Moderate Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Research Articles

Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty in patients with mild to moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation undergoing mitral valve surgery: meta-analysis.

Clinical effects of concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty (TA) in patients with mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation at the time of mitral valve surgery (MVS) remains indefinite. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to determine the long-term clinical and echocardiographic effects of concomitant TA in patients undergoing MVS. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through January 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies with adjusted outcomes that investigated outcomes of concomitant TA versus conservative management for mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation in patients undergoing MVS. Two RCT and 11 observational studies included in the meta-analysis with a total of 3,953 patients underwent MVS with (N.=1837) or without (N.=2166) concomitant TA. Mean follow-up period ranged from 24 to 115.5 months. MVS with concomitant TA was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-1.55; P=0.34, I2=0%) compared with MVS alone. Similarly, heart failure events (HR 0.74; 95% CI: 0.46-1.20; P=0.22, I2=0%) as well as rates of tricuspid reoperation (HR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.27-1.10; P=0.09, I2=1%) were comparable between the groups. However, MVS with concomitant TA was associated with a significant reduction in TR progression (HR 0.30; 95% CI: 0.17-0.53; P<0.00001, I2=11%). Concomitant TA for patients undergoing MVS was associated with similar long-term clinical outcomes compared to MVS alone. However, concomitant TA was associated with a significant reduction in TR progression. Longer follow-up is necessary to assess the effect on further clinical outcomes.

Echocardiographic Parameters and Outcomes in Methamphetamine-Associated Heart Failure: A Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis.

BackgroundMethamphetamines are a common cause of systolic heart failure (HF). There are limited data on the prognosis associated with hospitalizations for decompensated HF in the setting of methamphetamine use. We aimed to evaluate patient characteristics and outcomes among patients admitted with decompensated HF who had positive drug screens for amphetamines as well as to determine whether any parameters from transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) can predict outcomes in this population.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients admitted to the Loma Linda Medical Center who had an active hospital problem of acute on chronic systolic (or systolic and diastolic) HF from 2013 to 2018. Electronic medical records were mined for relevant patient data. Methamphetamine-associated heart failure (MethHF) group was defined as those with an admission urine drug screen (UDS) that was positive for methamphetamines, whereas non-MethHF was defined by patients with negative methamphetamine on UDS or UDS was not done on physician’s discretion. The primary outcomes of the study were 30-day composite outcome (defined as combined all-cause readmission and all-cause mortality), 365-day all-cause mortality, and length of stay (LOS). Propensity score weighting for these outcomes was performed using demographics, laboratory and clinical variables, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as covariates. TTE parameters from presentation were also evaluated to determine if any had prognostic implications.ResultsA total of 1,655 patients were included (101 patients with positive urine methamphetamine and 1,554 patients without). Patients with MethHF were younger, more likely to be male, had fewer comorbidities, had lower LVEF, and were more likely to have right ventricular systolic dysfunction. In propensity-weighted analyses, there were no significant differences in LOS, 30-day composite outcome, or 365-day mortality between the MethHF and non-MethHF group in (P > 0.05 for all). Presence of at least moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) was the only TTE predictor of 30-day composite outcome (odds ratio (OR) = 4.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5 - 14.50, P < 0.01) and 365-day mortality (OR = 4.67, 95% CI: 1.5 - 14.50, P < 0.01) in the MethHF group.ConclusionPatients with MethHF admitted for decompensated HF had similar outcomes compared to non-MethHF after adjusting for baseline characteristics. TR is the only TTE value to predict outcomes in this population.

