Modifiers of the Association between E/e' Ratio and Survival among Patients with No Apparent Structural or Functional Cardiac Abnormality.

BACKGROUND: The ratio between early mitral flow wave to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/e' ratio) varies according to age and sex and is associated with mortality in heart failure. We sought to describe the association between E/e' and mortality in patients with no apparent structural or functional cardiac abnormality and explore possible modifiers of this association. METHODS: A retrospective study of 104,315 patients who underwent echocardiographic evaluation during 2009-2021 in the largest tertiary center in Israel. Patients with cancer, ventricular dysfunction, significant valvular or structural heart disease, or evidence of pulmonary hypertension were excluded. RESULTS: The final analysis included 32,836 patients with a median age of 56 (43-66) years, and 13,547 (41%) were female. The median E/e' was 8.3 (6.8-10.3), and 9,306 (28%) had an E/e' >10. During a median follow-up of 5.7 (3.3-8.5) years, 2,396 (7.3%) individuals died. E/e' >10 was associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.27, p<0.001). The mortality risk associated with E/e' >10 was significantly higher in those aged ≤70 (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.12-1.42, p<0.001), males (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.19-1.49, p<0.001), a normal left ventricular mass (HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.24, p = 0.017), and pulmonary artery pressure <30 mmHg (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06-1.30, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: An elevated E/e' is associated with mortality, specifically in younger individuals, males, and those with a normal left ventricular mass and lower pulmonary artery pressure. This suggests that an elevated E/e' might be a marker of subclinical risk in these subgroups. Further studies are needed to identify whether an elevated E/e' is useful in shared decision-making regarding the management of cardiovascular risk factors.

The Association of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation with Poor Survival Is Modified by Right Ventricular Pressure and Function: Insights from SHEBAHEART Big Data.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary data on the independent association of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with excess mortality are needed. The aims of this study were to describe contemporary outcomes of patients with severe TR and to identify outcome modifiers. METHODS: Consecutive echocardiographic reports linked to clinical data from the largest medical center in Israel (2007-2019) were reviewed. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Cox regression and propensity score matching models were applied. RESULTS: The final cohort included 97,096 patients. Mild, moderate, and severe TR was documented in 27,147 (28%), 2,844 (3%) and 1,805 (2%) patients, respectively. During a median follow-up period of 5 years (interquartile range, 2-8 years), 22,170 patients (23%) died. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated an increased risk for death with an increasing degree of TR (log-rank P < .001). Propensity score matching of 1,265 patients with severe TR and matched control subjects showed that compared with those with nonsevere TR, patients with severe TR were 17% more likely to die (95% CI, 1.05-1.29; P = .003). The association of severe TR with survival was dependent on estimated right ventricular (RV) pressure, with a more pronounced effect among patients with estimated systolic pressure ≤ 40 mm Hg (hazard ratio, 2.12 vs 1.04; P for interaction < .001). A landmark subanalysis of 17,967 patients demonstrated that RV function deterioration on follow-up echocardiography modified the association of severe TR with survival. It was more significant among patients with preserved and stable RV function (P for interaction = .035). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of severe TR is modified by RV pressure and function. Once RV function deteriorates, differences in the outcomes of patients with and without severe TR are less pronounced.

Aspirin and Statin Therapy for Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Five-year Outcomes from the CONFIRM Registry.

