Shifts in Clinical Characteristics, Treatment, and Outcome for Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis: Insights From a 20-Year Multicentre Registry Study in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The rapid economic development of South Korea provides a unique model to study changes in the clinical characteristics, treatment approaches, and clinical outcomes of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) relative to socioeconomic growth. METHODS: From the Multicenter mitrAl STEnosis with Rheumatic etiology (MASTER) registry, 2,337 patients diagnosed with moderate or severe rheumatic MS between January 2001 and December 2020 were analyzed. Patients were grouped into consecutive 5-year intervals based on their year of diagnosis. Clinical characteristics, echocardiographic data, and clinical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Over 20 years, the severity of mitral stenosis increased from 79.1% to 90.2%; similarly, the average age at diagnosis increased from 54.3 to 63.0 years (all P < 0.001). Comorbidities such as hypertension and atrial fibrillation increased (6.3% to 29.5% and 41.4% to 46.9%, respectively; all P for trend < 0.05). The rate of mitral intervention within five years after diagnosis increased from 31.2% to 47.4% (P for trend < 0.001). However, clinical outcomes of rheumatic mitral stenosis deteriorated over time in the composite outcomes (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Conversely, the incidence of stroke remained stable (60.6-73.7%; P < 0.001), which might be attributed to the increased use of anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSION: This study observed an increase in patient age, comorbidities, and valve disease severity as the country transitioned from a developing to developed status. Despite a rise in mitral valve interventions, clinical outcomes deteriorated over 20 years, highlighting the need for modified treatment approaches to improve patient outcomes.

Acute Mitral Valve Regurgitation Caused by Left Ventricular Pacing Wire During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is quickly becoming the standard of care for patients with severe aortic stenosis thanks to its minimally invasive nature and favorable outcomes. Recently, left ventricular pacing has been proposed as a safer alternative to traditional right heart pacing, which could simplify the transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure overall, although procedural complications may still occur. This report describes a rare case of left ventricular pacing wire-induced acute severe mitral valve regurgitation during transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Successful retrieval of ruptured stent balloon catheter during percutaneous coronary intervention.

An 82-year-old woman was admitted for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Cardiovascular outcomes between dapagliflozin versus empagliflozin in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been demonstrated to decrease cardiovascular adverse events. However, there is little real-world clinical evidence regarding a direct comparison between dapagliflozin and empagliflozin in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). HYPOTHESIS: A difference in the cardiovascular efficancy of dapagliflozin versus empagliflozin in DM patients was anticipated, aiming to guide the optimal choice of SGLT2 inhibitors based on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: From 2014 to 2020, a total of 1549 patients with DM who were prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors such as dapagliflozin or empagliflozin were retrospectively enrolled. We categorized the study population into two groups: dapagliflozin (n = 981) and empagliflozin group (n = 568). The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure (HF) over a 3-year period. RESULTS: Propensity-score matching was performed (537 patients in each group). The mean age and hemoglobin A1c were 58.2 ± 13.0 years and 8.4 ± 1.7%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the dapagliflozin and empagliflozin groups in the risk of MACE (3.7% vs. 4.8%, hazard ratio [HR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-2.35; p = 0.349). Furthermore, there were no differences between the two groups in secondary endpoints including all-cause death, MI, stroke, and hospitalization for HF. Prior MI and history of HF were independent predictors of MACE. CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin showed no significant difference of real-world clinical cardiovascular outcomes in patients with DM over a 3-year period. Further large randomized clinical trials will be warranted for better evaluation.

Optimizing Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty for Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis　- Clinical Significance of Changes in Mitral Valve Area.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) is a standard treatment for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS). However, the prognostic significance of the change in mitral valve area (∆MVA) during PMV is not fully understood.Methods and Results: This study analyzed data from the Multicenter mitrAl STEnosis with Rheumatic etiology (MASTER) registry, which included 3,140 patients with severe RMS. We focused on patients with severe RMS undergoing their first PMV. Changes in echocardiographic parameters, including MVA quantified before and after PMV, and composite outcomes, including mitral valve reintervention, heart failure admission, stroke, and all-cause death, were evaluated. An optimal result was defined as a postprocedural MVA ≥1.5 cm2without mitral regurgitation greater than Grade II. Of the 308 patients included in the study, those with optimal results and ∆MVA >0.5 cm² had a better prognosis (log-rank P<0.001). Patients who achieved optimal results but with ∆MVA ≤0.5 cm² had a greater risk of composite outcomes than those with optimal outcomes and ∆MVA >0.5 cm² (nested Cox regression analysis, hazard ratio 2.27; 95% confidence interval 1.09-4.73; P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Achieving an increase in ∆MVA of >0.5 cm2was found to be correlated with improved outcomes. This suggests that, in addition to achieving traditional optimal results, targeting an increase in ∆MVA of >0.5 cm2could be a beneficial objective in PMV treatment for RMS.

