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Objective To examine contemporary clinical differences between men and women with hemodynamically significant chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). Patients and Methods We retrospectively identified 1072 consecutive patients with moderate to severe or severe AR diagnosed between February 21, 2004, and April 29, 2019. Echocardiographic data, aortic valve surgical intervention (AVS), and all-cause death were analyzed. Results At baseline, the 189 women in the study group were older than the 883 men (mean ± SD age, 64±18 years vs 58±17 years), had more advanced symptoms, and had larger left ventricular end-systolic dimension index (LVESDi) (all P Conclusion In contemporary practice, women with AR continue to exhibit an overall survival penalty not related to female sex but to late referral markers, including more advanced symptoms, larger LVESDi, and less AVS. Nonetheless, women in our study exhibited outstanding post-AVS left ventricular remodeling and had good post-AVS survival, a step forward toward closing the sex-related mortality gap. The high percentage of LVESDi of 20 mm/m2 or greater in asymptomatic women represents a window of opportunity for advanced-symptom prevention and timely AR surgical correction that may close the mortality gap.

Background Intracranial aneurysms are reported in 6%–10% of patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), and routine intracranial aneurysm surveillance has been advocated by some. We assessed the prevalence and features of the most important patient‐outcome: aneurysmal sub‐arachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), as compared with controls without aSAH, and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) with aSAH. Methods and Results Adult patients with accurate diagnosis of aSAH and at least one echocardiogram between 2000 and 2019 were identified from a consecutive prospectively maintained registry of aSAH admissions. Controls without a diagnosis of SAH were age‐ and sex‐matched. BAV prevalence was confirmed echocardiographically. Severity of aSAH was categorized using modified Fisher and World Federation of Neurological Scale. Neurologic outcome was assessed using modified Rankin score. A total 488 aSAH cases and 990 controls were identified and BAV status was confirmed. Prevalence of BAV in patients with aSAH was 1.2% (6/488) versus 3.5% (35/990) in controls, P =0.01. BAV+aSAH were noted to be younger than TAV+aSAH (56±11 versus 68±14; P =0.03) with smaller aneurysms (5±2 versus 7±4; P =0.31). The severity of aSAH was lesser in BAV+aSAH than TAV (modified Fisher grade>2 50% versus 74%; P =0.19, World Federation of Neurological Scale grade>3 17% versus 36%; P =0.43). BAV+aSAH had less severe neurologic disability (modified Rankin score 3%–6 33% versus 49% in TAV; P =0.44) and comparable in‐hospital mortality rates ( P =0.93). BAV had lower odds for aSAH on multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.23[CI 0.08–0.65]; P =0.01). Conclusions Prevalence of BAV was 3 times lower in the aSAH registry than in controls without aSAH. BAV+aSAH had clinically smaller aneurysms, clinically smaller bleeds, and better neurologic outcome as compared with TAV+aSAH, which needs to be confirmed in larger studies. These findings argue against routine surveillance for intracranial aneurysms in patients with BAV without aortic coarctation.

ObjectiveTo comprehensively explore contemporary differences between bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) patients with chronic haemodynamically significant aortic regurgitation (AR).MethodsConsecutive patients with chronic ≥moderate-severe AR from a tertiary referral centre (2006–2017) were included. All-cause mortality, surgical indications and aortic valve surgery (AVS) were analysed.ResultsOf 798 patients (296 BAV-AR, age 46±14 years; 502 TAV-AR, age 67±14 years, p20 mm/m2; similar thresholds were observed for BAV-AR patients.ConclusionBAV-AR patients were two decades younger than TAV-AR and underwent AVS more frequently, resulting in a considerable real-life survival advantage for BAV-AR that was determined primarily by age and not valve anatomy. Pragmatically, regardless of valve anatomy, patients with haemodynamically significant AR and age >50–55 years require a low-threshold for surgical referral to prevent symptom development where LVEF 20 mm/m2 seem appropriate referral thresholds.

