Contrast Volume-to-Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Ratio as a Predictor of Short-Term Outcomes Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background/Objectives: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with early mortality and adverse events. However, in the setting of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), previous literature has failed to establish a correlation between the absolute volume of contrast media administered and mortality. We aimed to investigate the impact of contrast volume administered normalised to estimated glomerular filtration rate (CV/eGFR) on the development of AKI and on 30-day all-cause mortality in TAVI patients. Methods: We retrospectively analysed a cohort of 1150 patients who underwent TAVI at our unit between 2015 and 2018. Results: Follow-up was complete for 1064 patients. There were 23 deaths within the follow-up period and 76 cases of AKI, 9 of which required new renal replacement therapy (RRT). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed fair discrimination for 30-day all-cause mortality at a CV/eGFR ratio of 3.6 (area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.671). Of patients in whom CV data were available, 86.0% (n = 757) had a CV/eGFR < 3.6 and 14.0% (n = 123) had a CV/eGFR ≥ 3.6. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, CV/eGFR ≥ 3.6 was the strongest predictor of 30-day all-cause mortality (odds ratio 5.06, 95% confidence interval [1.61-15.7], p = 0.004). Other independent predictors were procedural urgency (3.28 [1.04-10.3], p = 0.038) and being under general anaesthesia (4.81 [1.10-17.3], p = 0.023). CV/eGFR ≥ 3.6 was also independently associated with significantly increased odds of AKI (2.28 [1.20-4.17], p = 0.009) alongside significant non-left main stem coronary artery disease (2.56 [1.45-4.66], p = 0.001), and diabetes (1.82 [1.03-3.19], p = 0.037). In supplementary ROC curve analysis, a similar CV/eGFR cut point of 3.6 was found to be an excellent predictor for new RRT (AUC 0.833). Conclusions: In conclusion, a CV/eGFR ≥ 3.6 post-TAVI was found to be a strong predictor of 30-day mortality and AKI. The maximum contrast volume that can be safely administered in each patient without significantly increasing the risk of mortality and AKI can be calculated using this ratio.

Age Is a Predictor of In-Hospital Outcomes for Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Nationwide Analysis.

The 2018 heart allocation system has significantly influenced heart transplantation and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) utilization. Our study aims to investigate age-related outcomes following LVAD implantation in the post-allocation era. Using the National Inpatient Sample, we analyzed data from 7375 patients who underwent LVAD implantation between 2019 and 2020. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality following LVAD implantation, stratified by age categories. The age groups were 18-49, 50-59, 60-69, and over 70. These represented 26%, 26%, 31%, and 17% of patients, respectively. Patients aged 60-69 and those over 70 exhibited higher in-hospital mortality rates of 12% and 17%, respectively, compared to younger age groups (7% for 18-49 and 6% for 50-59). The age groups 60-69 and over 70 were independent predictors of mortality, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.99 (p = 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-3.57) and 2.88 (p = 0.002; 95% CI, 1.45-5.71), respectively. Additionally, a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index was associated with increased in-hospital mortality risk (adjusted odds ratio 1.39; p = 0.02; 95% CI, 1.05-1.84). Additionally, patients above 70 experienced a statistically shorter length of stay. Nonhome discharge was found to be significantly high across all age categories. However, the difference in hospitalization cost was not statistically significant across the age groups. Our study highlights that patients aged 60 and above face an increased risk of in-hospital mortality following LVAD implantation in the post-allocation era. This study sheds light on age-related outcomes and emphasizes the importance of considering age in LVAD patient selection and management strategies.

