Aortic Stenosis In Adults Research Articles

Evaluation of restenosis after balloon dilatation in adult aortic stenosis by repeat catheterization

To evaluate the restenosis rate after successful balloon aortic valvuloplasty, clinical evaluation and repeat catheterization were performed in 96 patients who had undergone balloon dilatation 7 ± 5 months earlier. Restenosis, defined as a loss of > 50% of the benefit in aortic valve area obtained after balloon valvuloplasty, was observed in 48% of the patients. Actuarial analysis showed that the restenosis rate was time dependent and was 80% at 15 months. However, functional improvement was observed in most of the patients with or without restenosis. The restenosis rate was not correlated with the degree of enlargement of the aortic orifice produced by the valvuloplasty procedure. Because of the high incidence of restenosis, balloon aortic valvuloplasty should be limited to patients who have a contraindication to surgery or are at high risk for surgery, or as a bridge to surgery.

Aortic valve repair for aortic stenosis in adults

The stenotic aortic valve was surgically repaired in 48 adults, 21 women and 27 men, aged 38 to 83 years. Five had congenital aortic stenosis (AS), with a mean aortic valve gradient and area of 58 ± 23 mm Hg (standard deviation) and 0.54 ± 0.13 cm2, respectively; 32 had senile AS with a mean aortic valve gradient and area of 43 ± 20 mm Hg and 0.98 ± 0.41 cm2; and 11 had rheumatic AS with a mean aortic valve gradient and area of 59 ± 24 mm Hg and 0.47 ± 0.15 cm2. Only 6 patients underwent isolated aortic valvoplasty, 11 underwent concomitant mitral valve procedure, and 34 underwent concomitant coronary revascularization. Repair consisted of decalcification in 33 patients and decalcification as well as commissurotomy in 15 patients. There were three hospital deaths, none related to the aortic valve. Only 2 patients (both rheumatic) did not improve clinically. During follow-up (mean, 64 ± 41 months) aortic valve restenosis developed in 24% (10 patients, 3/5 congenital, 4/11 rheumatic, and 3/32 senile) at a mean of 64 ± 28 months. Postoperative Doppler echocardiographic assessment of 21 patients with senile AS at 1.1 ± 2.7 and 18.1 ± 1.4 months showed significantly lower aortic valve gradient and improved area in comparison with preoperative values. At 36 ± 2.7 months, aortic valve gradient and area were not significantly different than preoperative values, and at 58.5 ± 2.6 months aortic valve gradient was 1.41 (p = 0.07) times the preoperative value. At 7 years, actuarial freedom from aortic valverelated symptoms of the patients with senile AS was 87%. We conclude that in select patients aortic valve repair results in excellent relief of AS. Late restenosis is expected and more likely to occur in the valves with congenital and rheumatic disease than in those with senile disease.

Increased Rate of Left Predominance Associated with Adult Valvular Aortic Stenosis

The anatomy of the coronary arteries was outlined angiographically in 2 190 adult patients in order to determine the proportion of left predominance. Of 253 patients with valvular aortic stenosis 14.3 per cent were found to have left predominance, while the frequency of left predominance in the rest of the patients (1 937) was 8.5 per cent. Furthermore, this rate increases with the severity (gradient > 50 mmHg) of the aortic stenosis in the absence of aortic valve incompetence. These findings support the current concept of a relationship between adult aortic stenosis and congenital valvular malformation.

The natural history of adults with asymptomatic, hemodynamically significant aortic stenosis

The natural history of asymptomatic, hemodynamically significant, valvular aortic stenosis in adults was documented. Of 471 patients with aortic stenosis identified by Doppler echocardiography (peak systolic flow velocity ≥4 m/s) from January 1994 through August 1987, 143 were asymptomatic and had isolated valvular aortic stenosis. Thirty patients underwent aortic valve intervention within 3 months (group 1); the remaining 113 patients did not have an intervention within 3 months (group 2). Follow-up information was available for all patients; the mean duration of follow-up study was 20 months (range 6 to 48).Three cardiac events occurred in the 30 group 1 patients after operation (two deaths, one reoperation). Among the 113 group 2 patients, three had cardiac death presumed to be a result of the aortic stenosis; all three developed symptoms at least 3 months before death. The actuarial probability of remaining free of symptoms of angina, dyspnea or syncope for group 2 was 86% at 1 year and 62% at 2 years. For this group, the 1 and 2 year probabilities of remaining free of cardiac events, including aortic valve intervention or cardiac death, were 93% and 74%, respectively. Of all clinical and echocardiographic variables (group 2), only Doppler flow velocity (p = 0.004) and ejection fraction (p = 0.01) were independent predictors of subsequent cardiac events. Among the 44 patients (groups 1 and 2) with a flow velocity ≥4.5 m/s, the relative risk of sustaining a cardiac event (by Cox regression analysis) was 4.9 (p = 0.004).Patients with asymptomatic, hemodynamically significant aortic stenosis are at significant risk for cardiac events within 2 years. However, during the time they remain asymptomatic, the risk of sudden death is low. The asymptomatic patient may be treated medically but requires careful follow-up evaluation for the development of symptoms.

