Pulmonary Hypertension and COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a primary respiratory infectious disease, which can result in pulmonary and cardiovascular complications. From its first appearance in the city of Wuhan (China), the infection spread worldwide, leading to its declaration as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Clinical research on SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) suggests that the virus may determine changes in the pulmonary hemodynamics through mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction, vascular leak, thrombotic microangiopathy, and venous thromboembolism that are similar to those leading to pulmonary hypertension (PH). Current available studies report echocardiographic signs of PH in approximately 12 to 13% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Those with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, and prior PH are at increased risk to develop or worsen PH. Evidence of PH seems to be associated with increased disease severity and poor outcome. Because of the importance of the pulmonary hemodynamics in the pathophysiology of COVID-19, there is growing interest in exploring the potential therapeutical benefits of inhaled vasodilators in patients with COVID-19. Treatment with inhaled nitric oxide and prostacyclin has shown encouraging results through improvement of systemic oxygenation, reduction of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, and prevention of right ventricular failure; however, data from randomized control trials are still required.

Predictors of maternal and neonatal complications in women with severe valvular heart disease during pregnancy in Tunisia: a retrospective cohort study

Background Severe valvular heart disease, especially stenosis, is a contraindication for conception according to the World Health Organization. This is still encountered in countries with a high rheumatic fever prevalence. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of maternal cardiac, obstetric and neonatal complications in pregnant women with severe valve disease. Methods This is an observational retrospective cohort study of all pregnant women with severe heart valvulopathy who gave birth between 2010 and 2017. Results We included 60 pregnancies in 54 women. Cardiac complications occurred during 37 pregnancies (61%). In multivariate analysis, parity (aOR =2.41, 95% CI[1.12–5.16]), revelation of valvulopathy during pregnancy (aOR = 6.34; 95% CI[1.26–31.77]), severe mitral stenosis (aOR = 6.98, 95% CI[1.14–41.05],) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (aOR =1.08, 95% CI[1.01–1.14]) were associated with cardiac complications. Obstetrical complications were noted during 19 pregnancies (31.8%). These complications were associated with nulliparity (aOR = 5.22; 95% CI[1.15–23.6]), multiple valve disease (aOR = 5.26, 95% CI[1.19–23.2]), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (aOR =1.04, 95% CI[1.002–1.09]), and treatment with vitamin K antagonists (aOR = 8.71, 95% CI[1.98–38.2]). Neonatal complications were noted in 39.3% of newborns (n = 61) and these were associated with occurrence of obstetric complications (aOR = 16.47, 95% CI[3.2–84.3]) and revelation of valvulopathy during pregnancy (aOR = 7.33, 95% CI[1.4–36.1]). Conclusions Revelation of valvular heart disease during pregnancy is a predictor of not only cardiac but also neonatal complications. Valvular heart disease screening during pre-conceptional counseling is thus crucial.

MO746CARDIAC REMODELING AND PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Background and Aims An important predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in hemodialysis patients is left ventricular hypertrophy. Also, pulmonary hypertension is a risk factor for mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate cardiac remodeling and the dynamics of pulmonary arterial pressure during a year-long hemodialysis treatment and to evaluate relationship between pulmonary arterial pressure and blood flow in arteriovenous fistula. Method Hemodialysis patients (n=88; 42 males, 46 females, mean age was 51.7±13.0 years) were studied. Echocardiography and Doppler echocardiography were performed in the beginning of hemodialysis treatment and after a year. Echocardiographic evaluation was carried out on the day after dialysis. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured by the echocardiographic Simpson method. Arteriovenous fistula flow was determined by Doppler echocardiography. Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed according to criteria of Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology. Results Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed in 47 (53.4%) patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy was revealed in 71 (80.7%) patients. Only 2 (2.3%) patients had LVEF<50%. At the beginning of hemodialysis correlation was detected between systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and LVMI (r=0.52; P<0.001). Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.20; P=0.04). After a year of hemodialysis treatment LVMI decreased from 140.49±42.95 to 123.25±39.27 g/m2 (р=0.006) mainly due to a decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (from 50.23±6.48 to 45.13±5.24 mm, p=0.04) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 44.83±14.53 to 39.14±10.29 mmHg (р=0.002). Correlation wasn’t found between systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and arteriovenous fistula flow (r=0.17; p=0.4). Conclusion Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed in half of patients at the beginning of hemodialysis treatment. Pulmonary hypertension in hemodialysis patients was associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic left ventricular dysfunction. After a year-long hemodialysis treatment, a regress in left ventricular hypertrophy and a partial decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure were observed. There wasn’t correlation between arteriovenous fistula flow and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure.

