Valvular cardiac surgery

J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 5;11(23):7217. doi: 10.3390/jcm11237217.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is the progressive and potentially reversible dysfunction of at least two organ systems in the course of an acute and life-threatening disorder of systemic homeostasis. MODS is a serious post-cardiac-surgery complication in valvular heart disease that is associated with a high risk of death. This study assessed the predictive ability of selected preoperative and perioperative parameters for the occurrence of MODS in the early postoperative period in a group of patients with severe valvular heart disease.

METHODS: Subsequent patients with significant symptomatic valvular heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery were recruited in the study. The main end-point was postoperative MODS, defined as a dysfunction of at least two organs-perioperative stroke, heart failure requiring mechanical circulatory support, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and postoperative acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy. A logistic regression was used to assess relationships between variables.

RESULTS: There were 602 patients recruited for this study. The main end-point occurred in 40 patients. Preoperative NT-proBNP (OR 1.026; 95% CI 1.012-1.041; p = 0.001) and hemoglobin (OR 0.653; 95% CI 0.503-0.847; p = 0.003) are independent predictors of the primary end-point in a multivariate regression analysis. The cut-off point for the NT-proBNP value for postoperative MODS was calculated at 1300 pg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS: A high preoperative level of NTpro-BNP may be associated with the onset of MODS in the early postoperative period. The results of the study may also suggest that earlier cardiac surgery for significant valvular heart disease may be associated with an improved prognosis in this group of patients.

PMID:36498791 | PMC:PMC9740192 | DOI:10.3390/jcm11237217

J Clin Med. 2022 Dec 1;11(23):7150. doi: 10.3390/jcm11237150.

ABSTRACT

(1) Background: Culture-negative endocarditis is challenging to diagnose. Here, we retrospectively identified 23 cases of Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella endocarditis by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. (2) Methods: Twenty-three patients with culture-negative endocarditis were retrospectively enrolled from Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (n = 23) between April 2019 and December 2021. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing was performed on blood (n = 22) and excised cardiac valvular tissue samples (n = 22) for etiological identification, and Sanger sequencing was performed for pathogenic diagnostic verification. The demographic and clinical data of the 23 patients were obtained from hospital electronic health records. (3) Results: A total of 23 male patients (median age, 56 years (interquartile range, 16)) with culture-negative endocarditis were diagnosed with Coxiella burnetii (n = 21) or Bartonella (n = 2) species infection by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. All patients underwent cardiac surgery. The resected tissue exhibited both a significantly higher number of unique suspected pathogen read-pairs and more unique pathogen read-pairs than the blood specimens. The results of Sanger sequencing tests on all remaining tissue and blood specimens were positive. Oral doxycycline was added to the antibiotic regimen for at least 1.5 years according to etiology. A total of 21 patients (91%) were discharged, and 20 patients were healthy at the 21-month (interquartile range, 15) follow-up visit. One patient exhibited endocarditis relapse with the same pathogen from inadequate antibiotic administration. The last 2 patients (9%) developed septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome postoperatively and died shortly after discharge. (4) Conclusions: CNE caused by C. burnetii and Bartonella species is challenging to diagnose and exhibits poor outcome due to delayed treatment. In response, mNGS, characterized by high sensitivity and rapid results, is an effective alternative for the etiological identification of C. burnetii and Bartonella endocarditis.

PMID:36498724 | PMC:PMC9736278 | DOI:10.3390/jcm11237150

J Clin Med. 2022 Nov 30;11(23):7098. doi: 10.3390/jcm11237098.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden cessation of normal cardiac activity with hemodynamic collapse. This usually leads to sudden cardiac death (SCD) when cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not undertaken. In patients undergoing heart valve surgery, postoperative SCA is a complication with a high risk of death, cerebral hypoxia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Therefore, knowledge of the predictors of postoperative SCA is extremely important as it enables the identification of patients at risk of this complication and the application of the special surveillance and therapeutic management in this group of patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of selected biomarkers in predicting postoperative SCA in patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on a group of 616 consecutive patients with significant valvular heart disease that underwent elective valve surgery with or without coronary artery bypass surgery. The primary end-point at the intra-hospital follow-up was postoperative SCA. The secondary end-point was death from all causes in patients with postoperative SCA. Patients were observed until discharge from the hospital or until death. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationships between variables.

