Anne Ringle1, Franck Levy2, Pierre-Vladimir Ennezat3, Caroline Le Goffic1, Anne-Laure Castel1, François Delelis1, Aymeric Menet1, Dorothée Malaquin2, Pierre Graux1, André Vincentelli4, Christophe Tribouilloy5, Sylvestre Maréchaux6. 1. Service de cardiologie, GCS-groupement des hôpitaux de l'institut catholique de Lille, faculté libre de médecine, université catholique de Lille, 59000 Lille, France. 2. Service de cardiologie B, CHU d'Amiens, 80054 Amiens, France. 3. Service de cardiologie, CHU de Grenoble, 38000 Grenoble, France. 4. Service de chirurgie cardiaque, CHRU de Lille, 59000 Lille, France. 5. Service de cardiologie B, CHU d'Amiens, 80054 Amiens, France; Inserm U 1088, université de Picardie, 80054 Amiens, France. 6. Service de cardiologie, GCS-groupement des hôpitaux de l'institut catholique de Lille, faculté libre de médecine, université catholique de Lille, 59000 Lille, France; Inserm U 1088, université de Picardie, 80054 Amiens, France. Electronic address: sylvestre.marechaux@yahoo.fr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We hypothesized that large exercise-induced increases in aortic mean pressure gradient can predict haemodynamic progression during follow-up in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with asymptomatic moderate or severe aortic stenosis (aortic valve area<1.5cm2 or<1cm2) and normal ejection fraction, who underwent an exercise stress echocardiography at baseline with a normal exercise test and a resting echocardiography during follow-up. The relationship between exercise-induced increase in aortic mean pressure gradient and annualised changes in resting mean pressure gradient during follow-up was investigated. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (mean age 66±15 years; 45% severe aortic stenosis) were included. Aortic mean pressure gradient significantly increased from rest to peak exercise (P<0.001). During a median follow-up of 1.6 [1.1-3.2] years, resting mean pressure gradient increased from 35±13mmHg to 48±16mmHg, P<0.0001. Median annualised change in resting mean pressure gradient during follow-up was 5 [2-11] mmHg. Exercise-induced increase in aortic mean pressure gradient did correlate with annualised changes in mean pressure gradient during follow-up (r=0.35, P=0.01). Hemodynamic progression of aortic stenosis was faster in patients with large exercise-induced increase in aortic mean pressure gradient (≥20mmHg) as compared to those with exercise-induced increase in aortic mean pressure gradient<20mmHg (median annualised increase in mean pressure gradient 19 [6-28] vs. 4 [2-10] mmHg/y respectively, P=0.002). Similar results were found in the subgroup of 30 patients with moderate aortic stenosis. CONCLUSION: Large exercise-induced increases in aortic mean pressure gradient correlate with haemodynamic progression of stenosis during follow-up in patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis. Further studies are needed to fully establish the role of ESE in the decision-making process in comparison to other prognostic markers in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We hypothesized that large exercise-induced increases in aortic mean pressure gradient can predict haemodynamic progression during follow-up in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with asymptomatic moderate or severe aortic stenosis (aortic valve area<1.5cm2 or<1cm2) and normal ejection fraction, who underwent an exercise stress echocardiography at baseline with a normal exercise test and a resting echocardiography during follow-up. The relationship between exercise-induced increase in aortic mean pressure gradient and annualised changes in resting mean pressure gradient during follow-up was investigated. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (mean age 66±15 years; 45% severe aortic stenosis) were included. Aortic mean pressure gradient significantly increased from rest to peak exercise (P<0.001). During a median follow-up of 1.6 [1.1-3.2] years, resting mean pressure gradient increased from 35±13mmHg to 48±16mmHg, P<0.0001. Median annualised change in resting mean pressure gradient during follow-up was 5 [2-11] mmHg. Exercise-induced increase in aortic mean pressure gradient did correlate with annualised changes in mean pressure gradient during follow-up (r=0.35, P=0.01). Hemodynamic progression of aortic stenosis was faster in patients with large exercise-induced increase in aortic mean pressure gradient (≥20mmHg) as compared to those with exercise-induced increase in aortic mean pressure gradient<20mmHg (median annualised increase in mean pressure gradient 19 [6-28] vs. 4 [2-10] mmHg/y respectively, P=0.002). Similar results were found in the subgroup of 30 patients with moderate aortic stenosis. CONCLUSION: Large exercise-induced increases in aortic mean pressure gradient correlate with haemodynamic progression of stenosis during follow-up in patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis. Further studies are needed to fully establish the role of ESE in the decision-making process in comparison to other prognostic markers in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis.