Jong-Min Song

Early Surgery versus Conventional Treatment for Infective Endocarditis

BACKGROUNDnThe timing and indications for surgical intervention to prevent systemic embolism in infective endocarditis remain controversial. We conducted a trial to compare clinical outcomes of early surgery and conventional treatment in patients with infective endocarditis.nnnMETHODSnWe randomly assigned patients with left-sided infective endocarditis, severe valve disease, and large vegetations to early surgery (37 patients) or conventional treatment (39). The primary end point was a composite of in-hospital death and embolic events that occurred within 6 weeks after randomization.nnnRESULTSnAll the patients assigned to the early-surgery group underwent valve surgery within 48 hours after randomization, whereas 30 patients (77%) in the conventional-treatment group underwent surgery during the initial hospitalization (27 patients) or during follow-up (3). The primary end point occurred in 1 patient (3%) in the early-surgery group as compared with 9 (23%) in the conventional-treatment group (hazard ratio, 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01 to 0.82; P=0.03). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality at 6 months in the early-surgery and conventional-treatment groups (3% and 5%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.05 to 5.66; P=0.59). The rate of the composite end point of death from any cause, embolic events, or recurrence of infective endocarditis at 6 months was 3% in the early-surgery group and 28% in the conventional-treatment group (hazard ratio, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.65; P=0.02).nnnCONCLUSIONSnAs compared with conventional treatment, early surgery in patients with infective endocarditis and large vegetations significantly reduced the composite end point of death from any cause and embolic events by effectively decreasing the risk of systemic embolism. (EASE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00750373.).

Comparison of Coronary Plaque Rupture Between Stable Angina and Acute Myocardial Infarction A Three-Vessel Intravascular Ultrasound Study in 235 Patients

Background—We evaluated the incidence and predictors of single and multiple plaque ruptures in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stable angina pectoris (SAP). Methods and Results—We performed 3-vessel intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination in 235 patients: 122 had AMI, and 113 had SAP. Plaque rupture of infarct-related or target lesions occurred in 80 AMI patients (66%) and in 31 SAP patients (27%) (P<0.001). Non–infarct-related or non–target artery plaque ruptures occurred in 21 AMI patients (17%) and 6 SAP patients (5%) (P=0.008). Multiple plaque ruptures were observed in 24 AMI (20%) and 7 SAP patients (6%) (P=0.004). Therefore, at least 1 plaque rupture in any coronary artery was noted in 84 AMI patients (69%) and 35 SAP patients (31%) (P<0.001). Overall, the only independent clinical predictor of plaque rupture in the infarct-related/target lesion was AMI (P<0.01; OR, 4.867; 95% CI, 2.734 to 8.661). The only independent clinical predictor of plaque rupture in AMI patients was an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level (P=0.035; OR, 2.139; 95% CI, 1.053 to 4.343). Conversely, in SAP patients, the only independent clinical predictor of plaque rupture was diabetes mellitus (P=0.034; OR, 2.553; 95% CI, 1.071 to 6.085). The only independent clinical predictor of multiple plaque ruptures was AMI (P=0.003; OR, 3.752; 95% CI, 1.546 to 9.105). Conclusions—Three-vessel IVUS imaging showed that culprit lesion plaque rupture, secondary remote plaque ruptures, and multiple plaque ruptures were all more common in AMI patients than SAP patients. In AMI patients, plaque rupture was associated with a high CRP level, whereas in SAP patients, plaque rupture was more common in those with diabetes.

Mitral Annulus Velocity in the Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Atrial Fibrillation

This study assessed the clinical utility of mitral annulus velocity in the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. The clinical usefulness of conventional Doppler indexes is limited in atrial fibrillation because of the altered left atrial pressure and loss of synchronized atrial contraction. Mitral inflow and mitral annulus velocities were measured simultaneously with tau in 27 patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation at the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Among deceleration time of mitral inflow, peak mitral inflow velocity (E), and peak diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E), only E correlated with tau (r = 0.51, P =.007). Prolonged tau (>/=50 ms) could be predicted by E <8 cm/s with a sensitivity of 73% (16 of 22) and a specificity of 100% (5 of 5). The E/E ratio correlated with left ventricular filling pressure (r = 0.79, P <.001). The E/E ratio of >/=11 could predict elevated left ventricular filling pressure (>/=15 mm Hg) with a sensitivity of 75% (9 of 12) and a specificity of 93% (14 of 15). Mitral annulus velocity is useful in the detection of impaired left ventricular relaxation and estimation of filling pressure even in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Paclitaxel Coating Reduces In-Stent Intimal Hyperplasia in Human Coronary Arteries A Serial Volumetric Intravascular Ultrasound Analysis From the ASian Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent Clinical Trial (ASPECT)

