Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis Research Articles

Natural history of initially asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: a one-stage meta-analysis.

Current guidelines on the management strategy for patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) remain unclear. This uncertainty stems from the lack of data regarding the natural history of these patients. To address this gap, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the natural history of asymptomatic severe AS patients receiving conservative treatment. The PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched from inception to 24 January 2024 using the keywords "asymptomatic" AND "aortic" AND "stenosis". We included studies examining patients with asymptomatic severe AS. In interventional trials, only data from conservatively managed arms were collected. A one-stage meta-analysis was conducted using individual patient data reconstructed from published Kaplan-Meier curves. Sensitivity analysis was performed for major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients who remained asymptomatic throughout follow-up. A total of 46 studies were included (n = 9545). The median time to the development of symptoms was 1.11years (95% CI 0.90-1.53). 49.36% (40.85-58.59) of patients who were asymptomatic had suffered a major adverse cardiovascular event by 5years. The median event-free time for heart failure hospitalization (HFH) was 5.50years (95% CI 5.14-5.91) with 36.34% (95% CI 33.34-39.41) of patients experiencing an HFH by year 5. By 5years, 79.81% (95% CI 69.26-88.58) of patients developed symptoms (angina, dyspnoea, syncope and others) and 12.36% (95% CI 10.01-15.22) of patients died of cardiovascular causes. For all-cause mortality, the median survival time was 9.15years (95% CI 8.50-9.96) with 39.43% (CI 33.41-36.40) of patients dying by 5years. The median time to AVR was 4.77years (95% CI 4.39-5.17), with 52.64% (95% CI 49.85-55.48) of patients requiring an AVR by 5years. Our results reveal poor cardiovascular outcomes for patients with asymptomatic severe AS on conservative treatment. A significant proportion eventually requires an AVR. Further research is needed to determine if early intervention with AVR is more effective than conservative treatment.

Impact of Stress Echocardiography on Aortic Valve Stenosis Management.

Rest and stress echocardiography (SE) play a fundamental role in the evaluation of aortic valve stenosis (AS). According to the current guidelines for the echocardiographic evaluation of patients with aortic stenosis, four broad categories can be defined: high-gradient AS (mean gradient ≥ 40 mmHg, peak velocity ≥ 4 m/s, aortic valve area (AVA) ≤ 1 cm2 or indexed AVA ≤ 0.6 cm2/m2); low-flow, low-gradient AS with reduced ejection fraction (mean gradient < 40 mmHg, AVA ≤ 1 cm2, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%, stroke volume index (Svi) ≤ 35 mL/m2); low-flow, low-gradient AS with preserved ejection fraction (mean gradient < 40 mmHg, AVA ≤ 1 cm2, LVEF ≥ 50%, SVi ≤ 35 mL/m2); and normal-flow, low-gradient AS with preserved ejection fraction (mean gradient < 40 mmHg, AVA ≤ 1 cm2, indexed AVA ≤ 0.6 cm2/m2, LVEF ≥ 50%, SVi > 35 mL/m2). Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is indicated with the onset of symptoms development or LVEF reduction. However, there is often mismatch between resting transthoracic echocardiography findings and patient's symptoms. In these discordant cases, SE and CT calcium scoring are among the indicated methods to guide the management decision making. Additionally, due to the increasing evidence that in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis an early AVR instead of conservative treatment is associated with better outcomes, SE can help identify those that would benefit from an early AVR by revealing markers of poor prognosis. Low-flow, low-gradient AS represents a challenge both in diagnosis and in therapeutic management. Low-dose dobutamine SE is the recommended method to distinguish true-severe from pseudo-severe stenosis and assess the existence of flow (contractile) reserve to appropriately guide the need for intervention in these patients.

Rationale and design of the early valve replacement in severe asymptomatic aortic stenosis trial

