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Objective To investigate provider opinions regarding a clinical decision support (CDS) system for cardiovascular risk assessment and for the creation of a replacement system. Methods From March to April 2018, an invitation letter with a link to a self-administered web-based survey was sent via e-mail to 279 providers with primary appointment in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester. The e-mail was sent to providers on March 8, 2018 and the survey closed on April 16, 2018. Results One hundred providers responded to the survey yielding an overall response rate of 35.8%. Of these, 52 (52%) indicated they had used the cardiovascular (CV) risk profile CDS system and were classified as users and prompted to continue the survey. Among users, 42 (80.8%) indicated use of the CDS was either important (25; 48.1%) or very important (17; 32.7%) in their clinical practice; 45 (86.5%) responded that the system was very easy (17; 32.7%) or easy (28; 53.8%) to use. In addition, 48 (96.0%) users indicated that the CV risk profile supported their thought process at the point-of-care; 47 (97.9%) users indicated similar functionalities should be implemented into the new electronic health record system and 41 (85.4%) users reported new functionalities should also be incorporated. Conclusions For most users, the CDS system was easy to use and supported clinical thought process at the point-of-care. Users also felt their practice was supported and should continue to be supported by CDS systems providing individualized patient information at the point-of-care.

To assess the frequency and implications of mitral valve (MV) surgery at the time of septal myectomy (SM) for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in a national cohort.The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to analyze surgical outcomes in patients with HCM undergoing SM from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2014. Univariate analyses were used to compare patients undergoing SM with vs without concomitant procedures, and logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality. Numeric values of 10 or less were not reported per NIS data use agreements.The national cohort included 1174 adults with a primary diagnosis of HCM undergoing SM. Overall mean ± SD age was 54.4±14.5 years, and 45% of patients (n=529) were male. Isolated SM was performed in 67% (n=786), and the remainder had concomitant cardiac procedures, most frequently MV repair/replacement (22%, n=257). Median LOS was increased in those with concomitant MV surgery, 7 days, compared with isolated SM, 6 days (P.001). Overall hospital mortality was 2.9% (n=34) and was lowest in those undergoing isolated SM (1%; P.001). In otherwise isolated SM, MV replacement increased likelihood of in-hospital death (odds ratio, 12.0; 95% CI, 3.9-36.5; P.001) on a univariate basis.Intervention on the MV is more common nationally than in specialized centers, and the addition of MV replacement and other concomitant cardiac procedures was associated with increased rates of hospital mortality and LOS compared with patients undergoing isolated SM. These results suggest that concomitant MV intervention is associated with increased risk.

OBJECTIVES We sought to determine hemodynamic effects of aortic paravalvular leak (PVL) and predictors of clinical outcomes after aortic PVL closure. BACKGROUND The significance of hemodynamic alterations in PVL and relation to severity, procedural success of percutaneous closure and clinical outcomes have not been defined. METHODS Patients undergoing percutaneous PVL closure between July 21, 2004 and September 10, 2018 were included. PVL severity was assessed by echocardiography and aortic angiography. Hemodynamics were assessed by intra-arterial pressure tracings before and after PVL closure. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality, redo aortic valve replacement (AVR) and redo PVL closure. RESULTS One hundred and seventeen patients (mean age 70.3 ± 14.9 years, 79% surgical and 21% transcatheter prostheses) underwent PVL closure with 94% technical success. PVL was moderate or greater in 106 (91%) at baseline and 11 (11%) post-procedure. Diastolic BP for those with moderate or greater PVL was lower than for those with less PVL (50.3 ± 11.7 vs. 56.5 ± 12.4 mmHg, p

