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This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group phase III clinical trial aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a rosuvastatin + amlodipine combination compared with that of rosuvastatin or amlodipine monotherapy in hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia. A total of 106 patients of 15 institutions in Korea were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: rosuvastatin 20 mg + amlodipine 10 mg, amlodipine 10 mg, or rosuvastatin 20 mg. After 8 weeks of treatment, the mean ± SD of change in mean sitting systolic blood pressure (msSBP) was -22.82 ± 12.99 mm Hg in the rosuvastatin + amlodipine group, the most decreased among the treatment groups. The percentage of patients whose msSBP decreased ≥20 mm Hg or msDBP decreased ≥10 mm Hg was also highest in this group (74.29%). The mean ± SD percentage change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level from baseline after 8 weeks was -52.53% ± 11.21% in the rosuvastatin + amlodipine group, the most decreased among the treatment groups. More patients in the rosuvastatin + amlodipine group achieved their target LDL-C goal at 8 weeks, compared with the other treatment groups (97.14%). No serious adverse events or adverse drug reactions were observed in all groups. In hypertensive patients with dyslipidemia, combination treatment with rosuvastatin 20 mg + amlodipine 10 mg effectively reduced blood pressure and LDL-C levels while maintaining safety.

The morbidity and mortality of patients with functional mitral regurgitation (MR) remain high, but no pharmacological therapy has been proven effective. The hypothesis of this study was that sacubitril/valsartan would be superior to valsartan alone in improving functional MR via dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system and neprilysin.In this double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 118 patients with heart failure with chronic functional MR secondary to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction to receive either sacubitril/valsartan or valsartan, in addition to standard medical therapy for heart failure. The primary end point was the change in effective regurgitant orifice area of functional MR from baseline to the 12-month follow-up. Secondary end points included changes in regurgitant volume, LV end-systolic volume, LV end-diastolic volume, and incomplete mitral leaflet closure area.The decrease in effective regurgitant orifice area was significantly greater in the sacubitril/valsartan group than in the valsartan group (-0.058±0.095 versus -0.018±0.105 cmAmong patients with secondary functional MR, sacubitril/valsartan reduced MR to a greater extent than did valsartan. Our findings suggest that an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor might be considered for optimal medical therapy of patients with heart failure and functional MR.URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02687932.

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for long-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in patients undergoing tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Materials and Methods The preoperative cardiac MR images, New York Heart Association functional class, comorbidities, and clinical events of 78 patients (median [interquartile range], 59 [51–66.3] years, 28.2% male) who underwent TV surgery for functional TR were comprehensively reviewed. Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to assess the associations of clinical and imaging parameters with MACCEs and all-cause mortality. Results For the median follow-up duration of 5.4 years (interquartile range, 1.2–6.6), MACCEs and all-cause mortality were 51.3% and 23.1%, respectively. The right ventricular (RV) end-systolic volume index (ESVI) and the systolic RV mass index (RVMI) were higher in patients with MACCEs than those without them (77 vs. 68 mL/m2, p = 0.048; 23.5 vs. 18.0%, p = 0.011, respectively). A high RV ESVI was associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] per value of 10 higher ESVI = 1.10, p = 0.03). A high RVMI was also associated with all-cause mortality (HR per increase of 5 mL/m2 RVMI = 1.75, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, only RVMI remained a significant predictor of MACCEs and all-cause mortality (p < 0.05 for both). After adjusting for multiple clinical variables, RVMI remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality (p = 0.005). Conclusion RVMI measured on preoperative cardiac MRI was an independent predictor of long-term outcomes in patients who underwent TV surgery for functional TR.

Background Left ventricle (LV) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) faces a double hemodynamic load incorporating both valvular stenosis and reduced systemic arterial compliance (SAC). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of global LV afterload on LV hypertrophy (LVH) before and after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods The study cohort included 453 patients (247 males; mean age, 64 ± 11 years) who underwent AVR. Pre- and post-AVR echocardiographic examinations were retrospectively analyzed including an index of valvuloarterial impedance (ZVA) and LV mass index/LV end-diastolic volume index (LVMI/LVEDVI) as a parameter of LVH. Results Pre-AVR LVMI/LVEDVI was 2.7 ± 0.9 g/mL with an aortic valve area (AVA) of 0.6 ± 0.2 cm2. ZVA was 5.9 ± 1.9 mm Hg/mL/m2 and showed a stronger correlation (β = 0.601, p < 0.001) with pre-AVR LVMI/LVEDVI than indexed AVA (β = 0.061, p = 0.19), transvalvular peak velocity (β = 0.211, p < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 3.5 years, patients had a 18.8 ± 10.4% decrease in the LV geometry index with a decrease in SAC from 1.20 ± 0.48 to 1.00 ± 0.38 mL/m2/mm Hg (p < 0.001). Pre-AVR LV ejection fraction (r = 0.284, p < 0.001) and ZVA (r = 0.523, p < 0.001) were independent factors associated with LVH regression in 322 patients with follow-up duration >1 year after AVR. Conclusion ZVA is a major determinant of concentric remodeling in AS before AVR and LVH regression after AVR, which should be incorporated in routine evaluation of AS.

Objective To identify the preoperative cardiac computed tomography (CT) factors influencing postoperative recurrent aortic regurgitation (AR) in patients who underwent aortic valve repair with the re-implantation technique (David operation) due to AR. Materials and Methods A total of 117 patients (age, 49.4 ± 15.6 years; 83 males) who underwent the David operation for AR were included in this retrospective study. Aortic root profiles including the aortic regurgitant orifice area (ARO) and the aortic cusp asymmetry ratio of the areas (ASRarea), which is defined as the maximum/minimum areas among the three cusp areas at the level of the commissures, were measured on preoperative cardiac CT scans. Clinical and CT findings were compared between a group with recurrent AR grade < 3 (no, trivial, or mild AR) and recurrent ≥ 3 + AR. To determine the optimal cut-off values of ASR and ARO, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used. Cox regression analysis was used for the analysis of the factors affecting recurrent 3 + AR. Results Postoperatively, recurrent 3 + AR developed in 17 (14.5%) patients and occurred within a median of 268 days (interquartile range: 78–582 days). The cut-off ARO value for discriminating the patients with recurrent 3 + AR was > 24 mm2 (sensitivity, 76.5%; specificity 64.8%), and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.72. For ASRarea, the cut-off value was > 1.58 (sensitivity, 76.5%; specificity, 58.0%) and the AUC was 0.64. Multivariable Cox regression showed that ARO > 24 mm2 (hazard ratio = 3.79, p = 0.020) was a potential independent parameter for recurrent 3 + AR. ROC for the linear regression model showed that the AUC for both ARO and ASRarea was 0.73 (95% confidence interval, 0.64–0.81, p < 0.001). Conclusion ARO and ASRarea detected on preoperative cardiac CT would be potentially helpful for identifying AR patients who may benefit from the David operation.

