Cardio-hepatic syndrome in patients undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

AIMS: The impact of the cardio-hepatic syndrome (CHS) on outcomes in patients undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) for relevant mitral regurgitation (MR) is unknown. The objectives of this study were three-fold: (i) to characterize the pattern of hepatic impairment, (ii) to investigate the prognostic value of CHS, and (iii) to evaluate the changes in hepatic function after M-TEER. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hepatic impairment was quantified by laboratory parameters of liver function. In accordance with existing literature, two types of CHS were distinguished: ischaemic type I CHS (elevation of both transaminases) and cholestatic type II CHS (elevation of two out of three parameters of hepatic cholestasis). The impact of CHS on 2-year mortality was evaluated using a Cox model. The change in hepatic function after M-TEER was assessed by laboratory testing at follow-up. We analysed 1083 patients who underwent M-TEER for relevant primary or secondary MR at four European centres between 2008 and 2019. Ischaemic type I and cholestatic type II CHS were observed in 11.1% and 23.0% of patients, respectively. Predictors for 2-year all-cause mortality differed by MR aetiology. While in primary MR cholestatic type II CHS was independently associated with 2-year mortality, ischaemic CHS type I was an independent mortality predictor in secondary MR patients. At follow-up, patients with MR reduction ≤2+ (obtained in 90.7% of patients) presented with improved parameters of hepatic function (median reduction of 0.2 mg/dl, 0.2 U/L and 21 U/L for bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, respectively, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The CHS is frequently observed in patients undergoing M-TEER and significantly impairs 2-year survival. Successful M-TEER may have beneficial effects on CHS.

Initiation and development of a percutaneous left atrial appendage closure programme: A French centre's experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure may be considered in selected patients with atrial fibrillation at significant risk of both thromboembolism and haemorrhage. AIMS: To report the experience of a tertiary French centre in percutaneous left atrial appendage closure and to discuss the outcomes compared with previously published series. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study of all patients referred for percutaneous left atrial appendage closure between 2014 and 2020. Patient characteristics, procedural management and outcomes were reported, and the incidence of thromboembolic and bleeding events during follow-up were compared with historical incidence rates. RESULTS: Overall, 207 patients had left atrial appendage closure (mean age 75.3±8.6 years; 68% men; CHA2DS2-VASc score 4.8±1.5 ; HAS-BLED score 3.3±1.1), with a 97.6% (n=202) success rate. Twenty (9.7%) patients had at least one significant periprocedural complication, including six (2.9%) tamponades and three (1.4%) thromboembolisms. Periprocedural complication rates decreased from earlier to more recent periods (from 13% before 2018 to 5.9% after; P=0.07). During a mean follow-up of 23.1±20.2 months, 11 thromboembolic events were observed (2.8% per patient-year), a 72% risk reduction compared with the estimated theoretical annual risk. Conversely, 21 (10%) patients experienced bleeding during follow-up, with almost half of the events occurring during the first 3 months. After the first 3 months, the risk of major bleeding was 4.0% per patient-year, a 31% risk reduction compared with the expected estimated risk. CONCLUSION: This real-world evaluation emphasizes the feasibility and benefit of left atrial appendage closure, but also illustrates the need for multidisciplinary expertise to initiate and develop this activity.

Right ventricular dysfunction predicts outcome after transcatheter mitral valve repair for primary mitral valve regurgitation.

AIMS: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), as expressed by right ventricular to pulmonary artery coupling, has recently been identified as a strong outcome predictor in patients undergoing mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) for secondary mitral regurgitation (MR). The aim of this study was to define RVD in patients undergoing M-TEER for primary MR (PMR) and to evaluate its impact on procedural MR reduction, symptomatic development and 2-year all-cause mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicentre study included patients undergoing M-TEER for symptomatic PMR at nine international centres. The study cohort was divided into a derivation (DC) and validation cohort (VC) for calculation and validation of the best discriminatory value for RVD. A total of 648 PMR patients were included in the study. DC and VC were comparable regarding procedural success and outcomes at follow-up. Sensitivity analysis identified RVD as an independent predictor for 2-year mortality in the DC (hazard ratio [HR] 2.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47-3.81, p < 0.001), which was confirmed in the VC (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.36-3.13, p < 0.001). Procedural success (MR ≤2+) and symptomatic improvement at follow-up (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class ≤II) were lower in PMR patients with RVD (MR ≤2+: 82% vs. 93%, p = 0.002; NYHA class ≤II: 57.3% vs. 66.5%, p = 0.09 for with vs. without RVD). In all PMR patients, the presence of RVD significantly impaired 2-year survival after M-TEER (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.63-3.05, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve edge-to-edge repair is an effective treatment option for PMR patients. The presence of RVD is associated with less MR reduction, less symptomatic improvement and increased 2-year mortality. Accordingly, RVD might be included into pre-procedural prognostic considerations.

