Simon Biner

Aortopathy is Prevalent in Relatives of Bicuspid Aortic Valve Patients

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dilation and abnormal elastic properties of aortic root in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients. BACKGROUND Evidence indicates that BAV is a genetic disorder. Although FDRs of affected individuals have an increased prevalence of BAV, their risk of aortic root abnormalities is unknown. METHODS We studied dimensions as well as the elastic properties of the ascending aorta in 48 FDRs with morphologically normal tricuspid aortic valves, 54 BAV patients, and 45 control subjects using 2-dimensional echocardiography. RESULTS The prevalence of aortic root dilation was 32% in FDRs and 53% in BAV patients, whereas all control subjects showed normal aortic dimensions (p < 0.001). The FDRs and BAVs had significantly lower aortic distensibility (1.7 +/- 1.4 x 10(-3) mm Hg and 1.4 +/- 2.0 x 10(-3) mm Hg vs. 2.5 +/- 1.6 x 10(-3) mm Hg, p < 0.001) and greater aortic stiffness index (26.7 +/- 25.8 and 55.9 +/- 76.8 vs. 18.7 +/- 40.1, p = 0.001) compared with control subjects. This difference remained significant in subjects without aortic root dilation or hypertension (p = 0.002 and p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The aortic root is functionally abnormal and dilation is common (32%) in first-degree relatives of patients with BAV. Screening of FDRs by transthoracic 2-dimensional echocardiography should be considered for detection of aortic valve malformation and dilated ascending aorta.

The acute hemodynamic effects of MitraClip therapy.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute hemodynamic consequences of mitral valve (MV) repair with the MitraClip device (Abbott Vascular, Menlo Park, California). BACKGROUND Whether surgical correction of mitral regurgitation (MR) results in a low cardiac output (CO) state because of an acute increase in afterload remains controversial. The acute hemodynamic consequences of MR reduction with the MitraClip device have not been studied. METHODS We evaluated 107 patients with cardiac catheterization before and immediately following percutaneous MV repair with the MitraClip device. In addition, pre- and post-procedural hemodynamic parameters were studied by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS MitraClip treatment was attempted in 107 patients, and in 96 (90%) patients, a MitraClip was deployed. Successful MitraClip treatment resulted in: 1) an increase in CO from 5.0 ± 2.0 l/min to 5.7 ± 1.9 l/min (p = 0.003); 2) an increase in forward stroke volume (FSV) from 57 ± 17 ml to 65 ± 18 ml (p < 0.001); and 3) a decrease in systemic vascular resistance from 1,226 ± 481 dyn·s/cm(5) to 1,004 ± 442 dyn·s/cm(5) (p < 0.001). In addition, there was left ventricular (LV) unloading manifested by a decrease in LV end-diastolic pressure from 11.4 ± 9.0 mm Hg to 8.8 ± 5.8 mm Hg (p = 0.016) and a decrease in LV end-diastolic volume from 172 ± 37 ml to 158 ± 38 ml (p < 0.001). None of the patients developed acute post-procedural low CO state. CONCLUSIONS Successful MV repair with the MitraClip system results in an immediate and significant improvement in FSV, CO, and LV loading conditions. There was no evidence of a low CO state following MitraClip treatment for MR. These favorable hemodynamic effects with the MitraClip appear to reduce the risk of developing a low CO state, a complication occasionally observed after surgical MV repair for severe MR.

Reproducibility of Proximal Isovelocity Surface Area, Vena Contracta, and Regurgitant Jet Area for Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation Severity

