Prevalence of pannus formation after aortic valve replacement: clinical aspects and surgical management

Pannus formation after aortic valve replacement is not common, but obstruction due to chronic pannus is one of the most serious complications of valve replacement. The causes of pannus formation are still unknown and effective preventive methods have not been fully elucidated. We reviewed our clinical experience of all patients who underwent reoperation for prosthetic aortic valve obstruction due to pannus formation between 1973 and 2004. We compared the initial 18-year period of surgery, when the Björk–Shiley tilting-disk valve was used, and the subsequent 13-year period of surgery, when the St. Jude Medical valve was used. Seven of a total of 390 patients (1.8%) required reoperation for prosthetic aortic valve obstruction due to pannus formation. All seven patients were women; four patients underwent resection of the pannus and three patients needed replacement of the valve. The frequency of pannus formation in the early group was 2.4% (6/253), whereas it was 0.73% (1/137) in the late group (P < 0.05). Pannus was localized at the minor orifice of the Björk–Shiley valve in the early group and turbulent transvalvular blood flow was considered to be one of the important factors triggering its growth. We also consider that small bileaflet valves have the possibility of promoting pannus formation and that the implantation of a larger prosthesis can contribute to reducing the occurrence of pannus.     

Pannus overgrowth after mitral valve replacement with a Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis

A Carpentier-Edwards pericardial (CEP) bioprosthesis was explanted from an 81-year-old woman due to nonstructural dysfunction 9 years after mitral valve replacement. The nonstructural dysfunction produced severe regurgitation in the mitral position. During the surgery, excessive pannus overgrowth was seen on the left ventricular side of the CEP bioprosthesis. Pannus overgrowth was prominent on one leaflet. That leaflet was stiff and shortened due to the excessive overgrowth of pannus. In this patient, the distortion of one leaflet was the main reason for transvalvular leakage of the CEP bioprosthesis in the mitral position. A new CEP bioprosthesis was implanted in the mitral position. Pathological analysis revealed fibrotic pannus with a small amount of cellular material over the leaflets of the resected CEP valve. This change was marked on the distorted leaflet.     

Incidence and outcomes of infective endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus surgical aortic valve replacement

ObjectivesTranscatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in aortic stenosis (AS). Infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with prosthetic heart valves is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Data on the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of IE after TAVI are conflicting. We evaluated these issues in patients with percutaneous TAVI vs. isolated surgical AVR (SAVR) at a nationwide level.MethodsBased on the administrative hospital discharge database, the study collected information for all patients with aortic stenosis treated with AVR in France between 2010 and 2018.ResultsA total of 47 553 patients undergoing TAVI and 60 253 patients undergoing isolated SAVR were identified. During a mean follow-up of 2.0 years (median (25th to 75th percentile) 1.2 (0.1–3.4) years), the incidence rates of IE were 1.89 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78–2.00) and 1.40 (95% CI 1.34–1.46) events per 100 person-years in unmatched TAVI and SAVR patients, respectively. In 32 582 propensity-matched patients (16 291 with TAVI and 16 291 with SAVR), risk of IE was not different in patients treated with TAVI vs. SAVR (incidence rates of IE 1.86 (95% CI 1.70–2.04) %/year vs 1.71 (95% CI 1.58–1.85) %/year respectively, relative risk (RR) 1.09, 95% CI 0.96–1.23). In these matched patients, total mortality was higher in TAVI patients with IE (43.0% 95% CI 37.3–49.3) than in SAVR patients with IE (32.8% 95% CI 28.6–37.3; RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.08–1.60).DiscussionIn a nationwide cohort of patients with AS, treatment with TAVI was associated with a risk of IE similar to that following SAVR. Mortality was higher for patients with IE following TAVI than for those with IE following SAVR.     

Dysfunction of an ATS valve in the aortic position: the first reported case caused by pannus formation

A 64-year-old woman underwent aortic valve replacement with a 21-mm Advancing The Standard (ATS) open-pivot mechanical heart valve for bicuspid aortic valve stenosis. In addition to the appearance of a new cardiac murmur, echocardiography performed 3 years after surgery showed a high pressure gradient across the ATS valve and a reduction in the valve orifice area. Cineradiography of the valve revealed restricted leaflet opening. Subsequent multidetector-row computed tomography clearly demonstrated pannus overgrowth on the inflow aspect of the ATS valve. During a repeat operation, subvalvular overgrown pannus was confirmed and the ATS valve was replaced with a bioprosthetic valve. This is the first reported case of prosthetic valve dysfunction resulting from pannus formation in a patient with an ATS valve in the aortic position.     