Effect of concomitant atrioventricular valve regurgitation on the outcome after transcatheter aortic-valve implantation

Abstract Background Many patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have concomitant mitral regurgitation (MR) of moderate grade or more. The impact of coexistent tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remains to be determined. Methods Patients with severe and symptomatic aortic stenosis [effective orifice area (EOA)≤1cm2] referred for TAVI at our institution were consecutively enrolled. Prospectively collected demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic data were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to MR and TR severity pre-procedurally: no/mild MR and TR, moderate/severe MR, moderate/severe TR, moderate/severe MR and TR. Primary clinical endpoint was all-cause mortality, as defined by the criteria proposed by the Valve Academic Research Consortium2. Results A total of 244 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study: 148 (60.7%) patients no/mild MR and TR, 32 (13.1%) moderate/severe MR, 35 (14.3%) moderate/severe TR, 29 (11.9%) moderate/severe MR and TR pre-procedurally. There was significant difference in pre-procedural pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) among groups (no/mild MR and TR: 40.8±10 mmHg, moderate/severe MR: 46.6±11.2 mmHg, moderate/severe TR: 49.9±13mmHg, moderate/severe MR and TR: 59.8±15.2mmHg, p&amp;lt;0.0001). The Kaplan–Meier curves for 2 year mortality showed that the severity of TR was associated with poor survival. Interestingly, patients with moderate/severe MR and TR had the worse survival (no/mild MR and TR (91.2%), moderate/severe MR (78.1%), moderate/severe TR (62.9%), moderate/severe MR and TR (62.1%), p&amp;lt;0.0001). Conclusion The presence of concomitant moderate or severe mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation was associated with the higher mortality. This suggests that a thorough evaluation of the mechanisms underlying concomitant mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation should be performed to determine the best strategy for avoiding TAVI-related futility. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Internal Jugular to Atrial Bypass with Spiral Vein Graft for Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

The patient was a 41-year-old woman with a history of postpartum class New York Heart Association class II cardiomyopathy. She had undergone biventricular implanTable cardiac defibrillator lead extraction. The procedure was complicated by laceration of the superior vena cava, innominate artery, and confluence of the left subclavian artery. Emergent repair with full cardiopulmonary bypass with bovine pericardial patch angioplasty was performed. During the course of 2 years, the patient had developed superior vena cava syndrome. She described worsening symptoms of severe headaches, blurred vision, near syncope with bending over, and a choking sensation despite sleeping at a 45° head-up angle. Additionally, the patient had developed moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation, which required repair. We elected to repair this patient with a spiral vein graft, in addition to tricuspid valve annuloplasty. Bilateral great saphenous veins were harvested and wrapped around a 36F chest tube such that a 9-mm × 12-cm spiral vein graft was created (Fig 1). After repair of the tricuspid valve, the right internal jugular vein was exposed, and the graft was tunneled through the thoracic inlet and inside a 12-mm ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft to provide external support. The graft was then anastomosed from the right internal jugular vein to the right atrium. The patient did well and was discharged 6 days postoperatively. During follow-up, the patient has done very well (Fig 2). Five months after surgery, a venogram demonstrated a patent graft, with no pressure gradient across the graft.Fig 2Preoperative (Left) and postoperative (Right) three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions of the patient demonstrating remarkably decreased venous collaterals. (Bottom) A postoperative venogram demonstrating the widely patent jugular–atrial venous bypass.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Prominent prolapsing Chiari network: presentation and prognosis in paediatric patients

Chiari network is an infrequently visualized web-like structure in the right atrium that is usually thin and small. Rarely, it can be prominent and elongated with protrusion into the right ventricle during diastole and complications have been reported. Thirty-eight patients (median age 2.5 years) with prolapsing Chiari network were identified and associated cardiac abnormalities documented. Echocardiographic right and left heart parameters were measured and compared to normative data. At presentation, the extent of Chiari network prolapse below the tricuspid annulus was 9.1 ± 3.5 mm (mean ± standard deviation), mean pulmonary valve annulus diameter z-value was reduced (-0.91 ± 0.64), and mean aortic valve z-value was enlarged (+0.97 ± 0.87). Fourteen patients exhibited no other cardiac abnormality. Eight were noted to have atrial septal defects, eight demonstrated supraventricular dysrhythmias, six had mild to moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation, and one patient each had an atrial septal aneurysm, severe pulmonic valve stenosis, small perimembranous ventricular septal defect, bicuspid aortic valve, and mild right upper pulmonary vein stenosis. Fourteen patients (37%) were seen in follow-up from 1 to 8.5 years later (median 3.2 years). During that time, the magnitude of prolapse across the tricuspid valve decreased by up to 7 mm (median 2 mm). Interventions were required in three patients, but many associated cardiac abnormalities resolved spontaneously with growth. Thus, the presence of a prolapsing Chiari network has a substantial risk of associated CHDs. However, the extent of Chiari network prolapse gradually decreases and many related abnormalities resolve during growth.

