Long-term outcome of surgically treated aortic regurgitation: influence of guideline adherence toward early surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative outcome in two groups of patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR): those operated on early and those operated on late according to the guidelines. BACKGROUND: The impact of earlier surgery for chronic severe AR as defined in guidelines has not been evaluated. METHODS: A total of 170 patients with chronic severe AR submitted to aortic valve replacement were prospectively followed up. Patients were divided in two groups depending on the clinical situation at the time of surgery. Group A were 60 patients who were operated on following guidelines advice of earlier surgery, and group B were 110 patients who were operated on late with regard to guideline recommendations. RESULTS: Follow-up was 10 +/- 6 years (1 to 22 years). During follow-up 44 patients died, 7 patients (12%) from group A and 37 (37%) from group B (p = 0.001). The cause of death was non-cardiac in 11 patients, 2 (3%) in group A and 9 (8%) in group B. Cardiac deaths occurred in 33 patients, 5 (9%) from group A and 28 (28%) from group B (p = 0.002). Causes of death differed between groups A and B: heart failure or sudden death were significantly more frequent in group B (20 patients vs. 1 patient, p = 0.001). Overall survival in groups A and B was 90 +/- 4% vs. 75 +/- 8% at 5 years, 86 +/- 5% vs. 64 +/- 5% at 10 years, and 78 +/- 7% vs. 53 +/- 6% at 15 years, respectively (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Early operation as defined in the guidelines improves long-term survival in patients with chronic AR.     

Effect of preoperative ejection fraction, left ventricular systolic dimension and hemoglobin level on survival after aortic valve surgery in patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation

Surgical indications in patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fractions (EF) remain to be established. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic indicators after surgery in patients with severe AR and normal LV systolic function. Preoperative clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were evaluated in 284 consecutive patients with chronic severe AR who underwent aortic valve surgery. Of these patients, 169 had normal (≥50%) and 115 had depressed (<50%) preoperative LV EFs. All-cause mortality was observed for a median of 39.9 months. Of 284 patients, 7 (4.4%) with normal LV EFs and 15 (12.0%) with depressed LV EFs died during follow-up after aortic valve surgery (p = 0.017). In patients with normal EFs, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that large LV end-systolic dimension and low plasma hemoglobin level were independent predictors of postsurgical mortality. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that LV end-systolic dimension ≥45 mm and hemoglobin level <13.4 g/dl were the best cut-off values for postoperative mortality. In conclusion, preoperative LV end-systolic dimension and hemoglobin level are independent prognostic factors of survival after aortic valve surgery in patients with chronic severe AR and normal LV EFs.     

Long-term survival and functional results after aortic valve replacement in asymptomatic patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: We examined the influence of medical treatment on the results of surgery in terms of long-term survival and functional results in patients with chronic, severe aortic regurgitation (AR). BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic patients with AR and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are at high risk because of a higher-than-expected long-term mortality. The influence of preoperative medical therapy on the outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is not well known. METHODS: Surgery was indicated for the appearance of a reduced LVEF (<50%). At the time of AVR, there were 134 patients treated with nifedipine (group A), and 132 received no medication (group B). RESULTS: Operative mortality was similar in the two groups (0.75% vs. 0.76%, p = NS). The LVEF normalized in all of group A, whereas it remained abnormal in 36 group B patients (28%). At 10-year follow-up, LVEF persisted higher in group A (62 +/- 5% vs. 48 +/- 4%, p < 0.001). Five-year survival was similar in the two groups (94 +/- 2% vs. 94 +/- 3%, p = NS). Group A showed a 10-year survival not different from expected and significantly higher than that in group B (85 +/- 4% vs. 78 +/- 5%, p < 0.001), which had a worse survival than expected. CONCLUSIONS: Unloading treatment with nifedipine in AR allows one to indicate AVR at the appearance of a reduced LVEF with a low operative mortality and an optimal long-term outcome. The concept of surgical correction of AR indicated for reduced LVEF may not be applied to all patients. Indeed, in a large amount of untreated patients, a reduced LVEF preoperatively is not reversed by prompt surgery, indicating irreversible myocardial damage, and 10-year survival is worse than expected.     