Aortic valve replacement in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis is controversial. The Early valve replacement in severe ASYmptomatic Aortic Stenosis (EASY-AS) trial aims to determine whether early aortic valve replacement improves clinical outcomes, quality of life and cost-effectiveness compared to a guideline recommended strategy of 'watchful waiting'. In a pragmatic international, open parallel group randomized controlled trial (NCT04204915), 2844 patients with severe aortic stenosis will be randomized 1:1 to either a strategy of early (surgical or transcatheter) aortic valve replacement or aortic valve replacement only if symptoms or impaired left ventricular function develop, or other cardiac surgery becomes nessessary. Exclusion criteria include other severe valvular disease, planned cardiac surgery, ejection fraction <50%, previous aortic valve replacement or life expectancy <2 years. The primary outcome is a composite of cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization. The primary analysis will be undertaken when 663 primary events have accrued, providing 90% power to detect a reduction in the primary endpoint from 27.7% to 21.6% (hazard ratio 0.75). Secondary endpoints include disability-free survival, days alive and out of hospital, major adverse cardiovascular events and quality of life. Recruitment commenced in March 2020 and is open in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Serbia. Feasibility requirements were met in July 2022, and the main phase opened in October 2022, with additional international centers in set-up. The EASY-AS trial will establish whether a strategy of early aortic valve replacement in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis reduces cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization and improves other important outcomes.

Debate. Asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: when should we intervene? The clinician�s perspective

Debate. Asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: when should we intervene? The clinician�s perspective

Debate. Asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: when should we intervene? The interventional cardiologist�s perspective

Debate. Asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: when should we intervene? The interventional cardiologist�s perspective

Rethinking the Management of Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis: Embracing Early Intervention for Better Outcomes.

Rethinking the Management of Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis: Embracing Early Intervention for Better Outcomes.

Design and rationale of the evaluation of transcatheter aortic valve replacement compared to surveillance for patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: The EARLY TAVR trial

For patients with asymptomatic, severe aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, current guidelines recommend clinical surveillance every 6 to 12 months. To date, no randomized trials have examined whether an early intervention with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) will improve outcomes among these patients. EARLY TAVR is a prospective, randomized, controlled, and multicenter trial, with an event-based design. Asymptomatic severe AS patients (n=900) are randomized 1:1 to either clinical surveillance or TAVR with the Edwards SAPIEN 3/SAPIEN 3 Ultra transcatheter heart valve. Patients are stratified by whether they are able to perform a treadmill stress test. The primary end point is death, stroke, or unplanned cardiovascular hospitalization. Patients who are asymptomatic but have a positive stress test will be followed in a registry and undergo aortic valve replacement as per current guidelines. EARLY TAVR is the largest randomized trial to date assessing the role of early intervention among patients with asymptomatic severe AS compared to clinical surveillance and the first to study the role of TAVR. NCT03042104.

Cardiac magnetic resonance correlates of staging algorithm in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis

Abstract Background The staging algorithm recently proposed to risk stratify patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) has not been largely applied to patients who are asymptomatic. While the presence of severe tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction (stages 3-4) is expected to be low, the prevalence of left ventricular damage (LV), mitral regurgitation, left atrial (LA) dilation and atrial fibrillation (stages 1-2) can be higher in patients with asymptomatic severe AS. The cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) correlates of the staging algorithm have not been described. Purpose To investigate the distribution of patients with asymptomatic severe AS in the staging algorithm and its differences with CMR findings. In addition, differences in CMR data between patients presenting with AS-related adverse events at 1-year follow-up and patients free of events were compared. Methods Patients with asymptomatic severe AS (aortic valve area, AVA&amp;lt;1.0 cm2) and preserved LV ejection fraction (EF) (&amp;gt;50%) that were referred to CMR were included. Biomarkers, echocardiographic and CMR data were assessed retrospectively. CMR-derived parameters included LV and right ventricular (RV) volumes and systolic function, LA volumes and tissue characterization were reported at baseline and compared with AS-related events (a composite of all-cause mortality, symptoms onset, or need for aortic valve replacement) during 1-year follow-up. Results Of 97 patients included (73±9 years old; 36% males), 3 (%) patients were classified in Stage 0, 34 (35%) in Stage 1, 59 (61%) in Stage 2, and 1 (1%) in Stage 3 or 4. Compared to stage 1, patients in stage 2 were older (P=0.006) and had a higher prevalence of overweight (P=0.037), hypertension (P=0.018), NT-proBNP (P=0.030) and hsTnT (p=0.011) levels. On CMR, they showed higher LV volumes and mass index, larger LA volumes and reduced LA ejection fraction, but no differences on myocardial tissue characteristics (Table 1). Regarding prognosis, 45 (46.5%) patients presented AS-related events at 1-year follow-up. Those with events were mainly in stage 2 (36%) and presented higher NT-proBNP levels despite showing no differences in AVA. On CMR, those with events had lower LVEF, greater LV to RV end-diastolic volume ratio, greater left atrio-ventricular coupling index, reduced LA function and a higher extension of late gadolinium enhancement (Table 2). Conclusions In our cohort, most patients with severe asymptomatic AS were in stage 2. Stage 2 patients presented a higher degree of left-chambers remodelling on CMR compared to patients in stage 1. Patients in stage 2 or with lower LVEF, LV remodelling or reduced LAEF on CMR were those with an increased risk for events at follow-up.

