Echocardiographic Progression of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease in Patients with Preexisting Aortic Valve Sclerosis.

Background: We aimed to evaluate echocardiographic parameters to predict calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) progression. CAVD ranges from aortic valve sclerosis (ASc) with no functional impairment of the aortic valve to severe aortic stenosis (AS). It remains uncertain, which patients with ASc have a particularly high risk of developing AS. Methods: We included a total of 153 patients with visual signs of ASc and peak flow velocity (Vmax) below 2.5 m/s at baseline echocardiography. Progression of CAVD to AS was defined as an increase in Vmax ≥ 2.5 m/s with a delta of ≥ 0.1 m/s; stable ASc was defined as Vmax below 2.5 m/s and a delta < 0.1 m/s. Finally, we compared clinical and echocardiographic parameters between these two groups. Results: The mean age at baseline was 73.5 ( ± 8.2) years and 66.7% were of male sex. After a mean follow-up of 1463 days, 57 patients developed AS, while 96 patients remained in the ASc group. The AS group showed significantly more calcification (p < 0.001) and thickening (p < 0.001) of the aortic valve cusps at baseline, although hemodynamics showed no evidence of AS in both groups (ASc group: Vmax 1.6 ± 0.3 m/s versus AS group: Vmax 1.9 ± 0.3 m/s; p < 0.001). Advanced calcification (odds ratio [OR]: 4.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-15.9; p = 0.009) and a cusp thickness > 0.26 cm (OR: 16.6, 95% CI: 5.4-50.7; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for the development of AS. Conclusions: The acquisition of simple echocardiographic parameter may help to identify patients with particularly high risk of developing AS.

The CT derived angle between the transseptal puncture site and the left atrial appendage as a predictor for complex interventional occlusion procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the CT-derived angle between the intra-atrial septum (IAS) and the left atrial appendage (LAA) on procedural complexity and clinical outcomes in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures. BACKGROUND: Given the broad variations in anatomy, LAAO remains one of the most challenging interventional procedures in structural heart disease. In recent years, preprocedural cardiac tomography (CT) has evolved as a valuable tool; however, prediction of procedural complexity remains cumbersome. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 47 patients that underwent LAAO at our center in whom pre-procedural cardiac CT-scans were available. Among other baseline parameters, we measured the angle between the LAA ostium and the preferred transseptal puncture site at the IAS. We compared patients with an angle above and below the median regarding procedural characteristics and procedural outcome. RESULTS: The median angle between the LAA and the IAS was 127.3° (IQR: 120.9-141.3). LAAO took longer in patients with a measured angle below the median (55.0 ± 22.7 min vs. 41.3 ± 17.5 min; p = .04), resulting in longer radiation times (13.0 ± 5.3 min vs. 9.8 ± 5.7 min; p = .04) and more contrast use (61.1 ± 47.5 mL vs. 33.6 ± 24.7 mL; p = .05). Moreover, the necessity for a sheath exchange was significantly higher (30.4% vs. 4.2%, p = .02) and device repositioning or device resizing trended to be more frequent (26.1% vs. 8.3%; p = .1 and 21.7% vs. 8.3%; p = .2). There were no differences in procedural outcome, device-position and peri-device leak (PDL). CONCLUSIONS: The angle between the transseptal puncture site and the LAA ostium may serve as a predictor for more demanding LAAO interventions. In our study a steeper angle led to a prolonged procedure resulting in higher doses of contrast and radiation, but was not associated with a worse procedural outcome.

