Greason, Kevin L.

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.

Background Artificial intelligence (AI)–enabled electrocardiography has emerged as a tool for detecting cardiac dysfunction. The prognostic relevance of AI‐enabled electrocardiography–derived diastolic dysfunction (DD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement had not been assessed. Methods We analyzed 3197 patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis between 2010 and 2023 with baseline 12‐lead ECGs processed by a validated AI model to classify diastolic function (grades 0–3). Multivariable Cox models and nested model comparisons assessed associations with all‐cause mortality, including a prespecified analysis in patients with indeterminate echocardiographic grading. Trajectories were defined by change in AI‐enabled electrocardiography DD grade (<2 versus ≥2) from baseline to 30‐day or 1‐year follow‐up. Results At baseline, 21% had grade 3, 57% had grade 2, 8% had grade 1, and 14% had grade 0 AI‐enabled electrocardiography DD. Higher grades were associated with adverse cardiac remodeling and comorbidities. Over a median follow‐up of 3.4 years, grade 3 AI‐enabled electrocardiography DD independently predicted mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.80 [95% CI, 1.47–2.20]; P <0.001). AI‐enabled electrocardiography DD improved prognostic discrimination beyond clinical and echocardiographic measures (ΔHarrell concordance statistic, 0.016; Δ χ 2 =57; P <0.001). Among 1259 patients with indeterminate echocardiographic grading, AI‐enabled electrocardiography added prognostic value (ΔHarrell concordance statistic, 0.02; Δ χ 2 =13; P =0.006). Worsening or persistently high‐risk trajectories were associated with increased mortality (HRs, 1.45–1.80; all P <0.05). Conclusions AI‐enabled electrocardiography–derived DD independently predicts mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement, adds value beyond echocardiographic grading, and enables dynamic risk stratification through longitudinal tracking.

Objective: To evaluate treatment trends and compare outcomes following fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR) versus open surgical repair (OSR) of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA). Background: FB-EVAR has been increasingly utilized as a less invasive alternative to OSR for treatment of TAAAs. Methods: We studied patients who underwent elective FB-EVAR or OSR of TAAAs (2008-2020), since the initiation of an Advanced Endovascular Aortic Program. Primary endpoints were early major adverse events (MAE) and early and late all-cause mortality. Propensity score overlap weighting analysis was performed to adjust for measured confounders between groups. Results: There were 357 (70.8%) patients treated by FB-EVAR and 147 (29.2%) with OSR. The use of FB-EVAR increased from 16.7% in 2008 to >80% since 2017 ( P <0.001). Incidences of early MAEs were 25.8% and 49.0%, respectively; early mortality rates for FB-EVAR and OSR were 2.5% and 6.8%, respectively. In the weighted cohort, FB-EVAR patients had decreased early MAEs (weight-adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.41; P <0.001) and mortality (aOR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17-0.73; P =0.005) versus OSR patients. Five-year survival estimates were 52.2% (95% CI, 45.2-60.4%) and 78.0% (95% CI, 70.6-86.2%), respectively. In the weighted cohort, there was no significant difference in late survival between groups (weight-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.74-2.39; P =0.34). Conclusions: This study confirmed the change in practice from OSR to FB-EVAR for treatment of TAAAs over the past decade. Incidences of early MAEs and mortality were lower with FB-EVAR, with no significant difference in late survival in the weighted cohort.