Etiology, mechanisms, and survival of mitral regurgitation (MR) plus hemodynamically-significant chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) are mostly unknown.The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, mechanisms, etiologies, and survival impact of coexistent ≥ moderate MR in AR patients.Consecutive patients with ≥ moderate-severe AR were retrospectively identified between 2004 and 2019.Of 1,239 eligible patients (61 ± 18 years, 80% men), 1,072 (86%) had pure AR, and 167 (14%) had AR + MR (9% functional mitral regurgitation [FMR] [84% nonischemic] and 5% organic mitral regurgitation [OMR] [62% degenerative]). At baseline transthoracic echocardiogram, pure AR versus AR + OMR versus AR + FMR exhibited differences in age (59 ± 18, 62 ± 16, and 73 ± 14 years, respectively), female sex (18%, 27%, and 39%, respectively), symptoms (36%, 41%, and 64%, respectively), atrial fibrillation (5%, 17%, and 36%, respectively), left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (59%, 58%, and 46%, respectively), LV end-systolic dimension and volume index, ≥ moderate tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (7%, 35%, and 53%, respectively), and right ventricular systolic pressure (32 ± 11, 45 ± 15, and 50 ± 14 mm Hg, respectively), all p 0.0001. After a median follow-up of 5.2 years (interquartile range: 2.2 to 10.0 years) and adjusting for demographics, New York Heart Association functional class, aortic valve surgery, LV ejection fraction, LV end-systolic dimension and volume index, presence of FMR was independently associated with all-cause mortality (p ≤ 0.004). Compared with pure AR, AR + MR + TR exhibited the highest adjusted risk of death (2.4-fold; p 0.0001). When compared with expected population survival, excess mortality risks of pure AR, AR + OMR, and AR + FMR were 1.25-fold, 1.76-fold, and 2.34-fold, respectively (all p ≤ 0.02).In hemodynamically significant AR, coexistent MR is not uncommon (approximately 14%) and mostly comprises FMR and less commonly OMR. As compared with pure AR, AR + MR + TR exhibit the largest mortality risk. Both AR + OMR and AR + FMR carry a survival penalty compared with the general population, but AR + FMR is associated with the largest excess mortality and represents an advanced stage within the AR clinical spectrum.

Bicuspid aortic valve(BAV) is common. Some studies suggest that all BAV patients require screening for intracranial aneurysm(IA) in order to prevent sub-arachnoid hemorrhage(SAH). Aortic coarctation(CoA) carries high-risk of both IA and SAH. Using a nationally-representative population, we assessed the frequency of IA and SAH in admissions with BAV-without-CoA versus admissions with CoA(with or without BAV).Between 2000 and 2016, adult admissions with a primary/secondary diagnosis of BAV and/or CoA were identified using the National Inpatient Sample. Admissions with traumatic SAH and inter-hospital transfers were excluded. Outcomes were frequency of IA and SAH, and in-hospital mortality in BAV-without-CoA versus CoA.In this 17-year period, 254,675 admissions met inclusion criteria and 236,930(93.0%) had BAV-without-CoA. BAV-with-CoA was present in 2846(1.1%) and isolated-CoA in 14,899(5.9%), for a total of 17,745(7%) with CoA. IA was noted in 405 admissions(0.2%) overall, BAV-without-CoA versus CoA having 293(0.1%) versus 112(0.6%), p 0.001. SAH was noted in 910 admissions(0.4%) overall, with BAV-without-CoA versus CoA having 760(0.3%) versus 150(0.9%), p 0.001.In this study, BAV-without-CoA admissions had 0.1%(6-times lower than CoA) and 0.3%(3-times lower that CoA) IA and SAH, respectively, which is comparable to the general population. This suggests that BAV-without-CoA patients likely do not require routine surveillance for IA.

To study contemporary etiologies, mechanisms, and corresponding surgical approaches in isolated aortic regurgitation (AR).Consecutive patients undergoing surgery for moderately severe and severe AR were retrospectively identified from January 1, 2006, through October 20, 2017. Intraoperative echocardiograms, surgical reports, and pathology reports were reviewed.Of 382 patients (54±16 years, 82% men), there were 207 (54%) tricuspid (TAV), 167 (44%) bicuspid (BAV), 5 quadricuspid, and 3 unicuspid aortic valves. Isolated AR mechanisms (n=116, 30%) included cusp prolapse (n=44, 11%), restriction/retraction (n=33, 9%), aortic root dilatation (n=33, 9%), perforation (n=5, 1%), and fenestration (1%); mixed mechanisms were present in 266 (70%). The most common mixed mechanism was root dilatation and prolapse (27% BAV vs 16% TAV, P=.01). Valve repair (AVr) was performed in 31% BAV and 23% TAV (P=.06). Aortic surgery was more common in BAV (37% vs 27%, P.001). Overall, root dilatation was associated with AVr. In TAV, cusp prolapse and restriction/retraction were associated with replacement; in BAV, prolapse was associated with AVr. AR etiology was idiopathic in 43% TAV patients, 47% of whom had root dilatation.BAV accounted for 44% of surgical referrals for AR and, compared with TAV, was more often associated with prolapse, root dilatation, and mixed mechanisms of AR. Because mechanisms affected the choice of AVr differently in BAV and TAV, comprehensive mechanistic description of surgical AR is critical.

