Project description:Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) constitutes a considerable sized population like that of subjects with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The symptoms include exercise induced dyspnoea and fatigue besides an increased mortality rate when compared to the general population. There is limited evidence of benefit from pharmacological therapy. A main pathophysiological mechanism is a left ventricular filling pressure that might be near to normal during resting conditions but increases during exercise leading to pulmonary congestion. Based on observations like the apparent lesser symptomatology in patients with combined mitral valve stenosis and atrial septal defect (Lutembacher syndrome) when compared to patients with isolated mitral valve stenosis, several Inter-Atrial Shunt Devices (IASD) have been developed with the intent to unload the pressure in the left atrium by creating a shunt into the right atrium. Smaller studies have found that the IASDs reduce the left ventricular filling pressure during exercise and increase the functional status of patients both subjectively and objectively with reported low rates of complications. These devices are undergoing further investigations and might prove to be a new paradigm in the treatment of patients with HFpEF.
Project description:Classical "Windsock deformity" is associated with ruptured aneurysmal sinus of Valsalva. The echocardiographic definition for Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) in children based on dimensions is lacking. Rupture of an ASA, though uncommon, may lead to cardiac failure due to acute RV volume overload. An untreated ASA may be complicated with thrombus formation.
Project description:Recent clinical evidence has suggested that interatrial septal (IAS) adiposity contributes to atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study aimed to confirm the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to estimate IAS adiposity in patients with AF. The histological IAS analysis based on autopsy samples sought to clarify characteristics that underlie the contribution of IAS adiposity to AF. The imaging study analyzed the TEE results in patients with AF (n = 184) in comparison with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and computed tomography (CT) results. The autopsy study histologically analyzed IAS in subjects with (n = 5) and without (n = 5) history of AF. In the imaging study, the ratio of interatrial septum adipose tissue (IAS-AT) volume per epicardial adipose tissue (EpAT) volume was greater in patients with persistent AF compared (PerAF) to those with paroxysmal AF (PAF). Multivariable analysis revealed that both TEE-assessed IAS thickness and TTE-assessed left atrial dimension were predicted by CT-assessed IAS-AT volume. In the autopsy study, the histologically-assessed IAS section thickness was greater in the AF group than that in the non-AF group and was positively correlated with the IAS-AT area percentage. In addition, the size of adipocytes in IAS-AT was smaller, compared to EpAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). IAS-AT infiltrated into the IAS myocardium, as if adipose tissue split the myocardium (designated as myocardial splitting by IAS-AT). The number of island-like myocardium pieces as a result of myocardial splitting by IAS-AT was greater in the AF group than in the non-AF group and was positively correlated with the IAS-AT area percentage. The present imaging study confirmed the usefulness of TEE to estimate IAS adiposity in patients with AF without radiation exposure. The autopsy study suggested that the myocardial splitting by IAS-AT may contribute to atrial cardiomyopathy leading to AF.
Project description:Background Emerging data suggest important prognostic value to left atrial (LA) characteristics, but the independent impact of LA function on outcome remains unsubstantiated. Thus, we aimed to define the incremental prognostic value of LA coupling index (LACI), coupling volumetric and mechanical LA characteristics and calculated as the ratio of left atrial volume index to tissue Doppler imaging a', in a large cohort of patients with isolated floppy mitral valve. Methods and Results All consecutive 4792 patients (61±16 years, 48% women) with isolated floppy mitral valve in sinus rhythm diagnosed at Mayo Clinic from 2003 to 2011, comprehensively characterized and with prospectively measured left atrial volume index and tissue Doppler imaging a' in routine practice, were enrolled, and their long-term survival analyzed. Overall, LACI was 5.8±3.7 and was <5 in 2422 versus ≥5 in 2370 patients. LACI was independently higher with older age, more mitral regurgitation (no 3.8±2.3, mild 5.1±3.0, moderate 6.5±3.8, and severe 7.8±4.3), and with diastolic (higher E/e') and systolic (higher end-systolic dimension) left ventricular dysfunction (all P≤0.0001). At diagnosis, higher LACI was associated with more severe presentation (more dyspnea, more severe functional tricuspid regurgitation, and elevated pulmonary artery pressure, all P≤0.0001) independently of age, sex, comorbidity index, ventricular function, and mitral regurgitation severity. During 7.0±3.0 years follow-up, 1146 patients underwent mitral valve surgery (94% repair, 6% replacement), and 880 died, 780 under medical management. In spline curve analysis, LACI ≥5 was identified as the threshold for excess mortality, with much reduced 10-year survival under medical management (60±2% versus 85±1% for LACI <5, P<0.0001), even after comprehensive adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.30 [95% CI, 1.10-1.53] for LACI ≥5; P=0.002). Association of LACI ≥5 with higher mortality persisted, stratifying by mitral regurgitation severity of LA enlargement grade (all P<0.001) and after propensity-score matching (P=0.02). Multiple statistical methods confirmed the significant incremental predictive power of LACI over left atrial volume index (all P<0.0001). Conclusions LA functional assessment by LACI in routine practice is achievable in a large number of patients with floppy mitral valve using conventional Doppler echocardiographic measurements. Higher LACI is associated with worse clinical presentation, but irrespective of baseline characteristics, LACI is strongly, independently, and incrementally determinant of outcome, demonstrating the crucial importance of LA functional response to mitral valve disease.
