Sherif Moustafa

The Impact of Valve Surgery on 6-Month Mortality in Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis

Background— The role of valve surgery in left-sided infective endocarditis has not been evaluated in randomized controlled trials. We examined the association between valve surgery and all-cause 6-month mortality among patients with left-sided infective endocarditis. Methods and Results— A total of 546 consecutive patients with left-sided infective endocarditis were included. To minimize selection bias, propensity score to undergo valve surgery was used to match patients in the surgical and nonsurgical groups. To adjust for survivor bias, we matched the follow-up time so that each patient in the nonsurgical group survived at least as long as the time to surgery in the respective surgically-treated patient. We also used valve surgery as a time-dependent covariate in different Cox models. A total of 129 (23.6%) patients underwent surgery within 30 days of diagnosis. Death occurred in 99 of the 417 patients (23.7%) in the nonsurgical group versus 35 deaths among the 129 patients (27.1%) in the surgical group. Eighteen of 35 (51%) patients in the surgical group died within 7 days of valve surgery. In the subset of 186 cases (93 pairs of surgical versus nonsurgical cases) matched on the logit of their propensity score, diagnosis decade, and follow-up time, no significant association existed between surgery and mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.5 to 3.1). With a Cox model that incorporated surgery as a time-dependent covariate, valve surgery was associated with an increase in the 6-month mortality with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.2). Because the proportionality hazard assumption was violated in the time-dependent analysis, we performed a partitioning analysis. After adjustment for early (operative) mortality, surgery was not associated with a survival benefit (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.48 to 1.76). Conclusions— The results of our study suggest that valve surgery in left-sided infective endocarditis is not associated with a survival benefit and could be associated with increased 6-month mortality, even after adjustment for selection and survivor biases as well as confounders. Given the disparity between the results of our study and those of other observational studies, well-designed prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the role of valve surgery in endocarditis management.

Surgical Treatment of the Cardiac Manifestations of Relapsing Polychondritis: Overview of 33 Patients Identified Through Literature Review and the Mayo Clinic Records

OBJECTIVES To analyze the cardiac findings that necessitate surgery in patients with relapsing polychondritis (RP) and to compare our results to cases in the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic overview of the literature was completed with the addition of cases of RP from the Mayo patient population that necessitated cardiac surgery. RESULTS Thirty-three patients were identified (25 from the literature and 8 from the Mayo patient population). Nine patients (27%) were female, 22 (67%) were male, and sex was not stated for 2 patients (6%). The patient age ranged from 17 to 69 years (mean +/- SD, 42.5 +/- 15.7 years). At operation, 30 patients (91%) had aortic regurgitation, 21 (64%) had aortic root disease, and 13 (39%) had mitral regurgitation. The most common surgical procedure performed was aortic valve replacement in 12 patients (36%). The most common complications were death in 12 patients (36%) and prosthetic valve dehiscence in 4 patients (12%). CONCLUSIONS Cardiac involvement is more prominent in the male population and requires more invasive procedures. Aortic valve replacement with composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta along with coronary artery ostial reimplantation should be considered in these patients. Postsurgical valvular complications include prosthetic dehiscence, paravalvular leakage, mediastinitis, and heart failure, and these complications are associated with postoperative corticosteroid therapy. Initiation of second-line immunosuppressive therapy should be substituted for corticosteroids after cardiac surgery.

Global left atrial dysfunction and regional heterogeneity in primary chronic mitral insufficiency

AIMS We assessed the hypothesis that global and regional left atrial (LA) function is altered in patients with chronic primary mitral regurgitation (MR) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). METHODS AND RESULTS Velocity vector imaging of the LA was acquired from apical four- and two-chamber views in 41 normal and 43 subjects with chronic MR due to MMVD. All had normal left ventricular systolic function. The LA subendocardium was traced to obtain atrial volumes, ejection fraction, velocities, and strain (ε)/strain rate (SR) measurements. To explore the effects of MR severity on LA function, subjects were divided into two groups: mild vs. moderate/severe MR. Reservoir (expansion and diastolic emptying indices), booster pump (active emptying index) functions, and LA ejection fraction were markedly impaired in subjects with MR (P < 0.001). Mean LA ε was reduced in moderate/severe MR compared with control subjects (P < 0.01). A consistent pattern of differences in atrial regional function was noted with the anterior wall having a lower peak systolic ε/SR, which is more evident in the moderate/severe MR group (P < 0.01) when compared with controls and mild MR groups. CONCLUSION LA filling during ventricular systole (reservoir function), LA contraction (booster pump function), and ejection fraction were significantly impaired in patients with chronic MR. Regional differences in LA contractility at the anterior wall were noted presumably due to the eccentricity of the systolic anteriorly directed MR jet hitting the anterior wall and altering local wall mechanics.