Purpose: In this cohort study, 5-year data from the Coronary CT Angiography Evaluation for Clinical Outcomes: An International Multicenter Registry (ie, CONFIRM) were examined to identify associations of baseline aspirin and statin use with mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and myocardial infarction (MI) in individuals without substantial (≥50%) stenosis. Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, all participants in the registry underwent coronary CT angiography and were classified as having no detectable coronary plaque or having nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) (1%-49% stenosis). Participants with obstructive (≥50%) stenosis were excluded from analysis. The study commenced in June 2003 and was completed in March 2016. All unadjusted and risk-adjusted analyses utilized the Cox proportional hazard model with hospital sites modeled using shared frailty. Results: A total of 6386 participants with no detectable plaque or with nonobstructive CAD were included (mean age, 56.0 years ± 13.3 [SD], 52% men). The mean follow-up period was 5.66 years ± 1.10. Nonobstructive CAD (n = 2815, 44% of all participants included in the study) was associated with a greater risk of all-cause mortality (10.6% [298 of 2815] vs 4.8% [170 of 3571], P < .001) compared to those without CAD (n = 3571, 56%). Baseline aspirin and statin use was documented for 1415 and 1429 participants, respectively, with nonobstructive CAD, and for 1560 and 1565 participants without detectable plaque, respectively. In individuals with nonobstructive CAD, baseline aspirin use was not associated with a reduction in MACE (10.9% [102 of 936] vs 14.7% [52 of 355], P = .06), all-cause mortality (9.6% [95 of 991] vs 10.9% [46 of 424], P = .468), or MI (4.4% [41 of 936] vs 6.2% [22 of 355], P = .18). On multivariate risk-adjusted analysis, baseline statin use was associated with a lower rate of MACE (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.87; P = .007). Neither therapy improved clinical outcomes for participants with no detectable plaque. Conclusion: In participants with nonobstructive CAD, baseline use of statins, but not of aspirin, was associated with improved clinical outcomes. Neither therapy was associated with benefit in participants without plaque.Keywords: Aspirin, Statin, Coronary Artery Disease, CT Angiography, Nonobstructive Coronary Artery DiseaseClinical trial registration no. NCT01443637 Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2022See also the commentary by Canan and Navar in this issue.

Geometric differences of the mitral valve apparatus in atrial and ventricular functional mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) occurs in patients with annular dilation (atrial, aFMR) or patients with left ventricular (LV) disease (ventricular, vFMR). Meticulous understanding of the mechanisms underpinning regurgitation is crucial to optimize therapeutic strategies. METHODS: Patients with moderate-severe FMR were identified from a registry of patients referred for transcatheter mitral valve intervention. In addition, controls without cardiovascular disease were identified. Differences in the geometry of the LV and mitral valve apparatus (including leaflet and tenting geometry, papillary muscle displacement and movement, annular dimensions, and dynamism) between atrial and ventricular FMR, and control subjects, were assessed using multiphasic cardiac CT. RESULTS: Of 183 FMR patients, 18 patients (10%) were found to have aFMR. The remaining patients had either ischemic or non-ischemic ventricular FMR. In aFMR, both increasing LV end-systolic volume (rho 0.701, p â€‹< â€‹0.01) and left atrial volume (rho 0.909, p â€‹< â€‹0.01) were associated with larger annular area. By contrast, in vFMR larger annular area was most strongly associated with larger left atrial volume (rho 0.63, p â€‹< â€‹0.01). In controls, increased annular area was associated with larger LVEDV (rho 0.78, p â€‹< â€‹0.01) and LVESV (rho 0.824, p â€‹< â€‹0.01), but not left atrial size (rho 0.16, p â€‹= â€‹0.45). Ventricular FMR comprised apicolaterally displaced, akinetic posteromedial papillary muscles, resulting in pronounced leaflet tethering, leaflet elongation compared to controls, and only modest relative LA dilatation. Compared to vFMR, aFMR was characterised by marked relative annular dilation, smaller but discernible mitral valve tenting, shorter leaflet lengths when related to annular size, but normal papillary geometry. CONCLUSION: FMR is characterised by multiple changes within the mitral valve complex. Atrial and ventricular FMR differ significantly in terms of the drivers of annular size, and geometry and function of the subvalvular apparatus. This highlights the need to consider these as separate disease entities.

