Transcatheter Closure or Surgery for Symptomatic Paravalvular Leaks: The Multicenter KISS Registry.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment of symptomatic paravalvular leak (PVL) remains controversial between transcatheter closure (TC) and surgery. This large-scale study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the long-term outcomes of the patients who underwent reoperation or TC of PVLs. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 335 (men, 209 [62.4%]; mean age, 58.15±12.77 years) patients who underwent treatment of PVL at 3 tertiary centers between January 2002 and December 2021 were included. Echocardiographic features, procedure details, and in-hospital or long-term outcomes were assessed. The primary end point was defined as the all-cause death during follow-up. The regression models were adjusted by applying the inverse probability weighted approach to reduce treatment selection bias. The initial management strategy was TC in 171 (51%) patients and surgery in 164 (49%) cases. Three hundred cases (89.6%) had mitral PVL, and 35 (10.4%) had aortic PVL. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 52.03±10.79%. Technical (78.9 versus 76.2%; P=0.549) and procedural success (73.7 versus 65.2%; P=0.093) were similar between both groups. In both univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis, the in-hospital mortality rate in the overall population was significantly higher (15.9 versus 4.7%) in the surgery group compared with the TC group (unadjusted odds ratio, 3.13 [95% CI, 1.75-5.88]; P=0.001; and adjusted odds ratio (inverse probability-weighted), 4.55 [95% CI, 2.27-10.0]; P<0.001). However, the long-term mortality rate in the overall population did not differ between the surgery group and the TC group (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.86 [95% CI, 0.59-1.25]; P=0.435; and adjusted HR (inverse probability-weighted), 1.11 [95% CI, 0.67-1.81]; P=0.679). CONCLUSIONS: The current data suggest that percutaneous closure of PVL was associated with lower early and comparable long-term mortality rates compared with surgery.

Serum Levels of Cholesterol and Lipoproteins in Patients With Symptomatic Paravalvular Leaks.

Paravalvular leak (PVL) is a complication of valve replacement surgery which may lead to serious clinical consequences including hemolytic anemia. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the effect of successful intervention on serum lipid parameters in patients with PVL. A total of 106 patients (mean age: 57.2 ± 13.6 years, male: 67) who underwent surgical or transcatheter closure for symptomatic PVL were enrolled in this study. During the follow-up period, hemolysis and lipid parameters were evaluated at each clinical visit. This is the first study describing the effects of PVL on lipid metabolism after surgical or transcatheter closure. In the study, 18 patients (17%) had aortic PVL, 84 patients (79%) had mitral PVL, and 4 patients (3.8%) had both aortic and mitral PVL. A total of 59 patients underwent transcatheter closure and 47 patients were treated surgically. Technical success of the procedures was 83%. After successful PVL closure, hemoglobin and haptoglobin levels increased significantly (9.5 ± 1.3 vs 11.9 ± 2.1 g/dl, p <0.001 and 16.6 ± 7.9 vs 34.1 ± 19.9 mg, p <0.001, respectively). A significant increase in total cholesterol (158.9 ± 42.7 vs 209.3 ± 58.7 mg/dl, p <0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (99.1 ± 33.8 vs 133.9 ± 45.7 mg/dl, p <0.001), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (39.8 ± 12.4 vs 44.8 ± 11.7 mg/dl, p <0.001) levels was observed after successful PVL closure. In conclusion, symptomatic patients with PVL had hypocholesterolemia, reflected by low serum lipoprotein levels. After successful PVL closure, an increase in serum lipoprotein levels was observed. The recovery in levels of lipoproteins could be used as a marker of successful PVL closure, and absence of recovery of lipoprotein levels may indicate incomplete closure.

A rare complication of percutaneous closure of coronary artery fistula: Inability to retrieve coil.

Coronary fistulae may lead to coronary steal phenomenon or considerable volume overload on the cardiac chambers, causing significant hemodynamic problems. Coronary fistulae can be closed either surgically or percutaneously. Percutaneous closure is frequently performed with coil embolization or a vascular plug. Although percutaneous closure has significant advantages, such as a shorter duration of hospitalization and no sternal scarring, several complications, including coil embolization or failure to retrieve the device, may occasionally occur. In the current report, a patient with a left coronary to right atrium fistula who declined to have surgery underwent percutaneous coil embolization. However, after release of the coil, the catheter could not be retrieved using the standard anti-torque mechanism.