Survival in moderate and severe aortic stenosis patients with and without symptoms: a multicenter clinical cohort study

Abstract Background Untreated moderate and severe aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with poor long-term survival, however the association of symptom status with mortality risk remains unknown. Methods Echocardiography report data from an 80-site national cardiology service was extracted and classified into: No AS (mean AV gradient&amp;lt;10.0mmHg or peak AV velocity&amp;lt;2.0m/s, and AVA&amp;gt;1.5cm²), moderate AS (20.0-39.9mmHg/3.0-3.9m/s and AVA&amp;gt;1.0cm2) or severe AS (≥40.0mmHg/≥4.0m/s and/or ≤1.0cm2). Symptom status was extracted using Natural Language Processing of cardiologist reviews and mortality extracted from the National Deaths Index. Native valve AS severity, symptoms and survival were examined during a fixed 2-year follow-up. Results 29,368 individuals (mean age 60.9±17.4 years, 50.3% male) experienced 1,140 fatal events, more likely in severe than moderate AS, but not increased by the presence of symptoms: 16.8 deaths per 1000 person-years in no AS, 35.4 per 1000 person-years in asymptomatic moderate AS, 32.5 per 1000 person-years in symptomatic moderate AS, 68.7 per 1000 person-years in asymptomatic severe AS and 56.1 per 1000 person-year in symptomatic severe AS (p&amp;lt;0.001 compared with no AS). In adjusted models (including age, sex and cardiac damage score), symptomatic moderate and severe AS had similar mortality to asymptomatic moderate AS, with only asymptomatic severe AS showing increased mortality (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.17-2.38, p=0.005). Conclusions Mortality is increased in both moderate and severe AS, with and without symptoms. The high rates of mortality in asymptomatic severe AS warrants re-examination of the role of symptoms in management decisions, including clinical trials to address whether earlier AVR in asymptomatic moderate and severe AS improves mortality.

Determinants of exercise-induced B-lines in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis

Abstract Background Guidelines recognize the role of exercise stress testing in evaluating functional capacity in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) allows the detection of pulmonary congestion with B-lines by lung ultrasound (LUS). Aim To identify the prevalence, determinants, and functional correlates of B-lines during ESE in asymptomatic severe AS. Methods We enrolled 35 asymptomatic patients (age= 69±16 years, 69% male) with severe AS, aortic valve area (AVA) &amp;lt;0.6 cm2/m2, mean aortic gradient (MAG) ≥ 40 mmHg, left ventricular ejection fraction ≥55%. All patients were referred for ESE (treadmill in 1, bicycle in 34 patients) in 7 experienced centers from 4 countries between 2021-2022. ESE assessment at rest and peak stress included global longitudinal strain (GLS), left atrial volume index (LAVI) and cardiac output (CO). B-lines were assessed by simplified LUS from 4 lung zones across the third intercostal space (2 on each side). Heart rate reserve (HRR) was measured as the peak/rest heart rate. CO reserve was calculated as the difference between peak stress CO and rest CO. Results B-lines (≥2) were present in 2 patients at rest and in 15 patients during ESE (6% vs 43%, p&amp;lt;0.001). When compared to patients without B-lines during ESE (Group 1, n=20), patients with B-lines during ESE (Group 2, n=15) were older (Group 1= 64±18 vs Group 2=75±8 years, p=0.030) had larger LAVI, higher logNT-pro-BNP and a trend to higher systolic pulmonary artery pressures (SPAP), see Table. The 2 groups showed similar values of resting AVA (Group 1= 0.52±0.11 vs Group 2=0.47±0.15 cm2/m2, p=0.311), stress AVA (Group 1= 0.45±0.09 vs Group 2=0.49±0.13 cm2/m2, p=0.663), resting MAG (Group 1= 45±15 vs Group 2=46±10 mm Hg, p=0.491), and stress MAG (Group 1= 59±19 vs Group 2=58±11 mm Hg, p=0.665). Patients with B-lines during ESE showed lower HRR and CO reserve, with a trend towards lower peak GLS, see Table. Conclusions Exercise-induced pulmonary congestion as evidenced by development of sonographic B- lines on LUS were present commonly (43%) among patients with "asymptomatic" severe AS undergoing ESE. Patients with exercise-induced B-lines have larger resting LAVI, higher NT-pro-BNP levels, lower CO reserve, and blunted HRR. Exercise-induced B-lines might provide an early sign of cardiac decompensation in "asymptomatic" patients with severe AS, which is an important factor to consider in the decision to intervene.TableFigure