Acute Idiopathic Pulmonic and Tricuspid Regurgitation after Heart Transplant

Introduction Right sided valvular regurgitation is a rare complication after heart transplantation, and can occur with hyperacute rejection or later from repeated endomyocardial biopsy. Early surgical intervention has been recommended when managing a tricuspid regurgitant valve post transplantation. We describe a case of severe tricuspid and pulmonic valve regurgitation after heart transplantation. Case Report A 39 yo male with D-TGA, post Mustard repair that progressed into end stage HF. He underwent uncomplicated orthotopic heart transplantation with bicaval anastomosis from a young donor with normal cardiac structures and function on TEE and visual survey. Intraoperative TEE showed moderate tricuspid and moderate pulmonic valve regurgitation. A PA catheter was thought to be contributing to the central regurgitant jet; the RV size and function were normal, the PA pressures were also normal. Post operatively patient developed progressive right heart failure syndrome with worsening regurgitation despite diuresis and removal of the PA catheter. Endomyocardial biopsy did not show any signs of rejection. Repeated TEE showed normal biventricular function, torrential TR with pan systolic flow reversal in the hepatic vein due to non coaptation of the leaflets. The pulmonic valve was also severely insufficient with a central regurgitant jet and holodiastolic flow reversal in the pulmonary arteries. The patient underwent a tricuspid repair with a 30mm tricuspid ring and pulmonic valve replacement with a 25 mm bovine valve on POD 10. Surgical endomyocardial biopsy had no evidence of rejection. His heart failure symptoms resolved and he was discharged 4 weeks post op. Summary We describe a novel case of a 39 yo orthotopic heart transplant recipient with acute post operative concomitant TR and PI with right heart failure requiring a tricuspid ring annuloplasty and pulmonic valve replacement. To date, there are no such reported complications after heart transplant. The incidence of isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation after heart transplant have decreased with the bicaval transplantation technique however not eliminated. Literature suggests that isolated moderate to severe tricuspid valve regurgitation should under a repair or replacement early post transplantation. Pulmonic valve insufficiency is extremely rare after heart transplant and management strategies are not well defined.

Abstract 15412: Long-term Outcomes of the Truncal Valve in Truncus Arteriosus

Objectives: Long-term survival in patients with truncus arteriosus (TA) is favorable, but there remains significant morbidity associated with need for ongoing re-interventions. The purpose of this study was to understand the long-term outcomes of the truncal valve (TV) and identify risk factors associated with the need for TV intervention. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 170 patients who underwent initial TA repair at our institution from 1985-2015. Analysis of long-term outcomes was performed on the 148 patients who survived greater than 30 days post-operatively and to hospital discharge using multivariable competing risks Cox regression modeling. Results: Median follow up time was 12.6 years (IQR 5.0, 22.1 years) after full repair. Freedom from death or transplant at 1, 5, 10, and 20 years was 93.1 ± 2.1%, 88.0 ± 2.7%, 86.2 ± 3.0% and 78.3 ± 4.1%. Thirty patients (20%) underwent at least one intervention on the TV (22 repairs, 21 replacements). Freedom from any TV intervention at 1, 5, 10 and 20 years was 99 ± 1%, 94 ± 8%, 82 ± 9%, and 70 ± 5%. Of those with TV repair, 59% subsequently underwent TV replacement. Independent risk factors for need for TV intervention included ≥moderate TV regurgitation (TVR) (HR 4.77, p&lt;0.001) or stenosis (HR 4.12, p&lt;0.001) prior to full repair, and ≥moderate TVR at initial hospital discharge after full repair (HR 8.6, p&lt;0.001). A single coronary ostium was also independently associated with need for TV intervention (HR 6.94, p=0.01). Quadricuspid valve morphology and TV repair at initial TA repair, risk factors in univariate analysis, were not independent predictors on multivariable analysis. Overall, 28% of patients progressed to ≥moderate TVR and to Z-scores of greater than 5 for valve dimensions. Conclusion: Long-term need for TV intervention remains significant. Moderate or worse initial TVR or stenosis, residual TVR after initial TA repair, and single coronary ostium are risk factors associated with need for subsequent TV intervention.

