Association Between Aortic Valve Sclerosis and Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential.

Background: The mechanism and medical treatment target for degenerative aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis, is not well studied. In this study, we investigated the effect of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) on the development of aortic valve sclerosis (AVS), a calcified aortic valve without significant stenosis. Methods: Participants with AVS (valves ≥2 mm thick, high echogenicity, and a peak transaortic velocity of <2.5 m/sec) and an age- and sex-matched control group were enrolled. Twenty-four CHIP genes with common variants in cardiovascular disease were used to generate a next-generation sequencing panel. The primary endpoint was the CHIP detection rate between the AVS and control groups. Inverse-probability treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics. Results: From April 2020 to April 2022, 187 participants (125 with AVS and 62 controls) were enrolled; the mean age was 72.6±8.5 yrs, and 54.5% were male. An average of 1.3 CHIP variants was observed. CHIP detection, defined by a variant allele frequency (VAF) of ≥0.5%, was similar between the groups. However, the AVS group had larger CHIP clones: 49 (39.2%) participants had a VAF of ≥1% (vs. 13 [21.0%] in the control group; P=0.020), and 25 (20.0%) had a VAF of ≥2% (vs. 4 [6.5%]; P=0.028). AVS is independently associated with a VAF of ≥1% (adjusted odds ratio: 2.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.11-5.36; P=0.027). This trend was concordant and clearer in the IPTW cohort. Conclusions: Participants with AVS more commonly had larger CHIP clones than age- and sex-matched controls. Further studies are warranted to identify causality between AVS and CHIP.

Prognostic value of preoperative left ventricular global longitudinal strain for predicting postoperative myocardial injury and mortality in patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery (SOLOMON study).

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of preoperative measurement of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) for predicting prognosis in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery has not been evaluated. We analyzed the prognostic value of LVGLS in predicting postoperative 30-day cardiovascular events and myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS). METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted in two referral hospitals and included 871 patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery <1 month after preoperative echocardiography. Those with ejection fraction <40%, valvular heart disease, and regional wall motion abnormality were excluded. The co-primary endpoints were the (1) composite incidence of all-cause death, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and MINS and (2) composite incidence of all-cause death and ACS. RESULTS: Among the 871 participants enrolled (mean age: 72.9 years; female: 60.8%), there were 43 cases of the primary endpoint (4.9%): 10 deaths, 3 ACS, and 37 MINS. Participants with impaired LVGLS (≤16.6%) had a higher incidence of the co-primary endpoints (log-rank P < 0.001 and 0.015) than those without. The result was similar after adjustment with clinical variables and preoperative troponin T levels (hazard ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.65; P = 0.027). In sequential Cox analysis and net reclassification index, LVGLS had an incremental value for predicting the co-primary endpoints after non-cardiac surgery. Among the 538 (61.8%) participants who underwent serial troponin assay, LVGLS predicted MINS independently from the traditional risk factors (odds ratio = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.70-7.36; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative LVGLS has an independent and incremental prognostic value in predicting early postoperative cardiovascular events and MINS. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://trialsearch.who.int/. Unique identifiers: KCT0005147.

Artificial Intelligence-Enabled ECG Algorithm for the Prediction of Coronary Artery Calcification.

Coronary artery calcium (CAC), which can be measured in various types of computed tomography (CT) examinations, is a hallmark of coronary artery atherosclerosis. However, despite the clinical value of CAC scores in predicting cardiovascular events, routine measurement of CAC scores is limited due to high cost, radiation exposure, and lack of widespread availability. It would be of great clinical significance if CAC could be predicted by electrocardiograms (ECGs), which are cost-effective and routinely performed during various medical checkups. We aimed to develop binary classification artificial intelligence (AI) models that predict CAC using only ECGs as input. Moreover, we aimed to address the generalizability of our model in different environments by externally validating our model on a dataset from a different institution. Among adult patients, standard 12-lead ECGs were extracted if measured within 60 days before or after the CAC scores, and labeled with the corresponding CAC scores. We constructed deep convolutional neural network models based on residual networks using only the raw waveforms of the ECGs as input, predicting CAC at different levels, namely CAC score ≥100, ≥400 and ≥1,000. Our AI models performed well in predicting CAC in the training and internal validation dataset [area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) 0.753 ± 0.009, 0.802 ± 0.027, and 0.835 ± 0.024 for the CAC score ≥100, ≥400, and ≥1,000 model, respectively]. Our models also performed well in the external validation dataset (AUROC 0.718, 0.777 and 0.803 for the CAC score ≥100, ≥400, and ≥1,000 model, respectively), indicating that our model can generalize well to different but plausibly related populations. Model performance in terms of AUROC increased in the order of CAC score ≥100, ≥400, and ≥1,000 model, indicating that higher CAC scores might be associated with more prominent structural changes of the heart detected by the model. With our AI models, a substantial proportion of previously unrecognized CAC can be afforded with a risk stratification of CAC, enabling initiation of prophylactic therapy, and reducing the adverse consequences related to ischemic heart disease.

