Redo Scoring for Prediction of Success of Redo-Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty in Patients with Mitral Restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiographic predictors of redo-percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (redo-PBMV) have not been well studied, and indications are based mainly on Wilkins score. The study aim was to evaluate the immediate results of redo-PMBV and to introduce a simplified redo-score to predict the success of redo-PBMV. METHODS: Two cohorts of symptomatic patients (derivation group, n = 218; validation group, n = 100) who had undergone redo-PBMV at a mean of 8.1 ± 2.9 years after a first successful PBMV were enrolled in the study. The mean Wilkins scores were 8.5 ± 1.7 in the derivation group and 8.4 ± 1.8 in the validation group. PBMV was performed using a multi-track technique. Independent echocardiographic predictors of outcome were assigned a points value: mitral valve area ≤1.0 cm2 (2 points), posterior mitral valve leaflet length (PMVL)/anterior mitral valve leaflet length (AMVL) ratio ≤1/2 (2 points), doming distance ≤12 mm (3 points), mitral annular calcification (mild = 1 point; moderate = 2 points; severe = 3 points), commissural status (no fusion = 0 points; uni-fusion = 2 points; bi-fusion = 3 points) and chordal length ≤10 mm (2 points). RESULTS: The minimum score was 5 and the maximum was 13. A receiver operating curve analysis showed the redo score to be highly significant in predicting redo-PBMV immediate results. The cut-off value of redo score to predict a favorable outcome was ≤8, with a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 85% in the derivation cohort, and a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 83% in the validation cohort. A Wilkins score ≤8 had a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 59% in the derivation cohort, while sensitivity was 70% and specificity 62% in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The described scoring system was significantly more predictive than the Wilkins score, and was particularly valuable in predicting outcome in patients with a prior PBMV. It may serve as a satisfactory scoring system for correctly selecting patients with mitral restenosis for PBMV.

Usefulness of the Global Echo-Doppler Score (GEDS) in selection of patients with mitral stenosis for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to create a novel modified score by combining anatomic and hemodynamic Doppler-echocardiographic measures for selection of suitable patients with mitral stenosis for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) and its impact in prediction of outcome. METHODS: 262 consecutive patients candidate for PBMV were enrolled. Wilkins score and a global score based on anatomical parameters (Wilkins score, posterior to anterior mitral leaflet ratio [PMVL/AMVL ratio]; left atrial diameter [LAD]) and hemodynamic parameters (mitral regurgitation [MR]; atrioventricular compliance [CN]; systolic pulmonary artery pressure [SPAP]) were assessed. Patients were classified into two groups according to their outcomes. RESULTS: Global Echo-Doppler Score (GEDS) for patients with favorable vs. those with unfavorable outcomes was (5.0 ± 0.9 vs. 8.9 ± 1.3; p < 0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a GEDS ≥ 7 for prediction of cardiac events were 97.5%, 88%, and 97.5%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.95 (p < 0.001). The correlation coefficient was 0.852 (p < 0.0001) for GEDS 0.531 (p < 0.002), for Wilkins score 0.315 (p < 0.02), for PMVL/AMVL 0.460 (p < 0.01), for LAD; MR: Pre-PBMV (r = 0.348, p < 0.03); CN [mL/mm Hg] (r = 0.579, p < 0.01) and SPAP [mm Hg] (r = 0.499, p < 0.01). In the regression analysis, GEDS, Wilkins score, and LAD were entered into the model. The regression coefficient (r = 0.695) of GEDS was much higher than those of the other 2 factors. CONCLUSIONS: GEDS is an independent predictor of PBMV success and clinical outcome and may be formulated in a scoring system that would help to identify the proper timing and best candidates for PBMV.