Impact of tricuspid regurgitation and its postprocedural reduction on long term outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve edge to edge repair

Abstract Background Prevalence of functional tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) in the adult population is high and mostly considered as a consequence of left-sided heart failure. In patients with moderate-to-severe and severe mitral regurgitation (MR), relevant concomitant TR is found in about 30–50%. For many years the concept of a reduction of secondary TR after mitral valve surgery has been widely accepted. However, more recently, compelling data have shown that surgically untreated functional TR can persist or even worsen despite the correction of the associated left-sided lesion. In line with previous research, studies have indicated that preexisting concomitant TR is an independent predictor for adverse outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve Edge-to-Edge Repair (pMVR). Purpose This study intends to determine the extent to which the severity of tricuspid regurgitation, measured six months after pMVR, impacts the outcome. Methods Between September 2008 and July 2018, 805 consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe or severe MR underwent pVMR therapy with the MitraClip device at our center. We exclude patients with missing date of follow-up (n=54) and patients with missing values for baseline tricuspid regurgitation (n=93). We analyze, therefore, data of 658 patients with a median follow-up time of 4.93 (4.2, 4.99) years. Severity of TR was evaluated at baseline and six months after pMVR. Results Among 658 high-risk patients (mean age 75.4±8.7 years, 59.7% male, median STS Score 3.9 [2.4, 6.1]), 248 patients were suffering from no/mild (37.6%), 213 from moderate (32.6%) and 197 patients from severe (29.9%) TR. Functional MR was present in 429 (65.5%) patients. Procedural success was achieved in the majority of patients (no/mild TR 90.3%, moderate TR 91.1%, severe TR 90.4%). Overall, mortality rates up to two-year follow-up were highest for patients with severe TR (no/mild TR 30.2%, moderate TR 37.6%, severe TR 42.6%, p=0.023). The risk for overall mortality (Kaplan-Meier analysis, p=0.0027, Figure 1) was related to increasing TR severity. However, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no relevant differences for the combined endpoint of death and rehospitalization (p=0.058). Interestingly, in a pairwise comparison, the risk for patients with pre-existing severe TR and postprocedural reduction to mild or moderate TR (n=17) was reduced for the combined endpoint (p=0.021) compared to patients with persistent severe TR (n=28). Conclusion Moderate and severe TR in high-risk patients undergoing pMVR is associated with an increased risk for overall mortality. While preliminary, the presented data suggest a favorable outcome in patients with a postprocedural reduction in the severity of TR. The results of this study indicate the importance of developing new therapeutic strategies in high-risk patients with combined MR and TR, probably leading to concomitant tricuspid valve interventions. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Outcomes of Tricuspid Valve Operation at the Time of Pericardiectomy for Constrictive Pericarditis

This study sought to determine the outcome effect of concomitant tricuspid valve operation for regurgitation during pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. This cohort study included 310 patients with mild or greater tricuspid valve regurgitation who underwent pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis from 2000 to 2016 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Patients were divided into 2 treatment groups: tricuspid valve operation (n= 68) and no tricuspid operation (n= 242). Survival analysis, proportional odds models, and landmark analysis were carried out to estimate the treatment effects of tricuspid valve operation. Tricuspid valve regurgitation was graded mild in 203 (65%) patients, moderate in 69 (22%), and severe in 38 (12%). Tricuspid valve operation included repair in 54 patients (17%) and replacement in 14 (5%). Mechanical circulatory support was used more commonly in the intervention group (15% vs 5%; P= .009), but rates of stroke (3% vs 2%; P= .210) and mortality (9% vs 6%; P= .422) were similar. Tricuspid valve intervention resulted in a reduced risk of long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38 to 1.21; P= .192), less than moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation at follow-up (odds ratio vs moderate or severe, 0.093; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.19), and less than moderate right ventricular enlargement at follow-up (odds ratio vs moderate or severe, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.24). Remnant severe right ventricular dysfunction resulted in increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio vs none or trivial, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.10 to 21.65; P= .037). Concomitant tricuspid valve operation for regurgitation can be performed without increased operative mortality during pericardiectomy for constrictive pericarditis. Operation appears protective against long-term mortality, residual tricuspid regurgitation, and right ventricular enlargement.