Dobutamine echocardiography in patients with aortic stenosis and left ventricular dysfunction: predicting outcome as a function of management strategy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To prospectively address the question whether the assessment of valvular hemodynamics and myocardial function during low-dose dobutamine infusion can guide decision making in patients with aortic stenosis and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Twenty-four patients with aortic stenosis and LV dysfunction (mean ejection fraction, 28%; New York Heart Association class, II to IV) were studied by dobutamine echocardiography assessing mean pressure gradient, aortic valve area, and aortic valve resistance. Patients were prospectively divided into severe and nonsevere aortic stenosis groups according to the response of the valve area to the augmentation of systolic flow. The clinical decision was considered to be concordant with the results of dobutamine echocardiography, when patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved contractile function were referred by a specialist for aortic valve replacement and when patients with nonsevere aortic stenosis were not. Patients were observed for up to 3 years. RESULTS: All eight patients with severe aortic stenosis who were referred for surgery survived and had good cardiovascular outcomes, and six of eight patients who were not initially referred for surgery had poor outcomes, including heart failure and sudden cardiac death. The eight patients with nonsevere aortic stenosis did comparatively well without valve replacement. Cardiac death or pulmonary edema occurred in 4 of 16 patients (25%) when the clinical decision was concordant with the results of the dobutamine echocardiogram and occurred in 6 of 8 patients (75%) when the clinical decision was discordant (p = 0.019 [chi(2) test]). CONCLUSION: Patients with aortic stenosis, LV dysfunction, and relatively low gradients have better outcomes when management decisions are based on the results of dobutamine echocardiograms. Those patients identified as having severe aortic stenosis and preserved contractile reserve by dobutamine echocardiography should undergo surgery, while patients identified as having nonsevere aortic stenosis can be managed conservatively.     

Risk factors for aortic valve dysfunction in children with discrete subvalvar aortic stenosis

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a known complication of discrete subvalvar aortic stenosis (DSS), and its detection often triggers referral for surgery. However, risk factors for aortic valve dysfunction in children with DSS remain incompletely defined. The primary goal of this study was to determine independent risk factors for moderate or severe AR at mid-term follow-up in patients with DSS. Clinical records and echocardiograms of 220 patients with DSS (109 patients had DSS resection and 111 had no surgery) were analyzed. The primary outcome variable was AR grade (based on the width of the vena contracta) at latest follow-up. Age at diagnosis, gender, and duration of follow-up (median 7.2 years, range 1 to 20.4) did not differ significantly between medical and surgical patients. By multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for moderate to severe AR (n = 30) were older age at diagnosis of DSS (odds ratio [OR] for age > or =17 years 5.13, p = 0.024), previous balloon or surgical aortic valvuloplasty (OR 19.6, p <0.001), and a longer follow-up period (OR for 1-year increase 1.15, p = 0.032). Excluding patients with previous surgical or balloon aortic valvuloplasty, a higher maximal Doppler gradient was an independent risk factor for moderate to severe AR (OR for peak gradient > or =50 mm Hg 10.8, p = 0.001). Independent predictors of low-risk patients (none or trivial AR and peak gradient < or =30 mm Hg) included thin and mobile aortic valve leaflets (OR 7.86, p = 0.006) and an associated ventricular septal defect (OR 2.18, p = 0.019). These clinical and echocardiographic variables can be used to stratify risk of aortic valve dysfunction in patients with DSS and aid in timing of surgical resection.     

