Valoración de la relación clínico-ultrasonográfica en la estenosis aórtica

Introducción: El incremento exponencial de la incidencia de la estenosis aórtica en relación con la edad, al igual que la presencia de factores de riesgo como el síndrome metabólico, predisponen a la calcificación aórtica como una manifestación de enfermedad cardiovascular generalizada. Objetivo: Identificar las incongruencias existentes entre las manifestaciones clínicas y el estudio ecocardiográfico en pacientes con estenosis valvular aórtica severa. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo-analítico en una muestra conformada por 50 pacientes diagnosticados, clínica y ecográficamente, de estenosis aórtica severa. Resultados: Se halló predomino de féminas blancas de la tercera edad con historia de dolor anginoso y disnea, acompañados de soplo mesosistólico intenso en foco aórtico, y un segundo ruido débil, y cifras tensionales bajas con pocos criterios ultrasonográficos de hipertrofia del ventrículo izquierdo y velocidad pico, unido al gradiente y el área aórtica, sugestivos de estenosis severa en un elevado por ciento, con calcificación de válvulas y una fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo elevada, junto a la presencia de otras valvulopatías. Conclusiones: El estudio demostró pobre correlación entre las manifestaciones clínicas y las ecocardiográficas.

Introduction: The exponential increase of aortic stenosis incidence in relation to age, as well as the presence of risk factors such as metabolic syndrome, predispose to aortic calcification as a manifestation of a generalized cardiovascular disease. Objective: To identify the incongruences existing between clinical manifestations and the echocardiographic study in patients with severe aortic valvular stenosis. Materials and methods: An analytical-descriptive study was carried out in a sample of 50 patients clinically and echo-graphically diagnosed of severe aortic stenosis. Results: A predominance of elder white women with a history of anginous pain and dyspnea was found, accompanied of intense meso-systolic murmur in aortic focus, and a second weak sound, and low blood tension figures with few ultrasonographic criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy and peak velocity, together with gradient and aortic area, which suggest a high-percent of severe stenosis, with valvular calcification and an elevated left ventricular elevation fraction, plus the presence of other valvular diseases. Conclusions: The study showed poor relationship between clinical and echocardiography manifestations.

Clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in oncology versus non-oncology patients with severe aortic stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To compare the clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in oncology and non-oncology patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Methods    A computer-based search in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CBM, CNKI and Wanfang databases from their date of inception to December 2021 was performed, together with reference screening, to identify eligible clinical trials. Two investigators screened the articles, extracted data, and evaluated quality independently. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 12.0 softwares were used for meta-analysis. Results    The selected 8 cohort studies contained 57 988 patients, including 12 335 cancer patients and 45 653 non-cancer patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that in patients with cancer, the 30-day mortality [OR=0.74, 95%CI (0.65, 0.84), I2=0%, P<0.000 01], stroke [OR=0.87, 95%CI (0.76, 0.99), I2=0%, P=0.04] and acute kidney injury [OR=0.81, 95%CI (0.76, 0.85), I2=49%, P<0.000 01] were lower than those in patients without cancer. The 1-year mortality [OR=1.46, 95%CI (1.15, 1.86), I2=62%, P=0.002] and late mortality [OR=1.51, 95%CI (1.24, 1.85), I2=61%, P<0.000 1] were higher in patients with cancer. Conclusion    It is effective and safe in cancer patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI. However, compared with patients without cancer, it is still high in long-term mortality, and further study of the role of TAVI in cancer patients with AS is necessary.

