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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an independent risk factor for adverse clinical outcome, particularly in left heart disease (LHD) patients. Recent advances have clarified the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) range that is above normal and is associated with clinical events, including mortality. This progress has for the first time resulted in a new clinical definition of PH that is evidenced-based, is inclusive of mPAP >20 mm Hg, and emphasizes early diagnosis. Additionally, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) 2.2 to 3.0 WU, considered previously to be normal, appears to associate with elevated clinical risk. A revised approach to classifying PH patients as pre-capillary, isolated post-capillary, or combined pre-/post-capillary PH now guides point-of-care diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment. Exercise hemodynamic or confrontational fluid challenge studies may also aid decision-making for patients with PH-LHD or otherwise unexplained dyspnea. This collective progress in pulmonary vascular and heart failure medicine reinforces the critical importance of accurate hemodynamic assessment.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a relatively common, globally distributed, and often inherited primary cardiac disease, has now transformed into a contemporary highly treatable condition with effective options that alter natural history along specific personalized adverse pathways at all ages. HCM patients with disease-related complications benefit from: matured risk stratification in which major markers reliably select patients for prophylactic defibrillators and prevention of arrhythmic sudden death; low risk to high benefit surgical myectomy (with percutaneous alcohol ablation a selective alternative) that reverses progressive heart failure caused by outflow obstruction; anticoagulation prophylaxis that prevents atrial fibrillation-related embolic stroke and ablation techniques that decrease the frequency of paroxysmal episodes; and occasionally, heart transplant for end-stage nonobstructive patients. Those innovations have substantially improved outcomes by significantly reducing morbidity and HCM-related mortality to 0.5%/y. Palliative pharmacological strategies with currently available negative inotropic drugs can control symptoms over the short-term in some patients, but generally do not alter long-term clinical course. Notably, a substantial proportion of HCM patients (largely those identified without outflow obstruction) experience a stable/benign course without major interventions. The expert panel has critically appraised all available data and presented management insights and recommendations with concise principles for clinical decision-making.

Background Conduction abnormalities including bundle branch block are recognized sequelae following septal myectomy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but their incidence and effect on long-term mortality have not been well studied. Objectives This study was conducted to determine the impact of conduction abnormalities on mortality in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy following myectomy. Methods The outcomes of 2,482 patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who underwent transaortic septal myectomy from 1961 to 2016 were analyzed. Pre-operative and early post-operative electrocardiograms were reviewed to determine conduction status. The study endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results Mean age at operation was 54.2 ± 14.6 years, and 1,370 patients (55.2%) were men. Pre-operatively, 2,159 patients (87.0%) had normal conduction, of whom 38.8% developed left bundle branch block, 1.1% developed right bundle branch block (RBBB), and 0.6% had complete heart block (CHB) after myectomy. Among 112 patients with baseline RBBB, 34.8% developed CHB post-operatively. Overall, only 2.3% of patients developed CHB. Over a median follow-up period of 8.6 years, overall mortality differed among post-operative conduction groups after adjustment for age, sex, and concomitant procedures (p = 0.015). Specifically, mortality in those with paced rhythm after myectomy was significantly increased relative to those with normal conduction (hazard ratio: 1.57; 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 2.14; p = 0.005), although no significant difference was observed in left bundle branch block and RBBB (vs. normal) groups. Conclusions Left bundle branch block is a common sequela after septal myectomy but does not influence post-operative mortality. Myectomy-related CHB is rare in patients with baseline normal conduction, while pre-existing RBBB greatly increases the risk for CHB. Persistent paced rhythm after operation is an independent predictor of mortality.

