Transvalvular Gradient Research Articles

The Physiological Burden of the 6-Minute Walk Test Compared With Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Test in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis

BackgroundManagement of aortic stenosis (AS) relies on symptoms. Exercise testing is recommended for asymptomatic patients with significant AS but is often experienced as forbidding and/or technically unrealistic for patients who are often frail, deconditioned, and intimidated by the exercise test. We compared the physiological burden assessed with gas exchange assessments to gauge and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) of a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to a cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (CPET) in patients with severe AS. peak oxygen utilization MethodsAdults with equivocal symptoms and severe AS (1-aortic valve area [AVA] ≤ 1.0 cm2 or AVA index ≤ 0.6 cm2/m2, 2-peak aortic jet velocity ≥ 4.0 m/sec, 3-mean transvalvular pressure gradient ≥ 40 mm Hg by rest or dobutamine stress echocardiography, or 4-aortic valve calcification ≥ 1200 in women or ≥ 2000 AU in men) were studied. All participants completed both a 6MWT and symptom-limited progressive bicycle exercise testing. Breath-by-breath gas analysis and 12-lead electrocardiography were completed during 6MWT and CPET. Results: Eleven patients were studied. Patients walked on average 330 ± 75 m during the 6MWT and achieved a maximal workload of 48 ± 14 watts during the CPET. During the 6MWT, peak maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) was 12.8 ± 2.5 vs 10.8 ± 4.2 mL/kg/min during the CPET. Respiratory exchange ratio exceeded 1.1 in both the 6MWT and CPET indicating similarly high exertion. Compared with the CPET, a larger proportion of the 6MWT was performed at a high intensity level (78% ± 28% vs 33% ± 24% at > 85% V̇O2peak; P = 0.004). ConclusionsThe 6MWT with breath-by-breath gas analysis was well tolerated and able to achieve a physiological intense RER and V˙O2peak that are similar to symptom-limited CPET in patients with severe AS.

Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation versus surgical redo aortic root replacement in patients with degenerated freestyle aortic bioprosthesis.

Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation (ViV TAVI) represents a new treatment option for patients with degenerated aortic bioprosthesis. Comparative data to redo surgical aortic valve replacement (redo SAVR) are limited. We investigated feasibility and outcome of ViV TAVI versus redo SAVR in patients with symptomatic degenerated Medtronic Freestyle aortic bioprosthesis (FSB). Between January 2002 and February 2020, 25 patients with failed FSB underwent ViV TAVI and 10 patients with failed FSB underwent redo SAVR. Endpoints were defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) criteria. Age and logistic EuroSCORE II were higher in patients with ViV TAVI (75.4± 1.7 vs. 62.9± 5.1 years, p= .019; 11.5± 1.6 vs. 5.6± 5.6%, p= .007). Valve implantation was successful in all cases. Mean transvalvular pressure gradients were significantly lower in patients with redo SAVR than ViV TAVI (7.6± 1.0 vs. 10.3± 0.8 mmHg, p= .037). Aortic valve regurgitation was absent in 91% and 100% of patients with ViV TAVI and redo SAVR, respectively. Thirty-day mortality rates were 12% in the ViV TAVI cohort versus 0% in the redo SAVR cohort (p= .542). Within the first year after hospital discharge, one patient after ViV TAVI had redo surgical intervention. ViV TAVI and redo SAVR lead to excellent functional results in patients with degenerated FSB. Post-procedural early complications must be considered particularly in patients with ViV TAVI because of higher clinical risk profiles.