Objective: To compare target artery (TA) outcomes after fenestrated or branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR) versus open surgical repair (OSR) of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs). Background: Few studies have compared TA outcomes after endovascular incorporation and open reconstruction. Methods: Among consecutive patients who underwent elective OSR or FB-EVAR of TAAAs (2008–2020), we reviewed those who had postoperative imaging studies evaluating TA. Data of FB-EVAR patients were obtained from a prospectively maintained institutional database. TAs included celiac, superior mesenteric, right, and left renal arteries treated during TAAA repairs. The primary endpoint was TA patency (primary and secondary). Results: There were 131 patients (487 TAs) treated by OSR and 350 (1300 TAs) by FB-EVAR. In the OSR group, 440 TAs (90.3%) were reconstructed by bypasses, and 47 (9.7%) by reimplantation. In the FB-EVAR group, 841 TAs (64.7%) were incorporated by fenestrations and 459 (35.3%) by directional branches. Thirty-day TA primary patency rates were not significantly different between FB-EVAR and OSR (99.4%% vs 99.0%, P = 0.36), but the secondary patency rate was higher after FB-EVAR (99.8% vs 99.0%, P = 0.02). Three-year primary patency rates were 95.9% (95% CI: 94.7%–97.2%) and 94.7% (95% CI: 92.2%–97.2%), respectively; secondary patency rates were 98.5% (95% CI: 97.7%–99.2%) and 94.7% (95% CI: 95.7%–99.2%), respectively. There were no significant differences in late primary patency and secondary patency between groups (each P < 0.05). Conclusions: TA primary and secondary patency rates following elective OSR or FB-EVAR were high. Endovascular repair was not associated with loss of primary patency and late secondary patency.

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.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a serious complication, which occurs in 30% to 40% of patients after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and contributes to adverse outcomes. Advanced technology has enabled transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with High-risk Severe Aortic Stenosis (HRSAS). In these patients, the compliance of the systemic vasculature is an independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction, a known predictor of postoperative AF (POAF). We hypothesize that patients with HRSAS undergoing TAVR represent a population at increased risk for POAF. METHODS: The medical records of 195 TAVR patients at the Mayo Clinic from November 2008 to January 2013 were analyzed. All patient demographic, clinical, pre- and post-procedural outcomes were collected from the patients’ medical records, and reviewed to ascertain all cases of POAF (AF ≤30 days of surgery). Patients with a prior history of AF (n= 75 (38.5%)) were excluded. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify clinical predictors of POAF after TAVR. Results: The mean age of the study population was 80.8±7.8 years and 60.8% (n=73) were men. The mean STS risk score was 8.9±5.1. Of the 120 patients without prior AF, 20.8% (n=25) developed new-onset POAF after TAVR. Patients who developed POAF were more likely to have undergone a transapical or transaortic TAVR approach (OR 3.20; 95% CI (1.3-8.0), had a higher incidence of renal complications (52.0% vs 21.5%; p= 0.003), greater hospital length of stay (7.4±2.58 vs 5.0±2.6 days; p= 0.0003, and a trend toward higher 30-day mortality (28.0% vs 13.7%; p= 0.09) and pulmonary complications (16.0% vs 5.4%; p= 0.08) compared with those who did not develop POAF, respectively. Neurologic complications were not different between the 2 group (4.0% vs 3.2%; p= 0.85). Conclusions: Patients with High-risk Severe Aortic Stenosis undergoing TAVR have increased risk of POAF, primarily associated with a transapical or aortic surgical approach. Patients who develop POAF had higher incidence of post-procedural complications and longer hospitalizations. Therefore, perioperative strategies aimed at prevention of POAF are as important in TAVR patients as in those undergoing SAVR.