Background Few data exist on the contemporary profiles and outcomes of patients with significant aortic regurgitation (AR). Objectives This study sought to assess the benefits of aortic valve repair or replacement (AVR) and the prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) dimensions in significant AR. Methods From 2006 to 2017, consecutive patients with ≥moderate-severe chronic AR without prior heart surgery, myocardial infarction, or overt coronary artery disease were included. Results Of 748 participants (58 ± 17 years of age; 82% men), 387 (52%) were medically treated, and 361 (48%) had AVR. Of 361 patients having AVR, 334 (93%) met guideline criteria: Class I indications in 284 (79%) patients, which included symptoms in 236, and Class II indications in 50 (14%). The remaining 27 (7%) opted for surgery without Class I or II indications. At a median follow-up of 4.9 years (interquartile range: 2.3 to 8.3 years), 125 (17%) patients had died. Age, comorbidities, baseline symptoms, and higher LV end-systolic dimension index (LVESDi) were associated with all-cause mortality (all p ≤ 0.01). Compared with patients having LVESDi Conclusions Class I indications for surgery, mainly symptoms, are the most common triggers for AVR. Class II indications were associated with better post-operative outcome and thus merit more attention. LVESDi was the only LV parameter independently associated with all-cause mortality and the ideal cutoff seems to be lower than previously recommended.

Whether automated left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) is associated with outcomes in patients with asymptomatic aortic regurgitation (AR) is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of automated LVGLS on survival and compare it with conventional left ventricular (LV) parameters in patients with chronic asymptomatic AR.LVGLS (presented as an absolute value) was measured using fully automated two-dimensional strain software in consecutive patients with isolated chronic moderate to severe or greater AR between 2004 and 2020; the incremental value of LVGLS was assessed. Limited correction of endocardial border tracking was performed if needed.Of 550 asymptomatic patients (mean age, 60 ± 17 years; 86% men), average LVGLS was 17 ± 3% (first and second tertiles, 15.8% and 18.5%). In 16% of cases, tracking border was partially corrected; average time for analysis was 25 ± 5 sec. At a median of 4.8 years (interquartile range, 1.5-9.9 years), 87 patients had died (19 died after aortic valve surgery). Separate multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, Charlson index, AR severity, and time-dependent aortic valve surgery demonstrated that LV ejection fraction (hazard ratio [HR] per 10%, 0.9), LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVi; HR per 5 mL/mIn this large cohort of asymptomatic patients with moderate to severe or greater AR, automated LVGLS was feasible, efficient, and independently associated with death in head-to-head comparisons with conventional LV ejection fraction, LV end-systolic dimension index, and LVESVi. An automated LVGLS threshold of15% alone or combined with LVESVi ≥ 45 mL/m

The aim of this study was to assess in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) mitral annular disjunction (MAD) prevalence, phenotypic characteristics, and long-term outcomes (clinical arrhythmic events and excess mortality).Clinical knowledge regarding MAD of MVP remains limited and controversial, and its potential link with untoward outcomes is unsubstantiated.A cohort of 595 (278 women, mean age 61 ± 16 years) consecutive patients with isolated MVP, with comprehensive clinical, rhythmic, Doppler echocardiographic, and consistent MAD assessment, were examined. MAD prevalence, associated MVP phenotypes, and outcomes (survival, clinical arrhythmic events) starting at diagnostic echocardiography were analyzed. To balance important baseline differences, propensity scoring matching was conducted among patients with and those without MAD.The presence of MAD was common (n = 186 [31%]) in patients with MVP, generally in younger patients, and was not random but was independently associated with severe myxomatous disease involving bileaflet MVP and marked leaflet redundancy (both P ≤ 0.0002). The presence of MAD was also independently associated with a larger left ventricle (P = 0.005). Age-matched cohort survival after MVP diagnosis was not worse with MAD (10-year survival 93% ± 2% for patients without MAD and 97% ± 1% for those with MAD; P = 0.40), even adjusted comprehensively for MVP characteristics (P = 0.80) and accounting for time-dependent mitral surgery (P = 0.60). During follow-up, 170 patients had clinical arrhythmic events (ventricular tachycardia, n = 159; arrhythmia ablation, n = 14; cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, n = 14; sudden cardiac death, n = 3). MAD was independently associated with higher risk for arrhythmic events (adjusted HR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.87-3.62; P 0.0001). The link between MAD and arrhythmic events persisted with time-dependent mitral surgery (adjusted HR: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.84-3.50; P 0.0001), was strong under medical management (adjusted HR: 3.21; 95% CI: 2.03-5.06; P 0.0001) but was weaker after mitral surgery (adjusted HR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.24-3.43; P = 0.005).This large cohort with MVP comprehensively characterized shows that MAD is frequent at MVP diagnosis and is strongly linked to advanced myxomatous degeneration. The presence of MAD was independently associated with long-term excess incidence of clinical arrhythmic events. However, within the first 10 years post-diagnosis, MAD was not linked to excess mortality, and although reassurance should be provided from the survival point of view, careful monitoring for arrhythmias is in order for MAD.

