Evaluation of left atrial function in asymptomatic dogs with chronic myxomatous mitral valve disease: two-dimensional feature-tracking echocardiography and Simpsons monoplanar methods / Avaliação da função atrial esquerda em cães assintomáticos com degeneração mixomatosa crônica de valva mitral: métodos ecocardiográficos bidimensional feature tracking e monoplanar de Simpson

The present study evaluated the volume and function of the left atrium by two-dimensional echocardiographic feature-tracking imaging (2D-FTI) and Simpson's monoplanar modeling in dogs with asymptomatic degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). The study consisted of 80 dogs that were divided into the following three groups: Group 1, 21 dogs (A); Group 2, 30 dogs (B1) and Group 3, 29 dogs (B2). The variable strain (contraction phase) was significantly lower in Group 3 than in Group 1 (12.92±4.54 x 16.69±5.74, p=0.014), and significant differences in the contraction strain index (CSI) were observed between all of the groups that were evaluated (1 = 46.82±8.10, 2 = 39.88±8.03, 3 = 35.25±5.64, p<0.0001). The atrial diastolic volume index (AdVi) that was measured by 2D-FTI was significantly higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (1.31±0.95 x 0.96±0.31, p=0.038), and the atrial cardiac index (ACI) was also higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (102.38±80.18 x 78.19±33.38, p=0.030). Atrial function was assessed by Simpson's monoplanar method, which demonstrated an increase in the left atrial systolic volume, while the contractile function decreased with an increasing disease severity (Group 1 0.21±0.06; Group 2 0.25±0.06; Group 3 0.32±0.08, p<0.0001). The intraobserver and interobserver assessments showed low to moderate variability; most of the values for the coefficient of variation for the variables that were analysed with each method were below 25%. Thus, DMVD was determined to cause an alteration in atrial function, especially in the contraction phase, and even in asymptomatic animals, and the methods of 2D-FTI echocardiography and Simpson's monoplanar evaluation are sensitive and early methods for the detection of left atrial dysfunction.(AU)

O presente estudo avaliou o volume e a função atrial esquerda obtidos por meio da ecocardiografia bidimensional feature tracking (2D-FTI) e pelo método monoplanar de Simpson em cães saudáveis e cães com DMVD assintomáticos. Foram avaliados 80 cães distribuídos em três grupos: Grupo 1, 21 cães (classe A); Grupo 2, 30 cães (classe B1) e Grupo 3, 29 cães (classe B2). A variável strain (fase de contração) foi significativamente menor no Grupo 3 que no Grupo 1 (12,92±4,54 x 16,69±5,74, p=0,014) e para a variável índice de strain de contração (CSI), houve diferença estatística entre todos os grupos avaliados (1 = 46,82±8,10; 2 = 39,88±8,03; 3 = 35,25±5,64, p<0,0001). O índice de volume diastólico atrial (iVdA) mensurado por meio do 2D-FTI foi significativamente maior no Grupo 3 que no Grupo 1 (1,31±0,95 x 0,96±0,31, p=0,038), assim como para o índice cardíaco atrial (iCA) também foi maior no Grupo 3 (102,38±80,18 x 78,19±33,38, p=0,030). A função atrial avaliada pelo método monoplanar de Simpson demonstrou um aumento do volume atrial esquerdo e do volume sistólico do átrio esquerdo, enquanto que a função contrátil diminuiu com o aumento da gravidade da doença (Grupo 1 0,21±0,06; Grupo 2 0,25±0,06; Grupo 3 0,32±0,08; p<0,0001). A avaliação intraobservador e interobservador, demonstrou variabilidade baixa a moderada, uma vez que a maioria dos valores de coeficiente de variação se concentraram abaixo de 25% para as variáveis analisadas em ambos os métodos. Dessa forma, conclui-se que a DMVD causa alteração na função atrial, principalmente na fase de contração, mesmo em animais assintomáticos e que a ecocardiografia 2D-FTI e o método monoplanar de Simpson são métodos sensíveis e precoces na detecção da disfunção atrial esquerda.(AU)

