Frederik Helsen

Additional tricuspid annuloplasty in mitral valve surgery results in better clinical outcome

Objective The clinical benefit of tricuspid annuloplasty (TA) in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery (MVS) is still debated. We evaluated the immediate surgical success, postoperative outcome and the medium-term effect of TA in MVS. Methods Patients were included between September 2003 and December 2009 and followed until September 2013 to achieve a median follow-up time of 5 years (IQR 3.7–6.9). The end point of mortality due to cardiac causes and combined end point of cardiac mortality or hospitalisation for heart failure were evaluated. Propensity score adjusted Cox regression was used to evaluate the clinical benefit of TA at the time of MVS. Results Of 150 patients (84 female; 67±12 years), 82 presented with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) <2/4 and underwent isolated MVS. Of 68 patients presenting with TR≥2/4, 31 underwent isolated MVS whereas 37 underwent additional TA. In patients with preoperative TR≥2/4, TR was significantly reduced until 5 years postoperatively (mean reduction 0.81±1.31; p=0.04) when additional TA was done. The combined end point occurred in 29% vs 6% at 1 year and in 57% vs 39% at 5 years follow-up for patients with isolated MVS and patients undergoing concomitant TA, respectively. Patients with preoperative TR≥2/4 had worse unadjusted survival than those with TR<2/4 (logrank p=0.009). In the patients with TR≥2/4, propensity score-adjusted risk for the combined end point was higher in those with isolated MVS versus MVS with additional TA (Cox HR 2.855 (1.082–7.532), p=0.035). Conclusions Additional TA is an effective surgical measure to reduce functional TR severity. This approach results in a decreased risk of cardiac mortality and hospitalisation in patients with preoperative TR≥2/4.

Left atrial appendage occlusion: Single center experience with PLAATO LAA Occlusion System® and AMPLATZER™ Cardiac Plug

OBJECTIVES To evaluate patient selection, safety, feasibility, and midterm results of percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion. BACKGROUND Oral anticoagulants (OAC) are the gold standard for stroke prevention in most patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). As the LAA is the main source of AF-related thrombi, LAA occlusion might reduce the thromboembolic (TE) risk. Recently, LAA closure was implemented in the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of AF. METHODS This retrospective single center study examined all LAA percutaneous closures (September 2003-September 2011). RESULTS Twenty-five patients were included in the study; median age at closure was 73 years (minimum maximum range 49-85 years), 68% men. Median CHA2DS2-VASc score and HAS-BLED score were 5 (IQR 4-6) and 4 (IQR 4-5), respectively. Most frequent reason for LAA closure was intracranial hemorrhage during OAC treatment (52%). Successful device implantation was achieved in 96%. During a follow-up of 60.6 patient years, the TE stroke event rate was 4.95 per 100 patient years, versus an expected rate of 8.78 and 2.90 without and with OAC, respectively. No peripheral embolism occurred. Major procedure-related adverse events occurred in two patients. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous closure of the LAA is feasible and safe. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most important indication for LAA closure. A low number of TE stroke events occurred during follow-up. LAA closure might be a good alternative in patients with a firm contraindication for OAC.

Pulmonary outflow obstruction protects against heart failure in adults with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries

BACKGROUND Pulmonary outflow tract obstruction (POTO) reduces systemic atrioventricular valve (SAVV) regurgitation severity in congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA). Therefore, pulmonary artery banding is proposed as a palliative intervention. We aimed to investigate the effect of native or surgically induced POTO on event-free survival, defined as the composite of all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, or congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS Patients with ccTGA (n=62; median age 27.5 (IQR 18.4-39.4) years; 39% with POTO) were selected from the Adult Congenital Heart Disease database of a tertiary hospital. At first visit, SAVV regurgitation ≥ 3/4, systemic RV dysfunction ≥ moderate, and CHF were present in 26%, 26%, and 15% of patients, respectively. Over a mean follow-up time of 10.1 ± 6.1 years, all-cause mortality, rate of heart transplantation, and CHF were 18%, 8% and 40%, respectively. SAVV regurgitation (HR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.01-3.92; P=0.048) and systemic RV dysfunction severity (HR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.05-3.37; P=0.033) were associated with the composite endpoint, independently of age at baseline, POTO, Ebstein-like malformation, and systemic RV dilatation. Patients with POTO had lower risk for developing SAVV regurgitation ≥ 3/4 (HR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.05-0.58; P=0.004) and moderate systemic RV dysfunction (HR: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.15-0.78; P=0.011). When POTO was present, the mean progression-free interval for the composite endpoint increased from 11.2 to 18.1 years (P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS POTO is associated with an improved event-free survival in adults with ccTGA.

