Objectives This study sought to assess the impact of baseline left ventricular (LV) outflow, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and transvalvular gradient on outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve ...replacement (TAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Background Low flow (i.e., reduced stroke volume index SVi) can occur with both reduced and preserved LVEF. Low flow is often associated with low gradient despite severe stenosis and with worse outcomes following surgical aortic valve replacement. However, there are few data about the impact of low flow on outcomes following TAVR. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, Doppler-echocardiographic, and outcome data prospectively collected in 639 patients who underwent TAVR for symptomatic severe AS in 2 Canadian centers. Results In this cohort, 334 (52.3%) patients had a low flow (SVi <35 ml/m2 ) and these patients had increased 30-day mortality (11.4 vs. 5.9%, p = 0.01), 2-year all-cause mortality (35.3 vs. 30.9%, p = 0.005), and 2-year cardiovascular mortality (25.7 vs. 16.8%, p = 0.01) compared with patients with normal flow. Reduced flow was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality (odds ratio: 1.94, p = 0.026), cumulative all-cause mortality (hazard ratio: 1.27 per 10 ml/m² SVi decrease, p = 0.016), and cumulative cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio: 1.29 per 10 ml/m² decrease, p = 0.04). Despite significant association in univariable analyses, low LVEF and low mean gradient were not found to be independent predictors of outcomes in multivariable analyses. Conclusions Low flow but not low LVEF or low gradient is an independent predictor of early and late mortality following TAVR in high-risk patients with severe AS. SVi should be integrated in the risk stratification process of these patients.
Abstract Background Low flow (LF) can occur with reduced (classic) or preserved (paradoxical) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Objectives The objective of this study was to compare outcomes ...of patients with low ejection fraction (LEF), paradoxical low flow (PLF), and normal flow (NF) after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods We examined 1,154 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent AVR with or without coronary artery bypass grafting. Results Among these patients, 206 (18%) had LEF as defined by LVEF of <50%; 319 (28%) had PLF as defined by LVEF of ≥50% but stroke volume indexed to body surface area (SVi) of ≤35 ml ∙ m−2 ; and 629 (54%) had NF, as defined by LVEF of ≥50% and SVi of >35 ml ∙ m2 . Aortic valve area was lower in low flow/LVEF groups (LEF: 0.71 ± 0.20 cm2 and PLF: 0.65 ± 0.23 cm2 vs. NF: 0.77 ± 0.18 cm2 ; p < 0.001). The 30-day mortality was higher (p < 0.001) in LEF and PLF groups than in the NF group (6.3% and 6.3% vs. 1.8%, respectively). SVi and PLF group were independent predictors of operative mortality (odds ratio OR: 1.18, p < 0.05; and OR: 2.97, p = 0.004; respectively). At 5 years after AVR, overall survival was 72 ± 4% in LEF group, 81 ± 2% in PLF group, and 85 ± 2% in NF group (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Patients with LEF or PLF AS have a higher operative risk, but pre-operative risk score accounted only for LEF and lower LVEF. Patients with LEF had the worst survival outcome, whereas patients with PLF and normal flow had similar survival rates after AVR. As a major predictor of perioperative mortality, SVi should be integrated in AS patients’ pre-operative evaluation.
The study purpose was to assess the usefulness of echocardiographic parameters of aortic stenosis (AS) severity and left ventricular (LV) systolic function to predict mortality in AS. The main ...hypothesis is that parameters of LV systolic function are the most important independent predictors of mortality, whereas parameters of stenosis severity are not.
1065 consecutive patients with AS referred to the echocardiography laboratory and meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included and followed during 5.7 years. The end points were aortic valve replacement (AVR) (n=584), composite of AVR or death (n=932), all-cause mortality (n=550) and cardiovascular mortality (n=398).
The most powerful echocardiographic predictors of valve-related events were parameters of AS severity, such as peak aortic jet velocity (VPeak), mean gradient (MG) and aortic valve area (AVA) (all p<0.001). Regarding mortality, the main predictors were LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke volume index (SVi) (p<0.05). After multivariable adjustment, LVEF (p<0.001) and SVi (p=0.02) remained the only echocardiographic predictors of mortality, even after adjustment for symptomatic status. AVA was also associated with mortality, whereas VPeak and MG were not.
