2016 Annual Report of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry

The role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Galectin-3 as predictive biomarkers for all-cause mortality in patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

Currently available risk scores fail to accurately predict morbidity and mortality in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this context, biomarkers like matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) may provide additional prognostic information.

METHODS

Patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing consecutive, elective, transfemoral TAVI were included. Baseline demographic data, functional status, echocardiographic findings, clinical outcomes and biomarker levels were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

The study cohort consisted of 89 patients (age 80.4 ± 5.1 years, EuroScore II 7.1 ± 5.8%). During a median follow-up period of 526 d, 28 patients (31.4%) died. Among those who died, median baseline MMP-2 (alive: 221.6 [170.4; 263] pg/mL vs. deceased: 272.1 [225; 308.8] pg/mL, p < 0.001) and Gal-3 levels (alive: 19.1 [13.5; 24.6] pg/mL vs. deceased: 25 [17.6; 29.5] pg/mL, p = 0.006) were higher than in survivors. In ROC analysis, MMP-2 reached an acceptable level of discrimination to predict mortality (AUC 0.733, 95% CI [0.62; 0.83], p < 0.001), but the predictive value of Gal-3 was poor (AUC 0.677, 95% CI [0.56; 0.79], p = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses showed that patients with MMP-2 and Gal-3 concentrations above the median at baseline had significantly impaired long-term survival (p = 0.004 and p = 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral TAVI, MMP-2 and to a lesser extent Gal-3, seem to have additive value in optimizing risk prediction and streamlining decision-making.

Transcarotid versus transthoracic transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Transthoracic approaches may be contraindicated in some patients and may be associated with poorer outcomes. Therefore other alternative access routes are increasingly being performed. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on Transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TC-TAVR) and meta-analysis comparing outcomes of TC-TAVR and other access routes.

METHODS

We comprehensively searched for controlled randomized and non-randomized studies from 4 online databases. We presented data using risk ratios (95 % confidence intervals) and measured heterogeneity using Higgins' I2.

RESULTS

Sixteen observational studies on Transcarotid TAVR were included in the analysis; 4 studies compared 180 TC-TAVR patients vs 524 TT-TAVR patients. The mean age and STS score for patients undergoing TC-TAVR were 80 years and 7.6 respectively. For TT-TAVR patients, the mean age and STS score were 79.7 years and 8.7 respectively. TC-TAVR patients had lower 30-day MACE [7.8 % vs 13.7 %; OR 0.54 (95 % CI 0.29-0.99, P = 0.05)] and major or life-threatening bleeding [4.0 % vs 14.2 %; OR 0.25 (95 % CI 0.09-0.67, P = 0.006)]. There was no significant difference in 30-day: mortality [5.0 % vs 8.6 %; OR 0.61 (95 % CI 0.29-1.30, P = 0.20)], stroke or transient ischemic attack [2.8 % vs 4.0 %; OR 0.65 (95 % CI 0.25-1.73, P = 0.39)] and moderate or severe aortic valve regurgitation [5.0 % vs 4.6 %; OR 1.14. (95 % CI 0.52-2.52, P = 0.75)]. There was a trend towards fewer major vascular complications in TC-TAVR [3.0 % vs 7.8 %; OR 0.42 (95 % CI 0.16-1.12, P = 0.08)].

CONCLUSION

Compared with transthoracic TAVR, TC-TAVR patients had lower odds of 30-day MACE and life-threatening bleeding and no differences in 30-day mortality, stroke or TIA, aortic valve regurgitation.

Outcomes and Safety of Transcaval Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The transcaval (TCv) vascular approach is increasingly utilized in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), in patients unsuitable for the gold-standard transfemoral approach. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes associated with TCv-TAVR.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by searching PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library for all articles assessing the TCv approach published until December 2023. Outcomes included 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality (ACM), 30-day rehospitalization, peri-operative and post-operative complications at 30 days. The meta-analysis was registered on the PROSPERO database with the identifier CRD42024501921.

RESULTS

A total of eight studies with 467 patients were included. TCv-TAVR procedures achieved a success rate of 98.5%. TCv-TAVR was associated with a 30-day ACM rate of 6.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9-8.2%), a one-year ACM rate of 14.4% (95% CI: 2.3- 27.6%) and a 30-day rehospitalization rate at of 4.4% (95% CI: 2.2-10.6%). Postoperative stroke or transient ischemic attack, major vascular complications and major or life-threatening bleeding occurred in 3.9%, 8.5% and 10.1% of cases, respectively. Cumulative meta-analyses showed a trend of decreasing rates of vascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The TCv approach in TAVR demonstrated a reassuring efficacy and safety profile, with mortality and post-operative complication rates comparable to those reported for supra-aortic alternative TAVR access routes. The temporal decrease in vascular complications suggests potential improvements in procedural techniques and device technology. These findings further support the TCv approach as a viable option in patients ineligible for the transfemoral access.

Transfemoral-only transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A single center experience of 400 consecutive patients

BACKGROUND

In transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transfemoral (TF) access offers several advantages over alternative access routes. Advances in sheaths and valve delivery technology have catalyzed the feasibility of TF-TAVR, even in challenging anatomies.

AIMS

Report procedural characteristics and outcomes of a TAVR program aiming for a 100% TF access rate.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing TAVR were enrolled in a prospective registry. Equipment used to facilitate TF-access in challenging anatomies included low-profile sheaths, dilatators, peripheral balloons, covered and uncovered self-expanding and balloon-expandable stents, and intravascular lithotripsy (IVL).

RESULTS

A total of 400 patients with a mean age of 81 ± 6 years (42% female) were analyzed. Minimal iliofemoral artery diameter (MLD) of the main access side was <5 mm in 42 (10.5%), extreme tortuosity was present in 65 (16.3%), and severe calcification in 59 (14.8%). TF-access was successful in 399 (99.8%) patients. A transaxillary access was used in one patient. In multivariable analysis, an MLD < 5 mm was the strongest predictor for vascular complications (11.9% vs. 3.9%, OR: 3.86, 95% CI: 1.38-10.8, p = 0.01). Such patients also had more major/life-threatening bleeding (14.2% vs. 3.1%, p < 0.001) and required more planned and unplanned peripheral interventions to enable TF access (35.8% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that utilization of dedicated sheaths, peripheral balloons, stents, and IVL enables TAVR via TF access in >99% of patients. However, rates of vascular and bleeding complications in patients with narrow iliofemoral arteries (MLD < 5 mm) were high.

Geographical and socioeconomic disparities in post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement pacemaker placement

INTRODUCTION

Pacemaker (PPM) implantation is indicated for conduction abnormalities which can develop post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, whether post-TAVR PPM risk is associated with the geographical location of the hospital and socioeconomic status of the patient is not well established. Our goal was to explore geographical and socioeconomic disparities in post-TAVR PPM implantation.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using the National Inpatient Sample 2016-2020 with respective ICD-10 codes for TAVR and PPM implantation. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze prognostic outcomes.

RESULTS

The number of patients hospitalized for undergoing TAVR was 296,740, out of which 28,265 patients had PPM implantation (prevalence 9.5 %). Patients' demographics including sex, ethnicity, household income, and insurance were not associated with risk of post-TAVR PPM except age (OR 1.01, CI 1.07-12.5, p < 0.001). Compared to rural hospitals, urban non-teaching hospitals were associated with a higher risk of post-TAVR PPM (OR 2.09, 1.3-3.43, p = 0.003). Compared to New England hospitals (ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT), middle Atlantic hospitals (NY, NJ, PA) were associated with highest post-TAVR PPM risk (OR 1.54, CI 1.2-1.98, p < 0.001), followed by Pacific (AK, WA, OR, CA, HI), mountain (ID, MT, WY, NV, UT, CO, AZ, NM) and east north central US.

