Systolic Pulmonary Hypertension Research Articles

Left atrial volumetric-mechanical coupling index as a marker of subclinical primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis

Abstract Background Primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a common yet often clinically silent marker of poor prognosis. Up to 80% of patients have histopathological evidence of heart involvement, highlighting the need for better screening and diagnostic methods. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), a well-established cardiac biomarker, is often increased in patients with SSc, but with a not fully understood mechanism. Meanwhile, left atrial volumetric-mechanical coupling index (LACI), a new echocardiographic parameter, has been shown to predict cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure patients and the general population, but it has not been studied in SSc. Purpose To identify new echocardiographic parameters, particularly related to left atrial volume and function, as markers of increased NTproBNP in SSc patients without overt heart involvement. Methods Consecutive SSc patients without overt heart disease referred for routine cardiac screening underwent 2D and 3D transthoracic echocardiography, including atrial and ventricular strain analysis. LACI was calculated by both 2D and 3D echocardiography as the ratio between the left atrial volume index and the tissue-Doppler-imaging septal a’ velocity. Patients with significant structural and functional changes suggestive of systolic or diastolic dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension, and those with impaired global left ventricular strain were excluded. Logistic regression, Pearson correlation coefficients, and area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) are used to analyze the association and predictive power of LACI for elevated NTproBNP. Results A total of 36 SSc patients (55±10 years old; 34 (94%) women; mean disease duration 14±11 years) were included. Sixteen (44.4%) had diffuse cutaneous involvement (dcSSc). Seventeen (47%) patients had increased NTproBNP levels (i.e. >125 pg/mL). Among all tested variables, 3D LACI had the best correlation with NTproBNP values (r = 0.63, p<0.001). A 3D LACI of >2 associated with NTproBNP of >125 pg/mL (odds ratio 7.33 [95%CI 1.38-38.8]; p=0.01) and predicted these increased values with a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 81.2% (AUC 0.78). NTproBNP was also correlated with 2D LACI (r=0.55, p<0.001), peak left atrial longitudinal strain (r=-0.42, p=0.01), and left atrial contraction strain (r=0.48, p=0.005). Compared to patients with limited cutaneous involvement, those with dcSSc had higher NTproBNP values (250±139.6 vs 107.2±110.9 pg/mL, p=0.001), higher 3D LACI values (2.6±0.9 vs 1.9±0.5, p=0.02), with similar left atrial and ventricular strain parameters. Conclusion Left atrial volumetric-mechanical coupling index assessed by 3D echocardiography is significantly associated with and predictive of elevated NTproBNP levels in SSc patients without overt heart disease and may be a potentially useful non-invasive marker for screening for early subclinical heart involvement in SSc patients.

Is staging for cardiac damage in aortic stenosis associated with MACE in cancer patients with prior radiotherapy or chemotherapy that underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement?

Abstract Background Staging classification for severe aortic stenosis (AS) based on the extent of cardiac damage has been correlated with outcomes in the general population. This is categorized based on the following echocardiographic findings: stage 1 (increase in the left ventricular mass index; E/e’>14; and left ventricular ejection fraction <50%); stage 2 (left atrial volume index >34ml/m2; moderate to severe mitral regurgitation and atrial fibrillation), stage 3 (systolic pulmonary hypertension> 60mmHg and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation) and stage 4 (moderate to severe right ventricular dysfunction); its applicability in a cancer population exposed to chemo+/- radiotherapy and its correlation with MACE has not been explored. Purpose To evaluate if this staging system predicts MACE (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure) at 18 months after TAVR in cancer patients who were previously exposed to cardiotoxic therapies. Methods We retrieved data of patients that underwent TAVR from 2013 to 2021. 544 patients were included in this study and divided in 3 groups: 187 patients with prior chest Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy (RT/CT), 155 with CT only, and 202 cancer patients not exposed to CT or RT control group. This was further subdivided in two groups based on the staging system in: stage ≤ 2 and ≥3. Fisher's exact test or chi-square was used to compare categorical variables and clinical outcomes among groups and ANOVA for continuous variables. Echocardiographic findings and correlation with the outcome were evaluated by a multivariable Cox model analysis and assessed by a proportional hazards model for time to event. Kaplan–Meier curves were performed to determine the event-free survival rate. Significance was considered as a p<0.05. Results RT/CT had a higher prevalence of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (11.8%) p <0.001 and tricuspid regurgitation (13.9%) p=0.02. Stage ≥3 was (24.1%) in the RT/CT, (9.4%) in CT, and (16.1%) in controls p= 0.004. Additionally, stage ≥3 was a predictor of MACE at 18 months: RT/CT group HR 6.43 (3.06 – 13.1) p<0.001, CT HR 4.49 CI (2.27 – 8.89) p<0.001 and control HR 2.20 CI (1.13 – 4.26) p=0.02 (Table 1). MACE at 18 months for stage ≥3 was higher for all groups vs. stage ≤ 2. MACE at 18 months after TAVR was significantly higher in stage >3 for RT/CT (57.4%) and CT only (61.2%) vs. CL (27.2%) p<0.001 (Figure 1B). Conclusions In addition to predicting aortic stenosis risk in cancer patients before TAVR, cardiac damage staging is a strong predictor of MACE at 18 months in patients post-RT/CT and CT and suggests that these patients may benefit from earlier stratification for TAVR prior to reaching stage 3. Future studies with longer follow-up should be explored to evaluate its usefulness in this complex population.

