Prognostic Impact of Nutritional Status After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair: The MIVNUT Registry.

Background Malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in several cardiovascular diseases. However, its prognostic impact in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is not well known. This study sought to assess the prevalence, clinical associations, and prognostic consequences of malnutrition in patients undergoing TEER. Methods and Results A total of 892 patients undergoing TEER from the international MIVNUT (Mitral Valve Repair and Nutritional Status) registry were studied. Malnutrition status was assessed with the Controlling Nutritional Status score. The association of nutritional status with mortality was analyzed with multivariable Cox regression models, whereas the association with heart failure admission was assessed by Fine-Gray models, with death as a competing risk. According to the Controlling Nutritional Status score, 74.4% of patients with TEER had any degree of malnutrition at the time of TEER (75.1% in patients with body mass index <25 kg/m2, 72.1% in those with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2). However, only 20% had moderate-severe malnutrition. TEER was successful in most of patients (94.2%). During a median follow-up of 1.6 years (interquartile range, 0.6-3.0), 267 (29.9%) patients died and 256 patients (28.7%) were admitted for heart failure after TEER. Compared with normal nutritional status moderate-severe malnutrition resulted a strong predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.1 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]; P<0.001) and heart failure admission (adjusted subdistribution HR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.1-2.4]; P=0.015). Conclusions Malnutrition is common among patients submitted to TEER, and moderate-severe malnutrition is strongly associated with increased mortality and heart failure readmission. Assessment of nutritional status in these patients may help to improve risk stratification.

Acute Kidney Injury After Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Mitral Repair.

BACKGROUND: In catheter-based procedures, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent, serious complication ranging from 10% to 30%. In MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California), a usually contrast-free procedure, there is scarce data about its real incidence and impact. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate incidence, predictive factors, and midterm outcomes of AKI in patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR) undergoing transcatheter valve repair with MitraClip. METHODS: A total of 721 patients undergoing MitraClip were included. AKI was defined as an absolute or a relative increase in serum creatinine of >0.3 mg/dl or ≥50%, respectively, or the need for hemodialysis during index hospitalization. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 72 ± 11 years (28.3% women). Median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 43.7 ml/min/1.73 m2 (interquartile range: 30.9 to 60.1 ml/min/1.73 m2), and was <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 in 74.9% of the patients. AKI after MitraClip occurred in 106 patients (14.7%). Baseline hemoglobin (<11 g/dl) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.97; p = 0.003), urgent procedure (OR: 3.44; p = 0.003), and absence of device success (OR: 3.37; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of AKI. Patients with AKI had worse outcomes compared to those without AKI, including a higher proportion of in-hospital bleeding events (3.8% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.011), 2-year all-cause mortality (40.5% vs. 18.7%; p <0.001), and major adverse cardiac events (63.6% vs. 23.5%; p <0.001). Combination of AKI with significant residual MR after the procedure conferred even worst outcomes (2-year all-cause mortality 50.0% vs. 19.6%; p = 0.001, and major adverse cardiac events 70.0% vs. 18.9%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite being a "zero-contrast" procedure, one-sixth of patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair had AKI, linked to device failure or other severe conditions. The occurrence of AKI was associated with worse outcomes, highlighting the importance to detect and reduce this complication in high-risk population.

Thromboembolic risk in atrial fibrillation: association between left atrium mechanics and risk scores. A study based on 3D wall-motion tracking technology.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with a significantly high risk of stroke and systemic embolism. The aim of our study was to assess the association between left atrium (LA) mechanics measured by 3D wall-motion tracking (3DWMT) technology and the most common thromboembolic risk scores (CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc). METHODS: A total of 101 consecutive patients with permanent AF referred were included. Conventional bidimensional (2D) LA parameters, and LA mechanics by means of 3DWMT were studied. Association between LA 2D and 3DWMT parameters and both risk scores was evaluated as well as its correlation with every component of the score individually. RESULTS: Mean age was 78 ± 10 years. Mean CHADS2 was 2.7 ± 1.3 and mean CHA2DS2-VASc was 4.4 ± 1.7. Values of 2D and 3DWTM LA parameters were: 2D area 26.4 ± 9.7 cm(2) , 2D volume index 49.4 ± 10.1 mL/m(2) , 3DWMT left atrial emptying fraction (LAEF) 15.9 ± 8.4%, longitudinal strain 9.1 ± 4.5% and area strain 14.9 ± 8.8%. Linear regression analysis showed statistically significant correlation between LA longitudinal strain and LAEF with CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores. For each 10% variation in longitudinal strain, CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores change in 0.7 and 0.8 points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial longitudinal strain and emptying fraction assessed by 3D WMT technology have correlation with both CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Each 10% of variation in longitudinal strain represents a 0.7 and 0.8 points change in those risk scores. LA mechanics evaluation might provide additional value to risk scores and could be considered to be a predictor of stroke in patients with AF.