CONCLUSION

Patients' demographics including sex, ethnicity, household income, and insurance were not associated with the risk of post-TAVR PPM except for age. Compared to New England hospitals, Middle Atlantic hospitals were associated with the highest post-TAVR PPM risk followed by Pacific, Mountain, and East North Central US. Prospective studies with data on TAVR wait times, expertise of the interventional staff, and post-TAVR management and discharge planning are required to further explore the observed regional distribution of TAVR outcomes.

Postsurgical Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement

Reintervention is commonly required postsurgical mitral valve replacement (SMVR) or repair due to bioprosthetic valve and annuloplasty ring degeneration. However, redo SMVR is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Postsurgical transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is a safe and less-invasive alternative that has repeatedly been shown to be associated with improved survival and lower rates of complications compared with redo SMVR. Comprehensive patient evaluation and thorough procedural planning are key to successful TMVR.

Efficacy of Native T1 Mapping for Patients With Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy and Ventricular Functional Mitral Regurgitation Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair

BACKGROUND

We investigated the efficacy of left ventricular (LV) myocardial damage by native T1mapping obtained with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER).Methods and Results: We studied 40 symptomatic non-ischemic heart failure (HF) patients and ventricular functional mitral regurgitation (VFMR) undergoing TEER. LV myocardial damage was defined as the native T1Z-score, which was converted from native T1values obtained with CMR. The primary endpoint was defined as HF rehospitalization or cardiovascular death over 12 months after TEER. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the native T1Z-score was the only independent parameter associated with cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 3.40; 95% confidential interval 1.51-7.67), and that patients with native T1Z-scores <2.41 experienced significantly fewer cardiovascular events than those with native T1Z-scores ≥2.41 (P=0.001). Moreover, the combination of a native T1Z-score <2.41 and more severe VFMR (effective regurgitant orifice area [EROA] ≥0.30 cm2) was associated with fewer cardiovascular events than a native T1Z-score ≥2.41 and less severe VFMR (EROA <0.30 cm2; P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of baseline LV myocardial damage based on native T1Z-scores obtained with CMR without gadolinium-based contrast media is a valuable additional parameter for better management of HF patients and VFMR following TEER.

Aortic stenosis and right ventricular dysfunction

At the present time, right ventricular function in patients with aortic stenosis is insufficiently taken into account in the decision-making process of aortic valve replacement. The aim of our study was to evaluate significance of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with severe aortic stenosis by modern 3D echocardiographic methods. This is prospective analysis of 68 patients with severe high and low-gradient aortic stenosis. We evaluated function of left and right ventricle on the basis of 3D reconstruction. Enddiastolic, endsystolic volumes, ejection fraction and stroke volumes of both chambers were assessed. There were more patients with right ventricular dysfunction in low-gradient group (RVEF < 45%) than in the high-gradient group (63.6% vs 39%, p = 0.02). Low-gradient patients had worse right ventricular function than high-gradient patients (RVEF 36% vs 46%, p = 0.02). There wasn't any significant correlation between the right ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (r = - 0.25, p = 0.036). There was significant correlation between left and right ejection fraction (r = 0.78, p < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the only predictor of right ventricular function is the left ventricular function. According to our results we can state that right ventricular dysfunction is more common in patients with low-gradient than in high-gradient aortic stenosis and the only predictor of right ventricular dysfunction is left ventricular dysfunction, probably based on ventriculo-ventricular interaction. Pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe AS does not predict right ventricular dysfunction.

The impact of perioperative stroke and delirium on outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVE

The effects of stroke and delirium on postdischarge cognition and patient-centered health outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) are not well characterized. Here, we assess the impact of postoperative stroke and delirium on these health outcomes in SAVR patients at 90 days.

METHODS

Patients (N = 383) undergoing SAVR (41% received concomitant coronary artery bypass graft) enrolled in a randomized trial of embolic protection devices underwent serial neurologic and delirium evaluations at postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 and magnetic resonance imaging at day 7. Outcomes included 90-day functional status, neurocognitive decline from presurgical baseline, and quality of life.

RESULTS

By postoperative day 7, 25 (6.6%) patients experienced clinical stroke and 103 (28.5%) manifested delirium. During index hospitalization, time to discharge was longer in patients experiencing stroke (hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42-0.94; P = .02) and patients experiencing delirium (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.86; P = .001). At day 90, patients experiencing stroke were more likely to have a modified Rankin score >2 (odds ratio [OR], 5.9; 95% CI, 1.7-20.1; P = .01), depression (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.6-17.3; P = .006), a lower 12-Item Short Form Survey physical health score (adjusted mean difference -3.3 ± 1.9; P = .08), and neurocognitive decline (OR, 7.8; 95% CI, 2.3-26.4; P = .001). Delirium was associated with depression (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 0.9-5.3; P = .08), lower 12-Item Short Form Survey physical health (adjusted mean difference -2.3 ± 1.1; P = .03), and neurocognitive decline (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.0; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Stroke and delirium occur more frequently after SAVR than is commonly recognized, and these events are associated with disability, depression, cognitive decline, and poorer quality of life at 90 days postoperatively. These findings support the need for new interventions to reduce these events and improve patient-centered outcomes.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus surgical aortic valve replacement for pure aortic regurgitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 33,484 patients

INTRODUCTION

The published studies comparing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in pure aortic regurgitation (AR) are conflicting. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to compare TAVI with SAVR in pure AR.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and the Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception until 23 June 2023. Review Manager was used for statistical analysis. The risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to compare dichotomous outcomes. Continuous outcomes were compared using the mean difference (MD) and 95% CI. The inconsistency test (I2) assessed the heterogeneity. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale to assess the quality of included studies. We evaluated the strength of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) scale.

RESULTS

We included six studies with 5633 patients in the TAVI group and 27,851 in SAVR. In-hospital mortality was comparable between TAVI and SAVR (RR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.56, 1.42], P = 0.63) (I2 = 86%, P < 0.001). TAVI was favored over SAVR regarding in-hospital stroke (RR = 0.50; 95% CI [0.39, 0.66], P < 0.001) (I2 = 11%, P = 0.34), in-hospital acute kidney injury (RR = 0.56; 95% CI: [0.41, 0.76], P < 0.001) (I2 = 91%, P < 0.001), major bleeding (RR = 0.23; 95% CI: [0.17, 0.32], P < 0.001) (I2 = 78%, P < 0.001), and shorter hospital say (MD = - 4.76 days; 95% CI: [- 5.27, - 4.25], P < 0.001) (I2 = 88%, P < 0.001). In contrast, TAVI was associated with a higher rate of pacemaker implantation (RR = 1.68; 95% CI: [1.50, 1.88], P < 0.001) (I2 = 0% P = 0.83).

CONCLUSION

TAVI reduces in-hospital stroke and is associated with better safety outcomes than SAVR in patients with pure AR.

