Vascular complications after percutaneous mitral valve repair and venous access closure using suture or closure device.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of different access-site closure strategies, suture or closure device (Proglide, Abbott Vascular), on vascular and bleeding complications after percutaneous mitral valve repair (MitraClip, Abbott Vascular). BACKGROUND: Considering the high-risk profile in patients receiving percutaneous mitral valve repair, complications related to the large 24 Fr access sheath and its relation to the closure technique have not been evaluated so far. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2015, 277 consecutive high-risk patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) underwent percutaneous mitral valve repair at our institution using Z-suture (n = 150) or closure device (n = 127) to close the access-site. Duplex sonography was performed in all patients. The primary endpoint was access-site related complications according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) criteria. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of bleeding complications and mortality. Access-site related VARC2 major and minor complications were comparable after closure with Z-suture or closure device (2,7% vs 3.1%, P = 0.81 and 15,3% vs 15.7%, P = 0.92). Three patients (2%) in the suture and four patients (3.1%) in the closure device group experienced unplanned endovascular intervention at the access site. Access-site related major bleeding was observed in 4 (2.7%) suture and 4 (3.1%) closure device treated patients (P = 0.81). No access site related mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: Both Z-suture and closure device use after percutaneous mitral valve repair are feasible and safe. However, there is no benefit of one strategy over the other according to VARC2 major and minor complications.

Predictors for long-term survival after transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.

OBJECTIVES: To determine predictors for long-term outcome in high-risk patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVR) for severe mitral regurgitation (MR). BACKGROUND: There is no data on predictors of long-term outcome in high-risk real-world patients. METHODS: From August 2009 to April 2011, 126 high-risk patients deemed inoperable were treated with TMVR in two high-volume university centers. RESULTS: MR could be successfully reduced to grade ≤2 in 92.1% of patients (116/126 patients). Long-term clinical follow-up up to 5 years (95.2% follow-up rate) revealed a mortality rate of 35.7% (45/126 patients). Repeat mitral valve treatment (surgery or intervention) was needed in 19 patients (15.1%). Long-term clinical improvement was demonstrated with 69% of patients being in NYHA class ≤II. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, the post-procedural grade of MR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55 per grade, P = 0.035), the left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 0.58 for difference between 75th and 25th percentile, P = 0.031) and the glomerular filtration rate (HR 0.33 for 75th vs 25th percentile, P < 0.001) were independent predictors for long-term mortality. Patients with primary MR and a post-procedural MR grade ≤1 had the most favorable long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This study determines predictors of long-term clinical outcome after TMVR and demonstrates that the grade of residual MR determines long-term survival. Our data suggest that it might be of benefit reducing residual MR to the lowest possible MR grade using TMVR-especially in selected high-risk patients with primary MR who are not considered as candidates for surgical MVR.

Long-term outcome of patients with severe biventricular heart failure and severe mitral regurgitation after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair.

OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term outcome and parameters associated with poor and favorable outcome in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) ≤25% and severe mitral regurgitation (MR) after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (pMVR). BACKGROUND: There is no data on long-term outcome in this cohort of patients. METHODS: We analyzed all 34 patients with a LV-EF ≤25% and severe MR treated with pMVR in 2 university hospitals from 2009 to 2012. RESULTS: Mitral regurgitation could be successfully reduced to grade ≤2 in 30 patients (88%). Long-term follow-up (up to 5 years) revealed a steep decline of the survival curve reaching 50% already 8 month after pMVR. In contrast, estimated survival of the remaining patients showed a favorable long-term outcome. Patients deceased during the first year presented with higher right ventricular tricuspid pressure gradient (RVTG) (44.5 ± 8.4 mmHg vs. 35.2 ± 15.4 mmHg, P = 0.035) and worse RV-function (P = 0.014) prior to the procedure. One-year mortality of patients with pulmonary hypertension and depressed RV-function (n = 22) was very high (77%) compared to the remaining patients (n = 12, mortality rate of 0%, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although pMVR lead to a successful reduction of MR in patients with a LV-EF ≤25%, 1-year mortality in this cohort was very high. However, a subgroup of patients showed a favorable long-term outcome after pMVR. Especially the right ventricular parameters sustained RV-function and absence of pulmonary hypertension-easily assessed with echocardiography-might be used to identify this subgroup and encourage pMVR in these patients.