Temporary Epicardial Pacing Wire Migration into the Right Heart, 10 Months after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Migrations of retained temporary epicardial pacing wires (TEPWs) are rare and critical complications of cardiac surgery. A 73-year-old man who had received coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with retained TEPW 10 months previously visited the outpatient clinic. In routine echocardiography, we observed an artificial structure in the right heart. We performed computed tomography (CT), identified TEPW in the right heart, confirmed the TEPW migration process by comparing it with previous CTs, and removed it via catheter intervention. We report this rare case because we identified TEPW in the heart, determined its migration process, and removed it without complications.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Cardiac Rehabilitation in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Though clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are an effective and widely used treatment method worldwide, they are as yet not widely accepted in Korea. Given that cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in Korea, it is urgent that CR programs be developed. In 2008, the Government of Korea implemented CR programs at 11 university hospitals as part of its Regional Cardio-Cerebrovascular Center Project, and 3 additional medical facilities will be added in 2019. In addition, owing to the promotion of CR nationwide and the introduction of CR insurance benefits, 40 medical institutions nationwide have begun CR programs even as a growing number of medical institutions are preparing to offer CR. The purpose of this research was to develop evidence-based CPGs to support CR implementation in Korea. METHODS: This study is based on an analysis of CPGs elsewhere in the world, an extensive literature search, a systematic analysis of multiple randomized control trials, and a CPG management, development, and assessment committee comprised of 33 authors-primarily rehabilitation specialists, cardiologists, and thoracic surgeons in 21 university hospitals and 2 general hospitals. Twelve consultants, primarily rehabilitation, sports medicine, and preventive medicine specialists, CPG experts, nurses, physical therapists, clinical nutritionists, and library and information experts participated in the research and development of these CPGs. After the draft guidelines were developed, 3 rounds of public hearings were held with staff members from relevant academic societies and stakeholders, after which the guidelines were further reviewed and modified. RESULTS: CR involves a more cost-effective use of healthcare resources relative to that of general treatments, and the exercise component of CR lowers cardiovascular mortality and readmission rates, regardless of the type of coronary heart disease and type and setting of CR. CONCLUSION: Individualized CR programs should be considered together with various factors, including differences in heart function and lifestyle, and doing so will boost participation and adherence with the CR program, ultimately meeting the final goals of the program, namely reducing the recurrence of myocardial infarction and mortality rates.

A case of papillary fibroelastoma in the left ventricle.

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF) is a rare and benign primary cardiac neoplasm of unknown prevalence. The incidence of CPF in the left ventricle is lower than that in other parts of the heart. A 65-year-old female was referred to our cardiology department for evaluation of a cardiac mass of the left ventricle. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a 1.8 × 1.7 cm highly mobile round mass attached by a stalk to the apical inferior wall of the left ventricle with an echolucent area. The mass was successfully removed without any postoperative complications and was identified as a CPF.

Association between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and occult coronary artery disease detected by multi-detector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness, assessed by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), has been reported to predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We assessed the association between arterial stiffness, as determined by PWV, and occult coronary artery disease (CAD), as detected by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), in asymptomatic individuals. METHOD: We retrospectively enrolled 615 consecutive South Korean individuals who had undergone both brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) and coronary CT angiography during general routine health evaluations at the Asan Medical Center in 2008. RESULTS: We found that baPWV was positively correlated with age; body mass index; blood pressure; total cholesterol, homocysteine, and fasting blood glucose concentrations; and coronary artery calcium score. When we divided subjects into two groups according to the results of MDCT, we found that baPWV was significantly higher in subjects with (diameter of stenosis >50%) than without CAD (1573.2 ± 275.6 cm/s vs. 1409.6 ± 235.6 cm/s, p<0.01). The optimal baPWV cutoff value for detection of significant coronary arterial stenosis was 1426.0 cm/s, which had a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 63% (area under curve=0.71). After adjusting for age, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, the odds ratio for significant occult CAD was 3.30 (95% CI=1.47-7.41, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: We found that baPWV was associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including CACS, in asymptomatic individuals, and the optimal baPWV cutoff value for occult CAD detected by MDCT was 1426 cm/s. These findings suggest that baPWV may be a useful screening tool for predicting occult CAD.

Initial echocardiographic characteristics of pericardial effusion determine the pericardial complications.

BACKGROUND: Clinical implications of the initial echocardiographic characteristics of pericardial effusion (PE) have not been clearly demonstrated. We sought to evaluate the clinical significance of echogenic materials in PE. METHODS: Echocardiographic evaluation was performed in consecutive 178 patients with moderate to severe PE, and the etiology of PE was determined by clinical and pathologic studies. Echocardiography was repeated for 46 +/- 56 weeks. RESULTS: Echo-free PE was shown in 142 patients (80%, group A), while echogenic PE was found in 36 patients (20%, group B). In group B, intrapericardial fibrinous strands and/or exudative frond-like materials were detected in 29 patients and diffuse echogenic PE was shown in 7 patients. The prevalence of echogenic PE was the highest in tuberculosis (56.3%). All 49 patients with uremia or congestive heart failure showed clear echo-free PE. During the follow-up, the incidence of constrictive pericarditis and recurrent PE were highest in malignancy (38.6%) and tuberculosis (31.3%), respectively. The incidence of constrictive pericarditis (3.5 vs. 27.8%, p < 0.001) and recurrent PE (9.2 vs. 22.2%, p < 0.05) were significantly lower in group A than group B. The echogenic PE was the major independent predictor of the events by multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis (p < 0.01), regardless of the PE etiology. CONCLUSION: Echogenic materials in PE predict pericardial complications such as recurrence and constrictive pericarditis, irrespective of underlying diseases.