Mitral valve surgery in mitral annular calcification

Breaking the Mold: Lithotripsy for Mitral Annular Calcification.

To compare all-cause mortality in patients with mitral annulus calcification (MAC) and severe mitral valve dysfunction (MVD) who received standard mitral intervention versus no intervention. Patients with MAC often have high surgical risk due to advanced age, comorbidities, and technical challenges related to calcium. The impact of a mitral intervention on outcomes of patients with MAC and severe MVD is not well known. Retrospective review of patients with MAC by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in 2015 at a single institution. Patients with severe mitral stenosis (MS) or regurgitation (MR) were analyzed and stratified into two groups: surgical or transcatheter intervention performed <1 year after the index TTE, and no or later intervention. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Of 5502 patients with MAC, 357 had severe MVD (MS = 27%, MR = 73%). Of those, 108 underwent mitral intervention (surgery = 87; transcatheter = 21). They were younger (73 ± 11 vs. 76 ± 11 years, p < 0.01) and less frequently had cardiovascular diseases compared with no-intervention. Frequency in women was similar (45% vs. 50%, p = 0.44). During median follow-up of 3.2 years, the intervention group had higher estimated survival than those without intervention (80% vs. 72% at 1 year and 55% vs. 35% at 4 year, p < 0.01). Adjusted for age, eGFR, LVEF < 50%, and pulmonary hypertension, mitral intervention was an independent predictor of lower mortality (hazard ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval 0.43-0.99, p = 0.046). Patients with MAC and severe MVD who underwent mitral intervention <1 year from index TTE had lower mortality than those without intervention. Mitral intervention was independently associated with lower mortality.

Background There is a paucity of data about the prevalence and natural history of mitral annular calcification (MAC). Purposes In a large cohort of patients undergoing clinically-indicated echocardiography, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence and the natural history of MAC, and the frequency of associated mitral valve dysfunction (MVD). Methods Retrospective review of all patients who underwent echocardiographic evaluation at our institution between January 1st and December 31st 2015. The patients were stratified into 3 groups: MAC with MVD, MAC without MVD, no MAC. MVD was defined as moderate or greater mitral regurgitation (MR) or stenosis (MS). The 3 groups were compared for baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and all-cause mortality during follow-up. Results Of 24,415 evaluated patients, 5478 (22%) had MAC. Patients with MAC were older (75±10 vs. 60±16 years, p&amp;lt;0.01) and more often female (46% vs. 43%, p&amp;lt;0.01). MVD was more frequently observed in patients with MAC (16% vs. 7%, p&amp;lt;0.01); moderate or greater MR was found in 10% of patients with MAC vs. 6% without MAC (p&amp;lt;0.01) and MS in 7% vs. 0.5% (p&amp;lt;0.01). In patients with MAC, those with MVD were more often female and more frequently had creatinine ≥2mg/dl and moderate or greater aortic stenosis (AS) than those without MVD (Fig. A). Kaplan-Meier survivals at 1 year were 75% in patients with MAC and MVD, 87% in those with MAC without MVD, and 92% in those without MAC (Fig B). Adjusted for age, sex, diabetes, creatinine ≥2 mg/dl, coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction &amp;lt;50%, and AS, MAC was associated with higher all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio1.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.3–1.5, p&amp;lt;0.01); combined MAC and MVD was associated with the highest mortality during follow-up of 2.5±1.8 years. Conclusion In a large cohort of patients undergoing echocardiographic evaluation, the prevalence of MAC was 22%. MV dysfunction was more than twice as prevalent in patients with MAC as without. Patients with MAC had higher all-cause mortality than patients without MAC. Among patients with MAC and mitral valvular dysfunction, adjusted mortality was two-fold higher compared to those without MAC. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background Mitral Annular Calcification (MAC) is a significant predictor of cardiovascular events and mitral valve dysfunctions (MVD), including mitral regurgitation and mitral stenosis. This study investigates the prevalence of MAC and its severity across different age groups and genders, and examines its association with MVD in a single tertiary care center. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on an echocardiography database of 48,912 consecutive patients. The prevalence of MAC, including both any MAC and moderate to severe MAC was assessed. Patients were categorized into different age groups: &amp;lt;55 years, 55-65 years, 66-75 years, and &amp;gt;75 years. The study also analyzed the prevalence of MVD in these patients and examined gender differences. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate statistical significance in gender and age group differences in association with MVD. Results The overall prevalence of any MAC was 12.5% (6,104), while moderate or severe MAC was observed in 2.2% (1,104) of the patients. When stratified by age, the prevalence of any MAC was 3% in patients &amp;lt;55 years, 15.0% in patients 55-65 years, 28.6% in patients 66-75 years, and 40.9% in patients &amp;gt;75 years. The prevalence of moderate or severe MAC followed a similar trend, with 0.2%, 1.9%, 5.5%, and 10.7% in the respective age groups. Gender distribution analysis revealed a significant female predominance among patients with moderate or severe MAC (59.5% vs. 40.5%), p &amp;lt; 0.0001. Patients with moderate or severe mitral annular calcification (MAC) had a more than four-fold increased risk of mitral valve disease (MVD) compared to those with mild MAC (57.9% vs. 13.1%, p &amp;lt; 0.0001).Age group was not a significant factor in MVD prevalence. Conclusion The age-related prevalence of mitral annular calcification (MAC), especially in older women, represents a significant clinical concern given its association with increased risk of mitral valve disease (MVD). This highlights the importance of vigilant MAC screening and proactive MVD management in this population. Future research should focus on identifying modifiable risk factors and developing effective screening strategies to mitigate the progression of MAC and its associated valvular complications.