Clinical Outcomes Among Immunotherapy-Treated Patients With Primary Cardiac Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Primary cardiac soft tissue sarcomas (CSTS) affect young adults, with dismal outcomes. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with CSTS receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: A retrospective, multi-institutional cohort study was conducted among patients with CSTS between 2015 and 2022. The patients were treated with ICI-based regimens. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Objective response rates were determined according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Treatment-related adverse events were graded per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. Results: Among 24 patients with CSTS, 17 (70.8%) were White, and 13 (54.2%) were male. Eight patients (33.3%) had angiosarcoma. At the time of ICI treatment, 18 patients (75.0%) had metastatic CSTS, and 4 (16.7%) had locally advanced disease. ICIs were administered as the first-line therapy in 6 patients (25.0%) and as the second-line therapy or beyond in 18 patients (75.0%). For the 18 patients with available response data, objective response rate was 11.1% (n = 2 of 18). The median PFS and median OS in advanced and metastatic CSTS (n = 22) were 5.7 months (95% CI: 2.8-13.3 months) and 14.9 months (95% CI: 5.7-23.7 months), respectively. The median PFS and OS were significantly shorter in patients with cardiac angiosarcomas than in those with nonangiosarcoma CSTS: median PFS was 1.7 vs 11 months, respectively (P < 0.0001), and median OS was 3.0 vs 24.0 months, respectively (P = 0.008). Any grade treatment-related adverse events occurred exclusively in the 15 patients with nonangiosarcoma CSTS (n = 7 [46.7%]), of which 6 (40.0%) were grade ≥3. Conclusions: Although ICIs demonstrate modest activity in CSTS, durable benefit was observed in a subset of patients with nonangiosarcoma, albeit with higher toxicity.

Computed tomography derived anatomical predictors of vascular access complications following transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Vascular complications after percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are associated with adverse clinical outcomes and remain a significant challenge. AIMS: The purpose of this review is to synthesize the existing evidence regarding the iliofemoral artery features predictive of vascular complications after TAVI on pre-procedural contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: A systematic search was performed in Embase and Medline (Pubmed) databases. Studies of patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI with MDCT were included. Studies with only valve-in-valve TAVI, planned surgical intervention and those using fluoroscopic assessment were excluded. Data on study cohort, procedural characteristics and significant predictors of vascular complications were extracted. RESULTS: We identified 23 original studies involving 8697 patients who underwent TAVI between 2006 and 2020. Of all patients, 8514 (97.9%) underwent percutaneous transfemoral-TAVI, of which 8068 (94.8%) had contrast-enhanced MDCT. The incidence of major vascular complications was 6.7 ± 4.1% and minor vascular complications 26.1 ± 7.8%. Significant independent predictors of major and minor complications related to vessel dimensions were common femoral artery depth (>54 mm), sheath-to-iliofemoral artery diameter ratio (>0.91-1.19), sheath-to-femoral artery diameter ratio (>1.03-1.45) and sheath-to-femoral artery area ratio (>1.35). Substantial iliofemoral vessel tortuosity predicted 2-5-fold higher vascular risk. Significant iliofemoral calcification predicted 2-5-fold higher risk. The iliac morphology score was the only hybrid scoring system with predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Independent iliofemoral predictors of access-site complications in TAVI were related to vessel size, depth, calcification and tortuosity. These should be considered when planning transfemoral TAVI and in the design of future risk prediction models.

Association of Lipoprotein(a) Levels With Myocardial Fibrosis in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) has been identified as an emerging risk factor for adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, including heart failure. However, the connections among Lp(a), myocardial fibrosis (interstitial and replacement), and cardiac remodeling as pathways to CV diseases remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the relationship between Lp(a) levels and myocardial fibrosis by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement, as well as cardiac remodeling by cine CMR, in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort. METHODS: The study included 2,040 participants with baseline Lp(a) measurements and T1 mapping for interstitial myocardial fibrosis (IMF) evaluation in 2010. Lp(a) was analyzed as a continuous variable (per log unit) and using clinical cutoff values of 30 and 50 mg/dL. Multivariate linear and logistic regression were used to assess the associations of Lp(a) with CMR measures of extracellular volume (ECV fraction [ECV%]), native T1 time, and myocardial scar, as well as parameters of cardiac remodeling, in 2,826 participants. RESULTS: Higher Lp(a) levels were associated with increased ECV% (per log-unit Lp[a]; ß = 0.2%; P = 0.007) and native T1 time (per log-unit Lp[a]; ß = 4%; P < 0.001). Similar relationships were observed between elevated Lp(a) levels and a higher risk of clinically significant IMF defined by prognostic thresholds per log-unit Lp(a) of ECV% (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.04-1.43) and native T1 (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1-1.4) equal to 30% and 955 ms, respectively. Clinically used Lp(a) cutoffs (30 and 50 mg/dL) were associated with greater prevalence of myocardial scar (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.1-3.2 and OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.4, respectively). Finally, higher Lp(a) levels were associated with left atrial enlargement and dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Lp(a) levels are linked to greater subclinical IMF, increased myocardial scar prevalence, and left atrial remodeling.

