Outcomes of mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for patients with hemodynamic instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The outcomes after mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) for the patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in hemodynamically unstable conditions, such as cardiogenic shock, still remain unclear. We aimed to integrate previous publications regarding M-TEER indicated for life-threatening conditions and indirectly particularly compared the short-term outcomes thereof, with that of other treatments. METHODS: We systematically searched the PubMed, Cochrane, and MEDLINE databases for studies from inception to June 2023, regarding M-TEER in patients with hemodynamic instability and severe MR. The primary outcomes analyzed included the in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates, and peri-procedural complications. RESULTS: Of the initial 820 publications, we conducted a meta-analysis of a total of 25 studies. The relative risk of moderate-to-severe or severe MR was 0.13 (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-0.18, I2 = 45.2 %). The pooled in-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were 11.8 % (95 % CI: 8.7-15.9, I2 = 96.4 %) and 14.1 % (95 % CI: 10.9-18.3, I2 = 35.5 %), respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was statistically significantly correlated with the residual moderate-to-severe or severe MR, as per the meta-regression analysis (coefficient ß = 3.48 [95 % CI: 0.99-5.97], p = 0.006). Regarding peri-procedural complications, the pooled rates of a stroke or transient ischemic attack, life-threatening or major bleeding, acute kidney injury, and peri-procedural mitral valve surgery were 2.3 % (95 % CI: 1.9-2.6), 7.6 % (95 % CI: 6.8-8.5), 32.9 % (95 % CI: 31.6-34.3), and 1.0 % (95 % CI: 0.8-1.3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the relatively higher rates of procedural complications were observed, nevertheless, M-TEER can potentially provide favorable short-term outcomes even in hemodynamically unstable patients. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023468946.

Artificial intelligence-enabled fully automated detection of cardiac amyloidosis using electrocardiograms and echocardiograms.

Patients with rare conditions such as cardiac amyloidosis (CA) are difficult to identify, given the similarity of disease manifestations to more prevalent disorders. The deployment of approved therapies for CA has been limited by delayed diagnosis of this disease. Artificial intelligence (AI) could enable detection of rare diseases. Here we present a pipeline for CA detection using AI models with electrocardiograms (ECG) or echocardiograms as inputs. These models, trained and validated on 3 and 5 academic medical centers (AMC) respectively, detect CA with C-statistics of 0.85-0.91 for ECG and 0.89-1.00 for echocardiography. Simulating deployment on 2 AMCs indicated a positive predictive value (PPV) for the ECG model of 3-4% at 52-71% recall. Pre-screening with ECG enhance the echocardiography model performance at 67% recall from PPV of 33% to PPV of 74-77%. In conclusion, we developed an automated strategy to augment CA detection, which should be generalizable to other rare cardiac diseases.

Short Coaptation Length is a Predictor of Recurrent Mitral Regurgitation After Mitral Valve Plasty.

BACKGROUND: Long-term predictors of recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR) after mitral valve plasty (MVP) remain to be elucidated. This study sought to determine the prognostic factors of recurrent MR during long-term follow-up after MVP, by analysing findings of three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) conducted after MVP. METHODS: This study analysed 207 patients who underwent MVP for A2 and/or P2 prolapse and received TEE before discharge. Recurrent MR was defined as moderate or worse regurgitation detected by annual transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 49 months after MVP, 18 patients experienced recurrent MR and six patients needed reoperation. In the recurrent group, 16 of 18 patients showed less than moderate MR before discharge. Patients in the recurrent group underwent repair for worse MR (effective orifice area, 54±19 vs 44±16 mm2; p=0.01) and had shorter A2-P2 coaptation length (5.3±1.4 vs 7.3±1.5 mm; p<0.001) after MVP compared with the non-recurrent group. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified the A2-P2 coaptation length as significant risk of recurrent MR (coaptation length increase: HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.32-0.59; p<0.0001). The receiver operator characteristics curve demonstrated that a coaptation length of <5.6 mm had 78% sensitivity and 89% specificity for predicting recurrent MR. CONCLUSION: Coaptation length measured by post-MVP TEE predicted the tendency of recurrent MR. Patients with short coaptation length should be carefully monitored, even when residual MR is less than moderate after MVP.

Longitudinal change in postoperative right ventricular systolic function in patients undergoing surgery for isolated tricuspid regurgitation.

