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Background The association of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and its metabolic activity with atrial fibrillation (AF) is an area of active investigation. Left atrial (LA) enhancing EAT (e-EAT) at cardiac CT may be a noninvasive surrogate marker for the metabolic activity of EAT. Purpose To determine the relationship between LA e-EAT and recurrence after AF ablation. Materials and Methods In a secondary analysis of a prospective registry of consecutive patients (from July 2018 to December 2019) undergoing first AF ablation, total and LA EAT were segmented on preprocedural noncontrast- and contrast-enhanced cardiac CT scans. LA e-EAT volume fraction was defined as the LA EAT volume difference between the noncontrast- and contrast-enhanced scan divided by the total LA EAT volume on the noncontrast-enhanced scan (threshold values, -15 HU to -195 HU). Continuous variables were compared between groups by using the Mann-Whitney

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of echocardiographic guidance on the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). Background Expert consensus documents recommend intraprocedural imaging by means of either transesophageal echocardiography or intracardiac echocardiography to guide LAAC. However, no evidence exists that intraprocedural echocardiographic guidance in addition to fluoroscopy improves the safety and efficacy of LAAC. Methods Consecutive LAAC procedures performed at a high-volume center between January 2009 and October 2020 were stratified on the basis of intraprocedural imaging modalities, including fluoroscopic guidance (FG) only or intraprocedural echocardiographic guidance (EG) in addition to fluoroscopy. The primary safety endpoint was the composite of procedure-related complications occurring within 7 days after the procedure. Technical success at 7 days and at follow-up were secondary endpoints. Results Among 811 LAAC procedures, 549 (67.7%) and 262 (32.3%) were assigned to the FG and EG groups, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, EG remained associated with a lower rate of the primary safety endpoint (3.4% vs 9.1%; P = 0.004; adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.11-0.90; P = 0.030). Technical success trended higher at 7 days (92.1% vs 87.2%; P = 0.065; adjusted OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 0.95-3.01; P = 0.079) and was significantly improved with EG compared with FG (87.6% vs 79.9%; P = 0.018; OR: 4.06; 95% CI: 1.60-10.27; P = 0.003) after a median follow-up period of 4.9 months (interquartile range: 3.4 months-6.2 months). Conclusions In a large cohort of consecutive LAACs, the use of intraprocedural echocardiography to guide intervention in addition to standard fluoroscopy was associated with lower risks for procedural complications and higher mid-term technical success rates.

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the impact of proportionality of secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) in a large real-world registry of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVr) BACKGROUND: Differences in the outcomes of recent randomized trials of TMVr for SMR may be explained by the proportionality of SMR severity to left ventricular (LV) volume.The ratio of pre-procedural effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) to LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) was retrospectively assessed in patients undergoing TMVr for severe SMR between 2008 and 2019 from the EuroSMR registry. A recently proposed SMR proportionality scheme was adapted to stratify patients according to EROA/LVEDV ratio in 3 groups: MR-dominant (MD), MR-LV-co-dominant (MLCD), and LV-dominant (LD). All-cause mortality was assessed as a primary outcome, secondary heart failure (HF) outcomes included hospitalization for HF (HHF), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), 6-min-walk distance, quality of life and MR grade.A total of 1,016 patients with an EROA/LVEDV ratio were followed for 22 months after TMVr. MR was reduced to grade ≤2+ in 92%, 96%, and 94% of patients (for MD, MLCD, and LD, respectively; p = 0.18). After adjustment for covariates including age, sex, diabetes, kidney function, body surface area, LV ejection fraction, and procedural MR reduction (grade ≤2+), adjusted rates of 2-year mortality in MD patients did not differ from those for MLCD patients (17% vs. 18%, respectively), whereas it was higher in LD patients (23%; p = 0.02 for comparison vs. MD+MLCD). The adjusted first HHF rate differed between groups (44% in MD, 56% in MLCD, 29% in LD; p = 0.01) as did the adjusted time for first death or HHF rate (66% in MD, 82% in MLCD, 68% in LD; p = 0.02). Improvement of NYHA functional class was seen in all groups (p 0.001). Values for 6-min-walk distances, quality of life and NT-proBNP improved in most patients.MD and MLCD patients had a comparable, adjusted 2-year mortality rate after TMVr which was slightly better than that of LD patients. Patients treated with TMVr had symptomatic improvement regardless of EROA/LVEDV ratio.