Higher HDL cholesterol levels are associated with increased markers of interstitial myocardial fibrosis in the MultiEthnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Emerging research indicates that high HDL-C levels might not be cardioprotective, potentially worsening cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. Yet, there is no data on HDL-C's association with other CVD risk factors like myocardial fibrosis, a key aspect of cardiac remodeling predicting negative outcomes. We therefore aimed to study the association between HDL-C levels with interstitial myocardial fibrosis (IMF) and myocardial scar measured by CMR T1-mapping and late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE), respectively. There were 1863 participants (mean age of 69 years) who had both serum HDL-C measurements and underwent CMR. Analysis was done among those with available indices of interstitial fibrosis (extracellular volume fraction [ECV]; N = 1172 and native-T1; N = 1863) and replacement fibrosis by LGE (N = 1172). HDL-C was analyzed as both logarithmically-transformed and categorized into < 40 (low),40-59 (normal), and ≥ 60mg/dL (high). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were constructed to assess the associations of HDL-C with CMR-obtained measures of IMF, ECV% and native-T1 time, and myocardial scar, respectively. In the fully adjusted model, each 1-SD increment of log HDL-C was associated with a 1% increment in ECV% (p = 0.01) and an 18-ms increment in native-T1 (p < 0.001). When stratified by HDL-C categories, those with high HDL-C (≥ 60mg/dL) had significantly higher ECV (ß = 0.5%, p = 0.01) and native-T1 (ß = 7 ms, p = 0.01) compared with those with normal HDL-C levels. Those with low HDL-C were not associated with IMF. Results remained unchanged after excluding individuals with a history of myocardial infarction. Neither increasing levels of HDL-C nor any HDL-C category was associated with the prevalence of myocardial scar. Increasing levels of HDL-C were associated with increased markers of IMF, with those with high levels of HDL-C being linked to subclinical fibrosis in a community-based setting.

Higher HDL Cholesterol Levels Are Associated with Increased Markers of Interstitial Myocardial Fibrosis: Insights from The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background: Emerging research indicates that high HDL-C levels might not be cardioprotective, potentially worsening cardiovascular disease(CVD)outcomes. Yet, there's no data on HDL-C's association with other CVD risk factors like myocardial fibrosis, a key aspect of cardiac remodeling predicting negative outcomes. We therefore aimed to study the association between HDL-C levels with interstitial myocardial fibrosis (IMF) and myocardial scar measured by CMR T1-mapping and late-gadolinium enhancement(LGE), respectively. Methods: There were 1,863 participants (mean age of 69-years) who had both serum HDL-C measurements and underwent CMR. Analysis was done among those with available indices of interstitial fibrosis (extracellular volume fraction[ECV];N=1,172 and native-T1;N=1,863) and replacement fibrosis by LGE(N=1,172). HDL-C was analyzed as both logarithmically-transformed and categorized into <40 (low), 40-59 (normal), and ≥60mg/dL (high). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were constructed to assess the associations of HDL-C with CMR-obtained measures of IMF, ECV% and native-T1 time, and myocardial scar, respectively. Results: In the fully adjusted model, each 1-SD increment of log HDL-C was associated with a 1% increment in ECV%(p=0.01) and an 18-ms increment in native-T1(p<0.001). When stratified by HDL-C categories, those with high HDL-C(≥60mg/dL) had significantly higher ECV(ß=0.5%,p=0.01) and native-T1(ß =7ms,p=0.01) compared with those with normal HDL-C levels. Those with low HDL-C were not associated with IMF. Results remained unchanged after excluding individuals with a history of myocardial infarction. Neither increasing levels of HDL-C nor any HDL-C category was associated with the prevalence of myocardial scar. Conclusions: Increasing levels of HDL-C were associated with increased markers of IMF, with those with high levels of HDL-C being linked to subclinical fibrosis in a community-based setting.

