Noninvasive Imaging for Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation.

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is associated with left ventricular (LV) volume and pressure overload, resulting in eccentric LV remodeling and enlargement. This condition may be well tolerated for years before the onset of myocardial dysfunction and symptoms. Echocardiography plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of AR, assessing its mechanism and severity, and detecting LV remodeling. The assessment of AR severity is challenging and frequently requires the integration of information from multiple different measurements to assess the severity. Recent data suggest that echocardiographically derived LV volumes (end-systolic volume index > 45 mL/m2), an ejection fraction threshold of <60%, and abnormal global longitudinal strain may help identify early dysfunction and may be used to improve clinical outcomes. Consequently, these parameters can identify candidates for surgery. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is emerging as a valuable tool for assessing severity when it remains unclear after an echocardiographic evaluation. This review emphasizes the importance of imaging, particularly echocardiography, in the evaluation of AR. It focuses on various echocardiographic parameters, including technical details, and how to integrate them for assessing the mechanism and severity of AR as well as LV remodeling.

High-Gradient Aortic Stenosis With Valve Area >1.0 cm2: The "Forgotten" Discordant Hemodynamic Phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Clinical features and outcomes in severe aortic stenosis (AS) have been described according to the hemodynamic phenotypes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and prognosis of patients with high-gradient (HG) AS with aortic valve area (AVA) >1.0 cm2. METHODS: A total of 3,209 patients were identified according to AVA (cm2), peak velocity (m/s), systolic mean pressure gradient (MG) (mm Hg): HG-AVA >1 = >1.0, ≥4, and ≥40, HG-AVA ≤1 = ≤1.0, ≥4, and ≥40; LG-AVA ≤1 (low-gradient) = ≤1.0, <4, and <40; moderate AS = 1.0 1 accounted for 230 individuals (7.2%). Compared with others, patients with HG-AVA >1 were younger (70.2 ± 12.0 years), more frequently male (85.7%), had fewer comorbidities, larger body surface area and stroke volume (115 ± 19.3 mL), and had higher prevalence of bicuspid valve (39.6%). After a follow-up of 944 days (Q1-Q3: 27-2,212 days), 1,523 deaths occurred. Compared with the HG-AVA >1 group, all-cause mortality was higher in HG-AVA ≤1 (HR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7), LG-AVA ≤1 (HR: 2.8; 95% CI: 2.2-3.6), and moderate AS (HR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7). These differences were no longer significant after adjustment for age, comorbidities, bicuspid valve, and cardiac function. In the HG-AVA >1 group, patients with aortic valve replacement had better survival outcomes than those without aortic valve replacement (P < 0.001) after balancing the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The underlying relative high-flow status is responsible for HG in patients with HG-AVA >1. This profile has better prognosis than others, being related to underlying younger age and better general and cardiac conditions, but aortic valve replacement may still benefit these patients.

Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation Outcomes in Asian Compared With European-American Institutions.

Background: Clinical outcome and interventional thresholds for degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) were developed in studies of patients at European and American institutions (EAIs), but little is known about patients at Asian institutions (AsIs). Objectives: This study sought to contrast DMR presentation/management/outcomes of AsI patients vs EAI patients. Methods: Patients with DMR due to flail leaflet from Hong Kong and Singapore (AsI cohort, n = 737) were compared with EAI patients (n = 682) enrolled in the MIDA (Mitral regurgitation International Database) registry with similar eligibility criteria. Results: AsI patients presented similar DMR lesion/consequences vs EAI patients, but they were younger, with fewer symptoms (74% vs 44% Class I), more sinus rhythm (83% vs 69%), and lower EuroSCORE II (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II) (0.9 ± 0.5 vs 1.4 ± 1.5; all P < 0.0001). Imaging showed smaller absolute left atrial/ventricular dimensions in AsI patients, belying cardiac dilatation with larger body surface area-indexed diameters (all P < 0.01). Surgical/interventional mitral repair was similarly predominant (90% vs 91%; P = 0.47), and early repair was similarly beneficial (for AsI patients, adjusted HR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.16-0.49; for EAI patients, HR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.20-0.49; both P < 0.0001). However, AsI patients underwent fewer interventions (55% ± 2% vs 77% ± 2% at 1 year; P < 0.0001) and incurred excess mortality (adjusted HR: 1.60 [95% CI: 1.13-2.27] vs EAI patients; P = 0.008) at long-term postdiagnosis. Propensity score matching (434 patient pairs), which balanced all clinical characteristics, confirmed that there was undertreatment and excess mortality in the long term in AsI patients with DMR (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Imaging may underestimate volume overload in AsI patients due to smaller cardiac cavities related to smaller body size compared with EAI patients with similar mitral lesions and DMR severity. AsI patients enjoy similar mitral repair predominance and early intervention benefits but undergo fewer mitral interventions than EAI patients and incur subsequent excess mortality, suggesting the need to account for imaging and cultural specificity to improve DMR outcomes worldwide.