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is one of the most common valvular heart lesions encountered in clinical practice. It has now been unequivocally established that the presence of worsening TR is associated with poor outcomes.1 In the past, intervention for severe TR has been infrequently performed due to the lack of prospective data supporting an improvement in outcomes as well as a high reported operative mortality (up to 8%–20%).2 This has resulted in the current practice pattern where patients with severe TR are typically managed conservatively and often referred for surgery only after the onset of diuretic refractory right heart failure and end-organ damage with renal failure and hepatic cirrhosis. However, there is now a renewed interest in the management of patients with TR due to: (1) an increasing number of patients presenting with right heart failure from TR, (2) advanced surgical techniques resulting in a lower operative risk3 with documented improvement in symptoms4 5 and (3) the development of catheter-based therapies for this valve disease. In their Heart paper, Kadri et al 6 report on the surgical experience for severe TR from the Cleveland Clinic over a 1year period from 2011 to 2012 and provide a signal that there may be a mortality benefit of operation for severe TR. A total of 534 patients were identified with severe TR and heart failure. The predominant mechanism of TR was functional, and this was reflected in a high prevalence of risk factors for secondary TR including annular dilation and atrial fibrillation (74%), a low ejection fraction or left sided valve disease (75%), significant mitral disease (70%), pulmonary hypertension (80%) or Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (77%). Only 55 (~10%) patients …

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.

AIMS The differential diagnosis of intracardiac masses (ICM) is wide. While imaging modalities can suggest a diagnosis, clinical decision making usually requires histopathologic diagnosis. The aim of this study was to describe the procedural technique, safety outcomes, diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of percutaneous transcatheter biopsy (TCB) for histopathologic diagnosis of ICM. The records of all patients undergoing TCB of ICM at the Mayo Clinic catheterisation laboratories in Rochester, Minnesota, between 2002 and 2017 were retrieved and reviewed. METHODS AND RESULTS TCB of ICM to establish histopathologic diagnosis was performed in 29 patients. Masses were located in the right-sided chambers in 93% of cases. Echocardiographic guidance was used. Ventricular arrhythmias requiring immediate cardioversion occurred in 7% of patients. No other complications were noted. The average number of samples retrieved per procedure was 7±3.6. A histopathologic diagnosis was made by TCB in 72% and altered clinical decision making in 52% of patients overall. Eleven patients (38%) who would otherwise have required excisional biopsy were able to avoid cardiovascular surgery. Each additional biopsy sample was associated with an increase in the likelihood of making a histopathologic diagnosis (OR 1.74, 95% CI: 1.05-2.87, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Echo-guided percutaneous TCB of ICM provides an accurate diagnosis and alters clinical management in the majority of cases. The procedural complication rate is low. An increase in the number of samples retrieved markedly improves the ability to render a diagnosis. TCB may therefore be considered as a first-line approach for the histopathologic diagnosis of ICM.

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...

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disorder characterized by marked hypertrophy of the myocardium. It is frequently accompanied by dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and symptoms of dyspnea, angina, and syncope. The initial therapy for symptomatic patients with obstruction is medical therapy with β-blockers and calcium antagonists. However, there remain a subset of patients who have continued severe symptoms, which are unresponsive to medical therapy. These patients can be treated with septal reduction therapy, either surgical septal myectomy or alcohol septal ablation. When performed by experienced operators working in high-volume centers, septal myectomy is highly effective with a >90% relief of obstruction and improvement in symptoms. The perioperative mortality rate for isolated septal myectomy in most centers is

