Comparison of 2-Dimensional, 3-Dimensional, and Surgical Measurements of the Tricuspid Annulus Size: Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND: Associated tricuspid annuloplasty is recommended during left-heart valve surgery when the tricuspid annulus (TA) is dilated but methodology for the measurement of TA size and thresholds for TA enlargement are not clearly defined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Measurement of the TA diameter (TAD) was prospectively performed using 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) in 282 patients in 4 different views (parasternal long axis, parasternal short axis, apical 4-chamber [A4C], and subcostal). TAD was also measured using 3D-transesophageal echocardiography in 183 patients (long axis), peroperatively in 120 patients who underwent a tricuspid valve surgery and using TTE (A4C) in 66 healthy volunteers. TAD was significantly different between the 4 2D-TTE views (3.85±0.58, 3.87±0.61, 4.02±0.69, and 3.92±0.65 cm, respectively; P<0.0001) but differences were small and the A4C was the most feasible (76%, 65%, 92%, and 73%, respectively; P<0.0001) and offered the highest reproducibility. TAD measured in A4C view was smaller than when measured by 3D-transesophageal echocardiography (3.90±0.63 versus 4.33±0.62 cm; P<0.0001) but correlation was excellent (r=0.84; P<0.0001) with a systematic 4-mm underestimation. In contrast, 2D-TTE measurements were significantly smaller and only modestly correlated to surgical measurements (4.11±0.61 versus 4.37±0.75 cm; P<0.0001; r=0.57; P<0.0001) which were poorly reproducible. In healthy volunteers, we suggested 42 mm or 23 mm/m(2) as pathological values for the TAD in A4C. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of the TAD using 2D-TTE in A4C were highly feasible and reproducible and despite being systematically smaller than 3D measurements, accurately reflected the degree of TA enlargement as assessed using 3D transesophageal echocardiography. We proposed the thresholds that may be used in future prospective studies to demonstrate whether a preventive strategy would improve the outcome.

How should I treat prosthetic tricuspid stenosis in an extreme surgical risk patient?

BACKGROUND: A 64-year-old female with rheumatic heart disease and multiple prior valve replacements presented with progressive oedema, ascites and dyspnoea on exertion. INVESTIGATION: Physical examination, transthoracic echocardiography, intracardiac echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography, right heart cathetherisation, computed tomography. DIAGNOSIS: She had a mitral homograft and Physio ring in the tricuspid position, and presented with severe bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis (mean gradient 16 mmHg) and right-sided heart failure. TREATMENT: A transcatheter 26 mm Edwards SAPIEN valve was placed in the tricuspid position, resulting in near normalisation of tricuspid valve gradient. This represents the first report of a combined valve-in-ring (VIR) and valve in a homograft valve (VIV) SAPIEN implantation.

Role of radiolabelled leucocyte scintigraphy in patients with a suspicion of prosthetic valve endocarditis and inconclusive echocardiography.

AIMS: In patients with a suspicion of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), detection of perivalvular infection can be difficult based only on echocardiography. The aim of this retrospective study was to test the interest of radiolabelled leucocyte scintigraphy (LS) for the detection of perivalvular infection in patients with a suspicion of PVE and inconclusive transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). METHODS AND RESULTS: LS was performed in 42 patients. The results of LS were classified as positive in the cardiac area (intense or mild), or negative. Macroscopical aspects and bacteriology were obtained from patients who underwent cardiac surgery (n = 10). Clinical outcome was collected in patients treated medically (n = 32). Among patients with intense signal with LS who underwent surgery (n = 6), five had an abscess confirmed during intervention and one, post-operatively. Patients with intense accumulation of radiolabelled leucocytes with scintigraphy and treated medically (n = 3) had a poor outcome: death (n = 1); prosthetic valve dehiscence (n = 1); and recurrent endocarditis (n = 1). Among patients with mild activity with LS (n = 5), one patient developed a large prosthetic valve dehiscence during the follow-up. The remaining four patients were treated medically and did not present any recurrent endocarditis after a median follow-up of 14 months. No abscess was detected in patients with negative LS who underwent surgery (n = 4). Among the patients with negative LS treated medically (n = 24), none presented recurrent endocarditis after a mean follow-up of 15 ± 16 months. Patient management was influenced by the results of LS in 12 out of 42 patients (29%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that LS is useful for the identification of perivalvular infection in patients with a suspicion of PVE and inconclusive TEE.

Right papillary muscle sling: proof of concept and pilot clinical experience.

OBJECTIVES: Left-sided intraventricular remodelling by papillary muscle approximation associated with annuloplasty of the mitral valve improved outcomes for severe functional mitral regurgitation compared with annuloplasty alone. We conceived of, and studied, a papillary muscle sling on the right side of the heart associated with annuloplasty, seeking to reduce tricuspid valve tethering and right ventricular volumes and to preserve ventricular function. METHODS: An experimental model on ex vivo porcine hearts established the anatomical feasibility of the procedure. A first-in-man clinical series of 5 patients (3 men) with a mean age of 63.3 years (51-73) had mean right ventricular volumes of 320 ml (280-350) and 200 ml (155-250) in diastole and systole, respectively, and an ejection fraction of 30% (25-40). The mean pulmonary artery pressure was 60 mmHg (55-70), and all had Grade IV/IV tricuspid regurgitation (TR). RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. Post-repair, magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiographic studies showed mean right ventricle volumes of 165 ml (155-180) and 124 ml (110-140) in diastole and systole, respectively, and an ejection fraction of 28% (25-35) (P = 0.03). TR was <2, gradient across tricuspid valve was ≤ 4 mmHg and there was no right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. All patients were in New York Heart Association Class ≤ 2. CONCLUSION: Intraventricular remodelling with a papillary muscle sling is safe and feasible on the right heart. Short-term follow-up shows that it ameliorates clinical functional status and improves valve competency through reduced tension and tethering of tricuspid leaflets.

Surgical management of patients with Marfan syndrome: evolution throughout the years.

AIM: To evaluate the evolution of surgical management in a large population of patients with Marfan syndrome. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients fulfilling the Ghent criteria for Marfan syndrome, who visited the Centre de référence national pour le syndrome de Marfan et apparentés and underwent a surgical event before or during follow-up in the centre. RESULTS: One thousand and ninety-seven patients with Marfan syndrome, according to international criteria, came to the clinic between 1996 and 2010. Aortic surgery was performed in 249 patients (22.7%; 20 children and 229 adults), including the Bentall procedure in 140 patients (56%) and valve-sparing surgery in 88 patients (35%); a supracoronary graft was performed in 19 patients (7.6%), usually for aortic dissection. During the past 20 years, the predominant reason for aortic surgery has switched from aortic dissection to aortic dilatation, while age at surgery has tended to increase (from 32.4 ± 11.9 years to 35.2 ± 12.4 years; P=0.075). Mitral valve surgery was performed in 61 patients (5.6%; six children and 55 adults), including 37 valvuloplasties (60.6%) and 18 mitral valve replacements (29.5%). No significant difference was observed when comparing mitral valve surgery before and after 2000. CONCLUSION: Surgery performed in patients with Marfan syndrome has switched from emergency surgery for aortic dissection to elective surgery for aortic dilatation; this is associated with surgery performed at an older age despite the indication for surgery having decreased from 60mm to 50mm. No significant evolution was observed for mitral valve surgery.

Unusual presentation of cryolife O'Brien(R) stentless aortic valve bioprosthesis dysfunction mimicking infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: We previously reported a possible but unusual prosthetic-valve infective endocarditis (PV-IE) occurring on a Cryolife O'Brien Stentless Porcine Xenograft (CLOB) (anatomic damages suggestive of IE but negative inflammatory and microbiological markers). We reviewed all cases of aortic PV-IE admitted in our institution and compared the clinical presentation, bacteriological and echocardiographic features according to the type of prosthesis. METHODS: Sixty consecutive cases with possible or definite aortic PV-IE (23 CLOB, 26 mechanical valve and 11 stented bioprosthesis) were admitted between 2002 and 2008. RESULTS: Patients with CLOB had more prosthetic dehiscence (P = 0.006) and severe regurgitation (P = 0.01) than those with mechanical or stented prosthetic valves. In contrast, they had less fever (P = 0.003), lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (P = 0.02) and more frequently negative blood cultures (P = 0.08). Differences were due to seven patients who presented with no fever, low CRP, negative blood culture, negative valve culture and PCR when performed, despite echocardiographic features suggestive of IE (abscess or valve dehiscence). All were first operated on since 2004 when the manufacturing process changed and required a second surgery. The French Authority of Health was informed leading to the withdrawal of the CLOB from the market in 2010. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of patients with CLOB admitted for possible or definite PV-IE presented with anatomic damages suggestive of IE but with negative inflammatory and microbiological markers. The exact aetiology remains unclear, but the present data have led to the worldwide withdrawal of prosthesis in 2010. A close follow-up of patients implanted with CLOB should be advised, especially if it has been manufactured since 2004.

