Prosthesis-patient mismatch after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: prevalence and medium term prognostic impact.

Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) occurs when the effective orifice area of the prosthesis is too small in relation to the patient's body surface area. There are few data available on the frequency and prognostic impact of PPM after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of PPM and to investigate its association with medium-term clinical course of patients undergoing TAVI. We included 185 patients undergoing TAVI (79 ± 5 years, 49% male, 98% CoreValve) between April-2008 and December-2014. The effective orifice area (EOA) was determined by transthoracic echocardiography prior and after the procedure. We defined PPM as indexed EOA ≤ 0.85 cm2/m2 (severe PPM if ≤ 0.65 cm2/m2). All cause death, stroke and hospitalization for heart failure were considered as major clinical events. 45 patients (24%) showed PPM (severe 11 patients, 6%). PPM was associated with a higher EuroSCORE (OR 1.06, IC 95% 1.01-1.12, p = 0.03), body surface area ≥ 1.72 m2 (OR 3.58, IC 95% 1.30-9.87, p = 0.01) and small aortic annulus (OR 0.73, IC 95% 0.55-0.92, p = 0.03); and severe PPM with small prostheses size (OR 17.79, IC 95% 1.87-169.78, p = 0.012). The mean event-free survival was 34 ± 26 months. Patients with severe PPM showed lower rates of event free survival than the rest of the series (52% vs. 84%, p = 0.04) at 34 months follow up. In our series, PPM was present in a quarter of the patients after TAVI. Higher EuroSCORE, smaller prosthesis size, larger body surface area and smaller aortic annulus diameter were associated with PPM. Severe PPM was an independent factor associated with major events at medium-term follow up.

Criterios de gestión de activos tecnológicos de imagen cardiovascular / Criteria for the management of technological assets in cardiovascular imaging

En cardiología, es esencial disponer de tecnología adecuada, actualizada y en buenas condiciones de funcionamiento. En España, el marco económico ha impactado fuertemente en los programas de renovación de tecnología y la obsolescencia es un problema creciente. El actual informe trata de dar respuesta al momento y las condiciones que deben concurrir para plantear la actualización, el reemplazo o la adopción de nuevas tecnologías en el ámbito de la cardiología

Adequate, updated and functional technology is essential in cardiology. In Spain, the economic scenario has strongly impacted technology renewal programs and obsolescence is a growing problem. The current report attempts to describe the current situation and the conditions that must concur to update, replace or adopt new technologies in the field of cardiology

Criteria for the Management of Technological Assets in Cardiovascular Imaging.

Adequate, updated and functional technology is essential in cardiology. In Spain, the economic scenario has strongly impacted technology renewal programs and obsolescence is a growing problem. The current report attempts to describe the current situation and the conditions that must concur to update, replace or adopt new technologies in the field of cardiology.