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

Objectives The aim of this study was to demonstrate the physiologic effects of percutaneous mitral paravalvular leak (PVL) closure through pre- and post-closure left and right heart catheterization. Background Mitral PVL represents a significant source of morbidity and mortality following mitral valve repair and replacement. Although percutaneous PVL closure is an effective treatment with improvements in symptoms and mortality, data regarding the acute hemodynamic effects of such closure are lacking. Methods Consecutive patients with clinically significant heart failure and/or hemolysis attributed to mitral PVL underwent percutaneous mitral PVL closure with pre- and post-procedural right and left heart catheterization. Hemodynamic measurements of cardiovascular function obtained in this manner were compared and stratified according to pre- and post-procedural echocardiographic severity of PVL. Results Twenty-four patients (age 68 ± 9.4 years, 75% male) underwent percutaneous mitral PVL closure. Significant improvements were found in left atrial pressure (LAP) (mean LAP lowered from 21 ± 4 to 19 ± 3 mm Hg, P = 0.005), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) (mean PAP lowered from 36 ± 11 to 33 ± 9, P = 0.04), and cardiac index (increased from 2.8 ± 0.8 to 3.0 ± 0.7 L/min/m2, P = 0.01). Left atrial v-wave reduction of 20% was associated with ≤ mild residual PVL by transesophageal echocardiography (P = 0.09). Conclusions Percutaneous mitral PVL closure is associated with significant reductions in LAP and PAP and an increase in cardiac index. These hemodynamic effects underlie the clinical benefits of PVL closure and may be a useful tool for intraprocedural guidance. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes after septal myectomy in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy according to atrial fibrillation and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. Methods We reviewed patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who underwent septal myectomy at the Mayo Clinic from 2001 to 2016. History of atrial fibrillation was obtained from patient histories and electrocardiograms. All-cause mortality was the primary end point. Results A total of 2023 patients underwent septal myectomy, of whom 394 (19.5%) had at least 1 episode of atrial fibrillation preoperatively. Among patients with atrial fibrillation, 76 (19.3%) had only 1 known episode, 278 (70.6%) had recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and 40 (10.2%) had persistent atrial fibrillation. Surgical ablation was performed in 190 patients at the time of septal myectomy, including 148 with pulmonary vein isolation and 42 with the classic maze procedure. Among all patients, operative mortality was 0.4%, and there were no early deaths in patients undergoing surgical ablation. Over a median follow-up of 5.6 years, patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation had increased mortality (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.91; P = .070) after multivariable adjustment for comorbidities. When considering the impact of atrial fibrillation with or without surgical treatment, the adjusted hazard ratio for mortality in patients undergoing ablation compared with no ablation was 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.52-1.69; P = .824). Conclusions Atrial fibrillation is present preoperatively in one-fifth of patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy undergoing myectomy and showed a trend toward higher all-cause mortality. Survival of patients undergoing septal myectomy with preoperative atrial fibrillation was similar between those who did and did not receive concomitant surgical ablation.

ObjectiveBioprosthetic valves are being used with increased frequency for valve replacement, with controversy regarding risk:benefit ratio compared with mechanical valves in younger patients. However, prior studies have been too small to provide comparative estimates of less common but serious adverse events such as infective endocarditis. We aimed to compare the incidence of infective endocarditis between bioprosthetic valves and mechanical valves.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to April 2018 for studies comparing left-sided aortic and mitral bioprosthetic to mechanical valves for randomised trials or observational studies with propensity matching. We used random-effects model for our meta-analysis. Our primary outcome of interest was the rate of infective endocarditis at follow-up.Results13 comparison groups with 43 941 patients were included. Mean age was 59±7 years with a mean follow-up of 10.4±5.0 years. Patients with bioprosthetic valves had a higher risk of infective endocarditis compared with patients receiving mechanical valves (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.88, p2=0%). Exclusion of the study with maximum weight did not change the results of the analysis (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.17, p=0.006). A meta-regression of follow-up time on incidence of infective endocarditis was not statistically significant (p=0.788) indicating difference in follow-up times did not alter the pooled risk of infective endocarditis.ConclusionsBioprosthetic valves may be associated with a higher risk of infective endocarditis. These data should help guide the discussion when deciding between bioprosthetic and mechanical valves in individual patients.

