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Background and Objectives: By definition, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome diagnosed when the increase in serum creatinine concentration is >0.3 mg/dL in 48 h or >1.5-fold in the last seven days or when diuresis < 0.5 mL/kg/h for a consecutive 6 h. AKI is one of the severe complications that may occur in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing heart valve surgery, significantly increasing the risk of death. Early implementation of renal replacement therapy increases the chances of improving treatment results in patients with postoperative AKI. The study assessed the predictive ability of selected preoperative and perioperative parameters for the occurrence of postoperative AKI requiring renal replacement therapy in the early postoperative period in a group of patients with severe valvular heart disease. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of patients undergoing consecutive heart valve surgeries. The primary endpoint was postoperative AKI requiring renal replacement therapy. AKI was diagnosed with an increase in serum creatinine > 0.3 mg/dL in 48 h or >1.5-fold in the previous 7 days and/or a decrease in diuresis < 0.5 mL/kg/h for 6 h. The observation period was until the patient was discharged home or death occurred. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess which variables were predictive of primary endpoint, and odds ratios (OR) were calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Multivariate analysis was based on the result of single factor logistic regression, i.e., to further steps, all statistically significant variables were taken into consideration. Results: A total of 607 patients were included in the study. The primary endpoint occurred in 50 patients. At multivariate analysis: NT-proBNP (OR 1.406; 95% CI 1.015–1.949; p = 0.04), CRP (OR 1.523; 95% CI 1.171–1.980; p = 0.001), EuroSCORE II (OR 1.090; 95% CI 1.014–1.172; p = 0.01), age (OR 1.037; 95% CI 1.001–1.075; p = 0.04) and if they stayed in the intensive care unit longer than 2 days (OR 9.077; 95% CI 2.026–40.663; p = 0.004) remained the independent predictors of the primary endpoint. The mean preoperative NT-proBNP level was 2063 pg/mL (±1751). Thirty-eight patients with AKI requiring renal replacement therapy died in intrahospital follow-up. Conclusions: The results of the presented study indicate that a high preoperative level of NT-proBNP and postoperative hemodynamic instability may be associated with a significant risk of a postoperative AKI requiring renal replacement therapy. The results of the study may also suggest that qualifying for heart valve surgery earlier may be associated with improved prognosis in this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives. Hospital-acquired pneumonia is one of the complications that may occur in the postoperative period in patients undergoing heart valve surgery, which may result in prolonged hospitalization, development of respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation or even death. This study investigated the preoperative risk factors of postoperative pneumonia after heart valve surgery. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study in a group of consecutive patients with hemodynamically significant valvular heart disease undergoing valve surgery. The primary endpoint at the in-hospital follow-up was hospital-acquired pneumonia after heart valve surgery. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess which variables were predictive of the primary endpoint, and odds ratios (ORdis) were calculated with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Multivariate analysis was based on the results of single-factor logistic regression, i.e., in further steps all statistically significant variables were taken into consideration. Results: The present study included 505 patients. Postoperative pneumonia occurred in 23 patients. The mean time to diagnosis of pneumonia was approximately 3 days after heart valve surgery (±2 days). In multivariate analysis, preoperative level of high-sensitivity Troponin T (hs-TnT) (OR 2.086; 95% CI 1.211–3.593; p = 0.008) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) (OR 1.043; 95% CI 1.018–1.067; p 0.004) remained independent predictors of the postoperative pneumonia. Of the patients with postoperative pneumonia, 3 patients died due to the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Conclusions: Preoperative determination of serum hs-TnT concentration and echocardiographic measurement of the RVSP parameter may be useful in predicting postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is the progressive and potentially reversible dysfunction of at least two organ systems in the course of an acute and life-threatening disorder of systemic homeostasis. MODS is a serious post-cardiac-surgery complication in valvular heart disease that is associated with a high