Economic Burden of Inpatient Care for Mitral Regurgitation in Maryland

BACKGROUND

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common valvular disease in the United States and increases the risk of death and hospitalization. The economic burden of MR in the United States is not known.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed inpatient hospitalization data from the 1 221 173 Maryland residents who had any in-state admissions from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2019. We assessed the total charges for patients without MR and for patients with MR who underwent medical management, transcatheter mitral valve repair or replacement, or surgical mitral valve repair or replacement. During the study period, 26 076 inpatients had a diagnosis of MR. Compared with patients without MR, these patients had more comorbidities and higher inpatient mortality. Patients with medically managed MR incurred average total charges of $23 575 per year; MR was associated with $10 559 more in charges per year and an incremental 3.1 more inpatient days per year as compared with patients without MR. Both surgical mitral valve repair or replacement and transcatheter mitral valve repair or replacement were associated with higher charges as compared with medical management during the year of intervention ($47 943 for surgical mitral valve repair or replacement and $63 108 for transcatheter mitral valve repair or replacement). Annual charges for both groups were significantly lower as compared with medical management in the second and third years postintervention.

CONCLUSIONS

MR is associated with higher mortality and inpatient charges. Patients who undergo surgical or transcatheter intervention incur lower charges compared with medically managed MR patients in the years after the procedure.

Trans-Brachial TAVI in a Patient with Aortic Isthmus Stenosis: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

TAVI indications expand not only to low-risk patients but also to patients with a more complex anatomy and comorbidities. Transfemoral retrograde access is recognized as the first preferred approach according to the current guidelines. However, this approach is not suitable in up to 10-15% of patients, for whom an alternative non-femoral access route is required.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 83-year-old male patient with known aortic isthmus stenosis presented with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Computed tomography revealed a subtotal isthmus stenosis, directly after left subclavian artery origin, with many collaterals extending toward the axillary and subclavian arteries. Duplex ultrasound verified the proximal diameter of the left brachial artery to be 5.5 mm. A successful surgical cutdown trans-brachial TAVI with an Evolut prosthetic valve with a size of 29 mm was performed. On the fourth postoperative day, the patient was discharged, and the three-month follow-up was uneventful.

CONCLUSION

In patients with aortic isthmus stenosis, the brachial artery could be a feasible alternative, as a less invasive access site, which can be determined after careful assessment of the vessel diameter. More data are required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this access route and to achieve more technical improvements to increase operator familiarity with it.

Procedural success in transaxillary transcatheter aortic valve implantation according to type of transcatheter heart valve: results from the multicenter TAXI registry

BACKGROUND

Transaxillary (TAx) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a preferred alternative access in patients ineligible for transfemoral TAVI.

AIMS

This study used the Trans-AXillary Intervention (TAXI) registry to compare procedural success according to different types of transcatheter heart valves (THV).

METHODS

For the TAXI registry anonymized data of patients treated with TAx-TAVI were collected from 18 centers. Acute procedural, early and 1-month clinical outcomes were adjudicated in accordance with standardized VARC-3 definitions.

RESULTS

From 432 patients, 368 patients (85.3%, SE group) received self-expanding (SE) THV and 64 patients (14.8%, BE group) received balloon-expandable (BE) THV. Imaging revealed lower axillary artery diameters in the SE group (max/min diameter in mm: 8.4/6.6 vs 9.4/6.8 mm; p < 0.001/p = 0.04) but a higher proportion of axillary tortuosity in BE group (62/368, 23.6% vs 26/64, 42.6%; p = 0.004) with steeper aorta-left ventricle (LV) inflow (55° vs 51°; p = 0.002) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT)-LV inflow angles (40.0° vs 24.5°; 0.002). TAx-TAVI was more often conducted by right sided axillary artery in the BE group (33/368, 9.0% vs 17/64, 26.6%; p < 0.001). Device success was higher in the SE group (317/368, 86.1% vs 44/64, 68.8%, p = 0.0015). In logistic regression analysis, BE THV were a risk factor for vascular complications and axillary stent implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Both, SE and BE THV can be safely used in TAx-TAVI. However, SE THV were more often used and were associated with a higher rate of device success. While SE THV were associated with lower rates of vascular complications, BE THV were more often used in cases with challenging anatomical circumstances.

The Interventional Imager: How Do We Train the Next Interventional Imagers?

With the increase in structural heart procedural volume, interventional imagers are required. Multiple imaging modalities exist to guide these procedures. With comprehensive understanding of pathology, anatomy, and procedures, an advanced imager plays an important role in the heart team. Imaging training is part of general cardiology fellowship. Current structures do not provide adequate procedural time to fill the role. Interested graduates pursue advanced training by either focusing on echocardiography and procedural imaging or multidetector computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance. This yields individuals with different expertise.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Access Sites: Same Goals, Distinct Aspects, Various Merits and Demerits

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as a safe and efficacious treatment for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS). Despite being initially developed and indicated for high-surgical-risk patients, it is now offered to low-risk populations based on the results of large randomized controlled trials. The most common access sites in the vast majority of patients undergoing TAVI are the common femoral arteries; however, 10-20% of the patients treated with TAVI require an alternative access route, mainly due to peripheral atherosclerotic disease or complex anatomy. Hence, to achieve successful delivery and implantation of the valve, several arterial approaches have been studied, including transcarotid (TCr), axillary/subclavian (A/Sc), transapical (TAp), transaortic (TAo), suprasternal-brachiocephalic (S-B), and transcaval (TCv). This review aims to concisely summarize the most recent literature data and current guidelines as well as evaluate the various access routes for TAVI, focusing on the indications, the various special patient groups, and the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, as well as their adverse events.

Interrater variability of ML-based CT-FFR during TAVR-planning: influence of image quality and coronary artery calcifications

Objective

To compare machine learning (ML)-based CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) in patients before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) by observers with differing training and to assess influencing factors.

Background

Coronary computed tomography angiography (cCTA) can effectively exclude CAD, e.g. prior to TAVR, but remains limited by its specificity. CT-FFR may mitigate this limitation also in patients prior to TAVR. While a high reliability of CT-FFR is presumed, little is known about the reproducibility of ML-based CT-FFR.

Methods

Consecutive patients with obstructive CAD on cCTA were evaluated with ML-based CT-FFR by two observers. Categorization into hemodynamically significant CAD was compared against invasive coronary angiography. The influence of image quality and coronary artery calcium score (CAC) was examined.

Results

CT-FFR was successfully performed on 214/272 examinations by both observers. The median difference of CT-FFR between both observers was -0.05(-0.12-0.02) (p < 0.001). Differences showed an inverse correlation to the absolute CT-FFR values. Categorization into CAD was different in 37/214 examinations, resulting in net recategorization of Δ13 (13/214) examinations and a difference in accuracy of Δ6.1%. On patient level, correlation of absolute and categorized values was substantial (0.567 and 0.570, p < 0.001). Categorization into CAD showed no correlation to image quality or CAC (p > 0.13).

Conclusion

Differences between CT-FFR values increased in values below the cut-off, having little clinical impact. Categorization into CAD differed in several patients, but ultimately only had a moderate influence on diagnostic accuracy. This was independent of image quality or CAC.

PRIME score for prediction of permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES

We sought to produce a simple scoring system that can be applied at clinical visits before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to stratify the risk of permanent pacemaker (PPM) after the procedure.

BACKGROUND

Atrioventricular block is a known complication of TAVR. Current models for predicting the risk of PPM after TAVR are not designed to be applied clinically to assist with preprocedural planning.

