Existing Nongated CT Coronary Calcium Predicts Operative Risk in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgeries (ENCORES).

BACKGROUND: Preoperative cardiovascular risk stratification before noncardiac surgery is a common clinical challenge. Coronary artery calcium scores from ECG-gated chest computed tomography (CT) imaging are associated with perioperative events. At the time of preoperative evaluation, many patients will not have had ECG-gated CT imaging, but will have had nongated chest CT studies performed for a variety of noncardiac indications. We evaluated relationships between coronary calcium severity estimated from previous nongated chest CT imaging and perioperative major clinical events (MCE) after noncardiac surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively identified consecutive adults age ≥45 years who underwent in-hospital, major noncardiac surgery from 2016 to 2020 at a large academic health system composed of 4 acute care centers. All patients had nongated (contrast or noncontrast) chest CT imaging performed within 1 year before surgery. Coronary calcium in each vessel was retrospectively graded from absent to severe using a 0 to 3 scale (absent, mild, moderate, severe) by physicians blinded to clinical data. The estimated coronary calcium burden (ECCB) was computed as the sum of scores for each coronary artery (0 to 9 scale). A Revised Cardiac Risk Index was calculated for each patient. Perioperative MCE was defined as all-cause death or myocardial infarction within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS: A total of 2554 patients (median age, 68 years; 49.7% women; median Revised Cardiac Risk Index, 1) were included. The median time interval from nongated chest CT imaging to noncardiac surgery was 15 days (interquartile range, 3-106 days). The median ECCB was 1 (interquartile range, 0-3). Perioperative MCE occurred in 136 (5.2%) patients. Higher ECCB values were associated with stepwise increases in perioperative MCE (0: 2.9%, 1-2: 3.7%, 3-5: 8.0%; 6-9: 12.6%, P<0.001). Addition of ECCB to a model with the Revised Cardiac Risk Index improved the C-statistic for MCE (from 0.675 to 0.712, P=0.018), with a net reclassification improvement of 0.428 (95% CI, 0.254-0.601, P<0.0001). An ECCB ≥3 was associated with 2-fold higher adjusted odds of MCE versus an ECCB <3 (adjusted odds ratio, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.42-3.12]). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence and severity of coronary calcium obtained from existing nongated chest CT imaging improve preoperative clinical risk stratification before noncardiac surgery.

Anomalous right coronary artery originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva: Fractional flow reserve and intravascular ultrasound-guided management.

There remains significant controversy in the risk stratification and management of patients with anomalous right coronary artery originating from the opposite sinus (R-ACAOS). We present the case of a patient with an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction, found to have R-ACAOS and severe atherosclerotic right coronary artery disease, treated with fractional flow reserve and intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention.

Concordance of Pericardial Effusion Size Between Computed Tomography and Echocardiography.

Discrepancy between computed tomography (CT) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) regarding pericardial effusion (PEff) size is common, but there is limited data regarding the correlation between these 2 imaging methods. The aim of this study is to examine the real-world concordance of observed PEff size between CT and TTE. We performed a retrospective analysis of all imaging reports available from 2013 to 2019 and identified patients with a PEff who underwent both a chest CT and TTE within a 24-hour period. We evaluated the agreement between CT and TTE in assessing PEff size. Of 1,118 patients included in the study, mean age was 66 (±17 years) and 54% were female. The median time interval between the 2 studies was 9.4 hours (interquartile range 3.5 to 16.6). Patients within a half-grade or full-grade of agreement were 71.9% and 97.2%, respectively. The mean difference in grade of agreement (TTE minus CT) between the 2 imaging methods was -0.1 (±0.6, p <0.0001). CT was more likely to report a higher grade (i.e. larger PEff size) when compared with TTE (261 patients vs 157 patients, p <0.001). The weighted kappa was 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.69 to 0.76). After excluding patients with trace/no effusion, 42.3% and 94.1% of patients' studies were within a half-grade or full-grade of agreement, respectively. Of the 18 patients who had large discrepancies, 9 patients had loculated effusions, 2 patients had large pleural effusions, and 6 patients had suboptimal TTEs images. In conclusion, TTE and CT showed relatively strong agreement in estimation of PEff size, with CT sizes larger than TTE, on average. Large discrepancies in size may be related to reduced image quality, large pleural effusions, and loculated PEff.

