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European Journal of Cardio-thoracic... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Aortic Valve; Child; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Allografts; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Aorta
PubMed: 38837331
DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezae212 -
Indian Journal of Thoracic and... May 2024Infective endocarditis represents a challenging and life-threatening clinical condition affecting native and prosthetic heart valves, endocardium, and implanted cardiac... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Infective endocarditis represents a challenging and life-threatening clinical condition affecting native and prosthetic heart valves, endocardium, and implanted cardiac devices. Right-sided infective endocarditis account for approximately 5-10% of all infective endocarditis and are often associated with intravenous drug use, intracardiac devices, central venous catheters, and congenital heart disease. The tricuspid valve is involved in 90% of right-side infective endocarditis. The primary treatment of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis is based on long-term intravenous antibiotics. When surgery is required, different interventions have been proposed, ranging from valvectomy to various types of valve repair to complete replacement of the valve. Percutaneous removal of vegetations using the AngioVac system has also been proposed in these patients. The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the current surgical options and to discuss the results of the different surgical strategies in patients with tricuspid valve infective endocarditis.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-023-01650-0.
PubMed: 38827546
DOI: 10.1007/s12055-023-01650-0 -
International Journal of Cardiology.... Aug 2024Although the prevalence rate of valvular heart disease (VHD) is high in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the predictive factors of concomitant VHD have...
BACKGROUND
Although the prevalence rate of valvular heart disease (VHD) is high in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the predictive factors of concomitant VHD have not been fully evaluated.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Among 288 patients with SLE who underwent transthoracic echocardiography at Kumamoto University Hospital from 2016 to 2021, 241 patients with sufficient echocardiographic data were retrospectively analysed. Among them, 22 (9 %) had VHD (10 had mitral regurgitation, 3 had aortic regurgitation, 6 had tricuspid regurgitation, 1 had mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation, and 2 had a prosthetic cardiac valve). After excluding the two patients with a prosthetic cardiac valve, we divided the remaining patients into two groups: the VHD group and non-VHD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age and the platelet count were significantly and independently associated with having VHD (age: odds ratio, 1.06; 95 % confidence interval, 1.02-1.10; p < 0.01) (platelet count: odds ratio, 0.99; 95 % confidence interval, 0.98-1.00; p < 0.05). After excluding 95 patients aged < 40 years, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the area under the curve of the platelet count for prediction of VHD was 0.73 with an optimal cut-off value of 166.5 × 10/µL (sensitivity: 76.6 %, specificity: 60.0 %). Among patients with a low platelet count (<166.5 × 10/µL), the rate of having VHD was 29 % (12/41 patients). However, among those with a high platelet count (≥166.5 × 10/µL), this rate was only 8 % (8/103 patients).
CONCLUSION
The platelet count is useful to predict concomitant VHD in middle-aged and older patients with SLE.
PubMed: 38826833
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2024.101420 -
International Journal of Cardiology Sep 2024The possibility to resheath some transcatheter heart valves (THV) facilitates the optimization of self-expandable devices implantation. However, resheating manoeuvres... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
The possibility to resheath some transcatheter heart valves (THV) facilitates the optimization of self-expandable devices implantation. However, resheating manoeuvres (expecially when repeated) increase the interaction between the transcatheter prosthesis and the patient's tissues potentially causing side-effects.
AIMS
To assess the clinical outcomes of resheathing at midterm follow-up with a focus on the safety of multiple resheathing.
METHODS
This retrospective observational study included all consecutive patients who underwent TAVI with a self-expandable supra-annular THV between December 2018 and December 2022. Primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular (CV) mortality, neurological events, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction and CV rehospitalizations. All clinical endpoints were assessed according to VARC-3 criteria.