Aortic valve cusp size and shape in dilated trileaflet aortic roots.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to quantify the differences in cusp size and shape in patients with normal and dilated trileaflet aortic roots and in dilated roots with or without aortic regurgitation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of computed tomography studies in patients with normal and dilated trileaflet aortic roots was performed measuring root and cusp dimensions. Normal root size was defined as sinuses of Valsalva diameter less than 40 mm, dilated as 45 mm or greater. Root measurements normalized to basal ring diameter and cusp measurements normalized to geometric height were analyzed to assess the shape. Additionally, comparison of dilated roots with or without aortic regurgitation was made. RESULTS: We analyzed 146 normal and 104 dilated aortic roots and 73 propensity-matched pairs. Dilated roots were larger in all dimensions and had increased ratio between commissural and basal ring diameter (1.58 ± 0.23 vs 1.11 ± 0.10, P < .001). Cusps in dilated roots were larger in all measured dimensions and were elongated with increased normalized cusp insertion length (3.64 ± 0.39 vs 3.26 ± 0.20, P < .001) and normalized free margin length (2.53 ± 0.30 vs 2.16 ± 0.19, P < .001). In patients with dilated root and no cusp prolapse (n = 83), those with moderate or severe aortic regurgitation had larger commissural diameter but similar cusp dimensions compared with those with no or mild aortic regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: The cusps in dilated roots elongate transversely and to a lesser degree radially. Functional aortic regurgitation is caused by extensive commissural dilatation and not by inadequate cusp adaptation.

Reappraisal of the Concept and Implications of Pulmonary Hypertension in Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: European and U.S. clinical guidelines diverge regarding pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) in degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). Gaps in knowledge underpinning these divergences affect risk assessment and management recommendations attached to systolic pulmonary pressure (SPAP) in DMR. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to define PHTN links to DMR severity, prognostic thresholds, and independent outcome impact in a large quantitative DMR registry. METHODS: This study gathered a large multicentric registry of consecutive patients with isolated moderate-to-severe DMR, with DMR and SPAP quantified prospectively at diagnosis. RESULTS: In 3,712 patients (age 67 ± 15 years, 36% women) with ≥ moderate-to-severe DMR, effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) was 0.42 ± 0.19 cm2, regurgitant volume 66 ± 327 mL/beat and SPAP 41 ± 16 mm Hg. Spline-curve analysis showed excess mortality under medical management emerging around SPAP 35 mm Hg and doubling around SPAP 50 mm Hg. Accordingly, severe pulmonary hypertension (sPHTN) (SPAP ≥50 mm Hg) was detected in 916 patients, moderate pulmonary hypertension (mPHTN) (SPAP 35-49 mm Hg) in 1,128, and no-PHTN (SPAP <35 mm Hg) in 1,668. Whereas SPAP was strongly associated with DMR-ERO, nevertheless excess mortality with sPHTN (adjusted HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.24-2.20) and mPHTN (adjusted HR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.11-1.85; both P ≤ 0.005) was observed independently of ERO and all baseline characteristics and in all patient subsets. Nested models demonstrated incremental prognostic value of mPHTN and sPHTN (all P < 0.0001). Despite higher operative risk with mPHTN and sPHTN, DMR surgical correction was followed by higher survival in all PHTN ranges with strong survival benefit of early surgery (<3 months). Postoperatively, excess mortality was abolished (P ≥ 0.30) in mPHTN, but only abated in sPHTN. CONCLUSIONS: This large international registry, with prospectively quantified DMR and SPAP, demonstrates a Doppler-defined PHTN impact on mortality, independent of DMR severity. Crucially, it defines objectively the new and frequent mPHTN range, independently linked to excess mortality under medical management, which is abolished by DMR correction. Thus, at DMR diagnosis, Doppler-SPAP measurement defining these new PHTN ranges, is crucial to guiding DMR management.