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is an indication for tricuspid valve (TV) surgery in patients with severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Postoperative RV dysfunction is associated with poor outcome; however, the longitudinal changes in RV function before and after surgery have not been established. We retrospectively analyzed 24 patients who underwent TV surgery for isolated severe TR. For assessing RV systolic function, we measured the RV fractional area change (RVFAC) at baseline, and 1 (immediate) and 4-20 (late) months after surgery. We divided patients into 2 groups according to the RVFAC late after surgery (<35%, post-op. reduced; and ≥35%, post-op. preserved). The mean RVFAC was significantly decreased immediately after surgery compared to baseline (41.5 ± 10.1% vs. 32.2 ± 9.6%; p < 0.001). The RVFAC reduction was still observed late after surgery (35.5 ± 7.4%; p = 0.002). Of 24 patients, 12 patients (50%) had preserved RV systolic function late after surgery. Although there was no significant difference in the preoperative RVFAC between the 2 groups, the preoperative RV end-systolic area (RVESA) /body surface area (BSA) was significantly less in the post-op. preserved RV systolic function group (13.8 ± 4.3 cm2/m2 vs. 8.6 ± 2.6 cm2/m2; p = 0.001). The optimal cut-off value for the preoperative RVESA/BSA in detecting postoperative preserved RV systolic function was 10.8 cm2/m2 (AUC, 0.85; sensitivity, 91.7%; and specificity, 75.0%). In patients undergoing surgery for isolated severe TR, the RVFAC was significantly decreased immediately after surgery and the reduction continued late after surgery. The preoperative RVESA/BSA might be helpful to predict preserved RV function after surgery.

In-Hospital Serum Uric Acid Change Predicts Adverse Outcome in Patients With Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Elevated serum uric acid (UA) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcome in patients with heart failure (HF), but it remains unknown whether the change of serum UA level during the treatment of acute decompensated HF (ADHF) predicts adverse events. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive 1562 patients who were hospitalized for ADHF. Serum UA levels both at admission and discharge were available in 1246 patients (78 years of age, range 69-84 years, 40% female). UA values increased or unchanged (group I) in 766 patients and it decreased in the remaining patients (group D). Group I was characterized by older age, higher proportion of females, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, and the features of less severity of HF such as lower plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide level and lower percentage of catecholamine use. Nevertheless, group I was associated with higher incidence of the primary end point defined as the composite of all-cause death and ADHF rehospitalization (P = .013, log-rank test). UA change, but not UA at discharge, was an independent predictor of the primary end point (hazard ratio 1.30, interquartile range 1.04-1.64, P = .022). Age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, dose of loop diuretics, and thiazide prescription at discharge were independently associated with the UA change. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HF, UA change through the treatment of ADHF might predict future adverse outcome.

A large-scale cohort study of long-term cardiac rehabilitation: A prospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the therapeutic effect of long-term cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and no large-scale survey of cardiovascular outcomes after long-term CR is reported. METHODS: This cohort study included 9981 patients undergoing CR from 2004 to 2015. Patients who had supervised CR were divided into three groups according to CR duration: up to acute phase (until discharge, Phase I group), up to recovery phase (≤150 days, Phase II group), and up to maintenance phase (>150 days, Phase III group). Using propensity score matching, mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were compared among the groups. RESULTS: Follow-up period was 4.9 ± 3.0 years. Adult patients were divided into three groups (Phase I group: n = 4649, Phase II group: n = 3271, and Phase III group: n = 731). After propensity score matching, the risk of death and MACE was extremely lower in Phase III group than in Phase I or Phase II group (death: HR 0.47, P < 0.01, HR 0.64, P < 0.01, and MACE: HR 0.48, P < 0.01, HR 0.70, P < 0.01). Most patients in Phase II group had better survival than those in Phase I group. Subpopulations of female patients and those with dyslipidemia, smoking history, coronary artery bypass graft, or heart failure had better survival in Phase III group than in Phase II group. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term supervised CR for patients with cardiovascular diseases is more effective than short-term CR.

