Improvement In Mitral Regurgitation Research Articles

Manifestations of Rheumatic Carditis, Regression of Valvular Regurgitation, and Independent Predictors of Mitral Regurgitation Improvement After Rheumatic Carditis in Thai Children.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) with carditis can lead to the development of rheumatic heart disease in children and young adults. This study aimed to investigate the manifestations of rheumatic carditis, clinically significant regression of valvular regurgitation as assessed by echocardiography, and the independent predictors of mitral regurgitation (MR) improvement after rheumatic carditis in Thai children. Children diagnosed with rheumatic carditis during 2005-2020 at Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) were retrospectively enrolled. Trivial, and mild regurgitation were grouped as non-clinically significant (NCS) regurgitation. Valvular regression was defined moderate-severe regurgitation improving to NCS regurgitation. Eighty-one patients (mean age: 10 years, range: 8-12 years) were included. At presentation, 59 (72.8%) patients had combined mitral regurgitation (MR) and aortic regurgitation (AR), 20 (24.6%) patients had MR alone, and 2 (2.4%) patients had AR alone. Concerning severity, 28 (34.6%) and 30 (37%) patients presented with severe and moderate MR, respectively. Severe and moderate AR was found in 9 (11.1%) and 16 (19.8%) patients, respectively. At the one-year follow-up, 43.4% of moderate-severe MR, and 41.7% of moderate-severe AR improved to NCS regurgitation. Multivariate analysis revealed high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (p = 0.01) and severe carditis (p = 0.05) at presentation to be independent predictors of MR improvement. Thai children with rheumatic carditis had a high incidence of valvular regurgitation; however, the valvular damage was improved in most patients. High ESR and severe carditis independently predict MR improvement.

Mitral regurgitation improvement after successful atrial fibrillation ablation by using a 3D mapping system.

Mitral regurgitation improvement after successful atrial fibrillation ablation by using a 3D mapping system.

Short-term study of atrial shunt and improvement of functional mitral regurgitation

BackgroundThis study used an atrial septal shunt to compare the treatment progress and prognosis for patients with heart failure (HF) who have different ejection fractions.MethodsTwenty HF patients with pulmonary hypertension, who required atrial septal shunt therapy, were included in this study. The patients underwent surgery between December 2012 and December 2020. They were divided into two groups based on their ejection fraction: a group with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and a group with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF) + mid-range ejection fraction (HfmrEF). Echocardiography was utilized to evaluate parameters such as left ventricular dimension (LVD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV). Hemodynamic parameters were measured using cardiac catheterization. The patient's cardiac function was assessed using the six-minute walking test (6MWT), KCCQ score, NYHA classification, and the degree of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Followed-up visits were conducted at 1, 3, and 6 months, and any adverse effects were recorded.ResultsThe LVEF values were consistently higher in the HFpEF+HFmrEF group than HFrEF group at all periods (P < 0.05). Differences in LVD were observed between the two groups before the surgery. Statistically, significant differences were found at the preoperative stage, 1 month, and 3 months (P < 0.05, respectively). However, the LVEDV showed a significant difference between the two groups only at 3 months (P = 0.049). Notably, there were notable variations in LAPm, LAPs, and the pressure gradient between the LA-RA gradient at baeline, after implantation, and during the 6 months follow-up (all P < 0.05).ConclusionFollowing treatment, the HFpEF+HFmrEF group exhibited more significant improvements in echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization indices than the HFrEF group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the 6MWT and KCCQ scores. It is important to note that the findings of this study still require further investigation in a large sample size of patients.

Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery: How to Diagnose and Treat.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare coronary anomaly that can present in childhood or adulthood with a multitude of symptoms depending on the age of presentation. It should be suspected in infants presenting with heart failure in the setting of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and associated mitral regurgitation from papillary muscle ischemia. Adults with ALCAPA may present with cardiac ischemic symptoms. Prompt diagnosis with echocardiography and cross-sectional chest imaging is important to guide surgical intervention and improve the patients' survival and prognosis. The goal of surgery is to establish a dual-coronary system with mid-term results revealing progressive recovery of left ventricular function and improvement in mitral regurgitation. Patients with ALCAPA should maintain life-long follow-up with a cardiologist with congenital heart disease expertise for surveillance of post-operative complications.