Mitral annular calcification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Mitral Annular Calcification in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Prevalence and Outcomes

We evaluated the relationship between the mitral inflow velocities by pulsed Doppler echocardiography and mitral annular motion velocities by pulsed Doppler tissue imaging in patients with mitral annular calcification. Fifty-three patients with mitral annular calcification were divided into two groups: severe mitral annular calcification (n=15, mitral annular calcification bigger than or equal 5mm in width) and mild mitral annular calcification (n=38, mitral annular calcification <5mm in width). In addition, 20 patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD group) and mild left ventricular hypertrophy but no mitral annular calcification and 30 normal individuals (normal group) were studied. The early diastolic mitral inflow velocity (E) was higher in the severe mitral annular calcification group (0.75+/-0.26 m/s) than in the HHD and normal groups (mild mitral annular calcification, 0.65+/-0.21; HHD, 0.57+/-0.24; normal, 0.55+/-0.15m/s), and the late diastolic mitral inflow velocity (A) was higher in the severe mitral annular calcification group (1.24+/-0.23 m/s) than in the other three groups (mild mitral annular calcification, 0.96+/-0.20; HHD, 0.84+/-0.23; normal, 0.75+/-0.13 m/s). In contrast, the early and late diastolic annular velocities (Ea, Aa) were lower in the severe mitral annular calcification group (Ea: 5.7+/-2.2; Aa: 11.9+/-4.4 cm/s) than in the other three groups (Ea: mild mitral annular calcification, 8.3+/-2.5; HHD, 7.7+/-2.2; normal, 9.0+/-1.8 cm/s; Aa: mild mitral annular calcification, 14.2+/-4.1; HHD, 14.3+/-2.8; normal, 14.2+/-2.1cm/s). Mitral valve area was smaller in the severe mitral annular calcification group (2.6+/-1.0 cm(2)) than in the other three groups (mild mitral annular calcification, 3.1+/-0.7; HHD, 4.1+/-0.7; normal, 4.2+/-0.9 cm(2)). In the mitral annular calcification and normal groups, the A correlated inversely with mitral valve area (r=-0.67, P<0.01) and directly with severity of mitral annular calcification (r=0.65, P<0.01), and the Ea correlated inversely with left ventricular wall thickness (r=-0.37, P<0.01) and severity of mitral annular calcification (r=-0.45, P<0.01). Patients with severe mitral annular calcification have higher mitral inflow velocities due to mitral annular restriction and lower mitral annular velocities caused by decreased mitral annular motion and abnormal left ventricular relaxation.

