Progression of valve heart disease in a cohort of patients undergoing renal replacement therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is an important cause of death among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Valve calcification is a predictor of cardiovascular mortality and coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE: To assess heart valve disease frequency, associated factors, and progression in CKD patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on 291 CKD patients at Hospital das Clínicas de Pernambuco. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 with CKD and valve disease, while those on conservative management or with missing data were excluded. Clinical and laboratory variables were compared, and patients were categorized by dialysis duration (<5 years; 5-10 years; >10 years). Statistical tests, including chi-square, Fisher's exact, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis, were employed as needed. Simple and multivariate binary regression models were used to analyze valve disease associations with dialysis duration. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mitral valve disease was present in 82.5% (240) of patients, followed by aortic valve disease (65.6%; 86). Over time, 106 (36.4%) patients developed valve disease. No significant association was found between aortic, pulmonary, mitral, or tricuspid valve disease and dialysis duration. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was the sole statistically significant factor for mitral valve disease in the regression model (OR 2.59 [95% CI: 1.09-6.18]; p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: CKD patients on renal replacement therapy exhibit a high frequency of valve disease, particularly mitral and aortic valve disease. However, no link was established between dialysis duration and valve disease occurrence or progression.

Left atrial function analysis in patients with functional mitral regurgitation associated with dilated cardiomyopathy / Análise da função atrial esquerda em pacientes com insuficiência mitral funcional associada à miocardiopatia dilatada

BACKGROUND: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DC), heart failure (HF), and worsening left atrial function (LAF). Patients with DC and FMR may present left atrial dysfunction resulting from both ventricular dysfunction and valve disease, but it is unknown whether the presence of valve disease will lead to greater LAF impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between LAF parameters and FMR degree in patients with DC. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 214 patients with DC, 46 without FMR (control group) and 168 with mild, moderate or severe FMR. An LAF analysis was performed by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and atrial volumetric variation. RESULTS: LAF analyzed by STE by means of reservoir strain, conduit strain and active contraction strain was reduced in the sample, with values of 14.3%, 8.49% and 5.92%, respectively. FMR degree was significantly associated with reservoir strain (0.27 ± 0.16 versus 0.15 ± 0.09; p < 0.001) and contraction strain (19.2 ± 7.3 versus 11.2 ± 2.7; p < 0.001). FMR was also associated with a reduced LAF assessed by volumetric analysis: total atrial emptying fraction of 0.51 ± 0.13 versus 0.34 ± 0.11 and active atrial emptying fraction of 0 .27 ± 0.16 versus 0.15 ± 0.09 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In a population with DC, FMR was associated with reduced LAF assessed by STE and atrial volume variation.

FUNDAMENTO: A insuficiência mitral funcional (IMF) está associada à miocardiopatia dilatada (MD), à insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e à piora da função atrial esquerda (FAE). A FAE pode decair tanto pela disfunção ventricular quanto pela valvopatia, mas não se sabe se esta leva a um prejuízo maior da FAE. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre a piora de parâmetros de FAE com o grau de IMF, em pacientes com MD. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo observacional transversal, que incluiu 214 pacientes com MD, sendo 46 sem IMF (controle) e 168 com IMF discreta, moderada ou grave. A análise da FAE foi realizada por ecocardiografia por speckle tracking (STE) e por variação volumétrica atrial. RESULTADOS: A FAE, analisada por STE­ por meio do strain de reservatório, conduto e contração ativa ­ encontrou-se reduzida na amostra, com valores respectivos de 14,3%, 8,49% e 5,92%. O grau de IMF associou-se significativamente com os valores do strain de reservatório (0,27±0,16 versus 0,15±0,09; p <0,001. CONCLUSÃO: Em uma população com MD, a presença de IMF associa-se à redução da FAE de reservatório e de contração, avaliada por STE e pela variação volumétrica atrial.

Dos casos de reemplazo transcatéter de válvula aórtica en Honduras, año 2019 / Two cases of aortic valve transcateter replacement in Honduras, 2019

Antecedentes: Las valvulopatías cardiacas se presentan en 1 de 100,000 habitantes en Centro América. La estenosis aórtica representa el 25% de estas patologías. La principal causa es la iebre reumática y en países de ingresos altos, las anomalías congénitas. La valvulopatía aórtica bicúspide es una anomalía rara, presente en 0.5% de la población total. Tradicionalmente en Honduras, las correcciones de estas anomalías se habían hecho con cirugía vascular. Descripción de los casos clínicos: Se presentan los dos primeros casos realizados en Honduras mediante reemplazo transcateter o terapia endovascular (transcatheter aortic valve replacement, TAVR), en el año 2019, en un centro asistencial privado en Tegucigalpa. El primer caso sobre una aorta bivalva, con el apoyo de un sistema En Snare, por el difícil abordaje, con EuroScore II <4%. El segundo caso sobre una estenosis aórtica secundaria a iebre reumática. Ambos procedimientos se ejecutaron sin complicaciones inmediatas o tardías. La ecocardiografía reportó resolución de los gradientes de presión y reducción de la velocidad transvalvular máxima aórtica (Vmax Ao). Conclusión: Siendo esta una terapia de primer mundo, respaldada para pacientes de alto y bajo riesgo quirúrgico, abre la oportunidad a nuestra población de recibir una terapia efectiva, segura y con resultados inmediatos...(AU)

Antiphospholipid syndrome and valvular heart disease, a complex scenario of thrombotic events, a case report.

BACKGROUND: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare coagulation disorder associated with thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and valvular heart disease. During valvular replacement surgery, the high risk of thrombosis combined with the operative risks in these specific groups of patients poses a challenge to the medical team. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a female patient with APS and mixed aortic valve disease. During surgery, she suddenly developed complete cardiac arrest. Three months later, after she recovered, and while she was still on close follow up, a thrombotic event caused myocardial infarction. After prompt and precise treatment, the patient successfully recovered; one year after surgery patient is doing well. CONCLUSION: Adequate surgical technique along with optimal anticoagulation strategies and long term follow up are of paramount importance to ensure an uneventful recovery. A multidisciplinary team is required to manage these complex scenarios and high-risk patients.