The most powerful echocardiographic predictors of mortality are low LVEF and low flow, whereas AS severity parameters predict valve-related events but not overall mortality. Hence, low flow should be integrated in the risk stratification and therapeutic decision-making in patients with AS.
We herein report the case of a 74-year-old man with recurrent transient ischemic attacks and falls who was found to have an unusual large mass of the interventricular septum. After extensive workup, ...isolated myocardial calcification was confirmed using multimodality cardiovascular imaging. This rare finding might be a reflecting cause of the patient’s clinical presentation.
Abstract Background Residual aortic regurgitation (AR) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with greater mortality; yet, determining AR severity post-TAVR using ...Doppler echocardiography remains challenging. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is purported as a more accurate means of quantifying AR; however, no data exist regarding the prognostic value of AR as assessed by CMR post-TAVR. Objectives This study sought to evaluate the effect of AR assessed with CMR on clinical outcomes post-TAVR. Methods We included 135 patients from 3 centers. AR was quantified using regurgitant fraction (RF) measured by phase-contrast velocity mapping CMR at a median of 40 days post-TAVR, and using Doppler echocardiography at a median of 6 days post-TAVR. Median follow-up was 26 months. Clinical outcomes included mortality and rehospitalization for heart failure. Results Moderate-severe AR occurred in 17.1% and 12.8% of patients as measured by echocardiography and CMR, respectively. Higher RF post-TAVR was associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio: 1.18 for each 5% increase in RF 95% confidence interval: 1.08 to 1.30; p < 0.001) and the combined endpoint of mortality and rehospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio: 1.19 for each 5% increase in RF; 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 1.23; p < 0.001). Prediction models yielded significant incremental predictive value; CMR performed a median of 40 days post-TAVR had a greater association with post-TAVR clinical events compared with early echocardiography (p < 0.01). RF ≥30% best predicted poorer clinical outcomes (p < 0.001 for either mortality or the combined endpoint of mortality and heart failure rehospitalization). Conclusions Worse CMR-quantified AR was associated with increased mortality and poorer clinical outcomes following TAVR. Quantifying AR with CMR may identify patients with AR who could benefit from additional treatment measures.
Few data exist on patients with low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis (LFLG-AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Also, very scarce data exist on the usefulness of dobutamine ...stress echocardiography (DSE) before TAVR in these patients.
The authors sought to evaluate clinical outcomes and changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) following TAVR in patients with classical LFLG-AS.
This multicenter registry included 287 patients with LFLG-AS undergoing TAVR. DSE was performed before TAVR in 234 patients and the presence of contractile reserve was defined as an increase of ≥20% in stroke volume. Transthoracic echocardiography was repeated at hospital discharge and at 1-year follow-up. Clinical follow-up was obtained at 1 and 12 months, and yearly thereafter.
The median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score of the study population was 7.7% (interquartile range 5.3% to 12.0%), and the mean LVEF and transvalvular gradient were 30.1 ± 9.7% and 25.4 ± 6.6 mm Hg, respectively. The presence of contractile reserve was observed in 45% of patients at DSE. Mortality rates were 3.8%, 20.1%, and 32.3% at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively. On multivariable analysis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.022) and lower hemoglobin values (p < 0.001) were associated with all-cause mortality. Lower hemoglobin values (p = 0.004) and moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation post-TAVR (p = 0.018) were predictors of the composite of mortality and rehospitalization due to heart failure. LVEF increased by 8.3% (95% confidence interval: 6% to 11%) at 1-year follow-up, and the lack of prior coronary artery bypass graft (p = 0.004), a lower LVEF at baseline (p < 0.001), and a lower stroke volume index at baseline (p = 0.019) were associated with greater increase in LVEF. The absence of contractile reserve at baseline DSE was not associated with any negative effect on clinical outcomes or LVEF changes at follow-up.
TAVR was associated with good periprocedural outcomes in patients with LFLG-AS. However, approximately one-third of LFLG-AS TAVR recipients died at 2-year follow-up, with pulmonary disease, anemia, and residual paravalvular leaks associated with poorer outcomes. LVEF improved following TAVR, but DSE failed to predict clinical outcomes or LVEF changes over time. (Multicenter Prospective Study of Low-Flow Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis TOPAS Study; NCT01835028).
