Aortic valve replacement with the perceval S bioprosthesis: single-center experience in 143 patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most frequent heart valve disease in western countries, and its prevalence increases with age. Sutureless valves have recently become available that allow the surgical procedures to be shortened. The study aim was to assess clinical outcome after sutureless aortic valve replacement (SAVR) performed with the Perceval S bioprosthesis at the authors' institution. METHODS: Between June 2007 and November 2011, a total of 143 patients (78 females, 65 males; mean age 79.4 +/- 5.9 years) was prospectively enrolled and followed at the authors' center. The median preoperative logistic EuroSCORE was 12.04 +/- 10.7. Preoperatively, 58.8% of patients were in NYHA class III or IV, and the mean gradient and effective orifice area (EOA) were 38.8 +/- 17 mmHg and 0.76 +/- 0.24 cm2, respectively. Isolated SAVR was performed in 95 patients (66.4%), while associated procedures were necessary in 48 patients (33.6%). The follow up was 100% complete (mean 13.4 +/- 11.6 months; range: 0-5 years; total cumulative follow up 155 patient-years). RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 99.3%. The mean cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 32.0 +/- 14.9 min and 44.7 +/- 18.6 min, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 4.9% (n=7). Pacemaker implantation was required in seven patients (4.9%). Survival at five years was 85.5%. Reoperation was necessary in seven patients (4.9%); early reoperations were due to paravalvular leak (n = 3; 2.0%) and intra-prosthetic regurgitation (n=3; 2.0%). One late reoperation (at 29 months) was required, due to fibrous pannus overgrowth. One late endocarditis (0.7%) occurred at 26 months and was medically treated. No structural valve deterioration occurred during the follow up. At 12 months, 94.4% of survivors were in NYHA class I-II, and the mean pressure gradient and EOA were 9.0 +/- 3.4 mmHg and 1.60 +/- 0.3 cm2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Perceval S valve appears to be a safe option for SAVR, though further follow up is needed to evaluate the long-term outcome with this bioprosthesis.

Transseptal puncture using minimally invasive echocardiography during atrial fibrillation ablation.

AIMS: To assess the usefulness of miniature transoesophageal echocardiography using a 10 F intracardiac probe (ICE-TEE) for transseptal catheterization during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intracardiac echocardiography probe was used transoesophageally in 79 consecutive patients (56 ± 11 years, 73% male) referred for AF ablation (60% paroxysmal and 38% persistent) to guide transseptal puncture. Transseptal catheterization monitored by ICE-TEE was well tolerated and successfully performed in all patients without any sedation. No mechanical oesophageal complication was noted. Moreover, the mean duration between ICE-TEE probe insertion and successful transseptal puncture was 4.5 min and the mean time of ICE-TEE was 10 min. Finally, no tamponade occurred during the AF ablation procedure. CONCLUSION: Intracardiac echocardiography-TEE is safe and well tolerated for the guidance of transseptal catheterization during AF ablation. Moreover, this technique was performed without requiring any anaesthesia.

Usefulness of trans-oesophageal echocardiography using intracardiac echography probe in guiding patent foramen ovale percutaneous closure.

AIMS: To evaluate the use of intracardiac echocardiography probe through oesophageal route (ICE-TEE) for the monitoring of percutaneous foramen ovale (PFO) closure procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted in 50 patients divided into two groups: in group I (n = 24), accuracy of ICE-TEE in assessing the inter-atrial septum (IAS) was compared with standard TEE, and in group II, we used ICE-TEE to monitor 26 consecutive patients referred for PFO closure. In group I, IAS was constantly visualized with a close correlation between ICE-TEE and standard TEE for IAS excursion (r = 0.9, P < 0.0001). In group II, ICE-TEE allowed to rule out four patients (three without PFO and one with septal atrial defect associated) and identified three complications during PFO closure procedure (pericardial effusion, inadequate device deployment, and cardiac thrombus). Finally, device implantation was successfully performed in the 22 patients with no residual shunt and thrombus observed after 3 months. CONCLUSION: ICE-TEE could be used to monitor PFO closure procedure.