Percutaneous trans-axilla transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

The left axillary artery is an attractive alternative access route for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and may provide better outcomes compared to other alternatives. Nevertheless, there remain concerns about vascular complications, lack of compressibility, and thorax-related complications. Between March 2019 and March 2021, 13 patients underwent transaxillary TAVR for severe aortic stenosis at the University Hospital Bonn. The puncture was performed with a puncture at the distal segment of the axillary artery through the axilla, with additional femoral access for applying a safety wire inside the axillary artery. Device success was defined according to the VARC 2 criteria. The study participants were advanced in age (77 ± 9 years old), and 54% were female, with an intermediate risk for surgery (STS risk score 4.7 ± 2.0%). The average diameter of the distal segment of the axillary artery was 5.8 ± 1.0 mm (i.e., the puncture site) and 7.6 ± 0.9 mm for the proximal axillary artery. Device success was achieved in all patients. 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were 0%. With complete percutaneous management, stent-graft implantation was performed at the puncture site in 38.5% of patients. Minor bleeding was successfully managed with manual compression. Moreover, no thorax-related complications, hematomas, or nerve injuries were observed. Percutaneous trans-axilla TAVR was found to be feasible and safe. This modified approach may mitigate the risk of bleeding and serious complications in the thorax and be less invasive than surgical alternatives.

Oncologic outcomes in elderly patients who underwent hysterectomy for endometrial cancer: a multi-institutional survey in Kinki District, Japan.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study is to assess the oncologic outcomes of elderly patients who underwent hysterectomy for endometrial cancer across three variables: hysterectomy approach, lymph node resection, and adjuvant therapy. METHODS: Hospital records of patients aged ≥ 70 years who underwent hysterectomy for endometrial cancer were obtained from 19 institutions. Patients were categorized into three risk groups: low, intermediate, and high. In each group, disease-free survival and overall survival were compared according to hysterectomy approach, lymph node resection, and adjuvant therapy using Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval was performed to estimate relative risk (RR) of death. RESULTS: A total of 1246 patients were included. In the low-risk group, the adjusted RR for death for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus laparotomy and lymph node resection versus no lymph node resection were 0.64 (0.24-1.72) and 0.52 (0.24-1.12), respectively. In the intermediate-risk group, the adjusted RR for death for MIS versus laparotomy, lymph node resection versus no lymph node resection, and adjuvant therapy versus no adjuvant therapy were 0.80 (0.36-1.77), 0.60 (0.37-0.98), and 0.89 (0.55-1.46), respectively. In the high-risk group, the adjusted RRs for death for lymph node resection versus no lymph node resection and adjuvant therapy versus no adjuvant therapy were 0.56 (0.37-0.86) and 0.60 (0.38-0.96), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MIS is not inferior to laparotomy in uterine-confined diseases. Lymph node resection improved the outcome for all disease stages and histological types. In contrast, adjuvant therapy improved the outcomes only in high-risk patients.

QRS duration is a risk indicator of adverse outcomes after MitraClip.

BACKGROUND: While QRS duration is a known marker of left ventricular (LV) function, little is known about its utility for predicting clinical prognosis after transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR). We investigated the association between QRS duration and one-year adverse events after TMVR with the MitraClip system. METHODS: From January 2011 through April 2019, we identified consecutive patients who underwent TMVR. Patients who had prior cardiac resynchronization therapy or a ventricular pacing rhythm were excluded. The patients were divided into two groups according to their QRS duration (<120 or ≥ 120 ms). Cox proportional hazard model was applied to determine the association between QRS duration and the composite outcome (all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization due to heart failure) within 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 348 patients were analyzed. Prolonged QRS duration (≥120 ms) was associated with an increased risk of the composite outcome (adjusted-HR 2.35, 95%CI 1.30-4.24, p = .005). There was a linear relationship between prolonged QRS duration and the increased risk of the composite outcomes. The observed association was consistent both in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and those with >35%. Furthermore, a QRS duration ≥120 ms was associated with lower improvement of LVEF at follow-up (adjusted-ß coefficient - 5.31%, 95%CI -8.17 to -2.46, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged QRS duration was associated with an increased risk of mortality and re-hospitalization and less improvement of LVEF following TMVR. QRS duration could be a useful marker to predict adverse outcomes and LV function after TMVR.