Left atrial appendage peak flow velocity predicts improvement in mitral regurgitation after atrial fibrillation ablation

BackgroundMitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) and high AF recurrence ratio after ablation. Left atrial appendage (LAA) is involved in left atrium (LA) pressure modulation and LAA peak flow velocity (LAAV) is validated as an indicator of LA contractile and reservoir function. LA function is related to the MR pathology, but the relationship between LAAV and improvement in MR after ablation remains unknown. MethodsThe present study included AF patients with moderate or severe MR from the Osaka Rosai Atrial Fibrillation ablation (ORAF) registry. We evaluated MR severity one-year post-ablation and assigned the patients based on MR improvement (at least a one-grade improvement in MR over one year) and investigated the impact of the relevant factors, including LAAV, on MR improvement. ResultsThis study population included a total of 289 patients [paroxysmal AF (PAF), 112 patients; persistent AF (PerAF), 177 patients]. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the patients with MR improvement had a significantly lower risk of late arrhythmia recurrence than those without (log-rank p < 0.001). MR improvement was observed in 56.3 % (63/112) of PAF patients and 55.4 % (98/177) of PerAF patients. Multiple regression analysis showed that LAAV was an independent and significant determinant of MR improvement post-ablation in both PAF and PerAF patients (p = 0.037 and p = 0.018, respectively), in addition to age and hemoglobin in PerAF patients (p = 0.045 and p = 0.048, respectively). ConclusionLAAV can predict an improvement in MR after catheter ablation in both PAF and PerAF patients.

P59 SPONTANEOUS RESTORATION OF STABLE SINUS RHYTHM FOLLOWING EDGE–TO–EDGE TRANSCATHETER MITRAL REPAIR PROCEDURE WITH MITRACLIP IN A PATIENT WITH CHRONIC ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Abstract Patients with history of atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing mitral edge–to–edge repair procedure with Mitraclip tend to be relatively older, have more advanced valve disease, and suffer from more comorbidities than patients without AF [1;2]. Moreover, their all–cause mortality rate one year after the procedure and hospitalization rate for heart failure is higher than that of patients in sinus rhythm [3]. Therefore, managing patients with AF poses a greater challenge, and their prognosis is considerably worse. Improvement of mitral regurgitation following mitral edge–to–edge repair procedure with Mitraclip may reduce atrial volume overload positively impacting AF triggers. In this report, we present a case of spontaneous restoration of stable sinus rhythm in a patient with chronic AF undergoing mitral valve repair procedure with Mitraclip. The patient, 80 years old, underwent implantation of a clip on centro–lateral site of the mitral valve plane (A2–P2) with mild residual insufficiency and an optimal procedural result. The restoration of sinus rhythm, which occurred during the first hours after the procedure, proved to be stable at the 30th day control post–discharge. the indexed left atrial volume remained unchanged (LAVI 43–45 mL/m2). Literature on the frequency of spontaneous sinus rhythm restoration following edge–to–edge mitral repair with Mitraclip in patients with chronic AF is limited. In a sub–analysis of the COAPT study [4], in addition to the known benefits of the Mitraclip procedure, it was possible to highlight a significant reduction in the rate of stroke in patients with AF. This outcome could be attributed to the reduction of the AF burden associated with mitral valve insufficiency. More studies are although necessary to determine the procedure‘s impact in this specific clinical situation. Rreferences: [1] Velu JF, Am J Cardiol. 2017 Dec 1;120(11):2035–2040. [2] Saad AM, Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2021 May 1;97(6):1252–1256. [3] Shah S, Heart Fail Rev. 2021 May;26(3):531–543. [4] Gertz ZM, Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2021 Apr;14(4):e010300.

Lung diffusion capacity correlates with pre-implant pulmonary hypertension and predicts outcome after LVAD implantation.

Diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO ) reduction is common in heart failure (HF) and is associated with a worse prognosis. Correlations between DLCO and pulmonary hypertension (PH) are unclear, and published data are conflicting; it has been shown that DLCO impairment may persist or even worsen after normalization of pulmonary pressures following left ventricle assist device (LVAD) implantation, maybe reflecting persistent pulmonary damage. We aimed to investigate the impact of pre-implant DLCO and central haemodynamics on outcome in patients with advanced HF implanted with a LVAD. We retrospectively analysed pre-implant and post-implant data from 42 patients implanted with a LVAD at our institution. Out of 42 patients, 35 had post-capillary PH before implantation, including 17 with combined post- and pre-capillary PH (Cpc-PH). Median DLCO was 59% (IQR 47-68%), and it inversely correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (P 0.037) and diastolic pulmonary gradient (DPG) (P 0.042). Compared with baseline, LVAD resulted in improvement in LV diameter (LVDd, P<0.001), mitral regurgitation (P 0.022), and PH (mPAP 24 vs. 36mmHg, P<0.001; PAWP 12 vs. 23mmHg, P 0.001; pulmonary artery compliance, CPA 3.1 vs. 1.9mL/mmHg, P 0.021). Lower DLCO and Cpc-PH at baseline were associated with a better LV reverse remodelling post-implantation (P 0.027 for LVDd) but also with a smaller gain in CPA (P 0.049). Before LVAD implantation, DLCO impairment is associated with higher PVR and DPG, suggesting that it might be an expression of persistent pulmonary damage occurring in Cpc-PH. After LVAD implantation, both LV dimension and haemodynamics improve. Lower pre-implant DLCO is associated with better LV reverse remodelling.

The number of myocardial infarction segments connected to papillary muscle is associated with the improvement in moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation.

We evaluated whether the number of myocardial infarction (MI) segments connected to the papillary muscle (PM), as assessed using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), predicts whether moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) improves after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to guide the choice of surgical strategy. A total of 54 patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD) complicated with moderate IMR who underwent isolated CABG were selected continuously in this retrospective study at Beijing Anzhen Hospital. All patients underwent preoperative LGE. The patients were divided into the IMR improved group (37 patients) and the unimproved group (17 patients) according to 1-year postoperative echocardiography. The factors associated with no IMR improvement after isolated CABG were analyzed. There was no trial registration and no publication of the study protocol. The number of MI segments connected to PM was an independent risk factor for no IMR improvement after isolated CABG [odds ratio 4.39; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93-9.98; P<0.001]. The optimal receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve cut-off value for no IMR improvement was ≥2 (sensitivity: 82.4%; specificity: 83.8%). Follow-up at 1-5 years (median, 2.8 years) showed that the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (5.4% vs. 23.5%; P=0.041) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade (P=0.026) were higher in the unimproved group. In patients with CHD complicated with moderate IMR, the number of MI segments connected to PM is an independent risk factor for no IMR improvement after isolated CABG. Mitral valve surgery should be performed simultaneously with CABG in patients with ≥2 MI segments connected to the PM.

Analysis of changes in “mitral valve reserve” after coronary artery bypass grafts in patients with functional mitral regurgitation

IntroductionThe treatment of moderate functionalmitral regurgitation (FMR) during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still debated. Our primary end point was to assess the improvement of “mitral valve reserve” (MVR) after CABG alone as a clinical demonstration of left ventricular (LV) recovery.Materials and methodsBetween June 2019 and June 2021, we prospectively enrolled 104 consecutive patients undergoing CABG with moderate FMR. Inclusion criteria were inferior-posterior-lateral wall hypokinesia and revascularization of the circumflex or right coronary artery. MVR was calculated as the ratio between anterior and posterior leaflets’ straight length. All patients were followed for 1 year. The improvement of MVR has been considered as a reduction of the ratio between anterior and posterior leaflets straight length.ResultsCompared to baseline, mean MVR was significantly reduced both at 6 (2.24 ± 0.95 vs. 1,91 ± 0.6; p = 0,047) and 12 months follow-up (2.24 ± 0.95 vs. 1,69 ± 0.49; p = 0,006). Left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling, meant as improvement of LV ejection fraction and reduction of LV end-systolic volume index and mitral anulus diameter were evaluated at 6 months and 1 year. Mitral regurgitation grade were also significantly reduced at 6 months (p < .001).ConclusionThe benefits of myocardial revascularization in term of improvement of mitral regurgitation’s degree can be explained by the changes of MVR. The patients with FMR, who could have more advantages from CABG alone, should be the ones who have LVESVi just moderately increased.