Prognosis value of central venous oxygen saturation in acute decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) provides an estimation of body oxygen consumption/delivery ratio. Its use has been suggested for monitoring treatment of patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) but the optimal target value has never been clearly reported. AIMS: We aimed to address the prognostic value of ScvO2 in ADHF requiring inotrope support. METHODS: ScvO2 was prospectively assessed in 60 patients with ADHF requiring inotrope support (mean age 62±16 years; 45 men; left ventricular ejection fraction 25±7%) and was compared with major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as heart transplantation, cardiac assistance and death. RESULTS: MACE occurred in 22 (35%) patients (14 deaths; eight referred for heart transplantation or cardiac assistance). Admission ScvO2 (mean 57±13%) did not differ between patients with and without MACE. At 24 hours ScvO2 (mean 62±7%) increased only in patients without MACE (65±6% vs. 58±7%; p<0.0001) and was associated with urine output, vena cava diameter and oxygen consumption reduction. No correlation was observed between ScvO2 and cardiac output or catecholamine rate. Multivariable analysis showed that ScvO2 at 24 hours remained an independent predictor of MACE. Using the optimal cut-off of 60% derived from receiver operating characteristic curves, MACE were observed in 81% of patients (17/21) with ScvO2≤60% at 24 hours vs. 13% (5/39) with ScvO2>60% at 24 hours. CONCLUSION: In patients admitted for ADHF requiring inotrope support, ScvO2≤60% despite optimal treatment is a marker of poor outcome and might be an indicator for considering more aggressive therapy.

Correction of anterior mitral prolapse: the parachute technique.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a new surgical technique for the correction of anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. METHODS: From October 2006 to November 2011, 44 consecutive patients (28 males, mean age 55 ± 13 years) underwent mitral valve repair because of anterior mitral leaflet prolapse. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate the distance from the tip of each papillary muscle to the annular plane. A specially designed caliper was used to manufacture a parachute-like device, by looping a 4-0 polytetrafluoroethylene suture between a Dacron strip and Teflon felt pledget, according to the preoperative echocardiographic measurements. This parachute was then used to resuspend the anterior mitral leaflet to the corresponding papillary muscle. Of the 44 patients, 35 (80%) required concomitant posterior leaflet repair. Additional procedures were required in 16 patients (36%). The preoperative logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation was 4.3 ± 6.9. RESULTS: The clinical and echocardiographic follow-up were complete. The total follow-up was 1031 patient-months and averaged 23.4 ± 17.2 months per patient. The overall mortality rate was 4.5% (n = 2). Also, 2 patients (4.5%) with recurrent mitral regurgitation required mitral valve replacement, 1 on the first postoperative day and 1 after 13 months. In the latter patient, histologic analysis showed complete endothelialization of the Dacron strip. At follow-up, all non-reoperated survivors (n = 40) were in New York Heart Association class I, with no regurgitation in 40 patients (93%) and grade 2+ mitral regurgitation in 3 (7%). CONCLUSIONS: This technique offers a simple and reproducible solution for correction of anterior leaflet prolapse. Echocardiography can reliably evaluate the length of the chordae. However, the long-term results must be evaluated and compared with other surgical strategies.

Single-beat versus multibeat real-time 3D echocardiography for assessing left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction: a comparison study with cardiac magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) is superior to 2D echocardiography in assessing left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF), but its feasibility is limited by multibeat acquisition, which requires an optimal breath-hold and a regular heart rhythm. We sought to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of single- and 2-beat RT3DE for LV volume and EF assessment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-six consecutive patients referred for cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) underwent RT3DE and CMR on the same day. Of the 50 patients (age, 59+/-18 years; 68%men; 42% coronary artery disease; LVEF=49+/-14%; limits, 14% to 76%) with an adequate RT3DE image quality, accuracy for LV volumes and EF measurements of single- and 2-beat modalities were compared with the conventional 4-beat acquisition and CMR. Correlations with CMR for LV end-diastolic volume (161+/-59 mL, r=0.93 to 0.94) and end-systolic volume (86+/-56 mL, r=0.93 to 0.96) were excellent regardless of the number of cardiac cycles used. However, because of the low temporal resolution (7+/-2 volumes per second), single-beat underestimated LVEF (bias, -5+/-8%) with greater bias than 2-beat (bias, 1+/-6%, P<0.001) and 4-beat (bias, 3+/-7%, P<0.001) modalities. Interestingly, 2-beat provided accuracy similar to 4-beat for end-diastolic volume (bias, -17+/-21 mL versus -15+/-23 mL), end-systolic volume (bias, -9+/-16 mL versus -12+/-17 mL), and LVEF (bias, 1+/-6% versus 3+/-7%) measurements, but fewer stitching artifacts were observed with 2- than 4-beat modalities (3% versus 30%). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional multibeat acquisitions, 2-beat modality provides similar accuracy in LV volume and EF measurements and should be preferred due to fewer stitching artifacts. In contrast, the temporal resolution of single-beat modality appears insufficient to provide an accurate estimation of LVEF.