Systolic Time Intervals for Diagnosis of Severe Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Estimated frequency of aortic stenosis (AS) in those over 75 years of age is 3.4%. Symptomatic patients with severe AS have increased morbidity and mortality and aortic valve replacement should be offered to improve life expectancy and quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To identify whether systolic time intervals can identify severe AS. METHODS: The study comprised 200 patients (mean age 79 years, 55% men). Patients were equally divided into normal, mild, moderate, or severe AS. All patients had normal ejection fraction. Acceleration time (AT) was defined as the time from the beginning of systolic flow to maximal velocity; ejection time (ET) was the time from onset to end of systolic flow. The relation of AT/ET was calculated. Death or aortic valve intervention were documented. AT increased linearly with the severity of AS, similar to ET and AT/ET ratio (P for trend < 0.05 for all). Receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that AT can identify severe AS with a cutoff ≥ 108 msec with 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity, while a cutoff of 0.34 when using AT/ET ratio can identify severe AS with 96% sensitivity and 94% specificity. Multivariate analysis adjusting to sex, stroke volume index, heart rate, and body mass index showed similar results. Kaplan-Meier curve for AT ≥ 108 and AT/ET ≥ 0.34 predicted death or aortic valve intervention in a 3-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Acceleration time and AT/ET ratio are reliable measurements for identifying patients with severe AS. Furthermore, AT and AT/ET were able to predict aortic valve replacement or death.

PESI score for predicting clinical outcomes in PE patients with right ventricular involvement.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) patients with right ventricular (RV) involvement are a heterogenous group who mandate further risk stratification. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the PE severity index (PESI) for predicting adverse clinical outcomes among PE patients with RV involvement. Consecutive normotensive PE patients with RV involvement were allocated according to admission PESI score (PESI ≤ III vs. PESI ≥ IV). The primary outcome included hemodynamic instability and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included each component of the primary outcome as well as mechanical ventilation, thrombolytic therapy, acute kidney injury, and major bleeding. Multivariable logistic regression model was performed to assess the independent association between the PESI score and primary outcome. C-Statistic was used to compare the PESI with the BOVA score. A total of 253 patients were evaluated: 95 (38%) with a PESI ≥ IV. Of them, 82 (32%) patients were classified as intermediate-low risk and 171 (68%) as intermediate-high risk. Fifty (20%) patients had at least 1 adverse event. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the PESI to be an independent predictor for the primary outcome (HR 4.81, CI 95%, 1.15-20.09, p = 0.031), which was increased with a concomitant increase of the PESI score (PESI I 4.2%, PESI II 3.4%, PESI III 12%, PESI IV 16.3%, PESI V 23.1%, p for trend < 0.001). C-Statistic analysis for the PESI score yielded an AUC-0.746 (0.637-0.854), p = 0.001, compared to the BOVA score: AUC-0.679 (0.584-0.775), p = 0.011. PESI score was found to predict adverse outcomes among normotensive PE patients with RV involvement.

Comparison of coronary atherosclerotic plaque progression in East Asians and Caucasians by serial coronary computed tomographic angiography: A PARADIGM substudy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate potential differences in plaque progression (PP) between in East Asians and Caucasians as well as to determine clinical predictors of PP in East Asians. BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated differences in cardiovascular risk factors as well as plaque burden and progression across different ethnic groups. METHODS: The study comprised 955 East Asians (age 60.4 â€‹± â€‹9.3 years, 50.9% males) and 279 Caucasians (age 60.4 â€‹± â€‹8.6 years, 74.5% males) who underwent two serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) studies over a period of at least 24 months. Patients were enrolled and analyzed from the PARADIGM (Progression of AtheRosclerotic PlAque DetermIned by Computed TomoGraphic Angiography IMaging) registry. After propensity-score matching, plaque composition and progression were compared between East Asian and Caucasian patients. Within East Asians, the plaque progression group (defined as plaque volume at follow-up CCTA minus plaque volume at baseline CCTA> 0) was compared to the no PP group to determine clinical predictors for PP in East Asians. RESULTS: In the matched cohort, baseline volumes of total plaque as well as all plaque subtypes were comparable. There was a trend towards increased annualized plaque progression among East Asians compared to Caucasians (18.3 â€‹± â€‹24.7 â€‹mm3/year vs 16.6 â€‹mm3/year, p â€‹= â€‹0.054). Among East Asians, 736 (77%) had PP. East Asians with PP had more clinical risk factors and higher plaque burden at baseline (normalized total plaque volume of144.9 â€‹± â€‹233.3 â€‹mm3 vs 36.6 â€‹± â€‹84.2 â€‹mm3 for PP and no PP, respectively, p â€‹< â€‹0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline normalized plaque volume (OR: 1.10, CI: 1.10-1.30, p â€‹< â€‹0.001), age (OR: 1.02, CI: 1.00-1.04, p â€‹= â€‹0.023) and body mass index (OR: 2.24, CI: 1.01-1.13, p â€‹= â€‹0.024) were all predictors of PP in East Asians. Clinical events, driven mainly by percutaneous coronary intervention, were higher among the PP group with a total of 124 (16.8%) events compared to 22 (10.0%) in the no PP group (p â€‹= â€‹0.014). CONCLUSION: East Asians and Caucasians had comparable plaque composition and progression. Among East Asians, the PP group had a higher baseline plaque burden which was associated with greater PP and increased clinical events.

