Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics associated with the development of infective endocarditis in patients with significant mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) confers significant mortality and morbidity in patients with underlying mitral stenosis (MS), with both diseased native valves and after valvular procedures. PURPOSE: We examined the clinical and echocardiographic parameters in association with the development of IE on patients with significant MS. METHODS: A total of 478 consecutive patients with index echocardiographic diagnosis of significant mitral stenosis (mitral valve area <1.5 cm2 ) were included. Patients were grouped into those with or without IE on at least 5 years of follow-up. Baseline clinical, echocardiographic profile and clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: IE was observed in 4.4% (n = 21) of the cohort. These patients were younger (45.3 ± 14.6 vs. 53.2 ± 15.5 years, p = 0.022) at the time of MS diagnosis. NT-proBNP was higher in patients who developed IE (13529 ± 12230 vs. 4381 ± 5875 pg/ml, p < 0.001), with larger left atrial diameter (54.4 ± 10.1 vs. 49.9 ± 9.5 mm, p = 0.040) and elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP, 62.3 ± 17.2 vs. 47.2 ± 16.5 mmHg, p = 0.026). There was no significant difference in terms of MS severity, other concomitant valvulopathies, or etiology (rheumatic or degenerative) of MS. Patients who smoked had higher incidence of IE (33.3% vs. 14.2%, log-rank 7.27, p = 0.007). After adjusting for age, valve procedure and PASP, patients who smoked remained at elevated risk of IE (adjusted hazards ratio 2.99, 95% confidence interval 1.18-7.56, p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: IE occurs in a proportion of patients with MS. Smoking, younger age of diagnosis of MS as well as dilated left atria with elevated PASP may be associated with an elevated risk of this complication.

Left ventricular systolic function assessed by standard and advanced echocardiographic techniques in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Aim of the study was to perform a systemic review and meta-analysis of the current case-control studies based on the assessment of the left ventricular (LV) systolic function with standard and advanced echocardiographic methods. Materials and methods: Objectives of the study, methods of statisticalanalysis, literature search strategy, inclusion andexclusion criteria, and outcome measurementswere defined according to Cochrane Collaborationsteps, 13 including recommendations for metaanalysisof observational studies in epidemiology (MOOSE). Results: A total of 850 papers were collected. Of those, eight papers (10 groups) including 174,442 SLE patients and 45,608,723 controls with heart failure (HF), 20 papers including 1,121 SLE patients and 1,010 controls with an evaluated LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and eight studies (nine groups) including 462 SLE patients and 356 controls with a measured LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) met the predefined inclusion criteria. HF rate in SLE patients was 2.39% (4,176 of 174,442 patients with HF), and SLE patients showed a 3.4 times higher risk for HF compared to controls. SLE patients had a lower LVEF compared to controls. LVGLS was more impaired in SLE patients compared to controls, irrespective of two-dimensional or three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Conclusion: Heart failure rate in SLE patients is high, and SLE patients showed a 3.4 times higher risk in patients with SLE compared to controls. LV systolic function, as measured by LVEF and LVGLS, is significantly affected in SLE patients, and LVGLS potentially represents a new tool for the early assessment of LV function.

Use of wearable technology in cardiac monitoring after cryptogenic stroke or embolic stroke of undetermined source: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged cardiac monitoring after cryptogenic stroke or embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) is necessary to identify atrial fibrillation (AF) that requires anticoagulation. Wearable devices may improve AF detection compared to conventional management. We aimed to review the evidence for the use of wearable devices in post-cryptogenic stroke and post-ESUS monitoring. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and clinicaltrials.gov on 21 July 2022, identifying all studies that investigated the use of wearable devices in patients with cryptogenic stroke or ESUS. The outcomes of AF detection were analysed. Literature reports on electrocardiogram (ECG)-based (external wearable, handheld, patch, mobile cardiac telemetry [MCT], smartwatch) and photoplethysmography (PPG)-based (smartwatch, smartphone) devices were summarised. RESULTS: A total of 27 relevant studies were included (two randomised controlled trials, seven prospective trials, 10 cohort studies, six case series and two case reports). Only four studies compared wearable technology to Holter monitoring or implantable loop recorder, and these studies showed no significant differences on meta-analysis (odds ratio 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74-7.48, I 2 = 70%). External wearable devices detected AF in 20.7% (95% CI 14.9-27.2, I 2 = 76%) of patients and MCT detected new AF in 9.6% (95% CI 7.4%-11.9%, I 2 = 56%) of patients. Other devices investigated included patch sensors, handheld ECG recorders and PPG-based smartphone apps, which demonstrated feasibility in the post-cryptogenic stroke and post-ESUS setting. CONCLUSION: Wearable devices that are ECG or PPG based are effective for paroxysmal AF detection after cryptogenic stroke and ESUS, but further studies are needed to establish how they compare with Holter monitors and implantable loop recorder.