Left atrial volume index and outcome after transcatheter edge-to-edge valve repair for secondary mitral regurgitation.

AIMS: To investigate the role of left atrial volume index (LAVi) in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER). METHODS AND RESULTS: Outcomes were evaluated in SMR patients of a European multicentre registry according to baseline LAVi. Main analysis was performed for all-cause mortality; residual mitral regurgitation (MR) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class improvement were analysed for patients available. A total of 1074 patients were included with a median LAVi (interquartile range) of 58 ml/m2 (46-73). Postprocedural reduction of MR grade to ≤2+ was similar across LAVi quintiles, ranging 91%-96% (p = 0.26). Symptomatic benefit (≥1 NYHA class improvement) also did not differ by LAVi quintiles (61%-68% of patients) (p = 0.66). The risk of mortality increased by 23%-42% in the four upper quintiles compared to the bottom quintile (LAVi <42 ml/m2 ). The hazard ratio (HR) of mortality was 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.78, p = 0.035) associated with a LAVi >42 ml/m2 , which was attenuated after multivariable adjustment (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.83-1.67, p = 0.36). A significant interaction was found for MR severity and pulmonary hypertension, with an increased risk of death associated with enlarged LAVi in patients with inframedian effective regurgitant orifice area (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.06-3.74, p = 0.032) and in patients with systolic pulmonary pressure ≤50 mmHg (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.02-2.75, p = 0.042) in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Procedural success and symptomatic benefit were high throughout the whole range of LAVi. The prognostic impact of left atrial enlargement was relevant in patients with less severe SMR and without pulmonary hypertension, reinforcing the need to identify patients in the early course of backward congestion to achieve good long-term outcome after TEER.

Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management of Native Atrioventricular Valve Regurgitation in Heart Failure Patients.

Atrioventricular regurgitation is frequent in the setting of heart failure. It is due to atrial and ventricular remodelling, as well as rhythmic disturbances and loss of synchrony. Once atrioventricular regurgitation develops, it can aggravate the underlying heart failure, and further participate and aggravate its own severity. Its presence is therefore concomitantly a surrogate of advance disease and a predictor of mortality. Heart failure management, including medical therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and restoration of sinus rhythm, are the initial steps to reduce atrioventricular regurgitation. In the current review, we analyse the current data assessing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and impact of non-valvular intervention on atrioventricular regurgitation including medical treatment, cardiac resynchronization and atrial fibrillation ablation.

Management of Valvular Disease During Pregnancy: Evolving Role of Percutaneous Treatment.

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is encountered in approximately 1% of pregnancies, significantly increasing both maternal and foetal risk. Rheumatic VHD remains the most common form in non-Western countries, whereas congenital heart disease dominates in the Western world. The risk of complications varies according to the type and severity of the underlying VHD. Moreover, pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state associated with increased risk of thromboembolism. The authors review the main VHDs encountered during pregnancy, and suggest management strategies based on the 2018 European Society of Cardiology recommendations for the management of pregnant women with VHD, providing an overview of classical and new transcatheter structural therapeutic options with a special focus on radiation exposure and anticoagulation drug management.

Ten-year follow-up of unreplaced Valsalva sinuses after aortic valve replacement in bicuspid aortic valve disease.

BACKGROUND: Aortopathy is common in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). AIM: To evaluate the fate of unreplaced Valsalva sinuses in patients with BAV, 10 years after aortic valve replacement (AVR) with or without replacement of the ascending aorta (RAA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all surgical patients with BAV who were operated on between January 2005 and December 2007. Patients who underwent AVR with or without RAA were included. Surgical data were entered prospectively. Ten-year clinical and echocardiographic follow-up data as well as survival data were collected by contacting the patients and their personal cardiologists, and by consulting the French national mortality registry. Overall, 25% of the patients had computed tomography angiographic assessment of the aortic root at follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 133 patients with BAV were operated on within the selected period. Thirty-two patients did not meet the inclusion criteria, and had primary Valsalva sinus surgery. Twenty-four patients underwent AVR with RAA and 77 patients had isolated AVR; all of these 101 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up was 9 years (up to 12 years). During follow-up, eight patients (7.9%) underwent late reoperation; two of them (2.0%) required root surgery. Ten-year freedom from reoperation was 86.2±4.7%. Ten-year freedom from dilatation of the Valsalva sinuses (>45mm) was 86.6±5.2%. Ten-year cumulative survival was 83.5±4%. CONCLUSIONS: Ascending aorta and Valsalva sinuses seem to have different fates after AVR in BAV disease. When the Valsalva sinuses are not dilated at the initial surgery, the risk of secondary dilatation at 10 years is low. Preservation of the sinuses is therefore justified in patients with BAV with a non-dilated root. In BAV with isolated aortic insufficiency, a more aggressive approach may be justified, especially in young patients.