METHODS

Patients undergoing TAVR at the University of Colorado were split into a training cohort for the development of a predictive model, and a testing cohort for model validation. Stepwise and binary logistic regressions were performed on the training cohort to produce a predictive model. Beta coefficients from the binary logistic regression were used to create a simple scoring system for predicting the need for PPM implantation. Scores were then applied to the validation cohort to assess predictive accuracy.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing TAVR from 2013 to 2019 were analyzed: with 483 included in the training cohort and 123 included in the validation cohort. The need for a pacemaker was associated with five preprocedure variables in the training cohort: PR interval > 200 ms, Right bundle branch block, valve-In-valve procedure, prior Myocardial infarction, and self-Expandable valve. The PRIME score was developed using these clinical features, and was highly accurate for predicting PPM in both the training and model validation cohorts (area under the curve 0.804 and 0.830 in the model training and validation cohorts, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The PRIME score is a simple and accurate preprocedural tool for predicting the need for PPM implantation after TAVR.

Cardiac catheterization, coronary intervention, and wait times for transcatheter aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES

Prolonged wait times for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The incidence and predictors of short TAVR wait times (STWT: defined as ≤ 30 days from referral to TAVR procedure) have not been defined. This study examined the impact of clinical characteristics, demographics, and pre-TAVR cardiac catheterization on wait times for TAVR.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational analysis of 831 patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR from 2019 to mid-2022 at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Demographics, timing of treatment [stratified by COVID-19 onset (1 March 2020)], TAVR center travel distance, baseline clinical factors, and process-related variables were analyzed to determine univariate STWT predictors (P < 0.10). Multivariable analysis was performed to determine independent STWT predictors.

RESULTS

Approximately 50% of TAVR patients in this study achieved a STWT. The proportion of patients with STWT was higher (54.7% vs. 45.2%; P = 0.008) after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. STWT was not related to travel distance (P = 0.61). Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 60% were less likely to achieve STWT compared to patients with LVEF < 40% (OR 0.45, P = 0.003). Patients who required catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before TAVR were significantly less likely to achieve STWT (OR 0.65, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

TAVR wait times were not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or single rural TAVR center travel distance. Sicker patients were more likely to achieve STWT while catheterization/PCI before TAVR was associated with longer wait times.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Variations in Use, Charges, and Geography in the United States

The use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the United States has been increasing but with variability. We used a 100% sample of Medicare beneficiaries (MBs), from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database, who underwent TAVR by cardiologists between 2015 and 2019. We stratified data by geographic region, rural/urban areas, and provider's gender. We examined the average number of TAVRs performed per 100,000 MBs, the average number of TAVRs performed per individual cardiologist, and the average submitted charge (ASC) per procedure. The number of TAVR per 100,000 MBs was significantly variable among regions in all years (all P≤0.028), except in 2015 (P=0.103), with the highest rates being in the Northeast and the lowest being in the West. The number of TAVRs per cardiologist was significantly different among regions only in 2019 (P=0.04), with the Northeast showing the highest numbers and the South showing the lowest. The ASC was also significantly variable among regions in all years (all P≤0.01). The highest ASC was in the Midwest for all years, whereas the lowest was in the West in 2015 to 2016 and in the South in 2017 to 2019. In all years, the number of TAVRs per cardiologist was higher in urban areas than in rural areas (all P<0.05); however, rural cardiologists had higher ASCs (all P<0.05). The number of TAVR procedures per cardiologist was not significantly different between male and female cardiologists (all P>0.1). Female cardiologists had a significantly higher ASC only in 2015 (P=0.034). In conclusion, there are variations in TAVR use and charges for MBs according to geographic, urban, and rural regions and the performing cardiologist's gender.

General Anesthesia Versus Local Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: An Updated Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

For patients with aortic stenosis, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers a less invasive treatment modality than conventional surgical valve replacement. Although the surgery is performed traditionally under general anesthesia (GA), recent studies have described success with TAVR using local anesthesia (LA) and/or conscious sedation. The study authors performed a pairwise meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of TAVR based on operative anesthesia management.

DESIGN

A random effects pairwise meta-analysis via the Mantel-Haenszel method.

SETTING

Not applicable, as this is a meta-analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

No individual patient data were used.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable, as this is a meta-analysis.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The authors comprehensively searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify studies comparing TAVR performed using LA or GA. Outcomes were pooled as risk ratios (RR) or standard mean differences (SMD) and their 95% CIs. The authors' pooled analysis included 14,388 patients from 40 studies (7,754 LA; 6,634 GA). Compared to GA TAVR, LA TAVR was associated with significantly lower rates of 30-day mortality (RR 0.69; p < 0.01) and stroke (RR 0.78; p = 0.02). Additionally, LA TAVR patients had lower rates of 30-day major and/or life-threatening bleeding (RR 0.64; p = 0.01), 30-day major vascular complications (RR 0.76; p = 0.02), and long-term mortality (RR 0.75; p = 0.009). No significant difference was seen between the 2 groups for a 30-day paravalvular leak (RR 0.88, p = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement performed using LA is associated with lower rates of adverse clinical outcomes, including 30-day mortality and stroke. No difference was seen between the 2 groups for a 30-day paravalvular leak. These results support the use of minimally invasive forms of TAVR without GA.

TAVR Interventions and Coronary Access: How to Prevent Coronary Occlusion

Due to technological advancements during the past 20 years, transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) have significantly improved the treatment of symptomatic and severe aortic stenosis, significantly improving patient outcomes. The continuous evolution of transcatheter valve models, refined imaging planning for enhanced accuracy, and the growing expertise of technicians have collectively contributed to increased safety and procedural success over time. These notable advancements have expanded the scope of TAVR to include patients with lower risk profiles as it has consistently demonstrated more favorable outcomes than surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). As the field progresses, coronary angiography is anticipated to become increasingly prevalent among patients who have previously undergone TAVR, particularly in younger cohorts. It is worth noting that aortic stenosis is often associated with coronary artery disease. While the task of re-accessing coronary artery access following TAVR is challenging, it is generally feasible. In the context of valve-in-valve procedures, several crucial factors must be carefully considered to optimize coronary re-access. To obtain successful coronary re-access, it is essential to align the prosthesis with the native coronary ostia. As part of preventive measures, strategies have been developed to safeguard against coronary obstruction during TAVR. One such approach involves placing wires and non-deployed coronary balloons or scaffolds inside an at-risk coronary artery, a procedure known as chimney stenting. Additionally, the bioprosthetic or native aortic scallops intentional laceration to prevent iatrogenic coronary artery obstruction (BASILICA) procedure offers an effective and safer alternative to prevent coronary artery obstructions. The key objective of our study was to evaluate the techniques and procedures employed to achieve commissural alignment in TAVR, as well as to assess the efficacy and measure the impact on coronary re-access in valve-in-valve procedures.

Impact of transradial versus transfemoral access for preprocedural coronary angiography on TAVR-associated complications

Background

Vascular injury and bleeding complications remain frequent after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Whether the access-site of preprocedural coronary angiography (CAG) affects TAVR-related complications is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of transradial (TRA) versus transfemoral access (TFA) for preprocedural CAG on outcomes in patients undergoing subsequent TAVR.

Methods

The study cohort included 1002 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR, of whom 39.4% (395/1002) had undergone radial and 60.6% (607/1002) femoral access for pre-TAVR CAG. The primary endpoint was a composite of 30-day mortality and major vascular complications after TAVR. Key secondary endpoints included VARC-3-defined complications.