Meta-Analysis of Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Versus Redo-surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Failed Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve

This meta-analysis was conducted to compare clinical outcomes of valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) versus redo-surgical aortic valve replacement (Redo-SAVR) in failed bioprosthetic aortic valves. We conducted a comprehensive review of previous publications of all relevant studies through August 2020. Twelve observational studies were included with a total of 8,430 patients, and a median-weighted follow-up period of 1.74 years. A pooled analysis of the data showed no significant difference in all-cause mortality (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.93 to 1.43; p = 0.21), cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, permanent pacemaker implantation, and the rate of moderate to severe paravalvular leakage between ViV-TAVI and Redo-SAVR groups. The rate of major bleeding (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.83, p = 0.02), procedural mortality (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.96, p = 0.04), 30-day mortality (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.74, p <0.0001), and the rate of stroke (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.81, p = 0.0001) were significantly lower in the ViV- TAVI arm when compared with Redo-SAVR arm. The mean transvalvular pressure gradient was significantly higher post-implantation in the ViV-TAVI group when compared with the Redo-SAVR arm (Mean difference 3.92; 95% CI 1.97 to 5.88, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, compared with Redo-SAVR, ViV-TAVI is associated with a similar risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, permanent pacemaker implantation, and the rate of moderate to severe paravalvular leakage. However, the rate of major bleeding, stroke, procedural mortality and 30-day mortality were significantly lower in the ViV-TAVI group when compared with Redo-SAVR.

Aortic valve neocuspidization with autologous pericardium in adult patients: UK experience and meta-analytic comparison with other aortic valve substitutes.

We sought to provide further evidence on the safety and efficacy of aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) using autologous pericardium in adult patients with aortic valve disease by reporting clinical and echocardiographic results from the first UK experience and performing a meta-analytic comparison with other biological valve substitutes. We reported clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of 55 patients (mean age 58 ± 15 years) undergoing AVNeo with autologous pericardium in 2 UK centres from 2018 to 2020. These results were included in a meta-analytic comparison between series on AVNeo (7 studies, 1205 patients, mean weighted follow-up 3.6 years) versus Trifecta (10 studies, 8705 patients, 3.8 years), Magna Ease (3 studies, 3137 patients, 4.1 years), Freedom Solo (4 studies, 1869 patients, 4.4 years), Freestyle (4 studies, 4307 patients, 7 years), Mitroflow (4 studies, 4760 patients, 4.1 years) and autograft aortic valve (7 papers, 3839 patients, 9.1 years). In the present series no patients required intraoperative conversion. After mean follow-up of 12.5 ± 0.9 months, 3 patients presented with endocarditis and 1 required reintervention. The remaining patients had absent or mild aortic valve insufficiency with very low peak and mean transvalvular gradients (16 ± 3.7 and 9 ± 2.2 mmHg, respectively). Meta-analytic estimates showed non-significant difference between AVNeo and all but Magna Ease valves with regards to structural valve degeneration, reintervention and endocarditis. When compared Magna Ease valve, AVNeo and other valve substitutes showed an excess of valve-related events. AVNeo is safe, associated with excellent haemodynamic profile. Its midterm risk of valve-related events is comparable to most biological valve substitutes. Magna Ease is potentially the best biological choice as far as risk of reintervention is concerned.