Aims We compared the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac computed tomography (CT) with that of echocardiography for the detection of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) on a scallop-by-scallop basis, using surgical inspection as a reference standard. Methods and results This retrospective study included 145 patients (mean age 53 years; 94 men) who underwent surgical MVP repair or replacement and preoperative cardiac CT between May 2011 and October 2013. The prolapsed scallop was localized using cardiac CT and echocardiography according to the Carpentier method (anterior leaflet: from lateral to medial A1, A2, A3; posterior leaflet: P1, P2, P3). The per-scallop sensitivity and specificity of each method were compared, using surgical inspection as a reference standard. Interobserver agreement for the CT analysis was tested between three independent readers. Surgically, MVP was confirmed in 26% (226/870) scallops, with 56% (81/145) of the patients showing a single-scallop prolapse. The per-scallop sensitivity of cardiac CT was lower than that of echocardiography (80% vs. 87%, P = 0.004), with similar specificity (both 95%). For single-scallop lesions, cardiac CT showed good sensitivity (94%) and specificity (95%), with no significant difference to echocardiography. For the 64 patients with multiple scallop prolapse, CT underestimated the extent of MVP in 31 (49%) patients and echocardiography in 22 (34%) patients. Interobserver agreement was good, with kappa = 0.72-0.74. Conclusion Cardiac CT provides a feasible method for localizing MVP on a per-scallop basis, but it may underestimate the extent of prolapsed scallop compared with echocardiography, particularly in patients with multiple-scallop lesions.

As the elderly population is rapidly increasing, the treatment of aortic stenosis (AS) in the elderly has a substantial effect on public health and health care resource consumption. Still, many elderly patients who are at low surgical risk do not undergo surgery because advanced age makes patients

Objectives The timing of aortic valve replacement (AVR) remains controversial in symptomatic patients with normal flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved LVEF. We sought to compare long-term mortality of early AVR versus a watchful observation strategy. Methods From 2000 to 2011, we prospectively evaluated 284 consecutive symptomatic patients (136 men, age 68±10 years) with normal flow, low-gradient severe AS and preserved LVEF who were potential candidates for early AVR. Normal flow, low-gradient severe AS was defined as indexed aortic valve area 2 /m 2 with mean gradient 2 . Early AVR was performed on 98 patients (early AVR group), while the watchful observation strategy was selected for 186 patients (watchful observation group). Patients in the watchful observation group were referred for AVR if mean gradient was ≥40 mm Hg during follow-up. Results There were no significant differences between the early AVR and the watchful observation groups for the risk of overall mortality (HR 0.94 for the early AVR; 95% CI 0.51 to 1.73) or for the estimated actuarial 8-year mortality rates (17±5% vs 27±5%, p=0.84) in the overall cohort. Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, comorbidity index, age, coronary artery disease, aetiology of AS and performance of AVR were associated with overall survival. For 83 propensity-score-matched pairs, the risk of overall death was not significantly different between the two groups (HR 1.13 for the early AVR, 95% CI 0.55 to 2.35, p=0.74). Conclusions Early AVR and watchful observation strategy show similar survival in symptomatic patients with normal flow, low-gradient severe AS and preserved LVEF. Watchful observation with timely performance of AVR should be considered a therapeutic option.

Background In some patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who undergo tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP), significant remnant TR is detected early after TAP but diminishes after long-term follow-up. We sought to investigate the outcome of significant residual TR early after TAP and the predictors for late improvement of TR. Methods A total of 58 consecutive patients presenting with moderate to severe TR early (5.7 ± 2.0 days) after TAP and before discharge were enrolled in this study. Echocardiography was repeated for 32.3 ± 28.6 months after TAP, and improvements in TR were defined as mild or less TR. Clinical data and echocardiographic studies were retrospectively analyzed. Results Twenty-nine (50%) patients showed late improvement in TR during follow-up. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that tricuspid valve (TV) tenting height measured early after TAP ( P = 0.020) and execution of the Maze procedure with TAP ( P = 0.049) were independent predictors for late improvement of significant early remnant TR. The rates of late TR improvement were higher in patients with an early postoperative TV tenting height ≥ 9.1 mm ( P = 0.026) and in patients who underwent a Maze procedure ( P = 0.033) than in other groups of patients. Conclusions Half of patients with significant remnant TR early after TAP show late improvement in TR. Evaluation of a combined Maze procedure and TV tenting height early after TAP will help identify patients for whom repeated TV surgery may be deferred.

We aimed to evaluate the role of preoperative cardiac computed tomography (CT) for adults with congenital cardiac septal defect (CSD). Sixty-five consecutive patients who underwent preoperative CT and surgery for CSD were included. The diagnostic accuracy of CT and the concordance rate of the subtype classification of CSD were evaluated using surgical findings as the reference standard. Sixty-five patients without CSD who underwent cardiac valve surgery were used as a control group. An incremental value of CT over echocardiography was described retrospectively. Sensitivity and specificity of CT for diagnosis of CSD were 95 % and 100 %, respectively. The concordance rate of subtype classification was 91 % in CT and 92 % in echocardiography. The maximum size of the defect measured by CT correlated well with surgical measurement (r = 0.82), and the limit of agreement was -0.9 ± 7.42 mm. In comparison with echocardiography, CT was able to detect combined abnormalities in three cases, and exclusively provided correct subtype classification or clarified suspected abnormal findings found on echocardiography in seven cases. Cardiac CT can accurately demonstrates CSD in preoperative adult patients. CT may have an incremental role in preoperative planning, particularly in those with more complex anatomy. • Cardiac CT can demonstrate cardiac septal defect accurately in preoperative planning. • Cardiac CT can demonstrate combined abnormalities of cardiac septal defect. • Cardiac CT may have an incremental role over echocardiography in complex anatomy.

