Contact pathway in surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Aortic valve replacement is the gold standard treatment for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, but thrombosis of bioprosthetic valves (PVT) remains a concern. Objective: To analyze the factors involved in the contact pathway during aortic valve replacement and to assess their impact on the development of thromboembolic complications. Methods: The study was conducted in 232 consecutive patients who underwent: transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR, N = 155), and surgical valve replacement (SAVR, N = 77) (MUVITAVI project). Demographic and clinical data, outcomes including a combined end point (CEP) of thrombotic events, and imaging controls were recruited. Samples were collected 24 h before and 48 h after valve replacement. FXII, FXI and (pre)kallikrein were evaluated by Western Blot and specific ELISA with nanobodies. Results: The CEP of thrombotic events was reached by 19 patients: 13 patients presented systemic embolic events and 6 patients subclinical PVT. Valve replacement did not cause FXII activation or generation of kallikrein. There was a significant reduction of FXI levels associated with the procedure, which was statistically more pronounced in SAVR than in TAVR. Cases with reductions of FXI below 80% of basal values had a lower incidence of embolic events during the procedure than patients in whom FXI increased above 150%: 2.7 vs. 16.7%; p: 0.04. Conclusion: TAVR or SAVR did not significantly activate the contact pathway. A significant reduction of FXI, was observed, particularly in SAVR, associated with lower incidence of thrombotic events. These results encourage evaluating the usefulness and safety of FXI-directed antithrombotic treatments in these patients.

Global longitudinal strain assessment of cardiac function and extravascular lung water formation after diving using semi-closed circuit rebreather.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present investigation is to study the relationship of ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and ultrasound lung comets (ULC) formation to establish a link between extravascular pulmonary water formation and cardiac contractile dysfunction. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study including 14 active military divers. The subjects performed two sea dives of 120 min each with a semi-closed SCUBA circuit at 10 m depth. Divers were examined at baseline, 15 min (D1) and 60 min (D2) after diving. The evaluation included pulmonary and cardiac echography (including speckle tracking techniques). Blood samples were drawn at baseline and after diving, assessing hs-TnT and Endothelin-1. RESULTS: ULC were detected in 9 (64.2%) and 8 (57.1%) of the subjects after D1 and D2 respectively. No differences were found in right and left ventricular GLS after both immersions (RV: Baseline: - 17.9 4.9 vs. D1: - 17.2 6.5 and D2: - 16.7 5.8 s-1; p = 0.757 and p = 0.529; LV: Baseline: - 17.0 2.3 vs. D1: - 17.4 2.1 and D2: - 16.9 2.2 s-1; p = 0.546 and p = 0.783). However, a decrease in atrial longitudinal strain parameters have been detected after diving (RA: Baseline: 35.5 9.2 vs. D1: 30.3 12.8 and D2: 30.7 13.0 s-1; p = 0.088 and p = 0.063; LA: Baseline: 39.0 10.0 vs. D1: 31.6 6.1 and D2: 32.4 10.6 s-1; p = 0.019 and p = 0.054). CONCLUSION: In the present study, no ventricular contractile dysfunction was observed. However, increase pulmonary vasoconstriction markers were present after diving.

Three-Dimensional Morphology of the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract: Impact on Grading Aortic Stenosis Severity.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) measurement is a critical step in the quantification of aortic valve area. The assumption of a circular morphology of the LVOT may induce some errors. The aim of this study was to assess the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the LVOT and its impact on grading aortic stenosis severity. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with aortic stenosis were studied retrospectively. LVOT dimensions were measured using 3D transesophageal echocardiography at three levels: at the hinge points (HP) of the aortic valve and at 4 and 8 mm proximal to the annular plane. Results were compared with standard two-dimensional echocardiographic measurements. RESULTS: Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography showed a funnel shape that was more circular at the HP and more elliptical at 4 and 8 mm proximal to the annular plane (circularity index = 0.92 vs 0.83 vs 0.76, P < .001). Cross-sectional area was smaller at the HP and larger at 4 and 8 mm from the annular plane (3.6 vs 3.9 vs 4.1 cm2, P = .001). The best correlation between two-dimensional and 3D transesophageal echocardiographic dimensions was at the HP (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59-0.86). When the HP approach was selected, there was a reduction in the percentage of patients with low flow (from 41% to 29%). CONCLUSIONS: A large portion of patients with aortic stenosis have funnel-shaped and elliptical LVOTs, a morphology that is more pronounced in the region farther from the annular plane. Two-dimensional LVOT measurement closer to the annular plane has the best correlation with 3D measurements. Measurement of the LVOT closer to the annular plane should be encouraged to reduce measurement errors.

Aortic valve stenosis planimetry by means of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the real clinical setting: feasibility, reliability and systematic deviations.

AIMS: To assess the feasibility and reliability of aortic valve area (AVA) planimetry by means of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) as compared with the transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) calculation of AVA, to determine the systematic deviations between measurements, and to describe the distribution of mean systolic in relation with 3DTEE anatomical AVA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three hundred seven patients with aortic valve stenosis (AVS) underwent both TTE and 3DTEE for AVA measurement by means of the continuity equation and direct anatomical planimetry, respectively. AVA planimetry was achieved in 282 (91.9%) of patients. Severity of the aortic valve calcification was independently associated with a poorer performance of planimetry. Intraclass correlation coefficient yielded a 0.848 (95% CI: 0.807-0.879) value. 3DTEE rendered a mild constant underestimation of AVA in comparison with TTE. Severe aortic stenosis according to the area criterion (<1 cm(2) ) despite mean systolic gradient below 40 mm Hg was detected in 37.6% of the study population, and in 33.7% of the subset of patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Reliability of AVA planimetry by 3DTEE in comparison with the calculation by TTE is good, but 3DTEE underestimates slightly the measurement. Feasibility of the technique is good but independently affected by valvular calcification. Inconsistent classification of AVS severity as graded by AVA or mean systolic gradient is observed in the overall population and in patients with preserved systolic function.