Abstract 11913: Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling in Adults With Repaired Coarctation of Aorta

Introduction: Right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension is present in 20% of adults with repaired coarctation of aorta (COA). However, the prognostic value of RV to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling in this population is unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between RV-PA coupling and clinical outcomes (heart failure hospitalization and all-cause mortality) in this population. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adults with repaired COA and normal RV systolic function defined as RV-free wall strain ≥-24%. RV-PA coupling was assessed using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/ RV systolic pressure (TAPSE/RVSP) ratio. Results: Of 509 patients (median age 32 [20-45] years; men 290 [57%]), the average TAPSE and RVSP were 22±5 mm and 33±9 mmHg, respectively, and TAPSE/RVSP ratio was 0.78 (0.56-0.96) mm/mmHg. Of 509 patients, 51 (10%) died and 43 (8%) were hospitalized for heart failure. TAPSE/RVSP was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.78-0.86, per 0.1 mm/mmHg), and heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.79-0.83, per 0.1 mm/mmHg) after adjustment for anatomic lesions, cardiovascular interventions, comorbidities, and echocardiographic indices. The inclusion of TAPSE/RVSP ratio in the risk models improved the prognostic power of the models to predict all-cause mortality (C-statistics difference 0.046, p<0.001), and heart failure hospitalization (C-statistics difference 0.031, p=0.007). Conclusions: TAPSE/RVSP ratio was associated with outcomes in COA patients with normal RV systolic function, suggesting that abnormal RV-PA coupling may be present prior to the onset of overt RV systolic function in this population.

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Status in Hemophilia Patients in Dezful: Echocardiography, Electrocardiography, and Cardiac Risk Factors

Background: Hemophilia is a congenital bleeding disorder with X-linked inheritance that is associated with a deficiency of coagulation factor 8 (hemophilia A) or 9 (hemophilia B). The protective effect of hemophilia is challenging in the prevention of atherothrombotic heart diseases due to the lack of coagulation factors. Objectives: The present study aims to investigate congenital and acquired heart diseases and atherosclerosis risk factors in hemophilia patients. Methods: In the present cross-sectional descriptive study, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography were performed and evaluated on 50 hemophilia patients in Dezful, southwest Iran. Fasting blood sugar, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL), systemic blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) were also calculated. The data were analyzed in SPSS software version 21. The results showed 86% with hemophilia A, 12% with hemophilia B, and one patient (2%) with post-pregnancy hemophilia (mean age = 28.12 ± 14.12 years; age range = 6 - 76 years). Results: The most common congenital heart disease was mitral valve prolapse (MVP) with or without mitral regurgitation, consisting of 5 patients (10%); the most common acquired cardiac disorder was diastolic dysfunction grade I, consisting of 5 patients (10 %), and 2 patients (4%) also had systolic pulmonary artery hypertension (pulmonary artery systolic pressure more than 35 mmHg). Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), atrial septal defect (ASD), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were observed in one patient each. Ischemic heart disease was observed only in a 76-year-old patient. Examination of the electrocardiogram had no abnormal findings in the rest, except for two patients with HCM and ASD who had ventricular hypertrophy. The most common risk factor was obesity (16%), followed by hypertension (10%) and dyslipidemia (10%), and only 1 (2%) diabetic patient was identified. Patients with risk factors often had more than one risk factor, were over 30 years old, and had a severe form of hemophilia A. Conclusions: In the examination of echocardiography-ECG and risk factors in hemophilia patients, there was no significant abnormality report, while acquired heart diseases and risk factors proportional to age are evident from 30 years of age onwards.

