Emergency balloon valvuloplasty as initial treatment of patients with aortic stenosis and cardiogenic shock.
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This paper attempts to determine limitations and indications of performing a second balloon aortic valvuloplasty procedure (BAV2) because of restenosis, which is the major limitation of this technique. From September 1985 to December 1989, 357 patients underwent a primary BAV (BAV1) and 67 patients had a BAV2. Forty-two patients (group A) had repeat catheterization because they were markedly symptomatic 11 +/- 7 months after BAV1. Twenty-five patients (group B) came from a group of 73 patients who had been systematically scheduled for repeat catheterization in order to evaluate the hemodynamic restenosis rate 8 +/- 3 months after BAV. At time of BAV2 most of the patients of group A were severely disabled. Comparison of pre-BAV2 gradient and aortic valve area with pre-BAV1 measurements showed in a slightly less severe degree of aortic stenosis in group A and in group B with any difference in cardiac index and ejection fraction. Immediately following BAV2, the gradient decreased from 72 +/- 22 to 33 +/- 15 mm Hg (P less than 0.001) and aortic valve area increased from 0.56 +/- 0.18 to 0.85 +/- 0.28 cm2 (p less than 0.001) in group A. In group B, gradient decreased from 68 +/- 15 to 33 +/- 15 mm Hg (p less than 0.001) and aortic valve area increased from 0.70 +/- 0.16 to 0.90 +/- 0.25 cm2 (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
OBJECTIVES: The goal of the study was to evaluate the progressive increase in ischemic threshold with multiple sequential transient coronary occlusions and to assess the role of the collateral circulation in adaptation to ischemia. BACKGROUND: It has been observed that the duration of balloon inflations during coronary angioplasty can be gradually prolonged during subsequent dilations with a reduction in patient symptoms and diminished ischemic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. Although the mechanism has not been fully explained, recruitment of coronary collateral circulation induced by repeated coronary occlusion has been reported. The stimuli for recruitment and the natural history of coronary collateral circulation are not understood. METHODS: Seventeen patients with isolated stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery and a normal left ventricle were enrolled. Angioplasty consisted of five successive prolonged inflations. Sequential changes in clinical, intracoronary ECG and left ventricular indexes of myocardial ischemia were examined. Coronary collateral channels were evaluated during balloon inflations by ipsilateral and contralateral injections of contrast medium and hemodynamically by occlusion pressure. RESULTS: An improved tolerance to myocardial ischemia with repetitive coronary occlusions was demonstrated by a significant reduction of angina, ST segment deviation, left ventricular filling pressure and less impairment of ejection fraction. Left ventricular wall motion abnormalities remained unchanged. Collateral angiographic grade did not change in 7 patients and increased in 10. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms a progressive adaptation of myocardial ischemia to repetitive coronary occlusions and supports the concept that sequential episodes of myocardial ischemia are a stimulating factor for the recruitment of collateral channels in humans. These results also suggest that enhancement of recruitable collateral circulation might be an underlying mechanism of myocardial ischemic preconditioning.
The continuity equation was used to estimate non-invasively the stenotic mitral valve area by comparison with two other echocardiographic methods (planimetry and pressure half-time) and with Gorlin's formula as the gold standard. The accuracy of the equation of continuity was determined before and 24 h after valvuloplasty in a study group of 21 patients with severe mitral stenosis. According to the equation of continuity, mitral valve area was calculated by the product of the cross-sectional area and the aortic or pulmonary annulus and the ratio of the time velocity integral of the aortic or pulmonary flow to that of the mitral stenotic jet. In pre-valvotomy basal conditions, the Doppler continuity equation demonstrated significant correlations with 2D planimetry (r = 0.72, P less than 0.01), with the pressure half-time method (r = 0.62, P less than 0.01) and with the Gorlin formula (r = 0.66, P less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between the haemodynamic data and the echocardiographic measurements. Twenty-four hours after valvotomy, the Doppler continuity equation also demonstrated significant correlations with 2D planimetry (r = 0.83, P less than 0.01), with pressure half-time (r = 0.82, P less than 0.01) and with the Gorlin formula (r = 0.69, P less than 0.01). However, the haemodynamic measurements significantly overestimated (P less than 0.01) the echographic measurements. Thus, we conclude that the continuity equation provides an accurate estimation of mitral valve area in mitral stenosis before and after balloon valvotomy.