BackgroundCalcified amorphous tumor (CAT) of the heart is a rare, non-neoplastic cardiac mass with mitral valves and annuli being the most common sites. The presence of mitral annular calcification (MAC) is associated with an increased risk of stroke or other systemic embolisms. Here, we report a case of CAT showing rapid growth with MAC and investigate the link between the two.Case presentationA 71-year-old man presented at our hospital with dyspnea and had been undergoing hemodialysis for 26 years for chronic glomerulonephritis. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed moderate mitral stenosis with bulky MAC. Two months later, the patient developed progressive dyspnea, and follow-up TTE revealed a highly mobile mass (8 × 5 mm) attached to the left ventricular (LV) side of the posterior MAC. He underwent surgery because of congestive heart failure and a high risk of embolization. Surgical inspection revealed that the tumor was attached beneath the P3 segment of the mitral valve on the LV side and was removed. When removing the MAC, toothpaste-like contents drained from the encapsulated mass inside the MAC at the P3 segment, where the tumor was located. After reconstructing the posterior mitral annulus defect with a bovine pericardial patch, mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis, a maze procedure, and left appendage closure were performed. Histopathological examination revealed that the excised tumor contained fibrin and calcium deposits. The mass was diagnosed as a CAT.ConclusionsCAT may be one of the causes of stroke induced by MAC. Routine follow-up echocardiography should be recommended for patients with MAC, especially those undergoing hemodialysis.

BackgroundMany previous studies have evaluated the impact of mitral valve (MV) deformity scores on the percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) outcome in patients with mitral stenosis; however, the relationship between mitral annulus calcification (MAC) and the PTMC result has not yet been established. The current study aimed to investigate whether MAC could independently influence the immediate result of PTMC.MethodsOf all patients undergoing PTMC in our institution between April 2005 and November 2009, we included 87 patients (28.7%male, mean ± SD age = 42.8 ± 12.6 years) with rheumatic mitral stenosis who had additional data on the echocardiographic evaluation of MAC along with MV leaflets morphology. Echocardiographic assessments were repeated up to six weeks after PTMC to evaluate the immediate PTMC outcome. The frequency of the optimal PTMC result (secondary MV area > = 1.5 cm2 with > = 25% increase and without final mitral regurgitation grade > 2) was compared between two groups of patients with MAC (n = 17) and those without MAC (n = 70).ResultsThe optimal result was obtained in 55 (63.2%) patients, whereas the result was suboptimal in 32 (36.8%) patients due to insufficient MV area increase in 31(96.9%) subjects and post-procedure mitral regurgitation grade > 2 in 1(3.1%). The rate of optimal PTMC results was less in patients with MAC in comparison to those without MAC (29.4% vs.71.4%). After adjustments for possible confounders such as age and leaflets morphological subcomponents (thickening, mobility, calcification, and subvalvular thickening), MAC remained a significant negative predictor of a suboptimal PTMC result (odds ratio = 0.154; 95%CI = 0.038-0.626, p value = 0.009) together with leaflet thickening (odds ratio = 0.214; 95%CI = 0.060-0.770, p value = 0.018).ConclusionsMAC appeared to independently influence the immediate result of PTMC; therefore, mitral annulus evaluation may be considered in the echocardiographic assessment of the mitral apparatus prior to PTMC.

Transcatheter mitral valve intervention (TMVI) has emerged as a potential alternative to surgery for patients with mitral annular calcification (MAC)-associated mitral valve disease, a population often deemed high-risk due to clinical and anatomic complexities. However, MAC also presents significant challenges to TMVI itself. In transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), procedural success may be limited by fibrotic and short leaflets, reduced mitral valve area, and subvalvular calcium protrusion. Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) poses further anatomical hurdles, including a small, eccentric, or non-conforming annuli; insufficient MAC to ensure anchoring; narrow aortomitral angle; septal hypertrophy; elongated anterior mitral leaflet predisposing to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction; and heterogeneous MAC morphology leading to paravalvular leak or suboptimal fixation. Mechanical injury to adjacent structures such as the circumflex artery and atrioventricular groove is also a concern. Balloon-expandable valves, used off-label for TMVR, may be delivered via transapical, transfemoral, transseptal, or hybrid transatrial approaches. While early data show high mortality for valve-in-MAC (ViMAC) procedures, a shift toward transfemoral transseptal access has improved outcomes. The hybrid transatrial approach offers advantages including resection of the anterior leaflet, septal myectomy, and reinforcement of the valve skirt with Teflon felt. Among dedicated self-expanding TMVR systems, only Tendyne has both CE mark and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and is delivered transapically. New transfemoral transseptal systems—such as Intrepid, AltaValve, and Cephea—are under active investigation. Techniques like LAMPOON (Laceration of the Anterior Mitral leaflet to Prevent Outflow ObstructioN) and BATMAN (Balloon-Assisted Translocation of the Mitral Anterior Leaflet) have been developed to mitigate the risk of fatal LVOT obstruction. Despite progress, mid-term mortality after ViMAC TMVR remains high. Continued innovations in technique, device design, and patient selection are critical to establishing TMVI as a viable treatment for MAC-associated mitral valve disease.