Association of heart failure duration with clinical outcomes after transcatheter mitral valve repair for functional mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the association of heart failure (HF) chronicity with clinical outcomes after transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) for functional mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: From January 2011 to March 2019, consecutive patients with functional MR who underwent a MitraClip procedure were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to HF duration-those with duration ≤18 months and those with >18 months. The primary outcome measure was a composite of all-cause mortality and re-HF rehospitalization within 1 year after the procedure. These outcomes were also assessed separately. A Cox proportional hazard model was conducted for investigating the association of HF duration with the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients were analyzed. Patients with HF duration >18 months had a higher rate of the primary outcome compared to those with HF duration ≤18 months (38.1 vs. 19.0%, log-rank p = .003). A longer duration of HF was associated with an increased risk of the primary outcomes (adjusted-HR of >18 months, 2.12 95% CI, 1.14-4.19; p = .03; adjusted-HR (hazard ratios) for 1 year increase, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09; p = .004). The association of HF duration with the primary outcomes showed a steep rise during the first 2 years of HF duration and progressive increase after 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: A longer HF duration before TMVR was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality or HF rehospitalization. HF duration can be used for the risk stratification marker in patients undergoing TMVR for functional MR.

12-Month outcomes of transcatheter tricuspid valve repair with the PASCAL system for severe tricuspid regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the durability of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) reduction and the clinical outcomes through 12 months after transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVr) with the PASCAL Transcatheter Valve Repair System. BACKGROUND: TTVr has rapidly developed and demonstrated favorable acute outcomes, but longer follow-up data are needed. METHODS: Overall, 30 patients (age 77 ± 6 years; 57% female) received PASCAL implantation from September 2017 to May 2019 and completed a clinical follow-up at 12 months. RESULTS: The TR etiology was functional in 25 patients (83%), degenerative in three (10%), and mixed in two (7%). All patients had TR severe or greater (massive or torrential in 80%) and heart failure symptoms (90% in NYHA III or IV) under optimal medical treatment. Single-leaflet device attachment occurred in two patients. Moderate or less TR was achieved in 23/28 patients (82%) at 30 days, which was sustained at 12 months (86%). Two patients underwent repeat TTVr due to residual torrential TR (day 173) and recurrence of severe TR (day 280), respectively. One-year survival rate was 93%; 6 patients required rehospitalization due to acute heart failure. NYHA functional class I or II was achieved in 90% and 6-minute walk distance improved from 275 ± 122 m at baseline to 347 ± 112 m at 12-month (+72 ± 82 m, p < .01). There was no stroke, endocarditis, or device embolization during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve-month outcomes from this multicenter compassionate use experience with the PASCAL System demonstrated high procedural success, acceptable safety, and significant clinical improvement.

Prognostic significance of the get with the guidelines-heart failure (GWTG-HF) risk score in patients undergoing trans-catheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR).

The Get-With-The-Guidelines-Heart-Failure (GWTG-HF) score is a risk assessment tool to predict mortality in patients with heart-failure (HF). We aimed to evaluate the GWTG-HF score for risk stratification in HF patients with tricuspid regurgitation undergoing trans-catheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR). In total, 181 patients who underwent TTVR via edge-to-edge repair (86%) or annuloplasty (14%) were enrolled. Patients were categorized into a low- (≤ 43 points), intermediate- (44-53 points) and high-risk score groups (≥ 54 points). TTVR led to an improvement of TR (p < 0.0001) and NYHA (p < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test revealed that higher GWTG-HF scores were associated with reduced rates of event-free survival regarding mortality (96% vs 89% vs 73%, respectively, p = 0.001) and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) (89% vs 86% vs 74%, respectively, p = 0.026). After adjusting for important variables like renal function, left ventricular ejection fraction and mitral regurgitation, the GWTG-HF score remained an independent predictor of the composite endpoint of HHF or mortality (hazard ratio 1.04 per 1-point increase, p = 0.029). Other remaining predictors were renal function and mitral regurgitation. The GWTG-HF score used as a risk stratification tool of mortality and HHF maintains its prognostic value in a HF population with severe TR undergoing TTVR.

Association of computed tomography-derived myocardial mass with fractional flow reserve-verified ischemia or subsequent therapeutic strategy.