Percutaneous edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve in patients with degenerative versus functional mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively assess the outcome of percutaneous edge-to-edge repair in patients with degenerative versus functional mitral regurgitation (MR). BACKGROUND: The optimal patient population eligible for percutaneous edge-to-edge repair has yet to be defined. METHODS: We analyzed 119 patients treated by percutaneous edge-to-edge repair for symptomatic MR, 72 patients with degenerative and 47 patients with functional MR. The primary endpoints were defined as procedural success (MR grade reduction ≥1 grade) as well as a composite endpoint defined as freedom from MR 3+ or 4+, mitral valve reintervention and death 12 months after clip implantation. In patients with successful clip placement we further analyzed MR grade, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, distance in the 6 min walking test and left ventricular volumes 12 months after clip implantation. RESULTS: The primary success rate of all intended clipping procedures was 83.3% for degenerative and 89.4% for functional MR (P = 0.42). Regarding the composite endpoint we observed an event free survival of 59.7% in patients treated for degenerative MR and 63.8% in patients treated for functional MR (P = 0.73). We observed a highly significant reduction in MR grade as well as improvement in NYHA functional status in both groups 12 months after clip implantation. However, there was a more pronounced MR grade reduction in patients treated for degenerative MR compared with patients treated for functional MR. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve is feasible and comparably effective in patients with degenerative and functional MR.

Three-dimensional echocardiographic optimization improves outcome in cardiac resynchronization therapy compared to ECG optimization: a randomized comparison.

AIMS: There is little consensus on optimal atrioventricular (AV) and ventricular-to-ventricular (VV) intervals in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to examine a novel combination of Doppler echocardiography (DE) and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) for individualized AV- and VV-interval optimization compared to conventional electrocardiogram (ECG) optimization. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 77 patients (male: 57, age: 68 ± 10 years) with severely reduced ejection fraction (EF), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV, and wide QRS complex (>120 ms) have been included. Patients were randomized to either AV- and VV-interval optimization using DE and 3DE (group 1, n = 39) or ECG (group 2, n = 38). 3DE was performed in all patients for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) dimensions, EF and systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI), and NYHA class obtained before CRT and after 3 months. Primary endpoint of the study was clinical response to CRT, defined as a reduction of NYHA class by ≥1 score. Secondary endpoints were change of EF, LV volumes, and SDI. RESULTS: There were significantly more responders in group 1 (82%) than in group 2 (58%, P = 0.021). Similarly, group 1 showed a larger increase in EF (7.0 ± 6.0% vs 3.4 ± 5.6%, P = 0.015) and a more pronounced reduction of SDI (-4.5 ± 5.9% vs -1.5 ± 5.6%, P = 0.039) than group 2. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional ECG optimization, this novel echocardiographic optimization protocol resulted in a significantly higher response rate, improved LV systolic function, and may be used to select the optimal AV and VV intervals in CRT.

Patient Characteristics, Procedural Characteristics, and Outcomes in Patients Having Lead Extraction in a High-Volume Center.

The rate of transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is increasing, with an increasing rate of complex devices being implanted. TLE is now a routine part of cardiac device management and up-to-date data on the safety and efficacy of TLE with modern tools and techniques is essential to management decisions regarding noninfectious indications for lead extraction. We present a contemporary, prospective review of TLE at our high-volume cardiac center. All patients who underwent TLE from June 2016 to June 2019 were enrolled in our local database, and baseline clinical data, procedural information, and outcome data were collected. In total, 561 leads were explanted (n = 153) or extracted (n = 408) from 341 patients over the study period. Patients were predominantly male (71%), with a mean age of 65 ± 17 years. The most common indication for lead removal was lead failure (45.2%, n = 154), followed by infection of the pocket or device (29.3%, n = 100). In total, complete success was achieved in 96.4% (n = 541) leads, clinical success in a further 2.1% (n = 12), and failure only in 1.4% (n = 8). There was an overall complication rate of 0.9% (3/341) for major complications and 1.5% (5/341) for minor complications. There were no deaths. In conclusion, our data suggest that there are ongoing improvements in the safety profile and success rates of lead extraction undertaken by experienced operators. The major complication rate now is <1%.

