Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Morphology as a Predictor of Conductance Disturbances Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Conduction disturbances represent one of the most common complications following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We sought to investigate the role of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) morphology in the development of conduction disturbances following TAVR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients who underwent TAVR in our center were included. The ratio between the LVOT area and the aortic annulus area was calculated. Patients were then divided into 2 groups on the basis of this ratio: group 1, which included patients with an LVOT area/aortic annulus area ratio <0.9; and group 2, which included patients with an LVOT area/aortic annulus area ratio ≥0.9. The primary end point was to assess the relationship between LVOT shape and the rate of permanent pacemaker implantation following TAVR. A multivariable analysis was performed to identify predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation following TAVR. From January 2018 to December 2020, 276 patients were included. Ninety-one patients with tapered LVOT morphology were assigned to group 1 and the rest (n=185 patients), tubular LVOT or flared LVOT shape, to group 2. The mean age was 81.5±5.7 years and 57% were women. After adjusting by confounding factors, tapered morphology of the LVOT and prior right bundle-branch block were found to be independent predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation (hazard ratio [HR], 2.6 [95% CI, 1.2-5.7]; P=0.014; and HR: 4.3 [95% CI 2.4-7.6], P<0.001); at a median follow-up time of 15.5 (interquartile range, 15) months. CONCLUSIONS: A tapered-LVOT morphology was associated with increased risk for permanent pacemaker implantation. LVOT morphology may be an additional factor to consider when choosing prosthesis size.

The Incidence, Impact, and Techniques of Commissural Alignment in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Review.

In current clinical practice, commissural alignment of the transcatheter heart valve (THV) during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is seldom achieved. Orientation of the THV within the aortic root and the subsequent influence upon leaflet haemodynamic function, coronary blood flow, and ease of access to the coronary ostia are gaining significant interest. Herein, we review the incidence and clinical implications of commissural misalignment in TAVI and offer thorough descriptions of how optimal alignment can be achieved with several different contemporary THV devices.

Comprehensive Assessment of Myocardial Ischemia Mechanisms in the Catheterization Laboratory: Design and Rationale of the Advanced Invasive Diagnosis Strategy for Patients with Stable Coronary Syndromes Undergoing Coronary ANGIOgraphy - the AID-ANGIO Study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic yield of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) to identify obstructive coronary artery disease in the context of chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) is very low. Furthermore, myocardial ischemia may have a non-obstructive origin, which cannot be detected by ICA. METHODS: AID-ANGIO is an observational, prospective, single-cohort, multicenter study, intended to evaluate the diagnostic yield of adopting a hierarchical strategy to assess obstructive and non-obstructive causes of myocardial ischemia in an all-comers population of patients with CCS at the time of ICA. The primary endpoint will investigate the additional diagnostic value of such strategy over angiography alone regarding the identification of ischemia-generating mechanisms. SUMMARY: An estimated sample of consecutive 260 patients with CCS referred by their clinicians to ICA, will be enrolled. In a stepwise manner, a conventional ICA will be performed as the initial diagnostic tool. Those patients with severe-grade stenosis will not undergo further assessment and an obstructive origin for myocardial ischemia will be assumed. Subsequently, the remainder with intermediate-grade stenosis will be assessed with pressure guidewires. Those with a negative result from physiological evaluation and those without epicardial coronary stenosis will be further studied for ischemia of non-obstructive origin, including microvascular dysfunction and vasomotor disorders. The study will be conducted in two steps. Firstly, ICA images will be displayed to patient's referring clinicians, who will be asked to identify the existent epicardial stenosis, their angiographic severity and probable physiological relevance, together with a tentative therapeutic approach. Then, the diagnostic algorithm will continue to be applied and, considering the whole gathered information, a definite therapeutic plan will be consensually established by the interventional cardiologist and patient's referring clinicians. CONCLUSION: The AID-ANGIO study will assess the additional diagnostic yield of a hierarchical strategy over ICA alone to identify ischemia-generating mechanisms in patients with CCS and its impact on therapeutic approach. Positive results of the study might support a streamlined invasive diagnostic process for patients with CCS.

Killip-Kimball classification in octogenarians with acute coronary syndrome: an 11-year experience / Clasificación de Killip-Kimball en octogenarios con síndrome coronario agudo: 11 años de experiencia

Abstract Objective: The objective of the study is to validate the use of the Killip-Kimball classification (KC) as a predictor of outcomes in an octogenarian cohort with acute coronary syndrome. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a catheterization procedure for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was performed. ACS was defined as per the American Heart Association guidelines, and included ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI and Unstable Angina. We determined factors associated with the KC upon admission to the emergency room. Likewise, we compared in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and other outcomes dividing the patients by KC. Results: A total of 133 patients with a mean age of 83 years were analyzed and assigned a KC from 1 to 4 according to clinical presentation. Each group included 86, 9, 23, and 15 patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 12%, 5% in KC-I, 11% in KC-II, 22% in KC-III, and 40% in KC-IV with a significant difference between classes (p = 0.002). In addition, we found higher KC groups to be associated with acute kidney injury during the hospitalization (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Despite a strong reduction in mortality for elderly patients with ACS in recent decades, patients presenting with ACS and higher KC have a high mortality rate, as described in younger cohorts. KC remains a reliable prognostic tool, with applicability in octogenarian patients.