Subclinical Atherosclerosis: Evolving Role of Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness

Cardiovascular risk factors have utility in risk prediction but have limitations in predicting individual risk. Identifying an individuals risk remains a challenge. Emerging technologies such as carotid artery ultrasonography and measures of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) may be useful in identifying the susceptible patient who may benefit from more aggressive preventive therapy. This screening test is noninvasive, reproducible, inexpensive, and radiation-free. Recent data have improved our understanding of the application of CIMT as a screening tool for cardiovascular disease. CIMT measurement may place an individual into a higher- or lower-risk category, allowing for appropriate institution of preventive strategies.

Prediction of incipient left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic primary mitral regurgitation: a velocity vector imaging study.

AIMS Progressive left ventricular (LV) dilatation and irreversible myocardial damage are important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic primary mitral regurgitation (MR) due to myxomatous mitral valve disease. We assessed the hypothesis that early subclinical LV dysfunction secondary to chronic primary MR could be signalled by abnormal LV rotation mechanics, utilizing velocity vector imaging (VVI). METHODS AND RESULTS Forty-three with chronic primary MR and 41 normal subjects were evaluated. All had normal LV systolic function. Peak endocardial and epicardial rotations in systole were measured in apical and basal short-axis images. LV twist was defined as the net difference between apical and basal angles of rotation while LV torsion was calculated as LV twist divided by LV diastolic longitudinal length. To explore the effects of MR severity on LV rotation, patients were divided into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe MR. The peak twist and torsion of the LV endocardium displayed significant differences across the study groups (P = 0.005 and 0.015, respectively). Subjects with moderate MR revealed the highest LV rotation profile (2.26 ± 0.66°/cm and 17.83 ± 5.2° for torsion and twist, respectively), implicating hyperdynamic LV function. However, severe MR group showed the lowest LV rotation profile (1.39 ± 0.8°/cm and 11.43 ± 6.09° for torsion and twist, respectively), suggesting incipient LV dysfunction. There were no significant differences in epicardial LV rotations. CONCLUSION Evaluation of global LV function by VVI is a novel reproducible index for detecting subnormal latent LV dysfunction in chronic MR patients, which may aid in the optimal timing of surgery.

Infectious pericarditis: an experience spanning a decade

Background — Although recent literature suggests a changing spectrum for infectious pericarditis (IP), this view has not been proven. In this report, we aim to review the features of IP in cases from a large tertiary centre. Methods — A retrospective review of our institution’s database was conducted to identify cases with IP between January 1994 and December 2004.All pericardial biopsy tissue results from the same period were also reviewed. Results — One hundred and thirty-eight cases were identified, of which 14 cases were identified by pathology. The mean age was 53 ± 18 years, and 74% were men. The most frequently identified causative organisms were Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), staphylococci and streptococci. A common predisposing factor was an immune-compromised state, followed by cardiac surgery. Fifty-five patients were treated with antibiotics (medical group) while 63 cases (surgical group) underwent surgical drainage (pericardial window) and/or pericardiectomy. In comparison to the medical group, the surgical group was more critically ill and immunocompromised (40% versus 24%, respectively). There were 52 late deaths during follow-up. Mortality in the medical group was 67% while in the surgical group it was 24% (P < 0.0001). Conclusions — In contradistinction to the literature reports, the most prevalent organism for IP was P. acnes. Patients managed aggressively with both antibiotics and surgery, demonstrated lower mortality rates.Therefore, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for IP so that timely and appropriate mortality-reducing strategies can be offered.

Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Physiologic Assessment using Echocardiography for Management and Optimization

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are being deployed increasingly in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and medically refractory congestive heart failure of any etiology. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the use of the Thoratec Heartmate II (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA, USA) for outpatient use. Echocardiography is fundamental during each stage of patient management, pre-LVAD placement, during LVAD placement, for postoperative LVAD optimization and long-term follow-up. We present a pragmatic and systematic echocardiographic approach that serves as a guide for the management of left ventricular assist devices.

Management of aortic valve disease in the presence of left ventricular dysfunction

The development of heart failure in patients with aortic valve disease is associated with increased mortality, unless aortic valve replacement is performed. There is an especially high risk of death among patients with low ejection fraction. The heart failure must be treated and the patient’s condition stabilized before surgery is performed. A delay in surgery, on the other hand, may lead to irreversible cardiac dysfunction and culminate in heart failure. Initial management must include an evaluation of the severity of the lesion and the functional state of the left ventricle. It is possible to achieve both of these goals simultaneously with echocardiography and pharmacologic challenge.

Temporal Trends of Cardiac Chambers Function with Trastuzumab in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor II–Positive Breast Cancer Patients

Trastuzumab has substantially improved overall survival and reduced the risk of disease recurrence in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor type II (HER‐II)–positive breast cancer. However, this benefit may be at the increased risk of cardiotoxicity. We aimed to explore the early subclinical left and right ventricular as well as atrial dysfunction, in trastuzumab‐treated patients with HER‐II–positive breast cancer, using velocity vector imaging.

Right and Left Atrial Dissimilarities in Normal Subjects Explored by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

Atrial function is an important contributor of ventricular function and has a prognostic role in various cardiovascular diseases. We tested the hypothesis that right and left atrial (RA & LA) function may not be equal despite their accommodating identical cardiac output.