Significant differences in written assessments as a result of a blended learning approach used in a clinical examination course in internal medicine: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: Taking a medical history and performing a physical examination represent basic medical skills. However, numerous national and international studies show that medical students and physicians-to-be demonstrate substantial deficiencies in the proper examination of individual organ systems. Aim: The objective of this study was to conduct a randomized controlled pilot study to see if, in the context of a bedside clinical examination course in internal medicine, an additional app-based blended-learning strategy resulted in (a) higher satisfaction, better self-assessments by students when rating their history-taking skills (b1) and their ability to perform physical examinations (b2), as well as (c) higher multiple-choice test scores at the end of the course, when compared to a traditional teaching strategy. Methods: Within the scope of a bedside course teaching the techniques of clinical examination, 26 students out of a total of 335 students enrolled in the 2012 summer semester and 2012/2013 winter semester were randomly assigned to two groups of the same size. Thirteen students were in an intervention group (IG) with pre- and post-material for studying via an app-based blended-learning tool, and another 13 students were in a control group (CG) with the usual pre- and post-material (handouts). The IG was given an app specifically created for the history-taking and physical exam course, an application program for smartphones enabling them to view course material directly on the smartphone. The CG received the same information in the form of paper-based notes. Prior to course begin, all of the students filled out a questionnaire on sociodemographic data and took a multiple-choice pretest with questions on anamnesis and physical examination. After completing the course, the students again took a multiple-choice test with questions on anamnesis and physical examination. Results: When compared to the CG, the IG showed significantly more improvement on the multiple-choice tests after taking the clinical examination course (p=0.022). This improvement on the MC tests in the IG significantly correlated with the amount of time spent using the app (Spearman's rho=0.741, p=0.004). Conclusion: When compared to conventional teaching, an app-based blended-learning approach leads to improvement in test scores, possibly as a result of more intensive preparation for and review of the clinical examination course material.

Age and body surface area dependency of mitral valve and papillary apparatus parameters: assessment by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.

AIMS: Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) has been used to quantify mitral valve (MV) annular size and leaflet tenting parameters in small numbers of patients with different pathologies. We sought to establish normal values for RT3DE mitral annular, tenting, and papillary muscle parameters over a wide age range and to study their age and body surface area (BSA) dependency. METHODS AND RESULTS: Transthoracic wide-angled RT3DE images of the MV were acquired in 120 subjects (52 females, 68 males, age: 37+/-20 years) with normal left ventricular (LV) function, no risk factors, and less than or equal to mild mitral regurgitation. Custom software (RealView) was used to trace the MV annulus, leaflets, and the papillary apparatus in mid-systole in 18 sequential cut planes obtained from the 3D data sets. Mitral valve annular area and height as well as tenting parameters (maximum and mean tenting height and mid-systolic tenting volume) were obtained and correlated with age and BSA. Wide inter-subject variability was noted in all parameters. Despite this variability, parameters directly affected by LV size were found to be BSA-dependent: MV annular area showed highest correlation with BSA (r=0.78), followed by inter-papillary distance (r=0.58) and postero-medial (PM) and antero-lateral (AL) papillary muscle annular distance (r=0.57 and r=0.46, respectively). Age did not correlate with either annular or tenting parameters, but showed moderate negative correlation with inter-papillary muscle angle (r= -0.52) and mild negative correlation with inter-papillary distance (r= -0.32), both normalized by BSA. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography-derived MV annular, tenting, and papillary muscle parameters vary widely in normal subjects. When used clinically, normal values of parameters that are age- and/or BSA-dependent need to be adjusted accordingly.

