Yang, Li‐Tan

Asymptomatic aortic regurgitation (AR) has traditionally been managed conservatively until symptom onset or overt left ventricular systolic dysfunction. However, adverse myocardial remodeling—detected by myocardial strain, volumetric cardiac magnetic resonance, and fibrosis imaging—often precedes current guideline thresholds for interventions and may be irreversible. Advances in multimodal imaging now enable earlier risk stratification beyond conventional metrics. In parallel, intervention strategies are evolving, including valve repair, valve-sparing root replacement, Ross procedure, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement in selected high-risk patients. This narrative review summarizes contemporary advances in imaging and intervention for asymptomatic AR, while critically appraising current evidentiary and technical limitations that constrain earlier intervention. The review is based on a narrative synthesis of the contemporary literature, drawing from recent clinical studies, imaging advances, and guideline documents rather than a systematic evidence search.

Introduction: The survival impact of impaired multi-chamber longitudinal strain in significant tricuspid aortic valve stenosis(TAV-AS) and its relation to cardiac damage staging(CDS) is unknown. Hypothesis: Impaired strain improves prognostication of CDS in significant TAV-AS. Methods: We performed 2D-semi-automated strain analysis in a retrospective cohort of consecutive patients with TAV-AS with mean pressure gradient≥30mmHg on echocardiogram. The outcome was all-cause death. Cutoffs of impaired left-ventricular global longitudinal strain(

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.

ImportanceChronic hemodynamically significant aortic regurgitation (AR) is associated with excess risk of death, yet data for Asian patients are lacking, and whether Asian patients can abide by Western guidelines as to when aortic valve surgery should be performed is unknown.ObjectiveTo assess AR presentation and cutoffs of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-systolic dimension index (LVESDi), and LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVi) that are associated with risk of death in Asian patients with AR.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with chronic, moderately severe to severe AR from 3 tertiary referral centers (2 in Japan and 1 in Taiwan) from June 11, 2008, through November 19, 2020, with follow-up through November 11, 2021.ExposuresAortic regurgitation severity, graded by a comprehensive integrated approach.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was the association between volume-derived LVEF, LVESDi, and LVESVi and all-cause death (ACD). The secondary outcome was the association of these LV indexes with cardiovascular death (CVD). Clinical and echocardiographic data were analyzed retrospectively. A de novo disk-summation method was used to derive LV volumes and volume-derived LVEF.ResultsOf 1259 patients (mean [SD] age, 64 [17] years; 934 [74%] male), 515 (41%) were Japanese and 744 (59%) were Taiwanese. The median follow-up was 4.1 years (IQR, 1.56-7.24 years). The mean (SD) body surface area was 1.67 (0.21) m2; LVEF, 55% (11%); LVESDi, 24.7 (5.7) mm/m2; LVESVi, 50.1 (28.0) mL/m2; and indexed mid–ascending aorta size, 24.7 (5.5) mm/m2. Aortic valve surgery occurred in 483 patients (38%); 240 patients (19%) died during follow-up. Overall mean (SD) 8-year survival was 74% (2%). Separate multivariate models adjusted for covariates demonstrated independent associations of LVEF, LVESDi, and LVESVi with ACD (LVEF: hazard ratio [HR] per 10%, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.70-0.92; P = .002; LVESDi: HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; P = .002; LVESVi: HR per 10 mL/m2, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05-1.17; P < .001) and CVD (LVEF: HR per 10%, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56-0.85; P < .001; LVESDi: HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09; P = .01; LVESVi per 10 mL/m2: HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.06-1.24; P < .001). In the total cohort, spline curves showed that mortality started to increase for an LVEF of 53% or less, LVESDi of 22 mm/m2 or greater, and LVESVi of 46 mL/m2 or greater for both ACD and CVD. Early surgery was beneficial in 3 strata of LVESDi (<20, 20 to <25, and ≥25 mm/m2) and 2 strata of LVESVi (<46 and ≥46 mL/m2).Conclusions and RelevanceThis multicenter cohort study of Asian patients with hemodynamically significant AR found cutoff values of LVEF, LVESDi, and LVESVi that were associated with increased risk of death. These findings suggest that Western guidelines seem applicable in Asian patients and, most importantly, that indexed LV parameters with a lower cutoff could be used in discriminating patients with excess mortality risk.

