A life-threatening presentation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

: Necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis (NEM) is a life-threatening condition that needs rapid diagnosis by endomyocardial biopsy and hemodynamic support usually by mechanical circulatory systems. We present the case of a 25-year-old Caucasian man who developed a refractory cardiogenic shock due to a NEM that was supported with a peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation associated with intravenous steroids and recovered after 2 weeks. Further instrumental investigations lead to the final diagnosis of NEM as first presentation of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly Churg-Strauss syndrome), remarking the importance of identifying the systemic disorder that usually triggers the eosinophilic damage of the myocardium.

Right anterior mini-thoracotomy direct aortic self-expanding trans-catheter aortic valve implantation: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been designed to treat elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk for surgery. These patients are also often affected by severe iliac-femoral arteriopathy, rendering the trans-femoral approach unusable. We report our experience with the direct-aortic approach to treat these patients. METHODS: From May 2008 to November 2013 two hundred and thirty-two patients (131 female, 56%) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and no reasonable surgical option due to excessive risk were evaluated for TAVI at our department. Of these patients, 202 were deemed eligible for TAVI. Of this group, 50 underwent CoreValve implantation by the direct aortic approach through a right anterior mini-thoracotmy (28 female, 56%), mean age 81.2±6.9. A combined team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons with expertise in hybrid procedures, and anesthetists performed all the procedures. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (56%) patients were female and 11 (22%) were redo at TAVI. We used a 23-mm CoreValve Evolute in 3 patients (6%), and the most used valve size was the 29mm in 46% of patients. Mean hemodynamic trans-aortic gradient was less than 5mmHg. The paravalvular regurgitation was ≤ grade 1 in 46 patients as assessed by peri-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Seven patients (7/43, 16%) required a permanent pacemaker implantation; 30-day mortality was 6% (3 patients). Seven patients (14.8%) died during follow-up. Actuarial survival at 2years is 84.7±5.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the direct aortic approach is safe and feasible, offering a new attractive option to treat selected high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and peripheral vasculopathy, including those requiring a re-do procedure.

Myocardial interleukin-6 in the setting of left ventricular mechanical assistance: relation with outcome and C-reactive protein.

BACKGROUND: In left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients, plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 are associated with Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profiles, reflecting post-operative risk. However, it is not clear how the cardiac level of IL-6, detectable on the tissue samples at the time of implantation, can contribute to predict the post-operative outcome. METHODS: In 40 LVAD recipients, blood and myocardial samples from LV-apex were collected at the time of implantation to assess plasma and cardiac IL-6 levels. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were considered as inflammatory variable routinely used in LVAD-based therapy. RESULTS: Cardiac IL-6 levels did not correlate with either plasma IL-6 levels (R=0.296, p=0.063) and tissue IL-6 mRNA expression (R=-0.013, p=0.954). Contrary to what happened for the plasma IL-6 and CRP, no differences were observed in cardiac IL-6 levels with respect to INTERMACS profiles (p=0.090). Furthermore, cardiac IL-6 concentrations, unlike IL-6 and CRP circulating levels, were not correlated with the length of intensive care unit stay and hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac IL-6 levels do not contribute to improve risk profile of LVAD recipients in relation to clinical inpatient post-implantation. Instead, plasma IL-6 and serum CRP concentrations are more effective in predicting the severity of the clinical course in the early phase of LVAD therapy.

Uncovering the cathepsin system in heart failure patients submitted to Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation.

BACKGROUND: In end-stage heart failure (HF), the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is able to induce reverse remodeling. Cellular proteases, such as cathepsins, are involved in the progression of HF. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cathepsin system in HF patients supported by LVAD, in order to determine their involvement in cardiac remodeling. METHODS: The expression of cysteine (CatB, CatK, CatL, CatS) and serine cathepsin (CatG), and relative inhibitors (Cystatin B, C and SerpinA3, respectively) was determined in cardiac biopsies of 22 patients submitted to LVAD (pre-LVAD) and compared with: 1) control stable chronic HF patients on medical therapy at the moment of heart transplantation without prior LVAD (HT, n = 7); 2) patients supported by LVAD at the moment of transplantation (post-LVAD, n = 6). RESULTS: The expression of cathepsins and their inhibitors was significantly higher in pre-LVAD compared to the HT group and LVAD induced a further increase in the cathepsin system. Significant positive correlations were observed between cardiac expression of cathepsins and their inhibitors as well as inflammatory cytokines. In the pre-LVAD group, a relationship of cathepsins with dilatative etiology and length of hospitalization was found. CONCLUSIONS: A parallel activation of cathepsins and their inhibitors was observed after LVAD support. The possible clinical importance of these modifications is confirmed by their relation with patients' outcome. A better discovery of these pathways could add more insights into the cardiac remodeling during HF.

Relationship between early inflammatory response and clinical evolution of the severe multiorgan failure in mechanical circulatory support-treated patients.

