bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P1831 Predictors and clinical consequences of silent ischaemic brain lesions following transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Nagy A I , Bartykowszki A I , Varga A I , Suhai F , Apor A A , Szilveszter B , Kolozsvary M , Karady J , Panajotu A A , Jermendy A , Molnar L , Simon J , Papp R , Merkely B , Maurovich Horvat P 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the János Bolyai Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Background
A number of studies aimed to identify the predictors of periprocedural cerebral embolizations related to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Much less investigated is the prevalence and determinants of subacute ischaemic brain lesions that develop following TAVI.

Purpose
We sought to identify predictors of subacute clinically silent ischaemic brain lesions in patients following TAVI.

Methods
Patients were included from the Rule out Transcatheter Aortic Valve Thrombosis with Post Implantation Computed Tomography (RETORIC) prospective trial. Echocardiography and brain MRI were performed after TAVI procedure, before hospital discharge. Cardiac CT was performed 6 months later to identify subclinical leaflet thrombosis (HALT), as well as repeat brain MRI, to identify any silent ischaemic lesions that appeared since the intervention. The cognitive trajectory of patients was assessed using the Addenbrookes cognitive test (ACE), performed shortly after TAVI and at 6-month follow-up (FU). All-cause mortality data was retrieved from the National Mortality Database.

Results
79 consecutive patients were included in the present analysis. 28% had known history of atrial fibrillation (AF). 33% of the cohort was treated with oral anticoagulant, of these 56% with single and 25% with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The mean CHA2DS2VASC score was 4. From discharge to the 6-month FU, 20 patients (25%) developed new silent ischaemic brain lesions on MRI. Clinically manifest stroke did not occur. On the 6-month CT, HALT was identified in 6 patients (8%). Clinical and imaging parameters, including age, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, smoking, statin-, OAC- and DAPT therapy, history of AF, history of stroke, echocardiographic metrics of left ventricular (ejection fraction, stroke volume index) and atrial (left atrial strain) function as well as HALT were analysed for association with ischaemic brain lesions. Of the above, only HALT showed significant association (OR:6,58; p = 0.04) with silent brain embolizations. The cognitive trajectory from discharge till 6-month FU did not differ between patients with or without ischaemic focuses (ΔACEscore: 1.0 vs. 0.1; p = NS). Over a median FU of 553 (IQR 453 – 665) days, 8 patients died; 2 with and 6 without ischaemic lesions. Kaplan-Meyer analysis showed no difference in outcome between the two groups (p = 0.68)

Conclusion
Subclinical leaflet thrombosis was identified as a significant predictor of subacute silent ischaemic brain lesions after TAVI. These lesions did not affect the overall cognitive performance or outcome of the patients.
P1832 T1 mapping and echo-global longitudinal strain are early markers of cardiac involvement in patients with fabry disease
Authors: Gatterer C , Beitzke D , Bartko P E , Schneider M , Binder T , Hengstenberg C , Bergler-Klein J , Sunder-Plassmann G , Mundigler G , Graf S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

OnBehalf
Constantin Gatterer

Introduction
Fabry disease (FD) is one of the most common lysosomal storage diseases caused by deficiency of Alpha-Galactosidase A and accumulation of glycosphingolipids in all cells containing lysosomes. Cardiac involvement is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy, conduction abnormalities and myocardial fibrosis with consecutive cardiomyopathy in late stages.

Purpose
As the detection of early signs of cardiac involvement is crucial for the initiation of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or Chaperon therapy, we intended to find early imaging markers.

Methods
Cardiac MRI (CMR) including Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE), representing fibrosis, and T1-mapping as well as echocardiography with measurement of global longitudinal strain (GLS) were done as part of the regular check-ups for patients with FD.

