Objectives
T1 mapping (T1-map) and cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) techniques have been introduced for the early detection of interstitial myocardial fibrosis and deformation ...abnormalities. We sought to demonstrate that T1-map and CMR-FT may identify the presence of subclinical myocardial structural changes in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP).
Methods
Consecutive MVP patients with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation and comparative matched healthy subjects were prospectively enrolled and underwent CMR-FT analysis to calculate 2D global and segmental circumferential (CS) and radial strain (RS) and T1-map to determine global and segmental native T1 (nT1) values.
Results
Seventy-three MVP patients (mean age, 57 ± 13 years old; male, 76%; regurgitant volume, 57 ± 21 mL) and 42 matched control subjects (mean age, 56 ± 18 years; male, 74%) were included. MVP patients showed a lower global CS (− 16.3 ± 3.4% vs. − 17.8 ± 1.9%,
p
= 0.020) and longer global nT1 (1124.9 ± 97.7 ms vs. 1007.4 ± 26.1 ms,
p
< 0.001) as compared to controls. Moreover, MVP patients showed lower RS and CS in basal (21.6 ± 12.3% vs. 27.6 ± 8.9%,
p
= 0.008, and − 13.0 ± 6.7% vs. − 14.9 ± 4.1%,
p
= 0.013) and mid-inferolateral (20.6 ± 10.7% vs. 28.4 ± 8.7%,
p
< 0.001, and − 12.8 ± 6.3% vs. − 16.5 ± 4.0%,
p
< 0.001) walls as compared to other myocardial segments. Similarly, MVP patients showed longer nT1 values in basal (1080 ± 68 ms vs. 1043 ± 43 ms,
p
< 0.001) and mid-inferolateral (1080 ± 77 ms vs. 1034 ± 37 ms,
p
< 0.001) walls as compared to other myocardial segments. Of note, nT1 values were significantly correlated with CS (
r
, 0.36;
p
< 0.001) and RS (
r
, 0.37;
p
< 0.001) but not with regurgitant volume.
Conclusions
T1-map and CMR-FT identify subclinical left ventricle tissue changes in patients with MVP. Further studies are required to correlate these subclinical tissue changes with the outcome.
Key Points
•
T1 mapping (T1-map) and cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) techniques have been introduced for the early detection of interstitial myocardial fibrosis and deformation abnormalities.
•
In MVP patients, we demonstrated a longer global nT1 with associated reduced global circumferential (CS) and radial strain (RS) as compared to control subjects.
•
Among MVP patients, the mid-basal left ventricle inferolateral wall showed longer nT1 with reduced CS and RS as compared to other myocardial segments. Further studies are required to correlate these subclinical tissue changes with the outcome.
A bedside-available transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)–dedicated prognostic risk score is an unmet clinical need. We aimed to develop such a risk score predicting 1-year mortality ...post-TAVI and to compare it with the performance of the logistic EuroSCORE (LES) I and LES-II and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' (STS) score. Baseline variables of 511 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI that were independently associated with 1-year mortality post-TAVI were included in the “TAVI2 -SCORe.” Discrimination and calibration abilities of the novel score were assessed and compared with surgical risk scores. One-year mortality was 17.0% (n = 80 of 471). Porcelain thoracic aorta (hazard ratio HR 2.56), anemia (HR 2.03), left ventricular dysfunction (HR 1.98), recent myocardial infarction (HR 3.78), male sex (HR 1.81), critical aortic valve stenosis (HR 2.46), old age (HR 1.68), and renal dysfunction (HR 1.76) formed the TAVI2 -SCORe (all p <0.05). According to the number of points assigned (1 for each variable and 2 for infarction), patients were stratified into 5 risk categories: 0, 1 (HR 2.6), 2 (HR 3.6), 3 (HR 10.5), and ≥4 (HR 17.6). TAVI2 -SCORe showed better discrimination ability (Harrells' C statistic 0.715) compared with LES-I, LES-II, and STS score (0.609, 0.633, and 0.50, respectively). Cumulative 1-year survival rate was 54% versus 88% for patients with TAVI2 -SCORE ≥3 versus <3 points, respectively (p <0.001). Contrary to surgical risk scores, there was no significant difference between observed and expected 1-year mortality for all TAVI2 -SCORe risk strata (all p >0.05, Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic 0.304), suggesting superior calibration performance. In conclusion, the TAVI2 -SCORe is an accurate, simple, and bedside-available score predicting 1-year mortality post-TAVI, outperforming conventional surgical risk scores for this end point.