Influence of aortic regurgitation after TAVI on left ventricular filling pattern.

BACKGROUND: Paravalvular aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation is associated with a hemodynamic deterioration and a poor outcome. We aim to determine the early hemodynamic effect of paravalvular aortic regurgitation in relation with the change in the left ventricle filling pattern and to assess their clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-two consecutive patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation were included. Patients were classified according to the change in the left ventricular filling pattern, and significant paravalvular aortic regurgitation (grade ≥ 2) was reported. Follow-up and incidence of death and hospitalization for heart failure were reported. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (19·5%) presented a worsening of left ventricular filling pattern. The incidence of significant paravalvular aortic regurgitation was higher in the group with a worsening of left ventricular filling pattern (56·3% vs. 19·7%; P = 0·009). In the multivariate analysis, the only variable significantly associated with the worsening of left ventricular filling pattern was the significant paravalvular aortic regurgitation (OR 4·84; 95% CI 1·23 - 19·1; P = 0·024). During the follow-up (642·5 days), there was a higher incidence of the endpoint of death or hospitalization for heart failure in the group with a worsening of left ventricular filling pattern (62·5% vs. 31·8%; P = 0·042) and a lower event-free survival rate (long rank test = 0·013). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a significant paravalvular aortic regurgitation is associated with a worsening in parameters of diastolic function. This finding should alert the cardiologist as patients with a worsening of left ventricular filling pattern present a higher incidence of paravalvular aortic regurgitation and a less favourable outcome.

Exercise eco-Doppler in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients. Determinant factors of exercise intolerance.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: At-rest echocardiography is a poor predictor of exercise capacity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We aimed to test the performance of treadmill exercise Doppler echocardiography in the prediction of functional limitations in these patients. METHODS: Eighty-seven consecutive patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy underwent treadmill exercise echocardiography with direct measurement of oxygen consumption. Both at rest and at peak exercise, the mitral inflow, mitral regurgitation, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and mitral annulus velocities were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-three patients developed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction during exercise, which significantly decreased oxygen consumption (21.3 [5.7] mL/kg/min vs 24.6 [6.1] mL/kg/min; P=.012), and had greater left atrial volume (42.1 [14.5] mL/m(2) vs 31.1 [11.6] mL/m(2); P<.001) and a higher degree of mitral regurgitation and E/E' ratio during exercise. Exercise variables improved the predictive value of functional capacity (adjusted R(2) rose from 0.38 to 0.49). Independent predictors of oxygen consumption were age, left atrial volume, E/E' ratio and the presence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. In a subset of patients without left ventricular outflow obstruction, only left ventricular and atrial volume indexes were independent predictors of exercise capacity. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and left atrial volume are the main predictors of exercise capacity. Exercise echocardiography is a better predictor of functional performance than at-rest echocardiography, although its predictive power is under 50%. In nonobstructed patients, left atrial and ventricular volumes were the independent factors.

Severe aortic valve stenosis with low-gradient and preserved ejection fraction: a misclassification issue?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with preserved ejection fraction is a controversial entity. Misclassification of valvulopathy severity could explain the inconsistencies reported in the prognosis of these patients. Planimetry of the aortic area using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography could clear up these doubts. The objectives were to assess the agreement between measurements of the valvular aortic area by continuity equation in transthoracic echocardiography and that obtained through planimetry with three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in low-gradient severe aortic stenosis patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study of consecutive patients referred due to severe aortic stenosis. Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. Paradoxical low-gradient severe aortic stenosis was defined by the presence in the transthoracic echocardiography of aortic valve area<1 cm(2), mean ventricular gradient<40 mmHg, and ejection fraction ≥ 50%. Concordance between the two techniques was evaluated. RESULTS: Of 212 consecutive severe aortic stenosis patients evaluated, 63 cases (29.7%) fulfilled the paradoxical low-gradient inclusion criteria. We obtained three-dimensional aortic valve planimetry in 61 (96.8%) of those patients. In 52 patients (85.2%), aortic valve area by transesophageal echocardiography was <1 cm(2). The intraclass correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.505 (95% confidence interval, 0.290-0.671; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Paradoxical low-gradient severe aortic stenosis is an actual entity, confirmed in 85% of cases evaluated by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

[Should we add antiplatelet therapy to oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and vascular disease? Review of available evidence]. / Debe añadirse terapia antiagregante plaquetaria a la anticoagulación oral en los pacientes con fibrilación auricular y enfermedad vascular? Revisión de la evidencia disponible.

Current recommendation is to add antiplatelet drug to oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and vascular disease. However, it is debatable to join both antithrombotic drugs in stable vascular disease.

¿Debe añadirse terapia antiagregante plaquetaria a la anticoagulación oral en los pacientes con fibrilación auricular y enfermedad vascular? Revisión de la evidencia disponible / Should we add antiplatelet therapy to oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and vascular disease? Review of available evidence

La práctica común consiste en añadir tratamiento antiagregante a la terapia anticoagulante, en los pacientes con fibrilación auricular (FA) y patología vascular establecida. Sin embargo, la necesidad de combinar ambas estrategias es un tema controvertido actualmente.

Current recommendation is to add antiplatelet drug to oral anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and vascular disease. However, it is debatable to join both antithrombotic drugs in stable vascular disease.