Transfemoral implantation of an Edwards SAPIEN valve in a tricuspid bioprosthesis without fluoroscopic landmarks.

AIMS: We describe the first report of an Edwards SAPIEN valve implanted in a tricuspid bioprosthesis from the femoral vein. We highlight the feasibility of this previously avoided approach and the techniques involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 61-year-old woman with multiple valve replacements for rheumatic heart disease presented with NHYA IV dyspnoea secondary to a severely stenosed tricuspid bioprosthesis. After failed aggressive medical therapy and surgical turn down, an Edwards SAPIEN XT valve was deployed in the tricuspid bioprosthesis via the right femoral vein. Adaptations to the standard transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) technique included: (1) crossing the tricuspid bioprosthesis with a balloon floatation catheter; (2) temporary pacing wire in the coronary sinus rather than the right ventricle; (3) mounting of the SAPIEN XT valve in the reverse orientation to transfemoral TAVI; and (4) fine positioning of the final valve position pre-deployment by 3D transoesophageal echocardiography (3D TOE) alone due to complete radiolucency of the tricuspid bioprosthesis. The procedure was completed without complication and resulted in significant symptomatic improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of an Edwards SAPIEN valve in a tricuspid bioprosthesis via the femoral vein is feasible and, with careful adaptations to established TAVI techniques, can be performed without complications and with good clinical response.

The papillary muscle sling for ischemic mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate long-term stability of mitral repair and reverse remodeling in patients with severe ischemic left ventricular dysfunction and functional mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Since June 2000, a total of 37 patients with ischemic functional mitral regurgitation have benefited from a double-level mitral repair that comprises an intraventricular peripapillary muscle sling completed by a classic intra-atrial mitral annuloplasty ring (mean age, 56 years; left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, 70 +/- 0 mm; left ventricular end-systolic diameter, 55 +/- 5.6 mm; ejection fraction, 15% to 45%; pulmonary hypertension > 60 in all patients; all were in New York Heart Association class III-IV). All patients had both papillary muscles encircled with a 4-mm polytetrafluoroethylene tube, correcting their lateral and downward displacement. Annuloplasty rings were moderately undersized or normal. Efficiency was evaluated on mitral stability, ventricular parameters, and functional status. According to the Leyden algorithm based on preoperative end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular diameters, only a minority of our patients were expected to experience reverse remodeling. RESULTS: Regurgitation is none to trivial in 31 and mild to moderate in 4. Follow-up (3-84 months; mean, 55 +/- 22 months) shows stability of all initially successful double-level mitral repairs. Follow-up beyond 1 year shows improvements in ventricular diameters (56 +/- 5 mm), ejection fraction (49 +/- 6), volume (130 +/- 10 mL), and sphericity index (0.55). Two patients died during follow-up and 1 underwent transplantation. CONCLUSION: Reapproximating the papillary muscles has an immediate effect on mitral leaflet mobility by suppressing the tethering resulting from displacement of the papillary muscles. It has an effect in preventing recurrent mitral regurgitation by avoiding further papillary muscle displacement. In this cohort of severely disabled patients, reverse remodeling can be expected with the double-level repair.

Bartonella endocarditis complicating congenital heart disease.

The present report describes a case of Bartonella henselae endocarditis affecting an adolescent with congenital heart disease. A teenager from Eastern Europe was referred to for surgical treatment of aortic endocarditis. She admitted close contact with cats. Blood culture was negative. Diagnosis of B henselae was established on direct PCR amplification and 16SrRNA gene sequencing of the aortic valve tissue and confirmed after 4 weeks by valve culture isolate. The patient underwent extended root replacement (the Ross-Konno operation) with a favourable outcome.