Results

The primary endpoint occurred less frequently in patients with prior TRA (3.3%) as compared to patients with prior TFA (6.3%, p = 0.04), which was mainly driven by significantly lower rates of major vascular complications (0.8% vs 2.5%, p = 0.05). Moreover, incidences of periprocedural access-related vascular injury and unplanned endovascular interventions were lower in TRA patients (13.2% vs 18.0%, p = 0.05). The rate of major bleeding tended to be lower in the TRA (1.5%) as compared to the TFA group (3.5%) but was not significantly different (p = 0.07). Moreover, the rate of life-threatening bleeding was comparable between both groups (0.5% vs 0.8%, p = 0.71).

Conclusion

Transradial access for preprocedural CAG was associated with significantly lower rates of vascular complications following subsequent TAVR as compared to transfemoral access. However, despite the tendency to lower major bleedings with transradial access, no significant association was detectable between the access-site of coronary angiography and TAVR-related bleeding complications.

Obesity and vascular complication in percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve insertion

BACKGROUND

Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of vascular complication during percutaneous coronary intervention, but there are no data on the risk of vascular complication during percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve insertion (TAVI).

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized there would be a similar increased risk associated with TAVI.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 1176 patients who received percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve insertion from September 2015 to September 2020. All patients received 1) preoperative computed tomoraphy angiography assessment of the abdomen and pelvis to delineate iliofemoral artery anatomy, 2) ultrasound-guided percutaneous femoral arterial access, and 3) pre-closure of the delivery sheath femoral access site. Vascular complication was recorded based on definitions set forth by Valve Academic Research Consortium 3.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 81 years, and 60% were men. The median body mass index (BMI) was 29 kg/m2 (range, 11-67), and 91 (8%) patients had a value ≥40 kg/m2 (i.e., morbid obesity). Delivery sheath size was 14-French in 859 (73%) patients, 16-French in 311 (26%), and 18-French in 6 (1%). Vascular complication occurred in 53 (5%) patients, including 39 (7%) among the first half of procedures and 14 (2%) among the second half (p < 0.001). When stratified by obesity status (BMI < or ≥30 kg/m2 , p < 0.001), the complication rate was 4% in nonobese patients and 5% in obese patients. Multivariable analysis showed no overall association between risk of vascular complication and BMI categories (p = 0.583)BMI continuous values (p = 0.529), or sheath size (p = 0.217).

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity is not associated with a vascular complication during percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve insertion. The operation should not be denied in obese patients.

Post-procedural structural heart CT imaging: TAVR, TMVR, and other interventions

Transcatheter valve replacement has experienced substantial growth in the past decade and this technique can now be used for any of the four heart valves. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has overtaken surgical aortic valve replacement. Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is often performed in pre-existing valves or after prior valve repair, although numerous devices are undergoing trials for replacement of native valves. Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) is similarly under active development. Lastly, transcatheter pulmonic valve replacement (TPVR) is most often used for revision treatment of congenital heart disease. Given the growth of these techniques, radiologists are increasingly called upon to interpret post-procedural imaging for these patients, particularly with CT. These cases will often arise unexpectedly and require detailed knowledge of potential post-procedural appearances. We review both normal and abnormal post-procedural findings on CT. Certain complications-device migration or embolization, paravalvular leak, or leaflet thrombosis-can occur after replacement of any valve. Other complications are specific to each type of valve, including coronary artery occlusion after TAVR, coronary artery compression after TPVR, or left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after TMVR. Finally, we review access-related complications, which are of particular concern due to the requirement of large-bore catheters for these procedures.

Regional Variation in the Use and Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in California

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been widely adopted for management of aortic stenosis. The purpose of this study was to examine regional access to and outcomes following TAVR in California.

METHODS

Patients undergoing TAVR or isolated surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) from 2008 to 2019 in California were identified in the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. California was divided into seven regions: Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area, Central California, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Orange, and San Diego. Regional TAVR volumes were normalized to Medicare beneficiaries or isolated SAVR volume. Outcomes included risk-adjusted 30-day mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE). Trends were studied using non-parametric tests, and regional outcomes using logistic regression.

RESULTS

TAVR volume increased annually since 2011, with 7148 cases performed in California in 2019. After normalization, variation in utilization of TAVR was evident, with the least performed in Central California. TAVR to SAVR ratios in 2019 were greatest in Northern California, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and least in the Inland Empire. After risk adjustment, there were no significant regional differences in 30-day mortality, but lower 30-day MACCE in the San Francisco Bay Area.

CONCLUSIONS

Regional differences in TAVR utilization exist, with limited access in Central California and the Inland Empire, but risk-adjusted outcomes are similar. Efforts to reach underserved areas through existing program expansion or regional referrals may distribute transcatheter technology more equitably across California.

Comparison of hemodynamics in biological surgical aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation: An in-silico study

OBJECTIVES

In aortic valve replacement (AVR), the treatment strategy as well as the model and size of the implanted prosthesis have a major impact on the postoperative hemodynamics and thus on the clinical outcome. Preinterventional prediction of the hemodynamics could support the treatment decision. Therefore, we performed paired virtual treatment with transcatheter AVR (TAVI) and biological surgical AVR (SAVR) and compared hemodynamic outcomes using numerical simulations.

METHODS

10 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing TAVI were virtually treated with both biological SAVR and TAVI to compare post-interventional hemodynamics using numerical simulations of peak-systolic flow. Virtual treatment procedure was done using an in-house developed tool based on position-based dynamics methodology, which was applied to the patient's anatomy including LVOT, aortic root and aorta. Geometries were automatically segmented from dynamic CT-scans and patient-specific flow rates were calculated by volumetric analysis of the left ventricle. Hemodynamics were assessed using the STAR CCM+ software by solving the RANS equations.

RESULTS

Virtual treatment with TAVI resulted in realistic hemodynamics comparable to echocardiographic measurements (median difference in transvalvular pressure gradient [TPG]: -0.33 mm Hg). Virtual TAVI and SAVR showed similar hemodynamic functions with a mean TPG with standard deviation of 8.45 ± 4.60 mm Hg in TAVI and 6.66 ± 3.79 mm Hg in SAVR (p = 0.03) while max. Wall shear stress being 12.6 ± 4.59 vs. 10.2 ± 4.42 Pa (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Using the presented method for virtual treatment of AS, we were able to reliably predict post-interventional hemodynamics. TAVI and SAVR show similar hemodynamics in a pairwise comparison.

Non-continuous mobile electrocardiogram monitoring for post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement delayed conduction disorders put to the test

AIMS

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPM-I) remains nowadays the most important drawback of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure and the optimal strategy of delayed conduction disturbances (CDs) in these patients is unclear. The study aimed to validate an ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring through a 30 s spot ambulatory digital mobile ECG (AeECG), by using KardiaMobile-6L device in a 30-day period after TAVR procedure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between March 2021 and February 2022, we consecutively enrolled all patients undergoing TAVR procedure, except pacemaker (PM) carriers. At discharge, all patients were provided of a KardiaMobile-6L device and a spot digital ECG (eECG) recording 1 month schedule. Clinical and follow-up data were collected, and eECG schedule compliance and recording quality were explored. Among 151 patients without pre-existing PM, 23 were excluded for pre-discharge PPM-I, 18 failed the KardiaMobile-6L training phase, and 10 refused the device. Delayed CDs with a Class I/IIa indication for PPM-I occurred in eight patients (median 6 days). Delayed PPM-I vs. non-delayed PPM-I patients were more likely to have longer PR and QRS intervals at discharge. PR interval at discharge was the only independent predictor for delayed PPM-I at multivariate analysis. The overall eECG schedule compliance was 96.5%. None clinical adverse events CDs related were documented using this new AeECG monitoring modality.

