mPAP/CO Slope and Oxygen Uptake Add Prognostic Value in Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Recent guidelines redefined exercise pulmonary hypertension as a mean pulmonary artery pressure/cardiac output (mPAP/CO) slope >3 mm Hg·L-1·min-1. A peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure >60 mm Hg during exercise has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death, heart failure rehospitalization, and aortic valve replacement in aortic valve stenosis. The prognostic value of the mPAP/CO slope in aortic valve stenosis remains unknown. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients (n=143; age, 73±11 years) with an aortic valve area ≤1.5 cm2 underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing with echocardiography. They were subsequently evaluated for the occurrence of cardiovascular events (ie, cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and aortic valve replacement) during a follow-up period of 1 year. Findings were externally validated (validation cohort, n=141). RESULTS: One cardiovascular death, 32 aortic valve replacements, 9 new-onset atrial fibrillation episodes, and 4 heart failure hospitalizations occurred in the derivation cohort, whereas 5 cardiovascular deaths, 32 aortic valve replacements, 1 new-onset atrial fibrillation episode, and 10 heart failure hospitalizations were observed in the validation cohort. Peak aortic velocity (odds ratio [OR] per SD, 1.48; P=0.036), indexed left atrial volume (OR per SD, 2.15; P=0.001), E/e' at rest (OR per SD, 1.61; P=0.012), mPAP/CO slope (OR per SD, 2.01; P=0.002), and age-, sex-, and height-based predicted peak exercise oxygen uptake (OR per SD, 0.59; P=0.007) were independently associated with cardiovascular events at 1 year, whereas peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure was not (OR per SD, 1.28; P=0.219). Peak Vo2 (percent) and mPAP/CO slope provided incremental prognostic value in addition to indexed left atrial volume and aortic valve area (P<0.001). These results were confirmed in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In moderate and severe aortic valve stenosis, mPAP/CO slope and percent-predicted peak Vo2 were independent predictors of cardiovascular events, whereas peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure was not. In addition to aortic valve area and indexed left atrial volume, percent-predicted peak Vo2 and mPAP/CO slope cumulatively improved risk stratification.

[Aortic stenosis : new developments in management]. / Sténose aortique : nouveautés thérapeutiques et diagnostiques.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valve disease in our countries; most often of degenerative origin, its prevalence is constantly increasing due to the aging of the population. Its development is a continuum ranging from aortic sclerosis to severe aortic stenosis, the diagnosis of which is essentially based on transthoracic echocardiography, which will allow classification into subcategories. Even if today no treatment makes it possible to prevent the progression of the disease, the management has clearly evolved with an increasingly important place for new approaches to valve replacement by the percutaneous route, and an indication of management at an increasingly early stage.

La sténose aortique (SA) est la valvulopathie la plus fréquente dans les pays occidentaux, le plus souvent d'origine dégénérative, et sa prévalence augmente constamment étant donné le vieillissement de la population. Son développement est un continuum allant de la sclérose aortique vers la sténose aortique serrée, dont le diagnostic repose essentiellement sur l'échocardiographie trans-thoracique qui permettra une classification en sous-catégories. Même si aujourd'hui aucun traitement ne permet d'empêcher la progression de la maladie, sa prise en charge a nettement évolué avec une place de plus en plus importante pour les techniques de remplacement valvulaire par voie percutanée, et une indication de prise en charge qui sera posée de façon de plus en plus précoce.

[Aortic valve repair surgery : state of the art and clinical experience of the university hospital center of Liege]. / Chirurgie de réparation de la valve aortique : statut actuel de la technique et expérience clinique du CHU de Liège.

In the past 20 years, there has been a real development of aortic valve repair techniques with an increasing number of publications describing the long-term benefits of aortic valve repair in terms of survival, freedom from major adverse valve related-events and reoperations. Aortic valve repair can now be considered as a valuable alternative to prosthetic valve replacement in patients with dystrophic ascending aorta pathology associated or not to aortic insufficiency with pliable leaflets. In this paper, the authors describe the state of the art of aortic valve repair and present their clinical experience with aortic valve repair surgery in the university hospital center of Liege from April 2021 to September 2022.