The Association of Moderate Aortic Stenosis with Poor Survival Is Modified by Age and Left Ventricular Function: Insights from SHEBAHEART Big Data.

BACKGROUND: Data on the independent association of moderate aortic stenosis (AS) with excess mortality, even when it does not progress to severe AS, are limited. The aims of this study were to evaluate the association of moderate AS with poor survival and to identify clinically important modifiers of that association. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent echocardiographic evaluation between 2007 and 2019 were included. All-cause mortality and cancer data were available for all patients from national registries. Cox regression survival models were applied, with censoring of patients who developed metastatic cancer, developed more than moderate AS, or underwent aortic valve intervention during follow-up. RESULTS: The study population included 92,622 patients. There were 2,202 patients (2%) with moderate AS, with a median age of 79 years (interquartile range, 70-85 years), of whom 1,254 (57%) were men. During median follow-up of 5 years (interquartile range, 3-8 years), 19,712 patients (21%) died. The cumulative probability of death at 5 years was higher for patients with moderate AS (46% vs 18%, respectively, log-rank P < .001). Propensity score matching analysis (n = 2,896) that included clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic predictors of poor survival demonstrated that compared with patients with mild or less AS, those with moderate AS were 17% more likely to die (95% CI, 1.04-1.30; P = .007). Moreover, the model showed that the moderate AS-associated risk was ejection fraction and age dependent, with a more pronounced association among nonoctogenarian patients (P for interaction = .001) and those with reduced ejection fractions (P for interaction = .016). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate AS is independently associated with excess mortality, even when it does not progress to severe AS. The associated risk is more pronounced among patients with reduced ejection fractions and those <80 years of age.

Neo-LVOT and Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement: Expert Recommendations.

With the advent of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), the concept of the neo-left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) was introduced and remains an essential component of treatment planning. This paper describes the LVOT anatomy and provides a step-by-step computed tomography methodology to segment and measure the neo-LVOT while discussing the current evidence and outstanding challenges. It also discusses the technical and hemodynamic factors that play a major role in assessing the neo-LVOT. A summary of expert-based recommendations about the overall risk of LVOT obstruction in different scenarios is presented along with the currently available methods to reduce the risk of LVOT obstruction and other post-procedural complications.

Bicuspid aortic valve area in normal heart.

INTRODUCTION: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital valve abnormality. There are no data in the literature regarding the range of aortic valve area (AVA) in normal functioning BAV. We aimed to evaluate the normal range of BAV area and to compare it to subjects with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). METHODS: Bicuspid aortic valve subjects were identified from Sheba medical center echocardiographic database and were compared with TAV subjects. Inclusion criteria were normal tissue leaflets appearance and normal functioning valve in the presence of normal echocardiogram. Echocardiographic data, patients hemodynamics, and size were collected. AVA was measured with both planimetry and the continuity equation. RESULTS: Fifty BAV and 50 control subjects were studied (37 men, age 40 ± 13 years). All studies were performed with normal hemodynamics. Fusion between the coronary leaflets was the most common morphology (82%), followed by fusion between the right coronary leaflet with the noncoronary leaflet (18%). The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter in BAV group was significantly larger (2.3 ± 0.3 cm vs 2.1 ± 0.2; P < .001). The BAV group presented with a larger AVA planimetry (3.8 ± 0.9 vs 3.3 ± 0.6; P < .001). However, measuring AVA using continuity equation has shown no differences between groups. If using the principles of coefficient of contraction, it seems that measuring AVA by planimetry overestimates the real anatomic AVA. CONCLUSION: This data provide normal values for echocardiographically determined AVA in BAV subjects. This population was characterized by large LVOT diameter and large AVA. The larger AVA measured with the planimetry emphasizes the limitation of this method in BAV population.