Background—The aim of this study was to use serial volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to evaluate the effect of a paclitaxel coating on in-stent intimal hyperplasia (IH). Methods and Results—Patients were randomized to placebo (bare metal stents) or 1 of 2 doses of paclitaxel (low dose: 1.28 &mgr;g/mm2; high dose: 3.10 &mgr;g/mm2). Complete post-stent implantation and follow-up IVUS were available in 81 patients, including 25 control patients and in 28 receiving a low-dose and 28 receiving a high dose. Volumetric analysis of the stented segment and of both reference segments was performed. Baseline stent measurements and both reference measurements were similar among the groups. With increasing doses, there was a stepwise reduction in IH accumulation within the stented segment (31±22 mm3 in control, 18±15 mm3 in low dose, and 13±14 mm3 in high dose, P <0.001). Post hoc analysis showed less IH accumulation when low- and high-dose patients were compared with control (P =0.009 and P <0.001, respectively), but not when low-dose patients were compared with high-dose patients (P =0.2). Focal late malapposition was seen in 1 high-dose patient. With increasing doses, there was no significant change in the reference segments. Conclusions—Paclitaxel-coated stents are effective in reducing in-stent neointimal tissue proliferation in humans. They are not associated with edge restenosis or significant late malapposition.

Incidence, mechanism, predictors, and long-term prognosis of late stent malapposition after bare-metal stent implantation.

Background—Predictors and long-term prognosis of late stent malapposition (LSM) after bare-metal stent (BMS) implantation are unknown. Methods and Results—We evaluated the incidence, mechanisms, predictors, and long-term prognosis of LSM after BMS implantation in 881 patients (992 native lesions) in whom intravascular ultrasound was performed at index and 6-month follow-up. LSM was defined as a separation of stent struts from the intimal surface of the arterial wall that was not presented at stent implantation. LSM occurred in 54 patients with 54 lesions (5.4% overall); the incidence was 10.3% (9 of 87) after directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) before stenting and 11.5% (11 of 96) after primary stenting in acute myocardial infarction (P =0.031 and P =0.007, respectively, versus elective stenting with conventional balloon pre-dilation, 4.3% [30 of 692]). There was an increase of external elastic membrane area (18.9±3.9 to 24.5±5.1 mm2, P <0.001) that was greater than the increase in plaque area (9.6±3.0 to 11.4±2.9 mm2, P <0.001). Independent predictors of LSM were primary stenting in acute myocardial infarction (P =0.023, OR=2.55, 95% CI=1.14 to 5.69) and DCA before stenting (P =0.025, OR=3.02, 95% CI=1.15 to 7.96). There were no significant differences in major adverse cardiac events between LSM and non-LSM groups during mean 3-year follow-up (1.9% versus 1.8%, respectively, P =NS). Conclusions—LSM occurs in ≈5% after BMS implantation. The predictors of LSM are primary stenting in acute myocardial infarction and DCA before stenting. Compared with complete stent apposition at follow-up, LSM after BMS implantation is not associated with any major adverse cardiac events during a mean 3-year follow-up after detection of LSM.