Prolonged Intensive Care Unit Stay Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

PURPOSE: Postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay after cardiac surgeries has been extensively studied, but little attention has been given to ICU stay following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This study examined ICU stay after TAVR. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-five patients who underwent TAVR between April 2010 and October 2016 were studied retrospectively. We investigated the status of ICU stay, the predictors of prolonged ICU stay (PICUS), and its impact on short- and long-term outcomes. Prolonged ICU stay was defined as post-TAVR ICU stay longer than 2 days (day of TAVR + 1 day). RESULTS: Length of ICU stay was 2.6 ± 4.9 days, and PICUS was identified in 14.7% of the patients. The predominant reason for PICUS was congestive heart failure or circulatory failure (41.7%). Pulmonary dysfunction and nontransfemoral approach were independent predictors of PICUS (pulmonary dysfunction: odds ratio = 2.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-7.35; nontransfemoral approach: odds ratio = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.15-6.89). Prolonged ICU stay was associated with higher rate of 30-day combined end point (PICUS vs non-PICUS: 44.4% vs 3.3%, P < .0001), longer postoperative hospital stay (49.9 ± 141.9 days vs 12.0 ± 6.0 days, P < .0001), and lower rate of discharge home (77.8% vs 95.2%, P = .0002). Patients with PICUS had worse long-term survival (P < .0001), and PICUS was a predictor of mortality (hazard ratio: 4.21, 95% CI: 2.09-8.22). CONCLUSION: Prolonged ICU stay following TAVR was found in 14.7%, and pulmonary dysfunction and nontransfemoral approach were associated with PICUS. Short- and long-term prognoses were worse in patients with PICUS than those without.

Usefulness of the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Risk Score to Determine Mid-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate if the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) risk score can independently predict outcomes following TAVR, and to evaluate its predictive performance.Methods and Results:This retrospective multicenter study comprised 682 patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR. The primary endpoint was all-cause death following TAVR. The clinical model was established using variables identified as independent predictors in the multivariate analysis. Incremental values were assessed after adding atrial fibrillation, body mass index (BMI), and serum albumin to the TAVR risk score in receiver-operating characteristic analysis. The median TAVR risk score was 2.1% with a mean follow-up of 505 days. On Kaplan-Meier analysis, a TAVR risk score >4% had lowest survival rate, whereas TAVR risk score ≤2% had the highest survival rate at 3 years (log-rank P<0.001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis found the TAVR risk score was independently associated with all-cause death, and demonstrated moderate predictive performance for predicting all-cause death at 3 years. However, if each independent predictor is added to the model, it significantly increased discriminatory performance, particularly with BMI and serum albumin level. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that the TAVR risk score could independently predict mid-term death following TAVR, and had greater predictive performance for predicting all-cause death at 3 years with BMI and serum albumin level.

Impact of Pulmonary Artery-to-Aorta Ratio by CT on the Clinical Outcome in Heart Failure.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have indicated that the ratio of pulmonary artery (PA) to ascending aorta (Ao) diameter as measured by computed tomography (PA/Ao) is strongly associated with pulmonary artery pressure. However, the clinical significance of PA/Ao in heart failure (HF) has not been fully characterized. We sought to investigate the prognostic impact of PA/Ao in HF. METHODS: Based on the prospective registry of patients admitted to our institution due to acute decompensated HF (ADHF), the records of the consecutive 761 patients admitted between 2011 and 2016 were reviewed. Thoracic computed tomography data during the hospital stays were obtained from 447 patients (median 78 (70-84) years of age; male, 62.2%). The diameters of PA and Ao were measured at the level of PA bifurcation. The subjects were divided into the H group (PA/Ao ≥ 1.0) and the L group (PA/Ao < 1.0) according to the PA/Ao values. The cutoff value was derived from receiver operating curve analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex or body mass index between the H and L groups. The H group was associated with significantly larger left atrial dimension (LAD), higher tricuspid regurgitation peak gradient (TRPG) and E/e' (LAD, H, 48 (42-55) mm vs L, 45 (39-50) mm, P < 0.001; TRPG, H, 34 (26-48) mm Hg vs L, 28 (22-38) mm Hg, P < 0.001; E/e', H, 23.3 (42-55) vs L, 18.4 (13.9-25), P < 0.001). Length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the H group than in the L group (H, 19 (14-32) days vs L, 16 (12-23) days, P < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in the H group compared with the L group (H, 5.4% vs L, 1.2%, P = 0.02). Age, sex, LAD and TRPG were independently associated with PA/Ao. The primary endpoint, defined as the composite of all-cause death and ADHF rehospitalization during a median of 479 days after discharge, was significantly more common in the H group (P < 0.001, log-rank test). PA/Ao was independently associated with the primary endpoint, even after adjusting for the other confounding factors (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: PA/Ao is a reliable marker for the prediction of the outcome of patients with ADHF.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients with Cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is a significant adverse factor of cardiac surgeries. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved as a less invasive therapy for aortic stenosis, whereas detailed case analysis of TAVI in cirrhotic patients is limited.Among 444 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI in the Sakakibara Heart Institute between October 2013 and January 2018, we retrospectively reviewed 11 patients (2.5%) with cirrhosis. All outcomes were defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria.The median age of the patients was 82 years, and eight (73%) were female. Seven patients (64%) were Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A, and four patients (36%) were class B. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 10 (7.0-13). TAVI was performed using Edwards SAPIEN XT/SAPIEN3 in nine patients (82%), and Medtronic CoreValve/Evolut R in two patients (18%), via transfemoral (n = 8, 73%) or transapical (n = 3, 27%) approach. The device success rate was 100% and no extracorporeal circulation had been inducted. No death, stroke, life-threatening bleeding, and acute kidney injury stage 2 or 3 occurred within 30 days, but three major bleeding events (27%) were documented (two access-site bleeding in transapical approach, and one pulmonary hemorrhage caused by transient mitral regurgitation). During a median follow-up of 493 days, four deaths had occurred, and the mid-term survival rate was 81% and 65% at one and two years each.TAVI is a promising therapeutic option for patients with cirrhosis. Further study should be needed regarding optimal patient selection and procedures in patients with cirrhosis.