Background: Patients with severe aortic stenosis being considered for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) undergo aortoiliac computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the chest/abdomen/pelvis. Despite the increasing number of TAVR procedures worldwide, little is known regarding the clinical significance of non-cardiovascular incidental findings (IFs) on TAVR-CTA scans. Objective: To determine the frequency, clinical significance and impact on survival of non-cardiovascular IFs detected on TAVR-CTA scans. Methods: CTA studies for 424 consecutive patients being evaluated for TAVR were reviewed for non-cardiovascular IFs (62% male, median age 82±8.3 years). The electronic medical record was reviewed to assess for subsequent clinical management and survival. Results: An IF was present in nearly all patients (99%). The mean number of IFs per patient was 5.3 (±2.8; range 0-14). After excluding obviously benign IFs, 67% had at least one potentially pathologic IF (mean 1.1±1.0). Factors associated with higher numbers of IFs were age (p<0.0001) and use of IV contrast (p=0.03). IFs prompted clinical work-up in 39 patients (9.2%) and delayed or cancelled procedures in 7 patients (1.7%). The number needed to image to diagnose a new malignancy or medical condition was 19. The number of IFs was predictive of poor overall survival before (HR 1.09; 95% CI (1.02 to 1.70), p=0.02) and after adjustment for baseline clinical variables (HR 1.07; (1.0 to 1.15); p=0.04). Conclusions: This investigation demonstrates that IFs are present in nearly all TAVR-CTA scans, commonly require further clinical evaluation, and are associated with poorer survival. TAVR institutions should have mechanisms in place to ensure communication and follow-up of IFs.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) mass regression after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS) is a favorable effect of LV unloading, but its relationship to improved clinical outcomes is unclear. We examined the effect on clinical outcomes after transcatheter AVR (TAVR) of: 1) amount of LV mass index (LVMi) regression; and 2) persistent severe LV hypertrophy (LVH). Methods: Of 2115 patients with symptomatic AS at high surgical risk receiving TAVR in the PARTNER randomized trial or continued access registry, 462 (55% women) who had severe LVH (LVMi ≥149 g/m 2 men, ≥122 g/m 2 women, by ASE criteria) at baseline (BL) and LVMi measured 6 mo post-TAVR were included in our analysis. The effect of LVMi regression was evaluated by comparing outcomes in patients with greater vs. lesser decrease (dichotomized by median % change) in LVMi between BL and 6 mo, and in those without vs. with persistent severe LVH 6 mo post-TAVR. Cox PH models evaluated rates of all-cause mortality (6-12 mo), rehospitalizations (through 1 yr), and the composite of these two outcomes. Results: LVMi decreased from 173±32 (BL) to 121±25 g/m 2 (6 mo) (p<0.001) in those with greater LVMi regression, and from 164±30 (BL) to 158±34 g/m 2 (6 mo) (p<0.001) in those with lesser LVMi regression. Patients with greater vs. lesser LVMi regression had similar baseline clinical characteristics, a lower rate of rehospitalization (10.5% vs. 19.9%, p=0.006) and lower rate of the composite endpoint of death or rehospitalization (13.2% vs. 21.4%, p=0.02), but a similar rate of death (4.9% vs. 4.8%, p=0.86). Persistent severe LVH at 6 mo post-TAVR was present in 54% (58% of whom were women). Patients without vs. with persistent severe LVH had similar baseline clinical characteristics, a lower rate of rehospitalization (11.9% vs. 18.1%, p=0.053) and lower rate of the composite endpoint of death or rehospitalization (13.3% vs. 20.7%, p=0.03), but a similar rate of death (3.9% vs. 5.7%, p=0.42). Similar results were obtained when including patients with moderate or severe LVH. Conclusions: In high-risk patients with severe AS and severe LVH undergoing TAVR, greater LV mass regression and resolution of initially severe LVH at 6 months are associated with a lower rate of death or repeat hospitalization.

Background: Shock is a highly dreaded complication of type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). However, few data exist on its incidence and association with prognosis. Methods: We evaluated 2704 TAAAD patients [mean age 61.4 ± 14.5, (67.6%) male] from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection. Results: Shock was present at arrival in 407 (15.1%) TAAAD patients. These patients demonstrated no difference in age (61.5 ± 15.2 with shock vs. 61.4 ± 14.4 years without; p=0.873), but were more likely to have history of hypertension (83.1% vs. 73.0%; p<0.001), atherosclerosis (36.5% vs. 21.7%, p<0.001) and diabetes (12.3% vs. 7.0%, p=0.001) than patients without shock. They had more surgical management (90.9% vs. 86.0%; p=0.007). In-hospital complications such as hypotension (49.8% vs. 28.6%; p<0.001), coma (11.4% vs. 5.8%; p<0.001), tamponade (33.6% vs. 18.2%; p<0.001) and myocardial ischemia/infarction (19.7% vs. 13.7%; p=0.006) were more common among shock patients. Overall in-hospital mortality (30.2% vs. 23.9%; p=0.007) and mortality by management (surgical: 24.6% vs. 19.1%; p=0.015; medical: 88.9% vs. 53.3%, p<0.001) were higher among shock patients. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in shock patients are displayed in Table 1. Among hospital survivors, Kaplan-Meier estimates of follow-up mortality were similar between groups (p=0.609). Conclusions: Shock occurred in 15.1% of patients with TAAAD and was associated with increased in-hospital morbidity and mortality, but not long-term mortality.