Outcomes of Severe Mitral Stenosis With the Revised Severity Criteria: Mitral Valve Replacement vs Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the outcomes, according to percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) vs mitral valve replacement (MVR), of severe mitral stenosis (MS) with the updated criteria (MVA ≤ 1.5 cm2). METHODS: From the Multicenter Mitral Stenosis With Rheumatic Etiology (MASTER) registry of 3140 patients, we included patients with severe MS who underwent PMV or MVR between January 2000 and December 2021 except for previous valvular surgery/intervention, at least moderate other valvular dysfunction, and thrombus at the left atrium/appendage. Moderately severe MS (MS-MS) and very severe MS (VS-MS) were defined as 1.0 cm2 < MVA ≤ 1.5 cm2 and MVA ≤ 1.0 cm2, respectively. Primary outcomes were a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were a composite of primary outcomes and redo intervention. RESULTS: Among 442 patients (mean 56.5 ±11.9 years, women 77.1%), the MVR group (n = 260) was older, had more comorbidities, higher echoscore, larger left chambers, and higher right ventricular systolic pressure than the PMV group (n = 182). During a mean follow-up of 6.9 ± 5.2 years with inverse probability-weighted matching, primary outcomes did not differ, but the MVR group experienced fewer secondary outcomes (P = 0.010). In subgroup analysis of patients with MS-MS and VS-MS, primary outcomes did not differ. However, the MVR group in patients with VS-MS showed better secondary outcomes (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: PMV or MVR did not influence CV mortality or HF hospitalization in both MS-MS and VS-MS. However, because of increased early redo intervention in the PMV group in VS-MS, MVR would be the preferable option without clear evidence of suitable morphology for PMV.

Effects of septal myectomy on left atrial and left ventricular function in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Mechanical function of the left atrium (LA) and the left ventricle (LV) has been demonstrated to be a prognostic factor in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We explore whether myocardial mechanical function can be improved by septal reduction therapy in symptomatic obstructive HCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 65 patients who underwent septal myectomy for symptomatic obstructive HCM from 2006 to 2022, 44 were analysed after excluding those who underwent simultaneous valve repair or replacement or maze operation. LA and LV functional variables including LA strain and LV global longitudinal strain were evaluated by two-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography and compared before and 1 year after surgery. After septal myectomy, LA volume index (58.1 ± 18.3 vs. 45.3 ± 14.6 mL/m2 , P = 0.001) decreased significantly. As LV end-systolic dimension increased after surgery, the LV ejection fraction decreased (73.8 ± 6.7 vs. 62.9 ± 8.3%, P < 0.001). LA strain (24.4 ± 9.3 vs. 30.5 ± 13.6%, P = 0.004) improved after septal myectomy, but LV global longitudinal strain deteriorated (-12.6 ± 3.6 vs. -11.6 ± 4.3%, P = 0.033), mainly related to worsening non-septal longitudinal strain (-14.4 ± 4.3 vs. -10.9 ± 8.4%, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: As haemodynamic loads due to LV outflow tract obstruction was relieved through surgical septal reduction therapy in patients with symptomatic obstructive HCM, there was a significant reduction in LA volume and restoration of LA mechanical dysfunction. However, LV mechanical dysfunction deteriorated even after surgical septal reduction therapy.

Structural and Functional Characteristics of Mitral Paravalvular Leakage Identified by Multimodal Imaging and Their Implication on Clinical Presentation.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical presentation of patients with mitral paravalvular leakage (PVL) varies from asymptomatic to heart failure related with hemolytic anemia or pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to investigate the structural and functional characteristics of mitral PVL by multimodal imaging and their association with the severity of hemolysis and hemodynamic significance. METHODS: A total of 74 patients with mitral PVL who underwent both cardiac computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography from March 2010 to December 2017 was investigated. Location and size of PVL, degree of left atrial (LA) calcification as measured by CT, and hemodynamic variables as measured by echocardiography were comprehensively analyzed. To investigate the degree of hemolysis and pulmonary hypertension, level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Doppler estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) were used respectively. RESULTS: Level of LDH was not related to PVL perimeter and was variable, especially in patients with a small PVL. However, it was positively correlated with mean mitral regurgitation velocity. Additionally, SPAP was significantly correlated with PVL perimeter and LA calcium score. In multivariable analysis, mean mitral regurgitation velocity was significantly correlated with levels of LDH (ß = 0.345; p = 0.016), and PVL perimeter and LA calcium score were independently associated with SPAP (ß = 0.249; p = 0.036 and ß = 0.467; p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of mitral PVL and adjacent structures are associated with the severity of hemolysis and pulmonary hypertension. Evaluating the structural and functional characteristics of mitral PVL by complementary multimodal imaging would be important for understanding the clinical presentation and deciding optimal treatments for individual patients.

