Could severity of mitral annular calcification predict other left sided structural or functional abnormalities?

ObjectiveThe prognostic value of MAC severity is important not only because it shares a common risk factors with vascular atherosclerotic changes but also through increasing the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted in order to evaluate association between severity of MAC and left sided echocardiographic abnormalities mainly left sided valvular abnormalities as well as left atrial systolic and diastolic functional abnormalities.MethodsWe prospectively obtained 12-leads electrocardiograms and transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) on patients scheduled for non-emergent echocardiographic assessment at tertiary care hospital. MAC was graded as mild, moderate and severe. LA linear dimensions, LA filling and emptying volumes and left atrium ejection fraction were done specifically in addition to commonly measured TTE parameters.ResultsFrom the 80 patients considered for the study, 47 patients had mild MAC, 29 patients had moderate MAC and 4 patients had severe MAC. Valvular affection through echo-doppler assessment that included mainly mitral stenosis, mitral incompetence, aortic sclerosis as well as aortic incompetence showed a highly significant statistical difference (p-values 0.00, 0.00, 0.00 and 0.00 respectively). There was a highly significant statistical difference between patients with different degrees of MAC and LA linear dimension (p-value 0.00), all LA filling and emptying volumes as well as LA ejection fractions with the exception of LA passive emptying volume and LA passive ejection fraction was insignificant.ConclusionsThere is a direct proportionate relationship between severity of MAC and associated left sided valvular affection, increase LA linear dimension as well as lower overall LA function.     

Pseudo-aneurysm of mitral aortic intervalvular fibrosa: Two case reports

The fibrous body between the mitral and aortic valve, known as mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF) is prone to infection and injury resulting in pseudo-aneurysm formation. Because of its relative rarity, we are far from making any conclusion regarding the natural history and appropriate therapeutic strategy for this condition. We report two cases of this condition with two different and rare etiologies with strikingly different natural courses, providing insight into the natural course and timing of surgery in this rare entity.     

心力衰竭患儿左室非同步运动与二尖瓣环运动速度的定量组织速度成像研究

目的探讨心力衰竭患儿左室非同步运动与二尖瓣环运动速度之间的关系。方法健康小儿40例,心力衰竭患儿30例,获取标准心尖四腔和两腔观。①在多普勒组织速度成像（DTI）状态下,测量左室后间隔、侧壁、前壁、下壁收缩期和舒张早期频谱中的峰值速度（Vs、Ve）,计算四个壁Vs和Ve均值;②QTVI状态下,测量并计算左心室四个壁12节段同步性指标Ts、Te的最大差值Max－△Ts和Max－△Te。同时测量左心功能指标左室射血分数（LVEF）。结果心力衰竭组Max—△Ts和Max—△Te明显大于正常对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;Vs、Ve的均值明显低于正常对照组,P〈0．01;直线相关分析显示MeanVs与Max—△Ts、MeanVe与Max－△Te、Max—△Ts与LVEF相关性好。结论心力衰竭患儿左室内心肌存在非同步运动现象,与二尖瓣环运动速度相关性好,可导致心功能下降。     

超声心动图在二尖瓣置换术后远期心功能不全病因诊断中的应用

 目的探索超声心动图在二尖瓣置换(MVR)术后远期心功能不全病因诊断中的作用。方法超声随访44例MVR患者术后3个月～13.5a,并根据手术的远期效果,分为心功能不全组(A组)和康复组(B组)。除注意人工瓣和自然瓣的病变外,还分析了这2组手术前后左房、左室内径及左室射血分数(EF)的差异。结果超声显示A组二尖瓣位单组或伴主动脉瓣位双组人工瓣异常5例,其它自然瓣明显病变11例。术后A组的左室内径明显大于B组(P＜0.05),EF值明显小于B组(P＜0.01)。超声心动图提供的信息为36.4％心功能不全代偿期和66.7％失代偿期患者诊断出了导致心功能障碍的主要原因。结论MVR手术前后超声检查对术后远期心功能不全的诊断具有实用价值。     