Multimodality Imaging of Myocardial Viability.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Myocardial viability is an important pathophysiologic concept which may have significant clinical impact in patients with left ventricular dysfunction due to ischemic heart disease. Understanding the imaging modalities used to assess viability, and the clinical implication of their findings, is critical for clinical decision-making in this population. RECENT FINDINGS: The ability of dobutamine echocardiography, single-photon emission computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to predict functional recovery following revascularization is well-established. Despite different advantages and disadvantages for each imaging modality, each modality has demonstrated reasonable performance characteristics in identifying viable myocardium. Recent data, however, has called into question whether this functional recovery leads to improved clinical outcomes. Although the assessment of viability can be used to aid in clinical decision-making prior to revascularization, its broad application to all patients is limited by a lack of data confirming improvement in clinical outcomes. Thus, viability assessments may be best applied to select patients (such as those with increased surgical risk) and integrated with clinical, laboratory, and imaging data to guide clinical care. Future research efforts should be aimed at establishing the impact of viability on clinical outcomes.

A case of nonvalvular endocarditis with biventricular apical infected thrombi.

We report what appears to be the first case of biopsy-proven nonvalvular endocarditis with biventricular apical infected thrombi. A 47-year-old man presented with hypoxic respiratory failure from a multilobar pneumonia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed biventricular apical masses suggestive of nonvalvular endocarditis with infected thrombi. Given concern for ongoing septic embolization to the lungs and brain despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the masses were surgically resected. Culture and histopathology confirmed MRSA-positive infected thrombi. In this case report, we highlight the differential diagnosis of apical masses and the role of multimodality imaging.

Gout and Progression of Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with aortic stenosis are nearly twice as likely to have a diagnosis of gout compared with individuals without aortic valve disease. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated consecutive adults age ≥65 years with aortic stenosis between December 2012 and November 2016 who underwent at least 2 transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) separated by at least 1 year. Severe aortic stenosis was defined as any combination of an aortic valve peak velocity ≥4.0 m/sec, mean gradient ≥40 mm Hg, aortic valve area ≤1 cm2, or decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction as a result of aortic stenosis. RESULTS: Of the 699 study patients, gout was present in 73 patients (10%) and not found in 626 patients (90%). Median follow-up was 903 days [552-1302] for patients with gout and 915 days [601-1303] for patients without gout (P = 0.60). The presence of severe aortic stenosis on follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram was more frequent in patients with gout compared to those without gout (74% vs 54%, P = 0.001; hazard ratio [HR] 1.45 [1.09-1.93]), even among the 502 patients without severe aortic stenosis at baseline (63% vs 39%, P = 0.003; hazard ratio 1.43 [1.07-1.91]). Gout remained associated with the development of severe aortic stenosis after multivariable adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.46 [1.03-2.08], P = 0.03). The annualized reduction in aortic valve area was numerically greater in the group with gout compared with the group without gout (-0.10 cm2/y [-0.18, -0.03] vs -0.08 cm2/y [-0.16, -0.01], P = 0.09); annualized change in peak velocity and mean gradient did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Progression to severe aortic stenosis was more frequent in patients with gout compared with those without gout, supporting the hypothesis that gout is a risk factor for aortic stenosis.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Incomplete Surgical Closure of the Left Atrial Appendage on Follow-up Transesophageal Echocardiogram.

OBJECTIVES: In patients with atrial fibrillation, incomplete left atrial appendage (LAA) closure is associated with an increased risk for cardio-embolic events compared to complete closure. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for incomplete surgical closure of the LAA in the modern surgical era. METHODS: Records of 74 patients with surgical LAA closure who underwent follow-up transesophageal echocardiogram for any reason between 2010 and 2016, were assessed for incomplete closure. Complete closure was defined by absence of Doppler or color flow between the left atrial appendage and the left atrial body in more than 2 orthogonal views. RESULTS: Surgical LAA closure was incomplete in 21 patients (28%) and complete in 53 patients (72%). All included cases were completed via oversewing method with a double layer of running suture with or without excision of the LAA. While no individual demographic, echocardiographic, or surgical feature was significantly different between groups, incomplete closure of the LAA was more prevalent in patients with two or more of the risk factors; female sex, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia (OR 5.1, 95%Cl 1.5-17). CONCLUSIONS: A significant rate of incomplete surgical LAA closure still exists in the modern surgical era, and the presence of multiple risk factors associate an increased risk of incomplete closure.