risk of death. This study assessed the predictive ability of selected preoperative and perioperative parameters for the occurrence of MODS in the early postoperative period in a group of patients with severe valvular heart disease. Methods: Subsequent patients with significant symptomatic valvular heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery were recruited in the study. The main end-point was postoperative MODS, defined as a dysfunction of at least two organs—perioperative stroke, heart failure requiring mechanical circulatory support, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and postoperative acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy. A logistic regression was used to assess relationships between variables. Results: There were 602 patients recruited for this study. The main end-point occurred in 40 patients. Preoperative NT-proBNP (OR 1.026; 95% CI 1.012–1.041; p = 0.001) and hemoglobin (OR 0.653; 95% CI 0.503–0.847; p = 0.003) are independent predictors of the primary end-point in a multivariate regression analysis. The cut-off point for the NT-proBNP value for postoperative MODS was calculated at 1300 pg/mL. Conclusions: A high preoperative level of NTpro-BNP may be associated with the onset of MODS in the early postoperative period. The results of the study may also suggest that earlier cardiac surgery for significant valvular heart disease may be associated with an improved prognosis in this group of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the sudden cessation of normal cardiac activity with hemodynamic collapse. This usually leads to sudden cardiac death (SCD) when cardiopulmonary resuscitation is not undertaken. In patients undergoing heart valve surgery, postoperative SCA is a complication with a high risk of death, cerebral hypoxia and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Therefore, knowledge of the predictors of postoperative SCA is extremely important as it enables the identification of patients at risk of this complication and the application of the special surveillance and therapeutic management in this group of patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of selected biomarkers in predicting postoperative SCA in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on a group of 616 consecutive patients with significant valvular heart disease that underwent elective valve surgery with or without coronary artery bypass surgery. The primary end-point at the intra-hospital follow-up was postoperative SCA. The secondary end-point was death from all causes in patients with postoperative SCA. Patients were observed until discharge from the hospital or until death. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationships between variables. Results: The postoperative SCA occurred in 14 patients. At multivariate analysis, only NT-proBNP (odds ratio (OR) 1.022, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.012–1.044; p = 0.03) remained independent predictors of the primary end-point. Age and NT-proBNP were associated with an increased risk of death in patients with postoperative SCA. Conclusions: The results of the presented study indicate that SCA in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing heart valve surgery is an unpredictable event with high mortality. The potential predictive ability of the preoperative NT-proBNP level for the occurrence of postoperative SCA and death in patients after SCA demonstrated in the study may indicate that the overloaded and damaged myocardium in patients undergoing heart valve surgery is particularly sensitive to non-physiological conditions prevailing in the perioperative period, which may cause serious hemodynamic disturbances in the postoperative period and lead to death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by increased morbidity and mortality. This systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 studies was conducted to evaluate the role of copeptin in diagnosis and outcome prediction in HF patients. A systematic literature search for clinical trials reporting copeptin levels in HF patients was performed using EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar. Articles from databases published by 2 January 2022, that met the selection criteria were retrieved and reviewed. The random effects model was used for analyses. Pooled analysis found higher mean copeptin levels in HF vs. non-HF populations (43.6 ± 46.4 vs. 21.4 ± 21.4; MD= 20.48; 95% CI: 9.22 to 31.74; p < 0.001). Pooled analysis of copeptin concentrations stratified by ejection fraction showed higher concentrations in HFrEF vs. HFpEF (17.4 ± 7.1 vs. 10.1 ± 5.5; MD= −4.69; 95% CI: −7.58 to −1.81; p = 0.001). Copeptin level was higher in patients with mortality/acute HF-related hospitalization vs. stable patients (31.3 ± 23.7 vs. 20.4 ± 12.8; MD= −13.06; 95% CI: −25.28 to −0.84; p = 0.04). Higher copeptin concentrations were associated with mortality and observed