In order to assess the prevalence of cardiac involvement in the primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAS), a syndrome which associates thromboembolism, recurrent abortion, the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and thrombocytopenia, transthoracic (TTE) and trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed in 15 patients, 10 women and 5 men with a mean age of 38.8 +/- 11 years, with the PAS but without systemic lupus erythematosus. The presentation of the PAS was a thrombotic event (6 arterial and 7 venous) in 13 cases, and recurrent abortion in 3 cases. Twelve patients had high anticardiolipin antibody levels (> or = 15 U GPL) and 12 had a raised anti-prothrombinase antibody title. Valvular heart disease was detected in 9 patients (60%) as a valve thickening (> or = 5 mm for the mitral and > or = 3 mm for the aortic valve) or nodule. Mitral regurgitation was observed in 4 cases both on TTE and TEE and was mild in 3 cases and severe in 1 case. Aortic regurgitation was diagnosed in 6 patients, in 3 cases by TTE and in 6 cases by TEE. It was mild in 5 cases and moderate in the other cases. Pericardial effusion was observed in 3 patients (20%), alone in 1 case and associated with valvular disease in the other two cases. No abnormality of left ventricular systolic or diastolic function could be demonstrated. In conclusion, cardiac involvement seems to be common in the PAS, and TEE is a sensitive and accurate method for describing the valvular, especially aortic valve, abnormalities.
A percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMBV) was attempted on 190 patients with fluoroscopic guidance of atrial septal puncture for transseptal catheterization; in 3 cases, the procedure could not be performed. The left atrium was always reached on the first attempt, when the relationship of the Brockenbrough needle to the aortic catheter was previously observed in 3 fluoroscopic views: anteroposterior, 45 degrees right anterior oblique, and lateral. The atrial septal puncture site was located immediately below the aortic valve level, probably in the fossa ovalis, for the first 80 patients, and at mid distance between the aortic valve level and the diaphragm for the last 110. Hemodynamic data were similar in both groups. Fluoroscopic guidance for atrial septal puncture seemed capital for patients with scoliosis or in whom a vascular distortion (e.g., advanced pregnancy, right inferior vena cava absence) prevented a perfect parallelism between the needle curve and the needle outer index.
To evaluate the restenosis rate after successful balloon aortic valvuloplasty, clinical evaluation and repeat catheterization were performed in 96 patients who had undergone balloon dilatation 7 +/- 5 months earlier. Restenosis, defined as a loss of greater than 50% of the benefit in aortic valve area obtained after balloon valvuloplasty, was observed in 48% of the patients. Actuarial analysis showed that the restenosis rate was time dependent and was 80% at 15 months. However, functional improvement was observed in most of the patients with or without restenosis. The restenosis rate was not correlated with the degree of enlargement of the aortic orifice produced by the valvuloplasty procedure. Because of the high incidence of restenosis, balloon aortic valvuloplasty should be limited to patients who have a contraindication to surgery or are at high risk for surgery, or as a bridge to surgery.