There is a risk of misdiagnosis between benfluorex-induced VHD and acute rheumatic fever (ARF)-related VHD due to common characteristics of both etiologies. We aimed at estimating the probability for ...a patient exposed to benfluorex presenting with VHD to have, at the same time, a history of ARF-related VHD. Such epidemiological approach could help at reducing the risk of misdiagnosis. We used INSEE data and related literature as well as various modeling hypotheses to drive and test a formula for calculating the probability of a patient presenting with VHD and a history of benfluorex intake to have a prior history of ARF-related VHD. Different scenarios were estimated by a Markov model on the life course of people born in France between 1940 and 1960. Sensitivity analyses were performed under these scenarios. According to the different scenarios and gender, the probability that a patient born between 1940 and 1960 presenting with VHD and a history of benfluorex intake would have had a prior history of ARF-related VHD varied from 0.2% to 2.7%. The probabilities by the year of birth were as follows: 0.8%-2.7% for a patient born in 1940, < 0.5% in all scenarios for patients born after 1955, and < 0.2% in all scenarios for patients, born in 1960. Our results indicate that the burden of ARF-related VHD is low in the patient population exposed to benfluorex. The probability of ARF related VHD should not be over-estimated in the diagnostic procedure of VHD.
The release of cardiac biomarkers of myocardial injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is common, but no data exist on patients undergoing TAVR through a transaortic approach. We ...aimed to evaluate the incidence and prognostic significance of the increase in cardiac biomarkers in nontransfemoral TAVR candidates, comparing transaortic and transapical approaches.
After excluding patients deemed suitable for transfemoral TAVR, 251 consecutive patients (transaortic, 45; transapical, 206) were prospectively evaluated. Creatine kinase-myocardial band and cardiac troponin T levels were measured at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after TAVR. Baseline and 6- to 12-month echocardiographic and clinical follow-up were performed.
After TAVR, cardiac troponin T increased above the upper normal values in all patients (peak value 0.64 μg/L IQR, 0.39 to 1.03 μg/L), whereas creatine kinase-myocardial band levels increased in 88% of patients (transaortic 51%, transapical 96%, p < 0.001; peak value 20.1 μg/L interquartile range, 14.3 to 31.6 μg/L). Compared with the transaortic approach, the transapical approach was associated with a greater rise in both cardiac biomarkers (p < 0.001 for both), and a lesser improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.058) and global longitudinal strain (p = 0.039) at 6- to 12-month follow-up. Greater increases of cardiac troponin T levels were independently associated with 30-day and 1-year overall and cardiovascular mortality (p < 0.001 for all). A 15-fold rise in cardiac troponin T levels was the optimal threshold for determining poorer outcomes (p < 0.001).
Periprocedural TAVR-related myocardial injury in nontransfemoral candidates was demonstrated in all patients, but the transapical approach was associated with significantly greater myocardial injury compared with the transaortic approach. A higher degree of myocardial injury translated into reduced left ventricular function improvement and lower early and midterm survival rates.
Little is known about the usefulness of evaluating cardiac neurohormones in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the ...baseline values and serial changes of N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) after TAVI, its related factors, and prognostic value. A total of 333 consecutive patients were included, and baseline, procedural, and follow-up (median 20 months, interquartile range 9 to 36) data were prospectively collected. Systematic NT-proBNP measurements were performed at baseline, hospital discharge, 1, 6, and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Baseline NT-proBNP values were elevated in 86% of the patients (median 1,692 pg/ml); lower left ventricular ejection fraction and stroke volume index, greater left ventricular mass, and renal dysfunction were associated with greater baseline values (p <0.01 for all). Higher NT-proBNP levels were independently associated with increased long-term overall and cardiovascular mortalities (p <0.001 for both), with a baseline cut-off level of ∼2,000 pg/ml best predicting worse outcomes (p <0.001). At 6- to 12-month follow-up, NT-proBNP levels had decreased (p <0.001) by 23% and remained stable up to 4-year follow-up. In 39% of the patients, however, there was a lack of NT-proBNP improvement, mainly related to preprocedural chronic atrial fibrillation, lower mean transaortic gradient, and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (p <0.01 for all). In conclusion, most patients undergoing TAVI presented high NT-proBNP levels, and a lack of improvement was observed in >1/3 of the patients after TAVI. Also, higher NT-proBNP levels predicted greater overall and cardiac mortalities at a median follow-up of 2 years. These findings support the implementation of NT-proBNP measurements for the clinical decision-making process and follow-up of patients undergoing TAVI.
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