Grading of Aortic Valve Calcification Severity and Risk Stratification in Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Thresholds of aortic valve calcification (AVC) to define hemodynamically moderate aortic stenosis (AS) from mild are lacking. We aimed to establish a novel grading classification of AVC as quantified by computed tomography and determine its prognostic value. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study included 915 patients with at least mild AS (mean age 70±12 years, 30% women) from a multicenter prospective registry. All patients underwent Doppler-echocardiography and noncontrast computed tomography within 3 months. Primary end point was the occurrence of all-cause death. Receiver operating characteristic curves analyses were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of sex-specific thresholds of AVC to identify hemodynamically moderate AS. Optimal thresholds (ie, with best sensitivity/specificity) of AVC to distinguish moderate (aortic valve area 1.0-1.5 cm2 and mean gradient 20-39 mm Hg) from mild AS (aortic valve area >1.5 cm2 and mean gradient <20 mm Hg) were AVC ≥360 arbitrary units in women and ≥1037 arbitrary units in men. Based on the guidelines' thresholds for severe AS and the new thresholds in our study for moderate AS, 312 (34%) patients had mild, 253 (28%) moderate, and 350 (38%) severe AVC. During a mean follow-up of 5.6±3.9 years, 183 (27%) deaths occurred. In Cox multivariable models, AVC remained associated with an increased risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio per grade increase, 1.94 [95% CI, 1.53-2.56]; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A novel grading classification of anatomic AS severity based on sex-specific thresholds of AVC provides significant prognostic value for predicting mortality. These findings support the complementarity of computed tomography-calcium scoring to Doppler-echocardiography to corroborate AS severity and enhance risk stratification in patients with AS.

Impact of stroke volume assessment by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography on the classification of low-gradient aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of flow status is crucial in low-gradient aortic stenosis (AS). However, the clinical implication of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) on flow status evaluation remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the assessment of flow status using 3D TEE in low-gradient AS patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with low-gradient AS and preserved ejection fraction at our institution between 2019 and 2022. Patients were categorized into low-flow/low-gradient (LF-LG) AS or normal-flow/low-gradient (NF-LG) AS based on two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE). We compared the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) geometry between the two groups and reclassified them using stroke volume index (SVi) obtained by 3DTEE. RESULTS: Among 173 patients (105 with LF-LG AS and 68 with NF-LG AS), 54 propensity-matched pairs of patients were analyzed. 3DTEE-derived ellipticity index of LVOT was significantly higher in LF-LG AS patients compared to NF-LG AS patients (p = 0.012). We assessed the discordance in flow status classification between SVi2DTTE and SVi3DTEE in both groups using a cutoff value of 35 ml/m2. The LF-LG AS group exhibited a significantly higher discordance rate compared to the NF-LG AS group, with rates of 50% and 2%, respectively. The optimal cutoff values of SVi3DTEE for identifying low flow status, based on 2DTTE-derived cutoff values, were determined to be 43 ml/m2. CONCLUSIONS: LVOT ellipticity in low-gradient AS patients varies depending on flow status, and this difference contributes to discrepancies between SVi3DTEE and SVi2DTTE, particularly in LF-LG AS patients. Utilizing SVi3DTEE is valuable for accurately assessing flow status.

Características y predictores ecocardiográficos de mortalidad en pacientes intervenidos con TAVI. La importancia de anticiparse al daño cardíaco global / Predictors of late mortality after TAVI: the relevance of early intervention to prevent global deterioration of cardiac function

Introducción: En nuestro medio, el implante percutáneo de prótesis aórtica (TAVI) se encuentra limitado a pacientes más añosos o de mayor riesgo quirúrgico, en quienes frecuentemente se retarda la intervención hasta que presenten signos avanzados de enfermedad. Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de compromiso miocárdico en pacientes sometidos a TAVI y determinar si la magnitud de este compromiso predice los resultados alejados del procedimiento. Métodos: Registro de pacientes sometidos a TAVI en 2 instituciones de Chile. Según la clasificación propuesta por Genereux el año 2017, se clasificaron desde el punto de vista ecocardiográfico como: 1) compromiso de ventrículo izquierdo; 2) compromiso de aurícula izquierda; 3) hipertensión pulmonar / insuficiencia tricuspídea significativa y 4) disfunción de ventrículo derecho. Resultados: Se incluyeron 209 pacientes. Se logró un procedimiento exitoso en 98,6%, registrándose una mortalidad intrahospitalaria de 2,9%. El compromiso cardíaco se extendió más allá de las cavidades izquierdas en 24,7% de los casos (estadíos 3 y 4). A una mediana de seguimiento de 650 días se registró una mortalidad de 26,8%. El compromiso de cavidades derechas (estadíos 3 y 4) se asoció a una mayor mortalidad (39,6% vs 22,1%, log rank p=0,015). En análisis multivariado, este compromiso fue el único factor que de forma independiente predijo mortalidad (HR 1,87, IC 1,01-3,44, p=0,044). Conclusiones: El compromiso de cavidades derechas se asocia a una mayor mortalidad alejada en pacientes sometidos a TAVI. Estos resultados debiesen estimular una derivación precoz de estos pacientes que, aunque añosos y de alto riesgo, tienen buenos resultados intervenidos precozmente.

