Arghami, Arman

Background Diastolic dysfunction is common in patients with aortic stenosis and may influence outcomes following surgical aortic valve replacement. We aimed to examine the association of preoperative artificial intelligence (AI)‐generated diastolic function grades with early and late outcomes following aortic valve replacement and how postoperative progression influence prognosis. Methods We identified 5503 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement between 2000 and 2023. Diastolic function was assessed using a validated deep‐learning AI model applied to 12‐lead ECGs done preoperatively and on postoperative follow‐up. Diastolic grades were classified by AI into Grades 1 to 3. Longitudinal trend analyses and multivariable regression models were used to assess study end points. Results Among 5503 patients (mean age 72.4±10.8 years; 39% female), higher AI ECG diastolic grades were associated with greater comorbidity burden, including diabetes, renal disease, and heart failure. AI ECG diastolic Grade 3 was independently associated with higher in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio, 2.5; P =0.007) and other complications. At 5‐year follow‐up, patients with Grade 3 showed the least improvement in diastolic function by both ECG and echocardiography. Grades 2 and 3 diastolic function at baseline were independently associated with increased late mortality (hazard ratio, 1.3 and 2.45, respectively; both P <0.001). Additionally, lack of improvement in AI ECG diastolic grade by 1 year was also independently associated with late mortality. Conclusions AI ECG–derived diastolic function grades strongly correlates with early complications and long‐term mortality and diastolic progression after aortic valve replacement. AI ECG provides a powerful, noninvasive tool for risk stratification and longitudinal monitoring of patients with aortic stenosis.

Abstract Objectives This study examined the indications, frequency, and outcomes of cardiac surgery following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at a single institution. As TAVR volumes increase, understanding the nature and outcomes of subsequent cardiac operations is critical, particularly as the procedure expands to younger, lower-risk populations. Methods We analysed outcomes of 61 patients who underwent cardiac surgery after TAVR at our institution from August 2011 to September 2023, excluding periprocedural complications and staged procedures. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: those requiring surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with or without concomitant procedures (n = 33) and those undergoing non-SAVR cardiac operations (n = 28). Data were collected from a prospectively maintained cardiovascular surgery database and electronic health records. Indications for surgery, operative characteristics, and outcomes were analysed, with survival assessed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results The median interval between TAVR and cardiac surgery was 19 months. Indications for SAVR included infective endocarditis (36%), non-structural valve deterioration (36%), structural valve deterioration (12%), and valve thrombosis (6%). Non-SAVR operations primarily addressed mitral valve disease (43%) and coronary artery disease (29%). Operative mortality was 6.6%, with no deaths in the endocarditis subgroup. Postoperative complications included prolonged mechanical ventilation (18%), new-onset renal failure (7%), and stroke (2%). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 83% at 1 year and 50% at 5 years. Conclusions Although complex, cardiac operations in patients who have undergone TAVR can be performed with acceptable mortality rates. Structural valve deterioration, paravalvular leak, and endocarditis were the primary indications for SAVR, while mitral valve and coronary artery disease predominated in non-SAVR cases. These findings highlight the importance of considering nonaortic valve pathologies in TAVR planning, particularly as the procedure expands to younger, lower-risk populations.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a highly active process, and upregulation of osteogenic signaling is thought to be a major driver to initiation and progression of disease. While previous reports by our group and others demonstrated dysregulation of antioxidants and pro-oxidants in calcified aortic valves, it remains unclear if loss of antioxidant is a causal event driving valvular calcification and dysfunction. We hypothesized that MnSOD deficiency—an essential mitochondrial antioxidant—would result in accelerated reductions of cusp separation distance, increased osteogenic signaling, and augmented calcium deposition in a hypercholesterolemic mouse model of CAVD. We used ldlr -/- / ApoB 100/100 (LA) mice that were either wild-type (LA-MnSOD +/+ ) or MnSOD-deficient (LA-MnSOD +/- ), fed a Western Diet for 3 or 6 months. We used qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to measure changes in pro-osteogenic signaling, histopathological analyses of calcium burden (Alizarin Red), and echocardiography to assess aortic valve function. BMP2—a pro-osteogenic marker—increased over time with Western diet feeding, though MnSOD-deficiency did not exacerbate these increases. mRNA levels of pro-osteogenic markers (Runx2, Msx2) were also unchanged with either time on diet or with experimental reduction of MnSOD. Surprisingly, protein levels of late- stage osteoblast marker, osterix, were modestly decreased at the three month time point in in LA-MnSOD +/- mice compared to age-matched wild-type littermates. Consistent with our hypothesis, however, loss of mitochondrial antioxidant capacity substantially increased osterix protein levels and calcium burden at the 6 month time point compared to age-matched wild-type littermates. Functionally, loss of mitochondrial antioxidant capacity did not alter aortic valve cusp separation distance at both 3 and 6 month time points. Collectively, these data suggest that loss of MnSOD does not alter disease initiation but instead augments osteogenic signaling and valvular calcification in established aortic valve disease. Future studies aimed at targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress could elucidate novel strategies to slow progression of established CAVD.

