Relationship between Perioperative Hypotension and Perioperative Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Major Noncardiac Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative hypotension is associated with cardiovascular events in patients having noncardiac surgery. It is unknown if the severity of preexisting coronary artery disease determines susceptibility to the cardiovascular risks of perioperative hypotension. METHODS: In this retrospective exploratory analysis of a substudy of an international prospective blinded cohort study, 955 patients 45 yr of age or older with history or risk factors for coronary artery disease underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography before elective inpatient noncardiac surgery. The authors evaluated the potential interaction between angiographic findings and perioperative hypotension (defined as systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg for a total of 10 min or more during surgery or for any duration after surgery and for which intervention was initiated) on the composite outcome of time to myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death up to 30 days after surgery. Angiography assessors were blinded to study outcomes; patients, treating clinicians, and outcome assessors were blinded to angiography findings. RESULTS: Cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death within 30 days after surgery) occurred in 7.7% of patients (74/955), including in 2.7% (8/293) without obstructive coronary disease or hypotension compared to 6.7% (21/314) with obstructive coronary disease but no hypotension (hazard ratio, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.11 to 5.66; P = 0.027), 8.8% (14/159) in patients with hypotension but without obstructive coronary disease (hazard ratio, 3.85; 95% CI, 1.62 to 9.19; P = 0.002), and 16.4% (31/189) with obstructive coronary disease and hypotension (hazard ratio, 7.34; 95% CI, 3.37 to 15.96; P < 0.001). Hypotension was independently associated with cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.99 to 5.06; P < 0.001). This association remained in patients without obstructive disease and did not differ significantly across degrees of coronary disease (P value for interaction, 0.599). CONCLUSIONS: In patients having noncardiac surgery, perioperative hypotension was associated with cardiovascular events regardless of the degree of coronary artery disease on preoperative coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Impact of contrast echocardiography on accurate discrimination of specific degree of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

AIM: Limited data exist on the impact of contrast-enhanced echocardiography on treatment decisions in heart failure patients that require specific left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) criteria. This study assessed accuracy of contrast-enhanced echocardiography in identifying patients with LVEF >35% vs ≤35% with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) used as reference method. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-five patients from prospective Alberta HEART cohort with LVEF ≤50% on CMR were included. All patients had echocardiography performed within 2 weeks of CMR. Contrast agent was used when ≥2 contiguous LV endocardial segments were poorly visualized on echocardiography. LVEF was computed by Simpson's biplane method using non-contrast echocardiography and contrast-enhanced echocardiography and by outlining the endocardial contours in short-axis cine CMR images. Strong agreement in LV volumes and LVEF was seen between CMR and echocardiography with and without contrast (intra-class correlation coefficients >0.8) with less underestimation of LV volumes by contrast-enhanced echocardiography. Good agreement in LVEF ≤35% vs >35% was seen between CMR and non-contrast echocardiography with optimal images (κ 0.862) and contrast echocardiography (κ 0.769) while it was moderate for non-contrast echocardiography with suboptimal images (κ 0.491). The use of LV contrast in patients with suboptimal images (n = 39) resulted in correctly upgrading LVEF from ≤35% to >35% in 5 (13%) patients and downgrading LVEF from >35% to ≤35% in 2 (5%) patients using CMR as reference. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced echocardiography in heart failure patients with suboptimal images helps to more accurately assess eligibility for specific therapies and avoid need for further testing, therefore should be considered routine part of echocardiographic assessment.

Integrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) competency into the dental school curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Decreasing healthcare disparities in marginalized communities requires healthcare providers who understand and appreciate social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. This includes care and education focused on individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). METHODS: This study examined dental students' and residents' self-reported clinical preparedness, prejudicial attitudes (implicit and explicit), and knowledge of health disparities that exist in the LGBTQ community using the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS) prior to and after the presentation of an LGBTQ competency course. RESULTS: A total of 178 dental students at a private US dental school ranging from D1 to first-year postdoctoral residency participated in the course and completed both pre-course survey and post-course survey. Sixty-seven percent of the students reported having formal training in LGBTQ competency prior to completing the pre-training survey. The results of the LGBT-DOCSS in this population following intervention training revealed an increased feeling of clinical preparedness in treating LGBTQ patients, decreased bias toward LGBTQ, and increased knowledge of health disparities in the LGBTQ community. A more significant percentage of male respondents self-reported prejudicial beliefs. Knowledge of LGBTQ health issues increased significantly among pre-clinical students. CONCLUSION: Introducing an early intervention LGBTQ competency course in the dental curriculum is an effective method of improving students' awareness and self-confidence in working with LGBTQ patients while decreasing biases that may have existed prior to a training course.