Endogenous Sex Hormone Levels and Myocardial Fibrosis in Men and Postmenopausal Women.

BACKGROUND: Sex hormone (SH) imbalances have been linked to a higher risk of heart failure in both sexes. However, mechanisms that underlie this relationship remain unclear. We examined the association of baseline SH with interstitial and replacement myocardial fibrosis in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the link between baseline sex hormone levels and myocardial fibrosis in the MESA cohort using CMR. METHODS: A total of 2,324 participants (men and postmenopausal women [PMW]) were included in the MESA with SH measured at baseline and had underwent CMR 10 years later. All analyses were stratified by sex and age. Regression models were constructed to assess the associations of baseline SH with extracellular volume (ECV)% and native T1 time and with LGE. Higher native T1 time and ECV% are interpreted as evidence of increasing interstitial myocardial fibrosis (IMF). Given the limited number of myocardial scars present in PMW, analysis of LGE was limited to men. RESULTS: Among older men (age ≥65 years), a 1-SD increment higher free testosterone was significantly associated with 2.45% lower ECV% and 21.5% lower native T1 time, while a 1-SD increment higher bioavailable testosterone was associated with 12.5% lower native T1 time. A 1-SD increment greater sex hormone-binding globulin level was associated with 1% higher ECV%. Among PMW of 55 to 64 years, a 1-SD increment higher total testosterone was associated with 9.5% lower native T1 time. Higher levels of estradiol in older men were independently associated with higher odds of having a myocardial scar (OR: 4.10; 95% CI: 1.35-12.40; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Among older men, SH imbalances at initial evaluation were independently associated with CMR defined IMF and replacement fibrosis, respectively; while increasing total testosterone in middle-aged PMW was associated with lesser marker of IMF. (JACC Adv 2023;2:100320) Published by Elsevier on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Outcomes After Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement According to Regurgitation Etiology.

BACKGROUND: Whether transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) devices perform similarly with respect to the underlying mitral regurgitation (MR) etiology remains unknown. The aim of the present analysis was to assess outcomes of TMVR according to the MR underlying etiology among the CHoice of OptImal transCatheter trEatment for Mitral Insufficiency (CHOICE-MI) registry. METHODS: Of 746 patients, 229 patients (30.7%) underwent TMVR. The study population was subdivided according to primary, secondary, or mixed MR. Patients with mitral annular calcification were excluded. The primary study endpoint was a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or hospitalization for heart failure at 1 year. Secondary study endpoints were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality at 1 year, New York Heart Association functional class, and residual MR, both at discharge and 1 year. RESULTS: The predominant MR etiology was secondary MR (58.4%), followed by primary MR (28.7%) and mixed MR (12.9%). Technical success and procedural mortality were similar according to MR etiology. Discharge echocardiography revealed residual MR 2+ in 11.3%, 3.7%, and 5.3% of patients with primary, secondary, and mixed MR, respectively (P = .1). MR elimination was similar in all groups up to the 1-year follow-up. There was no difference in terms of primary combined outcome occurrence according to MR etiology. One-year all-cause mortality was reported in 28.8%, 24.2%, and 32.1% of patients with primary, secondary, and mixed MR, respectively (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: In our study we did not find differences in short-term and 1-year outcomes after TMVR according to MR etiology.