Clinical practice and prognosis of emergent transcatheter aortic valve replacement / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and prognosis of emergent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and to provide standardized procedural suggestion for the development of emergent TAVR in China.Methods:From January 2020 to April 2021, 12 patients who underwent emergent or salvage TAVR in the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively enrolled from the TORCH registry (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Single Center Registry in Chinese Population, a prospective cohort study; NCT02803294). Baseline, periprocedural and 30-day follow up data were collected. Post-operative data were compared with pre-operative data using Paired-Samples test.Results:Patients’ median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (STS score) was 15.432%. There was a significant decrease of mean gradient after emergent TAVR procedure (1.69 m/s vs. 4.90 m/s, P<0.01). During the 30-day follow up, there were 1 patient (8.3%) died and 2 patients received permanent pacemaker implantation. No disabling stroke, acute kidney injury, major vascular complication occurred during the first month after emergent TAVR. Among the survival patients, there was a significant releasing of heart failure symptoms to New York Heart Association function stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ in 81.8% patients at 30-day follow up. Left ventricular ejection fraction also improved significantly from (47.4±9.5)% to 58.8±8.0% ( P= 0.026). The mean gradient were (1.57±0.30) cm 2 and no patients had a moderate or severe paravalvular leakage. Besides, a significant decrease of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (1 089.9 pg/mL vs. 12 215.5 pg/mL , P=0.001) and troponin T (0.020 ng/mL vs. 0.337 ng/mL, P=0.003) were found at 30 days after emergent TAVR. Conclusions:For patients with severe aortic stenosis and acute cardiac decompensated, emergent TAVR is a safe and effective rescue treatment.

Emergency open cholecystectomy in a patient with severe aortic stenosis under epidural anaesthesia

Goldman and colleagues identified severe aortic stenosis (AS) as a risk factor for perioperative cardiac complications in non-cardiac surgery. Although patients with aortic stenosis are at an increased risk of perioperative cardiac events, they can undergo non-cardiac surgery relatively safely provided that the condition is recognized and appropriate monitoring and management put in place. The early detection and treatment of hypotension and arrhythmias are essential. We present a case of severe aortic stenosis posted for emergency open cholecystectomy which was successfully managed under epidural anaesthesia and had an uneventful recovery.

Guía de práctica clínica para la evaluación y el tratamiento de pacientes con estenosis aórtica severa en el Seguro Social del Perú / Clinical practice guideline for the evaluation and management of patients with severe aortic stenosis for the Peruvian Social Security

Resumen Introducción: El presente artículo resume la guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para la evaluación y el tratamiento de pacientes con estenosis aórtica severa en el Seguro Social del Perú (EsSalud). Objetivo: Proveer recomendaciones para la evaluación y el tratamiento de pacientes con estenosis aórtica severa en el EsSalud basadas en evidencia científica. Métodos: Se conformó un grupo elaborador local (GEG-Local) que incluyó médicos especialistas y metodólogos. El GEG-Local formuló siete preguntas clínicas que ser respondidas en la presente GPC. Se realizaron búsquedas sistemáticas de revisiones sistemáticas y, cuando fue considerado pertinente, estudios primarios en PubMed durante el 2018. Se seleccionó la evidencia para responder cada una de las preguntas clínicas planteadas. La calidad de la evidencia fue evaluada usando la metodología Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). En reuniones de trabajo periódicas, el GEG-Local usó la metodología GRADE para revisar la evidencia y formular las recomendaciones, los puntos de buenas prácticas clínicas y el flujograma de evaluación y tratamiento. Finalmente, la GPC fue aprobada con Resolución N.° 47 — IETSI — ESSALUD — 2018. Resultados: La presente GPC abordó siete preguntas clínicas, respecto a dos temas: la evaluación inicial y el tratamiento de la estenosis aórtica severa. Con base en dichas preguntas se formularon nueve recomendaciones (una recomendación fuerte y ocho recomendaciones débiles), 16 puntos de buena práctica clínica y un flujograma. Conclusión: El presente artículo resume la metodología y las conclusiones de la GPC para la evaluación y el tratamiento de pacientes con estenosis aórtica severa en el EsSalud.

Abstract Introduction: This article summarizes the clinical practice guide (CPG) for the evaluation and management of patients with severe aortic stenosis in the Social Security of Peru (EsSalud). Objective: To provide clinical evidence-based recommendations for the evaluation and management of patients with severe aortic stenosis in the EsSalud. Methods: A local guideline development group (local GDG) was established, including medical specialists and methodologists. The local GDG formulated 7 clinical questions to be answered by this CPG. Systematic searches of systematic reviews and, when it was considered pertinent, primary studies, were conducted in PubMed during 2018. The evidence to answer each of the posed clinical questions was selected. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. In periodic work meetings, the local GDG used the GRADE methodology to review the evidence and formulate the recommendations, points of good clinical practice, and the flowchart of evaluation and management. Finally, the CPG was approved with Resolution N.° 47 — IETSI — ESSALUD — 2018. Results: This CPG addressed 7 clinical questions regarding two issues: the initial evaluation and the management of severe aortic stenosis. Based on these questions, 9 recommendations (1 strong recommendation and 8 weak recommendations), 16 points of good clinical practice, and 1 flowchart were formulated. Conclusion: This article summarizes the methodology and evidence-based conclusions from the CPG for the evaluation and management of patients with severe aortic stenosis in the EsSalud.

Surgical treatment of severe aortic stenosis with septal hypertrophy / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of 18 cases of severe aortic stenosis with ventricular septum hypertrophy.Methods Clinical data of 18 patients with severe aortic stenosis admitted to the first affiliated hospital of zhengzhou university from January 2013 to December 2016 were collected.There were 7 males and 11 females.The mean age was (50.4 ±4.2) years old.All patients were diagnosed with severe stenosis of main artery valve by echocardiography before surgery,with mean aortic valve orifice area (0.57 ±0.11) cm2,cardiac function (NYHA classification) grade Ⅱ in 4 patients,grade Ⅲ in 9 patients,and grade ⅣV in 5 patients.There were 8 patients with mild aortic valve insufficiency,4 patients with mild to moderate mitral valve insufficiency,2 patients with moderate to severe aortic valve insufficiency,3 patients with ascending aorta dilatation (ascending aorta inner diameter ＞ 4.5 cm),and 1 patient with atrial fibrillation.Interventricular septum thickness (15.82 ± 2.04) mm,left ventricular posterior wall thickness (14.04 ± 1.28) mm,ratio of interventricular septum thickness to left ventricular posterior wall thickness (IVS/LVPW) 1.12 ±0.91,inner diameter of left ventricular outflow tract (19.01 ± 1.74) mm,cross-lobe differential pressure (102 ± 8.40) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa),left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) mean 0.49 ± 0.05.Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (53.33 ± 4.00)mm,left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) (27.11 ± 1.99) mm,and left ventricular mass index (277.1 ± 37.3) g/m2.All patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) and partial interventricular septum resection under general anesthesia and conventional extracorporeal circulation,2 patients underwent mitral valve formation (artificial valve ring),2 patients underwent ascending aorta formation,and 1 patient underwent ascending aorta wrapping.During the operation,the time of extracorporeal circulation,aortic occlusion,number of defibrillation during the operation,type of valve implantation and postoperative complications were recorded.Regular follow-up was conducted to analyze the changes of various indexes at different preoperative and postoperative time.Results There was no death in the whole group.2 patients were treated with temporary pacemakers.After drug treatment,sinus rhythm was restored on the 3rd and 6th day after surgery,and temporary pacemakers were removed.Echocardiography reexamination 1 week after the operation showed that all patients had a good artificial valve function and 2 patients had minor regurgitation of mitral valve.The difference in pressure across the valve,inner diameter of the left ventricular outflow tract,cardiac function classification,ventricular septum thickness,valve orifice area,and left ventricular mass index were significantly improved compared with the preoperative level (P ＜ 0.05).LVEF,LVEDD,and LVESD were compared with the preoperative level (P ＜ 0.05).After 6 months of follow-up,the difference in LVEF and LVEDD was statistically significant compared with the preoperative level (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Severe aortic stenosis combined with ventricular septum hypertrophy and partial ventricular septal muscle resection is a simple additional procedure in the AVR process,which does not increase the surgical risk and has a significant effect,and is conducive to postoperative left ventricular function recovery.

Surgical treatment of severe aortic stenosis with septal hypertrophy / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective@#To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of 18 cases of severe aortic stenosis with ventricular septum hypertrophy.@*Methods@#Clinical data of 18 patients with severe aortic stenosis admitted to the first affiliated hospital of zhengzhou university from January 2013 to December 2016 were collected. There were 7 males and 11 females. The mean age was (50.4±4.2) years old. All patients were diagnosed with severe stenosis of main artery valve by echocardiography before surgery, with mean aortic valve orifice area (0.57±0.11) cm2, cardiac function (NYHA classification) grade Ⅱ in 4 patients, grade Ⅲ in 9 patients, and grade Ⅳ in 5 patients. There were 8 patients with mild aortic valve insufficiency, 4 patients with mild to moderate mitral valve insufficiency, 2 patients with moderate to severe aortic valve insufficiency, 3 patients with ascending aorta dilatation (ascending aorta inner diameter>4.5 cm), and 1 patient with atrial fibrillation. Interventricular septum thickness (15.82±2.04)mm, left ventricular posterior wall thickness (14.04±1.28)mm, ratio of interventricular septum thickness to left ventricular posterior wall thickness (IVS/LVPW) 1.12±0.91, inner diameter of left ventricular outflow tract (19.01±1.74)mm, cross-lobe differential pressure (102±8.40) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) mean 0.49±0.05. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (53.33±4.00) mm, left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) (27.11±1.99) mm, and left ventricular mass index (277.1±37.3) g/m2. All patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) and partial interventricular septum resection under general anesthesia and conventional extracorporeal circulation, 2 patients underwent mitral valve formation (artificial valve ring), 2 patients underwent ascending aorta formation, and 1 patient underwent ascending aorta wrapping. During the operation, the time of extracorporeal circulation, aortic occlusion, number of defibrillation during the operation, type of valve implantation and postoperative complications were recorded. Regular follow-up was conducted to analyze the changes of various indexes at different preoperative and postoperative time.@*Results@#There was no death in the whole group. 2 patients were treated with temporary pacemakers. After drug treatment, sinus rhythm was restored on the 3rd and 6th day after surgery, and temporary pacemakers were removed. Echocardiography reexamination 1 week after the operation showed that all patients had a good artificial valve function and 2 patients had minor regurgitation of mitral valve. The difference in pressure across the valve, inner diameter of the left ventricular outflow tract, cardiac function classification, ventricular septum thickness, valve orifice area, and left ventricular mass index were significantly improved compared with the preoperative level (P<0.05). LVEF, LVEDD, and LVESD were compared with the preoperative level (P<0.05). After 6 months of follow-up, the difference in LVEF and LVEDD was statistically significant compared with the preoperative level (P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#Severe aortic stenosis combined with ventricular septum hypertrophy and partial ventricular septal muscle resection is a simple additional procedure in the AVR process, which does not increase the surgical risk and has a significant effect, and is conducive to postoperative left ventricular function recovery.

Estenosis aórtica severa de bajo flujo, bajo gradiente con función sistólica preservada, un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico: ¿qué sabemos a día de hoy? / Low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with preserved systolic function, a diagnostic and therapeutic goal: What do we know today?

Resumen La estenosis aórtica severa de flujo bajo, gradiente bajo y la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo conservada es una entidad frecuente en la práctica clínica. Probablemente, represente una fase más avanzada de la enfermedad con una mayor carga soportada o de más larga data y con una fisiopatología restrictiva. Existen características clínicas, hemodinámicas y ecocardiográficas típicas. Se trata de una entidad infradiagnosticada y como consecuencia infratratada con un claro peor pronóstico con tratamiento conservador. Se necesita en muchos casos el apoyo de la «multiimagen¼ para un adecuado diagnóstico y elección del momento terapéutico. La sustitución valvular en los pacientes con estenosis aórtica severa y flujo bajo paradójico, parecen tener una mayor mortalidad a corto y largo plazo al compararla en los pacientes con flujo normal y similar si lo hacemos frente a la estenosis aórtica de bajo flujo y fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo deprimida. Existe una menor mortalidad con la implantación transcatéter de válvula aórtica comparándolo frente al tratamiento médico en pacientes con estenosis aórtica severa sintomática con flujo bajo, tanto la fracción de eyección baja como el flujo bajo paradójico, considerados inoperables. No parecen existir evidencias actuales para recomendar el abordaje percutáneo frente al recambio valvular aórtico quirúrgico en los pacientes de alto riesgo quirúrgico con estenosis aórtica con flujo bajo paradójico.

