Renato Bragato

Remission of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and of heart failure symptoms after cardiac resynchronization therapy: temporal pattern and clinical predictors.

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to determine whether cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may induce a heart failure (HF) remission phase (recovery to New York Heart Association functional class I-II and regression of left ventricular [LV] dysfunction: LV ejection fraction [EF] > or = 50%) and to define the incidence and predictors of such a process. METHODS Cardiac resynchronization therapy devices were successfully implanted in 520 consecutive HF patients from 1999 to 2006 (mean age 66 years, 82% male sex, New York Heart Association class > or = II, LVEF 28%, QRS 164 milliseconds, 6-minute hall walk distance 302 m) at our institution. Follow-up data were prospectively collected every 3 to 6 months. Continuous variables were stratified in tertiles. RESULTS Over a median follow-up of 28 months, 26% of patients achieved LV remission (rate: 16 per 100 person-years). At univariate analysis, female sex (P = .032), non-coronary artery disease (CAD) etiology (P < .001), mitral regurgitation < 2/4 (P = .022), higher EF tertile (P < .001), lower diameter and volume tertiles (both P < .001), previous conventional right ventricle pacing (P = .029), and post-CRT-paced QRS (P = .008) predicted remission. At multivariate analysis, non-CAD etiology, LVEF 30% to 35%, and LV end-diastolic volume < 180 mL were strongly associated with HF remission phase (all P < .001). Concomitance of these 3 factors yielded a significantly higher remission rate compared with either no or only 1 factor (respectively, 60 vs 7 and 11 per 100 person-years, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Cardiac resynchronization therapy induces HF remission phase in 26% of patients, even after 3 years. Non-CAD etiology and moderately compromised LV function at baseline may easily predict this process.

Three dimensional transthoracic echocardiography images of tricuspid stenosis

A 56 year old man was admitted for evaluation of exertional dyspnoea. His medical history was significant for rheumatic mitral and aortic valve disease. A transthoracic three dimensional (3D) echocardiography examination was performed using a Philips Sonos 7500 (Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, the Netherlands) and a new 4 MHz, 4X matrix transducer capable of providing real time …

Low-dose dobutamine test associated with interventricular dyssynchrony: a useful tool to identify cardiac resynchronization therapy responders: data from the LOw dose DObutamine stress-echo test in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (LODO-CRT) phase 2 study.

BACKGROUND Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective in patients with heart failure, but 30% to 50% of subjects are classified as nonresponders. Identifying responders remains a challenging task. AIMS The LODO-CRT trial investigated the association between left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) and clinical and echocardiographic long-term CRT response. METHODS This is a multicenter, prospective, observational study. Left ventricular contractile reserve was detected using a dobutamine stress echocardiography test, defined as an ejection fraction increase of >5 points. Clinical CRT response was defined as the absence of major cardiovascular events (ie, cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization). Echocardiographic response was defined as a left ventricle end-systolic volume reduction of >10%. RESULTS A total of 221 CRT-indicated patients were studied (80% presented LVCR). During a mean follow-up of 15 ± 5 months, 17 patients died and 16 were hospitalized due to heart failure. The proportion of clinical responders was 155 (88%) of 177 and 33 (75%) of 44 (P = .036) in the groups with and without LVCR, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant difference in cardiac survival/hospitalization between patients with and without LVCR. The proportion of echocardiographic responders was 144 (87%) of 166 and 16 (42%) of 38 in the groups with and without LVCR (P < .001), respectively; LVCR showed 90% sensitivity and 87% positive predictive value to prefigure echocardiographic CRT responders. Multivariable analysis identified LVCR and interventricular dyssynchrony as independent predictors of CRT response. The concomitant presence of both factors showed 99% specificity and 83% sensitivity in detecting responders. CONCLUSION The presence of LVCR helps in predicting a clinical and echocardiographic CRT response. Concomitant assessment of LVCR and interventricular dyssynchrony accurately stratifies responder and nonresponder patients.