Aims Morphological characteristics of paravalvular leakage (PVL) have not yet been well characterized by computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the morphological characteristics of PVLs using cardiac CT in patients diagnosed with PVL. Methods and results Between May 2011 and December 2013, 46 patients who had been diagnosed with PVL and underwent cardiac CT were included in this study. On CT, the characteristics of PVLs including number, size, location, and shape are described. Inter- and intra-observer agreement of CT were assessed. The extent of PVL on CT and the degree of regurgitant grade on echocardiography are compared. The size of PVLs were compared between patients who underwent surgical correction and who treated with percutaneous device closure or observed without treatment. All PVLs detected on surgical filed were the same with the number and locations of PVLs demonstrated on CT. Interobserver agreement for CT measurements of the PVL was good, ranging from 0.78 to 0.99. The sizes of PVL were smaller in patients who treated with device closure or observed without treatment compared to those in patients who underwent surgical correction (median areas of aortic PVL, 64.5 vs. 15.5 mm2 and mitral PVL, 40.0 vs. 27.0 mm2). PVL sizes were larger in patients with higher regurgitant grades on echocardiography (P

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Clinical data for Korean patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) that underwent aortic valve (AV) surgery are currently limited. METHODS Data for 1,160 consecutive adult BAV patients who underwent AV surgery from 2000 to 2014 in 4 tertiary referral centers were retrospectively analyzed. A standard case report form was used for clinical and echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS Mean age at the time of AV surgery was 59±13 years. The most common cause of AV surgery was aortic stenosis (AS, 892 [77%]), followed by aortic regurgitation (AR, 199 [17%]), and infective endocarditis (69 [6%]). AS showed a skewed peak in the aged population and was the predominant cause of AV surgery (87%) in patients ≥50 years of age, whereas AR (46%) and active infective endocarditis (19%) were more common in younger patients (p

This study hypothesized that compensatory mitral leaflet area (MLA) adaptation occurs in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) without left ventricular (LV) dysfunction but has limitations that augment mitral regurgitation (MR). The study also explored whether asymmetrical annular dilation is matched by relative leaflet enlargement.Functional MR occurs in patients with AF and isolated annular dilation, but the relationship of MLA adaptation with annular area (AA) is unknown.Three-dimensional echocardiographic images were acquired from 86 patients with quantified MR: 53 with nonvalvular persistent AF (23 MR+ with moderate or greater MR, 30 MR-) without LV dysfunction or dilation and 33 normal controls. Comprehensive 3-dimensional analysis included total diastolic MLA, adaptation ratios of MLA to annular area and MLA to leaflet closure area, and annular and tenting geometry.Total MLA was 22% larger in patients with AF than in controls, thus paralleling the increased AA. However, as AA increased, adaptive indices (MLA/AA ratio and ratio of MLA to closure area) plateaued, becoming lowest in MR+ patients (ratio of MLA to closure area = 1.63 ± 0.17 controls, 1.60 ± 0.11 MR-, 1.32 ± 0.10 MR+; p 0.001). MR increased as the ratio of MLA to closure area decreased (RMLA adaptively increases in AF with isolated annular dilation and normal LV function. This compensatory enlargement becomes insufficient with greater annular dilation, and the leaflets fail to match asymmetrical annular remodeling, thereby increasing MR. These findings can potentially help optimize therapeutic options and motivate basic studies of adaptive growth processes.

ObjectiveIn elderly patients, the benefit of surgical correction of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) may not be greater than the operative risk. This study sought to compare the long-term clinical outcomes between initial surgery and conservative management in elderly patients (≥70 years of age) with severe MR.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated 157 consecutive patients (75 men, 74±4 years of age) with severe degenerative MR and mild symptoms. Mitral valve surgery was performed on 79 (initial surgery group), whereas the conservative strategy was chosen for 78 patients (conservative management group). We compared the overall and cardiac mortality and cardiac event between strategies in the overall and propensity-matched cohort (46 pairs).ResultsDuring the median follow-up of 5.4 years, overall death occurred less in the initial surgery group (16 vs 37 patients). This group showed reduced cardiac mortality (HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.73; p=0.007), overall mortality (HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.74; p=0.004) and cardiac event (HR 0.26; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.53; pConclusionsIn elderly patients with severe degenerative MR and mild symptoms, initial surgical strategy was associated with significant long-term reductions in cardiac and overall mortality compared with conservative management.

Background Late prognosis after successful percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) is unclear. We compared late results of PMC using Inoue versus double-balloon techniques up to 25years in a randomized trial. Methods Between 1989 and 1995, 302 patients (77 men, 41±11years) with severe mitral stenosis were randomly assigned to undergo PMC using Inoue (n=152; group I) or double-balloon technique (n=150; group D). The end points were the composite events of death, mitral surgery, repeat PMC, or deterioration of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class ≥3. Results During median follow-up of 20.7years (maximum, 25.6), clinical events occurred in 82 (53.9%) patients in group I (37 deaths, 44 mitral surgeries, 9 repeat PMCs, 3 NYHA class ≥3) and in 79 (52.7%) patients in group D (34 deaths, 51 mitral surgeries, 5 repeat PMCs, 4 NYHA class ≥3). Event-free survival rates at 24years were not significantly different between group I and group D (40.8% and 42.6%, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65–1.20; P =.423). On multivariate analysis, absence of post-PMC commissural mitral regurgitation (MR) (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.28–2.63; P =.001) and immediate post-PMC mitral valve area (MVA) 2 (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.04–2.25; P =.031) were independently correlated with clinical events after successful PMC. Conclusions The Inoue and double-balloon methods showed similar good clinical outcomes up to 25years, and the achievement of effective commissurotomy to develop post-PMC commissural MR or immediate post-PMC MVA ≥1.8cm 2 is important in optimizing the late results of PMC.