in all follow-up periods (p < 0.05). The present meta-analysis showed that elevated copeptin plasma concentrations observed in HF patients are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, thus copeptin may serve as predictor of outcome in HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Heart valve surgery is associated with a risk of serious postoperative complications including postoperative cardiogenic shock (described as postcardiotomy shock (PCS)). The indication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is cardiogenic shock, which is resistant to optimal causal and pharmacological treatment, including the supply of catecholamines and/or an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the selected preoperative biomarkers in the prediction of postoperative cardiogenic shock requiring ECMO in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of consecutive patients with significant valvular heart disease that underwent elective valve surgery. The primary endpoint at the intra-hospital follow-up was postoperative cardiogenic shock requiring ECMO. Univariate analysis, followed by multivariate regression analysis, were performed. Results: The study included 610 patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 15 patients. At multivariate analysis, the preoperative N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level (OR 1.022; 95% CI 1.011–1.034; p = 0.001) remained an independent predictor of the primary endpoint. Conclusions: An elevated NT-proBNP level was associated with a higher risk of postoperative cardiogenic shock requiring the use of ECMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An inflammatory reaction is a local or systemic response of the organs or tissues of the body to many damaging factors. One of the exponents of the inflammatory process is C-reactive protein (CRP). Aim: To investigate the prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients undergoing valve surgery. Material and methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of consecutive patients with haemodynamically significant valve defects who underwent elective valve repair or replacement surgery. The primary end-point was in-hospital death from all causes. Patients were followed by direct observation during hospitalization. The risk of surgery using Euro- SCORE II was calculated for each patient. The plasma levels of C-reactive protein were measured by the Cardiac C-Reactive Protein (Latex) High Sensitive Test (Roche, Germany). Results: The study group included 562 patients. The mean age in the studied population was 63 (standard deviation (SD) ±12). The mean plasma preoperative CRP level was 0.39 ±0.3 mg/dl. The primary endpoint occurred in 25 patients. At multivariate analysis age (p = 0.01), CRP (p = 0.02) and NT-proBNP (p = 0.03) remained independent predictors of the primary endpoint. A significant correlation was found between the level of CRP and haemoglobin (r = -0.3; p < 0.0001), red cell distribution width (r = 0.22; p < 0.0001), ejection fraction (r = -0.24, p = 0.007), troponin T (r = 0.3; p < 0.0001), creatinine (r = 0.26; p = 0.001) and body mass index (r = -0.29; p = 0.005). The average total time of hospitalization after the operation in patients with occurrence of the primary endpoint was 25 ±13 days. Conclusions: Elevated preoperative CRP was associated with a poorer outcome following valve surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several studies have reported that elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure or coronary artery disease. Its prognostic utility in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) has not been fully described. Aim: To assess the predictive abilities of the NT-proBNP parameter in terms of the occurrence of serious postoperative complications in the early observation period in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery. Material and methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of consecutive patients with hemodynamically significant aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement surgery. One day before surgery a blood sample for the measurement of biomarker levels was collected from each patient. The primary endpoint was any major adverse events including death within 30 days. Results: The study included 245 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement surgery with or without concomitant procedures on the ascending aorta. The mean age in the study group was 66 ±11 and there were 149 (61%) men. In 160 patients a biological aortic valve prosthesis was implanted, and in 85 a mechanical valve. The composite endpoint occurred in 74 patients. The actual mortality was 3.2% vs. the mortality of 2.9% predicted by the EuroSCORE II model. In multivariate analysis NT-proBNP (p = 0.01), age (p = 0.02) and NYHA class (p = 0.01) remained independent predictors of the composite endpoint. A correlation was found between the level