The impact of right atrium and left atrium reverse remodeling for functional regurgitation of atrioventricular valve among patients who were underwent ablation for atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a risk factor of Regurgitation of Atrioventricular Valve and Regurgitation of Atrioventricular Valve is improved after ablation for AF. However, Mechanism of improvement of Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and Mitral regurgitation (MR) after ablation for AF were unclear. Methods The one hundred fifty-seven cases consecutive patients who were underwent ablation for persistent AF were examined in this study. These patients were performed Holter ECG and Echocardiography 6 months after ablation for persistent AF. The area of the Right Atrium (RA), Left Atrium (LA), diameter of the tricuspid valve anulus and Mitral valve annulus, were measured by echocardiography at before and 6 months after ablation for AF. The reverse remodeling index (RRI) was defined as divided post area of RA and LA by pre area of RA and LA. The Improved group was defined as one or more than regurgitation grade improvements. Results TR improved in 56 cases (35.7%) of 157 cases and MR improved in 25 (16.6%) cases of 157 cases. The ratio of improved TR was significantly higher than ratio of improved MR (p&amp;lt;0.01). The difference in tricuspid annulus diameter before and after ablation for AF was significantly longer in TR improved group than in TR non-improved group. (4.9±5.3 mm vs 1.6±5.4 mm, p&amp;lt;0.01). The RRI of RA in TR improved group was significantly smaller than in TR non-improved group (0.73±0.19 vs 0.89±0.26 p&amp;lt;0.01). The difference in mitral annulus diameter before and after ablation for AF was not significant differences between MR improved group and MR non-improved group. The RRI of LA in MR improved group was significantly smaller than in MR non-improved group (0.79±0.22 vs 0.90±0.25 p&amp;lt;0.01). The RRI of RA was significantly smaller than RRI of LA among patients who were able to maintain sinus rhythm after ablation for persistent AF (0.79±0.23 vs 0.85±0.24 p=0.04). Conclusion Reverse remodeling of RA was higher than Reverse remodeling of LA among patients who were able to maintain sinus rhythm after ablation for persistent AF and Reverse remodeling of RA and LA were important factors of improvement of TR and MR after ablation for persistent AF. These results considered to be the cause why the improvement rate of TR was higher than the Improvement rate of MR after persistent AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Transcatheter Mitral Cerclage Ventriculoplasty: From Bench to Bedside.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair is beneficial in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR), left ventricular dysfunction, and persistent symptoms despite maximally tolerated medical therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transcatheter mitral cerclage ventriculoplasty in patients with MR and either heart failure with reduced ejection fraction or preserved ejection fraction and in subjects with prior edge-to-edge repair but persistent or recurrent symptomatic MR. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Division of Intramural Research Transcatheter Mitral Cerclage Ventriculoplasty Early Feasibility Study (NCT03929913) was an investigator-initiated prospective multicenter study. The primary endpoint was technical success measured at exit from the catheterization laboratory. Follow-up included heart failure quality-of-life assessments and serial imaging with echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography. Nineteen subjects consented and underwent cerclage, 63% with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and 37% with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, with ischemic cardiomyopathy in 26% and nonischemic cardiomyopathy in 74%. There were no procedural deaths, strokes, or transient ischemic attacks or other major cardiovascular adverse events. The primary endpoint was met in 17 subjects. Cerclage induced sustained reductions in mitral regurgitant volume (-41%) and effective orifice area (-33%) after a median of 337days. Cerclage resulted in improvements in 6-minute walking distance (+78 m) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary Score (+22 points) at 30days that were maintained after a median of 265days. New complete heart block developed in 6 of 17 subjects. Three deaths occurred on postprocedural days 79, 159, and 756, unrelated to cerclage. Transcatheter mitral cerclage ventriculoplasty resulted in significant and sustained improvements inmitral regurgitation and in heart failure quality-of-life assessments.

Impact of S-Wave Amplitude in Right Precordial Leads on Improvement in Mitral Regurgitation following Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background: The therapeutic strategy for mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with advanced heart failure and wide QRS complex who are indicated for both intervention to MR and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), remains unclear. Objective: We aimed to determine electrocardiogram parameters that associate with MR reduction following CRT implantation. Methods: Among the patients with advanced heart failure and functional MR who intended to receive CRT implantation, baseline QRS morphology, electrical axis, PR interval, QRS duration, and averaged S-wave in right precordial leads (V1 to V3) in surface electrocardiogram were measured. The impact of these parameters on MR reduction following CRT implantation, which was defined as a reduction in MR ≥1 grade six months later, was investigated. Results: In 35 patients (median 71 years old, 18 men), 17 (49%) achieved an MR reduction following CRT implantation. Among baseline characteristics, only the higher S-wave amplitude in right precordial leads was an independent predictor of MR reduction (odds ratio 14.00, 95% confidence interval 1.65–119.00, p = 0.016) with a cutoff of 1.3 mV calculated through the area under the curve. The cutoff significantly stratified the cumulative incidences of heart failure re-admission and percutaneous mitral valve repair following CRT implantation (p = 0.032 and p = 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: In patients with advanced heart failure and functional MR, the baseline higher amplitude of S-wave in the right precordial leads might be a good indicator of MR improvement following CRT.

