Twenty-Seven-Year Experience With the St. Jude Medical Biocor Bioprosthesis in the Aortic Position

Pannus formation: a rare culprit of early bioprosthetic valve dysfunction-a case report

Background

Early bioprosthetic valve dysfunction (BVD) due to pannus formation is uncommon in elderly patients, and only a limited number of cases have been reported.

Case summary

An 84-year-old man presented with exertional dyspnoea 3 years after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with a 19 mm Epic™ valve (Abbott, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated progressive BVD, and cardiac computed tomography (CT) revealed sub-aortic pannus formation. Re-operative SAVR was performed using a 19 mm INSPIRIS RESILIA® valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA), and pathological examination confirmed valve leaflet deformation caused by pannus overgrowth. At the 18-month follow-up, the patient exhibited favourable progress, with no indications of BVD or pannus recurrence.

Discussion

This case highlights the importance of recognizing early pannus formation as a cause of BVD, even in elderly patients. Early detection of BVD based on clinical symptoms and echocardiography is vital to allow timely surgical intervention before the deterioration of cardiac function. Cardiac CT helps to differentiate pannus from thrombus formation and guide treatment decisions.

Mid-term outcomes and hemodynamic performance of the St Jude Medical Epic aortic bioprosthesis for severe aortic stenosis

The St. Jude Medical Epic Supra valve is a porcine bioprosthesis designed for complete supraannular implantation. No report has shown the hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes of aortic valve replacement with the Epic Supra valve for severe aortic stenosis in a Japanese cohort. We retrospectively evaluated 65 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement using the Epic Supra valve for aortic stenosis at our department between May, 2011 and October, 2016. The mean follow-up period was 68.7 ± 32.7 months, and the follow-up rate was 89.2%. The mean age was 76.8 ± 5.3 years. The 1-, 5-, and 8-year survival rates were 96.9%, 79.4%, and 60.3%, respectively. The rates of freedom from valve-related events were 96.6% and 81.9% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. Four patients were diagnosed with structural valve deterioration (SVD), and reintervention was performed in two patients. The rates of freedom from SVD were 98.2% and 83.3% at 5 and 8 years, respectively, and the mean time to diagnosis of SVD was 72.5 ± 25.3 months. The mean pressure gradient (MPG) was 16.8 ± 6.0 mmHg postoperatively, 17.5 ± 9.4 mmHg at 5 years, and 21.2 ± 12.4 mmHg at 8 years (p = 0.08). The effective orifice area index (EOAI) was 0.95 ± 0.2 cm2/m2 immediately after surgery, 0.96 ± 0.27 cm2/m2 at 5 years, and 0.84 ± 0.2 cm2/m2 at 8 years (p = 0.10). An increase in MPG and decrease in EOAI were also observed, which may be associated with SVD. Follow-up after 5 years is important to determine if there is an increase.

Hemodynamic Comparison between the Avalus and the Perimount Magna Ease Aortic Bioprosthesis up to 5 Years

BACKGROUND

 We aimed to compare hemodynamic performance of the Avalus (Medtronic) and the Perimount Magna Ease (PME, Edwards Lifesciences) bioprosthesis up to 5 years by serial echocardiographic examinations.

METHODS

 In patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, 58 received PME prostheses between October 2007 and October 2008, and another 60 received Avalus prostheses between October 2014 and November 2015. To ensure similar baseline characteristics, we performed a propensity score matching based on left ventricular ejection fraction, age, body surface area, and aortic annulus diameter measured by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. Thereafter, 48 patients remained in each group. Mean age at operation was 67 ± 6 years and mean EuroSCORE-II was 1.7 ± 1.1. Both values did not differ significantly between the two groups.

RESULTS

 At 1 year the mean pressure gradient (MPG) was 15.4 ± 4.3 mm Hg in the PME group and 14.7 ± 5.1 mm Hg in the Avalus group (p = 0.32). The effective orifice area (EOA) was 1.65 ± 0.45 cm2 in the PME group and 1.62 ± 0.45 cm2 in the Avalus group (p = 0.79). At 5 years the MPG was 16.6 ± 5.1 mm Hg in the PME group and 14.7 ± 7.1 mm Hg in the Avalus group (p = 0.20). The EOA was 1.60 ± 0.49 cm2 in the PME group and 1.51 ± 0.40 cm2 in the Avalus group (p = 0.38). Five-year survival was 88% in the PME group and 91% in the Avalus group (p = 0.5). In the PME group, there were no reoperations on the aortic valve, whereas in the Avalus group three patients required a reoperation due to endocarditis.