RESULTS: The postoperative SCA occurred in 14 patients. At multivariate analysis, only NT-proBNP (odds ratio (OR) 1.022, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.012-1.044; p = 0.03) remained independent predictors of the primary end-point. Age and NT-proBNP were associated with an increased risk of death in patients with postoperative SCA.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the presented study indicate that SCA in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing heart valve surgery is an unpredictable event with high mortality. The potential predictive ability of the preoperative NT-proBNP level for the occurrence of postoperative SCA and death in patients after SCA demonstrated in the study may indicate that the overloaded and damaged myocardium in patients undergoing heart valve surgery is particularly sensitive to non-physiological conditions prevailing in the perioperative period, which may cause serious hemodynamic disturbances in the postoperative period and lead to death.

PMID:36498672 | PMC:PMC9737591 | DOI:10.3390/jcm11237098

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2022 Dec 10;17(1):303. doi: 10.1186/s13019-022-02049-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Aortic regurgitation (AR) is one of the most common cardiac valvular diseases, and it is frequently caused by cusp prolapse. However, the precise relationship of commissure position and aortic cusp prolapse with AR is not fully understood. In this study, we developed a 3D-printed commissure geometric alignment device to investigate the effect of commissure height and inter-commissure angle on AR and aortic cusp prolapse.

METHODS: Three porcine aortic valves were explanted from hearts obtained from a meat abattoir and were mounted in the commissure geometric alignment device. Nine commissure configurations were tested for each specimen, exploring independent and concurrent effects of commissure height and inter-commissure angle change on AR and aortic cusp prolapse. Each commissure configuration was tested in our 3D printed ex vivo left heart simulator. Hemodynamics data, echocardiography, and high-speed videography were obtained.

RESULTS: AR due to aortic cusp prolapse was successfully generated using our commissure geometric alignment device. Mean aortic regurgitation fraction measured for the baseline, high commissure, low commissure, high commissure and wide inter-commissure angle, high commissure and narrow inter-commissure angle, low commissure and wide inter-commissure angle, low commissure and narrow inter-commissure angle, wide commissure, and narrow commissure configurations from all samples were 4.6 ± 1.4%, 9.7 ± 3.7%, 4.2 ± 0.5%, 11.7 ± 5.8%, 13.0 ± 8.5%, 4.8 ± 0.9%, 7.3 ± 1.7%, 5.1 ± 1.2%, and 7.1 ± 3.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: AR was most prominent when commissure heights were changed from their native levels with concomitant reduced inter-commissure angle. Findings from this study provide important evidence demonstrating the relationship between commissure position and aortic cusp prolapse and may have a significant impact on patient outcomes after surgical repair of aortic valves.

PMID:36496476 | PMC:PMC9737730 | DOI:10.1186/s13019-022-02049-5

J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2022 Dec 10. doi: 10.1007/s10840-022-01419-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of the slow pathway in atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is associated with high efficacy and low risk of total perioperative or late atrioventricular block. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of slow-pathway RFCA for AVNRT using a zero-fluoroscopy approach.

METHODS: Data were obtained from a prospective multicenter registry of catheter ablation from January 2012 to February 2018. Consecutive unselected patients with the final diagnosis of AVNRT were recruited. Electrophysiological and 3-dimensional (3D) electroanatomical mapping systems were used to create 3D maps and to navigate only 2 catheters from the femoral access. Acute procedural efficacy was evaluated using the isoproterenol and/or atropine test, with 15-min observation after ablation. Each case of recurrence or complication was consulted at an outpatient clinic during long-term follow-up.