Impact of lung transplantation on diastolic dysfunction in recipients with pretransplant pulmonary hypertension

ObjectivePulmonary hypertension can cause left ventricular diastolic dysfunction through ventricular interdependence. Moreover, diastolic dysfunction has been linked to adverse outcomes after lung transplant. The impact of lung transplant on diastolic dysfunction in recipients with pretransplant pulmonary hypertension is not defined. In this cohort, we aimed to assess the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction, the change in diastolic dysfunction after lung transplant, and the impact of diastolic dysfunction on lung transplant outcomes. MethodsIn a large, single-center database from January 2011 to September 2021, single or bilateral lung transplant recipients with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure > 20 mm Hg) were retrospectively identified. Those without a pre- or post-transplant echocardiogram within 1 year were excluded. Diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed and graded according to the American Society of Echocardiography 2016 guideline on assessment of diastolic dysfunction (present, absent, indeterminate). McNemar's test was used to examine association between diastolic dysfunction pre- and post-transplant. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis were used to assess associations between pre–lung transplant diastolic dysfunction and post–lung transplant 1-year outcomes, including mortality, major adverse cardiac events, and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome grade 1 or higher–free survival. ResultsOf 476 primary lung transplant recipients, 205 with pulmonary hypertension formed the study cohort (mean age, 56.6 ± 11.9 years, men 61.5%, mean pulmonary artery pressure 30.5 ± 9.8 mm Hg, left ventricular ejection fraction < 55% 9 [4.3%]). Pretransplant, diastolic dysfunction was present in 93 patients (45.4%) (grade I = 8, II = 84, III = 1), absent in 16 patients (7.8%), and indeterminate in 89 patients (43.4%), and 7 patients (3.4%) had missing data. Post-transplant, diastolic dysfunction was present in 7 patients (3.4%) (grade I = 2, II = 5, III = 0), absent in 164 patients (80.0%), and indeterminate in 15 patients (7.3%), and 19 patients (9.3%) had missing data. For those with diastolic dysfunction grades in both time periods (n = 180), there was a significant decrease in diastolic dysfunction post-transplant (148/169 patients with resolved diastolic dysfunction; McNemar's test P < .001). Pretransplant diastolic dysfunction was not associated with major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.08, 95% CI, 0.72-1.62; P = .71), bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome–free survival (HR, 0.67, 95% CI, 0.39-1.56; P = .15), or mortality (HR, 0.70, 95% CI, 0.33-1.46; P = .34) at 1 year. ConclusionsDiastolic dysfunction is highly prevalent in lung transplant candidates with normal left ventricular systolic function and pulmonary hypertension, and resolves in most patients after lung transplant regardless of patient characteristics. Pre–lung transplant diastolic dysfunction was not associated with adverse lung or cardiac outcomes after lung transplant. Collectively, these findings suggest that the presence of diastolic dysfunction in lung transplant recipients with pulmonary hypertension has no prognostic significance, and as such diastolic dysfunction and the associated clinical syndrome of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction should not be considered a relative contraindication to lung transplant in such patients.

#5221 PULMONARY HYPERTENSION: AN IMPORTANT RISK FACTOR IN CARDIOVASCULAR MORTALITY IN DIALYSIS PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims It is widely known that chronic dialysis patients experience significantly higher cardiovascular (CV) death rates than the overall population. Among other CV risk factors, recent research has shown pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a consequence of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure. The present study aimed to determine the risk factors that impact survival in chronic haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients and to analyse the correlation of these factors with pulmonary hypertension. Method We studied 125 stable haemodialysis and peritoneal patients (females 40%, mean age 52.42 ±11.88 years) on RRT for more than three months with a two-year follow-up. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, blood tests, and a thorough echocardiographic evaluation were collected at the optimal dry weight. After conventional echocardiographic examination, a tissue Doppler echocardiographic (TDE) examination was performed to evaluate the global and regional myocardial systolic and diastolic functions and pulmonary hypertension. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) of 35 mmHg was used to define PH. Results The cardiovascular mortality rate was 15.5%. In ROC analysis for CV mortality, the area under the curve (AUC) for PH and CRP was found 0.8; for LVM-I, E/E', and PP, the AUC was 0.76, 0.75, 0.72, respectively, while the inverse relationship was found with MASa and TASa with AUC = 0.66 and 0.95 respectively. According to the echocardiographic findings, PH was found in 28% (35 patients) of all patients. The mean PH was 33.46±5.38 mmHg. The higher level of higher parathormone (PTH), C-reactive protein (CRP), and E/E’ average, the lower left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), the peak systolic velocity at the lateral mitral annulus (MASa), and the peak systolic velocity at the lateral tricuspid annulus (TASa) were found to be predictors of PH. Patients evaluated with PH have a significantly lower cardiovascular survival rate [Long Rank (Mantel-Cox) p = 0.0001. Conclusion Our research demonstrates that cardiovascular morbidity and death in dialysis patients are mainly attributed to pulmonary hypertension, inflammation, vascular stiffness, and left ventricular hypertrophy. PH is common among dialysis patients. Inflammation, CKD-MBD biomarkers linked to systolic and diastolic left and right ventricular dysfunction, and inflammation all influence it. These conditions are all connected. Cardiovascular imaging is simple to use, offers a favourable viewpoint in the early identification of cardiac abnormalities and quick treatment of this disease, and is thus strongly advised in the dialysis population.