Association Between Mitral Annular Calcium and Flail Mitral Leaflet in Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

Background Patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have frequently severe mitral annulus calcification (MAC) that can cause mitral stenosis. However, the left ventricular (LV) pressure overload caused by the aortic stenosis may reduce the transmitral pressure gradient and the severity of mitral stenosis may be underestimated. Purpose To evaluate the frequency of severe MAC in patients undergoing TAVI and describe the changes in transmitral pressure gradient after TAVI according to the severity of the MAC. Methods Patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI who had cardiac computed tomography data to analyse the severity of MAC and a transthoracic echocardiogram prior to the intervention and at hospital discharge were included. The severity of MAC was defined as mild MAC (3 points or less), moderate MAC (4 to 6 points), and severe MAC (7 points or more) based on the distribution of the calcification of the mitral valve (thickness, circumferential distribution, involvement of the trigones and leaflets). The changes in transmitral pressure gradient were evaluated with linear multivariate regression adjusting for age and sex. Results A total of 203 patients (median age 81 years, 40% male) with severe AS who successfully underwent TAVI were included. According to the classification of MAC severity by cardiac CT, 55 (27%) patients had no MAC, 57 (28%) mild MAC, 55 (27%) moderate MAC, and 36 (18%) severe MAC. The groups were comparable in terms of demographics and clinical characteristic. The NT-proBNP increased progressively with the severity of MAC. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at a median of 43 days before TAVI and 3 days after TAVI. In terms of echocardiographic characteristics at baseline, there were no statistically significant differences across theg roups except from transmitral pressure gradient, which was significantly higher as the severity of MAC increased on CT . After TAVI, there was no significant change in mean transmitral pressure gradient in patients without MAC. In contrast, patients with mild, moderate and severe MAC had significant increases in trasmitral pressure gradient following TAVI, with greater changes associated with increasing severity of MAC (mild p&amp;lt;0.0001, moderate p&amp;lt; 0.0007, severe p&amp;lt;0.0060) Conclusions In patients with severe aortic stenosis and severe MAC, the transmitral pressure gradient increases significantly after TAVI. Therefore, TAVI may unmask significant mitral stenosis that may impact the results of TAVI at mid term follow-up.