Effects of calcium supplementation on bone loss and fractures in congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Cross-sectional studies have shown that more than 50% of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have decreased bone mineral density (BMD). There is limited knowledge about the longitudinal changes of BMD and how to treat bone loss in patients with CHF. METHODS: The present study was a prospective, longitudinal trial in which 33 male patients with CHF (ejection fraction (EF): 30+/-11%) were assigned to 1000 mg calcium supplementation or no supplementation. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine (LS) and the femoral neck (FN) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 12 months. RESULTS: Osteopenia (LS 33% and FN 36%) and osteoporosis (LS 15% and FN 6%) were frequently seen in these patients; 70% showed impaired renal function, 42% secondary hyperparathyroidism, and 33% hypogonadism. Bone resorption markers were strongly elevated and correlated negatively with the EF. Patients without calcium supplementation revealed a reduction of BMD (LS 1.7% and FN 1.9%) within 12 months. The fracture incidence was 6%. Patients with calcium supplementation also demonstrated a 6% fracture incidence and a decrease in BMD (LS 1.2% and FN 1.6%), which was not significantly different from the untreated group. Loss of BMD at FN was only seen in patients with impaired renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CHF demonstrate a progressive decrease in BMD when compared with age-matched healthy individuals. Increased bone resorption due to renal insufficiency with consecutive secondary hyperparathyroidism is a main reason for BMD loss in CHF. Calcium supplementation alone cannot sufficiently prevent the decrease in BMD.

Clipping through a mirror: First reported successful MitraClip in a patient with dextrocardia.

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Implantation of a MitraClip between two previously implanted MitraClips to treat recurrent severe mitral regurgitation.

We first describe the implantation of a MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL, USA) between 2 previously implanted MitraClips to treat recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR). An 82-year-old male patient presented with dyspnea New York Heart Association NYHA class III due to recurrent severe MR 18 months after primarily successful implantation of 2 MitraClips. The initial procedure was performed to treat severe MR due to prolapse and flail of the anterior leaflet and resulted in mild MR after implantation of 2 MitraClips. Concomitant diseases were persistent atrial fibrillation, moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation, and chronic kidney disease stage 3. Thus, the patient was not considered a suitable candidate for surgical treatment. Using fluoroscopic guidance, 2D- and 3D-transesophageal echocardiographies, we succeeded in placing a third clip between the previously implanted clips and reduced the severe MR to mild MR without increase in the mean gradient. No periprocedural complications were observed. Six months after the procedure the patient presented with mild MR and NYHA class I. .

Long-Term Outcomes After MitraClip Implantation According to the Presence or Absence of EVEREST Inclusion Criteria.

Numerous patients are treated with the MitraClip, although they do not fulfill the stringent inclusion criteria of the Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Study (EVEREST) trials. The outcome of those patients is not well known. Therefore, we compared the long-term outcome after MitraClip treatment between patients who matched (group 1) and did not match (group 2) the EVEREST criteria. One hundred thirty-four consecutive patients were treated from September 2009 to July 2012: 59 patients (44%) in group 1 versus 75 patients (56%) in group 2. Investigated end points were acute procedural success (for group 1 vs 2: 97% vs 95%; p = 0.694), all-cause mortality (28% vs 27%; p = 0.656), reintervention (RI) rate (11% vs 37%; p = 0.010), and improvement in mitral regurgitation (MR) (-1.3 ± 1 vs -1.5 ± 1, p = 0.221) and in New York Heart Association functional class (-0.7 ± 1 vs -0.9 ± 0.8, p = 0.253) during the follow-up of 33 months (27.9 to 38.3). The morphologic extent of a flail leaflet was an independent predictor for RI. In conclusion, although the overall outcome was comparable between both groups, recurrent symptomatic MR with need for RI was higher in group 2, mainly because of complex valve pathologies: especially flail width >15 mm and gap ≥10 mm. Improvements in the interventional strategy are warranted for reducing the need for RI in patients with primary MR.