Project description:AimsIn a large proportion of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients, echocardiographic estimation of left atrial pressure (LAP) is not possible when the ratio of the peak early left ventricular filling velocity over the late filling velocity (E/A ratio) is not available, which may occur due to several potential causes. Left atrial reservoir strain (LASr) is correlated with LV filling pressures and may serve as an alternative parameter in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether LASr can be used to estimate LAP in HFrEF patients in whom E/A ratio is not available.Methods and resultsEchocardiograms of chronic HFrEF patients were analysed and LASr was assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography. LAP was estimated using the current ASE/EACVI algorithm. Patients were divided into those in whom LAP could be estimated using this algorithm (LAPe) and into those in whom this was not possible because E/A ratio was not available (LAPne). We assessed the prognostic value of LASr on the primary endpoint (PEP), which comprised the composite of hospitalization for the management of acute or worsened HF, left ventricular assist device implantation, cardiac transplantation, and cardiovascular death, whichever occurred first in time. We studied 153 patients with a mean age of 58 years of whom 76% men and 82% who were in NYHA class I-II. A total of 86 were in the LAPe group and 67 in the LAPne group. LASr was significantly lower in the LAPne group as compared with the LAPe group (15.8% vs. 23.8%, P < 0.001). PEP-free survival at a median follow-up of 2.5 years was 78% in LAPe versus 51% in LAPne patients. An increase in LASr was significantly associated with a reduced risk of the PEP in LAPne patients (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.91 per %, 95% confidence interval 0.84-0.98). An abnormal LASr (<18%) was associated with a five-fold increase in reaching the PEP.ConclusionsIn HFrEF patients in whom echocardiographic estimation of LAP is not possible due to due to unavailability of E/A ratio, assessing LASr potentially carries added clinical and prognostic value.
Project description:Presence of left atrial (LA) fibrosis reflects underlying atrial cardiomyopathy. Interatrial block (IAB) is associated with LA fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The association of IAB and LA fibrosis in the patients without history of AF is unknown. We examined association of IAB and LA fibrosis in the patients without AF history. This is a retrospective analysis of 229 patients undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). LA fibrosis was reported from spatial extent of late gadolinium enhancement of CMR. IAB was measured from 12-lead electrocardiography using digital caliper. Of 229 patients undergoing CMR, prevalence of IAB was 50.2%. Patients with IAB were older (56.9±13.9 years vs. 45.9±19.2 years, p<0.001) and had higher prevalence of co-morbidities. Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in IAB group. LA volume index (LAVI) was greater in IAB group (54.6±24.9 ml/m2 vs. 43.0±21.1 ml/m2, p<0.001). Patients with IAB had higher prevalence of LA fibrosis than those without IAB (70.4% vs. 21.2%; p<0.001). After multivariable analysis, only IAB and LAVI were independent factors that predict LA fibrosis. Prevalence of IAB in patients undergoing CMR was high. IAB was highly associated with LA fibrosis and larger LA size in patients without AF history.
Project description:Smooth septum interatrial septum, patent foramen ovale (PFO) channel and atrial septal pouches (SPs) are commonly described variants in humans. Recent discoveries on the clinical significance of left-sided SP may encourage the creation of new strategies and devices for the management of SPs. However, these strategies may first be tested in the ovine model before implementation in humans. Unfortunately, little is known about the presence of SPs in ovine. In this study a total of 60 ovine (Ovis aries) hearts were examined. The interatrial septum morphology was assessed and the PFO channel and SPs were measured. The most commonly occurring variant were PFO channels (25.0%) with channel lengths of 5.4±2.3 mm. Smooth septums were observed in 18.3% of hearts. In the remaining cases, septums had a left septal ridge (15.0%), left SP (11.7%), left septal bridge (10.0%), right SP (10.0%), or had both a right SP and left septal ridge (10.0%). No double SPs were observed. The mean right SP depth was 3.4 ± 1.2 mm, and its mean ostium width and height were 7.9±1.8 mm and 2.8±1.0, respectively. For the left SP, the mean depth was 6.0±1.7mm, the ostium width was 7.9±2.4mm, and the ostium height was 4.1±1.6mm (range: 2.3-6.4mm). In conclusion the interatrial septum of ovine hearts exhibit morphologies that are more similar to humans than they are to swine, which should be taken into account during experimental studies. The presence of a left SP in sheep hearts make ovine models a promising alternative to the human heart for developing left-sided SP management devices and techniques.
Project description:BackgroundWe discuss an unusual association: double atrial septum, pulmonary artery aneurysm, and severe regurgitation of multiple valves.Case summaryA 70-year-old man was admitted into the hospital because of progressive dyspnoea. Physical examination showed a blood pressure of 132/70 mmHg, a systolic murmur on the right upper sternal border, another systolic murmur at the apex, and a diastolic murmur at the lower left sternal border. Electrocardiogram revealed atrial fibrillation and complete left bundle branch block. Transthoracic echocardiography showed mitral prolapse, severe mitral, aortic, and pulmonary regurgitation, a 60 mm diameter pulmonary artery aneurysm, mild to moderate tricuspid regurgitation, and moderate pulmonary hypertension. Transoesophageal echocardiography also showed an unusual atrial communication consisting of a double atrial septum with a mid-line chamber between both atria. A cardiac magnetic resonance scan was performed and confirmed echocardiography findings and QP:QS ratio = 1.3.DiscussionIn our knowledge, this is the first case report with this association. We present the main clinical features of the double atrial septum with persistent interatrial space, its echocardiography anatomy, differential diagnosis, and embryology.