Cardiac filling pressures may be elevated due to abnormalities in the myocardium, heightened pericardial restraint, or both. The authors hypothesized that the relative contributions due to myocardium and pericardium could be estimated by the ratio between right atrial pressure and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (RAP/PAWP), which would enable better discrimination of the extent of myocardial disease in patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP).This study investigated the relationships between RAP/PAWP and the pericardial thickness as well as echocardiographic parameters of myocardial function and assessed the prognostic implications of RAP/PAWP for long-term mortality in primary and mixed CP patients who underwent pericardiectomy.A total of 113 surgically confirmed CP patients who underwent echocardiography and cardiac catheterization within 7 days of each other between 2005 and 2013 were included in the study. The patients were classified into a high RAP/PAWP group (≥0.77; n = 56) or a low RAP/PAWP group (0.77; n = 57) according to the median RAP/PAWP value. The primary outcome was prognostic implication of RAP/PAWP on long-term mortality and assessment of the relationship between RAP/PAWP and Doppler echocardiographic parameters in primary and mixed CP. In addition, the relationship between RAP/PAWP and the pericardial thickness was assessed.RAP/PAWP was directly correlated with pericardial thickness (regression coefficient [β] = 8.34; p 0.001). RAP/PAWP had a significant direct correlation with early diastolic velocity of medial mitral annulus (e') (β = 10.69; p 0.001) and inverse relationship with early transmitral diastolic velocity (E) (β = -105.15; p 0.001), resulting in an inverse relationship with the ratio of E/e' (β = -23.53; p 0.001). Patients with high RAP/PAWP ratio had a better survival rate compared with those with low RAP/PAWP ratio (p = 0.01). Its prognostic value was significant in primary CP (p = 0.03) but not in mixed CP with concomitant myocardial disease (p = 0.89).The RAP/PAWP ratio can reflect the degree of pericardial restraint versus restrictive myocardium and was associated with the long-term survival after pericardiectomy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a relatively common often inherited global heart disease, with complex phenotypic and genetic expression and natural history, affecting both genders and many races and cultures. Prevalence is 1:200-1:500, largely based on the disease phenotype with imaging, inferring that 750,000 Americans may be affected by HCM. However, cross-sectional data show that only a fraction are clinically diagnosed, suggesting under-recognition, with most clinicians exposed to small segments of the broad disease spectrum. Highly effective HCM management strategies have emerged, altering clinical course and substantially lowering mortality and morbidity rates. These advances underscore the importance of reliable HCM diagnosis with echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance. Family screening with noninvasive imaging will identify relatives with the HCM phenotype, while genetic analysis recognizes preclinical sarcomere gene carriers without left ventricular hypertrophy, but with the potential to transmit disease. Comprehensive initial patient evaluations are important for reliable diagnosis, accurate portrayal of HCM and family history, risk stratification, and distinguishing obstructive versus nonobstructive forms.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by multiple pathological features including myocyte hypertrophy, myocyte disarray, and interstitial fibrosis.This study sought to correlate myocardial histopathology with clinical characteristics of patients with obstructive HCM and post-operative outcomes following septal myectomy.The authors reviewed the pathological findings of the myocardial specimens from 1,836 patients with obstructive HCM who underwent septal myectomy from 2000 to 2016. Myocyte hypertrophy, myocyte disarray, interstitial fibrosis, and endocardial thickening were graded and analyzed.The median age at operation was 54.2 years (43.5 to 64.3 years), and 1,067 (58.1%) were men. A weak negative correlation between myocyte disarray and age at surgery was identified (ρ = -0.22; p 0.001). Myocyte hypertrophy (p 0.001), myocyte disarray (p 0.001), and interstitial fibrosis (p 0.001) were positively associated with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. Interstitial fibrosis (p 0.001) and endocardial thickening (p 0.001) were associated with atrial fibrillation pre-operatively. In the Cox survival model, older age (p 0.001), lower degree of myocyte hypertrophy (severe vs. mild hazard ratio: 0.41; 95% confidence interval: 0.19 to 0.86; p = 0.040), and lower degree of endocardial thickening (moderate vs. mild hazard ratio: 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.58 to 0.97; p = 0.019) were independently associated with worse post-myectomy survival. Among 256 patients who had genotype analysis, patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (n = 62) had a greater degree of myocyte disarray (42% vs. 15% vs. 20%; p = 0.022). Notably, 13 patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic genetic variants of HCM had no myocyte disarray.Histopathology was associated with clinical manifestations including the age of disease onset and arrhythmias. Myocyte hypertrophy and endocardial thickening were negatively associated with post-myectomy mortality.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an independent risk factor for adverse clinical outcome, particularly in left heart disease (LHD) patients. Recent advances have clarified the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) range that is above normal and associated with clinical events, including mortality. This progress has for the first time resulted in a new clinical definition of PH that is evidenced-based, inclusive of mPAP >20 mmHg, and emphasizes early diagnosis. Additionally, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR)=2.2–3.0 WU, considered previously to be normal, appears to associate with elevated clinical risk. A revised approach to classifying PH patients as pre-capillary, isolated post-capillary, or combined pre-/post-capillary PH now guides point-of-care diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment. Exercise hemodynamic or confrontational fluid challenge studies may also aid decision-making for patients with PH-LHD or otherwise unexplained dyspnea. This collective progress in pulmonary vascular and heart failure medicine reinforces the critical importance of accurate hemodynamic assessment (Central Illustration).