Acute and Midterm Outcome After MitraClip Therapy in Patients With Severe Mitral Regurgitation and Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

The clinical outcome of patients with severe primary and secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) and heart failure or significantly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) who underwent percutaneous mitral valve repair (pMVR) is yet not well known. This study compares midterm outcome of patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction (EF ≤30%) versus patients with slightly or moderately reduced or normal LVEF (EF >30%) after pMVR. One hundred thirty-six consecutive patients were enrolled: 42 patients displayed severe left ventricular dysfunction, group 1 (logistic EuroSCORE I 27.7 ± 21.8%; secondary MR in 37 patients), and 94 patients displayed slightly or moderately reduced or normal LVEF, group 2 (logistic EuroSCORE I 17 ± 18.2%; secondary MR in 21 patients). The primary efficacy endpoint was death of any cause, repeat mitral valve intervention, and/or New York Heart Association class ≥III, which was reached in 31% of patients in group 1 versus 40% in group 2 (p = 0.719) at a median follow-up of 371 days. MR, graded by transthoracic echocardiography, was reduced in both groups (p <0.001) and New York Heart Association class improved in each group (p <0.001), with no differences between groups (p >0.05). In conclusion, at midterm follow-up, the pMVR provided significant clinical benefits with comparable results achieved both in patients with significantly reduced and in patients with moderately reduced to normal LVEF. Thus, pMVR represents a feasible and effective treatment in high-risk patients who otherwise have limited therapeutic options and no safe option to reduce MR.

Differences in definity and optison microbubble destruction rates at a similar mechanical index with different real-time perfusion systems.

The purpose of this study was to determine microbubble responses to different pulse sequence schemes that exist on low mechanical index (MI) real-time perfusion imaging systems using either intravenous albumin-coated (Optison) or lipid-encapsulated (Definity) microbubbles. A tissue-mimicking phantom was created that permitted insonation of microbubbles at 3 cm (near field) and 9 cm (far field) from the diagnostic transducer face. Differences in effluent microbubble concentration were measured after they passed through vessels being insonified with pulse sequence schemes that transmitted alternating polarity (pulse inversion Doppler), alternating amplitude (power modulation), or both (contrast pulse sequencing) at a similar MI, frame rate, and transmit frequency. Normalized contrast signal intensity within a recirculating chamber was also measured in the near and far field. Pulse inversion Doppler produced less initial normalized contrast signal intensity and greater destruction rates than amplitude varying pulse sequence schemes like power modulation or contrast pulse sequencing at both the 0.1- and 0.2-MI settings. These differences indicate that the same MI setting on different real-time perfusion imaging techniques will produce different microbubble responses.

Dangerous liaison: successful percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair in patients with end-stage systolic heart failure can cause left ventricular thrombus formation.

AIMS: To evaluate the characteristics and clinical outcome of patients with new formation of left ventricular (LV) thrombus after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2012 we intended to treat 150 patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) with percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair in our centre. Post-procedural transthoracic echocardiographic examinations scheduled during the hospital stay revealed the new formation of LV thrombi in three out of 150 patients. All three patients suffered from end-stage systolic heart failure with a LV ejection fraction (LVEF) below 20% and were successfully treated in terms of MR reduction (reduction of at least two MR grades). No thrombus formation was observed in patients with a LVEF >20% treated in our centre (a total of 136 patients). The frequency of new LV thrombus formation in the cohort of patients with a LVEF ≤20% treated in our centre was 21% (three out of 14 patients). CONCLUSIONS: New formation of LV thrombus was detected in patients with severely depressed LVEF (≤20%) after successful reduction of MR following percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair. This phenomenon could be a play of chance, but percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair using the MitraClip¨ system is a new procedure. Special care is needed when performing new procedures, and the unexpected post-procedural finding of LV thrombus formation in approximately 20% in this cohort is worth reporting.