Prognostic value of aortic valve calcification in non-severe aortic stenosis with preserved ejection fraction.

AIMS: Aortic valve calcification (AVC) is prognostic in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). We assessed the AVC prognostic value in non-severe AS patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective study of 395 patients with non-severe AS, LVEF ≥ 50%. The Agatston method was used for CT AVC assessment. The log-rank test determined the best AVC cut-offs for survival under medical surveillance: 1185  arbitrary unit (AU) in men and 850 AU in women, lower than the established cut-offs for severe AS (2064 AU in men and 1274 AU in women). Patients were divided into 3 AVC groups based on these cut-offs: low (<1185 AU in men and <850 AU in women), sub-severe (1185-2064 AU in men and 850-1274 AU in women), and severe (>2064 AU in men and >1274 AU in women). Of 395 patients (mean age 73 ± 12 years, 60.5% men, aortic valve area 1.23 ± 0.30 cm2, mean pressure gradient 28 ± 8 mmHg), 218 underwent aortic valve intervention (AVI) and 158 deaths occurred during follow-up, 82 before AVI. Median survival time under medical surveillance was 2.1 (0.7-4.9) years. Compared with the low AVC group, both sub-severe and severe AVC groups had higher risk for all-cause death under medical surveillance after comprehensive adjustment including echocardiographic AS severity and coronary artery calcium score (all P ≤ 0.006); while mortality risk was similar between sub-severe and severe AVC groups (all P ≥ 0.2). This mortality risk pattern persisted in the overall survival analysis after adjustment for AVI. AVI was protective of all-cause death in the sub-severe and severe AVC (all P ≤ 0.01), but not in the low AVC groups. CONCLUSION: Sub-severe AVC is a robust risk stratification parameter in patients with non-severe AS and may inform AVI timing.

Resumen: Consenso internacional para la nomenclatura y clasificación de la válvula aórtica bicúspide congénita y su aortopatía, con fines clínicos, quirúrgicos, intervencionistas y de investigación / Summary: International consensus statement on nomenclature and classification of the congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy, for clinical, surgical, interventional and research purposes

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Abstract This consensus of nomenclature and classification for congenital bicuspid aortic valve and its aortopathy is evidence-based and intended for universal use by physicians (both pediatricians and adults), echocardiographers, advanced cardiovascular imaging specialists, interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, pathologists, geneticists, and researchers spanning these areas of clinical and basic research. In addition, as long as new key and reference research is available, this international consensus may be subject to change based on evidence-based data1.