Significance of Syncope at Presentation among Patients With Pulmonary Emboli.

Patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary emboli (PE) present a challenging clinical problem. Although syncope has been suggested as a marker for adverse outcomes in these patients, data remain scarce. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of intermediate risk PE patients presenting with syncope. We performed a retrospective cohort study comprised of consecutive, normotensive, PE patients, with evidence of right ventricular involvement. The primary outcome of major adverse clinical events included either one or a combination of mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic instability and need for inotropic support, reperfusion therapy, and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included each of the above individual components including major bleeding and renal failure. Overall, 212 patients were evaluated, 40 (19%) presented with syncope, and had a higher prevalence of major adverse clinical events (29% vs 9.4%, p = 0.003), as well as each of the individual secondary end points: mechanical ventilation (10% vs 1.8%, p = 0.026), hemodynamic instability (18% vs 2.9%, p = 0.02), increased need of inotropic support (10% vs 0.6%, p = 0.005), and bleeding (15% vs 2.4%, p = 0.004). The prevalence of in-hospital mortality was very low (0.5%) with no significant difference between those with and without syncope. There was no significant difference in the need for reperfusion therapy. Upon multivariable analysis, syncope was found to be an independent predictor of adverse clinical outcomes (odds ratio 3.8, confidence interval 1.48 to 9.76, p = 0.005). In conclusion, in intermediate-risk PE patients with right ventricular involvement, the presence of syncope is associated with a more complicated in-hospital course.

Epidemiology Characteristics and Outcome of Patients With Clinically Diagnosed Acute Myocarditis.

BACKGROUND: There are controversial data regarding the outcome and management of patients hospitalized with clinically diagnosed acute myocarditis. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data of 322 consecutive patients admitted to the Sheba Medical Center with clinically suspected acute myocarditis from January 2005 to December 2017. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups based on their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at presentation: 1) patients with an LVEF <50% (n = 60) and 2) patients with an LVEF ≥50% (n = 260). We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, and in-hospital outcome as well as short-term and 1-year outcome of patients admitted with acute myocarditis. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 37 ± 14 years, most of them (84%) males. Although chest pain was the main complaint in 89% of the patients at presentation, only 35% had typical pericardial pain. Patients with a LVEF <50% were more likely to demonstrate ST depression or T wave inversion on their electrocardiogram (ECG) at presentation (33% vs 18%, P = 0.007), and have higher levels of admission and peak troponin compared to those with LVEF ≥50%,(12.7 µ/L ± 15 µ/L vs 5.5 µ/L ± 9.2 µ/L, P = 0.001 for admission troponin, 18.8 µ/L ± 19.9 µ/L vs 8.4 µ/L ± 11.6 µ/L, P <0.001, for peak troponin). Univariate analysis showed that patients with an LVEF <50% were more likely to suffer from adverse cardiovascular events, defined as a composite of the following: 1) acute decompensated congestive heart failure; 2) ventricular arrhythmias; and 3) in-hospital mortality, compared to those with an LVEF ≥50% (15 [25%] vs10 [4%], P <0.001). Consistently, multivariable analysis showed that patients with an LVEF <50% had a 4-fold increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events compared to those patients with an LVEF ≥50% (heart rate [HR] = 4.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-11.49; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with clinical acute myocarditis seem to have an overall good prognosis. Although patients with an LVEF <50% are at a higher risk of in-hospital adverse events compared to those with an LVEF ≥50%, this propensity is not reflected during 1-year of follow-up.