Percutaneous retrieval of embolized Amplatzer septal occluder from pulmonary artery using a novel method.

Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects is accepted as a safe and effective treatment method. Device embolization is a rare, but potentially fatal complication. While embolized devices are typically removed surgically, in eligible cases, they can also be removed percutaneously at an experienced center. Presently described is the retrieval of an embolized device with a novel percutaneous technique.

Closure of mitral paravalvular defects without performing an arteriovenous loop: a case series of fourteen patients.

INTRODUCTION: The arteriovenous (AV) loop is recommended when further support is needed during paravalvular leak (PVL) closure. AIM: We report the feasibility and safety of mitral PVL closure without constructing an AV loop, based on a single-centre experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with mitral valve replacement (MVR) who had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III-IV dyspnoea or NYHA class II symptoms with significant haemolytic anaemia caused by severe or moderate-to-severe paravalvular regurgitation and who underwent transcatheter PVL closure (TPVLC) between May 2014 and February 2017 were enrolled. RESULTS: In total, 15 PVL procedures and 19 device deployments were performed. The patients had one (n = 10), three (n = 1) or four (n = 1) devices for closure at the time of the procedure; one patient had two devices from two procedures at different times with different access ways. Nineteen devices (10 (66.6%) via transseptal access; 4 (26.6%), transapical access; and 1 (6.6%), retrograde access) were deployed successfully without making an AV loop. CONCLUSIONS: The TPVLC is a less invasive and effective alternative to surgery in symptomatic patients with significant PVLs and high operational risks. The success rates are satisfactory, with improving techniques and devices. Procedural success without using an AV loop can be achieved with reduced costs, fluoroscopic times and complications.

Percutaneous Retrieval of an Embolized Catheter Tip With the Balloon Dilatation Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing numbers of complex percutaneous coronary interventions have been accompanied by various intra-procedural complications. The fracture and embolization of devices or their fragments are potentially life-threatening situations, depending on the site of embolization. Different non-surgical methods to handle embolic complications have been proposed for different clinical situations. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a distally embolized catheter fragment that was percutaneously retrieved. The catheter fragment was tightly held by the inflated balloon, moved together with the system, and successfully retrieved out of the circulation via the femoral sheath. Considerable distal embolization of the foreign body and retrieval with the balloon dilatation technique are the unique features of this case. CONCLUSIONS: The present case appears to offer a safe and relatively simple method of balloon dilatation inside the lumen of the embolized fragment when the foreign body is too distal to retrieve with conventional snare systems.

The effects of tirofiban infusion on clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to determine the effects of tirofiban (Tiro) infusion on angiographic measures, ST-segment resolution, and clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI. Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors are beneficial in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), while the most effective timing of administration is still under investigation. METHODS: A total of 1242 patients (83.0% males, mean (standard deviation; SD) age: 54.7 (10.9) years) with STEMI who underwent primary PCI were included in this retrospective non-randomized study in four groups, composed of no tirofiban infusion [Tiro (-); n=248], tirofiban infusion before PCI (pre-Tiro; n=720), tirofiban infusion during PCI (peri-Tiro; n=50), and tirofiban infusion after PCI (post-Tiro; n=224). In all Tiro (+) patients, bolus administration of Tiro (10 µg/kg) was followed by infusion (0.15 µg/kg/min) for a mean (SD) duration of 22.4±6.8 hours. RESULTS: The pre-PCI Tiro group was associated with the highest percentage of patients with TIMI 3 flow (99.4%; p<0.001), the lowest corrected TIMI frame count [21(18-23.4); p<0.001], the highest percentage of patients with >75% ST-segment resolution (78.1%; p<0.001), and the lowest rate of in-hospital sudden cardiac death and in-hospital all-cause mortality (3.2%, p<0.05, 3.3%, p=0.01). Major bleeding was reported in 18 (1.8%) patients who received tirofiban. CONCLUSION: Use of standard-dose bolus tirofiban in addition to aspirin, high-dose clopidogrel, and unfractionated heparin prior to primary PCI significantly improves myocardial reperfusion, ST-segment resolution, in-hospital mortality rate, and in-hospital sudden cardiac death in patients with STEMI with no increased risk of major bleeding.