Introduction: Secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) is one of the most common valvulopathies and is associated with poor prognosis. Over the past years, medical management and mitral valve repair op...

Zusammenfassung. Die schwere Trikuspidalklappeninsuffizienz kann durch klinische Beschwerden und Beeinträchtigung von Organfunktionen zu erhöhter Morbidität und Sterblichkeit führen. Durch die Entwicklung neuer interventioneller Behandlungsmöglichkeiten gewinnt die lange Zeit als vernachlässigte Trikuspidalklappe zunehmend an Aufmerksamkeit. Der folgende Beitrag soll einen Überblick über die Ursachen, Diagnostik und therapeutischen Möglichkeiten bei schwerer Trikuspidalklappeninsuffizienz geben.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and athletes’ heart share an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation. Atrial cardiomyopathy in these patients may have different characteristics and help to distinguish these conditions. Methods: In this single-center study, we prospectively collected and analyzed electrocardiographic (12-lead ECG, signal-averaged ECG (SAECG), 24 h Holter ECG) and echocardiographic data in patients with HCM and HHD and in endurance athletes. Patients with atrial fibrillation were excluded. Results: We compared data of 27 patients with HCM (70% males, mean age 50 ± 14 years), 324 patients with HHD (52% males, mean age 75 ± 5.5 years), and 215 endurance athletes (72% males, mean age 42 ± 7.5 years). HCM patients had significantly longer filtered P-wave duration (153 ± 26 ms) and PR interval (191 ± 48 ms) compared to HHD patients (144 ± 16 ms, p = 0.012 and 178 ± 31, p = 0.034, respectively) and athletes (134 ± 14 ms, p = 0.001 and 165 ± 26 ms, both p < 0.001, respectively). HCM patients had a mean of 4.9 ± 16 premature atrial complexes per hour. Premature atrial complexes per hour were significantly more frequent in HHD patients (27 ± 86, p < 0.001), but not in athletes (2.7 ± 23, p = 0.639). Left atrial volume index (LAVI) was 43 ± 14 mL/m2 in HCM patients and significantly larger than age- and sex-corrected LAVI in HHD patients 30 ± 10 mL/m2; p < 0.001) and athletes (31 ± 9.5 mL/m2; p < 0.001). A borderline interventricular septum thickness ≥13 mm and ≤15 mm was found in 114 (35%) HHD patients, 12 (6%) athletes and 3 (11%) HCM patients. Conclusions: Structural and electrical atrial remodeling is more advanced in HCM patients compared to HHD patients and athletes.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and athletes' heart share an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation. Atrial cardiomyopathy in these patients may have different characteristics and help to distinguish these conditions.In this single-center study, we prospectively collected and analyzed electrocardiographic (12-lead ECG, signal-averaged ECG (SAECG), 24 h Holter ECG) and echocardiographic data in patients with HCM and HHD and in endurance athletes. Patients with atrial fibrillation were excluded.We compared data of 27 patients with HCM (70% males, mean age 50 ± 14 years), 324 patients with HHD (52% males, mean age 75 ± 5.5 years), and 215 endurance athletes (72% males, mean age 42 ± 7.5 years). HCM patients had significantly longer filtered P-wave duration (153 ± 26 ms) and PR interval (191 ± 48 ms) compared to HHD patients (144 ± 16 ms,Structural and electrical atrial remodeling is more advanced in HCM patients compared to HHD patients and athletes.