Should Moderate Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation Be Repaired During Surgery for Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease?

Surgical repair of concomitant functional moderate tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation at the time of mitral valve (MV) surgery remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of concomitant repair of functional moderate tricuspid regurgitation (TR) during MV surgery for rheumatic valve disease. From 1998 to 2016, 1,240 patients had rheumatic MV disease associated with moderate functional TR: 974 patients had MV surgery and concomitant TV repair (group 1) and 266 patients had MV surgery alone (group 2). Study endpoints were operative outcomes, rehospitalisation for congestive heart failure (CHF), and TV reintervention. Propensity score matching identified 192 well-matched pairs for outcomes comparison. Patients who had concomitant TV repair were younger (p=0.02) and there were fewer diabetics (p=0.015). In matched patients, low cardiac output was significantly higher in group 2 (p=0.044) and there was no difference in ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, cardiopulmonary bypass, and ischaemic times (p=0.480, p=0.797, p=0.232, and p=0.550, respectively) between groups. Patients in group 2 required more TV reintervention (1 vs 35 in group 1 and 2, respectively; p=0.004) and rehospitalisation for CHF (5 vs 40 in group 1 and 2, respectively; p<0.001). Concomitant TV repair for moderate TR in patients undergoing rheumatic MV surgery was not associated with increased operative risk. Postoperative low cardiac output syndrome and the risk of late TV reinterventions and rehospitalisation for CHF were lower with TV repair. Concomitant repair of the moderate TV regurgitation maybe beneficial for patients undergoing rheumatic MV surgery.

Short- and medium-term follow-up of transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects

BackgroundTranscatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects is one of the greatest challenges in interventional cardiology. Short- and midium-term follow-up data for large samples are limited. This report presents our experience with transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects using an occluder.MethodsTwo hundred fifty-three patients included in the database of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital from January 2011– December 2015 with transcatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects and discharged from follow-up. All patients were invited for clinical and transthoracic echocardiography, electrocardiogram, and thoracic radiography check-up.ResultsDevice implantation was successful in 252 of 253 patients (99.6%). The median age was 42 months (range 27–216 months). The median follow-up duration was 36 months (range 6–60 months). The mean defect diameter was 3.5 ± 1.4 mm and the mean size of the ventricular septal defect rim below the aortic valve was 3.7 ± 1.8 mm. The mean diameter of the devices used was 4 mm. Thirty-seven patients developed arrhythmia after the procedure and recovered within 24 months; four patients had hemolysis and four had moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation. No other serious adverse event occurred during the follow-up period.ConclusionTranscatheter closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defects using an occluder is safe and effective in most patients.

Outcome of Patient with Moderate Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation Underwent Mitral Valve Replacement without Tricuspid Valve Repair

Background: The tricuspid valve is often called the "forgotten valve" or "lost valve," because it is relatively understudied relative to the other cardiac valves. Left-sided valvular heart diseases represent the most common cause of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) and the reported prevalence reached 25% to 30%. Objective: The aim of the work is to give an attention to the problem of moderate functional tricuspid valve regurgitation with mitral valve replacement and includes revision of anatomy of tricuspid valve, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of functional tricuspid valve regurgitation. Patients and Methods: In the present retrospective study, 30 randomly selected patients with moderate functional tricuspid valve regurgitation (grade 2) underwent mitral valve replacement for the first time at Al-Hussein University Hospital without repair of their moderate functional tricuspid regurgitation. The study was approved by the medical ethics committee of Al-Azhar University Hospitals and a written informed consent is obtained from all patients. Results: In the present study and according to the sex, the females (9) represent (30%) while males (21) were (70%). Their age ranged between 40-60 years with mean 48.40 ± 6.92. The Degree of TR was mild 15 (50.0%), moderate 6 (20.0%), severe 3 (10.0%) and Trivial 6 (20.0%) of Echo data after 6 months. Conclusion: Functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is commonly associated with mitral valve (MV) diseases and the presence of significant TR is reported to be an indicator of poor prognosis after the surgical correction of MV diseases.