Predictors of persistence of functional mitral regurgitation after cardiac resynchronization therapy: Review of literature.

Functional mitral regurgitation is a common finding among heart failure patients with ischemic and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathies. The presence of moderate or severe mitral regurgitation is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Heart failure patients meeting electrocardiogram and left ventricle function criteria are good candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy, which may reduce the degree of functional mitral regurgitation in the short and long term, specifically targeting myocardial dyssynchrony and inducing left ventricle reverse remodeling. In this article, we analyze data from the literature about predictors of mitral regurgitation improvement after cardiac resynchronization therapy implantation.

The role of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in predicting the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on mitral regurgitation in patients with low ejection fraction heart failure.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) positively affects the improvement of functional mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, geometric changes in the mitral valve apparatus, subvalvular structures and their contribution to improving mitral regurgitation after CRT have not been clearly defined. Our study aimed to evaluate the geometric parameters of mitral valve apparatus measured with three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) before CRT implantation and to determine the parameters predicting the improvement of MR after CRT. In this prospective study, we included thirty patients with moderate or severe MR and HFrEF planned for CRT implantation who had an indication for TEE. Before CRT implantation, effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) and regurgitant volume (RV) measurements were performed. Detailed quantitative measurements of the mitral valve were done from recorded images by 3D TEE. ERO and RV measurements were repeated to evaluate MR at the end of the third month. There were no significant changes in left ventricular EF and left ventricular diameters at third-month follow-up, whereas ERO and RV values were decreased. The posterior leaflet angle was higher in the non-responder group than the responder group (28.93 ± 8.41vs 41.25 ± 10.90, p=0.006). The posterior leaflet angle was an independent predictor of decreased RV and ERO. Among HFrEF patients with moderate or severe functional MR who underwent CRT implantation had a lower posterior leaflet angle, which was measured by 3D TEE, in the patient group whose MR improved after CRT.

Ecocardiographic comprehensive evaluation of OHCM patients treated with percutaneous ASA

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) has been widely accepted as an alternative to surgical myectomy in patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (OHCM) despite optimal medical treatment. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of ASA on anatomical and functional features analysed by echocardiography, as well as its clinical impact. We further evaluated the safety of procedure. Methods and results Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients submitted to ASA (2009 – 2019) in a single tertiary centre. A dedicated echocardiogram was performed at 3 and 6 months after procedure. Echocardiographic primary endpoint was a &amp;gt; 50% reduction in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient (the definition used for successful procedure). Echocardiographic secondary endpoint was improvement in mitral regurgitation. Clinical primary endpoint was defined as a combined endpoint of cardiac death or hospitalization during follow-up (FU). 110 patients were included, 66.4% women, mean age 65.1 ± 12.2 years. Functional class NHYA class III/IV, angina CCS class II/III and syncope were present in 87.3%, 52.7% and 10.0%, respectively. Baseline LVOT gradients at rest and at Valsalva manoeuvre were 93.6 ± 39.8 mmHg and 118.9 ± 44.2 mmHg. Maximum septal thickness was 21.0 ± 3.3 mm, 24.5% had moderate mitral regurgitation and 52.7% showed systolic anterior motion of mitral valve. During hospitalization for ASA, peak creatine kinase after procedure was 1306 ± 816 U/l. 17 (17.1%) patients required permanent PM due to induction of permanent complete heart block. There was one case of inferior myocardial infarction and one case of cardiac tamponade.  Echocardiographic primary endpoint was achieved by 83.6% of patients. At 3 and 6-months follow up, LVOT gradients was significantly decreased in successful comparing with unsuccessful procedure group (24.6 ± 23.9 vs 82.0 ± 28.7 mmHg, p = 0.003 and 31.8 ± 34.5 vs 68.6 ± 27.8 mmHg, p = 0.027, respectively). There was no difference in baseline clinical or echocardiographic parameters between both groups. Regarding the echocardiographic secondary endpoint, among patients with moderate mitral regurgitation, 80% improved to mild regurgitation. A significant reduction in basal septal thickness was achieved in most patients, from 21.0 ± 3.3mm to 16.4 ± 2.7 mm after ASA (p = 0.001).  During mean FU of 3.4 ± 2.1 years, clinical primary endpoint occurred in 25.5%, mainly in unsuccessful procedure group (50.0% vs 20.7%, p = 0.013). Reintervention was performed for recurrence of symptoms in 14 (12.7%) patients, surgical myectomy in 3 (3.6%) and repeated ASA in 10 (9.1%).  Conclusion ASA allows a significant reduction in LVOT gradient and improvement of mitral regurgitation in the majority of patients with OHCM. Systematic and comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation assumes a paramount importance for the evaluation of procedural success. Abstract Figure.