Huge left atrial thrombus after left atrial appendage occlusion with a Watchman device

The feasibility and safety of transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion with the WatchmanTM Device (Atritech Inc., Plymouth, MN, USA) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) has recently been described. To our knowledge, a case of huge thrombus formation on the external surface of this device has not been described so far. A …

Sistema di assistenza ventricolare CircuLite Synergy: un nuovo approccio all'insufficienza cardiaca terminale

BACKGROUND: The Synergy system, a miniature partial circulatory support device, is implanted by an off-pump, minimally invasive surgical approach. The system has been optimized to improve performance in an EU clinical trial for chronic ambulatory heart failure. This therefore offers the possibility of treating elderly chronic heart failure patients who might not usually be considered for long-term circulatory support. METHODS: From June 2007 to December 2012, 63 patients were implanted with the Synergy system (12 patients ≥70 years) using four different releases of the device. Briefly, the system draws blood through the inflow cannula from the left atrium into the micro-pump (placed in a right subclavicular pocket) and pumps it through an outflow graft to the right subclavian artery. In this paper, we present an intermediate analysis of the clinical trial as performed on April 30, 2013, leading to the placing of the CE mark. RESULTS: Mean duration of support is ongoing at 230 days (range 23-1387). Follow-up showed improved hemodynamic response, with additional improvements in 6-min walk distance (299 ± 144 to 420 ± 119 m) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (69.5 ± 20.4 to 49.2 ± 24.3). Older patients had longer mean durations of support (337 vs 188 days). On average, elderly and younger patients showed similar improvements in hemodynamics and 6-min walk distance (107 ± 120 vs 130 ± 121 m). Major adverse cardiac events included bleeding (n=4) with one bleeding related to renal failure resulting in death. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical use of the Synergy device was associated with a significant functional improvement. Very low adverse event rates were reported with the latest device release. Older patients had smaller body sizes and worse renal function than younger patients. Both groups experienced similar hemodynamic benefits and functional improvements. The risk of bleeding and renal dysfunction appears to be increased in the elderly, though still within acceptable ranges compared to other full support devices. Minimally invasive long-term circulatory support devices, like Synergy, offer a new treatment option that might be available even for the elderly chronic heart failure population.

A Hybrid Double Access for Transcatheter Mitral Valve-In-Valve Implantation

We present a case of hybrid mitral valve-in valve implantation. The planned transapical approach failed due to the inability to cross the degenerated stenotic mitral bioprosthesis. An alternative strategy was performed: first, an anterograde crossing of mitral stenosis, and then, a guidewire externalization through the apex by using a snare. To our knowledge, this is the first described case of double approach mitral valve-in valve implantation.

Perforated giant mycotic aneurysm of mitral valve in a drug-addicted young man: Rare complication of infective endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) affects patients at high clinical risk and may present as an acute and rapidly progressive, subacute or chronic infection. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography represent the key diagnostic method in IE diagnosis. In particular, three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography represents the imaging technique that allows to establish with adequate accuracy dimensions, shape, and localization of endocarditis vegetations. In our case, we show a huge vermiform mycotic aneurysm in an immunodeficient young drug‐addicted man with severe mitral valve regurgitation and the additive value of three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in this specific clinical setting.

Real-time three-dimensional trans-oesophageal echocardiography: a guidance in challenging endomyocardial biopsy-cardiac angiosarcoma involving upper and lower vena cava

Angiosarcoma, a rare malignant primary cardiac tumour, shows extremely aggressive growth and poor prognosis. Few small population studies are available; therefore, clinical cases add important information to its knowledge. We report a rare case of aggressive angiosarcoma involving both caval veins. A 60-year-old man sought assistance to the emergency department because of chest pain and …

An unusual left ventricular apical mass

Left ventricular apical masses constitute a rare finding. Imaging properties together with the clinical history of the patient usually allow an etiologic definition. We report a challenging case of an ambiguous left ventricular apical mass of uncertain nature till histological examination. Points of interest were singular clinical history and echocardiographic findings, although not conclusive in hypothesis generating. Furthermore to the best of our knowledge, this is one of the rare attempt to excise a deep left ventricular mass with a mini-invasive surgical approach.