Exploring factors associated with bleeding events after open heart surgery in patients on dialysis - effects of the presence or absence of warfarin therapy.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative management of patients on dialysis is critical for controlling bleeding and thrombotic risk, in addition to infection control. Postoperative anticoagulation is often difficult to control, and different institutions have different policies. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate factors associated with postoperative bleeding events and whether warfarin (WF) therapy affects the incidence of postoperative bleeding events, total mortality, and stroke. METHODS: Patients who were admitted to the cardiovascular surgery department and underwent valve replacement or plasty were included, and those who underwent mechanical valve introduction were excluded. Thirty-nine patients were included in the study. The primary endpoint was to identify factors associated with the composite endpoint of postoperative bleeding events, and the secondary endpoint was to determine the effect size of WF therapy on postoperative bleeding events, all-cause mortality, and stroke and the strength of association between the crossed endpoints. The strength of the association between the crossed items was examined. RESULTS: Low body weight (p = 0.038) was identified as a factor associated with the primary endpoint of postoperative bleeding events. The secondary endpoint of whether or not patients received WF therapy was largely unrelated to bleeding events, all-cause mortality, and postoperative stroke up to 90 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary studies suggest that low body weight is a risk factor for postoperative bleeding events in patients on dialysis, although further exploration of other factors will be necessary with the accumulation of similar cases.

Application of a Novel Mitral Valvuloplasty Strategy in Children with Mitral Regurgitation.

To retrospectively analyze the clinical efficacy of an innovative mitral valvuloplasty strategy in the treatment of mitral regurgitation in children. From January 2018 to December 2022, 140 patients undergoing surgical treatment for mitral regurgitation in our hospital were enrolled. Ninety patients underwent three-step standardized pediatric mitral valvuloplasty (group A) and 50 patients underwent simple annuloplasty (group B). The incidence of primary and secondary study endpoint was compared between the two groups, and the independent risk factors for the primary study endpoint were determined. Our primary study endpoint was a composite endpoint of postoperative functional mitral failure, postoperative heart failure, transplantation, and/or mortality. Secondary end points were defined as perioperative complications. During the follow-up period, there was no all-cause death. Primary endpoint events occurred in 22 patients, including 12 patients in group A and 10 patients in group B. There was no significant difference in the incidence of primary and secondary endpoint events between the two groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that younger age and residual mitral regurgitation at discharge were independent risk factors for the primary endpoint events, while type of MV repair was not an independent risk factor. Subgroup analysis based on age showed that primary endpoint events occurred in 4 patients in group A and 7 patients in group B in patients < 1 year old. The incidence of primary endpoint events in group A was lower than that in group B (6.06% vs. 20.59%, P = 0.041). In patients ≥ 1 year old, the primary endpoint event occurred in 8 cases in group A and 3 cases in group B. There was no significant difference in the incidence of primary endpoint events between groups A and B (33.33% vs. 18.75%, P = 0.312). The degree of mitral regurgitation at discharge was significantly improved compared with that before operation in both groups (P < 0.001), and the degree of mitral regurgitation at the last follow-up was not significantly worse than that at discharge (P = 0.090). The mid-term results of mitral valvuloplasty for mitral regurgitation in children are encouraging. The perioperative recovery and postoperative outcomes of three-step standardized mitral valvuloplasty in children are not inferior to those of annuloplasty alone. Three-step standardized pediatric mitral valvuloplasty has better postoperative outcomes than simple mitral annuloplasty, especially for patients younger than 1 year old. Children with residual mitral regurgitation at discharge should be followed up regularly to be alert to the occurrence of poor prognosis.

Balloon aortic valvuloplasty bridge to transcatheter aortic valve replacement is associated with worse in-hospital mortality.