CONCLUSION

 Both bioprostheses exhibit similar hemodynamic performance during a 5-year follow-up.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Long-Term Outcomes and Durability

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard of care in symptomatic older patients with severe aortic stenosis regardless of surgical risk. With the development of newer generation transcatheter bioprostheses, improved delivery systems, better preprocedure planning with imaging guidance, increased operator experience, shorter hospital length of stay, and low short- and mid-term complication rates, TAVI is gaining popularity among younger patients at low or intermediate surgical risk. Long-term outcomes and durability of transcatheter heart valves have become substantially important for this younger population due to their longer life expectancy. The lack of standardized definitions of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction and disagreement about how to account for the competing risks made comparison of transcatheter heart valves with surgical bioprostheses challenging until recently. In this review, the authors discuss the mid- to long-term (≥ 5 years) clinical outcomes observed in the landmark TAVI trials and analyze the available long-term durability data emphasizing the importance of using standardized definitions of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction.

Ten-year outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement with a contemporary supra-annular porcine valve in a Medicare population

Objective

Bioprosthetic surgical aortic valve replacement remains an important treatment option in the era of transcatheter interventions. Real-world outcomes are not well characterized because of limited prospective follow-up studies. We present the 10-year clinical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement with a contemporary supra-annular porcine valve.

Methods

This is a single-arm observational study using Medicare fee-for-service claims data. De-identified patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement with the Epic Supra valve (Abbott) in the United States between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2019, were selected by International Classification of Diseases 9^th and 10^th Revision procedure codes and then linked to a manufacturer device tracking database. All-cause mortality, heart failure rehospitalization, and aortic valve reintervention (surgical or transcatheter valve-in-valve) were evaluated at 10 years using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

Among 272,591 Medicare beneficiaries undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement during the study period, 11,685 received the Epic Supra valve, of whom 51.6% (6029) had underlying heart failure. Mean age was 76 ± 7 years. Survival at 10 years in patients without preoperative heart failure was 43.5% (95% confidence interval, 41.8-45.2) compared with 24.1% (95% confidence interval, 22.6-25.5) for patients with heart failure (P < .001). The 10-year freedom from heart failure rehospitalization was 64.0% (95% confidence interval, 62.6-65.3). Freedom from aortic valve reintervention was 94.6% (95% confidence interval, 93.8-95.3) at 10 years.

Conclusions

This real-world nationwide study of US Medicare beneficiaries receiving the Epic Supra valve demonstrates more than 94% freedom from all-cause valve reintervention and 64% freedom from heart failure rehospitalization at 10 years postimplant. Long-term survival and heart failure rehospitalization in this population with aortic valve disease undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement were found to be impacted by underlying heart failure.

A systematic review on durability and structural valve deterioration in TAVR and surgical AVR

Mechanical valves and bioprosthetic heart valves are widely used for aortic valve replacement (AVR). Mechanical valves are associated with risk of bleeding because of oral anticoagulation, while the durability and structural valve deterioration (SVD) represent the main limitation of the bioprosthetic heart valves. The implantation of bioprosthetic heart valves is increasing precipitously due aging population, and the widespread use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). TAVR has become the standard treatment for intermediate or high surgical risk patients and a reasonable alternative to surgery for low risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Moreover, TAVR is increasingly being used for younger and lower-risk patients with longer life expectancy; therefore it is important to ensure the valve durability for long-term transcatheter aortic valves. Although the results of mid-term durability of the transcatheter heart valves are encouraging, their long-term durability remains largely unknown. This review summarises the definitions, mechanisms, risk factors and assessment of SVD; overviews available data on surgical bioprosthetic and transcatheter heart valves durability.

Leaflet stress quantification of porcine vs bovine surgical bioprostheses: an in vitro study

Calcified aortic stenoses are among the most prevalent form of cardiovascular diseases in the industrialized countries. This progressive disease, with no effective medical therapy, ultimately requires aortic valve replacement - either a surgical or very recently transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Increase leaflet mechanical stress is one of the main determinants of the structural deterioration of bioprosthetic aortic valves. We applied a coupled in vitro/in silico method to compare the timing, magnitude, and regional distribution of leaflet mechanical stress in porcine versus pericardial bioprostheses (Mosaic and Trifecta). A double activation simulator was used for in vitro testing of a bioprosthesis with externally mounted pericardium (Abbott, Trifecta) and a bioprosthesis with internally mounted porcine valve (Medtronic, Mosaic). A non-contact system based on stereophotogammetry and digital image correlation (DIC) with high spatial and temporal resolution (2000 img/s) was used to visualize the valve leaflet motion and perform the three-dimensional analysis. A finite element model of the valve was developed, and the leaflet deformation obtained from the DIC analysis was applied to the finite element model calculate local leaflet mechanical stress throughout the cardiac cycle. The maximum leaflet stress was higher with the pericardial versus the porcine bioprosthesis (2.03 vs. 1.30 MPa) For both bioprostheses the highest values of leaflet stress occurred during diastole and were primarily observed in the upper leaflet edge near the commissures and to a lesser extent in the mid-portion of the leaflet body. In conclusion, the coupled in vitro/in silico method described in this study shows that the highest levels of leaflet stress occur in the regions of the commissures and mid-portion of the leaflet body. This method may have important insight with regard to bioprosthetic valve durability. Our results suggest that, compared to porcine bioprostheses, those with externally mounted pericardium have higher leaflet mechanical stress, which may translate into shorter durability.

