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Valvular heart disease (VHD) is the next epidemic in the cardiovascular field, affecting millions of people worldwide and having a major impact on health care systems. With aging of the population, the incidence and prevalence of VHD will continue to increase. However, VHD has not received the attention it deserves from both the public and policymakers. Despite important advances in the pathophysiology, natural history, management, and treatment of VHD including the development of transcatheter therapies, VHD remains underdiagnosed, identified late, and often undertreated with inequality in access to care and treatment options, and there is no medication that can prevent disease progression. The present review article discusses these gaps in the management of VHD and potential actions to undertake to improve the outcome of patients with VHD.

The natural history of mitral annular calcification (MAC) and risk for developing calcific mitral valve disease (CMVD) have been poorly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression rate of MAC and of the development of CMVD.Patients with MAC and paired echocardiograms ≥1 year apart between 2005 and 2019 were included. Progression rates from mild or moderate to severe MAC and to CMVD (defined as severe MAC and significant mitral stenosis and/or regurgitation) were assessed, along with potential association with sex.A total of 11,605 patients (mean age, 73 ± 10 years; 51% men) with MAC (78% mild, 17% moderate, 5% severe) were included and underwent follow-up echocardiography at 4.2 ± 2.7 years. Among patients with mild or moderate MAC, 33% presented with severe MAC at 10 years. The rate of severe MAC was higher in women than in men (41% vs 24% [P .001]; hazard ratio, 1.3; P .001) and in patients with moderate versus mild MAC (71% vs 22% [P .001]; hazard ratio, 6.1; P .001). At 10 years, 10% presented with CMVD (4%, 23%, and 60% in patients with mild, moderate, and severe MAC, respectively), which was predicted by female sex (15% vs 5%; P .0001), even after adjustment for MAC severity (hazard ratio, 1.9; P .001).In this large cohort of patients with MAC, progression to severe MAC was common and frequently resulted in CMVD. Female sex was associated with higher progression rates. MAC and CMVD are expected to dramatically increase as the population ages, highlighting the importance of a better understanding of the pathophysiology of MAC to develop effective preventive medical therapies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) in patients with cardiogenic shock and significant mitral regurgitation (MR).Patients in cardiogenic shock with severe MR have a poor prognosis in the setting of conventional medical therapy. Because of its favorable safety profile, TMVr is being increasingly used as an acute therapy in this population, though its efficacy remains unknown.A multicenter, collaborative, patient-level analysis was conducted. Patients with cardiogenic shock and moderate to severe (3+) or severe (4+) MR who were not surgical candidates were treated with TMVr. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included 90-day mortality, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and the combined event rate of 90-day mortality and HF hospitalization following dichotomization by TMVr device success.Between January 2011 and February 2019, 141 patients across 14 institutions met the inclusion criteria. In-hospital mortality occurred in 22 patients (15.6%), at 90 days in 38 patients (29.5%), and at one year in 55 patients (42.6%). Median length of hospital stay following TMVr was 10 days (interquartile range: 6 to 20 days). HF hospitalization occurred in 26 patients (18.4%) at a median of 73 days (interquartile range: 26 to 546 days). When stratified by TMVr procedural results, successful TMVr reduced rates of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13 to 0.98; p = 0.04), 90-day mortality (HR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.78; p = 0.01), and the composite of 90-day mortality and HF hospitalization (HR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.90; p = 0.03).TMVr may improve short- and intermediate-term mortality in high-risk patients with cardiogenic shock and moderate to severe MR. Randomized studies are needed to definitively establish MR as a therapeutic target in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Background The extent of coronary disease affects clinical outcomes and may predict the effectiveness of coronary revascularization with either coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score quantifies the extent of coronary disease. Objectives This study sought to determine whether SYNTAX scores predicted outcomes and the effectiveness of coronary revascularization compared with medical therapy in the BARI-2D (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes) trial. Methods Baseline SYNTAX scores were retrospectively calculated for BARI-2D patients without prior revascularization (N = 1,550) by angiographic laboratory investigators masked to patient characteristics and outcomes. The primary outcome was major cardiovascular events (a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) over 5 years. Results A mid/high SYNTAX score (≥23) was associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events (hazard ratio: 1.36, confidence interval: 1.07 to 1.75, p = 0.01). Patients in the CABG stratum had significantly higher SYNTAX scores: 36% had mid/high SYNTAX scores compared with 13% in the PCI stratum (p Conclusions Among patients with diabetes and stable ischemic heart disease, higher SYNTAX scores predict higher rates of major cardiovascular events and were associated with more favorable outcomes of revascularization compared with medical therapy among patients suitable for CABG. (Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetes; NCT00006305)