Effects of a Long-Term Wearable Activity Tracker-Based Exercise Intervention on Cardiac Morphology and Function of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

Several studies have shown that patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), even at a young age, have pulmonary and cardiac abnormalities. The main complications are cardiac right ventricular (RV) systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension, which affects their prognosis. Exercise training (ET) is recommended in patients with CF as a therapeutic modality to improve physical fitness and health-related quality of life. However, questions remain regarding its optimal effective and safe dose and its effects on the patients’ cardiac function. The study aimed to provide a wearable activity tracker (WAT)-based ET to promote physical activity in CF patients and assess its effects on cardiac morphology and function. Forty-two stable CF individuals (aged 16.8 ± 3.6 years) were randomly assigned to either the intervention (Group A) or the control group (Group B). Group A participated in a 1-year WAT-based ET program three times per week. All patients underwent a 6-min walking test (6-MWT) and an echocardiographic assessment focused mainly on RV anatomy and function at the baseline and the end of the study. RV systolic function was evaluated by measuring the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), the systolic tricuspid annular velocity (TVS’), the RV free-wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL), and the right ventricular four-chamber longitudinal strain (RV4CSL). RV diastolic function was assessed using early (TVE) and late (TVA) diastolic transtricuspid flow velocity and their ratio TVE/A. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was also estimated. In Group A after ET, the 6MWT distance improved by 20.6% (p < 0.05), TVA decreased by 17% (p < 0.05), and TVE/A increased by 13.2% (p < 0.05). Moreover, TAPSE, TVS’, RVFWSL, and RV4CSL increased by 8.3% (p < 0.05), 9.0% (p < 0.05), 13.7% (p < 0.05), and 26.7% (p < 0.05), respectively, while PASP decreased by 7.6% (p < 0.05). At the end of the study, there was a significant linear correlation between the number of steps and the PASP (r = −0.727, p < 0.01) as well as the indices of RV systolic function in Group A. In conclusion, WAT is a valuable tool for implementing an effective ET program in CF. Furthermore, ET has a positive effect on RV systolic and diastolic function.

Evaluation of The Diagnostic Value of Brain Natriuretic Peptide for Detection of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Evaluation of The Diagnostic Value of Brain Natriuretic Peptide for Detection of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Cardio-COVID clinic – a one-center experience

BackgroundPersistent symptoms affect a relatively large portion of coronavirus disease (COVID) survivors. Hence, specific clinics had been established in order to better characterize and manage this emerging entity of Post-COVID, among them our Cardio-COVID Clinic, which is dedicated to the cardiovascular (CV) aspects of the phenomenon.AimTo present the experience of our Cardio-COVID Clinic.MethodsIncluded in this report are 76 adult patients seen at the clinic between June 2020 and March 2021, who have recovered from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID, and who were suspected by their referring physicians to experience ongoing cardiac sequelae. All participants underwent a structured assessment by a single cardiologist, which consisted of history taking, physical examination (PE), electrocardiogram (ECG), trans-thoracic echocardiogram (TTE), and further tests as deemed appropriate, including any combination of Holter, ischemic provocation test, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and cardiac computed tomography (CCT).ResultsInitial visits occurred within a median of 131 days after diagnosis. Most participants (83%) were referred from our general Long-COVID Clinic. About half were males, and the mean age was 53 years. 18% of participants had prior CV conditions, and the majority (72%) had at least one CV risk factor, mostly dyslipidemia. Nearly all participants experienced a symptomatic acute illness, which was graded according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria as severe in 23% of the study cohort. As for Post-COVID, late symptoms were present in 97% of patients, the most common being dyspnea (57%). While PE was unremarkable in all but 3 patients who exhibited murmurs, ECG findings were revealed in 45% – mostly non-specific ST-T changes (31%) and conduction abnormalities (14%) – and TTE aberrations were discovered in 28% – including pericardial effusion (24%), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (5%), grade 2 diastolic dysfunction (3%), moderate and up valvular dysfunction (1%), and systolic pulmonary hypertension (1%); right ventricular function was universally normal. Upon conclusion of the work-up, CV diagnoses were made in 8 (11%) patients – including myocarditis (4), myopericarditis (1), inappropriate sinus tachycardia (1), chronotropic incompetence (1), and an aberrant coronary (1). Of note, CPET and CMR had the highest diagnostic yield, in light of 57% positive results on each – followed by CCT, Holter, and provocation test. Interesting as well, among those with abnormal CMR findings, 40% had normal ECG's and TTE's. Also, none of the CV restraints on CPET translated to provocation test anomalies.ConclusionCV symptoms of Post-COVID are highly prevalent, but signify actual CV disease only in a minority of patients. Further research is needed that will help identify predictors for CV morbidity and define optimal clinical pathways.Funding AcknowledgementType of funding sources: None.