Severe isolated disease of the tricuspid valve (TV) is increasing and results in intractable right heart failure. However, isolated TV surgery is rarely performed, and there are little data describing surgical outcomes.The purpose of this study was to evaluate contemporary utilization trends and in-hospital outcomes for isolated TV surgery in the United States.Patients age18 years who underwent TV repair or replacement from 2004 to 2013 were identified using the National Inpatient Sample. Patients with congenital heart disease, with endocarditis, and undergoing concomitant cardiac operations except for coronary bypass surgery were excluded.Over a 10-year period, a total of 5,005 isolated TV operations were performed nationally. Operations per year increased from 290 in 2004 to 780 in 2013 (p 0.001 for trend). In-hospital mortality was 8.8% and did not vary across the study period. Adjusted in-hospital mortality for TV replacement was significantly higher than TV repair (odds ratio: 1.91; 95% confidence interval: 1.18 to 3.09; p = 0.009).Isolated TV surgery is rarely performed, although utilization has increased over time. However, despite an increase in surgical volume, operative mortality has not changed. Mortality is greatest in patients undergoing valve replacement. Given the increasing prevalence of isolated TV disease in the population, research into optimal surgical timing and patient selection is critical.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a complex valve lesion that can pose significant management challenges for the cardiovascular clinician. This Expert Consensus Document emphasizes that recognit...

Glenn N. Levine, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair Patrick T. O’Gara, MD, MACC, FAHA, Chair-Elect Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA, Immediate Past Chair [††][1] Sana M. Al-Khatib, MD, MHS, FACC, FAHA Kim K. Birtcher, MS, PharmD, AACC Biykem Bozkurt, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA Ralph G. Brindis, MD

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an uncommon but important cause of sudden cardiac death. Objectives This study sought to develop an artificial intelligence approach for the detection of HCM based on 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG). Methods A convolutional neural network (CNN) was trained and validated using digital 12-lead ECG from 2,448 patients with a verified HCM diagnosis and 51,153 non-HCM age- and sex-matched control subjects. The ability of the CNN to detect HCM was then tested on a different dataset of 612 HCM and 12,788 control subjects. Results In the combined datasets, mean age was 54.8 ± 15.9 years for the HCM group and 57.5 ± 15.5 years for the control group. After training and validation, the area under the curve (AUC) of the CNN in the validation dataset was 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94 to 0.97) at the optimal probability threshold of 11% for having HCM. When applying this probability threshold to the testing dataset, the CNN’s AUC was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95 to 0.96) with sensitivity 87% and specificity 90%. In subgroup analyses, the AUC was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.94 to 0.97) among patients with left ventricular hypertrophy by ECG criteria and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.90 to 1.00) among patients with a normal ECG. The model performed particularly well in younger patients (sensitivity 95%, specificity 92%). In patients with HCM with and without sarcomeric mutations, the model-derived median probabilities for having HCM were 97% and 96%, respectively. Conclusions ECG-based detection of HCM by an artificial intelligence algorithm can be achieved with high diagnostic performance, particularly in younger patients. This model requires further refinement and external validation, but it may hold promise for HCM screening.