Abstract Low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with preserved ejection fraction of the left ventricle is a frequent entity of clinical practice. It can probably represent a more advance phase of the illness with a heavier load or time frame and a restrictive pathophysiology. There are typical clinical, hemodynamic and echocardiographic characteristics. It is an underdiagnosed condition, and as such it is undertreated, with a clearly worse prognosis with conservative treatment. In many cases, the help of «multiimaging¼ is required for an appropriate diagnosis and choosing the therapeutic moment. Valve replacement in patients with paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis seem to show higher mortality in the short and long term when compared to patients with normal flow, and similar mortality if compared to low-flow aortic stenosis with depressed ejection fraction of the left ventricle. There is a lower mortality with the transcatheter aortic valve implantation in comparison with treatment of patients with symptomatic low-flow severe aortic stenosis, both for a low ejection fraction and for the paradoxical low flow, considered inoperable. No current evidence seems to exist to recommend percutaneous approach versus aortic valve replacement in high surgical risk patients with aortic stenosis with paradoxical low flow severe aortic stenosis.

Echocardiographic and Histologic Correlations in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis: Influence of Overweight and Obesity

BACKGROUND: Severe aortic stenosis (AS), leads to pathological left ventricular remodeling that may worsen with concomitant overweight and obesity (OW/O). METHODS: We aimed to prospectively analyze the impact of OW/O on ventricular remodeling in severe AS, by evaluating the percentage of intraendomyocardial fibrosis (PIEF) and the percentage of infiltrating intraendocardial lipid vacuoles (PIELV) and its relationship to global longitudinal strain (GLS) in patients with OW/O. RESULTS: 44 patients with severe AS were included, 13 non-obese (29%) and 31 OW/O (71%), all of them with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 55%. GLS was evaluated with 2D speckle tracking. During valve replacement, an endocardial biopsy was obtained, where PIEF and PIELV were analyzed. Patients with higher PIEF and PIELV had greater body mass index (p < 0.0001) and worse GLS (p < 0.0053). A GLS cut-off point < -14% had a sensitivity of 75%, and a specificity of 92.8% to detect important PIEF (AUC: 0.928, 95% confidence interval: 0.798–1.00). On multivariate analysis, OW/O and PIELV were independently associated to the PIEF, and OW/O and PIEF were independently associated to GLS. A high correlation between the amount of PIELV and PIEF were found. CONCLUSION: Patients with severe AS and OW/O have greater PIEF and PIELV, suggesting more pathological remodeling. GLS is useful to detect subclinical myocardial injury and is potentially useful for endomyocardial fibrosis detection. The presence of higher PIELF may be a trigger factor for the development of intraendomyocardial fibrosis.

Relación entre el strain rate y la estructura miocárdica en la estenosis aórtica grave / Relationship between Strain Rate and Myocardial Structure in Severe Aortic Stenosis

Introducción: En la estenosis aórtica sintomática grave (EASG), la alteración del strain global longitudinal sistólico (SGLS) tendría correlación con las modificaciones de la histoarquitectura y podría identificar compromiso contráctil temprano en pacientes con fracción de eyección conservada (FEyC). Objetivo: Analizar el SGLS, el volumen de colágeno (VC), el área miocitaria (ArMi) y el compromiso contráctil en pacientes con EASG y FEyC. Material y métodos: Se incorporaron 26 pacientes con EASG y FEyC (edad 67 ± 11 años, 53% hombres). Se realizaron un estudio hemodinámico preoperatorio y una biopsia endomiocárdica intraoperatoria para determinar el VC y el ArMi. Se identificaron tres grupos de pacientes: G1, hipertrofia ventricular izquierda (HVI) compensada sin enfermedad coronaria (n = 8); G2, HVI descompensada sin enfermedad coronaria (n = 7) y G3, HVI descompensada con enfermedad coronaria (n = 11). El SGLS se normalizó por volumen sistólico, estrés meridional de fin de sístole (δ) y diámetro de fin de diástole (DFD). Resultados: G1, G2 y G3, sin diferencias en volumen sistólico, δ y DFD y con diferencias en VC (%) (G1: 4,7 ± 1,2; G2: 8,4 ± 1,2; G3: 11,0 ± 3,0; p < 0,01), ArMi (mm²) (G1: 328,7 ± 66,2; G2: 376,7 ± 21,9; G3: 385,0 ± 13,0; p = 0,01), PFDVI (mm Hg) (G1: 13,1 ± 1,5; G2: 19,0 ± 3,8; G3: 23,6 ± 5,8; p < 0,01), +dP/dt máx (mm Hg/seg / PFDVI, mm Hg) (G1: 176,4 ± 45,5; G2: 89,6 ± 20,1; G3: 113,1 ± 43,7; p < 0,01), SGLS (%) (G1: -17,9 ± 4,2; G2: -13,5 ± 2,5; G3: -13,6 ± 3; p = 0,021). El SGLS se correlacionó con VC y PFDVI y hubo tendencia con un índice de contractilidad (+dP/dt máx mm Hg/seg / PFDVI, mm Hg). Conclusiones: Las alteraciones del SGLS en pacientes con EASG y FEyC son expresión de alteraciones estructurales del miocardio relacionadas con incremento del VC, asociado con un aumento de la PFDVI y con probable falla miocárdica contráctil.