Plasma factor XI and XII activity in patients with slow coronary flow.

The exact pathophysiology of slow coronary flow (SCF) phenomenon, characterized by delayed opacification of coronary arteries during coronary angiography, is still unknown, although endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, vasomotor disorders and atherosclerosis are shown. The present study was conducted to investigate whether there is a coagulation pathway abnormality in patients with SCF measuring plasma factor XI and XII activity. The study included 55 patients with angiographically proven SCF (group I) and 40 individuals with normal coronary flow (NCF, group II). Baseline demographic properties were similar in both groups. Echocardiographic parameters were also similar in patients with SCF and NCF. Factor XI activity was significantly higher in group I when compared with group II. Factor XII activity was also significantly higher in group I when compared with group II (108.9 ±â€Š19 vs. 98.8 ±â€Š20, P = 0.018 and 131.2 ±â€Š17 vs. 119.1 ±â€Š16, P = 0.001, respectively). We conclude that SCF phenomenon appears to be associated with enhanced procoagulant state, which may support the role of inflammation and atherosclerosis in the pathogenesis of this phenomenon.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: current state of knowledge, new developments and future directions.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy affecting women in late pregnancy or early puerperium. Although initially described in the late 1800s, it has only recently been recognized as a distinct cardiac condition. The reported incidence and prognosis varies according to geography. The clinical course varies between complete recovery to rapid progression to chronic heart failure, heart transplantation or death. In spite of significant improvements in understanding the pathophysiology and management of the PPCM many features of this unique disease are poorly understood, including incidence, etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, predictors of prognosis and optimal therapy. The present article revisits these concepts and recent advances in PPCM.

Acute myocarditis or the kounis syndrome: role of cardiac MRI and speckle-tracking echocardiography in diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: The Kounis syndrome and acute myocarditis are two distinct clinical entities, which could share nearly the same symptomatology as well as ECG (electrocardiography) and laboratory findings. CASE PRESENTATION: First case was a 39-year-old male presented with acute chest pain and inferolateral ST elevation on ECG. The second case was a 29-year-old male presented with chest pain and diffuses ST elevation. Diagnosis of acute myocarditis was achieved by demonstrating subepicardial contrast enhancement as well as atypical involvement in both of our clinical cases. CONCLUSIONS: We reported two cases in which specific imaging modalities (cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and speckle-tracking echocardiography) were used when the signs and symptoms were indistinguishable.

Serum carbohydrate antigen 125 levels in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: a useful biomarker for prognosis and functional mitral regurgitation.

The authors investigated the prognostic relevance of serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) levels in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NICMP) and assessed whether increased levels relate to the degree of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Seventy-seven patients with NICMP were enrolled and followed-up for 10 ± 2 months in this prospective study. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis established a cutoff CA125 value of 25 U/mL for predicting mortality. Patients were divided into two groups according to their CA125 levels (CA125 <25 U/mL [n=58] and CA125 ≥ 25 U/mL [n=19]). Patients with high CA125 values had statistically worse functional status, higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, higher left ventricular volumes, lower ejection fraction, higher E/Em ratio, higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and more severe FMR. On the multivariate analysis, serum CA125 (P=.002) and severe FMR (P=.04) were identified as the independent predictors of mortality. Serum CA125 levels also correlated with BNP levels and FMR severity (P<.001). Serum CA125 is a powerful prognostic biomarker that is associated with the severity of heart failure, serum BNP levels and several echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular volumes, systolic and diastolic functions, pulmonary artery pressure, and the degree of FMR. Serum CA125 was also shown as an independent predictor of mortality during 10 ± 2 months of follow-up.

Acute thrombus formation on an Amplatzer device during transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect in a patient with homozygous factor V Leiden mutation.