RESULTS
469 TAVI procedures with self-expandable supra-annular THV were included in the study. The attempt to resheath and the resheath manoeuvres number was prospectively recorded into an electronic database. Resheating was attempted in 253 (53.9%) cases; 1, 2 and ≥ 3 resheathing were performed in respectively 122 (26.0%), 63 (13.4%) and 68 (14.5%) procedures. At a median follow-up of 640 days (interquartile range 340-1033 days), the incidence of the primary endpoint did not differ between 0 vs. ≥1 (22.7 vs. 26.1%, LogRank p = 0.584) and < 3 vs. ≥3 resheathing groups (24.2 vs. 26.5% LogRank p = 0.963). Furthermore, no significant differences in the primary endpoint were observed between 0, 1-2 and ≥ 3 resheathing (p = 0.84).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study found that resheathing of self-expandable THVs during TAVI did not result in worse clinical outcomes compared with no resheathing at mid-term follow-up. These results are independent from the number of resheathing, underling the safety of multiple resheathing in terms of peri-procedural and mid-term outcome.
CONDENSED ABSTRACT
In this retrospective observational study of 469 patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis with self-expanding valves, we investigated the influence of resheathing on mid-term clinical outcomes. Specifically, we focused on the safety of multiple resheathing procedures. Our findings revealed no significant impact of resheathing on medium-term outcomes. The primary endpoint, a composite of cardiovascular mortality, neurological events, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular rehospitalizations, did not show statistically significant differences between no resheathing, single resheathing and multiple resheathing groups. Our study suggests that resheathing, even when performed multiple times, does not appear to significantly affect clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up.
Topics: Humans; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Aged, 80 and over; Aged; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Prosthesis Design; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Follow-Up Studies; Treatment Outcome; Postoperative Complications
PubMed: 38815673
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132218 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... May 2024Recent studies highlighted the presence of anti-α-Gal antibodies in patients implanted with commercial bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs). BHVs expose residual α-Gal...
BACKGROUND
Recent studies highlighted the presence of anti-α-Gal antibodies in patients implanted with commercial bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs). BHVs expose residual α-Gal xenoantigen and their recognition by the circulating anti-Gal antibodies leads to opsonization of the device's tissue component with the consequent triggering of a deterioration pathway that culminates with calcification. Small animal models such as mice and rats have been broadly involved in the testing of biomaterials by subcutaneous implantation, especially for the effectiveness of BHVs anti-calcific treatments. However, since models employed for this purpose express α-Gal antigen, the implantation of BHVs' leaflets does not elicit a proper immunological response, so the calcification propensity may be dramatically underestimated.
METHODS
An α-Gal knockout (KO) mouse model has been created, using the CRISP/Cas9 approach, and adopted to assess the calcification potential of commercial BHVs leaflets through the surgical implantation in the back subcutis area. Calcium quantification was performed by inductively coupled plasma analysis; immune response against the BHVs leaflets and α-Gal silencing was evaluated through immunological assays.
RESULTS
Two months after the implantation of commercial BHV leaflets, the anti-Gal antibody titers in KO mice doubled when compared with those found in wild-type (WT) ones. Leaflets explanted from KO mice, after one month, showed a four-time increased calcium deposition concerning the ones explanted from WT. The degree of silencing of α-Gal varied, depending on the specific organ that was assessed. In any case, the animal model was suitable for evaluating implanted tissue responses.
CONCLUSIONS
Such mouse model proved to be an accurate tool for the study of the calcific propensity of commercial BHVs leaflets than those hitherto used. Given its reliability, it could also be successfully used to study even other diseases in which the possible involvement of α-Gal has been observed.
Topics: Animals; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Calcinosis; Mice, Knockout; Bioprosthesis; Mice; Disease Models, Animal; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Male
PubMed: 38812319
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbl2905181 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery May 2024Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of four cusps instead of the usual three. It is estimated to occur in less...
BACKGROUND
Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of four cusps instead of the usual three. It is estimated to occur in less than 0.05% of the population, with Type A (four equal-sized leaflets) accounting for roughly 30% of QAV subtypes. Based on limited clinical series, the usual presentation is progressive aortic valve regurgitation (AR) with symptoms occurring in the fourth to sixth decade of life. Severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) and acute AR are very uncommon.