Background Intracranial aneurysms are reported in 6%–10% of patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), and routine intracranial aneurysm surveillance has been advocated by some. We assessed the prevalence and features of the most important patient‐outcome: aneurysmal sub‐arachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), as compared with controls without aSAH, and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) with aSAH. Methods and Results Adult patients with accurate diagnosis of aSAH and at least one echocardiogram between 2000 and 2019 were identified from a consecutive prospectively maintained registry of aSAH admissions. Controls without a diagnosis of SAH were age‐ and sex‐matched. BAV prevalence was confirmed echocardiographically. Severity of aSAH was categorized using modified Fisher and World Federation of Neurological Scale. Neurologic outcome was assessed using modified Rankin score. A total 488 aSAH cases and 990 controls were identified and BAV status was confirmed. Prevalence of BAV in patients with aSAH was 1.2% (6/488) versus 3.5% (35/990) in controls, P =0.01. BAV+aSAH were noted to be younger than TAV+aSAH (56±11 versus 68±14; P =0.03) with smaller aneurysms (5±2 versus 7±4; P =0.31). The severity of aSAH was lesser in BAV+aSAH than TAV (modified Fisher grade>2 50% versus 74%; P =0.19, World Federation of Neurological Scale grade>3 17% versus 36%; P =0.43). BAV+aSAH had less severe neurologic disability (modified Rankin score 3%–6 33% versus 49% in TAV; P =0.44) and comparable in‐hospital mortality rates ( P =0.93). BAV had lower odds for aSAH on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.23[CI 0.08–0.65]; P =0.01). Conclusions Prevalence of BAV was 3 times lower in the aSAH registry than in controls without aSAH. BAV+aSAH had clinically smaller aneurysms, clinically smaller bleeds, and better neurologic outcome as compared with TAV+aSAH, which needs to be confirmed in larger studies. These findings argue against routine surveillance for intracranial aneurysms in patients with BAV without aortic coarctation.

Abstract Background Intracranial aneurysm (IA) has been associated with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with prevalence of 6–10% which has led some to recommend routine surveillance for IA in BAV patients. Higher incidence of IA in BAV could signal towards systemic arteriopathy beyond the thoracic aorta. With CoA as an independent risk factor for IA formation, it is currently uncertain if the association between IA and BAV reflects the association of BAV and CoA, or the result of BAV-related systemic arterial changes. Purpose Despite this association, 2 small studies suggest no increased risk of the most important patient outcome: aneurysmal sub-arachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Our primary aim was identifying the prevalence of BAV in aSAH patients and compare it with that of a control group without aSAH. Secondary aims included neurologic outcomes of aSAH and anatomical characteristics of IA in BAV, and final disposition and outcome. Methods Patients (>18 years age) with an accurate diagnosis of aSAH and at least one echocardiogram in the system between January 2000-December 2019 were identified from a prospectively maintained registry of aSAH admissions. Controls, without a diagnosis of SAH ever, were age- and gender-matched (1:2 cases:controls). BAV prevalence was echocardiographically-confirmed in all patients. Severity of aSAH was categorized using the modified Fisher (mFisher) and the World Federation of Neurological Scale (WFNS). Results A total of 488 aSAH cases and 990 controls were included in the final analysis with confirmed aortic valve status. The prevalence of BAV in aSAH patients was 1.2% (6/488) vs 3.5% (35/990) in controls, p=0.01. None of the aSAH cases were noted to have CoA, whereas 3 (0.3%; p=0.12) control patients had presence of both BAV and CoA. Within aSAH patients, BAV+aSAH were noted to be younger than tricuspid aortic valve (TAV)+aSAH (56±11 vs 68±14; p=0.03). Aneurysm size was smaller in the BAV+aSAH group (5±2 vs 7±4 in TAV+aSAH; p=0.31). The severity of the bleed was lesser in BAV+aSAH than TAV+aSAH (mFisher grade >2 50% vs 74%; p=0.19, WFNS grade >3 17% vs 36%; p=0.43) which is clinically significant. The BAV+aSAH group had higher disposition rate to home (67% vs 39%; p=0.21) with no difference in in-hospital mortality rates (17% vs 18%; p=0.93). BAV had lower odds on univariate and multivariate analyses adjusted for age/sex/body mass index (OR 0.33 [CI 0.14–0.81]; p=0.01, OR 0.23 [CI 0.08–0.65]; p=0.01) of presenting with aSAH. Conclusion Within a large prospective registry with accurate aSAH diagnoses, we found 3-times lower prevalence of echocardiographically-confirmed BAV as compared to non-aSAH controls. We observed 3-times higher prevalence of BAV in controls than among aSAH cases. In addition, size of intracranial aneurysms was clinically smaller in BAV patients, and the severity of SAH was significantly lesser in BAV from a clinical standpoint. Our findings argue against routine surveillance for IA in BAV patients without CoA. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Objective To compare the prevalence and patterns of anomalous coronary artery origin from the opposite sinus (ACAOS) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). Methods Retrospective review of consecutive patients with surgically excised BAV and TAV was performed from 1994 to 2015. Clinical notes, echocardiograms, coronary angiograms, CT angiographies, and pathology reports were reviewed. ACAOS included right coronary artery from the left cusp, left circumflex artery from the right cusp and left main or left anterior descending artery from the right cusp. Results 2371 (years 1994–2015) and 1679 (years 2009–2015) consecutive patients with pathology-confirmed BAV and TAV, respectively, and defined preoperative coronary anatomy were identified. A left dominant coronary circulation was present in 386 (18%) patients with BAV and 179 (11%) patients with TAV (p<0.001). ACAOS was identified in 43 (1.8%) patients with BAV and 15 (0.9%) patients with TAV, p=0.02. Among patients with BAV and ACAOS, the most common phenotype was right-left fusion (n=34, 79%) with present raphe (n=36, 84%), with no association between BAV phenotype and ACAOS type. On multivariate analysis, BAV status and size of the mid-ascending aorta were independently associated with ACAOS (OR 3.29; CI 1.26 to 8.6; p=0.02; OR 0.93; CI 0.87 to 0.98; p=0.01; respectively). Only two patients with ACAOS, one with BAV and one with TAV, had a perioperative coronary ischaemic event. Conclusions The prevalence of the potentially malignant ACAOS is significantly higher (threefold higher odds) in patients with BAV as compared with TAV, yet remains uncommon in absolute terms. Most patients with BAV and ACAOS had right-left cusp fusion and present raphe. Perioperative coronary events are rare in patients with ACAOS.

