Gender Differences and Outcomes of Hypoattenuated Leaflet Thickening (HALT) Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Meta-analysis of Randomized and Cohort Studies.

Subclinical leaflet thrombosis is characterized by hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on computed tomography. However, given the low incidence of HALT after TAVR, the clinical significance of HALT is still being investigated. We sought to generate a more reliable estimate of the risk factors and adverse outcomes associated with HALT after TAVR by pooling data from randomized trials and cohort studies. PubMed/Medline database was systematically searched from inception until November 24, 2021, using the following terms: ("hypoattenuated leaflet thickening" and "transcatheter aortic valve replacement") and ("Subclinical leaflet thrombosis" and "transcatheter aortic valve replacement"). A random effects model meta-analysis was conducted using Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (ORs) and the associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs), mean difference and the associated 95%. Ten studies with a total of 1462 patients were included, with follow-up ranging between 4 months and 3 years. HALT occurred in 14.4% of the patients undergoing TAVR. HALT was not associated with increased risk of stroke/TIA (OR 1.38; 95% CI [0.61-3.11]; I2=0%) or increased risk of all-cause mortality (OR 0.67; 95% CI [0.25-1.80]; I2=0). HALT was associated with a greater post-procedural mean aortic valve gradient (mean difference 2.31 mmHg; 95% CI [0.27, 4.35]; I2=71%). Interestingly, there was a trend of higher risk of HALT in men (OR 1.37; 95% CI [0.82-2.30]; I2=44%) while there was a trend towards lower risk of HALT in the presence of CKD (OR 0.76; 95% CI [0.49-1.19]; I2=0%); these trends did not reach statistical significance. This meta-analysis shows that the occurrence of HALT following TAVR is associated with a greater post-procedural mean aortic valve gradient but no excess risk of death or cerebrovascular events. The clinical significance of this higher post-procedural mean aortic valve gradient is uncertain and requires further investigations.

Long Term Risk of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Stroke after Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation Complicating Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Surgeries.

BACKGROUND: New onset post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) can complicate both non-cardiac(NCS) and cardiac(CS) surgeries. Long term differences in recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and incidence of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack(CVA)between these types of POAFare lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare thelong term recurrence rate of AF and incidence of CVAin patients withnew onset POAF after CS and NCS. METHODS: All patients who developed POAF between May 2010 and April 2014 were included in this single-center, retrospective study Exclusion criteria included a prior history of atrial tachyarrhythmias and pre-operative use of anti-arrhythmic drugs. Recurrence of atrial fibrillation and CVA was identified by review of medical records, electrocardiogram and Holter monitor. RESULTS: patients identified by the ICD9 code=523, 112 patients (61 cardiac; 51 non-cardiac) met inclusion criteria. Mean follow up was 943 days (range 32-2052 days).AF recurrence rate within 30 days after hospital discharge was higher in CS compared with NCS(10% vs 0%, p =0.03). Kaplan Meier analysis showed a trend towards higher recurrence in NCS compared with CS(HR 2.8; 95% CI 0.78-10.6, log rank p =0.03).In long term follow-up, CVA was numerically more common in patients with POAF after CS compared withNCS(10% vs 2%) though this difference was non-significant(HR 3.1; 95% CI 0.72-13.3; log rank p =0.26). CONCLUSION: The risk of recurrent AF and ischemic stroke is not different between POAF after CS or NCS. The overall high rate of AF recurrence and risk of ischemic stroke mandate careful long term follow-up.

The Importance of Right Ventricular Lead Positioning in Determining Outcomes of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is known to improve clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure and left ventricular dyssynchrony. However, the optimal positioning of the right ventricular lead is unknown, and there is conflicting data on the acute hemodynamic effects and long-term outcomes. Here, we present a case of a patient who underwent implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker for complete heart block, but who after three months, still had symptoms consistent with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV heart failure. After optimal medical therapy failed and a left ventricular lead was placed, he still remained symptomatic, so the right ventricular lead was repositioned from the right ventricular outflow tract to the right ventricular apex. Afterwards, the patient's symptoms improved from NYHA Class IV to NYHA Class II, and his left ventricular ejection fraction improved from 20% to 45%.