Citations

Background: Graves’ disease (GD) can both aggravate pre-existing cardiac disease and cause de novo heart failure (HF). Due to the rarity of thyrotoxic HF, population-based studies are lacking, and data from smaller studies are widely variable. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 1371 consecutive patients with GD evaluated at our clinic between 2009 and 2019. HF was defined according to Framingham criteria. GD-related HFrEF was defined by left ventricular ejection fraction of <50%, while HFpEF was defined according to the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology. Outcomes of major cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and cardiac hospitalizations were analyzed with adjustments for age, gender, and history of coronary artery disease (CAD). 1:1 matching with controls (age, gender, and CAD) was additionally done. Results: HF occurred in 74 patients (31 HFrEF; 43 HFpEF). Incidence of GD-related HF, HFrEF, and HFpEF was 5.4%, 2.3%, and 3.1%, respectively. In HFrEF, atrial fibrillation (AF) (RR 10.05, p <0.001) and thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) level (RR 1.05 per unit, p=0.005) were independent predisposing factors. In HFpEF, independent risk factors were COPD (RR 5.78, p < 0.001), older age (RR 1.48 per 10 years, p = 0.003), overt hyperthyroidism (RR 5.37, p = 0.021), higher BMI (1.06 per unit, p = 0.003), and HTN (RR 3.03, p = 0.011). Rates of cardiac hospitalizations were higher in HFrEF (41.9% vs 3.2%, p <0.001) and HFpEF (44.2% vs 4.7%, p < 0.001) compared to controls. Furthermore, while both increased risk of strokes (HFrEF: RR 4.12, p = 0.027; HFpEF: RR 4.64, p = 0.009), only HFrEF increased risk of all-cause mortality (RR 3.78, p = 0.045). Conclusion: De novo HF occurs in 5.4% of patients with GD and increases the rate of cardiovascular events. HF occurs more frequently in GD patients with AF, higher TRAb, higher BMI, and overt hyperthyroidism, suggesting that these may be targets for treatment to prevent cardiovascular complications, especially in older multimorbid patients.

Background: Hyperthyroidism is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) with a reported prevalence of 16-60%. However, risk factors for onset of AF with hyperthyroidism are not well defined. We sought to identify patients with hyperthyroidism most likely to develop AF. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 1371 consecutive patients with GD evaluated at our clinic between 2009 and 2019. GD-related AF was defined as AF diagnosed up to 30 days before or at any time after Grave’s disease (GD). Spontaneous recovery was defined as sinus rhythm after attainment of euthyroidism without the need for pharmacologic or electrical cardioversion. Outcomes of major cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and cardiac hospitalizations were compared between cases and controls (GD without AF) matched 1:1 for age, gender, and history of coronary artery disease. Results: AF occurred in 140 patients with an incidence of 10.2%. Older age (RR 1.63 per 10 years, p <0.001), male gender (RR 2.06, p < 0.001), overt hyperthyroidism (RR 2.48, p = 0.002), COPD (RR 2.14, p =0.006), and higher BMI (RR 1.03 per unit, p=0.023) were independent risk factors for AF. Spontaneous AF recovery occurred in 44 of 128 (34.6%) patients with adequate follow up. The multivariate risk factor for failed recovery was the presence of heart failure (HF) (OR =3.52, p= 0.004). GD patients with AF had higher rates of cardiac hospitalizations (Figure) that persisted even after adjusting to HF presence (27.9% vs 2.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Risk factors for AF in GD are similar to those in the general population, although overt hyperthyroidism conferred the highest risk. These data argue for careful monitoring of GD patients with multimorbidity who may be at high risk of developing AF.

