Comparative Effectiveness of Aspirin Dosing in Cardiovascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate dose of aspirin to lower the risk of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke and to minimize major bleeding in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a subject of controversy. METHODS: Using an open-label, pragmatic design, we randomly assigned patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to a strategy of 81 mg or 325 mg of aspirin per day. The primary effectiveness outcome was a composite of death from any cause, hospitalization for myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for stroke, assessed in a time-to-event analysis. The primary safety outcome was hospitalization for major bleeding, also assessed in a time-to-event analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15,076 patients were followed for a median of 26.2 months (interquartile range [IQR], 19.0 to 34.9). Before randomization, 13,537 (96.0% of those with available information on previous aspirin use) were already taking aspirin, and 85.3% of these patients were previously taking 81 mg of daily aspirin. Death, hospitalization for myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for stroke occurred in 590 patients (estimated percentage, 7.28%) in the 81-mg group and 569 patients (estimated percentage, 7.51%) in the 325-mg group (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91 to 1.14). Hospitalization for major bleeding occurred in 53 patients (estimated percentage, 0.63%) in the 81-mg group and 44 patients (estimated percentage, 0.60%) in the 325-mg group (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.77). Patients assigned to 325 mg had a higher incidence of dose switching than those assigned to 81 mg (41.6% vs. 7.1%) and fewer median days of exposure to the assigned dose (434 days [IQR, 139 to 737] vs. 650 days [IQR, 415 to 922]). CONCLUSIONS: In this pragmatic trial involving patients with established cardiovascular disease, there was substantial dose switching to 81 mg of daily aspirin and no significant differences in cardiovascular events or major bleeding between patients assigned to 81 mg and those assigned to 325 mg of aspirin daily. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute; ADAPTABLE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02697916.).

Contemporary experience of mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair technology in patients with mitral annular calcification.

BACKGROUND: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) has been an exclusion for many of the earlier pivotal trials that were instrumental in gaining device approval and indications for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER). AIMS: To evaluate the impact of MAC on the procedural durability and success of newer generation MitraClip® systems (G3 and G4 systems). METHODS: Data were collected from Northwell TEER registry. Patients that underwent M-TEER with third or fourth generation MitraClip device were included. Patients were divided into -MAC (none-mild) and +MAC (moderate-severe) groups. Procedural success was defined as ≤ grade 2 + mitral regurgitation (MR) postprocedure, and durability was defined as ≤ grade 2 + MR retention at 1 month and 1 year. Univariate analysis compared outcomes between groups. RESULTS: Of 260 M-TEER patients, 160 were -MAC and 100 were +MAC. Procedural success was comparable; however, there were three patients who required conversion to cardiac surgery during the index hospitalization in the +MAC group versus none in the -MAC group (though this was not statistically significant). At 1-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in MR severity. At 1-year follow-up, +MAC had higher moderate-severe MR (22.1% vs. 7.5%; p = 0.002) and higher mean transmitral gradients (5.3 vs. 4.0 mmHg; p = 0.001) with no differences in mortality, New York Heart Association functional class or ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: In selective patients with high burden of MAC, contemporary M-TEER is safe, and procedural success is similar to patients with none-mild MAC. However, a loss of procedural durability was seen in +MAC group at 1-year follow-up. Further studies with longer follow-ups are required to assess newer mTEER devices and their potential clinical implications in patients with a high burden of MAC.

