Computed Simulation of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair - A Proof of Concept Study.

AIMS: As transcatheter mitral valve (MV) interventions are expanding and more device types and sizes become available, a tool supporting operators in preprocedural planning and the clinical decision-making process is highly desirable. We sought to develop a finite element (FE) computational simulation model to predict results of transcatheter edge-to-edge (TEER) interventions. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) referred for a clinically indicated TEER. Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiograms performed at the beginning of the procedure were used to perform the simulation. On the 3D dynamic model of the MV that was first obtained, we simulated the clip implantation using the same clip(s) type, size, number, and implantation location that was used during the intervention. The 3D model of the MV obtained after simulation of the clip implantation was compared to the clinical results obtained at the end of the intervention. We analyzed the degree and location of residual MR and the shape and area of the diastolic mitral valve area. We performed computational simulation on 5 patients. Overall, the simulated models predicted well the degree and location of the residual regurgitant orifice(s) but tended to underestimate the diastolic mitral orifice area. CONCLUSIONS: In this proof-of-concept study, we present preliminary results on our algorithm simulating clip implantation in 5 patients with functional MR. We show promising results regarding the feasibility and accuracy in terms of predicting residual MR and the need to improve the estimation of the diastolic mitral valve area.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair for inotrope dependent cardiogenic shock - Design and rationale of the CAPITAL MINOS trial.

BACKGROUND: Functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is an important clinical consideration in patients with heart failure. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has emerged as a useful therapeutic tool for patients with chronic heart failure, however the role of TEER in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) and MR has not yet been studied in a randomized trial. The Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair for Inotrope Dependent Cardiogenic Shock (CAPITAL MINOS) trial was therefore designed to determine if TEER improves clinical outcomes in the CS population. METHODS AND DESIGN: The CAPITAL MINOS trial is an open-label, multi-center randomized clinical trial comparing TEER to medical therapy in patients with CS and MR. A total of 144 patients with Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) class C or D CS and at least 3+ MR will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to TEER or medical therapy alone. The primary outcome will be a composite of in-hospital all-cause mortality, cardiac transplantation, implantation of durable left ventricular assist device, or discharge on palliative inotropic therapy. Patients will be followed for the duration of their index hospitalization for the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include 6 month mortality. IMPLICATIONS: The CAPITAL MINOS trial will determine whether TEER improves outcomes in patients with CS and MR and will be an important step in optimizing treatment for this high-risk patient population.

Impact of sex on outcomes after percutaneous repair of functional mitral valve regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: The role of percutaneous repair of functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is evolving. Left ventricle remodeling is known to be different between men and women; however, outcomes following percutaneous repair of functional MR have not considered the impact of sex. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2018, 175 patients underwent percutaneous repair of functional MR with the Mitra Clip NT/NTR (Abbott) at our institution. Patients were assessed in a dedicated clinic with a follow-up that averaged 0.7 ± 1.2 years and extended to 5.7 years. RESULTS: Men had a larger body surface area than women (p < .001), and were more likely than women to have diabetes preoperatively (p = .02). There were no deaths or instances of single leaflet detachment. Immediate postprocedure MR was ≤2+ in 158 (90%) with a mean trans-mitral valve repair gradient of 3.4 ± 1.0 and 3.5 ± 2.1 mmHg, respectively for women and men (p = .8). One- and 2-year freedom from MR ≥3+ was 86.0 ± 3.5% and 77.6 ± 5.1%, respectively. After adjusting for differences between male and female patients, women were more likely to have recurrent MR ≥3+ (hazard ratio, 4.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-18.4; p = .03). Upon adjusted analysis, there was also no association between gender and survival (p = .2). One- and 2-year survival was 69.8 ± 4.3% and 54.3 ± 5.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Women are more likely to have recurrent severe MR after percutaneous repair of functional MR. The mechanism for this remains undetermined.

Direct Implant of a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Prosthesis for Prosthetic Mitral Valve Endocarditis.

We describe the case of a 64-year-old woman presenting with severe prosthetic mitral valve endocarditis 1 year after coronary artery bypass grafting and double valve replacement. Echocardiogram revealed high-pressure gradients through the bioprosthetic MV with a bulky vegetation. As the patient had presented operative difficulties due to severe mitral annular calcification, was in renal failure, and in the absence of any perivalvular involvement, an open-heart surgical catheter-based valve implantation was successfully performed after removal of the infected leaflets, leaving the stent frame and sewing cuff behind. Albeit controversial, this case represents an alternative approach for select high-risk reoperative mitral cases with mitral annular calcification.

Cet article décrit le cas d'une femme de 64 ans qui a présenté une endocardite sur prothèse mitrale sévère 1 an après avoir subi un pontage aortocoronarien et un double remplacement valvulaire. L'échocardiogramme a mis au jour des gradients de pression élevés dans la bioprothèse mitrale et une végétation volumineuse. Comme la patiente avait souffert de complications opératoires en raison d'une importante calcification annulaire mitrale et qu'elle était en insuffisance rénale, mais que la zone périvalvulaire n'était pas atteinte, une valve a été implantée par cathéter pendant une opération à cœur ouvert, une fois les lames valvulaires infectées retirées; l'endoprothèse et le manchon de suture ont été laissés en place. Bien que cette méthode puisse susciter la controverse, elle offre une solution de rechange dans certains cas, lorsqu'un patient présentant une calcification annulaire mitrale nécessite une nouvelle intervention associée à un risque élevé.

The Association Between Cognitive Performance and Speech-in-Noise Perception for Adult Listeners: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Published studies assessing the association between cognitive performance and speech-in-noise (SiN) perception examine different aspects of each, test different listeners, and often report quite variable associations. By examining the published evidence base using a systematic approach, we aim to identify robust patterns across studies and highlight any remaining gaps in knowledge. We limit our assessment to adult unaided listeners with audiometric profiles ranging from normal hearing to moderate hearing loss. A total of 253 articles were independently assessed by two researchers, with 25 meeting the criteria for inclusion. Included articles assessed cognitive measures of attention, memory, executive function, IQ, and processing speed. SiN measures varied by target (phonemes or syllables, words, and sentences) and masker type (unmodulated noise, modulated noise, >2-talker babble, and ≤2-talker babble. The overall association between cognitive performance and SiN perception was r = .31. For component cognitive domains, the association with (pooled) SiN perception was as follows: processing speed ( r = .39), inhibitory control ( r = .34), working memory ( r = .28), episodic memory ( r = .26), and crystallized IQ ( r = .18). Similar associations were shown for the different speech target and masker types. This review suggests a general association of r≈.3 between cognitive performance and speech perception, although some variability in association appeared to exist depending on cognitive domain and SiN target or masker assessed. Where assessed, degree of unaided hearing loss did not play a major moderating role. We identify a number of cognitive performance and SiN perception combinations that have not been tested and whose future investigation would enable further fine-grained analyses of these relationships.