Valvular heart disease (VHD) is responsible for a major societal and economic burden. Incidence and prevalence of VHD are high and increase as the population ages, creating the next epidemic. In Western countries, the etiology is mostly degenerative or functional disease and strikes an elderly population with multiple comorbidities. Epidemiological studies have shown that VHD is commonly underdiagnosed, leading to patients presenting late in their disease course, to an excess risk of mortality and morbidity and to a missed opportunity for intervention. Once diagnosed, VHD is often undertreated with patients unduly denied intervention, the only available curative treatment. This gap between current recommendations and clinical practice and the marked under-treatment is at least partially related to poor knowledge of current National and International Societies Guidelines. Development of a valvular heart team involving multidisciplinary valve specialists including clinicians, imaging specialists, interventional cardiologists and surgeons is expected to fill these gaps and to offer an integrated care addressing all issues of patient management from evaluation, risk-assessment, decision-making and performance of state-of-the-art surgical and transcatheter interventions. The valvular heart team will select the right treatment for the right patient, improving cost-effectiveness and ultimately patients’ outcomes.

Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve is a mechanism for the development of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. While often associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a case is reported of symptomatic LVOT obstruction due to intrinsic mitral valve pathology in the absence of hypertrophy or cardiomyopathy. This case highlights the importance of recognizing isolated mitral valve pathology as a treatable cause of LVOT obstruction.

The French multicenter experience (6 centers) of dynamic cardiomyoplasty was analyzed for long-term survival and functional outcome, the most important endpoints in congestive heart failure therapy. Cardiomyoplasty was performed in 212 patients with symptoms of chronic heart failure despite maximal pharmacological therapy. The etiology was ischemic (48%), idiopathic (45%) or other (7%). Cardiomyoplasty was performed using the latissimus dorsi muscle which was electrostimulated after surgery. During follow-up, 88% of patients improved clinically. Hospital death occurred in 29 (14%) patients and was related to the severity of preoperative heart failure symptoms. Late mortality occurred in 99 patients due to heart failure (44%), sudden death (37%), or noncardiac causes (18%). Combined dynamic cardiomyoplasty and implantation of a cardiac rhythm management system was safely achieved in 22 patients, and 26 underwent heart transplantation for recurrent heart failure. Long-term functional improvements were observed in most patients, and the best outcome was achieved in those with isolated right ventricular failure. Dynamic cardiomyoplasty can be considered as a destination therapy or a mid- to long-term biological bridge to heart transplantation.

Although one of the goals of surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) is to alleviate congestive heart failure (CHF), the latter often occurs after AVR. Surprisingly, the incidence of CHF after AVR remains unclear, as outcomes are reported according to valve-related complications, each of which may result in CHF. The study aim was to: (i) validate a previously described model predicting persistent or recurrent CHF after AVR in a contemporary cohort; and (ii) apply the model to predict late outcomes following AVR with the Trifecta valve.A previously described statistical model was validated in a cohort of 1,014 patients who received the St. Jude Trifecta prosthesis between 2007 and 2009. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the influence of risk factors associated with late CHF. Model prediction was verified with a Monte Carlo simulation employing 10,000 iterations.The model accurately predicted late CHF events in a contemporary cohort. Sensitivity analysis identified mean transprosthesis gradient (MTG), body surface area (BSA), and preoperative NYHA class as important CHF risk factors. Based on the model, a 5 mmHg decrease in MTG was associated with 2.5% and 10.4% reductions in late CHF at five and 15 years, respectively. A 10% decrease in mean BSA and preoperative NYHA class IV symptoms were associated with a 1% decrease and a 5% increase in CHF events at 15 years after AVR.The authors' previously described model predicting persistent or recurrent CHF after AVR was validated in a contemporary cohort. This model may be applied to predict outcomes in patients who receive modern prostheses, without long-term follow up.

Introduction: Mitral valve (MV) area is the key measure of mitral stenosis (MS) in rheumatic MV disease, but its role in the follow-up of patients who had MV repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) remains uncertain. Our objective is to evaluate the relationships of MV area with hemodynamic effects at rest and during exercise, and with functional measures in patients following MV repair for degenerative MR. Methods: We prospectively assessed 110 patients who had MV repair for degenerative MR and no more than mild residual MR. Patients with aortic valve disease and ventricular dysfunction were excluded. The patients underwent comprehensive echo assessment at rest and during supine bicycle exercise. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and SF36 questionnaires were also performed. MV area was calculated using the continuity equation. The patients were divided into 2 groups for comparison (MV area < 1.5 cm 2 vs > 1.5 cm 2 ). Results: 22 patients (20%) had MV area < 1.5 cm 2 . The 2 groups were similar in age. Patients with MVR < 1.5 cm 2 had worse resting and exercise hemodynamics, more limited exercise capacity and higher BNP levels compared to those with larger MV area (Table). These patients also had lower scores in physical functioning, vitality (p=0.01) and social function (p=0.04), based on the SF36 questionnaires. Multivariate analysis showed that MV area is an independent predictor of exercise capacity (p=0.003). Conclusion: In patients following MV repair for degenerative MR, MV area is a useful measure of MS severity because it is associated with resting and exercise hemodynamics and functional consequences. MV area should be routinely measured in this clinical setting, and refinement in MV repair techniques is needed to optimize MV area in addition to eliminate MR.