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the interobserver agreement of proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) and vena contracta (VC) for differentiating severe from nonsevere mitral regurgitation (MR). BACKGROUND Recommendation for MR evaluation stresses the importance of VC width and effective regurgitant orifice area by PISA measurements. Reliable and accurate assessment of MR is important for clinical decision making regarding corrective surgery. We hypothesize that color Doppler-based quantitative measurements for classifying MR as severe versus nonsevere may be particularly susceptible to interobserver agreement. METHODS The PISA and VC measurements of 16 patients with MR were interpreted by 18 echocardiologists from 11 academic institutions. In addition, we obtained quantitative assessment of MR based on color flow Doppler jet area. RESULTS The overall interobserver agreement for grading MR as severe or nonsevere using qualitative and quantitative parameters was similar and suboptimal: 0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1 to 0.52) for jet area-based MR grade, 0.28 (95% CI: 0.11 to 0.45) for VC measurements, and 0.37 (95% CI: 0.16 to 0.58) for PISA measurements. Significant univariate predictors of substantial interobserver agreement for: 1) jet area-based MR grade was functional etiology (p = 0.039); 2) VC was central MR (p = 0.013) and identifiable effective regurgitant orifice (p = 0.049); and 3) PISA was presence of a central MR jet (p = 0.003), fixed proximal flow convergence (p = 0.025), and functional etiology (p = 0.049). Significant multivariate predictors of raw interobserver agreement > or =80% included: 1) for VC, identifiable effective regurgitant orifice (p = 0.035); and 2) for PISA, central regurgitant jet (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The VC and PISA measurements for distinction of severe versus nonsevere MR are only modestly reliable and associated with suboptimal interobserver agreement. The presence of an identifiable effective regurgitant orifice improves reproducibility of VC and a central regurgitant jet predicts substantial agreement among multiple observers of PISA assessment.

Tiara: a novel catheter-based mitral valve bioprosthesis: initial experiments and short-term pre-clinical results.

To the Editor: Novel percutaneous transcatheter technologies are emerging as alternatives to surgery for high-risk patients ([1][1]). Transcatheter mitral valve (MV) implantation has the potential to become the preferred intervention to treat severe mitral regurgitation in these patients, because

Acute effect of percutaneous MitraClip therapy in patients with haemodynamic decompensation

To evaluate the haemodynamic effect of acute procedural success (APS) after MitraClip therapy in patients with haemodynamic decompensation.

Transcatheter valve repair/implantation

Real time 3-dimensional transesophageal echo is a relatively new technology that enables online imaging that is highly accurate and precise for evaluating cardiac structures. Moreover, this methodology allows for accurate online guidance of interventional cardiac procedures for structural heart disease. In this report, we describe the use of real time, 3D transesophageal (TEE) for aortic valve replacement with percutaneous, bioprosthetic valves as well as for transcatheter mitral repair with the MitraClip device. For each procedure, we describe 3D evaluation of valvular structures prior to the procedure, and how 3D imaging is used to guide the procedure as well as to assess the results of the procedure. Use of 3D TEE has proven to be a substantial advance for evaluating patients prior to percutaneous heart valve procedures and especially for guiding and monitoring percutaneous, transcatheter heart valve procedures.

Transapical Mitral Implantation of the Tiara Bioprosthesis: Pre-Clinical Results

OBJECTIVES This study sought to describe the pre-clinical evaluation of transapical mitral implantation of the Tiara (Neovasc Inc, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) valve in preparation for first-in-man implantation. BACKGROUND The Tiara is a transcatheter self-expanding mitral bioprosthesis, specifically designed for the complex anatomic configuration of the mitral apparatus. METHODS Tiara valves were implanted in a short-term porcine model, in a long-term ovine model, and in human cadavers. RESULTS Short-term and long-term evaluation demonstrated excellent function and alignment of the valves, with no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, coronary artery obstruction, or transvalvular gradients. Long-term evaluation of 7 sheep demonstrated clinically stable animals. A mild degree of prosthetic valve regurgitation was seen in 2 of the 7 sheep. A mild-to-moderate degree of paravalvular leak, which was attributed to this animal model, was observed in 6 of these animals. Cardioscopy and macroscopic evaluation demonstrated stable and secure positioning of the Tiara valve with no evidence of injury to the ventricular or atrial walls. Pericardial leaflets were free and mobile without calcifications. Implantation of the Tiara valves in human cadaver hearts demonstrated, upon visual inspection, proper anatomic alignment and seating of the valve, both at the atrial and at the ventricular aspects of the native mitral apparatus. CONCLUSIONS In preparation for the first-in-man transcatheter mitral valve implantation, we report the successful pre-clinical evaluation of the Tiara transcatheter self-expanding mitral bioprosthetic valve. In porcine and ovine models without mitral regurgitation, transapical mitral implantation of the Tiara valve is technically feasible and safe, and results in a stable and well-functioning mitral bioprosthesis.