Resumen Objetivo: Validar el uso de la clasificación de Killip- Kimball como predictor de desenlaces en una cohorte de pacientes octogenarios con síndrome coronario agudo. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a cateterismo por síndrome coronario agudo (ACS). Se incluyeron infarto al miocardio con y sin elevación del segment ST, así como angina inestable, utilizando las definiciones de la American Heart Association (AHA). Se determinaron los factores que influyeron en la clasificación de Killip-Kimball (KC) al momento de ingreso al hospital. Se comparó la mortalidad, la estancia intrahospitalaria y otros desenlaces, dividiendo a los pacientes por su KC. Resultados: Un total de 133 pacientes se incluyeron en el análisis y se clasificaron dependiendo de su KC (I-IV). Cada grupo incluyó 86, 9, 23 y 15 pacientes, respectivamente. La edad media fue de 83 años. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue de 5, 11, 22 y 40%, respectivamente para cada KC, y 12% global. Hubo una diferencia significativa en la mortalidad por clase (p = 0.002). Adicionalmente, se encontró que a mayor KC, mayor riesgo de lesión renal aguda durante la hospitalización (p < 0.01). Conclusión: A pesar de una reducción en la mortalidad de adultos mayores con ACS en décadas recients, pacientes con ACS y mayor KC tienen riesgo aumentado de morir, igual que pacientes en grupos de edad menores. La KC continñua siendo una herramienta confiable para la clasificación y con utilidad pronóstica, con aplicabilidad en pacientes mayores de 80 años.

Killip-Kimball classification in octogenarians with acute coronary syndrome: An 11-year experience.

Objective: The objective of the study is to validate the use of the Killip-Kimball classification (KC) as a predictor of outcomes in an octogenarian cohort with acute coronary syndrome. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a catheterization procedure for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was performed. ACS was defined as per the American Heart Association guidelines, and included ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI and Unstable Angina. We determined factors associated with the KC upon admission to the emergency room. Likewise, we compared in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and other outcomes dividing the patients by KC. Results: A total of 133 patients with a mean age of 83 years were analyzed and assigned a KC from 1 to 4 according to clinical presentation. Each group included 86, 9, 23, and 15 patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 12%, 5% in KC-I, 11% in KC-II, 22% in KC-III, and 40% in KC-IV with a significant difference between classes (p = 0.002). In addition, we found higher KC groups to be associated with acute kidney injury during the hospitalization (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Despite a strong reduction in mortality for elderly patients with ACS in recent decades, patients presenting with ACS and higher KC have a high mortality rate, as described in younger cohorts. KC remains a reliable prognostic tool, with applicability in octogenarian patients.

Objetivo: Validar el uso de la clasificación de Killip- Kimball como predictor de desenlaces en una cohorte de pacientes octogenarios con síndrome coronario agudo. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a cateterismo por síndrome coronario agudo (ACS). Se incluyeron infarto al miocardio con y sin elevación del segment ST, así como angina inestable, utilizando las definiciones de la American Heart Association (AHA). Se determinaron los factores que influyeron en la clasificación de Killip-Kimball (KC) al momento de ingreso al hospital. Se comparó la mortalidad, la estancia intrahospitalaria y otros desenlaces, dividiendo a los pacientes por su KC. Resultados: Un total de 133 pacientes se incluyeron en el análisis y se clasificaron dependiendo de su KC (I-IV). Cada grupo incluyó 86, 9, 23 y 15 pacientes, respectivamente. La edad media fue de 83 años. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue de 5, 11, 22 y 40%, respectivamente para cada KC, y 12% global. Hubo una diferencia significativa en la mortalidad por clase (p = 0.002). Adicionalmente, se encontró que a mayor KC, mayor riesgo de lesión renal aguda durante la hospitalización (p < 0.01). Conclusión: A pesar de una reducción en la mortalidad de adultos mayores con ACS en décadas recients, pacientes con ACS y mayor KC tienen riesgo aumentado de morir, igual que pacientes en grupos de edad menores. La KC continñua siendo una herramienta confiable para la clasificación y con utilidad pronóstica, con aplicabilidad en pacientes mayores de 80 años.