BACKGROUND: Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) has gained renewed interest as a bridge to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, it is unclear whether they patients should undergo TAVR directly or receive a staged bridge to BAV before TAVR is unclear. We used a national database to examine the association between BAV and TAVR in patients with TAVR and its effect on in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Using the nationwide inpatient database of the Japanese registry of all cardiac and vascular diseases and the combination of the diagnosis procedure combination, we retrospectively analyzed 27,600 patients with AS who underwent TAVR between October 2013 and March 2021. Outcomes of the direct TAVR group (n = 27,387) were compared with those of the BAV bridge to TAVR group (n = 213), which received BAV at least 1 day before TAVR. RESULTS: The median age was 85 (interquartile range: 82-88) years, with 33.3% (n = 9188) being male. Unplanned/emergent admissions increased with TAVR, whereas the use of BAV bridge to TAVR decreased. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.3% and decreased over time. However, the BAV bridge to TAVR had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality than direct TAVR (5.6% vs. 1.3%; p < .0001). Factors associated with in-hospital mortality included age, body mass index, chronic renal disease, percutaneous coronary intervention, and BAV bridge to TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: In unplanned/emergent and planned admission settings, the in-hospital mortality rate for BAV bridge to TAVR is worse than that for direct TAVR. Practical criteria for BAV bridge to TAVR should be proposed to improve outcomes.

Correlation of transthoracic echocardiographic and angiographic measurements of pulmonary valve annular diameter in dogs with pulmonary stenosis.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Dogs with severe pulmonary stenosis (PS) are routinely treated with balloon valvuloplasty. Success and safety of these procedures require an accurate assessment of the pulmonary valve annulus (PVA) diameter for proper balloon catheter selection. PVA diameter is assessed with angiography (PVA-Ang) and transthoracic echocardiography (PVA-TTE), and both may impact procedural planning for balloon valvuloplasty. The objective of this study was to describe the relationship between PVA-Ang and PVA-TTE in dogs with PS. ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational, retrospective study of 59 client-owned dogs. Medical records of dogs diagnosed with PS were reviewed. Images from selective right ventricular angiography and transthoracic echocardiography were reviewed. The PVA diameters were measured at the time of angiography (PVA-Ang) and by a single operator for this study (PVA-TTE). Image quality scores were assigned to echocardiographic images of the PVA based on visualization of PVA margins and valve leaflet hinge points. RESULTS: In 41/59 (70%) dogs, the diameter of the PVA-Ang was larger than the PVA-TTE, and the median absolute difference between measurements was 1.9 mm (range 0.1-8.4). With worse echocardiographic image quality, the difference in measurement between modalities increased. Dogs with poor echocardiographic image quality had greater differences (range -7.7 to 8.4 mm) between PVA-Ang and PVA-TTE compared to those with excellent image quality (range -2.2 to 3.8 mm), and the absolute differences between poor (median 2.8 mm, range 1.5-8.4 mm) and excellent (median 1.4 mm, 0.2-3.8 mm) image quality were significant (P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Diameters of PVA-Ang are greater than PVA-TTE in most dogs, and these differences are most apparent with worse echocardiographic image quality. These differences may be clinically relevant to interventional procedure planning.

Current Understanding of Indications, Technical Aspects and Outcomes of Fetal Cardiac Interventions.

With the improvement in the detection of congenital heart disease in fetal life, fetal cardiac interventions are pushing the envelope in hopes of either altering the natural history of disease or improving survival in certain high-risk lesions. These interventions include fetal aortic valvuloplasty for evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome, fetal atrial septoplasty with or without atrial septal stenting for hypoplastic left heart syndrome and variants with intact or severely restrictive atrial septum, and fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty for severe pulmonary stenosis or pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum. This review discusses their indications, technical aspects, and outcomes based on available literature.

Aortic Stenosis Management in Patients With Acute Hip Fracture.