经心尖主动脉瓣置换术治疗高危单纯无钙化主动脉瓣关闭不全的手术配合

目的探讨国产J-Valve?支架瓣膜行经心尖主动脉瓣置换(TAVR)术治疗高危单纯无钙化主动脉瓣关闭不全的手术配合方法。 方法收集2017年3月至2018年3月在首都医科大学附属北京安贞医院高危单纯无钙化主动脉瓣关闭不全患者资料,共15例。所有患者均使用国产J-Valve?系统为患者行TAVR术。经过细致的术前评估(包括术前访视、熟悉仪器设备、介入耗材设备等)、术中流畅的手术配合[包括严格遵循无菌原则、术中患者体温保护、X线防护、激活全血凝固时间(ACT)的监测以及支架瓣膜的装配等]和术中安全管理(包括防止输送器移位和动脉置管的护理等)。观测患者术中是否使用心肺转流、发生心室快速起搏、中转行常规体外循环下TAVR术,是否有冠状动脉阻塞、植入瓣膜是否有移位,有无瓣膜内狭窄及瓣周漏等情况发生,观测术后即刻平均主动脉瓣跨瓣压差;患者在ICU是否顺利脱离呼吸机拔除气管插管,术中平均出血量、患者在ICU时间和呼吸机辅助通气时间、射血分数以及是否存在瓣周漏等;了解患者心功能分级、活动耐量以及是否存在胸闷、心绞痛等症状。 结果本研究中所有患者均成功完成TAVR术,未使用心肺转流、未发生心室快速起搏,无中转行常规体外循环下TAVR术,未发生冠状动脉阻塞或植入瓣膜移位,未见瓣膜内狭窄及瓣周漏等情况。术后即刻平均主动脉跨瓣压差为[5.8(4.9,12.9)] mmHg(1 mmHg＝0.133 kPa)。所有患者在ICU均顺利脱离呼吸机拔除气管插管,术中平均出血量为[200.0 (100.0, 500.0)]mL,患者在ICU时间为(1.2±0.4) d,呼吸机辅助通气时间为[19.0 (8.5, 23.5)] h,平均射血分数为(56.2±15.6)%,仅有2例患者存在微量瓣周漏。末次随访中,10例患者心功能Ⅰ级,4例为Ⅱ级,1例为Ⅲ级;患者的活动耐量都较术前明显改善;患者术后胸闷、心绞痛等症状较术前明显改善。 结论手术室护士正确掌握TAVR术的手术配合方法,术前做好患者的心理护理以及各项术前准备,手术过程中与外科医师密切配合,是患者手术成功的保证。     

新鲜主动脉瓣与肺动脉瓣的解剖学观测及其临床意义

目的：从解剖学方面为自体肺动脉瓣替换主动脉瓣手术提供理论依据。方法：对１１例正常国人新鲜心脏标本的主、肺动脉瓣进行解剖学测量,并对结果进行对比研究。结果：①肺动脉瓣所能承受的压力虽小于主动脉瓣所能承受的压力,但其最小值（２８ｋＰａ）高于正常人体动脉压;②肺动脉瓣及肺动脉窦的各项测量数值均略大于主动脉瓣及主动脉窦,但无统计学意义（Ｐ＞０．０５）。结论：①肺动脉瓣能承受主动脉瓣位置的压力;②主、肺动脉瓣叶及主、肺动脉窦在形态、大小上是匹配的。     

Patient–prosthesis mismatch may be irrelevant after aortic valve replacement with the 19-mm Perimount pericardial bioprosthesis in patients aged 65 years or older