The Usefulness of [18F]F-Fluorodeoxyglucose and [18F]F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in the Assessment of Early-Stage Aortic Valve Degeneration after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)-Protocol Description and Preliminary Results.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is now a well-established treatment for severe aortic stenosis. As the number of procedures and indications increase, the age of patients decreases. However, their durability and factors accelerating the process of degeneration are not well-known. The aim of the study was to verify the possibility of using [18F]F-sodium fluoride ([18F]F-NaF) and [18F]F-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing the intensity of TAVI valve degenerative processes. In 73 TAVI patients, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at initial (before TAVI), baseline (after TAVI), and during follow-up, as well as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and PET/CT, were performed using [18F]F-NaF and [18F]F-FDG at the six-month follow-up (FU) visit as a part of a two-year FU period. The morphology of TAVI valve leaflets were assessed in TEE, transvalvular gradients and effective orifice area (EOA) in TTE. Calcium scores and PET tracer activity were counted. We assessed the relationship between [18F]F-NaF and [18F]F-FDG PET/CT uptake at the 6 = month FU with selected indices e.g.,: transvalvular gradient, valve type, EOA and insufficiency grade at following time points after the TAVI procedure. We present the preliminary PET/CT ([18F]F-NaF, [18F]F-FDG) results at the six-month follow-up period as are part of an ongoing study, which will last two years FU. We enrolled 73 TAVI patients with the mean age of 82.49 ± 7.11 years. A significant decrease in transvalvular gradient and increase of effective orifice area and left ventricle ejection fraction were observed. At six months, FU valve thrombosis was diagnosed in four patients, while 7.6% of patients refused planned controls due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We noticed significant correlations between valve types, EOA and transaortic valve gradients, as well as [18F]F-NaF and [18F]F-FDG uptake in PET/CT. PET/CT imaging with the use of [18F]F-FDG and [18F]F-NaF is intended to be feasible, and it practically allows the standardized uptake value (SUV) to differentiate the area containing the TAVI leaflets from the SUV directly adjacent to the ring calcifications and the calcified native leaflets. This could become the seed for future detection and evaluation capabilities regarding the progression of even early degenerative lesions to the TAVI valve, expressed as local leaflet inflammation and microcalcifications.

Feasibility of single-stage stent implantation following rotational atherectomy combined with TAVR

Objective: To explore the feasibility of the single-stage stent implantation following rotational atherectomy combined with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in treating patients with severe aortic stenosis(AS) and severe calcified coronary artery stenosis. Methods: Three patients who received single-stage stent implantation following rotational atherectomy combined with TAVR in Fuwai hospital from April to October 2019 were included in this retrospective analysis. Clinical and anatomical features (including echocardiography and aortic CT) of the patients were collected, efficacy and safety of this operation strategy were observed and 6 months follow up results were summarized. Results: Three patients (2 females, 66-80 years old) were included. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score was 7.8%. The mean maximum velocity of aortic valve was 4.4 m/s, the mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 53.2 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 48.6%. All three patients had severe calcified coronary artery stenosis: left anterior descending artery (LAD, n=2) and left main coronary artery (LM, n=1), requiring rotary grinding. The mean SYNTAX score was 20. All the procedures were performed through transfemoral access. After aortic valve crossing, all coronary lesions were successfully treated with stent implantation following rotational atherectomy, transfemoral TAVR was then immediately performed with a self-expandable Venus-A valve. One patient underwent"valve-in-valve"implantation due to the high-implantation position of the first valve. The procedures were completed without complications in all the three patients. The immediate effect was satisfactory. Echocardiography results showed that the mean maximum velocity of aortic valve was 2.1 m/s, mean gradient was 9.3 mmHg, and mean LVEF was 59% after the procedure. There was no death and revascularization during the 6 months follow-up. Conclusion: In patients with severe calcified coronary artery and severe AS with high risk of cardiac surgery, the single-stage stent implantation following rotational atherectomy combined with TAVR is feasible and results are satisfactory in this patient cohort.

Effective Orifice Area of Balloon-Expandable and Self-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Prostheses: An Echo Doppler Comparative Study.

Published data on the size-specific effective orifice area (EOA) of transcatheter heart valves (THVs) remain scarce. Here, we sought to investigate the intra-individual changes in EOA and mean transvalvular aortic gradient (MG) of the Sapien 3 (S3), CoreValve (CV), and Evolut R (EVR) prostheses both at short-term and at 1-year follow-up. The study sample consisted of 260 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). EOAs and MGs were measured with Doppler echocardiography for the following prostheses: S3 23 mm (n = 74; 28.5%), S3 26 mm (n = 67; 25.8%), S3 29 mm (n = 20; 7.7%), CV 23 mm (n = 2; 0.8%), CV 26 mm (n = 15; 5.8%), CV 29 mm (n = 24; 9.2%), CV 31 mm (n = 9; 3.5%), EVR 26 mm (n = 22; 8.5%), and EVR 29 mm (n = 27; 10.4%). Values were obtained at discharge, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year from implantation. At discharge, EOAs were larger and MGs lower for larger-size prostheses, regardless of being balloon-expandable or self-expandable. In patients with small aortic annulus size, the hemodynamic performances of CV and EVR prostheses were superior to those of S3. However, we did not observe significant differences in terms of all-cause mortality according to THV type or size. Both balloon-expandable and self-expandable new-generation THVs show excellent hemodynamic performances without evidence of very early valve degeneration.