Les techniques de réparation de la valve aortique se sont considérablement développées ces 20 dernières années. Plusieurs publications confirment les bénéfices à long terme de ces techniques en termes de survie, d'absence de complications majeures et de réinterventions pour récidive d'insuffisance aortique. La réparation de la valve aortique apparaît ainsi comme une véritable alternative au remplacement valvulaire aortique prothétique chez certains patients qui présentent une pathologie dystrophique de l'aorte ascendante associée ou non à une insuffisance aortique sur valve souple. Dans cet article, les auteurs parcourent la littérature actuelle sur le sujet et décrivent leur expérience clinique avec la chirurgie de réparation de la valve aortique au sein du centre hospitalier universitaire de Liège d'avril 2021 à septembre 2022.

Layer-specific longitudinal strain predicts left ventricular maximum wall thickness in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: The aim of this study was (a) to clarify the detailed mechanisms of structural and functional abnormalities of myocardial tissue in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using layer-specific strain (LSS) and compare it with healthy subjects (b) to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of LSS for HCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-one patients with HCM and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; 66% male, 52 ± 18 years, LVEF 62.9% ± 3.7%) and 41 controls matched for age and sex (66% male, 52 ± 20 years, LVEF 63.5% ± 8.2%) underwent 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography. Absolute values of LSS were globally lower and the ratio of endocardial/epicardial layer (End/Epi ratio) was higher in HCM. LSS gradually increased from the epicardial toward the endocardial layer at all chamber views and at all levels of the LV. LSS and End/Epi ratio at the apex were higher than those at the middle or basal level of the LV. End/Epi ratio was correlated with LV maximal wall thickness both controls (r = .35, P = .03) and HCM (r = .81, P < .001). End/Epi ratio was an independent factor associated with LV maximal wall thickness (ß = 0.96, P < .001). A higher End/Epi ratio (≥1.31) was associated with diagnostic criteria for HCM (sensitivity 98%, specificity 95%, area under the curve 0.99, P < .001). CONCLUSION: LSS has the potential for unraveling the mechanism of impaired LV wall motion in HCM and to accurately detect HCM.

Unusual localization of vegetations in a native aortic valve infective endocarditis.

In case of valvular infective endocarditis, the infection is mainly localized on the flow side of the valves or at damaged valvular endothelium. We describe a rare case of an aortic valvular ineffective endocarditis with an aortic-valve vegetation situated on the aortic side of the valve. We believe this is the first description of this unusual localization of vegetations in a native aortic valve.

Echocardiographic findings on aortic stenosis: an observational, prospective, and multi-center registry.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this aortic stenosis registry was to investigate the changes of routine echocardiographic indices and strain in patients with moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis over a 6-month follow-up period. METHODS: Our aortic stenosis registry is observational, prospective, multicenter registry of nine countries, with 197 patients with aortic valve area less than 1.5 cm2. The enrolment took place from January to August 2017. We excluded patients with uncontrolled atrial arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension or cardiomyopathies, as well as those with hemodynamically significant valvular disease other than aortic stenosis. We included patients who did not require intervention and who had a complete follow-up study. RESULTS: In patients with preserved ejection fraction, left ventricular mass has significantly increased between baseline and follow-up studies (218 ± 34 grams vs 253 ± 29 grams, p = 0.02). However, when indexed to body surface area, there was no significant difference. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain significantly decreased (-19.7 ± -4.8 vs (-16.4 vs -3.8, p = 0.01). Left atrial volume was significantly higher at follow-up (p = 0.035). Right ventricular basal diameter and mid-cavity diameter were greater at the follow-up (p = 0.04 and p = 0.035, respectively). Patients with low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis had significantly lower global longitudinal strain (-12.3% ± -3.9% vs -19.7% ± -4.8%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Left atrial dilatation is one of the first changes to take place in low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis patients even when left ventricular dimensions and function remains intact. Global longitudinal strain is an important determinant of left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction and right ventricular function is an important parameter of aortic stenosis assessment. Accordingly, our registry has further shed the light on these indices role as multisite follow-up of aortic stenosis.