Results
The study cohort of 30 FD patients (20-69 years, 53% women) in different stages of disease showed low GLS values already at the time of baseline echocardiography (mean: -17,22%), correlating with the amount of LGE (r = 0,73; p = 0,003) and ejection fraction measured by CMR (CMR-EF; r=-0,74; p = 0,002).
After an average follow-up of 39 months (STD 18), GLS values were significantly declined (-15,51 %; p = 0,009) and correlated with T1 times (r = 0,7; p = 0,04), while LGE and CMR-EF did not significantly change compared to baseline.
Baseline T1 times correlated negatively with the reduction of GLS (r=-0,7; p = 0,003), while LGE and CMR-EF showed no correlation with the course of GLS. ERT appeared to have no influence on the extend of GLS reduction.

Conclusion
Low native CMR T1 times, indicating sphingolipid accumulation in the myocardium, seem to represent the beginning of cardiac involvement in FD and might predict the course of GLS. GLS is a sensitive parameter for early detection of cardiac manifestation and disease progression, while LGE and CMR-EF could not recognize slight deterioration of left ventricular function.
P1835 Recognising extracardiac findings in cardiac imaging - a comparison between cardiologists and radiologists
Authors: Sapiano K , Borg A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
In the past, cardiac imaging modalities did not obtain much information about extracardiac structures. With the introduction of newer modalities such as CT and MRI, diagnostic quality images of structures surrounding the heart are now being obtained. This has led to the need for interpretation of images of extracardiac structures. Nowadays, this is being performed by cardiologists and radiologists; either separately or conjointly.

Purpose
To evaluate whether there is any difference in the rate of positive extracardiac findings (ECF) between radiologists and cardiologists and to assess whether these ECF are of any clinical importance.

Methods
All patients having had a cardiac MRI and cardiac CT performed in the year 2017 in a single centre were enrolled (n = 733). Reports of these images were reviewed retrospectively and information was obtained as regards to any differences in number of ECF picked up by cardiologists, radiologists or both working together. These ECF were then stratified according to their clinical importance and these subdivisions compared in the context of reporting physician.

Results
A total of 733 scans were reviewed, 219 (29.9%) of these had positive ECF whilst 514 (70.1%) had none. Of the total amount, 314 (42.8%) were reported by cardiologists, 318 (43.4%) by radiologists and 101 (13.8%) jointly by both a cardiologist and a radiologist. Cardiologists found positive ECF in 18.2% of scans reviewed, radiologists reported findings in 37.4% of scans and, of those reported jointly, 42.6% were positive, p= &lt;0.001. A pattern emerged where cardiologists found less clinically significant ECF with only 5.3% of findings classified as will definitely change management, in comparison to 19.3% by radiologists and 16.3% when reviewed jointly; and, only 15.8% of findings classified as will probably change management when compared to 23.5% by radiologists and 23.3% when reviewed jointly. However, it is important to note that this pattern was not statistically significant, p = 0.1432.

Conclusions
A strongly statistically significant difference in the reporting of extracardiac findings has been highlighted in this article with cardiologists picking up less than half of extracardiac findings reported by radiologists. There was a pattern of cardiologists recognising less clinically important extracardiac findings, however this was not found to be statistically significant. These results should be reviewed with caution, taking into consideration the limitations of results obtained from a single centre. However, should this pattern keep repeating itself, one might consider increasing cardiologist training in ECF or having cardiac imaging reported conjointly by a cardiologist and a radiologist. Further studies are also necessary to ascertain the clinical relevance of the difference in ECF between cardiologists, radiologists or both specialists working together.
P1424 Long-term follow-up in patients undergoing early surgery (repair) for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation
Authors: Tamborini G , Mantegazza V , Muratori M , Fusini L , Manfredonia L , Ghulam Ali S , Cefalu C , Italiano G , Volpato V , Gripari P , Pepi M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Discordance between studies drives debate regarding the "ideal" (early surgery vs watchful waiting) management of asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in valve prolapse (MVP). Independently on disagreement between studies, strategies are mainly oriented towards early surgery in centers that can achieve &lt;1% mortality rates and &gt;95% repair rates. Data on a detailed evaluation of outcomes in terms of left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) in the early repair strategy are lacking. Aims of this study in a large population undergoing early MVP repair are: a) to assess LV function comparing EF and volumes in the follow-up (FU) at 6 month (6ms) and 3 year (3ys) b) to verify whether pre-op volumes and EF may predict functional results c) to compare these findings to the surgical procedure (simple or complex) and to the residual MR.
Between 2008 and 2018, 1000 cases underwent early MV repair in our Center. We retrospectively selected 300 pts with pre-op 2D and 3DTTE, 6 ms and 3ys 2DTTE FU. Results: 286 pts (200 males; 61 ± 12 ys; 222 Barlow, 78 fibroelastic deficiency at 3DTTE examination) had MV surgery (96% reparability; 14 MV replacement after a first attempt of repair). 87 had complex MVP and in 56 the surgical procedure was complex. MR at 6ms &lt;1+ (262 pts) predicted stability of MR at 3ys, while in the 38 cases with MR &gt;1+, MR increased at 3ys (2,6±.6+). Complexity of pre-op 3D morphology predicted complexity of MV repair and identified pts with higher risk of MR recurrence. Table summarizes functional results showing that early restoration of MR, causes significant morphological and haemodynamic improvements at 6 ms without significant additional changes at 3ys. Pre-op systolic LV volume and EF significantly correlated with LV remodelling.

