Epicardial fat volume is associated with primary coronary slow-flow phenomenon in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Primary coronary slow flow (CSF) is defined as delayed opacification of the distal epicardial vasculature during coronary angiography in the absence of relevant coronary artery stenoses. Microvascular disease is thought to be the underlying cause of this pathology. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is an active endocrine organ directly surrounding the coronary arteries that provides pro-inflammatory factors to the adjacent tissue by paracrine and vasocrine mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to investigate a potential association between EFT and primary CSF and whether EFT can predict the presence of primary CSF. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2017, n = 88 patients with high-grade aortic stenosis who were planned for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were included in this retrospective study. EFT volume was measured by pre-TAVI computed tomography (CT) using dedicated software. The presence of primary CSF was defined based on the TIMI frame count from the pre-TAVI coronary angiograms. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of 88 TAVI patients had CSF (44.3%). EFT volume was markedly higher in patients with CSF (142 ml [IQR 107-180] vs. 113 ml [IQR 89-147]; p = 0.009) and was strongly associated with the presence of CSF (OR 1.012 [95%CI 1.002-1.021]; p = 0.014). After adjustment, EFT volume was still an independent predictor of CSF (OR 1.016 [95%CI 1.004-1.026]; p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Primary CSF was independently associated with increased EFT volume. Further studies are needed to validate this finding and elucidate whether a causal relationship exists.

Cardiac decompensation of patients before transcatheter aortic valve implantation-clinical presentation, responsiveness to associated medication, and prognosis.

Aims: Cardiac decompensation (CD) in patients with aortic stenosis is a "red flag" for future adverse events. We classified patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) into those with acute, prior, or no prior CD at the timepoint of TAVI and compared their clinical presentation, prognosis, and effects of the prescribed medication during follow-up. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients of one center fulfilling the criteria of 30-day device success after transfemoral TAVI. Results: From those patients with no CD (n = 1,985) ranging to those with prior CD (n = 497) and to those with acute CD (n = 87), we observed a stepwise increase in the proportion of patients in poor clinical condition, NYHA class III/IV, low psoas muscle area, fluid overload (rales, oedema, pleural effusion), reduced ejection fraction, renal insufficiency, and anemia. More diuretics but less renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (ACEI/ARB) were prescribed for patients with acute CD compared to other groups. Prior CD (hazard ratio and 95% CI 1.40; 1.02-1.91) and acute CD (1.72; 1.01-2.91), a reduced general condition (1.53; 1.06-2.20), fluid overload (1.54;1.14-2.08), atrial fibrillation (1.76; 1.32-2.33), and anemia (1.43;1.08-1.89) emerged as strong independent predictors of one-year mortality. In all three classes of CD, prescribing of ACEI/ARB was associated with a substantial improvement of survival. Conclusions: The clinical presentation of (acute or prior) cardiac decompensation in patients with AS overlapped substantially with that of patients with classical signs of heart failure. Our results may support an early treatment strategy in patients with left ventricular dysfuntion before clinical signs of congestion are manifest. Moreover, these patients require intensive medical attention after TAVI.

Invasive Functional Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis in the TAVI Era.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common finding in patients suffering from aortic valve stenosis (AS), with a prevalence of over 50% in patients 70 years of age or older. Transcatheter aortic valve intervention (TAVI) is the standard treatment option for patients with severe AS and at least 75 years of age. Current guidelines recommend percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients planned for TAVI with stenoses of >70% in the proximal segments of non-left main coronary arteries and in >50% of left main stenoses. While the guidelines on myocardial revascularization clearly recommend functional assessment of coronary artery stenoses of less than 90% in the absence of non-invasive ischemia testing, a statement regarding invasive functional testing in AS patients with concomitant CAD is lacking in the recently published guideline on the management of valvular heart disease. This review aims to provide an overview of the hemodynamic background in AS patients, discusses and summarizes the current evidence of invasive functional testing in patients with severe AS, and gives a future perspective on the ongoing trials on that topic.

Native T2 Predicts Myocardial Inflammation Irrespective of a Patient's Volume Status.