RESULTS: Of the 1032 procedures, 1007 (97.5%) were completed without fluoroscopy. Conversion to fluoroscopy was required in 25 patients (2.5%), mainly due to an atypical location of the coronary sinus (n = 7) and catheter instability (n = 7). The mean radiation exposure time was 1.95 ± 1.3 min for these cases. The mean fluoroscopy time for the entire study cohort was 0.05 ± 0.4 min. The mean total procedure time was 44.8 ± 18.6 min. There were no significant in-hospital complications. The total success rate was 96.1% (n = 992), and the recurrence rate was 3.9% (n = 40).

CONCLUSION: Slow-pathway RFCA can be safely performed without fluoroscopy, with a minimal risk of complications and a high success rate.

PMID:36495412 | DOI:10.1007/s10840-022-01419-2

Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Dec 2;101(48):e31953. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000031953.

ABSTRACT

With the aging of the population, the incidence of senile degenerative valvular heart disease is expected to increase. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been used for patients at lower surgical risk with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis. Because of the improvements in TAVR technology and increasing experience of the operators, TAVR is regarded as a safe and feasible procedure. Bleeding events during the TAVR perioperative period, especially gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, have been proven to be related to the long-term prognosis and mortality. Elderly patients with valvular heart disease are susceptible to GI bleeding because of their use of antithrombotic drugs, physical damage of coagulation factors, and GI angiodysplasia. Frequent GI bleeding and low levels of preoperative hemoglobin increase the risk of TAVR, especially for elderly patients. Because of these risks, which are easily overlooked, we should focus more attention on the perioperative management of TAVR. Reasonable screening tools, including blood examinations, risk evaluation scales, and endoscopy, are beneficial to the prevention of complications that can occur during the perioperative period. Additionally, medical therapy can safely help patients at high-risk for bleeding patients throughout the perioperative period. This study aimed to characterize the pathology of TAVR patients and discuss treatment strategies for GI bleeding during the perioperative period.

PMID:36482568 | PMC:PMC9726417 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000031953

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2022 Dec 6:S1043-0679(22)00275-1. doi: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2022.11.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Repair of concomitant aortic and mitral valvular disease with involvement of the aortomitral curtain requires a technically complex operation colloquially termed the commando procedure. Surgical outcomes of this procedure are not well described. The objective of this study was to examine outcomes of the commando procedure at our center. We identified all patients undergoing concomitant aortic and mitral valve replacements from 2004-2021. Of 363 patients, 41 underwent reconstruction of the aortomitral curtain. Survival analysis and multivariable modeling were used to examine outcomes and risk factors for mortality. The median age was 52 (IQR 44-71) years. Preoperatively, 4 of 41 (9.8%) patients had renal failure, and 10 of 41 (24.4%) had a stroke. The most common surgical indication was endocarditis in 25 of 41 (61.0%) patients. 25 of 41 (61.0%) patients underwent redo sternotomy, and 23 of 41 (56.1%) had previous prosthetic valves. Operative mortality was 14 of 41 (34.1%), and 8 of 41 (9.5%) patients received a permanent pacemaker. Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 55.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 40.6-75.5%), 50.3% (35.0-72.3%), and 37.7% (19.3-73.9%) respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression identified previous sternotomy (HR 4.76, 95% CI 1.21-18.73), and female gender (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.17-13.82) as risk factors for mortality. Patients undergoing reconstruction of the aortomitral curtain represent a high-risk population with complex surgical indications. Due to high perioperative morbidity and mortality, this procedure should be performed only when necessary. Despite a high up front morbidity burden, outcomes remain favorable for patients who survive the initial hospitalization.