Several attempts at circuit interruption of type 1 atrial flutter by means of surgical or catheter techniques have been published. We recently reported the results of a series of patients who underwent catheter fulguration of the low septal right atrium, with a mean follow-up of almost 3 years. True electrophysiological success was observed in 7/14 patients (50%). Clinical success, defined as absence of symptoms, was observed in 8 was observed in 8/14 (57%) in this patient population. No serious complications were encountered, but the potential risks of DC shock, and the experience that we gained in right atrial mapping using this approach, led us to reconsider the role of atrial DC ablation in these patients. Additional studies assessing the meaning of fragmented electrograms, and identification of one (or of several) slow conduction areas of the reentrant circuit are ongoing.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the continuity equation in the quantification of mitral valve area in mitral stenosis, the area being considered as the product of the area of the left ventricular outflow tract multiplied by the ratio of the velocity time integrals of the aortic or pulmonary flow to that mitral flow. The continuity equation was compared to two other echocardiographic methods, planimetry and Hatle's method, and to the results obtained at catheterization using the Gorlin formula in a population of 44 patients with mitral stenosis. All were in sinus rhythm; twelve had Grade I mitral regurgitation and 9 patients had Grade I aortic regurgitation. Excellent correlation were observed between the values obtained by the continuity equation and planimetry (r = 0.91; SEE = 0.19 cm2; p less than 0.001) and Hatle's method (r = 0.87; SEE = 0.20 cm2, p less than 0.001). The correlation with the catheter values were also excellent (r = 0.83; SD = 0.22 cm2, p less than 0.001), better than those observed with Hatle's method (r = 0.73; SEE = 0.27 cm2, p less than 0.001) and very similar to those obtained with planimetry (r = 0.87; SEE = 0.23 cm2, p less than 0.001). The sensibility and specificity of the continuity equation for the diagnosis of severe mitral stenosis (surface less than 1.5 cm2) were 90% and 100% respectively, when those of Hatle's method were 88% and 91% respectively. The continuity equation in the evaluation of mitral valve area in mitral stenosis seems to be reliable and accurate compared with catheter data, and superior to Hatle's method.
Four patients with aneurysms of the membranous ventricular septum were operated either because of complications or for associated malformations. The authors describe the anatomical, radiological and, above all, the echocardiographic and angiographic features of this malformation. Surgical management is necessary in complicated cases or when there are associated congenital malformations. The information provided by echocardiography in the diagnosis and follow-up of ventricular septal defects indicates that this malformation is not as rare as was previously thought.
The authors report the results of a series of 3 cases of double valvuloplasty with a balloon catheter in young patients with combined mitral and tricuspid stenosis. Haemodynamic and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation after the procedure showed comparable results to those of surgical commissurotomy without significant secondary valvular regurgitation. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up showed that valvular opening remained satisfactory in the 2 cases examined. Percutaneous valvuloplasty would seem to be a valuable alternative to surgical commissurotomy in selected patients with combined mitral and tricuspid valve stenosis.
Seventy-two consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis and impaired by left ventricular ejection fractions (EF less than 40%) underwent percutaneous aortic valvuloplasty between September 1985 and November 1987. Forty-five patients had been turned down by the surgeons because of their age (29 patients over 80 years of age), their impaired left ventricular function or associated pathologies. Valvular dilatation with 15 to 23 mm diameter balloons resulted in a reduction of the transvalvular pressure gradient from 63 +/- 21 to 26 +/- 11 mmHg (p less than 0.001) and an increase in valve surface area from 0.48 +/- 0.15 to 0.91 +/- 0.32 cm2 (p less than 0.001) but with large individual variations. No cases of aggravation of associated aortic insufficiency were observed after the procedure. One 98-year old woman died during the dilatation and 4 other patients died during the hospital period. Immediate clinical improvement was observed in 80 per cent of patients. During the one-year follow-up period, 33 patients died, 31 of cardiac causes. Of the 34 survivors at one year, 21 had maintained their clinical improvement. A repeat hemodynamic study was performed in 22 patients 7 months after valvuloplasty. Eleven patients had restenosed and their hemodynamic parameters had practically returned to pre-valvuloplasty values. The left ventricular ejection fractions of the 11 patients without restenosis had increased from 28 +/- 7 to 40 +/- 18 per cent (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Emergency aortic valvuloplasty was performed as a last resort in 34 patients with an average age of 76 years with critical aortic stenosis in the terminal stages with congestive cardiac failure or cardiogenic shock. Emergency aortic valve replacement was considered to be too risky in these cases. The valve was dilated in all patients, resulting in a fall in mean peak-to-peak pressure gradients from 59 mmHg to 21 mmHg and an increase in valve surface area from 0.42 cm2 to 0.85 cm2. Significant improvement in myocardial function was observed immediately after the procedure with an increase of the cardiac index from 1.77 l/min/m2 to 2.07 l/min/m2 and of the ejection fraction from 28% to 35%. Complications were rare. There were no deaths or cerebrovascular accidents during the valvuloplasty procedure. Two patients died in hospital (6%) after the dilatation and two other patients who had persistent pulmonary oedema, underwent surgery; one died and the other had a good surgical result. A clear cut clinical improvement was obtained in the other 30 patients. The patients were followed up for an average of 15 +/- 7 months during which 15 died (50%), 6 +/- 5 months after dilatation. The other 15 survivors have a significant and unhoped for functional improvement. Three young patients later underwent surgical valve replacement in good clinical conditions with the same operative risk as that of standard candidates for aortic valve surgery. One other patient was operated on successfully during another relapse of cardiac failure. These results show that aortic valvuloplasty may be undertaken with a low risk even in the most critical clinical situations and that the procedure rapidly relieves the invalidating symptoms. It may be used as a bridge to surgery in patients with an unacceptable operative risk. The indications should be very flexible in young patients in terminal cardiac failure with cardiogenic shock or refractory pulmonary oedema.