Background Both stress cardiomyopathy (SCMP) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) present with similar clinical symptoms and signs, and apical akinesis. Hypothesis: Quantitative segmental analysis of myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) helps to differentiate AMI from SCMP. Methods Real-time MCE was performed in 33 consecutive patients who presented with an acute symptom/sign and a new apical akinesis on echocardiography. In 18 left ventricular (LV) myocardial segments, a replenishment curve was obtained in each segment to measure peak plateau myocardial contrast intensity (MCI) (A) and the replenishment curve slope (β). The calibrated MCI was also measured in each segment. Results Among 33 patients, 22 were diagnosed with SCMP and 11 were diagnosed with AMI according to comprehensive diagnostic criteria. A, β, Aβ, and the calibrated MCI were lower in akinetic than in normokinetic segments in both the SCMP and AMI groups. In the akinetic segments, A, β, Aβ, and the calibrated MCI in SCMP patients were each higher than those in AMI patients. In patient-based analyses, areas under the ROC curves of A, β, Aβ, and the calibrated MCI for diagnosing AMI were 0.769, 0.607, 0.822, and 0.934, respectively. The optimal cutoff values to diagnose AMI were Aβ

This phase 3, multiregional, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy/safety profile of anacetrapib added to ongoing therapy with statin ± other lipid-modifying therapies in patients with hypercholesterolemia who were not at their low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) goal (as per the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines) and in those with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Patients on a stable dose of statin ± other lipid-modifying therapies and with LDL-C ≥70 to

Although statins reduce cardiac events in hypertensive patients with cardiovascular risk factors, the effect of statins on coronary flow reserve (CFR) has not been examined. We tried to examine the effect of rosuvastatin on CFR in hypertensive patients at cardiovascular risk. CFR was studied in 56 hypertensive patients (40 men, 61 ± 9 years) with cardiovascular risk factors and without coronary artery disease in a prospective clinical trial. Using Doppler echocardiography, coronary flow velocity in the distal left anterior descending artery was recorded at baseline and during intravenous adenosine infusion, and CFR was defined as the ratio of hyperemic to basal average peak diastolic flow velocity. The primary efficacy measure was defined as the change in CFR after rosuvastatin therapy for 12 months. CFR was measured successfully in 55 of 56 enrolled patients (98%). CFR was 3.16 ± 0.44 at baseline and negatively correlated with age (R = -0.30, p = 0.025). All patients continued rosuvastatin 10 mg/day without any serious adverse events. After rosuvastatin therapy, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein significantly decreased from 222 ± 18 to 142 ± 20 mg/dl, 148 ± 21 to 85 ± 18 mg/dl, and 1.7 ± 2.9 to 1.2 ± 3.1 mg/L, respectively (all p0.01). CFR significantly increased from 3.16 ± 0.44 to 3.31 ± 0.42 (p0.001). The change in CFR correlated with the change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (R = -0.28, p = 0.040) but not with the change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In conclusion, CFR was significantly improved after 12 months of rosuvastatin therapy in hypertensive patients at cardiovascular risk and average levels of serum cholesterol.

Objectives This study sought to compare long-term outcomes of early surgery with a conventional treatment strategy in asymptomatic patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Background The timing of surgery in asymptomatic severe MR remains controversial. Methods From 1996 to 2009, 610 consecutive asymptomatic patients (364 men, 50 ± 14 years of age) with severe degenerative MR and preserved left ventricular function were evaluated prospectively. Early surgery was performed on 235 patients, and the conventional treatment strategy was chosen for 375 patients. We compared overall mortality, cardiac mortality, and cardiac events (operative mortality, cardiac mortality, repeat surgery, and urgent admission due to heart failure) between the 2 treatment strategies in the propensity score–matched cohort. Results For the 207 propensity score–matched pairs, early surgery had a lower risk of cardiac mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.109; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.014 to 0.836; p = 0.033) and cardiac events (HR: 0.216; 95% CI: 0.083 to 0.558; p = 0.002) than conventional treatment. On Cox proportional hazard model analysis, the risk of cardiac events was significantly lower in the early surgery group than in the conventional treatment group in patients aged 50 years of age and older (HR: 0.221; 95% CI: 0.086 to 0.567; p = 0.002), but not significantly different in those younger than 50 years of age (p = 0.20). Conclusions Compared with conservative management, early surgery is associated with significant long-term reductions of cardiac mortality and cardiac events in asymptomatic severe MR. These benefits were evident among patients age 50 years of age and older.

We present a case of 48-year-old male who presented with coronary artery fistula draining into left ventricle. Transthoracic echocardiography showed abnormal blood flow draining into left ventricle, with enlarged coronary arteries and multiple vascular structures around ventricular myocardium. Coronary computed tomography revealed dilatation of entire left coronary artery which was wrapping around left ventricle, and draining into the posterior side of left ventricle. He did not undergo any invasive treatment, because he was not symptomatic.

We aimed to determine whether global longitudinal strain (GLS) had a prognostic value in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved EF undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) Among 412 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR, 346 patients (mean age: 78± 5) with

We sought to investigate the impact of left ventricular mass (LVM) regression on clinical outcome and predictors of LVM regression in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) Of 412 patients who underwent TAVR between 2010 and 2018, 146 patients

BACKGROUND Although bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases, clinical outcome data regarding BAV are still limited. We evaluated clinical characteristics and mid-term clinical outcomes of asymptomatic Korean patients with bicuspid aortic valve. METHODS We initiated a prospective registry in 2014 at a tertiary referral hospital. To develop a cohort of asymptomatic patients, we excluded patients who previously underwent open heart surgery (OHS) or who had OHS within 6 months of referral. RESULTS A total of 170 patients (117 male [69%], age 50 ± 13 years) were enrolled. More than 70% (n = 124, 73%) were incidentally diagnosed with BAV during routine health examinations or preoperative screening for non-cardiac surgery. At the time of enrollment, moderate to severe aortic stenosis (AS) or regurgitation (AR) was present in 77 patients (45%) and 98 (58%) showed aortic dilation: 42 (25%) had non-significant valvular dysfunction without aortic dilation. During a median follow-up of 4 years, AS severity increased significantly (p < 0.001), while there was no significant change in AR severity (p = 0.361). A total of 27 patients (16%) underwent OHS, including isolated aortic valve (AV) surgery (n = 11, 41%), AV with combined aortic surgery (n = 12, 44%), and isolated aortic surgery (n = 4, 15%): no patient developed aortic dissection. Moderate to severe AS (hazard ratio [HR] 4.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.83-11.62; p = 0.001), NYHA class ≥ 2 (HR 2.53; 95% CI 1.01-6.35; p = 0.048) and aortic dilation (HR 2.13; 95% CI 0.87-5.21; p = 0.099) were associated with surgical events. CONCLUSIONS Progression patterns of valvular dysfunction and impacts of BAV phenotype on OHS should be explored in future studies with longer follow-up durations.