BACKGROUND Myocardial strain is an established parameter for the assessment of cardiac function and routinely derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Novel post-processing tools allow deformation imaging also by 4D cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCT). This retrospective study aims to analyze the reproducibility of CCT strain and compare it to that of STE. METHODS Left (LV) and right ventricular (RV), and left atrial (LA) ejection fraction (EF), dimensions, global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial strain (GRS) were determined by STE and CCT feature tracking in consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis evaluated for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. RESULTS 106 patients (mean age 79.9������������7.8, 44.3% females) underwent CCT at a median of 3 days (IQR 0-28 days) after STE. In CCT, strain measures showed good to excellent reproducibility (intra- and inter-reader intraclass correlation coefficient ���0.75) consistently in the LV, RV and LA. In STE, only LV GLS and LA GLS yielded good reproducibility, whereas LV GCS and LV GRS showed moderate, and RV GLS and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) poor reproducibility. Agreement between CCT and STE was strong for LV GLS only, while other strain features displayed moderate (LV GCS, LA GLS) or weak (LV GRS, RV GLS and FWLS) inter-modality correlation. CONCLUSION LV, RV and LA CCT strain assessments were highly reproducible. While a strong agreement to STE was found for LV GLS, inter-modality correlation was moderate or weak for LV GCS, LV GRS, and RV and LA longitudinal strain, possibly related to poor reproducibility of STE measurements.

Aims No studies have compared Watchman 2.5 (W2.5) with Watchman FLX (FLX) devices to date. We aimed at comparing the FLX with W2.5 devices with respect to clinical outcomes, left atrial appendage (LAA) sealing properties and device-related thrombus (DRT). Methods and results All consecutive left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) procedures performed at two European centres between November 2017 and February 2021 were included. Procedure-related complications and net adverse cardiovascular events (NACE) at 6 months after LAAC were recorded. At 45-day computed tomography (CT) follow-up, intra- (IDL) and peri- (PDL) device leak, residual patent neck area (RPNA), and DRT were assessed by a Corelab. Out of 144 LAAC consecutive procedures, 71 and 73 interventions were performed using W2.5 and FLX devices, respectively. There were no differences in terms of procedure-related complications (4.2% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.626). At 45-day CT, the FLX was associated with lower frequency of IDL [21.3% vs. 40.0%; P = 0.032; odds ratio (OR): 0.375; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.160–0.876; P = 0.024], similar rate of PDL (29.5% vs. 42.0%; P = 0.170), and smaller RPNA [6 (0–36) vs. 40 (6–115) mm2; P = 0.001; OR: 0.240; 95% CI: 0.100–0.577; P = 0.001] compared with the W2.5 group. At 45 days, rate of DRT as detected by CT and/or transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), was higher with W2.5 (6.0% vs. 0%, P = 0.045). At 6-month follow-up, NACE did not differ between groups. Conclusions In this cohort of consecutive LAACs, FLX as compared to W2.5, was associated with similar procedure-related complications and 6-month NACE, but with improved LAA neck coverage, and lower IDL and DRT.