Importance Volumetric measurements by transthoracic echocardiogram may better reflect left ventricular (LV) remodeling than conventional linear LV dimensions. However, the association of LV volumes with mortality in patients with chronic hemodynamically significant aortic regurgitation (AR) is unknown. Objective To assess whether LV volumes and volume-derived LV ejection fraction (Vol-LVEF) are determinants of mortality in AR. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included consecutive asymptomatic patients with chronic moderately severe to severe AR from a tertiary referral center (January 2004 through April 2019). Exposures Clinical and echocardiographic data were analyzed retrospectively. Aortic regurgitation severity was graded by comprehensive integrated approach. De novo disk-summation method was used to derive LV volumes and Vol-LVEF. Main Outcome and Measures Associations between all-cause mortality under medical surveillance and the following LV indexes: linear LV end-systolic dimension index (LVESDi), linear LVEF, LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVi), and Vol-LVEF. Results Of 492 asymptomatic patients (mean [SD] age, 60 [17] years; 425 men [86%]), ischemic heart disease prevalence was low (41 [9%]), and 453 (92.1%) had preserved linear LVEF (≥50%) with mean (SD) LVESVi of 41 (15) mL/m2. At a median (interquartile range) of 5.4 (2.5-10.1) years, 66 patients (13.4%) died under medical surveillance; overall survival was not different than the age- and sex-matched general population (P = .55). Separate multivariate models, adjusted for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and AR severity, demonstrated that in addition to linear LVEF and LVESDi, LVESVi and Vol-LVEF were independently associated with mortality under surveillance (all P

This study sought to compare aortic stenosis (AS) progression rates, AS-related cardiac damage (AS-CD) indicator incidence and determinants, and survival between patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV)-AS and those with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)-AS.Differences in AS progression and AS-CD between patients with BAV and patients with TAV are unknown.We retrospectively studied consecutive patients with baseline peak aortic valve velocity (peakV) ≥2.5 m/s and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%. Follow-up echocardiograms (n = 4,818) provided multiparametric AS progression rates and AS-CD.The study included 330 BAV (age 54 ± 14 years) and 581 patients with TAV (age 72 ± 11 years). At last echocardiogram (median: 5.9 years; interquartile range: 3.9 to 8.5 years), BAV-AS exhibited similar peakV and mean pressure gradient (MPG) as TAV-AS, but larger calculated aortic valve area due to larger aortic annulus (p 0.0001). Multiparametric progression rates were similar between BAV-AS and TAV-AS (all p ≥ 0.08) and did not predict age-/sex-adjusted survival (p ≥ 0.45). Independent determinants of rapid progression were male sex and baseline AS severity for TAV (all p ≤ 0.024), and age, baseline AS severity, and cardiac risk factors (age interaction: p = 0.02) for BAV (all p ≤ 0.005). At 12 years, patients with TAV-AS had a higher incidence of AS-CD than BAV-AS patients (p 0.0001), resulting in significantly worse survival compared to BAV-AS (p 0.0001). AS-CD were independently determined by multiple factors (MPG, age, sex, comorbidities, cardiac function; all p ≤ 0.039), and BAV was independently protective of most AS-CD (all p ≤ 0.05).In this cohort, TAV-AS and BAV-AS progression rates were similar. Rapid progression did not affect survival and was determined by cardiac risk factors for BAV-AS (particularly in patients with BAV 60 years of age) and unmodifiable factors for TAV-AS. AS-CD and mortality were significantly higher in TAV-AS. Independent determinants of AS-CD were multifactorial, and BAV morphology was AS-CD protective. Therefore, the totality of AS burden (cardiac damage) is clinically crucial for TAV-AS, whereas attention to modifiable risk factors may be preventive for BAV-AS.