Standards on Digital Echocardiography: An Israel Heart Society Position Paper Presented by the Israel Working Group on Echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: The output settings of echocardiographic systems should be set to the full (original) frame rate and lossless compression (e.g., run-length encoding) in order to transmit echocardiographic videos so that they retain their original quality. In addition, monitors and display cards of echocardiography systems and workstations should be able to support an adaptive refresh rate for displaying video at an arbitrary frame rate, including a high frame rate (90+ fps) without dropping frames and preserving the original frame duration. Currently, the only available option for echocardiography monitors is 144-165 Hz (or higher) based on adaptive frame rate G-Sync or FreeSync technology monitors. These monitors should be accompanied by compatible display cards. Echocardiography systems and workstation video playback software should support G-Sync or FreeSync adaptive frame rate technology to display echocardiography videos at their original frame rates without the effects of jitter and frame drops. Echocardiography systems should support an online display of the videos on the workstations during acquisition with the original quality. The requirements for web-based workstations are the same as for desktops workstations. Hospital digital networks should provide transmission and long-term archiving of the echocardiographic videos in their original acquisition quality.

Aortic Regurgitation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a common form of valvular disease which is characterized by reflux of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle (LV) during diastole. AR results from various etiologies, affecting the aortic valve cusps or the aortic root. The clinical presentation of patients with AR depends on the severity of the regurgitation and differs whether AR develops acutely or if it progresses over a prolonged period, allowing the cardiac chambers to adapt. Echocardiography is the primary method to determine the etiology of AR and to define its severity. We review the current data regarding the diagnosis and treatment of AR. RECENT FINDINGS: No single parameter is sufficient to determine AR severity; thus, an integrative, multi-parametric approach is required. Echocardiography is key for imaging the aortic valve morphology and flow as well as aortic root and ascending aorta. Determining LV ejection fraction and dimensions is essential for patient management and optimizing timing for intervention. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is useful in the evaluation of AR etiology and severity. The use of Trasncatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an alternative to surgery in patients at high operative risk. The diagnosis and management of AR requires a comprehensive approach and routine clinical and echocardiographic follow-up. Surgical or percutaneous therapy is indicated when symptoms develop and in those who have LV dysfunction or LV dilation.

Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: Aiming to improve patient stratification.

BACKGROUND: Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) patients present a therapeutic dilemma. While some are at risk for developing adverse events, possibly requiring escalation therapy, most will have a benign course. Our aim was to define predictors which will identify those patients who will not deteriorate despite the presence of RV involvement. METHODS: We evaluated 179 consecutive intermediate-risk PE patients (47% males; mean age: 66 ±â€¯16 years), allocating them to those who did and did not need escalation therapy and evaluating the predictors for deterioration. We then formulated a score to distinguish between those who would not require escalation therapy. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (15%) required escalation therapy which was associated with significantly more episodes of syncope (42% vs. 15%, p = 0.001), higher D-Dimer levels (10,810 ±â€¯19,147 vs. 3816 ±â€¯6255, p < 0.001), echocardiographic evidence of severe right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (42% vs. 19%, p < 0.01), or a higher RV/left ventricular (LV) diameter ratio on computed tomography (CT) (1.9 ±â€¯0.6 vs. 1.46 ±â€¯0.5, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis the presence of syncope (HR 2.8 CI 1.1-7.1) and severe RV dysfunction on echocardiography (HR 3.5 CI 1.4-9.3) were found to be independent predictors for escalation therapy. A combined score of 1 was associated with only a 1.9% risk for escalation, while a maximum score of 4 was associated with a 57% risk for escalation therapy (P for trend<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A small but significant number of intermediate-risk PE patients required escalation therapy. A combined score comprising clinical, imaging, and laboratory parameters might aid in further risk stratification, identifying those intermediate risk PE patients with a more benign clinical course.

