Preliminary results from the Polish Infective Endocarditis Registry (POL-ENDO): Time to change clinical practice?

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe valvular disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. AIMS: This preliminary study aimed to evaluate patient profiles and treatment outcomes of IE in Poland and compare them with European IE characteristics. METHODS: We conducted a prospective multicenter observational cohort study - the POL-ENDO registry - in IE patients from 134 hospitals in Poland recruited between August 2022 and August 2023. We evaluated demographic, clinical, imaging, and treatment outcome data. A comparison of the Polish patients with those assessed in the EURO-ENDO registry between January 2016 and March 2018 was performed. RESULTS: Of a total of 880 IE patients, 622 were male (70.7%). The POL-ENDO participants were older (61.4 [16.7] years vs. 59.25 [18.03] years; P = 0.001). Native-valve IE occurred more often in Poland (82.3% vs. 56.6%; P <0.001). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed more frequently in Poland (93.6% vs. 89.8%; P <0.001). New imaging techniques (computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging/positron emission tomography/single-photon emission computed tomography) were less frequently used in Poland (computed tomography: 41.3% vs. 53.2%; P <0.001; magnetic resonance imaging: 6.4% vs. 18.7%; P <0.001). Heart failure occurred more often in Poland as an in-hospital complication (31.4% vs. 14.1%; P <0.001). Surgical treatment was less frequently performed in Poland (36.9% vs. 51.2%; P <0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in Poland (21% vs. 17%; P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Polish IE patients were significantly older and had more comorbidities. New imaging techniques are less frequently used in Poland. Echocardiography was performed more frequently in Poland as the diagnostic mainstay. Surgical treatment was significantly less frequent in Poland. In-hospital mortality in Poland is higher.

Computed tomography assessment of the aortic root morphology in predicting the development of paravalvular leak following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an effective treatment of significant aortic stenosis. Paravalvular leaks (PVLs) are one of the most common complications after the procedure. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess whether the aortic root morphology affects the occurrence of PVL after TAVI. Patients and methods: We enrolled 50 patients with bicuspid and 50 patients with tricuspid aortic valve who underwent multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and transthoracic echocardiography prior to TAVI. The dimensions of the aortic root were assessed by MSCT. PVL after TAVI was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. Patients were divided in 2 groups according to the PVL severity: less than moderate PVL (n = 80) and moderate or worse PVL (n = 20), and comparisons between the groups were performed. Results: Patients with at least moderate PVL, compared with those with less than moderate PVL, had greater mean (SD) area (5.2 [1.1] cm2 vs 4.7 [0.8] cm2; P = 0.02), perimeter (8.4 [0.9] cm vs 7.9 [0.7] cm; P = 0.01), and long axis (29.5 [2.7] mm vs 28 [2.7] mm; P = 0.04) of the aortic annulus and greater mean (SD) area (5.3 [1.3] cm2 vs 4.7 [1.1] cm2; P = 0.04) and perimeter (8.6 [1.1] cm vs 8.1 [0.9] cm; P = 0.02) of the left ventricular outflow tract. In multivariable analysis, bicuspid aortic valve disease, interventricular septum hypertrophy, greater left ventricular outflow tract, and postdilatation were significant predictors of moderate PVL following TAVI. Conclusions: The assessment of the aortic root morphology with MSCT can be helpful in predicting PVL after TAVI.

Association between calcifications of mitro-aortic continuity and mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: The presence of mitral annular calcification (MAC) affects prognosis in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). MAC frequently coexists with calcifications of mitro-aortic continuity (CMAC). AIMS: We aimed at qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of calcifications of the mitral complex - MAC and CMAC in multi-slice computed tomography, in order to assess their impact on the occurrence and dynamics of mitral regurgitation (MR) following TAVI. METHODS: The study group consisted of 94 patients (mean [SD] age was 79.9 [8.02] years; 67.1% female). Agatston scale - Calcium Score was used for quantitative analysis. MAC and CMAC were also assessed semi-quantitatively as either non-severe or severe. MR following TAVI was defined as unchanged, improved or worsened by at least one degree. RESULTS: Patients with MAC (59.6%) had higher mean aortic gradients (P = 0.02) and smaller left ventricular diastolic diameter (P = 0.002). Patients with CMAC (48.9%) had higher Calcium Score aortic valve (P = 0.006). After TAVI MR improved in 17 (18.1%) patients and worsened in 7 (7.5%) patients. In multivariable logistic regression analysis MR worsening was associated with higher CMAC (OR, 1.092; 95% CI, 1.006-1.185; P = 0.03), as well as bicuspid aortic valve (OR, 6.348; 95% CI, 1.048-38.436; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: CMAC was associated with MR worsening following TAVI. This is of relevance in procedural planning in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and coexisting MR in whom arguments for and against surgical repair of concomitant mitral insufficiency are considered.