Myocardial inflammation and edema are major pathological features in myocarditis. Myocardial tissue water content and myocardial edema can be quantified via T2 mapping. Thus, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the noninvasive gold standard for diagnosing myocarditis. Several studies showed an impact of short-term volume changes on T2 relaxation time. Plasma volume status (PVS) is a good surrogate parameter to quantify a patient's volume status, and it is simple to use. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of PVS on the diagnostic value of T2 relaxation time in myocardial inflammation. Between April 2017 and December 2022, patients who were indicated for cardiac CMR were included in our prospective clinical registry. Patients with myocardial inflammation and those with unremarkable findings were analyzed in the present study. A blood sample was drawn, and PVS was calculated. Patients were separated into PVS tertiles to explore a possible nonlinear dose-response relationship. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether T2 is an independent predictor of myocardial inflammation. A total of 700 patients (47.43% female) were eligible for analysis. Of these, 551 patients were healthy (78.7%), while 149 (21.3%) showed signs of myocardial inflammation. The T2 relaxation time was elevated in patients with myocardial inflammation (40 ms [IQR 37-42 ms] vs. 38.0 ms [IQR 36-39 ms], p < 0.001). PVS showed no difference between the groups (-12.94 [IQR -18.4--7.28] vs.-12.19 [IQR -18.93--5.87], p = 0.384). T2 showed a clear dose-response relationship with PVS, with increasing T2 values along the PVS tertiles. In spite of this, T2 was found to be an independent marker of myocardial inflammation in logistic regression (OR T2 1.3 [95% CI 1.21-1.39], p < 0.001), even after adjusting for PVS (OR T2 [adj. PVS] 1.31 [95% CI 1.22-1.40], p < 0.001). Despite a dose-response relationship between T2 and the volume status, T2 was found to be an independent indicator of myocardial inflammation.

Incidence and predictors of hemodynamic compromise due to high-grade AV block after TAVI.

Background: High-grade AV block (HAVB) is the most frequent adverse event after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In rare cases, HAVB is associated with hemodynamic compromise (HC) followed by syncope or application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but data on this severe complication are scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence and predictors of HC due to HAVB in patients undergoing TAVI. Methods: In this retrospective analysis of 4,602 TAVI cases between 2010 and 2022, 466 developed HAVB. Baseline characteristics and procedural and postprocedural findings were compared for patients with HC versus those without. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were used to investigate independent predictors of HC. Results: Forty-nine of 466 patients (10.5%) had HC due to HAVB after TAVI. Patients with HC had a longer hospital stay [10 (8-13) vs. 13 (9-18) days; p < 0.001], more frequent peripheral artery disease (PAD) (28.6% vs. 15.1%; p = 0.016), and lower hemoglobin levels [11.8 (±) vs. 12.5 (±) g/dl; p = 0.006]. In the HC group, HAVB onset post-TAVI was delayed compared with the non-HC group [2 (1-4) vs. 1 (0-3) days; p < 0.001]. Before HAVB onset, patients in the HC group more frequently developed post-TAVI delirium [18 (4.6%) vs. 11 (25.0%); p < 0.001]. In univariate regression analysis, PAD, hemoglobin, procedural time, contrast agent volume, and post-TAVI delirium were significant predictors of HC. After adjustment, only post-TAVI delirium and contrast agent volume remained independent predictors [OR 3.22 (95% CI: 1.05-9.89); p = 0.042 and OR: 1.01 (95% CI: 1.0-1.01); p = 0.04, respectively]. Conclusion: HC due to HAVB after TAVI occurred in over 10% of cases. Development of post-TAVI delirium and contrast agent volume are independent predictors of this severe complication.

Comparison of Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy and Rotational Atherectomy in the Modification of Severely Calcified Stenoses.

Debulking techniques are often necessary for successful lesion preparation in percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of this study was to compare plaque modification of severely calcified lesions by coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) with that of rotational atherectomy (RA) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). ROTA.shock was a 1:1 randomized, prospective, double-arm, multicenter noninferiority trial designed to compare final minimal stent area after IVL with RA for lesion preparation in percutaneous coronary interventional treatment of severely calcified lesions. On the basis of OCT acquired before and immediately after IVL or RA in 21 of the 70 patients included, we performed a detailed analysis of the modification of the calcified plaque. After RA and IVL, calcified plaque fractures were present in 14 of the patients (67%), with a significantly greater number of fractures after IVL (3.23 ± 0.49) than after RA (1.67 ± 0.52; p < 0.001). Plaque fractures after IVL were longer than after RA (IVL: 1.67 ± 0.43 mm vs RA: 0.57 ± 0.55 mm; p = 0.01), resulting in a greater total volume of the fractures (IVL: 1.47 ± 0.40 mm3 vs RA: 0.48 ± 0.27 mm3; p = 0.003). Use of RA was associated with a greater acute lumen gain than was use of IVL (RA: 0.46 ± 0.16 mm2 vs IVL: 0.17 ± 0.14 mm2; p = 0.03). In conclusion, we were able to show differences in plaque modification of calcified coronary lesions by OCT: although RA leads to a greater acute lumen gain, IVL induces more and longer fractures of the calcified plaque.