Two-year outcomes from the PARTNER 3 trial: where do we stand?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The PARTNER 3 trial was conducted to compare outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a balloon-expandable valve and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in individuals at low surgical risk with aortic stenosis. Recently reported rates of death, stoke and valve thrombosis in the TAVR arm have raised concerns about the longevity of this intervention in low-risk individuals. It is incumbent on all members of the Heart Team to understand the potential consequences of these findings.

RECENT FINDINGS

TAVR was initially superior to SAVR at 1 year for a primary composite endpoint of death, stroke and rehospitalization. Results at 2 years now indicate noninferiority. Potential causative factors, comparisons with other transcatheter valves and implications for patients, providers and trainees are explored. Recommendations are additionally provided regarding TAVR and SAVR in individuals with aortic stenosis.

SUMMARY

Concerns regarding the longevity of TAVR in low-risk individuals notwithstanding, results from PARTNER 3 indicate that TAVR is at least noninferior to SAVR out to 2 years. Longer follow-up will be required to determine whether these newly founded concerns are justifiable.

Natural History of a Carpentier-Edwards Pericardial Aortic Valve Replaced after 25 Years for Structural Valve Degeneration

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SVD is a main limitation of bioprostheses.

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Routine use of bioprostheses in younger patients (<60 years of age) is controversial.

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Data on the durability of surgical aortic bioprostheses beyond 20 years are limited.

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We report exceptional durability of an aortic bioprosthesis replaced after 25 years.

Long-Term Outcomes of the Mosaic Aortic Porcine Bioprosthesis in Japan - Results From the Japan Mosaic Valve Long-Term Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

This study retrospectively evaluated the long-term patient outcomes and durability of the Mosaic aortic porcine bioprosthesis in the Japan Mosaic valve long-term multicenter study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We reviewed the records of 1,202 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with the Mosaic bioprosthesis at 10 centers in Japan (1999-2014). Patient data were collected using Research Electronic Data Capture. Patient survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier methodology. Freedom from structural valve deterioration (SVD) and valve-related reoperation and death were determined by actuarial methods. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of the cohort was 76 (70-80) years. The median (IQR) follow-up period was 3.52 (1.71-5.35) years. The longest follow-up was 15.8 years. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.3%. The 12-year actuarial survival rate was 59.9±7.5%, and the freedom from valve-related death was 81.1±7.9%. The freedom from reoperation was 86.4±2.6% at 12 years. The freedom from SVD at 12 years was 93.5±2.9% for patients aged ≥65 years and 98.2±1.8% for those aged <65 years. The median (IQR) systolic pressure gradient was 17 (12-23) and 19 (12-25) mmHg at 1 and 10 years, respectively. The median (IQR) effective orifice area was 1.2 (1.1-1.5) and 1.1 (1-1.5) cm2at 1 and 10 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Mosaic porcine bioprosthesis showed satisfactory long-term outcomes over 12 years.

[Safety of biological valves for aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis]

OBJECTIVE

To provide a comprehensive and contemporary overview of the long-term safety outcomes after aortic valve replacements (AVR) with conventional biological heart valve (stented or stentless).

METHODS

English databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrial.gov) and Chinese databases (CNKI, VIP, WanFang, and SinoMed) were searched systemically from January 1, 2000 to January 26, 2019. Eligible randomized controlled trials, non-randomized clinical trials, cohort studies (retrospective or prospective), and unselected case series were included. Strict screening of the obtained literature was conducted to extract relevant data by two reviewers. Other inclusion criteria were studied reporting on outcomes of AVR with biological valves (stented or stentless), with or without coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve repair procedure, with mean follow-up length equal to or longer than 5 years. We excluded studies that reported only a specific patient group (e.g., patients with renal failure, or pregnancy), without the report of biological valve type, or with study population size less than 100. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 software.

