Acute Valve Research Articles

Acute Valve Syndrome in Aortic Stenosis

Acute Valve Syndrome in Aortic Stenosis

Ultraslow low-dose thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute mechanical prosthetic heart valve thrombosis – A prospective cohort study

BackgroundWhile surgery still remains the gold standard treatment for mechanical prosthetic valve thrombosis (MPVT) by many guidelines, the ultraslow low-dose thrombolytic regimen has been reported as a promising alternative. MethodsIn this prospective single-center cohort, patients with acute MPVT were treated with an ultraslow low-dose thrombolytic regimen consisting of 25 mg infusion of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rtPA) over 25 h. The regimen could be repeated in case of failure until resolution/occurrence of adverse events or a maximum cumulative dose of 150 mg. The primary outcome was the complete MPVT resolution rate; other outcomes included first-dose success rate, major bleeding, thromboembolic events, mortality, and total thrombolytic dose/duration. ResultsBetween April 2018 to January 2024, 135 episodes of acute MPVT were treated with an ultraslow low-dose thrombolytic regimen in 118 patients. In 118/135 (87.4 %) episodes, right-sided prosthetic valve was involved. Complete success was achieved in 88.1 % of cases, with 39.5 % responding after the first dose. The median total dose was 50 mg over a median of 30 h. Only one fatal intracranial hemorrhage occurred (0.7 %), with no other bleeding or thromboembolic complications. ConclusionThe ultraslow low-dose thrombolytic regimen appears to exhibit high efficacy and acceptable safety in treating acute MPVT. Further large clinical trials are essential for validating these preliminary findings.

Incidence and outcomes of prosthetic valve thrombosis during peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

In the context of postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS) following valve replacement surgery, it may be necessary to implant a peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pVA-ECMO). This procedure, however, carries a risk of prosthetic valve thrombosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the incidence and outcomes of prosthetic valve thrombosis after VA-ECMO support for PCCS and to report the associated risk factors. All consecutive adult patients who received pVA-ECMO for PCCS following a valve replacement procedure between January 2015 and October 2019 in our institution were included in this retrospective study. Outcome variables were prosthetic valve thrombosis, 30-day and hospital survival, pVA-ECMO-associated adverse events and surgery-related adverse events. During the 4-year study period, 549 patients received pVA-ECMO for PCCS. Among them, 152 had undergone a valve replacement procedure and 9 of these developed prosthetic valve thrombosis. The incidence of valve thrombosis at 30 days was 7.5 ± 2%. The cumulative incidence of prosthetic valve thrombosis was significantly lower with pVA-ECMO + intra-aortic balloon pump versus VA-ECMO alone (1.4 ± 1.4% vs 13.7 ± 4.7%, P = 0.021, respectively). Intra-aortic balloon pump use associated with pVA-ECMO (versus pVA-ECMO alone) was an independent protective factor against hospital death [odds ratio = 0.180 (0.068-0.478), P = 0.001]. After PCCS following valve replacement surgery, peripheral femoro-femoral VA-ECMO is associated with a low risk of acute valve thrombosis especially when associated with an intra-aortic balloon pump.

Obstructions of prosthetic heart valves: diagnosis and treatment considerations

Objectives: Since the first years of native heart valve replacement by - prosthetic valves; prosthesis thrombogenicity has kept its importance as a serious problem causing post-operative morbidities and mortality. This study aims to evaluate early postoperative morbidity and mortality of patients diagnosed with prosthetic valve thrombosis and treated surgically or non-surgically. Methods: Thirty-one patients diagnosed with and treated for prosthetic valve thrombosis were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were followed up for 58 months. Results: There were 24 females and 7 males. The mean patient age at the time of prosthetic valve thrombosis diagnosis was 40.7±11 (range, 10-57) years. The mean duration between prosthetic valve replacement and the first signs of prosthetic valve thrombosis was 67.67±66 (range, 1 to 300) months. All patients presented with a functional capacity of NYHA Class III or IV. A total of 32 interventions; 27 surgical and 5 thrombolytic treatments due to elevated aortic prosthetic valve pressure gradient which did not improve with thrombolysis. Of 27 surgical interventions for thrombosed prosthetic valves, 21 involved mitral, 2 aortic, and 4 tricuspid positions. A total of 9 patients died during follow-up. The overall mortality rate was 29.03%. The mortality rate was 29.62% after surgical interventions and 20% after thrombolytic treatment. Conclusion: Currently prosthetic valve replacement is the basic palliation method in the management of patients with diseased native heart valves. In the majority of mechanical prosthetic valve obstructions, the main pathology is fibrous tissue proliferation-related to irregular warfarin usage, which in turn causes the development of acute symptoms secondary to acute valve thrombosis. The necessary treatment method for prosthetic valve obstructions should be either the use of thrombolytic agents or the replacement of the obstructed prosthetic valve with a new one.