Regional extracellular volume within late gadolinium enhancement-positive myocardium to differentiate cardiac sarcoidosis from myocarditis of other etiology: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) plays a pivotal role in diagnosing myocardial inflammation. In addition to late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), native T1 and T2 mapping as well as extracellular volume (ECV) are essential tools for tissue characterization. However, the differentiation of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) from myocarditis of other etiology can be challenging. Positron-emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) regularly shows the highest Fluordesoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in LGE positive regions. It was therefore the aim of this study to investigate, whether native T1, T2, and ECV measurements within LGE regions can improve the differentiation of CS and myocarditis compared with using global native T1, T2, and ECV values alone. METHODS: PET/CT confirmed CS patients and myocarditis patients (both acute and chronic) from a prospective registry were compared with respect to regional native T1, T2, and ECV. Acute and chronic myocarditis were defined based on the 2013 European Society of Cardiology position paper on myocarditis. All parametric measures and ECV were acquired in standard fashion on three short-axis slices according to the ConSept study for global values and within PET-CT positive regions of LGE. RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2020, 33 patients with CS and 73 chronic and 35 acute myocarditis patients were identified. The mean ECV (± SD) in LGE regions of CS patients was higher than in myocarditis patients (CS vs. acute and chronic, respectively: 0.65 ± 0.12 vs. 0.45 ± 0.13 and 0.47 ± 0.1; p < 0.001). Acute and chronic myocarditis patients had higher global native T1 values (1157 ± 54 ms vs. 1196 ± 63 ms vs. 1215 ± 74 ms; p = 0.001). There was no difference in global T2 and ECV values between CS and acute or chronic myocarditis patients. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show that the calculation of regional ECV within LGE-positive regions may help to differentiate CS from myocarditis. Further studies are warranted to corroborate these findings.

Outcomes After Early Postoperative Myocardial Infarction Due to Graft Failure in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Early graft failure (EGF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) occurs in up to 12% of grafts, but is often clinically unapparent. EGF may result in perioperative myocardial infarction with consequently increased mortality. The aim of the present study was to analyze the incidence of clinically apparent EGF in patients undergoing CABG and the influence on mortality. METHODS: We analyzed outcomes of consecutive patients undergoing CABG from January 2015 to December 2018 with respect to postoperative emergency coronary angiography (CAG) due to suspected EGF and 30-day mortality. Patients with CAG-documented EGF were matched to patients without EGF to examine predictors of mortality. RESULTS: The analysis included 5638 patients undergoing CABG. Eighty-six patients (1.5%) underwent emergency CAG due to suspected EGF. Clinically apparent EGF was observed in 61 of these patients (70.9%), whereas 14 (16.3%) had a culprit lesion in a native coronary artery. The majority of patients (n = 45; 52.3%) were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention and 31 (36%) underwent re-do CABG. The remaining patients were treated conservatively. The 30-day mortality rate of suspected EGF patients undergoing CAG was 22.4% (n = 19), which was higher than the mortality rate of 2.8% overall (P<.001); this remained higher after matching the EGF patients with the control group (11 [20.4%] vs 2 [4.0%]; P=.02). CONCLUSION: Emergency CAG after CABG is rare and is primarily carried out in patients with EGF. The 30-day mortality rate of these patients is high, and EGF is an independent predictor of mortality. Perioperative CAG with subsequent treatment is mandatory in these patients.

