Imaging of Caseous Mitral Annulus Calcification.

We present 2 cases of caseous mitral annulus calcification (MAC) in which one patient was asymptomatic whereas the second experienced left hemianopsia. Both patients underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography exams which revealed severe MAC with a mass consistent with caseous MAC. A mobile component of the caseous MAC was observed in the patient with left hemianopsia.

Temporal Trends in Patient Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of TAVR: Over a Decade of Practice.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is indicated for severe aortic stenosis patients with a prohibitive surgical risk. However, its use has been expanding in recent years to include intermediate- and low-risk patients. Thus, registry data describing changes in patient characteristics and outcomes are needed.

Modifiers of the Association between E/e' Ratio and Survival among Patients with No Apparent Structural or Functional Cardiac Abnormality.

Background: The ratio between early mitral flow wave to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/e' ratio) varies according to age and sex and is associated with mortality in heart failure. We sought to describe the association between E/e' and mortality in patients with no apparent structural or functional cardiac abnormality and explore possible modifiers of this association.

Methods: A retrospective study of 104,315 patients who underwent echocardiographic evaluation during 2009-2021 in the largest tertiary center in Israel.

The Association of Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation with Poor Survival Is Modified by Right Ventricular Pressure and Function: Insights from SHEBAHEART Big Data.

Background: Contemporary data on the independent association of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with excess mortality are needed. The aims of this study were to describe contemporary outcomes of patients with severe TR and to identify outcome modifiers.

Methods: Consecutive echocardiographic reports linked to clinical data from the largest medical center in Israel (2007-2019) were reviewed.

Geometric differences of the mitral valve apparatus in atrial and ventricular functional mitral regurgitation.

Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) occurs in patients with annular dilation (atrial, aFMR) or patients with left ventricular (LV) disease (ventricular, vFMR). Meticulous understanding of the mechanisms underpinning regurgitation is crucial to optimize therapeutic strategies.

Methods: Patients with moderate-severe FMR were identified from a registry of patients referred for transcatheter mitral valve intervention.

Systolic Time Intervals for Diagnosis of Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Estimated frequency of aortic stenosis (AS) in those over 75 years of age is 3.4%. Symptomatic patients with severe AS have increased morbidity and mortality and aortic valve replacement should be offered to improve life expectancy and quality of life.

Comparison of coronary atherosclerotic plaque progression in East Asians and Caucasians by serial coronary computed tomographic angiography: A PARADIGM substudy.

Objectives: To investigate potential differences in plaque progression (PP) between in East Asians and Caucasians as well as to determine clinical predictors of PP in East Asians.

Background: Studies have demonstrated differences in cardiovascular risk factors as well as plaque burden and progression across different ethnic groups.

Methods: The study comprised 955 East Asians (age 60.

PESI score for predicting clinical outcomes in PE patients with right ventricular involvement.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) patients with right ventricular (RV) involvement are a heterogenous group who mandate further risk stratification. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the PE severity index (PESI) for predicting adverse clinical outcomes among PE patients with RV involvement. Consecutive normotensive PE patients with RV involvement were allocated according to admission PESI score (PESI ≤ III vs.

Neo-LVOT and Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement: Expert Recommendations.

With the advent of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR), the concept of the neo-left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) was introduced and remains an essential component of treatment planning. This paper describes the LVOT anatomy and provides a step-by-step computed tomography methodology to segment and measure the neo-LVOT while discussing the current evidence and outstanding challenges. It also discusses the technical and hemodynamic factors that play a major role in assessing the neo-LVOT.

Bicuspid aortic valve area in normal heart.

Introduction: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital valve abnormality. There are no data in the literature regarding the range of aortic valve area (AVA) in normal functioning BAV. We aimed to evaluate the normal range of BAV area and to compare it to subjects with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV).

Validation of cardiac damage classification and addition of albumin in a large cohort of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Aims: We aimed to validate a new scoring system based on extent of cardiac damage for risk stratification in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in a real-world cohort and to examine the addition of baseline albumin in risk assessment.

Methods And Results: We investigated 2608 patients undergoing TAVR. Subjects were divided into five groups based on their echocardiography findings.

Significance of Syncope at Presentation among Patients With Pulmonary Emboli.

Patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary emboli (PE) present a challenging clinical problem. Although syncope has been suggested as a marker for adverse outcomes in these patients, data remain scarce. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of intermediate risk PE patients presenting with syncope.

Epidemiology Characteristics and Outcome of Patients With Clinically Diagnosed Acute Myocarditis.

Background: There are controversial data regarding the outcome and management of patients hospitalized with clinically diagnosed acute myocarditis.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated data of 322 consecutive patients admitted to the Sheba Medical Center with clinically suspected acute myocarditis from January 2005 to December 2017. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups based on their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at presentation: 1) patients with an LVEF <50% (n = 60) and 2) patients with an LVEF ≥50% (n = 260).

Long-Term Functional and Structural Durability of Bioprosthetic Valves Placed in the Aortic Valve Position via Percutaneous Rout in Israel.

There is limited organized "real life" data regarding the long-term structural and functional durability of transcatheter aortic valve implants, a topic of major importance. We assessed the 5-year structural and functional integrity outcomes following trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with both self-expandable and balloon-expandable prosthetic valve devices. This study included 450 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) between September 2008 and December 2011.

Standards on Digital Echocardiography: An Israel Heart Society Position Paper Presented by the Israel Working Group on Echocardiography.

The output settings of echocardiographic systems should be set to the full (original) frame rate and lossless compression (e.g., run-length encoding) in order to transmit echocardiographic videos so that they retain their original quality.

Aortic Regurgitation.

Purpose Of Review: Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a common form of valvular disease which is characterized by reflux of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle (LV) during diastole. AR results from various etiologies, affecting the aortic valve cusps or the aortic root. The clinical presentation of patients with AR depends on the severity of the regurgitation and differs whether AR develops acutely or if it progresses over a prolonged period, allowing the cardiac chambers to adapt.

Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism: Aiming to improve patient stratification.

Background: Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) patients present a therapeutic dilemma. While some are at risk for developing adverse events, possibly requiring escalation therapy, most will have a benign course. Our aim was to define predictors which will identify those patients who will not deteriorate despite the presence of RV involvement.