The Clinical Potential of Impella 5.0 Support in the Treatment of Recurrent Fulminant Viral Myocarditis with Profound Cardiogenic Shock.

We herein report the clinical potential of Impella 5.0 support, which is a catheter-mounted micro-axial left ventricular support device, in a 39-year-old man with recurrent fulminant viral myocarditis complicated with profound cardiogenic shock despite inotropic infusion and an intra-aortic balloon pumping. Switching from these therapies to the Impella 5.0 device provided sufficient systemic perfusion with well-controlled left ventricular diastolic properties to facilitate a prompt recovery from profound cardiogenic shock. The patient was uneventfully discharged on the 27th hospital day. Given its effect of cardiac protection with sufficient systemic perfusion, the Impella device should be considered the first-line therapy for the treatment of fulminant myocarditis complicated with cardiogenic shock.

Clinical Scenario Classification for Characterization and Outcome Prediction of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Under Contemporary Phenotyping.

Background: The concept of Clinical Scenario (CS) classification has been widely utilized to aid in choosing appropriate management strategies for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Methods and Results: The West Tokyo-Heart Failure (WET-HF) Registry is a multicenter, prospective cohort registry enrolling consecutive hospitalized ADHF patients. Based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) at admission, 4,000 patients enrolled between 2006 and 2017 were classified into 3 groups: CS1, SBP ≥140 mmHg; CS2, 100≤SBP<140 mmHg; and CS3, SBP <100 mmHg. The CS1 group had a high rate of fluid retention such as leg edema, and the largest reduction in body weight at discharge. In-hospital diuretics use was the most frequent in CS1. Although the primary endpoint of long-term all-cause death and/or ADHF re-hospitalization was more common in more advanced CS, there was no significant difference between the 3 CS groups in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; P=0.10). Although more advanced CS was associated with larger left ventricular (LV) chamber size in HF with reduced EF (HFrEF), it was associated with smaller LV size in HFpEF. Conclusions: The long-term prognostic value of CS classification was limited in HFpEF. Whereas CS was closely associated with degree of LV remodeling in HFrEF, a smaller LV chamber might be associated with a lower cardiovascular functional reserve in HFpEF.

Right ventricular dysfunction is associated with exercise intolerance and poor prognosis in ischemic heart disease.