PMID:36481412 | DOI:10.1053/j.semtcvs.2022.11.008

JAMA Cardiol. 2022 Dec 7. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2022.4457. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Racial and ethnic minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged patients have been underrepresented in randomized clinical trials. Efforts have focused on enhancing inclusion of minority groups at sites participating at clinical trials; however, there may be differences in the patient populations of the sites that participate in clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To identify any differences in the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic composition of patient populations among candidate sites in the US that did vs did not participate in trials for novel transcatheter therapies.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional analysis used Medicare Provider Claims from 2019 for patients admitted to hospitals in the US. All clinical trials for transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve therapies and the hospitals participating in each of the trials were identified using ClinicalTrials.gov. Hospitals with active cardiac surgical programs that did not participate in the trials were also identified. Data analysis was performed between July 2021 and July 2022.

EXPOSURES: Multivariable linear regression models were used to identify differences in racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic characteristics among patients undergoing cardiac surgery or transcatheter aortic valve replacement at trial vs nontrial hospitals.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: The main outcome of the study was participation in a clinical trial for novel transcatheter mitral or tricuspid valve therapies.

RESULTS: A total of 1050 hospitals with cardiac surgery programs were identified, of which 121 (11.5%) participated in trials for transcatheter mitral or tricuspid therapies. Patients treated in trial hospitals had a higher median zip code-based household income (difference of $5261; 95% CI, $2986-$7537), a lower Distressed Communities Index score (difference of 5.37; 95% CI, 2.59-8.15), and no significant difference in the proportion of patients dual eligible for Medicaid (difference of 0.86; 95% CI, -2.38 to 0.66). After adjusting for each of the socioeconomic indicators separately, there was less than 1% difference in the proportion of Black and Hispanic patients cared for at hospitals participating vs not participating in clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study among candidate hospitals for clinical trials for transcatheter mitral or tricuspid valve therapies, trial hospitals took care of a more socioeconomically advantaged population than nontrial hospitals, with a similar proportion of Black and Hispanic patients. These data suggest that site selection efforts may improve enrollment of socioeconomically disadvantaged patients but may not improve the enrollment of Black and Hispanic patients.

PMID:36477493 | DOI:10.1001/jamacardio.2022.4457

Trials. 2022 Dec 7;23(1):984. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06965-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Valvular heart disease remains common in both developed and developing countries, and it requires timely surgical treatment when necessary. However, the stability of hemodynamics during anesthesia induction in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery is difficult to maintain due to their impaired cardiac function. Remimazolam, a novel and ultrashort-acting intravenous sedative-hypnotic, may be beneficial to stable hemodynamics, but the evidence is limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of remimazolam induction on hemodynamics compared with midazolam and etomidate in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery.

METHODS: This is a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT). Three hundred and sixty-three non-obese adult patients aged 45 to 80 years old undergoing valve surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass will be randomly allocated to receive remimazolam tosilate, midazolam, or etomidate during anesthetic induction. The primary outcome is the incidence of hypotension within 20 min after the administration of investigated drugs. The hypotension is defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg or a 30% reduction in SBP from baseline or the application of vasoactive drugs. Secondary outcomes include incidence of successful sedation, time to successful sedation, incidence of delirium and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome within 7 days after surgery, hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation time, ICU length of stay, and hospital length of stay.

DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first prospective RCT to investigate the efficacy and safety of remimazolam induction in adult cardiac surgery compared with midazolam and etomidate. This study will provide important information on the application of remimazolam in cardiac surgery in the future.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2100050122. Registered on August 16, 2021.

PMID:36476322 | PMC:PMC9727858 | DOI:10.1186/s13063-022-06965-8

Cureus. 2022 Nov 5;14(11):e31133. doi: 10.7759/cureus.31133. eCollection 2022 Nov.