Clinical outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve replacement: two-year results of the CHOICE-MI Registry.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) using dedicated devices is an alternative therapy for high-risk patients with symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR). AIMS: This study aimed to assess the 2-year outcomes and predictors of mortality in patients undergoing TMVR from the multicentre CHOICE-MI Registry. METHODS: The CHOICE-MI Registry included consecutive patients with symptomatic MR treated with 11 different dedicated TMVR devices at 31 international centres. The investigated endpoints included mortality and heart failure hospitalisation rates, procedural complications, residual MR, and functional status. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was applied to identify independent predictors of 2-year mortality. RESULTS: A total of 400 patients, median age 76 years (interquartile range [IQR] 71, 81), 59.5% male, EuroSCORE II 6.2% (IQR 3.8, 12.0), underwent TMVR. Technical success was achieved in 95.2% of patients. MR reduction to ≤1+ was observed in 95.2% at discharge with durable results at 1 and 2 years. New York Heart Association Functional Class had improved significantly at 1 and 2 years. All-cause mortality was 9.2% at 30 days, 27.9% at 1 year and 38.1% at 2 years after TMVR. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and low serum albumin were independent predictors of 2-year mortality. Among the 30-day complications, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, access site and bleeding complications showed the strongest impact on 2-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this real-world registry of patients with symptomatic MR undergoing TMVR, treatment with TMVR was associated with a durable resolution of MR and significant functional improvement at 2 years. Two-year mortality was 38.1%. Optimised patient selection and improved access site management are mandatory to improve outcomes.

Periodontal Disease Associated With Interstitial Myocardial Fibrosis: The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Background Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease common among adults. It has been suggested that periodontal disease (PD) may be a contributing risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, pathways underlying such a relationship require further investigation. Methods and Results A total of 665 men (mean age 68±9 years) and 611 women (mean age 67±9 years) enrolled in the MESA (Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) underwent PD assessment using a 2-item questionnaire at baseline (2000-2002) and had cardiovascular magnetic resonance 10 years later. PD was defined when participants reported either a history of periodontitis or gum disease or lost teeth caused by periodontitis or gum disease. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to assess the associations of baseline self-reported PD with cardiovascular magnetic resonance-obtained measures of interstitial myocardial fibrosis (IMF), including extracellular volume and native T1 time. Men with a self-reported history of PD had greater extracellular volume percent (ß=0.6%±0.2, P=0.01). This association was independent of age, left ventricular mass, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and history of myocardial infarction. In a subsequent model, substituting myocardial infarction for coronary artery calcium score, the association of PD with IMF remained significant (ß=0.6%±0.3, P=0.03). In women, a self-reported history of PD was not linked to higher IMF. Importantly, a self-reported history of PD was not found to be associated with myocardial scar independent of sex (odds ratio, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.62-1.65]; P=0.9). Conclusions In a community-based setting, men but not women with a self-reported PD history at baseline were found to be associated with increased measures of IMF. These findings support a plausible link between PD, a proinflammatory condition, and subclinical IMF.

Conventional aortic root vs valve-sparing root replacement surgery in aortic dilatation syndromes: a comparison of mortality and postoperative complications.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional aortic root and valve-sparing root replacement surgery are two current surgical treatments for aortic dilatation syndromes. This review article aims to review the current literature surrounding these two established techniques. AREAS COVERED: This review article will address the current indications for valve-sparing root replacement surgery, technical considerations in surgical planning and a comparison of clinical outcomes between these two surgical techniques. EXPERT OPINION: Valve-sparing root replacement surgery is a safe and established treatment for aortic syndromes. Valve-sparing surgery procedure avoids the inherent risk of prosthetic valve dysfunction and prosthesis infection by preserving the native aortic valve compared to conventional aortic root surgery. This has been demonstrated in various observational studies and should be considered in clinically and anatomically appropriate patients. Other technical considerations, such as reimplantation versus remodeling technique and aortic cusp repair in select patients, may impact in short-term procedural and long-term clinical success with valve-sparing surgery.

Evaluation of aortic stenosis: From Bernoulli and Doppler to Navier-Stokes.