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a common valvular lesion associated with increased mortality once the left ventricle enlarges significantly or develops systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 50%). Valve guidelines recommend aortic valve repair or replacement (AVR) for left ventricular (LV) linear end-systolic dimension ≥ 50 mm or end-diastolic dimension ≥ 65 mm. However, chamber quantification guidelines recommend using LV volume for LV size determination because linear measurements may not accurately reflect LV remodeling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of LV volumes with linear dimensions, interobserver variability in the estimation of volumes, and the association of volumes with outcomes in patients with AR.A total of 1,100 consecutive patients with chronic moderate to severe and severe AR on echocardiography between 2004 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The modified Simpson disk summation method was used for LV volume estimation. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality; the secondary outcome was mortality censored at AVR.Patients' age was 60 ± 17 years, and 198 were women (18%). Volumes were measured using the biplane method in 939 patients (85%) and the monoplane method in 161 (15%); end-systolic volume was normal in 169 (11%). Correlations between volumes and linear dimensions were 0.5 for end-diastolic volume and 0.6 for end-systolic volume. At median follow-up of 5.4 years (interquartile range, 2.4-10.0 years), 216 patients had died and 539 had undergone AVR. Indexed LV end-systolic volume (iLVESV) and indexed left ventricular end-systolic dimension were both associated with mortality and symptoms, but the association of iLVESV was stronger. iLVESV, age, male gender, Charlson comorbidity index, New York Heart Association functional class III or IV, and time-dependent AVR were independently associated with all-cause mortality. Interobserver variability in the estimation of LV volumes in 200 patients included intraclass coefficients of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.92-0.95) for end-diastolic volume and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.78-0.93) for end-systolic volume. Patients with iLVESV ≥ 45 mL/mEchocardiographic LV volume assessment had good reproducibility in patients with moderate to severe and severe AR. The correlation between linear dimensions and volumes was limited. Both iLVESV and indexed left ventricular end-systolic dimension were associated with worse outcomes, but the association of iLVESV was stronger. iLVESV ≥ 45 mL/m

The congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a heterogeneous condition that is better understood considering 3 types of valvulo-aortopathy presentations: A typical-presentation valvulo-aortopathy, a complex-presentation valvulo-aortopathy and an uncomplicated/undiagnosed-presentation. The burden of BAV-related complications has been elucidated in patients with the typical-presentation valvulo-aortopathy and is discussed in this review. These patients enjoy an overall normal expected long-term survival as long as complications are identified and treated in a timely manner. This notion and the fact that the most dreaded complications (infective endocarditis and aortic dissection) are infrequent, represent important reassuring points for the BAV patient. Common complications such as valve dysfunction and aorta dilatation must be the subject of focused research in prevention and treatment. Conversely, BAV patients with complex-presentation valvulo-artopathy, as well as typical valvulo-aortopathy BAV patients who are older, with advanced valvular dysfunction, and possible late-referral to specialized care, may incur a survival penalty as compared to the general population. An evidence-based discussion of these concepts is provided in this review. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is often considered benign but recent suggestion of an arrhythmic MVP (AMVP) form remains incompletely defined and uncertain.This study determined ventricular arrhythmia prevalence, severity, phenotypical context, and independent impact on outcome in patients with MVP.A cohort of 595 (age 65 ± 16 years; 278 women) consecutive patients with MVP and comprehensive clinical, arrhythmia (24-h Holter monitoring) and Doppler-echocardiographic characterization, was identified. Long-term outcomes were analyzed.Ventricular arrhythmia was frequent (43% with at least ventricular ectopy ≥5%), most often moderate (ventricular tachycardia [VT]; 120 to 179 beats/min) in 27%, and rarely severe (VT ≥180 beats/min) in 9%. Presence of ventricular arrhythmia was associated with male sex, bileaflet prolapse, marked leaflet redundancy, mitral annulus disjunction (MAD), a larger left atrium and left ventricular end-systolic diameter, and T-wave inversion/ST-segment depression (all p ≤ 0.001). Severe ventricular arrhythmia was independently associated with presence of MAD, leaflet redundancy, and T-wave inversion/ST-segment depression (all p 0.0001) but not with mitral regurgitation severity or ejection fraction. Overall mortality after arrhythmia diagnosis (8 years; 13 ± 2%) was strongly associated with arrhythmia severity (8 years; 10 ± 2% for no/trivial, 15 ± 3% for mild and/or moderate, and 24 ± 7% for severe arrhythmia; p = 0.02). Excess mortality was substantial for severe arrhythmia (univariate hazard ratio [HR]: 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27 to 5.77; p = 0.01 vs. no/trivial arrhythmia), even after it was comprehensively adjusted, including for MVP characteristics (adjusted HR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.36 to 6.36; p = 0.006) and by time-dependent analysis (adjusted HR: 3.25; 95% CI: 1.56 to 6.78; p = 0.002). Severe arrhythmia was also associated with higher rates of mortality, defibrillator implantation, VT ablation (adjusted HR: 4.68; 95% CI: 2.45 to 8.92; p 0.0001), particularly under medical management (adjusted HR: 5.80; 95% CI: 2.75 to 12.23; p 0.0001), and weakly post-mitral surgery (adjusted HR: 3.69; 95% CI: 0.93 to 14.74; p = 0.06).In this large cohort of patients with MVP, ventricular arrhythmia by Holter monitoring was frequent but rarely severe. AMVP was independently associated with phenotype dominated by MAD, marked leaflet redundancy, and repolarization abnormalities. Long-term severe arrhythmia was independently associated with notable excess mortality and reduced event-free survival, particularly under medical management. Therefore, AMVP is a clinical entity strongly associated with outcome and warrants careful risk assessment and well-designed clinical trials.