ABSTRACT

Women with native heart valve disease who are considering getting pregnant should have a complete risk estimation to determine whether an intervention is required prior to becoming pregnant and, if so, to determine when it should be performed and what kind of surgical therapy will be used. Pregnancy is linked to early and late structural valve degeneration in women who have bioprostheses, suggesting a high reoperation rate. A mechanical valve during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal complications such as valve thrombosis and mortality. The claim that women with defective hearts should not become pregnant was driven by the high maternal death rate among cardiac patients who became pregnant. A preoperative anticoagulation therapy trial helped women scheduled for valve replacement to acquire complete information as to the choice of the prosthetic device. Integrated risk stratification scheme for pregnant patients with valvular heart disease, with WHO classification and an algorithmic approach to both preconception counseling and anticoagulation strategy as outlined here, as well as early referral to a cardiologist with expertise in the management of cardiac disease and pregnancy for these complex patients is recommended. However, in reality, some women present while pregnant and valve disease needs to be managed, balancing maternal outcome and fetal risk. In general, optimizing the hemodynamic situation of the mother is also beneficial to the fetus. However, cardiac surgery carries a high risk for the fetus. No anticoagulant regimen can be said to be entirely safe for use during pregnancy, as there is a degree of risk with each regimen. Therefore, this review has been done to find appropriate management for women dealing with such conditions.

PMID:36475179 | PMC:PMC9720036 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.31133

Eur J Med Genet. 2023 Jan;66(1):104673. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2022.104673. Epub 2022 Nov 29.

ABSTRACT

Heritable thoracic aortic diseases (HTAD) are rare pathologies associated with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissection, which can be syndromic or non-syndromic. They may result from genetic defects. Associated genes identified to date are classified into those encoding components of the (a) extracellular matrix (b) TGFβ pathway and (c) smooth muscle contractile mechanism. Timely diagnosis allows for prompt aortic surveillance and prophylactic surgery, hence improving life expectancy and reducing maternal complications as well as providing reassurance to family members when a diagnosis is ruled out. This document is an expert opinion reflecting strategies put forward by medical experts and patient representatives involved in the HTAD Rare Disease Working Group of VASCERN. It aims to provide a patient pathway that improves patient care by diminishing time to diagnosis, facilitating the establishment of a correct diagnosis using molecular genetics when possible, excluding the diagnosis in unaffected persons through appropriate family screening and avoiding overuse of resources. It is being recommended that patients are referred to an expert centre for further evaluation if they meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) thoracic aortic dissection (<70 years if hypertensive; all ages if non-hypertensive), (2) thoracic aortic aneurysm (all adults with Z score >3.5 or 2.5-3.5 if non-hypertensive or hypertensive and <60 years; all children with Z score >3), (3) family history of HTAD with/without a pathogenic variant in a gene linked to HTAD, (4) ectopia lentis without other obvious explanation and (5) a systemic score of >5 in adults and >3 in children. Aortic imaging primarily relies on transthoracic echocardiography with magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography as needed. Genetic testing should be considered in those with a high suspicion of underlying genetic aortopathy. Though panels vary among centers, for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection or systemic features these should include genes with a definitive or strong association to HTAD. Genetic cascade screening and serial aortic imaging should be considered for family screening and follow-up. In conclusion, the implementation of these strategies should help standardise the diagnostic work-up and follow-up of patients with suspected HTAD and the screening of their relatives.

PMID:36460281 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejmg.2022.104673

Braz J Cardiovasc Surg. 2022 Dec 1. doi: 10.21470/1678-9741-2022-0008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The heart and liver are two organs that are closely related. The Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) score is a developed scoring system for assessing liver function. The aims of this study were to examine the correlation between preoperative ALBI score and pulmonary artery pressure and to investigate its ability to predict heart valve surgery mortality outcomes.

METHODS: The data of 872 patients who underwent isolated and combined heart valve surgery from 2014 to 2021 were retrospectively screened. In the preoperative period, 152 patients with laboratory tests including albumin and total bilirubin were found and analyzed retrospectively. Thirteen of these patients were excluded from the study. The remaining 139 patients were included in the analysis. Baseline demographic data, echocardiography data, performance status, laboratory data, operative data, and postoperative status were collected. The optimal cutoff value of preoperative ALBI score was calculated.

