Outcomes after Transcatheter Mitral Valve Edge to Edge Repair; a Comparison of Two Pathologies.

BACKGROUND: The clinical use of transcatheter mitral valve repairis growing. We aimed to compare the clinical and echocardiographic outcomes after transcatheter mitral valve repair using the edge-to-edge technique in patients with functional and degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR). Furthermore, we correlated the clinical and echocardiographic measurements. METHODS: The study included 111 patients who underwent the MitraClip procedure from 2012 to 2018. The patients were divided into two groups according to the etiology; functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) (n = 88; 79.28%) and degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) (n = 23; 20.72%). RESULTS: Advanced age (p = 0.002) and FMR (p = 0.001) increased coronary care unit stay, and history of heart failure hospitalization (p = 0.003). Advanced age (p = 0.022) and FMR (p < 0.001) also increased the duration of hospital stay. Severe renal impairment [hazard ratio (HR): 2.6; p < 0.001], female gender (HR: 3.9; p = 0.005), and history of stroke (HR: 5.6; p = 0.065) decreased survival, while post-procedure diuretics improved survival (HR: 0.3; p = 0.024). Moderate residual MR [sub-distribution hazard ratio (SHR): 4.1; p = 0.011], lower EuroSCORE (SHR: 0.9; p = 0.013), and lack of ß-blockers (SHR: 0.2; p = 0.034) were predictors of MR recurrence. There were no significant correlations between NYHA class and pulmonary artery pressure (PASP) (p = 0.896), end-systolic (p = 0.856), and end-diastolic diameters (p = 0.965). There were significant improvements in left ventricular dimensions and PASP after MitraClip. However, these changes were not maintained over time. The grade of MR significantly improved after the procedure (p = 0.001), with no difference between groups (p = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The MitraClip procedure showed positive results in terms of sustainable symptomatic relief, although this finding was not reflected in left ventricular dimensions. The technique is equally effective in FMR and DMR.

Right and left ventricular interaction in pulmonary hypertension: Insight from velocity vector imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether global peak systolic strain (PSS) and peak systolic strain rate (PSSR) derived from velocity vector imaging (VVI) allow early recognition of regional and global right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and the impact of this on left ventricular (LV) function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PHT). BACKGROUND: RV function is an important determinant of prognosis in patients with heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, heart transplant, and congenital heart diseases. However, evaluation of the right ventricle is often limited by its complex geometry and inadequate visualization of RV free wall. Furthermore, the impact of RV dysfunction on the LV function is not well elucidated. METHODS: Ninety-nine participants, 35 control patients with normal RV systolic pressure (RVSP) (<30 mm Hg) and 64 patients with PHT (25 with mild-to-moderate increase in RVSP [≥36 and <60 mm Hg] and 39 with severe increase in RVSP [≥60 mm Hg]), underwent comprehensive echo-Doppler assessment and velocity vector imaging (VVI) for strain rate analysis. RV regional peak systolic and diastolic tangential velocity, strain, and strain rate were obtained from the basal, mid and apical segments of the RV free wall and interventricular septum (IVS) from apical 4-chamber view at end-expiration. Similar data were obtained from eighteen LV segments from apical 4-chamber, 2-chamber, and long-axis views. RESULTS: Peak systolic strain, strain rate, and tangential velocity at all segments in the RV free wall and IVS were decreased compared to controls in patients with PHT (P < 0.001). Significant correlation (r > 0.60; P < 0.001) was noted between RVSP and systolic and diastolic strain and strain rate at basal segment in IVS and global RV function. Peak early diastolic strain rate at all segments was also decreased in PHT patients compared with control patients (P < 0.01). Furthermore, RV systolic and diastolic strain and strain rate were lower in group 2 with mild-to-moderate hypertension while the conventional echo parameters were normal. Except for IVS segments, other LV segments had no statistical differences in systolic and diastolic velocity, strain, and strain rate compared to controls. However, they were lower than the published normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Strain and strain rate derived from VVI demonstrates early recognition of systolic and diastolic RV dysfunction in patients with PHT compared to controls. PHT is associated with global and regional RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Systolic and diastolic strain and strain rate from LV was lower compared to controls but were not statistically significant. This may indicate subclinical LV dysfunction in these patients, suggesting that conventional LV function parameters may not be sensitive to recognize subclinical LV dysfunction.

