Severity Of Mitral Annular Calcification Research Articles

Mitral annular calcification in patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation: prevalence and association with stenosis severity

Abstract Background Patients with calcific aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) usually have calcification in other cardiac structures, especially mitral annulus. Severity of mitral annular calcification (MAC) and degree of mitral stenosis (MS) may be associated with hemodynamic effects and outcomes. Purpose We sought to investigate the prevalence of MAC in patients with severe calcific AS using mitral annular calcium score with Agatston method from cardiac computerized tomography (CT). We also aim to assess the severity grading of MAC and its association with the severity of MS evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of the TAVI registry at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between May 2013 and December 2021. Clinical information was extracted from medical records. The pre-TAVI echocardiography and cardiac CT were reviewed, as well as the mitral annular calcium score. The severity of MAC (no, mild, moderate, severe) was classified using cardiac CT per the modified Cleveland clinic classification system. The MS grading was based on the 2009 American society of echocardiography guidelines. MAC prevalence was studied. Analysis of the association between MAC and MS was conducted. Results Our cohort included a total of 188 patients (mean age of 81±8 years). 134 patients (71.3%) demonstrated evidence of MAC. 47 patients (25%) had severe MAC evaluated by cardiac CT. Among patients with severe MAC, mean age was 83±8 years, 29 patients (63%) were female, 14 patients (30%) had diabetes, and 11 (23%) of them were associated with moderate or severe MS. Patients with MAC were significantly associated with hemodynamically significant MS (moderate or severe) when compared with patients without MAC (p <0.001). Conclusions One-fourth of patients with severe calcific AS underwent TAVI had severe MAC. The hemodynamically significant MS was more prevalent as the severity of MAC increased. The association between MAC and long-term adverse clinical outcomes needs to be further investigated.Figure 1Figure 2

Handling Extensive Mitral Annular Calcification via a Minimally Invasive Right Mini-Thoracotomy Approach

Mitral annular calcification is a chronic and degenerative process of the fibrous base of the mitral valve. Surgical management of mitral valve dysfunction with severe annular calcification remains technically demanding and, to date, the preferred approach is still a standard full sternotomy. We aimed to analyze and report our experience with mitral valve surgery addressing annular calcification via the minimally invasive approach through a right mini-thoracotomy. Data of patients with mitral valve disease and underlying annular calcification undergoing minimally invasive surgery from 2018 to 2022 were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. The severity of mitral annular calcification was categorized with an angio-computerized tomography scan analysis as mild, moderate or severe according to calcium thickness, calcium distribution, and trigone and leaflet involvement using the Mitral Annular Calcification Computerized Tomography-score. During the study period, 27 patients with mitral valve disease and associated mitral annular calcification were enrolled. The most common etiology was advanced Barlow’s disease, which was encountered in 18 cases (67%). Mitral valve replacement was performed in 21 patients (78%). No intraoperative death, atrioventricular disruption, or circumflex coronary artery injury occurred. Conversion to sternotomy was necessary in a single case. Residual moderate periprosthetic leak requiring early reoperation and permanent heart block mandating permanent pacemaker implantation were reported in one and in three patients, respectively. No cases of stroke were reported. Two patients died, accounting for a 7.4% perioperative mortality. At a median follow-up of 9 months, one patient had residual moderate mitral regurgitation, whereas two patients required short-term reoperation and prosthetic valve (re)replacement. Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery via right mini-thoracotomy should be considered an and effective approach to be indicated also in patients with mild-to-severe mitral annular calcification. Routine angio-computerized tomography scan during work-up is a mandatory step to stratify the anatomical extension and severity of the mitral annular calcification.

C-40 | Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement stratified by Severity of Mitral Annular Calcification

C-40 | Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement stratified by Severity of Mitral Annular Calcification

Epicardial adipose tissue and its association with cardiovascular risk factors and mitral annular calcium deposits.

Epicardial fat is a variety of visceral adipose tissue that secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines that can lead to progression of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown a correlation between cardiovascular risk factors and severity of mitral annular calcification. The aim of our study was to assess the correlation between epicardial fat thickness and mitral annular calcification. This study recruited 188 patients who were considered for coronary angiography and underwent echocardiography within 24 hours of admission. Epicardial fat thickness was measured in the parasternal long axis view at the end-systole. Mitral annular calcification was visualized in the parasternal short-axis view and was grade as none, mild, moderate, and severe. Furthermore, left atrial diameter, severity of mitral regurgitation, left ventricular ejection fraction, and early diastolic velocities (E wave) determined by transmitral pulsed Doppler, the early mitral annular velocities measured by tissue Doppler (e'), and E/e' were obtained. Patients with an epicardial fat thickness ≥7 mm had higher prevalence of hypertension and higher SYNTAX score (p value = 0.002 and 0.0014, respectively). Also, mitral annular calcification was both more prevalent and more extensive (p value = 0.007 and <0.001, respectively) and left atrial diameter was larger in these patients compared with patients with epicardial fat thickness <7 mm (p value = 0.001). Our study showed significant association between increased epicardial fat thickness and calcium deposits in the mitral valve annulus that is a degenerative process associated with cardiovascular risk factors.