Health-related quality of life in elderly cardiac patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation and the association with exercise capacity: The EU-CaRE study.

The ability to be physically active is pivotal to the quality of life in elderly patients. This study aims to describe the association between exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety, and depression following an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in elderly cardiac patients. Patients aged ≥65 years with acute and chronic coronary syndrome or heart valve surgery were consecutively included from 8 CR centers in 7 European countries. Exercise capacity (VO2peak(ml/kg/min)) was assessed with a cardiopulmonary exercise test (97%) or a six-minute walk test. Outcome variables included HRQoL (SF-36 physical and mental component scores (PCS and MCS)), anxiety (GAD-7), and depression (PHQ-9). Mixed models were used to address the association between baseline and the development in VO2peak, and outcome variables stratified on sex, and adjusted for baseline values, age, and CR center. A total of 1,633 patients were included (T0), 1,523 (93%) completed end-of-CR assessment (T1), and 1,457 (89%) 1-year follow-up (T2). Women had higher % of predicted VO2peak, but poorer scores in HRQoL, anxiety and depression at all time-points. All scores improved in both sexes at follow-up. We found significant associations between VO2peak at baseline as well as development in VO2peak and all outcome variables at T1 and T2 in men (all p < 0.001). In women, VO2peak was only associated with PCS scores (p < 0.001). Improvements in exercise capacity was strongly associated with improvements in HRQoL and mental health, however with stronger associations in men. The results highlight the importance of physical fitness for HRQol and mental health. The findings from this study might be useful to better target individual CR programs.

Bedside management of massive pulmonary embolism: a case report

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) may manifest as a clinical syndrome that mimics conditions such as acute myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, tamponade, acute valve dysfunction, cancer, and pneumonia. In this report, we present a case of acute massive pulmonary embolism that developed possibly on a chronic basis, and was managed and treated across different medical centers.

Sudan's rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease guidelines: a simplified approach in an endemic country.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a preventable sequelae of group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infection leading to an immune reaction: acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and progressive heart valve dysfunction. RHD is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children and young adults in Sudan and many low/middle-income countries. In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a resolution for RHD mandating that each country adopt updated guidelines for ARF and RHD management. These current guidelines are mainly directed to primary healthcare workers. Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in collaboration with the WHO East Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) assembled a committee for updating RHD guidelines. We conducted a systematic literature search from 2000 to 2022 in National Institute of Health Database (PubMed) under the following titles: streptococcal pharyngitis, acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, benzathine penicillin. Best available, evidence-based practices for diagnosis and management of ARF/RHD were selected and adapted to Sudan's situation. The guidelines were critically appraised by the committee then endorsed to the FMOH and WHO EMRO Noncommunicable Disease Departments in January 2023. This paper describes the updated guidelines. Simplified algorithms are provided for diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis including two clinical criteria: sore throat and the absence of viral symptoms in the target age group. A simplified algorithm for diagnosis and management of ARF is adopted using two levels of diagnosis: suspected case at primary level where penicillin prophylaxis is started and secondary/tertiary care where echocardiography is performed and diagnosis confirmed or excluded. Echocardiography screening is recognized as the standard method for early diagnosis of RHD; however, due to the anticipated limitations, its implementation was not adopted at this time. Streptococcal skin infection is included as a precursor of ARF and a detailed protocol for benzathine penicillin administration is described. The Sudan guidelines for ARF/RHD management were updated. Endorsement of these guidelines to FMOH and WHO EMRO is expected to improve control of RHD in the region.

