Aortic annulus elevation for aortic valve and root replacement

Aortic valve and root replacements require an in-depth understanding of the aortic root and annulus. Both structures can be asymmetric at times, and this needs to be recognized and taken into consideration when peforming valve-sparing operations or other root-replacement procedures. Moreover, the geometry of the aortic annulus can be altered, and when performing an aortic root replacement this can distort the geometry of a neo-aortic valve for instance, and lead to valve dysfunction, which is difficult to reverse. We are describing an altered aortic annulus, which required modification through annulus elevation before proceeding with aortic root replacement with a graft-reinforced pulmonary-autograft.

The Role of Multimodality Imaging in Left-Sided Prosthetic Valve Dysfunction

Prosthetic valve (PV) dysfunction (PVD) is a complication of mechanical or biological PV. Etiologic mechanisms associated with PVD include fibrotic pannus ingrowth, thrombosis, structural valve degeneration, and endocarditis resulting in different grades of obstruction and/or regurgitation. PVD can be life threatening and often challenging to diagnose due to the similarities between the clinical presentations of different causes. Nevertheless, identifying the cause of PVD is critical to treatment administration (thrombolysis, surgery, or percutaneous procedure). In this report, we review the role of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis of PVD. Specifically, this review discusses the characteristics of advanced imaging modalities underlying the importance of an integrated approach including 2D/3D transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography. In this scenario, it is critical to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each modality according to the suspected cause of PVD. In conclusion, for patients with suspected or known PVD, this stepwise imaging approach may lead to a simplified, more rapid, accurate and specific workflow and management.

Lead Dependent Tricuspid Valve Dysfunction-Risk Factors, Improvement after Transvenous Lead Extraction and Long-Term Prognosis

Background: Lead-related tricuspid valve dysfunction (LDTVD) has not been studied in a large population and its management remains controversial. Methods: An analysis of the clinical data of 2678 patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE) in years 2008–2021 was conducted, with a separate group of 119 patients with LDTVD. Potential risk factors for LDTVD, improvement in valve function, and long-term prognosis after TLE were assessed. Results: LDTVD was diagnosed in 4.44% of patients referred for lead extraction due to different reasons. The most common mechanism of LDTVD was propping upward or clamping down the leaflet by the lead (85.71%). The probability of LDTVD was higher in female sex, patients with valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, large right ventricle and high pulmonary artery systolic pressure, the presence of only pacing lead, and in case of collision of the lead with tricuspid valve and adhesion of the lead to the heart structures. The prognosis of patients with LDTVD was worse, however, patients with improved valve function after TLE showed a significantly better long-term survival. Conclusions: Lead dependent tricuspid valve dysfunction is a potentially serious condition that requires thorough diagnostics and thoughtful management. The risk factors for LDTVD are primarily related to the course of the lead and its adhesion to the heart structures. Improvement of tricuspid valve function after TLE is observed in 35.29% of patients Patients with LDTVD have a worse long-term survival, but the improvement in valve function following TLE contributes to a significant reduction in mortality.

Surgical and Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement: A Single Institution Comparison

Background and Hypothesis: Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is one of the most commonly performed procedures for patients with congenital heart disease. Transcatheter-based PVR (TPVR) approaches have emerged as alternatives to surgical pulmonary valve replacement (SPVR), but few studies have directly compared clinical outcomes between the two interventions. Further characterization of performance between the two valve procedures may inform clinical decision-making. Project Methods: Using institutional databases, we identified patients aged ≥ 9 years who underwent either a TPVR or SPVR at Riley Hospital for Children between January 2009 and June 2020. Exclusions were made for previous endocarditis diagnosis, <1 year follow-up, and concomitant left heart procedures. Valve dysfunction was defined as ≥ moderate regurgitation or gradient ≥ 40 mmHg. Results: 94 (TPVR, n=52; SPVR, n=42) patients met inclusion criteria. Average follow-up for SPVR and TPVR patients was 5.1(2.0,6.7) and 2.9(1.6,4.8) years, respectively (p=0.007). The SPVR cohort was younger, had lower BMI, and underwent more prior sternotomies. Hospital length of stay was shorter after TPVR (1.0 day vs. 5.0 days, p<0.001). Despite being younger, BSA-indexed valve size was larger in the SPVR cohort (14.7 mm/m2 vs 12.9 mm/m2, p<0.001). Short-term mortality (0% vs 2%, p=0.36), endocarditis (0% vs 6%, p=0.11), and reintervention (12% vs 8%, p=0.49) did not differ between groups. Intermediate-term valve dysfunction/failure was greater in SPVR patients (29% vs 12%, p=0.04) with time to dysfunction 809(421,1565) and 1184(181,1627) days for SPVR and TPVR, respectively. Valve implantation failure due to pre-stent migration occurred in 4% of TPVR cases; one required surgical intervention. Conclusion and Potential Impact: In patients undergoing PVR at our institution, rates of mortality and infective endocarditis are similar between interventions. Intermediate-term valve dysfunction/failure was greater in SPVR cohort, but length of follow-up was significantly longer in these patients. Reintervention rates were similar between procedures.