192 Study of endothelial function and vascular stiffness in patients affected by dilated cardiomyopathy on treatment with sacubitril/valsartan

Abstract Aims It has already been demonstrated the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, but many of its properties are still unknown especially regarding its effects on endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Methods and results To this purpose, a longitudinal study involving 15 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was started; the purpose was collecting at the beginning and at the end of the study blood pressure measurements, transthoracic echocardiography images, parameters of endothelial function with peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT®), and non-invasive evaluation of the aortic stiffness parameters by using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor® Px system). Aortic stiffness parameters weren’t different at 6 months, compared to baseline. There was a slight, not significant increase in augmentation pressure (P = 0.889), augmentation index (P = 0.906), and sphygmic wave velocity (P = 0.263). Systolic, diastolic, and differential central arterial pressure didn’t change. RHI (reactive hyperaemia index) increased significantly after 6 months (P = 0.001) as well as augmentation index corrected for 75 b.p.m. Ejection fraction (32.21% ± 5.7 to 38.43% ± 8.4; P = 0.010) and diastolic dysfunction degree (P = 0.021) improved significantly. Mitral regurgitation improvement wasn’t statistically significant (P = 0.116). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion didn’t change while pulmonary systolic arterial pressure increased, although not significantly (22.83 mmHg ± 4 to 27.33 mmHg ± 6; P = 0.068) and within the normal range values. Conclusions Sacubitril/valsartan can improve endothelial function significantly in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and reduced LVEF. It can also improve left ventricular function, mitral regurgitation, and diastolic function. Conversely, this drug seems to have no effects on vascular stiffness.

Mechanism of improvement in atrial functional mitral regurgitation after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: Three-dimensional analysis using multislice computed tomography.

Several factors associated with atrial functional mitral regurgitation development have been reported; however, geometric changes in the mitral apparatus after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation have not been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to clarify what determines improvements in atrial functional mitral regurgitation after sinus rhythm restoration in patients who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation by using multislice computed tomography. We analysed volumetric multislice computed tomography images of 44 atrial fibrillation patients with significant atrial functional mitral regurgitation (moderate or worse) before and after catheter ablation. We measured the three-dimensional geometry of the mitral apparatus including the mitral annular area and interpapillary muscle distance. We calculated the differences before and after catheter ablation (Δmitral annular area, Δinterpapillary muscle distance) and assessed mitral regurgitation severity based on the mitral regurgitant jet area and its changes before and after catheter ablation (Δjet area) using transthoracic echocardiography. After catheter ablation, the jet area was significantly decreased. The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased and the left ventricular volume had a decreasing trend. The Δjet area was significantly correlated with the Δinterpapillary muscle distance (r = .43; p = .004). The Δinterpapillary muscle distance was the strongest determinant of improvements in atrial functional mitral regurgitation severity (p = .026). Decreased interpapillary muscle distance was strongly associated with improvements in atrial functional mitral regurgitation. Amelioration of left ventricular dysfunction by sinus rhythm restoration might be related to improvements in atrial functional mitral regurgitation after catheter ablation.