Catheter-based left atrial appendage occlusion procedure: role of echocardiography

Atrial fibrillation is a common, clinically significant arrhythmic disorder that results in increased risk of morbidity and mortality in affected patients. Atrial fibrillation is more prevalent among men compared with women and the risk for developing atrial fibrillation increases with advancing age. Ischaemic stroke is the most common clinical manifestation of embolic events from atrial fibrillation. While anticoagulation treatment is the preferred treatment, unfortunately, many patients have contraindications for anticoagulation treatment making this option unavailable to them. Previous data have shown that most thrombi that form in association with non-valvular atrial fibrillation occur in the left atrial appendage (LAA). It has been suggested that isolating the LAA from the body of the left atrium might reduce the risk of embolic events and that LAA obliteration may be a treatment option for patients with atrial fibrillation who are not candidates for anticoagulation treatment. Several procedures have been developed for isolation of the LAA, including surgical procedures as well as catheter-based ones. In this paper, we will review the currently available techniques, emphasizing the catheter-based ones. We will examine the increasing role of real-time three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography for appropriate screening and patient selection for these procedures, intra-procedural guidance, and follow-up care.

Frequency of recurrence of pericardial tamponade in patients with extended versus nonextended pericardial catheter drainage.

Recurrence of pericardial tamponade is relatively common after pericardiocentesis. We evaluated the clinical and procedural predictors of recurrent pericardial tamponade after pericardiocentesis. We included 157 consecutive patients with pericardial tamponade (age 62 ± 18 years, 54% men) who had undergone pericardiocentesis from 2000 to 2007. An intrapericardial catheter was used for prolonged drainage of the pericardial effusion (78% of cases) at the discretion of the operator. The overall recurrence rate 11.8 ± 0.6 months after pericardiocentesis was 20% and the mean interval to recurrence was 1.2 ± 2.1 months. However, patients with extended catheter drainage had a reduced recurrence rate of 12% compared to 52% in patients without extended drainage (p <0.001). In the Cox regression modeling, absence of extended drainage (hazard ratio [HR] 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 to 10, p = 0.002), incomplete drainage of pericardial effusion (HR 9.7, 95% CI 3.6 to 22.7, p <0.001), loculated effusion (HR 11.1, 95% CI 2.9 to 43, p = 0.001), and malignancy (HR 3.3, 95% CI 1.8 to 10.3, p = 0.037) independently correlated with recurrence at 1 year. In conclusion, extended pericardial drainage after catheter placement is associated with a reduced recurrence of pericardial tamponade after pericardiocentesis.

Impact of Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Tricuspid Regurgitation on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) may coexist with aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess the association between RV dysfunction, TR, associated comorbidities, and outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of baseline and 6‐month clinical and echocardiographic parameters, including TR grade, RV size (grade, end‐diastolic and end‐systolic areas, annular diameter), and function (grade, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE], fractional area change, Tei index), in 519 consecutive TAVR patients. Results: The prevalence of moderate or greater TR was 11% (n = 59). Although TR was associated with increased mortality (P = .02) in unadjusted analysis, it did not demonstrate an independent association with outcome when adjusted for RV dysfunction (TAPSE; P = .30) or multiple clinical parameters (P ≥ .20). RV parameters associated with poor outcomes included TAPSE (P = .006) and Tei index (P = .005). TAPSE was associated with lower survival even when adjusted for TR (P = .009) and all clinical parameters (P = .01). Persistence of moderate or greater TR 6 months after TAVR seemed to be associated with lower survival (P = .02), even when adjusted for clinical and RV parameters (P = .07). Conclusions: TR in association with aortic stenosis is frequently progressive despite TAVR but is not independently associated with outcomes. RV function is a stronger driver of adverse outcomes compared with TR itself, and RV quantitative rather than qualitative evaluation is the key to stratify these patients.