Objectives To categorize and assess the functional significance of anomalous papillary muscles in patients undergoing surgical management of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods We reviewed the records of operations for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and identified 73 patients with an anomalous papillary muscle. Anomalous papillary muscles inserting directly into the body of the anterior mitral valve leaflet were classified as type I, those with both direct insertion into the body of the leaflet and attachment to the free edge of the anterior leaflet were categorized as type II, and anomalous papillary muscles inserting into the free edge of the anterior leaflet were grouped as type III. Additionally, we investigated detection rates by preoperative transthoracic echocardiography, intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Results The mean age of patients was 51.9 ± 12.3 years, and 49.3% were male. The anomalous papillary muscle was classified as type I in 31.5% of patients, type II in 35.6%, and type III in 32.9%. Only type I and type II anomalous papillary muscles contributed to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The anomalous papillary muscle was detected on preoperative transthoracic echocardiography in 11% of patients and by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in 27.4% of patients. No anomalous papillary muscles were identified on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. All patients underwent septal myectomy with or without (n = 34) associated excision of the anomalous papillary muscle. Excision of the papillary muscles was more common in patients with type I and II (76.4% and 80.8%, respectively) when compared with type III (4.2%). Ten patients underwent mitral valve repair, and 1 patient had mitral valve replacement. Conclusions Papillary muscle abnormalities are important findings in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but are not identified preoperatively in the majority of patients. Recognition of anomalous papillary muscles intraoperatively and understanding of the morphologic subtypes are critical to adequate gradient relief and preservation of mitral valve function. The optimum approach involves a transaortic extended septal myectomy associated with the resection of the anomalous papillary muscles in patients with type I and II anatomy.

Background: The temporal occurrence of arrhythmic complications after alcohol septal ablation (ASA) is unclear. As a result, the appropriate time to monitor patients after ASA is controversial. The purpose of this study is to determine the temporal occurrence of complete heart block (CHB) and ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) after ASA to better understand when patients can be safely discharged. Methods: Consecutive patients treated with ASA for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from 2003 to 2019 at a tertiary referral center were reviewed retrospectively. The incidence and timing of CHB or sustained VT within 30 days post-ASA were assessed. Results: A total of 243 patients were included in this study. Mean maximal septal thickness was 19.0±3.9 mm, and total volume of ethanol injected was 1.7±0.6 mL. CHB occurred in 59 (24.3%) patients, including transient CHB in 33 (13.6%) and permanent in 26 (10.7%). The initial episode of CHB occurred within 24 hours post-ASA in 51 (21.0%) patients, between 24 and 48 hours in 3 (1.2%), between 48 and 72 hours in 3 (1.2%), and after 72 hours in 2 (0.8%). New permanent pacemaker was placed in 46 (18.3%). Presence of baseline bundle branch block and age ≥70 were significantly associated with CHB but not CHB presenting after 24 hours. VT occurred in 3 (1.2%) patients, including 1 (0.4%) within 24 hours, 1 (0.4%) between 24 and 48 hours, and 1 (0.4%) after 72 hours. VT required cardioversion in 2 patients and new implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in 2. Conclusions: The incidence of CHB or VT presenting after 72 hours post-ASA was low. These findings suggest that timely discharge of patients without evidence of early conduction disturbances after ASA can be considered as a potentially safe management strategy, especially in patients without preexisting conduction abnormalities.

Background Midventricular obstruction (MVO) is an uncommon variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In patients receiving septal myectomy for HCM, failure to recognize the concurrent MVO in the context of basal septum thickening can lead to inadequate excision and residual gradient. In this report, we detail the operative outcomes of MVO with and without coexistent basal septal hypertrophy. Methods From February 1997 through September 2018, 196 patients underwent midventricular myectomy. Medical records and follow-up databases were reviewed to obtain patient characteristics and perioperative features. Results At baseline, 156 patients (80%) were in New York Heart Association Functional Classification III/IV. Obstruction was isolated to the midventricle in 80 patients, and 63 (79%) were treated by isolated transapical myectomy. The remaining 116 patients had intraventricular obstruction at both subaortic and midcavity levels; in 108 (93%), a combined transaortic and transapical approach was adopted to achieve complete relief of the obstruction. After septal myectomy, the resting peak instantaneous gradient decreased from a median 48 mm Hg (interquartile range [IQR], 23-77 mm Hg) preoperatively to 8 mm Hg (IQR, 0-19 mm Hg) before hospital dismissal. Median follow-up was 2.9 years (IQR, 0.7-5.0 years), and the estimated 1-, 5-, and 10-year survivals were 99%, 98%, and 90%, respectively. There were no late complications attributable to the transapical incision. Conclusions Transapical exposure is a safe and effective approach for relief of midventricular obstruction, and hemodynamic results are similar to those achieved by standard myectomy for subaortic obstruction. The technique can be combined with transaortic myectomy for patients with left ventricular outflow obstruction at both levels.