BACKGROUND: The mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is an effective treatment in critically ill patients with end-stage heart failure (ESHF) that, however, may cause a severe multiorgan failure syndrome (MOFS) in these subjects. The impact of altered inflammatory response, associated to MOFS, on clinical evolution of MCS postimplantation patients has not been yet clarified. METHODS: Circulating cytokines, adhesion molecules, and a marker of monocyte activation (neopterin) were determined in 53 MCS-treated patients, at preimplant and until 2 weeks. MOFS was evaluated by total sequential organ failure assessment score (tSOFA). RESULTS: During MCS treatment, 32 patients experienced moderate MOFS (tSOFA < 11; A group), while 21 patients experienced severe MOFS (tSOFA ≥ 11) with favorable (B group) or adverse (n = 13, C group) outcomes. At preimplant, higher values of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were the only parameter independently associated with A group. In C group, during the first postoperative week, high levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and an increase of neopterin and adhesion molecules, precede tSOFA worsening and exitus. CONCLUSIONS: The MCS patients of C group show an excessive release to IL-8 and TNF-α, and monocyte-endothelial activation after surgery, that might contribute to the unfavourable evolution of severe MOFS.

Self-expandable transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis after mitral valve surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has emerged as a valuable option to treat patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, who are not being considered for surgery because of significant comorbidities. Concerns exist over treating patients who have previously undergone mitral valve surgery for possible interference between the percutaneous aortic valve and the mitral prosthesis or ring. METHODS: At our centre, from May 2008 to December 2012, 172 patients (76 male) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis were eligible for transcatheter aortic valve implant. Nine patients, affected by severe aortic stenosis, had previously undergone mitral valve surgery (4 mono-leaflet, 3 bileaflet, 1 bioprosthesis, 1 mitral ring); they were considered high-risk surgical candidates following joint evaluation by cardiac surgeons and cardiologist and had undergone TAVI. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent standard femoral retrograde CoreValve(®) (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, USA) implantation, two patients underwent a direct aortic implantation through a mini-thoracotomy. All patients experienced immediate improvement of their haemodynamic status. No deformation of the nitinol tubing of the CoreValve, nor distortion or malfunction of the mechanical valve or mitral ring, occurred as assessed by echographical and fluoroscopic evaluation. No major postoperative complications occurred. In all patients , echocardiography indicated normal valve function during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience confirms the feasibility of CoreValve implantation in patients with mechanical mitral valves or mitral annuloplasty ring.

Direct aortic transcatheter valve implantation via mini-thoracotomy using the Medtronic CoreValve.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation using the Medtronic CoreValve is a well-established procedure. Although previously carried out only through the common femoral artery, today it is possible to perform the procedure through different arterial alternative access sites. A direct aortic approach through the ascending aorta could be carried out via a right anterior mini-thoracotomy in the second intercostal space. The pericardium is opened to expose the aorta. Two purse-string sutures are then placed on the ascending aorta and a standard retrograde CoreValve implantation is performed with the standard delivery system. Advantages, contraindications, surgical technique and results are discussed.

Direct aortic access for transcatheter self-expanding aortic bioprosthetic valves implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been designed to treat elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk for operation; however, these patients are also often affected by severe iliac-femoral arteriopathy that prohibits the transfemoral approach. METHODS: From May 2008 to January 2012, 400 patients were evaluated for TAVI at our center; of these, 141 patients (64 men; mean age 81.3±8 years) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and no reasonable surgical option due to excessive risk were eligible for CoreValve (137 patients; Medtronic Inc, MN) or Sapien (Edwards Lifesciences, CA) implantation. Twenty-five patients (all affected by severe peripheral vasculopathy, including five re-do procedures), with a mean The Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality score 11%±6%, underwent CoreValve implantation directly from the ascending aorta through a right anterior minithoracotomy. This case series was reviewed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of these patients. A combined team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons with expertise in hybrid procedures, and anesthetists performed all the procedures. RESULTS: In all patients after valve deployment, the mean aortic gradient immediately dropped to 5 mm Hg or less, and the angiographic grade aortic insufficiency was 1 or less in 22 patients. One patient was converted to the transfemoral approach due to an extremely fragile aortic wall, but the patient died of abdominal aorta aneurysm rupture on postoperative day 1. Procedural success was obtained in the remaining 24 patients. A left ventricle tear in 1 patient was successfully surgically treated. Four patients required a permanent pacemaker implantation. Thirty-day mortality was 8% (2 patients). All discharged patients improved their New York Heart Association functional class and functional capacity, and echocardiograms demonstrated good valve performance up to 2 years (mean valve gradient, 9 mm Hg). During follow-up, 1 patient died of cachexia and another of bone marrow aplasia. CONCLUSIONS: TAVI with the direct aortic approach is safe and feasible, offering a new attractive option to treat selected high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and peripheral vasculopathy, including those requiring a re-do procedure, and has emerged as a valuable alternative route to transapical access.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm associated with septal ventricular rupture following myocardial infarction.

We report a case of anterior left ventricular pseudoaneurysm and associated interventricular septal defect, following myocardial infarction. This report shows an unusual clinical presentation, successful echocardiographic management and surgical findings. Echocardiography appeared to be a useful technique, safe and specific for the diagnosis of a rare complication of myocardial infarction. Early recognition of this rare complication has therapeutic importance because immediate surgical correction is life saving.