IT'S NOT THE HEART

TOPIC: Pulmonary Vascular Disease TYPE: Medical Student/Resident Case Reports INTRODUCTION: HOHF is suspected when patients present with clinical symptoms of CHF but have an elevated CI typically above 4L/min/m2 [1]. These patients can exhibit signs and symptoms of CHF and have PH as a result of elevated blood flows through the pulmonary vasculature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56 year-old male kidney transplant recipient (KTR) presented with shortness of breath, lower extremity edema 3-months after cadaveric renal transplantation. He had a history of chronic mild systolic cardiac dysfunction (EF 50%), pulmonary hypertension (WSPH group II), and diabetes mellitus type 2 prior to kidney transplantation. Physical exam was significant for +3 pitting edema of bilateral lower extremities, crackles at lung bases and a right brachiocephalic AVF with palpable thrill. Serum creatinine was 3.5mg/dL (baseline 2.0mg/dL) and Chest X ray showed pulmonary edema. Diuresis improved the edema and shortness of breath, but worsened renal function. Renal biopsy was negative for rejection. Echocardiography (TTE) revealed an elevated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and severely dilated right atrium (RA) and ventricle (RV). Right heart catheterization demonstrated elevated right and left sided filling pressures with moderate pulmonary hypertension (PH) and an elevated cardiac output/index (CO/CI). An AVF occlusion in the cath lab resulted in a significant reduction in CO 7.75 L/min and CI 3.10 L/min/m2 by thermodilution. Findings were consistent with PH secondary to high output heart failure (HOHF), likely related to AV fistula. He underwent an AVF revision with improvement of symptoms and renal function. DISCUSSION: PH is common in patients with ESRD undergoing HD via an AVF [2] and HOHF could be an easily addressable cause of PH in ESRD. HOHF can be difficult to diagnose based on echocardiography alone. RHC typically shows an elevated CO (> 8L/min, CI>4L/min/m2), AVF/G flow > 1.5L/min, and a cardiopulmonary recirculation ratio (CPR) > 0.3 [3]. Furthermore, PH prior to transplantation appears to have an adverse impact on allograft function in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) [4]. In a retrospective analysis of KTRs in a single institution, 29/113 (26%) of patients required closure of their AVF due to symptomatic CHF. The mean AVF flow rate was significantly elevated in patients requiring AVF closure compared to those managed conservatively (2197 ml/min vs. 851 ml/min) [5]. High flow rates due to increased arterial blood shunted from left to right circulation increased the preload and stroke volume and resulted in ventricular hypertrophy leading to subsequent heart failure [6]. CONCLUSIONS: In our patient, HOHF and PH secondary to an aneurysmal AVF resulted in acute cardio-renal syndrome type 1(CRS - 1) in the transplanted kidney. The improvement in both cardiac and renal function following the revision of AVF confirmed the diagnosis of cardiorenal injury due to an aneurysmal AVF. REFERENCE #1: Reddy YN, Obokata M, Dean PG, Melenovsky V, Nath KA, Borlaug BA. Long-term cardiovascular changes following creation of arteriovenous fistula in patients with end stage renal disease. Eur Heart J. 2017 Mar 6. REFERENCE #2: Schoenberg NC, Argula RG, Klings ES, Wilson KC, Farber HW. Prevalence and Mortality of Pulmonary Hypertension in ESRD: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Lung. 2020 Jun;198(3):535-45. REFERENCE #3: Wijnen E, Keuter XH, Planken NR, van der Sande FM, Tordoir JH, Leunissen KM, et al. The relation between vascular access flow and different types of vascular access with systemic hemodynamics in hemodialysis patients. Artif Organs. 2005 Dec;29(12):960-4. DISCLOSURES: Advisory Committee Member relationship with Janssen pharmaceutical Please note: 4/2020 - 4/2021 Added 04/27/2021 by Rahul Argula, source=Web Response, value=Consulting fee Advisory Committee Member relationship with United Therapeutics Please note: 2019-2021 Added 04/27/2021 by Rahul Argula, source=Web Response, value=Consulting fee Advisory Committee Member relationship with Breathe Technologies Please note: 2019 Added 04/27/2021 by Rahul Argula, source=Web Response, value=Consulting feeeducational grant relationship with Reata pharmaceuticals Please note: 2018-2019 Added 04/27/2021 by Rahul Argula, source=Web Response, value=Grant/Research Consultant relationship with Accordant health / CVS Please note: 2020 - 2021 Added 04/27/2021 by Rahul Argula, source=Web Response, value=Consulting fee no disclosure on file for mona haj; No relevant relationships by Elena Vlachos, source=Web Response