Objectives This study examined the mid-term hemodynamic and clinical impact of prosthesis–patient mismatch (PPM) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with ...balloon-expandable valves. Background PPM can be observed after aortic valve surgery. However, little is known about the incidence of PPM in patients undergoing TAVI. Methods Echocardiography and clinical assessment were performed in 165 patients at baseline, before hospital discharge, and at 6 months after TAVI. PPM was defined as an indexed effective orifice area ≤0.85 cm2 /m2. Results Thirty patients (18.2%) showed PPM before hospital discharge. At baseline, patients with PPM had a larger body surface area (1.84 ± 0.18 m2 vs. 1.73 ± 0.18 m2 , p = 0.003) and a greater severity of aortic stenosis (indexed valve area 0.35 ± 0.09 cm2 /m2 vs. 0.40 ± 0.10 cm2 /m2 , p = 0.005) than patients without PPM. Patients with PPM demonstrated a slower and smaller reduction in mean transaortic gradient, limited left ventricular (LV) mass regression, and left atrial volume reduction over 6 months compared with patients without PPM. LV filling pressure, measured by E/e′, tended to remain elevated in patients with PPM. Importantly, a higher proportion of patients with PPM did not improve in New York Heart Association functional class compared with patients without PPM (36.7% vs. 1.5%, p < 0.001), although major adverse valve-related and cardiovascular events did not differ between the 2 groups. Conclusions PPM may be observed after TAVI and when present may be accompanied by less favorable changes in transvalvular hemodynamics, limited LV mass regression, persistent elevated LV filling pressure, and less improvement in clinical functional status.
Conventional indices of right ventricular (RV) function are known to be reduced after cardiac surgery, as a consequence of geometric rather than functional alterations. New techniques, such as ...three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography, may be useful in postsurgical RV assessment. The aim of this study was to compare indices of RV function obtained using different echocardiographic modalities, before and after surgery.
Forty-two patients were screened the day before and 6 months after mitral valve repair. Twenty healthy patients were also enrolled as controls. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and peak systolic velocity were calculated from Doppler tissue imaging. Longitudinal and radial strain values were obtained from speckle-tracking echocardiography. RV ejection fraction was calculated from 3D transthoracic echocardiographic RV volumes, and similarly, fractional area change was computed from RV areas.
Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (25 ± 4 vs 17 ± 3 mm), peak systolic velocity (17 ± 4 vs 12 ± 2 cm/sec), and fractional area change (43 ± 8% vs 39 ± 7%) significantly decreased after surgery (P < .01), while 3D RV ejection fraction was preserved (59 ± 7% vs 59 ± 6%). Speckle-tracking echocardiographic results were dependent on the considered direction, with preserved radial but decreased longitudinal strain values. All postoperative two-dimensional longitudinal indices were smaller than in controls. Preoperative parameters were not significantly correlated with RV functional changes.
Although 3D ejection fraction was preserved after surgery, in agreement with the lack of evidence of RV dysfunction, two-dimensional indices showed a functional loss in the longitudinal direction. Fractional area change, as a combination of radial and longitudinal properties, was slightly decreased. Speckle-tracking echocardiography could constitute a useful approach to relate local and space-dependent changes to the global RV function.
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) associated with severe mitral regurgitation is a debilitating disease with no pharmacological therapies available. MicroRNAs (miRNA) represent an emerging class of ...circulating biomarkers that have never been evaluated in MVP human plasma. Our aim was to identify a possible miRNA signature that is able to discriminate MVP patients from healthy subjects (CTRL) and to shed light on the putative altered molecular pathways in MVP. We evaluated a plasma miRNA profile using Human MicroRNA Card A followed by real-time PCR validations. In addition, to assess the discriminative power of selected miRNAs, we implemented a machine learning analysis. MiRNA profiling and validations revealed that miR-140-3p, 150-5p, 210-3p, 451a, and 487a-3p were significantly upregulated in MVP, while miR-223-3p, 323a-3p, 340-5p, and 361-5p were significantly downregulated in MVP compared to CTRL (
≤ 0.01). Functional analysis identified several biological processes possible linked to MVP. In addition, machine learning analysis correctly classified MVP patients from CTRL with high accuracy (0.93) and an area under the receiving operator characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.97. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study performed on human plasma, showing a strong association between miRNAs and MVP. Thus, a circulating molecular signature could be used as a first-line, fast, and cheap screening tool for MVP identification.
