One-year outcome following biological or mechanical valve replacement for infective endocarditis

Background: Nearly half of patients require cardiac surgery during the acute phase of infective endocarditis (IE). We describe the characteristics of patients according to the type of valve replacement (mechanical or biological), and examine whether the type of prosthesis was associated with in-hospital and 1-year mortality. Methods and results: Among 5591 patients included in the International Collaboration on Endocarditis Prospective Cohort Study, 1467 patients with definite IE were operated on during the active phase and had a biological (37%) or mechanical (63%) valve replacement. Patients who received bioprostheses were older (62 vs 54 years), more often had a history of cancer (9% vs 6%), and had moderate or severe renal disease (9% vs 4%); proportion of health care-associated IE was higher (26% vs 17%); intracardiac abscesses were more frequent (30% vs 23%). In-hospital and 1-year death rates were higher in the bioprosthesis group, 20.5% vs 14.0% (p = 0.0009) and 25.3% vs 16.6% (p < .0001), respectively. In multivariable analysis, mechanical prostheses were less commonly implanted in older patients (odds ratio: 0.64 for every 10 years), and in patients with a history of cancer (0.72), but were more commonly implanted in mitral position (1.60). Bioprosthesis was independently associated with 1-year mortality (hazard ratio: 1.298). Conclusions: Patients with IE who receive a biological valve replacement have significant differences in clinical characteristics compared to patients who receive a mechanical prosthesis. Biological valve replacement is independently associated with a higher in-hospital and 1-year mortality, a result which is possibly related to patient characteristics rather than valve dysfunction

Chagas Cardiomiopathy: The Potential of Diastolic Dysfunction and Brain Natriuretic Peptide in the Early Identification of Cardiac Damage

Chagas disease remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in several countries of Latin America and has become a potential public health problem in countries where the disease is not endemic as a result of migration flows. Cardiac involvement represents the main cause of mortality, but its diagnosis is still based on nonspecific criteria with poor sensitivity. Early identification of patients with cardiac damage is desirable, since early treatment may improve prognosis. Diastolic dysfunction and elevated brain natriuretic peptide levels are present in different cardiomyopathies and in advanced phases of Chagas disease. However, there are scarce data about the role of these parameters in earlier forms of the disease. We conducted a study to assess the diastolic function, regional systolic abnormalities and brain natriuretic peptide levels in the different forms of Chagas disease. The main finding of our investigation is that diastolic dysfunction occurs before any cardiac dilatation or motion abnormality. In addition, BNP levels identify patients with diastolic dysfunction and Chagas disease with high specificity. The results reported in this study could help to early diagnose myocardial involvement and better stratify patients with Chagas disease

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

La disfunción endotelial periférica en la miocardiopatía dilatada idiopática se asocia con mayor disfunción ventricular y concentraciones plasmáticas elevadas de factor de necrosis tumoral

Introducción y objetivos. La miocardiopatia dilatada idiopática (MCDI) se asocia con disfunción endotelial, aunque se desconoce el mecanismo que la produce. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar si la vasodilatación dependiente del endotelio (VED) analizada en la arteria humeral se correlaciona con la severidad de la insuficiencia cardíaca o el grado de activación neurohormonal. Pacientes y método. Se estudió a 23 pacientes con MCDI y a 10 sujetos sanos de edad y sexo similares. La VED y la vasodilatación secundaria a nitroglicerina (VD-NTG) se analizaron mediante eco-Doppler de la arteria humeral. También se determinaron las concentraciones de neurohormonas y citocinas en los pacientes con MCDI. Resultados. En los pacientes con MCDI se observó una reducción de la VED en comparación con el grupo control (­-0,06 ± 2,8 frente a 4,4 ± 4,6%, respectivamente, p < 0,01), mientras que la VD-NTG fue similar en ambos grupos (15,0 ± 6,4 frente a 14,0 ± 7,4%, respectivamente; p = NS). La VED fue significativamente menor en los pacientes con peor función ventricular y mayor dilatación ventricular, y también en los que presentaban concentraciones de factor de necrosis tumoral (TNF-a) más elevados. No se observaron diferencias significativas en cuanto a la VD-NTG entre los diferentes subgrupos. Se observó una correlación inversa significativa entre los valores plasmáticos de TNF-a y la VED (r = -­0,75; p < 0,01). Conclusiones. En comparación con el grupo control, los pacientes con MCDI tienen una reducción de la VED y conservan la VD-NTG. La disfunción ventricular severa, el mayor grado de dilatación ventricular y las concentraciones plasmáticas elevadas de TNF-a se asocian con una peor VED, pero la mayor correlación se observó entre los valores de TNF-a y la VED. Estos datos sugieren que el TNF-a puede estar implicado en la aparición de disfunción endotelial en la MCDI

Remodelado ventricular izquierdo tras ablación septal percutánea con alcohol en pacientes con miocardiopatía hipertrófica obstructiva