INTRODUCTION Conventional transvenous pacemaker leads may interfere with the tricuspid valve leaflets, tendinous chords and papillary muscles, resulting in significant tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR). Leadless pacemakers (LLPMs) theoretically cause less mechanical interference with the tricuspid valve apparatus. However, data on TR after LLPM implantation are sparse and conflicting. Our goal was to investigate the prevalence of significant TR before and after LLPM implantation. METHODS Patients who received a leadless LLPM (Micra™ TPS, Medtronic, US) between 05/2016 and 05/2021 at our center were included in this observational study if they had at least a pre- and postinterventional echocardiogram (TTE). The evolution of TR severity was assessed. Following a systematic literature review on TR evolution after implantation of a LLPM, data were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS We included 69 patients (median age 78 years [interquartile range (IQR) 72-84 years], 26% women). Follow-up duration between baseline and follow-up TTE was 11.4 months (IQR 3.5-20.1 months). At follow-up, overall TR severity was not different compared to baseline (p=0.49). Six patients (9%) had new significant TR during follow-up after LLPM implantation, whereas TR severity improved in seven patients (10%). In the systematic review, we identified seven additional articles that investigated the prevalence of significant TR after LLPM implantation. The meta-analysis based on 297 patients failed to show a difference in significant TR before and after LLPM implantation (risk ratio 1.22, 95%-CI 0.97-1.53, p=0.11). CONCLUSION To date, there is no substantial evidence for a significant change in TR after implantation of a LLPM. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objective Decreased proximal aortic distensibility (AD) is known to significantly predict all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events among individuals without overt cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study investigated the association of endurance training (ET) parameters, namely, ET starting age, ET years and yearly ET volume with AD in non-elite endurance athletes. Methods Healthy, normotensive, male Caucasian participants of a 10-mile race were assessed with a 2D echocardiogram and comprehensive interview. Ascending aortic diameters were measured simultaneously with pulse pressure. Aortic strain, AD and aortic stiffness index were calculated. Predictors of AD were investigated among training parameters by linear regression models corrected for age, resting heart rate, stroke volume index and mean blood pressure. Results Ninety-two of 121 athletes (aged 42±8 years) had sufficient echocardiogram quality and were used for analysis. ET starting age (range 6–52 years) and years of ET (range 2–46 years) were highly collinear and used in two separate models for AD. Significant factors for AD were ET starting age, 10-mile race time and resting heart rate in model I, and age, years of ET, 10-mile race time and heart rate in model II (all p, Open Heart, 9 (1)

BACKGROUND Among current transcatheter therapies for the treatment of mitral regurgitation, the MitraClip (MC; Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL) system is the most commonly used. MitraClip implantation is usually contraindicated in patients with a mitral valve area (MVA)��

Supplemental oxygen (OA single-center randomized cross-over clinical trial will be conducted, enrolling 106 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. After the induction of anesthesia and prior to the start of surgery, cardiac function will be assessed by 2D and 3D TEE. Images will be acquired at two different oxygen states for each patient in randomized order. The fraction of inspired oxygen (FBy using myocardial strain assessed by TEE, early and subtle signs of biventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction can be promptly measured intraoperatively prior to the onset of severe signs of ischemia. The results may help anesthesiologists to better understand the effects of F