Background: Apart from stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with higher mortality and heart failure (HF), in which risk stratification scheme is lacking. Therefore this investigation examined the prognostic value of echocardiographic predictors against CHA2DS2-VASc score in permanent non- -valvular AF (NVAF). Methods: In 252 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic consecutive patients with NVAF, comprehensive echocardiography was performed. Left atrial deformation parameters were also obtained by two-dimen­sional speckle tracking echocardiography. End-points pertaining to HF deterioration, ischemic stroke and cardiac death were recorded. Results: There were 74 cardiovascular events, including 44 deterioration of HF, 22 ischemic strokes and 8 cardiovascular deaths during an average follow-up period of 20.8 ± 13.5 months (interquartile range, 8–31 months). For prediction of overall prognosis and HF, left ventricular mass index, peak early filling velocity (E), and E to tissue Doppler mitral annular early diastolic velocity ratio (E/e’) outper­formed CHA2DS2-VASc score in multivariate analysis, area under curve, and stepwise nested regression models. Left ventricular hypertrophy and E/e’ > 8 showed worse overall and heart-failure free survival in Kaplan-Meier curves. For prediction of ischemic stroke, the addition of E or E/e’ to CHA2DS2-VASc score provides extra prognostic value. Conclusions: Echocardiographic parameters offer incremental value over CHA2DS2-VASc score for prediction of future cardiac events in NVAF. (Cardiol J 2018; 25, 1: 60–71)

Background We investigated whether both echocardiography and blood examination parameters obtained before discharge are more closely associated with adverse events than those obtained upon admission in hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients. Methods We retrospectively selected 267 hospitalized HF patients who underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) within 2 days of admission (n = 223) and/or within 7 days of discharge (n = 157). Blood test results were also collected at the same time window. Patients were assigned into HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). Results During a median follow-up of 12.6 months, 60 of 223 patients with admission TTE and 39 of 157 patients with pre-discharge TTE had major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) after discharge. On admission, no echocardiography parameters, but uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were associated with MACEs in HFpEF (n = 45). In HFrEF (n = 178), vena contracta, s′, BUN, eGFR, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were associated with MACEs. Before discharge, BNP, NT-proBNP, and E/e′ were significantly associated with MACEs in HFpEF (n = 41). In HFrEF (n = 116), several echocardiography parameters and blood tests were significantly associated with MACEs. Conclusions Optimal examination timing for prognostication is different between echocardiography but not for blood tests. TTE before discharge provides more information in both HF phenotypes, while blood tests play a role both upon admission and before discharge. Therefore, a pre-discharge TTE was recommended in patients admitted for HF.

Background Mild physiologic mitral regurgitation (MR) is common in normal individuals. Patients with primary MR due to mitral valve prolapse (MVP) may also exhibit less than moderate MR. We sought to determine whether MVP patients with less than moderate MR displayed early cardiac chamber remodeling or factors related to early remodeling and whether early remodeling predicted MR progression. Methods Consecutive MVP patients with less than moderate MR by proximal isovelocity surface area–derived effective regurgitant orifice Results A total of 253 MVP patients with less than moderate MR were matched to 344 controls (P for age and sex, ≥.18) with less than moderate MR. Patients with MVP (mean effective regurgitant orifice and regurgitant volume, 12 ± 4 mm2 and 18 ± 6 mL, respectively) had more premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), larger LV and LA remodeling parameters, and more mild-to-moderate MR (all P Conclusions Patients with less than moderate MR due to MVP exhibit early LV and LA remodeling, which does not predict MR progression or mortality. Left ventricle remodeling is associated with MVP, female sex, and presence of PVCs. Early chamber remodeling associated with MVP may be the phenotypical expression of a genetically mediated process and is at least partially related to PVCs.