Redo aortic root surgery for failure of an aortic homograft is a major technical challenge.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic homografts offer many advantages over prosthetic valves. However, homograft dysfunction due to degeneration or infection may lead to reoperation. Aortic valve replacement in patients who have undergone previous aortic root replacement with an aortic homograft remains a technical challenge. To assess reoperation events a retrospective review was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to October 2006, 20 consecutive patients (38.8+/-14.9 years old) underwent repeat surgery for aortic homograft failure. RESULTS: Reoperation was performed 7.2+/-3.5 years after implantation of the aortic homograft as a root. Indication was homograft degeneration (n=18 [90%]) and endocarditis (n=2 [10%]). In patients with major homograft wall calcifications or endocarditis, nine aortic root reconstructions were performed (Bentall procedure n=7; homograft implantation n=2). Each homograft was dissected with electrical cauterization and removed 'en-bloc' sparing the coronary buttons. In case of flexible homograft wall, stented prostheses (mechanical n=10, bioprosthesis n=1) were implanted along the homograft annulus. Additional procedures consisted of mitral valve replacements (n=8), tricuspid repairs (n=4), Konno procedure (n=1) and coronary bypass (n=5). Perioperative complications occurred in seven (35%) patients: sternal re-entry accident (n=2); reoperations for mediastinitis (n=1) or bleeding (n=2); renal insufficiency (n=1); total heart block (n=1). No association was found between operative procedures and postoperative complications (Fisher's exact test). Two patients (10%) died from multiorgan failure in the early postoperative period. In total, 94.4% of the survivors remained free from reoperation at 74 months. CONCLUSION: Reoperation on patients with an aortic homograft as a root presents a relatively high perioperative morbidity. The surgical strategy depends on the degree of homograft wall calcification.

A multi-perforated man: asymptomatic ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm associated with an atrial and ventricular septal defect.

We report the case of an exceptional association of a right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) ruptured into the right ventricle, a supracristal ventricular septal defect (VSD) and an atrial septal defect (ASD). Our patient was totally asymptomatic and the diagnosis was established by echocardiography. The patient underwent prompt surgery that consisted in closing the aneurysm and the VSD with a pericardium patch.

An experimental method for the percutaneous induction of a posterolateral infarct and functional ischemic mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Appropriate experimental models are needed to study the mechanisms underlying left ventricular (LV) remodeling and functional ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). Herein is described an original percutaneous method for inducing a well-defined posterolateral infarct and significant IMR. METHODS: Under videofluoroscopic guidance, the second (OM2) and third (OM3) obtuse marginal branches of the circumflex artery of six sheep were selectively and sequentially injected with 100% ethyl alcohol. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed before and after alcohol injection, and weekly until sacrifice at 8 +/- 1.3 weeks. The LV endsystolic (LVESD) and end-diastolic (LVEDD) dimensions, interpapillary distance (M1-M2), mitral annulus diameter (MA), and degree of IMR and ischemic tricuspid regurgitation (ITR) were measured. RESULTS: One animal died from irreversible ventricular fibrillation. In the remaining sheep, a well-defined posterolateral infarct of 22% of the heart mass resulted, followed by 2.8 + IMR and 2.1+ ITR. The mean weight gain was 16%, and all sheep showed signs of heart failure. All echocardiographic parameters were increased: systolic MA by 29%, diastolic MA by 18%, LVEDD by 33%, LVESD by 62%, M1-M2 diastolic by 32%, M1-M2 systolic by 21%, and tethering and tenting distances by 32% and 108%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous selective injection of 100% ethyl alcohol in OM2 and OM3 resulted in a well-defined posterolateral infarct and significant IMR and ITR. Because it was a percutaneous procedure, this novel, simple and reproducible method did not require a thoracotomy. This model should facilitate the further study of LV remodeling and IMR.