The aim of the present study was to examine the association of myocardial mass verified by computed tomography (CT) and invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR)-verified myocardial ischemia, or subsequent therapeutic strategy for the targeted vessels after FFR examination. We examined 333 vessels with intermediate stenoses in 297 patients (mean age 69.0 ± 9.5, 228 men) undergoing both coronary CT angiography and invasive FFR, and reviewed the therapeutic strategy after FFR. Of 333 vessels, FFR ≤ 0.80 was documented in 130 (39.0%). Myocardial volume supplied by the target vessel (MVT) was larger in those with FFR-verified ischemia than those without (53.4 ± 19.5 vs. 42.9 ± 22.2 cm3, P < 0.001). Addition of MVT to a model including patient characteristics (age, gender), visual assessment (≥ 70% stenosis, high-risk appearance), and quantitative CT vessel parameters [minimal lumen area (MLA), plaque burden at MLA, percent aggregate plaque volume] improved C-index (from 0.745 to 0.778, P = 0.020). Furthermore, of 130 vessels with FFR ≤ 0.80, myocardial volume exposed to ischemia (MVI) was larger in the vessels with early revascularization after FFR examination than those without (37.2 ± 20.0 vs. 26.8 ± 15.0 cm3, P = 0.003), and was independently associated with early revascularization [OR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval (1.02-1.11), P < 0.001]. Using an on-site CT workstation, MVT identified coronary arteries with FFR-verified ischemia easily and non-invasively, and MVI was associated with subsequent therapeutic strategy after FFR examinations.

The predictive value of intraprocedural mitral gradient for outcomes after MitraClip and its peri-interventional dynamics.

BACKGROUND: The current data on the impact of the increased mitral gradient (MG) on outcomes are ambiguous, and intraprocedural assessment of MG can be challenging. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate (a) peri-interventional dynamics of MG, (b) the impact of intraprocedural MG on clinical outcomes, and (c) predictors for unfavorable MG values after MitraClip. METHODS: We prospectively included patients who underwent MitraClip. All patients underwent echocardiography at baseline, intraprocedurally, at discharge, and after 6 months. 12-month survival was documented. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy five patients (age 81.2 ± 8.2 years, 61.2% male) with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) were included. We divided our cohort into two groups according to intraprocedural MG with a threshold of 4.5 mm Hg, determined by a multivariate analysis of predictors for 12-month mortality (<4.5 mm Hg: Group 1, ≥4.5 mm Hg: Group 2). Intraprocedural MG ≥4.5 mm Hg was found to be the strongest independent predictor for 12-month mortality (HR: 2.33, P = .03, OR: 1.70, P = .05), and >3.9 mm Hg was associated with adverse functional outcomes (OR: 1.96, P = .04). The baseline leaflet-to-annulus index >1.1 was found to be the strongest independent predictor (OR: 9.74, P = .001) for unfavorable intraprocedural MG, followed by the number of implanted clips (P = .01), MG at baseline (P = .02), and central clip implantation (P = .05). CONCLUSION: An intraprocedural MG <3.9 mm Hg appears to be the best strategy for 1-year survival and favorable functional outcomes after edge-to-edge MV repair with MitraClip independently from MR etiology. Peri-interventional echocardiographic and procedural parameters are useful for the adequate assessment of intraprocedural MG.

Impact of combined baseline and postprocedural troponin values on clinical outcome following the MitraClip procedure.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of periprocedural troponin levels on clinical outcome following the MitraClip procedure. BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin is known to be a predictive biomarker for various clinical outcomes; however, data about its predictive value in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair are limited. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing the MitraClip procedure were enrolled. Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured before and after the procedure, and the maximal value recorded within 72 hr after the procedure was used for the postprocedural values. The clinical outcome was all-cause mortality within a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Out of 354 patients, 29 patients (8.2%) were deceased within 1 year. Patients who died had significantly higher baseline (0.05 [0.01-0.08] vs. 0.01 [0.01-0.03] ng/ml; p < .001) and postprocedural troponin I values (0.51 [0.30-1.42] vs. 0.20 [0.33-0.55] ng/ml; p = .005). A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with higher baseline troponin I values had a significantly worse prognosis than those with lower values (log-rank p < .001), and similarly, 1-year mortality was significantly higher in patients with higher postprocedural troponin I than those with lower levels (log-rank p = .021). Moreover, the highest mortality rate was observed in patients with both elevated baseline and postprocedural troponin I values (log-rank p = .001), which was found to be an independent predictor of mortality by multivariable analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that combined baseline and postprocedural troponin measurements are useful for risk stratification of 1-year mortality following the MitraClip procedure.