Background: In severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (SSAS) altered global longitudinal systolic strain (GLSS) would correlate with changes in myocardial histological architecture and could identify early contractile involvement in patients with preserved ejection fraction (PEF). Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze GLSS, collagen volume (CV), myocyte area (MyAr) and contractile involvement in patients with SSAS and PEF. Methods: Twenty six patients with SSAS and PEF (67±11 years old, 53% male) were included in the study. A preoperative hemodynamic study and an intraoperative endomyocardial biopsy were performed to determine CV and MyAr. Three groups of patients were identified: G1: compensated left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) without coronary disease (n=8); G2: decompensated LVH without coronary disease (n=7) and G3: decompensated LVH with coronary disease (n=11). GLSS was normalized by stroke volume, meridional end-systolic wall stress (δ) and end-diastolic diameter (EDD). Results: No significant differences in stroke volume, δ and EDD were observed between groups G1, G2 and G3. Differences between groups were observed in: CV (%) (G1: 4.7 ± 1.2, G2: 8.4 ± 1.2, G3: 11.0 ± 3.0; p < 0.01), MyAr (mm²) (G1: 328.7 ± 66.2, G2: 376.7 ± 21.9, G3: 385.0 ± 13.0; p = 0.01), LVEDP (mm Hg) (G1: 13.1 ± 1.5, G2: 19.0 ± 3.8, G3: 23.6 ± 5.8; p < 0.01), +dP/dt max (mm Hg/sec / LVEDP, mm Hg) (G1: 176.4 ± 45.5, G2: 89.6 ± 20.1, G3: 113.1 ± 43.7; p < 0.01), and GLSS (%) (G1: -17.9 ± 4.2, G2: -13.5 ± 2.5, G3: -13.6 ± 3; p = 0.021). GLSS correlated with CV and LVEDP and it evidenced a trend to correlate with a contractility index (+dP/dt max mm Hg/s / LVEDP, mm Hg). Conclusions: Altered GLSS in patients with SSAS and PEF expresses myocardial structural changes related to increase in C V, which is associated with enhanced LVEDP and probable myocardial contractile failure.

Estenosis aórtica severa con fracción de expulsión normal de flujo bajo paradójico y bajo gradiente / Paradoxical low-flow/low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with normal ejection fraction