Aims Increased medial mitral annulus early diastolic velocity (e′) plays an important role in the echocardiographic diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis (CP) and mitral e′ velocity is also a marker of underlying myocardial disease. We assessed the prognostic implication of mitral e′ for long-term mortality after pericardiectomy in patients with CP. Methods and results We studied 104 surgically confirmed CP patients who underwent echocardiography and cardiac catheterization within 7 days between 2005 and 2013. Patients were classified as primary CP (n = 45) or mixed CP (n = 59) based on the clinical history of concomitant myocardial disease. On multivariable analysis, medial e′ velocity and mean pulmonary artery pressure were independently associated with long-term mortality post-pericardiectomy. There were significant differences in survival rates among the groups divided by cut-off values of 9.0 cm/s and 29 mmHg for medial e′ and mean pulmonary artery pressure, respectively (both P Conclusion Increased mitral e′ velocity is associated with better outcomes in patients with CP. A paradoxical distribution of the relationship between E/e′ and PAWP is present in these patients but there is no direct inverse correlation between them.

Echocardiography and tomographic imaging have documented dynamic changes in aortic stenosis (AS) geometry and severity during both the cardiac cycle and stress-induced increases in cardiac output. However, corresponding pressure gradient vs. flow relationships have not been described.We recruited 16 routine transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVI's) for graded dobutamine infusions both before and after implantation; 0.014″ pressure wires in the aorta and left ventricle (LV) continuously measured the transvalvular pressure gradient (ΔP) while a pulmonary artery catheter regularly assessed cardiac output by thermodilution. Before TAVI, ΔP did not display a consistent relationship with transvalvular flow (Q). Neither linear resistor (median R2 0.16) nor quadratic orifice (median R2 0.01) models at rest predicted stress observations; the severely stenotic valve behaved like a combination. The unitless ratio of aortic to left ventricular pressures during systolic ejection under stress conditions correlated best with post-TAVI flow improvement. After TAVI, a highly linear relationship (median R2 0.96) indicated a valid valve resistance.Pressure loss vs. flow curves offer a fundamental fluid dynamic synthesis for describing aortic valve pathophysiology. Severe AS does not consistently behave like an orifice (as suggested by Gorlin) or a resistor, whereas TAVI devices behave like a pure resistor. During peak dobutamine, the ratio of aortic to left ventricular pressures during systolic ejection provides a 'fractional flow reserve' of the aortic valve that closely approximates the complex, changing fluid dynamics. Because resting assessment cannot reliably predict stress haemodynamics, 'valvular fractional flow' warrants study to explain exertional symptoms in patients with only moderate AS at rest.

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.

The aortic pulse contour displays characteristic changes associated with the progression of aortic stenosis (AS). A diminished and delayed aortic pulse contour is indicative of significant AS, but the aortic contour may also be affected by factors including aging, hypertension and increased peripheral arterial elastance. This review describes the components of the aortic pulse contour in AS and how it can be affected by different conditions and interventions.

Background Patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may have symptoms mimicking ischemic heart disease, including chest pain and shortness of breath. Some patients undergo coronary revascularization which may not lead to symptomatic improvement. This study assesses clinical presentations and outcomes of patients with previous coronary revascularization undergoing septal myectomy. Method From 08/1996 to 07/2017, 166 adult patients with obstructive HCM underwent septal myectomy at our Clinic with a history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, N = 153) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG, N = 13). We assessed their functional status before and after coronary intervention and outcomes following myectomy. Results The median (IQR) age was 65 (59–71) years, and 106 (64%) were male. Among 150 patients whose extent of disease was known, single vessel disease was identified in 109 (73%) who had PCI and 1 (9%) who had CABG. Following revascularization, many (59%) reported no improvement in shortness of breath from preoperative status. Myectomy was performed at a median of 3.2 (1.0–6.3) years following coronary revascularization, and 40 (25%) required myectomy within 1 year. Patients whose shortness of breath persisted after PCI/CABG (N = 90) underwent myectomy earlier than those whose symptoms initially improved (N = 63) after coronary revascularization (1.4 [0.6–4.0] years vs. 5.1 [2.8–9.5] years, p Conclusion Almost 25% of patient's required septal myectomy within 1 year of coronary intervention for continued symptoms originally thought to be due to ischemic heart disease. These findings highlight the overlap of obstruction and ischemic symptoms and the importance of complete evaluation for dynamic obstruction in HCM.