The evaluation of annuloplasty in bicuspid aortic valve repair using cardiac magnetic resonance

BackgroundThe incompetent bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) can be replaced or repaired using various surgical techniques. This study sought to assess the efficacy of external annuloplasty and postoperative reverse remodelling using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and compare the results of external and subcommissural annuloplasty.MethodsOut of a total of 200 BAV repair performed between 2004 and 2018, 21 consecutive patients (median age 54 years) with regurgitation requiring valve repair with annuloplasty without concomitant aortic root surgery were prospectively referred for CMR and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) one year after the operation. Two aortic annulus stabilization techniques were used: external, circumferential annuloplasty (EA), and subcommissural annuloplasty (SCA).Results11 patients received EA and 10 patients were treated using SCA. There was no in-hospital mortality and all patients survived the follow-up period (median: 12.6 months (first quartile: 6.6; third quartile: 14.1). CMR showed strong correlation between postoperative aortic recurrent regurgitant fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (r = 0.62; p = 0.003) as well as left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.53; p = 0.01). Patients treated with EA as compared with SCA had larger anatomic aortic valve area measured by CMR (3.5 (2.5; 4.0) vs. 2.5 cm2 (2.0; 3.4); p = 0.04). In both EA and SCA group, aortic valve area below 3.5 cm2 correlated with no regurgitation recurrency. EA (vs. SCA) was associated with lower peak transvalvular aortic gradients (10 (6; 17) vs. 21 mmHg (15; 27); p = 0.04).ConclusionsThe repair of the bicuspid aortic valve provides significant postoperative reverse remodelling, provided no recurrent regurgitation and durable reduction annuloplasty can be achieved. EA is associated with lower transvalvular gradients and higher aortic valve area assessed by CMR, compared to SCA.

Bloody tricuspid stenosis: case report of an uncommon cause of haemoptysis.

BackgroundHaemoptysis is usually caused by pulmonary and infectious diseases. In few cases, it has a cardiac cause, such as pulmonary embolism or mitral valve stenosis. Haemoptysis may be an uncommon symptom of prosthetic valve dysfunction, being related to elevated right heart pressures.Case summaryA 22-year-old woman from sub-Saharan Africa known for a triple valve replacement was hospitalized for dyspnoea and haemoptysis. A careful clinical evaluation excluded the most common causes of haemoptysis. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed normal biventricular function, normally functioning mechanical prosthetic aortic and mitral valves, and the biological tricuspid prosthesis showed an increased transvalvular gradient. Contrast chest computed tomography scan excluded pulmonary embolism and mechanical valve obstruction, but revealed marked systemic venous hypertension. Right heart catheterization confirmed increased right heart pressures and severe bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis. The patient underwent a successful percutaneous tricuspid valve-in-valve replacement, with complete resolution of symptoms.DiscussionThe increase in venous pressures due to bioprosthetic tricuspid stenosis caused veno-venous shunts: blood from the lower body was drained into the superior vena cava via the azygos vein. Increased pressure in the latter affected pressure in bronchial veins and arteries, leading to haemoptysis. Cardiac surgical reinterventions are associated with worse outcomes and higher mortality rates. Management of a degenerated prosthetic tricuspid valve is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary assessment. Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement is becoming a feasible option in patients with prosthetic dysfunction. Based on evidence to date, tricuspid valve-in-valve replacement appears to be a safe, feasible, and effective alternative in selected young patients.

