Clinical outcomes in women and men with small aortic annuli undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A multicenter, retrospective, propensity score-matched comparison

Outcome Factors for Women Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Women with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have a higher burden of symptoms, are older at the time of the TAVR procedure, and have unique anatomic features that increase the periprocedural risk. However, long-term outcomes including mortality are favorable for women compared with men. Careful attention is needed in considering the vascular access route and choice of valve platform to mitigate complications. Large prospective trials dedicated to women undergoing TAVR are needed to investigate individual female-specific factors determining outcomes.

Impact of Small Aortic Annuli on the Performance of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Bioprostheses: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Recent Studies

A metanalysis of available randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing self-expanding (SE) and balloon-expandable (BE) bioprostheses in patients with small aortic annulus and aortic stenosis for short- and midterm hemodynamic and clinical outcomes was performed. A total of 21 studies with a total 8,647 patients (SE: n = 4,336 patients vs BE: n = 4,311 patients) were included. SE bioprostheses had a lower postoperative mean gradient at 30 days (Mean Difference [MD] -5.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.7 to 5.5, p <0.001) and at 1 year (MD -6.6, 95%CI 6.1 to 7.03, p <0.001), with a larger indexed effective orifice area (0.17, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.22, p <0.001 and 0.17, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.27, p <0.001) at both time intervals. BE bioprostheses had a higher risk of 30-day and 1-year severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (risk ratio [RR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.09, p <0.001; RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.11, p <0.001). The 30-day and 1 year paravalvular leaks (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 0.99, p <0.001; RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.95, p <0.001) and permanent pacemaker implantation (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99, p 0.01, I2 = 40%,) were lower in the BE group. BE bioprostheses were associated with a lower risk of in-hospital stroke (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 1, p = 0.01). In conclusion, in patients with small aortic annulus and aortic stenosis, SE bioprostheses have superior hemodynamic performance but higher rates of paravalvular leak, permanent pacemaker implantation, and in-hospital stroke. BE bioprostheses were associated with a higher risk of severe prosthesis-patient mismatch.

Short and Long-Term Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in the Small Aortic Annulus: A Systematic Literature Review

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has revolutionized the treatment of aortic stenosis. The small aortic annulus is one of the most challenging aspects of aortic stenosis treatment and since the beginning, TAVI has shown promising results in this subgroup of patients. This systematic literature review aims to investigate the short and long-term outcomes of TAVI in the small aortic annulus. The literature was meticulously screened for this topic until April 2024 using the PRISMA guidelines. Technical aspects, characteristics of this subgroup of patients, hemodynamic performances, and outcomes are discussed. The importance of device selection has shown up, with insight into the differences between self-expandable and the balloon-expandable valves. Two special populations were also taken into account: outcomes of TAVI in the small aortic annulus with bicuspid aortic valve and extra-small aortic annulus. The last 10 years have been paramount in technological advancements, bringing TAVI to broader use in this population. While several important trials underscored the usefulness of TAVI in the small aortic annulus population, the clinical practice still lacks consensus on the ideal device, and the outcomes are debated. The pivotal role of TAVI in this context needs to be addressed with a patient-tailored approach to optimize patient care.

Routine postdilation after 23 mm Sapien 3 Ultra implantation in the aortic position

BACKGROUND

Residual transprosthetic gradient (TG) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with balloon-expandable valves (BEV) may be due to suboptimal valve expansion.

AIMS

To compare hemodynamics after TAVR with small BEV according to postdilation strategy.

METHODS

This observational, retrospective cohort study included 184 consecutive patients from a single center treated with 23 mm Sapien 3 Ultra (Edwards Lifesciences) BEV implantation in the aortic position and enrolled between January 2020 and April 2023. Patients treated with routine postdilation (RP, n = 73) were compared to patients treated according to local standard practice (SP, n = 111). Primary endpoint was 30-day mean TG. Secondary endpoints were incidence of 30-day prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM), technical success and device success.

RESULTS

Thirty-day mean TG was lower in RP versus SP (12.3 ± 4.6 mmHg vs. 14.1 ± 5.7 mmHg, p = 0.031), and incidence of PPM was less common with RP versus SP (47.3% vs. 71.0%, p = 0.006). Technical success (98.6% vs. 99.1%, p = 0.637) and device success (93.1% vs. 90.1%, p = 0.330) did not differ between groups. Differences in 30-day mean TG were driven by patients at normal flow (12.1 ± 4.0 mmHg vs. 15.0 ± 5.5 mmHg, p = 0.014), while no differences were evident among patients at low flow (12.5 ± 5.5 mmHg vs. 11.7 ± 5.5 mmHg, p = 0.644). RP decreased height and increased width of BEV, and a linear regression established that final BEV width could predict 30-day mean TG (r = -0.6654, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

RP after TAVR with small BEV was associated with more favorable forward-flow hemodynamics than SP.

Echocardiographic and clinical features of patients developing prosthesis-patient mismatch after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Insights from the Recovery-TAVR registry

BACKGROUND

The impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) on major endpoints after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is controversial and the effects on progression of heart damage are poorly investigated. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of PPM in a "real world" cohort of patients at intermediate and low surgical risk, its impact on mortality and the clinical-echocardiographic progression of heart damage.