We present a technique for mitral valve (MV) replacement that preserves the anterior mitral leaflet (AML) using complete chordal-sparing mitral valve replacement (CCS-MVR), which maintains the architecture of the left ventricle. This technique is beneficial for patients with functional, degenerative, and infective MV disease who were unable to undergo MV repair. The objective of this study is to ascertain the most efficacious treatment for MV disease. Furthermore, the study will contribute to international guidelines for this procedure and provide data on its efficacy in treating MV disease. We performed MV replacement surgery on 161 patients, maintaining the integrity of the entire subvalvular chordae tendineae apparatus. Of these cases, 92 (57.1%) were degenerative, 58 (36.0%) were functional, 9 (5.6%) were infective, and 2 (1.2%) were rheumatic. Of the 93 patients with complicated MV disease, massive calcification was observed in 59 cases (36.6%) and mitral annular disjunction (MAD) was observed in 25 cases (15.5%) while endocarditis with posterior annular abscess was observed in 9 cases (5.6%). The anterior leaflet is detached from its connection to the annulus along the entire extent from the posterior commissure to the anterior commissure. In cases of excess tissue, a section of the free edge of the translocated leaflet must be removed. This must preserve a small section of the edge and the entire chordae tendineae unit. A CCS-MVR requires 24 to 28 individual sutures in routine cases. The AML was reinserted using 12 to 14 single sutures in this specific order: posterior annulus, posterior mitral leaflet, AML, and prosthetic valve. The 30-day mortality rate was 8.7%, based on 14 cases. Ten patients, representing 5% of the total, required reoperation after the initial procedure. Out of 140 patients,74 (52.8%) experienced LV reverse remodeling at the six-month follow-up. Female patients exhibited a significantly higher rate of LV reverse remodeling (71% vs. 29%, P<0.001) compared to male patients. Patients with mitral annular calcification and MAD demonstrated significantly higher rates of left ventricular reverse remodeling compared to patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We can conclude with certainty that male gender, CAD, atrial fibrillation, and preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic volume indexed (LVEDVI) are significant predictors of LV remodeling. We found that the median survival time after CCS-MVR was 39.5 months. The results of the multivariable analysis revealed that patients with MAD had significantly worse survival rates than those without. For patients presenting with severely calcified posterior mitral annulus, complicated Barlow disease with MAD, or endocarditis involving the posterior annulus, the AML is consolidated with the posterior mitral leaflet to form a neo-annulus. This procedure is safe and effective for a wide range of simple and complex MV pathologies. Its efficacy is unquestionable. It preserves the complete architecture of the left ventricle, avoiding dilatation and promoting reverse remodeling.

Background: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is an increasingly encountered cause of mitral stenosis. As opposed to rheumatic disease, in MAC the commissures are typically open. In some cases the leaflet tips remain freely mobile while in others they are restricted. We sought to determine if mean mitral valve gradient (MVG) is associated with the minimal area in the MAC tunnel or the area at the leaflet tips. Methods: High quality 3D TEE datasets were acquired in 10 subjects with severe bulky MAC. Custom 2D cut planes were created at the mitral valve inlet, the narrowest portion of the MAC tunnel, and at the leaflet tips (figure 1), and compared with MVG by continuous wave Doppler. Results: Area at the annular inlet ranged from 5.4 - 11.0 cm 2 (mean 8.2). The smallest area within the tunnel ranged from 1.3 - 4.0 cm 2 (mean 2.4) while the smallest area at the leaflet tips ranged from 1.0 - 2.6 cm 2 (mean 1.6). MVG ranged from 3 - 14 (mean 8) mm Hg. As annular inlet area decreased MVG increased (r 2 = 0.49, p = 0.024). Similarly, as minimum tunnel area decreased MVG increased (r 2 = 0.54, p = 0.015; figure 2). There was a no significant relation between MVG and smallest leaflet area (r 2 = 0.17, p = 0.23). There was also no association between degree or distribution of MAC, and MVG or smallest tunnel area. Conclusions: In subjects with severe MAC and a resting gradient across the valve, obstruction to flow occurs at the annular inlet and within the calcium tunnel. In contrast to rheumatic mitral stenosis, valve area at the leaflet tips does not appear to determine the MVG.

Introduction Mitral annulus calcification (MAC) is a chronic, non-inflammatory, degenerative mechanism of the fibrous base of the mitral valve. While MAC was originally thought to be an age-related degenerative process, there is evidence that other mechanisms, such as atherosclerosis and abnormal calcium phosphorus metabolism, also contribute to the development of MAC. Areas covered This paper summarizes, existing perception of clinically valid definition of MAC and the pathophysiological processes that lead to the development of MAC and the diagnostic implications of this disease entity. Expert opinion Minimal evidence exists on the natural history and progression of MAC. Characterization of MAC progression and identification of predisposing risk factors can help to validate hypotheses. MAC is most commonly asymptomatic and incidental finding. Echocardiography is the primary imaging modality for identification and characterization of MAC and associated mitral valve (MV) disease. For patients with an indication for MV surgery, computed tomography (CT) is a complementary imaging modality for MAC. MAC is generally recognized by its characteristic density, location, and shape on echocardiography and CT, unusual variants are sometimes confused with other lesions.