Considerations on the use of MitraClip in the treatment of mitral regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is, by occurrence, the second most common valvular heart disease in the Western world, with a significant impact on prognosis and mortality. A significant number of patients with significant mitral incompetence cannot be submitted to conventional surgery due to high surgical risk. The need for an adequate therapeutical strategy prompted the development of innovative endovascular techniques. Among them, the MitraClip percutaneous system, mimicking the ‘edge-to-edge’ surgical technique introduced by Alfieri in 2003 has emerged as the treatment of choice in patients not suitable for conventional surgery. Since its introduction, this procedure has been effectively carried out in more than 35 000 patients. The evidences from the first randomized clinical trial, EVEREST II, suggested that the MitraClip system is effective in improving survival and quality of life in patients with severe MR. Further randomized trials, MITRA-FR and COAPT, added some more information, showing that an appropriate patient selection, close attention to the specific anatomical characteristics of the mitral valve, and adequate experience of the centre providing the treatment, are important determinants of the outcome of the procedure.

Marfan syndrome and related inherited disorders of connective tissue

The phenotype of inherited disorders of connective tissue is extensive and may involve multiple body systems. In most cases, the clinical picture is that of a progressive chronic disease with mild to severe dermatological, osteo-articular, ocular, and cardiovascular manifestations. The spectrum of cardiovascular manifestations is broad and may range from a mild structural abnormality (e.g. mitral incompetence) to life-threatening complications (e.g. aortic dissection). This chapter provides a general guide to diagnosis and management of cardiovascular manifestations in Marfan syndrome and related inherited disorders of connective tissue. Major conditions are discussed in detail and the interested reader is advised to consult online resources for information on other less common inherited connective tissue disorders

Percutaneous mitral valve prostheses: 2019 update

During the last few years, there has been significant advances in the treatment of patients with severe mitral incompetence either too high risk for surgery or inoperable, this because of the improvements in percutaneous mitral valve prostheses, as alternative to the transcatheter mitral repair techniques. Percutaneous mitral valve replacement offers several advantages over the repair techniques, such as the opportunity to treat mitral valve with different anatomic characteristics, even the more complex ones, and the occasion to correct completely mitral regurgitation. The development of such prostheses has been a long process, still on the making. During the initial stages of the procedure, the transapical approach was preferred. On the other hand, the transseptal approach, which has already been used in some patients, is the proper development path for this transcatheter technique. Many valvular prostheses have been produced, each using a different mechanism for secure anchoring and elimination of regurgitation. Early mortality for this procedure, although decreasing since the preliminary studies, is still high, not only because the technology is still in its initial phase but also for the very high risk of the patients treated. It is foreseeable, though, that in the near future, as the technology and patients selection improves, better results will follow.

EARLY OUTCOME AFTER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT ON PATIENTS WITH REDUCED LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION

Background: To evaluate the early results of operation for partial atrioventricular septal defect. Methods: Twenty-sevent patients underwent surgical correction of partial atrioventricular septal defect from 1/2011 to 12/2013 at Cardiovascular Centre of Hue Central Hospital. There were 7 (25.9%) female patients and 20 (74.1%) male patients, 18.5% of patients aged < 1 age, 55.6% of patients aged ≥ 1 to 15 years, and 25.9% of patients aged ≥ 16 to 60 years. Sevent (25.9%) had congestive heart failure. There was a primum atrial septal defect in 100% of patients. A cleft of the anterior mitral leaflet was diagnosed in 100% of patients. 92.6% of patients had either moderate or severe mitral incompetence prior to operation. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure exceeded 40 mmHg in 85,.2% of patients. Results: Atrial septal defects were closed with a pericardial patch in 100% of patients. The cleft in its anterior leaflet was closed in 100% of patients. Postoperatively, moderate mitral insufficiency developed in 14.8% of patients. 85.2% of patients have mild mitral incompetence. One patients (3.7%) needed a permanent pacemaker. There was no intraoperative mortality. At 6-9 months postoperatively, left atrioventricular valve insufficiency was moderate in 2 (7.4%) patients and mild in 25 (92.6%) patients who had had cleft closure alone. Conclusions: Repair of partial atrioventricular septal defect is safe and good. It is important to close the cleft in the left atrioventricular valve. The mitral valve should be repaired in a conservative manner. Intraoperative complications occur but are uncommon, suggesting that short-term follow is excellent.