echocardiographic study.

OBJECTIVES: Dilatation of the pulmonary autograft has been observed after the Ross procedure. Whether the remaining native aorta dilates is not known. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and severity of autograft and native aortic dilatation over time and to identify possible determinants. METHODS: Ninety-one adult patients underwent the Ross procedure with the full root replacement technique. In 31 (34%) patients, the ascending aorta was downsized during surgical intervention. A baseline postoperative echocardiographic investigation was performed. A comprehensive investigation of the aorta from the annulus to the proximal descending aorta was performed (n = 71) after a median follow-up of 8.9 years. An intermediate investigation was performed (n = 29) after a median of 7.6 years. Autograft and native aortic dimensions were compared over time and with those of a control group (n = 38). For each patient in the study group, the expected aortic dimensions were predicted based on findings in the control group. Enlargement was defined as a z score of greater than 1.96 from the predicted value. RESULTS: The autograft and native aortic dimensions increased significantly from baseline to the intermediate follow-up and continued to increase to the final follow-up. The proportion of patients with enlarged autografts and proximal ascending aortas was 13% and 16% at baseline, increasing to 33% (P = .006) and 44% (P = .0014), respectively, at the end of follow-up. Enlargement of the aorta at the final follow-up was related to larger baseline pulmonary autograft dimensions but not to native bicuspid valve or the need to downsize the aortic root. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary autograft dilatation is common after the Ross procedure in adults. The dilatation progresses over time and is often accompanied by dilatation of the native aorta.