BackgroundPost-procedural aortic regurgitation (AR) has been described in a large number of patients receiving transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to ...examine the intraoperative 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic features of the aortic valve associated with significant post-procedural paravalvular AR.MethodsA total of 135 patients (81±7 years) with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, who underwent TAVI, were imaged with comprehensive 2D and 3D transoesophageal echocardiography before the procedure and peri-procedure. Various baseline and peri-procedural echocardiographic characteristics were tested to predict paravalvular AR post-TAVI: calcifications at the aortic valve commissures and leaflets, ‘aortic annulus eccentricity index’, ‘area cover index’, overlap between aortic prosthesis and anterior mitral leaflet. Post-procedural paravalvular AR≥2 was considered significant.ResultsSuccessful TAVI was achieved in all patients. The incidence of paravalvular AR≥2 immediately after the procedure was 21% (28 patients). Commissural calcifications and, particularly, the calcification of the commissure between the right coronary and non-coronary cusps was significantly more frequent in presence of paravalvular AR; the area cover index pre-TAVI was significantly lower among patients with AR (11.1±11.8% vs 20.8±12.5%, p=0.0004). Multivariate analysis revealed that calcification of the commissure between the right coronary and non-coronary cusps (OR=2.66, 95% CI 1.39 to 5.12, p=0.001), and the area cover index pre-TAVI (OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.99, p=0.006) were the only independent predictors of significant paravalvular AR after TAVI.ConclusionsIntraoperative 2D and 3D transoesophageal echocardiography identified calcification of the commissure between the right coronary and non-coronary cusps and the area cover index as independent predictors of significant paravalvular AR following TAVI.
Objectives The aims of this study were to analyze in a large series of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): 1) the accuracy of 3-dimensional transesophageal ...echocardiographic (3DTEE) measurement of left coronary cusp (LCC) length and of the distances from left main coronary ostium (LM) to the aortic annulus (AA) pre-operatively and to the aortic prosthesis post-operatively; and 2) the role of the 3DTEE measurements in predicting the prosthetic deployment and the association between prosthesis position and aortic regurgitation (AR) and/or prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM). Background Coronary ostia occlusion is a possible complication in TAVI; therefore, the careful pre-operative evaluation of AA-LM and LCC length, and the post-operative analysis of the relationship between the prosthesis and LM, may influence the procedural outcomes. Even though multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the gold standard pre-operatively, sometimes it cannot be performed and it is rarely repeated post-operatively. Methods In 122 patients undergoing TAVI, pre-operative AA-LM and LCC measurements obtained by 3DTEE and MDCT were compared. Post-operatively, the feasibility of 3DTEE evaluation of the prosthesis-LM distance was performed. The relationship between 3DTEE overlap of the prosthesis with the anterior mitral leaflet and AR/PPM was assessed. Results Pre-operatively, 3DTEE AA-LM (r = 0.83) and LCC (r = 0.69) significantly correlated with MDCT. Post-operatively, 3DTEE prosthesis-LM distance was 2.1 ± 1.9 mm. The prosthesis reached or exceeded LM in 6 and 10 cases, respectively. Prosthesis overlap with mitral leaflet was 4.7 ± 1.8 mm. Significant correlation between the 3DTEE computed and nominal length of the prosthesis was found (r = 0.61). No correlations were found between prosthesis–mitral leaflet overlap and aortic regurgitation or PPM. Conclusions AA-LM distance and LCC length may be accurately estimated by 3DTEE, which may represent a valid alternative to MDCT. Pre- and post-3DTEE data concerning the aortic root, such as LM, aortic valve, and prosthetic morphology, give new insights into TAVI and its complications.