In conclusions
a) early MV repair is associated with favourable LV remodelling and stable systolic function at FU; b) 2DTTE predicts in an early surgical strategy favourable LV remodelling c) pre-operative 3DTTE morphology (simple vs complex MVP) predicts repair procedure (simple vs complex) that in the large majority (91%) is associated with freedom from MR recurrence.
Table Pre-op 6-month FU 3-years FU Left ventricular end diastolic volume (ml) 140 ± 41 104 ± 30 * 103 ± 35 Left ventricular end systolic volume (ml) 49 ± 19 45 ± 19* 43 ± 22 Left ventricular ejection fraction (%) 65 ± 7 58 ± 8* 59 ± 7§ Mitral regurgitation (+) 3.9 ± 0.2 0.6±.6* 0.9±.9§ Left atrial volume (ml) 123 ± 48 91 ± 35* 87 ± 45 *= p &lt; 0.01 6 ms vs pre-op; §=p &lt; 0.01 3ys vs 6 ms
P267 Dextrocardia with single ventricle and symptomatic erythrocytosis: a case report
Authors: Shen L S , Li M J , Chen Y 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Dextrocardia is a rare cardiac anomaly which refers to a right-sided location of the heart within the thoracic cavity. Dextrocardia may be associated with other complex cardiac malformations which could result in cyanosis. We reported a case of cyanotic dextrocardia with symptomatic erythrocytosis.

Case Report
A 54-year-old Asian male was admitted to hospital with the complaint of numbness and tingling of limbs for one month. There was no history of chronic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases or diabetes. On examination vital signs were as follows: blood pressure 112/73 mmHg, pulse 72 beats/min, oxygen saturation 85% on room air, temperature 37.1°C, respiratory rate 18 breaths/min. Cardiac physical examination was indicative of dextrocardia: the apex of the heart was located in the right side of the chest accompanied with a systolic murmur at the apex. Other pertinent examinations showed cyanosis of lips, flushing of face and limbs, and a normal neurological examination. Echocardiography and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated heterotaxy and dextrocardia, normal atriums, common mitral valve, lengthy leaflets of tricuspid valve, dilated single ventricle, double-inlet and outlet left ventricle, mild atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) and no pulmonary stenosis. Laboratory data showed increased hemoglobin of 19.9 g/dl and hematocrit of 58.8%, decreased oxygen partial pressure of 49.5mmHg and oxygen saturation of 81.3%.
The patient was diagnosed with erythrocytosis perhaps secondary to cyanotic congenital heart disease and was given intravenous drip of normal saline to resolute the hyperviscosity status. He refused bone marrow aspiration and surgical evaluation for single-ventricle palliation. During the 16-month follow up, no other symptoms emerged except for mild numbness of limbs.