Differentiation of constrictive pericarditis (CP) from restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a complex and often challenging process. Because CP is a potentially curable cause of heart failur...

Background Incidence and outcome of mitral valve (MV) surgery are unknown in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) undergoing extended transaortic septal myectomy. Objectives This study sought to define indications and suitable operative strategy for mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with HOCM. Methods A total of 2,107 septal myectomy operations performed in adults from January 1993 to May 2014 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with prior MV operation and apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were excluded. Overall, 2,004 operations were performed in 1,993 patients. Results Pre-operative MR was grade ≥3 (of 4) in 1,152 operations (57.5%). Systolic anterior motion of mitral leaflets caused the MR in most patients. However, intrinsic MV disease was identified pre-operatively in 99 patients, all of whom had MV surgery (with septal myectomy). In 1,905 operations, no intrinsic MV disease was identified pre-operatively; in 1,830 (96.1%), septal myectomy was performed without a direct MV procedure. For 75 patients, intrinsic MV disease discovered intraoperatively led to concomitant MV repair (86.7%) or replacement (13.3%). After isolated septal myectomy, the percentage of patients with MR grade ≥3 decreased from 54.3% to 1.7% (p = 0.001) on early post-operative echocardiography. Among 174 patients with concomitant MV surgery, late survival was superior with MV repair (n = 133 [76.4%]) versus replacement (10-year survival: 80.0% vs. 55.2%; p = 0.002). Conclusions In most patients with HOCM, MR related to systolic anterior motion of the MV is relieved through adequate myectomy. Concomitant MV surgery is rarely necessary unless intrinsic MV disease is present. When MV procedures are required, repair is preferred because of improved survival compared with replacement.

Background High-output heart failure (HF) is an unusual cause of cardiac failure that has not been well-characterized. Objectives This study sought to characterize the etiologies, pathophysiology, clinical and hemodynamic characteristics, and outcomes of high-output HF in the modern era. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients referred to the Mayo Clinic catheterization laboratory for hemodynamic assessment between 2000 and 2014. Subjects with definite HF, as defined by the Framingham criteria, were compared to controls of similar age and sex. Results The most common etiologies of high-output HF (n = 120) were obesity (31%), liver disease (23%), arteriovenous shunts (23%), lung disease (16%), and myeloproliferative disorders (8%). Compared with controls (n = 24), subjects with high-output HF displayed eccentric left ventricular remodeling, greater natriuretic peptide activation, higher filling pressures, pulmonary hypertension, and increased cardiac output, despite similar ejection fraction. Elevated cardiac output in high-output HF patients was related to both lower arterial afterload (decreased systemic vascular resistance) and higher metabolic rate. Mortality was increased in high-output HF as compared with controls (hazard ratio: 3.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.6 to 7.6). Hemodynamics and outcomes were poorest amongst patients with the lowest systemic vascular resistance. Conclusions High-output HF is an important cause of clinical HF in the modern era that is related to excessive vasodilation, and most frequently caused by obesity, arteriovenous shunts, and liver disease. Given the high mortality and increasing prevalence of these comorbidities in Western countries, high-output HF must be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with dyspnea, congestion, and a normal ejection fraction.