Search for conditions to avoid parametrectomy during radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

AIM: This study aimed to assess adequate conditions for omitting parametrectomy for stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer with the aim of reducing postoperative complications during Type III radical hysterectomy (RH). METHODS: We investigated factors associated with parametrial invasion (PMI) in patients who underwent Type III RH for stage IB1, IB2, IIA1, IIA2 and IIB cervical cancer at two tertiary institutions from November 2006 to February 2018. Both clinicopathological and preoperatively estimated factors were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-six patients were preoperatively diagnosed with stage IB1 to IIB disease. Thirty-four patients (21.8%) showed PMI on histological analyses. In the multivariate analysis, an age older than 50 years, tumor size larger than 40 mm, common iliac lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular space invasion were identified as significant risk factors for PMI (P-values = 0.008, 0.003, 0.004 and 0.004, respectively). The preoperatively estimated risk factors for PMI were an older age, larger tumor size, and common iliac lymph node metastasis (P-values = 0.007, 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). A combination of these three factors was sufficient to estimate PMI with a high specificity (100%) and positive predictive value (100%) in patients with stage IB1 to IIA2 disease. CONCLUSION: During RH, resecting the posterior layer of the vesicouterine ligament and the paracolpium without removing the cardinal ligament (avoiding parametrectomy) might be feasible for stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer in patients younger than 50 years presenting with smaller tumors (<40 mm) and no common iliac lymph node metastasis.

Carotid Artery Stenosis as a Predictor for Stroke Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Stroke remains a clinical risk in the long-term follow-up of patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We aimed to investigate the association between existing carotid artery stenosis (CS) and the risk of stroke after TAVI. The study participants were consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between 2008 and 2020 and were screened for CS at baseline and at the 30-day follow-up. Hemodynamically relevant CS was defined as a reduction of the carotid artery caliber by >50% in relation to the distal segment. The primary endpoint of this study was ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) within 30 days of TAVI. Stroke-related death was also assessed. Of the 1,537 patients included, 220 (14.3%) patients had CS ≥50%. Within 30 days following TAVI, 41 patients (2.7%) experienced an ischemic stroke or TIA, and seven had stroke-related death. The median time from TAVI to stroke/TIA was 3.0 days. Patients with CS ≥50% had a 2.56-fold increased risk of stroke/TIA after TAVI (95%CI: 1.29-5.10, P = .006). The association was consistent in the multivariable model after adjusting for sex, atrial fibrillation, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Investigations are needed to mitigate the risk of stroke in patients with CS ≥50%.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve replacement with the Tendyne system.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) has emerged as alternative to transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR); however, the role of TMVR with the Tendyne system among established treatments of MR is not well defined. We assessed characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with the Tendyne system in the current clinical practice. METHODS: We reviewed patients who underwent cardiac computed tomography and were judged eligible for the Tendyne system. RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were eligible for TMVR with the Tendyne system. Of these, 17 patients underwent TMVR, and 46 were treated by TEER. Patients treated with the Tendyne system were more likely to have a high transmitral pressure gradient and unsuitable mitral valve morphology for TEER than those treated with TEER. TMVR with the Tendyne system reduced the severity of MR to less than 1 + in 94.1% of the patients at discharge and achieved a greater reduction in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume at the 30-day follow-up compared with TEER. In contrast, patients treated with the Tendyne system had a higher 30-day mortality than those treated with TEER, while the mortality between 30 days and one year was comparable between Tendyne and TEER. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients eligible for the Tendyne system, approximately a quarter of the patients underwent TMVR with the Tendyne system, which led substantial reduction of MR and LV reverse remodeling than TEER. In contrast, the 30-day mortality rate was higher after TMVR with the Tendyne compared to TEER.

