Ronen Beeri

All doctors require broad-based clinical knowledge, skills, and attitudes, but no doctor can be independently competent in every aspect of clinical practice. Within cardiology, core training equips cardiologists with core cardiovascular competencies, but appropriate training, assessment, and maintenance of post-certification competencies are required for cardiologists to function as part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary Heart Team across the full spectrum of cardiovascular practice required by our patients. This position statement describes the role of post-certification competencies in the delivery of cardiovascular care.

The IGF2BP family of RNA binding proteins consists of three paralogs that regulate intracellular RNA localization, RNA stability, and translational control. Although IGF2BP1 and 3 are oncofetal proteins, IGF2BP2 expression is maintained in many tissues, including the heart, into adulthood. IGF2BP2 is upregulated in cardiomyocytes during cardiac stress and remodeling and returns to normal levels in recovering hearts. We wondered whether IGF2BP2 might play an adaptive role during cardiac stress and recovery. Enhanced expression of an IGF2BP2 transgene in a conditional, inducible mouse line leads to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and death within 3-4 weeks in newborn or adult hearts. Downregulation of the transgene after 2 weeks, however, rescues these mice, with complete recovery by 12 weeks. Hearts overexpressing IGF2BP2 downregulate sarcomeric and mitochondrial proteins and have fragmented mitochondria and elongated, thinner sarcomeres. IGF2BP2 is also upregulated in DCM or myocardial infarction patients. These results suggest that IGF2BP2 may be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in cardiomyopathies.

Objectives: This article aims to evaluate the accuracy of the color-Doppler-based technique to evaluate residual mitral regurgitation post TEER. Background: The evaluation of residual mitral regurgitation (MR) post-mitral transcutaneous edge-to-edge repair (mitral TEER) is a critical determinant in patients’ outcomes. The common methods used today, based on the integration of color flow Doppler parameters, may be misleading because of the multiple jets and high velocities created by the TEER devices. Methods: Patients undergoing TEER at Hadassah hospital were recruited between 2015 and 2019. Post-procedural MR was evaluated using the integrated qualitative approach as recommended by the guidelines. In addition, the MR volume for each patient was calculated by subtracting the forward stroke volume (calculated by multiplying the LVOT area with the velocity time integral of the LVOT systolic flow) from the total stroke volume (calculated by the biplane Simpson method of discs). We compared the two methods for concordance. Results: Overall, 112 cases were enrolled. In 55.4% of cases, the volumetric residual MR was milder than the MR severity assessed by the guidelines’ recommended method. In 25.1%, the MR severity was similar in both methods. In 16.2%, the MR severity was worse when calculated using the volumetric method (p_Value < 0.001, Kappa_{measure of agreement} = 0.053). The lower residual MR degree using the volumetric approach was mostly observed in patients classified as “moderate” by the integrated approach. Conclusions: MR severity after TEER is often overestimated by the guideline-recommended integrative method when compared with a volumetric method. Alternative methods should be considered to assess the MR severity after mitral TEER.

Background: Little is known about the impact of transcatheter mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair on changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the effect of an acute reduction in LVEF on prognosis. We aimed to assess changes in LVEF after transcatheter mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair for both primary and secondary mitral regurgitation (PMR and SMR, respectively), identify rates and predictors of LVEF reduction, and estimate its impact on prognosis. Methods and Results: In this international multicenter registry, patients with both PMR and SMR undergoing transcatheter mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair were included. We assessed rates of acute LVEF reduction (LVEFR), defined as an acute relative decrease of >15% in LVEF, its impact on all‐cause mortality, major adverse cardiac event (composite end point of all‐cause death, mitral valve surgery, and residual mitral regurgitation grade ≥2), and LVEF at 12 months, as well as predictors for LVEFR. Of 2534 patients included (727 with PMR, and 1807 with SMR), 469 (18.5%) developed LVEFR. Patients with PMR were older (79.0±9.2 versus 71.8±8.9 years; P P P P P =0.236). LVEF at baseline (odds ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01–1.05]; P =0.002) was predictive of LVEFR for patients with PMR, but not those with SMR ( P =0.092). Conclusions: Reduction in LVEF is not uncommon after transcatheter mitral valve edge‐to‐edge repair and is correlated with worsened prognosis in patients with PMR but not patients with SMR. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT05311163.