Synchronized coronary venous retroperfusion was applied and studied in 16 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloon dilatation of proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery stenosis. The rationale for using retroperfusion support during the PTCA-induced coronary artery occlusions was to ameliorate or prevent myocardial ischemia and possibly facilitate extension of the PTCA balloon-inflation period. After therapeutic PTCA treatment, which successfully dilated the culprit coronary artery in all 16 patients, and a 5-minute recovery period, a single retroperfusion-treated LAD occlusion (101 +/- 36 seconds) was compared with equivalent untreated control LAD occlusions (86 +/- 24 seconds) before and after the retroperfusion-supported balloon occlusion. Observations and measurements encompassed 1) ease and time of coronary sinus catheterization, 2) incidence of anginal pain during LAD occlusion, 3) electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia, and 4) two-dimensional echocardiographic indexes of global left ventricular function. The coronary sinus was successfully catheterized within 139 +/- 140 seconds, and in 12 of the 16 patients, the tip of the special autoinflatable retroperfusion balloon catheter could be placed in the desired location of the great cardiac vein. The retroperfusion protocol interfered minimally with the PTCA procedure, and application of the support system had no deleterious effects. As compared with the pain reported 23 (72%) times during the 32 control LAD occlusions, only five (31%) of the patients indicated pain or discomfort during the retroperfused occlusions. Treated occlusions exhibited delayed or significantly lower electrocardiographic ST segment elevations (sum, 10.4 +/- 7.8 mm) as compared with the controls (sum, 16.2 +/- 7.9 mm and 18.8 +/- 10.6 mm; both p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A case of left ventricular perforation by straight-tipped balloon catheter during double-balloon mitral valvuloplasty with fatal outcome is presented. Technical considerations to prevent this complication are discussed.
Over the last five years, percutaneous balloon dilatation has been developed as a nonsurgical treatment of stenotic cardiac valves in children and adults. In this paper, we review the state of the art in this new and evolving field of interventional cardiac catheterization.
The efficacy, morbidity, and 1-year follow-up of balloon aortic valvuloplasty in patients with low ejection fraction (less than 40%) were studied on a consecutive series of 55 patients (mean age, 77 years) treated from September 1985 to February 1987. Because of their age (20 patients greater than 80 years old), poor left ventricular function, and associated diseases, 45 patients were definitely not surgical candidates. Balloon dilatation with 15-23-mm diameter balloon catheters decreased the transvalvular gradient from 66 +/- 24 to 28 +/- 14 mm Hg (p less than 0.001) and increased the valve area from 0.47 +/- 0.15 to 0.83 +/- 0.27 cm2 (p less than 0.001). Immediately after dilatation, ejection fraction mildly increased from 29 +/- 7% to 34 +/- 9% (p less than 0.001) in 38 patients who had undergone a second left ventricular angiogram after dilatation. No significant change in the degree of aortic regurgitation was found after the procedure. Three patients died in hospital (femoral arterial complications in two, septicemia in one). Immediate clinical improvement was noted in 80% of the patients. During the follow-up (mean, 11 months), 22 patients died (heart failure in 15 patients, sudden death in five patients, myocardial infarction in one patient, cancer in one patient). Thirty patients survived, 21 with persistent clinical improvement. Repeat cardiac catheterization was performed at 6 months in 20 patients, of whom eight had recurrence of symptoms. Nine patients had restenosis: their hemodynamic indexes had returned to prevalvuloplasty values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)