Transfemoral tricuspid valve replacement and one-year outcomes: the TRISCEND study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: For patients with symptomatic, severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), early results of transcatheter tricuspid valve (TV) intervention studies have shown significant improvements in functional status and quality of life associated with right-heart reverse remodelling. Longer-term follow-up is needed to confirm sustained improvements in these outcomes. METHODS: The prospective, single-arm, multicentre TRISCEND study enrolled 176 patients to evaluate the safety and performance of transcatheter TV replacement in patients with ≥moderate, symptomatic TR despite medical therapy. Major adverse events, reduction in TR grade and haemodynamic outcomes by echocardiography, and clinical, functional, and quality-of-life parameters are reported to one year. RESULTS: Enrolled patients were 71.0% female, mean age 78.7 years, 88.0% ≥ severe TR, and 75.4% New York Heart Association classes III-IV. Tricuspid regurgitation was reduced to ≤mild in 97.6% (P < .001), with increases in stroke volume (10.5 ± 16.8 mL, P < .001) and cardiac output (0.6 ± 1.2 L/min, P < .001). New York Heart Association class I or II was achieved in 93.3% (P < .001), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score increased by 25.7 points (P < .001), and six-minute walk distance increased by 56.2 m (P < .001). All-cause mortality was 9.1%, and 10.2% of patients were hospitalized for heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: In an elderly, highly comorbid population with ≥moderate TR, patients receiving transfemoral EVOQUE transcatheter TV replacement had sustained TR reduction, significant increases in stroke volume and cardiac output, and high survival and low hospitalization rates with improved clinical, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes to one year. Funded by Edwards Lifesciences, TRISCEND ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04221490.

Mechanistic validation of the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Guidelines for the assessment of diastolic dysfunction in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: The American Society for Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI) 2016 guidelines for assessment of diastolic dysfunction (DD) are based primarily on the effects of diastolic dysfunction on left ventricular filling hemodynamics. However, these measures do not provide quantifiable mechanistic information about diastolic function. The Parameterized Diastolic Filling (PDF) formalism is a validated theoretical framework that describes DD in terms of the physical properties of left ventricular filling. AIMS: We hypothesized that PDF analysis can provide mechanistic insight into the mechanical properties governing higher grade DD. METHODS: Patients referred for echocardiography showing reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (< 45%) were prospectively classified into DD grade according to 2016 ASE/EACVI guidelines. Serial E-waves acquired during free breathing using pulsed wave Doppler of transmitral blood flow were analyzed using the PDF formalism. RESULTS: Higher DD grade (grade 2 or 3, n = 20 vs grade 1, n = 30) was associated with increased chamber stiffness (261 ± 71 vs 169 ± 61 g/s2, p < 0.001), increased filling energy (2.0 ± 0.9 vs 1.0 ± 0.5 mJ, p < 0.001) and greater peak forces resisting filling (median [interquartile range], 18 [15-24] vs 11 [8-14] mN, p < 0.001). DD grade was unrelated to chamber viscoelasticity (21 ± 4 vs 20 ± 6 g/s, p = 0.32). Stiffness was inversely correlated with ejection fraction (r = - 0.39, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Higher grade DD was associated with changes in the mechanical properties that determine the physics of poorer left ventricular filling. These findings provide mechanistic insight into, and independent validation of the appropriateness of the 2016 guidelines for assessment of DD.

A self-resolving, post-traumatic aortopulmonary shunt.

A 34-year-old Hispanic man sustained a stab wound to his chest complicated with hemopericardium and pericardial tamponade. He underwent emergent clamshell thoracotomy as well as repair to the pulmonary artery. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed no evidence of intracardiac shunt. Two months later, a new murmur was noted, with a transthoracic echocardiogram revealing high-velocity flow between the left coronary sinus and the main pulmonary artery, with which a coronary computed tomography angiogram concurred. A transesophageal echocardiogram was performed which revealed an aortopulmonic fistula from the left coronary sinus of Valsalva, approximately 1cm anterior to the ostium of the left main coronary artery, to the main pulmonary artery just distal to the pulmonic valve. Pulmonary insufficiency was minimal. The main pulmonary artery was dilated, measuring 3.2 cm by coronary computed tomography angiogram. Right ventricular systolic function was normal. Right and left heart catheterizations were performed to further assess hemodynamics and coronary anatomy; pulmonary artery pressures were 16/8 mm Hg. Aortopulmonary fistula was seen on aortogram. Surgery was deferred in view of lack of symptoms and uncertainty in its natural history in the setting of traumatic etiology. A repeat transthoracic echocardiogram at six-month follow-up showed spontaneous closure of the fistula.