The Natural History of Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of moderate/severe atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to study the incidence of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (LVSD), progression or regression of ≥mild-moderate AFMR, and impact on mortality. METHODS: Adults with left atrial (LA) volume index ≥40 mL/m2, ≥mild-moderate AFMR, and follow-up echocardiogram were followed for incident LVSD (ejection fraction <50% and ≥10% lower than baseline), progression of mild-moderate/moderate AFMR to severe, and persistent regression of AFMR to no/trivial. Relation of AFMR progression or regression as time-dependent covariates with all-cause mortality was studied. Incidence of LVSD was compared with patients with no/mild AFMR matched on age, sex, comorbidities and ejection fraction. Patients were followed until mitral intervention, myocardial infarction, or last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 635 patients (median age 75 years, 51% female, 96% mild-moderate/moderate AFMR, 4% severe AFMR) were included. Over a median 2.2 years (Q1-Q3: 1.0-4.3 years), incidence rates per 100 person-years were 3.2 for LVSD (P = 0.52 vs patients with no/mild AFMR), 1.9 for progression of AFMR, and 3.9 for regression. Female sex and larger LA volume index were independently associated with progression, whereas younger age, male sex, absent atrial fibrillation, and higher LA emptying fraction were independently associated with regression. Neither AFMR progression nor regression was independently associated with mortality. Instead, independent risk factors for mortality included older age, concentric LV geometry, and higher estimated LV filling and pulmonary pressures. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with predominantly mild-moderate/moderate AFMR, regression of MR was more common than progression, but neither was associated with mortality. Instead, diastolic function abnormalities were more important. Over a median 2-year follow-up, LVSD risk was not increased.

Segmental analysis of aortic basal ring dimensions in normal and dilated tricuspid aortic roots.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with aortic root aneurysm, the aortic basal ring is frequently dilated. It has been speculated that the muscular part of the basal ring dilates most. The purpose of this study was to analyse the segmental dilatation of the basal ring, comparing normal and dilated roots in patients with tricuspid aortic valves. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of computed tomography studies in patients with normal and dilated aortic roots was performed. Lengths of segments of the basal ring corresponding to each of the 3 sinuses, and to the muscular and fibrous parts were measured. Fractions of these segments relative to the total basal ring perimeter were calculated. RESULTS: We analysed 152 normal and 126 dilated aortic roots and 86 propensity-matched pairs. Basal ring dilatation was present in all segments of dilated aortic roots with subtle differences between the segments corresponding to the 3 sinuses. The muscular part of the basal ring dilated proportionately to its fibrous part, with no difference in fractions of measured muscular part in normal and dilated roots [42.2% (interquartile range 4.3%) vs 42.1% (interquartile range 6.3%)]. CONCLUSIONS: Basal ring dilatation was present in all segments corresponding to the 3 sinuses in dilated aortic roots. Both muscular and fibrous parts dilated equally, supporting the need to stabilize the entire basal ring when performing aortic valve repair surgery.

Tricuspid Regurgitation: From Imaging to Clinical Trials to Resolving the Unmet Need for Treatment.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a highly prevalent and heterogeneous valvular disease, independently associated with excess mortality and high morbidity in all clinical contexts. TR is profoundly undertreated by surgery and is often discovered late in patients presenting with right-sided heart failure. To address the issue of undertreatment and poor clinical outcomes without intervention, numerous structural tricuspid interventional devices have been and are in development, a challenging process due to the unique anatomic and physiological characteristics of the tricuspid valve, and warranting well-designed clinical trials. The path from routine practice TR detection to appropriate TR evaluation, to conduction of clinical trials, to enriched therapeutic possibilities for improving TR access to treatment and outcomes in routine practice is complex. Therefore, this paper summarizes the key points and methods crucial to TR detection, quantitation, categorization, risk-scoring, intervention-monitoring, and outcomes evaluation, particularly of right-sided function, and to clinical trial development and conduct, for both interventional and surgical groups.

