Interventional echocardiography

The topic of this chapter is interventional cardiology. It covers pericardiocentesis, mitral valve balloon valvotomy, MitraClip, the MitraClip procedure, TAVI, assessment during TAVI, paravalvular leak closure, left atrial appendage occlusion, atrial septal defect closure, imaging during atrial septal device closure, ICE for atrial septal interventions, ICE imaging planes, ICE guided atrial septal device closure, electrophysiological interventions, cardiopulmonary bypass and coronary artery surgery, haemodynamic instability, and mechanical cardiac support

Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Function by Transesophageal Echocardiography before and after Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty (PBMV)- A Comparative Study

Background: In the past, the left atrial appendage (LAA) has been considered to be a relatively insignificant portion of cardiac anatomy. It is now recognized that it is a structure with important pathological associations. First, thrombus has a predilection to form within the LAA in patients with non-valvar atrial fibrillation and to a lesser extent in those with mitral valve disease (both in atrial fibrillation and in sinus rhythm). Second, the use of transoesophageal echocardiography has made clear imaging of the LAA possible, so that its size, shape, flow pattern, and content can be assessed in health and disease. Subjects and Methods: This study population consisted of 40 patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis who underwent percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy in the cardiology department of GSL medical college, Rajahmundry over a time period of 1 April 2017 to 30 March2018. Patients in all age groups, with evidence of severe MS (MVA<1.0cm2) admitted in our institution, in whom PBMV was feasible were included. Those who were fulfilling the PBMV intervention criteria and those who had good results only were included. Results: Left atrial appendage late emptying velocity, LAALF: Left atrial appendage late filling velocity Spontaneous echocontrast (SEC) was present in 10 of the 40 patients before a procedure but completely disappeared (6 patients) or decreased (4 patients) after the procedure. LAALE & LAALF velocities measured by Doppler were increased significantly after PBMV and at 6 months follow up compared with baseline (P <0.001). Conclusion: Successful Percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy decreases the intensity of spontaneous LA contrast, reduces the size of the LA, and improves LA and LAA function. Relief of MS may confer not only hemodynamic benefits for improvement of symptoms but also have a favorable influence on future thromboembolism.

Surgical versus balloon valvotomy in neonates and infants: results from the UK National Audit

ObjectiveThere are conflicting data on choosing balloon aortic valvoplasty (BAV) or surgical aortic valvotomy (SAV) in neonates and infants requiring intervention for aortic valve stenosis. We aim to report the outcome of both techniques based on results from the UK national registry.MethodsThis is a retrospective study, including all patients under 1 year undergoing BAV/SAV between 2000 and 2012. A modulated renewal approach was used to examine the effect of reinterventions on outcomes.ResultsA total of 647 patients (488 BAV, 159 SAV, 292 neonates) undergoing 888 aortic valve procedures were included, with a median age of 40 days. Unadjusted survival at 10 years was 90.6% after initial BAV and 84.9% after initial SAV. Unadjusted aortic valve replacement (AVR) rate at 10 years was 78% after initial BAV and 80.3% after initial SAV. Initial BAV and SAV had comparable outcomes at 10 years when adjusted by covariates (p>0.4). AVR rates were higher after BAV and SAV reinterventions compared with initial valvoplasty without reinterventions (reference BAV, HR=3 and 3.8, respectively, p<0.001). Neonates accounted for 29/35 of early deaths after the initial procedure, without significant differences between BAV and SAV, with all late outcomes being worse compared with infants (p<0.005).ConclusionsIn a group of consecutive neonates and infants, BAV and SAV had comparable survival and freedom from reintervention as initial procedures and when performed as reinterventions. These findings support a treatment choice based on patient characteristics and centre expertise, and further research into the best patient profile for each choice.

Aortic stenosis and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction can occur at subvalvar, valvar, and supravalvar levels. Severity and progression can be evaluated by echocardiography. Aortic valve stenosis can usually be relieved by balloon valvotomy, but some patients require surgery, either with valvotomy, valve replacement, or the Ross procedure. Sub- and supravalvar aortic stenosis require surgical management. Long-term follow-up of all patients is required.

Impact of 3D echocardiography on grading of mitral stenosis and prediction of clinical events

Background The mitral valve orifice area (MVOA) is difficult to assess accurately by 2D echocardiography because of geometric assumptions; therefore, 3D planimetry may offer advantages. We studied the differences in MVOA measurements between the most frequently used methods, to determine if 3D planimetry would result in the re-grading of severity in any cases, and whether it was a more accurate predictor of clinical outcomes. Methods This was a head-to-head comparison of the three most commonly used techniques to grade mitral stenosis (MS) by orifice area and to assess their impact on clinical outcomes. 2D measurements (pressure half-time (PHT), planimetry) and 3D planimetry were performed retrospectively on patients with at least mild MS. The clinical primary endpoint was defined as a composite of MV balloon valvotomy, mitral valve repair or replacement (MVR) and/or acute heart failure (HF) admissions. Results Forty-one consecutive patients were included; the majority were female (35; 85.4%), average age 55 (17) years. Mean and peak MV gradients were 9.4 (4) mmHg and 19 (6) mmHg, respectively. 2D and 3D measures of MVOA differed significantly; mean 2D planimetry MVOA was 1.28 (0.40) cm2, mean 3D planimetry MVOA 1.15 (0.29) cm2 (P = 0.003). Mean PHT MVOA was 1.43 (0.44) cm2 (P = 0.046 and P < 0.001 in comparison to 2D and 3D planimetry methods, respectively). 3D planimetry reclassified 7 (17%) patients from mild-to-moderate MS, and 1 (2.4%) from moderate to severe. Overall, differences between the two methods were significant (X2, P < 0.001). Only cases graded as severe by 3D predicted the primary outcome measure compared with mild or moderate cases (odds ratio 5.7). Conclusion 3D planimetry in MS returns significantly smaller measurements, which in some cases results in the reclassification of severity. Routine use of 3D may significantly influence the management of MS, with a degree of prediction of clinical outcomes.

Aortic stenosis and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction can occur at subvalvar, valvar, and supravalvar levels. Severity and progression can be evaluated by echocardiography. Aortic valve stenosis can usually be relieved by balloon valvotomy, but some patients require surgery, either with valvotomy, valve replacement, or the Ross procedure. Sub- and supravalvar aortic stenosis require surgical management. Long-term follow-up of all patients is required.