-
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024Despite many advances in surgical repair during the past few decades, the majority of tetralogy of Fallot patients continue to experience residual hemodynamic and... (Review)
Review
Despite many advances in surgical repair during the past few decades, the majority of tetralogy of Fallot patients continue to experience residual hemodynamic and electrophysiological abnormalities. The actual issue, which has yet to be solved, is understanding how this disease evolves in each individual patient and, as a result, who is truly at risk of sudden death, as well as the proper timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). Our responsibility should be to select the most appropriate time for each patient, going above and beyond imaging criteria used up to now to make such a clinically crucial decision. Despite several studies on timing, indications, procedures, and outcomes of PVR, there is still much uncertainty about whether PVR reduces arrhythmia burden or improves survival in these patients and how to appropriately manage this population. This review summarizes the most recent research on the evolution of repaired tetralogy of Fallot (from adolescence onwards) and risk factor variables that may favor or delay PVR.
PubMed: 38731211
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092682 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Nov 2023Annular reduction with prosthetic rings represents the current surgical treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR). However, alterations of annular geometry...
INTRODUCTION
Annular reduction with prosthetic rings represents the current surgical treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR). However, alterations of annular geometry and dynamics associated with FTR are not well characterized.
METHODS
FTR was induced in 29 adult sheep with either 8 weeks of pulmonary artery banding (PAB, n = 15) or 3 weeks of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC, n = 14). Eight healthy sheep served as controls (CTL). At the terminal procedure, all animals underwent sternotomy, epicardial echocardiography, and implantation of sonomicrometry crystals on the tricuspid annulus (TA) and right ventricular free wall while on cardiopulmonary bypass. Simultaneous hemodynamic, sonomicrometry, and echocardiographic data were acquired after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and stabilization. Annular geometry and dynamics were calculated from 3-dimensional crystal coordinates.
RESULTS
Mean FTR grade (0-4) was 3.2 ± 1.2 and 3.2 ± 0.5 for PAB and TIC, respectively, with both models of FTR associated with similar degree of right ventricular dysfunction (right ventricular fractional area contraction 38 ± 7% and 37 ± 9% for PAB and TIC, respectively). Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly reduced in TIC versus baseline (33 ± 9%, vs 58 ± 4%, P = .0001). TA area was 651 ± 109 mm, 881 ± 242 mm, and 995 ± 232 mm for CTL, FTR, and TIC, respectively (P = .006) with TA area contraction of 16.6 ± 4.2%, 11.5 ± 8.0%, and 6.0 ± 4.0%, respectively (P = .003). Septal annulus increased from 33.8 ± 3.1 mm to 39.7 ± 6.4 mm and 43.1 ± 3.2 mm for CTL, PAB, and TIC, respectively (P < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Ovine FTR was associated with annular dilation and reduced annular area contraction. Significant dilation of septal annulus was observed in both models of FTR. As tricuspid rings do not completely stabilize the septal annulus, continued remodeling may contribute to recurrent FTR after repair.
Topics: Sheep; Animals; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency; Stroke Volume; Dilatation; Ventricular Function, Left; Tricuspid Valve
PubMed: 37061178
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2023.04.003 -
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic... Jul 2023When feasible, guidelines recommend mitral valve repair (MVr) over mitral valve replacement (MVR) to treat primary mitral regurgitation (MR), based upon historic outcome...
BACKGROUND
When feasible, guidelines recommend mitral valve repair (MVr) over mitral valve replacement (MVR) to treat primary mitral regurgitation (MR), based upon historic outcome studies and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) reverse remodeling studies. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) offers reference standard biventricular assessment with superior MR quantification compared to TTE. Using serial CMR in primary MR patients, we aimed to investigate cardiac reverse remodeling and residual MR post-MVr vs MVR with chordal preservation.
METHODS
83 patients with ≥ moderate-severe MR on TTE were prospectively recruited. 6-min walk tests (6MWT) and CMR imaging including cine imaging, aortic/pulmonary through-plane phase contrast imaging, T1 maps and late-gadolinium-enhanced (LGE) imaging were performed at baseline and 6 months after mitral surgery or watchful waiting (control group).