Impact on Kidney Function and Medium-Term Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now widely approved for the treatment of aortic stenosis, regardless of the patients' surgical risk. However, the outcomes of TAVR and their determinants in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) beyond 1 year of follow-up are unknown. We aimed to assess the medium-term outcomes of TAVR in CKD, develop a risk score to estimate the 2-year mortality in patients with CKD, and evaluate the changes in kidney function at discharge after TAVR. Adults who underwent TAVR were retrospectively identified. The CKD stage was determined using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology 2021 creatinine formula. Improved kidney function was defined as post-TAVR creatinine ≤50% of pre-TAVR creatinine or decrease in creatinine of ≥0.3 mg/100 ml compared with pre-TAVR creatinine. Overall, 1,523 patients (median age 82 years; 59% men; 735 with CKD stage II or less, 661 with CKD III, 83 with CKD IV, and 44 with CKD V [of whom 40 were on dialysis]) were included. The all-cause mortality was higher in CKD stages IV and V on the multivariable analysis (p <0.001) at median follow-up of 2.9 (interquartile range 2.0 to 4.2) years. Moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation, anemia, right ventricular systolic pressure >40 mm Hg and CKD stages IV and V were independent predictors of 2-year mortality and were used to develop a risk score. At hospital discharge, persisting acute kidney injury after TAVR occurred in 88 of 1,466 patients (6%), whereas improved kidney function occurred in 170 of 1,466 patients (12%). In conclusion, CKD stage was an independent determinant of mortality beyond 2 years after TAVR. Kidney function was more likely to improve than worsen at the time of hospital discharge after TAVR.

Characteristics and prognosis of isolated aortic valve infective endocarditis in patients with bicuspid aortic valves: a propensity matched study.

Introduction: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart disease with an increased risk of infective endocarditis (IE). Few data are available on isolated native BAV-IE. The aim of this study was to compare patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) IE and BAV-IE in terms of characteristics, management and prognosis. Material and methods: We included 728 consecutive patients with IE on isolated native aortic valve in 3 centres: Amiens and Marseille Hospitals in France and Salerno Hospital in Italy. We studied in hospital and long-term mortality before and after matching for age, sex and comorbidity index. Median follow-up was 67.2 [IQR: 19-120] months. Results: Of the 728 patients, 123 (16.9%) had BAV. Compared with patients with TAV-IE, patients with BAV-IE were younger, had fewer co-morbidities and were more likely to be male. They presented more major neurological events and perivalvular complications (both p < 0.05). Early surgery (<30 days) was performed in 52% of BAV-IE cases vs. 42.8% for TAV-IE (p = 0.061). The 10-year survival rate was 74 ± 5% in BAV-IE patients compared with 66 ± 2% in TAV-IE patients (p = 0.047). After propensity score matching (for age, gender and comorbidities), there was no difference in mortality between the two groups, with an estimated 10-year survival of 73 ± 5% vs. 76 ± 4% respectively (p = 0.91). Conclusion: BAV is a frequent finding in patients with isolated aortic valve IE and is associated with more perivalvular complications and neurological events. The differences in survival with TAV-IE are probably related to the age and comorbidity differences between these two populations.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of atrial functional mitral regurgitation in patients with atrial fibrillation or sinus rhythm.

AIMS: Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) has been associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. However, data on incident AFMR are scarce. We aimed to study the incidence, risk factors, and clinical significance of AFMR in AF or sinus rhythm (SR). METHODS AND RESULTS: Adults with new diagnosis of AF and adults in SR were identified. Patients with >mild MR at baseline, primary mitral disease, cardiomyopathy, left-sided valve disease, previous cardiac surgery, or with no follow-up echocardiogram were excluded. Diastolic dysfunction (DD) was indicated by ≥2/4 abnormal diastolic function parameters [mitral medial e', mitral medial E/e', tricuspid regurgitation velocity, left atrial volume index (LAVI)]. Overall, 1747 patients with AF and 29 623 in SR were included. Incidence rate of >mild AFMR was 2.6 per 100 person-year in new-onset AF and 0.7 per 100 person-year in SR, P < 0.001. AF remained associated with AFMR in a propensity score-matched analysis based on age, sex, and comorbidities between AF and SR [hazard ratio: 3.80 (95% confidence interval 3.04-4.76)]. Independent risk factors associated with incident AFMR were age ≥65 years, female sex, LAVI, and DD in both AF and SR, in addition to rate (vs. rhythm) control in AF. Incident AFMR was independently associated with all-cause death in both groups (both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AF conferred a three-fold increase in the risk of incident AFMR. DD, older age, left atrial size, and female sex were independent risk factors in both SR and AF, while rhythm control was protective. AFMR was universally associated with worse mortality.