Abstract Aims Cardiac power is a measure of cardiac performance that incorporates both pressure and flow components. Prior studies have shown that cardiac power predicts outcomes in patients with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). We sought to evaluate the prognostic significance of peak exercise cardiac power and power reserve in patients with normal EF. Methods and results We performed a retrospective analysis in 24 885 patients (age 59 ± 13 years, 45% females) with EF ≥50% and no significant valve disease or right ventricular dysfunction, undergoing exercise stress echocardiography between 2004 and 2018. Cardiac power and power reserve (developed power with stress) were normalized to LV mass and expressed in W/100 g of LV myocardium. Endpoints at follow-up were all-cause mortality and diagnosis of heart failure (HF). Patients in the higher quartiles of power/mass (rest, peak stress, and power reserve) were younger and had higher peak blood pressure and heart rate, lower LV mass, and lower prevalence of comorbidities. During follow-up [median 3.9 (0.6–8.3) years], 929 patients died. After adjusting for age, sex, metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved, ischaemia/infarction on stress test results, medication, and comorbidities, peak stress power/mass was independently associated with mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), highest vs. lowest quartile, 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–0.6, P &lt; 0.001] and HF at follow-up [adjusted HR, highest vs. lowest quartile, 0.4, 95% CI (0.3, 0.5), P &lt; 0.001]. Power reserve showed similar results. Conclusion The assessment of cardiac power during exercise stress echocardiography in patients with normal EF provides valuable prognostic information, in addition to stress test findings on inducible myocardial ischaemia and exercise capacity.

AbstractObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the invasive hemodynamic changes with transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) in patients with severe mitral stenosis due to severe mitral annular calcification.BackgroundThe hemodynamic response to TMVR in patients with mitral stenosis related to degenerative mitral annular calcification has not been fully elucidated.MethodsWe conducted retrospective review of patients who underwent successful transseptal TMVR with balloon‐expandable valves for symptomatic severe mitral stenosis due to mitral annular calcification at our institution between January 2014 and February 2020. Invasive hemodynamic measurements were obtained both before valve implantation (predeployment) and after (postdeployment).ResultsEighteen patients (age 72 ± 10 years, 44% female) were included for the analysis. There was a significant reduction in mean left atrial pressure (23.7 ± 5.6 mmHg versus 20.6 ± 4.8 mmHg; p = .01), left atrial v‐wave (mean 39.3 ± 10.2 mmHg versus 32.9 ± 9.9 mmHg; p = .01), and an increase in systemic mean blood pressure (72.6 mmHg ±11.2 versus 79.5 ± 9.9 mmHg; p = .02) postdeployment compared to predeployment. Patients who had symptom improvement at 30‐day follow‐up tended to have greater reduction in mean left atrial pressure (4.4 ± 4.4 mmHg versus 0.5 ± 5.2 mmHg; p = .16) and v‐wave (8.6 ± 9.0 mmHg versus 0.7 ± 8.4 mmHg; p = .10) compared to those who did not experience improvement of symptoms.ConclusionsTransseptal TMVR for severe mitral stenosis due to mitral annular calcification is associated with reductions in mean left atrial pressure and left atrial v‐wave, and an increase in systemic arterial pressure.

Abstract Aims Chronic volume-overload can impair systolic and diastolic myocardial properties. We tested the hypothesis that Intrinsic Cardiac Elastography may detect alterations in passive myocardial elasticity in patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and predict worsening left ventricular (LV) function after mitral valve repair (MVr). Methods and results Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac elastography were performed in 80 patients with primary MR (prolapse and/or flail leaflets) of varying severity and compared with 40 normal subjects. In patients who underwent MVr (n = 51), elastography measurements were related to changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at short-term (3–4 days post-op) and mid-term (1 year) follow-up. Most patients were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and had preserved LVEF (&gt;60%). Intrinsic velocity propagation (iVP) of myocardial stretch, a direct measure of myocardial stiffness, was higher in patients with severe MR {median 2.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 1.5–2.2] m/s, range 1.1–3.4 m/s; n = 56} compared to normal subjects [median 1.7 (IQR 1.5–1.8) m/s; n = 40; P = 0.0005], but not in those with mild or moderate MR [median 1.7 (IQR 1.4–1.9) m/s; n = 24]. A higher iVP was associated with more severe LV volume-overload and LV and left atrial enlargement (P &lt; 0.05 for all). In patients undergoing MVr, a higher iVP independently predicted a larger drop in LVEF post-intervention (short-term, P = 0.001; 1 year, P = 0.007), incrementally to pre-operative LVEF (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion Non-invasive measurements of myocardial stiffness were able to predict functional deterioration after MVr for chronic primary MR. Further studies should investigate the mechanisms and practical utility of this novel measurement.