Quantification of left atrial volumes using three-dimensional wall motion tracking echocardiographic technology: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: Left atrium (LA) size assessment is clinically relevant, but the accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiographic (2D-echo) methods is limited. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is an excellent alternative but is far from being used in daily clinical practice. Three-dimensional-wall motion tracking (3D-WMT) allows us to obtain volumes in a very simple and rapid manner. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of 3D-WMT technology to assess LA volume using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as a reference method, to evaluate its reproducibility, and to determine its added clinical value to classify the LA enlargement severity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy consecutive patients referred for a CMR study were prospectively enrolled. They underwent LA volume assessment by means of 2D-echo, 3D-WMT, and CMR. Inter-methods agreement was assessed. The mean age was 56 ± 18 years and 42 patients (60%) were males. Average maximal LA volume obtained by 2D-echo, 3D-WMT, and CMR were 63.33 ± 26.82, 79.80 ± 29.0, and 79.80 ± 28.99 mL, respectively. Univariate linear regression analysis showed a good correlation between 3D-WMT and CMR (r = 0.83; P < 0.001). The agreement analysis showed a similar result (ICC = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.74-0.89; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the LA enlargement degree was better evaluated with 3D-WMT than with 2D-echo. CONCLUSION: This study validates LA volume measurements obtained using the new and fast 3D-WMT technology, compared with CMR. This method is fast, accurate, and reproducible, and it allows a better classification of left LA enlargement severity compared with 2D-echo.

Two-dimensional echocardiographic features of the inferior right atrial isthmus: the role of vestibular thickness in catheter ablation of atrial flutter.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of transthoracic two-dimensional (2D)-echocardiography in defining the cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) anatomy and its value concerning the ease of catheter ablation of isthmic atrial flutter (AF). METHODS: CTI analysis was accomplished in 39 cases: 16 necropsy specimens and 23 patients. Sixteen were patients with isthmus-dependent AF and seven controls with other supraventricular re-entrant tachycardias. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and a right atrium angiogram were performed before radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). RESULTS: The measurements of the CTI with angiography were compared with those taken with echocardiography and correlation was excellent (r= 0.91; P < 0.0001). In normal patients, the dimension of the vestibular thickness was successfully compared and validated with the histological examination of the necropsy specimens: histology median 6.8 mm, range 4.4-10.5 vs. echo median 6.2 mm, range 5.4-8.7; P: NS. Vestibular thickness was greater in complex than in simple RFCA (13.6 ± 1.9 mm vs. 10.0 ± 2.3 mm; P = 0.01). When vestibular thickness ≥11.5 mm, the ablation prone to be complex (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value 71.4%, and negative predictive value 88.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography clearly depicts the inferior isthmus and, displaying the thickness of the tricuspid vestibule, it was related with complexity of the ablation procedure in isthmus-dependent AF.

Assessment of myocardial deformation: Predicting medium-term left ventricular dysfunction after surgery in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The development of left ventricular dysfunction after mitral valve replacement is a common problem in patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation. Assessment of myocardial deformation enables myocardial contractility to be accurately estimated. Our aim was to compare the value of the preoperative strain and strain rate derived by either speckle-tracking echocardiography or tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for predicting the medium-term decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following surgery. METHODS: This prospective study involved 38 consecutive patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation who were scheduled for mitral valve replacement. The longitudinal strain and strain rate in the interventricular septum were measured preoperatively using speckle-tracking echocardiography and TDI. The LVEF was determined preoperatively and postoperatively using 3-dimensional echocardiography. Echocardiographic assessments were performed in the 48 hours prior to surgery and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 59.9+/-11.3 years and 10 (29.4%) were male. Both speckle-tracking echocardiography and TDI were found to be predictors of a >10% decrease in LVEF at 6 months. However, the predictive value of speckle-tracking echocardiography was greater than that of TDI. The longitudinal strain at baseline in the interventricular septum as measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography was the most powerful predictor; the area under the curve was 0.85 and the optimal cut-off value was -0.11. CONCLUSIONS: Speckle-tracking echocardiography can be used to predict a decrease in LVEF over the medium term after mitral valve replacement. Moreover, the predictive accuracy of speckle-tracking echocardiography was greater than that of TDI.