Diagnosing tuberculous pericardial effusion (TPE) remains a challenge despite continuing improvements in microbiological and molecular techniques. Recently, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay was developed to count the numbers of antimycobacterial effector T cells that produce

The present study aimed to investigate geometric remodeling of the mitral valve (MV) and to identify the geometric determinants of mitral regurgitation (MR) severity in patients with significant MR secondary to a rheumatic or prolapse etiology. We studied 90 consecutive patients in normal sinus rhythm, including 70 patients showing significant MR (52 with prolapsed/flail and 18 with rheumatic MV) and 20 controls with normal MV without MR. A full volume image was acquired using transesophageal echocardiography, and geometric analysis of the MV leaflet was performed with dedicated software. Areas of the MV annulus and the anterior and posterior leaflets were larger in the rheumatic and prolapsed MV than in the normal controls. No difference was found between the rheumatic and prolapsed MR in those parameters, except that the posterior leaflet area was smaller in rheumatic MR than in prolapsed MR. The leaflet to annulus area ratio was lower and the anterior to posterior leaflet area ratio was higher in the rheumatic MR group than in the prolapsed MR group. A large anteroposterior annulus diameter and small posterior leaflet tenting angle were independently associated with the effective regurgitant orifice area in rheumatic MV, although the leaflet to annulus area ratio was independently associated with the effective regurgitant orifice area in the prolapsed MV. In conclusion, similarities and differences in geometric MV remodeling exist between rheumatic and prolapsed MR. The knowledge of those quantitative differences could open the way to precise planning of surgery tailored to the underlying pathologic entity.

Objectives We sought to define the clinical importance of an integrated classification of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) phenotypes and aortopathy using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). Background An association between BAV phenotypes and the pattern of valvular dysfunction or bicuspid aortopathy has yet to be definitely established. Methods The study cohort included 167 subjects (116 men, age 54.6 ± 14.4 years) who underwent both MDCT and transthoracic echocardiography from 2003 to 2010. Two BAV phenotypes—fusion of the right and left coronary cusps (BAV-AP) and fusion of the right or left coronary cusp and noncoronary cusp (BAV-RL)—were identified. Forty-five patients showed normal aortic dimensions and were classified as type 0. In the remaining patients, hierarchic cluster analysis showed 3 different types of bicuspid aortopathy according to the pattern of aortic dilation: type 1 (aortic enlargement confined to the sinus of Valsalva [n = 34]), type 2 (aortic enlargement involving the tubular portion of the ascending aorta [n = 49]), and type 3 (aortic enlargement extending to the transverse aortic arch [n = 39]). Results The prevalence of BAV-AP and BAV-RL was 55.7% and 44.3%, respectively. Comparing BAV-AP and BAV-RL, no differences in age or in the prevalence of male sex were determined. However, significant differences in the valvular dysfunction pattern were noted, with moderate-to-severe aortic stenosis predominating in patients with BAV-RL (66.2% vs. 46.2% in BAV-AP; p = 0.01), and moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation in BAV-AP (32.3% vs. 6.8% in BAV-RL; p Conclusions The patterns of valvular dysfunction and bicuspid aortopathy differed significantly between the 2 BAV phenotypes, suggesting the possibility of etiologically different entities.

Background Various left ventricular (LV) vortex parameters obtained during contrast echocardiography (CE) have been recently described. The aim of this study was to investigate their determinants and associations with conventional hemodynamic variables. Methods CE was performed and LV pressure was simultaneously measured during pharmacologic inotropic modulation in 8 mongrel dogs. Customized software was used to assess both vortex geometric parameters (vortex depth [VD], length [VL], width [VW], transverse position, and sphericity index [SI]) and pulsatility parameters (relative strength [RS], vortex relative strength [VRS], and vortex pulsation correlation [VPC]). The associations between each of these parameters and conventional indices representing LV systolic and diastolic function were analyzed. Results VD and VW did not change significantly during pharmacologic modulation, whereas VL (P = 0.0034) and SI (P = 0.001) showed significant and progressive linear decreases from baseline during dobutamine infusion. Significant linear changes during positive and negative inotropic modulation were observed in all pulsatiliy parameters (P

To evaluate factors associated with aortic enlargement in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and the impact of isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR).A retrospective analysis of clinical data in a tertiary referral hospital.We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 595 patients with BAV to assess variables determining maximal ascending aortic dimension. To measure annual dilatation rates, baseline and follow-up echocardiograms were analysed in 70 patients with BAV (BAV-AVR group) and 48 with a tricuspid aortic valve (TVA-AVR group) who underwent isolated AVR, and compared with 65 patients with BAV who did not undergo AVR (BAV-NAVR group).Aortic regurgitation (AR) severity was associated with aortic sinus diameter (p0.001), whereas aortic stenosis severity with the tubular diameter (p0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age was an independent factor for both sinus and tubular diameter with AR severity being for aortic sinus diameter and moderate to severe aortic stenosis or AR being for aortic tubular diameter. Despite younger age and lower prevalence of moderate to severe valvular dysfunction at baseline, the annual dilatation rates at sinus and tubular part were significantly higher in the BAV-NAVR than in the BAV-AVR and TAV-AVR groups (p0.05 each), which did not differ in the BAV-AVR and TAV-AVR groups (p=0.402 for sinus and p=0.394 for tubular part).Age-dependent aortic enlargement associated with significant valvular dysfunction and the protective effects of isolated AVR in patients with BAV indicate that valvular dysfunction is a major determinant to the development of aortopathy.