RESULTS
72 patients completed follow-up (Controls = 20, MVr = 30 and MVR = 22). Surgical groups demonstrated comparable baseline cardiac indices and co-morbidities. At 6-months, MVr and MVR groups demonstrated comparable improvements in 6MWT distances (+ 57 ± 54 m vs + 64 ± 76 m respectively, p = 1), reduced indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volumes (LVEDVi; - 29 ± 21 ml/m vs - 37 ± 22 ml/m respectively, p = 0.584) and left atrial volumes (- 23 ± 30 ml/m and - 39 ± 26 ml/m respectively, p = 0.545). At 6-months, compared with controls, right ventricular ejection fraction was poorer post-MVr (47 ± 6.1% vs 53 ± 8.0% respectively, p = 0.01) compared to post-MVR (50 ± 5.7% vs 53 ± 8.0% respectively, p = 0.698). MVR resulted in lower residual MR-regurgitant fraction (RF) than MVr (12 ± 8.0% vs 21 ± 11% respectively, p = 0.022). Baseline and follow-up indices of diffuse and focal myocardial fibrosis (Native T1 relaxation times, extra-cellular volume and quantified LGE respectively) were comparable between groups. Stepwise multiple linear regression of indexed variables in the surgical groups demonstrated baseline indexed mitral regurgitant volume as the sole multivariate predictor of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic reverse remodelling, baseline LVEDVi as the most significant independent multivariate predictor of follow-up LVEDVi, baseline indexed LV end-systolic volume as the sole multivariate predictor of follow-up LV ejection fraction and undergoing MVR (vs MVr) as the most significant (p < 0.001) baseline multivariate predictor of lower residual MR.
CONCLUSION
In primary MR, MVR with chordal preservation may offer comparable cardiac reverse remodeling and functional benefits at 6-months when compared to MVr. Larger, multicenter CMR studies are required, which if the findings are confirmed could impact future surgical practice.
Topics: Humans; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Mitral Valve; Stroke Volume; Predictive Value of Tests; Ventricular Function, Right; Fibrosis
PubMed: 37496072
DOI: 10.1186/s12968-023-00946-9 -
Journal of Veterinary Cardiology : the... Oct 2023Echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in horses is usually based on Doppler interrogation of tricuspid (TR) or pulmonic regurgitation (PR). This...
Diagnostic value of two-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of the pulmonary artery diameter and the pulmonary artery distensibility index to detect pulmonary hypertension in horses.
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES
Echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in horses is usually based on Doppler interrogation of tricuspid (TR) or pulmonic regurgitation (PR). This study aimed at investigating two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) variables, including pulmonary artery diameter (PAD) and pulmonary artery distensibility index (PADI), to diagnose PH.
ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS
41 healthy horses; 82 horses with TR or PR and normal intracardiac pressure gradients; and 35 horses with TR or PR velocities indicating PH. The 2DE variables were compared between groups, cut-offs for the diagnosis of PH were determined, and conditional inference trees served to identify the variable best predicting PH in the absence of TR or PR.
RESULTS
Horses with PH had larger end-diastolic cross-sectional (short-axis) PAD (PAD) (5.8 ± 1.0 cm; mean ± SD) and smaller PADI (15.4 ± 7.7%) than healthy horses (5.0 ± 0.6 cm, P<0.0001; 20.5 ± 4.4%, P<0.001) and horses with TR or PR but no PH (5.3 ± 0.6 cm, P=0.003; 18.8 ± 4.2%, P=0.005). PAD predicted PH with sensitivity (Se) = 36% and specificity (Sp) = 94% (cut-off 6.0 cm, AUC = 0.668, P=0.002), while PADI predicted PH with Se = 43% and Sp = 92% (cut-off 13.7%, AUC = 0.662, P=0.004). In the absence of TR, PAD and the end-diastolic long-axis aortic diameter-to-PAD ratio (AoD/PAD) were most suitable to diagnose PH.
CONCLUSION
Pulmonary artery crosssectional (short-axis) diameter at end-diastole measured in a right-parasternal long axis view of the left ventricular outflow tract and Pulmonary artery distensibility index were moderately specific but not very sensitive to diagnosing PH. Nonetheless, they may be used as complementary indices suggesting PH in the absence of TR or PR.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Pulmonary Artery; Cross-Sectional Studies; Echocardiography; Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency; Horse Diseases
PubMed: 37832424
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2023.08.001 -
Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia Jan 2024The quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital anomaly, usually associated with aortic regurgitation requiring surgical intervention. It may be associated with other...
The quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital anomaly, usually associated with aortic regurgitation requiring surgical intervention. It may be associated with other congenital anomalies such as coronary anomalies, patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, and subaortic stenosis. The diagnosis is generally established by either transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography. Herein, we report a case of a 52-year-old woman who was diagnosed to have quadricuspid aortic valve by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aortic Valve; Middle Aged; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Aortic Valve Insufficiency; Heart Defects, Congenital
PubMed: 38722121
DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_110_23 -
Computer Methods and Programs in... Aug 2023Assessing the severity of pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and identifying optimal clinically relevant indicators for its treatment is crucial, yet standards for quantifying...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Assessing the severity of pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and identifying optimal clinically relevant indicators for its treatment is crucial, yet standards for quantifying PR remain unclear in clinical practice. Computational modelling of the heart is in the process of providing valuable insights and information for cardiovascular physiology research. However, the advancements of finite element computational models have not been widely applied to simulate cardiac outputs in patients with PR. Furthermore, a computational model that incorporates both the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) can be valuable in assessing the relationship between left and right ventricular morphometry and septal motion in PR patients. To enhance our understanding of the effect of PR on cardiac functions and mechanical behaviour, we developed a human bi-ventricle model to simulate five cases with varying degrees of PR severity.
METHODS
This bi-ventricle model was built using a patient-specific geometry and a widely used myofibre architecture. The myocardial material properties were described by a hyperelastic passive constitutive law and a modified time-varying elastance active tension model. To simulate realistic cardiac functions and the dysfunction of the pulmonary valve in PR disease cases, open-loop lumped parameter models representing systemic and pulmonary circulatory systems were designed.
RESULTS
In the baseline case, pressures in the aorta and main pulmonary artery and ejection fractions of both the LV and RV were within normal physiological ranges reported in the literature. The end-diastolic volume (EDV) of the RV under varying degrees of PR was comparable to the reported cardiac magnetic resonance imaging data. Moreover, RV dilation and interventricular septum motion from the baseline to the PR cases were clearly observed through the long-axis and short-axis views of the bi-ventricle geometry. The RV EDV in the severe PR case increased by 50.3% compared to the baseline case, while the LV EDV decreased by 18.1%. The motion of the interventricular septum was consistent with the literature. Furthermore, ejection fractions of both the LV and RV decreased as PR became severe, with LV ejection fraction decreasing from 60.5% at baseline to 56.3% in the severe case and RV ejection fraction decreasing from 51.8% to 46.8%. Additionally, the average myofibre stress of the RV wall at end-diastole significantly increased due to PR, from 2.7±12.1 kPa at baseline to 10.9±26.5 kPa in the severe case. The average myofibre stress of the LV wall at end-diastole increased from 3.7±18.1 kPa to 4.3±20.3 kPa.
CONCLUSIONS
This study established a foundation for the computational modelling of PR. The simulated results showed that severe PR leads to reduced cardiac outputs in both the LV and RV, clearly observable septum motion, and a significant increase in the average myofibre stress in the RV wall. These findings demonstrate the potential of the model for further exploration of PR.
Topics: Humans; Heart Ventricles; Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency; Heart; Ventricular Function, Left; Myocardium
PubMed: 37285726
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107600 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research Jun 2024To evaluate the relationships between the severity of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) and serum angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and Ang-2...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationships between the severity of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) and serum angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and Ang-2 concentrations in dogs with MMVD.
ANIMALS
74 dogs (control, n = 12; MMVD, n = 62) were included.
METHODS
Serum Ang-1 and Ang-2 concentrations were estimated using the canine-specific ELISA kit. The concentrations were compared between dogs with MMVD and healthy dogs, and they were analyzed according to the severity of MMVD and PH.
RESULTS
The median serum Ang-1 concentration did not differ among the study groups. The median serum Ang-2 concentration was higher in dogs with stage B2 MMVD (P = .041) and acute congestive heart failure (P = .002) than in control dogs. In addition, the median serum Ang-2 concentration was higher in MMVD dogs with PH than in those without PH (P = .031). Serum Ang-2 concentration was correlated with vertebral heart score (rs = 0.36, P = .004) and vertebral left atrial score (r = 0.50, P < .001) in dogs with MMVD, and correlated with vertebral heart score (r = 0.63, P = .01), maximum E wave amplitude of the diastolic transmitral flow (rs = 0.61, P = .018), ejection fraction (rs = -0.77, P < .001) and fractional shortening (rs = -0.56, P = .032) in dogs with acute congestive heart failure.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Circulating Ang-2 levels increase in dogs with the severity of MMVD and the presence of PH.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Dog Diseases; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Angiopoietin-2; Male; Female; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Angiopoietin-1; Case-Control Studies; Heart Valve Diseases
PubMed: 38531156
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.12.0289 -
Journal of the American Heart... Sep 2023Background Establishing surgical criteria for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in severe aortic regurgitation in young adults is challenging due to the lack of...