Resolution of Cardiac Infiltration Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for AL Amyloidosis.

A 43-year-old man presented with severe heart failure secondary to high-risk light chain cardiac amyloidosis. He underwent chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation with complete hematologic response. Serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging post-transplant demonstrated gradual normalization of biventricular function and myocardial T1, a surrogate measure of disease burden.

An incoherent Thomson scattering system for measurements near plasma boundaries.

Laser Thomson scattering (LTS) is a minimally invasive measurement technique used for determining electron properties in plasma systems. Sheath model closure validation requires minimally invasive measurements of the electron properties that traverse the boundaries between the bulk plasma, the presheath, and the plasma sheath. Several studies have probed the radial properties along the surface of discharge electrodes with laser-based diagnostics and electrostatic probes. These measurements provide valuable insight into the electron properties in this dynamic region. However, sheath model calibration requires plasma property measurements perpendicular to plasma bounding surfaces, in this case, along the electrode normal vector between discharge electrodes. This work presents the development of a discharge plasma cell and laser Thomson scattering system with a measurement volume step of 1 mm normal to plasma bounding surfaces. The laser Thomson scattering measurements are made between a set of discharge electrodes separated by ∼25 mm that are used to generate a pulsed argon plasma. The spatial distribution of electron temperature and density is measured at several discharge voltages between 8 and 20 kV at a pressure of 8 Torr-Ar. It is determined that the system is statistically stationary and resembles a classic DC discharge plasma. The results are some of the first laser diagnostic-based "between electrode" measurements made along the plasma bounding electrode normal vector. A one-dimensional sheath model is applied to determine the near cathode electron properties, and it is determined that the edge of the presheath is probed in the high-voltage cases. As the lengths of the presheath and sheath decrease with decreasing voltage, the region recedes below the closest probed point to the cathode. To improve the performance of the diagnostic, the step size of the interrogation volume should decrease by an order of magnitude from 1 mm to less than 100 µm, and the data acquisition strategy should be revised to increase the signal-to-noise ratio.

Factors driving physician-hospital alignment in orthopaedic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The relationships between physicians and hospitals are viewed as central to the proposition of delivering high-quality health care at a sustainable cost. Over the last two decades, major changes in the scope, breadth, and complexities of these relationships have emerged. Despite understanding the need for physician-hospital alignment, identification and understanding the incentives and drivers of alignment prove challenging. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Our review identifies the primary drivers of physician alignment with hospitals from both the physician and hospital perspectives. Further, we assess the drivers more specific to motivating orthopaedic surgeons to align with hospitals. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature review from 1992 to March 2012 to evaluate published studies and opinions on the issues surrounding physician-hospital alignment. Literature searches were performed in both MEDLINE(®) and Health Business™ Elite. RESULTS: Available literature identifies economic and regulatory shifts in health care and cultural factors as primary drivers of physician-hospital alignment. Specific to orthopaedics, factors driving alignment include the profitability of orthopaedic service lines, the expense of implants, and issues surrounding ambulatory surgery centers and other ancillary services. CONCLUSIONS: Evolving healthcare delivery and payment reforms promote increased collaboration between physicians and hospitals. While economic incentives and increasing regulatory demands provide the strongest drivers, cultural changes including physician leadership and changing expectations of work-life balance must be considered when pursuing successful alignment models. Physicians and hospitals view each other as critical to achieving lower-cost, higher-quality health care.