Reduced aortic elasticity and dilatation are associated with aortic regurgitation and left ventricular hypertrophy in nonstenotic bicuspid aortic valve patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess elasticity and dimensions of the aorta and their impact on aortic valve competence and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with a nonstenotic bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). BACKGROUND: Intrinsic pathology of the aortic wall is a possible explanation for reduced aortic elasticity and aortic dilatation in patients with BAVs, even in the absence of a stenotic aortic valve. The relationship between aortic wall elasticity, aortic dimensions, aortic valve competence, and LV function in patients with BAVs has not previously been studied with magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 20 patients with nonstenotic BAVs (mean +/- SD, age 27 +/- 11 years) and 20 matched control patients. RESULTS: The BAV patients showed reduced aortic elasticity as indicated by increased pulse wave velocity in the aortic arch and descending aorta (5.6 +/- 1.3 m/s vs. 4.5 +/- 1.1 m/s, p = 0.01; and 5.2 +/- 1.8 m/s vs. 4.3 +/- 0.9 m/s, p = 0.03, respectively), and reduced aortic root distensibility (3.1 +/- 1.2 x 10(-3) mm Hg(-1) vs. 5.6 +/- 3.2 x 10(-3) mm Hg(-1), p < 0.01). In addition, BAV patients showed aortic root dilatation as compared with control patients (mean difference 3.6 to 4.2 mm, p < or = 0.04 at all 4 predefined levels). Minor degrees of aortic regurgitation (AR) were present in 11 patients (AR fraction 6 +/- 8% vs. 1 +/- 1%, p < 0.01). The LV ejection fraction was normal (55 +/- 8% vs. 56 +/- 6%, p = 0.61), whereas LV mass was significantly increased in patients (54 +/- 12 g/m2 vs. 46 +/- 12 g/m2, p = 0.04). Dilatation at the level of the aortic annulus (r = 0.45, p = 0.044) and reduced aortic root distensibility (r = 0.37, p = 0.041) correlated with AR fraction. Increased pulse wave velocity in the aortic arch correlated with increased LV mass (r = 0.42, p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced aortic elasticity and aortic root dilatation were frequently present in patients with nonstenotic BAVs. In addition, reduced aortic wall elasticity was associated with severity of AR and LV hypertrophy.     

Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with aortic regurgitation

Chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) is a disease incorporating volume overload of the left ventricle (LV) which is characterized by hyperactive left ventricular dilatation (LVD). However, we have encountered several patients who had concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) instead of LVD. We therefore studied 50 consecutive patients with isolated AR but without aortic stenosis and found seven patients with concentric LVH having LV wall thickness (determined by summing ventricular septal and posterior wall thicknesses) exceeding 30 mm and LV diastolic diameters of less than 60 mm. These seven patients with AR and LVH were older (55 +/- 27 vs 42 +/- 11 years) and tended to have milder degree of AR, compared with the remaining 43 patients having AR and LVD. However, patients with AR and LVH did not differ from AR and LVD as to the cardiothoracic ratio, SV1 + RV5, T-waves, ejection fraction, operative findings of valvular morphology and underlying etiologies. In contrast, patients with AR and LVH presented higher systolic (196 +/- 41 vs 149 +/- 26 mmHg, p less than 0.01) and diastolic pressures (74 +/- 14 vs 51 +/- 13 mmHg, p less than 0.01) and higher systemic vascular resistance (1,854 +/- 399 vs 1,388 +/- 352 dyne.sec.cm-5, p less than 0.05) during catheterization than did those with AR and LVD. However, blood pressure at the time of admission was not different in the two groups. These observations indicate that concentric LVH is not rare among patients with AR, and that an association of pressure overload with volume overload of the LV, particularly during exercise or stress, may lead to concentric LVH, even in patients with chronic AR.     