Predicting adults likely to develop heart failure using readily available clinical information: An analysis of heart failure incidence using the NHEFS.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a heavy burden on the health care system in the United States. Once heart failure develops, the quality of life and longevity are dramatically affected. As such, its prevention is critical for the well-being of at risk patients. We evaluated the predictive ability of readily available clinical information to identify those likely to develop heart failure. METHODS: We used a classification and regression tree (CART) model to determine the top predictors for heart failure incidence using the NHANES Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS). The identified predictors were hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and myocardial infarction (MI). We evaluated the relationship between these variables and incident heart failure by the product-limit method and Cox models. All analyses incorporated the complex sample design to provide population estimates. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 14,407 adults in the NHEFS. Participants with diabetes, MI, hypertension, or obesity had a higher incidence of heart failure than those without risk factors, with diabetes and MI being the most potent predictors. Individuals with multiple risk factors had a higher incidence of heart failure as well as a higher hazard ratio than those with just one risk factor. Combinations that included diabetes and MI had the highest incidence rates of heart failure per 1000 person years and the highest hazard ratios for incident heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Having diabetes, MI, hypertension or obesity significantly increased the risk for incident heart failure, especially combinations including diabetes and MI. This suggests that individuals with these conditions, singly or in combination, should be prioritized in efforts to predict and prevent heart failure incidence.

Outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with low versus high gradient severe aortic stenosis in the setting of preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for low gradient (LG) severe aortic stenosis (AS) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remains an area of clinical uncertainty. METHODS: Retrospective review identified 422 patients who underwent TAVR between September 4, 2014 and July 1, 2016. Procedural indication other than severe AS (n = 22) or LVEF <50% (n = 98) were excluded. Outcomes were defined by valve academic research consortium two criteria when applicable and compared between LG (peak velocity <4.0 m/s and mean gradient <40 mmHg; n = 73) and high gradient (HG) (n = 229) groups. The LG group was further categorized as low stroke volume index (SVI) (n = 41) or normal SVI (n = 32). Median follow-up was 747 days [interquartile range 220-1013]. RESULTS: Baseline thirty-day mortality risk (LG 6.2% [3.8-8.1] vs HG 5.7% [4.1-7.4], P = 0.43) did not differ between groups. Short-term outcomes, including procedural success rate (86.1% vs 88.8%, P = 0.53), peri-procedural complications (intra-procedural heart block: 6.8% vs 7.9%, P = 0.99; permanent pacemaker placement: 11.0% vs 13.6%, P = 0.69; moderate paravalvular regurgitation: 2.7% vs 1.3%, P = 0.60), and all-cause in-hospital mortality (2.7% vs 0.9%, P = 0.25) did not differ between LG and HG groups. On long-term follow-up, all-cause mortality also did not differ between LG and HG groups (6.8% vs 10.0%, plog-rank = 0.33) or between the LG low SVI (9.8%), LG normal SVI (3.1%), and HG (10.0%) groups (plog-rank = 0.39). CONCLUSION: Patients with preserved LVEF undergoing TAVR for severe AS with LG, including LG with low SVI, have no significant difference in adverse outcomes when compared to patients with HG.

Multimodality imaging of scimitar syndrome in adults: A report of four cases.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) comprises a group of congenital cardiovascular anomalies associated with pulmonary venous flow directly or indirectly into the right atrium. Scimitar syndrome is a variant of PAPVR in which the right lung is drained by right pulmonary veins connected anomalously to the inferior vena cava. Surgery is the definitive treatment for scimitar syndrome. However, it is not always necessary as many patients are asymptomatic, have small left-to-right shunts, and enjoy a normal life expectancy without surgery. We report multimodality imaging in four adults with scimitar syndrome and the implications for management of this rare syndrome.

