Ullah, Muhammad Wajih

Abstract Background and Aims Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart anomaly. Lifetime morbidity and whether long-term survival varies according to BAV patient-sub-groups are unknown. This study aimed to assess lifetime morbidity and long-term survival in BAV patients in the community. Methods The authors retrospectively identified all Olmsted County (Minnesota) residents with an echocardiographic diagnosis of BAV from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 2009, including patients with typical valvulo-aortopathy (BAV without accelerated valvulo-aortopathy or associated disorders), and those with complex valvulo-aortopathy (BAV with accelerated valvulo-aortopathy or associated disorders). Results 652 consecutive diagnosed BAV patients [median (IQR) age 37 (22–53) years; 525 (81%) adult and 127 (19%) paediatric] were followed for a median (IQR) of 19.1 (12.9–25.8) years. The total cumulative lifetime morbidity burden (from birth to age 90) was 86% (95% CI 82.5–89.7); cumulative lifetime progression to ≥ moderate aortic stenosis or regurgitation, aortic valve surgery, aortic aneurysm ≥45 mm or z-score ≥3, aorta surgery, infective endocarditis and aortic dissection was 80.3%, 68.5%, 75.4%, 27%, 6% and 1.6%, respectively. Survival of patients with typical valvulo-aortopathy [562 (86%), age 40 (28–55) years, 86% adults] was similar to age-sex-matched Minnesota population (P = .12). Conversely, survival of patients with complex valvulo-aortopathy [90 (14%), age 14 (3–26) years, 57% paediatric] was lower than expected, with a relative excess mortality risk of 2.25 (95% CI 1.21–4.19) (P = .01). Conclusion The BAV condition exhibits a high lifetime morbidity burden where valvulo-aortopathy is close to unavoidable by age 90. The lifetime incidence of infective endocarditis is higher than that of aortic dissection. The most common BAV clinical presentation is the typical valvulo-aortopathy with preserved expected long-term survival, while the complex valvulo-aortopathy presentation incurs higher mortality.

Abstract Background Noninvasive parameters of LV filling pressure (E/e’) and pulmonary pressures (RVSP) by Doppler echocardiography correlate with functional capacity and outcome in sinus rhythm (SR). Their role in AF is less clear. Elevated left ventricular filling pressures (E/e’) and pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP) by Doppler stress echocardiography correlate with impaired functional capacity in patients in sinus rhythm (SR). However, there is limited data in atrial fibrillation (AF). Purpose The aim of this study was to delineate the characteristics of patients with AF referred for exercise stress echocardiography and determine the prevalence and significance of E/e’ and PASP elevations in AF. Methods Subjects were patients referred for exercise treadmill stress echocardiography (n= 14,937) and underwent regional wall motion assessment, Doppler assessment of mitral inflow (E) and early tissue relaxation (e’) velocities and PASP at rest and immediately following maximum symptom limited exercise. Exclusion criteria included significant valvular heart disease (moderate or greater stenosis and/or regurgitation of any cardiac valve or previous valve repair or replacement) (1%), congenital heart disease (<1%) or refusal to participate in research (<1%). Results Patients with AF (n = 310, 2%) were older (71 ± 10 vs 59 ± 13 years, p < 0.001). While resting blood pressure was similar, resting heart rates were higher in AF (80 ± 17 bpm vs 73 ± 13 bpm, p < 0.0001). AF patients achieved lower workloads (6.4 ± 2.4 METS vs 9 ± 2.4 METS, p < 0.001) with lower peak double products (22336 ± 6677 vs 25148 ± 5438, p < 0.001). Rates of resting (27% vs 10%, p < 0.0001) and exercise-induced (37% vs 20%, p < 0.0001) regional wall motion abnormalities were higher in AF. Mean E/e’ was higher in AF at rest (12 ± 5 vs 9 ± 3, p < 0.001) and with exercise (12 ± 5 vs 10 ± 4, p < 0.001), with a higher percentage of patients in AF having E/e’ ≥15 at rest (20% vs 6% in SR, p= <0.001) and with exercise in (23% vs 8%, p < 0.001). PASP was higher in AF at rest (33 ± 8 mm Hg vs 28 ± 6 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and with exercise (48 ± 12 vs 42 ± 11, p < 0.001) compared to SR. E/e’ correlated with exercise capacity in AF and in SR, with an E/e’ cutoff of 11.7 that was best predictive of impaired functional capacity (< 5 METS in women and < 7 METS in men). Conclusions Abnormalities of E/e’ and PASP are more prevalent in patients with AF and correlate with impaired functional capacity. In patients with AF, a medial E/e’ ratio of ≥ 12 immediately following exercise is best associated with impaired functional capacity.