Background: Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) is associated with long-term outcomes of patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, its prognostic value in patients with moderate aortic stenosis remains unknown. Methods: Patients diagnosed with moderate aortic stenosis (1.0< aortic valve area ≤1.5 cm 2 ) and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% were identified. GLS was assessed by 2-dimensional strain imaging using speckle-tracking method. All-cause mortality was assessed according to the median GLS value. Results: Two hundred eighty-seven patients were included (median age 76 years; 47% male). Mean aortic valve area was 1.25 cm 2 , left ventricular ejection fraction 62%, and median GLS −15.2%. During a median follow-up of 3.9 years, there were 103 deaths (36%). Mortality was higher in patients with GLS>−15.2% (hazard ratio 2.62 [95% CI 1.69–4.06]) compared with patients with GLS ≤−15.2% even after adjusting for confounders. Mortality rates at 1, 3, 5 years were 21%, 35%, 48%, respectively, in patients with GLS >−15.2%, and 6%, 15%, 19% in those with GLS ≤−15.2%. Even among those with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥60%, GLS discriminated higher-risk patients ( P =0.0003). During follow-up, 106 (37%) patients underwent aortic valve replacement with median waiting-time of 2.4 years, and their survival was better than patients without aortic valve replacement. Among those patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, prognosis was still worse in patients with GLS >−15.2% ( P =0.04). Mortality rates at 1, 3, 5 years were 2%, 10%, 20%, respectively, in patients with GLS >-15.2% and 2%, 5%, 6% in those with GLS ≤−15.2%. Conclusions: Impaired GLS in moderate aortic stenosis patients is associated with higher mortality rates even among those undergoing aortic valve replacement.

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to determine hemodynamic effects of aortic paravalvular leak (PVL) and predictors of clinical outcomes after aortic PVL closure.BackgroundThe significance of hemodynamic alterations in PVL and relation to severity, procedural success of percutaneous closure and clinical outcomes have not been defined.MethodsPatients undergoing percutaneous PVL closure between July 21, 2004 and September 10, 2018 were included. PVL severity was assessed by echocardiography and aortic angiography. Hemodynamics were assessed by intra‐arterial pressure tracings before and after PVL closure. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality, redo aortic valve replacement (AVR) and redo PVL closure.ResultsOne hundred and seventeen patients (mean age 70.3 ± 14.9 years, 79% surgical and 21% transcatheter prostheses) underwent PVL closure with 94% technical success. PVL was moderate or greater in 106 (91%) at baseline and 11 (11%) post‐procedure. Diastolic BP for those with moderate or greater PVL was lower than for those with less PVL (50.3 ± 11.7 vs. 56.5 ± 12.4 mmHg, p < .001). Pulse pressure was similar between these groups (69.9 ± 20.3 vs. 67.4 ± 21.2 mmHg, p = .39). 35 patients (34%) had 40 events during a mean follow‐up of 1.6 ± 1.9 years (23 deaths, 12 redo AVR, and five redo PVL closures). In a multivariate model, final diastolic BP <47 mmHg (HR 3.27 [1.45–7.36], p = .007) was a significant predictor of the composite endpoint.ConclusionsDiastolic BP was significantly associated with aortic PVL severity and clinical outcomes after PVL closure. In contrast, pulse pressure did not correlate with PVL severity or outcomes. These findings have implications for clinical management of patients with aortic PVL.

AbstractBackgroundTranscatheter edge‐to‐edge repair with MitraClip is only approved for treatment of mitral regurgitation but is increasingly used to treat concomitant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) due to its common coexistence and association with poor outcomes. This study aimed to describe the learning curve associated with the challenge of off‐label treatment of concomitant TR.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of initial and consecutive patients who underwent combined edge‐to‐edge repair of mitral and tricuspid valves (TVs) at our institution from August 2017 to October 2019.ResultsRepair of both valves with MitraClip was performed in 22 patients (median age 81.5 years, 32% female). Mean procedure time was 176 ± 47 min; mean fluoroscopy time was 65 ± 24 min. Procedure duration in the first tertile was significantly longer (223 ± 13 min) than in the third tertile (143 ± 23 min, p = .0003). Median number of total clips placed per case was 3; in 15 patients (68%), the anterior and septal leaflets of the TV were clipped. The average changes in mean right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) pressures were −1.7 ± 2.5 mmHg (p = .0080) and −3.2 ± 4.6 mmHg (p = .0045), respectively. The average changes in RA and LA V‐wave heights were −3.3 ± 4.0 mmHg (p = .0009) and −8.1 ± 9.9 mmHg (p = .038), respectively. There was a significant trend toward decreasing residual TR over the course of the series (p = .046). At 30 days, survival was 100% and mean NYHA class decreased from 2.8 to 1.8 (p < .0001).ConclusionsCombined edge‐to‐edge tricuspid and mitral valve repair is safe and feasible. With experience, procedure duration and residual TR decreased.