Doppler echocardiography is widely used in everyday clinical practice for the detection of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in symptomatic patients and in populations particularly at risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It allows accurate estimation of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure but may lack precision in particular situations. In addition, echocardiography can help to distinguish between pre- and post-capillary PH and is a very good tool to evaluate right ventricular systolic function, which is of great prognostic interest in PAH. This article reviews the current knowledge about methodologic aspects of assessing pulmonary pressure and PH origin by echo, including a discussion about abnormal thresholds. It also details advanced techniques like right ventricular strain imaging and new concepts like right ventricle – pulmonary artery coupling evaluation that have become “matured” enough to be definitely brought to routine evaluation.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate procedural and 1-year clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of patients treated with tricuspid edge-to-edge repair. Background Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair has been successfully performed in selected patients with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and high risk for surgery, but outcome data are sparse. Methods This analysis of the multicenter international TriValve (Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies) registry included 249 patients with severe TR treated with edge-to-edge repair in compassionate and/or off-label use. Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results In 249 patients (mean age 77 ± 9 years; European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score 6.4% [interquartile range: 3.9% to 13.9%]), a successful procedure with TR reduction to grade ≤2+ was achieved in 77% by placement of 2 ± 1 tricuspid clips. Concomitant treatment of severe TR and mitral regurgitation was performed in 52% of patients. At 1-year follow-up, significant and durable improvements in TR severity (TR ≤2+ in 72% of patients) and New York Heart Association functional class (≤II in 69% of patients) were observed. All-cause mortality was 20%, and the combined rate of mortality and unplanned hospitalization for heart failure was 35%. Predictors of procedural failure included effective regurgitant orifice area, tricuspid coaptation gap, tricuspid tenting area, and absence of central or anteroseptal TR jet location. Predictors of 1-year mortality were procedural failure, worsening kidney function, and absence of sinus rhythm. Conclusions Transcatheter tricuspid edge-to-edge repair can achieve TR reduction at 1 year, resulting in significant clinical improvement. Predictors of procedural failure and 1-year mortality identified here may help select patients who will benefit most from this therapy.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the technical success and efficacy of mitral valve edge-to-edge repair using extended clip arms. Background A new iteration of the MitraClip system, the MitraClip XTR, was introduced in 2018 with the aim of addressing technical limitations observed with previous versions. Methods Patients having received at least 1 new implant for the treatment of symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) were eligible for this study. Results Among the 107 patients (mean age 76 ± 9 years, 69% men) included in this study, the etiology of MR was balanced, with one-half (n = 53 [50%]) classified as secondary and the remaining 54 patients having either primary (n = 40 [37%]) or mixed (n = 14 [13%]) disease. The mean number of devices implanted was 1.5 ± 0.6. Multiple device implantation was required in 46 patients (43%). Single-leaflet device attachment occurred in 4 patients and leaflet injury in 2 additional patients, requiring surgical conversion in 4 patients. Among the 102 patients discharged alive without mitral valve surgery, 95 (93%) had MR ≤2+ and 79 (77%) had MR ≤1+. The mean transmitral gradient increased from 1.9 ± 1.0 mm Hg at baseline to 3.5 ± 1.8 mm Hg at discharge (p Conclusions Technical success with the new mitral valve repair system with extended clip arm was achieved in 93% of the patients. MR ≤2+ was obtained in 95 patients (93%) and MR ≤1+ in 79 (77%). The main reasons for procedural failure were acute single-leaflet device attachment associated with leaflet damage or isolated leaflet injury and often required surgical correction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of echocardiographic guidance on the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC).Expert consensus documents recommend intraprocedural imaging by means of either transesophageal echocardiography or intracardiac echocardiography to guide LAAC. However, no evidence exists that intraprocedural echocardiographic guidance in addition to fluoroscopy improves the safety and efficacy of LAAC.Consecutive LAAC procedures performed at a high-volume center between January 2009 and October 2020 were stratified on the basis of intraprocedural imaging modalities, including fluoroscopic guidance (FG) only or intraprocedural echocardiographic guidance (EG) in addition to fluoroscopy. The primary safety endpoint was the composite of procedure-related complications occurring within 7 days after the procedure. Technical success at 7 days and at follow-up were secondary endpoints.Among 811 LAAC procedures, 549 (67.7%) and 262 (32.3%) were assigned to the FG and EG groups, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, EG remained associated with a lower rate of the primary safety endpoint (3.4% vs 9.1%; P = 0.004; adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.11-0.90; P = 0.030). Technical success trended higher at 7 days (92.1% vs 87.2%; P = 0.065; adjusted OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 0.95-3.01; P = 0.079) and was significantly improved with EG compared with FG (87.6% vs 79.9%; P = 0.018; OR: 4.06; 95% CI: 1.60-10.27; P = 0.003) after a median follow-up period of 4.9 months (interquartile range: 3.4 months-6.2 months).In a large cohort of consecutive LAACs, the use of intraprocedural echocardiography to guide intervention in addition to standard fluoroscopy was associated with lower risks for procedural complications and higher mid-term technical success rates.

