Calcificación anillo mitral: reemplazo mitral con prótesis mecánica en posición supra anular / Mitral annular calcification: mitral valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis in supra annular position

Abstract: An 84 year old woman presented with recurrent severe heart failure. She had a heavily calcified mitral valve annulus. Radiological images before and after a mechanical valve was implanted in a supra annular position are shown.

Symptomatic aortic valve mass - cardiac work-up challenges and role of computed tomography angiography: a case report

Abstract Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma are rare, benign cardiac tumors that may lead to lethal complications from embolization or valvular dysfunction if left untreated. When working up symptomatic tumors with concomitant angina, traditional diagnostic studies such as cardiac catheterization may predispose the patient to embolic complications if the mass is located in the path of the catheter. Newer, non-invasive diagnostic testing, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or dynamic computed tomography angiography, may be considered in lieu of invasive approaches to avoid potentially devastating complications. We herein present a case report of a 77-year-old female with a symptomatic aortic valve tumor and describe our diagnostic strategy and management.

Accidente cerebrovascular embólico secundario a fibroelastoma papilar de válvula mitral / Embolic stroke secondary to a mitral valve fibroelastoma: case report

Embolic stroke secondary to cardiac tumors is uncommon. However, 25-30% of cardiac tumors may cause systemic emboli. We report a 29-year-old male consulting for a sudden episode of aphasia and right hemiparesis, compatible with infarct of the left middle cerebral artery territory. Transthoracic echocardiography reported an ovoid tumor of 8 × 7 × 7 mm in relation to the sub valvular apparatus of the mitral valve. After neurologic stabilization, surgical treatment was performed. Approached by median sternotomy and in cardiopulmonary bypass, the mitral valve was explored. A macroscopic tumor consistent with a papillary fibroelastoma curled in sub valvular chordae was found. It was deployed and resected from its base, while the anterior mitral leaflet was preserved intact. Histopathological examination confirmed the intraoperative macroscopic diagnosis. The patient recovered uneventfully postoperatively and was discharged on the fifth day after surgery. He currently is in functional capacity I without cardiovascular symptoms at five years follow-up.

Should sinus of valsalva be replaced in patients with dilated ascending aorta and aortic valve diseases?

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the change in the dimension of sinus of Valsalva in patients who underwent supracoronary ascending aorta replacement with aortic valve replacement. Methods: A total of 81 patients who underwent supracoronary ascending aorta replacement with aortic valve replacement were included. Ten of 81 patients died during the follow-up. The patients were divided into three groups according to the aortic valve diseases. Group I (n=17) included patients with bicuspid valves, group II (n=30) included patients with stenotic degenerative valves, and patients with aortic regurgitation constituted group III (n=24). In preoperative and follow-up periods, the sinus of Valsalva diameter of the patients was evaluated by echocardiographic examination. The mean age was 54.1±15.1 years. Twenty-eight (34.6%) patients were female and 12 (14.8%) patients were in New York Heart Association functional class III. Results: There was no early mortality. Late mortality was developed in 10 (12.4%) patients, 8 (9.9%) due to non-cardiac reasons. Late follow-up was obtained in 71 patients with a mean of 60±30.1 months postoperatively. During follow-up, the increase in the diameter of the sinus of Valsalva was significant in Group I (P<0.01), while in Group II and III it was insignificant (P>0.05). Conclusion: To avoid the risks associated with sinus of Valsalva dilatation, it is reasonable to replace the sinus of Valsalva in the setting of aortic valve replacement and ascending aorta replacement for bicuspid aortic valve with a dilated ascending aorta and relatively normal sinuses of Valsalva in young patients.

Insuficiencia aórtica severa aguda, aspectos diagnósticos de la ecocardiografía: a propósito de un caso clínico / Acute severe aortic regurgitacion echocardiography features: clinical case and review

