Agata Krawczyk-Ożóg

Assessment of quality of life in patients after surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini‐thoracotomy, mini‐sternotomy, MIAVR) have become an appealing alternative to conventional surgical (SAVR) treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS) in high‐risk patients.

Left atrial accessory appendages, diverticula, and left-sided septal pouch in multi-slice computed tomography. Association with atrial fibrillation and cerebrovascular accidents

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to provide a morphometric description of the left-sided septal pouch (LSSP), left atrial accessory appendages, and diverticula using cardiac multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and to compare results between patient subgroups. METHODS Two hundred and ninety four patients (42.9% females) with a mean of 69.4±13.1years of age were investigated using MSCT. The presence of the LSSP, left atrial accessory appendages, and diverticula was evaluated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to check whether the presence of additional left atrial structures is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation and cerebrovascular accidents. RESULTS At least one additional left atrial structure was present in 51.7% of patients. A single LSSP, left atrial diverticulum, and accessory appendage were present in 35.7%, 16.0%, and 4.1% of patients, respectively. After adjusting for other risk factors via multiple logistic regression, patients with LSSP are more likely to have atrial fibrillation (OR=2.00, 95% CI=1.14-3.48, p=0.01). The presence of a LSSP was found to be associated with an increased risk of transient ischemic attack using multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment for other risk factors (OR=3.88, 95% CI=1.10-13.69, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion LSSPs, accessory appendages, and diverticula are highly prevalent anatomic structures within the left atrium, which could be easily identified by MSCT. The presence of LSSP is associated with increased risk for atrial fibrillation and transient ischemic attack.

Morphologic variability of the mitral valve leaflets

Objectives: The rapid development of surgical and less‐invasive percutaneous mitral valve repair procedures has increased interest in mitral valve anatomy. We characterize the morphologic variability of the mitral valve leaflets and provide the size of their particular parts. Methods: We studied 200 autopsied human hearts from white individuals without any valvar diseases. We measured the intercommissural and aorto‐mural diameters of the mitral annulus and identified the leaflets and their scallops. We also noted the base and the height of the inferoseptal commissure, superolateral commissure, anterior mitral leaflet, and posterior mitral leaflet with their scallops. Results: Variations in posterior mitral leaflet were found in 55 specimens (27.5%), and variations in anterior mitral leaflet were found in 5 hearts (2.5%). The most common variations included valves with 1 accessory scallop between P3 and inferoseptal commissure (7%), accessory scallop between P1 and superolateral commissure (4%), connections of P2 and P3 scallops (4%), connections of P1 and P2 scallops (3%), and accessory scallop in anterior mitral leaflet (2.5%). Conclusions: In all cases, the mitral valve is built by 2 main leaflets with possible variants in scallops (29.5%). The variations are largely associated with posterior mitral leaflet and are mostly related to the presence of accessory scallop. Anatomically, the anterior mitral leaflet is not divided into scallops, but could have an accessory scallop (2.5%). Understanding the anatomy of the mitral valve leaflets helps with the planning and performing of mitral valve repair procedures. Variations in scallops may affect repair procedures, but unfortunately cannot be predicted by any of the annular sizes.

Spatial relationship of blood vessels within the mitral isthmus line

Aims The aim of this study was to assess the spatial relationship of blood vessels and the thickness of the atrial wall within the mitral isthmus line. Methods and results A total of 200 randomly selected autopsied adult human hearts (Caucasian) were examined. The mitral isthmus line was cut longitudinally and the thickness of the left atrial wall was measured. The blood vessels within the isthmus were identified and their relationship with the endocardial surface (ES), mitral annulus (MA), and the left inferior pulmonary vein (LIPV) ostium was assessed. The mean myocardial thickness in the upper, middle, and lower 1/3 of the mitral isthmus section were 1.9 ± 1.0, 3.0 ± 1.5, and 2.7 ± 1.3 mm, respectively. The great cardiac vein (GCV) was present within the isthmus in 98.0%, the left circumflex artery (LCx) in 57.0%, and the Marshall vein in 35.0% of all hearts. The GCV was located 4.5 ± 2.2 mm from the ES, 7.3 ± 5.3 mm from the MA, and 24.3 ± 7.3 mm from the LIPV. The LCx was situated 3.8 ± 2.3 mm from the ES, 7.9 ± 5.1 mm from the MA, and 25.3 ± 8.0 mm from the LIPV. We were able to detect eight different patterns of GCV and LCx mutual arrangement within the mitral isthmus line. Conclusion The myocardium is the thinnest in the upper 1/3 sector, and the blood vessels are mainly located in the middle and lower 1/3. In 49.1%, the LCx is situated at a distance of less than 3 mm from the ES. In 55.3%, the LCx is located between the GCV and ES of the left atrium.