Ocular Injuries in Patients of Zygomatico-Complex (ZMC) Fractures.

PURPOSE: Mid face injuries commonly destroy the integrity of the orbital skeleton, and are frequently complicated by injury to the eye, ranging between 2.7 and 90.6 % as reported in literature. The eye injuries range from simple subconjunctival haemorrhage to globe rupture. The paper aims to study the types of ocular injuries in patients with ZMC fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A study of 67 patients, who had sustained facial trauma sufficient to lead to a facial bone fracture, was undertaken in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Govt Dental College, Srinagar from 2008 to 2014 and the patients received a comprehensive examination by an ophthalmologist within 1 week of injury. All the patients sustaining confirmed ZMC fracture were examined by an ophthalmologist for any associated ocular injury. A thorough ophthalmologic examination included assessment of visual acuity, pupillary reactivity, anterior and posterior segment examination and extraocular motility. The variables reviewed included patient's gender, mechanism of injury, visual acuity, pupillary reactivity, extra ocular motility, presence or absence of diplopia, ocular and orbital findings, and intraorbital hypoesthesia. RESULTS: The most common etiology of trauma was RTA (64.1 %), followed by falls (14.9 %) in our study. In our study 83.5 % of the patients were males. Minor ocular injuries such as subconjunctival haemorrhage and corneal injury accounted for most of the cases. Subconjunctival haemorrhage was the most common injury, present in 86.5 % of the cases. Hyphema was present 13.4 %, vitreous haemorrhage 2.98 %, retinal haemorrhage 1.49 %, corneal abrasion 4.47 %, mydriasis 1.49 %, choroidal rupture 5.97 %, retinal detachment 2.98 %, decreased visual activity 13.4 %, retinal tear and angle recession was present 7.46 % times. CONCLUSION: ZMC fractures are associated with higher incidence of ocular injuries. The incidence of traumatic optic neuropathy and other ocular injuries warrants a prompt ophthalmologic examination of all patients with ZMC fractures as quickly as possible to prevent morbidity.

Mitral valve replacement after MitraClip therapy.

BACKGROUND: MitraClip therapy (MCT) is becoming more popular to treat mitral regurgitation (MR) in high-risk patients. It is, however, expanding to lower risk patients with the idea that mitral valve (MV) repair can be performed if surgery will be necessary. We report our surgical experience in patients who underwent MCT and subsequently required MV surgery. METHODS: From February 2012 to September 2014, three patients out of 34 who underwent MCT (8.8%) needed surgery because of lesions resulting in new MR. Two of them had functional and the third one degenerative MR. Two patients with functional MR underwent emergency surgery for MV lesions adding a new severe MR, the third one, with degenerative MR, had surgery 377 days after MCT. RESULTS: The MV showed a perforation of the anterior leaflet in one case and P2 completely torn in the second case. MitraClip opening was difficult and caused further injury to the leaflets. The third case developed a severe MV stenosis. All three patients underwent MV replacement with a tissue valve. The postoperative course was uneventful and, after a mean of 14 months, all patients are alive and in NYHA class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of urgent or elective surgery after MCT reduces the possibility of conservative surgery, as the possibility of valve reconstruction is less likely following the severe clip implantation-induced tissue damages.

Modified surgical sequence in aortic and mitral valve replacement with or without tricuspid valve repair or replacement.

A mitral prosthesis, when implanted, can distort the aortic annulus, forcing to downsize the aortic prosthesis. Changing the sequence of tying the sutures (the aortic prosthesis first, then the mitral prosthesis) allows to insert an aortic true-sized prosthesis. In case of associated tricuspid valve surgery, the aortic prosthesis protrudes over the anteroseptal commissure area. The sutures on the tricuspid annulus can be passed before the aortic prosthesis is secured in place.

Left and right ventricular strain and strain rate measurement in normal adults using velocity vector imaging: an assessment of reference values and intersystem agreement.