RESULTS

In this study, 53 papers (in total 57 study groups) involving 47 803 patients were included. (1) The all-cause mortality was 6.33/100 patient-years (95%CI: 5.85-6.84). Subgroup analysis showed that the mortality rates of porcine and bovine valve prostheses were 5.69/100 patient-years (95%CI: 5.05-6.41) and 7.29/100 patient-years (95%CI: 6.53-8.13), respectively. The all-cause mortality rates for stented and stentless valve were 6.69/100 patient-years (95%CI: 6.12-7.30) and 5.21/100 patient-years (95%CI: 4.43-6.14), respectively. (2) The incidence rate of thromboembolism was 1.16/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.96-1.40), the incidence rate of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation was 1.08/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.75-1.54), the incidence rate of stroke was 0.74/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.51-1.06), the incidence rate of structural valve dysfunction (SVD) was 0.73/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.59-0.91), the incidence rate of major bleeding was 0.52/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.41-0.65), the incidence rate of endocarditis was 0.38/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.33-0.44), and the incidence rate of non-structural valve dysfunction (NSVD) was 0.20/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.13-0.31). The total reoperation rate for biological aortic valve was 0.77/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.65-0.91), and the SVD related reoperation rate was 0.46/100 patient-years (95%CI: 0.36-0.58).

CONCLUSION

The all-cause mortality for conventional biological AVR was 6.33/100 patient-years. Thromboembolism, PPM implantation, reoperation, stroke, and SVD were major long term complications.

Postimplant biological aortic prosthesis degeneration: challenges in transcatheter valve implants

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is highly effective and can be achieved with relatively low risk in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Bioprostheses have been used most frequently during the past 60 years. However, the function of biological valves usually declines after 10-15 years from implant when structural valve degeneration occurs often mandating a reoperation once valve dysfunction becomes haemodynamically significant. Known for many years by surgeons and cardiologists taking care of patients with SAVR, the issue of postimplant structural valve degeneration has been recently highlighted also in patients with transcatheter aortic valve implant (TAVI). There is growing concern that TAVI valves exhibit structural valve degeneration due to inherent challenges of the deployment mode. The impact on postimplant degeneration of TAVI valves compared to SAVR has still to be understood and defined. Based on the ongoing process of expanding TAVI indications, several potential shortcomings and caveats, learned during the last 60 years of SAVR experience, should be taken into consideration to refine this technique.

Long-term Transcatheter Aortic Valve Durability

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard of care for high-risk and inoperable surgical patients and a valid alternative to surgery for low- and intermediate-risk patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. It is increasingly being used for younger, lower-risk patients, so it is important to ensure the durability for long-term transcatheter aortic valves. The lack of standard definitions of structural valve degeneration (SVD) had made comparison among studies on prosthetic valve durability problematic. The 2017 standardised definitions of SVD by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Intervention), the European Society of Cardiology and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, and the 2018 definitions by the Valve In Valve International Data group, has generated an increased uniformity in evaluations. This article examines the potential mechanisms and rates of SVD of transcatheter bioprostheses and the role of redo TAVI as a treatment option.

Bioprosthetic aortic valve durability in the era of transcatheter aortic valve implantation

The main limitation of bioprosthetic valves is their limited durability, which exposes the patient to the risk of aortic valve reintervention. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is considered a reasonable alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with intermediate or high surgical risk. TAVI is now rapidly expanding towards the lower risk populations. Although the results of midterm durability of the transcatheter bioprostheses are encouraging, their long-term durability remains largely unknown. The objective of this review article is to present the definition, mechanisms, incidence, outcome and management of structural valve deterioration of aortic bioprostheses with specific emphasis on TAVI. The structural valve deterioration can be categorised into three stages: stage 1: morphological abnormalities (fibrocalcific remodelling and tear) of bioprosthesis valve leaflets without hemodynamic valve deterioration; stage 2: morphological abnormalities and moderate hemodynamic deterioration (increase in gradient and/or new onset of transvalvular regurgitation); and stage 3: morphological abnormalities and severe hemodynamic deterioration. Several specifics inherent to the TAVI including valve oversizing, manipulation, delivery, positioning and deployment may cause injuries to the valve leaflets and increase leaflet mechanical stress, which may limit the long-term durability of transcatheter bioprostheses. The selection of the type of aortic valve replacement and bioprosthesis should thus take into account the ratio between the demonstrated durability of the bioprostheses versus the life expectancy of the patient. Pending the publication of robust data on long-term durability of transcatheter bioprostheses, it appears reasonable to select SAVR with a bioprosthesis model that has well-established long-term durability in patients with low surgical risk and long life expectancy.