Modificación de la conducción auriculoventricular tras el implante de prótesis aórtica Core Valve / Atrioventricular conduction changes after corevalve transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Introducción y objetivos: Con frecuencia se producen alteraciones en la conducción tras el implante de una prótesis CoreValve. Se pretende analizar qué cambios se producen en la conducción cardiaca de pacientes con estenosis aórtica tratados con este tipo de prótesis. Métodos: Desde abril de 2008 hasta diciembre de 2013, se seleccionó a 181 pacientes con estenosis aórtica grave tratados con esta prótesis y estudiados mediante electrocardiograma. Se estudió a un subgrupo de 137 pacientes consecutivos (75,7%) mediante electrocardiogramas intracavitarios antes y tras implante protésico. El objetivo principal del estudio es la necesidad de marcapasos definitivo en las primeras 72 h tras el implante protésico. Se analizaron numerosas variables para predecir esta eventualidad. Resultados: Tras el implante, los intervalos PR y QRS se incrementaron de 173 ± 47 a 190 ± 52 ms (p < 0,01) y de 98 ± 22 a 129 ± 24 ms (p < 0,01), mientras que los intervalos AH y HV se alargaron de 95 ± 39 a 108 ± 41 ms (p < 0,01) y de 54 ± 10 a 66 ± 23 ms (p < 0,01). En total, 89 pacientes (49%) presentaron bloqueo de rama izquierda de novo y 33 (25%) precisaron marcapasos en las primeras 72 h. Los predictores independientes de marcapasos fueron el bloqueo de rama derecha basal y la profundidad protésica. Los intervalos intracavitarios carecieron de valor predictivo. Además, 13 pacientes requirieron marcapasos después de las 72 h. Conclusiones: El implante de prótesis CoreValve produce alta incidencia de alteraciones de la conducción; la más frecuente es el bloqueo de rama izquierda; el 25% de los pacientes precisaron marcapasos definitivo. La necesidad de marcapasos se relacionó con el bloqueo de rama derecha basal y la profundidad protésica (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Conduction disturbances often occur after CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The aim was to analyze which cardiac conduction changes occur in patients with aortic stenosis treated with this type of prosthesis. Methods: A total of 181 patients with severe aortic stenosis treated with this prosthesis and studied by electrocardiography between April 2008 and December 2013 were selected. A subgroup of 137 (75.7%) consecutive patients was studied by intracardiac electrocardiogram before and after prosthesis implantation. The primary endpoint of the study was the need for a permanent pacemaker within 72 hours after prosthesis implantation. Numerous variables to predict this possibility were analyzed. Results: Following implantation, PR and QRS intervals were increased from 173 ± 47 ms to 190 ± 52 ms (P < .01) and from 98 ± 22 ms to 129 ± 24 ms (P < .01), whereas the A-H and H-V intervals were prolonged from 95 ± 39 ms to 108 ± 41 ms (P < .01) and from 54 ± 10 ms to 66 ± 23 ms (P < .01). A total of 89 (49%) patients had new-onset left bundle-branch block, and 33 (25%) required a pacemaker within the first 72 hours. The independent predictors for a pacemaker were baseline right bundle-branch block and prosthetic depth. Intracardiac intervals had no predictive value. In addition, 13 patients required a pacemaker after 72 hours. Conclusions: CoreValve prosthesis implantation has a high incidence of conduction disturbance, with left bundle-branch block being the most common. A total of 25% of patients required a permanent pacemaker. The need for a pacemaker was related to baseline right bundle-branch block and prosthetic depth (AU)

Atrioventricular Conduction Changes After CoreValve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Conduction disturbances often occur after CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The aim was to analyze which cardiac conduction changes occur in patients with aortic stenosis treated with this type of prosthesis. METHODS: A total of 181 patients with severe aortic stenosis treated with this prosthesis and studied by electrocardiography between April 2008 and December 2013 were selected. A subgroup of 137 (75.7%) consecutive patients was studied by intracardiac electrocardiogram before and after prosthesis implantation. The primary endpoint of the study was the need for a permanent pacemaker within 72 hours after prosthesis implantation. Numerous variables to predict this possibility were analyzed. RESULTS: Following implantation, PR and QRS intervals were increased from 173±47 ms to 190±52ms (P < .01) and from 98±22ms to 129±24 ms (P < .01), whereas the A-H and H-V intervals were prolonged from 95±39ms to 108±41ms (P < .01) and from 54±10ms to 66±23ms (P < .01). A total of 89 (49%) patients had new-onset left bundle-branch block, and 33 (25%) required a pacemaker within the first 72hours. The independent predictors for a pacemaker were baseline right bundle-branch block and prosthetic depth. Intracardiac intervals had no predictive value. In addition, 13 patients required a pacemaker after 72 hours. CONCLUSIONS: CoreValve prosthesis implantation has a high incidence of conduction disturbance, with left bundle-branch block being the most common. A total of 25% of patients required a permanent pacemaker. The need for a pacemaker was related to baseline right bundle-branch block and prosthetic depth.

Miocardiopatía dilatada idiopática tratada con infusión intracoronaria de células autólogas de médula ósea: seguimiento a largo plazo / Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy treated with intracoronary infusion of autologous bone marrow cells: long-term follow-up

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Measurement of aortic valve annulus using different cardiac imaging techniques in transcatheter aortic valve implantation: agreement with finally implanted prosthesis size.