RESULTS: The cutoff for ALBI scores was calculated as -2.44 to predict in-hospital mortality (sensitivity = 75.0%, specificity = 70%). Based on the cutoff value, 90 patients had a low ALBI score (≤ -2.44, 64.7%) and 49 patients had a high ALBI score (> -2.44, 35.3%). High ALBI score was associated with an increased incidence of acute kidney injury and in-hospital mortality, and a positive correlation was found between ALBI score and pulmonary artery pressure.

CONCLUSION: In patients with valvular surgery, high ALBI score was an independent prognostic factor of in-hospital mortality and acute kidney injury. It is easily measurable and a cost-effective way to predict mortality.

PMID:36459475 | DOI:10.21470/1678-9741-2022-0008

Herz. 2022 Nov 30. doi: 10.1007/s00059-022-05150-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines on the cardiovascular assessment and management of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery were published in August 2022. In the preparation of the new document the previous guidelines published in 2014 were completely revised and the recommendations for action were adapted or renewed. Furthermore, the guidelines have been supplemented with some new chapters. The new and revised recommendations result in significant changes for the clinical practice. This particularly applies to the preoperative risk stratification, the perioperative risk management and the detection and management approaches in cases of perioperative and postoperative complications. Cardiovascular biomarkers play a special role in both the preoperative risk stratification and the detection of postoperative complications in combination with appropriate algorithms for action. The perioperative management of antithrombotic treatment (antiplatelet therapy or oral anticoagulation) is becoming increasingly individualized depending on the risk of ischemia or bleeding of the planned surgery. Particular attention is paid to the early detection of perioperative or postoperative myocardial infarctions based on determination of high-sensitivity (hs) cardiac troponin, not least because its association with high risk of morbidity and mortality. In patients with complex cardiovascular diseases, such as severe coronary artery disease, valvular heart diseases or those with ventricular support systems, the decision in an interdisciplinary team is highly recommended.

PMID:36449042 | DOI:10.1007/s00059-022-05150-6

BMJ Open. 2022 Nov 29;12(11):e064861. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064861.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease (RMVD) and increase the risk of stroke and death. Bi-atrial or left atrial ablation remains controversial for treatment of AF during mitral valve surgery. The study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of bi-atrial ablation with those of left atrial ablation among patients with RMVD and persistent or long-standing persistent AF.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The ABLATION trial (Bi-atrial vs Left Atrial Ablation for Patients with RMVD and Non-paroxysmal AF) is a prospective, multicentre, randomised controlled study. The trial will randomly assign 320 patients with RMVD and persistent or long-standing persistent AF to bi-atrial ablation procedure or left atrial ablation procedure in a 1:1 randomisation. The primary end point is freedom from documented AF, atrial flutter or atrial tachycardia of >30 s at 12 months after surgery off antiarrhythmic drugs. Key secondary end point is the probability of freedom from permanent pacemaker implantation at 12 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes include the probability of freedom from any recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias with antiarrhythmic drugs, AF burden, incidence of adverse events and cardiac function documented by echocardiography at 12 months after operation.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The central ethics committee at Fuwai Hospital approved the ABLATION trial. The results of this study will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05021601.

PMID:36446460 | PMC:PMC9710358 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-064861

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2022 Dec;38(12):2645-2653. doi: 10.1007/s10554-022-02673-1. Epub 2022 Jul 3.