Traumatic Papillary Muscle Rupture Mimicking Infective Endocarditis

Blunt trauma due to motor vehicle accident may result in severe cardiac valve injury. The most part of lesions are about aortic and mitral valves. Acute on-set cardiac valve insufficiency may cause severe dyspnea or cardiac failure. Tricuspid valve injury due to blunt trauma is extremely rare and clinical manifestation is silent in majority of all cases. In case of echocardiographic evaluation, patient can be diagnosed easily with cardiac valve injury. Here we introduce a 46 year-old male patient suffering tricupid papillary muscle rupture and its successful surgical repair. Fever and a mass on the valve caused by multitrauma may mimic infective endocarditis.

Validation of large animal models in mechanical valve research: a histologic comparison.

Mechanical valves still require life-long anticoagulation. Preclinical animal testing is a crucial step in the assessment of valves; however, the chosen animal model should be carefully considered, and a well-controlled animal model of mechanical valve thrombosis has not been established yet. In this study, a histopathologic comparison was performed to evaluate the representativity of pigs and sheep as large animal models in bileaflet mechanical valve thrombosis research. 10 pigs and 8 sheep were implanted with a bileaflet mechanical valve in pulmonary position. During follow-up, no anticoagulative therapy was administered. Pigs were sacrificed between 14 and 38 days for explantation and assessment of the valve. Sheep were sacrificed between 71 and 155 days. Thrombus samples were processed and (immuno)histochemical stainings were applied. A pathologist evaluated the samples morphologically and semiquantitatively and compared these samples to available slides from 3 human patients who underwent redo surgery for acute bileaflet mechanical valve thrombosis, caused by insufficient anticoagulation. All pigs showed macroscopically evident thrombi on the mechanical valve surface at sacrifice. In contrast, none of the sheep showed any sign of thrombus formation. Histology showed a high fibrin content in thrombi of both human and porcine cases (3/3 vs 8/10). Porcine thrombi showed more cellular organization (0/3 vs 6/10), more calcification (0/3 vs 9/10) and more endothelialization (0/3 vs 6/10). Inflammatory cells were present in all samples and were considered physiological. Contrary to sheep, pigs develop thrombi on their mechanical valves in the short-term if no anticoagulation is administered. Histologic comparison of human and porcine thrombi shows comparable findings. The pig model might serve interestingly for further research on valve thrombosis, if it shows not to be an overly aggressive model.

Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Women With Small Annuli at Low or Intermediate Surgical Risk

There are limited data from randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgery in women with aortic stenosis and small aortic annuli. We evaluated 2-year clinical and hemodynamic outcomes after aortic valve replacement to understand acute valve performance and early and midterm clinical outcomes. This post hoc analysis pooled women enrolled in the randomized, prospective, multicenter Evolut Low Risk and Surgical Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (SURTAVI) intermediate risk trials. Women with severe aortic stenosis at low or intermediate surgical risk who had a computed tomography-measured annular perimeter of ≤72.3 mm were included and underwent self-expanding, supra-annular TAVR or surgery. The primary end point was 2-year all-cause mortality or disabling stroke rate. The study included 620 women (323 TAVR, 297 surgery) with a mean age of 78 years. At 2 years, the all-cause mortality or disabling stroke was 6.5% for TAVR and 8.0% for surgery, p = 0.47. Pacemaker rates were 20.0% for TAVR and 8.3% for surgery, p <0.001. The mean effective orifice area at 2 years was 1.9 ± 0.5 cm2 for TAVR and 1.6 ± 0.5 cm2 for surgery and the mean gradient was 8.0 ± 4.1 versus 12.7 ± 6.0 mm Hg, respectively (both p <0.001). Moderate or severe patient-prothesis mismatch at discharge occurred in 10.9% of patients who underwent TAVR and 33.2% of patients who underwent surgery, p <0.001. In conclusion, in women with small annuli, the clinical outcomes to 2 years were similar between self-expanding, supra-annular TAVR and surgery, with better hemodynamics in the TAVR group and fewer pacemakers in the surgical group.