Abstract Objectives In an effort to maintain the technical aspects of traditional prosthetic surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) while reducing invasiveness and facilitate options for concomitant operations, transaxillary lateral mini-thoracotomy endoscopic robotic-assisted aortic valve replacement (RAVR) has been introduced. The present data highlight the contemporary international collaborative experience. METHODS All consecutive patients undergoing standardized RAVR across 10 international sites (1/2020–7/2024) were evaluated using a central database with 1 year follow-up. RESULTS A total of 300 patients were analysed with a median predicted risk of 1.6% with aortic stenosis in 85.7%, nearly half with bicuspid valves. Biological prostheses were implanted in 220 (73.3%) with a median valve size 23 mm, 10% receiving aortic root enlargement, with 17% of all patients undergoing concomitant procedures. Median cross-clamp 120 min with no conversions to sternotomy. Median length of stay was 5 days, 4.3% with prolonged ventilation, 1.7% renal failure, 1.0% stroke and 8.3% required re-thoracotomy for evacuation of haemothorax. There were two 30-day operative mortalities (0.7%). The new permanent pacemaker rate for the full cohort was 2.6%. Of 163 patients with complete 1-year clinical and echocardiographic follow-up, mean aortic valve gradient was 10 mmHg and all but 2 patients (1.2%) had trace to no prosthetic or paravalvular insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS RAVR is safe and effective, providing the reproducible benefits of surgical AVR while affording a less invasive approach that permits the opportunity for concomitant procedures. For low and intermediate risk patients with aortic valve disease, RAVR is a potential reproducible alternative for patients and heart teams.

Background Patients undergoing medical procedures benefit from preprocedural education. Objective To evaluate a multisensory virtual reality preoperative educational program for patients undergoing elective cardiovascular surgical procedures with postoperative recovery in the intensive care unit (ICU) and assess its impact on patients’ outcomes and experience. Methods Patients scheduled for elective cardiovascular surgical procedures with expected recovery in the ICU were enrolled. A multidisciplinary team designed the virtual reality simulation. Educational objectives focused on patient safety, family presence, ICU machinery and activities, reorientation, and communication with the care team. Historical control patients (n = 94) underwent medical record review and were contacted to complete surveys. Virtual reality simulation patients (n = 44) underwent medical record review, viewed the simulation at a preoperative appointment, and completed surveys. The study included patients admitted from June 4, 2019, to May 12, 2022. Results Durations of postoperative sedation and mechanical ventilation were lower in patients receiving virtual reality simulation. Most patients in the virtual reality simulation group (92%) said the simulation alleviated their anxiety and helped them understand what to expect in the ICU. The simulation improved their feeling of safety and decreased their fear of the unknown. Delirium incidence was not different in the 2 groups. Conclusions Preprocedural education via virtual reality simulation can improve the experience and outcomes of patients undergoing elective cardiothoracic surgery with recovery in the ICU.

AbstractBackgroundComplications associated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices may necessitate device and lead removal. An open approach to removal may be electively chosen in cases with high risk of complications or those requiring additional concomitant cardiac surgery. This study aimed to investigate outcomes of patients who underwent elective open lead extractions (OLE) at two large tertiary care centers.MethodsThe records of 29 patients undergoing elective OLE were analyzed through retrospective chart review.Results69 total leads were extracted from 29 patients (77% completely, 23% partially). The average age of the oldest leads was 13.3 ± 11.3 years. Infective endocarditis with severe valvular insufficiency requiring valvular intervention (41%)—an infectious etiology, and tricuspid valve intervention to correct RV lead‐related severe TR (38%)—a noninfectious etiology, were the most common reasons for OLE. 38% of the patients had additional co‐primary or secondary indications for open extraction, such as CABG and pericardiectomies. The rate of major complications and procedural failure was 3% each (1/29). 30‐day survival was 100%, and 1‐year survival was 92%. The average length of hospital stay was 15 days and higher among those undergoing OLE for infectious indications.ConclusionOpen lead extractions offered a similar clinical success rate (97%) to transvenous extractions in this cohort and may be a viable alternative for those necessitating valvular intervention or when the risk of complications from TLE is considered very high.