Uni-dimensional Doppler echocardiography data provide the mainstay of quantative assessment of aortic stenosis, with the transvalvular pressure drop a key indicator of haemodynamic burden. Sophisticated methods of obtaining velocity data, combined with improved computational analysis, are facilitating increasingly robust and reproducible measurement. Imaging modalities which permit acquisition of three-dimensional blood velocity vector fields enable angle-independent valve interrogation and calculation of enhanced measures of the transvalvular pressure drop. This manuscript clarifies the fundamental principles of physics that underpin the evaluation of aortic stenosis and explores modern techniques that may provide more accurate means to grade aortic stenosis and inform appropriate management.

Podocyturia: an earlier biomarker of cardiovascular outcomes.

Urinary podocin and nephrin mRNAs (podocyturia), as candidate biomarkers of endothelial/podocyte injury, were measured by quantitative PCR in Type II diabetics with normal albumin excretion rates (AER) at baseline, at 3-4 years, and at 7 years. Development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was collected as outcome. Visit 1 podocyturia was significantly higher in subjects who subsequently developed CVD versus those who did not. Visit 1 AER terciles exhibited similar time to CVD, in contrast with stepwise and substantial increases in CVD events predicted by Visit 1 podocyturia terciles. Covariate-adjusted hazard ratios were highest for podocin, intermediate for nephrin mRNAs, and lowest for AER. Podocyturia was also measured in patients with and without significant coronary obstruction, and in 480 normoalbuminuric subjects at the enrolment visit to the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Podocyturia > 3 × 106 copies was associated with presence of obstructive coronary artery disease. In the MESA population, Visit 1 podocyturia was significantly higher in men, subjects with elevated BMI, and those with Type II DM. Conclusions: Podocyturia may be an earlier predictor of cardiovascular events than moderate albuminuria; it is significantly higher in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease, and in subjects with established risk factors for CVD.

A 20-year journey in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Evolution to current eminence.

Since the first groundbreaking procedure in 2002, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionized the management of aortic stenosis (AS). Through striking developments in pertinent equipment and techniques, TAVI has now become the leading therapeutic strategy for aortic valve replacement in patients with severe symptomatic AS. The procedure streamlining from routine use of conscious sedation to a single arterial access approach, the newly adapted implantation techniques, and the introduction of novel technologies such as intravascular lithotripsy and the refinement of valve-bioprosthesis devices along with the accumulating experience have resulted in a dramatic reduction of complications and have improved associated outcomes that are now considered comparable or even superior to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). These advances have opened the road to the use of TAVI in younger and lower-risk patients and up-to-date data from landmark studies have now established the outstanding efficacy and safety of TAVI in patients with low-surgical risk impelling the most recent ESC guidelines to propose TAVI, as the main therapeutic strategy for patients with AS aged 75 years or older. In this article, we aim to summarize the most recent advances and the current clinical aspects involving the use of TAVI, and we also attempt to highlight impending concerns that need to be further addressed.

Association of HIV infection with clinical features and outcomes of patients with aortic aneurysms.

Data on the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients with aortic aneurysms (AA) and HIV remain scarce. This is a cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with a diagnosis of AA from 2013 to 2019 using the US National Inpatient Readmission Database. Patients with a diagnosis of HIV were identified. Our outcomes included trends in hospitalizations and comparison of clinical characteristics, complications, and mortality in patients with AA and HIV compared to those without HIV. Among 1,905,837 hospitalized patients with AA, 4416 (0.23%) were living with HIV. There was an overall age-adjusted increase in the rate of HIV among patients hospitalized with AA over the years (14-29 per 10,000 person-years; age-adjusted p-trend < 0.001). Patients with AA and HIV were younger than those without HIV (median age: 60 vs 76 years, p < 0.001) and were less likely to have a history of smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Thoracic aortic aneurysms were more prevalent in those with HIV (37.5% vs 26.7%, p < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression, HIV was not associated with increased risk of aortic rupture (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.61-1.01, p = 0.06), acute aortic dissection (OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.51-1.06, p = 0.3), readmissions (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.95-1.13, p = 0.4), or aortic repair (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79-1.00, p = 0.05). Hospitalized patients with AA and HIV had a lower crude mortality rate compared to those without HIV (OR: 0.75 (0.63-0.91), p = 0.003). Hospitalized patients with AA and HIV likely constitute a distinct group of patients with AA; they are younger, have fewer traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and a higher rate of thoracic aorta involvement. Differences in clinical features may account for the lower mortality rate observed in patients with AA and HIV compared to those without HIV.

