Two-dimensional transthoracic measure of mitral annulus in mitral valve prolapse and moderate to severe regurgitation: a method comparison analysis with three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

Background: Mitral annulus (MA) area is derived during transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) assuming of a circular shape using the MA diameter from the apical 4 chamber (A4c) view. Since the MA is not a circular structure, we hypothesized that an elliptical model using parasternal long-axis (PLAX) and apical 2 chamber (A2c) view measured MA diameters would have better agreement with 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D TEE) measured MA in degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD).

Methods: Seventy-six patients with moderate-to-severe DMVD had 2D TTE and 3D TEE performed.

Automated and semi-automated 3D echocardiographic software for aortic annulus sizing in transcatheter aortic valve implantation helps bridge the gap between expert and novice operators.

3D-transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) is an alternative to multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) for aortic annulus (AoA) sizing in preparation for Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We aim to evaluate how the fully automated (auto) and semi-automated (SA) TEE methods perform compared to conventional manual TEE method and the gold standard MDCT for annulus sizing both in expert and novice operators. In this prospective cohort study, eighty-nine patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent multimodality imaging with 3D-TEE and MDCT.

Left ventricular ejection fraction using a simplified wall motion score based on mid-parasternal short axis and apical four-chamber views for non-cardiologists.

Background: There is a need for a convenient, yet reliable method to assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with point-of-care ultrasound study (POCUS). We aim to validate a novel and simplified wall motion score LVEF based on the analysis of a simplified combination of echocardiographic views.

Methods: In this retrospective study, transthoracic echocardiograms of randomly selected patients were analysed by the standard 16-segments wall motion score index (WMSI) to derive the reference semi-quantitative LVEF.

Prognostic Value of Preprocedural LV Global Longitudinal Strain for Post-TAVR-Related Morbidity and Mortality: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) demonstrates limited prognostic value for post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes. Evidence regarding the potential role of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) in this setting is inconsistent.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of aggregated data was to evaluate the prognostic value of preprocedural LV-GLS for post-TAVR-related morbidity and mortality.

Right ventricular ejection fraction with cardiac magnetic resonance using a wall motion score.

Background: The volumetric method in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), the reference standard for right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), requires expertise because of the complex right ventricular geometry and anatomical landmarks.

Aim: The aim of our retrospective study was to describe a new method to evaluate RVEF based on wall motion score index (WMSI) in CMR.

Methods: Visual assessment of wall motion was performed using an eight-segment model (normokinesia=1, hypokinesia=2, akinesia=3).

Advanced Amyloid Cardiomyopathy Unmasked Following Mitral Valve Replacement.

• A case of amyloid light-chain amyloidosis with primarily severe MR is described. • Diagnosis was unrecognized preoperatively due to normal LV thickness and function. • Diagnosis was unrecognized preoperatively due to normal LV thickness and function.

Hyperacute multi-organ thromboembolic storm in COVID-19: a case report.

Acute viral pneumonia, hypoxemic respiratory failure and severe inflammatory response are hallmarks of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The COVID-19-associated inflammatory state may further lead to symptomatic thromboembolic complications despite prophylaxis. We report a 66-year-old female patient with post-mortem diagnosis of COVID-19 who presented progressive livedo racemosa, acute renal failure and myocardial injury, as well as an absence of respiratory symptoms.

Right ventricular dysfunction in neurologically deceased organ donors: An observational study in a tertiary-care organ donor referral centre.

Purpose: Right ventricular RV dysfunction among transplant recipients correlates with transplant outcome, but its frequency in donors is unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of RV dysfunction in potential heart donors."

Methods: In a seven-year retrospective study of potential heart donors, we explored the incidence of RV dysfunction as observed on echocardiography and explored the association of four distinct factors with RV dysfunction: brain injury diagnosis, thoracic trauma, vasopressin infusion and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Severe bradyarrhythmia linked to left atrial dysfunction in Fabry disease-A cross-sectional study.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by an enzymatic deficiency. Conduction abnormalities and bradyarrhythmias are common and can occur prior to the onset of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. We aimed to describe the clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic, including left atrial (LA) function, determinants of bradyarrhythmic events in FD.

Assessment of LVEF using a new 16-segment wall motion score in echocardiography.

Background: Simpson biplane method and 3D by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), radionuclide angiography (RNA) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) are the most accepted techniques for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment. Wall motion score index (WMSI) by TTE is an accepted complement. However, the conversion from WMSI to LVEF is obtained through a regression equation, which may limit its use.