Resumen: La insuficiencia aórtica severa aguda (IASA) constituye una emergencia quirúrgica; sus principales causas son la endocarditis infecciosa y la disección aórtica. Existen tres hallazgos ecocardiográficos distintivos de dicha patología, que ayudan al diagnóstico y manejo que son: el cierre prematuro de la válvula mitral (CPVM), la insuficiencia mitral diastólica (IMD) y la apertura prematura de la válvula aórtica (APVA). Estos elementos reflejan el severo aumento de la presión de fin de diástole del ventrículo izquierdo (PFDVI) y, si bien son específicos, no son únicos de dicha patología. A continuación, se reporta el caso de un paciente con IASA. Hombre de 36 años, sin antecedentes, consulta por estado infeccioso asociado a insuficiencia cardíaca aguda. Ingresa en shock cardiogénico y la ecocardiografía muestra: ventrículo izquierdo severamente dilatado con función sistólica conservada, dilatación leve de la aurícula izquierda y una endocarditis de válvula aórtica trivalvar asociado a insuficiencia severa. Se identifica, además, la presencia de CPVM y de IMD hallazgos que evidenciaban la severidad de la lesión y lo agudo de la presentación. Se realizó un recambio valvular aórtico de urgencia con una prótesis biológica con buena evolución postoperatoria.

Abstracts: Severe acute aortic regurgitation (SAAR) constitutes a surgical emergency. Its main causes are infective endocarditis and aortic dissection. Three echocardiographic hallmarks aid in its diagnosis and management, namely: premature opening of the aortic valve (POAV), premature mitral valve closure (PMVC) and diastolic mitral regurgitation (DMR), findings that reflect the great increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Also, these findings are distinctive but not unique to SAAR. We report a 36-year-old male, without past medical history that refers three weeks of malaise, fever and heart failure. At the emergency department, the patient evolved to cardiogenic shock being admitted to the coronary unit. A transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a severely dilated left ventricle with normal systolic function, a mild left atrium enlargement and endocarditis of a trileaflet aortic valve with severe regurgitation. Furthermore, PMVC and DMR were identified, findings that portrayed the severe and acute presentation of the disease. A surgical aortic valve replacement was performed uneventfully, and the patient discharged in good conditions.

Quadruple valve replacement for carcinoid heart disease

Abstract Introduction: Carcinoid heart disease most frequently involves the tricuspid or, more rarely, the pulmonary valve and presents with right heart failure as 5-HT is metabolized by the lung. Left-sided valve involvement is quite rare. We describe our experience of 3 patients presenting with heart failure secondary to carcinoid heart disease affecting all four cardiac valves. There are only four previous isolated case reports in the literature. Methods: All three patients underwent quadruple valve replacement during a single operation. Right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with a pericardial patch was performed in all patients. For 24 hours prior to surgery, all patients received intravenous octreotide, which continued in intensive care for at least 24 hours. Results: Mean cross-clamp and bypass times were 175 (range 164-197 minutes) and 210 (range 195-229 minutes) minutes, respectively. Mean intensive treatment unit (ITU) and inpatient stays were 2.3 (range 2-3 days) and 12 (range 9-16 days) days, respectively. One patient was reopened for bleeding 4 hours postoperatively from a ventricular pacing wire site. None required a permanent pacemaker postoperatively. There were no other complications in any patient. The quality of life was excellent at 6-16 months clinic follow-up as they were in NYHA 1. Postoperative echocardiography showed no paravalvular leaks and well-functioning prostheses in all cases. Conclusion: Surgery to replace all four valves is feasible with excellent medium-term survival and a very low rate of complications. Patients with carcinoid heart disease should always be considered for surgery irrespective of the extent of valvular involvement.

Mid-Term Results of Surgical Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Valvular Heart Disease Assesed by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography / Resultados em Médio Prazo do Tratamento da Fibrilação Atrial na Doença Valvular Cardíaca Avaliados por Ecocardiografia com Speckle Tracking

Abstract Background: Atrial fibrillation frequently affects patients with valvular heart disease. Ablation of atrial fibrillation during valvular surgery is an alternative for restoring sinus rhythm. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate mid-term results of successful atrial fibrillation surgical ablation during valvular heart disease surgery, to explore left atrium post-ablation mechanics and to identify predictors of recurrence. Methods: Fifty-three consecutive candidates were included. Eligibility criteria for ablation included persistent atrial fibrillation <10 years and left atrium diameter < 6.0 cm. Three months after surgery, echocardiogram, 24-hour Holter monitoring and electrocardiograms were performed in all candidates who maintained sinus rhythm (44 patients). Echo-study included left atrial deformation parameters (strain and strain rate), using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Simultaneously, 30 healthy individuals (controls) were analyzed with the same protocol for left atrial performance. Significance was considered with a P value of < 0.05. Results: After a mean follow up of 17 ± 2 months, 13 new post-operative cases of recurrent atrial fibrillation were identified. A total of 1,245 left atrial segments were analysed. Left atrium was severely dilated in the post-surgery group and, mechanical properties of left atrium did not recover after surgery when compared with normal values. Left atrial volume (≥ 64 mL/m2) was the only independent predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Left atrial volume was larger in patients with atrial fibrillation recurrence and emerges as the main predictor of recurrences, thereby improving the selection of candidates for this therapy; however, no differences were found regarding myocardial deformation parameters. Despite electrical maintenance of sinus rhythm, left atrium mechanics did not recover after atrial fibrillation ablation performed during valvular heart disease surgery.