Right ventricular (RV) function is a prognostic factor in ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients, although its correlations with exercise capacity and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) efficacy are unknown. We aimed to clarify how RV function was associated with exercise tolerance and efficacy of phase II CR in IHD patients. We retrospectively analyzed 301 consecutive IHD patients who underwent phase II CR. We defined RV dysfunction using a combination of RV fractional area change < 35%, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion < 1.6 cm, and systolic velocity < 10 cm/s. Exercise capacity was assessed using cardiopulmonary testing. The relation between RV function and exercise capacity was analyzed. The all-cause death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were evaluated by survival curve. The RV dysfunction group (n = 121) showed impaired left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function before CR contrary to the normal RV function group (n = 180). The presence of RV dysfunction significantly reduced %AT by 4% and %Peak[Formula: see text] by 9% before CR, but increases the degree of improvement in %Peak[Formula: see text] with CR, independent of LV systolic and diastolic function. Univariate analysis demonstrated that previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was negatively associated with all-cause deaths and MACE. Adjusted for previous CABG, poor prognosis correlated with coexisting LV and RV dysfunction (hazard ratio [HR] 3.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-13.53, P = 0.03) and RV dysfunction alone (HR 3.08, 95% CI 1.01-9.37, P = 0.05). In IHD patients, RV dysfunction is associated with exercise intolerance before CR and increased MACE risk, independent of LV function. The CR was effective in patients with RV dysfunction.

Possible mechanism of late systolic mitral valve prolapse: systolic superior shift of leaflets secondary to annular dilatation that causes papillary muscle traction.

Progressive superior shift of the mitral valve (MV) during systole is associated with abnormal papillary muscle (PM) superior shift in late systolic MV prolapse (MVP). The causal relation of these superior shifts remains unclarified. We hypothesized that the MV superior shift is related to augmented MV superiorly pushing force by systolic left ventricular pressure due to MV annular dilatation, which can be corrected by surgical MV plasty, leading to postoperative disappearance of these superior shifts. In 35 controls, 28 patients with holosystolic MVP, and 28 patients with late systolic MVP, the MV coaptation depth from the MV annulus was measured at early and late systole by two-dimensional echocardiography. The PM tip superior shift was monitored by echocardiographic speckle tracking. MV superiorly pushing force was obtained as MV annular area × (systolic blood pressure - 10). Measurements were repeated after MV plasty in 14 patients with late systolic MVP. Compared with controls and patients with holosystolic MVP, MV and PM superior shifts and MV superiorly pushing force were greater in patients with late systolic MVP [1.3 (0.5) vs. 0.9 (0.6) vs. 3.9 (1.0) mm/m2, 1.3 (0.5) vs. 1.2 (1.0) vs. 3.3 (1.3) mm/m2, and 487 (90) vs. 606 (167) vs. 742 (177) mmHg·cm2·m-2, respectively, means (SD), P < 0.001]. MV superior shift was correlated with PM superior shift ( P < 0.001), which was further related to augmented MV superiorly pushing force ( P < 0.001). MV and PM superior shift disappeared after surgical MV plasty for late systolic MVP. These data suggest that MV annulus dilatation augmenting MV superiorly pushing force may promote secondary superior shift of the MV (equal to late systolic MVP) that causes subvalvular PM traction in patients with late systolic MVP. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Late systolic mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is associated with mitral valve (MV) and papillary muscle (PM) abnormal superior shifts during systole, but the causal relation remains unclarified. MV and PM superior shifts were correlated with augmented MV superiorly pushing force by annular dilatation and disappeared after surgical MV plasty with annulus size and MV superiorly pushing force reduction. This suggests that MV annulus dilatation may promote secondary superior shifts of the MV (late systolic MVP) that cause subvalvular PM traction.

Pulmonary Hemorrhaging Caused by Acute Severe Mitral Regurgitation during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been validated as a reliable therapy for aortic stenosis (AS), similar to surgical aortic valve replacement. Due to the methodological differences between the two therapeutic options, each has unique complications. We experienced a hitherto unreported complication of TAVI. An 81-year-old man underwent TAVI for severe AS. Acute mitral regurgitation (MR) occurred during valve deployment. Interference of the guidewire with the mitral subvalvular structure caused transient severe MR, leading to the development of pulmonary hemorrhaging. During TAVI, careful attention should be paid to the position of the guidewire, changes in hemodynamics and degree of MR.