Results of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in patients with aortic stenosis associated with significant aortic regurgitation

The influence of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) on aortic regurgitation (AR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis associated with greater than or equal to grade II AR was studied by supraaortic angiogram before and after BAV. The results of 50 patients aged 72 +/- 12 years with significant AR before BAV (group A) were compared to 297 patients (mean age 76 +/- 10 years) with no or mild AR (group B). In group A, the patients had a higher left ventricular end diastolic volume (96 +/- 19 mL/m 2 vs 81 +/- 32 mL/m 2, P less than 0.01) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (23 +/- 9 mmHg vs 19 +/- 9 mmHg, P less than 0.01). The aortic valve area was similar in both groups. Following BAV, the improvement in aortic valve area and hemodynamics were similar in both groups. In group A, AR remained unchanged in 31 patients (62%), increased by 1 grade in 13 patients (26%), and decreased by 1 grade in 6 patients (12%). In group B, AR increased by greater than 1 grade in 34 patients (11%) and greater than 2 grades in 4 patients (1.3%) post-BAV. Two patients in group B underwent emergency aortic valve replacement following BAV because of severe acute AR. In conclusion, when it is indicated, BAV can be performed with similar risk in patients with significant AR.     

Indications for surgery for aortic regurgitation

Aortic valve replacement for isolated aortic regurgitation (AR) is usually not indicated unless the regurgitation is severe. However, not all patients with severe AR require aortic valve replacement. This review focuses on the causes of AR and the pathophysiology of acute versus chronic AR, and the attendant adaptive mechanisms of the left ventricle that ultimately determine their different natural histories. Aortic valve surgery must be performed in a timely manner to prevent cardiac death, ameliorate symptoms, and limit late postoperative excess mortality.     

The natural history of aortic valve disease after mitral valve surgery

OBJECTIVES

The present study evaluates the long-term course of aortic valve disease and the need for aortic valve surgery in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease who underwent mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the natural history of aortic valve disease in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for rheumatic mitral valve disease. In addition there is no firm policy regarding the appropriate treatment of mild aortic valve disease while replacing the mitral valve.

METHODS

One-hundred thirty-one patients (44 male, 87 female; mean age 61 ± 13 yr, range 35 to 89) were followed after mitral valve surgery for a mean period of 13 ± 7 years. All patients had rheumatic heart disease. Aortic valve function was assessed preoperatively by cardiac catheterization and during follow-up by transthoracic echocardiography.

RESULTS

At the time of mitral valve surgery, 59 patients (45%) had mild aortic valve disease: 7 (5%) aortic stenosis (AS), 58 (44%) aortic regurgitation (AR). At the end of follow-up, 96 patients (73%) had aortic valve disease: 33 AS (mild or moderate except in two cases) and 90 AR (mild or moderate except in one case). Among patients without aortic valve disease at the time of the mitral valve surgery, only three patients developed significant aortic valve disease after 25 years of follow-up procedures. Disease progression was noted in three of the seven patients with AS (2 to severe) and in six of the fifty eight with AR (1 to severe). Fifty two (90%) with mild AR remained stable after a mean follow-up period of 16 years. In only three patients (2%) the aortic valve disease progressed significantly after 9, 17 and 22 years. In only six patients of the entire cohort (5%), aortic valve replacement was needed after a mean period of 21 years (range 15 to 33). In four of them the primary indication for the second surgery was dysfunction of the prosthetic mitral valve.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that, among patients with rheumatic heart disease, a considerable number of patients have mild aortic valve disease at the time of mitral valve surgery. Yet most do not progress to severe disease, and aortic valve replacement is rarely needed after a long follow-up period. Thus, prophylactic valve replacement is not indicated in these cases.     

Transesophageal echocardiographic description of the mechanisms of aortic regurgitation in acute type A aortic dissection: implications for aortic valve repair

