Cardio‐hepatic syndrome in patients undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair

Aims The impact of the cardio-hepatic syndrome (CHS) on outcomes in patients undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) for relevant mitral regurgitation (MR) is unknown. The objectives of this study were three-fold: (i) to characterize the pattern of hepatic impairment, (ii) to investigate the prognostic value of CHS, and (iii) to evaluate the changes in hepatic function after M-TEER. Methods and results Hepatic impairment was quantified by laboratory parameters of liver function. In accordance with existing literature, two types of CHS were distinguished: ischaemic type I CHS (elevation of both transaminases) and cholestatic type II CHS (elevation of two out of three parameters of hepatic cholestasis). The impact of CHS on 2-year mortality was evaluated using a Cox model. The change in hepatic function after M-TEER was assessed by laboratory testing at follow-up. We analysed 1083 patients who underwent M-TEER for relevant primary or secondary MR at four European centres between 2008 and 2019. Ischaemic type I and cholestatic type II CHS were observed in 11.1% and 23.0% of patients, respectively. Predictors for 2-year all-cause mortality differed by MR aetiology. While in primary MR cholestatic type II CHS was independently associated with 2-year mortality, ischaemic CHS type I was an independent mortality predictor in secondary MR patients. At follow-up, patients with MR reduction ≤2+ (obtained in 90.7% of patients) presented with improved parameters of hepatic function (median reduction of 0.2 mg/dl, 0.2 U/L and 21 U/L for bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusions The CHS is frequently observed in patients undergoing M-TEER and significantly impairs 2-year survival. Successful M-TEER may have beneficial effects on CHS

Integrating Data Science and Earth Science

This open access book presents the results of three years collaboration between earth scientists and data scientists, in developing and applying data science methods for scientific discovery. The book will be highly beneficial for other researchers at senior and graduate level, interested in applying visual data exploration, computational approaches and scientifc workflows

Paradox of disproportionate atrial functional mitral regurgitation and survival after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

AIMS This study aims to assess the applicability of the mitral regurgitation (MR) proportionality concept in patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation (aFMR) treated with transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER). We hypothesized that patients with disproportionate MR (higher MR relative to left ventricular size) would exhibit different outcomes compared to those with proportionate MR, despite undergoing M-TEER. METHODS AND RESULTS We retrospectively analysed 98 patients with aFMR from the EuroSMR registry who underwent M-TEER between 2008 and 2019. Patients met criteria for aFMR (normal indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume [LVEDV], preserved left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≥ 50% without regional wall motion abnormalities, and structurally normal mitral valves). We excluded patients with missing effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) or LVEDV data. The primary endpoint was 2-year mortality, with an EROA/LVEDV ratio employed to differentiate disproportionate from proportionate MR. Procedural success and baseline characteristics were analysed, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify mortality predictors. The mean patient age was 79 ± 7.3 years, with 68.8% female, and 79% had a history of atrial fibrillation. The mean EROA was 0.27 ± 0.14 cm2, and LVEDV was 95.6 ± 33.7 mL. Disproportionate MR was identified with an EROA/LVEDV ratio >0.339 cm2/100 mL. While procedural success was similar in both groups, disproportionate MR was associated with a numerically higher estimate of systolic pulmonary artery pressures (sPAP) and rates of NYHA ≥III and TR ≥ 3+. Disproportionate MR had a significant association with increased 2-year mortality (P < 0.001). The EROA/LVEDV ratio and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were independent predictors of 2-year mortality (EROA/LVEDV: HR: 1.35, P = 0.010; TAPSE: HR: 0.85, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS This analysis introduces the MR proportionality concept in aFMR patients and its potential prognostic value. Paradoxically, disproportionate MR in aFMR was linked to a 1.35-fold increase in 2-year mortality post-M-TEER, emphasizing the importance of accurate preprocedural FMR characterization. Our findings in patients with disproportionate MR indicate that a high degree of aFMR with high regurgitant volumes may lead to aggravated symptoms, which is a known contributor to increased mortality following M-TEER. These results underline the need for further research into the pathophysiology of aFMR to inform potential preventative and therapeutic strategies, ensuring optimal patient outcomes

Guideline-directed medical therapy assessment in heart failure patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair.