The prevalence of patient–prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and its influence on clinical midterm results were examined in elderly patients whose activity was supposed to be less than that of younger patients. We evaluated valve function and the effects of PPM on the midterm results of the 19-mm Carpentier–Edwards Perimount (CEP) pericardial aortic valve in patients aged 65 years or older. Between August 1996 and May 2005, 51 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with the 19-mm CEP valve. The mean follow-up was 2.4 ± 1.8 years, involving a total of 134.4 patient-years. The mean age and body surface area at operation were 74.0 ± 5.0 years and 1.41 ± 0.14 m². There were two (3.9%) operative deaths. Three patients (5.9%) underwent enlargement of their small aortic annuli. The actuarial survival rate at 8 years, including operative mortality, averaged 90.2% ± 4.7%. The freedom from thromboembolism, reoperation, and valve-related mortality averaged 75.0% ± 21.7%, 97.8% ± 2.2%, and 95.3% ± 3.2%, respectively, at 8 years. High preoperative peak and mean transvalvular pressure gradients were significantly improved after the operation (peak, 93 ± 35 versus 28 ± 12 mmHg; mean, 58 ± 19 versus 17 ± 7 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.01). The mean left ventricular mass index was reduced from 192 ± 44 to 142 ± 46 g/m² at late follow-up (P < 0.01). The prevalence of PPM was low (17.6%) when an indexed effective orifice area of less than 0.85 cm²/m² was taken as the definition of PPM. The clinical results, postoperative pressure gradients, and reduction in left ventricular mass index were not different between the PPM and no-PPM groups. The 19-mm CEP valve produced satisfactory midterm clinical outcomes in patients aged 65 years or older whose activity was supposed to be less than that of younger patients, regardless of the presence or absence of PPM. Moderate PPM was rare and it did not adversely impact on the midterm results. The application of annulus enlargement could be limited to the small number of patients for whom the 19-mm CEP valves are not able to be inserted.     

The bicuspid aortic valve and its relation to aortic dilation

BACKGROUND

A bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital heart disease, which affects 1–2% of the population. However, the relationship between BAVs and aortic dilation has not been sufficiently elucidated.

METHODS

A total of 241 BAV patients who were referred to this hospital for cardiac surgey over a 4.75-year period were included in this study. In addition to the clinical characteristics of the included patients, the morphological features of the aortic valve and aorta, the length of the left main coronary artery, and the laboratory findings (the coagulation and hematological parameters as well as the total cholesterol concentration) were determined and compared with those of the tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients.

RESULTS

The BAV patients were younger than the TAV patients for a valve surgery in the last 3 months of the study period. The BAV patients were predominantly male. Most of the BAVs that were surgically treated were stenotic, regurgitant, or combined, and only 19 (7.88%) were normally functioning valves. According to echocardiography or operative records, 148 (78.31%) were type A, 31 (16.40%) were type B, and 10 (5.29%) were type C. The left main coronary artery was much shorter in the BAV patients than it was in the TAV patients. There was no significant difference between BAV and TAV patients in the total cholesterol concentrations; whereas differences were noted between patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy and those not receiving lipid-lowering therapy. The dimensions of the aortic root, sinotubular junction, and ascending aorta were beyond normal limits, while they were significantly smaller in the BAV patients than in the TAV patients. They were also much smaller in patients receiving statin therapy than those not receiving statin therapy in both groups. Moreover, the aortic dilation in the BAV group was found to be significantly associated with patient age.

CONCLUSIONS

The BAV patients developed aortic wall and aortic valve disorders at a younger age than the TAV patients and were predominantly male. Aortic dilation was observed in the aortic root, sinotubular junction, and ascending aortic segments in both the BAV and TAV patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement, although the BAV patients had a smaller degree of dilation than the TAV patients, and dilation was also significantly age-related in this group. The shorter left main coronary artery that the BAV patients possess may contribute to the progressive course of aortic dilation that these patients experience. Statin therapy did not affect the aortic annulus in either group, but did decrease the dimensions of the aortic root, sinotubular junction and ascending aorta. In general, statin therapy had a better effect on the aortas of the TAV patients than it did on those of the BAV patients.     

理想主动脉瓣模型闭合机制的研究

目的;分析理想状态下主动脉瓣关闭机制。方法：建立理想的主动脉瓣模型,用几何学的方法对不同瓣叶情况下的瓣膜受力情况进行分析。结果：二叶瓣无法开放,不符合生理要求。四叶瓣完全开放后,瓣叶完全贴于瓣环,在血液返流的方向上没有受力面积,不利于瓣膜的关闭。三叶瓣在完全开放的状态下,在血液返流的方向上有一个大小较为合理的截面积,有利于瓣膜的闭合受力。结论;在完全开放状态下,主动脉瓣在血液返流方向上的截面积是其关闭动力的重要来源,从关闭角度来讲,三叶瓣是唯一理想的瓣膜。     