CASE PRESENTATION
We describe two cases of Type A QAV in patients who remained asymptomatic until their seventies with very uncommon presentations: one with severe AS and one with acute, severe AR and flail leaflet. In Case A, a 72-year-old patient with history of moderate AS presents to clinic with progressive exertional dyspnea. During work-up for transcatheter vs. surgical replacement pre-operative computed tomography angiogram (CTA) reveals a quadricuspid aortic valve with severe AS, and the patient undergoes surgical aortic valve replacement. Pre-discharge transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) shows good prosthetic valve function with no gradient or regurgitation. In Case B, a 76-year-old patient is intubated upon arrival to the hospital for acute desaturation, found to have wide open AR on catheterization, and transferred for emergent intervention. Intraoperative TEE reveals QAV with flail leaflet and severe AR. Repair is considered but deferred ultimately due to emergent nature. Post-operative TTE demonstrates good prosthetic valve function with no regurgitation and normal biventricular function.
CONCLUSIONS
QAV can present as progressive severe AS and acute AR, with symptoms first occurring in the seventh decade of life. The optimal treatment for QAV remains uncertain. Although aortic valve repair or transcatheter option may be feasible in some patients, aortic valve replacement remains a tenable option.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Aortic Valve; Male; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Aortic Valve Insufficiency; Echocardiography; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation
PubMed: 38812010
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02696-w -
Sisli Etfal Hastanesi Tip Bulteni 2024This study aims to compare the early results of patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) with supra-annular and intra-annular AVR.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to compare the early results of patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) with supra-annular and intra-annular AVR.
METHODS
Between 2013 and 2019, 113 patients (77 males; mean age 57.8±16.36 years) who underwent isolated AVR were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups those who underwent supra-annular (n=59) and intra-annular (n=54) AVR. The most commonly used valves in surgeries St Jude Medical Masters (St. Jude Medical, Minneapolis, MN, USA), (n=35, 30.9%), Sorin Mitroflow (Sorin Group Inc., Mitroflow Division, Canada), (n=32, 28.3%, and Carbomedics Top Hat (Sulzer, Carbomedics, Austin, TX), (n=31, 27.4%).
RESULTS
The cross-clamp (XCL) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times of the patients who underwent supra-annular AVR were found to be significantly higher than the patients who underwent intra-annular AVR. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative adverse events. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the postoperative first-week transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) findings.
CONCLUSION
When comparing supra-annular and intra-annular valve positioning results in patients undergoing isolated AVR, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of postoperative complications, gradient differences in postoperative TTE, and ejection fractions. Supra-annular valve positioning should be considered, especially in patients with small annulus, in the presence of suitable anatomical features. However, this issue needs to be investigated in future prospective studies with more patients.
PubMed: 38808047
DOI: 10.14744/SEMB.2024.39112 -
Journal of Biomechanics Jun 2024To better understand the impact of valvular heart disease (VHD) on the hemodynamics of the circulatory system, investigations can be carried out using a model of the...
To better understand the impact of valvular heart disease (VHD) on the hemodynamics of the circulatory system, investigations can be carried out using a model of the cardiovascular system. In this study, a previously developed hybrid (hydro-numerical) simulator of the cardiovascular system (HCS) was adapted and used. In our HCS Björk-Shiley mechanical heart valves were used, playing the role of mitral and aortic ones. In order to simulate aortic stenosis (AS) and mitral regurgitation (MR), special mechanical devices have been developed and integrated with the HCS. The simulation results proved that the system works correctly. Namely, in the case of AS - the mean pulmonary arterial pressure was increased due to increased preload of the left ventricle and the decrease in right ventricular preload was caused by a decrease in systemic arterial pressure. The severity of AS was performed based on the transaortic pressure gradient as well as using the Gorlin and Aaslid equations. In the case of severe AS, when the mean gradient was above 40 mmHg, the aortic valve orifice area was 0.5 cm, which is in line with ACC/AHA guidelines. For the case of MR - with increasing severity of MR, there was a decrease in the left ventricular pressure and an increase in left atrial pressure. Using mechanical heart valves to simulate VHD by the HCS can be a valuable tool for biomedical research, providing a safe and controlled environment to study and understand the pathophysiology of VHD.