Progression of aortic stenosis in adults: Newappraisal using doppler echocardiography

This study examined progression of aortic stenosis (AS) as assessed by Doppler echocardiography. One hundred twelve consecutive adult patients had calcific AS and underwent three examinations during a mean 25-month period (range 7 to 54 months). At the time of entry into the study, mean values for initial peak aortic velocity and ejection fraction (EF) were 2.9 +/- 0.7 m/sec and 63 +/- 10%, respectively; 52% of the patients were symptomatic. At the third examination the percentage of symptomatic patients increased to 65% (p = 0.0039 compared to baseline values), and the aortic peak velocity increased to 3.3 +/- 0.8 m/sec (p less than 0.001). Age, sex, and EF were not predictors of progression. Documented coronary artery disease (in 57 patients) did not affect progression, and neither did the aortic peak velocity at the time of entry into the study. Thirty-eight patients reported an increase in symptoms from the first to third examination, and their rate of progression was significantly different from that of the rest of the population: 0.33 +/- 0.50 m/sec/yr compared to 0.18 +/- 0.26 m/sec/yr (p less than 0.03).

Increased rate of left predominance associated with adult valvular aortic stenosis

The anatomy of the coronary arteries was outlined angiographically in 2,190 adult patients in order to determine the proportion of left predominance. Of 253 patients with valvular aortic stenosis 14.3 per cent were found to have left predominance, while the frequency of left predominance in the rest of the patients (1937) was 8.5 per cent. Furthermore, this rate increases with the severity (gradient greater than 50 mmHg) of the aortic stenosis in the absence of aortic valve incompetence. These findings support the current concept of a relationship between adult aortic stenosis and congenital valvular malformation.

Hemodynamic progression of aortic stenosis in adults assessed by doppler echocardiography

Doppler echocardiography was used to follow the hemodynamic severity of aortic stenosis. First, the reproducibility of repeat recordings (mean interval 28 ± 36 days) of aortic jet velocity, made by two independent observers, was tested in 38 adults with aortic stenosis and unchanged clinical status. The two recordings of maximal velocity correlated well (r = 0.96, y = 0.88x + 0.46m/s, SEE = 0.21 m/s) with a mean coefficient of variation of 3.2%. Repeat recording of left ventricular outflow tract velocity by two independent observers in 10 other patients with aortic stenosis also correlated well (r = 0.94, y = 1.06x + 0.0 m/s, SEE = 0.06 m/s) with a mean coefficient of variation of 4.6%.Next, Doppler echocardiography was used to study 42 patients with aortic stenosis (mean age 66 years) over a follow-up interval of 6 to 43 months (mean 20). Maximal aortic jet velocity increased by 0.36 m/s per year (range −0.3 to +1.0 m/s per year). Mean transaortic pressure gradient changed by −7 to +23 (mean 8) mm Hg/year. Aortic valve area by the continuity equation (n = 25) decreased by 0 to 0.5 cm2/year (mean decrease 0.1 cm2/year). year patients had a worsening of stenosis (decrease in valve area) even though they had no change or a decrease in pressure gradient, because of concurrent decreases in transaortic volume flow.Twenty-one patients (50%) developed new or progressive symptoms of aortic stenosis necessitating valve replacement. These patients had a higher maximal aortic jet velocity at follow-up (4.5 versus 3.9 m/s, p < 0.01) and a greater rate of increase in mean pressure gradient (15 versus 7 mm Hg/year, p < 0.01) than did those who remained asymptomatic; however, there were no significant differences in age, follow-up interval or maximal aortic jet velocity at entry.It is concluded that Doppler echocardiographic measures of aortic stenosis severity are reproducible. The rate of change of transaortic pressure gradient varies among patients and the gradient may not increase even when stenosis severity worsens. Although stenosis severity progresses more rapidly in patients who develop symptoms requiring valve replacement, these patients cannot be identified at the initial study.

