Aims Patients with significant (3+/4+) aortic regurgitation ( AR ) require careful monitoring or valve surgery. We sought to evaluate the diagnostic performance of aortic and pulmonary flow comparison in identifying patients with significant AR , by echocardiography. Method Two hundred forty‐six patients with more than trivial AR were prospectively enrolled from three centers. Aortic regurgitation ( AR ) severity was assessed by an expert using the currently recommended integrative approach. Aortic and pulmonary flows were independently assessed by another investigator to calculate the regurgitant fraction ( RF ), the aortic to pulmonary flow ratio (Qao/Qp) and the aortic to pulmonary velocity‐time integral ( VTI ao/ VTI p) ratio. The control group consisted of 195 patients without AR . Results A significant correlation was observed between AR grading and RF ( r = .82, P < .0001) and Qao/Qp ( r = .81, P < .0001), but the correlation was modest for VTI ao/ VTI p ratio ( r = .63; P < .0001). The accuracy of RF and Qao/Qp ratio to identify patients with significant AR was excellent (0.96 and 0.95, respectively), but was significantly lower for VTI ao/ VTI p ratio at 0.82. A RF > 40% indicated grade 3 or 4 AR with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 93%. A Qao/Qp ratio > 1.6 indicated grade 3 or 4 AR with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 89%. The VTI ao/ VTI p ratio was not helpful in identifying patients with significant AR , as a wide overlap was found between 1+/2+ and 3+/4+ patients. Conclusion Regurgitant fraction ( RF ) and Qao/Qp are helpful in identifying significant AR . The assessment of Doppler aortic/pulmonary flow should be incorporated in the comprehensive evaluation of AR .
Abstract Background Assessment of pressure recovery adjusted indexed aortic valve area (AVAi) – energy loss index (ELI) – has been shown of prognostic interest for patients with asymptomatic and/or mild aortic stenosis (AS), but limited data are available in the setting of low gradient aortic stenosis (LG-AS). Purpose We hypothesized that among these patients with LG-AS, reclassification of AS severity as moderate by ELI may help to identify a subgroup of patients with moderate AS. Methods 379 patients with low gradient severe AS (defined by AVAi ≤0.6 cm2/m2 and mean aortic pressure gradient (MPG) <40 mmHg) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥50%) were prospectively included. Reclassification as moderate AS by ELI was defined as AVAi ≤0.6 cm2 /m2 but an ELI >0.6 cm2/m2. Clinical and echocardiographic features of patients reclassified by ELI were studied. Clinical outcomes were all-cause and cardiac mortality. Results 148 patients (39%) were reclassified as moderate AS by ELI. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, patients being reclassified as moderate AS by ELI were associated with increased stroke volume index (SVi), absence of documented coronary artery disease and decreased body surface area, left indexed ventricular mass (all p<0.05). During a median follow-up of 34 months (30–38 months), 119 patients died, 52 of them from cardiac causes. Three-year survival free from all-cause or cardiac death were 76±4%, 96±2% for patients with moderate AS by ELI and 71±3%, 84±3% for patients with severe AS by ELI (p=0.178 and p=0.013, respectively). After adjustment for variables of prognostic interest including aortic valve replacement as a time-dependent covariable, there was a significant reduction of risk of cardiac mortality in patients with moderate AS by ELI (adjusted HR 0.44 [95% CI, 0.23–0.85]; p=0.014) but not for all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 0.85 [95% CI, 0.58–1.25]; p=0.403) Conclusion In patients with low gradient “severe” AS and preserved ejection fraction, calculation of ELI permits to reclassify almost 40% of patients as having moderate AS. Patients reclassified as moderate AS by ELI had a reduction of risk of cardiac mortality during follow-up but not for all-cause mortality. Calculation of ELI may be useful for decision making in AS patients with discordant grading and preserved ejection fraction. Acknowledgement/Funding Local funding
Auzat, village de la vallee du Vicdessos dans les Pyrenees ariegeoises, a ete marque tout au long de son histoire par plusieurs changements economiques. Dans un premier temps, le paysage marque par l’activite agropastorale s’est transforme au gre des evolutions economiques. Au debut du XXe siecle, l’activite industrielle metallurgique est passee du fer a l'aluminium avec l'emergence de nouvelles techniques et de l'hydroelectricite. Ces nouvelles activites ont entraine de nombreux bouleversements sociaux, economiques, urbains et paysagers. Aujourd’hui, avec la fin de l’ere industrielle, la vallee se tourne vers l’activite touristique. Le paysage montagnard devient une plus-value pour la principale ressource economique de la vallee.