The Biplane Modified Simpson's Method Accurately Estimates Pericardial Effusion Volume: A Comparison with Pericardiocentesis.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial effusion (PE) volume is often assessed semiqualitatively by echocardiography and categorized into minimal, small, moderate, or large. Several methods of echocardiographic quantification have been proposed, but their application is limited either by complexity or inaccuracy. We evaluated the accuracy of PE volume quantification by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram (2DTTE) and commercially available volume quantification software in patients undergoing pericardiocentesis. METHODS: In a retrospective case series, immediate preprocedure echocardiograms of 33 patients for pericardiocentesis were analyzed. 2DTTE using the Simpson's method was adopted for volume measurement in the apical two- and four-chamber views. Pericardial fluid volume was calculated by taking the difference between volumes obtained by tracing the epicardial border of the heart and the pericardium. Postprocedure echocardiograms were performed to verify adequate pericardiocentesis. RESULTS: The mean pericardiocentesis fluid volume was 725.1 ± 299.5 mL (range, 250-1420 mL). The average volume estimated echocardiographically by the Simpson's method was 657.5 ± 276.9 mL (range, 205.7-1193.2 mL). There was strong direct linear correlation between echocardiographic and pericardiocentesis-derived volumes (P < 0.001, r = +0.823). Echocardiography underestimated PE volume by a mean of 9.3%. CONCLUSION: Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography using biplane Simpson's method of disks can simply and accurately estimate PE volume.

IntraCardiac echocardiography-guided leaflet modification for coronary protection prior to transcatheter valve-in-valve replacement.

A 79-year-old man with a failed 25-mm CE Magna Ease 3300 surgical prosthesis (Edwards Lifesciences) and of high re-operative surgical risk (STS 8%) presented with dyspnea, NYHA III. Cardiac computed tomography angiography revealed anatomy that was high risk for coronary occlusion with a short right coronary artery height of 6 mm and a valve-to-coronary distance of 2 mm.

Acute Hemodynamic Compromise After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Due to Dynamic Left Ventricle Obstruction: A Systematic Review.

Acute hemodynamic compromise after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) because of dynamic left ventricle (LV) obstruction (LVO), also known as suicide LV, is an infrequent but severe complication of TAVR that is poorly defined in previous studies. Understanding this complication is essential for its prompt diagnosis and optimal treatment. We conducted a systematic literature review using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Medline databases for studies describing acute hemodynamic compromise after TAVR because of dynamic LVO or suicide LV. Each study was reviewed by 2 authors individually for eligibility, and a third author resolved disagreements. From a total of 506 studies, 25 publications were considered for the final analysis. The majority of patients with this condition were women demonstrating a hypertrophic septum, a small ventricle, and hyperdynamic contractility on pre-TAVR echocardiographic assessment. An intraventricular gradient before TAVR was found in half of the cases. Acute hemodynamic compromise after TAVR because of dynamic LVO manifested mainly as significant hypotension and occurred most often immediately after valve deployment. The LV outflow tract was the most common site of obstruction. Advanced therapies were required in nearly 65% of the cases. In conclusion, acute hemodynamic compromise after TAVR because of dynamic LVO occurred almost invariably in women. Echocardiography before TAVR may offer essential information to anticipate this complication. LV outflow tract obstruction appears to carry the highest risk of developing this phenomenon. Advanced therapies should be promptly considered as a bailout strategy in patients with hemodynamic collapse refractory to medical therapy.

Echocardiographic Outcomes With Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation in Prohibitive Surgical Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: The CLASP IID randomized trial (Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System Pivotal Clinical Trial) demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the PASCAL system for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) in patients at prohibitive surgical risk with significant symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). OBJECTIVES: This study describes the echocardiographic methods and outcomes from the CLASP IID trial and analyzes baseline variables associated with residual mitral regurgitation (MR) ≤1+. METHODS: An independent echocardiographic core laboratory assessed echocardiographic parameters based on American Society of Echocardiography guidelines focusing on MR mechanism, severity, and feasibility of M-TEER. Factors associated with residual MR ≤1+ were identified using logistic regression. RESULTS: In 180 randomized patients, baseline echocardiographic parameters were well matched between the PASCAL (n = 117) and MitraClip (n = 63) groups, with flail leaflets present in 79.2% of patients. Baseline MR was 4+ in 76.4% and 3+ in 23.6% of patients. All patients achieved MR ≤2+ at discharge. The proportion of patients with MR ≤1+ was similar in both groups at discharge but diverged at 6 months, favoring PASCAL (83.7% vs 71.2%). Overall, patients with a smaller flail gap were significantly more likely to achieve MR ≤1+ at discharge (adjusted OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.50-0.99). Patients treated with PASCAL and those with a smaller flail gap were significantly more likely to sustain MR ≤1+ to 6 months (adjusted OR: 2.72 and 0.76; 95% CI: 1.08-6.89 and 0.60-0.98, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The study used DMR-specific echocardiographic methodology for M-TEER reflecting current guidelines and advances in 3-dimensional echocardiography. Treatment with PASCAL and a smaller flail gap were significant factors in sustaining MR ≤1+ to 6 months. Results demonstrate that MR ≤1+ is an achievable benchmark for successful M-TEER. (Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System Pivotal Clinical Trial [CLASP IID]; NCT03706833).