Dexfenfluramine and Pergolide Cause Heart Valve Disease via Valve Metabolic Reprogramming and Ongoing Matrix Remodeling.

Several clinical reports indicate that the use of amphetaminic anorectic drugs or ergot derivatives could cause valvular heart disease (VHD). We sought to investigate whether valvular lesions develop in response to long-term oral administration of these drugs and to identify drug-targeted biological processes that may lead to VHD. Treatment of New Zealand White rabbits with pergolide, dexfenfluramine, or high-dose serotonin for 16 weeks induced valvular alterations characterized by extracellular matrix remodeling. Transcriptome profiling of tricuspid valves using RNA sequencing revealed distinct patterns of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that clustered according to the different treatments. Genes that were affected by the three treatments were functionally enriched for reduced cell metabolism processes. The two drugs yielded more changes in gene expression than serotonin and shared most of the DEGs. These DEGs were mostly enriched for decreased biosynthetic processes, increased cell-matrix interaction, and cell response to growth factors, including TGF-ß, which was associated with p38 MAPK activation. Treatment with pergolide specifically affected genes involved in homeostasis, which was corroborated by the activation of the master regulator of cell energy homeostasis, AMPK-α, as well as decreased levels of metabolism-related miR-107. Thus, both pergolide and dexfenfluramine may cause VHD through valve metabolic reprogramming and matrix remodeling.

Valve Disease in Heart Failure: Secondary but Not Irrelevant.

Secondary regurgitation caused by the remodeling and dysfunction of the left or right heart chamber may complicate heart failure, worsening both symptoms and prognosis. Outcome studies have shown that patients' prognosis worsened as the severity of secondary regurgitation increases. Imaging and more specifically echocardiography plays a central role for diagnosis and serial assessment of secondary regurgitation as well as for timing the intervention and guiding the procedure.

What Does 3D Echocardiography Add to 2D Echocardiography in the Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review was to elucidate the additional value of 3D echocardiography for the assessment of mitral regurgitation (MR) compared to standard 2D echocardiography. RECENT FINDINGS: 3D echocardiography provides key information, aetiology, degenerative mitral valve disease vs. secondary MR, causes and mechanism, severity by measurements of effective regurgitant orifice area and regurgitant volume; likelihood of reparability and assessment of pre- and intra-mitral valve transcatheter procedures. 3D echocardiography as a promising method for assessment of MR is useful and crucial for research, clinical practice and patient management in all heart valve team members.

Evaluation of aortic stenosis: an update--including low-flow States, myocardial mechanics, and stress testing.

Degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most frequent valvular heart diseases in Western countries. Echocardiography plays a central role in the evaluation and management of patients with AS. To overcome the inherent inconsistencies between the echocardiographic parameters defining severe AS and to unify concepts, a new classification based on the interplay between flow and gradients has recently been adopted. Outcome studies of asymptomatic patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), as classified by this new approach, have shown that low-flow (LF) states are associated with poor outcome, that the classical normal-flow/high-gradient pattern has an intermediate outcome, while normal-flow/low-gradient severe AS seems to have an outcome comparable to moderate AS and such patients do not benefit from aortic valve replacement. Patients with LF/low-gradient severe AS with preserved LVEF, also known as "paradoxical LF/low-gradient AS," have the worst outcome and benefit greatly from surgical or percutaneous valve replacement, provided that severity is proven. In patients with LF/low-gradient and depressed LVEF, dobutamine stress echocardiography has an important role to distinguish severe from pseudo-severe AS and to assess surgical risk. Assessment of aortic valve calcium score, as well as computation of projected effective orifice aortic area at normal trans-valvular flow rates, has proved to be very useful to distinguish severe from pseudo-severe AS in LF/low-gradient AS with both reduced and preserved LVEF. Asymptomatic patients with normal flow/gradient should be submitted to an exercise test; exercise echocardiography can identify patients at increased risk when mean gradient increases by >18-20 mmHg and/or pulmonary arterial hypertension develops during exercise.