The 2014 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for valvular heart disease were released to help guide the clinician in caring for patients with this ever more prevalent and complex group of diseases and have been instrumental in providing a foundation of knowledge for the management of patients with valvular heart disease. However, there are many caveats in applying the guidelines to individual patients. As clinicians, we wish to outline important aspects to be considered by other clinicians, including the integration of the echocardiogram with the history and physical examination, recognition of discordant data within an echocardiographic examination, and proper interpretation of the cutoff measurements applied to timing of intervention. Decisions regarding management should be individualized to the institution, particularly when recommending early operation for an asymptomatic patient. Finally, all decisions should be individualized to each patient by not only recognizing specific comorbidities, but also understanding the patient's needs and preferences.

The American College of Cardiology Emerging Faculty program was developed in 2005 to promote a systematic approach to "educate the educators" through training and mentorship. A primary focus of the program is the biennial Teaching Skills Workshop, which has had 130 participants since its inception and is focused on the concepts of effective adult learning, curriculum design, and optimization of presentation skills. A survey of participants (80 respondents of 130 total participants) found that the majority stated that participation in the program had a large impact on their ability to apply instructional design principles (49%) and present in face-to-face settings (47%), and it had a moderately large to large positive impact on their personal careers. Thus, the Emerging Faculty program combines several elements of the College's strategic plan in a single program that provides member value to early career professionals and sustained benefit for the cardiovascular community and patients.

Background The risk for and consequences of recurrent mitral regurgitation (MR) following degenerative mitral valve repair are poorly understood. Objectives This study sought to examine recurrent MR risk along with reoperation and survival rates. Methods We evaluated patients undergoing primary mitral repair for isolated degenerative MR over 1 decade. Median follow-up was 11.5 years (interquartile range: 9.2 to 13.6 years) and was 99% complete. Multivariate analysis of post-repair MR recurrence employed Cox proportional hazards and multistate modeling. Results A total of 1,218 patients met the study criteria; the mean age was 64 ± 13 years, mean ejection fraction was 63 ± 9%, and 864 (71%) patients were men. Prolapse was posterior in 62%, bileaflet in 26%, and anterior in 12%. The 15-year incidence of recurrent MR (i.e., MR ≥2) was 13.3%, incidence of mitral reoperation was 6.9%, and overall mortality was 44.0%. Repair before 1996 independently predicted MR recurrence (hazard ratio: 1.52). Additional determinants were: age, mild intraoperative residual MR, anterior leaflet prolapse, bileaflet prolapse, perfusion time >90 min, and lack of annuloplasty. Recurrence of moderate or greater MR was associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling and increased likelihood of death (hazard ratio: 1.72). Among those undergoing repair after 1996, MR recurrence rate was 1.5 per 100 patient-years during the first year post-repair, decreasing markedly to 0.9 thereafter. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that recurrent MR following degenerative mitral valve repair is associated with adverse left ventricular remodeling and late death. The incidence of MR recurrence decreases markedly following the first year after intervention. A transparent discussion of recurrent MR risk has pressing relevance when referring patients with complex mitral valve prolapse.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with older age and conditions with left ventricular pressure overload. However, the prevalence and clinical impact of MAC in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are largely unknown. We reviewed 2114 HCM patients who underwent

Left ventricular apical aneurysm (LVAA) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a rare subset of this disease. It is associated with regional scarring/fibrosis, a higher risk for arrhythmic sudden death, and thromboembolic events. Surgical resection is often considered in severely symptomatic

Stiff left atrial (LA) syndrome and pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) are potential complications of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. In patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and prior AF ablation, identifying the cause of dyspnea is vital for management. A 74-year-old male with AF ablation a decade

Low-flow, low-gradient (LFLG) severe aortic stenosis (AS) with preserved ejection fraction (EF) comprises 10% to 20% of patients with severe AS and is associated with poor prognosis [(1,2)][1]. The optimal treatment for patients with this syndrome is debated, and some have suggested that patients

