Electrocardiographic imaging-based recognition of possible induced bundle branch blocks during transcatheter aortic valve implantations

Item does not contain fulltextAIMS: Conventional electrocardiogram (ECG)-based diagnosis of left bundle branch block (LBBB) in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is ambiguous. Left ventricular hypertrophy is often seen in patients with severe aortic stenosis in which a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) frequently results in a LBBB due to the mechanical interaction of the artificial valve and the conduction system. In this feasibility study, we propose and evaluate the sensitivity of a new electrocardiographic imaging tool; the cardiac isochrone positioning system (CIPS), visualizing the cardiac activation to detect interventricular conduction patterns pre- and post-TAVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: The CIPS translates standard 12-lead ECG into ventricular isochrones, representing the activation sequence. It requires a patient-specific model integrating heart, lungs, and other thoracic structures derived from multi-slice computed tomography. The fastest route-based algorithm was used to estimate the activation isochrones and the results were compared with standard ECG analysis. In 10 patients the CIPS was used to analyse 20 ECGs, 10 pre- and 10 post-TAVI. In 11 cases the CIPS results were in agreement with the ECG-based diagnosis. In two cases there was partial agreement and in seven cases there was disagreement. In four of these cases, the clinical history of the patients favoured interpretation as assessed by CIPS, for the remaining three, it is unknown which method correctly classified the activation. CONCLUSION: This feasibility study applying the CIPS shows promising results to classify conduction disorders originating from the left anterior or posterior ventricular wall, or the septum. The visualization of the activation isochrones as well as ventricular model-derived features might support TAVI procedures and the therapy selection afterwards

Patients with aortic stenosis referred for TAVI : Treatment decision, in-hospital outcome and determinants of survival

Aims To assess treatment decision and outcome in patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in addition to predictive factors of mortality after TAVI. Methods Three-centre prospective observational study including 358 patients. Endpoints were defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium. Results Of the 358 patients referred for TAVI, TAVI was performed in 235 patients (65%), surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in 24 (7%) and medical therapy (MT) in 99 (28%). Reasons to decline TAVI in favour of AVR/MT were patient preference (29%), peripheral vascular disease (15%) and non-severe aortic stenosis (11%). The logistic EuroSCORE was significantly higher in patients who underwent TAVI and MT in comparison with those undergoing AVR (19 vs. 10%, p=0.007). At 30 days, all-cause mortality and the combined safety endpoint were 9 and 24% after TAVI and 8 and 25% after AVR, respectively. All-cause mortality was significantly lower in the TAVI group compared with the MT group at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years (12% vs. 22%, 21% vs. 33% and 31% vs. 55%, respectively, p<0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed that blood transfusion (HR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.05-1.33), pre-existing renal failure (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.06-1.33) and STS score (HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.10) were independent predictors of mortality at a median of 10 (IQR: 3-23) months after TAVI. Conclusions Approximately two-thirds of the patients referred for TAVI receive this treatment with gratifying short- and long-term survival. Another 7% underwent AVR. Prognosis is poor in patients who do not receive valve replacement therapy. © The Author(s) 2011

Reclassification of aortic stenosis by fusion of echocardiography and computed tomography in low-gradient aortic stenosis

Background The integration of computed tomography (CT)-derived left ventricular outflow tract area into the echocardiography-derived continuity equation results in the reclassification of a significant proportion of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) into moderate AS based on aortic valve area indexed to body surface area determined by fusion imaging (fusion AVA(i)). The aim of this study was to evaluate AS severity by a fusion imaging technique in patients with low-gradient AS and to compare the clinical impact of reclassified moderate AS versus severe AS. Methods We included 359 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation for low-gradient, severe AS at two academic institutions and created a joint database. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and rehospitalisations for heart failure at 1 year. Results Overall, 35% of the population (n= 126) were reclassified to moderate AS [median fusion AVAi 0.70 (interquartile range, IQR 0.65-0.80)cm(2)/m(2)] and severe AS was retained as the classification in 65% [median fusion AVAi 0.49 (IQR 0.43-0.54) cm(2)/m(2)]. Lower body mass index, higher logistic EuroSCORE and larger aortic dimensions characterised patients reclassified to moderate AS. Overall, 57% of patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) = 50% (log-rankp= 0.029). Conclusions The integration of CT and transthoracic echocardiography to obtain fusion AVAi led to the reclassification of one third of patients with low-gradient AS to moderate AS. Reclassification did not affect clinical outcome, although patients reclassified to moderate AS with a LVEF <50% had worse outcomes owing to excess non-cardiac mortality.Cardiolog

DEVELOPMENT OF A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR EARLY HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT OF TISSUE-ENGINEERED HEART VALVES