Right Ventricular Strain by Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking Is Largely Afterload-Dependent and Does Not Reflect Contractility: Validation by Combined Volumetry and Invasive Pressure Tracings.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is currently the gold standard for evaluating right ventricular (RV) function, which is critical in patients with pulmonary hypertension. CMR feature-tracking (FT) strain analysis has emerged as a technique to detect subtle changes. However, the dependence of RV strain on load is still a matter of debate. The aim of this study was to measure the afterload dependence of RV strain and to correlate it with surrogate markers of contractility in a cohort of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) under two different loading conditions before and after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). Between 2009 and 2022, 496 patients with 601 CMR examinations were retrospectively identified from our CTEPH cohort, and the results of 194 examinations with right heart catheterization within 24 h were available. The CMR FT strain (longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential (GCS)) was computed on steady-state free precession (SSFP) cine CMR sequences. The effective pulmonary arterial elastance (Ea) and RV chamber elastance (Ees) were approximated by dividing mean pulmonary arterial pressure by the indexed stroke volume or end-systolic volume, respectively. GLS and GCS correlated significantly with Ea and Ees/Ea in the overall cohort and individually before and after PEA. There was no general correlation with Ees; however, under high afterload, before PEA, Ees correlated significantly. The results show that RV GLS and GCS are highly afterload-dependent and reflect ventriculoarterial coupling. Ees was significantly correlated with strain only under high loading conditions, which probably reflects contractile adaptation to pulsatile load rather than contractility in general.

Effects of renin-angiotensin system inhibitor type and dosage on survival after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

AIMS: The objective of the study was to determine the effect of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASI) on the survival of subgroups of patients with aortic stenosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and to assess the impact of types and dosages of RASI on outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: This single-centre, retrospective analysis included 2862 patients (n = 2227 with RASI and n = 635 without RASI) after successful TAVI. Propensity score matching established comparable patient populations (n = 625 per group). Survival was analysed by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression and was corrected for baseline, procedural, and medical parameters. Self-reported adherence to RASI therapy 3 months after hospital discharge was 94%. Three-year all-cause mortality rates were 12.3% and 20.2% for patients with or without RASI, respectively (log-rank <0.001). In the matched study populations, mortality rates were 14.2% vs. 20.0% (log-rank <0.03). RASI was particularly beneficial in patients with ejection fraction <40% [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval 0.50 (0.29-0.87)], EuroScore II ≥4% [HR 0.47 (0.35-0.65)], or low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis [HR 0.53 (0.31-0.93)] who were also on beta-blockers and statins. An association between discharge dosage and survival was observed, with HR 0.75 (0.58-0.96) and 0.57 (0.44-0.72) for patients on <50% and ≥50% target dose, respectively. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) reduced mortality rates similarly (13.9% vs. 9.8%, log-rank 0.103). CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial association between RASI after TAVI and improved survival during follow-up is particularly evident in high-risk patients and may be dose dependent. No superiority was noted in the effectiveness of ACEI or ARB.

Presepsin predicts 1-year all-cause mortality better than N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Aim: Presepsin is a sensitive biomarker for the diagnosis and estimation of prognosis in septic patients. The prognostic role of presepsin in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has never been investigated. Patients, materials & methods: In 343 patients, presepsin and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were measured before TAVI. One-year all-cause mortality was used as outcome measure. Results: Patients with high presepsin levels were more likely to succumb than patients with low presepsin values (16.9% vs 12.3%; p = 0.015). Elevated presepsin remained a significant predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality (odds ratio: 2.2 [95% CI: 1.12-4.29]; p = 0.022) after adjustment. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide did not predict 1-year all-cause mortality. Conclusion: Elevated baseline presepsin levels are an independent predictor of 1-year mortality in TAVI patients.

Presepsin is a rather novel blood parameter that is most commonly used for the detection of severe infections. However, in patients without infections who are undergoing elective surgery, elevated baseline presepsin levels were also found to be associated with worse survival. In this study, researchers wanted to know whether increased presepsin levels can also predict worse survival in patients who are planned for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. To do so, they looked at the 1-year death rate of these patients and distinguished between low and high presepsin levels determined before the procedure. Patients with elevated presepsin levels before the procedure had a worse outcome after 1 year compared with those with low presepsin levels. Measurement of presepsin before the transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure could help identify patients who are at a higher long-term risk, and accordingly a closer monitoring of these patients during the follow-up period might be warranted.