Background The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) Transcatheter Valve Therapy (TVT) Registry has been a joint initiative of the STS and the ACC in concert with multiple stakeholders. The TVT Registry has important information regarding patient selection, delivery of care, science, education, and research in the field of structural valvular heart disease. Objectives This report provides an overview on current U.S. TVT practice and trends. The emphasis is on demographics, in-hospital procedural characteristics, and outcomes of patients having transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) performed at 348 U.S. centers. Methods The TVT Registry captured 26,414 TAVR procedures as of December 31, 2014. Temporal trends between 2012 and 2013 versus 2014 were compared. Results Comparison of the 2 time periods reveals that TAVR patients remain elderly (mean age 82 years), with multiple comorbidities, reflected by a high mean STS predicted risk of mortality (STS PROM) for surgical valve replacement (8.34%), were highly symptomatic (New York Heart Association functional class III/IV in 82.5%), frail (slow 5-m walk test in 81.6%), and have poor self-reported health status (median baseline Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score of 39.1). Procedure performance is changing, with an increased use of moderate sedation (from 1.6% to 5.1%) and increase in femoral access using percutaneous techniques (66.8% in 2014). Vascular complication rates are decreasing (from 5.6% to 4.2%), whereas site-reported stroke rates remain stable at 2.2%. Conclusions The TVT Registry provides important information on characteristics and outcomes of TAVR in contemporary U.S. clinical practice. It can be used to identify trends in practice and opportunities for quality improvement.

Background Symptoms and survival of patients with carcinoid syndrome have improved, but development of carcinoid heart disease (CaHD) continues to decrease survival. Objectives This study aimed to analyze patient outcomes after valve surgery for CaHD during a 27-year period at 1 institution to determine early and late outcomes and opportunities for improved patient care. Methods We retrospectively studied the short-term and long-term outcomes of all consecutive patients with CaHD who underwent valve replacement at our institution between 1985 and 2012. Results The records of 195 patients with CaHD were analyzed. Pre-operative New York Heart Association class was III or IV in 125 of 178 patients (70%). All had tricuspid valve replacement (159 bioprostheses, 36 mechanical), and 157 underwent a pulmonary valve operation. Other concomitant operations included mitral valve procedure (11%), aortic valve procedure (9%), patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect closure (23%), cardiac metastasectomies or biopsy (4%), and simultaneous coronary artery bypass (11%). There were 20 perioperative deaths (10%); after 2000, perioperative mortality was 6%. Survival rates (95% confidence intervals) at 1, 5, and 10 years were 69% (63% to 76%), 35% (28% to 43%), and 24% (18% to 32%), respectively. Overall mortality was associated with older age, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and tobacco use; 75% of survivors had symptomatic improvement at follow-up. Presymptomatic valve operation was not associated with late survival benefit. Conclusions Operative mortality associated with valve replacement surgery for CaHD has decreased. Symptomatic and survival benefit is noted in most patients when CaHD is managed by an experienced multidisciplinary team.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a complex valve lesion that can pose significant management challenges for the cardiovascular clinician. This Expert Consensus Document emphasizes that recognition of MR should prompt an assessment of its etiology, mechanism, and severity, as well as indications for treatment. A structured approach to evaluation based on clinical findings, precise echocardiographic imaging, and when necessary, adjunctive testing, can help clarify decision making. Treatment goals include timely intervention by an experienced heart team to prevent left ventricular dysfunction, heart failure, reduced quality of life, and premature death.

Low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (LGSAS) with preserved ejection fraction (EF) is incompletely understood. The influence of arterial afterload and diastolic dysfunction on the hemodynamic presentation of LGSAS remains unknown.The authors sought to determine the acute hemodynamic response to sodium nitroprusside in LGSAS with preserved EF.Symptomatic patients with LGSAS and preserved EF underwent cardiac catheterization with comparison of hemodynamic measurements before and after nitroprusside.Forty-one subjects (25 with low flow [LF], stroke volume index [SVI] ≤35 ml/mNitroprusside reduces afterload and left ventricular filling pressures in patients with LGSAS and preserved EF, enabling reclassification to moderate stenosis in 25% of patients. An inverse relationship between baseline SVI and change in SVI with afterload reduction was observed, suggesting that heightened sensitivity to afterload is a significant contributor to LF-LGSAS pathophysiology. These data highlight the utility of afterload reduction in the diagnostic assessment of LGSAS.