Background The natural history of stage B aortic regurgitation (AR) is unknown. Objectives This study sought to examine determinants, rate, and consequences of progression of AR. Methods Consecutive patients with ≤moderate chronic AR quantified by effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) and regurgitant volume (RVol) from 2004 to 2017 who had ≥1 subsequent echocardiogram with quantitation were included. Results Of 1,077 patients (66 ± 15 years of age), baseline trivial/mild AR was noted in 196 (18%), mild-to-moderate AR in 465 (43%), and moderate AR in 416 (39%); 10-year incidence of progression to ≥moderate-severe AR (stage C/D; progressors) was 12%, 30%, and 53%, respectively. At 4.1-year follow-up (interquartile range: 2.1 to 7.2 years), there were 228 progressors (21%), whose annualized progression rates within 3 years before diagnosis of ≥moderate-severe AR were 4.2 mm2/year for EROA and 9.9 ml/year for RVol. Baseline AR severity and dimensions of sinotubular junction and annulus were associated with progression (all p ≤ 0.007); hypertension and systolic blood pressure were not. Progressors had faster chamber remodeling, functional class decline, and more aortic valve/aortic surgery. At medium-term follow-up, 242 patients (22%) died; poor survival was linked to age, comorbidities, functional class, resting heart rate, and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (p ≤ 0.003), not LV end-systolic dimension index. Survival after progression to stage C/D AR was associated with LV end-systolic dimension index (adjusted p = 0.02). Conclusions Progression from stage B to stage C/D AR was observed in 21% patients. Repeat echocardiography for trivial/mild, mild-to-moderate, and moderate AR at every 5, 3, and 1 years, respectively, was reasonable. EROA, RVol, annulus, and sinotubular junction should be routinely measured to estimate progression rates and identify patients at high risk of progression, which was associated with adverse consequences.

Background The study was conducted to examine the nationwide temporal trends of incidence, treatment, and short-term outcomes for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) over a 15-year period in Taiwan. Methods We identified patients who were hospitalized for incident AMI between 1997 and 2011 from the inpatient medical claim dataset of the National Health Insurance Research Database. Age- and sex-adjusted incidence and in-hospital mortality rates were calculated for AMI, and separately for ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI and NSTEMI). Results A total of 144,634 patients were identified. The incidence rates (per 100,000 population) of AMI increased from 30 in 1997 to 42 in 2011, which was mainly driven by the increase of NSTEMI. The in-hospital mortality rate after AMI decreased from 9.1% in 1997 to 6.5% in 2011, which was also driven by the case mortality rate for NSTEMI. Although the in-hospital mortality rates significantly decreased from 7.3% to 5.1% between 1997 and 2003 for STEMI, it did not change significantly from 2004 to 2011. Moreover, AMI patients undergoing revascularization treatment, particularly PCI, was the most important independent predictor for improved in-hospital survival. Conclusion The results of this study demonstrated a recent dramatic increase in the incidence rates and a decrease in short-term mortality in patients with NSTEMI; while the incidence and in-hospital morality of STEMI only modestly changed over time in Taiwan. Further quality improvement approaches for AMI prevention and treatment to favorably affect the incidence and outcomes from both major types of AMI are highly recommended.

To study and compare the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (MR-FT) of biventricular strain parameters with a conventional method.We retrospectively enrolled 364 patients undergoing clinically indicated cardiac MR examinations (1.5 or 3T scanner). Standard steady-state free precession (SSFP) images were used for analysis. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF) were measured using conventional disk-area summation methods. Biventricular strain parameters were measured using MR-FT. All patients were followed to record major adverse cardiac events (MACEs).The correlations between LV volumes and LVEF using both methods were excellent (r = 0.87-0.98). RV strain parameters were modestly correlated with RVEF (r = 0.44-0.63). During a median follow-up of 15 months, 36 patients developed MACEs. All MR-FT-derived parameters except for RV global longitudinal strain were significantly associated with future MACEs (P0.05) in univariate analysis. In stepwise Cox proportional hazard models, RV global radial strain (RVGRS) provided incremental prognostic value in models adjusted for age, gender, conventional LVEF (hazard ratio 0.93; P = 0.029) or RVEF (hazard ratio 0.93; P = 0.038). LV global transverse strain (LVGTS) also offered additional value over age, gender, conventional LVEF (hazard ratio 0.94; P = 0.041), or RVEF (hazard ratio 0.94; P = 0.004). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significant survival differences in subgroups stratified by the median value of LVGTS, RVGRS, and LVEF using MR-FT (all log-rank P0.05).Deformation analysis of both ventricles using MR-FT provided significant prognostic power similar to parameters obtained using conventional methods. MR-FT is a promising alternative both for ventricular chamber quantification and for providing information of future cardiac events.3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:1034-1045.

