Abudiab, Muaz M.

Background: Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) is still a frequently encountered problem after aortic valve surgery for aortic stenosis(AS). Advanced planning for prevention of PPM would be beneficial. We hypothesized that identification of severe PPM based on chosen surgical valve will predict development of severe PPM after surgery. Methods: Fifty one patients (74±13yrs) with severe aortic valve stenosis who underwent aortic valve surgery had postoperative echocardiogram (TTE) within 6 months. Severe PPM was defined as effective orifice area index (EOAI)<0.65 cm2/m2.We calculated predicted severe PPM using published references values of the prosthetic valve. We used mean value and the values one standard deviation above and below. We compared these values to the actual PPM based on postoperative TTE. Results: All patients had severe AS (MG50±7 mm Hg) and an LV EF of 56±15%. Forty four patients had tissue valves implanted and 7 had mechanical valves implanted. Mean time between postoperative TTE and surgery was 39± 60 days. When the mean reference values for the valve implanted was used, only 1 patient (2%) was predicted to have severe PPM. However, based on postoperative TTE, 6 patients (13%) had severe PPM. There was no correlation between EOAI based on postop TTE and mean published reference values (Figure).When the EOAI below one SD of the published reference value was chosen, the predicted incidence of severe PPM was 38%. When the EOAI above one SD was chosen for the reference value none of the patients were predicted to have PPM. Sensitivity and specificity to identify severe PPM was 17% and 100% for mean published reference value while it was 0% and 100% for +1 SD and 83% and 68% for -1 SD. Conclusions: 1) Use of mean published reference values markedly under estimate the true incidence of post-operative PPM and has unacceptably low sensitivity. 2) Predicted occurrence of PPM was widely variable (0% to 38%) based on the published reference values. Larger studies are needed.

BackgroundQuantitation of regurgitation severity using the proximal isovelocity acceleration (PISA) method to calculate effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) area has limitations. Measurement of three‐dimensional (3D) vena contracta area (VCA) accurately grades mitral regurgitation (MR) severity on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).MethodsWe evaluated 3D VCA quantitation of regurgitant jet severity using 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 110 native mitral, aortic, and tricuspid valves and six prosthetic valves in patients with at least mild valvular regurgitation. The ASE‐recommended integrative method comprising semiquantitative and quantitative assessment of valvular regurgitation was used as a reference method, including ERO area by 2D PISA for assigning severity of regurgitation grade.ResultsMean age was 62.2±14.4 years; 3D VCA quantitation was feasible in 91% regurgitant valves compared to 78% by the PISA method. When both methods were feasible and in the presence of a single regurgitant jet, 3D VCA and 2D PISA were similar in differentiating assigned severity (ANOVAP<.001). In valves with multiple jets, however, 3D VCA had a better correlation to assigned severity (ANOVAP<.0001). The agreement of 2D PISA and 3D VCA with the integrative method was 47% and 58% for moderate and 65% and 88% for severe regurgitation, respectively.ConclusionMeasurement of 3D VCA by TEE is superior to the 2D PISA method in determination of regurgitation severity in multiple native and prosthetic valves.

Background— Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital cardiac defect. This study sought to determine QAV frequency in a large echocardiography database, to characterize associated cardiovascular abnormalities, and to describe long-term outcomes. Methods and Results— Fifty patients (mean±SD age, 43.5±21.8 years at the time of the index diagnosis; female sex, 52%) received a diagnosis of QAV between January 1, 1975, and March 14, 2014 (frequency, 0.006%). The QAV was type A in 32% and type B in 32% (Hurwitz and Roberts classification). Aortic dilatation was present in 29% of the patients, and 26% had moderate or severe aortic valve regurgitation at the index diagnosis. Stenosis affected only 8% of the valves and was mild. Other findings, including abnormalities of other cardiac valves, septal defects, persistent left superior vena cava, and patent ductus arteriosus, were present in 32% of patients. During a mean±SD follow-up of 4.8±5.6 years, 8 patients underwent aortic valve surgery, with severe aortic valve regurgitation being the surgical indication in 7 patients. One patient with mild to moderate aortic valve regurgitation underwent aortic valve repair for obstruction of the left coronary ostium by the accessory cusp of QAV. No infective endocarditis or aortic dissection was found. Overall survival was 91.5% and 87.7% at 5 and 10 years. Conclusions— Aortic dilatation and other structural cardiac abnormalities were relatively common among patients with QAV. Aortic valve regurgitation was the predominant hemodynamic abnormality and the indication for aortic valve surgery in most patients who received surgery. Long-term survival was excellent.

The authors describe transient apical thickening mimicking apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy following apical ballooning syndrome. These findings are observed on multimodality cardiac imaging and appear to constitute a novel entity. Possible pathophysiologic mechanisms are explored.

Regadenoson is a widely used and well-tolerated vasodilator agent for pharmacologic stress myocardial perfusing imaging. In patients at higher risk of adverse reactions such as those with end stage renal disease, it can be reversed with early administration of aminophylline. However, little is known about late administration of aminophylline. This case report describes the efficacy of late aminophylline use in patients with end stage renal disease. Possible explanations for the prolonged pharmacodynamic effect of regadenoson in this group are discussed.

Abstract Aims Exercise intolerance is a hallmark of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), yet its mechanisms remain unclear. The current study sought to determine whether increases in cardiac output (CO) during exercise are appropriately matched to metabolic demands in HFpEF. Methods and results Patients with HFpEF (n = 109) and controls (n = 73) exercised to volitional fatigue with simultaneous invasive (n = 96) or non-invasive (n = 86) haemodynamic assessment and expired gas analysis to determine oxygen consumption (VO2) during upright or supine exercise. At rest, HFpEF patients had higher LV filling pressures but similar heart rate, stroke volume, EF, and CO. During supine and upright exercise, HFpEF patients displayed lower peak VO2 coupled with blunted increases in heart rate, stroke volume, EF, and CO compared with controls. LV filling pressures increased dramatically in HFpEF patients, with secondary elevation in pulmonary artery pressures. Reduced peak VO2 in HFpEF patients was predominantly attributable to CO limitation, as the slope of the increase in CO relative to VO2 was 20% lower in HFpEF patients (5.9 ± 2.5 vs. 7.4 ± 2.6 L blood/L O2, P = 0.0005). While absolute increases in arterial–venous O2 difference with exercise were similar in HFpEF patients and controls, augmentation in arterial–venous O2 difference relative to VO2 was greater in HFpEF patients (8.9 ± 3.4 vs. 5.5 ± 2.0 min/dL, P &lt; 0.0001). These differences were observed in the total cohort and when upright and supine exercise modalities were examined individually. Conclusion While diastolic dysfunction promotes congestion and pulmonary hypertension with stress in HFpEF, reduction in exercise capacity is predominantly related to inadequate CO relative to metabolic needs.