Background: Locally, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is limited to very old or high-risk patients, whose intervention is frequently delayed until they develop signs of advanced disease. Aim: To evaluate the degree of myocardial compromise in patients undergoing TAVI and to determine whether the level of this compromise can predict results during follow-up. Methods: Registry of TAVI patients from 2 institutions in Chile. According to the classification proposed by Genereux in 2017, patients were classified based on the echocardiogram as 1) left ventricular compromise; 2) left atrial compromise; 3) pulmonary hypertension / severe tricuspid regurgitation; 4) right ventricular dysfunction. Results: The study included 209 patients. A successful procedure was achieved in 98.6% of cases, with an in-hospital mortality of 2.9%. Cardiac compromise extended beyond left chambers in 24.7% of cases (stages 3 and 4). During follow-up (median of 650 days) mortality was 26.8%. Right chambers involvement (stages 3 and 4) was associated with increased mortality (39.6% vs 22.1%, log rank p=0.015). In multivariate analysis, this compromise was the only factor that independently predicted mortality (HR 1.87, IC 1.01-3.44, p=0,044). Conclusions: Right chambers involvement was associated to increased mortality during follow-up of patients undergoing TAVI. These results should stimulate earlier referral of these high risk and older patients in order to obtain better results following the intervention.

Estenosis aórtica grave con bajo gradiente y fracción de eyección normal: una cuestión de mala clasificación / Severe aortic valve stenosis with low-gradient and preserved ejection fraction: a misclassification issue

Introducción y objetivos. La estenosis aórtica grave con gradientes bajos y fracción de eyección normal es una entidad discutida. Las discrepancias sobre su pronóstico indican que podría tratarse de una incorrecta clasificación de su gravedad. La planimetría del área aórtica mediante ecografía transesofágica tridimensional podría esclarecer estas dudas. Los objetivos de este trabajo son valorar la concordancia de la medida del área valvular aórtica obtenida mediante ecuación de continuidad en ecocardiografía transtorácica y la obtenida por planimetría mediante ecocardiografía transesofágica tridimensional en pacientes con estenosis aórtica grave y bajo gradiente paradójico. Métodos. Estudio transversal descriptivo de pacientes consecutivos remitidos por estenosis aórtica grave, a los que se practicó ecocardiografía transtorácica y transesofágica tridimensional. Se consideró estenosis aórtica con bajo gradiente paradójico la presencia de un área efectiva < 1 cm2, gradiente ventricular medio < 40 mmHg y fracción de eyección >= 50%. Se estudió la concordancia entre las dos técnicas. Resultados. Estudiamos a 212 pacientes consecutivos con estenosis aórtica grave. De ellos, 63 casos (29,7%) satisfacían los criterios de bajo gradiente paradójico y en 61 se obtuvieron imágenes adecuadas para la comparación de los métodos. La planimetría tridimensional confirmó un área valvular < 1 cm2 en 52 pacientes (85,2%). El coeficiente de correlación intraclase entre las técnicas fue 0,505 (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,290-0,671; p < 0,001). Conclusiones. La estenosis aórtica grave con bajo gradiente paradójico es una entidad real que se confirma en el 85% de los pacientes evaluados mediante ecocardiografía transesofágica tridimensional (AU)

Introduction and objectives. Low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with preserved ejection fraction is a controversial entity. Misclassification of valvulopathy severity could explain the inconsistencies reported in the prognosis of these patients. Planimetry of the aortic area using three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography could clear up these doubts. The objectives were to assess the agreement between measurements of the valvular aortic area by continuity equation in transthoracic echocardiography and that obtained through planimetry with three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in low-gradient severe aortic stenosis patients. Methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study of consecutive patients referred due to severe aortic stenosis. Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. Paradoxical low-gradient severe aortic stenosis was defined by the presence in the transthoracic echocardiography of aortic valve area<1 cm2, mean ventricular gradient<40mmHg, and ejection fraction >=50%. Concordance between the two techniques was evaluated. Results. Of 212 consecutive severe aortic stenosis patients evaluated, 63 cases (29.7%) fulfilled the paradoxical low-gradient inclusion criteria. We obtained three-dimensional aortic valve planimetry in 61 (96.8%) of those patients. In 52 patients (85.2%), aortic valve area by transesophageal echocardiography was <1 cm2. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the two methods was 0.505 (95% confidence interval, 0.290-0.671; P<.001). Conclusions. Paradoxical low-gradient severe aortic stenosis is an actual entity, confirmed in 85% of cases evaluated by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (AU)

Clasificación morfológica de la estenosis aórtica

Se realizó un estudio macroscópico de un total de 41 válvula aórticas, reemplazadas en el Cardiocentro de Santa Clara con el propósito fundamental de clasificar la estenosis valvular aórtica de acuerdo con su cuadro morfológico, y determinar los tipos más frecuentes. El estudio morfológico se basó en los parámetros utilizados por Robert y Frederick. Es importante realizar una inspección cuidadosa de la muestra para determinar el sitio anatómico de la lesión valvular, examinar las valvas buscando si ésta son fibróticas, calcificadas, vascularizadas, perforadas o redundantes, y localizar dicha alteración presisando sin son difusas o focales. El estado de las comisuras es también importante, y debe determinarse si estan funsionadas o libres. El cuadro morfológico más comúnmente encontrado fue la estenosis calcificada postinflamatoria. La estenosis calcificada degenerativa se encontro entre los 50 y 70 años de edad y la postinflamatoria entre 20 y 30 años. El sexo masculino fue el más afectado en los dos cuadros morfológicos predominantes