Effects of sex on clinical outcomes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Singapore.

Introduction: Despite the growing recognition that sex can affect the presentation and outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), this relationship is understudied in Asians. Therefore, we aimed to explore sex differences in Asian patients with HCM. Method: A total of 295 consecutive patients diagnosed with HCM were recruited from a tertiary cardiology centre from 2010 to 2017 over a mean of 3.9±2.7 years. We evaluated the effects of sex on the outcomes of HCM in Asian patients. Results: HCM patients were more commonly men (72%). Women were older and had more comorbidities, including hypertension and atrial fibrillation. On transthoracic echocardiography, the indexed left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes were similar, but more women had more-than-moderate mitral regurgitation and had a smaller left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Women more commonly had findings of obstructive physiology with significant LVOT obstruction, defined as >30 mmHg at rest. The use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators was similar across sexes. On multivariable analysis, women were found to be more likely to develop progressive heart failure requiring admission (hazard ratio [HR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-4.71, P=0.021) but had a lower rate of all-cause mortality (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19-0.70, P=0.003). Conclusion: Women diagnosed with HCM were older, had more comorbidities and were more likely to develop heart failure while men had a higher risk of all-cause mortality.

Incidence of acute cerebrovascular events in patients with rheumatic or calcific mitral stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with mitral stenosis (MS) may be predisposed to acute cerebrovascular events (ACE) and peripheral thromboembolic events (TEE). Concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF), mitral annular calcification (MAC) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are independent risk factors. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence of ACEs in MS patients and the implications of AF, MAC and RHD on thromboembolic risks. METHODS: This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021291316). Six databases were searched from inception to 19th December 2021. The clinical outcomes were composite ACE, ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and peripheral TEE. RESULTS: We included 16 and 9 papers, respectively, in our qualitative and quantitative analyses. The MS cohort with AF had the highest incidence of composite ACE (31.55%; 95% CI 3.60-85.03; I2 = 99%), followed by the MAC (14.85%; 95% CI 7.21-28.11; I2 = 98%), overall MS (8.30%; 95% CI 3.45-18.63; I2 = 96%) and rheumatic MS population (4.92%; 95% CI 3.53-6.83; I2 = 38%). Stroke/TIA were reported in 29.62% of the concomitant AF subgroup (95% CI 2.91-85.51; I2 = 99%) and in 7.11% of the overall MS patients (95% CI 1.91-23.16; I2 = 97%). However, the heterogeneity of the pooled incidence of clinical outcomes in all groups, except the rheumatic MS group, was substantial and significant. The logit-transformed proportion of composite ACE increased by 0.0141 (95% CI 0.0111-0.0171; p < 0.01) per year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: In the MS population, MAC and concomitant AF are risk factors for the development of ACE. The scarcity of data in our systematic review reflects the need for further studies to explore thromboembolic risks in all MS subtypes.

The mechanistic pathways of oxidative stress in aortic stenosis and clinical implications.

Despite the elucidation of the pathways behind the development of aortic stenosis (AS), there remains no effective medical treatment to slow or reverse its progress. Instead, the gold standard of care in severe or symptomatic AS is replacement of the aortic valve. Oxidative stress is implicated, both directly as well as indirectly, in lipid infiltration, inflammation and fibro-calcification, all of which are key processes underlying the pathophysiology of degenerative AS. This culminates in the breakdown of the extracellular matrix, differentiation of the valvular interstitial cells into an osteogenic phenotype, and finally, calcium deposition as well as thickening of the aortic valve. Oxidative stress is thus a promising and potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AS. Several studies focusing on the mitigation of oxidative stress in the context of AS have shown some success in animal and in vitro models, however similar benefits have yet to be seen in clinical trials. Statin therapy, once thought to be the key to the treatment of AS, has yielded disappointing results, however newer lipid lowering therapies may hold some promise. Other potential therapies, such as manipulation of microRNAs, blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the use of dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors will also be reviewed.