The paradox of left ventricular assist device unloading and myocardial recovery in end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy: implications for heart failure in the elderly.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common debilitating condition with limited therapeutic options besides heart transplantation or palliation. It is characterized by maladaptive remodeling of cardiomyocytes, extracellular collagen matrix (ECCM) and left ventricular (LV) geometry which contributes to further dysfunction. LV assist devices (LVADs) can reverse adverse remodeling in end-stage DCM. However, there is a disconnect between the benefits of prolonged unloading with LVAD at molecular and cellular levels and the low rate of bridge to recovery (BTR). Potential explanations for this paradox include insufficient reverse ECCM remodeling and/or excessive reverse cardiomyocyte remodeling with atrophy. LVAD therapy is associated with decreased collagen turnover and cross-linking and increased tissue angiotensin II (AngII), whereas LVAD combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition results in decreased tissue AngII and collagen cross-linking, normalizes LV end-diastolic pressure volume relationships and is associated with modestly higher rates of BTR. Much remains to be learned about ventricular reverse remodeling after LVAD. This can be facilitated through systematic collection and comparison of recovered and unrecovered myocardium. Importantly, vigilant monitoring for ventricular recovery among LVAD patients is needed, particularly in older patients receiving LVAD for destination therapy. In addition, prospective multicenter trials are needed to clarify the potential benefit of concomitant heart failure therapy with selective ß2 agonism on ventricular recovery.

Mechanical circulatory support for elderly heart failure patients.

End-stage systolic heart failure is an increasingly common problem in elderly patients and is associated with high cost, poor quality of life, and poor outcomes. Mechanical circulatory support is a promising therapy as both a bridge to transplantation and destination therapy. Elderly patients are frequently ineligible for heart transplantation because of their age and comorbidities, and the application of mechanical circulatory support for destination therapy in this population is not well defined. A review of the literature was undertaken to better characterize our experience to date with mechanical circulatory support in older heart failure populations. Mechanical circulatory support is being employed increasingly for destination therapy indications in older patients. The newer continuous flow devices appear to have disproportionate advantage in elderly patients, which has translated into marked improvement in 1- and 2-year survival. The rational implementation of MCS devices in elderly heart failure patients needs to focus on (1) continuous flow devices that appear to have particular benefit in this population, (2) extensive pre-MCS assessment including variables relating to frailty, and (3) intervening before these patients develop cardiogenic shock. More data are needed on the cost-benefit analysis of routine use of CF devices as destination therapy in elderly patients with heart failure.

Public reporting of cost and quality information in orthopaedics.

BACKGROUND: Public reporting of patient health outcomes offers the potential to incentivize quality improvement by fostering increased accountability among providers. Voluntary reporting of risk-adjusted outcomes in cardiac surgery, for example, is viewed as a "watershed event" in healthcare accountability. However, public reporting of outcomes, cost, and quality information in orthopaedic surgery remains limited by comparison, attributable in part to the lack of standard assessment methods and metrics, provider fear of inadequate adjustment of health outcomes for patient characteristics (risk adjustment), and historically weak market demand for this type of information. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We review the origins of public reporting of outcomes in surgical care, identify existing initiatives specific to orthopaedics, outline the challenges and opportunities, and propose recommendations for public reporting of orthopaedic outcomes. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive review of the literature through a bibliographic search of MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases from January 1990 to December 2010 to identify articles related to public reporting of surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Orthopaedic-specific quality reporting efforts include the early FDA adverse event reporting MedWatch program and the involvement of surgeons in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative. Issues that require more work include balancing different stakeholder perspectives on quality reporting measures and methods, defining accountability and attribution for outcomes, and appropriately risk-adjusting outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Given the current limitations associated with public reporting of quality and cost in orthopaedic surgery, valuable contributions can be made in developing specialty-specific evidence-based performance measures. We believe through leadership and involvement in policy formulation and development, orthopaedic surgeons are best equipped to accurately and comprehensively inform the quality reporting process and its application to improve the delivery and outcomes of orthopaedic care.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in a Failed Perceval Sutureless Valve, Complicated by Aortic Annular Rupture.

As the use of surgically implanted sutureless aortic valves has increased over the past decade, we expect to encounter their failure increasingly in coming years. We describe a case of Perceval aortic valve failure with stent infolding and severe stenosis. This condition was treated with valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation and complicated by aortic annular rupture at the site of infolding. This case is important because it outlines the limited experience with valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation to treat failed sutureless valves and identifies sutureless valve infolding as a potential risk for annular rupture.

Puisque l'implantation valvulaire aortique sans suture s'est accrue au cours de la dernière décennie, nous nous attendons à rencontrer de plus en plus de défaillances de valves dans les années à venir. Nous décrivons un cas de défaillance de la valve aortique Perceval avec pliage de l'endoprothèse et sténose grave. Le traitement qui consistait en l'implantation valvulaire aortique de type valve-in-valve par cathéter a été compliqué par la rupture de l'anneau aortique au site du pliage. Il s'agit d'un cas important puisqu'il décrit le peu d'expérience en matière d'implantation valvulaire aortique de type valve-in-valve par cathéter dans le traitement des valves sans suture défectueuses et établit que le pliage d'une valve sans suture expose à un risque de rupture de l'anneau.