CONCLUSION

A strategy of 30 s spot AeECG is safe and efficacious in delayed CDs monitoring after TAVR procedure with a very high eECG schedule level of compliance.

Comparison of outcomes of trans-subclavian versus trans-apical approaches in transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background

Many patients are unsuitable for conventional femoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) but there is limited evidence as to which alternative approach has the best outcomes. We compared clinical outcomes in patients undergoing trans-subclavian (TS) or trans-apical (TA) TAVI.

Methods

This was a national retrospective observational study of patients undergoing surgical TAVI in Scotland between January 2013 and March 2020. The pre-operative patient characteristics, intraoperative details and post-operative outcomes were compared between TS and TA cohorts using data from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR) registry.

Results

Among 1055 patients who underwent TAVI, TS or TA access was used in 50 (4.7%) and 90 (8.5%) patients respectively. Self-expanding Medtronic Evolut R valves were used in 84% of TS procedures, while balloon-expandable Edwards SAPIEN valves were used in all TA procedures. The TS group had a lower mean logistic EuroSCORE than the TA group (27.31 ± 19.44% vs 34.92 ± 19.61% p = 0.029). The TS approach was associated with a higher incidence of moderate postprocedural aortic regurgitation (12.5% vs 2.4%, p = 0.025). There was no significant difference in 30-day, 1-year or overall all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

Both trans-subclavian and trans-apical access are viable approaches for patients requiring non-transfemoral TAVI. Differences in peri-procedural indices reflect the disparate patient populations and factors governing prosthesis choice, and short- and long-term mortality was similar.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement in High-Surgical Risk Patients: A Single-Center Experience and Outcome

Background

Re-operative mitral valve (MV) replacement is a high-risk procedure, therefore, transcatheter MV replacement (TMVR) is a promising therapeutic option.

Aim

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of TMVR in patients with high surgical risk with degenerated mitral bioprostheses (TMViV), failed surgical rings (TMViR), and mitral annular calcification (TMViMAC).

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study that enrolled patients with high surgical risk who underwent TMVR from February 2017 to September 2020. The TMVR procedure was performed using Edwards SAPIEN-3 valves through the transseptal approach.

Results

Sixty-four patients aged 62.7 ± 16.1 years with an STS score of 9.2 ± 3.7% underwent TMVR [35 (55%) TMViV, 16 (25%) TMViR, and 13 (20%) TMViMAC]. Mitral stenosis was more frequent in TMViV, mitral regurgitation was more frequent in TMViR, and combined mitral stenosis and regurgitation were more frequent in TMViMAC (P < 0.05). The MV gradient was 14.3 ± 5.3 mmHg and the MV area was 1.5±0.6 cm². The 29 mm valve was frequently used in TMViV and TMViMAC, while the 23 mm valve was frequently used in TMViR (P=0.003^∗). The procedural and fluoroscopy times were 58.7 ± 8.9 and 41.1 ± 8.2 minutes, respectively. Technical success was reported in 62 (98.4%) patients; 1 TMViR patient experienced valve embolization and salvage surgery, and 1 TMViMAC patient experienced slight valve malposition. At 3 months, 2 (3.1%) patients showed valve thrombosis (treated with anticoagulation), and 1 (1.6%) patient developed a paravalvular leak (underwent surgical MV replacement). At 6 months, 3 (4.7%) patients showed valve degeneration (underwent surgical MV replacement). Throughout follow-up, no patient exhibited mortality.

Conclusions

TMVR is a feasible and safe approach in patients with high surgical risk. TMViV and TMViR are reasonable as the first treatment approaches, and TMViMAC seems encouraging.

Evolving Indications of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement—Where Are We Now, and Where Are We Going

Indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have steadily increased over the last decade since the first trials including inoperable or very high risk patients. Thus, TAVR is now the most common treatment of aortic valve stenosis in elderly patients (vs. surgical aortic valve replacement -SAVR-). In this review, we summarize the current indications of TAVR and explore future directions in which TAVR indications can expand.

Minireview: Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Is There Still an Indication?

Transaortic (TAo) transcatheter aortic valve implantation has become a valid alternative access route in patients with unsuitable femoral arteries. The current literature does not allow to clearly favor one of the alternative access routes. Every approach has its specific advantages. Transaortic (TAo) access is of particular importance in the case of calcifications of the supra-aortic branches and the aortic arch, as under these circumstances other alternative access routes, such as transaxillary or transcarotid, are not feasible. The purpose of this minireview is to give an overview and update on TAo transcatheter aortic valve implantation focusing on indication, technical aspects, and recent clinical data.

Practice Patterns and Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the United States and Japan: A Report From Joint Data Harmonization Initiative of STS/ACC TVT and J-TVT

Background

The practice pattern and outcome of medical devices following their regulatory approval may differ by country. The aim of this study is to compare postapproval national clinical registry data on transcatheter aortic valve replacement between the United States and Japan on patient characteristics, periprocedural outcomes, and the variability of outcomes as a part of a partnership program (Harmonization‐by‐Doing) between the 2 countries.

Methods and Results

The patient‐level data were extracted from the US Society of Thoracic Surgeons /American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy (STS/ACC TVT) and the J‐TVT (Japanese Transcatheter Valvular Therapy) registry, respectively, to analyze transcatheter aortic valve replacement outcomes between 2013 and 2019. Data entry for these registries was mandated by the federal regulators, and the majority of variable definitions were harmonized to allow direct data comparison. A total of 244 722 transcatheter aortic valve replacements from 646 institutions in the United States and 26 673 transcatheter aortic valve replacements from 171 institutions in Japan were analyzed. Median volume per site was 65 (interquartile range, 45–97) in the United States and 28 (interquartile range, 19–41) in Japan. Overall, patients in J‐TVT were older (United States: mean‐age, 80.1±8.7 versus Japan: 84.4±5.2; P<0.001), were more frequently women (45.9% versus 68.1%; P<0.001), and had higher median Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (5.27% versus 6.20%; P<0.001) than patients in the United States. Japan had lower unadjusted 30‐day mortality (1.3% versus 3.2%; P<0.001) and composite outcomes of death, stroke, and bleeding (17.5 versus 22.5%; P<0.001) but had higher conversion to open surgery (0.94% versus 0.56%; P<0.001).

Conclusions

This collaborative analysis between the United States and Japan demonstrated the feasibility of international comparison using the national registries coded under mutual variable definitions. Both countries obtained excellent outcomes, although the Japanese had lower 30‐day mortality and major morbidity. Harmonization‐by‐Doing is one of the key steps needed to build global‐level learning to improve patient outcomes.

Combined Coronary CT-Angiography and TAVI Planning: Utility of CT-FFR in Patients with Morphologically Ruled-Out Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a frequent comorbidity in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). If significant CAD can be excluded on coronary CT-angiography (cCTA), invasive coronary angiography (ICA) may be avoided. However, a high plaque burden may make the exclusion of CAD challenging, particularly for less experienced readers. The objective was to analyze the ability of machine learning (ML)-based CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) to correctly categorize cCTA studies without obstructive CAD acquired during pre-TAVI evaluation and to correlate recategorization to image quality and coronary artery calcium score (CAC). Methods: In total, 116 patients without significant stenosis (≥50% diameter) on cCTA as part of pre-TAVI CT were included. Patients were examined with an electrocardiogram-gated CT scan of the heart and high-pitch scan of the torso. Patients were re-evaluated with ML-based CT-FFR (threshold = 0.80). The standard of reference was ICA. Image quality was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results: ML-based CT-FFR was successfully performed in 94.0% (109/116) of patients, including 436 vessels. With CT-FFR, 76/109 patients and 126/436 vessels were falsely categorized as having significant CAD. With CT-FFR 2/2 patients but no vessels initially falsely classified by cCTA were correctly recategorized as having significant CAD. Reclassification occurred predominantly in distal segments. Virtually no correlation was found between image quality or CAC. Conclusions: Unselectively applied, CT-FFR may vastly increase the number of false positive ratings of CAD compared to morphological scoring. Recategorization was virtually independently from image quality or CAC and occurred predominantly in distal segments. It is unclear whether or not the reduced CT-FFR represent true pressure ratios and potentially signifies pathophysiology in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

TAVR operator volumes, trends, and geographic variations amongst Medicare beneficiaries in the United States

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) operator procedural volumes, and describe temporal and geographic trends.