Introducción: La estenosis aórtica severa impacta la morbilidad y mortalidad de los pacientes. Ésta se define como un área valvular menor a 1 cm² o menor a 0,6 cm²/m² de superficie corporal, gradientes transvalvulares mayores a 40 mm Hg y velocidades pico mayores a 4 m/s. Cuando los pacientes tienen estenosis aórtica severa y fracción de expulsión del ventrículo izquierdo conservada, se espera que estos valores sean elevados, pero se ha encontrado un subgrupo donde estos valores son menores, hecho que ha llevado a revaluar los puntos de corte para definir dicha enfermedad. Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de estenosis aórtica severa con fracción de expulsión preservada de bajo flujo paradójico y determinar las características hemodinámicas e impacto clínico en los pacientes. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo llevado a cabo durante 1999-2010, en un servicio de ecocardiografía, en el que se evaluaron 839 pacientes con diagnóstico de estenosis aórtica severa y fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo conservada. La muestra fue subdividida en dos grupos: flujo normal definido como un volumen latido indexado (VLI) > 35 mL/m² y grupo bajo flujo paradójico con un VLI ≤ 35 mL/m² y se evaluaron sus características hemodinámicas, valvulares y de geometría ventricular, además de la supervivencia. Resultados: El 49,1% se clasificó como bajo flujo paradójico y el 50,9% como flujo normal. La edad promedio de fue 66,4 años y el 56,1% eran mujeres. La presión arterial media promedio fue 92,5 mm Hg, el gradiente medio 41,2 mm Hg y la fracción de expulsión promedio de 60%. Al comparar ambos grupos se encontró que los pacientes con bajo flujo paradójico tenían mayor impedancia válvulo-arterial (6,2 versus 4,25 mm Hg/mL/m, p < 0,001), mayor diámetro diastólico (4,76 versus 4,62 cm, p < 0,001) y mayor resistencia vascular sistémica (2,18 versus 1,51 mm Hg*min/L, p < 0,001). No hubo diferencias en la supervivencia. Conclusión: La estenosis aórtica de bajo flujo paradójico y bajo gradiente, es una entidad frecuente que se asocia con mayor postcarga del ventrículo izquierdo. Para mejorar el tratamiento de estos pacientes se requiere revaluar los criterios diagnósticos y obtener una evaluación más profunda del funcionamiento miocárdico además de la fracción de expulsión del ventrículo izquierdo. Aunque no se hallaron diferencias en la supervivencia entre ambos grupos, los estudios previos alertan que estos pacientes requieren un seguimiento más estrecho y un mejor entendimiento de su fisiología.

Introduction: severe aortic stenosis impacts the morbidity and mortality of patients. It is defined as a valve area < 1 cm² or < than 0.6 cm²/m² of BSA, transvalvular gradients > 40 mm Hg and peak velocities > 4 m/s. When patients have severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricle ejection fraction, these values are expected to be high, but a subset of patients where these values are lower has been found and this fact has led to reassess the cutoff points to define the disease. Objective: To assess the prevalence of paradoxical low-flow/low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with preserved ejection fraction and determine the hemodynamic characteristics and clinical impact in patients. Methods: A retrospective study conducted during 1999-2010 in an echocardiography service, which evaluated 839 patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricle ejection fraction. The sample was divided into two groups: normal flow group, defined as an indexed stroke volume > 35 mL /m² and paradoxical low-flow group, with indexed stroke volume ≤ 35 mL/m² and their hemodynamic characteristics, valvular and ventricular geometry as well as survival were evaluated. Results: 49.1% were classified as paradoxical low-flow and 50.9 % as normal flow. The average age was 66.4 years and 56.1% were women. The average mean arterial pressure was 92.5 mm Hg, mean gradient 41.2 mm Hg and mean ejection fraction 60%. When comparing the two groups, patients with paradoxical low flow had higher valvular-arterial impedance (6.2 versus 4.25 mm Hg/mL/m, p < 0.001), greater LV diastolic diameter (4.76 versus 4.62 cm, p < 0.001) and higher systemic vascular resistance (2.18 versus 1.51 mm Hg * min/L, p < 0.001). There was no differen ce in survival. Conclusion: Paradoxical low-flow/low-gradient aortic stenosis is a common entity that is associated with increased left ventricular afterload. To improve the treatment of these patients it is necessary to reassess the diagnostic criteria and obtain a more thorough evaluation of myocardial function in addition to the left ventricle ejection fraction. Although there was no difference in survival between the two groups, previous studies warn that these patients require closer monitoring and better understanding of their physiology.

Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty (Pbav) in a Child With Congenital Severe Aortic Stenosis –A Case Report.

A 8 years old boy presented with shortness of breath, cough and palpitation and subsequently diagnosed as a case of severe aortic stenosis with bicuspid aortic valve. Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (PBAV) was done and he became asymptomatic. Post procedure his aortic valve area and aortic systolic pressure increased, transaortic pressure gradient decreased. So good result, lower cost, elimination of drawbacks of thoracotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass suggest in children percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty should be the treatment of choice for patients with severe aortic stenosis.