The obesity paradox: association of obesity with improved survival in medically managed severe aortic stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: The obesity paradox, where obesity is associated with improved survival, has been described in patients undergoing haemodialysis and in those with heart failure. It was also demonstrated in patients undergoing valve replacement for aortic stenosis (AS). We explored this phenomenon in medically managed severe AS. METHODS: 154 patients with medically managed severe AS (aortic valve area index [AVAi] < 0.6 cm2/m2; mean pressure gradient > 40 mmHg and peak velocity > 400 cm/s) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (> 50%) were categorised into the obese (body mass index [BMI] Asian cut-off ≥ 27.5 kg/m2) and non-obese groups. Their clinical and echocardiographic profiles were compared. RESULTS: 24 (15.6%) patients were obese. Obese patients were similar to non-obese patients in age (68.5 ± 11.6 years vs. 68.9 ± 13.1 years) but had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Left atrial diameter (43.7 ± 6.7 mm vs. 38.5 ± 10.2 mm) was larger in obese patients, while left ventricular outflow tract diameter (19.5 ± 1.7 mm vs. 20.4 ± 2.1 mm) was smaller. Despite lower AVAi in obese patients (0.36 ± 0.10 cm2/m2 vs. 0.43 ± 0.11 cm2/m2), there was lower mortality (37.5% vs. 41.0%, log-rank 4.06, p = 0.045) on follow-up (8.0 ± 5.7 years). After adjusting for age and AVAi, higher BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2 remained protective for mortality (hazard ratio 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.98, p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that obesity was associated with improved survival in severe AS despite lower AVAi and increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Prevalence, types and treatment of bradycardia in obstructive sleep apnea - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with bradycardia is not well-characterized, which may confer significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. We sought to clarify the prevalence of comorbid OSA and bradycardia, and the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on bradycardia outcomes. METHODS: We systematically searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus) for randomized or observational studies reporting the co-prevalence of sleep apnea and bradycardia or evaluated the use of CPAP on the incidence of bradycardias. We used random-effects models in all meta-analyses and evaluated heterogeneity using I2. RESULTS: We included 34 articles from 7204 records, comprising 4852 patients. Among patients with OSA, the pooled prevalence of daytime and nocturnal bradycardia were 25% (95% CI: 18.6 to 32.7) and 69.8% (95% CI: 41.7 to 88.2) respectively. Among patients with bradycardia, the pooled prevalence of OSA was 56.8% (95% CI: 21.5 to 86.3). CPAP treatment, compared to those without, did not significantly reduce the risk of daytime (two randomized trials; RR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.11 to 2.21) or nocturnal bradycardia (one randomized-controlled trial and one cohort study; RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.48 to 1.20). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates a high comorbid disease burden between OSA and bradycardia. Future research should explore the treatment effect of CPAP on bradycardia incidence, as compared to placebo.

Prevalence and outcomes of concomitant cardiac amyloidosis and aortic stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an increasingly recognised condition in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, there is a large variation in the reported prevalence figures, due to differences in populations and diagnostic methods. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of concomitant CA and AS. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature searched on MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and CENTRAL. We analysed the prevalence of CA in patients with AS grouped according to the diagnostic techniques, and the risk factors and outcomes of concomitant CA and AS were analysed in AS patients referred for surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (AVR). RESULTS: A total of 21 studies were included, involving 4,243 patients. The pooled prevalence of CA in patients with AS was 14.4%, with substantial heterogeneity. The pooled prevalence of AS in patients CA was 8.7%, with substantial heterogeneity. Patients with both AS and CA had higher all-cause mortality than those with AS or CA alone. In AS patients requiring AVR, CA was associated with increasing age, male sex, higher NT-proBNP levels, increased interventricular septal end diastole (IVSd) thickness and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Concomitant AS and CA was associated with increased all-cause mortality and pacemaker implantation post-procedure. Study limitations included heterogeneity of the results and the fair to good quality of the studies published. CONCLUSION: Overall, a substantial proportion of patients with AS may have CA, and they have poorer prognosis. A high degree of clinical suspicion is needed to identify the "red flags" and perform appropriate diagnostic imaging.