Impact of body mass index in patients with tricuspid regurgitation after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and underweight represent classical risk factors for outcome in patients treated for cardiovascular disease. This study describes the impact of different body mass index (BMI) categories on 1-year clinical outcome in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) undergoing transcatheter-edge-to-edge repair (TEER). METHODS: We analyzed 211 consecutive patients (age 78.3 ± 7.2 years, 55.5% female, median EuroSCORE II 9.6 ± 6.7) with tricuspid regurgitation undergoing TEER from June 2015 until May 2021. Patients were prospectively enrolled in our single center registry and were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified according to body mass index (BMI) into 4 groups: BMI < 20 kg/m2 (underweight), BMI 20.0 to < 25.0 kg/m2 (normal weight), BMI 25.0 to > 30.0 kg/m2 (overweight) and BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (obese). RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated inferior survival for underweight and obese patients, but comparable outcomes for normal and overweight patients (global log rank test, p < 0.01). Cardiovascular death was significantly higher in underweight patients compared to the other groups (24.1% vs. 7.0% vs. 6.3% vs. 6.4%; p < 0.01). Over all, there were comparable rates of bleeding, stroke and myocardial infarction. Multivariable Cox regression analysis (adjusted for age, gender, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, left-ventricular ejection fraction) confirmed underweight (HR 3.88; 95% CI 1.64-7.66; p < 0.01) and obesity (HR 3.24; 95% CI 1.37-9.16; p < 0.01) as independent risk factors for 1-year all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to normal weight and overweight patients, obesity and underweight patients undergoing TEER display significant higher 1-year all-cause mortality.

Refining accuracy of RV-PA coupling in patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve treatment.

BACKGROUND: Assessing right ventricular (RV) function is paramount for risk stratification, which remains challenging in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). We assessed RV-pulmonary artery (PA) coupling and its predictability of outcomes after transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR). METHODS: Study participants comprised patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve repair to treat symptomatic TR from June 2015 to July 2021. We calculated an RV-PA coupling ratio using a formula, which is dividing tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) by echocardiographically estimated (ePASP) or invasively measured PASP (iPASP) at baseline. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality or heart failure rehospitalization within one year. RESULTS: The study participants (n = 206) were at high surgical risk (EuroSCORE II: 7.4 ± 4.8%). The primary outcome occurred in 57 patients within one year. The c-statistics for the outcome were 0.565 (95% CI 0.488-0.643) for TAPSE/ePASP and 0.695 (95% CI 0.631-0.759) for TAPSE/iPASP. The correlation between the ePASP and iPASP was attenuated in patients with massive/torrential TR compared to those with severe TR (interaction p = 0.01). In the multivariable Cox proportional model, TAPSE/iPASP was inversely associated with the risk of the primary outcome (per 0.1-point increase: adjusted-HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.56-0.82, p < 0.001), independent of baseline demographics. According to the TAPSE/iPASP quartiles (i.e., ≤ 0.316; 0.317-0.407; 0.408-0.526; ≥ 0.527), the event-free survival was 43.4%, 48.3%, 77.9%, and 85.4% at one year after TTVR. CONCLUSION: RV-PA coupling predicts one-year mortality and heart failure rehospitalization after TTVR in patients with TR. The predictability is improved if invasively-measured PA pressure is included.