Abstract Whipple disease is a rare systemic illness associated with weight loss, diarrhea, and arthralgia. Asymptomatic carriage is common, but the disease can be complicated by cardiac involvement and may result in culture-negative endocarditis. Cardiac manifestations of the disease can lead to death. This report presents the case of a 66-year-old man with Whipple disease and biventricular heart failure with cardiogenic shock. Medical therapy followed by successful replacement of the aortic and mitral valves resulted in substantial improvement.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases (NOS), and is degraded primarily by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH1). While ADMA is elevated in patients with fibrocalcific aortic valve stenosis (FCAVD), is it unknown whether tissue levels of DDAH1 are altered in FCAVD, and whether systemic elevations in ADMA levels accelerate initiation and/or progression of FCAVD. In the present study, we measured expression of DDAH1 in normal and stenotic human aortic valves, and tested the hypothesis that increases in ADMA worsen hypertension and endothelial dysfunction and accelerate the initiation and progression of FCAVD in hypercholesterolemic mice. In tissue from humans with FCAVD, expression of DDAH1 was significantly increased compared to normal valve tissue (normal = 1.0 ± 0.1, FCAVD = 1.3 ± 0.1, ⋔⋔Ct method; p < 0.05). To experimentally alter DDAH1 levels, we used low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient, apolipoprotein B100-only (LA) mice that were either wild-type (D +/+ ) or heterozygous (D +/- ) for DDAH1. Blood pressure (tail cuff), aortic endothelial function (isolated organ bath), and aortic valve function (echocardiography), were measured at 3 and 6 month time points in these mice. Compared to LA-D +/+ mice, systolic arterial pressure was significantly increased in LA-D +/- mice at both 3 month (121±4 mmHg and 144±4 mmHg) and 6 months (138±6 mmHg and 148±4 mmHg). Aortic endothelial function progressively declined with prolonged hypercholesterolemia, but maximum relaxation to acetylcholine did not differ between LA-D +/+ and LA-D +/- mice at 3 or 6 months. While aortic valve function was similar between LA-D +/+ and LA-D +/- mice at 3 months (peak transvalvular velocity: 1.98±0.07 m/sec versus 1.94±0.06 m/s, respectively), aortic valve function was significantly worse in LA-D +/- (2.41±0.11 m/sec) compared to LA-D +/+ mice (2.20±0.09 m/sec) at 6 months (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our data support a working model in which increases in valvular DDAH1 levels protect against progression of FCAVD. Importantly, loss of DDAH1 in mice does not alter aortic valve function during early stages of FCAVD, but accelerates progression of FCAVD independently of changes in endothelial function.

Abstract Cardiac surgeries often require the use of cardiopulmonary bypass to allow visualization and manipulation of tissues. Vascular anomalies may impose challenges with access configuration. A patient was evaluated for robot-assisted mitral valve repair and found to have an atretic inferior vena cava secondary due to chronic occlusion. The patient was cannulated arterially through the left common femoral artery, and two cannulation sites were applied for venous drainage: the right intrajugular vein and a second percutaneous access site directly into the right atrium through the chest wall. The procedure was completed without immediate complications, and the patient’s perioperative course was unremarkable.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), constituting the predominant manifestation of liver cancer, stands as a formidable medical challenge. The prognosis subsequent to surgical intervention, particularly for individuals presenting with a solitary tumor, relies heavily on the degree of invasiveness. The decision-making process surrounding therapeutic modalities in such cases assumes paramount importance. This case report illuminates a rather unusual clinical scenario. Here, we encounter a patient who, following a disease-free interval, manifested an atypical presentation of HCC, specifically, a solitary cardiac metastasis. The temporal interval of remission adds an additional layer of complexity to the case. Through a multidisciplinary planning process, the decision was made for surgical removal of the metastatic tumor.