Centrifugal pump (CP) and roller pump (RP) designs are the dominant main arterial pumps used in cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Trials reporting clinical outcome measures comparing CP and RP are controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis was undertaken to evaluate clinical variables from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Keyword searches were performed on Medline (1966-2011), EmBase (1980-2011), and CINAHL (1981-2011) for studies comparing RP and CP as the main arterial pump in adult CPB. Pooled fixed-effects estimates for dichotomous and continuous data were calculated as an odds ratio and weighted-mean difference, respectively. The P value was utilized to assess statistical significance (P 0.05) between CP and RP groups. Eighteen RCTs met inclusion criteria, which represented 1868 patients (CP = 961, RP = 907). The prevailing operation was isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CP = 88%, RP = 87%). Fixed-effects pooled estimates were performed for end-of-CPB (ECP) and postoperative day one (PDO) for platelet count (ECP: P = 0.51, PDO: P = 0.16), plasma free hemoglobin (ECP: P = 0.36, PDO: P = 0.24), white blood cell count (ECP: P = 0.21, PDO: P = 0.66), and hematocrit (ECP: P = 0.06, PDO: P = 0.51). No difference was demonstrated for postoperative blood loss (P = 0.65) or red blood cell transfusion (P = 0.71). Intensive care unit length of stay (P = 0.30), hospital length of stay (P = 0.33), and mortality (P = 0.91) were similar between the CP and RP groups. Neurologic outcomes were not amenable to pooled analysis; nevertheless, the results were inconclusive. There was no reported pump-related malfunction or mishap. The meta-analysis of RCTs comparing CP and RP in adult cardiac surgery suggests no significant difference for hematological variables, postoperative blood loss, transfusions, neurological outcomes, or mortality.

Interactive voice response (IVR) technology was used to increase medication compliance and reduce adverse events (hospitalization and emergency visits) in post-cardiac surgery patients.Patients randomized to intervention received 11 automated IVR calls in the six months after discharge. A total of 331 patients (164 IVR, 167 usual care) participated.Findings showed significant differences in the IVR group for the primary composite outcome of compliance and adverse events (relative risk (RR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60 [0.37, 0.96), p = 0.041) and the secondary outcome of medication compliance (RR: 0.34 (0.20, 0.56), p0.0001). There was no significant impact on emergency room visits (RR: 1.04 (0.63, 1.73J) and hospitalization (RR: 0.77 [0.41, 1.45]). Most patients (93%) preferred IVR follow-up to no follow-up.

In order to facilitate knowledge transfer between specialists and generalists and between experts and novices, and to promote interdisciplinary communication, there is a need to provide methods and tools for doing so. This interdisciplinary research team developed and evaluated a decision support tool (DST) on a personal digital assistant (PDA) for cardiac tele-triage/tele-consultation when the presenting problem was chest pain. The combined human factors methods of cognitive work analysis during the requirements-gathering phase and ecological interface design during the design phase were used to develop the DST. A pilot clinical trial was conducted at a quaternary cardiac care hospital over a 3-month period. During this time, the DST was used by the nine nursing coordinators who provide tele-triage/tele-consultation 24/7. This clinical trial validated the design and demonstrated its usefulness to advanced cardiac care nurses, its potential for use by nurses less experienced in cardiac care, and for its potential use in an interdisciplinary team environment.

The study aim was to assess whether outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in octogenarians can be anticipated by their preoperative clinical status.Early and late results of 101 consecutive patients operated on for AVR between 1988 and 1998 in the authors' department were reviewed. Data were compared for two patient groups determined by Parsonnet's risk score (PRS) values: group A (n = 42), PRS30, and group B (n = 59), PRSor =30.Hospital mortality was 7.1% in group A and 16.9% in group B (p = NS). Follow up was complete (total 268 patient-years; mean 2.7 years per patient). Five- and eight-year survival rates were 76% and 39% in group A, and 57% and 16% in group B (p0.05). Late mortality was mainly related to non-cardiac causes. Among 61 survivors on completion of follow up, functional results (mean NYHA class and mean Karnofsky score) were 1.5+/-0.8 versus 1.5+/-0.7 and 61+/-18 versus 61+/-17 in groups A and B, respectively. Among survivors, 24/31 from group A versus 22/30 from group B were still living in their own home.These results indicated that the PRS overestimated the operative risk of AVR in octogenarians. PRS also appeared to be related to late survival in these patients, but did not predict any postoperative functional benefits.