A 32-year-old woman underwent transcatheter closure of a secundum type atrial septal defect with the Amplatzer device. The procedure was started under premedication with aspirin, clopidogrel, and heparin. During the procedure, a highly mobile thrombus attached to the left atrial disc of the device was detected by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The device and the associated thrombus were successfully withdrawn and the patient was started on a combination of heparin and tirofiban infusion. The procedure was successfully completed without any recurrent thrombus formation or residual shunt. Further investigation for thrombophilia revealed homozygous factor V Leiden mutation and the patient was started on a life-long warfarin therapy. Follow-up TEE showed proper device position with no recurrent thrombus and the follow-up was uneventful.

Do mobile phones pose a potential risk to autonomic modulation of the heart?

BACKGROUND: It has long been speculated that mobile phones may interact with the cardiac devices and thereby cardiovascular system may be a potential target for the electromagnetic fields emitted by the mobile phones. Therefore, the present study was designed to test possible effects of radiofrequency waves emitted by digital mobile phones on cardiac autonomic modulation by short-time heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 20 healthy young subjects were included to the study. All participants were rested in supine position at least for 15 minutes on a comfortable bed, and then time and frequency domain HRV parameters were recorded at baseline in supine position for 5 minutes. After completion of baseline records, by using a mobile GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) phone, HRV parameters were recorded at turned off mode, at turned on mode, and at calling mode over 5 minutes periods for each stage. CONCLUSION: Neither time nor frequency domain HRV parameters altered significantly during off mode compare to their baseline values. Also, neither time nor frequency domain HRV parameters altered significantly during turned on and calling mode compared to their baseline values. Short-time exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phone does not affect cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy subjects.

Primary angioplasty in a high-volume tertiary center in Turkey: in-hospital clinical outcomes of 1625 patients.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated in-hospital results of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a high-volume tertiary center. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively evaluated 1625 patients (1323 males, 302 females; mean age 56.0 ± 11.6 years) who underwent primary PCI for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction between January 2006 and April 2008. All coronary angiography procedures were performed using the femoral artery route. In-hospital clinical and angiographic results were recorded. RESULTS: On admission, 23% of the patients had diabetes mellitus, 49.6% had anterior myocardial infarction, and 4.9% had cardiogenic shock. The mean duration of pain was 171.2 ± 121.2 minutes, and the mean door-to-balloon time was 31.6 ± 7.2 minutes. Infarct-related artery was the left anterior descending artery in 49.7%, multivessel disease was present in 40.9%, TIMI 2/3 flow was present in 23.6%, and high-grade thrombus was observed in 66.8%. Primary PCI involved balloon dilatation (5.7%) and stent implantation (94.3%). The incidence of angiographic no-reflow was 11.9%. The mean hospital stay was 5.2 ± 3.3 days. All-cause mortality occurred in 71 patients (4.4%). Other in-hospital events were reinfarction (1.4%), target vessel revascularization (1.9%), hemorrhagic/ischemic stroke (0.6%), stent thrombosis (1.2%), major bleeding (3.8%), blood transfusion (4.8%), heart failure (10.5%), atrial fibrillation (4%), and ventricular tachycardia (3.9%). CONCLUSION: Primary PCI is an effective method in achieving complete revascularization of the infarct-related artery. Successful in-hospital results not only depend on the experience and equipment of the center, but also on how rapidly reperfusion is achieved.

The prognostic value of combined fractional flow reserve and TIMI frame count measurements in patients with stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of different fractional flow reserve (FFR) cutoff values and corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame (TIMI) count (CTFC) measurements in a series of consecutive patients with moderate coronary lesions, including patients with unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and/or positive noninvasive functional test findings. METHODS: We included 162 consecutive coronary patients in whom revascularization of a moderate coronary lesion was deferred based on a FFR value ≥0.75. Patients were divided according to the results of the intracoronary pressure and flow measurements into four groups: group A: 0.75 ≤ FFR ≤ 0.85 and CTFC > 28 (n=22), group B: 0.75 ≤ FFR ≤ 0.85 and CTFC ≤ 28 (n = 55), group C: 0.85 < FFR and CTFC > 28 (n = 19), and group D: 0.85 < FFR and CTFC ≤ 28 (n = 66). Adverse cardiac events and the presence of angina were evaluated at follow-up. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 18 ± 10 months, cardiac event rate in patients with 0.75 ≤ FFR ≤ 0.85 and FFR > 0.85 were 22% and 9%, respectively (P = 0.026) and also, a trend was observed toward a higher cardiac event rate in case of an abnormal CTFC (CTFC > 28) compared to a normal CTFC (24% vs 12%, P = 0.066). Furthermore, a significantly higher cardiac event rate was observed when group A was compared to group D (31.8% vs 7.6%, respectively, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Patients with potential microvascular dysfunction and borderline FFR values should be interpreted with caution, and management strategies should be guided not only by pressure measurement, but also by possibly supplementary clinical risk stratification and noninvasive tests.