Increased risk for double valve replacement with tissue and mechanical prostheses

We wanted to determine whether there is any advantage of using a mitral tissue valve, when aortic and mitral valves are simultaneously replaced. We placed a tissue valve in the mitral position and a mechanical valve in the aortic position in 22 cases (combined group). In 31 other double valve replacements, mechanical prostheses were chosen for both positions (mechanical group). The mean follow-up time for the combined group was 8.9 years, and that for the mechanical group was 7.2 years. The 10-year survival rate and freedom from thromboembolism at 10 years were not different in the two groups. Treatment-related hemorrhage was seen in 3 patients of the combined group alone. Five patients among the combined group underwent reoperation because of bioprosthetic dysfunction, and the rate of freedom from reoperation at 10 years was 75 ±12%. The rate of freedom from all complications at 10 years was 43±11% for the combined group and 70±8% for the mechanical group. We find no advantage in mixing aortic mechanical and mitral tissue valves when performing double valve replacement.     

内皮素-1水平与单纯行主动脉瓣置换术患者术后新发房颤的相关性分析

目的探讨内皮素-1水平与单纯行主动脉瓣置换术患者术后新发房颤的关系。 方法回顾性分析2017年6月至2019年6月于首都医科大学附属北京安贞医院结构性心脏病外科中心单纯行主动脉瓣置换术的119例患者的临床资料,根据患者术后是否新发房颤分为术后房颤组(n＝28)和无术后房颤组(n＝91)。2组患者均于全身麻醉成功后取仰卧位,常规消毒铺巾,作胸部正中切口并劈开胸骨。切开心包并悬吊,肝素化后升主动脉、右心房二阶梯引流管插管建立体外循环,转机、降温,阻断循环,切开主动脉,探查主动脉瓣病变情况,剪除病变主动脉瓣,选择合适大小的人工主动脉瓣(机械瓣或生物瓣)进行置换,全周间断缝合。关闭主动脉切口。复温、排气,开放循环。并行稳定后停止体外循环,拔出动静脉管路。常规止血关胸,结束手术。统计患者术前各项资料中最可能影响术后房颤发生的因素[性别、年龄、体重指数、内皮素-1水平、基础疾病、美国纽约心脏病协会(NYHA)心功能分级、超声心动图指标]、术中资料(术中体外循环时间、主动脉阻断时间)及术后资料[术后机械通气时间、术后住院时间、行开胸止血术例数、使用何种类型人工瓣膜(机械瓣或生物瓣)]。数据比较采用t检验、非参数检验、χ²检验;通过受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线确定内皮素-1预测术后新发房颤的截断值;采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析与术后新发房颤相关的危险因素。 结果(1)术后房颤组患者的年龄为(53.0±12.1)岁,高于无术后房颤组[(47.1±13.6)岁],术前内皮素-1水平为0.43±0.19,高于无术后房颤组(0.27±0.14),NYHA分级≥3级患者比例为14.3%(4/28),高于无术后房颤组[4.4%(4/91)],左心房直径为(40.6±4.8) mm,大于无术后房颤组[(36.7±5.2 ) mm],主动脉瓣狭窄患者比例为39.3%(11/28),低于无术后房颤组[60.4%(55/91)],2组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);其他术前资料比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(2)术后房颤组患者术中体外循环时间为(113.9±41.7) min,主动脉阻断时间为(75.3±24.1) min,无术后房颤组患者术中体外循环时间为(108.6±46.3) min,主动脉阻断时间为(72.5±31.4) min,2组比较差异均无统计学意义(t＝－0.547、－0.432,P＝0.59、0.67)。(3)术后房颤组患者术后机械通气时间、术后住院时间分别为(24.7±14.3) h、(9.1±3.6) d,均大于无术后房颤组[(19.6±9.5) h、(7.6±2.9) d];置换机械瓣患者比例为85.7%(24/28),低于无术后房颤组[96.7%(88/91)],置换生物瓣膜患者比例为14.3%(4/28),高于无术后房颤组[3.3%(3/91)],2组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);术后房颤组患者术后行开胸止血术的比例为3.6%(1/28),高于无术后房颤组[2.2%(2/91)],2组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(4)采用ROC曲线对内皮素-1预测术后新发房颤的价值进行分析可得,曲线下面积为0.76,95%CI：0.66～0.85,截断值0.265 pmol/L,特异度0.75,敏感度0.63。根据截断值将患者分为内皮素-1>0.265组(n＝55)和内皮素-1<0.265组(n＝64),对2组患者术前、术中资料和术后资料进行比较,结果可得内皮素-1>0.265组患者左心房直径大于内皮素-1<0.265组患者,主动脉瓣狭窄患者比例低于内皮素-1<0.265组患者,术后新发房颤的发生率(38.2%)明显高于内皮素-1<0.265组(10.9%),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),其他各项比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对收集到的患者资料进行单因素Logistic回归分析,发现年龄、NYHA分级≥3级、左心房直径、主动脉瓣狭窄、术后机械通气时间、置换生物瓣及内皮素-1>0.265 pmol/L均与术后新发房颤的发生相关;对以上指标进行多因素Logistic回归分析结果可得左心房直径、置换生物瓣和内皮素-1>0.265 pmol/L与患者术后新发房颤的发生呈独立相关。 结论在单纯行单纯主动脉瓣置换术的患者中,除左心房直径、置换生物瓣外,较高的内皮素-1水平也是患者发生术后新发房颤的独立危险因素。     