Conclusion
Dextrocardia with single ventricle malformation can remain symptom free for a long time until the emergence of complications such as secondary erythrocytosis. It is important to give an early diagnosis and complete evaluation, and echocardiography is an effective method to detect this anomaly.
Abstract P267 Figure. The echo and CT images of this case
P270 Complex cyanotic heart disease in adult patient with down syndrome accompanied by mild pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Siama A , Fountoulakis P , Tsoukas A , Manolis A J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
No funding

Introduction
Patients with Down syndrome and complex unrepaired cyanotic heart disease have impaired life expectancy. The clinical status of each patient depends both on the primary lesion type as well as the cummulative haemodynamic burden in the cardiovascular system. Assessment of an adult patient with complex congenital heart disease that has not been surgically repaired presents several challenges since initial haemodynamic parameters and compensatory mechanisms have to be taken into account.

Case presentation
A 43 year old male patient with known history of Down syndrome and no regular follow up presented to the Outpatient Department of our hospital to undergo pre-operative control for minor soft tissue surgery. The patient exhibited typical morphological features of Down syndrome as well as central cyanosis and digital clubbing. On auscultation a holosystolic type murmur 3/6 on the 3rd left parasternal border was audible. His blood gases revealed hypoxia and mild metabolic acidosis. Electrocardiogram displayed right axis deviation and signs of right ventricular hypertrophy. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a large perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) with normal anatomy and function of the aortic valve and no overiding aorta. Of note was excessive infundibular subpulmonary stenosis which resulted in a functionally double chambered right ventricle. Left ventricle was of normal diamater with good overall systolic function while the right ventricle was non-dilated with significant hypertrophy. Intracavitary gradient was estimated at 60 mmHg. Continuous Doppler showed mild mitral regurgitaion and mild tricuspid regurgitaion with estimated systolic pulmonary pressure of 40 mmHg. Bidirectional flow with low velocities at the level of the defect was recorded. Inferior vena cava was mildly dilated with normal respiratory variation.
Discussion/ Conclusion: The natural history of large VSDs results in progressive dilatation of the right ventricle, the left ventricle and the left atrium with gradually increasing pylmonary vascular resistance and development of pulmonary hypertension, followed by right ventricular hypertrophy, flow reversal and Eisenmenger syndrome. However when RVOT obstruction at any level coexists, significant right ventricular hypertrophy develops and the incresed right ventricular systolic pressures acts protectively by minimizing the shunt at the VSD level. Thus a restrictive VSD due to a functionally double chambered right ventricle created a very fragile balance; a cyanotic heart disease with mild bidirectional flow depending on preload and afterload conditions that survived to adulthood.
Abstract P270 Figure. Complex unrepaired CHD
P284 Patients with reduced systolic function benefit most from recanalisation of chronic total occlusion
Authors: Juricic S , Petrovic O , Tesic M , Dobric M , Orlic D , Aleksandric S , Trifunovic-Zamaklar D , Vukcevic V , Djordjevic-Dikic A , Mehmedbegovic Z , Milasinovic D , Zivkovic M , Stankovic G , Beleslin B , Stojkovic S 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total coronary occlusion (PCI of CTO) is proved to reduce symptoms of angina and long term survival.

Purpose
This study aimed to assess systolic and diastolic left ventricular function with standard echocardiographic indices.

Methods
We analyzed total of 46 CTO patients (age 58 ± 9, 73% male). Measures were obtained with the transducer in the apical four-chamber view. Doppler time intervals were measured from mitral inflow and left ventricular outflow Doppler tracings by pulsed wave Doppler. The isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) was measured from closure of the aortic valve to opening of the mitral valve. The isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT) was measured from closure of the mitral valve to opening of the aortic valve. Ejection time (ET) was measured from the opening to the closure of the aortic valve on the LV outflow velocity profile. Myocardial performance index (MPI) is simple method for evaluation of overall cardiac function and is independent of heart rate and blood pressure. MPI was equal to the sum of the IVRT and IVCT divided by the ET. Velocity of early mitral filling wave (E) was measured and divided by average peak early diastolic annular velocity (e") which was measured as average value between septal and lateral side of the mitral annulus using Doppler tissue imaging. The E/e’ ratio was calculated to estimate the LV filling pressures