The treatment of severe aortic stenosis (SAS) has evolved rapidly with the advent of minimally invasive structural heart interventions. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement has allowed patients to undergo definitive SAS treatment achieving faster recovery rates compared to valve surgery. Not infrequently, patients are admitted/diagnosed with SAS after a fall associated with a hip fracture (HFx). While urgent orthopedic surgery is key to reduce disability and mortality, untreated SAS increases the perioperative risk and precludes physical recovery. There is no consensus on what the best strategy is either hip correction under hemodynamic monitoring followed by valve replacement or preoperative balloon aortic valvuloplasty to allow HFx surgery followed by valve replacement. However, preoperative minimalist transcatheter aortic valve replacement may represent an attractive strategy for selected patients. We provide a management pathway that emphasizes an early multidisciplinary approach to optimize time for hip surgery to improve orthopedic and cardiovascular outcomes in patients presenting with HFx-SAS.

Mitral bioprosthesis early dysfunction treated with transapical valvuloplasty during V-A ECMO.

We report the case of a 61-year-old male who had complications with a mitral valve (MV) bioprosthesis replacement by post-cardiotomy shock leading to VA ECMO implantation. The patient suffered early bioprosthetic valve failure owing to early thrombosis. The complication was successfully treated with a MV bioprosthesis transapical balloon valvuloplasty that restored normal leaflet mobility.

Clinical Outcomes of Percutaneous Transcatheter Release of Stuck Mechanical Mitral Valve With Cerebral Embolic Protection.

BACKGROUND: Surgery or fibrinolysis is the currently available evidence-based treatment for obstructive mechanical valve thrombus. We reported the feasibility and short-term outcomes of percutaneous transcatheter therapy with cerebral embolic protection. Mid- and long-term outcomes remain unknown. METHODS: From 2020 to 2023, 24 patients underwent percutaneous transcatheter release of stuck leaflets with cerebral embolic protection for obstructive mitral mechanical valve thrombus. The indications for the transcatheter therapy were failed fibrinolysis, contraindications for fibrinolysis, not willing for fibrinolysis, or high risk for surgery. The study participants were followed up for a median period of 344.50 (65.00-953.75) days. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 91.67% (n=22) of procedures. During the follow-up, 12.50% (n=3) all-cause death, 4.17% (n=1) stroke, and 16.67% (n=4) recurrence were seen. The mean survival time free from death was 1101.48 (95% CI, 929.49-1273.47) days, stroke was 1211.38 (95% CI, 1110.40-1312.35) days, and recurrence was 907.71 (95% CI, 760.20-1055.21) days. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter release of the stuck mitral mechanical valve with cerebral embolic protection is an alternative therapy with promising mid-term outcomes where surgery or fibrinolysis is not possible or in failed fibrinolysis subsets.

Self-Reported Management of Incidentally Detected Heart Murmurs in Puppies: A Survey among Veterinarians.

BACKGROUND: Heart murmurs in puppies can be innocent or pathologic; the latter is almost always related to a congenital heart disease. Differentiating between these murmurs can be challenging for practicing veterinarians, but this differentiation is essential to ensure the best prognosis for puppies having a congenital heart disease. Our study aimed to reveal how veterinarians manage puppies with a heart murmur. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was sent to Dutch and Belgian veterinary practices. RESULTS: Data from 452 respondents were analyzed. Though 88% of the respondents find detecting a heart murmur easy, only 9% find differentiating innocent murmurs from pathologic murmurs in puppies easy. Of the respondents, only 80% recommend immediate additional examination when detecting a loud heart murmur during the first veterinary health check at 6 weeks of age. Most of the respondents are aware that normal growth and the absence of clinical signs do not exclude severe congenital heart disease. Of the respondents, 31% were uncertain whether early surgical intervention could lead to improved outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Veterinarians are aware of the importance of echocardiography for puppies with a loud heart murmur, and recognize their limitations when differentiating an innocent from a pathological heart murmur in a puppy.