Abstract 15422: Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis Predicts Outcome in Moderate and Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis

Introduction: Patients with moderate or asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) are at increased risk of cardiovascular events, but markers to guide intervention are lacking. We investigated the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to identify drivers of outcome. Methods: Moderate (aortic valve area [AVA] 1.0-1.5 cm2) or asymptomatic severe AS patients (AVA≤1.0 cm2 and NYHA functional class I-II) (n=457) were prospectively enrolled from five international sites and parameters including extracellular volume fraction (ECV%) and late gadolinium enhancement were analyzed on CMR. Clinical events were defined as all-cause mortality and admission for heart failure. Results: Moderate AS patients had smaller left ventricular (LV) mass and less diastolic dysfunction compared to asymptomatic severe AS patients, but showed no difference in the extent of myocardial fibrosis and scar. During median 5.7-years follow-up, 83 clinical events occurred. Patients with clinical events had smaller AVA, greater diastolic dysfunction, and higher ECV% (median [interquartile range] ECV% 26.3% [24.3-29.8] vs 28.2% [25.5-30.8], P=0.003). There was a stepwise increase of clinical events across ECV tertiles. ECV% was associated with clinical outcome (adjusted HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00–1.09, P=0.035), independent of AVA and aortic valve replacement as a time-dependent covariate. The prognostic significance of ECV% was consistent when AS severity was alternatively defined using aortic peak velocity and mean pressure gradient, and also across subgroups by AS severity and symptoms, AVA, aortic peak velocity, mean pressure gradient, and left ventricular ejection fraction (Figure). Conclusions: Increased diffuse myocardial fibrosis is associated with poor outcomes in moderate and asymptomatic severe AS patients and can help identify those who require closer surveillance and possibly earlier intervention.

TCT-775 A Machine Learning-Based Model Predicts Death in Patients With Severe Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis

TCT-775 A Machine Learning-Based Model Predicts Death in Patients With Severe Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis

Evolving Concept of Aortic Valve Replacement in Asymptomatic Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis

BackgroundSurgical treatment of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) has been gaining attention ever since the results of the Early Surgery Versus Conventional Treatment in Very Severe Aortic Stenosis (RECOVERY) and Aortic Valve replacement versus conservative treatment in Asymptomatic seveRe aortic stenosis (AVATAR) trials showed survival benefits with early surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). This study analyzed the long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of SAVR in asymptomatic severe AS. MethodsBetween 2002 and 2020, 272 patients with asymptomatic severe AS and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% underwent SAVR with or without concomitant aortic surgery and met the study criteria. The median follow-up was 8.5 years (interquartile range, 6-12.8 years), for a total of 2584 patient-years. The time course of the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and the average E/E′ (ratio of the Doppler-derived E wave to the tissue Doppler-derived E′ wave) were assessed using 594 postoperative echocardiograms. The association of preoperative LVMI and average E/E′ with survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazards. ResultsThere was no operative mortality. On longitudinal analyses, LVMI improved in patients who presented with moderate or severe preoperative left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, after the early decline in average E/E′, there was a late increase to greater than upper limit normal, particularly in patients with a preoperative average E/E′≥14. Postoperative survival was 100%, 94%, 84%, and 76% at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively, comparable to age- and sex-matched expected survival on the basis of the US general population. On adjusted Cox survival analysis, only moderate to severe LVH was associated with a survival penalty (hazard ratio], 2.32; 95% CI, 1.02-5.27; P = .045). ConclusionsIn asymptomatic patients with AS, SAVR restores survival and improves LVH, but patients with diastolic dysfunction are left with persistent dysfunction. Presentation with moderate or severe LVH at the time of surgery translated to a survival penalty. This observational study supports early SAVR in this population before development of LVH, although further investigation is needed.