Resumo Fundamento: A fibrilação atrial frequentemente afeta pacientes com doenças das valvas cardíacas. A ablação da fibrilação atrial durante a cirurgia das válvulas é uma alternativa para restaurar o ritmo sinusal. Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar resultados em médio prazo da ablação cirúrgica bem sucedida da FA durante cirurgia para doença valvar, para explorar a mecânica do AE após a ablação e identificar preditores de recorrência. Métodos: Foram incluídos 53 candidatos consecutivos. Os critérios de elegibilidade para ablação foram fibrilação atrial persistente <10 anos e diâmetro do átrio esquerdo < 6 cm. Três meses após a cirurgia, foram realizados ecocardiografia, Holter por 24 horas, e eletrocardiografias em todos os candidatos que mantiveram o ritmo sinusal (44 pacientes). O estudo eco incluiu parâmetros de deformação ao átrio esquerdo (strain e taxa de strain) usando ecocardiografia bidimensional com speckle tracking. Simultaneamente, 30 indivíduos sadios (controles) foram analisados com o mesmo protocolo para o desempenho do átrio esquerdo. Um valor de P < 0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: Após um período médio de acompanhamento de 17 ± 2 meses, 13 novos casos de fibrilação atrial no pós-operatório foram identificados. Um total de 1245 segmentos do átrio esquerdo foi analisado. O grupo pós-cirúrgico apresentou dilatação grave do átrio esquerdo, e as propriedades mecânicas do átrio esquerdo não se recuperaram após a cirurgia quando comparadas com valores normais. O volume do átrio esquerdo (≥ 64 mL/m2) foi o único preditor independente de recorrência de fibrilação atrial (p = 0,03). Conclusões: O volume do átrio esquerdo foi maior nos pacientes com fibrilação atrial recorrente, e desponta como o principal preditor de recorrência, melhorando, assim, a seleção de candidatos para essa terapia. No entanto, não foram encontradas diferenças em relação aos parâmetros de deformação do miocárdio. Apesar da manutenção elétrica do ritmo sinusal, a função mecânica do átrio esquerdo não se recuperou após a ablação da fibrilação atrial realizada durante a cirurgia para doença da valva cardíaca.

Echocardiography derived three-dimensional printing of normal and abnormal mitral annuli.

Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the clinical feasibility of using echocardiographic data to generate three‑dimensional models of normal and pathologic mitral valve annuli before and after repair procedures. Materials and Methods: High‑resolution transesophageal echocardiographic data from five patients was analyzed to delineate and track the mitral annulus (MA) using Tom Tec Image‑Arena software. Coordinates representing the annulus were imported into Solidworks software for constructing solid models. These solid models were converted to stereolithographic (STL) file format and three‑dimensionally printed by a commercially available Maker Bot Replicator 2 three‑dimensional printer. Total time from image acquisition to printing was approximately 30 min. Results: Models created were highly reflective of known geometry, shape and size of normal and pathologic mitral annuli. Post‑repair models also closely resembled shapes of the rings they were implanted with. Compared to echocardiographic images of annuli seen on a computer screen, physical models were able to convey clinical information more comprehensively, making them helpful in appreciating pathology, as well as post‑repair changes. Conclusions: Three‑dimensional printing of the MA is possible and clinically feasible using routinely obtained echocardiographic images. Given the short turn‑around time and the lack of need for additional imaging, a technique we describe here has the potential for rapid integration into clinical practice to assist with surgical education, planning and decision‑making.

Healed perivalvular abscess: Incidental finding on transthoracic echocardiography.