Background Establishing surgical criteria for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in severe aortic regurgitation in young adults is challenging due to the lack of evidence-based recommendations. We studied indications for AVR in young adults with severe aortic regurgitation and their outcomes, as well as the relationship between presurgical echocardiographic parameters and postoperative left ventricular (LV) size, function, clinical events, and valve-related complications. Methods and Results Data were collected retrospectively on 172 consecutive adult patients who underwent AVR or repair for severe aortic regurgitation between 2005 and 2019 in a tertiary cardiac center (age at surgery 29 [22-41] years, 81% male). One-third underwent surgery before meeting guideline indications. Postsurgery, 65% achieved LV size and function normalization. LV ejection fraction showed no significant change from baseline. A higher presurgical LV end-systolic diameter correlated with a lack of LV normalization (odds ratio per 1-cm increase 2.81, <0.01). The baseline LV end-systolic diameter cut-off for predicting lack of LV normalization was 43 mm. Pre- and postoperative LV dimensions and postoperative LV ejection fraction predicted clinical events during follow-up. Prosthetic valve-related complications occurred in 20.3% during an average 5.6-year follow-up. Freedom from aortic reintervention was 98%, 96.5%, and 85.4% at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Conclusions Young adult patients with increased baseline LV end-systolic diameter or prior cardiac surgery are less likely to achieve LV normalization after AVR. Clinicians should carefully balance the long-term benefits of AVR against procedural risks and future interventions, especially in younger patients. Evidence-based criteria for AVR in severe aortic regurgitation in young adults are crucial to improve outcomes.
Topics: Young Adult; Humans; Male; Adult; Female; Aortic Valve Insufficiency; Retrospective Studies; Heart; Aorta; Catheters
PubMed: 37721152
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.122.029251 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders Sep 2023Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) experience long-term chronic pulmonary valve regurgitation resulting in right ventricular (RV) dilatation. According to...
BACKGROUND
Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) experience long-term chronic pulmonary valve regurgitation resulting in right ventricular (RV) dilatation. According to current guidelines, the evaluation of patients with rTOF for RV dilatation should be based on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). However, for many asymptomatic patients, routine CMR is not practical. Our study aims to identify screening methods for CMR based on echocardiographic data, with the goal of establishing a more practical and cheap method of screening for severity of RV dilatation in patients with asymptomatic rTOF.
METHODS
Thirty two rTOF patients (mean age, 21(10.5) y, 21 males) with moderate to severe pulmonary regurgitation (PR) were prospectively recruited. Each patient received CMR and echocardiogram examination within 1 month prior to operation and collected clinical data, and then received echocardiogram examination at discharge and 3-6 months post-surgery.
RESULTS
RV moderate-severe dilatation was defined as right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) ≥ 160 ml/m2 or right ventricular end-systolic volume index (RVESVI) ≥ 80 ml/m2 in 15 of 32 patients (RVEDVI, 202.15[171.51, 252.56] ml/m2, RVESVI, 111.99 [96.28, 171.74] ml/m2). The other 17 (RVESDI, 130.19 [117.91, 139.35] ml/m2, RVESVI = 67.91 [63.35, 73.11] ml/m2) were defined as right ventricle mild dilatation, i.e., RVEDVI < 160 ml/m2 and RVESVI < 80 ml/m2, and the two parameters were higher than normal values. Compared with the RV mild dilatation group, patients of RV moderate-severe dilatation have worse cardiac function before surgery (right ventricular ejection fraction, 38.92(9.19) % versus 48.31(5.53) %, p < 0.001; Left ventricular ejection fraction, 59.80(10.26) versus 66.41(4.15), p = 0.021). Patients with RV moderate-severe dilatation faced longer operation time and more blood transfusion during operation (operation time, 271.53(08.33) min versus 170.53(72.36) min, p < 0.01; Intraoperative blood transfusion, 200(175) ml versus 100(50) ml, p = 0.001). Postoperative RV moderate-severe dilatation patients have poor short-term prognosis, which was reflected in a longer postoperative hospital stay (6.59 [2.12] days versus 9.80 [5.10] days, p = 0.024) and a higher incidence of hypohepatia (0[0] % versus 4[26.7] %, p = 0.023). Patients with RV dilatation score > 2.35 were diagnosed with RV moderate-severe dilatation (AUC = 0,882; Sensitivity = 94.1%; Specificity = 77.3%).