ABSTRACT

The impact of "downstream" pathophysiological cardiac consequences in aortic regurgitation patients were not well established. The aim of our study was to validate a staging system built for severe aortic stenosis in a large real-world cohort of aortic regurgitation (AR) patients, evaluating the prevalence of different stages of cardiac damage and assess its prognostic impact. Clinical, echocardiographic and outcome data of patients with moderate-severe AR who underwent transthoracic echocardiography between January/2014 and September/2019 were retrospectively analysed. Patients were classified according to the extent of cardiac damage: Stage 0 (no cardiac damage), Stage 1 (left ventricular damage), Stage 2 (mitral valve or left atrial damage), Stage 3 (tricuspid valve or pulmonary artery vasculature damage) and Stage 4 (right ventricular damage). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. A total of 571 patients (median age 73, 51% male) were enrolled: Stage 0 (14.0%), Stage 1 (21.5%), Stage 2 (49.2%), Stage 3 (12.3%) and Stage 4 (3.0%). Median follow-up time was 39.5 months (IQR 22.2 to 61.0). At the end of follow-up, cumulative death was significantly higher in more advanced disease stages (log-rank p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, Stage 3-4 was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 3.20; 95% CI 1.48-6.93; p = 0.003). Our study suggests that extra-valvular damage is common in patients with significant AR and that a staging system developed for aortic stenosis also provides prognostic information in these patients. This staging system may be helpful for clinical decision-making regarding the time of valvular intervention.

PMID:36445657 | DOI:10.1007/s10554-022-02673-1

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2022 Dec;38(12):2635-2644. doi: 10.1007/s10554-022-02669-x. Epub 2022 Jul 1.

ABSTRACT

Few studies analyzed left atrial (LA) peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) determinants, particularly across heart failure (HF) stages. We aimed to analyze the pathophysiological and clinical PALS correlates in a large multicentric prospective study. This is a multicenter prospective observational study enrolling 745 patients with HF stages. Data included PALS and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS). Exclusion criteria were: valvular prosthesis; atrial fibrillation; cardiac transplantation; poor acoustic window. Median global PALS was 17% [24-32]. 29% of patients were in HF-stage 0/A, 35% in stage-B, and 36% in stage-C. Together with age, the echocardiographic determinants of PALS were LA volume and LV-GLS (overall model R2 = 0.50, p < 0.0001). LV-GLS had the strongest association with PALS at multivariable analysis (beta: -3.60 ± 0.20, p < 0.0001). Among HF stages, LV-GLS remained the most important PALS predictor (p < 0.0001) whereas age was only associated with PALS in lower HF-stage 0/A or B (R = - 0.26 p < 0.0001, R = - 0.23 p = 0.0001). LA volume increased its association to PALS moving from stage 0/A (R = - 0.11; P = 0.1) to C (R = - 0.42; P < 0.0001). PALS was the single most potent echocardiographic parameter in predicting the HF stage (AUC for B vs. 0/A 0.81, and AUC vs. 0/A for C 0.76). PALS remained independently associated with HF stages after adjusting for ejection fraction, E/e' ratio, and mitral regurgitation grade (p < 0.0001). Although influenced by LV-GLS and LA size across HF stages, PALS is incrementally and independently associated with clinical status. LA function may reflect a substantial part of the hemodynamic consequences of ventricular dysfunction.

PMID:36445656 | PMC:PMC9708811 | DOI:10.1007/s10554-022-02669-x

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2022 Dec 2;63(1):ezac539. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezac539.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: During mitral valve replacement, the anterior mitral leaflet is usually resected or modified. Anterior leaflet splitting seems the least disruptive modification. Reattachment of the modified leaflet to the annulus reduces the annulopapillary distance. The goal of this study was to quantify the acute effects on left ventricular function of splitting the anterior mitral leaflet and shortening the annulopapillary distance.

METHODS: In 6 adult sheep, a wire was placed around the anterior leaflet and exteriorized through the left ventricular wall to enable splitting the leaflet in the beating heart. Releasable snares to reduce annulopapillary distance were likewise positioned and exteriorized. A mechanical mitral prosthesis was inserted to prevent mitral incompetence during external manipulations of the native valve. Instantaneous changes in left ventricular function were recorded before and after shortening the annulopapillary distance, then before and after splitting the anterior leaflet.