Low Free Thyroxine (FT4) in critically ill juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: a diagnostic approach

Introduction: Thyroid dysfunction was frequent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, which may present as euthyroid, hypothyroid, or hyperthyroid states. Critical conditions have a higher chance of euthyroid sick syndrome due to alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPA) axis. Renal impairment was associated with an increased risk of low FT4 due to proteinuria followed by thyroid loss. Case Description: We reported one patient, a 15-year-old girl, who complained of shortness of breath and revealed acute respiratory distress syndrome, valve regurgitation, and pericardial effusion. She also felt joint pain over the leg and odor urination. Further evaluation showed non-scaring alopecia, pyuria, proteinuria &gt;0.5 gram/24 hours, urinary cast, and acute kidney injury stage failure. ANA (IF) pattern: scattered with titer 1:100, ANA profile indicated Smith (Sm) antigen (+) and C3 108.3 mg/d, which fulfilled Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) 2015 and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2019 criteria for SLE. On the fourth day of treatment, the patient had acute confusion, hypothermia, and sinus bradycardia, while the investigation of FT4 hormone was 0.45 ng/dL, TSH 2.39 uIu/ml, which revealed euthyroid sick syndrome. After treatment with a high dose of methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide, rituximab, levothyroxine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and a diuretic, she deteriorated and passed away. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in juvenile SLE patients necessitates further attention. Lupus nephritis, increased creatinine level, detection of Smith (Sm) antigen, and critical condition were also at higher risk of low FT4 in juvenile SLE patients. This condition may have a worsened prognosis with prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Thrombosis of Prosthetic Tricuspid Valve During Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support: A Case Report

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is frequently used for severe postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock in patients with bioprosthetic valves. Acute prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a rare complication after valve replacement surgery and significantly increases morbidity and mortality. Patients who develop PVT on ECMO could significantly influence the long-term durability of the bioprosthetic valves. However, previous studies only analyzed risk factor and treatment of the mitral valve thrombosis during ECMO support. The mechanism of thrombosis on the tricuspid valve was still unknown. Here we describe the symptoms and treatment of a valve replacement patient who developed bioprosthetic tricuspid valve thrombosis during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). Meanwhile, the patient’s mechanical prosthetic mitral valve functioned normally. An emergency re-do tricuspid prosthesis replacement was performed, and the patient finally developed the successful decannulation. At 6 months follow-up, the patient showed asymptomatic and had a reasonable quality of life. The pathophysiology of tricuspid valve thrombosis may be different from the left heart. Our case highlights that the risk of thrombosis associated with a prosthesis in the tricuspid position can be even higher in the setting of VA-ECMO support. In such patients, promoting forward blood flow across the prosthesis and improving levels of anticoagulation may be particularly important.

Abstract 14934: Libman-Sacks Endocarditis and Sjogren’s Syndrome: Are They Associated?

Introduction: Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is frequently complicated with stroke or TIA, acute or chronic progressive valve dysfunction, need for high-risk valve surgery, and increased morbidity and mortality. Sjogren’s syndrome characterized by dry eyes and mouth for &gt;3 months and positive anti-Ro/SSA or SSB antibodies is common in lupus patients, but its association with LSE is unknown Aim: To determine if Sjogren’s syndrome is associated and predictive of LSE. Methods: 76 lupus patients (71 women, 36 ± 12 years of age) and 26 age-and-sex frequency (3:1 ratio) matched controls (22 women, 34 ± 11 years of age) underwent TEE and assessment of demographics, atherogenic risk factors, and parameters of inflammation and thrombogenesis. Patients were also assessed for lupus duration, activity, injury, autoantibodies, and therapy. Libman-Sacks vegetations by TEE were defined as localized, protruding, and sessile echodensities &gt;3 mm in diameter with well-defined borders as part of valve leaflets, annulus, or subvalvular apparatus. All studies were coded, de-identified, and interpreted by observers blinded to participants’ clinical data. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify predictors of LSE. Results: 39 (51%) lupus patients and 2 (8%) controls had vegetations (p&lt;0.001). Also, 39 (51%) patients had Sjogren’s syndrome and 28 (72%) of them had vegetations (p&lt;0.001). As shown in Table 1 , age, Sjogren’s syndrome, current smoking, β-2 glycoprotein antibodies, lupus duration, acute or recent stroke/TIA, past stroke, lupus activity and damage scores, and anti-thrombotic therapy were univariate predictors of LSE (all p≤ 0.05). However, Sjogrens’ syndrome, acute or recent stroke or TIA, and duration of lupus were the only multivariate predictors of LSE (all p≤0.02). Conclusions: Sjogren’s syndrome is an independent predictor of Libman-Sacks endocarditis.