Delayed blood pressure recovery ratio and its relation to endothelial function and left ventricular diastolic function in prediabetics.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial function plays a key role in determining the clinical manifestations of established atherosclerotic lesions and has shown to be associated with suppressed sympathetic tone. Abnormal heart rate recovery (HRR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) response during recovery has been found to have diagnostic role for detecting cardiovascular risk. AIM: To investigate whether with abnormal HRR and delayed SBP recovery ratio after exercise could predict endothelial dysfunction in prediabetic subjects. METHODS: Ninety-two prediabetic patients underwent brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) test and a maximal exercise stress test. Seventy-eight healthy subjects served as a control group. HRR at 1 minute (HRR1 ) and SBP recovery ratio (SBPRR3 ) was defined as the SBP at minute 3 of recovery divided by SBP at peak exercise. Left ventricular diastolic function was assessed utilizing both conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Flow-mediated dilatation was significantly decreased in prediabetics versus controls (P < 0.0001). Isovolumetric relaxation time and E/E' were significantly increased in prediabetics (P < 0.01 and <0.001). Delayed SBPRR3 was significantly correlated with impaired endothelial function and (E/E') in prediabetics (r = 0.62, P < 0.001 and r = 0.56, P < 0.001, respectively). Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that HRR1 and SBPRR3 were significant predictors of endothelial dysfunction (r = 0.61, r(2) = 0.37, P < 0.01 and r = 0.51; r(2) = 27; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal HRR1 and delayed SBP response detected during recovery imply a significant correlation with impaired endothelial function and diastolic dysfunction in prediabetics.

Associations of fractional pulse pressure to aortic stiffness and their impact on diastolic function and coronary flow reserve in asymptomatic diabetic patients with normal coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the relation of fractional pulse pressure (PPf) to aortic stiffness index and their impact on coronary flow reserve (CFR) and left ventricular diastolic function in asymptomatic diabetic patients. METHODS: One hundred and thirty five consecutive asymptomatic diabetic patients (aged 48.8 ± 7.84 years), were included. CFR was calculated noninvasively using transthoracic echo-Doppler assessment with hyperemia induced by infusion of dipyridamole at a rate of 0.56 mg/kg over 4 min. PPf was calculated as pulse pressure divided by mean arterial pressure (SBP - DBP/MAP), while diastolic function was evaluated by means of transmitral flow and tissue Doppler imaging. Aortic stiffness indices (ASI) were measured as previously described. RESULTS: Diabetic patients with low CFR (n = 52) compared with those with normal CFR (n = 83) exhibited significantly increased PPf (75.2 ± 11.4 vs. 64.5 ± 6.7, p < 0.001). PPf was significantly correlated with ASI (r = 0.520, p < 0.001), E/Em ratio (r = 0.425,p < 0.001) and left atrial volume index (r = 0.462, p < 0.001). CFR was negatively correlated with both PPf (r = -0.68, p < 0.0001). After applying multivariate linear regression analysis,after correction for cardiovascular risk factors, importantly, PPf and ASI remained significant predictors of CFR (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PPf was significantly correlated to ASI in asymptomatic diabetic patients. Likewise, increased PPf was associated with impaired CFR and subclinical diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients. PPf could be utilized as a simple non-invasive predictor of occult atherosclerosis and diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients.

The relation of aortic stiffness and in-stent restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary stenting.

BACKGROUND: There is a suggestion that increased aortic stiffness can be the early manifestations of the atherosclerosis process and is related to decrease coronary flow after coronary stenting. We aimed to evaluate whether aortic stiffness could predict occurrence of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and its relation to coronary flow reserve (CFR) after coronary artery stenting. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population included 126 patients with single vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bare-metal stenting and at least 12 months of follow-up. All patients underwent noninvasive aortic stiffness index (ASI) assessment before stenting and coronary flow assessment 1 month after stenting. Clinical ISR was observed in 29 (23%) patients, whereas 97 patients remained free of signs or symptoms of recurrent ischemia. ASI was significantly higher in patients with coronary artery disease versus control subjects, and it is significantly increased in patients with restenosis versus those without restenosis (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between ASI and CFR (P = 0.0001). The ASI was significantly correlated with C-reactive protein (r = 0.395, P < 0.03). On univariate and multivariate analysis, ASI was the strongest predictor of restenosis (OR 6.8, 95% CI 2.6-13.5). CONCLUSIONS: Increased aortic stiffness was an independent predictor of poststenting impaired coronary flow and occurrence of ISR in patients undergoing PCI. Evaluation of aortic stiffness may represent a useful screening tool to stratify patients according to future risk of restenosis.