Mitral Valve Repair Versus Revascularization Alone in the Treatment of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation

Background— For patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR), it is not clear whether adjunctive mitral valve (MV) repair at the time of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is beneficial. We sought to test the hypothesis that MV repair with CABG is superior to CABG alone in improving MR without increasing operative or long-term mortality. Methods and Results— A total of 107 consecutive patients with moderate or severe ischemic MR, as determined by preoperative echocardiography, underwent CABG with concomitant MV repair (repair group, n=50) or CABG only (CABG group, n=57). Degree of MR was graded as none, mild, moderate, or severe by the proximal isovelocity surface area method. The groups were similar with respect to age, gender, baseline New York Heart Association class, ejection fraction, and number of bypass grafts. The repair group had a higher percentage of patients with atrial fibrillation or severe MR than the CABG group. The operative mortality was significantly higher for the repair group (12%) than the CABG group (2%), whereas the 5-year actuarial survival rate of the 2 groups was similar (88%±5% versus 87%±6%). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, higher New York Heart Association class, and atrial fibrillation were independent predictors of operative mortality (P<0.05). Among patients with severe MR, ischemic MR was improved in all patients of the repair group and in 67% of patients in the CABG group (P<0.001), whereas improvement rates in patients with moderate MR were similar in the 2 groups (75% versus 67%, P=NS). Conclusions— Although MV repair appears to be more effective at reducing ischemic functional MR, CABG alone may be a preferable treatment option for patients with moderate MR and high operative risk factors such as old age or atrial fibrillation.

Focus Issue: Frontiers in Heart Valve ImagingOriginal ResearchAssociation Between Bicuspid Aortic Valve Phenotype and Patterns of Valvular Dysfunction and Bicuspid Aortopathy: Comprehensive Evaluation Using MDCT and Echocardiography

OBJECTIVESnWe sought to define the clinical importance of an integrated classification of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) phenotypes and aortopathy using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).nnnBACKGROUNDnAn association between BAV phenotypes and the pattern of valvular dysfunction or bicuspid aortopathy has yet to be definitely established.nnnMETHODSnThe study cohort included 167 subjects (116 men, age 54.6 ± 14.4 years) who underwent both MDCT and transthoracic echocardiography from 2003 to 2010. Two BAV phenotypes-fusion of the right and left coronary cusps (BAV-AP) and fusion of the right or left coronary cusp and noncoronary cusp (BAV-RL)-were identified. Forty-five patients showed normal aortic dimensions and were classified as type 0. In the remaining patients, hierarchic cluster analysis showed 3 different types of bicuspid aortopathy according to the pattern of aortic dilation: type 1 (aortic enlargement confined to the sinus of Valsalva [n = 34]), type 2 (aortic enlargement involving the tubular portion of the ascending aorta [n = 49]), and type 3 (aortic enlargement extending to the transverse aortic arch [n = 39]).nnnRESULTSnThe prevalence of BAV-AP and BAV-RL was 55.7% and 44.3%, respectively. Comparing BAV-AP and BAV-RL, no differences in age or in the prevalence of male sex were determined. However, significant differences in the valvular dysfunction pattern were noted, with moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis predominating in patients with BAV-RL (66.2% vs. 46.2% in BAV-AP; p = 0.01), and moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation in BAV-AP (32.3% vs. 6.8% in BAV-RL; p < 0.0001). A normal aorta was the most common phenotype in BAV-AP patients (33.3% vs. 18.9% in BAV-RL; p = 0.037), and type 3 aortopathy was the most common phenotype in BAV-RL patients (40.5% vs. 9.7% in BAV-AP; p < 0.0001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe patterns of valvular dysfunction and bicuspid aortopathy differed significantly between the 2 BAV phenotypes, suggesting the possibility of etiologically different entities.

Factors associated with development of late significant tricuspid regurgitation after successful left-sided valve surgery

Background: Persistent significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after successful left-sided valve surgery is frequently reported. Objectives: To evaluate the incidence, risk factors and clinical impact of development of late significant TR after successful left-sided valve surgery. Methods and results: 638 patients (356 men, mean age 52 (SD 14) years) who had mild (⩽grade 2/4) TR and underwent successful surgery without any procedure for TR were analysed. Development of significant TR was defined as a TR increase by more than one grade and final TR grade ⩾3/4 at follow-up echocardiography. Clinical events were defined as cardiovascular death, repeated open-heart surgery, and congestive heart failure requiring hospital admission. The overall incidence of late significant TR was 7.7% (49/638). Age (hazard ratio (HR), 1.0, 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.1; pu200a=u200a0.005), female gender (HR, 5.0; 95% CI 2.0 to 12.7; pu200a=u200a0.001), rheumatic aetiology (HR, 3.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 10.3; pu200a=u200a0.011), atrial fibrillation (Af) (HR, 2.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 6.4; pu200a=u200a0.035) and peak pressure gradient of TR at follow-up (HR, 1.1; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1; p<0.001) were independent factors associated with development of late significant TR. During clinical follow-up of 101 (24) months, patients who developed late significant TR showed a significantly lower 8-year clinical event-free survival rate (76 (6) vs 91 (1)%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Several clinical variables were independent risk factors for development of late significant TR. Early surgical intervention for TR in selected patients with these risk factors may be justified, even though they have only mild TR.