CRT-100.67 The Correlation Between The Extent Of Mitral Annulus Calcification And The Severity Of Coronary Artery Disease

Despite improvements in risk scoring of severity of CAD, there are still low-risk patients who experience CHD events. To evaluate the correlation between the severity of Mitral Annular Calcification and the extent of CAD. Fifty patients with suspected coronary artery disease and less than 65 years

Could severity of mitral annular calcification predict other left sided structural or functional abnormalities?

ObjectiveThe prognostic value of MAC severity is important not only because it shares a common risk factors with vascular atherosclerotic changes but also through increasing the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted in order to evaluate association between severity of MAC and left sided echocardiographic abnormalities mainly left sided valvular abnormalities as well as left atrial systolic and diastolic functional abnormalities. MethodsWe prospectively obtained 12-leads electrocardiograms and transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) on patients scheduled for non-emergent echocardiographic assessment at tertiary care hospital. MAC was graded as mild, moderate and severe. LA linear dimensions, LA filling and emptying volumes and left atrium ejection fraction were done specifically in addition to commonly measured TTE parameters. ResultsFrom the 80 patients considered for the study, 47 patients had mild MAC, 29 patients had moderate MAC and 4 patients had severe MAC. Valvular affection through echo-doppler assessment that included mainly mitral stenosis, mitral incompetence, aortic sclerosis as well as aortic incompetence showed a highly significant statistical difference (p-values 0.00, 0.00, 0.00 and 0.00 respectively). There was a highly significant statistical difference between patients with different degrees of MAC and LA linear dimension (p-value 0.00), all LA filling and emptying volumes as well as LA ejection fractions with the exception of LA passive emptying volume and LA passive ejection fraction was insignificant. ConclusionsThere is a direct proportionate relationship between severity of MAC and associated left sided valvular affection, increase LA linear dimension as well as lower overall LA function.

Factors associated with cardiac conduction disorders and permanent pacemaker implantation after percutaneous aortic valve implantation with the CoreValve prosthesis

Cardiac conduction disorders and requirement for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) are not uncommon after surgical aortic valve replacement and have important clinical implications. We aimed to investigate the incidence of cardiac conduction disorders after percutaneous aortic valve implantation (PAVI) and to identify possible clinical factors associated with their development. We studied 34 patients (mean age 80 +/- 8 years, 18 male) who underwent PAVI with the CoreValve bioprosthesis (Corevalve Inc, Irvine, CA). Electrocardiographic evaluation was performed pre- and postprocedurally, and at 1-week and 1-month follow-up. Other clinical variables were obtained from the medical history, echocardiography, and angiography. After PAVI, 7 patients required PPI, all of whom developed total atrioventricular block within 3 days postprocedurally. A smaller left ventricular outflow tract diameter (20.3 +/- 0.5 vs 21.6 +/- 1.8 cm, P = .01), more left-sided heart axis (-20 degrees +/- 29 degrees vs 19 degrees +/- 36 degrees , P = .02), more mitral annular calcification (10 +/- 1 vs 5 +/- 4 mm, P = .008), and a smaller postimplantation indexed effective orifice area (0.86 +/- 0.20 vs 1.10 +/- 0.26 cm(2)/m(2), P = .04) were associated with PPI. The incidence of new left bundle-branch block (LBBB) was 65% and was associated with a deeper implantation of the prosthesis: 10.2 +/- 2.3 mm in the new-LBBB group versus 7.7 +/- 3.1 mm in the non-LBBB group (P = .02). Percutaneous aortic valve implantation with the CoreValve prosthesis results in a high incidence of total atrioventricular block requiring PPI and new-onset LBBB. Preexisting disturbance of cardiac conduction, a narrow left ventricular outflow tract, and the severity of mitral annular calcification predict the need for permanent pacing, whereas the only factor shown to be predictive for new-onset LBBB is the depth of prosthesis implantation.

Diastolic transmitral valve pressure gradients in patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis

During hemodynamic assessment prior to antegrade balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV), unanticipated transmitral valve pressure gradients (MVG) were noted frequently. To determine the prevalence and significance of a significant MVG in patients with aortic stenosis and no previously diagnosed mitral valve stenosis. Retrospective chart review of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent antegrade BAV. During antegrade BAV, direct transseptal left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) pressure measurements were obtained allowing for accurate assessment of MVG. Significant MVG is defined as a LA-LV gradient of > or =5 mm Hg. Eighty-two BAV patients were reviewed (mean age 84 +/- 8.9 years, mean additive Euroscore 10.5 +/- 2.2). The mean MVG was 5.0 +/- 3.5 mm Hg (range 0-14 mm Hg). A significant MVG was seen in 54.9% and, compared with no significant MVG, was associated at with significantly higher LA mean pressure (26.0 +/- 6.0 mm Hg vs. 16.8 +/- 6.6 mm Hg, P < 0.001), higher pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (59.3 +/- 14.7 mm Hg vs. 43.1 +/- 16.5 mm Hg, P < 0.001), and higher pulmonary mean systolic pressure (37.7 +/- 10.4 mm Hg vs. 28.0 +/- 11.4 mm Hg, P < 0.001). Statistically significant correlations were seen between MVG and LA mean pressure (r = 0.65, P < 0.001), pulmonary arterial systolic (r = 0.49, P < 0.001) and pulmonary arterial mean pressures (r = 0.41, P < 0.001). There was no association with cardiovascular risk factors, with presence or severity of mitral annular calcification (visually assessed on cine-fluoroscopy) or with the presence of mitral regurgitation. A significant MVG is commonly seen in patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis and is associated with higher pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures.