Long-term outcomes of rigid ring versus De Vega annuloplasty for functional tricuspid regurgitation: A propensity score-matching analysis

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to compare the outcomes of rigid ring versus De Vega annuloplasty for the treatment of functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR).MethodsFrom 2003 to 2017, De Vega annuloplasty (group D) was used in 231 patients, and rigid ring annuloplasty (group R) was used in 204 patients for the treatment of functional TR during left-sided valve surgery. A propensity score-matching analysis was used to pair group D (n = 109) with group R (n = 109). The primary outcomes were long-term overall survival and cardiac death, and the secondary outcomes were tricuspid valve-related events and TR recurrence (TR moderate or severe). The follow-up data were complete in 99.6% (447 out of 449) of the patients with a follow-up duration of 102 months.ResultsThere were no differences in the overall survival and cardiac death between the propensity score-matched groups (P = .793 and P = .175, respectively) up to 14 years after surgery. Tricuspid valve-related events, including cardiac death, permanent pacemaker implantation, thromboembolism, bleeding and tricuspid valve reoperation were also similar between the 2 matched groups during the follow-up (P > .999). However, cumulative incidence of TR recurrence was significantly higher in group R than in group D (P = .007). Multivariate analysis indicated the annuloplasty method (De Vega) and preoperative TR grade as risk factors for late TR recurrence.ConclusionsIn functional TR, annuloplasty methods did not influence long-term overall survival, cardiac mortality, and tricuspid valve-related events. However, rigid ring annuloplasty showed less late TR recurrence. Rigid ring annuloplasty can be considered for the treatment of functional TR in terms of its better durability.     

Computed tomography reference dimensions for identification of stented surgical mitral bioprostheses valve size

BackgroundSelection of the transcatheter heart valve size for a mitral valve-in-valve procedure is based on the type and manufacturer’s labelled size. However, accurate information of surgical heart valve (SHV) size may not be available in the patient’s medical record. The purpose of this study is to establish reference data for computed tomography (CT) dimensions of commonly used mitral SHV in order to determine the manufacturer’s labelled size from a cardiac CT data set.MethodsCT datasets of 105 patients with surgical mitral bioprosthesis and available manufacturer labeled datasets were included in the analysis. CT derived valve dimensions were assessed by two observers using multiplanar reformats aligned with the basal sewing ring. A circular region of interest was used in a standardized fashion to minimize influence of image acquisition and reconstruction parameters. Interobserver variability was assessed by Bland-Altman analysis.ResultsThe CT-derived dimensions were stratified by valve size and type, and SHV properties were demonstrated for 5 common valve types. Variability of measurements was small and inter-observer limits of agreement were narrow. Stratified by SHV type, no overlap was noted for CT-derived dimensions among different SHV sizes . A reference table of CT characteristics of surgical mitral bioprosthesis types was created.ConclusionThe study provides reference CT data for determining the manufacturers’ labeled SHV size across a range of commonly used mitral SHVs. The findings will be important to help identify types of surgical mitral bioprosthesis utilizing CT characteristics for patients without SHV size documentation.     

Studies on percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy using a modified transseptal approach

Summary A modified version of Brockenbrough's trans-septal catheterization technique was carried out in 11 patients indicated for percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). In 8/11 (72.7%), a coiled guide-wire was successfully inserted through theforamen ovale without atrial septal puncture. The Brockenbrough needle was used merely to maintain stiffness and the orientation of the dilator. PTMC was performed with an Inoue single balloon without incident.Patent foramen ovale was found by transesophageal echocardiography prior to the operation in only 1/11 patients (9.0%); nonetheless, it proved not to be a critical factor for the success of the procedure. This procedure seems to have much potential to enable the treatment of mitral stenosis with a lowered risk to the patient, as long as it is performed with precision and caution.