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to use transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to define the mechanisms of aortic regurgitation (AR) in acute type A aortic dissection so as to assist the surgeon in identifying patients with mechanisms of AR suitable for valve preservation. BACKGROUND: Significant AR frequently complicates acute type A aortic dissection necessitating either aortic valve repair or replacement at the time of aortic surgery. Although direct surgical inspection can identify intrinsically normal leaflets suitable for repair, it is preferable for the surgeon to correlate aortic valve function with the anatomy prior to thoracotomy. METHODS: We studied 50 consecutive patients with acute type A aortic dissection in whom preoperative TEE findings were considered by the surgeons in planning aortic valve surgery. Six patients did not undergo surgery (noncandidacy or refusal) and one patient had had a prior aortic valve replacement and therefore was excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients had no or minimal AR and 22 had moderate or severe AR. In all, there were 16 with intrinsically normal leaflets who had AR due to one or more correctable aortic valve lesion: incomplete leaflet closure due to leaflet tethering in a dilated aortic root in 7; leaflet prolapse due to disrupted leaflet attachments in 8; and dissection flap prolapse through the aortic valve orifice in 5. Of these 16 patients, 15 had successful aortic valve repair whereas just 1 underwent aortic valve replacement after a complicated intraoperative course (unrelated to the aortic valve). Nine patients underwent aortic valve replacement for nonrepairable abnormalities, including Marfan's syndrome in four, bicuspid aortic valve in four, and aortitis in one. In patients undergoing aortic valve repair, follow-up transthoracic echocardiography at a median of three months revealed no or minimal residual AR, and clinical follow-up at a median of 23 months showed that none required aortic valve replacement. CONCLUSIONS: When significant AR complicates acute type A aortic dissection, TEE can define the severity and mechanisms of AR and can assist the surgeon in identifying patients in whom valve repair is likely to be successful.     

Relation of aortic arch complex plaques to risk of cerebral infarction in patients with aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis (AS) and systemic atherosclerosis have been shown to be closely related. We evaluated the prevalence of aortic arch plaques and their possible association with the risk of cerebral infarction in patients with severe AS. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 116 patients with severe AS (55 men, mean age 71 ± 7 years, mean aortic valve area 0.68 ± 0.15 cm(2)) who were scheduled for aortic valve replacement. The presence, thickness, and morphology of the aortic arch plaques were evaluated using transesophageal echocardiography. Cerebral infarcts (chronic cerebral infarction and cerebral infarction after cardiac catheterization and aortic valve replacement) were assessed in all patients. Compared to age- and gender-matched control subjects, the patients with severe AS had a significantly greater prevalence of aortic arch plaques (74% vs 41%; p <0.0001) and complex arch plaques such as large plaques (≥4 mm), ulcerated plaques, or mobile plaques (30% vs 10%; p = 0.004). Multivariate logistic analyses showed that the presence of complex arch plaques was independently associated with cerebral infarction in patients with AS after adjusting for traditional atherosclerotic risk factors and coronary artery disease (odds ratio 8.46, 95% confidence interval 2.38 to 30.12; p = 0.001). In conclusion, the results from the present study showed that there is a greater prevalence of aortic arch plaques in patients with AS and that the presence of complex plaques is independently associated with cerebral infarction in these patients. Therefore, the identification of complex arch plaques using transesophageal echocardiography is important for risk stratification of cerebrovascular events in patients with severe AS.     

Aortic valve replacement in patients with mild or moderate aortic stenosis and coronary bypass surgery

PURPOSE: To assess whether there is survival benefit for patients with mild or moderate aortic stenosis if they undergo aortic valve replacement at the time of coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS: From 1985 to 1995 we evaluated all patients at our institution who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery and who had the echocardiographic diagnosis of mild (mean gradient <0 mm Hg and/or valve area >1.5 cm(2)) or moderate (mean gradient > or =30 and < or =40 mm Hg and/or valve area >1.0 < or =1.5 cm(2)) aortic stenosis. Using propensity analysis, survival was compared between 129 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery alone and 78 patients who underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery and aortic valve replacement. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality was similar among patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery alone compared with patients who underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery and aortic valve replacement. By Kaplan-Meier analysis, 1-year and 8-year survival were better at 90% and 55% for patients who underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass surgery and aortic valve replacement compared with 85% and 39% for patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery alone (P <0.001). This benefit was limited to patients with moderate aortic stenosis (propensity-adjusted relative risk = 0.43; 95% confidence interval: 0.20 to 0.96; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Concomitant aortic valve replacement at the time of coronary artery bypass surgery for mild or moderate aortic stenosis appears to convey a survival advantage for patients with moderate aortic stenosis but not for those with mild aortic stenosis.     