Acute Aortic Regurgitation and Low Cardiac Output Syndrome due to Avulsion of the Aortic Valve Commissure: A Case Report / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 73-year-old woman presented with epigastric discomfort and lightheadedness. She was admitted to another hospital with congestive heart failure due to severe aortic and mitral regurgitation. However, her heart failure was refractory to medical treatment, necessitating transfer to our hospital for surgical treatment. Emergency surgery was performed for worsening heart failure after admission to our hospital. Intraoperative findings showed aneurysms of the ascending aorta and aortic root and avulsion of the aortic valve commissure between the right coronary and non-coronary cusps. Replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic root replacement using the Florida sleeve method as well as double valve replacement (mitral and aortic) were performed with a favorable outcome. Histopathological examination showed myxomatous degeneration, which suggested that it could have contributed to avulsion of the aortic valve commissure.

Acute Aortic Regurgitation due to Rupture of an Aortic Valve Commissure / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Here, we report a patient who underwent surgery for acute aortic regurgitation (AR) due to rupture of an aortic valve commissure. The patient was a 51-year-old man who had undergone ascending aorta replacement for acute type A aortic dissection 6 years previously. He presented with a 2-day-history of headache and insomnia. Echocardiography showed only AR initially. However, 2 days later, a vegetation-like mass was noted at the aortic valve commissure on transesophageal echocardiography. We diagnosed AR associated with infective endocarditis, and decided to perform aortic valve replacement immediately. During surgery, we found that the cause of AR was rupture of the aortic valve commissure without infection. The cause of rupture in this case was suspected to be traumatic or myxomatous degeneration.

Clinical evaluation of enalapril maleate and furosemide usage in dogs with degenerative myxomatous mitral valve, CHF functional class Ib / Avaliação clínica da utilização do maleato de enalapril e furosemida em cães com doença degenerativa mixomatosa da válvula mitral, classe funcional Ib

Degenerative myxomatous mitral valve (DMMV) is a heart disease of high incidence in small animal clinical medicine, affecting mainly older dogs and small breeds. Thus, a scientific investigation was performed in order to evaluate the clinical use of the medicines furosemide and enalapril maleate in dogs with this disease in CHF functional class Ib before and after the treatment was established. For this purpose 16 dogs with the given valve disease were used, separated into two groups: the first received furosemide (n=8) and the second received enalapril maleate (n=8) throughout 56 days. The dogs were evaluated in four stages (T0, T14, T28 and T56 day) in relation to clinical signs, hematological, biochemical and serum assessment, which included serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and aldosterone, as well as radiography, electrocardiography, Doppler-echocardiography and blood pressure. The results regarding the clinical, hematological and serum chemistry evaluations revealed no significant changes in both groups, but significant reductions in the values of ACE and aldosterone in the group receiving enalapril maleate were verified. The radiographic examination revealed reductions of VHS values and variable Pms wave of the electrocardiogram in both groups, but no changes in blood pressure values were identified. The echocardiogram showed a significant decrease of the variables LVDd/s in the studied groups and the FS percent in animals that received only enalapril. Therefore, analysis of results showed that monotherapy based on enalapril maleate showed better efficiency of symptoms control in patients with CHF functional class Ib.