Bicuspid aortic valve: long-term morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart anomaly. Lifetime morbidity and whether long-term survival varies according to BAV patient-sub-groups are unknown. This study aimed to assess lifetime morbidity and long-term survival in BAV patients in the community. METHODS: The authors retrospectively identified all Olmsted County (Minnesota) residents with an echocardiographic diagnosis of BAV from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 2009, including patients with typical valvulo-aortopathy (BAV without accelerated valvulo-aortopathy or associated disorders), and those with complex valvulo-aortopathy (BAV with accelerated valvulo-aortopathy or associated disorders). RESULTS: 652 consecutive diagnosed BAV patients [median (IQR) age 37 (22-53) years; 525 (81%) adult and 127 (19%) paediatric] were followed for a median (IQR) of 19.1 (12.9-25.8) years. The total cumulative lifetime morbidity burden (from birth to age 90) was 86% (95% CI 82.5-89.7); cumulative lifetime progression to ≥ moderate aortic stenosis or regurgitation, aortic valve surgery, aortic aneurysm ≥45 mm or z-score ≥3, aorta surgery, infective endocarditis and aortic dissection was 80.3%, 68.5%, 75.4%, 27%, 6% and 1.6%, respectively. Survival of patients with typical valvulo-aortopathy [562 (86%), age 40 (28-55) years, 86% adults] was similar to age-sex-matched Minnesota population (P = .12). Conversely, survival of patients with complex valvulo-aortopathy [90 (14%), age 14 (3-26) years, 57% paediatric] was lower than expected, with a relative excess mortality risk of 2.25 (95% CI 1.21-4.19) (P = .01). CONCLUSION: The BAV condition exhibits a high lifetime morbidity burden where valvulo-aortopathy is close to unavoidable by age 90. The lifetime incidence of infective endocarditis is higher than that of aortic dissection. The most common BAV clinical presentation is the typical valvulo-aortopathy with preserved expected long-term survival, while the complex valvulo-aortopathy presentation incurs higher mortality.

Factors influencing post-surgical survival in degenerative mitral regurgitation.

AIMS: Indications for surgery in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) are increasingly liberal in all clinical guidelines but the role of secondary outcome determinants (left atrial volume index ≥60 mL/m2, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥50 mmHg and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation) and their impact on post-operative outcome remain disputed. Whether these secondary outcome markers are just reflective of the DMR severity or intrinsically affect survival after DMR surgery is uncertain and may have critical importance in the management of patients with DMR. To address these gaps of knowledge the present study gathered a large cohort of patients with quantified DMR, accounted for the number of secondary outcome markers and examined their independent impact on survival after surgical correction of the DMR. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Mitral Regurgitation International DAtabase-Quantitative registry includes patients with isolated DMR from centres across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Patient enrolment extended from January 2003 to January 2020. All patients undergoing mitral valve surgery within 1 year of registry enrolment were selected. A total of 2276 patients [65 (55-73) years, 32% male] across five centres met study eligibility criteria. Over a median follow-up of 5.6 (3.6 to 8.7) years, 278 patients (12.2%) died. In a comprehensive multivariable Cox regression model adjusted for age, EuroSCORE II, symptoms, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LV ESD) and DMR severity, the number of secondary outcome determinants was independently associated with post-operative all-cause mortality, with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.56 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.20, P = 0.011], 1.78 (95% CI: 1.23-2.58, P = 0.002) and 2.58 (95% CI: 1.73-3.83, P < 0.0001) for patients with one, two, and three or four secondary outcome determinants, respectively. A model incorporating the number of secondary outcome determinants demonstrated a higher C-index and was significantly more concordant with post-operative mortality than models incorporating traditional Class I indications alone [the presence of symptoms (P = 0.0003), or LVEF ≤60% (P = 0.006), or LV ESD ≥40 mm (P = 0.014)], while there was no significant difference in concordance observed compared with a model that incorporated the number of Class I indications for surgery combined (P = 0.71). CONCLUSION: In this large cohort of patients treated surgically for DMR, the presence and number of secondary outcome determinants was independently associated with post-surgical survival and demonstrated better outcome discrimination than traditional Class I indications for surgery. Randomised controlled trials are needed to determine if patients with severe DMR who demonstrate a cardiac phenotype with an increasing number of secondary outcome determinants would benefit from earlier surgery.