6-Month aortic valve implantation of an off-the-shelf tissue-engineered valve in sheep

Diseased aortic valves often require replacement, with over 30% of the current aortic valve surgeries performed in patients who will outlive a bioprosthetic valve. While many promising tissue-engineered valves have been created in the lab using the cell-seeded polymeric scaffold paradigm, none have been successfully tested long-term in the aortic position of a pre-clinical model. The high pressure gradients and dynamic flow across the aortic valve leaflets require engineering a tissue that has the strength and compliance to withstand high mechanical demand without compromising normal hemodynamics. A long-term preclinical evaluation of an off-the-shelf tissue-engineered aortic valve in the sheep model is presented here. The valves were made from a tube of decellularized cell-produced matrix mounted on a frame. The engineered matrix is primarily composed of collagen, with strength and organization comparable to native valve leaflets. In vitro testing showed excellent hemodynamic performance with low regurgitation, low systolic pressure gradient, and large orifice area. The implanted valves showed large-scale leaflet motion and maintained effective orifice area throughout the duration of the 6-month implant, with no calcification. After 24 weeks implantation (over 17 million cycles), the valves showed no change in tensile mechanical properties. In addition, histology and DNA quantitation showed repopulation of the engineered matrix with interstitial-like cells and endothelialization. New extracellular matrix deposition, including elastin, further demonstrates positive tissue remodeling in addition to recellularization and valve function. Long-term implantation in the sheep model resulted in functionality, matrix remodeling, and recellularization, unprecedented results for a tissue-engineered aortic valve.     

Presence of a smooth muscle system in aortic valve leaflets

Summary The location and the spatial arrangement of smooth muscle cells in aortic valves have been assessed by a systematic analysis of serial semithin sections of plastic embedded porcine and human aortic leaflets, combined with an electron microscope study.The investigation showed that smooth muscle cells, either single and arranged in thin bundles, and other cell types such as myofibroblasts are constantly present in the aortic valve leaflets. In addition, it was possible to devise a model of the three dimensional, specific organization of the smooth muscle bundles which can be interpreted as an intrinsic muscle system of the leaflets. As the muscular elements might play an active role in the normal functioning of the valve, their presence should be taken into account in designing (bio) prosthetic leaflets and in the evaluation of valve pathology.This work was supported by grant CT76 01159904 from CNR (Rome)     

A case in which biventricular assist device support was required after aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve

We report the case of a 45-year-old man with severe aortic regurgitation. The patient underwent aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve, but was unable to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Intraoperative coronary angiography revealed stenosis of the right coronary orifice, so an intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted and coronary artery bypass grafting to the right coronary artery was conducted; however, weaning from CPB again failed. Left ventricular assist using a Gyro centrifugal pump was performed between the left atrium and left femoral artery, along with right ventricular assist using a Nikkiso centrifugal pump between the right atrium and pulmonary artery. Flow rates averaged from 2.0 to 2.8l/min for the left-side ventricular assist device (VAD) and 2.1–3.8l/min for the right-side VAD. The bypass rate reached approximately 70% at maximum. No thromboembolic events were documented during VAD support. The patient underwent explantation of VADs on postoperative day 4. No thrombus was identified on the bioprosthetic aortic valve by transesophageal echocardiography. The left-side pump displayed no thrombus, while the right-side pump had a small thrombus at the shaft. The patient was discharged from the hospital and was alive as of 2 year postoperatively. To the best of our knowledge, no clinical study has yet compared the antithrombotic properties of two centrifugal pumps in one patient where mechanical support was performed for the same duration and flow rate.     