Objective To determine whether echocardiography-derived left ventricular filling pressure influences survival in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1383 consecutive patients with severe AS, normal ejection fraction and interpretable filling pressure undergoing AVR. Left ventricular filling pressure was determined according to current guidelines using mitral inflow, mitral annular tissue Doppler, estimated right ventricular systolic pressure and left atrial volume index. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the influence of various parameters on mortality. Results Age was 75±10 years and 552 (40%) were female. Left ventricular filling pressure was normal in 325 (23%), indeterminate in 463 (33%) and increased in 595 (43%). Mean follow-up was 7.3±3.7 years, and mortality was 1.2%, 4.2% and 18.9% at 30 days and 1 and 5 years, respectively. Compared with patients with normal filling pressure, patients with increased filling pressure were older (78±9 vs 70±12, p<0.001), more often female (45% vs 35%, p=0.002) and were more likely to have New York Heart Association class III–IV symptoms (35% vs 24%, p=0.004), coronary artery disease (55% vs 42%, p<0.001) and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (63% vs 37%, p<0.001). After correction for other factors, increased left ventricular filling pressure remained an independent predictor of mortality after successful AVR (adjusted HR 1.45 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.81), p=0.005). Conclusions Preoperative increased left ventricular filling pressure is common in patients with AS undergoing AVR and has important prognostic implications, regardless of symptom status. Future prospective studies should consider whether patients with increased filling pressure would benefit from earlier operation.

Abstract Background Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVR; MitraClip, Abbott Vascular) is clinically approved for treatment of severe, symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) in high or prohibitive surgical risk patients. Iatrogenic mitral stenosis is a known complication of TMVR, but determinants of increased post-procedure mean diastolic gradient are not well defined. Purpose We aimed to investigate the determinants of increased mitral mean diastolic gradient after TMVR. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 59 patients. 2D and 3D TEE data sets acquired before and immediately after procedure were analyzed. 4D Cardio-View and 4D MV-Assessment (TomTec, Germany) were used for the analysis of the 3D volume data set. Quantitative mitral valve analysis was done at the end of systole. Increased mitral mean diastolic gradient after TMVR was correlated with pre-procedure 2D and 3D echocardiographic data. Results 34 patients had primary MR, 25 patients had mixed/secondary MR. Baseline mean mitral diastolic gradient was 2.0 ± 0.9mmHg and increased to 3.9 ± 1.8mmHg post-TMVR and the mean 3D planimetric mitral valve area decreased from 5.3 ± 1.5cm2 to 2.6 ± 1.0cm2. Implantation of multiple clips was performed less frequently in patients with smaller baseline mitral valve area; 8% vs 47% in the lowest quartile vs all others (p = 0.006). 12(20%) of patients had a mean diastolic gradient &gt;5mmHg post-TMVR and 15(25%) of patients had a post-TMVR mitral valve area &lt;2.0 cm2. There was no significant difference in post-procedure heart rate between patients with mean diastolic gradient ≤5mmHg vs &gt;5mmHg (p = 0.08). Patient characteristics according to post-TMVR mean diastolic gradient are shown in the Table. Post-TMVR mean diastolic gradient &gt;5mmHg was more common in patients with increased pre-procedure mean diastolic gradient(p = 0.006), post-TMVR mitral valve area &lt;2.0 cm2(40% vs 14%, p = 0.03), and ≥moderate residual mitral regurgitation(38% vs 11%, p = 0.02). Post-TMVR mitral valve area &lt;2.0cm2 was present in 50% vs 19% of patients with vs without a mean gradient &gt;5mmHg(p = 0.04). Conclusions Elevated post-TMVR mean diastolic gradient is multifactorial and related to mitral stenosis, but residual mitral regurgitation also appears to be an important contributor to increased gradients in some patients. Larger cohorts are likely needed to assess the concurrent impact of mitral annular calcification, leaflet calcification, and other variables on post-TMVR mean gradient. Abstract P1798 Figure. 2D and 3D Echocardiographic Parameters