Left ventricular contractile reserve in asymptomatic primary mitral regurgitation.

AIMS: There are very few data regarding the assessment and prognostic value of left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) in asymptomatic patients with primary mitral regurgitation (MR). We aimed to quantify LVCR and to evaluate its usefulness for risk stratification in asymptomatic patients with primary MR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comprehensive resting and exercise (EX) transthoracic echocardiography, including two-dimensional speckle tracking quantification, were performed in 115 consecutive asymptomatic patients with ≥ moderate degenerative MR and no LV dysfunction/dilatation. Left ventricular contractile reserve was defined as an EX-induced increase in LV ejection fraction (LVCR(LVEF)) ≥ 4% or in LV global longitudinal strain (LVCR(GLS)) ≥ 2%. LVCR(LVEF) was present in 54 patients (47%) and LVCR(GLS) in 58 (50%). The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level was significantly correlated with EX-induced changes in GLS (r = 0.45, P < 0.0001), but not in LVEF (r = 0.09, P = 0.31). Patients with no LVCR(GLS) had significant lower 3-year cardiac event-free survival (42 ± 8 vs. 69 ± 7%, P = 0.0008). In contrast, there was no significant difference in outcome regarding to the presence or absence of LVCR(LVEF) (60 ± 7 vs. 51 ± 8%, P = 0.40). The multivariable Cox proportional hazard model showed that the absence of LVCR(GLS) was a strong independent predictor of cardiac events (HR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.05-4.76, P = 0.037), even after adjustment for Ex-echo variables and BNP level. The association between LVCR(GLS) and outcome remained significant (HR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3, P = 0.01) after further adjustment for the resting echocardiographic parameters included in the ESC Guidelines. CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic primary MR, LVCR seems to be better assessed using EX-induced changes in LV myocardial longitudinal function rather than in LVEF. In patients with preserved LV function, the absence of LVCR is independently associated with two-fold increase in risk of cardiac events. Left ventricular contractile reserve may be useful to improve risk stratification and clinical decision-making in these patients.

Cardiovascular outcome in systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular involvement is recognized as a poor prognostic factor in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of nailfold video-capillaroscopy (NVC), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) blood level and exercise echocardiography to predict the occurrence of cardiovascular events in SSc. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 65 patients with SSc (age 54±14 years, 30% female) followed in CHU Sart-Tilman, Liège, Belgium. All patients underwent graded semi-supine exercise echocardiography. Both baseline resting pulmonary hypertension (PH) and PH during follow-up (FUPH) were defined as systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP)>35 mmHg, and exercise-induced PH (EIPH) as sPAP>50 mmHg during exercise. RESULTS: EIPH was present in 21 patients. During FU (27±18 months), 13 patients developed FUPH and 9 presented cardiovascular complications. Patients with cardiovascular events were significantly older (63±14 vs 52±13 years; P=0.03), presented more frequently NVC grade>2 (89 vs 43%; P=0.009), had higher resting and exercise sPAP (30±6 vs 24±6; P=0.007 and 57±13 vs 44±13 vs mmHg; P=0.01, respectively), and higher BNP blood level (112±106 vs 26±19 pg/ml; P=0.0001). After adjustment for age and gender, NVC grade>2 (ß=2.4±1.1; P=0.03), EIPH (ß=2.30±1.13; P=0.04), FUPH (ß=0.24±0.09; P=0.01 and ß=3.52±1.16; P=0.002, respectively;) and BNP (ß=0.08±0.04; P=0.02) were independent predictors of CV events. Beyond age, an incremental value of EIPH, BNP and NVC grade>2 was predictive of cardiovascular events (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular complications are not rare in SSc (18%). NVC, BNP blood level assessment and exercise echocardiography could be useful tools to identify patients at risk of SSc.