Comparison of three techniques for percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty of aortic stenosis in adults

Three different techniques for percutaneous balloon aortic valvulopiasty have been described: retrograde single balloon, retrograde double balloon, and antegrade techniques. This report describes our experience using the three techniques in twenty-five consecutive procedures. All techniques resulted in a significant decrease in transvalvular pressure gradient and an increase in calculated aortic valve area, without significant difference among the three. There was no increase in the degree of aortic regurgitation after valvuloplasty by any of the techniques. Vascular complications occurred only with the retrograde double balloon technique. Cardiac tamponade during balloon inflation occurred with both the retrograde single and double balloon techniques. Three deaths occurred; two during the antegrade technique and one after the retrograde double balloon technique. Thus, balloon aortic valvuloplasty can be effectively performed using any of the three techniques. However, the differing techniques have inherent advantages in specific situations, as well as potential complications.

Insights on the mechanism of balloon valvuloplasty in aortic stenosis

An analysis of the mechanisms of action of balloon valvuloplasty in adult aortic stenosis (AS), based on postmortem studies on fresh specimens and on clinical experience with 300 consecutive cases, is reported. When maximally inflated, a 20-mm diameter balloon (occupying a 3.14 cm 2 cross-sectional area) significantly enlarges the stenosed valve orifice by 3 mechanisms: stretching of valve tissue, rupturing of commissural fusion and breaking of calcific deposits. These last 2 mechanisms are the most effective, in both tricuspid and bicuspid forms of AS, to render the cusps more flexible and able to open during systole and to close at the time of ventricular diastole. The marked increase in valve area obtained by the dilatation procedure was clearly demonstrated on fresh postmortem specimens and also on postmortem examination of cases that had had balloon valvuloplasty during life. Stretching alone may give only a temporary increase in valve area with an elastic return of the leaflets to their initial stenosing position and may explain, at least in part, the occurrence of restenosis. Inflation of the balloon is well tolerated with no deleterious decrease in blood pressure in two-thirds of the cases because the balloon opens the commissures, allowing blood ejection through these openings. It does not produce calcific emboli, probably because calcium deposits remain imbedded in the leaflets, covered by the endothelium. Finally, it very infrequently produces acute severe aortic regurgitation. Careful choice of balloon size is necessary to obtain an effective opening; most often a 20-mm diameter balloon but sometimes a balloon up to 23 mm is used. Before using a large size balloon, one must keep in mind the risk, however rare, of a rupture complication that could involve the leaflets or, more importantly, the aortic anulus or the adjacent myocardium.

Congenital valvular aortic stenosis in adults.

Based on a study of 20 patients operated on between the ages of 21 and 38 for congenital valvular aortic stenosis, the distinguishing features of congenital aortic valvular stenosis in adults are reviewed: valvular calcification (75%), valvular dome rarely present (10%), usually moderate cardiac disability (70%), diminished or inaudible second heart sound (50%), associated diastolic murmur (75%), electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (70%), and an infrequent protosystolic click (30%). Surgery is necessary for symptomatic patients. If patients are asymptomatic, surgery is decided after measuring the left ventricle-aortic pressure gradient by continuous Doppler wave study, or by cardiac catheterization. If surgery is not performed, a regular follow-up is necessary because stenosis can evolve. Valvular replacement by a mechanical valve is preferable. Even if the aortic valve is not calcified and a simple commissurotomy is technically possible, it is only a palliative method with unsatisfactory results and an annual mortality rate after surgery of 1%.

Clinical findings in adult aortic stenosis -- then and now

A retrospective review of 397 patients with valvular aortic stenosis emphasized the changing pattern of this lesion. Compared with the classical criteria for diagnosis of aortic stenosis established a few decades ago, patients were considerably older, mostly showing the degenerative form of this lesion. Among abnormal findings, the most important difference is the lower intensity of the systolic murmur and wider pulse pressure than in the original 'model'.

Percutaneous transluminal aortic valvuloplasty: indications and results in adult aortic stenosis.

Journal Article Percutaneous transluminal aortic valvuloplasty: indications and results in adult aortic stenosis Get access A. Cribier, A. Cribier Service des Soins Intensifs Cardiologiques et des Explorations Hémodynamiques Cardiovasculaires, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Hôpital Charles Nicolle1 rue de Germont, 76000 Rouen, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. Berland, J. Berland Service des Soins Intensifs Cardiologiques et des Explorations Hémodynamiques Cardiovasculaires, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Hôpital Charles Nicolle1 rue de Germont, 76000 Rouen, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar R. Koning, R. Koning Service des Soins Intensifs Cardiologiques et des Explorations Hémodynamiques Cardiovasculaires, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Hôpital Charles Nicolle1 rue de Germont, 76000 Rouen, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar J. P. Bellefleur, J. P. Bellefleur Service des Soins Intensifs Cardiologiques et des Explorations Hémodynamiques Cardiovasculaires, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Hôpital Charles Nicolle1 rue de Germont, 76000 Rouen, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar R. Mechmeche, R. Mechmeche Service des Soins Intensifs Cardiologiques et des Explorations Hémodynamiques Cardiovasculaires, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Hôpital Charles Nicolle1 rue de Germont, 76000 Rouen, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar B. Letac B. Letac Service des Soins Intensifs Cardiologiques et des Explorations Hémodynamiques Cardiovasculaires, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire, Hôpital Charles Nicolle1 rue de Germont, 76000 Rouen, France Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar European Heart Journal, Volume 9, Issue suppl_E, April 1988, Pages 149–154, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/9.suppl_E.149 Published: 01 April 1988