Percutaneous Intervention in a single coronary artery: evaluation of multislice tomography and its feasibility.

The presence of only a single coronary artery is a rare congenital coronary artery anomaly. In most cases, it is an incidental finding on coronary angiography and has no clinical significance. However, it can cause angina, myocardial infarction or even sudden death, particularly in young patients in whom the course of the artery runs between the aorta and pulmonary artery. In such cases, angiographic assessment may be difficult. Multislice coronary computed tomography might be better for visualizing the anatomy of the coronary artery tree in these patients. This article describes the cases of three patients with a single coronary artery and associated atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in whom a diagnosis was made using coronary angiography and multislice computed tomography.

Collateral circulation from the conus coronary artery to the anterior descending coronary artery: assessment using multislice coronary computed tomography.

The prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease largely depends on the presence of a collateral circulation. The location and extent of the collateral circulation is highly variable and these parameters determine whether or not ischemic symptoms occur and whether left ventricular contractility is abnormal. The collateral circulation is generally established through small-caliber distal vessels, although many different forms have been described. We report on three patients with severe left coronary artery disease and collateral circulation through a large conus coronary artery that joined a proximal or medial segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery. In all three cases, left ventricular function was preserved.

The use of three-dimensional echocardiography for the evaluation of and treatment of mitral stenosis.

To date, mitral stenosis has been evaluated by both hemodynamic data derived from catheterization as well as 2D and Doppler echocardiography. However, the advent of real-time 3D echocardiography has allowed more precise measurement of the mitral valve orifice by planimetry. In addition, evaluation of the mitral commissures prior to and after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty is greatly aided by 3D echocardiography. Here we discuss these subjects as well as provide specific clinical trials that support the use of real-time 3D echocardiography for the evaluation and treatment of mitral stenosis.

[In-hospital prognostic value of glomerular filtration rate in patients with acute coronary syndrome and a normal creatinine level]. / Valor pronóstico intrahospitalario del filtrado glomerular en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo y creatinina normal.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Kidney failure is more prevalent in patients with ischemic heart disease than in the general population. A high serum creatinine level is known to be a predictor of an adverse outcome in acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of the glomerular filtration rate in patients with acute coronary syndrome and a normal baseline creatinine level. METHODS: The study included 583 consecutive patients admitted to a coronary care unit with acute coronary syndrome (with or without ST-segment elevation) whose baseline serum creatinine level was less than 1.3 mg/dL. The creatinine clearance rate at admission was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation, and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, coronary anatomy (from angiography), type of revascularization, maximum cardiac enzyme levels, left ventricular ejection fraction and, ultimately, in-hospital mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Around 50.8% of patients presented with ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. The median serum creatinine level on admission was 0.98 mg/dL (0.9-1.1 mg/dL) and the median creatinine clearance rate was 81.29 mL/min (61.2-98.4 mL/min). The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.7%. Glomerular filtration rate, previous coronary disease, Killip class on admission, and the need for intraaortic balloon counterpulsation were found to be independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute coronary syndrome and a normal creatinine level on admission, estimation of the glomerular filtration rate provided important information on short-term prognosis. This parameter should be included in the risk assessment of patients with normal serum creatinine levels.

[Creatinine clearance and contrast nephropathy in patients with normal creatinine levels]. / Aclaramiento de creatinina y nefropatía por contraste en pacientes con creatinina normal.

The main risk factor for contrast nephropathy is the presence of poor renal function. Plasma creatinine level is not a reliable measure of renal function as its value could lie within the normal range despite the presence of significant nephropathy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the creatinine clearance rate as a predictor of contrast nephropathy in patients with a normal plasma creatinine level. The study included 273 consecutive patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) and a normal plasma creatinine level at admission who underwent coronary angiography. Patients who developed contrast nephropathy had a lower creatinine clearance rate at admission (66.3 mL/min vs. 83.4 mL/min; P<.001). A creatinine clearance rate < 80 mL/min had a sensitivity of 81% for predicting contrast nephropathy. Creatinine clearance should be measured routinely in patients with NSTEACS who are scheduled for coronary angiography.