The quantification of right ventricular (RV) size and function is of diagnostic and prognostic importance. Recently, new software for the analysis of RV geometry using three-dimensional (3D) ...echocardiographic images has been validated. The aim of this study was to provide normal reference values for RV volumes and function using this technique.
A total of 245 subjects, including 15 to 20 subjects for each gender and age decile, were studied. Dedicated 3D acquisitions of the right ventricle were obtained in all subjects.
The mean RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were 49 +/- 10 and 16 +/- 6 mL/m2 respectively, and the mean RV ejection fraction was 67 +/- 8%. Significant correlations were observed between RV parameters and body surface area. Normalized RV volumes were significantly correlated with age and gender. RV ejection fractions were lower in men, but differences across age deciles were not evident.
The current study provides normal reference values for RV volumes and function that may be useful for the identification of clinical abnormalities.
Intraoperative real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography has been shown useful in the evaluation of the mitral valve (MV) apparatus, and dedicated commercial software allows its ...quantitative assessment. The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the effects induced by prolapse on MV anatomy in the presence of fibroelastic deficiency (FED) or Barlow's disease (BD), (2) assess the effect of surgery on the MV apparatus, and (3) investigate the potential role of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in surgical planning.
Fifty-six patients (29 with FED, 27 with BD) undergoing MV repair and annuloplasty were studied immediately before and after surgery. Also, 18 age-matched patients with normal MV anatomy, undergoing coronary artery bypass, were included as a control group. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic data sets were acquired and analyzed to quantify several MV annulus and leaflet parameters using dedicated software.
MV prolapse and regurgitation were associated with a markedly enlarged annulus (area, 12.0 ± 3.2 cm(2) in FED and 15.4 ± 3.8 cm(2) in BD) and leaflets compared with controls (area, 7.5 ± 2.1 cm(2)), while annular height (4.5 ± 1.3 mm in controls, 4.0 ± 1.3 mm in FED, 5.3 ± 1.6 mm in BD) and the mitral aortic angle (136 ± 12° in controls, 141 ± 12° in FED, 137 ± 11° in BD) were similar. Patients with BD showed greater values than those with FED. MV repair and annuloplasty led to a significant undersizing of leaflet and annular areas (4.0 ± 1.1 cm(2) in FED, 4.9 ± 1.3 cm(2) in BD), diameters, and height (2.6 ± 1.1 mm in FED, 3.4 ± 1.4 mm in BD) compared with controls. Coaptation length remained in the normal range (30 ± 5 mm in controls, 24 ± 6 mm in FED, 28 ± 6 mm in BD). Differences between BD and FED were reduced but still present after surgery.
Intraoperative three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography allows quantitative evaluation of the MV apparatus in the presence of FED or BD and could be useful for immediate assessment of the surgical procedure.
Patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP), undergoing early surgery for severe regurgitation, are usually characterized by a low degree of right chambers’ remodeling. In this selected population, the ...mechanisms leading to tricuspid annular (TA) dilatation (TAD) are not well understood. In this setting, we aimed to evaluate, using three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE), how right chambers affect TA size and might contribute to functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) progression. We studied 159 patients treated with early isolated surgery for MVP, characterized by: sinus rhythm; normal biventricular function; normal or elevated pulmonary artery pressure; tricuspid regurgitation (TR) ≤ mild; no concomitant cardiac disease. All patients reached a 3-year echocardiographic follow-up. Based on two-dimensional echocardiography, patients were divided in Group 1 (N = 68, 43%, TAD, TA ≥ 21 mm/m
2
) and Group 2 (N = 91, 57%, no TAD, TA < 21 mm/m
2
). By 3DE, Group 1 showed larger TA size, right atrial (RA) volume and right ventricular (RV) conical remodeling compared to Group 2 (p < 0.05). The multivariate analysis revealed that RA volume, RV basal diameter and function were independently correlated to TA size (p < 0.05). At the 3-year follow-up there was a low incidence of FTR, with a trend towards FTR progression in Group 1 (p = 0.07). In patients undergoing early surgery for MVP, TAD seems to result from distinctive early-onset geometrical changes of the right chambers, preceding TR, RV dilatation and pulmonary hypertension at rest. An integrated approach, including right chambers’ assessment by 3DE, might help to better recognized patients at higher risk for TAD and, potentially for FTR.
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