Predictors of maternal and neonatal complications in patients with severe valve heart disease during pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study

Background: The severe valve disease especially stenosis is a contraindication to conception according to World Health Organization. This situation is still encountered in countries with a high rheumatic fever prevalence. The objective of this study is to determine the predictors of maternal cardiac, obstetric and neonatal complications.Methods: This is an observational study of all pregnant women with severe valvulopathy, delivered between 2010 and 2017.Results: We included 60 pregnancies in 54 women. Cardiac complications occurred in 37 patients (61%). In multivariate analysis, the predictors of these complications were parity (OR = 2.41, p = 0.023), revelation of valvulopathy by pregnancy (OR = 6.34, p = 0.025), severe mitral stenosis (OR= 6.84, p= 0.035) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (OR = 1.08, p= 0.01). Obstetrical complications were noted in 19 women (31.8%). The predictors of these complications were primiparity (OR = 5.22, p = 0.032), multiple valve disease (OR = 5.26, p = 0.028), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (OR = 1.04, p = 0.04) and treatment with vitamin K antagonist (OR = 8.71, p = 0.04). Neonatal complications were noted in 39% of new-borns. The predictors of these complications were the occurrence of obstetric complications (OR = 15.48, p = 0.001) and the revelation of valvulopathy by pregnancy (OR = 6.95, p = 0.017).Conclusions: The revelation of valve disease by pregnancy is a predictor not only of cardiac complication but also of neonatal complications, thus valve disease screening during pre-conceptional counselling is so crucial.

Caregiver Burden in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

Both quality of life (QoL) and caregiver burden are essential constructs in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) however; their relationship has never been investigated before. The aim of this study was to evaluate if there was any relationship between patients’ QoL and caregiver burden. Patients with PH and their caregivers were included. Patients’ age, sex, World Health Organization (WHO) functional class, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP), and six-minute walk distances (6MWD) were recorded. Patients’ QoL was assessed using emPHasis-10 and caregiver burden with the Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale. 72 patient-caregiver dyads were included. Caregiver burden was significantly correlated with the QoL( r = 0.39 p < .003), but was not correlated with other clinical parameters. Patients’ QoL showed significant negative correlation with the 6MWD( r = −0.46 p < .005). There is a moderate correlation between QoL and caregiver burden. Clinical parameters influence QoL, but they do not affect caregiver burden.

Abstract 14102: Prognostic Impact of Peak Systolic Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in Nonagenarians: An Echocardiographic Study

Introduction: Recently, a low threshold of estimated peak systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (eSPAP) of 30 mm Hg was reported to be associated with mortality in the general population. However, less is known about the prognostic impact of eSPAP in nonagenarians. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 596 patients ≥90 years of age referred for echocardiography with a recorded eSPAP and left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%. eSPAPs were characterized according to their quartile distribution: first quartile (reference group) (<30 mm Hg), second quartile (30-38 mm Hg), third quartile (39-48 mm Hg), fourth quartile (>49 mm Hg). The associations between quartiles of eSPAP and all-cause mortality were tested in Cox models (adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, coronary arterial disease, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, left-sided valve disease, left atrial area, NYHA class ≥II, left ventricular mass and right ventricular fractional area change). Results: Of the 596 patients, 61% were female, and the median age was 92 years (IQR 91-95). The median eSPAP was 39.0 mm Hg (IQR 30.3-49.0) (Figure). During the median follow-up of 522 days (IQR 59-1337), a total of 268 deaths (45%) occurred. The adjusted risk of mortality in eSPAP 39-48 mm Hg and eSPAP >49 mm Hg were 1.6 and 1.7 times higher than in eSPAP <30 mm Hg, respectively (Table). Conclusions: In conclusion, eSPAP ≥39 mm Hg was independently associated with mortality in nonagenarians. Estimated peak systolic pulmonary arterial pressure could help in prognostic stratification even in oldest-old patients.