A 36‑year‑old male patient presented with the complaints of palpitations and breathlessness. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed a bicuspid aortic valve; severe aortic regurgitation with dilated left ventricle (LV) and mild LV systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 50%). He was scheduled to undergo aortic valve replacement. History was not suggestive of infective endocarditis (IE). Preoperative TTE did not demonstrate any aortic perivalvular abscess. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examination using the mid‑esophageal (ME) long‑axis view, showed an abscess cavity affecting the aortic valve, which initially was assumed to be a dissection flap, but later confirmed to be an abscess cavity by color Doppler examination. The ME aortic valve short‑axis view showed two abscesses; one was at the junction of the non‑coronary and left coronary commissure and the other one above the right coronary cusp. Intraoperatively, these findings were confirmed by the surgeons. The case report demonstrates the superiority of TEE over TTE in diagnosing perivalvular abscesses.

Is declotting a better procedure than Redo MVR for stuck mitral valve?

To evaluate and compare the outcome of declotting versus Redo Mitral Valve replacement for stuck mitral valve in the early postoperative period. Retrospective interventional study. Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Diseases [AFICNIHD] Rawalpindi from 1[st] Jan, 2010 to 31[st] Oct, 2013. A total of 36 patients were selected. Group A [n = 28] underwent declotting and group B [n = 08] were treated by redo mitral valve replacement [MYR]. Diagnosis of prosthetic valve obstruction was made on the basis of history, clinical examination, echocardiography and fluoroscopy. All patients were operated under general anesthesia and cardiopulmonary bypass [CBP]. Total clamp and CPB time were recorded. Post operatively, patients were evaluated with daily progress parameter. The hemodynamic status, isotropic support, ventilation time, intensive care ward and total hospital stay were also recorded for comparison. Two-dimensional echocardiography was done before extubation and at discharge. Mortality rate was also compared in the two groups. No statistical difference was found on the basis of gender, age, interval between initial mitral valve replacement [MVR] and redo operation or decloting, anticoagulation status, New York Heart Association NYHA] functional class, international normalized ratio [INR] level, trans thoracic echocardiography and luoroscopy. The mean CBP time and cross clamp time was significantly less in group A than group B. Similarly mean ventilation time in group A was significantly less than in group B. The mean ITC stay was and mean hospital stay was not statistically significant. The mortality rate in group A and B was 7.14% and 50% respectively which was statistically significant. Prosthetic valve thrombosis is a life threatening complication after mechanical mitral valve replacement with high mortality without timely and effective surgical intervention. Declotting, being a less aggressive surgical technique is recommended because of better outcome in terms of morbidity and mortality in the early post-operative period

Mitral valve aneurysm: a rare complications of aortic valve endocarditis

A 20-year-old intravenous drug abuser man, refered to our hospital with dyspnea and orthopnea. Tranesophageal echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation, healed vegetation of aortic valve and an aneurysm of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. The patient was discharged after aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair

Real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Complex anatomy of intra-cardiac structures requires spatial orientation of image in three dimensions for better understanding and enhanced image interpretation. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of the emerging 'real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography' technique for comprehensive assessment of cardiac anatomy, physiology, pathomorphology and pathophysiology in patients with structural heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with structural heart disease (n=152) were evaluated by conventional two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography and real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography using standard protocol. Fifty-six cases were of rheumatic etiology with multi-valvular involvement (mitral stenosis: 32; mitral regurgitation: 29; tricuspid regurgitation: 8; aortic valve disease: 11) and 21 cases of non-rheumatic valvular heart disease. A total of 38 congenital heart disease patients were examined including 23 patients with atrial septal defect. Left ventricular function (n=20) and right ventricular function (n=10) were also assessed using dedicated software. CONCLUSIONS: Results of real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography mitral valve area assessment by planimetery are comparable to two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography with additional information about surface anatomy of leaflets and the subvalvular apparatus in real time with clear demarcation of commissural fusion and scallops of leaflets. Enface view of atrial septal defect with direct visualization of shape, size and number of defects, tricuspid valve area by planimetery, right ventricular shape, objective assessment of ventricular volumes and regurgitation vena contracta area are the fields where three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was of additive value to conventional two-dimensional transthoracic echcardiography. This study proves clinical feasibility of real-time three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography but requires further validation of quantitative observations.