Recall of patients discharged from follow-up after repair of isolated congenital shunt lesions

BACKGROUND Discharge from follow-up after closure of isolated congenital shunt lesions in childhood was common practice in the past. The aim of the present study was to recall these patients to evaluate their current status. METHODS Patients included in the database of pediatric and congenital heart disease of our tertiary center with repaired secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD) before the age of 18years, and discharged from follow-up, were invited for clinical and echocardiographic check-up. RESULTS Forty-six ASD patients (age 30±7years, 37% male) responded. Median age at ASD repair was 6 (IQR 4-8) years. All but one functioned in NYHA class I. Eight (17%) patients reported palpitations. No patient developed pulmonary hypertension (PH). Right ventricular (RV) dilatation was present in 7 (15%). RV fractional area change (FAC) was <35% in 7 (15%), TAPSE <17mm in 12 (26%). Forty-seven VSD patients (age 34 (IQR 29-40) years, 57% male) participated. Median age at VSD repair was 4 (IQR 1-5) years. Six (13%) patients functioned in NYHA class II. Seventeen (36%) patients reported palpitations. Four (9%) patients presented PH. Left ventricular dilatation was present in 4 (9%), RV dilatation in 6 (13%). RV FAC was <35% in 7 (15%), TAPSE <17mm in 17 (36%). Seven (15%) patients had dilated ascending aorta. CONCLUSIONS Patients with closure of isolated secundum-type ASD in childhood do well, but some have persistent RV dilatation and dysfunction. By contrast, more patients after VSD closure were symptomatic and presented with RV dilatation and dysfunction, PH, and a dilated ascending aorta.

Long-Term Outcome of Patients with Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect: Results from the Belgian Registry on Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Objectives: Studies evaluating the long-term outcome of adults with ventricular septal defect (VSD) are important to inform patients about prognosis. This study investigated the long-term outcome of patients with perimembranous VSD (pmVSD) followed in the Belgian Registry on Adult Congenital Heart Disease. Methods: All pmVSD patients in the registry were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and sixty-six patients were studied. Fifteen patients had Eisenmenger syndrome. One hundred and seventy-three had isolated pmVSD and 78 had pmVSD with concomitant lesions. Of the patients with isolated pmVSD, 52% were male, median age was 29 years (IQR 24-35 years) and median follow-up duration was 18 years (IQR 10-25 years). Fifty-three (31%) patients underwent VSD closure and 10 (19%) had a residual shunt. Most (93%) patients were in NYHA class I. No patients died. Two (4%) patients developed atrial arrhythmia and 2 (4%) required pacemaker implantation. Seven (14%) developed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). In the unrepaired pmVSD group, 4 developed endocarditis. In the entire group, moderate or severe aortic regurgitation (AR) occurred in 9 (5%) patients. Conclusions: Long-term survival in patients with isolated pmVSD was not uneventful. Moderate or severe AR might develop and endocarditis occurred in patients without VSD repair. Complications after VSD closure included atrial arrhythmia, pacemaker implantation and LVOTO.

Appearance of QRS fragmentation late after Mustard/Senning repair is associated with adverse outcome

Objective To evaluate if development of fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes, a marker of inhomogeneous ventricular activation due to myocardial fibrosis, is associated with adverse outcome in adults after Mustard/Senning repair for d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA). Methods Adults with atrial switch repair for d-TGA were selected from the database of a tertiary care hospital. Exclusion criteria were systemic right ventricular (RV) assist device or heart transplantation (HTx) before the age of 16, or fQRS already present at first visit to the Adult Congenital Heart Disease clinic. A blinded expert reader retrospectively analysed all available ECGs after the age of 16 for the presence of fQRS. The appearance of fQRS was modelled for each patient as a time-dependent variable. Cox regression was performed to assess the relationship between covariates and the composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality, HTx or systemic RV assist device. Results Records of 89 patients (34% female, 42% Mustard repair) were analysed. At latest follow-up, fQRS was noted in 26 patients (29%). Over a median follow-up time of 16.9 (IQR 12.6–22.9) years, the composite endpoint occurred in nine patients (10%). In multivariable Cox analysis, appearance of fQRS (HR 14.11; 95% CI 1.42 to 140.12) and development of severe RV dysfunction (HR 11.36; 95% CI 2.08 to 62.17) were significantly associated with the composite endpoint. Conclusions Appearance of fQRS complexes on a 12-lead ECG is associated with adverse outcome in adults after atrial switch repair for d-TGA. In this population, fQRS detection might be a promising and easily implementable tool to identify patients at risk for adverse events.