Left Atrial Phasic Function and Its Association With Atrial Fibrillation in Patients After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background: Left atrial (LA) size is a marker of prognosis in severe aortic stenosis (AS). The aims of this retrospective study were to assess the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on the recovery of LA phasic function and to assess the relationship between LA function and new-onset atrial fibrillation (NAF) after TAVI.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, LA function was measured using biplane volumes and 2-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in 52 patients (median age, 81 years) with severe AS before TAVI and at midterm follow-up.

Early Hemodynamic Results in Patients With Small Aortic Annulus After Aortic Valve Replacement.

Objective: Patients with a small aortic annulus (≤21 mm) have an increased risk of patient-prosthesis mismatch after valve replacement. The aim of this study was to compare the early hemodynamic performance of the balloon-expandable transaortic valve implantation Edwards system (SAPIEN) and the sutureless Perceval prostheses.

Methods: Fifty patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation, and 113 patients underwent sutureless aortic valve replacement.

A Case of Severe Late Transcatheter Heart Valve Thrombosis with Successful Response to Anticoagulation.

• A case of very severe transcatheter heart valve thrombosis is described. • The patient was treated with warfarin with success. • The first line of treatment of transcatheter heart valve thrombosis is anticoagulation.

Impaired Left Atrial Function in Fabry Disease: A Longitudinal Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Study.

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is characterized by the accumulation of sphingolipids in multiple organs, including the left atrium. It is uncertain if the left atrial (LA) reservoir, conduit, and contractile functions evaluated by speckle-tracking echocardiography are affected in Fabry cardiomyopathy and whether enzyme replacement therapy can improve LA function.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, LA strain, strain rates, and phasic LA volumes were studied in 50 patients with FD and compared with values in 50 healthy control subjects.

Impact of Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch on Left Ventricular Myocardial Mechanics After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare left ventricular (LV) remodeling using myocardial strain between patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with and without prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM).

Methods And Results: In a retrospective study, speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to measure global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rate (GLSR), circumferential strain, and rotation before and at mid-term follow-up post-TAVR. Moderate and severe PPM were defined as an effective orifice area ≤0.

Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients Experiencing Cardiotoxicity during Breast Cancer Therapy.

Background. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction during cancer therapy related cardiotoxicity and its prognostic implications have not been examined. Aim.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in a Patient With a Previous Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve Replacement: Report of a Delayed Fatal Interaction.

We report on a man with bioprosthetic mitral valve perforation who presented late after transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV). The protrusion of the commissural strut of the bioprosthetic mitral valve coupled with the low implanted THV resulted in repetitive trauma leading to rupture of a mitral leaflet. Potential preventive strategies are discussed.

Same day discharge after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Are we there yet?

Early discharge after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been increasingly reported, and is now becoming routinely performed in experienced TAVR centers. However, to the best of our knowledge, no case has been described where a patient was safely discharged on the same the day of the procedure. This report will present the case of a patient who underwent a successful transfemoral TAVR and was safely discharged home the same day.

Quantitative Modeling of the Mitral Valve by Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Repair: Correlation with Intraoperative Surgical Technique.

Background: Mitral valve (MV) repair is the procedure of choice for patients with degenerative MV disease (DMVD) with severe mitral regurgitation. The aim of this study was to identify specific quantitative MV parameters from preoperative three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography that are associated with the length of the mitral annuloplasty band implanted and the performance of leaflet resection in patients with DMVD undergoing MV repair.

Methods: Ninety-four patients (mean age, 60 ± 11 years; 68% men) referred for MV surgery with adequate-quality preoperative 3D transesophageal echocardiographic studies were retrospectively identified.

Cardiotoxicity due to chemotherapy: role of cardiac imaging.

The identification of patients at risk of cardiac toxicity (cardiotoxicity) from cancer therapy is challenging. There is an increasing focus on early detection of cardiotoxicity such that interventions can be instituted to prevent advanced heart failure. Clinical risk prediction tools are limited and clinical symptoms are not specific.

Excellent outcomes for transcatheter aortic valve replacement within 1 year of opening a low-volume centre and consideration of requirements.

Background: After the approval of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for high-risk or inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), many low- and moderate-volume TAVR programs were initiated. Contemporary outcomes from these newly initiated centres remain unknown.

Methods: In March 2013, our institution was authorized by the Québec Ministry of Health to perform 30 TAVR procedures.