CONCLUSIONS
RV moderate-severe dilatation is associated with worse preoperative cardiac function and short-term prognosis after PVR in rTOF patients with moderate to severe PR. The RV dilatation score is an effective screening method. When RV dilatation score > 2.35, the patient is indicated for further CMR examination and treatment.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Young Adult; Tetralogy of Fallot; Stroke Volume; Dilatation; Ventricular Function, Left; Ventricular Function, Right; Heart Defects, Congenital; Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency
PubMed: 37710173
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03487-2 -
The Lancet. Digital Health Aug 2023Chest radiography is a common and widely available examination. Although cardiovascular structures-such as cardiac shadows and vessels-are visible on chest radiographs,...
BACKGROUND
Chest radiography is a common and widely available examination. Although cardiovascular structures-such as cardiac shadows and vessels-are visible on chest radiographs, the ability of these radiographs to estimate cardiac function and valvular disease is poorly understood. Using datasets from multiple institutions, we aimed to develop and validate a deep-learning model to simultaneously detect valvular disease and cardiac functions from chest radiographs.
METHODS
In this model development and validation study, we trained, validated, and externally tested a deep learning-based model to classify left ventricular ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitant velocity, mitral regurgitation, aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary regurgitation, and inferior vena cava dilation from chest radiographs. The chest radiographs and associated echocardiograms were collected from four institutions between April 1, 2013, and Dec 31, 2021: we used data from three sites (Osaka Metropolitan University Hospital, Osaka, Japan; Habikino Medical Center, Habikino, Japan; and Morimoto Hospital, Osaka, Japan) for training, validation, and internal testing, and data from one site (Kashiwara Municipal Hospital, Kashiwara, Japan) for external testing. We evaluated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.
FINDINGS
We included 22 551 radiographs associated with 22 551 echocardiograms obtained from 16 946 patients. The external test dataset featured 3311 radiographs from 2617 patients with a mean age of 72 years [SD 15], of whom 49·8% were male and 50·2% were female. The AUCs, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for this dataset were 0·92 (95% CI 0·90-0·95), 86% (85-87), 82% (75-87), and 86% (85-88) for classifying the left ventricular ejection fraction at a 40% cutoff, 0·85 (0·83-0·87), 75% (73-76), 83% (80-87), and 73% (71-75) for classifying the tricuspid regurgitant velocity at a 2·8 m/s cutoff, 0·89 (0·86-0·92), 85% (84-86), 82% (76-87), and 85% (84-86) for classifying mitral regurgitation at the none-mild versus moderate-severe cutoff, 0·83 (0·78-0·88), 73% (71-74), 79% (69-87), and 72% (71-74) for classifying aortic stenosis, 0·83 (0·79-0·87), 68% (67-70), 88% (81-92), and 67% (66-69) for classifying aortic regurgitation, 0·86 (0·67-1·00), 90% (89-91), 83% (36-100), and 90% (89-91) for classifying mitral stenosis, 0·92 (0·89-0·94), 83% (82-85), 87% (83-91), and 83% (82-84) for classifying tricuspid regurgitation, 0·86 (0·82-0·90), 69% (68-71), 91% (84-95), and 68% (67-70) for classifying pulmonary regurgitation, and 0·85 (0·81-0·89), 86% (85-88), 73% (65-81), and 87% (86-88) for classifying inferior vena cava dilation.
INTERPRETATION
The deep learning-based model can accurately classify cardiac functions and valvular heart diseases using information from digital chest radiographs. This model can classify values typically obtained from echocardiography in a fraction of the time, with low system requirements and the potential to be continuously available in areas where echocardiography specialists are scarce or absent.
FUNDING
None.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Artificial Intelligence; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Left; Heart Valve Diseases; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Radiography
PubMed: 37422342
DOI: 10.1016/S2589-7500(23)00107-3