The medical profession should play a central role in evaluating evidence related to drugs, devices, and procedures for detection, management, and prevention of disease. When properly applied, expert analysis of available data on the benefits and risks of these therapies and procedures can improve

Henry H. Ting, MD, MBA, FACC, Chair Eric R. Bates, MD, FACC John E. Brush, Jr, MD, FACC Megan Coylewright, MD Joseph P. Drozda, Jr, MD, FACC Robert A. Harrington, MD, FACC Steven G. Lloyd, MD, PhD, FACC Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, FACC Rick A. Nishimura, MD, MACC Sara K. Pasquali, MD

The performance of the modified Bernoulli equation to estimate the RV-RA pressure gradient by continuous wave Doppler in severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is not known. Simultaneous continuous wave (CW) Doppler of the TR jet was prospectively obtained at time of cardiac catheterization in seven

This study aimed to identify characteristics, spectrum of TR severity, and treatment patterns in patients considered for intervention of severe, isolated TR at a tertiary center. The population being considered for TR intervention is currently not well defined and the role of transcatheter

Paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PVAR) is an adverse outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR). While the hemodynamic consequences of valvular aortic regurgitation are known, the significance of hemodynamic alterations in PVAR and their relation to severity, procedural success of percutaneous

Differentiation of constrictive pericarditis (CP) from restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a complex and often challenging process. Because CP is a potentially curable cause of heart failure and therapeutic options for RCM are limited, distinction of these 2 conditions is critical. Although different in regard to etiology, prognosis, and treatment, CP and RCM share a common clinical presentation of predominantly right-sided heart failure, in the absence of significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction or valve disease, due to impaired ventricular diastolic filling. Fundamental to the diagnosis of either condition is a clear understanding of the underlying hemodynamic principles and pathophysiology. We present a contemporary review of the pathophysiology, hemodynamics, diagnostic assessment, and therapeutic approach to patients presenting with CP and RCM.

Incidence and outcome of mitral valve (MV) surgery are unknown in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) undergoing extended transaortic septal myectomy.This study sought to define indications and suitable operative strategy for mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with HOCM.A total of 2,107 septal myectomy operations performed in adults from January 1993 to May 2014 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with prior MV operation and apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were excluded. Overall, 2,004 operations were performed in 1,993 patients.Pre-operative MR was grade ≥3 (of 4) in 1,152 operations (57.5%). Systolic anterior motion of mitral leaflets caused the MR in most patients. However, intrinsic MV disease was identified pre-operatively in 99 patients, all of whom had MV surgery (with septal myectomy). In 1,905 operations, no intrinsic MV disease was identified pre-operatively; in 1,830 (96.1%), septal myectomy was performed without a direct MV procedure. For 75 patients, intrinsic MV disease discovered intraoperatively led to concomitant MV repair (86.7%) or replacement (13.3%). After isolated septal myectomy, the percentage of patients with MR grade ≥3 decreased from 54.3% to 1.7% (p = 0.001) on early post-operative echocardiography. Among 174 patients with concomitant MV surgery, late survival was superior with MV repair (n = 133 [76.4%]) versus replacement (10-year survival: 80.0% vs. 55.2%; p = 0.002).In most patients with HOCM, MR related to systolic anterior motion of the MV is relieved through adequate myectomy. Concomitant MV surgery is rarely necessary unless intrinsic MV disease is present. When MV procedures are required, repair is preferred because of improved survival compared with replacement.