The effect of indapamide versus hydrochlorothiazide on ventricular and arterial function in patients with hypertension and diabetes: results of a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the effects of 2 types of diuretics, indapamide and hydrochlorothiazide, added to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on ventricular and arterial functions in patients with hypertension and diabetes. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, active-controlled, PROBE design study in 56 patients (57 ± 9 years, 52% men) with mild-to-moderate hypertension and type 2 diabetes, with normal ejection fraction, randomized to either indapamide (1.5 mg Slow Release (SR)/day) or hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/d), added to quinapril (10-40 mg/d). All patients had conventional, tissue Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography and assessment of endothelial and arterial functions and biomarkers, at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups; systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased similarly, by 15% and 9% on indapamide and by 17% and 10% on hydrochlorothiazide (P < .05). Mean longitudinal systolic velocity and longitudinal strain increased by 7% and 14% on indapamide (from 5.6 ± 1.8 to 6.0 ± 1.1 cm/s and from 16.2% ± 1.8% to 18.5% ± 1.1%, both P < .05), but did not change on hydrochlorothiazide (P < .05 for intergroup differences), whereas ejection fraction and radial systolic function did not change. Similarly, mean longitudinal early diastolic velocity increased by 31% on indapamide (P < .05), but did not change on hydrochlorothiazide (P < .05 for intergroup differences). These changes were associated with improved endothelial and arterial functions on indapamide, but not on hydrochlorothiazide. CONCLUSION: Indapamide was found to improve measures of endothelial and arterial functions and to increase longitudinal left ventricular function compared with hydrochlorothiazide in patients with hypertension and diabetes, after 6 months of treatment. This study suggests that indapamide, a thiazide-like diuretic, has important vascular effects that can improve ventriculoarterial coupling.

Cardiac Damage and Conduction Disorders after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Recently, a staging system using 4 grades has been proposed to quantify the extent of cardiac damage associated with aortic stenosis (AS), namely AS-related cardiac damage staging (ASCDS). ASCDS is independently associated with all-cause mortality and important clinical outcomes. To evaluate whether it might be associated with the occurrence of conduction system disorders after TAVI, a total of 119 symptomatic patients with severe AS who underwent a TAVI were categorized according to ASCDS: group 1 (13.5%): no or LV damage; group 2 (58.8%): left atrial/mitral valve damage, atrial fibrillation (AF); group 3 (27.7%): low-flow state, pulmonary vasculature/tricuspid valve/RV damage. After TAVI, 34% of patients exhibited LBBB and 10% high-degree atrioventricular block (HD-AVB). No patient in group 1 developed HD-AVB whereas new LBBB was frequent in groups 2 and 3. Twenty-one patients presented with paroxysmal AF with a higher rate for each group increment (group 1: n = 0, 0%; group 2: n = 11, 15.7%; group 3: n = 10, 30.3%) (p = 0.012). Patients in group 3 had the higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) (group 1: n = 1, 6.3%; group 2: n = 7, 10%; group 3: n = 9, 27.3%) (p = 0.012). In conclusion, ASCDS might help identify patients at higher risk of conduction disorders and PPMI requirement after TAVI.