AIMS Achieving optimized guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) is recommended prior to transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). We aimed to propose and validate an easy-to-use score for assessing the quality of GDMT in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) undergoing M-TEER. METHODS AND RESULTS Among the 1641 EuroSMR patients enrolled in the EuroSMR Registry who underwent M-TEER, a total of 1072 patients [median age 74, interquartile range (IQR) 67-79 years, 29% female] had complete data on GDMT and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% and were included in the current study. We proposed a GDMT score that considers the dosage levels of three medication classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists), with a maximum score of 12 points indicating optimal GDMT. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The median GDMT score was 4 points (IQR 3-6). All three domains of the scoring system were associated with all-cause mortality (P < 0.05 for all). The overall GDMT score was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.86-0.95 for each 1-point increase in the GDMT score). This association remained significant after adjusting for renal function and co-morbidities. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the utility of a simple GDMT scoring system for assessing the adequacy of GDMT in HFrEF patients with relevant SMR undergoing M-TEER. The GDMT score has potential applications in guiding the design of future clinical trials and aiding clinical decision-making processes

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair in Surgical High-Risk Patients: Gender-Specific Acute and Long-Term Outcomes

Background. Analyses emphasizing gender-related differences in acute and long-term outcomes following MitraClip therapy for significant mitral regurgitation (MR) are rare. Methods. 592 consecutive patients (75±8.7 years, 362 men, 230 women) underwent clinical and echocardiographic follow-up for a median of 2.13 (0.99–4.02) years. Results. Significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, renal failure, and adverse echocardiographic parameters in men resulted in longer device time (p=0.007) and higher numbers of implanted clips (p=0.0075), with equal procedural success (p=1.0). Rehospitalization for heart failure did not differ (p[logrank]=0.288) while survival was higher in women (p[logrank]=0.0317). Logarithmic increase of NT-proBNP was a common independent predictor of death. Hypercholesterolemia and peripheral artery disease were predictors of death only in men while ischemic and dilative cardiomyopathy (CM) and age were predictors in women. Independent predictors of rehospitalization for heart failure were severely reduced ejection fraction and success in men while both ischemic and dilative CM, logistic EuroSCORE, and MR severity were predictive in women. Conclusions. Higher numbers of implanted clips and longer device time are likely related to more comorbidities in men. Procedural success and acute and mid-term clinical outcomes were equal. Superior survival for women in long-term analysis is presumably attributable to a comparatively better preprocedural health

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair in Surgical High-Risk Patients: Gender-Specific Acute and Long-Term Outcomes

Background. Analyses emphasizing gender-related differences in acute and long-term outcomes following MitraClip therapy for significant mitral regurgitation (MR) are rare. Methods. 592 consecutive patients (75±8.7 years, 362 men, 230 women) underwent clinical and echocardiographic follow-up for a median of 2.13 (0.99–4.02) years. Results. Significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, renal failure, and adverse echocardiographic parameters in men resulted in longer device time (p=0.007) and higher numbers of implanted clips (p=0.0075), with equal procedural success (p=1.0). Rehospitalization for heart failure did not differ (p[logrank]=0.288) while survival was higher in women (p[logrank]=0.0317). Logarithmic increase of NT-proBNP was a common independent predictor of death. Hypercholesterolemia and peripheral artery disease were predictors of death only in men while ischemic and dilative cardiomyopathy (CM) and age were predictors in women. Independent predictors of rehospitalization for heart failure were severely reduced ejection fraction and success in men while both ischemic and dilative CM, logistic EuroSCORE, and MR severity were predictive in women. Conclusions. Higher numbers of implanted clips and longer device time are likely related to more comorbidities in men. Procedural success and acute and mid-term clinical outcomes were equal. Superior survival for women in long-term analysis is presumably attributable to a comparatively better preprocedural health