RESULTS: After splitting the anterior leaflet, preload recruitable stroke work, stroke work, stroke volume, cardiac output, left ventricular end systolic pressure and mean pressure were significantly decreased by 26%, 23%, 12%, 9%, 15% and 11%, respectively. Shortening the annulopapillary distance was associated with significant decreases in the end systolic pressure volume relationship, preload recruitable stroke work, stroke work and left ventricular end systolic pressure by 67%, 33%, 15% and 13%, respectively. Shortening the annulopapillary distance after splitting the leaflet had no significant effect.

CONCLUSIONS: Splitting the anterior mitral leaflet acutely impaired left ventricular contractility and haemodynamics in an ovine model. Shortening the annulopapillary distance after leaflet splitting did not further impair left ventricular function.

PMID:36440952 | DOI:10.1093/ejcts/ezac539

Int J Cardiol Congenit Heart Dis. 2023 Mar;11:100428. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcchd.2022.100428. Epub 2022 Nov 21.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, professionals in charge of particularly vulnerable populations, such as adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients, were confronted with difficult decision-making. We aimed to assess changes in risk stratification and outcomes of ACHD patients suffering from COVID-19 between March 2020 and April 2021.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Risk stratification among ACHD experts (before and after the first outcome data were available) was assessed by means of questionnaires. In addition, COVID-19 cases and the corresponding patient characteristics were recorded among participating centres. Predictors for the outcome of interest (complicated disease course) were assessed by means of multivariable logistic regression models calculated with cluster-robust standard errors. When assessing the importance of general and ACHD specific risk factors for a complicated disease course, their overall importance and the corresponding risk perception among ACHD experts decreased over time. Overall, 638 patients (n = 168 during the first wave and n = 470 during the subsequent waves) were included (median age 34 years, 52% women). Main independent predictors for a complicated disease course were male sex, increasing age, a BMI >25 kg/m2, having ≥2 comorbidities, suffering from a cyanotic heart disease or having suffered COVID-19 in the first wave vs. subsequent waves.

CONCLUSIONS: Apart from cyanotic heart disease, general risk factors for poor outcome in case of COVID-19 reported in the general population are equally important among ACHD patients. Risk perception among ACHD experts decreased during the course of the pandemic.

PMID:36440468 | PMC:PMC9678209 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijcchd.2022.100428

Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 Nov 9;9:985644. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.985644. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Transapical Neochord mitral valve repair has been proven to be a technically safe procedure to correct primary mitral regurgitation (MR). Recurrent MR due to ruptured artificial chords is rare. Here, we present 2 cases of recurrent severe MR due to the detached or partially ruptured artificial chords after the Neochord procedure.

PMID:36440013 | PMC:PMC9682110 | DOI:10.3389/fcvm.2022.985644

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Nov 8:S1053-0770(22)00790-X. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2022.11.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This special article is the 15th in an annual series for the Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. The authors thank the editor-in-chief Dr. Kaplan and the editorial board for the opportunity to continue this series, namely the research highlights of the past year in the specialties of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesiology. The major themes selected for 2022 are outlined in this introduction, and each highlight is reviewed in detail in the main body of the article. The literature highlights, in the specialties for 2022, begin with an update on COVID-19 therapies, with a focus on the temporal updates in a wide range of therapies, progressing from medical to the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and, ultimately, with lung transplantation in this high-risk group. The second major theme is focused on medical cardiology, with the authors discussing new insights into the life cycle of coronary disease, heart failure treatments, and outcomes related to novel statin therapy. The third theme is focused on mechanical circulatory support, with discussions focusing on both right-sided and left-sided temporary support outcomes and the optimal timing of deployment. The fourth and final theme is an update on cardiac surgery, with a discussion of the diverse aspects of concomitant valvular surgery and the optimal approach to procedural treatment for coronary artery disease. The themes selected for this 15th special article are only a few of the diverse advances in the specialties during 2022. These highlights will inform the reader of key updates on a variety of topics, leading to the improvement of perioperative outcomes for patients with cardiothoracic and vascular disease.

PMID:36437141 | DOI:10.1053/j.jvca.2022.11.002