Determinants and prognostic significance of exercise pulmonary hypertension in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies emphasized the usefulness of exercise stress echocardiography in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. Nevertheless, the additive value of exercise pulmonary hypertension (Ex-PHT) in such patients remains unexplored. We therefore aimed to identify the determinants and to test the impact on outcome of Ex-PHT in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis. METHOD AND RESULTS: Asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (n=105; aortic valve area <0.6 cm(2)/m(2); age, 71±9 years; male, 59%) and preserved left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction ≥55%) were prospectively submitted to exercise stress echocardiography. Resting PHT and Ex-PHT were defined as a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure >50 and >60 mm Hg, respectively. Ex-PHT was more frequent than resting PHT (55% versus 6%; P<0.0001). On multivariable logistic regression, the independent predictors of Ex-PHT were male sex (odds ratio, 4.3; P=0.002), resting systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (odds ratio, 1.16; P=0.002), exercise indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume (odds ratio, 1.04; P=0.026), exercise e'-wave velocity (odds ratio, 1.35; P=0.047), and exercise-induced changes in indexed left atrial area (odds ratio, 1.36; P=0.006). Ex-PHT was associated with reduced cardiac event-free survival (at 3 years, 22±7% versus 55±9%; P=0.014). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, Ex-PHT was identified as an independent predictor of cardiac events (hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-3.3; P=0.047). When exercise-induced changes in mean aortic pressure gradient were added to the multivariable model, Ex-PHT remained independently associated with reduced cardiac event-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.6; P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis, the main determinants of Ex-PHT are male sex, resting systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, and exercise parameters of diastolic burden. Moreover, Ex-PHT is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of cardiac events. These results strongly support the use of exercise stress echocardiography in asymptomatic aortic stenosis.

Constrictive pericarditis following cardiac transplantation: a report of two cases and a literature review.

The data on constrictive pericarditis following heart transplantation are scarce. Herein, the authors present 2 patients who developed a constrictive pericarditis 19, and 55 months after heart transplantation. They underwent several diagnostic procedures and successfully recovered after a radical pericardiectomy. In addition, the authors review the literature and report the incidence, aetiology, diagnostic features, and management of this rare and challenging condition.

A new integrative approach combining right heart catheterization and echocardiography to stage aortic stenosis-related cardiac damage.

Introduction: Although staging of the extent of aortic stenosis (AS)-related cardiac damages is usually performed via echocardiography, this technique has considerable limitations in assessing pulmonary artery and right chamber pressures. The present hypothesis-generating study sought to explore the efficacy of a staging system of cardiac damage based on echocardiographic and invasive [right heart catheterization (RHC)] hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods: We studied 90 symptomatic patients with severe AS in whom echocardiographic and invasive evaluation by RHC was obtained prior to TAVI. Cardiac damage stages were defined as follows: no cardiac damage (stage 0), left ventricular (LV) damage (stage 1), left atrial or mitral valve damage (stage 2), pulmonary vasculature or tricuspid valve damage (stage 3), and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction or low-flow state (stage 4). With the integrative approach using RHC, pulmonary hypertension (PH) was defined as an mPAP ≥25 mmHg and the low-flow state corresponded to a cardiac index of <1.8 L/min/m2 and a right atrial pressure of >10 mmHg. Results: During follow-up (median: 2.9 years), 43 patients (47.8%) died. The integrative cardiac damage staging was associated with a significant increase in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality per each increase of cardiac damage stage, whereas the outcome was similar according to the echocardiographic staging. Conclusions: A staging system of cardiac lesion based on echocardiographic and invasive hemodynamic parameters in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI predicts mortality. Patients with pre-existing PH, ≥ moderate tricuspid regurgitation and/or RV dysfunction, and a low-flow state had a markedly increased risk of death. Further larger studies are needed to validate our findings.

Prognostic Value of Non-Invasive Global Myocardial Work in Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis.