Aortic valve sclerosis: new help from echocardiography in the assessment of cardiovascular risk

Aortic valve sclerosis: new help from echocardiography in the assessment of cardiovascular risk

885-4 The severity of mitral annular calcification is associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease in the elderly: The cardiovascular health study

885-4 The severity of mitral annular calcification is associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease in the elderly: The cardiovascular health study

Mitral inflow and mitral annular motion velocities in patients with mitral annular calcification: evaluation by pulsed Doppler echocardiography and pulsed Doppler tissue imaging.

We evaluated the relationship between the mitral inflow velocities by pulsed Doppler echocardiography and mitral annular motion velocities by pulsed Doppler tissue imaging in patients with mitral annular calcification. Fifty-three patients with mitral annular calcification were divided into two groups: severe mitral annular calcification (n=15, mitral annular calcification bigger than or equal 5mm in width) and mild mitral annular calcification (n=38, mitral annular calcification <5mm in width). In addition, 20 patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD group) and mild left ventricular hypertrophy but no mitral annular calcification and 30 normal individuals (normal group) were studied. The early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E) was higher in the severe mitral annular calcification group (0.75+/-0.26 m/s) than in the HHD and normal groups (mild mitral annular calcification, 0.65+/-0.21; HHD, 0.57+/-0.24; normal, 0.55+/-0.15m/s), and the late diastolic mitral inflow velocity (A) was higher in the severe mitral annular calcification group (1.24+/-0.23 m/s) than in the other three groups (mild mitral annular calcification, 0.96+/-0.20; HHD, 0.84+/-0.23; normal, 0.75+/-0.13 m/s). In contrast, the early and late diastolic annular velocities (Ea, Aa) were lower in the severe mitral annular calcification group (Ea: 5.7+/-2.2; Aa: 11.9+/-4.4 cm/s) than in the other three groups (Ea: mild mitral annular calcification, 8.3+/-2.5; HHD, 7.7+/-2.2; normal, 9.0+/-1.8 cm/s; Aa: mild mitral annular calcification, 14.2+/-4.1; HHD, 14.3+/-2.8; normal, 14.2+/-2.1cm/s). Mitral valve area was smaller in the severe mitral annular calcification group (2.6+/-1.0 cm(2)) than in the other three groups (mild mitral annular calcification, 3.1+/-0.7; HHD, 4.1+/-0.7; normal, 4.2+/-0.9 cm(2)). In the mitral annular calcification and normal groups, the A correlated inversely with mitral valve area (r=-0.67, P<0.01) and directly with severity of mitral annular calcification (r=0.65, P<0.01), and the Ea correlated inversely with left ventricular wall thickness (r=-0.37, P<0.01) and severity of mitral annular calcification (r=-0.45, P<0.01). Patients with severe mitral annular calcification have higher mitral inflow velocities due to mitral annular restriction and lower mitral annular velocities caused by decreased mitral annular motion and abnormal left ventricular relaxation.

Mitral annular calcification and the risk of stroke in an elderly cohort.

Previous clinical studies have suggested that there is an association between mitral annular calcification and the risk of stroke, but it is unclear whether this association is independent of the traditional risk factors for stroke. We examined the relation between mitral annular calcification and the incidence of stroke in a population-based study. Subjects in the Framingham Study receiving a routine examination underwent M-mode echocardiography to determine the presence and severity (thickness in millimeters) of mitral annular calcification. The incidence of stroke during eight years of follow-up was analyzed with a proportional-hazards model adjusting for the calcification, age, sex, systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease or congestive heart failure. Among 1159 subjects whose echocardiograms could be assessed for mitral annular calcification and who had no history or current evidence of stroke at the index examination (51 percent of all subjects), the prevalence of mitral annular calcification was 10.3 percent in the men and 15.8 percent in the women. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of mitral annular calcification was associated with a relative risk of stroke of 2.10 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.24 to 3.57; P = 0.006). There was a continuous relation between the incidence of stroke and the severity of mitral annular calcification; each millimeter of thickening as shown on the echocardiogram represented a relative risk of stroke of 1.24 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.12 to 1.37; P less than 0.001). Furthermore, even when subjects with coronary heart disease or congestive heart failure were excluded from the analysis, subjects with mitral annular calcification still had twice the risk of stroke. In an elderly, longitudinally followed population-based cohort, mitral annular calcification was associated with a doubled risk of stroke, independently of traditional risk factors for stroke. Whether such calcification contributes causally to the risk of stroke or is merely a marker of increased risk because of its association with other precursors of stroke remains unknown.