BACKGROUND

TAVR is the standard of care for most patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Despite an association between operator procedural volume and outcomes, nationwide TAVR operator volumes have been incompletely described.

METHODS

We queried the National Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database for transfemoral TAVRs from 2014 to 2018. Annual operator volume, state and regional volumes, and longitudinal trends were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

In 2018, the mean annual operator volume was 23.6 TAVRs. The highest 1% of operators by volume performed 7.6% of total TAVR procedures in the United States, while 35.7% of operators performed 10 or fewer TAVRs per year. From 2014 to 2018, there was a 53.9% annualized increase in TAVRs, and the mean annual volume per operator grew from 12.5 to 23.6. There was more than five-fold variability in the density of operators (range 0.35-1.79 operators per 100,000 population) and mean operator volume by state (range 14.2-52.4 TAVRs per operator).

CONCLUSIONS

In this nationally representative study of operators performing transfemoral TAVRs among Medicare patients, we found the mean annual volume of TAVR in 2018 to be 23.6 and has increased since 2014. There was considerable variability in operator density and procedural volumes, with a significant proportion of operators performing 10 or fewer TAVRs per year. Ambiguity remains in regard to the optimal balance of procedural requirements to sustain high efficacy outcomes and ensure critical access to TAVR therapies.

Rheumatic mitral valve repair or replacement in the valve-in-valve era

OBJECTIVE

For degenerative mitral disease, repair is superior to replacement; however, the best operative strategy for rheumatic mitral disease remains unclear. We evaluated the association between decision-making in choosing repair versus replacement and outcomes across 2 decades of rheumatic mitral surgery.

METHODS

Patients undergoing isolated, first-time rheumatic mitral surgery were identified. Era 1 (1997-2008) and Era 2 (2009-2018) were distinguished by intraoperative assessment of anterior leaflet mobility/calcification (Era 2) in deciding between mitral repair versus replacement. Primary outcome was a composite of death, reoperation, and severe valve dysfunction.

RESULTS

Among 180 patients, age was 59 ± 14 years, and ejection fraction was 58% ± 10%. A higher proportion in Era 1 (n = 56) compared with Era 2 (n = 124) had preoperative atrial fibrillation (68% vs 46%; P = .006); the groups were otherwise similar. Primary indication was mitral stenosis in 69% (124 out of 180; pure = 35, mixed = 89) and did not differ by era (P = .67). During Era 1, 70% (39 out of 56) underwent repair, compared with 33% (41 out of 124) during Era 2 (P < .001). Freedom from death, reoperation, or severe valve dysfunction at 5 years was higher in Era 2 (72% ± 9%) than Era 1 (54% ± 13%; P = .04). Five-year survival was higher in Era 2 than Era 1, but did not differ between repair versus replacement. Five-year cumulative incidence of reoperation with death as a competing risk did not differ by era, but was higher after repair than replacement.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful assessment of anterior leaflet mobility/calcification to determine mitral repair or replacement was associated with improved outcomes. This decision-making strategy may alter the threshold for rheumatic mitral replacement in the current valve-in-valve era.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Therapy in the United States: A Report From the STS-ACC TVT Registry

Data for nearly all patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) with an approved device in the United States is captured in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy Registry. All data submitted for TEER or TMVR between 2014 and March 31, 2020, are reported. A total of 37,475 patients underwent a mitral transcatheter procedure, including 33,878 TEER and 3,597 TMVR. Annual procedure volumes for TEER have increased from 1,152 per year in 2014 to 10,460 per year in 2019 at 403 sites and for TMVR from 84 per year to 1,120 per year at 301 centers. Mortality rates have decreased for TEER at 30 days (5.6%-4.1%) and 1 year (27.4%-22.0%). Early off-label use data on TMVR in mitral valve-in-valve therapy led to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017, and the 2019 30-day mortality rate was 3.9%. Overall improvements in outcomes over the last 6 years are apparent. (STS/ACC TVT Registry Mitral Module; NCT02245763).

30-day readmission following urgent and elective transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A Nationwide Readmission Database analysis

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is being increasingly used for decompensated severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Data on urgent and elective TAVR readmission is scarce in the literature. Here, we have performed a retrospective cohort study with the Nationwide Readmission Database of 2016 to identify the rate of 30-day all-cause readmission, common causes of readmission, and distribution of morbidity in index admission and readmission after urgent and elective TAVR.

METHODS

We used International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes (02R.F38H, 02R.F38Z, 02R.F48Z) for identification of all TAVR procedures done in 2016 in patients >18 years old. We found 8379 patients who underwent urgent TAVR and 32,006 patients who underwent elective TAVR in 2016.

RESULT

The mean age of patients undergoing urgent TAVR was 79 ± 9.97 years with 44.6% women. The mean age of patients undergoing elective TAVR was 80.7 ± 8.25 years with 46.2% women. We found the 30-day all-cause readmission rate of 15.5% and 9.5% in patients undergoing urgent and elective TAVR, respectively (p < 0.001). The cardiac cause was the predominant cause of readmission in both groups (43.77% vs. 42.11%, p = 0.57), followed by pulmonary cause, gastrointestinal (GI) cause, and renal cause. Among cardiac causes, congestive heart failure (CHF) was predominant cause of readmission and was similar in both groups (18.73 in urgent TAVR vs. 15.73 in elective TAVR, p = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

We found that the all-cause 30-day readmission rate was higher in patients who had undergone urgent TAVR. Further studies are needed to better understand this difference.

Trends in Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Among Older Adults in the United States

BACKGROUND

Recent trends, including survival beyond 30 days, in aortic valve replacement (AVR) following the expansion of indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are not well-understood.

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to characterize the trends in characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing AVR.

METHODS

The authors analyzed Medicare beneficiaries who underwent TAVR and SAVR in 2012 to 2019. They evaluated case volume, demographics, comorbidities, 1-year mortality, and discharge disposition. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the annual change in outcomes.

RESULTS

Per 100,000 beneficiary-years, AVR increased from 107 to 156, TAVR increased from 19 to 101, whereas SAVR declined from 88 to 54. The median [interquartile range] age remained similar from 77 [71-83] years to 78 [72-84] years for overall AVR, decreased from 84 [79-88] years to 81 [75-86] years for TAVR, and decreased from 76 [71-81] years to 72 [68-77] years for SAVR. For all AVR patients, the prevalence of comorbidities remained relatively stable. The 1-year mortality for all AVR decreased from 11.9% to 9.4%. Annual change in the adjusted odds of 1-year mortality was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.92-0.94) for TAVR and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97-0.99) for SAVR, and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.93-0.95) for all AVR. Patients discharged to home after AVR increased from 24.2% to 54.7%, primarily driven by increasing home discharge after TAVR.