Assessment of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis with preserved left ventricular systolic function by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling can occur as a result of aortic valve stenosis (AS). Three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) can detect early left ventricular myocardial dysfunction even before ejection fraction declines. The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship between various myocardial strain parameters measured by 3D-STE in asymptomatic severe AS patients from Bangladesh. This study included 46 patients with asymptomatic severe AS but preserved LV systolic function (mean age 50.11±12.66 years, LVEF 63.78±3.95%, AS group) and 33 healthy subjects with no cardiovascular disease (mean age 48.21±4.53 years, LVEF 65.15±3.13%, control group). 3D-STE was used to measure left ventricular global myocardial strain parameters such as peak systolic longitudinal strain (PSLS), circumferential strain, radial strain, and area strain. The AS group had significantly thicker interventricular septum and posterior ventricular wall than the control group (1.49±.19cm vs. .81±.09cm, p<.001; 1.73±1.71cm vs. .81±.10cm, p=.003, respectively.) In the AS group, the Indexed Aortic Valve Area (AVA) was significantly lower than in the control group. (.29±.10vs. 2.03±.18, p<.001, respectively). In terms of LVEF (p=.102), left ventricular end diastolic volume (p=.075), or left ventricular end systolic volume (p=.092), no significant inter-group difference was found. However, global PSLS (-10.75±2.27vs. -16.42±2.76, p<.001), circumferential strain (-14.26±3.40vs. -16.64±2.56, p=.001), area strain (-22.70±4.19vs. -26.45±9.90, p=.024) and radial strain (32.20±8.77vs. 41.00±7.52, p<.001) in the AS group were significantly lower than in the control group. Our findings showed reductions in left ventricular global myocardial strains, particularly PSLS in patients suffering from asymptomatic severe AS in Bangladesh; this is consistent with other studies. Reduced area strain, detectable with 3D-STE, is also consistent with that pattern.

Great debate: all patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis need valve replacement.

Great debate: all patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis need valve replacement.

Impact of atrial fibrillation on outcomes in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis: a propensity-matched analysis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) portends poor prognosis in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). This study aimed to study the association of AF vs. sinus rhythm (SR) with outcomes in asymptomatic severe AS during routine clinical practice. We identified 909 asymptomatic patients from 3,208 consecutive patients with aortic valve area ≤1.0 cm2 and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% at a tertiary academic center. Patients were grouped by rhythm at the time of transthoracic echocardiogram [SR: 820/909 (90%) and AF: 89/909 (10%)]. Propensity-matched analyses (2 SR:1 AF) matching 174 SR to 89 AF patients by age, sex, and clinical comorbidities were used to compare outcomes. In the propensity-matched cohort, median age (82 ± 8 vs. 81 ± 9 years, p = 0.31), sex distribution (male 58% vs. 52%, p = 0.30), and Charlson comorbidity index (4.0 vs. 3.0, p = 0.26) were not different in AF vs. SR. Median follow-up duration was 2.6 (IQR: 1.0-4.4) years. The 1-year rate of aortic valve replacement (AVR) was not different (AF: 32% vs. SR: 37%, p = 0.31). All-cause mortality was higher in AF [hazard ratio (HR): 1.68 (1.13-2.50), p = 0.009]. Independent predictors of mortality were age [HR: 1.92 (1.40-2.62), p < 0.001], Charlson comorbidity index [1.09 (1.03-1.15), p = 0.002], aortic valve peak velocity [HR: 1.87 (1.20-2.94), p = 0.006], stroke volume index [HR: 0.75 (0.60-0.93), p = 0.01], moderate or more mitral regurgitation [HR: 2.97 (1.43-6.19), p = 0.004], right ventricular systolic dysfunction [HR: 2.39 (1.29-4.43), p = 0.006], and time-dependent AVR [HR: 0.36 (0.19-0.65), p = 0.0008]. There was no significant interaction of AVR and rhythm (p = 0.57). Lower forward flow, right ventricular systolic dysfunction, and mitral regurgitation identified increased risk of subsequent mortality in asymptomatic patients with AF and AS. Additional studies of risk stratification of asymptomatic AS in AF vs. SR are needed.

Supine ergometry induced changes of left ventricular function and pulmonary hypertension have an uneven prognostic relevance for asymptomatic aortic stenosis according to age and gender