Preoperative left and right ventricular performance in combined aortic and mitral regurgitation and comparison with isolated aortic or mitral regurgitation

Left and right ventricular performance characteristics in operative candidates with combined aortic and mitral regurgitation (AR/MR) have not been well defined. Therefore, we determined radionuclide cineangiographic ejection fractions, as well as echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters, in 8 symptomatic patients undergoing double-valve replacement with pure, severe AR/MR. In order to gain insight into the basis for the poor postoperative survival in patients with this intrinsically biventricular disease, we compared these results with those of 29 symptomatic patients with isolated AR and with 18 symptomatic patients with isolated MR, all also undergoing valve replacement. Before operation, patients with AR/MR had significantly lower left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction than patients with MR (rest, 40 +/- 9% vs 52 +/- 10%, p less than 0.025; exercise, 35 +/- 12% vs 54 +/- 12%, p less than 0.005) and tended to have lower LV ejection fraction than patients with AR alone (rest, 40 +/- 9% vs 45 +/- 12%, difference not significant; exercise, 35 +/- 12% vs 39 +/- 11%, difference not significant); right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction was lower in AR/MR than in AR (p less than 0.01), and tended to be lower than in MR (difference not significant). At average postoperative follow-up of 72 to 76 months (survivors in each group), symptomatic patients with AR/MR had significantly poorer survival than symptomatic patients with isolated MR (p less than 0.05) and were more likely to have persistent symptoms than patients with AR (p less than 0.05). These findings suggest that symptomatic patients with AR/MR have poorer LV and RV performance than similarly symptomatic operative candidates with AR or MR alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Predictive factors of abnormal dynamic intraventricular gradient after valve replacement in severe aortic stenosis

INTRODUCTION: Dynamic intraventricular gradients (DIG) after valve replacement in severe aortic stenosis have been reported, although the incidence of DIG and clinical signs are still poorly understood.Aim. To evaluate the incidence of DIG)and determine risk factors and associated morbimortality. PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred nine consecutive patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing valve replacement were studied prospectively by echocardiography to detect the postoperative appearance of DIG, defined as a maximum flow velocity >/= 2.5 m/s. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (14.9%) developed postoperative DIG. Significant differences between the patients with or without DIG were found for ventricular diameter (left end-diastolic ventricular diameter (LEDVD) 43.2 vs. 47.7 mm, respectively, p < 0.001; left end-systolic ventricular diameter (LESVD) 21 vs. 29 mm, p < 0.001); left ventricular mass index (165 vs. 193 g/m(2), p < 0.05); mean aortic valve gradient (68 vs. 59 mmHg, p < 0.01),; ejection fraction (73 vs. 61%, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found with respect to ventricular wall thicknesses (septal 16.3 vs. 15.7; posterior 14.37 vs. 14.62), the presence of aortic insufficiency, or other postoperative factors (anemia, inotropic agents, etc.). CONCLUSIONS: DIG after aortic valve replacement to treat severe stenosis is not unusual (15%). DIG is usually found at a midventricular location, close to the septum. In patients with postoperative DIG the most common associated factors were small LEDVD, high ejection fractions and ratios of intraventricular septal to posterior wall ratios, high valve gradients and small left ventricular masses. Preoperative echocardiography can identify patients with a higher risk of developing DIG after aortic valve replacement.     