Echocardiographic left ventricular end-diastolic pressure volume loop estimate predicts survival in congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (LV-EDPVR) is a measure of LV distensibility, conveying the size the LV will assume at a given LV end-diastolic pressure (LV-EDP). Measurement of LV-EDPVR requires invasive testing with specialized equipment. Echocardiography can be used to measure LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) and to grossly estimate LV-EDP noninvasively. We therefore hypothesized that categorization of patients based on these parameters to create an estimate of the end-diastolic pressure-volume loop position (EDPVE) could predict congestive heart failure (CHF) prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Echocardiograms from 968 CHF clinic patients were reviewed. LV-EDP was considered to be elevated if mitral filling pattern was pseudo-normal or restrictive. EDPVE was categorized into 3 groups. EDPVE was considered to have evidence of rightward shift if the LV was severely dilated (>97 mL/m(2)). EDPVE was considered to have evidence of leftward shift if the LV was normal size (<76 mL/m(2)) and there was Doppler evidence of increased LV-EDP. Patients who did not meet criteria for leftward or rightward shift were classified as "intermediate." Using the intermediate group for comparison, those with evidence of leftward shift in EDPVE had increased mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-2.54). Rightward shift only correlated with increased mortality in those older than age 70 years. Leftward shift remained an independent predictor of mortality even after adjusting for LV ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, and Doppler indices of diastolic dysfunction. CONCLUSION: EDPVE is a strong predictor of CHF survival which is independent of LV ejection fraction and traditional Doppler indices of LV diastolic function.

Administration of perflutren contrast agents during transthoracic echocardiography is not associated with a significant increase in acute mortality risk.

BACKGROUND: Despite the 2008 revision of a previously issued black box warning of the US Food and Drug Administration against the use of perflutren ultrasound contrast agents, the warning still reports fatalities having occurred following their administration. We sought to assess 1-day mortality associated with contrast use across a wide range of clinical settings and co-morbidities. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study involving 96,705 transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) in 63,189 adults at our institution between July 2003 and June 2008. A contrast agent was used in 2,518 TTE during this time. The primary outcome was total mortality within 1 day of TTE. RESULTS: Death occurred in 10 patients (0.44%) in the contrast group and in 421 patients (0.69%) in the non-contrast group (p = 0.14). In a multivariate model, use of contrast enhancement was not associated with increased mortality (p = 0.67) after adjustment for age, gender, race, patient location, ejection fraction, and the presence of various co-morbidities. Cause of death analysis did not identify any cases where contrast played a likely role. CONCLUSION: Definity contrast use during TTE was not associated with increased acute mortality risk. Contrast administration during TTE should not be withheld when the additional information obtained could potentially improve patient management.

Long-term echocardiographic changes in left ventricular size and function following surgery for severe mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) results in a state of chronic left ventricular (LV) volume overload, resulting in compensatory dilatation. Mitral valve (MV) surgery for regurgitation reduces LV preload but increases LV afterload. Few data are available documenting subsequent changes in LV size and function over time following MV surgery for severe regurgitation in unselected populations. MATERIAL/METHODS: Pre- and postoperative echocardiograms (n=454) acquired from 108 consecutive patients with chronic MR who underwent MV surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: LV diastolic diameter was 4 mm smaller on postoperative compared to preoperative exams, whereas LV fractional shortening (FS) was unchanged. Linear regression analysis showed no change in LV diastolic diameter over time postoperatively, whereas LV FS increased over time following surgery. Improvement in LV FS occurred at an average rate of 1.6% per year (95% CI, 0.2-2.9). Subgroups were small, but the same secular trends were generally noted in groups with or without coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) and in those with or without mitral leaflet disease. CONCLUSIONS: Following MV surgery for MR, LV diastolic diameter reduces by 2 mm at the time of surgery, but then remains stable over time. Improvement in LV function over time postoperatively was only seen in those without concomitant CABGS, possibly related to less baseline myocardial scarring in this group.