Topics: Humans; Models, Cardiovascular; Computer Simulation; Hemodynamics; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Heart Valve Diseases; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Mitral Valve
PubMed: 38805856
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112173 -
Journal of the American Heart... Jun 2024Currently, no clear impact of sex on short- and long-term survival following transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is evident, although no data are...
BACKGROUND
Currently, no clear impact of sex on short- and long-term survival following transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is evident, although no data are available on postprocedural life expectancy. Our aim was to assess sex-specific differences in outcomes of patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) treated by TEER.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Short-term and 5-year outcomes in men and women undergoing TEER between 2011 and 2018 who were included in the large, multicenter, real-world MitraSwiss registry were analyzed. Outcomes were compared stratified by sex and according to MR cause (primary versus secondary). The impact of TEER on postprocedural life expectancy was estimated by relative survival analysis. Among 1142 patients aged 60 to 89 years, 39.8% were women. They were older, with fewer cardiovascular risk factors and lower functional capacity compared with men. Thirty-day mortality was higher in men than in women (3.3% versus 1.1%; odds ratio, 3.16 [95% CI, 1.16-10.7]; =0.020). Five-year survival was comparable in both sexes (adjusted hazard ratio for 5-year mortality in men, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.90-1.44], =0.275). Both men and women with either primary or secondary MR showed similar clinical efficacy over time. TEER provided high relative survival estimates among all groups, and fully restored predicted life expectancy in women with primary MR (5-year relative survival estimate, 97.4% [95% CI, 85.5-107.0]).
CONCLUSIONS
TEER is not associated with increased short-term mortality in women, whereas 5-year outcomes are comparable between sexes. Moreover, TEER completely restored normal life expectancy in women with primary MR. A residual excess mortality persists in secondary MR, independently of sex.
Topics: Humans; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Female; Aged; Male; Aged, 80 and over; Middle Aged; Cardiac Catheterization; Sex Factors; Registries; Treatment Outcome; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Mitral Valve; Risk Factors; Life Expectancy; Time Factors
PubMed: 38804217
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.123.032706 -
Cureus Apr 2024We sought to determine whether there is a relationship between the fluoroscopic working angle used to achieve a co-planar view during the deployment of the prosthesis...
BACKGROUND
We sought to determine whether there is a relationship between the fluoroscopic working angle used to achieve a co-planar view during the deployment of the prosthesis during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and rates of complications, including paravalvular leaks, complete heart block, annular rupture, stroke, valve embolization, discharge to a skilled nursing facility and death within thirty days.
METHODS
All patients undergoing TAVI at our institution from 2015 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Images were reviewed to determine the fluoroscopic working angle during deployment, and medical records were used to determine the incidence and type of complication. A multilayer perceptron was employed to evaluate the predictive ability of the fluoroscopic working angle during deployment on complications of one-day and 30-day paravalvular leak, 30-day mortality, the need for a new pacemaker, discharge to a skilled nursing facility, stroke and the requirement for emergency intervention.
RESULTS
Eight hundred and thirty-four patients were included in the study. Fluoroscopic working angle had excellent predictive value for stroke (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.812), one-day (AUROC 0.850), and 30-day paravalvular leak (AUROC 0.801). However, feature importance and scaled weighting analysis indicated that only a working angle in the left anterior oblique/cranial quadrant was informative for the development of an outcome of interest specific to a working angle quadrant (30-day paravalvular leak).
CONCLUSION
Fluoroscopic working angle may be a useful way to further refine well-established risk calculi during TAVI.
PubMed: 38803728
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59144