Background Real-time three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) imaging usually requires multibeat acquisition to maintain high temporal and spatial resolution for full-volume data sets. However, this procedure generates stitch artifacts in patients with irregular heartbeats; thus, one-beat acquisition might be useful. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of using new-generation one-beat full-volume acquisition for measuring left ventricular (LV) mechanical parameters with that of four-beat acquisition. Methods In protocol 1, 34 patients who had undergone both cardiac magnetic resonance and 3DE imaging on the same day were prospectively enrolled. In protocol 2, 115 patients in sinus rhythm who had undergone 3DE examinations were retrospectively enrolled. LV volume, ejection faction, and global strain were measured using one-beat and four-beat 3DE data sets. In protocol 3, 26 patients with atrial fibrillation who had acquisition of consecutive one-beat full-volume data sets were retrospectively enrolled, and it was determined whether the LV parameters in the index beat were correlated with corresponding average values obtained from multiple one-beat acquisitions. Results In protocol 1, the correlations between LV volumes and LV ejection fraction between cardiac magnetic resonance and 3DE imaging with one-beat acquisition were excellent ( r = 0.91-0.93). In protocol 2, correlations were also excellent ( r = 0.94-0.99), and there were no significant differences in volume rate, LV volumes, LV ejection fraction, and global strain parameters between one-beat and four-beat acquisition data sets. In protocol 3, correlations were excellent ( r = 0.94-0.99) between LV parameters from the index beat and corresponding average values. Conclusions Three-dimensional echocardiographic full-volume data sets with one-beat acquisition not only maintained volume rate but also provided LV mechanical parameter values similar to those obtained using multibeat acquisition. Using one-beat acquisition for patients with atrial fibrillation expands its clinical applicability.

Background Studies in the United States suggested that the characteristics of hospitals providing percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI ) differed from those not providing PCI . However, little is known on the differences between the characteristics of early‐adopting hospitals and those of late‐adopting hospitals, and on their potential impacts on PCI volume and access. Methods and Results We used inpatient claims data from 1997 to 2012 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program to identify the hospitals offering PCI . Geographic information systems ( GIS ) were used to determine the population access to PCI hospital. As of 2012, 88 hospitals were capable of providing PCI . On the basis of the year that the hospitals started providing PCI , 32 hospitals were designated as early adopters (before 1998), 23 as early majority (1998–2002), 24 as late majority (2003–2007), and 16 as laggards (2008–2012). Hospitals that adopted PCI later were smaller in size and closer to an existing PCI hospital and had lower PCI volumes performed and less bypass surgery support. The median PCI volumes in 2012 were n=706, 330, 138, and 81 in early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards, respectively. Despite the low volume of PCI performed in laggard hospitals, the percentage with ST ‐elevation myocardial infarction and acute myocardial infarction as principal discharge diagnosis was higher than their early‐adopting hospital counterparts. The percentage of the Taiwanese population living within 40 km of PCI hospitals (appropriate access defined in this study) was 95.7% in 1997 and 98.0% in 2002, and this has remained unchanged since 2002. Conclusions The characteristics of early‐adopting hospitals differed from those of late‐adopting hospitals. Despite lower PCI volume performed in late‐adopting hospitals, many of them are in remote areas and provide needed and timely services for patients with acute myocardial infarction.

We report a rare case that manifested as severe aortic regurgitation (AR) resulting from spontaneous aortic valve (AV) rupture caused by valvular myxomatous transformation in a middle-aged woman. Before operation, 1 ruptured hole on the left coronary cusp (LLC) was clearly visualized with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). There were no clinical findings of vegetations or sinus Valsalva aneurysms. The patient was treated successfully with mechanical AV replacement. Prompt imaging evaluation is mandatory in this rare critical situation for correct diagnosis and appropriate management.

Background Impaired left atrial (LA) deformation is noted in patients with severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR), but its prognostic value is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of LA deformation parameters in patients with chronic severe primary MR. Methods A total of 104 patients with asymptomatic chronic severe primary MR (Carpentier type II) and preserved left ventricular systolic function were prospectively recruited. Global peak positive strain of the left atrium (LASp) and strain rate in the LA filling phase (LASRr) as well as strain rate in the LA conduit phase were identified using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Results During a mean follow-up period of 13.2 ± 9.5 months, 22 patients reached a composite end point of death and mitral valve repair or replacement prompted by heart failure development. Among the clinical and echocardiographic parameters, LV end-systolic volume index (19.5 ± 9.5 vs 15.7 ± 6.3 mL/m 2 , P = .028), LASp (22.7 ± 10.4% vs 27.2 ± 9.1%, P = .049), and LASRr (1.97 ± 0.6 vs 2.33 ± 0.6 1/sec, P = .013) varied between the two groups in terms of end points but not age, LA volume index, left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and presence of atrial fibrillation. After multivariate analysis, low LASp (odds ratio, 3.606; 95% CI, 1.294–10.052; P = .014) and low LASRr (odds ratio, 2.857; 95% CI, 1.078–7.572; P = .035) remained powerful outcome indicators. Conclusions In patients with asymptomatic severe primary MR, reduced LASp and LASRr predicted a worse prognosis. These findings may offer additional information to guide early surgery.