Mitral Valve-In-Valve: Defining the Indication Limits by in vitro Hydrodynamic Tests in a Brazilian Transcatheter Prosthesis.

IntroductionReoperations in cardiac surgery represent a clinical challenge, particularly because of the higher rate of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Mitral valve reoperation owing to bioprosthesis dysfunction, transcatheter treatment with a prosthesis implantation over the prosthesis has emerged as an alternative, especially for patients with a previous approach. In this study, we analyzed the hydrodynamic behavior of transcatheter prosthesis implantation in conventional mitral bioprostheses through hydrodynamic tests and produced a recommendation for the size of transcatheter valve most adequate for valve-in-valve procedure.MethodsMitral bioprostheses were attached to a flow duplicator and different combinations of transcatheter prostheses were implanted inside. The equipment simulates the hydrodynamic behavior of the valves submitted in vitro and determines transvalvular pressures and flow parameters.ResultsAll tests could be performed. Better hydrodynamic performance occurred for transcatheter prostheses 1 mm smaller than bioprostheses, except for the 27-mm bioprostheses. Effective valve areas (cm²) and transvalvular gradients (mmHg) were, respectively: Bioprosthesis × Inovare: 27 × 28 mm: 1.65 and 5.95/29 × 28 mm and 31 × 30 mm: 2.15 and 3.6.ConclusionThe mitral valve-in-valve implantation proved to be feasible in vitro. The use of 27-mm bioprostheses should be judicious, with preference for a 26-mm transcatheter valve. In the 29 and 31-mm bioprostheses, the implantation was very satisfactory, with good effective valve areas and transvalvular gradients, with preference for smaller transcatheter valves.

Fluid-dynamic effect of pannus formation around the prosthetic heart valve: in vitro demonstration using a heart-mimic pulsatile pump and particle image velocimetry

The abnormal growth of tissue, called pannus, is frequently found in patients who have an implanted prosthetic heart valve. Its growth is related to the valve dysfunction and disturbed blood flow in the aorta. We performed in vitro experiments to demonstrate the effects of pannus formation on hemodynamics and valvular function. The results showed that the opening angle of the heart valve changes depending on the size and shape of the pannus. The circular pannus decreased the maximum opening angle of the heart valve. Although the opening motion of the valve was not affected by the semi-circular pannus, one of the valve leaflets obstructed by the semi-circular pannus had a closing dysfunction during the cardiac cycle, implying aortic insufficiency and regurgitation in the patients with this type of pannus formation. The experimentally measured pressure gradient and velocity-based transvalvular pressure gradient estimation increased with the growth of the pannus, although a discrepancy between the two estimations was observed.

Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture: A Practical Guide to Facilitate Valve-In-Valve TAVR

Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (VIV TAVR) is approved by the FDA in patients at high surgical risk and increasingly utilized by heart teams as an alternative to reoperation for failing surgical tissue valves. Optimizing transcatheter heart valve (THV) expansion and decreasing the risk of patient-prosthesis mismatch are important concerns when performing VIV TAVR, particularly in small surgical valves. Bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) and bioprosthetic valve remodeling (BVR) are techniques to facilitate VIV TAVR in which a high-pressure inflation with a non-compliant balloon is performed to either fracture or stretch the surgical valve ring allowing for a more optimal expansion of the THV and reducing the potential for high residual transvalvular gradients. This article, along with the supplemental video, will provide a practical guide to performing BVF and BVR. Valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (VIV TAVR) is approved by the FDA in patients at high surgical risk and increasingly utilized by heart teams as an alternative to reoperation for failing surgical tissue valves. Optimizing transcatheter heart valve (THV) expansion and decreasing the risk of patient-prosthesis mismatch are important concerns when performing VIV TAVR, particularly in small surgical valves. Bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) and bioprosthetic valve remodeling (BVR) are techniques to facilitate VIV TAVR in which a high-pressure inflation with a non-compliant balloon is performed to either fracture or stretch the surgical valve ring allowing for a more optimal expansion of the THV and reducing the potential for high residual transvalvular gradients. This article, along with the supplemental video, will provide a practical guide to performing BVF and BVR.