Right ventricular systolic dysfunction at rest is not related to decreased exercise capacity in patients with a systemic right ventricle

BACKGROUND To evaluate the relationship between right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction at rest and reduced exercise capacity in patients with a systemic RV (sRV). METHODS All patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) or complete TGA after atrial switch (TGA-Mustard/Senning) followed in our institution between July 2011 and September 2017 who underwent cardiac imaging within a six-month time period of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) were analyzed. We assessed sRV systolic function with TAPSE and fractional area change on echocardiogram and, if possible, with ejection fraction, global longitudinal and circumferential strain on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. RESULTS We studied 105 patients with an sRV (median age 34 [IQR 28-42] years, 29% ccTGA and 71% TGA-Mustard/Senning) of which 39% had either a pacemaker (n = 17), Eisenmenger physiology (n = 6), severe systemic atrioventricular valve regurgitation (n = 14), or peak exercise arterial oxygen saturation < 92% (n = 17). Most patients were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic (NYHA class I/II/III in 71/23/6%). Sixty-four percent had evidence of moderate or severe sRV dysfunction on cardiac imaging. Mean peak oxygen uptake (pVO2) was 24.1 ± 7.4 mL/kg/min, corresponding to a percentage of predicted pVO2 (%ppVO2) of 69 ± 17%. No parameter of sRV systolic function as evaluated on echocardiography (n = 105) or CMR (n = 46) was correlated with the %ppVO2, even after adjusting for associated cardiac defects or pacemakers. CONCLUSIONS In adults with an sRV, there is no relation between echocardiographic or CMR-derived sRV systolic function parameters at rest and peak oxygen uptake. Exercise imaging may be superior to evaluate whether sRV contractility limits exercise capacity.

Inter- and intra-observer variability of visual fragmented QRS scoring in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on a 12-lead ECG has been linked with adverse outcome. However, the visual scoring of ECGs is prone to inter- and intra-observer variability. METHODS Five observers, two experienced and three novel, assessed fQRS in 712 digital ECGs, 100 were re-evaluated to assess intra-observer variability. Fleiss and Cohens Kappa were calculated and compared between subgroups. RESULTS The inter-observer variability for assessing fQRS in all leads combined was substantial with a Kappa of 0.651. Experienced observers only had a better agreement with a Kappa of 0.823. Intra-observer variability ranged from 0.736 to 0.880. In the subgroup with ventricular pacing the inter-observer variability was even significantly larger when compared to ECGs with normal QRS duration (Kappa 0.493 vs 0.664, p<0.001). CONCLUSION The visual assessment of QRS fragmentation is prone to inter- and intra-observer variability, mainly influenced by the experience of the observers, the underlying rhythm and QRS morphology.

Prognostic significance of improvement in right ventricular systolic function during cardiac resynchronization therapy

Objectives There is conflicting evidence concerning the role of right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction in the long-term clinical outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Therefore we aimed to assess evolution of RV systolic function during CRT, covariates associated with its improvement, and its impact on outcome. Methods and results All CRT device implantations (Jan 2009-Dec 2011) in our institution were reviewed. Records of 69 patients (25% female, mean age 62.8 ± 9.2 years, mean left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 27 ± 8%) were analyzed. Baseline RV fractional area change (FAC) < 35% was present in 37 patients (54%). At one year, 24 of them (65%) improved in RV FAC. LV remodeling and mitral regurgitation were significantly associated with the likelihood of RV FAC improvement (OR 4.80, 95% CI 1.13-20.46, P = 0.034 and OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.12-0.89, P = 0.029, respectively). The composite endpoint of death or heart transplantation occurred in 23 patients (33%) over a mean follow-up of 2.8 ± 1.4 years. RV FAC at one year (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.86-0.94, P < .001) was, independently of NYHA class and LV remodeling, associated with clinical outcome. Conclusions RV systolic function might improve during CRT. This seems mainly due to changed left-sided hemodynamics and LV remodeling. Good RV systolic function is independently related with better outcome.