Thoracic Surger

Trends in the occurrence of new conduction abnormalities after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Contains fulltext : 154352.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate trends over time in the occurrence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the Medtronic CoreValve System (MCS) and Edwards SAPIEN Valve (ESV). BACKGROUND: TAVI-induced conduction abnormalities (TAVI-CAs) such as LBBB and the need for PPI are frequent postoperative complication. New techniques, procedural refinements, and increased awareness are focused on the reduction of these abnormalities. METHODS: Electrocardiograms of 549 patients without preprocedural LBBB and/or pacemaker were assessed to determine the frequency and nature of TAVI-CAs. To study the effect of experience, patients were subdivided per center into tertiles based on the number of procedures. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to study predictors of TAVI-induced LBBB (TAVI-LBBB) and PPI. RESULTS: TAVI-LBBB occurred in 185 patients (33.7%) and significantly decreased over time, from 42.6% to 27.3% (P = 0.006). This effect was only significant after implantation of the MCS (59.6% vs. 46.5% vs. 31.1%, P = 0.001, ESV: 22.6% vs. 13.1% vs. 24.8%, P = 0.11). Between tertiles there was no difference in the frequency of PPI after TAVI (n = 73, 13.1% vs. 14.8% vs. 12%, P = 0.74). Multivariate analysis revealed that, independent from valve type, depth of implantation was the only significant predictor of TAVI-LBBB (OR [95% C.I.]: 1.16 [1.10-1.24], P < 0.001). In case of PPI pre-existing RBBB (OR [95% C.I.]: 7.22 [3.28-15.88], P < 0.001) was the only significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Over time the frequency of LBBB after TAVI decreased significantly, especially in patients undergoing TAVI with the MCS. Experience and the subsequent reduction in depth of implantation seem responsible for this reduction. Contrary to TAVI-LBBB, the incidence of PPI remained unchanged over time and was not affected by experience. Although experience has led to a decrease in new CAs after TAVI, elucidation of pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these CAs and subsequent changes in patient stratification, valve design and the procedure are needed to further reduce this complication. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.1 april 201

Safety of optical coherence tomography in daily practice: a comparison with intravascular ultrasound

Item does not contain fulltextAims: Previous studies have reported the safety and feasibility of both time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) and Fourier-domain OCT (FD-OCT) in highly selected patients and clinical settings. However, the generalizability of these data is limited, and data in unselected patient populations reflecting a routine cathlab practice are lacking. We compared safety of intracoronary FD-OCT imaging to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging in a large real-world series of consecutive patients who underwent invasive imaging during coronary catheterization in our centre. Methods and results: This is a prospective, single-centre registry of patients scheduled for coronary angiography or intervention undergoing intracoronary imaging with FD-OCT or IVUS between April 2008 and December 2013. Intra-procedural and major in-hospital adverse events that could be possibly related to invasive imaging were registered routinely by the operator as part of our clinical report and prospectively recorded in our database. These events were retrospectively individually adjudicated by an independent safety committee. Between April 2008 and December 2013, 13 418 diagnostic or interventional coronary catheterization procedures were performed. Of these, 1142 procedures used OCT and 2476 procedures used IVUS. Invasive imaging-related complications were rare, did not differ between the two imaging methods (OCT: n = 7, 0.6%; IVUS: n = 12, 0.5%; P = 0.6), and were self-limiting after retrieval of the imaging catheter or easily treatable in the catheterization laboratory. No major adverse events, prolongation of hospital stay, or permanent patient harm was observed. Conclusion: FD-OCT is safe in an unselected and heterogeneous group of patients with varying clinical settings

Safety of optical coherence tomography in daily practice: a comparison with intravascular ultrasound

Previous studies have reported the safety and feasibility of both time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) and Fourier-domain OCT (FD-OCT) in highly selected patients and clinical settings. However, the generalizability of these data is limited, and data in unselected patient populations reflecting a routine cathlab practice are lacking. We compared safety of intracoronary FD-OCT imaging to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging in a large real-world series of consecutive patients who underwent invasive imaging during coronary catheterization in our centre. This is a prospective, single-centre registry of patients scheduled for coronary angiography or intervention undergoing intracoronary imaging with FD-OCT or IVUS between April 2008 and December 2013. Intra-procedural and major in-hospital adverse events that could be possibly related to invasive imaging were registered routinely by the operator as part of our clinical report and prospectively recorded in our database. These events were retrospectively individually adjudicated by an independent safety committee. Between April 2008 and December 2013, 13 418 diagnostic or interventional coronary catheterization procedures were performed. Of these, 1142 procedures used OCT and 2476 procedures used IVUS. Invasive imaging-related complications were rare, did not differ between the two imaging methods (OCT: n = 7, 0.6%; IVUS: n = 12, 0.5%; P = 0.6), and were self-limiting after retrieval of the imaging catheter or easily treatable in the catheterization laboratory. No major adverse events, prolongation of hospital stay, or permanent patient harm was observed. FD-OCT is safe in an unselected and heterogeneous group of patients with varying clinical settings