Effect of treadmill exercise testing on P wave duration and dispersion in patients with isolated myocardial bridging.

Several previous studies suggest that myocardial bridging (MB) is associated with ischemia and rhythm disturbances. We sought to examine exercise-induced changes in P wave duration and dispersion (PWD), the markers of atrial conduction abnormalities in patients with isolated MB of left anterior descending artery (LAD) and control subjects. Eighteen patients with MB of LAD (group-I) and 22 subjects with angiographically demonstrated normal coronary arteries (group-II) underwent treadmill exercise testing. Before and after exercise ECG was recorded at a paper speed of 50 mm/s. The change in maximum and minimum P wave duration was measured manually and difference between two values was defined as PWD. There was no difference between two groups in terms of demographic properties. Baseline maximum and minimum P wave duration and PWD durations were similar in both groups and they did not change after exercise. (Group-I: before and after test; 114 +/- 10 vs. 114 +/- 9, 66 +/- 13 vs. 67 +/- 10, and 47 +/- 9 vs. 45 +/- 13 ms, P > 0.05, group-II; 113 +/- 9 vs. 115 +/- 8, 68 +/- 11 vs. 68 +/- 11, 45 +/- 11 vs. 48 +/- 15 ms for each, respectively). In addition there was no significant correlation between PWD and P wave duration and echocardiographic variables. In patients with MB of LAD, PWD and P wave duration were not different than healthy subjects and treadmill exercise testing did not induce atrial conduction abnormalities in both groups.

Assessment of left ventricular functions in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia by conventional and tissue Doppler imaging.

The authors sought to determine left ventricular functions by conventional and tissue Doppler imaging in patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia and controls. Peak early (E) and late (A) mitral inflow velocity, E/A ratio, E deceleration time, and isovolumetric relaxation time were obtained. Peak systolic velocity (Sm), diastolic early (Em), and late (Am) velocities were measured by tissue Doppler imaging. Interventricular septum velocities, including peak systolic (Ss), diastolic early (Es), and late (As) velocities, were recorded. Peak early (E) velocity, E/A ratio, and E deceleration time were different in both groups. Isovolumetric relaxation time was prolonged in patients with coronary artery ectasia than controls. Em and Em/Am ratio were lower in patients with coronary artery ectasia than controls. Diastolic early and Es/As velocities were lower in patients with coronary artery ectasia compared with controls. The authors showed that mitral inflow-lateral annulus and interventricular septum velocities were lower in patients with coronary artery ectasia than controls indicating left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Effect of acute cigarette smoking on left and right ventricle filling parameters: a conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic study in healthy participants.

Acute effects of smoking on left and right ventricular function is determined by conventional and tissue Doppler imaging methods in this study. Pulsed-wave Doppler indices of the left and right ventricle diastolic function, including mitral and tricuspid inflow peak early and late velocity and their ratio were obtained from 20 healthy subjects by conventional Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging. Echocardiographic indices of left and right ventricles, including isovolumetric relaxation time, deceleration time, isovolumetric contraction time, ejection time, and myocardial performance index of right ventricle were measured before and 30 minutes after smoking a cigarette. Mitral and tricuspid inflow parameters and right ventricular myocardial performance index significantly altered after smoking a cigarette. Among the tissue Doppler imaging parameters, mitral and tricuspid lateral annulus diastolic, but not systolic, velocities altered after smoking a cigarette. Acute cigarette smoking alters left and right ventricular diastolic functions in healthy nonsmokers.