Usefulness of preoperative stroke volume as strong predictor of left ventricular remodeling and outcomes after aortic valve replacement in patients with severe pure aortic regurgitation

In most patients with aortic regurgitation (AR), aortic valve replacement (AVR) results in favorable left ventricular (LV) remodeling and normalization of the LV ejection fraction (EF). However, some patients with severe AR will not have favorable remodeling and their LVEF will not normalize. The goal of the present study was to determine whether remodeling and clinical outcomes after AVR could be predicted from simple preoperative echocardiographic analysis. A total of 56 consecutive patients with chronic severe pure AR who underwent AVR had preoperative (5 ± 2 days), early postoperative (5 ± 2 days), and late postoperative (328 ± 88 days) echocardiographic data retrospectively analyzed. The LV diameter, The LVEF and stroke volume (SV) were measured. The reduction in LV end-diastolic dimension decreased by 14% (from 65 ± 6 mm to 56 ± 8 mm, p <0.001) early after AVR, with an additional reduction of only 6% late after AVR. More than 2/3 of the overall reduction in end-diastolic dimension was observed the week after AVR. Forty-six patients (82%) had positive early LV remodeling, defined as a 10% reduction in the LV end-diastolic diameter 1 week after AVR. All patients with early LV remodeling had a preoperative SV of ≥97 ml, which was the best predictor of late postoperative LVEF of ≥45% (sensitivity 98% and specificity 100%). Patients with a preoperative SV of ≥97 ml had a markedly greater event-free survival rate (92% vs 13%, p <0.001) at 3 years. In conclusion, in patients undergoing AVR for chronic severe pure AR, preoperative SV is the best predictor of LV remodeling and outcomes.     

Ventricular arrhythmias in aortic valve disease before and after aortic valve replacement.

In order to evaluate the effect of aortic valve replacement on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with aortic valve disease, 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings were obtained before surgery in 96 patients without coronary artery disease (aortic stenosis n = 50, combined aortic stenosis and regurgitation n = 19 and aortic regurgitation n = 27). Following aortic valve replacement, repeat recordings were obtained after 13 +/- 4 days and 18 +/- 7 months. Ventricular arrhythmias were in all cases classified according to Lown and were compared with clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data. Preoperatively, ventricular premature beats were observed in 85 patients (89%) and were frequent (greater than 30 ventricular premature beats/hour) in 20 (21%). Multiformity was found in 27 (28%), couplets in 18 (19%) and ventricular tachycardia in 11 (11.5%). The occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias was not related to the type or severity of valve lesions. Patients with severe ventricular arrhythmias (Lown class 3 or 4: 37%) had a greater thickness of their interventricular septum 13.9 +/- 2.5 mm, vs 11.7 +/- 2.6 (p less than 0.05); a higher LV mass 176 +/- 34 g/m2, vs 134 +/- 39 (p less than 0.05) and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction 47 +/- 12%, vs 57 +/- 11, (p less than 0.01). Two weeks postoperatively, the incidence and severity of ventricular arrhythmias had increased: ventricular premature beats were noted in 92% and were severe in 50%. No correlation was found between ventricular arrhythmias and preoperative or operative data. Eighteen months after surgery, ventricular premature beats were still observed in 81% of patients but remained frequent in 7% only. Severe ventricular arrhythmias were noted in 27%. Patients with severe ventricular arrhythmias had at the time of this late recording a lower radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction 57 +/- 14%, vs 73 +/- 9 (p less than 0.02) and a higher enddiastolic diameter 63 +/- 15 mm, vs 48 +/- 7, (p less than 0.01). This study indicates that ventricular arrhythmias are common in patients with aortic valve disease. The severity of arrhythmias is influenced by the LV consequences of valve lesion both pre- and late postoperatively. The frequency and severity of ventricular arrhythmias increase early after surgery and do not correlate with preoperative or operative data.     