Impact of Early Surgery on Embolic Events in Patients With Infective Endocarditis

Background— Surgical indications to prevent systemic embolism in infective endocarditis (IE) remain controversial. We sought to compare clinical outcomes of early surgery with conventional treatment in IE patients with embolic indications only. Methods and Results— From 1998 to 2006, we prospectively enrolled 132 consecutive patients (86 men; age, 49±17 years) with definite IE. Patients were included if they had a left-sided native valve endocarditis with vegetation. The choice of early surgery or conventional treatment was at the discretion of attending physician. Early surgery was performed on 64 patients (OP group) within 7 days of diagnosis, and conventional management was chosen for 68 patients (CONV group). The OP group had larger vegetations and a higher percentage of patients with severe valvular disease (88% versus 62%, P=0.001). During initial hospitalization, there were no embolic events and 2 in-hospital deaths in the OP group and 14 embolic events and 2 in-hospital deaths in the CONV group. During a median follow-up of 1402 days, there were 2 cardiovascular deaths, 2 embolic events, and 1 recurrence of IE in the CONV group, and 1 cardiovascular death and 2 embolic events in the OP group. The 5-year event-free survival rate was significantly higher in the OP group (93±3%) than in the CONV group (73±5%, P=0.0016). For 44 propensity score-matched pairs, the OP group had a lower event rate (hazard ratio, 0.18; P=0.007). Conclusions— Compared with conventional treatment, an early surgery strategy is associated with improved clinical outcomes by effectively decreasing systemic embolism in patients with IE.

Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty Versus Surgical Treatment in Mitral Stenosis With Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation

Background— The persistence of significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is known to be an independent predictor of adverse outcome in mitral stenosis (MS). However, it remains unclear whether mitral valve (MV) surgery combined with surgical correction of TR is the better treatment option than PMV in patients with severe MS and severe functional TR. Methods and Results— We included a total of 92 consecutive patients (18 men, age 49±13 years) with severe MS and severe functional TR, who were potential candidates for PMV from 1997 to 2005, and the exclusion criteria were defined as the presence of left atrial thrombi, mitral regurgitation ≥grade 3, echo score >10, and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) <35%. PMV was performed on 48 patients (PMV group), and MV surgery combined with tricuspid valve (TV) repair was performed on 44 patients (TVP group). The clinical events were defined as death, repeat surgical or percutaneous intervention, and readmission because of heart failure. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of gender, baseline EF, and baseline severity of pulmonary hypertension, but patients in the TVP group were older and had a higher echo score and a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation than those in the PMV group. During follow-up of 57±35 months, 2 deaths occurred in the TVP group, and there were 2 deaths, 7 cases of heart failure requiring surgical intervention in the PMV group. The difference of event rates between the 2 groups showed borderline significance (P=0.05), but no difference in mortality was observed. The estimated actuarial 7-year event-free survival rate was 77±8% in the PMV group and 95±3% in the TVP group. Severe TR was improved to mild or absent TR in 43 (98%) patients in the TVP group, and this was significantly higher than in the PMV group (22/48, 46%; P<0.001). In the TVP group, the right ventricle (RV) size was significantly decreased in 18 (90%) patients among 20 patients with preoperative significant RV enlargement. On stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, TVP group and baseline sinus rhythm were independent predictors for improvement of TR (P<0.001). Conclusions— TV repair combined with MV surgery was related to better clinical outcomes than PMV alone, and we recommend that this surgical option should be considered preferentially in severe MS with severe functional TR, especially if atrial fibrillation or enlarged RV is associated.