AIMS Mild to moderate functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is common in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) where it is usually considered as an innocent bystander. We hypothesized that MR in HFpEF reflects greater left atrial (LA) myopathy, leading to more adverse haemodynamics and poorer exercise reserve. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients with HFpEF (n = 280) with and without MR underwent echocardiography, invasive haemodynamic exercise testing, and expired gas analysis. As compared to non-MR-HFpEF (n = 163), patients with MR-HFpEF (n = 117; 78 mild and 39 moderate, central jet in 90%) were older, more likely female, with lower body mass and higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF). HFpEF patients with MR displayed greater LA volume, reduced LA strain and compliance, and greater mitral annular dilatation, which was strongly correlated with LA dilatation (r = 0.63, P

Objectives The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the acute left ventricular (LV) unloading effect of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) would improve right ventricular (RV) function and RV–pulmonary artery (PA) coupling in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Background RV dysfunction is an ominous prognostic marker in patients undergoing TAVR, suggesting that relief of obstruction might be less beneficial in this cohort. However, the left ventricle and right ventricle influence each other through ventricular interaction, which could lead to improved RV function through LV unloading. Methods Prospective invasive hemodynamic measurements with simultaneous echocardiography were performed in symptomatic patients with severe AS before and immediately after TAVR. Results Forty-four patients (mean age 81 ± 8 years, 27% women) with severe AS underwent TAVR. At baseline, right atrial, PA mean (27 ± 7 mm Hg), and pulmonary capillary wedge (16 ± 4 mm Hg) pressures were mildly elevated, with a low normal cardiac index (2.3 l/min/m2). Pulmonary vascular resistance was mildly elevated (222 ± 133 dynes · s/cm5) and PA compliance mildly reduced (3.4 ± 01.4 ml/mm Hg). Following TAVR, aortic valve area increased (from 0.8 ± 0.3 to 2.7 ± 1.1 cm2; p Conclusions Acute relief in obstruction to LV ejection with TAVR is associated with improvements in RV function and RV-PA coupling. These findings provide new insights into the potential benefits of LV unloading with TAVR on RV dysfunction in patients with severe AS.

BACKGROUND: The management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients requires the knowledge of risk factors associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD). SCD risk factors such as syncope and family history of SCD (FH-SCD) as well as family history of HCM (FH-HCM) are documented in electronic health records (EHRs) as clinical narratives. Automated extraction of risk factors from clinical narratives by natural language processing (NLP) may expedite management workflow of HCM patients. The aim of this study was to develop and deploy NLP algorithms for automated extraction of syncope, FH-SCD, and FH-HCM from clinical narratives. METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomly selected 200 patients from the Mayo HCM registry for development (n=100) and testing (n=100) of NLP algorithms for extraction of syncope, FH-SCD as well as FH-HCM from clinical narratives of EHRs. The clinical reference standard was manually abstracted by 2 independent annotators. Performance of NLP algorithms was compared to aggregation and summarization of data entries in the HCM registry for syncope, FH-SCD, and FH-HCM. We also compared the NLP algorithms with billing codes for syncope as well as responses to patient survey questions for FH-SCD and FH-HCM. These analyses demonstrated NLP had superior sensitivity (0.96 vs 0.39, p < 0.001) and comparable specificity (0.90 vs 0.92, p = 0.74) and PPV (0.90 vs 0.83, p = 0.37) compared to billing codes for syncope. For FH-SCD, NLP outperformed survey responses for all parameters (sensitivity: 0.91 vs 0.59, p = 0.002; specificity: 0.98 vs 0.50, p < 0.001; PPV: 0.97 vs 0.38, p < 0.001). NLP also achieved superior sensitivity (0.95 vs 0.24, p < 0.001) with comparable specificity (0.95 vs 1.0, p-value not calculable) and positive predictive value (PPV) (0.92 vs 1.0, p = 0.09) compared to survey responses for FH-HCM. CONCLUSIONS: Automated extraction of syncope, FH-SCD and FH-HCM using NLP is feasible and has promise to increase efficiency of workflow for providers managing HCM patients.