of NT-proBNP and hs-TnT (r = 0.27; p < 0.001), ejection fraction (EF) (r = -0.48; p < 0.001), NYHA class (r = 0.3; p < 0.001) and pulmonary blood pressure (r = 0.48; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Elevated preoperative NT-proBNP was associated with a poorer outcome following AVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of lactate blood levels in the perioperative period in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Material and methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of consecutive patients with significant valvular heart disease who underwent elective valve surgery. The primary endpoint was total mortality in a 30-day follow-up. Univariate analysis, followed by multivariate regression analysis, was performed. Results: The study included 801 patients. The primary end point occurred in 36 patients. At multivariate analysis lactate blood level measured one day after surgery and pH measured one day after surgery remained independent predictors of the primary end-point. Conclusions: Elevated postoperative lactate blood level was associated with a higher risk of postoperative death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There were gaps between guidelines and practice when surgery was the only treatment for aortic stenosis (AS)., Objectives: This study analyzed the decision to intervene in patients with severe AS in the EORP VHD (EURObservational Research Programme Valvular Heart Disease) II survey., Methods: Among 2,152 patients with severe AS, 1,271 patients with high-gradient AS who were symptomatic fulfilled a Class I recommendation for intervention according to the 2012 European Society of Cardiology guidelines; the primary end point was the decision for intervention., Results: A decision not to intervene was taken in 262 patients (20.6%). In multivariate analysis, the decision not to intervene was associated with older age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34 per 10-year increase; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.61; P = 0.002), New York Heart Association functional classes I and II versus III (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.16 to 2.30; P = 0.005), higher age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (OR: 1.09 per 1-point increase; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.17; P = 0.03), and a lower transaortic mean gradient (OR: 0.81 per 10-mm Hg decrease; 95% CI: 0.71 to 0.92; P < 0.001). During the study period, 346 patients (40.2%, median age 84 years, median EuroSCORE II [European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II] 3.1%) underwent transcatheter intervention and 515 (59.8%, median age 69 years, median EuroSCORE II 1.5%) underwent surgery. A decision not to intervene versus intervention was associated with lower 6-month survival (87.4%; 95% CI: 82.0 to 91.3 vs 94.6%; 95% CI: 92.8 to 95.9; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: A decision not to intervene was taken in 1 in 5 patients with severe symptomatic AS despite a Class I recommendation for intervention and the decision was particularly associated with older age and combined comorbidities. Transcatheter intervention was extensively used in octogenarians., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Since the start of EORP, the following companies have supported the program: Abbott Vascular Inc (2011-2021), Amgen Cardiovascular (2009-2018), AstraZeneca (2014-2021), Bayer AG (2009-2018), Boehringer Ingelheim (2009-2019), Boston Scientific (2009-2012), Bristol Myers Squibb–Pfizer Alliance (2011-2019), Daiichi-Sankyo Europe GmbH (2011-2020), Alliance Daiichi-Sankyo Europe GmbH and Eli Lilly and Company (2014-2017), Edwards (2016-2019), Gedeon Richter Plc (2014-2016), Menarini International Operations (2009-2012), MSD-Merck and Co (2011-2014), Novartis Pharma AG (2014-2020), ResMed (2014-2016), Sanofi (2009-2011), Servier (2009-2018), and Vifor (2019-2022). Dr Prendergast has received grants and personal fees from Edwards Lifesciences; has received personal fees from Abbott and Anteris outside the submitted work. Dr Wendler has received personal fees from Edwards Lifesciences and Neovasc during the conduct of the study. Dr Bax has received grants from Abbott, Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Biotronik, GE Healthcare, and Bayer; and has received personal fees from Abbott during the conduct of the study. Dr Vahanian has received personal fees from Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, and Abbott Vascular during the conduct of the study; and has received personal fees from Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, Abbott Vascular, and Cardiovalve outside the submitted work. Dr Iung has received personal fees from Edwards Lifesciences; and has received travel fees from Boehringer Ingelheim outside the submitted work. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the predictive ability of risk calculators of the EuroSCORE II and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) due to severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) during a 30-day and 1-year follow-up., Methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of consecutive patients with hemodynamically significant aortic valve stenosis that underwent elective valve replacement surgery. The risk of surgery using EuroSCORE II and STS was calculated for each patient. The primary and secondary endpoints were 30-day and 1-year mortality., Results: The study group included 428 consecutive patients who underwent replacement of the aortic valve. Thirteen patients died during the 30-day follow-up and 25 patients died during 1-year follow-up. Actual mortality in 30-day observation was 3.0% compared to the predicted 2.9% using EuroSCORE II and 2.1% for STS. The discriminations of ES II and STS score were above 0.8 for mortality prediction during the 30-day and 1-year observation period., Conclusions: The EuroSCORE II and STS score showed satisfactory discrimination and calibration for predicting 30-day and 1-year mortality in patients undergoing AVR., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of red cell distribution width (RDW) for multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing valve replacement or repair surgery. A prospective study was conducted on a group of 713 patients with haemodynamically significant valvular heart disease who underwent elective valvular surgery. The primary end-point at the 30-day follow-up was postoperative MODS. The secondary end-point was death from all causes in patients with MODS. The postoperative MODS occurred in 72 patients. At multivariate analysis: RDW (OR 1.267; 95% CI 1.113-1.441; P =0.0003), creatinine (OR 1.007; 95% CI 1.001-1.013; P =0.02) and age (OR 1.047; 95% CI 1.019-1.077; P =0.001) remained independent predictors of the primary end-point. Receiver operator characteristics analysis determined a cut-off value of RDW for the prediction of the occurrence of the perioperative MODS at 14.3%. RDW (OR 1.448; 95% CI 1.057-1.984; P =0.02) and age (OR 1.057; 95% CI 1.007-1.117; P =0.04) were associated with an increased risk of death in patients with perioperative MODS. Elevated RDW is associated with a higher risk of MODS and death in patients with MODS following heart valve surgery., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Background: The use of imaging data fusion method (IDFM) with multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) may result in reclassification of AS severity from severe to non-severe., Aim: We sought to establish potential predictors of AS severity reclassification using the IDFM method., Methods: A total of 54 high-risk patients (mean age 79 ± 7.9 years; 40.7% male) with severe AS by 2D-TTE (indexed aortic valve area [AVAi] < 0.6 cm2/m2), referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, were included in the analysis. AVAi was subsequently recalculated using IDFM by replacing 2D-TTE left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) measurements with MSCT LVOT parameters., Results: Imaging data fusion method reclassified 20.4% patients into the potentially non-severe AS group. In a multivariable model including clinical variables, reclassification to non-severe AS by IDFM was independently associated with younger age and diabetes mellitus (DM), (odds ratio [OR] 0.864; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-0.99; p < 0.035 and OR 19.259; 95% CI 2.28-162.41; p < 0.007, respectively). In a multivariable analysis of echocardiographic variables, reclassification was associ-ated with higher LVOT velocity time integral and lower aortic mean gradient (OR 1.402; 95% CI 1.07-1.84; p < 0.014 and OR 0.858; 95%: CI 0.760-0.968; p < 0.013, respectively). In addition, 24.1% of patients were reallocated from low-flow (< 35 mL/m2) to normal-flow AS., Conclusions: Imaging data fusion method reclassified a substantial proportion of patients with severe AS into a potentially moderate AS group and from a low-flow to a normal-flow AS group. Such regrouping calls for increased diagnostic prudence in AS patients, especially those with specific clinical and echocardiographic predictors of reclassification, such as DM or low aortic mean gradient.