Prognostically Distinct Phenotypes of Metabolic Health Beyond Obesity in Aortic Stenosis.

Although current evidence is in favor of metabolic health and nonobesity in the reduction of incident cardiovascular disease, little is known regarding the prognosis across the metabolic phenotypes once cardiovascular disease occurs. This study examined the prognosis of patients with significant aortic stenosis (AS) on the basis of the presence of metabolic health and obesity. This a retrospective cohort study on consecutive patients who presented with moderate-to-severe AS to a tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2015. Patients were allocated into 4 groups on the basis of obesity and metabolic health: metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO), and metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUNO). Metabolic health was defined in accordance to the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox regression examined independent associations between mortality and metabolic phenotypes, adjusting for aortic valve area, ejection fraction, age, gender, chronic kidney disease, and aortic valve replacement as a time-dependent covariate. Of 727 patients, the majority (51.6%) were MUNO, followed by MUO (32.7%), MHNO (11.4%), and MHO (4.3%). MHNO had the highest mortality (43.0%), followed by the MUNO (37.5%), MUO (30.0%), and MHO (6.9%) groups (p = 0.001). Compared with MHNO, MHO (hazard ratio 0.159, 95% confidence interval 0.038 to 0.668, p = 0.012) and MUO (hazard ratio 0.614, 95% confidence interval 0.403 to 0.937, p = 0.024) were independently associated with lower all-cause mortality rates after adjusting for confounders. In patients who are obese, metabolic health had favorable survival compared with metabolically unhealthy (p = 0.015), but this protective impact of metabolic health was not observed in patients with overweight or normal weight. Obesity had favorable survival compared with overweight and normal weight in both patients who are metabolically healthy (p = 0.002) and unhealthy (p = 0.007). In conclusion, patients who are MHO with AS have the most favorable prognosis, whereas the seemingly healthy MHNO group had the worst survival. There should be a paradigm shift toward prioritizing metabolic health rather than weight reduction in patients with significant AS.

Effects of Sodium/Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors on Cardiac Imaging Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Recent studies have shown that sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors might exert favourable changes on cardiac parameters as observed on cardiovascular imaging. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiac imaging parameters. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus) were searched for studies in which the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiac imaging parameters were examined. Studies in which a population was administered SGLT2 inhibitors and analysed by echocardiography and/or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging were included. Random-effects pair-wise meta-analysis models were utilized to summarize the studies. A total of 11 randomized controlled trials was included with a combined cohort of 910 patients. Comparing patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors with subjects receiving placebo, the mean change in CMR-measured left ventricular mass (LVM) was -3.87 g (95% confidence interval [CI], -7.77 to 0.04), that in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) was -5.96 mL (95% CI, -10.52 to -1.41) for combined LVESV outcomes, that in left atrial volume index (LAVi) was -1.78 mL/m² (95% CI, -3.01 to -0.55) for combined LAVi outcomes, and that in echocardiography-measured E/e' was -0.73 (95% CI, -1.43 to -0.03). Between-group differences were not observed in LVM and LVESV after indexation. The only between-group difference that persisted was for LAVi. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors resulted in reduction in LAVi and E/e' on imaging, indicating they might have an effect on outcomes associated with LV diastolic function.

Prevalence and incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia in heart failure - A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of cognitive impairment in heart failure (HF) patients is significant and leads to longer hospital stay, higher readmission rates, and increased mortality. This review seeks to synthesize the available studies to determine the prevalence and incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia in HF patients. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, PsychoINFO, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched from their inception through to May 3, 2021. Study and population characteristics, total patients with HF, prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in HF patients, and cognitive assessment tool were abstracted by two reviewers. RESULTS: In HF patients, the overall prevalence for cognitive impairment and dementia was 41.42% (CI) and 19.79% (dementia), respectively. We performed a meta-regression analysis, which demonstrated that the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia increased with age. DISCUSSION: Further research should investigate whether HF accelerates the rate of cognitive decline and the progression of dementia.