AIMS: To compare the measurements of the aortic annulus obtained with various imaging techniques in patients with severe aortic stenosis scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, and to determine the grade of agreement between the predicted size of the prosthesis for each technique, and the size of the finally implanted valve. METHODS AND RESULTS: The aortic annulus was measured in 40 patients treated by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (CoreValve aortic valve) with transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), 64-slice tomography, and angiography. A large valve was implanted when annulus was >23 mm and a small one if it was ≤23 mm. If the size of the prosthesis predicted by several techniques was not the same in one case, we selected the size in which more techniques presented agreement. Forty aortic valves, 26 small and 14 large, were implanted percutaneously. The best correlation was obtained with TTE and TEE (r = 0.93, P < 0.001). The correlation of TTE and TEE with angiography also was good (r = 0.58, P < 0.001 and r = 0.53, P < 0.001, respectively). Correlations between these techniques and computed tomography were poor (P = NS for all comparisons). The best agreement between estimated aortic annulus and implanted valve size was obtained with transtoracic and TEE (κ= 0.88 and 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: The aortic annulus measurements obtained by TTE, TEE, and angiography correlated well, while tomography correlated poorly with other techniques. The imaging techniques that showed the best agreement between estimated aortic annulus size and implanted aortic valve size were TTE and TEE.

[Medical treatment of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction]. / Tratamiento médico de la insuficiencia cardiaca por disfunción diastólica.

Diastolic heart failure (i.e., heart failure with preserved systolic function) accounts for 30%-50% of all cases of heart failure. Prognosis is almost as poor as with systolic heart failure. Currently, the only requirements for diagnosis are that strict clinical criteria for heart failure are satisfied and that the left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved (i.e., greater than 40%-50%), although in the future measurement of brain natriuretic peptides could be useful. Because of a lack of evidence from large clinical trials, with the exception of the CHARM study which showed that candesartan slightly reduced the hospital readmission rate, therapy is based on the identification and treatment of the causal condition (e.g., hypertension or coronary heart disease), heart rate control, and relief of congestion. Thus, combination treatment with low-dose diuretics, bradycardiac antihypertensives (e.g., beta-blockers or calcium antagonists), and angiotensin antagonists currently seems to be the best therapeutic approach.

Tratamiento médico de la insuficiencia cardiaca por disfunción diastólica / Medical treatment of heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

La insuficiencia cardiaca diastólica, o con función sistólica conservada, representa entre el 30 y el 50% de todos los casos de insuficiencia cardiaca, y su pronóstico es casi tan desfavorable como el de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca con función sistólica deprimida. En la actualidad sólo se exige para su diagnóstico la presencia de criterios clínicos estrictos de insuficiencia cardiaca y una fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda conservada (> 40-50%), aunque la determinación de las concentraciones de péptidos natriuréticos cerebrales puede tener interés para el diagnóstico en el futuro. Puesto que no hay evidencia derivada de ensayos clínicos importantes, salvo el ligero beneficio obtenido con candesartán en el estudio CHARM en la reducción de los reingresos, su tratamiento se basa en la identificación y el tratamiento de la etiología causal (hipertensión arterial, cardiopatía isquémica), el control de la frecuencia cardiaca y el alivio de la congestión, por lo que la combinación de diuréticos en dosis bajas, antihipertensivos bradicardizantes (bloqueadores beta, antagonistas del calcio) y antagonistas de los receptores de la angiotensina parece en la actualidad la mejor estrategia terapéutica (AU)

Diastolic heart failure (i.e., heart failure with preserved systolic function) accounts for 30%-50% of all cases of heart failure. Prognosis is almost as poor as with systolic heart failure. Currently, the only requirements for diagnosis are that strict clinical criteria for heart failure are satisfied and that the left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved (i.e., greater than 40%-50%), although in the future measurement of brain natriuretic peptides could be useful. Because of a lack of evidence from large clinical trials, with the exception of the CHARM study which showed that candesartan slightly reduced the hospital readmission rate, therapy is based on the identification and treatment of the causal condition (e.g., hypertension or coronary heart disease), heart rate control, and relief of congestion. Thus, combination treatment with low-dose diuretics, bradycardiac antihypertensives (e.g., betablockers or calcium antagonists), and angiotensin antagonists currently seems to be the best therapeutic approach (AU)