Aims A new staging classification of aortic stenosis (AS) characterizing the extent of cardiac damage was established and validated in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We aimed to validate an updated classification system in patients undergoing TAVI. Methods and results In a prospective TAVI registry, AS patients were categorized into the following stages: no cardiac damage (Stage 0), left ventricular damage (Stage 1), left atrial or mitral valve damage (Stage 2), pulmonary vasculature or tricuspid valve damage (Stage 3), or right ventricular (RV) damage or low-flow state (Stage 4). Stage 3 was sub-divided into Stage 3a (≤moderate pulmonary hypertension) and Stage 3b (severe pulmonary hypertension). Stage 4 was sub-divided into Stage 4a (low-flow without RV dysfunction), Stage 4b (RV dysfunction without low-flow), and Stage 4c (RV dysfunction with low-flow). The primary endpoint was all-cause death at 1 year. Among 1156 eligible patients, 14 were classified as Stage 0, 38 as Stage 1, 105 as Stage 2278 as Stage 3, and 721 as Stage 4. There was a stepwise increase in mortality according to advancing stages of cardiac damage: 3.9% (Stage 0–1), 9.6% (Stage 2), 14.1% (Stage 3), and 17.4% (Stage 4) (P = 0.002). After multivariable adjustment, only Stage 3b, Stage 4b, and Stage 4c conferred a significantly increased risk of mortality compared to Stage 0–1. Conclusion More than one-third of patients had advanced cardiac damage (severe pulmonary hypertension or RV dysfunction) before TAVI, associating with a five- to seven-fold increased risk of mortality at 1 year. Clinical trial registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. NCT01368250.

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether the integrative echocardiographic criteria used in the cardiovascular outcomes assessment of the mitraclip percutaneous therapy (COAPT) for heart failure patients with functional mitral regurgitation study predict outcomes after edge-to-edge trancatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) for the treatment of secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). BACKGROUND Two randomized controlled trials comparing TMVr to medical treatment reported conflicting findings. Differences in patient selection criteria may have contributed to these diverging results. METHODS Patients undergoing TMVr were stratified following the integrative COAPT echocardiographic criteria in noneligible and eligible patients who were further classified into three tiers according to effective regurgitant orifice (EROA) (Tier 1: EROA ≥ 0.3cm2 ; Tier 2: EROA 0.2cm2 and 0.29cm2 ; Tier 3: EROA

Residual or newly acquired leaks are routinely appraised after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). The Watchman and the Amulet are the two most frequently used devices for LAAC but no randomized study has so far assessed their comparative leak rates after intervention. The "Comparison of Amplatzer Amulet vs Watchman devices in patients undergoing left atrial appendage closure" (Swiss-Apero, clinicaltrial.gov NCT03399851) is an academic-sponsored multicenter, randomized clinical trial comparing Amulet versus Watchman/FLX devices among patients undergoing a clinically indicated LAAC. The study is designed to assess the superiority of Amulet vs. Watchman/FLX in terms of leaks detected by cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) at 45 days (primary endpoint) and 13 months (secondary endpoint) after intervention by an imaging Core Laboratory. The Swiss-Apero study is the first randomized clinical trial comparing Amulet and Watchman/FLX with respect to the prevalence of post-procedural leak as assessed with CCTA.

Transcatheter Treatment of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation

Aims The ESC/EACTS guidelines propose criteria that determine the likelihood of true-severe aortic stenosis (AS). We aimed to investigate the impact of the guideline-based criteria of the likelihood of true-severe AS in patients with low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) AS with preserved ejection fraction (pEF) on outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods and results In a prospective TAVR registry, LFLG-AS patients with pEF were retrospectively categorized into high (criteria ≥6) and intermediate (criteria 70% of LFLG-AS patients had functional improvement, impaired functional status [New York Heart Association (NYHA III/IV)] persisted more frequently at 1 year in LFLG-AS than in high-gradient AS patients (7.8%), irrespective of the likelihood (high: 17.4%, P = 0.006; intermediate: 21.1%, P Conclusion Patients with LFLG-AS with pEF had comparable survival but worse functional status at 1 year than high-gradient AS with pEF, irrespective of the likelihood of true-severe AS. Clinical Trial Registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. NCT01368250.