This study aimed to evaluate the modification of non-invasive myocardial work (MW) indices related to aortic stenosis (AS) stages of cardiac damage and their prognostic value. The echocardiographic and outcome data of 170 patients, with asymptomatic moderate-to-severe AS and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50%, and 50 age- and sex-comparable healthy controls were analysed. Primary endpoints were the occurrence of all-cause and cardiovascular death. Increased values of the global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), and global wasted work (GWW) were observed in AS patients compared to controls (GWI: 2528 ± 521 vs. 2005 ± 302 mmHg%, GCW: 2948 ± 598 vs. 2360 ± 353 mmHg%, p < 0.001; GWW: 139 ± 90 vs. 90 ± 49 mmHg%, p = 0.005), with no changes in the global work efficiency. When patients were stratified according to the stages of cardiac damage, the GWI showed lower values in Stage 3−4 as compared to Stage 0 and Stage 2 (p = 0.024). During a mean follow-up of 30 months, 27 patients died. In multivariable Cox-regression analysis, adjusted for confounders, GWI (HR: 0.998, CI: 0.997−1.000; p = 0.034) and GCW (HR:0.998, CI: 0.997−0.999; p = 0.003) were significantly associated with excess mortality. When used as categorical variables, a GWI ≤ 1951 mmHg% and a GCW ≤ 2475 mmHg% accurately predicted all-cause and cardiovascular death at 4-year follow-up. In conclusion, in asymptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe AS, reduced values of GWI and GCW are associated with increased mortality. Therefore, the evaluation of MW indices may allow for a better identification of asymptomatic patients with moderate to severe AS and preserved LVEF whom are at increased risk of worse prognosis during follow-up.

Multi-modality imaging assessment of native valvular regurgitation: an EACVI and ESC council of valvular heart disease position paper.

Valvular regurgitation represents an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Imaging is pivotal in the evaluation of native valve regurgitation and echocardiography is the primary imaging modality for this purpose. The imaging assessment of valvular regurgitation should integrate quantification of the regurgitation, assessment of the valve anatomy and function, and the consequences of valvular disease on cardiac chambers. In clinical practice, the management of patients with valvular regurgitation largely relies on the results of imaging. It is crucial to provide standards that aim at establishing a baseline list of measurements to be performed when assessing native valve regurgitation. The present document aims to present clinical guidance for the multi-modality imaging assessment of native valvular regurgitation.

Differential Biological Effects of Dietary Lipids and Irradiation on the Aorta, Aortic Valve, and the Mitral Valve.

Aims: Dietary cholesterol and palmitic acid are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) affecting the arteries and the heart valves. The ionizing radiation that is frequently used as an anticancer treatment promotes CVD. The specific pathophysiology of these distinct disease manifestations is poorly understood. We, therefore, studied the biological effects of these dietary lipids and their cardiac irradiation on the arteries and the heart valves in the rabbit models of CVD. Methods and Results: Cholesterol-enriched diet led to the thickening of the aortic wall and the aortic valve leaflets, immune cell infiltration in the aorta, mitral and aortic valves, as well as aortic valve calcification. Numerous cells expressing α-smooth muscle actin were detected in both the mitral and aortic valves. Lard-enriched diet induced massive aorta and aortic valve calcification, with no detectable immune cell infiltration. The addition of cardiac irradiation to the cholesterol diet yielded more calcification and more immune cell infiltrates in the atheroma and the aortic valve than cholesterol alone. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) analyses of aorta and heart valves revealed that a cholesterol-enriched diet mainly triggered inflammation-related biological processes in the aorta, aortic and mitral valves, which was further enhanced by cardiac irradiation. Lard-enriched diet rather affected calcification- and muscle-related processes in the aorta and aortic valve, respectively. Neutrophil count and systemic levels of platelet factor 4 and ent-8-iso-15(S)-PGF2α were identified as early biomarkers of cholesterol-induced tissue alterations, while cardiac irradiation resulted in elevated levels of circulating nucleosomes. Conclusion: Dietary cholesterol, palmitic acid, and cardiac irradiation combined with a cholesterol-rich diet led to the development of distinct vascular and valvular lesions and changes in the circulating biomarkers. Hence, our study highlights unprecedented specificities related to common risk factors that underlie CVD.