[Clinical outcome and reversibility of systolic dysfunction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy due to hypertension and chronic heart failure]. / Evolución clínica y reversibilidad de la disfunción sistólica en pacientes con miocardiopatía dilatada hipertensiva e insuficiencia cardíaca crónica.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There is little information on the clinical and functional course of patients with heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy due to hypertension. The objectives of our study were to assess the clinical and functional course of these patients, and to identify possible predictors of prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We evaluated a series of 49 patients with this condition diagnosed in our hospital from 1994 to 2003. Mean age was 63(11) years, and 40% were women. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 30.1(4.8)%. Follow-up was 45(23) months (median, 41 months). RESULTS: Four-year survival was 0.84, the 4-year rate of hospitalization due to heart failure was 0.12, and likelihood of readmission-free survival was 0.80 at 4 years. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 30.1(4.8)% to 57.6(13.5)% (P< .001). An unfavorable clinical and functional outcome at 4 years (death, readmission for heart failure or persistence of dilated cardiomyopathy) was recorded in only in 40% of the patients. Multivariate analysis with the Cox model showed appropriate control of blood pressure to be the only independent predictor of a favorable clinical outcome (absence of death or readmission for heart failure) (hazard ratio = 4.58; 95% CI, 1.32-9.83; P=.032). CONCLUSIONS: The course of patients with severe dilated cardiomyopathy due to hypertension was favorable in 60% of cases. Adequate control of blood pressure was the only independent predictor of a favorable clinical outcome.

[Diagnosis and therapy for diastolic heart failure]. / Diagnóstico y tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca diastólica.

Diastolic heart failure (heart failure with preserved systolic function) causes 30% to 50% of all cases of heart failure, and its prognosis is almost as ominous as that of systolic heart failure. Currently, it is diagnosed when clinical criteria for heart failure are present and left ventricular ejection fraction is preserved (higher than 40% to 50%). However, determinations of brain natriuretic peptides may play an important role in the future. Because we have no evidence from clinical trials, with the exception of the slight benefit obtained with candesartan in reducing hospitalizations in the CHARM Study, treatment of diastolic heart failure is based on the identification and treatment of the causal factor (hypertension, coronary heart disease), control of heart rate, and relief of fluid congestion. Thus, combined therapy with low-dose diuretics, antihypertensive drugs for bradycardia (beta blockers, calcium antagonists) and angiotensin antagonists seems now to be the best therapeutic strategy.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca diastólica / Diagnosis and therapy for diastolic heart failure

La insuficiencia cardíaca diastólica, o con función sistólica conservada, representa entre el 30 y el 50 por ciento de todos los casos de insuficiencia cardíaca, y su pronóstico es casi tan desfavorable como el de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca crónica (ICC) con función sistólica deprimida. En la actualidad sólo se exige para su diagnóstico la presencia de criterios clínicos estrictos de insuficiencia cardíaca y una fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) conservada (mayor del 40-50 por ciento), aunque la determinación de los valores de péptido natriurético cerebral puede tener interés para el diagnóstico en el futuro. Puesto que no hay evidencia derivada de ensayos clínicos importantes, salvo el ligero beneficio obtenido con candesartán en el estudio CHARM en la reducción de los reingresos, su tratamiento se basa en la identificación y el tratamiento de su etiología (hipertensión arterial, cardiopatía isquémica), el control de la frecuencia cardíaca y el alivio de la congestión, por lo que la combinación de diuréticos a dosis bajas, antihipertensivos bradicardizantes (bloqueadores beta, antagonistas del calcio) y antagonistas de la angiotensina en la actualidad parece ser la mejor estrategia terapéutica (AU)