Impact of left ventricular size on tissue Doppler and longitudinal strain by speckle tracking for assessing wall motion and mechanical dyssynchrony in candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial dysfunction and left ventricular (LV) geometry deformation may reduce the accuracy of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in assessing myocardial contractility. METHODS: In 92 patients with heart failure who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), we assessed the impact of LV end-diastolic volume on the accuracy of peak longitudinal velocity (TDI) and strain (epsilon(L) by speckle tracking) to assess regional wall motion and LV dyssynchrony. RESULTS: Peak-epsilon correlated to normal (-13% +/- 6%, n = 259), hypokinetic (-10% +/- 5%, n = 347), and akinetic (-7% +/- 5%, n = 498, P < .0001) wall motion independent of LV size. In contrast, velocity failed to distinguish normal from dysfunctional segments in patients with severe LV dilatation (end-diastolic volume > 250 mL). The 12 standard deviation of time to peak systolic velocity and the opposing septal-lateral wall delay by strain and TDI failed to predict response to CRT, whereas the 12 segment standard deviation of time to peak epsilon correlated to end-systolic volume reduction (r = -0.39, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Accuracy of TDI in assessing LV wall regional motion is limited in severely dilated ventricles and probably affects LV dyssynchrony measurement.

Importance of contractile reserve for CRT.

AIMS: To assess whether response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is related to myocardial viability in the paced left ventricular (LV) region, evaluated by contractile reserve (CR). Non-response to CRT may partly be due to inefficient pacing by the LV lead located in a fibrotic area. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nineteen patients (64 +/- 13 years, 14 men, 9 ischaemic) with severe heart failure (EF = 27 +/- 8%, QRS = 154 +/- 25 ms) were included in the week after device implantation. Stroke volume (SV) and LV dyssynchrony (by Tissue Doppler Imaging) were successively assessed with CRT on and CRT off. Afterwards, CRT device was maintained off during dobutamine infusion to assess CR in the LV-pacing region. LV end-systolic volume (ESV) was assessed after 6 months to quantify reverse remodelling. CR in the paced LV region (n = 10, 5/9 ischaemic and 5/10 non-ischaemic) was correlated to a reduction in LV dyssynchrony under CRT (120 +/- 76 vs. 78 +/- 64 ms, P = 0.02). Conversely, LV dyssynchrony was unchanged (161 +/- 100 vs. 163 +/- 80 ms) without CR. In desynchronized patients (>65 ms, n = 15), increase in SV under CRT and changes in ESV at 6 months were +22 and -18%, respectively, when CR was present and 0% and +9%, respectively, when absent. CONCLUSION: Acute haemodynamic response and reverse remodelling under CRT require viability in the target region of LV lead.

Fetuin-A is an independent predictor of death after ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Fetuin-A inhibits inflammation and has a protective effect against myocardial ischemia. Its deficiency has been found to be associated with cardiovascular death in patients with end-stage renal failure disease. We investigated the association between plasma fetuin-A and clinical outcome after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: We measured fetuin-A in 284 consecutive patients with STEMI and correlated these data with the occurrence of death at 6 months (n = 25). We also measured fetuin-A in a control group and chose the 95th percentile as the cutoff to define abnormality. RESULTS: Patient mean (SD) age was 60 (14) years, and creatinine clearance was 83 (31) mL/min; 82% were men. Mean (SD) plasma fetuin-A concentrations at admission [188 (69) mg/L, P = 0.01] and at day 3 [163 (57) mg/L, P <0.0001] were lower in patients than in controls [219 (39) mg/L; 95th percentile 140 mg/L]. Fetuin-A <140 mg/L was observed in 20% of patients at admission vs 40% at day 3 (P <0.001). Fetuin-A concentrations did not correlate with peak cardiac troponin values but did correlate inversely with C-reactive protein (CRP) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Fetuin-A <140 mg/L at admission (OR = 3.3, P = 0.03) and at day 3 (OR = 6.3, P = 0.002) was an independent correlate of death at 6 months, irrespective of NT-proBNP, CRP, or Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications (CADILLAC) risk score. Conversely, fetuin-A > or = 140 mg/L was associated with an excellent survival rate [negative predictive value (NPV) = 97% overall], even in high-risk populations with CADILLAC risk score > or = 6 (NPV = 90% in patients). CONCLUSIONS: Fetuin-A is an important predictor of death at 6 months in STEMI patients independent of NT-proBNP, CRP, and CADILLAC risk score.