Distribution and prognostic value of left ventricular global longitudinal strain in elderly patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

AIMS: The aim of present study was to examine the preoperative prevalence and distribution of impaired left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) in elderly patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and to determine the predictive value of LVGLS on survival. METHODS: We included 411 patients with symptomatic severe AS treated with TAVR during a 5-year period, where a baseline echocardiography including LVGLS assessment was available. RESULTS: Mean age was 80.1 ± 7.1 years and aortic valve area (AVA) index 0.4 ± 0.1 cm2. 78 patients died during a median follow-up of 762 days. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 50 ± 13% and mean LVGLS was - 14.0%. LVEF was preserved in 60% of patients, while impaired LVGLS > - 18% was seen in 75% of the patients. Previous myocardial infarction, LVEF < 50%, LVGLS > - 14%, low gradient AS (< 4.0 m/s), tricuspid regurgitant gradient > 30 mmHg were identified as significant univariate predictors of all-cause mortality. On multivariate analysis LVGLS > - 14% (HR 1.79 [1.02-3.14], p = 0.04) was identified as the only independent variable associated with all-cause mortality. Reduced survival was observed with an impaired LVGLS > - 14% in the total population (p < 0.002) but also in patients with high AS gradient with preserved LVEF. LVGLS provided incremental prognostic value with respect to clinical characteristics, AVA and LVEF (χ2 19.9, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with symptomatic AS undergoing TAVR, impaired LVGLS was highly prevalent despite preserved LVEF. LVGLS > - 14% was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, and survival was reduced if LVGLS > - 14%.

High-pressure balloon fracturing of small dysfunctional Mitroflow bioprostheses facilitates transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation.

AIMS: Transcatheter valve-in-valve (VIV) implantation is usually discouraged in small surgical tissue valves. We report our first ten cases of fracturing small dysfunctional Mitroflow bioprostheses by high-pressure balloon dilatation to increase the internal diameter of the surgical valve before VIV (BF-VIV). METHODS AND RESULTS: BF-VIV was performed in 10 patients (mean age 84±4 years) with failing Mitroflow valves size 19 mm (n=3, threshold of fracture 15 atm) and 21 mm (n=7, threshold of fracture 13 atm). An Edwards SAPIEN 3 or XT 20 mm or 23 mm transcatheter valve was implanted inside the fractured Mitroflow bioprosthesis. The procedure improved aortic valve area (0.7±0.3 vs. 1.1±0.3 cm2, p=0.001), reduced peak aortic valve gradient (66±27 vs. 29±7 mmHg, p=0.002), resolved aortic regurgitation and improved patients' NYHA functional class (p=0.005). One patient had a minor stroke with complete resolution of symptoms and another patient required a pacemaker due to AV block. All patients were still alive at the end of follow-up (438±255 days). CONCLUSIONS: Initial experience with transcatheter BF-VIV suggests that this method is feasible and safe, and that it improves aortic valve haemodynamics and clinical functional capacity. BF-VIV is a promising alternative to repeat surgery in patients with small failing Mitroflow bioprostheses.

Natriuretic peptides in the monitoring of anthracycline induced reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: The use of anthracyclines in treatment of cancer is limited by cardiotoxicity of these compounds and may lead to heart failure. Therefore monitoring of cardiac function is necessary during therapy. AIM: We evaluated the value of natriuretic peptides (N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (N-ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)) for monitoring and predicting anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity using radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) measurements as reference. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 107 consecutive patients receiving anthracycline as part of their chemotherapy for malignant disease were studied. Plasma concentrations of the peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay and EF by radionuclide cardiography. For reduced EF values, i.e. below 0.50 a fairly strong correlation was found between N-ANP or BNP and EF. Of 48 patients with serial EF and peptide measurements, 19% showed a significant EF decrease (>0.10) and ended with a final EF value below 0.50. Baseline EF was no predictor of a change in EF during treatment. Neither baseline levels of N-ANP or BNP nor a change in the same variables during therapy were predictive of a change in EF. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of correlations between peptide concentrations and reduced EF values neither baseline values nor serial measurements can safely substitute EF monitoring in patients undergoing anthracycline therapy.