Excess Reintervention With Mitroflow Prosthesis for Aortic Valve Replacement: Ten-Year Outcomes of a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Current bioprostheses are considered to have improved durability and better hemodynamic performance compared with previous designs, but there are limited comparative data on late outcomes. METHODS: From 2009 through 2011, 300 adults with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) were randomly assigned to receive Edwards Magna, St Jude Epic, or Sorin Mitroflow bioprostheses (n = 100, n = 101, n = 99, respectively). Overall survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods, whereas competing risk analysis was used for all time-to-event outcomes. Serial echocardiographic data were fitted with longitudinal models stratified by implant valve size. RESULTS: During median follow-up of 9.8 years (interquartile range, 8.7-10.2), 10-year survival was 50% for the Magna group, 42% for the Epic group, and 41% for the Mitroflow group (P = .415). Cumulative risk of stroke was 9% at 10 years, and rates were comparable for the three groups. Indexed aortic valve area and mean gradients were similar among the three groups receiving 19 mm and 21 mm valves, but in larger (23 mm or more) prostheses, gradients were lower (P < .001) and indexed aortic valve areas were higher in the Magna group (P < .001). The 10-year risk of endocarditis differed by group (P = .033), with higher incidence in the Mitroflow vs the Magna group (7% vs 0%, P = .019). Late risk of reinterventions in the Mitroflow group was 22%, compared with 0% in the Magna group (P < .001) and 5% in the Epic group (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: The Magna valve had the lowest gradients and largest indexed aortic valve area with larger implant sizes. The Mitroflow bioprosthesis is associated with an increased rate of reintervention and possible increased risk of infection compared with Magna and Epic valves.

Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valves and Ascending Aorta ≥50 mm Under Surveillance.

Background: Clinical outcomes of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients with ascending aortic diameters ≥50 mm who are under surveillance are poorly defined. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess clinical outcomes in BAV patients with ascending aorta ≥50 mm. Methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort study of BAV adults with ascending aorta diameters ≥50 mm by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Patients were categorized into 50 to 54 mm and ≥55 mm groups. Clinical outcomes were aortic dissection (AoD), aorta surgery, surgical mortality, and all-cause death. Results: Of 875 consecutive BAV patients (age 60 ± 13 years, 86% men, aortic diameter 51 mm [interquartile range (IQR): 50-53 mm]), 328 (37%) underwent early surgery ≤3 months from index TTE. Of the remaining 547 patients under surveillance, 496 had diameters 50 to 54 mm and 51 had diameters ≥55 mm and were collectively followed for 7.51 (IQR: 3.98-12.20) years. Of 496 patients with diameters 50 to 54 mm under surveillance, 266 (54%) underwent surgery 2.0 (IQR: 0.77-4.16) years from index TTE. AoD occurred in 9/496 (1.8%) patients for an incidence of 0.4 cases per 100 person-years, surgical mortality was 5/266 (1.9%); and ≥moderate aortic stenosis (but not aorta size) was associated with all-cause death, hazard ratio: 2.05 (95% CI: 1.32-3.20), P = 0.001. Conversely, in 547 total patients under surveillance (including 50-54 mm and ≥55 mm), both aorta size and ≥moderate aortic stenosis were associated with all-cause death (both P ≤ 0.027). AoD rate in patients ≥55 mm under surveillance was 5.9%. Conclusions: In BAV patients with ascending aorta 50 to 54 mm under surveillance, AoD incidence is low and the overall rates of AoD and surgical mortality are similar, suggesting clinical equivalence between surgical and surveillance strategies. Conversely, patients with aortas ≥55 mm should undergo surgery. Aortic stenosis is associated with all-cause death in these patients.