Associations between the Severity of the Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome and Echocardiographic Abnormalities in Previously Healthy Outpatients Following Infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Simple SummaryWith the COVID-19 pandemic lasting over a year and affecting all continents, a new problem has arisen—that of convalescents, who continue to have various symptoms at more than 4 and up to 12 weeks after the acute disease, the so called post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. In this article, we tried to determine if previously healthy adults with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome also have cardiac complications related to the number of persisting symptoms, the quality of life scores and the initial pulmonary injury. Using transthoracic echocardiography, we found cardiac abnormalities (pulmonary hypertension, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, pericarditis) in about a quarter of the 150 participants in our study. Their gravity was significantly correlated with the severity of COVID-19, the number of weeks passed since the acute illness, the number of persisting symptoms, and the quality of life. Post-acute COVID-19 is a recently proposed term which aims to characterize the various symptoms persisting after an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, their severity being explained partially by residual multi-system alterations, with an important impact on the functional status and quality of life of the affected individuals.The COVID-19 pandemic affected over 130 million individuals during more than one year. Due to the overload of health-care services, a great number of people were treated as outpatients, many of them subsequently developing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Our study was conducted on 150 subjects without a history of cardiovascular diseases, treated as outpatients for a mild/moderate form of COVID-19 4 to 12 weeks prior to study inclusion, and who were diagnosed with post-acute COVID-19 and attended a cardiology evaluation with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for persisting symptoms. We detected various cardiac abnormalities in 38 subjects (25.33%), including pulmonary hypertension (9.33%), impaired left ventricular performance (8.66%), diastolic dysfunction (14%) and/or evidence of pericarditis (10%). We highlighted statistically significant correlations between the intensity of symptoms and quality of life scores with the severity of initial pulmonary injury, the number of weeks since COVID-19 and with TTE parameters characterizing the systolic and diastolic performance and pulmonary hypertension (p < 0.001). (Post-acute COVID-19 is a complex syndrome characterized by various symptoms, the intensity of which seem to be related to the severity and the time elapsed since the acute infection, and with persisting cardiac abnormalities.

Risk Associated With Valvular Regurgitation During Pregnancy

BackgroundPregnancies in women with regurgitant valve lesions are generally considered low risk, but this has not been well studied. ObjectivesThis study determined the frequency of adverse cardiac events (CEs) in pregnant women with moderate or severe regurgitant valve lesions. MethodsMaternal and fetal outcomes in women with moderate or severe chronic valve regurgitation enrolled in a prospective multicenter study on pregnancy outcomes were examined. Adverse CEs included heart failure, sustained arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, or death. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify determinants of CEs in women at the highest risk. ResultsOutcomes of 430 pregnancies in women with moderate or severe regurgitant lesions were examined: 145 with mitral regurgitation (MR), 101 with pulmonary regurgitation (PR), 71 with multivalve disease, 73 with tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and 40 with aortic regurgitation (AR). Most women had associated congenital or acquired heart disease. Adverse CEs occurred in 13% of pregnancies: 27% of pregnancies with multivalve disease; 15% with MR; 15% with TR; 5% with AR; and 3% with PR. Maternal mortality was rare. In women with MR, TR, or multivalve disease (n = 289), left ventricular systolic dysfunction (p = 0.001), pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.005), and cardiac events before pregnancy (p < 0.001) were important determinants of CEs during pregnancy. ConclusionsWomen with AR and PR are at low risk for cardiac complications during pregnancy. While many women with MR, TR, and multivalve regurgitation do well during pregnancy, additional clinical variables help stratify those at highest risk. This new information will enhance the quality and precision of preconception counseling and pregnancy planning.

Association of right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension with adverse 30-day outcomes in COVID-19 patients.

BackgroundCardiac manifestations in COVID-19 are multifactorial and are associated with increased mortality. The clinical utility and prognostic value of echocardiography in COVID-19 inpatients is not clearly defined. We aim to identify echocardiographic parameters that are associated with 30-day clinical outcomes secondary to COVID-19 hospitalization.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted in a large tertiary hospital in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. It included 214 adult inpatients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swab and had a transthoracic echocardiogram performed during the index hospitalization. Primary outcome was 30-day all-cause inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day utilization of mechanical ventilator support, vasopressors, or renal replacement therapy.ResultsMild right ventricular systolic dysfunction (odds ratio (OR): 3.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63–7.57, p = 0.001), moderate to severe right ventricular systolic dysfunction (OR: 7.30, 95% CI: 2.20–24.25, p = 0.001), pulmonary hypertension (OR: 5.39, 95% CI: 1.96–14.86, p = 0.001), and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation (OR: 3.92, 95% CI: 1.71–9.03, p = 0.001) were each associated with increased odds of 30-day all-cause inpatient mortality. Pulmonary hypertension and moderate to severe right ventricular dysfunction were each associated with increased odds of 30-day utilization of mechanical ventilator support and vasopressors.ConclusionsRight ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation were associated with increased odds for 30-day inpatient mortality. This study highlights the importance of echocardiography and its clinical utility and prognostic value for evaluating hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Right Atrial Volume Index as a Predictor of Persistent Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with Acute Inferior Myocardial Infarction and Proximal Right Coronary Artery Occlusion Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