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases such as acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and chronic heart failure. The prognostic utility of RDW in patients with valvular disease undergoing heart valve surgery is unknown., Methods: A prospective study was conducted on a group of consecutive patients with hemodynamically significant valvular heart disease that underwent elective valvular surgery. The preoperative complete blood count, data on risk factors, course of operations and the postoperative period were assessed. The primary and secondary endpoints were 30-day mortality and any major adverse event within 30 days. The data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves, regression analyses, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves., Results: The study group included 500 consecutive patients who underwent replacement or repair of the valve/valves. Sixteen patients died during the follow up period. On multivariate analysis, creatinine (p = 0.04), red blood cell (RBC) count (p = 0.005) and RDW (p = 0.02) were each associated with an increased risk of death. The composite endpoint occurred in 208 patients. On multivariate analysis, chronic kidney disease (p = 0.003), raised pulmonary blood pressure (p = 0.02) and RDW (p = 0.001) remained independent predictors of the secondary endpoint. The preoperative RDW in patients with valvular disease undergoing valve surgery, combined with EuroSCORE II, predicted 30-day mortality significantly better than did EuroSCORE II alone., Conclusions: An elevated RDW is associated with a worse outcome following valve surgery. The predictive ability of the RDW, when assessed by the area under the ROC curve, improved the predictive ability of the EuroSCORE II calculator.

Background and Aim: Several studies have reported that elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with poor outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure and aortic stenosis following transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Their prognostic utility in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery is unknown., Methods: We prospectively evaluated the prognostic value of RDW in a group of 191 consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing AVR. The pre-defined primary endpoint at the 30-day follow-up was composed of: all cause mortality, perioperative myocardial infarction, perioperative renal failure, prolonged mechanical ventilation, stroke, heart failure, successfully resuscitated cardiac arrest, the occurrence of multiple-organ failure, and the need for additional surgery for any reason. The secondary endpoint was total mortality., Results: The composite endpoint occurred in 54 patients. In univariate analysis RDW (p < 0.0001), haemoglobin level (p = 0.005), haematocrit (p = 0.01), red blood cell count (RBC; p = 0.002), glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.003), New York Heart Association classification (p = 0.02), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.0044), and pulmonary blood pressure (p = 0.004) were associated with the occurrence of the composite endpoint. RDW (p = 0.0005), haemoglobin level (p = 0.004), haematocrit (p = 0.004), RBC (p = 0.0009) and mean corpuscular volume (p = 0.01) were associated with an increased risk of death. In multivariate analysis, RDW (OR 3.274; 95% CI 1.285-8.344; p = 0.0003) and RBC (OR 0.373; 95% CI 0.176-0.787; p = 0.0097) remained independent predictors of the composite endpoint. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined a cut-off value of RDW for the prediction of the occurrence of the combined endpoint at 14.1%., Conclusions: Elevated RDW is associated with a worse outcome following AVR, independent of RBC.

Background: Whilst echocardiography is currently the 'gold standard' for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE), it has certain limitations and alternative imaging methods are being sought. The study aim was assess the usefulness of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging when diagnosing IE., Methods: Twenty consecutive patients with diagnosed IE were included in the study. All patients underwent CMR and transthoracic echocardiography, and 16 (80%) underwent also transesophageal echocardiography., Results: CMR revealed vegetations in 15 patients (75%). Following echocardiography, vegetations were identified in 19 patients (95%) and valve perforation was suspected in seven (35%); vegetations were identified by CMR in six (30%) of these patients. Echocardiography identified two patients suspected of perivalvular abscess; in one patient the abscess was diagnosed also by CMR and intraoperatively, but in the second patient neither CMR nor intraoperative examination confirmed this diagnosis. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was reported at CMR in eight patients (40%), associated with an extension of the inflammatory process and myocardium infiltration. The valve insufficiency fraction allowed the degree of insufficiency of the valves affected by inflammatory processes to be estimated. A positive correlation was found between the degree of valve insufficiency assessed with CMR and echocardiography., Conclusions: CMR may serve as a useful method for diagnosing perivalvular complications in IE patients, although vegetation visualization is limited by the low spatial resolution of the method. CMR may prove superior to echocardiography in evaluating the degree of inflammatory process involvement in the myocardium. The degree of valve insufficiency and its hemodynamic significance can also be assessed.