Changes in right ventricular function and clinical outcomes following tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

AIMS: Prognostic impact of post-procedural changes in right ventricular (RV) function after tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) is still unclear. We investigated association of RV function and its post-procedural changes with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing T-TEER. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analysed 204 patients who underwent T-TEER and echocardiographic follow-up at 3 months after T-TEER. RV function was assessed by RV fractional area change (RVFAC), and RV dysfunction was defined as RVFAC <35%. Patients with an increase in RVFAC from baseline to the follow-up were considered as RV responders. Patients were divided into four groups according to baseline RVFAC and the RV responder. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure within 1 year. Forty-five of 204 patients (22.1%) had RVFAC <35% at baseline, and 71 (34.8%) were RV responders. The association between the RV responder and the composite outcome had a significant interaction with RVFAC at baseline. Among patients with baseline RVFAC <35%, RV responders had a lower risk of the composite outcome than RV non-responders, while this association was not significant in those with baseline RVFAC ≥35%. Among patients with baseline RVFAC <35%, a smaller RV diameter and a greater reduction of tricuspid regurgitation were predictors for the RV responder. CONCLUSION: Post-procedural increase in RVFAC after T-TEER is associated with improved outcomes in patients with RV dysfunction. The factors related to the increase in RVFAC may support patient selection for T-TEER in patients with RV dysfunction.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Tricuspid Edge-to-Edge Repair in Patients With Right Ventricular Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the safety profile of tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) in patients with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. METHODS: We identified patients undergoing TEER to treat tricuspid regurgitation from June 2015 to October 2021 and assessed tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV fractional area change (RVFAC). RV dysfunction was defined as TAPSE <17 mm and RVFAC <35%. The primary end point was 30-day mortality after TEER. We also investigated the change in the RV function in the early phase and clinical outcomes at 2 years. RESULTS: The study participants (n=262) were at high surgical risk (EuroSCORE II, 6.2% [interquartile range, 4.0%-10.3%]). Among them, 44 patients met the criteria of RV dysfunction. Thirty-day mortality was 3.2% in patients with normal RV function and 2.3% in patients with RV dysfunction (P=0.99). Tricuspid regurgitation reduction to ≤2+ was consistently achieved irrespective of RV dysfunction (76.5% versus 70.5%; P=0.44). TAPSE and RVFAC declined after TEER in patients with normal RV function (TAPSE, 19.0±4.7 to 17.9±4.5 mm; P=0.001; RVFAC, 46.2%±8.1% to 40.3%±9.7%; P<0.001). In contrast, those parameters were unchanged or tended to increase in patients with RV dysfunction (TAPSE, 13.2±2.3 to 15.3±4.7 mm; P=0.011; RVFAC, 29.6%±4.1% to 31.6%±8.3%; P=0.14). Two years after TEER, compared with patients with normal RV function, patients with RV dysfunction had significantly higher mortality (27.0% versus 56.3%; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TEER was safe and feasible to treat tricuspid regurgitation in patients with RV dysfunction. The decline in the RV function was observed in patients with normal RV function but not in patients with RV dysfunction.

Cardiac computed tomography-based assessment of mitral annular calcification in patients undergoing mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

BACKGROUND: The role of assessment of mitral annular calcification (MAC) using cardiac computed tomography (CCT) in mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of MAC assessed by CCT with procedural and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing TEER. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 275 patients who underwent pre-procedural CCT prior TEER. Mitral calcium volume (MCV) and MAC score were measured by CCT. Functional procedural success was defined as residual mitral regurgitation of ≤2+ with mean transmitral gradient of <5 â€‹mmHg at discharge. All-cause mortality within two years after TEER was collected. RESULTS: MAC was present in 115 of 275 patients (41.8 %). The median MCV was 198 â€‹mm3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 84 to 863 â€‹mm3), and the median MAC score was 3 (IQR: 2 to 4). Higher MCV and MAC score were inversely related to the rate of functional procedural success, independently of anatomical features of mitral valve. Patients with moderate/severe MAC, defined as MAC score of ≥4, had a lower rate of functional procedural success than those without MAC (56.1 â€‹% vs. 81.3 â€‹%; p â€‹= â€‹0.002). Moreover, higher MCV and MAC score were associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality within two years, irrespective of baseline characteristics and functional procedural success. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and burden of MAC assessed by CCT were associated with procedural and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing TEER. The CCT-based assessment of MAC may improve patient selection for TEER.