Nomogram Predicts Improvement of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

BackgroundDeveloping a nomogram to predict improvement in moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is in need. MethodsWe retrospectively collected data from 112 patients with prior myocardial infarction and moderate IMR undergoing CABG between 2010 and 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on IMR degree 1 year after CABG as follows: Improved Group with no or mild IMR (n = 54) and Failure Group with moderate or severe IMR (n = 58). To determine the predictors of postoperative IMR improvement, preoperative clinical and echocardiographic data were compared, and a nomogram was formulated based on all independent predictors. Discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the prediction model were assessed. ResultsIndependent predictors of IMR improvement after CABG constructing the nomogram included duration between infarction and operation, posterior-inferior to left ventricular volume ratio, maximum difference of the time to reach minimum systolic volume of 16 segments, P3 leaflet tethering angle, and annular nonplanar angle. The nomogram exhibited well-fitted calibration curves and excellent discriminative ability. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.974. Patients with a score >236 demonstrated a high probability of IMR improvement (sensitivity, 90.7%; specificity, 93.1%). Patients in the Improved Group demonstrated greater actuarial survival rates than those in the Failure Group. ConclusionsThe nomogram combining 5 preoperative clinical and echocardiographic predictors provides an accurate preoperative estimation of moderate IMR improvement after surgery, with excellent discriminative ability. Based on this nomogram, patients with a higher score have predicted higher probabilities of IMR improvement.

Relationship of Mechanical Dyssynchrony and LV Remodeling With Improvement of Mitral Regurgitation After CRT

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the association between mechanical dyssynchrony of the left ventricle before cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and improvement of mitral regurgitation (MR) after CRT. BackgroundMR is very frequent among patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and conduction delay. MethodsEchocardiograms (pre-CRT and 12 ± 3.8 months thereafter) of 314 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and any degree of MR, who underwent CRT device implantation according to guidelines, were analyzed. Left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony was assessed by apical rocking (ApRock) and septal flash (SF), while MR severity was graded from I to IV on the basis of vena contracta width, regurgitation jet size, and proximal isovelocity surface area. ResultsAt baseline, 30% of patients presented with severe MR (grade III or IV). In 62% of patients, MR decreased after CRT, and these patients more frequently had left bundle branch block, had more severe MR, had more dilated left ventricles, had lower ejection fractions, and more often had ApRock and SF. Reverse remodeling was more frequent among patients with MR reduction (ΔLV end-systolic volume −35.5% ± 27.2% vs −4.1% ± 33.2%; P < 0.001). In a multivariable logistic stepwise regression, only ApRock (odds ratio [OR]: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.7-8.5; P = 0.001), SF (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.6-7.9; P = 0.002), and baseline MR (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0-1.9; P = 0.046) remained significantly associated with MR reduction. ConclusionsApRock, SF, and severity of MR at baseline are strongly associated with MR reduction after CRT, while LV reverse remodeling is its underlying mechanism. Therefore, in patients with heart failure with LV dyssynchrony on optimal medical treatment, CRT should be the primary treatment attempt for relevant MR.

Characteristics and outcomes of MitraClip in octogenarians: Evidence from 1853 patients in the GIOTTO registry

BackgroundWe aimed at appraising features and outcomes of patients undergoing MitraClip treatment according to their age. MethodsWe queried the prospective GIse registry Of Transcatheter treatment of mitral valve regurgitaTiOn (GIOTTO) multicenter registry dataset including 19 Italian centers performing MitraClip implantation, distinguishing patients <80 vs ≥80 years of age. ResultsIn total, 1853 patients were included, 751 (40.5%) octogenarians and 1102 (59.5%) non-octogenarians. Several baseline and procedural features were significantly different, including gender, regurgitation etiology, and functional class (all p < 0.05). In-hospital outcomes were similarly satisfactory, with death occurring in 18 (2.4%) and 32 (2.9%, p = 0.561), respectively, and improvement in mitral regurgitation in 732 (97.4%) and 1078 (97.8%, p = 0.746), respectively. After a mean follow-up of 15 months, death occurred in 152 (20.2%) and 264 (24.0%), and cardiac death in 85 (11.3%) and 138 (12.5%), respectively (both p > 0.05). Rehospitalization for heart failure and the composite of cardiac death or rehospitalization for heart failure were significantly less common in octogenarians: 63 (8.4%) vs 156 (14.2%, p < 0.001), and 125 (16.6%) vs 242 (22.0%, p = 0.005), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that these differences were largely due to confounding features, as after adjustment for baseline, clinical and imaging characteristics no significant difference was found for the above clinical endpoints. ConclusionsTranscatheter mitral valve repair with the MitraClip in carefully selected octogenarians appears feasible and safe, and is associated with favorable clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up.