Mid-esophageal bicaval versus short-axis view of interatrial septum in two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for diagnosis and measurement of atrial septal pouches

Recent studies suggest that the left‐sided septal pouch (SP) may increase the risk of cryptogenic stroke and act as an arrhythmogenic substrate. The aim of this study was to compare two transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) projections of the interventricular septum: mid‐esophageal bicaval and short‐axis views toward evaluating their ability to detect SPs.

Left-Sided Atrial Septal Pouch is a Risk Factor for Cryptogenic Stroke

Background: The atrial septal pouch is an anatomic variant of the interatrial septum. The morphology of the left‐sided septal pouch (LSSP) may favor blood stasis and predispose to thromboembolic events. The aim of this study was to determine the association between LSSP presence and cryptogenic stroke. Methods: A total of 126 consecutive patients with cryptogenic stroke and 137 age‐matched control patients without stroke were analyzed retrospectively. The presence and dimensions of LSSPs were assessed using transesophageal echocardiography. Results: LSSP was present in 55.6% of patients with cryptogenic stroke and in 40.9% of those without stroke (P = .02). In univariate analysis, patients with LSSP were more likely to have cryptogenic stroke (odds ratio, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.11–2.95; P = .02). After adjusting for other risk factors using multiple logistic regression, the presence of an LSSP was found to be associated with an increased risk for cryptogenic stroke (odds ratio, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.19–3.41; P = .01). There were no statistically significant differences in size of the LSSP between patients with and those without stroke (P > .05). Conclusions: There is an association between the presence of an LSSP and an increased risk for cryptogenic stroke. More attention should be paid to clinical evaluations of LSSPs. HighlightsThe authors demonstrate an association between the presence of LSSP and cryptogenic stroke.In patients with cryptogenic stroke, LSSP should be considered a possible site of thrombus formation.Large prospective trials are necessary to determine role of LSSP as an independent stroke risk factor.

In-hospital and long-term outcomes of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty with concomitant percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND Severe aortic stenosis (AS) often coexists with significant coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVE To evaluate procedural complications and long-term outcomes of patients with severe AS undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS A total of 97 patients with severe AS underwent 104 BAVs as palliative procedure, bridge to definitive treatment, or before urgent non-cardiac surgery. Patients were followed-up for at least 12 months. RESULTS Of the 97 patients, 34 (35.0%) underwent standalone BAV, 45 (46.4%) underwent BAV with coronary angiography, and 18 (18.6%) BAV with PCI. There were no differences in baseline characteristics and indications for BAV among the groups (P > 0.05). No higher risk of complications after BAV performed with concomitant coronary angiography/PCI was observed. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed after BAV in 13 (13.4%) patients and surgical aortic valve replacement in three (3.1%) patients. In spite of no difference in in-hospital mortality (5.6% vs. 8.9%; P = 0.76), patients with BAV and concomitant PCI had lower long-term mortality than patients with BAV and concomitant coronary angiography (28.5% vs. 51.0%; P = 0.03). In multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was identified as the only independent predictor of long-term mortality for all patients (HR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.04-1.15, P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS Concomitant PCI or coronary angiography performed with BAV may not increase the risk of major and vascular complications. Patients with BAV and concomitant PCI may have better survival than patients with BAV and concomitant coronary angiography.