Background: Malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in several cardiovascular diseases. However, its prognostic impact in patients undergoing transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is not well known. This study sought to assess the prevalence, clinical associations, and prognostic consequences of malnutrition in patients undergoing TEER. Methods and Results: A total of 892 patients undergoing TEER from the international MIVNUT (Mitral Valve Repair and Nutritional Status) registry were studied. Malnutrition status was assessed with the Controlling Nutritional Status score. The association of nutritional status with mortality was analyzed with multivariable Cox regression models, whereas the association with heart failure admission was assessed by Fine‐Gray models, with death as a competing risk. According to the Controlling Nutritional Status score, 74.4% of patients with TEER had any degree of malnutrition at the time of TEER (75.1% in patients with body mass index 2 , 72.1% in those with body mass index ≥25 kg/m ² ). However, only 20% had moderate–severe malnutrition. TEER was successful in most of patients (94.2%). During a median follow‐up of 1.6 years (interquartile range, 0.6–3.0), 267 (29.9%) patients died and 256 patients (28.7%) were admitted for heart failure after TEER. Compared with normal nutritional status moderate–severe malnutrition resulted a strong predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.1 [95% CI, 1.1–2.4]; P P =0.015). Conclusions: Malnutrition is common among patients submitted to TEER, and moderate–severe malnutrition is strongly associated with increased mortality and heart failure readmission. Assessment of nutritional status in these patients may help to improve risk stratification.

Cardiac lipomas, especially ones originating from the left ventricle, are extremely rare. They may be asymptomatic or may present with various non-specific symptoms. Herein, we report a case of a giant lipoma of the left ventricle, with frequent ventricular premature beats on electrocardiogram. An echocardiogram demonstrated a large hyperechoic mass occupying a significant portion of the left ventricle. We further describe the diagnostic workup utilizing multimodality cardiac imaging and treatment options. Cardiac MRI demonstrated fat suppression, and cardiac CT showed a homogenous low-attenuation mass suggesting lipomatous matter. The mass was subsequently surgically removed for pathology examination in order to rule out liposarcoma. Histopathology demonstrated mature adipocytes, entrapped myocytes with hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis foci confirming the diagnosis of lipoma.

The left atrial appendage (LAA) of the adult heart has been shown to contain cardiac and myeloid progenitor cells. The resident myeloid progenitor population expresses an array of pro-regenerative paracrine factors. Cardiac constructs have been shown to inhibit deleterious remodeling of the heart using physical support. Due to these aspects, LAA holds promise as a regenerative transplant. LAAs from adult mT/mG mice were transplanted to the recipient 129X1-SvJ mice simultaneously as myocardial infarction (MI) was performed. A decellularized LAA patch was implanted in the control group. Two weeks after MI, the LAA patch had integrated to the ventricular wall, and migrated cells were seen in the MI area. The cells had two main phenotypes: small F4/80+ cells and large troponin C+ cells. After follow-up at 8 weeks, the LAA patch remained viable, and the functional status of the heart improved. Cardiac echo demonstrated that, after 6 weeks, the mice in the LAA-patch-treated group showed an increasing and statistically significant improvement in cardiac performance when compared to the MI and MI + decellularized patch controls. Physical patch-support (LAA and decellularized LAA patch) had an equal effect on the inhibition of deleterious remodeling, but only the LAA patch inhibited the hypertrophic response. Our study demonstrates that the LAA transplantation has the potential for use as a treatment for myocardial infarction. This method can putatively combine cell therapy (regenerative effect) and physical support (inhibition of deleterious remodeling).

The role of percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVr) in management of high-risk patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is undetermined. We screened all patients who underwent PMVr between October 2015 and March 2020. We evaluated immediate, 30-day, and 1-year outcomes in patients who underwent PMVr during hospitalization due to ADHF as compared to elective patients. From a cohort of 237 patients, we identified 46 patients (19.4%) with severe MR of either functional or degenerative etiology who underwent PMVr during index hospitalization due to ADHF, including 17 (37%) critically ill patients. Patients’ mean age was 75.2 ± 9.8 years, 56% were males. There were no differences in background history between ADHF and elective patients. Patients with ADHF were at higher risk for surgery, reflected in higher mean EuroSCORE II, compared with elective patients. After PMVr, we observed higher 30-day mortality rate in ADHF patients as compared to the elective group (10.9% vs. 3.1%, respectively, p = 0.042). One-year mortality rate was similar between the groups (21.7% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.493). Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up showed improvement of NYHA functional class and sPAP reduction in both groups ((54 ± 15 mmHg to 50 ±15 in the elective group (p = 0.02), 58 ± 13 mmHg to 52 ± 12 in the ADHF group (p = 0.02)). PMVr could be an alternative option for treatment of patients with severe MR and ADHF.