Despite progress made in establishing primary and secondary preventive strategies for cardiovascular diseases, there are significant gaps between guideline recommended strategies and implementation of recommendations in practice. A clinical decision support (CDS) system entitled CV Risk Profile was developed at Mayo Clinic Rochester as a targeted solution for this gap in preventive cardiovascular care. The system remained in use for 10 years until it became non-functional in 2018 during transition to a new electronic health record (EHR). This study investigated provider opinions regarding the cardiovascular disease CDS system while it was still in operation, to determine if there exists a provider reported need for a similar system to be developed for use within the new EHR.

This statement was commissioned as a Multisociety Expert Consensus Systems of Care Document by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS), American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), and

Chronic tricuspid valve regurgitation is usually associated with left-sided heart disease or pulmonary hypertension. Although severe tricuspid valve regurgitation carries a poor prognosis, isolated surgery is rarely performed due to high in-hospital mortality and an unclear impact on long term survival. The lack of adequate surgical treatment has resulted in a large population of patients with an unmet clinical need. Areas covered: Transcatheter therapies have revolutionized the management of high risk patients with left-sided valvular disease, and have sparked interest in translating minimally invasive therapies to the tricuspid valve. Here we will discuss some of the challenges of percutaneous tricuspid interventions, and review the novel therapies which are in early development. Expert commentary: Transcatheter therapies for the tricuspid valve are in early development, and are not yet appropriate for clinical use. In select non-surgical patients transcatheter devices may ultimately provide a therapeutic approach to palliate symptoms. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate both efficacy and safety before these devices are introduced to clinical practice.

A dilated/end-stage phase of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is rare but well-recognized. The role for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in this subset of patients remains unexplored. We aimed to clarify the impact of bi-ventricular pacing CRT in dilated/end-stage HCM.The Mayo Clinic HCM database was interrogated to identify patients with ejection fraction (EF) 50% and CRT. Control subjects were identified in 1:1 manner. Clinical outcomes were determined. Of 2073 patients with HCM, 9 (8 male) had EF 50% and received CRT. The average age at CRT-D implant was 44.8 ± 14.8 years, an average of 17.3 ± 10.3 years after HCM diagnosis. The indication for CRT was based on New York Heart Association class ≥II symptoms (mean 2.7 ± 0.4) and EF 50% in all patients (EF 34.7 ± 7.1% at implant), with electrocardiographic evidence of abnormal ventricular conduction. At 6-month, 12-month, and long-term follow-up, EF was 39.9 ± 8.4%, 37.9 ± 9.8%, and 33.3 ± 7.6%, respectively (P 0.05 for all). There was no difference in the combined end-point of left ventricular assist device (LVAD), cardiac transplant, or death between groups (P = 0.90). At last follow-up [mean duration 12.9 ± 8.3 (median 10.7) years], 8 (89%) in the CRT group were alive. Three and 2 patients underwent LVAD implantation and cardiac heart transplantation, respectively, 15.0 ± 10.1 years from HCM diagnosis and 2.6 ± 0.9 years from CRT implant. In the control group, 4 (44.4%) patients were alive at last follow-up [mean duration 12.0 ± 7.1 (median 12.7) years]. One patient each had LVAD and cardiac transplant.CRT in patients with dilated/end-stage HCM does not appear to confer a salutary effect on ventricular function. In medium-term follow-up, however, left ventricular function did not appear to deteriorate further, yet advanced heart failure therapy was common in this group.

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.