Prevalence of aortic valve prolapse with bicuspid aortic valve and its relation to aortic regurgitation: a cross-sectional echocardiographic study

Although aortic valve prolapse (AVP) has been suggested as a cause of aortic regurgitation (AR) in patients with bicuspid aortic valves, neither the frequency of AVP nor its relation to AR in this setting has been defined. To assess these relations, 64 patients with bicuspid aortic valves diagnosed by 2-dimensional echocardiography and 20 normal subjects, similarly distributed according to age and sex, were studied. The presence and degree of AVP were defined using 3 quantitative terms: aortic valve prolapse distance (AVPD), area (AVPA) and volume (AVPV). Each was corrected (c) for patient size with reference to the diameter of the aorta at the level of insertion of the valve cusps. In normal subjects, the AVPDc averaged 0.09 +/- 0.06 (range 0 to 0.16) and the AVPAc averaged 0.08 +/- 0.06 cm (range 0 to 0.15). In patients with bicuspid aortic valves, the AVPDc averaged 0.26 +/- 0.10 (range 0.11 to 0.59, p = 0.00005 vs normal subjects), whereas the AVPAc averaged 0.35 +/- 0.17 cm (range 0.05 to 0.90, p = 0.00005 vs normal subjects). When the AVPDc criteria were used, 81% of the bicuspid valves were abnormal; when the AVPAc criteria were used, 87% were abnormal. The degree of prolapse defined by the AVPVc, which considers both cusp area and degree of apical displacement, was significantly greater for patients with bicuspid aortic valve with clinical AR than for those without (p = 0.008). However, because of the overlap between groups, there was no point at which this measure uniquely separated patients with and without AR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe pure aortic regurgitation due to active aortitis

Aortitis is an uncommon systemic inflammatory disease affecting the aorta and its main branches. Severe aortic regurgitation (AR) represents a fearsome complication of aortitis and is associated with an increased mortality rate. Surgical aortic valve replacement represents the only treatment choice for these patients. However, it is associated with a higher risk of medium to long-term complications such as prosthetic valve detachment. This is the first reported case where severe AR secondary to aortitis was managed with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). TAVI was safe and effective in this clinical setting and may be considered a viable alternative to high-risk surgery in these complex patients.     

Is the clinical course of non-rheumatic aortic regurgitation the same as that of rheumatic aortic regurgitation?

To determine whether non-rheumatic (NR) aortic regurgitation (AR) has the same clinical and postoperative courses as rheumatic (R) AR, we performed a retrospective study using pre- and postoperative M-mode echocardiograms in 23 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) under myocardial protection with hypothermic cardioplegia. The etiology of AR was diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography. The NR-AR group consisted of nine patients including four with aortic valve prolapse (AP) and five with bicuspid valve (BV), and the R-AR group included 14 patients. Patients with preoperative end-diastolic dimensions (EDD) of less than 6.0 cm were excluded from this study. The indication for AVR was NYHA functional class III or severer. The severity of preoperative NYHA functional class was similar among these three groups. During the 18-month follow-up period (range 2-32 months), there were no post-operative deaths nor congestive heart failure. Ages at surgery ranged from 17 to 54 years; 10 (71%) of 14 patients with R-AR were 40 years old or older, while seven (78%) of nine with NR-AR were under 39 years old (p less than 0.05). The pre-operative left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in patients with BV-AR was highest among these three groups (R-AR: 14.5 +/- 3.9 mmHg, AP-AR: 9.5 +/- 4.1 mmHg, BV-AR: 22.0 +/- 2.7 mmHg, p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in pre-operative M-mode echocardiographic results, except for the end-systolic dimension (ESD) between R-AR (5.20 +/- 0.55 cm) and BV-AR (4.78 +/- 0.18 cm) (p less than 0.05). The EDD one month after AVR was still abnormal (greater than or equal to 5.4 cm) in seven of the 14 patients with R-AR, and three of the four patients with AP-AR but none of the patients with BV-ARs (p less than 0.05 vs AP-AR). All patients with pre-operative ESD of less than 5.2 cm had normal EDD one month after AVR. In conclusion, the clinical course of NR-AR is different from that of R-AR. Furthermore, AP-AR regresses more differently after AVR than does BV-AR. Therefore, it is important to consider the etiology of chronic AR in determining the timing of surgery.