Cardiac biomarkers as indicators of right ventricular dysfunction and recovery in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients after balloon pulmonary angioplasty therapy - a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure determines outcome. Balloon pulmonary angioplasty therapy allows right heart recovery, which can be monitored by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. This study evaluates whether cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP, MR-proANP, sST2, and PAPP-A) are associated with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings prior to and after balloon pulmonary angioplasty therapy. METHODS: This observational cohort study enrolled 22 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients who underwent balloon pulmonary angioplasty therapy and completed a six-month follow-up including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Biomarker levels were compared with findings for right heart morphology and function derived from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Pulmonary hemodynamics improved after balloon pulmonary angioplasty therapy [pulmonary vascular resistance: 7.7 (6.0-9.0) vs. 4.7 (3.5-5.5) wood units, p < 0.001; mean pulmonary artery pressure 41 (38-47) vs. 32 (28-37) mmHg, p < 0.001]. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings indicated right heart maladaptation at baseline and recovery after therapy [right ventricular end-diastolic volume 192 (141-229) ml vs. 143 (128-172) ml, p = 0.002; right ventricular end-systolic volume 131 (73-157) ml vs. 77 (61-99) ml (p < 0.001); right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) 34 (28-41) % vs. 52 (41-54) %; p < 0.001]. Biomarker level cut-offs [NT-proBNP 347 ng/L (area under the curve (AUC) 0.91), MR-proANP 230 pg/L (AUC 0.78), PAPP-A 14.5 mU/L (AUC 0.81), and sST2 48.0 ng/ml (AUC 0.88)] indicated a RVEF ≤ 35% at baseline. The dynamics of NT-proBNP (rs = -0.79; p < 0.001), MR-proANP (rs = -0.80; p < 0.001), and sST2 (rs = -0.49; p = 0.02) correlated inversely with the improvement in RVEF after therapy. A relative decrease of NT-proBNP < 53% (AUC 0.86) and MR-proANP < 24% (AUC 0.82) indicated a limited RVEF response. CONCLUSIONS: In chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings illustrate right heart failure and recovery after balloon pulmonary angioplasty therapy. Cardiac biomarker levels correlate with right heart parameters at baseline and their dynamics after therapy.

Epicardial fat volume is associated with preexisting atrioventricular conduction abnormalities and increased pacemaker implantation rate in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is a highly metabolically active fat depot surrounding the heart and coronary arteries that is related to early atherosclerosis and adverse cardiac events. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the amount of EFT and preexisting cardiac conduction abnormalities (CCAs) and the need for new postinterventional pacemaker in patients with severe aortic stenosis planned for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). A total of 560 consecutive patients (54% female) scheduled for TAVI were included in this retrospective study. EFT volume was measured via a fully automated artificial intelligence software (QFAT) using computed tomography (CT) performed before TAVI. Baseline CCAs [first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, right bundle branch block (RBBB), and left bundle branch block (LBBB)] were diagnosed according to 12-lead ECG before TAVI. Aortic valve calcification was determined by the Agatston score assessed in the pre-TAVI CT. The median EFT volume was 129.5 ml [IQR 94-170]. Baseline first-degree AV block was present in 17%, RBBB in 10.4%, and LBBB in 10.2% of the overall cohort. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, higher EFT volume was associated with first-degree AV block (OR 1.006 [95% CI 1.002-1.010]; p = 0.006) and the need for new pacemaker implantation after TAVI (OR 1.005 [95% CI 1.0-1.01]; p = 0.035) but not with the presence of RBBB or LBBB. EFT volume did not correlate with the Agatston score of the aortic valve. Greater EFT volume is associated independently with preexisting first-degree AV block and new pacemaker implantation in patients undergoing TAVI. It may play a causative role in degenerative processes and the susceptibility of the AV conduction system.

CMR-derived myocardial strain analysis differentiates ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy-a propensity score-matched study.