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Risk stratification in the asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) remains a difficult task within the spectrum of its hemodynamic phenotypes, especially on aging demographics. Interplay of left ventricular function and AS hemodynamics may be studied using semisupine bicycle ergometry (SBE). Purpose Purpose of the study was to interrogate the prognostic relevance of SBE based evaluation of LV function and noninvasive hemodynamics in asymptomatic severe AS. Methods Seventy-eight asymptomatic severe AS patients (pts), followed up on valve clinic in a tertiary center (age 65±12 years, female 29), were referred for SBE. AS related cardiac events (independent decision for surgery, NYHA worsening) during a follow up of 33/21 months occurred in 25 pts (64% for age&amp;gt;65 vs 30% for age&amp;lt;65). Workload (Watts) and % achieved target heart rate (%targetHR) were considered surrogates for SBE efficiency. The following parameters (mean±SD) were estimated at rest(R) and SBE (Ex): Biplane LV ejection fraction (EF) and stroke volume (SV), 2D strain (SR), tricuspid peak gradient (TRPG), transmitral E/e, HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), HR*SBP product and their respective % changes. Results Event group had a decreased SBE efficiency in workload (Watts: 59±16 vs 78±20, p&amp;lt;0.001), similar %target heart rate (73±13 vs 73±9), with differences among the continuous variables only in EFex (59±8 vs 63±7, p = 0.04) and %dLVEF (6±10 vs 12±10, p = 0.02). Categorical classification was performed for inadequate LV functional improvement at SBE, using the absolute cut off for &amp;lt;5% LVEF increase and the &amp;lt;3% for LVSR increase, as well as for an excessive increase in pulmonary hypertension at SBE, using the cut off for TRPG &amp;gt;55mmHg. Respective distribution of cases was similar for age category &amp;gt; or &amp;lt;=65 years (dEX &amp;lt;5: 46% vs 45%, dSR &amp;lt;3: 62% vs 87%, TRPGEx &amp;gt;55mmHg: 38% vs 48%, all p = ns). Kaplan Meier analysis for events using TRPG&amp;gt;55 was significant for females (log rank=3.2, p = 0.06/ figure1). Kaplan Meier analysis for events using dEF≥5 was significant for age &amp;lt;65 years (log rank =4.7, p = 0.03/figure2). LVSR cut off did not provide any difference in outcome. Conclusion SBE induced changes on LV function and pulmonary hypertension have an uneven risk stratification relevance according to age and gender. Dedicated algorithms to gender and age have to be applied for the improvement of prognostication in severe AS based on SBE.

Target Aortic Stenosis: A National Initiative to Improve Quality of Care and Outcomes for Patients With Aortic Stenosis.

Target Aortic Stenosis: A National Initiative to Improve Quality of Care and Outcomes for Patients With Aortic Stenosis.

Peripheral Nerve Blocks as Anaesthetic Choice for Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis for Emergency Lower Limb Surgeries: A Case Report

Peripheral Nerve Blocks as Anaesthetic Choice for Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis for Emergency Lower Limb Surgeries: A Case Report

ABCDEG Stress Echocardiography in Aortic Stenosis.

Rest and stress echocardiography (SE) plays a pivotal role in the evaluation of valvular heart disease. The use of SE is recommended in valvular heart disease when there is a mismatch between resting transthoracic echocardiography findings and symptoms. In aortic stenosis (AS), rest echocardiographic analysis is a stepwise approach that begins with the evaluation of aortic valve morphology and proceeds to the measurement of the transvalvular aortic gradient and aortic valve area (AVA) using continuity equations or planimetry. The presence of the following three criteria suggests severe AS: AVA < 1.0 cm2, a peak velocity > 4.0 m/s, or a mean gradient > 40 mmHg. However, in approximately one in three cases, we can observe a discordant AVA < 1 cm2 with a peak velocity < 4.0 m/s or a mean gradient <40 mmHg. This is due to reduced transvalvular flow associated with LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF < 50%) defined as "classical" low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) AS or normal LVEF "paradoxical" LFLG AS. SE has an established role in evaluating LV contractile reserve (CR) patients with reduced LVEF. In classical LFLG AS, LV CR distinguished pseudo-severe AS from truly severe AS. Some observational data suggest that long-term prognosis in asymptomatic severe AS may not be as favorable as previously thought, offering a window of opportunity for intervention prior to the onset of symptoms. Therefore, guidelines recommend evaluating asymptomatic AS with exercise stress in physically active patients, particularly those younger than 70 years, and symptomatic classical LFLG severe AS with low-dose dobutamine SE. A comprehensive SE assessment includes evaluating valve function (gradients), the global systolic function of the LV, and pulmonary congestion. This assessment integrates considerations of blood pressure response, chronotropic reserve, and symptoms. StressEcho 2030 is a prospective, large-scale study that employs a comprehensive protocol (ABCDEG) to analyze the clinical and echocardiographic phenotypes of AS, capturing various vulnerability sources which support stress echo-driven treatment strategies.