Transcatheter Annular Approaches for Tricuspid Regurgitation (Cardioband and Others).

The tricuspid valve often is referred to as "the forgotten valve" because it frequently is managed conservatively due to poor prognostic outcomes with conventional surgical intervention, in particular, in high-risk patients. Nevertheless, a paradigm shift has occurred in recent years, due to a growing evidence base supporting the independent prognostic influence of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) on patient outcomes. Both transcatheter valve replacement and valve repair have emerged as feasible and efficacious interventions for TR correction. Novel transcatheter repair techniques that replicate surgical annuloplasty are evolving as potentially lower-risk alternatives.

Trends and Outcomes of Oral Anticoagulation With Direct Current Cardioversion for Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter at an Academic Medical Center.

Background: Increasing reports suggest the safe use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in electrical cardioversion. The aim of this study was to assess the trends and 30-day outcomes associated with anticoagulation for cardioversion. Methods: Patients who underwent electrical cardioversion from January 2015 to October 2020 with a 30-day follow-up were included; and outcomes including stroke, transient ischemic attack, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and major gastrointestinal bleeding were recorded. Results: Of the 515 patients, 351 (68%) were men and 164 (32%) were women, with a mean CHA2DS2VASc score of 2.6 ± 1.6. Outpatient apixaban use increased from 10% in 2015 to 46% in 2020 (P < 0.001) with a decline in the use of warfarin from 24% in 2015 to 10% in 2020 (P = 0.023). Apixaban use peri-procedurally for cardioversion increased from 32% in 2015 to 35% in 2020 (P = 0.317), while warfarin use decreased from 23% in 2015 to 14% in 2020 (P = 0.164). At discharge, apixaban prescriptions increased from 21% in 2015 to 61% in 2020 (P < 0.001), while warfarin prescriptions declined from 30% in 2015 to 13% in 2020 (P = 0.009). No ICH was recorded in the 30 days after cardioversion. Ischemic stroke occurred in four (0.7%) patients with one (0.29%) of the 338 patients on a DOAC, one (0.8%) of the 124 patients on warfarin and two (5.5%) of the 36 patients not receiving anticoagulation post cardioversion. There were seven (1%) major gastrointestinal bleeding events in patients on oral anticoagulation, of which four (3%) were on warfarin and three (0.8%) were on DOACs. Conclusions: Our study shows the increasing and safe use of DOACs for the purpose of cardioversion. The rates of 30-day ischemic stroke post cardioversion were low and only occurred in patients admitted in the intensive care unit.

High Prevalence of Cardiac Amyloidosis in Clinically Significant Aortic Stenosis: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: There is growing evidence of coexistence of aortic stenosis (AS) and transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Not screening AS patients at the time of hospital/clinic visit for CA represents a lost opportunity. Methods: We surveyed studies that reported the prevalence of CA among AS patients. Studies that compared patients with aortic stenosis with cardiac amyloidosis (AS-CA) and AS alone were further analyzed, and meta-regression was performed. Results: We identified nine studies with 1,321 patients of AS, of which 131 patients had concomitant CA, with a prevalence of 11%. When compared to AS-alone, the patients with AS-CA were older, more likely to be males, had higher prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome, right bundle branch block. On echocardiogram, patients with AS-CA had thicker interventricular septum, higher left ventricular mass index (LVMI), lower myocardial contraction fraction, and lower stroke volume index. Classical low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) physiology was more common among patients with AS-CA. Patients with AS-CA had higher all-cause mortality than patients with AS alone (33% vs. 22%, P = 0.02) in a follow-up period of at least 1 year. Conclusions: CA has a high prevalence in patients with AS and is associated with worse clinical, imaging, and biochemical parameters than patients with AS alone.