Evaluamos el impacto de la reducción de la obstrucción en el tracto de salida del ventrículo izquierdo tras la ablación septal percutánea con alcohol sobre la hipertrofia y el remodelado del ventrículo izquierdo (VI). Pacientes y método. Se incluyó a 20 pacientes con miocardiopatía hipertrófica tratados con ablación septal percutánea. Se realizó ecocardiograma Doppler en situación basal, inmediatamente después de la ablación septal percutánea y a los 3 y 12 meses de seguimiento, en el que se midieron los diámetros y grosores del VI y del gradiente de presión en el tracto de salida del ventrículo izquierdo. Resultados. Inmediatamente después de la ablación septal percutánea, el gradiente de presión en el tracto de salida del VI disminuyó de 63,0 ± 27,7 a 28,2 ± 24,7 mmHg (p < 0,001), sin que se apreciaran cambios significativos en las dimensiones del VI. Doce meses después se observó un incremento en los diámetros telediastólico (de 47,1 ± 4,9 a 50,8 ± 4,5 mm; p < 0,01) y telesistólico del VI (de 27,1 ± 3,0 a 33,7 ± 4,6 mm; p < 0,01) y una reducción en los grosores del septo (de 19,5 ± 4,0 a 15,5 ± 2,7 mm; p < 0,01) y de la pared posterior del VI (de 14,0 ± 2,2 a 12,9 ± 1,3 mm; p < 0,01). Los volúmenes telediastólico y telesistólico del VI aumentaron (de 106,4 ± 26,9 a 123,1 ± 28,7 ml; p < 0,01, y de 50,2 ± 17,3 a 56,7 ± 18,3 ml; p < 0,01, respectivamente), sin que se observaran cambios en la fracción de eyección del VI. La reducción del gradiente de presión en el tracto de salida del ventrículo izquierdo observada a los 12 meses de la ablación septal percutánea se correlacionó de manera significativa con el incremento del diámetro telesistólico del VI (r = 0,63; p < 0,01). Conclusiones. La reducción de la obstrucción en el tracto de salida del ventrículo izquierdo en pacientes con miocardiopatía hipertrófica tratados con ablación septal percutánea se acompaña de un incremento de los diámetros y volúmenes del VI en el seguimiento. Esto indica el desarrollo de un remodelado cardíaco y de una regresión en la hipertrofia del VI de estos pacientes que podría contribuir a su mejoría sintomátic

Characterizing the spectrum of right ventricular remodelling in response to chronic training

Background: The significance and spectrum of reduced right ventricular (RV) deformation, reported in endurance athletes, is unclear. Purpose: to comprehensively analyze the cardiac performance at rest of athletes, especially focusing on integrating RV size and deformation to unravel the underlying triggers of this ventricular remodelling. Methods: 100 professional male athletes and 50 sedentary healthy males of similar age were prospectively studied. Conventional echocardiographic parameters of all 4 chambers were obtained, as well as 2D echo-derived strain (2DSE) in the left (LV) and in the RV free wall with separate additional analysis of the RV basal and apical segments. Results: Left and right-sided dimensions were larger in athletes than in controls, but with a disproportionate RA enlargement. RV global strain was lower in sportsmen (-26.8 ± 2.8 vs -28.5 ± 3.4%, p<0.001) due to a decrease in the basal segment (-22.8 ± 3.5 vs -25.8 ± 4.0%, p<0.001) resulting in a marked gradient of deformation from the RV inlet towards the apex. By integrating size, deformation and stroke volume, we observed that the LV working conditions were similar in all sportsmen while a wider variability existed in the RV. Conclusions: Cardiac remodelling in athletes is more pronounced in the right heart cavities with specific regional differences within the right ventricle, but with a wide variability among individuals. The large inter-individual differences, as well as its acute and chronic relevance warrant further investigation.This work was partially funded by grants from the Fundació Clinic (premio Emili Letang, B. Merino), Generalitat de Catalunya (FI-AGAUR 2014-2017 (RH 040991, M. Sanz), and from the Spanish Society of Cardiology (Fundación Española del Corazón Investigación Clínica 2012), the Spanish Government (Plan Nacional I+D+i, Ministerio de Innovación y Ciencia DEP 2011-2013 (DEP 2010-20565); Intensificación Actividad Investigadora, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (M Sitges; PI11/01709); Plan Nacional I+D, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad DEP2013-44923-P, TIN2014-52923-R and FEDER

Serum osteoprotegerin in prevalent hemodialysis patients: associations with mortality, atherosclerosis and cardiac function