Management of Patients With Severe Mitral Annular Calcification: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a common and challenging pathologic condition, especially in the context of an aging society. Surgical mitral valve intervention in patients with MAC is difficult, with varying approaches to the calcified annular anatomy, and the advent of transcatheter valve interventions has provided additional treatment options. Advanced imaging provides the foundation for heart team discussions and management decisions concerning individual patients. This review focuses on the prognosis of, preoperative planning for, and management strategies for patients with MAC.

Effect of age and gender on pre-operative cardiovascular risk assessment.

BACKGROUND: The AUB-HAS2 Cardiovascular Risk Index is a recently published tool for pre-operative cardiovascular evaluation. It is based on six data elements: history of heart disease, symptoms of angina or dyspnea, age ≥ 75 years, hemoglobin < 12 mg/dl, vascular surgery, and emergency surgery. The objective of this study is to study the effect of age and gender on the performance of the AUB-HAS2 Index in pre-operative cardiovascular risk assessment. METHODS: The study population consisted of 1,167,414 non-cardiac surgeries registered in the ACS NSQIP database. The population was stratified by age (≥ 40 and < 40 years old) and by gender (men and women). Each patient was given an AUB-HAS2 score of 0, 1, 2, 3, or > 3 based on the number of data elements s/he has. The outcome measure was all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke at 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: The overall 30-day event rate was higher in patients ≥ 40 years compared to those < 40 years (2.5% vs 0.3%, P < 0.0001) and in men compared to women (2.7% vs 1.8%, P < 0.0001). In both age and gender subgroups, there was a gradual and significant increase in the outcome measure (death, MI, or stroke) as the AUB-HAS2 score increased: from ≤ 0.5% in those with a score of 0 to more than 15% in those with a score > 3 (P < 0.0001). The AUB-HAS2 Index was able to stratify risk in all subgroups into low, intermediate, and high (P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed the AUB-HAS2 Index has very good discriminatory power in both age (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81 and 0.78) and gender (AUCs of 0.79 and 0.84) subgroups. CONCLUSION: This study extends the validation of the newly derived AUB-HAS2 Cardiovascular Risk Index to different age and gender subgroups with very good discriminative power.

Clinical outcomes following single access transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: We describe the first experience using calcification of anatomical landmarks to obviate the need for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) alignment aortography and secondary TAVI access. BACKGROUND: TAVI alignment conventionally involves secondary femoral access for contrast aortography using a second catheter. Secondary femoral access accounts for up to 25% of all vascular complications. Heavily calcified aortic leaflets are often visible fluoroscopically and can act as markers for TAVI alignment. METHODS: We considered 100 consecutive patients for transfemoral TAVI. The first group was considered for a conventional dual access technique and the subsequent group was considered for a single access technique. Relevant baseline, and procedural and outcome measures were recorded. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves (THV) were used in all cases. THV implantation was successful in 100% of cases with no procedural or in-hospital mortality. Procedural time and contrast use were lower in the single access group. There were no Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 major vascular complications with the single access technique. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study describing the use of calcification of anatomical landmarks to obviate the need for secondary TAVI access. Notable observations included successful device implantation in all cases, no VARC-2 major vascular complications, comparable rates of paravalvular leak and permanent pacemaker requirement, shorter procedural times, and lower contrast use. Single access TAVI is a viable alternative technique to minimize vascular access, contrast use, and procedural duration in experienced centers and with selected patients, allowing successful device implantation and low complication rates while further streamlining TAVI workflow.