The role of cardiac computed tomography in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis - A comparison with transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and intra-operative findings.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis is one of the most severe complications after prosthetic valve implantation and an accurate diagnosis is a clinical challenge. The purpose was to assess the diagnostic usefulness of cardiac computed tomography (CT) in valvular and perivalvular complications in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and to compare CT results with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and intraoperative findings. METHODS: The retrospective study included 44 consecutive patients with PVE who underwent cardiac surgery. The mean age was 59.6 ±â€¯12.9 years, 33 (75 %) were males. The presence of vegetations, abscess/pseudoaneurysm, paravalvular leakage (PVL) and inflammatory infiltration were evaluated by TTE, TEE and CT prior to surgery and the results were compared with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Endocarditis affected 47 valves (26 mechanical, 21 biological) in 44 patients. PVE most often affected the aortic valve (n = 36), followed by the mitral valve (n = 9) and the pulmonary valve (n = 2). In the per-valve analysis, the sensitivity of TTE, TEE and CT in diagnosing vegetations was 65 %, 91 % and 96 %; abscess 44 %, 77 % and 89 %; paravalvular leakage 90 %, 100 % and 70 %; inflammatory infiltration 39 %, 56 % and 78 %, respectively. The combination of CT and echocardiography allowed the detection of abscesses/pseudoaneurysms and inflammatory infiltration in all cases except one. CONCLUSION: CT was superior to echocardiography in the diagnosis of paravalvular abscesses, vegetations and inflammatory infiltration. Echocardiography had a higher diagnostic value to CT in the evaluation of paravalvular leakage. Cardiac CT combined with echocardiography improves the diagnostic accuracy of PVE and both modalities should be performed.

Comparison of the geometry of the left ventricle outflow tract, the aortic root and the ascending aorta in patients with severe tricuspid aortic stenosis versus healthy controls.

The purpose of this study was to assess by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) imaging geometry of the ascending aorta, the aortic root, the aortic annulus and the left ventricle outflow tract (LVOT) in aortic stenosis (AS) patients, to compare aortic root morphology in patients with AS with healthy controls and to evaluate sex differences. Fifty patients with severe AS and 50 age- and gender-matched controls who underwent MSCT were included in the study. The dimensions of the LVOT, the aortic annulus, the aortic root, the ascending aorta, and the volume of the aortic root were retrospectively assessed and a comparison was made between patients with severe tricuspid AS and controls. Patients with tricuspid AS in comparison with controls had smaller dimensions of the sinus of Valsalva resulting in reduction of the aortic root volume, whereas the dimensions of the other structures were comparable. MSCT revealed larger annular, LVOT and the sinus of Valsalva dimensions and the aortic root volume in men than women. Men with AS differed from healthy men only in regard to the dimensions of the sinus of Valsalva, while women showed significant differences also in the LVOT, and the aortic annulus. MSCT showed accurately aortic root remodeling in tricuspid AS patients and indentified sex-dependent differences. Women with tricuspid AS differ from healthy women more than men did. A high degree of the variability in the aortic root dimensions requires further careful research.

The usefulness of cardiac CT in the diagnosis of perivalvular complications in patients with infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the usefulness of cardiac CT to transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) and perivalvular complications using surgical inspection as the gold standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-three consecutive patients (42 men, mean age 58.3 ± 12.5) with IE requiring surgical procedures were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent preoperative TTE, TEE, and CT. The presence of vegetations, perivalvular abscess/pseudoaneurysm, leaflet perforation, inflammatory infiltration, and prosthesis dehiscence was assessed. RESULTS: We analyzed 71 affected valves (58 native, 13 prosthetic). Intraoperative assessment revealed 11 abscesses/pseudoaneurysms. Sensitivity and specificity of echocardiography (TTE + TEE) and CT were 63%, 90% and 81%, 90%, respectively. The combination of CT and echocardiography allowed diagnosing all abscesses/pseudoaneurysms. Inflammatory infiltration was found intraoperatively in 15 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of TEE and CT were 53%, 94% and 46%, 100%, respectively. Intraoperative assessment revealed leaflet perforation in 16 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of TEE and CT were 75%, 79% and 43%, 89%. The sensitivity of the combination of TTE + TEE + CT was 81%. Perivalvular leakage was found in eight patients with a prosthetic valve. Sensitivity and specificity of echocardiography and CT were 100%, 100% and 88%, 100%, respectively. TEE showed higher sensitivity (97%) than CT (89%) in the diagnosis of vegetations. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of TTE, TEE, and CT increased the sensitivity for the detection of valvular and perivalvular complications of IE. KEY POINTS: • CT is a useful modality in the diagnosis of IE and its local complications in addition to echocardiography. • For the detection of abscesses and pseudoaneurysms, CT is superior to echocardiography. Combining these two modalities can increase the sensitivity of diagnosing abscess/pseudoaneurysm up to 100%. • Adding CT to TEE increases the sensitivity for detection of inflammatory infiltrate. CT is not superior to echocardiography in diagnosing vegetations, valvular leaflet perforations, and perivalvular leaks, but it can be a useful tool when echocardiography is indeterminate.

The Usefulness of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Infectious Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Whilst echocardiography is currently the 'gold standard' for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE), it has certain limitations and alternative imaging methods are being sought. The study aim was assess the usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging when diagnosing IE. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with diagnosed IE were included in the study. All patients underwent CMR and transthoracic echocardiography, and 16 (80%) underwent also transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: CMR revealed vegetations in 15 patients (75%). Following echocardiography, vegetations were identified in 19 patients (95%) and valve perforation was suspected in seven (35%); vegetations were identified by CMR in six (30%) of these patients. Echocardiography identified two patients suspected of perivalvular abscess; in one patient the abscess was diagnosed also by CMR and intraoperatively, but in the second patient neither CMR nor intraoperative examination confirmed this diagnosis. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was reported at CMR in eight patients (40%), associated with an extension of the inflammatory process and myocardium infiltration. The valve insufficiency fraction allowed the degree of insufficiency of the valves affected by inflammatory processes to be estimated. A positive correlation was found between the degree of valve insufficiency assessed with CMR and echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: CMR may serve as a useful method for diagnosing perivalvular complications in IE patients, although vegetation visualization is limited by the low spatial resolution of the method. CMR may prove superior to echocardiography in evaluating the degree of inflammatory process involvement in the myocardium. The degree of valve insufficiency and its hemodynamic significance can also be assessed.