To compare mitral valve area (MVA) measurements obtained by 2D transthoracic planimetry and 3D transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) in patients with mitral stenosis (MS), and to determine the causes of discrepancies between the two techniques.Reliability and agreement study.Tertiary referral centre.Eighty-seven patients with MS.MVA was determined by transthoracic 2D planimetry and 3D TOE. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were evaluated. The angle (Mα) between the lines of the true mitral valve (MV) tip and the echo beam-to-MV tip was measured at early diastole from the parasternal long-axis view obtained from 2D echocardiography.Although MVA measurements using 2D planimetry and 3D TOE showed good agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.853; p0.001), 2D planimetry overestimated MVA by 0.19±0.2 cm(2) compared with 3D TOE (p0.001). Left atrial (LA) dimension obtained from the parasternal long-axis view at end-systole (p=0.012), Mα (p0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.022) were independent determinants of the MVA difference (MVA by 2D-MVA by 3D TOE; MVA(2D-3D)) according to multiple linear regression analysis. The LA dimensions correlated with Mα (r=0.352, p=0.001). The best cut-off values for predicting significant overestimation by 2D planimetry (MVA(2D-3D)0.2 cm(2)) were LA dimension ≥49 mm (78% sensitivity, 72% specificity) and Mα≥9.5° (56% sensitivity, 89% specificity).Because 2D planimetry tends to overestimate MVA, 3D TOE should be considered for accurate MVA assessment, especially in patients with a large LA and large Mα.

Aims Understanding normal asymmetry in the aortic root could aid in the development of new surgical repair techniques or devices with improved haemodynamic performance. The purpose of this study was to assess geometric asymmetry and age-related changes in the normal aortic root using 3D computed tomography. Methods and results The institutional review board approved this retrospective study of 130 normal subjects (mean age, 51.4 years; 58 men). Specialized 3D software measured individual cusp sinus volumes (CSVs), cusp surface areas (CSAs), and intercommissural distances (ICDs). Age-related aortic root changes were evaluated with simple correlation, ANOVA test among age groups, and multivariable linear regression analyses. The CSV and CSA of left coronary cusp (LCC) were significantly smaller than those of right coronary cusp (RCC) and non-coronary cusp (NCC) (both, P < 0.001) in all age groups. The mean ratios of RCC or NCC-to-LCC were 1.38 and 1.36 for CSV, 1.19 and 1.20 for CSA, and 1.21 and 1.06 for ICD, respectively. The CSV and ICD increased in older age with weak-to-moderate correlation coefficients in both men and women. By multivariable linear regression, CSVs and ICDs of all cusps showed a positive correlation with age ( P < 0.05), and the female gender was associated with a smaller size of the CSV and CSA. Conclusions The LCC was significantly smaller than the other two cusps, and the aortic root size increased with age.

Embolic complications caused by migration of vegetation are frequent and serious, and result in stroke and/or death. Echocardiography plays a key role in assessing embolic risk and patients with large vegetations are at high risk of embolism. Early diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) and prompt start of antibiotic therapy are essential for preventing embolic complications of IE because the incidence of embolic events markedly decreases after appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Early surgical removal of vegetation may also reduce embolic complications in patients at high embolic risk. Role of early surgery has been expanding to prevent embolic complication and a recent randomized trial demonstrated that early surgery performed within 48 hours after the diagnosis of IE effectively reduced systemic embolisms without increasing operative mortality or recurrence of IE. Multidisciplinary collaboration between cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and infectious disease specialists is required for appropriate decision about indication and timing of surgical intervention, and the decision to perform surgery should be based on individual risk-benefit analysis.

Background The effect of the atrial septal defect (ASD) shape on ASD size measurements remains unclear. We assessed the relationships between the stretched balloon diameter (SBD) and the diameters measured using two-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and evaluated the effect of ASD shape on these relationships in patients with secundum ASD. Methods We prospectively enrolled 107 consecutive patients who underwent transcatheter closure of ASD. The SBDs and ASD diameters on two-dimensional and 3D-TEE were measured. The circular index of the ASD was defined as the ratio of the maximal diameter to the minimal diameter on the 3D-TEE image. All patients were clinically followed up for a median of 1.3 months after the procedure. Results The correlations and agreements between measurements were significantly better in patients with a round (circular index less than 1.5) than with an oval ASD. The differences between the SBDs and maximal diameter on 3D-TEE images were significantly smaller in patients with a large oval ASD than in the other patients. The differences between the size of the devices finally implanted and maximal diameter on 3D-TEE images were smaller in patients with a large oval than with a round ASD. On multivariate linear regression analysis, a formula of the relationship between the finally selected device size and 3D-TEE parameters was constructed: device size = 0.964 × maximal diameter on 3D-TEE image − 2.622 × circular index + 7.084. No major complications, including device embolization, developed during follow-up. Conclusions The relationships between the SBDs and maximal diameters measured on two-dimensional and 3D-TEE images are influenced by the ASD shape and size. Therefore, the ASD shape, as well as the size, should be considered when the device size is determined without SBD measurement.

RESULTS All the patients assigned to the early-surgery group underwent valve surgery within 48 hours after randomization, whereas 30 patients (77%) in the conventional-treatment group underwent surgery during the initial hospitalization (27 patients) or during follow-up (3). The primary end point occurred in 1 patient (3%) in the earlysurgery group as compared with 9 (23%) in the conventional-treatment group (hazard ratio, 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01 to 0.82; P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality at 6 months in the early-surgery and conventional-treatment groups (3% and 5%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.05 to 5.66; P = 0.59). The rate of the composite end point of death from any cause, embolic events, or recurrence of infective endocarditis at 6 months was 3% in the early-surgery group and 28% in the conventional-treatment group (hazard ratio, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.65; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS As compared with conventional treatment, early surgery in patients with infective endocarditis and large vegetations significantly reduced the composite end point of death from any cause and embolic events by effectively decreasing the risk of systemic embolism. (EASE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00750373.)