Associations of increased arterial stiffness with left ventricular ejection performance and right ventricular systolic pressure in mitral regurgitation before and after surgery: Wave intensity analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effect of increased arterial stiffness on mitral regurgitation (MR) is not clear. Using wave intensity (WI) analysis, which is useful for analyzing ventriculo-arterial interaction, we aimed to elucidate associations of increased arterial stiffness with left ventricular (LV) ejection performance and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in MR. METHODS AND RESULTS: We noninvasively measured carotid arterial WI and stiffness parameter (ß) in 98 patients with non-ischemic chronic MR before and after surgery, and 98 age-and-gender matched healthy subjects by ultrasonography. WI is defined as WI = (dP/dt)(dU/dt) [P: blood pressure, U: velocity, t: time]. The peak value of WI (W1) increases with LV peak dP/dt. The temporal WI index (Q-W1)st, which is the standardized interval between the Q wave of the ECG and W1, is a surrogate for preejection period. Ejection fraction (EF), left atrial volume index (LAVI), effective regurgitant orifice area (ERO), RVSP, and other echocardiographic data were also obtained. W1 was enhanced in the MR group before surgery compared with the normal group (10.7 ± 5.7 vs 8.5 ± 3.6 × 103 mmHg m/s3, p < 0.05). However, the results of two-way ANOVA showed this enhancement of W1 was observed only in the subgroup of MR before surgery with lower arterial stiffness (ß < 13, p< 0.0001). ERO, ß and LAVI were predictor variables before surgery to determine RVSP. EF and (Q-W1)st before surgery were predictor variables for EF after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In the MR group before surgery, increased arterial stiffness suppresses compensatory enhancement of W1, and increases RVSP. Prolonged (Q-W1)st has the potential for predicting low EF after surgery.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients on corticosteroid therapy.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is recommended for patients who are inoperable or at high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Corticosteroid therapy is considered to be a risk factor for SAVR, but there is a paucity of information about TAVI in patients taking corticosteroids. The aim of this study is to elucidate the outcome of TAVI in patients on chronic corticosteroid therapy, compared with SAVR. We retrospectively analyzed patients on corticosteroid therapy who underwent TAVI (n = 21) or SAVR (n = 30) for severe aortic stenosis in Sakakibara Heart Institute. Primary outcome was a 30-day composite endpoint consisting of early safety endpoints (death, stroke, life-threatening bleeding, acute kidney injury, coronary obstruction, major vascular complication, and valve-related dysfunction) and corticosteroid-specific endpoints (adrenal insufficiency, sepsis, and hyperglycemic complication). There were no differences between two groups in background factors, other than patient age and serum albumin level (age 81.0 ± 5.5 vs. 74.7 ± 9.9 years, p = 0.0061, albumin 3.6 ± 0.4 vs. 4.0 ± 0.4 g/dl, p = 0.0076). Device success rate for TAVI was 95.2%. In TAVI group, operative time was shorter (100.2 ± 46.2 vs. 250.0 ± 92.2 min, p < 0.0001), and the amount of blood transfusion was less (0.67 ± 1.8 vs. 3.5 ± 2.4 units, p < 0.0001) than in SAVR group. There was no difference in primary outcome (19.0 vs. 20.0%, p = 1.0). Rate of prosthesis-patient mismatch was lower in TAVI group (4.8 vs. 33.3%, p = 0.017), and no moderate or severe post-procedural aortic regurgitation was observed in both groups. The post-procedural survival was similar in the two groups (p = 0.67, mean follow-up 986 ± 922 days). TAVI may be a viable therapeutic option in patients taking corticosteroids.

Effect of Obesity on the Prognostic Impact of Atrial Fibrillation in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Although obesity is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), obese heart failure (HF) patients have a more favorable clinical outcome (obesity paradox). The clinical impact of AF on obese or lean HF patients has not been fully elucidated.Methods and Results:We analyzed 1,681 patients who were enrolled in the West Tokyo Heart Failure Registry (WET-HF Registry), a multicenter, prospective cohort registry from 2005 through 2014. We assigned them to 3 categories based on body mass index (BMI): low, BMI <18.5; medium, BMI ≥18.5 and <25; and high, BMI ≥25 (n=182/915/400). The clinical endpoint was all-cause death or readmission for acute decompensated HF. During 406 days of follow-up (IQR, 116-739 days), AF was associated with a higher risk of the endpoint in the HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) group (P<0.001, log-rank test), but not in the HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) group. AF was associated with a higher risk of the endpoint in low and medium BMI patients with HFpEF (P=0.016 and 0.009, respectively). On Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, AF was an independent predictor of the endpoint in patients with BMI <25 from the HFpEF group (hazard ratio, 1.74; 95% CI: 1.21-2.54, P=0.003), but not in the other subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: AF had a negative impact on clinical outcome in non-obese patients with HFpEF.