Post-surgical hydropneumopericardium: a case report of dramatic increase in the apparent size of pericardial effusion with positional changes

BackgroundPneumopericardium is an uncommon clinical finding. It most commonly occurs after chest trauma but can also emerge as a complication following interventional or surgical procedures and can result in life-threatening complications. A high index of clinical suspicion should be present and once the condition is recognized, it should be managed promptly. Paucity of literature on pneumopericardium makes outlining any new case of paramount importance to emphasize the aspects of diagnosis and management of this rare condition.Case summaryA 59-year-old woman with severe mitral valve and moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation underwent mitral and tricuspid valve repair with uneventful post-operative in-hospital stay. She presented 10 days after discharge with progressive shortness of breath. Chest X-ray revealed right hydropneumothorax. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) performed in the emergency department showed an apparently small pericardial effusion with patient in supine position; the effusion size increased substantially when imaging in left lateral decubitus, with presence of intrapericardial air bubbles. Computed tomography scan of the chest confirmed the presence of right hydropneumothorax and hydropneumopericardium, with a communicating pleuro-pericardial tract. The patient underwent chest tube placement which successfully decompressed both pleural and pericardial space.DiscussionHydropneumopericardium is a rare post-operative complication. Comprehensive TTE with imaging from multiple acoustic windows is mandatory when evaluating the extent of pericardial effusion. Presence of cardiac tamponade is crucial in determining the management plan.

Strategies for tricuspid valve repair.

Tricuspid valve repair is in many ways more challenging than mitral valve repair, especially since tricuspid valve anatomy is more complex with three leaflets, a saddle-shaped dynamic annulus and a complex subvalvular apparatus. The late referral of patients for tricuspid valve surgery adds to this challenge and contributes to poor prognosis. Nevertheless, studies have shown that the presence of moderate or greater tricuspid valve regurgitation leads to poor survival. Consequently, tricuspid valve surgery is now being performed more often, in order to improve the quality of life and survival. Tricuspid valve disease can be broadly classified into congenital and acquired tricuspid valve pathologies. Various repair techniques besides simple annular reduction maneuvers are used which are primarily aimed at restoring the complex interplay of various anatomical components. This review is a summary of the various operative techniques which provide successful reproducible results and achieve a competent and durable tricuspid valve repair with satisfactory late outcomes.

Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Following Cesarean Delivery: A Case of Undiagnosed Rheumatic Heart Disease [14B

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. It commonly occurs in the peripartum period—the last trimester and five months following delivery. It stems from multiple etiologies, most commonly peripartum cardiomyopathy and preexisting cardiac disease. The diagnosis of heart failure in the peripartum period is often delayed or misdiagnosed because its symptoms closely resemble those seen during normal pregnancy, pulmonary embolism, preeclampsia, and HELLP syndrome - including fatigue, shortness of breath and edema. METHODS: A 25-year-old G2P2 Burmese patient with no prior medical history presented five-days post cesarean delivery with chief complaint of shortness of breath, chest pressure, and palpitations. She was found to have tachypnea, tachycardia to the 140's, and hypoxemia with an oxygen saturation of 85%. Her EKG demonstrated atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. Echocardiogram revealed findings consistent with undiagnosed Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) including bi-atrial enlargement, moderate mitral valve regurgitation, moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation, severe aortic valve regurgitation, moderate pulmonic valve regurgitation, and an LVEF of 55-60%. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of RHD is rare in developed countries due to near eradication from improved efforts to administer antibiotic treatment. We hope our presentation sheds light on the burden of RHD that persists in developing nations and encourages providers to assess the possibility of this diagnosis in a subset of patients. Prompt diagnosis requires heightened awareness among multidisciplinary teams, a high degree of suspicion, and confirmation via echocardiographic studies. Treatment with targeted therapies can recover ventricular function in the majority of cases.