Impact of commissural calcification on clinical outcome of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty; a retrospective cohort study of 876 patients.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) is the ACC/AHA class I recommendation for treating symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis with suitable valve morphology, less than moderate MR and absence of left atrium clot. The mitral valve restenosis and significant mitral regurgitation (MR) are known adverse outcomes of PBMV. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of PBMV in patients with severe mitral stenosis and the effect of Commissural Calcification (CC) on the outcomes. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, 876 patients who underwent PBMV were categorized into three groups based on their Wilkins score (Group I: score ≤ 8, Group II: score 9-10, and Group III: score 11-12). Patients were evaluated before, early after PBMV and at 6- and 24-month follow-ups. Main clinical outcomes were defined as significant restenosis and or symptomatic significant MR (moderate to severe and severe MR) or candidate for mitral valve replacement (MVR). The outcomes were compared between patients with and without CC. RESULTS: A total of 876 patients with mean age 46.4 ± 12.3 years (81.0% females) were categorized based on Wilkins score. 333 (38.0%) were in Group I, 501 (57.2%) were in Group II, and 42 (4.8%) were in Group III. CC was present in 175 (20.0%) of the patients, among whom 95 (54.3%) had calcification of the anterolateral commissure, 64 (36.6%) had calcification of the posteromedial commissure, and in 16 (9.1%) patients both commissures were calcified. There was a significant difference in Wilkins score between patients with and without CC (P < 0.001). CC was associated with higher odds of significant symptomatic MR at early and mid-term follow up (OR: 1.69, 95%CI 1.19-2.41, P = 0.003; and OR: 3.90, 95%CI 2.61-5.83, P < 0.001, respectively), but not with restenosis (P = 0.128). Wilkins Groups II and III did not show higher odds of significant symptomatic MR compared to Group I at early (II: P = 0.784; III: P = 0.098) and mid-term follow up (II: P = 0.216; III: P = 0.227). Patients in Wilkins Group II had higher odds of restenosis compared to Group I (OR: 2.96,95%CI: 1.35-6.27, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Commissural calcification (CC) is an independent predictor of the significant symptomatic MR (an important determinant of adverse outcome) following PBMV in the early and mid-term follow-up. Mitral valve restenosis occurs more in patients with higher Wilkins score compared to group I with score ≤ 8. Combined Wilkins score and CC should be considered for patient suitability for PBMV.

Controlled mitral valvuloplasty using steerable catheter- waist- formed balloon system: A clinical case series.

As the general population ages, the incidence of degenerative mitral stenosis (MS) among patients has increased. Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV) has emerged as a well-established option for mitral rheumatic stenosis with specific characteristics. However, a blank therapeutic space must be filled with the treatment options for degenerative or rheumatic mitral stenosis in patients with many comorbidities and contraindication for valvuloplasty. We here present a comprehensive overview of the current possibilities, despite their scarce success. That is the reason why we propose a case series to facilitate a better understanding of our innovative technique in this challenging clinical context.

Comparison of Contemporary Treatment Strategies in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Due to Severe Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to understand the incidence and outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) due to severe aortic stenosis (AS), and the impact of conventional treatment strategies in this population. METHODS AND RESULTS: All patients admitted to the Cleveland Clinic cardiac intensive care unit between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2021 with CS were retrospectively identified and categorized into those with CS in the setting of severe AS versus CS without AS. The impact of various treatment strategies on mortality was further assessed. We identified 2754 patients with CS during the study period, of whom 216 patients (8%) had CS in the setting of severe AS. Medical management was associated with the highest 30-day mortality when compared with either balloon aortic valve replacement or aortic valve replacement (surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement) (hazard ratio, 3.69 [95% CI, 2.04-6.66]; P<0.0001). Among patients who received transcatheter therapy, 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients who received balloon aortic valvuloplasty versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement (26% versus 4%, P=0.02). Both surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement had considerably lower mortality than medical management and balloon aortic valvuloplasty at 30 days and 1 year (P<0.05 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: CS due to severe AS is associated with high in-hospital and 30-day mortality, worse compared with those with CS without AS. In suitable patients, urgent surgical aortic valvuloplasty or transcatheter aortic valve replacement is associated with favorable short- and long-term outcomes. Although balloon aortic valvuloplasty may be used to temporize patients with CS in the setting of severe AS, mortality is ≈50% if not followed by definitive aortic valve replacement within 90 days.

Percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty with shockwave lithotripsy for the treatment of calcific mitral valve stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Calcific mitral stenosis (calcific MS) presents a challenge for surgical treatment and is a contraindication for most contemporary transcatheter mitral valve replacement devices (TMVR), rendering patients with very limited therapeutic options. AIMS: This study aims to assess the clinical and hemodynamic follow-up after mitral valve lithotripsy (MVL). METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent MVL to treat symptomatic calcific MS at St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada, were included. Patients were deemed unsuitable for mitral surgery or TMVR after heart team assessment. Patients with rheumatic MS or ≥moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) were excluded. The primary endpoint was a reduction in the invasive mitral gradient by ≥50% without significant (≥moderate) MR. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent MVL between 2021 and 2023 with a mean age of 74 ± 9 years; 53% were female, with a mean STS score of 10% ± 0.1%. Following MVL, there was a reduction in the invasively measured mean trans-mitral gradient compared to baseline (14 mmHg vs. 6 mmHg; p < 0.05). The primary endpoint was achieved in 8 patients (53%) with no major procedural complications. At follow-up (median 90 days, IQR 58-115 days), 14 (93%) patients reported improved symptoms from New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III-IV to NYHA Class I-II (p < 0.01) with stable echo-derived mean gradient (7.7 mmHg ± 2 mmHg vs. 8.4 mmHg ± 2.9 mmHg (p = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients with symptomatic inoperable calcific MS, MVL was safe and associated with significant short-term clinical and hemodynamic improvement. MVL may represent a new compassionate therapy for this challenging cohort. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term outcomes and help define the role of IVL technology in treating calcific valvular conditions.

Balloon predilation or direct valve implantation in TAVI for women: Insights from the DIRECTAVI study.

BACKGROUND: The randomized DIRECTAVI trial demonstrated safety and feasibility of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) without balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) using SAPIEN 3 balloon-expandable devices. However, the female population with smaller anatomy may have potential higher risk of residual gradient and/or mismatch. PURPOSE: We assessed the impact of BAV on the procedural success rate and clinical outcomes in the female population of the DIRECTAVI trial. METHODS: Between May 2016 and May 2018, 91 of the 250 patients included in the DIRECTAVI trial were women (38.6%), 45 of them (49.5%) were enrolled in the BAV group and 46 of them (50.5%) in the direct TAVI group. The primary endpoint was procedural success rate in women (Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria). The secondary endpoint included evaluation of PPM and 1-month major adverse events according to the implantation stategy in women and comparison between men and women regarding major endpoints. RESULTS: The primary endpoint occurred in 29 women (64.4%) in the BAV group and in 34 women (73.9%) in the direct TAVI group (mean difference 9.47%; 95% confidence interval: 6.5%-25.4%; p = 0.045 for non-inferiority of the direct strategy). One-month major adverse events were similar between the 2 women groups. Procedural success was lower in women vs men (p = 0.01) due to higher incidence of moderate mismatches in women (p = 0.001) but with no significant difference regarding the implantation strategy (p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: Direct implantation of the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 valve was non-inferior to predilatation on procedural success in women. Incidence of moderate mismatch was higher in women but was not related to the implantation strategy.

Balloon Valvuloplasty in Congenital Critical Aortic Valve Stenosis in Neonates and Infants: A Rescue Procedure for the Left Ventricle.