Comparison of Outcomes of Asymptomatic Moderate Aortic Stenosis With Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients ≥80 Years Versus 70-79 Years Versus <70 Years.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is increasingly diagnosed in the aging population with more studies focused on the prognostic outcomes of severe asymptomatic AS. However, little is known about the outcomes of moderate asymptomatic AS in the elderly population. From 2001 to 2020, 738 consecutive patients with asymptomatic moderate AS with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction were studied. They were allocated according to the age group at the index echocardiography: very elderly (≥80 years), elderly (70 to 79 years) and control group (<70 years). The primary study outcomes were aortic valve replacement (AVR), congestive cardiac failure (CCF) and all-cause mortality. Overall, about one-third of the subjects were in the very elderly, elderly and control groups each. The median follow-up duration was 114.2 (interquartile range, 27.0 to 183.7) months. There was significantly higher all-cause mortality in the very elderly group (47.9%) followed by elderly (34.8%) and control group (21.9%). Similarly, there was significantly higher CCF rates in the very elderly group (5.8%) compared to elderly (5.1%) and control group (2.8%). There were significantly lower rates of AVR offered and completed in the very elderly group compared to control group. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that age ≥80 years remained an independent predictor of mortality after adjusting for important prognostic cofounders (Adjusted HR 2.424, 95% CI 1.728 to 3.400, p < 0.001). Cox regression showed no significant difference in mortality between patients ≥80 years with moderate AS compared to a younger age-group ≥70 years with severe AS. In conclusion, very elderly patients of ≥80 years of age with moderate AS have worse prognostic outcomes than their younger counterparts. They share similar unfavorable prognostic outcomes as those of a younger age-group ≥70 years with severe AS. Closer surveillance are warranted in this group of at-risk elderly patients.

Hybrid technique to bail out an unsuccessful transfemoral TAVR attempt.

The most common route to perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is via the transfemoral access. The success of this technique hinges on the successful passage of guidewires across the stenosed aortic valve. Although this is possible in the majority of cases, this case illustrates an occasional anomaly. In this report, we describe a novel hybrid technique involving a transseptal access as well as the formation of a continuous arteriovenous loop to complete the procedure successfully. This technique also has an additional advantage as it maintains the feasibility of performing the procedure under local anaesthesia and conscious sedation.

Restrictive Mitral Valve Annuloplasty: Prognostic Implications of Left Ventricular Forward Flow.

BACKGROUND: Surgical mitral valve repair for severe secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) remains controversial. The association of MR reduction and changes in left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics with survival has not been investigated. We investigated the independent associates of outcomes in heart failure patients with severe secondary MR who underwent surgical mitral valve repair. METHODS: Patients (n = 130, 62 ± 12 years old, 55% men) with chronic severe secondary MR and impaired LV ejection fraction (<0.50, mean 0.31 ± 0.10) treated with surgical mitral valve repair were included. Echocardiographic LV forward stroke volume and LV forward ejection fraction were measured at baseline and at discharge. All-cause mortality was the primary endpoint, and the combination of major adverse cardiac-related events and all-cause mortality was the secondary endpoint. RESULTS: At hospital discharge, 77% of patients showed no residual MR and 23% showed mild MR. LV volumes reduced significantly, whereas LV ejection fraction remained unchanged. In contrast, LV forward stoke volume (53 ± 24 mL versus 64 ± 22 mL, p < 0.001) and LV forward ejection fraction (0.32 ± 0.16 versus 0.48 ± 0.24, p < 0.001) significantly increased at discharge. During a median follow-up of 3.44 years, 33 patients (29%) died and 40 had major adverse cardiac-related events. On multivariable analysis, LV forward stroke volume after repair was independently associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.98, p = 0.047) and with the combined endpoint (hazard ratio 0.98, p = 0.045) after correcting for other baseline, procedural, and postrepair characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe secondary MR treated with surgical repair, LV forward flow was independently associated with better survival and lower risk of the combined endpoint.