Congenitally Corrected Transposition Presenting in the First Year of Life: Survival and Fate of the Systemic Right Ventricle.

Knowledge gaps exist in the life expectancy and functional outcome of patients with congenitally corrected transposition (ccTGA) presenting early in life, which is relevant in the evaluation of early anatomic repair. In a single-center analysis, 91 patients with ccTGA were identified over 25 years, of which 31 presented with biventricular anatomy in the first year of life and formed the study cohort. End points for analysis included survival, moderate or worse tricuspid valve regurgitation, and systemic right ventricle (RV) dysfunction. Median follow-up was 4.9 years (range: 7 days to 20 years). Among 31 patients presenting in the first year of life, 9 (29%) never received cardiac surgery, while 22 (71%) underwent 36 cardiac operations. Overall freedom from moderate or severe systemic RV dysfunction was 75% at 10 years. Overall survival was 82% at 10 years. Surgical mortality was 5.6% (2/36). Among survivors with a systemic RV, 23 (100%) of 23 were Ross or NYHA class I or II at last follow-up. Congenitally corrected transposition presenting in the first year of life and maintaining a systemic RV can expect (1) long-term survival of more than 80% at 10 years, (2) low expected surgical mortality (overall 6%), and (3) 75% late freedom from major RV dysfunction at 10 years. Pending multi-institutional analyses, this experience with a systemic RV in ccTGA provides an initial benchmark for comparison when considering early elective anatomic correction.

Intervention for arch obstruction after the Norwood procedure: Prevalence, associated factors, and practice variability

ObjectiveArch obstruction after the Norwood procedure is common and contributes to mortality. We determined the prevalence, associated factors, and practice variability of arch reintervention and assessed whether arch reintervention is associated with mortality. MethodsFrom 2005 to 2017, 593 neonates in the Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society Critical Left Heart Obstruction cohort underwent a Norwood procedure. Median follow-up was 3.7 years. Multivariable parametric models, including a modulated renewal analysis, were performed. ResultsOf the 593 neonates, 146 (25%) underwent 218 reinterventions for arch obstruction after the Norwood procedure: catheter-based (n = 168) or surgical (n = 50) at a median age of 4.3 months (quartile 1-quartile 3, 2.6-5.7). Interdigitation of the distal aortic anastomosis was protective against arch reintervention. Development of ≥ moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation and right ventricular dysfunction at any point was associated with arch reintervention. Nonsignificant variables for arch reintervention included shunt type and preoperative aortic measurements. Surgical arch reintervention was protective against arch reintervention, but transcatheter reintervention was associated with increased reintervention. Arch reintervention was not associated with increased mortality. There was wide institutional variation in incidence of arch reintervention (range, 0-40 reinterventions per 100 years patient follow-up) and in preintervention gradient (range, 0-64 mm Hg). ConclusionsInterdigitation of the distal aortic anastomosis during the Norwood procedure decreased the risk of arch reintervention. Surgical arch reintervention is more definitive than transcatheter. Arch reintervention after the Norwood procedure is not associated with increased mortality. Serial surveillance for arch obstruction, integrated with changes in right ventricular function and tricuspid valve regurgitation, is recommended after the Norwood procedure to improve outcomes.