Prognostic value of late gadolinium enhancement in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction in comparison with single-photon emission tomography using Tc99m-Sestamibi.

BACKGROUND: Infarct size is an important predictor of cardiac risk after acute myocardial infarction. The established modality for its assessment is Tc99m-Sestamibi Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In recent years, data are emerging demonstrating that scar size as assessed by late gadolinium enhancement in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) as well as the presence of microvascular obstruction (MO) may also provide prognostic information, however, so far no direct comparisons of both modalities have been reported. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed patients (n = 281) with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and primary angioplasty who underwent Tc99m-Sestamibi-SPECT and CMR on a 1.5 T scanner at a median of 4.3 (IQR: 3.7-5.1) and 4.9 (IQR: 4.1-5.9) days after the acute event, respectively. The primary endpoint of the study was a composite of all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 (IQR: 2.0-4.5) years, 24 events occurred. The best predictor was MO (P < 0.0001), followed by infarct size by CMR (P = 0.0043) and infarct size by SPECT (P = 0.012) (all P-values corrected for clinical risk). In a multivariate model including clinical and periprocedural parameters, MO remained the only significant predictor in addition to clinical risk. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of MO as determined by CMR has an excellent prognostic value in predicting cardiac events following acute myocardial infarction and may be used as an alternative to infarct size assessment by Tc99m-Sestamibi-SPECT.

Gender differences in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging after acute myocardial infarction.

Besides different risk profiles for cardiovascular events in men and women, several studies reported gender differences in mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). As infarct size has been shown to correlate with mortality, it is widely accepted as surrogate marker for clinical outcome. Currently, cardiovascular imaging studies covering the issue of gender differences are rare. As magnetic resonance scar characterization parameters are emerging as additional prognostic factors after acute myocardial infarction, we sought to evaluate gender differences in CMR infarct characteristics in patients after acute myocardial infarction. We prospectively analyzed patients (n = 448) with AMI and primary angioplasty, who underwent contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging on a 1.5 T scanner in median 5 [4, 6] days after the acute event. [corrected]. CMR scar size was measured 15 min after gadolinium injection. In addition presence and extent of microvascular obstruction (MVO) was assessed. A matched pair analysis was performed in order to exclude confounding by gender related co-morbidities and gender differences in established clinical risk factors. Matching process according to clinical risk defined by GRACE score resulted in 93 mixed gender couples. Women were significantly older than men (64.4 ± 11.9 vs. 60.5 ± 12.3, p = 0.03) and presented with a significantly better ejection fraction before angioplasty (48.9 ± 8.4 vs. 46.2 ± 8.9, p = 0.04). Infarct size did not differ significantly between women and men (13.5 ± 10.7 vs. 15.1 ± 11.8, p = 0.32). Size of MVO was significantly smaller in women than in men (0.48 ± 1.3 vs. 1.2 ± 3.0, p = 0.03). Comparing scar characterization between women and men with similar risk profiles revealed no gender differences in scar size. Size of MVO, however, was significantly smaller in women and might reflect better cardioprotective mechanisms in women. Whether these changes have prognostic implications has to be tested on a larger patient population.

Significant improvement of a clinical training course in physical examination after basic structural changes in the teaching content and methods.