Left ventricular (LV) longitudinal, circumferential, and radial motion can be measured using feature tracking of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images. The aim of our study was to detect differences in LV mechanics between patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) who were matched using a propensity score-based model. Between April 2017 and October 2019, 1224 patients were included in our CMR registry, among them 141 with ICM and 77 with DCM. Propensity score matching was used to pair patients based on their indexed end-diastolic volume (EDVi), ejection fraction (EF), and septal T1 relaxation time (psmatch2 module L Feature tracking provided six parameters for global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain with corresponding strain rates in each group. Strain parameters were compared between matched pairs of ICM and DCM patients using paired t tests. Propensity score matching yielded 72 patients in each group (DCM mean age 58.6 ± 11.6 years, 15 females; ICM mean age 62.6 ± 13.2 years, 11 females, p = 0.084 and 0.44 respectively; LV-EF 32.2 ± 13.5% vs. 33.8 ± 12.1%, p = 0.356; EDVi 127.2 ± 30.7 ml/m2 vs. 121.1 ± 41.8 ml/m2, p = 0.251; native T1 values 1165 ± 58 ms vs. 1167 ± 70 ms, p = 0.862). There was no difference in global longitudinal strain between DCM and ICM patients (- 10.9 ± 5.5% vs. - 11.2 ± 4.7%, p = 0.72), whereas in DCM patients there was a significant reduction in global circumferential strain (- 10.0 ± 4.5% vs. - 12.2 ± 4.7%, p = 0.002) and radial strain (17.1 ± 8.51 vs. 21.2 ± 9.7%, p = 0.039). Our data suggest that ICM and DCM patients have inherently different myocardial mechanics, even if phenotypes are similar. Our data show that GCS is significantly more impaired in DCM patients. This feature may help in more thoroughly characterizing cardiomyopathy patients.

Predictive value of overt and non-overt volume overload in patients with high- or low-gradient aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: The plasma volume status (PVS) is considered a marker of non-overt cardiac congestion and is of prognostic value. Patients with low-flow, low-gradient (LFLG) aortic stenosis (AS) suffer from impaired left ventricular function and show signs of heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that PVS might predict post-interventional rehospitalization and cardiovascular mortality in high-risk patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: In this retrospective, observational analysis, PVS before transfemoral TAVI was calculated by a formula taking into account hematocrit and weight. The predictive performance of PVS was compared with that of prior cardiac decompensation (PCD). RESULTS: In the entire cohort of n=2,458 patients, PVS >-4% (high plasma volume) identified patients (n=1,013) with a higher post-interventional 1-year mortality rate than patients (n=1,445) with a PVS ≤-4% (low plasma volume). However, PVS lost prognostic independence when adjusted for anemia, whereas PCD did not. A high PVS and PCD were not correlated, and both parameters similarly revealed a low sensitivity and specificity but a high negative predictive value (NPV) for future HF events. PVS was not different between control patients (n=1,512) and those with intermediate (paradoxical LFLG-AS, n=327) or high risk scores (LFLG-AS, n=239). The accuracy of high PVS in predicting adverse events in these subpopulations was the same as in the study population overall. Kaplan-Maier analyses demonstrated similar prognostic impacts for PVS and PCD. CONCLUSIONS: PVS and PCD represent two independent parameters of volume overload with unfavorable prognostic significance. Pre-interventional PVS does not appear to be suitable for predicting clinical outcomes in high-risk patients undergoing TAVI.

Long-Term Survival in Patients with or without Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) can have concomitant systolic heart failure (HF) that persists even after correction of afterload by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). These patients qualify as potential candidates for prophylactic therapy with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). We compared survival between patients with or without an ICD after successful TAVI. This retrospective study analyzed Kaplan-Meier survival data during a follow-up period of three years in two populations: (a) patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% before TAVI (overall population); (b) patients with additionally documented LVEF ≤ 35% 3 months after TAVI (persistent LV dysfunction subpopulation). In the overall population, 53 patients with and 193 patients without an ICD had similar baseline characteristics and procedural success rates, and HF medication at discharge was comparable. Three-year mortality rates were 26.4% for patients with an ICD and 24.4% for patients without an ICD (p = 0.758). Cardiovascular death rates were similar between groups (p = 0.914), and deaths were most often attributed to worsening of HF. Survival rates in patients with persistent LV dysfunction with an ICD (n = 24) or without an ICD (n = 59) were similar between groups (p = 0.872), with cardiovascular deaths mostly qualified as worsening HF and none as sudden cardiac death. Patients of the overall study population with biventricular pacing devices showed only a tendency to have better outcomes (p = 0.298). ICD therapy in elderly patients with AS and LV dysfunction undergoing TAVI did not demonstrate a survival benefit during a 3-year follow-up period.

Effects of Statins After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Key Patient Populations.