Velocity vector imaging (VVI) software permits quantitative assessment of ventricular function through measurement of myocardial strain (S) and strain rate (SR). The purpose of this study was to define a reference range of ventricular S and SR values in normal adults using VVI software, and to describe the variability among observers and systems. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed in 186 healthy adults free of cardiovascular disease or risk factors, followed by comprehensive ventricular S and SR analysis using VVI software. Images were acquired using three commercial ultrasound systems. The mean age of patients was 44 ± 16 years, and 114 (61 %) were female. Mean global left ventricular (LV) longitudinal, circumferential, and radial S and SR, and right ventricular (RV) longitudinal S and SR values are presented. Significant segmental variation in regional LV and RV S and SR was detected. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated global longitudinal LV (p = 0.05) and RV (p = 0.002) S values decline significantly with age. The overall variability of S and SR values accounted for by patient demographic and hemodynamic variables was low (16 and 8 % for LV longitudinal S and SR, respectively). Interobserver agreement was very good, but was lowest for LV radial S and SR. There were no significant differences of LV and RV S and SR between ultrasound systems. Comprehensive reference values for the normal ranges of LV and RV S and SR measured using VVI software are presented. The ultrasound system used for image acquisition did not significantly influence results.

Management-oriented classification of mitral valve regurgitation.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) has previously been classified into rheumatic, primary, and secondary MR according to the underlying disease process. Carpentier's/Duran functional classifications are apt in describing the mechanism(s) of MR. Modern management of MR, however, depends primarily on the severity of MR, status of the left ventricular function, and the presence or absence of symptoms, hence the need for a management-oriented classification of MR. In this paper we describe a classification of MR into 4 phases according to LV function: phase I = MR with normal left ventricle, phase II = MR with normal ejection fraction (EF) and indirect signs of LV dysfunction such as pulmonary hypertension and/or recent onset atrial fibrillation, phase III = EF ≥ 30%-< 50% and/or mild to moderate LV dilatation (ESID 40-54 mm), and phase IV = EF < 30% and/or severe LV dilatation (ESDID ≥ 55 mm). Each phase is further subdivided into three stages: stage "A" with an effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) < 20 mm, stage "B" with an ERO = 20-39 mm, and stage "C" with an ERO ≥ 40 mm. Evidence-based indications and outcome of intervention for MR will also be discussed.

Quantitative assessment of strain and strain rate by velocity vector imaging during dobutamine stress echocardiography to predict outcome in patients with left bundle branch block.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal septal motion in left bundle branch block (LBBB) may compromise the interpretation of regional wall motion. Velocity vector imaging (VVI) has been proposed as an objective method to quantify regional myocardial deformation. The aim of this study was to determine whether VVI during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) has prognostic value in patients with LBBB. METHODS: In 84 patients with (mean age, 75 +/- 9 years) undergoing DSE, longitudinal peak systolic strain (epsilon(sys)) and strain rate (SR(sys)) were measured in 16 segments using VVI. Results were expressed as average SR(sys) and epsilon(sys) per patient. Follow-up was obtained for the combined endpoint of mortality, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization. Contributions of clinical, conventional dobutamine stress echocardiographic, and epsilon(sys) and SR(sys) variables to outcome were assessed using Cox models. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 18.3 +/- 13.8 months, 23 patients had endpoints. Wall motion score index at rest was the only independent predictor in a model combining clinical and conventional dobutamine stress echocardiographic variables. However, when epsilon(sys) and SR(sys) variables were considered, average SR(sys) at peak stress (hazard ratio, 2.38 per 0.2/s increment; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-3.88; P < .0001) became the only independent predictor of outcome. Using average SR(sys) at peak of -0.5/s as the cut point maximized the model chi(2) value for the prediction of outcomes (model chi(2) = 18.71, P = .002). The annualized event-free survival in patients with average SR(sys) at peak stress lower and higher than -0.5/s were 89.9% and 45.9%, respectively (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Average SR(sys) at peak stress during DSE offers prognostic information incremental to wall motion analysis in patients with LBBB.