BACKGROUND: To assess whether serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and/or fetuin-A predict mortality and cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Multicenter, observational, prospective study that included 220 hemodialysis patients followed up for up to 6 years. Serum OPG and fetuin-A levels were measured at baseline and their possible association with clinical characteristics, CV risk biomarkers, carotid ultrasonographic findings, as well as their association with overall and CV mortality and CV events were assessed. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 3.22 ± 1.91 years, there were 74 deaths (33.6%) and 86 new cardiovascular events. In the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the highest tertile of OPG levels was associated with higher overall mortality (p = 0.005), as well as a higher, although non-significant, incidence of CV events and CV mortality. In contrast, fetuin-A levels did not predict any of these events. OPG levels were directly associated with age, the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), prevalent cardiovascular disease, carotid intima-media thickness, adiponectin, troponin-I and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). OPG showed a negative correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and phosphate levels. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, all-cause mortality was associated with the highest tertile of OPG (HR:1.957, p = 0.018), age (HR:1.031, p = 0.036), smoking history (HR:2.122, p = 0.005), the CCI (HR:1.254, p = 0.004), troponin-I (HR:3.894, p = 0.042), IL-18 (HR:1.061, p < 0.001) and albumin levels (HR:0.886, p < 0.001). In the bootstrapping Cox regression analysis, the best cut-off value of OPG associated with mortality was 17.69 pmol/L (95%CI: 5.1-18.02). CONCLUSIONS: OPG, but not fetuin-A levels, are independently associated with overall mortality, as well as clinical and subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiac function, in prevalent hemodialysis patients

Predictores de ausencia de mejoría clínica a medio plazo con la terapia de resincronización cardíaca

Introducción. Alrededor del 30% de los pacientes no responde al tratamiento de resincronización para la insuficiencia cardíaca. El objetivo del estudio ha sido analizar las variables que pueden ser predictoras de falta de respuesta. Pacientes y método. Se analizaron los resultados de una serie de 63 pacientes a los que se implantó un dispositivo de resincronización biventricular. Se realizó una valoración clínica y de parámetros de función ventricular izquierda basal y a los 6 meses. Se consideró que habían mejorado los pacientes que estaban vivos sin trasplante cardíaco y habían aumentado más de un 10% la distancia caminada en el test de los 6 min. Resultados. La edad media fue de 68,3 ± 8 años; 51 pacientes (81%) eran varones y la clase funcional de la NYHA era III-IV en el 79,4%. La fracción de eyección media fue 22,4 ± 6%, la duración del QRS, 177 ± 25 ms, y el 77,8% estaba en ritmo sinusal. Un 46% (n = 29) tenía cardiopatía isquémica. A los 6 meses, el 69,8% respondió al tratamiento. La ausencia de mejoría se asoció con cardiopatía isquémica, historia de taquicardia ventricular monomórfica sostenida e insuficiencia mitral de grado > II/IV previa al implante, pero no mostró relación con el resto de los parámetros basales analizados. En el análisis de regresión logística, las 3 variables fueron predictores independientes de la falta de mejoría (OR = 4,8; IC del 95%, 1,2-18,3; p = 0,023; OR = 8,7; IC del 95%, 1,8-41,3; p = 0,007; y OR = 8,03; IC del 95%, 1,7-37,1; p = 0,008, respectivamente). Conclusión. La probabilidad de responder al tratamiento de resincronización es menor en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica, insuficiencia mitral importante o historia de taquicardia ventricular monomórfica sostenida

Characterizing the spectrum of right ventricular remodelling in response to chronic training

Background: The significance and spectrum of reduced right ventricular (RV) deformation, reported in endurance athletes, is unclear. Purpose: to comprehensively analyze the cardiac performance at rest of athletes, especially focusing on integrating RV size and deformation to unravel the underlying triggers of this ventricular remodelling. Methods: 100 professional male athletes and 50 sedentary healthy males of similar age were prospectively studied. Conventional echocardiographic parameters of all 4 chambers were obtained, as well as 2D echo-derived strain (2DSE) in the left (LV) and in the RV free wall with separate additional analysis of the RV basal and apical segments. Results: Left and right-sided dimensions were larger in athletes than in controls, but with a disproportionate RA enlargement. RV global strain was lower in sportsmen (-26.8 ± 2.8 vs -28.5 ± 3.4%, p<0.001) due to a decrease in the basal segment (-22.8 ± 3.5 vs -25.8 ± 4.0%, p<0.001) resulting in a marked gradient of deformation from the RV inlet towards the apex. By integrating size, deformation and stroke volume, we observed that the LV working conditions were similar in all sportsmen while a wider variability existed in the RV. Conclusions: Cardiac remodelling in athletes is more pronounced in the right heart cavities with specific regional differences within the right ventricle, but with a wide variability among individuals. The large inter-individual differences, as well as its acute and chronic relevance warrant further investigation.This work was partially funded by grants from the Fundació Clinic (premio Emili Letang, B. Merino), Generalitat de Catalunya (FI-AGAUR 2014-2017 (RH 040991, M. Sanz), and from the Spanish Society of Cardiology (Fundación Española del Corazón Investigación Clínica 2012), the Spanish Government (Plan Nacional I+D+i, Ministerio de Innovación y Ciencia DEP 2011-2013 (DEP 2010-20565); Intensificación Actividad Investigadora, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (M Sitges; PI11/01709); Plan Nacional I+D, Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad DEP2013-44923-P, TIN2014-52923-R and FEDER