A Peek at LVADs Pumping to Recovery.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the management of patients with advanced heart failure refractory to medical therapy. Current indications of LVADs include Bridge to Transplantation (BTT), Destination Therapy (DT) for long-term use, Bridge to the Decision (BTD) used as a temporary measure, and lastly Bridge to Recovery (BTR). Here, we briefly review the clinical evidence and the molecular mechanisms behind myocardial recovery following LVAD placement. We also share institutional protocols used at 2 major medical centers in the USA.

Outcomes of isolated tricuspid valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 5,316 patients from 35 studies.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) is rapidly emerging as a therapeutic option amongst patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation. Historical data from surgical tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) studies may serve as a benchmark for the development of TTVR trials. AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate the early and late outcomes following isolated surgical TVR. METHODS: Multiple electronic databases were searched to identify studies on isolated surgical TVR. The prespecified primary endpoint was operative mortality; secondary endpoints were early and late outcomes. Overall estimates of proportions and incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. Multiple sensitivity analyses accounting for baseline characteristics, country and the operative period were applied.  Results: A total of 35 studies (5,316 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The operative period ranged from 1974 to 2019. The overall rate of operative mortality was 12% (95% CI: 9-15), with higher mortality for patients who were operated on before 1995, who had prior cardiac surgeries, or who had liver disease. The most frequent clinical events were pacemaker implantation (10% [95% CI: 6-16]), bleeding (12% [95% CI: 8-17]), acute kidney injury (15% [95% CI: 9-24]) and respiratory complications (15% [95% CI: 12-20]). At follow-up analysis of the bioprosthetic TVR, there was an incidence rate per 100 person-years of 6 (95% CI: 2-13) for death and 8 (95% CI: 5-13) for recurrence of significant tricuspid regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides an overview of the historical clinical outcomes following isolated surgical TVR. These findings can support the development of future clinical trials in the tricuspid space by providing thresholds for clinical outcomes.

Predictors of cardiac hepatopathy in patients with right heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Some patients with right heart failure develop cardiac hepatopathy (CH). The pathophysiology of CH is thought to be secondary to hepatic venous congestion and arterial ischemia. We sought to define the clinical and hemodynamic characteristics associated with CH. MATERIAL/METHODS: A retrospective cross sectional analysis was performed in which subjects were identified from our institutional cardiology database if echocardiography showed either right ventricular (RV) hypokinesis or dilatation, and was performed within 30 days of right heart catheterization. A chart review was then performed to identify patient clinical characteristics and to determine if the patients had underlying liver disease. Subjects with non-cardiac causes for hepatopathy were excluded. RESULTS: In 188 included subjects, etiology for right heart dysfunction included left heart failure (LHF), shunt, pulmonary hypertension, mitral- tricuspid- and pulmonic valvular disease. On multivariate analysis, higher RV diastolic pressure and etiology for RV dysfunction other than LHF were both associated with CH. Low cardiac output was associated with CH only amongst those without LHF. CONCLUSIONS: CH is most often seen in subjects with elevated RV diastolic pressure suggesting a congestive cause in most cases. CH associated with low cardiac output in patients without LHF suggests that low flow may be contributing to the patophysiology in some cases.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement: a landscape review of current techniques and devices for the treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation.

Background and ObjectiveTricuspid regurgitation is a prevalent and undertreated cardiac pathology impacting millions across the globe. While historically surgical interventions for isolated tricuspid regurgitation were largely avoided due to data citing poor surgical outcomes, advances in transcatheter techniques and imaging modalities have reframed the approach to tricuspid valve disease in promising new ways.MethodsHere we sought to provide a landscape review of the current state of the field for transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions. We first start with a descriptive overview of the tricuspid valve, reviewing the anatomy, imaging characteristics, and the current guidelines for tricuspid interventions. We then review both transcatheter valve repair and valve replacement modalities, highlighting the devices, techniques, and valves currently under investigation, summarizing available outcomes data for each modality when possible.Results and ConclusionOur aim in writing this landscape review is the create an all-encompassing, up-to-date resource for clinicians to refer to when seeking to learn about the current state of transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions. We also hope to highlight the exciting promise of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in appropriate patients, and review the valves currently under development for use in the tricuspid position.