Normalized Subendocardial Myocardial Attenuation on Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Predicts Postoperative Adverse Cardiovascular Events: Coronary CTA VISION Substudy.

BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in computed tomography myocardial perfusion has been associated with coronary artery disease and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We sought to investigate if subendocardial attenuation using coronary computed tomography angiography predicts MACE 30 days postelective noncardiac surgery. METHODS: Using a 17-segment model, coronary computed tomography angiography images were analyzed for subendocardial and transmural attenuation and the corresponding blood pool. The segment with the lowest subendocardial attenuation and transmural attenuation were normalized to the segment with the highest subendocardial and transmural attenuation, respectively (SUBnormalized, and TRANSnormalized, respectively). We evaluated the independent and incremental value of myocardial attenuation to predict the composite of cardiovascular death or nonfatal myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Of a total of 995 coronary CTA VISION (Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography and Vascular Events in Noncardiac Surgery Patients Cohort Evaluation Study) patients, 735 had available images and complete data for these analyses. Among these patients, 60 had MACE. Based on Revised Cardiovascular Risk Index, 257, 302, 138, and 38 patients had scores of 0, 1, 2, and ≥3, respectively. On coronary computed tomography angiography, 75 patients had normal coronary arteries, 297 patients had nonobstructive coronary artery disease, 264 patients had obstructive disease, and 99 patients had extensive obstructive coronary artery disease. SUBnormalized was an independent and incremental predictor of events in the model that included Revised Cardiovascular Risk Index and coronary artery disease severity. Compared with patients in the highest tertile of SUBnormalized, patients in the second and first tertiles had an increased hazards ratio for events (2.23 [95% CI, 1.091-4.551] and 2.36 [95% CI, 1.16-4.81], respectively). TRANSnormalized, as a continuous variable, was also found to be a predictor of MACE (P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that SUBnormalized and TRANSnormalized are independent and incremental predictors of MACE 30 days after elective noncardiac surgery. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01635309.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in dilated cardiomyopathy in adults--towards identification of myocardial inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess active myocardial inflammation by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) amongst adult patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: We evaluated 23 adults with chronic DCM, who had successfully undergone both CMR and EMB within 3.5 ± 2.6 days. EMB was considered the gold standard. CMR assessment of myocardial inflammation used the following parameters as recommended by the recently published "Lake Louise Criteria": global myocardial oedema, global relative enhancement (RE), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). According to "Lake Louise Criteria", myocardial inflammation was diagnosed if two or more of the three above-mentioned parameters were positive. RESULTS: Myocardial inflammation was confirmed by immunohistology in 12 patients (52.2%). Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of CMR to detect immunohistologically confirmed myocardial inflammation were 75.0%, 72.7%, and 73.9%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of the individual CMR parameters to detect myocardial inflammation were as follows: global myocardial oedema, 91.7%, 81.8%, and 87.0%, respectively; global RE, 58.3%, 63.6%, and 60.9%, respectively; LGE, 58.3%, 45.4%, and 52.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Global myocardial oedema was identified as a promising CMR parameter for assessment of myocardial inflammation in patients with DCM. In these patients, global myocardial oedema yielded superior diagnostic performance compared to "Lake Louise Criteria".

Assessment of mitral valve stenosis by helical MDCT: comparison with transthoracic doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the precision of helical MDCT for the quantification of mitral valve stenosis (MVS) compared with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac catheterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 patients with MVS of differing severity underwent an ECG-gated contrast-enhanced MDCT scan. The mitral valve area (MVA) was determined planimetrically by MDCT and was compared with Doppler TTE using the pressure half-time method and with cardiac catheterization using the Gorlin formula. RESULTS: Planimetry of the MVA with MDCT was feasible in all cases. The MVA on MDCT (1.88 ± 0.76 cm(2)) was significantly larger than that seen with TTE (1.74 ± 0.75 cm(2); p = 0.039) or cardiac catheterization (1.72 ± 0.67 cm(2); p = 0.037). The correlation between MDCT and TTE (r = 0.90; p < 0.001; limits of agreement, ± 0.65 cm(2)) and that between MDCT and cardiac catheterization (r = 0.86; p < 0.001; limits of agreement, ± 0.76 cm(2)) were good and similar to the correlation between TTE and cardiac catheterization (r = 0.88; p < 0.001; limits of agreement, ± 0.71 cm(2)). The best cutoff level for detecting moderate-to-severe stenosis at MDCT was an MVA of 1.70 cm(2), resulting in a sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 73%, 88%, 82%, 80%, and 83%, respectively, with two false-positive and three false-negative results. CONCLUSION: The MVA planimetrically determined by MDCT is systematically larger than those calculated by Doppler TTE and cardiac catheterization. However, because of a good correlation between methods and adjustment for the systematic bias, MDCT may allow reliable quantification of MVS and effectual discrimination among severity grades, although discrepancies between methods remain in individual cases.