Embolic Myocardial Infarction Post Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Due to Sinus of Valsalva Thrombus: A Case Series

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can be associated with thrombosis, which classically manifests as hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) [1]. HALT is usually subclinical but can be associated with stroke, increased transvalvular gradients, and heart failure [2,3]. Sinus of Valsalva thrombus is less common and typically subclinical [4].

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With the LOTUS Edge System: Early European Experience.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the LOTUS Edge system. The LOTUS Edge system was commercially re-released in April 2019. The authors report the first European experience with this device. A multicenter, single-arm, retrospective registry was initiated to evaluate short-term clinical outcomes. Included cases are the first experience with this device and new implantation technique in Europe. Clinical, echocardiographic, and computed tomographic data were analyzed. Endpoints were defined according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 and were site reported. Between April and November 2019, 286 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR with the LOTUS Edge system at 18 European centers were included. The mean age and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score were 81.2 ± 6.9 years and 5.2 ± 5.4%, respectively. Nearly one-half of all patients (47.9%) were considered to have complex anatomy. Thirty-day major adverse events included death (2.4% [n=7]) and stroke (3.5% [n=10]). After TAVR, the mean aortic valve area was 1.9 ± 0.9cm2, and the mean transvalvular gradient was 11.9 ± 5.7mmHg. None or trace paravalvular leak (PVL) occurred in 84.4% and moderate PVL in 2.0%. There were no cases of severe PVL. New permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation was required in 25.9% among all patients and 30.8% among PPM-naive patients. Early experience with the LOTUS Edge system demonstrated satisfactory short-term safety and efficacy, favorable hemodynamic data, and very low rates of PVL in an anatomically complex cohort. New PPM implantation remained high. Further study will evaluate if increasing operator experience with the device and new implantation technique can reduce the incidence of PPM implantation.

Embolic Myocardial Infarction Post Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation due to Sinus of Valsalva Thrombus—A Case Series

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) can be associated with thrombosis, which classically manifests as hypo-attenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) [1]. HALT is usually subclinical but can be associated with stroke, increased transvalvular gradients and heart failure [2,3]. Sinus of Valsalva thrombus is less common and typically subclinical [4].

Validation of methods for effective orifice area measurement of prosthetic valves by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography following transcatheter self-expanding aortic valve implantation.

BackgroundThe effective orifice area (EOA) is utilized to characterize the hemodynamic performance of the transcatheter heart valve (THV). However, there is no consensus on EOA measurement of self-expanding THV. We aimed to compare two echocardiographic methods for EOA measurement following transcatheter self-expanding aortic valve implantation.MethodsEOA was calculated according to the continuity equation. Two methods were constructed. In Method 1 and Method 2, the left ventricular outflow tract diameter (LVOTd) was measured at the entry of the prosthesis (from trailing-to-leading edge) and proximal to the prosthetic valve leaflets (from trailing-to- leading edge), respectively. The velocity-time integral (VTI) of the LVOT (VTILVOT) was recorded by pulsed-wave Doppler (PW) from apical windows. The region of the PW sampling should match that of the LVOTd measurement with precise localization. The mean transvalvular pressure gradient (MG) and VTI of THV was measured by Continuous wave Doppler.ResultsA total of 113 consecutive patients were recruited. The mean age was 77.2 ± 5.5 years, and 72 patients (63.7%) were male. EOA1 with the use of Method 1 was larger than EOA2 (1.56 ± 0.39 cm2 vs. 1.48 ± 0.41 cm2, P = 0.001). MG correlated better with the indexed EOA1 (EOAI1) (r = -0.701, P < 0.001) than EOAI2 (r = -0.645, P < 0.001). According to EOAI (EOAI ≤ 0.65 cm2/m2, respectively), the proportion of sever prosthesis-patient mismatch with the use of EOA1 was lower than EOA2 (12.4% vs. 21.2%, P < 0.05). Compared with EOA2, EOA1 had lower interobserver and intra-observer variability (intra: 0.5% ± 17% vs. 3.8% ± 22%, P < 0.001; inter: 1.0% ± 9% vs. 3.5% ± 11%, P < 0.001).ConclusionsFor transcatheter self-expanding valve EOA measurement, LVOTd should be measured in the entry of the prosthesis stent (from trailing-to-leading edge), and VTILVOT should match that of the LVOTd measurement with precise localization.