Predictors of Cerebral Embolic Debris During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: The SafePass 2 First-in-Human Study

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) generates significant debris, and strategies to mitigate cerebral embolization are needed. The novel Emboliner embolic protection catheter (Emboline, Inc., Santa Cruz, California) is designed to capture all particles generated during TAVR. This first-in-human study sought to assess the safety and feasibility of the device and to characterize the distribution and histopathology of the debris generated during TAVR. The SafePass 2 study was a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, single-arm investigation of the Emboliner device. Primary end points included 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and technical performance. Computed tomography angiography was analyzed by an independent core laboratory, and filters were sent for histopathology of captured debris. Predictors of particle number were identified using >150 µm and >500 µm size thresholds. Of 31 subjects enrolled, technical success was 100%, and 30-day MACCE was 6.5% (2 cerebrovascular accidents, with 1 attributed to subtherapeutic dosing of rivaroxaban along with atrial fibrillation and the other to possible previous small ischemic strokes on magnetic resonance imaging; neither MACCE event had a causal relation to the Emboliner). All filters contained debris, with a median of 191.0 particles >150 µm and 14.0 particles >500 µm. Histopathology revealed mostly acute thrombus and valve or arterial tissue with lesser amounts of calcified tissue. A history of atrial fibrillation predicted a greater number of particles >500 µm (p=0.0259) and its presence on admission was associated with 4.1 times more particles >150 µm (p=0.0130) and 8.1 times more particles >500 µm (p=0.0086). Self-expanding valves were associated with twice the number of particles >150 µm (p=0.0281). TASK score was positively correlated with number of particles >500 µm (p=0.0337). The Emboliner device was safe and feasible. Emboli after TAVR appear more numerous than previously documented. Atrial fibrillation, higher TASK score, and self-expanding valve use conferred higher embolic burden. Notably, none of the tested computed tomography angiography features were able to identify with higher embolic risk. Larger-scale studies are needed to identify high-risk patients for selective embolic protection device use.

Translation, cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Arabic short version of the coronary artery disease education questionnaire (CADE-Q SV) in Saudi Arabia

ObjectiveTo translate, culturally adapt, and psychometrically validate the Arabic Coronary Artery Disease Education Questionnaire Short Version (CADE-Q SV). MethodsThe CADE-Q SV was translated to Arabic by two independent translators, followed by back-translation. Then, an expert panel of 10 healthcare providers and 10 patients reviewed the survey and provided input for content validity (CV) and clarity of items. For the psychometric analysis, 202 cardiac patients from Saudi Arabia completed the questionnaire, of which factor structure, internal consistency, construct, and criterion validity were assessed. ResultsItems were translated, and CV was confirmed. Items were rated based on relevance and understandability. The scale was finalized after changes in 5 items. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed 5 factors, all internally consistent: medical condition, risk factors, exercise, nutrition, and psychosocial health. Overall alpha was 0.84. Construct validity was established by significant associations between scores and occupation, educational level, family income, having a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome or valve disorders and with a history of valve repair or replacement a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. Scores were significantly higher for those that participated in cardiac rehabilitation, confirming criterion validity. ConclusionsResults from this study confirm the validity and reliability of the CADE-Q SV in Arabic-speaking patients. InnovationThe CADE-Q SV can be used as a knowledge measurement to support clinical work and development of education intervention for Arabic patients.

Acute tricuspid valve regurgitation in a motorcycle accident

Acute tricuspid valve regurgitation in a motorcycle accident

Establishing a Novel Diagnostic Framework Using Handheld Point-of-Care Focused-Echocardiography (HoPE) for Acute Left-Sided Cardiac Valve Emergencies: A Bayesian Approach for Emergency Physicians in Resource-Limited Settings.

