Role of Multimodality Imaging in Transcatheter Structural Interventions.

Cardiac imaging is the backbone for safe and optimal transcatheter structural interventions. Transthoracic echocardiogram is the initial modality to assess valvular disorders, while transesophageal echocardiogram is best to delineate the mechanism of valvular regurgitation, preprocedural assessment for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, and for intraprocedural guidance. Cardiac computed tomography is the modality of choice for assessing calcifications, maneuvering multiplaner reconstruction of different cardiac structures, preprocedural planning for various transcatheter valve replacement, and assessing for hypoattenuated leaflet thickening and reduced leaflet motion. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is best known for most accurate volumetric assessment of valvular regurgitation and chamber size quantification. Cardiac positron emission tomography is the only modality that could assess active infection through using fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose radiotracer.

Type A Aortic Dissection with Antegrade Intimointimal Intussusception.

We describe a 60-year-old man with a history of hypertension who presented to an outside emergency department with chest pain and left lower extremity numbness and weakness. Computed tomography (CT) revealed Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD), and he was transferred to our institution for emergent open surgical repair. Review of the outside CT showed no dissection flap in the ascending aorta and a complex flap in the proximal descending thoracic aorta consistent with complex intimal transection at the sinotubular junction and intimointimal intussusception. This case presents high-resolution diagnostic and intraoperative images and illustrates the importance of rapid diagnosis and recognition of the potentially complex nature of the aortic dissection to avoid impending hemodynamic deterioration.

Influence of Cardiac Remodeling on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Aortic Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) outcome studies in aortic regurgitation (AR) are few. It is unclear if volume measurements are beneficial over diameters. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the association of CMR quantitative thresholds and outcomes in AR patients. METHODS: In a multicenter study, asymptomatic patients with moderate or severe AR on CMR with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated. Primary outcome was development of symptoms or decrease in LVEF to <50%, development of guideline indications for surgery based on LV dimensions, or death under medical management. Secondary outcome was the same as the primary outcome, excluding surgery for remodeling indications. We excluded patients who underwent surgery within 30 days of CMR. Receiver-operating characteristic analyses for the association with outcomes were performed. RESULTS: We studied 458 patients (median age: 60 years; IQR: 46-70 years). During a median follow-up of 2.4 years (IQR: 0.9-5.3 years), 133 events occurred. Optimal thresholds were regurgitant volume of 47 mL and regurgitant fraction of 43%, indexed LV end-systolic (iLVES) volume of 43 mL/m2, indexed LV end-diastolic volume of 109 mL/m2, and iLVES diameter of 2 cm/m2. In multivariable regression analysis, iLVES volume of ≥43 mL/m2 (HR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.75-3.66; P < 0.001) and indexed LV end-diastolic volume of ≥109 mL/m2 were independently associated with the outcomes and provided additional discrimination improvement over iLVES diameter, whereas iLVES diameter was independently associated with the primary outcome but not the secondary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic AR patients with preserved LVEF, CMR findings can be used to guide management. CMR-based LVES volume assessment performed favorably compared to LV diameters.

Ventricular Septal Rupture Complicating Silent Myocardial Infarction.

A 55-year-old gentleman presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath for the past 3 days. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging assessed intracardiac shunting and a mechanism of ventricular septal rupture (VSR), showing significant left-to-right shunting and Qp:Qs of 4:1. There was transmural myocardial infarction as well as an aneurysm at the diaphragmatic inferior wall of the left ventricle.

An Atrial Septal Ridge Diagnosed by Transesophageal Echocardiography.

A left atrial ridge is an anomaly of irregular fusion between the septum primum and septum secundum.1 Aberrant fusion of the septa results in thickened and fibrotic tissue along the region of the fossa ovalis that will occasionally protrude into the left atrium.2 The presence of a left atrial ridge has multiple clinical implications due to its close proximity to the fossa ovalis. The location of this uncommon incongruence may make transseptal catheter-based approaches more challenging, underscoring the importance of imaging guidance to determine the ideal transseptal puncture site. Figure 1 shows cardiac images of a 64-year-old female with a history of severe mitral regurgitation, atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome status post pacemaker implantation, pulmonary hypertension, systemic lupus erythematosus, and chronic kidney disease. She was seen by the valve team and underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) to determine candidacy for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve. Two-dimensional biplane imaging of the interatrial septum (IAS) shows a linear structure on the left atrial side of the fossa ovalis. Three-dimensional imaging of the IAS revealed that the structure was consistent with an atrial septal ridge.

A Patient with Dyspnea and an Enlarged Right Ventricle.

Case report of a patient with no significant past medical history who presented with reports of dizziness, dyspnea on exertion, and palpitations that had been ongoing for at least 5 years. It demonstrates the importance of considering the presence of an inter-atrial shunt when evaluating a patient with an unexplained dilated right atrium and right ventricle.

Surgical Salvage of Annular Rupture After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation by Conversion Into Annular Enlargement.

We describe an 88-year-old woman who experienced annular rupture during transcatheter aortic valve replacement despite preventative measures. She underwent Y incision and rectangular patch for the double purpose of repairing the rupture and enlarging the aortic root. We highlight the heart team's role in confronting this potentially catastrophic complication. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).