Integrative Perinatal Management Enhanced the Advantage of Prenatal Diagnosis on Critical Pulmonary Valve Stenosis: An Observational Preliminary Study.

Background: Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty (PBPV) is recommended as a first-choice treatment for critical pulmonary stenosis (CPS). A concept of perinatal integrative management has been developed. Unfortunately, the evidence on the advantage of integrative management for CPS during the perinatal period is absent.Methods: Single-center, observational, preliminary research has been developed, and three groups have been enrolled. There were 42 children with CPS enrolled for this study between January 2014 and December 2017 in our center, and their follow-up duration is at least 1 year. Three groups were set up: the integrative perinatal management group (group I), who received prenatal diagnosis with perinatal management to maintain circulation and an optimized PBPV procedure; the prenatal diagnosis group (group PR), who received a diagnosis of pulmonary stenosis before birth without any monitoring and perinatal management; and the postnatal diagnosis group (group PO), who received the CPS diagnosis after birth.Result: There were 13 patients enrolled in group I, 11 babies enrolled in group PR, and 18 cases included in group PO. Integrative management helped to put the timing of PBPV in advance. The age for PBPV in group I was 9.38 ± 5.58 days, and groups PR and PO were 24.54 ± 4.87 and 49.11 ± 9.50 days, respectively. The average peak transvalvular gradient (PGs) of the perinatal management group (group I) and prenatal diagnosis group (group PR) remained at a stable level. However, the average PGs of group PO were progressively elevated during follow-up. Moreover, the follow-up data from group I revealed an advantage in RV development and functional restoration. There was no difference among the three groups in the ratio of reintervention and postoperative moderate pulmonary regurgitation during 1-year follow-up (p >0.05).Conclusion: Prenatal diagnosis helps to improve the outcomes of PBPV. Moreover, perinatal integrative medical management enhances the advantage of prenatal diagnosis. However, this research is still a small-size cohort study, and the limited population number and follow-up duration were the major limitations to expand the conclusions.

Left Atrial Mechanical Function Predicts Postoperative AF in Patients with Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease Who Underwent Mitral Valve Surgery.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) is a common complication after surgical mitral valve replacement. Late PoAF is independently associated with long-term mortality. This study aimed to test the utility of preoperative left atrial mechanical function as a predictor of early and late PoAF in clinical practice. Patients (N = 150) with a rheumatic mitral valve who underwent mitral valve replacement with or without tricuspid valvuloplasty and who were in stable sinus rhythm were included. Baseline characteristics and transthoracic echocardiographic assessment information on the day before surgery were collected. Em, Em´, and Ei´ indicate early diastolic peak velocity of the mitral valve, early diastolic velocity at the lateral wall of the mitral annulus, and early diastolic velocity at the interventricular septal annulus, respectively. Early PoAF was present in 59 of 150 patients (39.3%), and 32 of 150 patients (21.3%) developed late PoAF within 1 year after surgery. Among all of the variables examined, age, diabetes, early mitral filling velocity (Mitral E), left atrial mechanical function (Mitral A), Em/Em´, Em/Ei´, and mitral transvalvular gradient showed a significant correlation with PoAF. Only age, Mitral A, and mitral transvalvular gradient showed strong, significant correlations with the occurrence of late PoAF. In a multivariate analysis, predictors of late PoAF recurrence included early PoAF and Mitral A. Routine evaluation of Mitral A is feasible and useful to predict early and late PoAF in patients with a rheumatic mitral valve undergoing surgical mitral valve replacement.