The Stentless Cryo-Life O'Brien porcine aortic valve at 10 years.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: If stentless devices--with their physiological advantages--are to remain attractive, their long-term durability must equate with that of reference stented valves. METHODS: Between August 1991 and August 2001, 650 patients (mean age 72.0+/-4.2 years) received a Cryo-Life O'Brien Stentless aortic porcine bioprosthesis. The mean follow up was 4.6 years; total follow up was 2,644 patient-years (pt-yr). Among patients, 79% were in NYHA classes III-IV. Calcific aortic stenosis accounted for 93% of patients, who were predominantly female (75%), with associated coronary surgery in 19% and mitral surgery in 10.3%. Follow up was based on serial echocardiography, referring cardiologists' reports, and direct home telephone calls. Data were gathered over a six-month period. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 8.1% (n = 51). Of these deaths, 2.7% were in isolated cases (mean age 72.0+/-4.2 years) and 14% with associated procedures (mean age 77.0+/-5.3 years). There were 103 late deaths (3.9% per pt-yr). Valve-related complications included 14 deaths (linearized rate 0.52% per pt-yr), reoperation in 22 (0.8% per pt-yr), eight operated valvular endocarditis (0.3% per pt-yr), two valve thrombosis (0.07% per pt-yr), 11 embolic events (0.3% per pt-yr), and 14 anticoagulant-related bleeding (0.52% per pt-yr). Actuarial survival was 76+/-6% at 10 years, with a freedom from structural deterioration of 99.75% in patients aged > or =65 years (mean age 76+/-8 years), and 86% in patients aged <65 years (mean age 44+/-15 years). The gradients remained low, and the echocardiographic aspect was close to that of a normal valve. CONCLUSION: At 10 years, the Cryo-Life O'Brien Stentless provided excellent results in terms of durability associated with all the stentless advantages relating to physiology--gradients, orifice areas, and mass regression--that translate into an appropriately adapted left ventricular exertion profile.

Contemporary results of mitral valve repair for infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the feasibility and immediate and late results of mitral valve repair (MVRep) for acute and healed endocarditis. BACKGROUND: Improvements in techniques of MVRep have extended its feasibility in complex lesions, but experience with endocarditis is limited. METHODS: Among 78 patients operated on for mitral endocarditis between 1990 and 1999, 63 underwent MVRep. The repair was performed for acute endocarditis in 25 patients (40%) at a median of 20 days after the onset of treatment and in 38 patients (60%) for healed endocarditis after a median of 11 months. RESULTS: Repair of the mitral valve was feasible in 63 patients (81%). This repair involved annuloplasty in 61 patients (97%), valve resection in 49 (78%), shortening or transposition of chordae in 29 (46%), suture of perforation in 18 (29%), a pericardial patch in 12 (19%), and a partial mitral homograft in 7 (11%). Associated procedures were aortic valve replacement in 11 patients, bypass grafting in 3, and tricuspid repair in 2. Early complications were two deaths (3.2%), one re-operation for severe mitral regurgitation and one re-operation for subsequent aortic endocarditis. The seven-year rate of event-free survival was 78 +/- 6% in the global series. Multivariate predictors of event-free survival were hypertension (p < 0.006) and intervention for acute endocarditis (p < 0.026). Five-year survival rates were 96 +/- 4% after MVRep for acute endocarditis and 91 +/- 5% for healed endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair is frequently feasible and gives good results in patients with infective endocarditis. Patients operated on for acute endocarditis experience more events during follow-up than those operated on after healed endocarditis but have excellent late survival.

A new aortoventriculoplasty for prosthetic aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Konno aortoventriculoplasty demands a complex double patch reconstruction of left and right ventricular outflow tracts and is subjected to a risk of permanent heart block. A modified technique was used to overcome these difficulties. Patient and methods A 42-year-old woman with congenital aortic stenosis, a diminutive aortic annulus, and severe subaortic muscular obstruction had undergone aortic valve commissurotomy 24 years ago. At reoperation, a 19-mm St Jude Medical sizer had a very tight fit after removal of the calcified aortic valve. To enlarge the aortic annulus and septum, the pulmonary artery valve was first partly separated from the right ventricle, exposing the interventricular septum. The aortic wall, annulus, and septum were then split along the intercoronary commissure, a location that clears the aortoventriculoplasty from the path of the major conducting tissue. Once the septum was reconstructed with a Dacron patch, the enlarged orifice accepted a St Jude Medical Flex 23. The mobilized pulmonary artery valve was then sutured back to its original position, only changed by the width of the septal Dacron patch. RESULT: Discharge echocardiogram recorded a 7 mm Hg mean transprosthetic gradient with a normally functioning pulmonary valve. The electrocardiogram showed permanent sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS: The described aortoventriculoplasty has several advantages, including: a simple exposure obtained by partly separating the pulmonary artery valve from the right ventricle; clear septal opening landmarks that avoid the conducting tissue; easy reconstruction with a single septal patch; and an anatomically restored right ventricular outflow tract.