Objectives Specific guidelines for initial dosing of warfarin in ischaemic stroke patients have not been developed. Therefore, we have developed an age- and weight-adjusted warfarin initiation nomogram (AW-WIN) for ischaemic stroke patients and then evaluated the efficacy and safety of AW-WIN compared with physician-determined warfarin dosing (PDWD). Methods The age- and weight-adjusted warfarin initiation nomogram was administered to 104 acute ischaemic stroke patients between January 2008 and February 2009. A historical control group (PDWD) of 96 patients was selected from comparable patients who were discharged with warfarin during the previous year. Time-to-therapeutic international normalized ratios (INRs) and the incidence of excessive anticoagulation were compared in the AW-WIN and PDWD groups. Results The general characteristics, risk factors, and stroke mechanism of the AW-WIN and PDWD groups did not differ significantly. The mean time to INR ≥ 2.0 was significantly shorter in the AW-WIN than in the PDWD group (4.9 ± 0.7 vs. 6.2 ± 0.8 days, P = 0.0008). After adjustment for potential confounding variables, the AW-WIN group reached target INR faster than the PDWD group (hazard ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–2.45; P = 0.001). The time-to-therapeutic INR ≥1.7 was shorter (P = 0.0002), the proportion of patients with therapeutic INR (2–3) at 5 days was higher (P = 0.002), and the rate of excessive anticoagulation of ≥3.5 INR during hospitalization was lower (P = 0.024) in the AW-WIN than in the PDWD group. Conclusions AW-WIN reduces the time to target INR and the risk of excessive anticoagulation. AW-WIN may be an efficient and safe method of anticoagulation during the acute phase of ischaemic stroke.

Surgical indications in patients with severe chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fractions (EF) remain to be established. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic indicators after surgery in patients with severe AR and normal LV systolic function. Preoperative clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were evaluated in 284 consecutive patients with chronic severe AR who underwent aortic valve surgery. Of these patients, 169 had normal (≥50%) and 115 had depressed (50%) preoperative LV EFs. All-cause mortality was observed for a median of 39.9 months. Of 284 patients, 7 (4.4%) with normal LV EFs and 15 (12.0%) with depressed LV EFs died during follow-up after aortic valve surgery (p = 0.017). In patients with normal EFs, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that large LV end-systolic dimension and low plasma hemoglobin level were independent predictors of postsurgical mortality. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that LV end-systolic dimension ≥45 mm and hemoglobin level13.4 g/dl were the best cut-off values for postoperative mortality. In conclusion, preoperative LV end-systolic dimension and hemoglobin level are independent prognostic factors of survival after aortic valve surgery in patients with chronic severe AR and normal LV EFs.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mechanism of diastolic dysfunction (DD) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS).Supine bicycle exercise Doppler echocardiography (EDE) with measurement of early diastolic peak velocities of transmitral flow (E) and mitral septal annular movement (E') was performed in 38 patients with AS at least 24 months after AVR and in 19 sex- and age-matched normal controls. AS patients had a 27.4±32.7% decrease in the ratio of left ventricular (LV) mass index to LV end-diastolic volume index (LVMI/LVEDVI) after AVR. Pre-AVR E' was significantly lower in AS patients (4.3±1.6 cm/s vs. 7.7±1.6 cm/s, P0.005), resulting in a higher E/E' (16.7±5.4 vs. 9.3±1.8, P0.001). E/E' at rest did not change significantly after AVR. Both E and E' increased progressively with exercise, and the increase in E' (P0.001) but not E (P=0.675) was greater in normal controls than in AS patients (P0.001). Peak E/E'13 during EDE was more common in AS patients than in controls (89.5%, 34/39 vs. 0%, 0/19, P0.001). On multivariate analysis, LVMI/LVEDVI (Y=8.703+4.199X, r=0.433, P=0.001) was the only factor associated with peak E/E' during EDE.Persistent DD is present after AVR, due primarily to failure in normal physiologic augmentation of LV relaxation during exercise, associated with incomplete or inadequate regression of LV hypertrophy.

Background: Recently introduced dichotomous phenotypic classification of bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) showed potential association between BAV phenotype and patterns of valvulopathy or aortopathy. However its potential advantage needs to be compared with the conventional BAV classification in a large patient population. Methods: In 486 consecutive patients (309 male, 58±14 years) who underwent aortic valve (AV) surgery (n=483) or aortic surgery (n=146), BAV phenotype was classified using echocardiography. Dichotomous classification was based on the orientation of coronary arteries: AP (both coronary arteries originating from the anterior cusp) and RL (each coronary artery originating from each cusp). Conventional classification (type 1 - 4) was based on the fused cusp (Figure). We analyzed the associations between the BAV phenotype and 1) indication of AV surgery (aortic stenosis [AS] vs. regurgitation [AR]), and 2) implementation of aortic surgery. Results: BAV-AP (n=271, 56%) was more common than BAV-RL (n=215, 44%). Using conventional classification, fused cusps were indistinguishable in 15% (type 4). Indications of AV surgery included dominant AS (n=352), AR (n=96), and infective endocarditis (IE; n=35). Aortic surgeries were performed for aortic aneurysm (n=135), IE with abscess (n=9), dissection (n=1), and coarctation (n=1). Patients with BAV-RL type presented lower frequency of male (55% vs. 70%, P=0.001), AV surgery for dominant AS (82% vs. 66%, P Conclusions: New classification can overcome the ambiguity of the conventional classification and shows better association with type of valvulopathy and combined aortopathy.

Introduction: Percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) using either the Inoue or the double balloon technique showed similar, excellent 7-year outcomes, but very late results after successful PMC have been unknown. Hypothesis: We assessed late results of PMC up to 20 years in a randomized trial comparing Inoue versus double-balloon technique. Methods: Between 1989 and 1995, a total of 302 patients (77 men, 41±11 years) with severe mitral stenosis were randomly assigned to undergo PMC using Inoue (n=152; group I) or double-balloon technique (n=150; group D). The end points were the composite clinical events of death, mitral surgery, repeat PMC, or deterioration of NYHA class ≥3 that occurred after enrollment. Results: The successful immediate results [post-PMC mitral valve area (MVA) ≥1.5 cm 2 and mitral regurgitation (MR) grade ≤2] were achieved in 127 (84%) patients of group I and 122 (81%) patients of group D (p= NS). During median follow-up of 20.7 years (IQR, 18.9 to 22.9), clinical events occurred in 82 (53.9%) patients of group I (37 deaths, 44 mitral surgeries, 9 repeat PMCs and 3 NYHA class ≥3) and 79 (52.7%) patients of group I (34 deaths, 51 mitral surgeries, 5 repeat PMCs and 4 NYHA class ≥3). The event-free survival rates were not significantly different between group I and group D (49.3% and 55.3% at 20 years, respectively; HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.88-1.70; p=0.23) (Figure). On multivariate Cox analysis, absence of commissural MR (HR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.22-2.51; p=0.002), immediate post-PMC MVA 2 (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.04-2.27; p=0.03), and atrial fibrillation (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.04-2.23; p=0.03) were independently related with clinical events after successful PMC. Conclusions: In this randomized trial, the Inoue and double-balloon methods showed similar, good outcomes up to 20 years, and the achievement of effective commissurotomy with development of commissural MR or immediate post-PMC MVA ≥1.8cm 2 is important in optimizing the late results of PMC.