Maternal and Neonatal Complications of Pregnant Women with Mitral Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) is a relatively rare diagnosis in the developed countries and its treatment during pregnancy is challenging due to hemodynamic changes. With the demographic changes due to recent waves of immigration an increase in the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease is expected. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate maternal and neonatal complications in patients with mitral stenosis. METHODS: During the years 2006-2017, 22 women who underwent 31 pregnancies were followed at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel. We collected on regarding hemodynamic changes and their clinical course. MS was classified as mild, moderate, or severe according to mitral valve area by echocardiography. Maternal and fetal adverse events were evaluated according to severity of MS and compared by Poisson regression modeling. RESULTS: MS was severe in 7 pregnancies (22.6%), moderate in 9 (29%), and mild in 15 (48.4%). Twenty patients were managed conservatively and 2 underwent a successful percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty (PBMVP) during pregnancy. All pregnancies ended with a liveborn neonate and with no maternal mortality. Peak and mean mitral pressure gradients increased during pregnancy from 13.3 ± 5.3 to 18.6 ± 5.1 mmHg and from 5.9 ± 2.3 to 9.6 ± 3.4 mmHg respectively (P < 0.05). Eight pregnancies (25.8%) were complicated by pulmonary congestion, 2/15 (13.3%) with mild MS, 2/9 (22.2%) with moderate, and 4/7 (57.1%) with severe MS. The adverse event rate was higher among patients with severe MS compared with moderate and mild MS [hazard ratio (HR) 3.15, 95% confidence interval (95%CA) 1.04-9.52 and HR 4.06, 95%CI 1.4-11.19 respectively, P < 0.05]. Nine of 31 deliveries were vaginal; 6 of 22 cesarean sections (27.3%) were performed for cardiac indications. CONCLUSIONS: The number of total adverse events were higher among patients with severe MS. Patients with moderate and mild MS should be treated attentively, but good obstetric and maternal outcome can be expected.

Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes after Aortic Valve Repair in Patients with Bicuspid or Unicuspid Aortic Valve.

BACKGROUND: Unicuspid and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are congenital cardiac anomalies associated with valvular dysfunction and aortopathies occurring at a young age. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate our experience with aortic valve repair (AVr) in patients with bicuspid or unicuspid aortic valves. METHODS: Eighty patients with BAV or unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) underwent AVr. Mean patient age was 42 ± 14 years and 94% were male. Surgical technique included: aortic root replacement with or without cusp repair in 43 patients (53%), replacement of the ascending aorta at the height of the sino-tubular junction with or without cusp repair in 15 patients (19%), and isolated cusp repair in 22 patients (28%). RESULTS: The anatomical structure of the aortic valve was bicuspid in 68 (85%) and unicuspid in 12 patients (15%). Survival rate was 100% at 5 years of follow-up. Eleven patients (13.7%) underwent reoperation, 8 of whom presented with recurrent symptomatic aortic insufficiency (AI). Late echocardiography in the remaining 69 patients revealed mild AI in 63 patients, moderate recurrent AI in 4, and severe recurrent AI in 2. Relief from recurrent severe AI or reoperations was significantly lower in patients who underwent cusp repair compared with those who did not (P = 0.05). Furthermore, the use of pericardial patch augmentation for the repair was a predictor for recurrence (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AVr in patients with BAV or UAV is a safe procedure with low morbidity and mortality rates. The use of a pericardial patch augmentation was associated with higher repair failure.

A New Growth Model for Aortic Valve Calcification.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a progressive disease in which minerals accumulate in the tissue of the aortic valve cusps, stiffening them and preventing valve opening and closing. The process of valve calcification was found to be similar to that of bone formation including cell differentiation to osteoblast-like cells. Studies have shown the contribution of high strains to calcification initiation and growth process acceleration. In this paper, a new strain-based calcification growth model is proposed. The model aims to explain the unique shape of the calcification and other disease characteristics. The calcification process was divided into two stages: Calcification initiation and calcification growth. The initiation locations were based on previously published findings and a reverse calcification technique (RCT), which uses computed tomography (CT) scans of patients to reveal the calcification initiation point. The calcification growth process was simulated by a finite element model of one aortic valve cusp loaded with cyclic loading. Similar to Wolff's law, describing bone response to stress, our model uses strains to drive calcification formation. The simulation grows calcification from its initiation point to its full typical stenotic shape. Study results showed that the model was able to reproduce the typical calcification growth pattern and shape, suggesting that strain is the main driving force behind calcification progression. The simulation also sheds light on other disease characteristics, such as calcification growth acceleration as the disease progresses, as well as sensitivity to hypertension.