2021 Update on Safety of Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Joint Statement From Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often considered the gold-standard test for characterizing cardiac as well as noncardiac structure and function. However, many patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and/or severe renal dysfunction are unable to undergo this test because of safety concerns. In the past 10 years, newer-generation CIEDs and gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) as well as coordinated care between imaging and heart rhythm device teams have mitigated risk to patients and improved access to MRI at many hospitals. The purpose of this statement is to review published data on safety of MRI in patients with conditional and nonconditional CIEDs in addition to patient risks from older and newer GBCAs. This statement was developed through multidisciplinary collaboration of pan-Canadian experts after a relevant and independent literature search by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. All recommendations align with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Key recommendations include: (1) the development of standardized protocols for patients with a CIED undergoing MRI; (2) patients with MRI nonconditional pacemakers and pacemaker dependency should be programmed to asynchronous mode and those with MRI nonconditional transvenous defibrillators should have tachycardia therapies turned off during the scan; and (3) macrocyclic or newer linear GBCAs should be used in preference to older GBCAs because of their better safety profile in patients at higher risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Feasibility of contrast material volume reduction in coronary artery imaging using 320-slice volume CT.

OBJECTIVE: To assess reduced volumes of contrast agent on image quality for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) by using single-beat cardiac imaging with 320-slice CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive male patients (mean age: 55.8 years) undergoing CCTA with body weight or=55% were included. Image acquisition protocol was standardized (120 kV, 400 mA, and prospective ECG-triggered single-beat nonspiral CCTA). Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups (G1: received 40 ml, G2: 50 ml, G3: 60 ml, G4: 70 ml). Groups were compared with respect to aortic attenuation, image noise, and image quality. RESULTS: CT values (mean +/- standard deviation) in the aortic root were measured as 423 +/- 38 HU in G1, and 471 +/- 68, 463 +/- 60, and 476 +/- 78 HU in G2-4, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in attenuation among the groups (P > 0.068). All 40 CT datasets were rated diagnostic, and image noise and image quality were not statistically different among groups. CONCLUSION: Using 320-slice volume CT, diagnostic image quality can be achieved with 40 ml of contrast material in CCTA in patients with normal body weight, cardiac function, and low heart rate.

Comparison of non-gated vs. electrocardiogram-gated 64-detector-row computed tomography for integrated electroanatomic mapping in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation.

AIMS: To compare non-gated vs. electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated 64-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) of the left atrium (LA) for integrated electroanatomic mapping (EAM) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF underwent MDCT prior to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). All patients were in sinus rhythm both during CT imaging and PVI. Multi-detector-row computed tomography was performed in 15 patients without ECG-gating (non-gated MDCT) and in 14 patients with retrospective ECG-gating (ECG-gated MDCT). Image quality of LA reconstructions from MDCT was rated on a five-point scale (from 1 = excellent to 5 = segmentation failed). Registration error between LA geometry obtained from EAM and MDCT was calculated as the mean distance between EAM points and MDCT surface. In all patients, LA was successfully segmented from MDCT data. The segmentation process took 2:31 +/- 0:54 min for non-gated MDCT and 2:36 +/- 0:47 min for ECG-gated MDCT (P = 0.8). Image quality scores of LA reconstructions from non-gated and ECG-gated MDCT were 1.3 +/- 0.6 and 1.4 +/- 0.7, respectively (P = 0.76). There was no significant difference in the registration error between non-gated and ECG-gated MDCT (1.8 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.3 mm, respectively; P = 0.6). The radiation dose of non-gated MDCT was significantly lower compared with ECG-gated MDCT (4.6 +/- 1.4 vs. 13.4 +/- 3.6 mSv, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Non-gated MDCT depicts LA with appropriate image quality for integrated EAM, while exposing patients to substantially lower radiation dose compared with ECG-gated MDCT.