RF57 OUTCOMES OF DIFFERENT REPAIR TECHNIQUES FOR FUNCTIONAL TRICUSPID VALVE REGURGITATION IN ADULT WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Objectives and aim: Functional tricuspid valve (TV) regurgitation frequently affects adult with congenital heart disease (ACHD).The aim of our study was to analyze which surgical repair (suture plasty vs. ring plasty) offers the best post-operative and medium-term TV competence in ACHD. Methods: Retrospective study of ACHD patients that underwent TV repair at our institution (01/2000-12/2016). Patient's chart were reviewed to collect pre, post-operative and follow-up data. We compared efficacy of ring plasty with suture plasty in terms of early and medium-term regurgitation degree. Results: 95 patients had functional TV regurgitation and underwent surgery. Median age was 41.2 years (IQR:29.8-55.6 years). Pre-operative TV regurgitation: mild (n = 6), moderate (n = 42), severe (n = 47). Surgical procedure were suture plasty (n = 53), ring anuloplasty (n = 34) and in 8 it was replaced. Median hospital stay was 12 days (IQR:8-18), 2 hospital deaths (2.1%). At discharge 13.2% of the suture plasty and 11.8% of the ring anuloplasty had moderate TV regurgitation, no one had severe. After a median follow-up of 4.6 years (IQR:1.4-8.9) there were 6 late deaths giving 89% survival (95%CI:79%-94%) at 5-10 years. No tricuspid valve reoperation were performed. On follow-up echocardiographic was available in 69 patients. Suture repair present a significantly higher incidence of moderate-severe regurgitation (Figure 1) compared to the ring anuloplasty (55%vs.27.6%,p = 0.023). Conclusions: Suture plasty and ring anuloplasty have comparable early postoperative results in terms of restoring valve competence. The use of prosthetic rings should be preferred to support the TV because it provides a significantly lower occurrence relevant regurgitation in the medium term.

Outcomes and risk factors associated with tricuspid valve repair in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Tricuspid valve (TV) competence is important for successful palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). We report our experience with TV repair in HLHS patients with a focus on TV and right ventricular (RV) function and associated clinical outcomes. From 2002 to 2012, 219 neonates with HLHS underwent the Norwood operation. Thirty patients who underwent TV repair at various stages comprised our current series cohort. Echocardiographic and clinical data were reviewed to determine the effectiveness of TV repair and outcomes of the patients. Thirty patients received TV repair during Norwood (n = 4), Glenn (n = 17) and Fontan (n = 9) operations. Median age at TV repair was 188 days (range 3-1498). Preoperatively, all patients had ≥moderate TV regurgitation and 4 (13%) patients had ≥moderate RV dysfunction. After repair, TV regurgitation was none or trivial (n = 12, 40%), mild (n = 8, 27%), ≥moderate (n = 10, 33%), whereas 10 (33%) had ≥moderate regurgitation at last follow-up; ≥moderate RV dysfunction was present in 5 (17%) patients following TV repair and 10 (33%) patients at last follow-up. Competing risk analysis showed that 10 years following TV repair, 21% of patients had TV reoperation, 18% died or underwent transplantation and 61% were alive without subsequent reoperation. Overall, 10-year survival, transplant-free survival and freedom from second TV reoperation were 89%, 71% and 78%, respectively; ≥moderate RV dysfunction following TV repair was associated with diminished transplant-free survival (P = 0.0277). Although TV repair is successful in reducing regurgitation in the majority of HLHS patients, outcomes are restricted by limited repair durability with recurrent significant regurgitation in one-third of the patients. RV dysfunction in these patients is progressive and a major determinant of transplant-free survival.

Catheter-based tricuspid valve replacement: first experimental data of a newly designed bileaflet stent graft prosthesis.

Moderate or severe degree tricuspid valve regurgitation (TVR) is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Surgical correction as the only therapeutic option offers unsatisfactory results. Recently, several interventional procedures have been introduced clinically in a limited cohort. We present our initial experiments with an innovative interventional valved stent graft for treatment of TVR. A newly designed porcine pericardium-covered nitinol stent graft with a lateral bicuspid valve was adapted to size in a cadaver study. After haemodynamic testing in an ex vivo perfusion setup, vascular access, valve delivery and function were investigated in an ovine animal model ( n = 7). The device was implanted successfully in all animals. Vascular access was established surgically via the femoral vein without any vascular complications. Angiography demonstrated the correct position of the device with proper sealing of both venae cavae in 6 animals. In 1 extremely large animal, the position of the device was considered too cranial but still acceptable. Correct valve function was verified in all animals by both angiography and echocardiography. There were no persistent arrhythmias other than during valve implant. All animals survived the implant procedure and were sacrificed electively. This study demonstrated that this new valved stent graft could be delivered safely with correct positioning and valve function in this ovine model. Further long-term studies in animals implanted with the device after creation of tricuspid regurgitation are necessary to prove the haemodynamic benefit of this procedure.