Comparative iTRAQ analysis of protein abundance in the human sinoatrial node and working cardiomyocytes

Our objective was to assess the changes in protein abundance in the human sinoatrial node (SAN) compared with working cardiomyocytes to identify SAN‐specific protein signatures. Four pairs of samples (the SAN and working cardiomyocytes) were obtained postmortem from four human donors with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. We performed protein identification and quantitation using two‐dimensional chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry with isobaric peptide labeling (iTRAQ). We identified 451 different proteins expressed in both the SAN and working cardiomyocytes, 166 of which were differentially regulated (110 were upregulated in the SAN and 56 in the working cardiomyocytes). We identified sarcomere structural proteins in both tissues, although they were differently distributed among the tested samples. For example, myosin light chain 4, myosin regulatory light chain 2‐atrial isoform, and tropomyosin alpha‐3 chain levels were twofold higher in the SAN than in working cardiomyocytes, and myosin light chain 3 and myosin regulatory light chain 2‐ventricular/cardiac muscle isoform levels were twofold higher in the ventricle tissue than in SAN. We identified many mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, β‐oxidation, and tricarboxylic acid cycle proteins that were predominantly associated with working cardiomyocytes tissue. We detected upregulation of the fatty acid omega activation pathway proteins in the SAN samples. Some proteins specific for smooth muscle tissue were highly upregulated in the SAN (e.g. transgelin), which indicates that the SAN tissue might act as the bridge between the working myocardium and the smooth muscle. Our results show possible implementation of proteomic strategies to identify in‐depth functional differences between various heart sub‐structures.

Anatomy of the mitral subvalvular apparatus

Objectives: To characterize morphologic variations in the papillary muscles and tendinous cords of the left ventricle and ventricular zones of the mitral valve leaflets. Methods: A total of 100 autopsied human hearts from healthy donors with classical mitral valve type were investigated. Results: In 1 heart, only 1 group of papillary muscles was found, and in the remaining 99%, we could distinguish 2 groups of muscles: Superolateral (SLPM) and inferoseptal papillary muscle (ISPM) groups. The SLPM group had 1 papillary muscle (75.8%), 2 in 20.2%, and >3 in 4.0%. In the ISPM group, the muscle percentages were 38.4%, 36.4%, and 25.2%, respectively. The apex of at least 1 papillary muscle was situated higher than the plane of the opened anterior leaflet (AML) in 47.5% and 50.5% for the SLPM and ISPM groups, respectively. The number of strut cords arising from the SLPM group was 0 (2.0%), 1 (50.5%), 2 (33.3%), 3 (12.1%), and 4 (2.0%), and from the ISPM group was 0 (6.1%), 1 (52.5%), 2 (35.4%), or 3 (6.1%). Cords to left ventricular outflow tract were present in 14 specimens. Muscular cords were found in eight hearts. In all hearts specimens AML had rough and clear zones. The classical zones (rough, clear, and basal) in the posterior mitral leaflet were observed in 38.4%. Conclusions: There is a high variability in the papillary muscles and tendinous cords in the mitral valve complex. Proper nomenclature, simple classification, and the most common variants for papillary muscle groups and tendinous cords were presented.

Long-term quality of life and clinical outcomes in patients with resistant hypertension treated with renal denervation

Introduction Pharmacological treatment combined with lifestyle modifications is an effective treatment for arterial hypertension. However, there are still patients who do not respond to standard treatments. Patients with pharmacologically resistant hypertension may benefit from renal denervation (RDN). Aim To assess long-term quality of life (QoL) after RDN and effectiveness in reduction of blood pressure (BP) in patients with resistant hypertension. Material and methods From 2011 to 2014, 12 patients with previously diagnosed resistant hypertension, treated by RDN, were included in this study. The QoL was assessed using a standardized Polish version of the Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire (NHP). Results The median age was 54 (IQR: 51–57.5) years. Mean baseline ambulatory pre-procedural systolic/diastolic BP was 188/115 ±29.7/18 mm Hg. The mean values of systolic/diastolic BP measured perioperatively and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively were 138/86, 138/85, 146/82, 152/86, and 157/91. All p-values for mean systolic and diastolic BP before versus successive time points after RDN were statistically significant; p-value for all comparisons < 0.05. Improvement of QoL was only observed in two sections of the NHP questionnaire: emotional reaction and sleep disturbance. The analysis of the NHP index of Distress (NHP-D) showed a lower distress level perioperatively and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after RDN as compared to baseline. The RDN was not associated with any significant adverse events. Conclusions Patients with pharmacologically resistant hypertension treated with RDN achieved significant reduction in BP during 24-month follow-up. Furthermore, a significant improvement in the QoL was observed in those patients.