The anatomical aspects of adult aortic stenosis.

Since the recent introduction of percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty, there has been a renewed interest in anatomical studies. This study was based on a retrospective analysis of 100 autopsy reports and 269 surgical reports from adult patients with AS. Valvular calcification, which was always found over the age of 50 years, plays an important part in the origin of aortic stenosis (AS). Congenital or acquired aortic valvular lesions are a common pre-condition for calcified AS. Three anatomical types were found: (i) calcified bicuspid valves with anterior and posterior cusps (more frequent than a left and a right cusp) were found in 41% of autopsy reports and 40% of surgical reports. The resultant rigidity due to calcification makes the valve stenotic; (ii) post rheumatic calcified AS with strong fusion of the commissures and calcified cusps was found in 30% of autopsy reports and 8% of surgery reports; and (iii) degenerative calcific aortic stenosis was the most frequent form found over 70 years of age. The sinuses of Valsalva were filled with calcium deposits. The three commissures were apparently free, but cusp fusion was found on the ventricular aspect of the valve (29% of autopsy cases and 52% of surgical reports). Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty is more efficient in this anatomical type.

Dual balloon technique for valvuloplasty of aortic stenosis in adults

A dual balloon technique was studied in 16 patients with aortic stenosis in whom results with a single balloon (up to 20 mm, 5.5 cm or 25 mm, 3.0 cm in diameter and length, respectively) were judged to be suboptimal. Dual balloon valvulopasty was performed using 2 balloons advanced and inflated simultaneously across the stenotic aortic valve orifice. For the group as a whole, the average peak transvalvular gradient was reduced from 79 ± 8 to 57 ± 7 mm Hg (mean ± standard error) using a single balloon (p < 0.0005), and reduced further to 36 ± 4 mm Hg using dual balloons (p < 0.0005 compared with single balloon results). Similarly, calculated aortic valve orifice area was increased from 0.45 ± 0.04 to 0.57 ± 0.05 cm 2 using a single balloon (p < 0.0005), and further increased to 0.77 ± 0.06 cm 2 using dual balloons (p < 0.0005). Dual balloon dilation caused no complications directly attributable to the use of 2 balloons, including no exacerbation of aortic regurgitation. These results suggest that dual balloon valvuloplasty is safe and efficacious in selected patients with aortic stenosis.

Limited value of balloon dilatation in calcified aortic stenosis in adults: Direct observations during open heart surgery

Percutaneous balloon dilatation was recently recommended as a treatment for management of calcified aortic valvular stenosis. This procedure was initially reserved for patients who were not considered surgical candidates; it is now regarded by some as an acceptable alternative for valve replacement. To investigate the validity of this postulate, balloon valvuloplasty was performed under direct vision in the operating room in 16 patients just before excision and replacement of their ossified aortic valve. Changes after valvuloplasty were evaluated by inspection as well as by geometric measurements. The authors found that balloon valvuloplasty did not make a detectable impact on valvular anatomy in about two-thirds of the patients and induced enlargement of the functional aortic orifice judged as “minimal” or “moderate” in one-third of the cases. In no patient was there significant increase in the functional orifice size. Other investigators have shown that hemodynamic and clinical improvement may be induced in some patients by small increases in the aortic orifice; based on the observations herein, such an improvement, If it occurs at all, would be short-lasting; the procedure should be offered only to those who present truly prohibitive risk by standards of modem surgery.

