Citations

Introduction- Two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is a novel non-invasive method to assess subtle changes in left ventricular (LV) function such as strain and rotational dynamics. Limited data exists for assessing the impact of severity of aortic stenosis (AS) on LV apical rotation Objective- To determine the impact of severity of AS on LV longitudinal strain as well as LV apical rotation in patients with preserved LV ejection fraction and various degrees of AS. Methods- We prospectively measured longitudinal LV strain and apical rotation in 74patients with preserved LV ejection fraction but no (n= 22), mild (MG 10-25 mmHg; n= 20), moderate (MG 25-40 mmHg; n= 18), or severe (MG >40 mmHg; n= 14) AS who were undergoing echocardiographic examination at our institution. Two dimensional speckle tracking method was used to obtain average peak longitudinal strain using apical 4, 2-chamber and long-axis views while apical short axis view was used to obtain the LV apical rotation. Results- Mean age between no vs. mild vs. mod vs. severe AS groups (73±11yrs; 70±13yrs; 77±6yrs; 76±14 yrs) was not different (p=0.26). Presence of hypertension (64%, 65%, 78%, 71%) and coronary artery disease (14%, 6%, 25%, 29%) were also not different between the groups (p = 0.76 and p = 0.23 respectively). Average LV peak global longitudinal strain was not different between groups (-17.5±3%; -17.5±5%;-16.6±4%; -16.6±3% (p=0.82). However LV peak apical rotation was higher with worsening severity of aortic stenosis (14.8±8°; 14.7±9°; 21.3±11°; 23.7±12°) (overall p=0.02) (Figure). Conclusions- 1) LV peak longitudinal strain was not different between patients with no stenosis when compared to patients with various levels of aortic stenosis. 2) However, LV apical rotation increases with worsening levels of AS probably to maintain the LV stroke volume. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of LV apical rotation in deciding the timing of surgery in patients with severe AS.

Introduction- Recent studies based on echocardiographic data have described an entity termed paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (AS) with preserved ejection fraction (EF). It is not clear whether this condition is also seen in patients who undergo hemodynamic catheterization. Objective- To determine the prevalence of low-flow in patients with low mean gradient (MG) severe AS despite preserved EF as determined by echocardiography who subsequently undergo hemodynamic catheterization. Methods- We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 259 patients who underwent hemodynamic catheterization at Mayo Clinic from 2000-2009 to assess the severity of AS within 6 months of their echocardiographic study. Results- A total of 35 patients (mean age 75±9yrs; 49% males) had MG (≤ 40 mm Hg) and aortic valve area (AVA ≤ 1 cm2) despite preserved EF (≥50%) as determined by echocardiography. A total of 7/35 patients (20%) had low flow by echocardiography, defined as stroke volume index (SVI) ≤ 35 ml/m2 (median SVI of 32 ml/m2, inter-quartile range 30-33 ml/m2). Among the same 35 patients, there were 23 patients who had both low MG (≤ 40 mm Hg) and severe AS (AVA ≤ 1 cm2), while a total of 14/35 patients (40%) had low MG, severe AS as well as low flow (median SVI of 32 ml/m2, inter-quartile range 29-33 ml/m2) as determined by hemodynamic catheterization. A statistically significant correlation with modest association was observed between invasive and noninvasive measurements of MG, SVI, and AVA (r=0.48 ; p = 0.003; r=0.48; p = 0.004 ; r=0.36; p=0.03 respectively) in our study group of 35 patients. In most patients (94%) MG by catheterization was also ≤ 40 mm Hg. However, agreement between echocardiography and catheterization to identify patients with paradoxical low-flow, low MG, severe AS was poor (kappa = 0.03). Conclusions- 1) Paradoxical low flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis is also observed in patients who undergo hemodynamic catheterization. 2) Further studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiology, best method for diagnosis and true prevalence of this entity.

Background Valvuloarterial impedance (Zva) was introduced as a prognostic measure in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, it is unclear whether Zva has a prognostic impact on survival after surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with severe AS with preserved ejection fraction (EF). Methods We retrospectively reviewed 929 consecutive patients who had AVR. We investigated 170 elderly patients (age >65 years, mean 76 years) who had AVR secondary to severe AS (mean gradient ≥40 mm Hg; aortic valve area ≤1 cm2; peak velocity ≥4 m/s). Patients with EF <50%, greater than moderate aortic regurgitation, prior heart surgery and concomitant mitral or tricuspid valve surgery were excluded. Zva was calculated and the patients were divided into two groups; low Zva, Zva <4.3 (n=82) and high Zva, Zva ≥4.3 (n=88). The end point was all-cause of death. Survival curves were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier method. Results Age, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), atrial fibrillation, symptoms, EF, E/e′ and concomitant coronary artery bypass graft were not different between the groups. Survival was not different between the groups at 5 years (70% in low Zva and 81% in high Zva; p=0.21) and for the entire follow-up period (p=0.23). Only age was a significant factor in predicting survival by multivariate analyses in Cox proportional hazards model after adjusting for Zva, CKD, atrial fibrillation and hypertension. Conclusions Our results suggest that preoperative Zva does not have a prognostic impact on postoperative survival in elderly patients with severe AS with preserved EF. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the controversial results.

Mini‐AbstractWe present a case of a 25‐year‐old man with aortic regurgitation secondary to infective endocarditis. A preoperative transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated an abnormal aortic valve with possible vegetation or torn leaflet with severe aortic regurgitation, markedly dilated left coronary arteries, and a fistulous communication between the circumflex artery and the coronary sinus. The aortic valve was repaired and the coronary sinus arteriovenous fistula was ligated. At 1‐year follow‐up, there was no evidence of recurrent arteriovenous fistula or aortic regurgitation.

Mini‐AbstractWe present a case of a 76‐year‐old woman with new‐onset atrial flutter who underwent transesophageal echocardiography, which demonstrated a large left atrial mass consistent with myxoma and a “shimmering” mobile mass on the aortic side of the right coronary cusp, with fronds consistent with a papillary fibroelastoma. Such concurrent primary cardiac tumors of different histology are a rare occurence.