BACKGROUND: Regular student evaluations at the Technical University Munich indicate the necessity for improvement of the clinical examination course. The aim of this study was to examine if targeted measures to restructure and improve a clinical examination course session lead to a higher level of student satisfaction as well as better self-assessment of the acquired techniques of clinical examination. METHODS: At three medical departments of the Technical University Munich during the 2010 summer semester, the quantitative results of 49 student evaluations (ratings 1-6, German scholastic grading system) of the clinical examination course were compared for a course before and a course after structured measures for improvement. These measures included structured teaching instructions, handouts and additional material from the Internet. RESULTS: 47 evaluations were completed before and 34 evaluations after the measures for improvement. The measures named above led to a significant improvement of the evaluative ratings in the following areas: short introduction to the topic of each clinical examination course (from 2.4±1.2 to1.7±1.0; p=0.0020) and to basic measures of hygiene (from 3.8±1.9 to 2.5±1.8; p=0.004), structured demonstration of each clinical examination step (from 2.9±1.5 to 1.8±1.0; p=0.001), sufficient practice of each clinical examination step (from 3.1±1.8 to 2.2±1.4; p=0.030) structured feedback on each clinical examination step (from 3.0±1.4 to 2.3±1.0; p=0.0070), use of handouts (from 5.2±1.4 to 1.8±1.4; p<0.001), advice on additional learning material (from 5.0±1.4 to 3.4±2.0; p<0.001), general learning experience (from 2.4±0.9 to 1.9±0.8; p=0.017), and self-assessment of the acquired techniques of clinical examination (from 3.5±1.3 to 2.5±1.1; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Structured changes led to significant improvement in the evaluative ratings of a clinical examination course session concerning preparation of the tutors, structure of the course, and confidence in performing physical examinations.

The assessment of area at risk and myocardial salvage after coronary revascularization in acute myocardial infarction: comparison between CMR and SPECT.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for assessment of area at risk, scar size, and salvage area after coronary reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction. BACKGROUND: Myocardial salvage is an important surrogate endpoint assessing the success of coronary reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction. SPECT, the established modality for assessment of myocardial salvage, requires radiopharmaceutical injection before revascularization and 2 examinations. The combination of T2 and late enhancement imaging in CMR can assess myocardial salvage in 1 examination, but up to now, data comparing both modalities are very limited. METHODS: We analyzed 207 patients who were treated by primary revascularization in acute myocardial infarction and who underwent both SPECT and CMR for assessment of myocardial salvage. In CMR, T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequences for area at risk and contrast-enhanced inversion recovery gradient echo sequences were performed. RESULTS: Image quality was insufficient in 27 patients (13%). In the remaining 180 patients, mean area at risk was 29.4 ± 18.7% of the left ventricle (LV), and infarct size was 14.7 ± 16.9% LV, resulting in a mean salvage area of 14.9 ± 15.1% LV in SPECT, whereas in CMR, mean area at risk was 28.0 ± 14.5% LV, and infarct size was 16.0 ± 13.5% LV, resulting in a mean salvage area of 11.9 ± 12.3%. Results of both modalities correlated well for area at risk (r = 0.80), scar size (r = 0.87), and salvage area (r = 0.66, all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of the salvage area by CMR using T2 and late enhancement imaging correlates well with the established modality of SPECT. CMR therefore may be an alternative to paired SPECT imaging for myocardial salvage assessment, but the contraindications of the modality and limitations in the established T2 imaging sequences currently cause a considerable rate of data loss.

Three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography for the assessment of clip attachment to the leaflets in percutaneous edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve.

AIMS: Single leaflet clip attachment (SLA) is a prevalent complication in percutaneous edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve, leading to the recurrence of significant mitral regurgitation. The objective of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate a novel 3-D transoesophageal echocardiographic method for the assessment of clip attachment to the mitral leaflets. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed a total of 87 patients treated for symptomatic mitral regurgitation. In 47 patients, clip attachment to the leaflets was assessed by conventional 2-D transoesophageal echocardiography supported by biplane TEE images (biplane TEE group). In 40 patients, clip attachment to the leaflets was assessed by the intraprocedural 3-D volume method in addition to the conventional method (volumetric TEE group). The primary endpoint was defined as clip complications consisting of SLA and clip displacement at any time after clip implantation. Clip complications occurred in nine patients (19.1%) in the biplane TEE group and in two patients (5%) in the volumetric TEE group (p=0.06). Regarding the grade of mitral regurgitation, in the follow-up period we observed a more pronounced deterioration in the biplane TEE group than in the volumetric TEE group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the additional use of 3-D volumetric transoesophageal echocardiography for the assessment of clip attachment to the mitral leaflets may contribute to a reduced rate of subsequent clip complications.