Impact of diabetes on heart failure incidence in adults with ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the most potent risk factor for heart failure (HF). Our study aims to evaluate the incremental impact of diabetes on the incidence of HF in individuals with IHD. METHODS: Data from the NHANES Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study (Baseline: 1971 to 1974) were linked to the facility and mortality files up to 1992. Our analyses were restricted to patients with IHD without prevalent HF at baseline. The cumulative incidence of HF in patients with diabetes and IHD versus those with IHD alone was assessed using failure curves. Cox proportional hazards models were used to control for important covariates. All analyses incorporated the complex sample design by including the weights and clustering variables. RESULTS: Out of the 14,407 participants, 497 had IHD without prevalent HF and had information about diabetes status. Among these participants, the cumulative incidence of HF was 38.1% for those with diabetes (n=63) and 26.5% in those without diabetes (n=434) (log-rank p-value<0.005). The multivariate hazard ratio (adjusted for age, BMI, alcohol consumption, hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking) for incident HF for people who had myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetes compared to people who had MI alone was 2.98 (95% CI 1.51, 5.88). CONCLUSION: Among participants with MI, those with diabetes had a substantially higher incidence of HF than those without diabetes. Based on these findings, practitioners should focus greater attention on patients with diabetes and previous MI in order to potentially prevent incident HF.

3D transesophageal echocardiography and radiography of mitral valve prostheses and repairs.

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of 3D transesophageal echocardiography still images and movies of mechanical mitral valves, mitral bioprostheses, and mitral valve repairs. Alongside these visual descriptions, the historical overview of surgical and percutaneous mitral valve intervention is described with the special emphasis on the incremental value of 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE). For each mitral valve intervention, 2D echocardiography, chest x-ray, and fluoroscopy images corresponding to 3DTEE are given. In addition, key references on echocardiographic imaging of individual valves and procedures are enumerated in accompanying figures and tables.

Coronary artery calcification is common on nongated chest computed tomography imaging.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcification as assessed by computed tomography (CT) is a validated predictor of cardiovascular risk, whether identified on a dedicated cardiac study or on a routine non-gated chest CT. The prevalence of incidentally detected coronary artery calcification on non-gated chest CT imaging and consistency of reporting have not been well characterized. HYPOTHESIS: Coronary calcification is present on chest CT in some patients not taking statin therapy and may be under-reported. METHODS: Non-gated chest CT images dated 1/1/2012 to 1/1/2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics and medical history were obtained from charts. Patients with known history of coronary revascularization and/or pacemaker/defibrillator were excluded. Two independent readers with cardiac CT expertise evaluated images for the presence and anatomical distribution of any coronary calcification, blinded to all clinical information including CT reports. Original clinical CT reports were subsequently reviewed. RESULTS: Coronary calcification was identified in 204/304 (68%) chest CTs. Patients with calcification were older and had more hyperlipidemia, smoking history, and known coronary artery disease. Of patients with calcification, 43% were on aspirin and 62% were on statin medication at the time of CT. Coronary calcification was identified in 69% of reports when present. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of coronary calcification was found in non-gated chest CT scans performed for non-cardiac indications. In one-third, coronary calcification was not mentioned in the clinical report when actually present. In this population of patients with cardiac risk factors, standard reporting of the presence of coronary calcification may provide an opportunity for risk factor modification.

Association Between Gout and Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: An independent association between gout and coronary artery disease is well established. The relationship between gout and valvular heart disease, however, is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the association between gout and aortic stenosis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case-control study. Aortic stenosis cases were identified through a review of outpatient transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) reports. Age-matched controls were randomly selected from patients who had undergone TTE and did not have aortic stenosis. Charts were reviewed to identify diagnoses of gout and the earliest dates of gout and aortic stenosis diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 1085 patients who underwent TTE, 112 aortic stenosis cases were identified. Cases and nonaortic stenosis controls (n = 224) were similar in age and cardiovascular comorbidities. A history of gout was present in 21.4% (n = 24) of aortic stenosis subjects compared with 12.5% (n = 28) of controls (unadjusted odds ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.48, P = .038). Multivariate analysis retained significance only for gout (adjusted odds ratio 2.08, 95% confidence interval 1.00-4.32, P = .049). Among subjects with aortic stenosis and gout, gout diagnosis preceded aortic stenosis diagnosis by 5.8 ± 1.6 years. The age at onset of aortic stenosis was similar among patients with and without gout (78.7 ± 1.8 vs 75.8 ± 1.0 years old, P = .16). CONCLUSIONS: Aortic stenosis patients had a markedly higher prevalence of precedent gout than age-matched controls. Whether gout is a marker of, or a risk factor for, the development of aortic stenosis remains uncertain. Studies investigating the potential role of gout in the pathophysiology of aortic stenosis are warranted and could have therapeutic implications.