CONCLUSIONS

The advent of TAVR has led to about a 60% increase in overall AVR in older adults. Improving outcomes in AVR as a whole following the advent of TAVR with increased access is a reassuring trend.

Identifying opportunities to advance health equity in interventional cardiology: Structural heart disease

Health care practices are influenced by variety of factors. These factors that include social determinants, race and ethnicity, and gender not only affect access to health care but can also affect quality of care and patient outcomes. These are a source of health care disparities. This article acknowledges that these disparities exist in getting optimal care in structural heart disease, reviews the literature and proposes steps that can help reduce these disparities on personal and committee levels.

Trends in aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis: a French nationwide study

AIMS

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has profoundly changed the management of patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS). Large unbiased nationwide data regarding TAVR implementation, impact on SAVR and their respective outcomes are scarce.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Based on a French administrative hospital-discharge database, we collected data on all consecutive aortic valve replacements (AVRs) performed in France for AS between 2007 and 2019 [106 253 isolated SAVR (49%), 46 514 combined SAVR (21%), and 65 651 TAVR (30%)]. The number of AVR linearly increased between 2007 and 2019 (from 10 892 to 23 109, P for trend < 0.0001) due to a marked increase in TAVR (from 253 to 13 030, P for trend < 0.0001), while SAVR increased up to 2013 and then declined (10 892 in 2007, 12 699 in 2013, and 10 079 in 2019). The Charlson index decreased linearly for TAVR, but in two steps for SAVR (2011 and 2017). In-hospital mortality rates of both SAVR and TAVR declined (both P for trend < 0.0001) and were similar or lower for TAVR than for isolated SAVR in patients 75 years or above in the last 3 years (2017-19). Complication rates of TAVR also declined but permanent pacemaker rates remained high and length of stay substantial (16.7% and median 6 days, respectively, in 2017-19).

CONCLUSION

The number of AVR has doubled in a decade and TAVR has become the dominant form of AVR in 2018. The improvement in patient profiles seems to have anticipated the demonstrated benefit of TAVR in intermediate and low-risk patients. In patients 75 years or older, TAVR should be considered as the first option. We also highlight two important areas for improvement, the high permanent pacemaker rates, and the long length of stay even in the contemporary era. Our results may have major implications for clinical practice and policymakers.

Combined Coronary CT-Angiography and TAVR Planning for Ruling Out Significant Coronary Artery Disease: Added Value of Machine-Learning-Based CT-FFR

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the ability of machine-learning (ML)-based computed tomography (CT)-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) to further improve the diagnostic performance of coronary CT angiography (cCTA) for ruling out significant coronary artery disease (CAD) during pre-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) evaluation in patients with a high pre-test probability for CAD.

BACKGROUND

CAD is a frequent comorbidity in patients undergoing TAVR. Current guidelines recommend its assessment before TAVR. If significant CAD can be excluded on cCTA, invasive coronary angiography (ICA) may be avoided. Although cCTA is a very sensitive test, it is limited by relatively low specificity and positive predictive value, particularly in high-risk patients.

METHODS

Overall, 460 patients (79.6 ± 7.4 years) undergoing pre-TAVR CT were included and examined with an electrocardiogram-gated CT scan of the heart and high-pitch scan of the vascular access route. Images were evaluated for significant CAD. Patients routinely underwent ICA (388/460), which was omitted at the discretion of the local Heart Team if CAD could be effectively ruled out on cCTA (72/460). CT examinations in which CAD could not be ruled out (CAD⁺) (n = 272) underwent additional ML-based CT-FFR.

RESULTS

ML-based CT-FFR was successfully performed in 79.4% (216/272) of all CAD⁺ patients and correctly reclassified 17 patients as CAD negative. CT-FFR was not feasible in 20.6% because of reduced image quality (37/56) or anatomic variants (19/56). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 94.9%, 52.0%, 52.2%, and 94.9%, respectively. The additional evaluation with ML-based CT-FFR increased accuracy by Δ+3.4% (CAD⁺: Δ+6.0%) and raised the total number of examinations negative for CAD to 43.9% (202/460).

CONCLUSIONS

ML-based CT-FFR may further improve the diagnostic performance of cCTA by correctly reclassifying a considerable proportion of patients with morphological signs of obstructive CAD on cCTA during pre-TAVR evaluation. Thereby, CT-FFR has the potential to further reduce the need for ICA in this challenging elderly group of patients before TAVR.

Center Variability in Medicare Claims-Based Publicly Reported Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcome Measures

Background

Public reporting of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) claims–based outcome measures is used to identify high‐ and low‐performing centers. Whether claims‐based TAVR outcomes can reliably be used for center‐level comparisons is unknown. In this study, we sought to evaluate center variability in claims‐based TAVR outcomes used in public reporting.

Methods and Results

The study sample included 119 554 Medicare beneficiaries undergoing TAVR between January 2014 and October 2018 based on procedure codes in 100% Medicare inpatient claims. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression was used to estimate center‐specific adjusted rates and reliability (R) of 30‐day mortality, discharge not to home/self‐care, 30‐day stroke, and 30‐day readmission. Reliability was defined as the ratio of between‐hospital variation to the sum of the between‐ and within‐hospital variation. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) center‐level adjusted outcome rates were 3.1% (2.9%–3.4%) for 30‐day mortality, 41.4% (31.3%–53.4%) for discharge not to home, 2.5% (2.3%–2.7%) for 30‐day stroke, and 14.9% (14.4%–15.5%) for 30‐day readmission. Median reliability was highest for the discharge not to home measure (R=0.95; IQR, 0.94–0.97), followed by the 30‐day stroke (R=0.92; IQR, 0.87–0.94), 30‐day mortality (R=0.86; IQR, 0.81–0.91), and 30‐day readmission measures (R=0.42; IQR, 0.35–0.51). Across outcomes, there was an inverse relationship between center volume and measure reliability.

Conclusions

Claims‐based TAVR outcome measures for mortality, discharge not to home, and stroke were reliable measures for center‐level comparisons, but readmission measures were unreliable. Stakeholders should consider these findings when evaluating claims‐based measures to compare center‐level TAVR performance.

Impact of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Size on Leaflet Stresses: Implications for Durability and Optimal Grey Zone Sizing

Aims

As indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) continue to expand towards younger and lower-risk patients, durability becomes an increasingly important question. Durability decreases as leaflet stresses increase, but the impact of transcatheter heart valve (THV) size on stress is unknown. Patient annulus sizes can fall within "grey zones" between 2 TAVR sizes. Our aim was to examine the impact of balloon-expandable THV size on leaflet stresses.

Methods and Results

SapienXT 23mm, 26mm, and 29mm sizes (Edwards Lifesciences, Inc) underwent micro-computed tomography scanning to create THV computational models then loaded to systemic pressure using finite element software. THV leaflet maximum principal stresses were 1.69MPa (23mm), 1.70MPa (26mm), and 2.12MPa (29mm) at mean arterial pressure. For intermediate annulus sizes, undersizing the larger THV yielded lower leaflet stresses than oversizing the smaller THV.

Conclusions

Increasing THV size yielded greater leaflet maximum principal stresses, which could suggest a relationship between THV size and long-term durability.. For annulus "grey zones" sizes, undersizing the larger THV resulted in lower leaflet stresses than oversizing the smaller THV. These results may influence optimal device sizing, as THV durability remains an important, unanswered question.