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias are very common but underdiagnosed due to their transient and asymptomatic nature. An optimization of arrhythmia detection would permit to better treat patients and could substantially reduce morbidity and mortality. The SmartCardia ScaAI wireless patch is a novel CE IIa approved, single-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) ambulatory monitor designed for cardiac arrhythmias detection., Hypothesis: The accuracy of the new SmartCardia wireless patch to detect arrhythmias is comparable to the conventional Holter monitoring., Methods: Patients referred for a suspicion of arrhythmia between February and March 2020 were included in the trial. Simultaneous ambulatory ECG were recorded using a conventional 24-h Holter and the SmartCardia. The primary endpoint was the detection of cardiac arrhythmias over the total wear time of the devices, defined as premature atrial contraction (PAC), supraventricular tachycardia >= 3 beats, premature ventricular contraction (PVC), and ventricular tachycardia >= 3 beats. Conduction abnormalities, pause >= 2 s and atrioventricular block (AVB), were also tracked. McNemar's test was used to compare the matched pairs of data from both devices., Results: A total of 40 patients were included in the trial. Over the total wear time, there was no significant difference between the devices for ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias detection. Pauses and AVB were equally identified by the two devices in three patients., Conclusion: Over the total wear time, the SmartCardia device showed an accuracy to detect arrhythmia similar to the 24-h Holter monitoring: single-lead, adhesive-patch monitoring might become an interesting alternative to the conventional Holter monitoring.

Introduction During edge-to-edge therapy using MitraClip (MC) for severe mitral regurgitation (MR) the interventional cardiologists usually rely on the mean transmitral gradient to decide if they “go for” a second clip in case of suboptimal MR reduction or to stabilise the first MC in the context of prolapse or flail leaflet. The value of this parameter to detect low mitral valve area (MVA) is unknown. Method During each intervention of the last two years, high quality volumes focused on the MV were acquired. Using a dedicated 3-D analysis software and a new planimetry method, we measured the MVA before and after the implantation of one MC (each orifice was evaluate independently on the most optimal plane). The usual transmitral CW-Doppler parameters (mean gradient (MG), VTI, PHT) were evaluated. Results We included 120 patients, 69 primary (PMR) and 51 secondary (SMR) mitral regurgitation. For all the parameters, the best model for the curve fitting was y = a + b / x and the two parameters who best correlated with the MVA after MC were PHT (R2 0.67, p=0.0001) and MG (R2 0.28, p. 0001). Looking at SMR, the correlation with PHT was even better but there was no correlation with MG. In PMR, the correlation with MG was good but still lower than with PHT (Figure 1). The ROC analysis for PHT showed an AUC of 0.948 and defined an optimal cut-off of 127ms with sensibility and specificity 91% to detect a MVA Conclusion The transmitral MG appears as a poor parameter to predict low MVA after the implantation of one MC, especially in SMR probably because in this population the MG depends more on the flow than on the MVA. In the contrary PHT appears as a robust parameter. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

BACKGROUND Mitral annular calcification (MAC) has been associated with mitral valve (MV) disease and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We aimed to investigate the incidence and impact of mitral calcium volume (MCV) quantified by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) on MV function and clinical outcomes after TAVI. METHODS Consecutive patients with exploitable echocardiography and MDCT performed during TAVI screening were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. Mitral calcium was assessed visually and measured using a semi-automatic tool developed for the aortic valve in an off-label fashion. RESULTS MCV >0 mm3 was found in 65% of the 875 included patients. Patients with calcification were older (82 ± 6 versus 81 ± 7; P = 0.002) and had high prevalence of renal dysfunction (69% versus 61%; P = 0.017) and mitral stenosis (25% versus 4%, P

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review article describes the technical features of the novel Edwards PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system as well as the evidence accumulated so far. RECENT FINDINGS Transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve leaflet approximation enable treatment of patients with mitral and tricuspid regurgitation who are not eligible for surgery. The PASCAL device offers an alternative that may allow to overcome some of the limitations of previous systems and open the path for an approach adapted to individual patient's anatomy. Early data show similar safety and efficacy compared with the Abbott MitraClip system. The PASCAL system is a valuable addition to the armamentarium of transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve repair devices. Randomized head-to-head comparisons and long-term data are needed to confirm the promising results observed so far.