ObjectivesPatients with right ventricular (RV) infarctions associated with inferior infarctions have higher rates of adverse events than isolated inferior infarctions. Right atrial volume index (RAVI) has recently been described as a predictor of clinical outcome in patients with chronic systolic heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study is to assess the ability of RAVI to predict the persistent RV dysfunction after acute inferior STEMI due to occlusion of proximal RCA. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relation between RAVI and persistent RV dysfunction in such group of patients.Patients and methodsSixty-five consecutive patients with recent first acute inferior STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) were prospectively included in the study. Echocardiographic evaluation was performed at the time of discharge and at 3 months. All the patients underwent standard echocardiographic assessment using conventional 2D and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).ResultsPatients were divided into two groups according to right ventricular function (RVF) 3 months after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The normal RVF group included 41 (63%) patients and the impaired RVF group included 24 (37%) patients. RAVI was significantly higher in patients with impaired RVF (p=<0.001). RAVI was a predictor of persistently impaired RV function (odds ratio = 1.786, 95% confidence interval, 1.367–2.335, p value= <0.001) and (odds ratio = 1.829, 95% confidence interval, 1.358–2.462, p value= <0.001) in univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses respectively. In receiving operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, RAVI with a cutoff value ≥ 30 ml/m2 had a 87.5% sensitivity, a 92.24% specificity area under Receiving operator characteristics (ROC) curve = 0.964 for predicting persistently impaired RVF.ConclusionIn patients with inferior STEMI with proximal RCA occlusion, RAVI is an independent predictor of persistently impaired RVF with a cut-off value ≥ 30 ml/m2.

Echocardiographic Prevalence and Risk Predictors of Ventricular Dysfunction in Connective Tissue Disorders: Tertiary Care Hospital-Based Prospective Case-Control Study

Background: There is a paucity of contemporary Indian data about the prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in patients of connective tissue disorders (CTD) and their risk determinants. Methods: We prospectively recorded data from 35 consecutive CTD patients who presented to our out-patient department and had no significant cardiovascular risk factors at baseline. We also recorded data from their age- and sex-matched controls. All cases and controls were subjected to 12 lead electrocardiogram and echocardiography after routine investigations. Results: The CTD group comprised 19 (54.3%) patients of systemic lupus erythematosus, 12 (34.3%) patients of systemic sclerosis, 2 (5.7%) patients of mixed CTD, and 1 (2.9%) patient each of overlap syndrome and dermatomyositis. Cardiovascular involvement on echocardiography was documented in 71.4% of CTD patients despite majority of them having no cardiac symptom. Overt left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction was observed in 3 (8.6%) CTD patients, while subclinical LV systolic dysfunction was recorded in 13 (37.1%) patients. LV diastolic dysfunction was observed in 11.4% (n = 4) patients. RV systolic dysfunction was prevalent in 20% (n = 7) patients. Pulmonary hypertension was observed in 40% (n = 14) of CTD patients. Conclusion: The present study evaluated subclinical LV systolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension in about one third of CTD patients. It is imperative to screen for these abnormalities in CTD to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.

New insights of tricuspid regurgitation: a large-scale prospective cohort study

To evaluate the burden of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in a large cohort, determine the right ventricle involvement of patients with TR and determine the characteristics of isolated TR. Prospective study where consecutive patients undergoing an echocardiographic study in 10 centres were included. All studies with significant TR (at least moderate) were selected. We considered that patients with one of pulmonary systolic hypertension >50 mmHg, left ventricular ejection fraction <35%, New York Heart Association III-IV, or older than 85 years, had a high surgical risk. A total of 35088 echocardiograms were performed. Significant TR was detected in 6% of studies. Moderate TR was found in 69.6%, severe in 25.5%, massive in 3.9%, and torrential in 1.0% of patients. Right ventricle was dilated in 81.7% of patients with massive/torrential TR, in 55.9% with severe TR, and in 29.3% with moderate TR (P < 0.001). Primary TR was present in 7.4% of patients whereas secondary TR was present in 92.6%. Mitral or aortic valve disease was the most common aetiology (54.6%), following by isolated TR (16%). Up to 51.9% of patients with severe, massive, or torrential primary TR and 57% of patients with severe, massive, or torrential secondary TR had a high surgical risk. Significant TR is a prevalent condition and a high proportion of these patients have an indication for valve intervention. More than a half of patients with severe, massive, or torrential TR had a high surgical risk. Massive/torrential TR may have implications regarding selection and monitoring patients for percutaneous treatment.