Von Willebrand factor in aortic or mitral valve stenosis and bleeding after heart valve surgery

ObjectivesLow von Willebrand factor (VWF) increases the risk of bleeding. The objective was to assess the influence of VWF on bleeding after valvular surgery. MethodsWe studied 82 consecutive patients in median age of 65.5 years with severe isolated aortic stenosis (AS, n = 62) or mitral stenosis (MS, n = 20), undergoing heart valve surgery in extracorporeal circulation. Preoperatively, we assessed VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) and activity (VWF:RCo), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13), and fibrinolysis inhibitors. ResultsCompared with AS, MS patients were more frequently female (80 vs. 55%, p = 0.045) with atrial fibrillation (AF) (80 vs. 8%, p < 0.0001), with no difference in age or comorbidities. Median postoperative drainage was 420 ml for AS, and 425 ml for MS (p = 0.37). Patients with AS had lower VWF:RCo (125.8 [88.5–160.8] vs. 188.0 [140.3–207.3] IU/dl, p = 0.003) and VWF:Ag (135.8 [112.0–171.2] vs. 191.7 [147.3–236.4] IU/dl, p = 0.01) than MS patients. Mean VWF:RCo/Ag ratio was 0.88 ± 0.17, with no intergroup differences. ADAMTS13 levels and activity were similar in both groups. In AS, both VWF:RCo and VWF:Ag correlated inversely with maximal (r = −0.39, p = 0.0003 and r = −0.39, p = 0.0004, respectively) and mean (r = −0.40, p = 0.0004 and r = −0.39, p = 0.0006, respectively) transvalvular pressure gradients. There was no difference in perioperative bleeding between patients following mitral and aortic valve surgery, and bleeding was not associated with VWF:Ag or VWF:RCo. ConclusionsIn severe AS, VWF levels and activity correlate inversely with transvalvular pressure gradients, and are lower than in severe degenerative MS, but do not affect blood loss after valvular surgery in extracorporeal circulation.

Biological versus mechanical aortic valve replacement in non-elderly patients: a single-centre analysis of clinical outcomes and quality of life.

The aim of this study was to evaluate short- and long-term clinical outcomes, including the perceived health-related quality of life, in patients younger than 65 years having undergone aortic valve replacement either with biological or mechanical valve prostheses. Between 2002 and 2013, 242 consecutive patients <65 years of age underwent isolated aortic valve replacement at our institution, either with biological (n = 134, 55.4%) or mechanical (n = 108, 44.6%) prostheses. Survival, health-related quality of life, short- and long-term clinical outcomes and echocardiographic data were analysed with a retrospective, single-centre study. Propensity matching was performed. No significant difference in survival was found between the 2 groups (mechanical versus biological: 100% vs 96.6% at 1 year, 98.2% vs 93.1% at 5 years and 92.3% vs 83.4% at 10 years after surgery, P = 0.091). For all the interviewed patients (n = 161, 66.5%), perceived quality of life at the latest follow-up was excellent. Need for reoperation was higher in the bioprosthetic group (8% vs 0%, P = 0.995), whereas the rate of major bleedings was higher in the mechanical valve group (3% vs 20%, P = 0.094). The mean and maximum transvalvular pressure gradients were 20.5 ± 9.7 and 37.4 ± 17.5 mmHg in the biological group and 14.8 ± 4.8 and 26.6 ± 9.2 mmHg in the mechanical group (P = 0.014). No significant differences were found between biological and mechanical valves in terms of patients' survival, clinical outcomes and quality of life. Mean and maximum transvalvular pressure gradients were significantly higher in the biological group. The majority of patients would opt for the same prosthesis type, if asked to choose again.