METHODS

963 patients who underwent TAVR procedure between 2017 and 2021, from the RECOVERY-TAVR international multicenter observational registry, were included in this analysis. Multiparametric echocardiographic data of these patients were analyzed at 1-year follow-up (FU). Clinical and echocardiographic features were stratified by presence of PPM and PPM severity, as per the most current international recommendations, using VARC-3 criteria.

RESULTS

18% of patients developed post-TAVR. PPM, and 7.7% of the whole cohort had severe PPM. At baseline, 50.3% of patients with PPM were male (vs 46.2% in the cohort without PPM, P = .33), aged 82 (IQR 79-85y) years vs 82 (IQR 78-86 P = .46), and 55.6% had Balloon-Expandable valves implanted (vs 46.8% of patients without PPM, P = .04); they had smaller left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter (20 mm, IQR 19-21 vs 20 mm, IQR 20-22, P = .02), reduced SVi (34.2 vs 38 mL/m2, P < .01) and transaortic flow rate (190.6 vs 211 mL/s, P < .01). At predischarge FU patients with PPM had more paravalvular aortic regurgitation (moderate-severe AR 15.8% vs 9.2%, P < .01). At 1-year FU, maladaptive alterations of left ventricular parameters were found in patients with PPM, with a significant increase in end-systolic diameter (33 mm vs 28 mm, P = .03) and a significant increase in left ventricle end systolic indexed volume in those with moderate and severe PPM (52 IQR 42-64 and 52, IQR 41-64 vs 44 IQR 35-59 in those without, P = .02)). No evidence of a significant impact of PPM on overall (P = .71) and CV (P = .70) mortality was observed. Patients with moderate/severe PPM had worse NYHA functional class at 1 year (NYHA III-IV 13% vs 7.8%, P = .03). Prosthesis size≤23 mm (OR 11.6, 1.68-80.1) was an independent predictor of PPM, while SVi (OR 0.87, 0.83-0.91, P < .001) and LVOT diameter (OR 0.79, 0.65-0.95, P = .01) had protective effect.

CONCLUSIONS

PPM was observed in 18% of patients undergoing TAVR. Echocardiographic evaluations demonstrated a PPM-related pattern of early ventricular maladaptive alterations, possibly precursor to a reduction in cardiac function, associated with a significant deterioration in NYHA class at 1 year. These findings emphasize the importance of prevention of PPM of any grade in patients undergoing TAVR procedure, especially in populations at risk.

Impact of cardiac rehabilitation on pre- and post-operative transcatheter aortic valve replacement prognoses

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a relatively new treatment method for aortic stenosis (AS) and has been demonstrated to be suitable for patients with varying risk levels. Indeed, among high-risk patients, TAVR outcomes are comparable to, or even better, than that of the traditional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) method. TAVR outcomes, with respect to post-surgical functional capacity and quality of life, have also been found to be improved, especially when combined with cardiac rehabilitation (CR). CR is a multidisciplinary system, which integrates cardiology with other medical disciplines, such as sports, nutritional, mind-body, and behavioral medicine. It entails the development of appropriate medication, exercise, and diet prescriptions, along with providing psychological support, ensuring the cessation of smoking, and developing risk factor management strategies for cardiovascular disease patients. However, even with CR being able to improve TAVR outcomes and reduce post-surgical mortality rates, it still has largely been underutilized in clinical settings. This article reviews the usage of CR during both pre-and postoperative periods for valvular diseases, and the factors involved in influencing subsequent patient prognoses, thereby providing a direction for subsequent research and clinical applications.

Prosthesis-patient mismatch after transcatheter implantation of contemporary balloon-expandable and self-expandable valves in small aortic annuli

BACKGROUND

Evidence of clinical impact of PPM after TAVI is conflicting and might vary according to the type of valve implanted.

AIMS

To assess the clinical impact of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with balloon-expandable (BEV) and self-expandable valves (SEV) in patients with small annuli.

METHODS

TAVI-SMALL 2 enrolled 628 patients in an international retrospective registry, which included patients with severe aortic stenosis and small annuli (annular perimeter <72 mm or area <400 mm2 ) treated with transfemoral TAVI at 16 high-volume centers between 2011 and 2020. Analyses were performed comparing patients with less than moderate (n = 452), moderate (n = 138), and severe PPM (n = 38). Primary endpoint was incidence of all-cause mortality. Predictors of all-cause mortality and PPM were investigated.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 380 days (interquartile range: 210-709 days), patients with severe PPM, but not moderate PPM, had an increased risk of all-cause mortality when compared with less than moderate PPM (log-rank p = 0.046). Severe PPM predicted all-cause mortality in patients with BEV (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-21.2) and intra-annular valves (IAVs, HR: 4.23, 95% CI: 1.28-14.02), and it did so with borderline significance in the overall population (HR: 2.89, 95% CI: 0.95-8.79). Supra-annular valve (SAV) implantation was the only predictor of severe PPM (odds ratio: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with small aortic annuli and severe PPM after TAVI have an increased risk of all-cause mortality at early term follow-up, especially after IAV or BEV implantation. TAVI with SAV protected from severe PPM.