Introduction: Stress cardiomyopathy (SCMP) is characterized by acute reversible left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and it is well accepted that SCMP can show various patterns with or without apical involvement. However, clinical data describing characteristics and outcomes according to the patterns of LV ballooning are lacking. Methods: We retrospectively identified 549 consecutive patients (age, 64±15 years; 328 female) with SCMP in a single tertiary hospital from Jan 2009 to June 2014. They were divided into 2 groups with typical apical ballooning (group 1) and atypical patterns sparing the LV apical segment (group 2). Clinical characteristics and outcomes including in-hospital mortality were explored. Results: Apical ballooning was most common (n=394, 71.8%) and group 2 included mid-ventricular ballooning (21.7%), basal ‘inverted’ ballooning (2.9%), global hypokinesia (1.8%), localized ballooning (1.1%), and isolated right ventricular ballooning (0.7%). Group 1 was characterized by higher mean age (67±13 vs. 55±17 years, p Conclusions: Apical sparing ballooning develops in up to 30% of patients with SCMP. Younger age, favorable medical conditions, less severe ECG changes, and higher LV ejection fraction cannot translate to lower mortality in this group. Physicians’ vigilance is needed to improve clinical outcomes.

Introduction: Left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) has been being used to guide the optimal timing of surgery in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) or flail mitral valve (FMV). We sought to evaluate whether LVES volume (LVESV) measured by echocardiography can provide additive prognostic information. Methods: Of patients who underwent MV surgery due to MVP or FMV from 2000 to 2014, after exclusion of patients whose rhythm was atrial fibrillation or who needed concomitant maze procedure, aortic valve or coronary bypass surgery, a total of 648 patients (age 51±14 years; ejection fraction 64±7%; LVESD 38±6 mm; LVESV 60±26 mL; repair/replacement = 612/36) was selected. Clinical outcomes included cardiovascular (CV) death, admission due to heart failure (HF) and development of LV dysfunction (EF Results: During median follow up of 4.2 years (interquartile range, 1.8-6.6 years), 5 patients died of CV death, 36 admitted for HF, and 38 developed LV dysfunction. Increased LVESD (≥45mm) could not predict CV death. But patients with enlarged LVESV index (LVESV/ body surface area ≥50 ml/m 2 , n=64, 10%) showed higher rate of CV death (p=0.04), HF admission (p=0.04) and composite clinical events (p Conclusions: In the modern era of MV repair surgery for MVP and FMV, LV volume provides more robust prognostic information than LV dimension.

Introduction: Sporadic case reports have shown that stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) can happen during treatment of underlying malignancy. However, clinical association between cancer and SCM needs further investigation. Methods: Echocardiographic data base from Jan 2009 to June 2014 was used to identify SCM patients in whom clinical and imaging data information was used to rule out classic myocardial infarction. Clinical characteristics, underlying comorbidities, and outcomes including in-hospital mortality were explored. Results: We retrospectively identified 549 consecutive patients (age, 64±15 years; 328 female) with SCMP in a single tertiary referral hospital. Among them, 210 patients had an active history of cancer (group 1, 38%), whereas the resting 339 did not (group 2). Hematologic malignancy including leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma was the most common (n=44, 21.0%), followed by lung (n=39, 18.6%), stomach (7.6%), ovary (6.2%), and colorectal cancer (5.7%). Group 1 was characterized by younger age (62±13 vs. 65±16 years, p=0.002) with lower frequency of coronary risk factors, lower prevalence of female gender (54±63%, p=0.04), and lower frequency of underlying comorbidities including renal failure, stroke and heart failure. Physical illness associated with underlying medical conditions such as sepsis was the most common triggering event (79%), followed by routine surgery or procedure (18%); SCM triggered by emotional stress is very rare ( Conclusions: Cancer is an important risk factor of SCM development in a tertiary referral hospital and should be considered a poor prognostic factor.

Background Paravalvular leakage after open heart surgery is notoriously common in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR) due to Behcet's disease. The aim of this study was to test whether initial echocardiographic findings are useful to predict recurrent AR. Methods Lesion severity on preoperative echocardiography was scored for redundant aortic valve cusp (0–2 points), aortic pseudoaneurysm (0–2 points), and dissection of the adjacent interventricular septum (0–2 points) in 22 patients with severe AR due to Behcet's disease (13 men; mean age, 42.4 ± 11.5 years), which was confirmed by histologic examination after open heart surgery. Results Recurrent AR developed in 13 patients at a median of 12.6 months (range, 2.4–70.3 months) after the first operation, and 10, four, and one patient underwent second, third, and fourth surgery, respectively, to control recurrent AR; three patients died. Those patients with recurrent AR had a significantly higher incidence of repeat surgery or death (84.6% [11 of 13] vs 0%, P = .015). Multivariate analysis showed that perioperative immunotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.002; 95% confidence interval, 0.001–0.1761; P = .006) and total echocardiographic score (hazard ratio, 2.843; 95% confidence interval, 1.350–5.991; P = .006) were independent factors associated with recurrent AR. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year AR-free survival rates were 73 ± 10%, 46 ± 12%, and 39 ± 12%. The optimal cutoff value for total echocardiographic score was 3.0, and the 5-year AR-free survival rates were significantly lower in patients with scores ≥ 3 (20 ± 13% vs 50 ± 19%, P = .022). Conclusions This retrospective study confirms that initial echocardiographic features can provide useful prognostic information in patients with AR due to Behcet's disease.