365 Combining mechanisms of prosthetic valve dysfunction

A 32-year-old female was referred to our outpatient clinic for exertional dyspnoea that had worsened in the preceding months. She had a history of mitral and aortic valve replacement with bileaflet mechanical prosthesis (St. Jude Master n. 25 and Medtronic Open Pivot n. 16, respectively) for rheumatic heart disease. A recent echocardiography showed borderline-high trans-aortic gradients (mean 26 mmHg, peak 42 mmHg). Transthoracic echocardiography revealed abnormal aortic transprosthetic flow (peak velocity 442 cm/s, mean gradient 48 mmHg). Continuous Wave Doppler signal was rounded with a long acceleration time (108 ms). Effective orifice area (EOA) was 0.8 cmq (index EOA 0.48 cmq/mq) and Doppler Velocity Index 0.28. Further investigations revealed no signs of infections but suboptimal anticoagulation (INR 2.5). Transesophageal 3D echocardiography was suggestive for hypomobility of the prosthetic leaflets and the presence of an isoechoic mass encircling the ventricular side of the aortic prosthesis compatible with pannus overgrowth. Cardiac CT confirmed the presence of a symmetrical reduction in the systolic opening of both leaflets. The patient underwent a redo of aortic valve replacement that confirmed the presence of an asymmetric subprosthetic pannus overgrowing on the previously implanted surgical pledgets. After pannus debritment a St. Jude Regent n. 21 was implanted. The patient experienced complete symptomatic resolution. We presented the case of a prosthetic aortic valve dysfunction due to a combination of patient-prosthesis mismatch and pannus overgrowth. In our patient, as assessed in the old echocardiographic examinations, the presence of mildly elevated transprosthetic gradients was suggestive for prosthesis undersizing related to body surface area. In this scenario, subvalvular pannus formation caused significant changes in prosthetic valve transvalvular flow dynamic leading to prosthesis dysfunction. This case emphasises the crucial role of echocardiographic follow up in detection of causes of prosthetic heart valve dysfunction and how optimal valve sizing is paramount in aortic valve replacement.

Is Radiofrequency Ablation Better than Venous Stripping for Management of Chronic Venous Insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a disease of the vein due to valve dysfunction, venous obstruction, or both. This results in increased vein pressure and related to disruption in the vein system.

Mitral valve thickening in acute rheumatic fever as a predictor of late valvar dysfunction

Background Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) complicating acute rheumatic fever (ARF) remains an important health problem in developing countries. No definitive diagnostic test for ARF exists and the role of Doppler echocardiography (DEC) for long-term prognostic evaluation following ARF is not well established. Objective To investigate the prognostic value of DEC in patients with ARF as a predictor of chronic valve dysfunction. Methods Prospectively enrolled patients with clinical ARF had a DEC performed soon after diagnosis and repeated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and thereafter at every 1–2 years. We defined chronic valve dysfunction by ≥ 3 of the following: increased valve thickening, commissure fusion, subvalvular thickening, reduced leaflet mobility, non-trivial mitral and/or aortic regurgitation. We performed univariate analysis and developed multivariate logistic regression models to identify variables that may influence evolution to RHD. p <0.05 was considered significant. Results We evaluated 70(57% men) patients, 10.8±5.6 years-old during the ARF episode and followed for 95±26 months. Chronic valve dysfunction was identified in 36(51.4%) which fulfilled criteria for RHD and 10(27.8%) of them died or underwent valve surgery. Univariate analysis showed that mitral valve thickening and presence of mitral regurgitation at baseline DEC, were associated with RHD(p<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression showed that only mitral valve thickness either as a continuous (Odds-Ratio:5.8;95%CI:1.7–19.7) or as a categorical variable (Odds-Ratio:4.04;95%CI:1.06–15.3) was an independent predictor of chronic valve dysfunction. Conclusions Mitral leaflets thickening documented at the time of diagnosis of ARF is a consistent prognostic marker for the subsequent evolution to RHD.