Acute severe cardiac valve emergencies, such as acute severe mitral regurgitation (AMR) and acute severe aortic regurgitation (AAR), present significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and management. Handheld point-of-care ultrasound devices have emerged as potentially pivotal tools in ensuring the prompt and accurate diagnosis of these left-sided valve emergencies by emergency physicians, particularly in resource-limited settings. Despite the increased utilisation of point-of-care ultrasound by emergency physicians for the management of patients in states of acute cardiorespiratory failure, current diagnostic protocols cannot perform sufficient quantitative assessments of the left-sided cardiac valves. This review elucidates and evaluates the diagnostic utility of handheld point-of-care focused-echocardiography (HoPE) in native AMR and AAR by reviewing the relevant literature and the use of clinical case examples from the Emergency Department at Port Shepstone Regional Hospital (PSRH-ED)-a rural, resource-limited hospital located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Combining the findings of the review and clinical case illustrations, this review proceeds to synthesise a novel, Bayesian-inspired, iterative diagnostic framework that integrates HoPE into the evaluation of patients with acute cardiorespiratory failure and suspected severe left-sided valve lesions.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Pure Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation: The PANTHEON International Project

BackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with pure severe native aortic valve regurgitation (NAVR) has been associated with suboptimal results. The available evidence concerns mostly outdated transcatheter heart valves (THVs). ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the performance of new-generation THVs in patients treated for pure severe NAVR. MethodsThe PANTHEON (Performance of Currently Available Transcatheter Aortic Valve Platforms in Inoperable Patients With Pure Aortic Regurgitation of a Native Valve) study retrospectively included patients who underwent TAVR with currently available devices (both self-expanding [SE] and balloon expandable [BE]) for severe NAVR. Technical and device success rates as well as a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure rehospitalization at 1 year were evaluated. The rate and clinical consequences of acute transcatheter valve embolization or migration (TVEM) were also considered. ResultsA total of 201 patients were included. Overall technical and device success rates were 83.6% and 76.1%, respectively, and did not differ between SE and BE devices. These figures were due mostly to TVEM occurrence (14.6% vs 16.1%; P = 0.47) and residual moderate or greater aortic regurgitation (9.2% vs 10.1%; P = 0.87). Patients who experienced TVEM compared with those without TVEM had a significantly higher incidence of the composite endpoint at 1 year (25.7% vs 15.8%; P = 0.05). ConclusionsDespite improved THV platforms and techniques, TAVR for pure severe NAVR remains a challenging procedure, with significant risk for TVEM. SE and BE platforms demonstrated comparable performance in this setting. (Performance of Currently Available Transcatheter Aortic Valve Platforms in Inoperable Patients With Pure Aortic Regurgitation of a Native Valve [PANTHEON]; NCT05319171)

Acute flail tricuspid valve from blunt trauma.

Acute flail tricuspid valve from blunt trauma.

Diagnosis of Left-Sided Mechanical Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis: A Pictorial Review.

Although transcatheter valve therapy is rapidly evolving, surgical valve replacement is still required in many patients with severe left-side valve stenosis or regurgitation, the mechanical bi-leaflet heart valve being the standard prosthesis type in younger patients. Moreover, the prevalence of valvular heart disease is steadily increasing, especially in industrialized countries, and the problem of lifelong efficient anticoagulation of these patients remains fundamental, especially in the context where vitamin K antagonists continue to be the current standard of anticoagulation despite a level of oscillating anticoagulation. In this setting, avoiding prosthetic valve thrombosis after surgery is the number one objective for both the patient and the responsible physicians. Although rare, this complication is life threatening, with the sudden onset of acute cardiac failure such as acute pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, or sudden cardiac death and inadequate anticoagulation remaining the leading cause of prosthesis thrombosis, along with other risk factors. The availability of multimodal imaging techniques enables and encompasses to a full extent the diagnosis of mechanical valve thrombosis. The gold-standard diagnostic methods are transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. Moreover, 3D ultrasound has undoubted value in giving a more accurate description of the thrombus's extension. When transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography are uncertain, the multidetector computer tomography examination is an important complementary imaging method. Fluoroscopy is also an excellent tool for evaluating the mobility of prosthetic discs. Each method complements the other to differentiate an acute mechanical valve thrombosis from other prosthetic valve pathologies such as pannus formation or infective endocarditis and aids the physician in accurately establishing the treatment method (surgical or pharmaceutical) and its optimal timing. The aim of this pictorial review was to discuss from an imagistic perspective the mechanical prosthetic aortic and mitral valve thrombosis and to provide an overview of the essential role of non-invasive exploration in the treatment of this severe complication.