Objective To comprehensively explore contemporary differences between bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients with chronic haemodynamically significant aortic regurgitation (AR). Methods Consecutive patients with chronic ≥moderate-severe AR from a tertiary referral centre (2006–2017) were included. All-cause mortality, surgical indications and aortic valve surgery (AVS) were analysed. Results Of 798 patients (296 BAV-AR, age 46±14 years; 502 TAV-AR, age 67±14 years, p<0.0001) followed for 5.5 (IQR: 2.9–9.2) years, 403 underwent AVS (repair in 96) and 154 died during follow-up. The 8-year AVS incidence was 60%±3% versus 53%±3% for BAV-AR and TAV-AR, respectively (p=0.014). The unadjusted (real-life) 8-year total survival was 93%±7% versus 71%±2% for BAV-AR and TAV-AR, respectively (p<0.0001), and became statistically insignificant after sole adjustment for age (p=0.14). The within-group relative risk of death in BAV-AR patients demonstrated a large age-dependent increase (two fold at 50–55 years, up to 10-fold at 70 years). The presence of baseline symptoms was significantly associated with death for both BAV-AR (p=0.039) and TAV-AR (p<0.0001), but the strength of the association decreased with age adjustment for BAV-AR (age-adjusted HR 2.43 (0.92–6.39), p=0.07) and not for TAV-AR (age-adjusted HR, 2.3 (1.6–3.3), p<0.0001). As compared with general population, TAV-AR exhibited baseline excess risk which further increased at left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <60% and left ventricular end-systolic dimension index (LVESDi) >20 mm/m2; similar thresholds were observed for BAV-AR patients. Conclusion BAV-AR patients were two decades younger than TAV-AR and underwent AVS more frequently, resulting in a considerable real-life survival advantage for BAV-AR that was determined primarily by age and not valve anatomy. Pragmatically, regardless of valve anatomy, patients with haemodynamically significant AR and age >50–55 years require a low-threshold for surgical referral to prevent symptom development where LVEF <60% and LVESDi >20 mm/m2 seem appropriate referral thresholds.