ABSTRACT: Statin therapy after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) is associated with better short-term and long-term outcomes. It is of interest to identify specific patient populations that may profit from statin therapy. In this retrospective, observational analysis of 2862 patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis after successful transfemoral TAVI, survival during a three-year observation period was characterized by Kaplan-Meier analyses according to statin therapy. Hazard ratios and potential interactions for specific subgroups of patients were determined by Cox regression analyses. At hospital discharge 1761 patients were on low-intensity or moderate-intensity statins, 246 patients were on high-intensity statins, and 855 patients did not take statins. Statin therapy adherence during the first 3 months post-TAVI was 91%. Mortality rates were 18.5%, 12.9%, and 6.9% for patients with no statin, low-intensity or moderate-intensity statins, and high-intensity statins (P < 0.001). Any statin therapy proved to be effective in patients in different classes of age, risk, and manifest cardiovascular disease and was independent of background medication. Statins were of particular benefit in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.57], ejection fraction <40% (HR = 0.64), or low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis (HR = 0.58) and showed additional benefit even in patients taking renin-angiotensin system blockers (HR = 0.74). Statins also reduced mortality in patients with malignant disease (HR = 0.47). Our analysis confirmed the beneficial effect of statins on survival after TAVI and documented this phenomenon in key patient subsets. The protective effect of statins in our study is consistent with the cardioprotective mechanisms but must be explained by other, yet undetermined pleiotropic effects of statins.

Prognostic impact of echocardiographic mean transvalvular gradients in patients with aortic stenosis and low flow undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Blunted left ventricular hemodynamics reflected by a low stroke volume index (SVI) ≤35 mL/m2 body surface area (low flow [LF]) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) are associated with worse outcomes even after correction of afterload by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). These patients can have a low or high transvalvular mean pressure gradient (MPG). We investigated the impact of the pre-interventional MPG on outcomes after TAVI. METHODS: Patients with LF AS were classified into those with normal (EF ≥ 50%; LF/NEF) or reduced ejection fraction (EF < 50%; LF/REF) and were then stratified according to an MPG < or ≥ 40 mmHg. Patients with SVI >35 mL/m2 (normal flow; NF) served as controls. RESULTS: 597 patients with LF/NEF, 264 patients with LF/REF and 975 patients with NF were identified. Among all groups those patients with a low MPG were characterized by higher cardiovascular risk. In patients with LF/REF, functional improvement post-TAVI was less pronounced in low-MPG patients. One-year survival was significantly worse in LF AS patients with a low vs. high MPG (LF/NEF 16.5% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.022; LF/REF 25.4% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.002), whereas no differences were found in NF patients (8.7% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.550). In both LF AS groups, a low pre-procedural MPG emerged as an independent predictor of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LF AS, an MPG cut-off of 40 mmHg defines two patient populations with fundamental differences in outcomes after TAVI. Patients with LF AS and a high MPG have the same favorable prognosis as patients with NF AS.

Right bundle branch block is not associated with worse short- and mid-term outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the standard treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at intermediate or high surgical risk. Preexisting right bundle branch block (RBBB) is a strong predictor of new pacemaker implantation (PPM) after TAVI, and previous data indicate a worse short- and long-term outcome of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether preexisting RBBB has an effect on the short- and mid-term outcome of patients undergoing TAVI in a German high-volume TAVI center. METHODS: For the present retrospective analysis, a total of 1,891 patients with native severe AS with successful TAVI without preexisting PPM were included. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality after 30 days and 12 months. Baseline RBBB was present in 190 (10.1%) of cases. RESULTS: Patients with preexisting RBBB had a considerably higher rate of new PPM after TAVI compared with patients without RBBB (87/190 [45.8%] vs. 219/1,701 [12.9%]; p<0.001). RBBB had no impact on all-cause mortality at 30 days (2.1% vs. 2.7%; p = 0.625) and at 12 months (14.4% vs. 13.6%; p = 0.765). Further stratification according to the presence of new PPM showed a difference in mid-term survival rates between the four groups, with the worst outcome for patients without RBBB and new PPM (log rank p = 0.024). However, no difference in mid-term cardiovascular survival was found. CONCLUSION: Preexisting RBBB is a common finding in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI and is associated with considerably higher PPM rates but not with worse short- and mid-term outcome.

Transradial Closure of a Large Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm With a Duct Occluder II - A Case Report.

Pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of cardiothoracic surgery. Re-operation is associated with a high mortality risk; therefore, percutaneous endovascular closure techniques with different closure devices have been repeatedly reported over the last 15 years. Previous endovascular procedures were performed using a transfemoral or transbrachial approach. We report a case of transradial ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm closure in a patient deemed unsuitable for surgery.