David手术在主动脉根部瘤合并主动脉瓣二叶畸形治疗中的应用

目的 探讨David手术在治疗主动脉根部瘤合并主动脉瓣二叶畸形中应用的临床效果。方法 回顾性研究。纳入南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院心胸外科2016年1月—2019年1月行David手术治疗主动脉根部瘤合并主动脉瓣二叶畸形的11例患者临床资料。其中男8例、女3例,年龄18～60(35±13)岁;主动脉瓣轻度反流7例、轻中度反流4例,心功能Ⅱ级5例、Ⅲ级5例、Ⅳ级1例。观察患者围术期指标;术后定期复查心脏超声,观察人工血管通畅情况及主动脉瓣反流情况,包括左室射血分数、主动脉瓣反流程度、平均跨瓣压差、峰值跨瓣压差及最大血流速度。结果 11例患者均成功实施手术。围术期观察指标:体外循环时间(246.1±27.2)min,主动脉阻断时间(207.5±21.5)min,术后机械通气时间4.5(3.25,9.25)h,重症监护时间(2.8±1.5)d,术后24 h引流量(418.2±299.0)mL。所有患者术后随访18~30个月,平均22.5个月,未见死亡及二次手术病例。随访期间心脏超声显示患者人工血管血流均通畅,主动脉瓣轻微反流8例、轻度反流3例,平均跨瓣压差均＜10 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),末次随访时,患者心功能Ⅰ级8例、Ⅱ级3例,较术前明显改善。结论 采用David手术结合主动脉瓣修复技术治疗主动脉根部瘤合并中度以下反流的主动脉瓣二叶畸形,其临床疗效满意。     

Haemodynamic of blood flow through stenotic aortic valve

Aortic valve (AV) stenosis is described as the deposition of calcium within the valve leaflets. With the growth of stenosis, haemodynamic, mechanical performances of the AV and blood flow through the valve are changed. In this study, we proposed two fluid–structure interaction (FSI) finite element (FE) models. The hyperelastic material model was considered for leaflets tissue. The leaflet tissue was considered stiffer in stenotic valve than the healthy leaflets because of its calcium content. Therefore, the valve could not open completely and this led to a decrease in the orifice area of the valve. The orifice area decreased from 2.4?cm² for the healthy AV to 1.4?cm² for the stenosis case. Mean pressure gradient increased in mid systole and the axial velocity experienced a three times increment in magnitude. Higher blood shear stress magnitudes were observed in stenotic valve due to the structure of the leaflet. In addition, strain concentration and higher stress values were observed on the leaflets in stenotic valve and the effective stress was greater than healthy case. In addition, pressure and velocity results were consistent with the echocardiography data literature. We have compared the performance of healthy and stenotic AV models during a complete cardiac cycle. Although improvements are still needed, there was good agreement between our computed data and other published studies.     

Subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia have lower aortic valve area and higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers

BackgroundReduction of the aortic valve area (AVA) may lead to aortic valve stenosis with considerable impact on morbidity and mortality if not identified and treated. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and also inflammatory biomarkers, including platelet derived biomarkers, have been considered risk factor for aortic stenosis; however, the association between Lp(a), inflammatory biomarkers and AVA among patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is not clear.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the relation between concentration of Lp(a), measurements of the aortic valve including velocities and valve area and circulating inflammatory biomarkers in adult FH subjects and controls.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study aortic valve measures were examined by cardiac ultrasound and inflammatory markers were analyzed in non-fasting blood samples. The study participants were 64 FH subjects with high (n = 29) or low (n = 35) Lp(a), and 14 healthy controls.ResultsAortic valve peak velocity was higher (p = 0.02), and AVA was lower (p = 0.04) in the FH patients compared to controls; however, when performing multivariable linear regression, there were no significant differences. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the high and low FH Lp(a) groups regarding the aortic valve. FH subjects had higher levels of platelet-derived markers CD40L, PF4, NAP2 and RANTES compared to controls (0.003 ≤ P ≤ 0.03). This result persisted after multiple linear regression.ConclusionsMiddle-aged, intensively treated FH subjects have higher aortic valve velocity, lower AVA, and higher levels of the platelet-derived markers CD40L, PF4, NAP2 and RANTES compared to healthy control subjects. The aortic valve findings were not significant after multiple linear regression, whereas the higher levels of platelet-derived markers were maintained.     