Congenital critical aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is a life-threatening disease requiring urgent treatment. First-line therapy is still controversial. The aim of our study was (1) to analyze retrospectively the patients of our institution who underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) due to CAVS and (2) describe the techniques for improved feasibility of intervention using microcatheters and retrieval loops. Twelve patients underwent 23 BAVs: 1 BAV was performed in 3 patients, 2 BAVs were performed in 7 patients, and 3 BAVs were performed in 2 patients. The peak trans-valvular pressure gradient (Δp) and left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF) improved significantly in the first two interventions. In the first BAV, Δp decreased from 73.7 ± 34.5 mmHg to 39.8 ± 11.9 mmHg (p = 0.003), and the LVSF improved from 22.3 ± 13.5% to 31.6 ± 10.2% (p = 0.001). In the second BAV, Δp decreased from 73.2 ± 33.3 mmHg to 35.0 ± 20.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), and the LVSF increased from 26.7 ± 9.6% to 33.3 ± 7.4% (p = 0.004). Cardiac surgery during the neonatal period was avoided for all children. The median time to valve surgery was 5.75 years. Few complications occurred, namely mild-to-moderate aortic regurgitation, one remediable air embolism, and one intimal injury to the ascending aorta. We conclude that BAV is a successful emergency treatment for CAVS, resulting in left ventricular relief, clinical stabilization, and a time gain until cardiac surgery.

Myocardial biomechanical effects of fetal aortic valvuloplasty.

Fetal critical aortic stenosis with evolving hypoplastic left heart syndrome (CAS-eHLHS) can progress to a univentricular (UV) birth malformation. Catheter-based fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FAV) can resolve stenosis and reduce the likelihood of malformation progression. However, we have limited understanding of the biomechanical impact of FAV and subsequent LV responses. Therefore, we performed image-based finite element (FE) modeling of 4 CAS-eHLHS fetal hearts, by performing iterative simulations to match image-based characteristics and then back-computing physiological parameters. We used pre-FAV simulations to conduct virtual FAV (vFAV) and compared pre-FAV and post-FAV simulations. vFAV simulations generally enabled partial restoration of several physiological features toward healthy levels, including increased stroke volume and myocardial strains, reduced aortic valve (AV) and mitral valve regurgitation (MVr) velocities, reduced LV and LA pressures, and reduced peak myofiber stress. FAV often leads to aortic valve regurgitation (AVr). Our simulations showed that AVr could compromise LV and LA depressurization but it could also significantly increase stroke volume and myocardial deformational stimuli. Post-FAV scans and simulations showed FAV enabled only partial reduction of the AV dissipative coefficient. Furthermore, LV contractility and peripheral vascular resistance could change in response to FAV, preventing decreases in AV velocity and LV pressure, compared with what would be anticipated from stenosis relief. This suggested that case-specific post-FAV modeling is required to fully capture cardiac functionality. Overall, image-based FE modeling could provide mechanistic details of the effects of FAV, but computational prediction of acute outcomes was difficult due to a patient-dependent physiological response to FAV.

Infolding of Evolut PRO+ during transcatheter aortic valve implantation and bailout by post-balloon dilation: A case report.

An 89-year-old man with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation due to old age and a history of coronary artery bypass grafting. Computed tomography showed a tricuspid aortic valve and severe calcification at the aortic valve annulus, with a perimeter of 88.7 mm. The 34-mm Evolut PRO+ (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) was selected. After balloon aortic valvuloplasty, deployment of the Evolut PRO+ was attempted, but significant expansion failure was observed. Upon retraction and removal of the Evolut PRO+ from the body, frame deformation was observed. A new Evolut PRO+ was tried again, but a similar finding was noted as a magatama-like infolding on transesophageal echocardiography. Fortunately, the patient's hemodynamics were relatively stable. Post-dilation was performed using a 25 mm Z-MED II (NuMED, Inc., Montreal, Canada) for reshaping. Learning objective: In self-expanding transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs), bending of the TAV frame is widely known as one of the key problems. However, this is rare and infrequently encountered. In this case, TAV frame infolding occurred repeatedly, and the morphology of the infolding was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we report that some TAVs can be reshaped by post-dilation.