Effects of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation on Frailty and Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an effective alternative to surgical valve replacement in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Although measures of frailty have been used to attempt to predict outcomes in this population, few studies have demonstrated changes in these measures. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study of 171 patients undergoing TAVI, of whom 44 had maximal follow-up of 1 month and 50 had maximal follow-up of 1 year. Quality of life was assessed using the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living questionnaire, and patient perception of overall well-being. Frailty was measured using the 10-m walk test and handgrip strength testing. RESULTS: In the overall cohort, participants demonstrated improvements in quality of life metrics, but deterioration in 10-m walk test and handgrip at 1 month. These trends continued at 1 year. However, patients in the lowest quintile of handgrip and 10-m walk test demonstrated a trend of improvements in these metrics during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in quality of life after TAVI, no improvements in frailty were observed in patients at 1 year.

CONTEXTE: Le remplacement valvulaire aortique par cathéter (TAVI) est une solution de rechange efficace à la chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire chez les patients atteints de sténose aortique grave et présentant un risque élevé. Les mesures de la fragilité sont utilisées pour tenter de prévoir les résultats au sein de cette population. Néanmoins, peu d'études ont permis d'objectiver les variations de ces mesures. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons réalisé une étude observationnelle prospective portant sur 171 patients ayant subi un TAVI, dont 44 suivis pendant un mois ou moins, et 50 durant un an ou moins. La qualité de vie a été évaluée au moyen de questionnaires ­ Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire et Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire ­ et en fonction de la perception du patient relativement à son bien-être général. La fragilité a été mesurée à l'aide d'un test de marche sur dix mètres et d'un test de force de préhension. RÉSULTATS: Dans l'ensemble de la cohorte, une amélioration des mesures de la qualité de vie a été observée parallèlement à une détérioration des résultats au test de marche sur dix mètres et au test de force de préhension après un mois. Les tendances à cet égard se sont poursuivies au bout d'un an. Cependant, les résultats des patients du quintile inférieur au test de marche sur 10 m et au test de force de préhension ont eu tendance à s'améliorer au cours de la période de suivi. CONCLUSIONS: Malgré une amélioration de la qualité de vie après le TAVI, la fragilité des patients ne s'est nullement améliorée après un an.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of acute heart transplant rejection: a review.

BACKGROUND: Screening for organ rejection is a critical component of care for patients who have undergone heart transplantation. Endomyocardial biopsy is the gold standard screening tool, but non-invasive alternatives are needed. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is well suited to provide an alternative to biopsy because of its ability to quantify ventricular function, morphology, and characterize myocardial tissue. CMR is not widely used to screen for heart transplant rejection, despite many trials supporting its use for this indication. This review summarizes the different CMR sequences that can detect heart transplant rejection as well as the strengths and weaknesses of their application. RESULTS: T2 quantification by spin echo techniques has been criticized for poor reproducibility, but multiple studies show its utility in screening for rejection. Human and animal data estimate that T2 quantification can diagnose rejection with sensitivities and specificities near 90%. There is also a suggestion that T2 quantification can predict rejection episodes in patients with normal endomyocardial biopsies.T1 quantification has also shown association with biopsy proven rejection in a small number of trials. T1 weighted gadolinium early enhancement appeared promising in animal data, but has had conflicting results in human trials. Late gadolinium enhancement in the diagnosis of rejection has not been evaluated.CMR derived measures of ventricular morphology and systolic function have insufficient sensitivity to diagnose mild to moderate rejection. CMR derived diastolic function can demonstrate abnormalities in allografts compared to native human hearts, but its ability to diagnose rejection has not yet been tested.There is promising animal data on the ability of iron oxide contrast agents to illustrate the changes in vascular permeability and macrophage accumulation seen in rejection. Despite good safety data, these contrast agents have not been tested in the human heart transplant population. CONCLUSION: T2 quantification has demonstrated the best correlation to biopsy proven heart transplant rejection. Further studies evaluating diastolic function, late gadolinium enhancement, and iron oxide contrast agents to diagnose rejection are needed. Future studies should focus on combining multiple CMR measures into a transplant rejection scoring system which would improve sensitivity and possibly reduce, if not eliminate, the need for endomyocardial biopsy.