Impact of Hospital Volume of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) on In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Based on the 2014 Cohort of the Korean Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (K-PCI) Registry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between the hospital percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) volumes and the in-hospital clinical outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains the subject of debate. This study aimed to determine whether the in-hospital clinical outcomes of patients with AMI in Korea are significantly associated with hospital PCI volumes. METHODS: We selected and analyzed 17,121 cases of AMI, that is, 8,839 cases of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 8,282 cases of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, enrolled in the 2014 Korean percutaneous coronary intervention (K-PCI) registry. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to hospital annual PCI volume, that is, to a high-volume group (≥400/year) or a low-volume group (<400/year). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) were defined as composites of death, cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, stroke, and need for urgent PCI during index admission after PCI. RESULTS: Rates of MACCE and non-fatal MI were higher in the low-volume group than in the high-volume group (MACCE: 10.9% vs. 8.6%, p=0.001; non-fatal MI: 4.8% vs. 2.6%, p=0.001, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed PCI volume did not independently predict MACCE. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital PCI volume was not found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients with AMI included in the 2014 K-PCI registry.

Purulent pericarditis: subdiaphragmatic suppurative focus.

Purulent pericarditis is defined as a localized pericardial infection with gross pus formation in the pericardial space. Although purulent pericarditis is now rare in the antibiotic era, it may be life-threatening. We describe a rare case of purulent pericarditis that originated from a subdiaphragmatic suppurative focus in an immunocompromised host.

Late complication of the Nuss procedure: recurrent cardiac tamponade.

Pectus excavatum (PE) is known as one of the most common congenital deformities of the anterior chest wall. The Nuss procedure is an effective surgical therapy to correct PE. Here, we report a case of recurrent cardiac tamponade due to hemopericardium that occurred after 16 months following the Nuss procedure. The cause of recurrent hemopericardium was thought to be local, repetitive irritation of the pericardium by the Nuss steel bar. We should keep in mind that this serious complication can occur after the Nuss procedure, even in the late phase.

Prevalence, Characteristics, and Clinical Significance of Concomitant Cardiomyopathies in Subjects with Bicuspid Aortic Valves.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and clinical significance of concomitant specific cardiomyopathies in subjects with bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1186 adults with BAV (850 males, mean age 56±14 years) at a single tertiary center were comprehensively reviewed. Left ventricular non-compaction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were confirmed when patients fulfilled current clinical and echocardiographic criteria. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, including comorbidities, heart failure presentation, BAV morphology, function, and aorta phenotypes, in BAV subjects with or without specific cardiomyopathies were compared. RESULTS: Overall, 67 subjects (5.6%) had concomitant cardiomyopathies: 40 (3.4%) patients with left ventricular non-compaction, 17 (1.4%) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and 10 (0.8%) with dilated cardiomyopathy. BAV subjects with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had higher prevalences of diabetes mellitus and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and tended to have type 0 phenotype, while BAV subjects with dilated cardiomyopathy showed higher prevalences of chronic kidney disease and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. BAV subjects with left ventricular non-compaction were significantly younger and predominantly male, and had greater BAV dysfunction and a higher prevalence of normal aorta shape. In multiple regression analysis, cardiomyopathy was independently associated with heart failure (odds ratio 2.795, 95% confidential interval 1.603-4.873, p<0.001) after controlling for confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Concomitant cardiomyopathies were observed in 5.6% of subjects with BAV. A few different clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were found. The presence of cardiomyopathy was independently associated with heart failure.

Corrigendum: Hemorheologic Alterations in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Presented with an Acute Myocardial Infarction.

This corrects the article on p. 155 in vol. 42, PMID: 29676545.

Hemorheologic Alterations in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Presented with an Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Hemorheologic indices are known to be related to vascular complications in variable clinical settings. However, little is known about the associations between hemorheologic parameters and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the changes of hemorheologic environment inside of blood using hemorheologic parameters, especially the elongation index (EI) and critical shear stress (CSS) in diabetics with versus without AMI. METHODS: A total of 195 patients with T2DM were enrolled. Patients were divided into the study group with AMI (AMI+, n=77) and control group (AMI-, n=118) who had no history of coronary artery disease. Hemorheologic parameters such as EI and CSS were measured and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The EI was lower (30.44%±1.77% in AMI+ and 31.47%±1.48% in AMI-, P<0.001) but the level of CSS was higher (316.13±108.20 mPa in AMI+ and 286.80±85.34 mPa in AMI-, P=0.040) in the AMI+. The CSS was significantly related to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (R²=0.497, P<0.001) and use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (R²=0.574, P=0.048). CONCLUSION: Diabetics with AMI resulted in adverse hemorheologic changes with lower EI and higher CSS compared to diabetic subjects without AMI. Evaluation of the hemorheologic parameters may provide valuable supplementary information for managing patients with AMI and T2DM.

Acute left main coronary artery thrombosis as an initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) thrombosis is rare and the cause should be determined. A previously healthy young man presented with severe chest pain and dyspnea. The electrocardiogram showed typical ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with clinical instability. Emergency coronary angiography revealed complete LMCA occlusion by thrombosis. After reperfusion, the patient was admitted to the cardiac care unit. He was diagnosed with hemolytic anemia and tested positive for antinuclear antibodies. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and LMCA disease due to systemic thrombosis were diagnosed. Steroids were started and the patient was discharged without complications. We report this rare case of LMCA thrombosis as an initial presentation of SLE.