Background Structural disarray of hypertrophied myocytes and interstitial fibrosis characterize hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). These morphological changes also affect atrial myocytes and, together with hemodynamic alterations because of HCM, may lead to atrial cardiomyopathy. Purpose To investigate the incremental value of P-wave parameters to differentiate left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) because of HCM from LVH in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and athletes heart. Methods In a prospective study, we compared electrocardiographic (including signal-averaged ECG of the P wave) and echocardiographic data of patients with HCM, HHD and athletes heart. We developed a predictive model with a simple scoring system to identify HCM. Results We compared data of 27 patients with HCM (70% males, 49.8 ± 14.5 years), 324 patients with HHD (52% males, 74.8 ± 5.5 years), and 215 subjects with athletes heart (72% males, 42.3 ± 7.5). The table shows the significant differences among the 3 groups. We included the following parameters into a predictive score to differentiate HCM from other forms of LVH: QRS width (>88ms = 1 point), P-wave integral (>688µVs = 1 point) and septum thickness (>12mm = 2 points). A score >2 (Youden index 0.626) correctly classified HCM in 81% of the cases with a sensitivity and specificity of 82% an 81%, respectively. Conclusion Differentiation of HCM from other forms of LVH is improved by including atrial parameters. A simple scoring system including septum thickness, QRS width and P wave integral allowed identification of patients with HCM with a sensitivity and specificity of >80%. This score needs to be validated prospectively. Table 1 HCM HHD Athletes P-value HCM vs HHD* HCM vs Athletes* 95%-CI P-value 95%-CI P-value P-wave duration [ms] 152.7 ± 25.8 143.9 ± 16.5 133.5 ± 14.2 Abstract Figure 1

Aims Mitral annular calcification (MAC) has been associated with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) but has been investigated in isolation of co-existent mitral regurgitation or mitral stenosis, which may represent important confounders. This study sought to investigate the effect of MAC with and without concomitant mitral valve disease (MVD) on clinical outcomes in patients treated with TAVR. Methods and results Computed tomography (CT) and echocardiographic data in consecutive TAVR patients enrolled into a prospective registry were categorized according to presence or absence of severe MAC and significant MVD, respectively. A total of 967 patients with adequate CT and echocardiography data were included between 2007 and 2017. Severe MAC was found in 172 patients (17.8%) and associated with MVD in 87 patients (50.6%). Compared to TAVR patients without severe MAC or MVD, all-cause mortality at 1 year was significantly increased among patients with severe MAC in combination with MVD [adjusted hazard ratio (HRadj): 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12–3.44, P = 0.018] and patients with isolated MVD (HRadj: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.56–3.47, P Conclusion We found no effect of isolated MAC on clinical outcomes following TAVR in patients with preserved mitral valve function. Patients with MVD had an increased risk of death at 1 year irrespective of MAC.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of valvular and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Background AF has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes after TAVR. However, the differential impact of valvular as opposed to nonvalvular AF has not been investigated. Methods In a retrospective analysis of a prospective registry, valvular AF was defined as AF in the setting of concomitant mitral stenosis or the presence of a mitral valve prosthesis. The presence of mitral stenosis was determined by pre-procedural echocardiography. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death or disabling stroke at 1 year after TAVR. Results Among 1,472 patients undergoing TAVR between August 2007 and June 2018, AF was recorded in 465 patients (31.6%) and categorized as nonvalvular in 376 (25.5%) and valvular in 89 (6.0%). AF scores including HAS-BLED, CHADS2, and CHA2DS2-VASc were comparable between patients with nonvalvular and valvular AF. The primary endpoint occurred in 9.3% of patients with no AF, in 14.5% of patients with nonvalvular AF (hazard ratio: 1.57; 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 2.20; p = 0.009), and in 24.2% of patients with valvular AF (hazard ratio: 2.75; 95% confidence interval: 1.71 to 4.41; p Conclusions The presence of valvular AF in patients undergoing TAVR increased the risk for cardiovascular death or disabling stroke compared with both no AF and nonvalvular AF. (SWISS TAVI Registry; NCT01368250)

Recurrent flail leaflet represents an infrequent cause of recurrent mitral regurgitation after MitraClip. This report presents a case of recurrent severe MR due to a ruptured chorda tendineae after edge-to-edge repair.