The membranous portion of the interventricular septum and its relationship with the aortic valve in humans

Summary Investigation of the membranous portion of the interventricular septum (MPIS) and its relationship with the aortic valve was performed in 32 human hearts of adult individuals (19 Caucasians and 11 non-Caucasians). With transillumination of the MPIS the specimens were photographed and 35 mm slides obtained. These were digitized into Apple Macintosh II using a Dage Model 68 video camera and a Data Translations DT 2255 frame grabber. The areas and the distances were traced manually, using the NIH Image program (Wayne Rasband, NIH, Research Services Branch, NIHM). The following forms of MPIS were found: oval (31.3%), triangular (28.1%), quadrangular (18.8%), circular (15.6%) and semilunar (6.2%); its surface area varied from 5.65 mm² to 142.63 mm² (mean 48.82±29.17 mm²). The superior border of the MPIS was in close relationship with the aortic valve, and its upper part was usually (41%) in direct continuity with the attachments of both right (RAC) and posterior (PAC) aortic cusps, or with PAC (34%) or RAC (6%) only. Rarely (19%) the MPIS lay below the attachments of both cusps. The distance between the MPIS superior border and the attachment of the RAC was not greater than 5.89 mm (mean 1.69 mm±1.9 mm). The distance between the superior border of the MPIS and the attachment of the PAC was not greater than 5.63 mm (mean 0.77±1.49 mm). Differences between sex, race and age groups were not statistically significant.

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La portion membraneuse du septum interventriculaire et ses rapports avec la valve aortique chez l'homme

Résumé L'étude de la portion membraneuse du septum interventriculaire (PMSIV) et de ses rapports avec la valve aortique a été réalisée sur 32 curs humains adultes (19 Caucasiens et 11 non-Caucasiens). Sous transillumination, la PMSIV est photographiée et les diapositives de 35 mm obtenues sont numérisées dans le Apple MacIntosh II, utilisant une caméra vidéo « Dage Model 68 » et un convertisseur d'images « DT 2255 frame grabber ». Les surfaces et les distances sont tracées manuellement, utilisant le « programme d'images NIH » (Wayne Rasband, NIH, Research Services Branch, NIHM). Les formes suivantes de la PMSIV ont été observées : ovale (31,3 %), triangulaire (28,1 %), quadrangulaire (18,8 %), circulaire (15,6 %) et semi-lunaire (6,2 %). Sa surface varie de 5,65 mm² à 142,63 mm² (moyenne 48,82±29). Le bord supérieur de la PMSIV contracte des rapports intimes avec la valve aortique; sa partie haute est habituellement en continuité directe avec les pieds d'insertion des valuvles aortiques : les deux valvules droite (VAD) et postérieure (VAP) dans 41 %; la VAP ou la VAD isolément, respectivement dans 34 et 6 % des cas. Rarement (19 %) la PMSIV se situe au-dessous des bords adhérents de ces valvules VAD et VAP. La distance entre le bord supérieur de la PMSIV et l'insertion de la VAD n'est pas supérieure à 5,89 mm (M : 1,69 mm±1,9 mm). La distance entre le bord supérieur de la PMSIV et l'insertion de la VAP n'est pas supérieure à 5,63 mm (M : 0,77±1,49 mm). Les différences entre sexes, races et âges ne sont pas statistiquement significatives.

     

Fatty infiltration of a stenotic aortic valve: an unusual histopathologic finding

Aortic valve tissue excised during stenotic valve replacement surgery commonly exhibits histopathologic changes including prominent calcification of variable severity. We present briefly a case of a 78‐year‐old man with aortic valve stenosis and coronary artery disease undergoing aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting. After pathologic examination of excised tissue, the aortic valve was determined to have nodular calcification and myxoid degeneration, as well as evidence of prominent, contiguous fatty infiltration of the valve's spongiosa layer. Although osseous and chondroid metaplasia have been described within excised cardiac valves, a significant constituent of adipose tissue contiguous through the length of a valve and not representing a discrete mass‐forming, neoplastic lesion has been only described in isolated case reports.