Noninvasive Evaluation of the Severity of Aortic Stenosis in Adults

A noninvasive point score system for the evaluation of severity of aortic stenosis (AS) was employed in a prospective study of 153 patients (mean age 64.8 +/- 0.8 years) referred from invasive studies or for the evaluation of a systolic murmur. Seven variables were recorded and scored as follows: LVH by ECG (0-2); aortic valve calcium by chest x-ray film (0-2); loudness of A2 (0-2); Q-peak of murmur (0-3); T-time of carotid pulse (0-3); ejection time (0-3); and LVH by echo (0-1). Range of the total score was 0-16. All patients had the aortic valve area (AVA) determined by cardiac catheterization. Data analysis revealed that the relation between the total score and the AVA was curvilinear with a score greater than or equal to 5 correctly identifying 100/107 (93 percent) of patients with a valve area of less than or equal to 1.0 cm2. If the patients with an AVA of less than or equal to 1.0 cm2 were considered severe and patients with a total score less than 5 were considered mild-moderate, the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy for a score greater than or equal to 5 were 93 percent, 96 percent, and 98 percent, respectively. The relation between the score and aortic valve gradient (AVG) was linear with a score of greater than or equal to 5 correctly identifying 84/88 (95 percent) with an AVG greater than or equal to 40 mm Hg. If the patients with a pressure gradient over 40 mm Hg were considered severe, the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy for a score greater than or equal to 5 were 95 percent, 72 percent, and 82 percent, respectively. It is concluded that a point score system employing seven noninvasive variables is simple and accurate in identifying patients with severe AS and would be a valuable addition to a Doppler determined gradient.

Percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty of adult aortic stenosis: Report of 92 cases

Percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty was attempted in 92 adult patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis. The mean age was 75 +/- 11 years (range 38 to 91) and 35 patients were more than 80 years old. Most of the patients were severely disabled; 66 were in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV, 27 had syncopal attacks and 21 had severe angina pectoris. Because of unacceptably high surgical risk or contraindication to thoracic surgery, 42 patients could not be considered for valve replacement. Other patients either were in a category of high operative risk or refused the surgical intervention. Valvuloplasty was performed by way of the femoral route (82 patients) or the brachial route (10 patients). Catheters of size 15, 18 and 20 mm were successively placed across the aortic valve and three inflations were usually done with each of them, lasting 80 seconds on average, until a decrease in peak to peak systolic pressure gradient to 40 mm Hg or less was attained, a result considered satisfactory. The inflated balloons were not totally occlusive in most cases and clinical tolerance of inflation was good. Valvuloplasty resulted in a reduction of mean systolic gradient from 75 +/- 26 to 30 +/- 13 mm Hg (p less than 0.001); the final gradient was less than 40 mm Hg in 78 patients. Mean calculated aortic valve area increased from 0.49 +/- 0.17 to 0.93 +/- 0.36 cm2 (p less than 0.001). Immediately after the procedure, ejection fraction increased from 48 +/- 16 to 51 +/- 16% (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Valvar aortic stenosis in adults: an update.

Valvar aortic stenosis in adults: an update.

Aortic stenosis in adults. Non-invasive estimation of pressure differences by continuous wave Doppler echocardiography.

The peak and mean aortic transvalvar pressure differences measured invasively and non-invasively by continuous wave Doppler echocardiography were compared in 87 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis. The mean values were calculated from the maximal velocities of the aortic jet recorded with a spectral display of the Doppler frequency shifts and by applying a modified Bernoulli equation. Technically satisfactory velocity curves for estimating the mean pressure differences could not be obtained in three patients and invasive measurements were not obtained in two. In all patients the peak transvalvar pressure difference was calculated since the aortic jet was identified non-invasively. The peak and mean pressure differences measured invasively and non-invasively correlated well--with only minor underestimation of the pressure differences measured with the Doppler technique--regardless of age, sex, and the presence or absence of aortic valvar regurgitation, or other valvar lesions. With a systematic search for the highest velocities in the aortic jet and with on line spectral analysis of the Doppler frequencies the peak and the mean aortic pressure differences can be determined non-invasively with a high degree of precision in almost all patients.

Case-control analysis of risk factors for presence of aortic stenosis in adults (age 50 years or older)

To analyze whether atherosclerotic risk factors, including systemic hypertension, an elevated serum cholesterol level, smoking and diabetes, were associated with the presence of aortic stenosis (AS) in adults, 105 adults who had AS without coronary artery disease (CAD) were compared with 110 control subjects who had other types of valvular disease, 170 control subjects who underwent catheterization and had neither valvular disease nor CAD, and 269 matched control subjects who underwent general surgery. When using each control group separately or in combination, no risk factor showed consistent evidence of a significant association with the development of AS. If the true magnitudes of these associations are of the order previously reported for the development of CAD, the power of our study for detecting statistical significance ranges from 56 to 99%. In a supplemental analysis, 45 cases with both AS and CAD did not have a higher prevalence of risk factors than cases without CAD. Although a weak association between atherosclerotic risk factors and AS cannot be excluded, any such association is unlikely to be as strong as for predicting CAD.