A doença degenerativa mixomatosa da válvula mitral (DDMVM) é uma cardiopatia de alta incidência na clínica médica de pequenos animais, acometendo mormente cães idosos e raças de pequeno porte. Desta forma, foi realizada uma investigação científica objetivando avaliar clinicamente a utilização dos fármacos maleato de enalapril e furosemida em cães com a referida enfermidade na classe funcional Ib da ICC, antes e após a terapêutica implantada. Para isso, utilizaram-se 16 cães portadores da valvulopatia supracitada, distribuídos em dois grupos; com o primeiro recebendo furosemida (n=8) e o segundo maleato de enalapril (n=8), durante 56 dias. Os cães foram avaliados em quatro momentos (T0, T14, T28 e T56 dias) quanto aos sinais clínicos e parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímico-séricos, que incluíram concentrações séricas da enzima conversora da angiotensina (ECA) e aldosterona, como também avaliações radiográficas, eletrocardiográficas, ecodopplercardiográficas e da pressão arterial. Os resultados quanto aos parâmetros clínicos, avaliações hematológicas e bioquímicas séricas não revelaram alterações significativas em ambos os grupos, mas reduções significativas nos valores de ECA e aldosterona no grupo que recebeu o maleato de enalapril foram identificadas. Ao exame radiográfico observou-se reduções nos valores de VHS e na variável onda Pms do eletrocardiograma em ambos os grupos, mas sem alterações nos valores da pressão arterial. Por sua vez, o ecodopplercardiograma evidenciou diminuição significativa das variáveis DIVEd/s nos grupos estudados e na FEC por cento nos cães que receberam somente enalapril. Portanto, a análise dos resultados encontrados indicou que a monoterapia fundamentada no maleato de enalapril apresentou melhor eficiência no controle do quadro clínico em pacientes da classe funcional Ib da ICC.

Echocardiographic determination of the prevalence of primary cardiac valve myxomatous degeneration / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To determine the capability of echocardiography to identify primary cardiac valve myxomatous degeneration (PCVMD) compared to pathological findings and to determine the echo features of PCVMD. Methods Echocardiograms were retrospectively compared with pathological findings of 1080 patients who underwent surgery for moderate or severe valve regurgitation. PCVMD of the mitral,aortic and tricuspid valves was retrospectively identified, with a comparison of the echocardiography and pathology findings,to calculate the prevalence of PCVMD,and to summarize its echocardiography features.Results A total of 104 patients were diagnosed with PCVMD (prevalence of 9. 62%) with 117 lesions.Valvular regurgitation were confirmed by echocardiography in all patients( 100 % ). Valve morphology change including valve prolapsed, valve thickening and redundancy were confirmed by echocardiography in 101 lesions(86.3 % ), but suggestive diagnosis were done by echocardiography in only two patients. Conclusions In patients undergoing surgery for valvular regurgitation,a high prevalence of PCVMD was found. PCVMD had distinctive echocardiographic features,suggesting its preoperative diagnosis.

Clinical Characteristics of Surgically Corrected Mitral Regurgitation Due to Myxomatous Degeneration in Korea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the clinical significance of mitral regurgitation (MR) due to prolapse or chordae rupture with myxomatous degeneration (MD) is increasing significantly, clinical features of patients with MD in Korea are not characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data of 90 patients who underwent surgical correction of significant MR due to MD was performed. Lesion sites of MD were confirmed during surgery; anterior (A) and posterior (P) mitral leaflets were divided into lateral (A1 & P1), middle (A2 & P2), and medial segments (A3 & P3). METHODS: Mean age was 5114 years and male / female ratio was 1; age distribution showed typical bimodal pattern with two peaks at the mid-thirties and the mid-fifties each. MD was confined to P leaflet in 36 (40%), A leaflet in 20 (22%), and both leaflets in 34 patients (38%). Forty-six patients (51%) showed MD in a single segment, and 37 (41%) in 2 segments; 7 patients (8%) showed MD in more than 2 segments. In 90 patients, pathologic MD was confirmed in 139 mitral segments; among them, P3 was the most commonly involved segment (30%), followed by A3 (17%), P2 (14%), A2 (14%), A1 (14%), and P1 (12%). Hypertension (HT) was more frequently observed in female patients (42%) than in male patients (16%) (p<0.05). Chordae rupture was observed in 71 patients (79%), which was associated with HT. Younger patients (age<45 years, N=31) showed lower prevalence of HT and higher incidence of MD involving multiple segments. Valve repair was successful in 83 patients (92%), which was not associated with lesion sites or numbers of MD. Three-year event free survival rate was 865% and independent on sites and numbers of MD. CONCLUSION: MD develops preferentially in the medial part of the mitral valve, and patterns of clinical presentation can change according to the age and existence of HT in these selected patients with significant MR. However, the morphologic characteristics of MD do not seem to affect the feasibility of repair and long-term prognosis.