Comparison Between Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Regurgitation: Presentation, Survival, and Aorta Complications.

Background: Although the Asian population is growing globally, data in Asian subjects regarding differences between bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) in aortic regurgitation (AR) remain unexplored. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine differences between Asian BAV-AR and TAV-AR in significant AR, including aorta complications. Methods: The study included 711 consecutive patients with chronic moderate to severe and severe AR from 2008 to 2020. Outcomes included all-cause death, aortic valve surgery (AVS), and incidence of aortic dissection (AD). Results: There were 149 BAV-AR (mean age: 48 ± 16 years) and 562 TAV-AR (mean age: 68 ± 15 years; P < 0.0001) patients; baseline indexed left ventricle and indexed aorta size were larger in TAV-AR. Total follow-up was 4.8 years (IQR: 2.0-8.4 years), 252 underwent AVS, and 185 died during follow-up; 18 cases (only 1 BAV) of AD occurred, with a mean maximal aorta size of 60 ± 9 mm. The 10-year AVS incidence was higher in TAV-AR (51% ± 4%) vs BAV-AR (40% ± 5%) even after adjustment for covariates (P < 0.0001). The 10-year survival was higher in BAV-AR (86% ± 4%) vs TAV-AR (57% ± 3%; P < 0.0001) and became insignificant after age adjustment (P = 0.33). Post-AVS 10-year survival was 93% ± 5% in BAV-AR and 78% ± 5% in TAV-AR, respectively (P = 0.08). The 10-year incidence of AD was higher in TAV-AR (4.8% ± 1.5%) than in BAV-AR (0.9% ± 0.9%) and was determined by aorta size ≥45 mm (P ≤ 0.015). Compared with an age- and sex-matched population in Taiwan, TAV-AR (HR: 3.1) had reduced survival (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that TAV-AR patients were at a later stage of AR course and had a high AD rate as opposed to BAV-AR patients in Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of early referral for timely management. Surgery on the aorta with a lower threshold in TAV-AR should be considered.

Speaking a common language: the international consensus on bicuspid aortic valve nomenclature and classification.

The congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) condition is a valvulo-aortopathy with heterogeneous phenotypic expressions and clinical outcomes. A multitude of pre-existing classification systems, some extensive and some succinct, utilize combinations of numbers and/or letters to describe the condition. These diverse nomenclature systems are used according to the random preference of clinicians and researchers, generating confusion in clinical practice and research alike, effectively creating a barrier of communication at multiple levels. Based on imaging, pathology, surgery and clinical history evidence-based principles, and in utilizing the English language, the international nomenclature and classification consensus on the congenital BAV and its aortopathy offers a simple nosologic and phenotypic format that covers all possible phenotypes and clinical presentations of the bicuspid valvulo-aortopathy. From the nosology perspective, the valvulo-aortopathy has three major clinical presentations: (I) typical valvulo-aortopathy; (II) complex valvulo-aortopathy; and (III) undiagnosed or uncomplicated valvulo-aortopathy. From the valvular perspective, the congenital BAV has three major phenotypic expressions: (I) the fused BAV; (II) the 2-sinus BAV; and (III) the partial fusion (forme fruste) BAV. From the aortopathy perspective, the condition has three major phenotypic expressions: (I) ascending phenotype; (II) root phenotype; and (III) extended phenotypes. The international consensus is intended for universal use by Clinicians (pediatric and adult), echocardiography sonographers and physicians, cardiovascular advanced-imaging specialists, interventional cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, pathologists, geneticists and researchers encompassing clinical and basic research areas. When new landmark research is available, this international consensus may be subject to change in accordance with evidence-based data.