Results
Six months after PCI of CTO patients showed no change in ejection fraction (EF) (55.69 ± 8.56% vs. 54.83 ± 8.44%, p = 0.10). MPI was significantly decreased (0.676 ± 0.99 vs. 0.632 ± 0.96 p &lt; 0.01), E/e" was significantly reduced, (13,10 ± 6.90 vs. 12.05 ± 5.1 p &lt; 0.05), and when we analyzed only patients with baseline EF &lt; 50% (n = 9) improvement of diastolic function (reduction of E/e") was even greater (22.53 ± 5.52 vs. 15.65 ± 4.8 p &lt; 0.01).

Conclusion
PCI of CTO improves overall cardiac function, particularly diastolic function in patients with reduced ejection fraction.
P305 The evaluation of left ventricle filling pressure and lung ultrasound B-lines in the diagnosis of cardiogenic dyspnea
Authors: Valova T 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Dyspnea is the most frequent symptom of acute heart failure but it could also be a clinical presentation of some other noncardiogenic conditions. The differentiation of the origin of dyspnea could sometimes be a difficult task. The estimated elevation of left ventricle filling pressure with lung ultrasound proved positive B-lines score &gt; 15 could be reliable as diagnostic methods for acute decompensated heart failure and proof of the cardiogenic origin of dyspnea.

Purpose
To evaluate the reliability of elevated left ventricle filling pressure and positive lung ultrasound B-lines score in differentiation of the origin of dyspnea.

Methods
Elevated E/e´&gt;15 as a proof for elevated left ventricle filling pressure and multiple bilateral LUS B-lines (&gt;15) were tested against conventional X-ray and NT-proBNP in 44 patients with cardiogenic dyspnea (23 NYHA III patients and 21 NYHA IV patients) and 42 patients with noncardiogenic dyspnea.

Results
Elevated left ventricle filling pressure detected with echocardography (E/e´&gt;15) as a proof of acute decompensated heart failure was found in 18 NYHA IV patients and strongly correlated with multiple bilateral LUS B-lines &gt; 15 (all 21 NYHA IV patients), alveolar edema from conventional X-ray (21 NYHA IV patients) and NTproBNP &gt; 1000pg/ml in 17 NYHA IV patients. The results for NYHA III patients differ very much. Elevated filling pressure (E/e´ &gt; 15) from echocardiography was found in 10 patients NYHA III. For the left 13 patients NYHA III E/e´ was in grey zone between 8-14. Multiple bilateral LUS B-lines &gt;15 were found in 18 NYHA III patients. Interstitial pulmonary edema was found in 15 NYHA III patients and NTproBNP &gt; 1000pg/ml was found in 16 NYHA III patients. E/e´ between 8-14 (grey zone) moderately correlated with NT-proBNP and strongly with pulmonary blood flow redistribution and interstitial edema from X-ray. Normal left ventricle filling pressure (E/e´ &lt; 8) was found in 36 noncardiogenic patients. Only 6 patients with noncardiogenic dyspnea were with elevated left ventricle filling pressure (E/e´ &gt; 15) which was explained with their overweight (BMI &gt; 30) and hypervolemia and correlated with negative LUS B-lines. Only 1 patient with noncardiogenic dyspnea was with false positive B-lines score &gt; 15 typical for pneumonia.

Conclusions
Elevated left ventricle filling pressure detected with Tissue Doppler echocardiography (E/e´&gt;15) and positive LUS B-lines score &gt; 15 are reliable modalities for the diagnosis of cardiogenic dyspnea in patients NYHA IV. In patient NYHA III with cardiogenic dyspnea the two presented modalities proved to be with moderate reliability and need references from conventional X-ray and NT-proBNP.