Echocardiographic Findings Among Virally Suppressed HIV-Infected Aging Asians Compared with HIV-Negative Individuals.

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease increases with age. Little is known about the prevalence and risk factors for echocardiographic abnormalities among older people living with HIV (PLHIV) from Asia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among PLHIV aged >50 years (N = 298) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and HIV-negative controls (N = 100) frequency matched by sex and age in Thailand. All participants underwent standard 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography performed by trained cardiologists who were blinded to the participant's care and HIV status. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between cardiac abnormalities and risk factors. The median age was 54.7 years (60.8% men) with 37.2% having hypertension and 16.6% having diabetes mellitus. PLHIV was on ART for a median of 16.2 years with current CD4 cell counts of 616 cells per cubic millimeter. Echocardiogram abnormalities did not differ among PLHIV (55%) and the controls (60%). The major abnormalities in PLHIV were following: left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy: 37% men and 42.2% women, LV systolic dysfunction (0.7%), diastolic dysfunction (24.2%), and pulmonary hypertension (3.9%). From the multivariate analyses in PLHIV, being aged >60 years was independently associated with diastolic dysfunction, whereas female sex and left atrial volume index of >34 mL/m were associated with pulmonary hypertension (P < 0.05). None of the ART was significantly associated with any major echocardiographic abnormalities. In this long-term, well-suppressed, older, Asian PLHIV cohort, the prevalence of asymptomatic LV systolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension were relatively low, whereas the diastolic dysfunction and LV hypertrophy were common. Echocardiographic findings did not differ between PLHIV and HIV-uninfected controls.

TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVED RIGHT VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC FUNCTION AND PULMONARY ARTERY PRESSURES

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is often present in patients with severe AS, however, the effects of TAVR in right ventricular (RV) systolic function and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in these patients post-TAVR remain unknown. Herein, we sought to investigate changes in the assessment of RV function and

New or Persistent Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Is Associated With Worse Outcomes in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

The trajectory and importance of right ventricular systolic function and pulmonary hypertension during the course of pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome are unknown. We hypothesized that new or persistent right ventricular systolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension would be associated with worse patient outcomes. Retrospective, single-center cohort study. Tertiary care, university-affiliated PICU. Children who had at least two echocardiograms less than 8 days following pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis. None. Between July 1, 2012, and April 30, 2018, 74 children met inclusion criteria. The first echocardiogram was performed a median of 0.61 days (interquartile range, 0.36-0.94 d) and the second echocardiogram was performed a median of 2.57 days (interquartile range, 1.67-3.63 d) after pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome diagnosis. Univariate analyses showed that new or persistent right ventricular systolic dysfunction as defined by global longitudinal strain or free wall strain was associated with a greater number of ICU days in survivors (global longitudinal strain p = 0.04, free wall strain p = 0.04), lower ventilator-free days at 28 days (global longitudinal strain p = 0.03, free wall strain p = 0.01), and higher rate of PICU death (global longitudinal strain p = 0.046, free wall strain p = 0.01). Mixed-effects multivariate modeling showed that right ventricular global longitudinal strain and right ventricular fractional area change stayed relatively constant over the course of the first 8 days in nonsurvivors and that there was a linear improvement in global longitudinal strain (p = 0.037) and fractional area change (p = 0.05) in survivors. Worsening right ventricular dysfunction at the time of repeat echocardiogram as defined by global longitudinal strain and free wall strain were independently associated with decreased probability of extubation (subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.30 [0.14-0.67]; p = 0.003 and subdistribution hazard ratio, 0.47 [0.23-0.98]; p = 0.043, respectively). In univariate and multivariate analyses, pulmonary hypertension had no significant associations with outcomes in his cohort. New or persistent right ventricular systolic dysfunction over the first week following pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome onset is associated with worse patient outcomes, including decreased probability of extubation and higher PICU mortality.

Endocarditis de Libman-Sacks de válvulas nativas derechas en contexto de síndrome antifosfolípido y lupus eritematoso sistémico: ¡cuando el tratamiento marca la diferencia!

We report the case of a 54 years old woman with antiphospholipid syndrome in irregular therapy, admitted due to exertional dyspnea and orthopnea. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed dilated cardiomyopathy with biventricular systolic dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension and masses related to the pulmonary and tricuspid valve without autonomic movement. The crops and white count were normal, with alteration of the SAF test, in addition, SLE was diagnosed. It was started therapy for heart failure, steroids, rituximab and anticoagulation, with improving of the symptoms. The echocardiographic control showed remission of the tricuspid masses and similar dimensions of the pulmonary mass.