Project description:BackgroundRheumatic mitral stenosis (RMS) is a common valvular heart disease in developing countries. We sought to evaluate the early experience of patients with RMS undergoing transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR).MethodsIn this retrospective study, a total of 5 RMS patients accepted TMVR. All patients underwent computed tomography and echocardiography before having the procedure. After the preprocedural comprehensive evaluations, the surgeons planned to use the Prizvalve (a novel balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve system which is now under the clinical registration study) for TMVR. Clinical data were collected at baseline, before discharge, and at the 30-day follow-up.ResultsThe median age of the 5 RMS patients was 61 years (range 60-77 years); 60% were male, and the median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 13.3% (range 6.2-17.1%). TMVR was successful in all patients. Postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed that 60.0% (n = 3) of the patients had no paravalvular leakage and 40.0% (n = 2) had trace paravalvular leakage. The median postoperative peak velocity decreased to 1.4 m/s (range 1.1-1.7 m/s), and the median pressure gradient decreased to 3 mmHg (range 2-3 mmHg). No deaths occurred at the 30-day follow-up, and all patients had an improvement of ≥1 on the New York Heart Association functional rating.ConclusionsOur early experience with TMVR in RMS patients suggests that it is a safe and feasible procedure. The early results of the procedure are acceptable and provide bright prospects and directions for the precision treatment of RMS.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (NCT02917980).
Project description:BackgroundCatheter ablation is a rarely used procedure to treat arrhythmias during pregnancy.HypothesisIn the case of maternal arrhythmia during pregnancy, zero-fluoroscopic catheter ablation is preferable to medical treatment.MethodsBetween April 2014 and September 2021, we examined the demographic data, procedural parameters, and fetal and maternal outcomes in pregnant women undergoing ablation at the Gottsegen National Cardiovascular Center and University of Pécs Medical School, Heart Institute.ResultsFourteen procedures (14 electrophysiological studies [EPS], 13 ablations) performed on 13 pregnant women (age 30.3 ± 5.2 years, primipara n = 6) were studied. During EPS, 12 patients had inducible arrhythmias. Atrial tachycardia was confirmed in three, atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia via manifest accessory pathway (AP) in three, and via concealed AP in one case. Atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia was confirmed in three and sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in two cases. Eleven radiofrequency ablation (84.6%) and two cryoablation (15.4%) were performed. The electroanatomical mapping system was used in all cases. Transseptal puncture was performed in two cases (15.4%) due to left lateral APs. The mean procedure time was 76.0±33.0 minutes. All procedures were performed without fluoroscopy. No complications occurred. During the follow-up, arrhythmia-free survival was achieved in all cases, but in two patients, we used antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) to achieve it. APGAR score was within the normal range in all cases [median (interquartile range), 9.0/10.0 (9.0-10.0/9.3-10.0)].ConclusionsZero-fluoroscopic catheter ablation was an effective and safe treatment option for our 13 pregnant patients. Catheter ablation may have less side effects on fetal development than the use of AADs during pregnancy.
Project description:BackgroundRheumatic mitral valve (MV) disease is the major cause of congestive cardiac failure in children and young adults, particularly in developing countries. Mitral valve repair with minimum prosthetic material is the gold standard treatment for this condition. However, MV repair for rheumatic MV disease is known to be technically demanding.Case summaryA 27-year-old woman without a history of cardiac disease presented with dyspnoea on exertion. Echocardiography revealed rheumatic severe mitral stenosis and regurgitation, with thickening of the bileaflets, doming of the anterior leaflet, shortening of the posterior leaflet, fusions of the lateral and particularly the medial commissure, and enlargement of the mitral annulus. We successfully performed robot-assisted MV repair with bicommissural release, patch augmentation of the two leaflets, and implantation of an originally sized partial band.DiscussionRobotic MV repair can contribute to precise valve inspection and operative procedures. This approach seems feasible for complex rheumatic MV disease particularly in young patients.
Project description:Bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis is a late sequela of tricuspid valve replacement (TVR); however, detailed information regarding its clinical picture is lacking. Thirty-one patients with bioprosthetic TVR (mean age: 60.5 ± 16.6 years, male/female: 11/20) were followed-up for 79.5 ± 49.1 months (14-188 months). Eleven patients developed bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis (mean tricuspid gradient >5 mmHg) at a median interval of 96 months (interquartile range: 61-114 months). The mean tricuspid gradient at the time of tricuspid valve stenosis diagnosis was 10.9 ± 3.9 mmHg. Although the mid-term tricuspid valve stenosis-free survival was favourable (92.4% at 60 and 78.7% at 84 months), it had declined steeply to 31.5% by 120 months. Ten out of 11 tricuspid valve stenosis patients showed signs of right heart failure (RHF) as manifested by oedema and elevated jugular venous pressure, requiring moderate-to-high doses of diuretics. Diastolic rumble was audible in 10 patients. Five of the 11 tricuspid valve stenosis patients required redo TVR as a result of refractory RHF. Examination of the five excised bioprostheses showed pannus in four, fusion of the commissure in three, native valve attachment in two, and sclerosis in one. Detailed clinical pictures and pathology of the explanted valves in three cases that underwent surgery are presented in this case series. Bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis is not uncommon after 8 years. Tricuspid valve replacement performed at the second surgery was associated with a higher incidence of bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis.
Project description:BackgroundRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a disease of disparity most prevalent in developing countries and among immigrant populations. Mitral stenosis (MS) is a common sequalae of RHD and affects females disproportionately more than males. Rheumatic MS remains a significant management challenge as severe MS is usually poorly tolerated in pregnancy due to haemodynamic changes and increased cardiovascular demands of progressing pregnancy. Pregnancy remains contraindicated in current management guidelines based on expert consensus, due to a paucity of evidence-based literature.Case summaryA 28-year-old aboriginal woman with known severe MS was found to be pregnant during routine health review, despite contraceptive efforts. Echocardiography demonstrated mean mitral valve (MV) gradient 14 mmHg; stress echocardiography demonstrated increased MV gradient 28-32 mmHg at peak exercise and post-exercise pulmonary artery pressure 56 + 3 mmHg with marked dynamic D-shaped septal flattening. Left ventricular systolic function remained preserved. She remained remarkably asymptomatic and underwent successful elective induction of labour at 34 weeks. Postpartum, she remained euvolaemic despite worsening MV gradients and new atrial fibrillation (AF). She subsequently underwent balloon mitral valvuloplasty with good result.DiscussionSevere rheumatic MS in pregnancy carries significant morbidity and mortality, due to an already fragile predisposition towards heart failure development compounded by altered haemodynamics. Pregnancy avoidance and valvular intervention prior to conception or in the second trimester remain the mainstay of MS management; however, we present an encouraging case of successful near-term pregnancy with minimal complications in a medically managed asymptomatic patient with critical MS, who subsequently underwent valvular intervention post-partum.
Project description:Infective endocarditis of the mitral valve that is refractory to medical therapy requires surgical debridement. However, patients who are high risk for surgery have limited options. We report 3 cases of refractory infective endocarditis involving the mitral valve that were treated with percutaneous mechanical aspiration with an embolic protection system. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).