Plasma amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III is associated with subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the association of plasma amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP) with subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and normal LV ejection fraction. METHODS: The study was performed in 57 AS patients with normal LV ejection fraction and in 30 control subjects with normal aortic valve and normal LV ejection fraction. Tissue Doppler and speckle tracking image were performed to assess LV diastolic and systolic function. Plasma PIIINP level was measured by specific radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: In AS patients, LV systolic longitudinal strain was significantly reduced (-17.1 ± 2.1 vs. -18.8 ± 1.4%, P<0.001) and plasma PIIINP was increased compared with controls (2.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.1 ± 0.4 µg/l, P<0.001). A significant correlation was found between LV systolic longitudinal strain and PIIINP (r=-0.67, P<0.001). In patients with abnormal LV diastolic function, LV systolic longitudinal strain was reduced compared with patients with normal LV diastolic function (-16.3 ± 1.5 vs. -18.8 ± 2.1%, P<0.001) and plasma PIIINP was increased (2.8 ± 0.5 vs. 2.0 ± 0.3 µg/l, P<0.001). A stepwise multivariate regression analysis revealed that LV systolic longitudinal strain and diastolic blood pressure were independent predictors of plasma PIIINP (multiple r=0.71, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma PIIINP is associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction (the impaired LV systolic long axis function) in patients with AS and normal LV ejection fraction. In addition, the impaired LV systolic long axis function and increased plasma PIIINP concentration are most marked in patients with abnormal LV diastolic function.

Pulmonary valve endocarditis associated with a ruptured aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva.

Pulmonary valve endocarditis is an extremely rare complication of aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. We report the case of a 26-year-old male patient who presented with pulmonary valve endocarditis which was associated with a ruptured aneurysm of the right sinus of Valsalva with aorto-right ventricular outflow tract fistula and aortic valve endocarditis. He underwent aortic valve replacement with a 23 mm pericardial bioprosthesis, reconstruction of the right sinus of Valsalva using a pericardial patch, and debridement of pulmonary valve leaflet vegetations. The operation was a complete success. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed no residual shunt within the reconstructed right coronary sinus, normal function of aortic bioprosthesis, and mild mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary regurgitation. Postoperative antibiotics were continued and the patient recovered uneventfully.