Measuring TAVR Prosthesis Gradient Immediately Post-Procedure May Underestimate its Significance

Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valves Optimize Transvalvular Hemodynamics Independent of Intra- Versus Supra-Annular Design

This study sought to characterize transvalvular hemodynamics during the first 30 days after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) across various transcatheter heart valves (THVs), while adjusting for annular dimensions. This was an observational study of TAVIs from September 2021 to October 2022. The primary outcome was mean transvalvular pressure gradient (TVPG), measured using transthoracic echocardiography at day 0, day 1, and day 30 post-TAVI, and were compared across 3 THV, including the self-expandable intra-annular Portico (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) valve, the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 Ultra (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California), and the self-expandable supra-annular Evolut Pro+ (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota). A total of 560 patients who underwent TAVI were identified, of which 106 (18.9%) received a Portico THV, 176 (31.4%) received a SAPIEN THV, and 278 (49.6%) received an Evolut THV. For Portico THV, the TVPG on day 0 increased from 6.0 (4.7 to 9.0) to 7.0 (6.0 to 10.0) by day 30 (p = 0.009). For SAPIEN THV, the TVPG on day 0 increased from 6.5 (5.0 to 8.0) to 12.0 (9.0 to 15.0) by day 30 (p <0.001). For Evolut THV, the TVPG on day 0 increased from 6.0 (5.0 to 9.0) to 7.2 (5.0 to 10.0) by day 30 (p = 0.001). Adjusting for time and annular diameter in a multivariable mixed effects model, the SAPIEN group had a significantly greater increase in TVPG over time than the Evolut reference group (p <0.001), while there was no difference in the change of TVPG over time for the Portico group vs. the Evolut group (p = 0.874). In conclusion, compared with balloon-expandable valves, self-expanding THV may optimize transvalvular hemodynamics across all annular diameters, independent of their supra-annular and intra-annular design.

Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Hemodynamics: Definitions, Outcomes, and Evidence Gaps: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

A virtual workshop was organized by the Heart Valve Collaboratory to identify areas of expert consensus, areas of disagreement, and evidence gaps related to bioprosthetic aortic valve hemodynamics. Impaired functional performance of bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement is associated with adverse patient outcomes; however, this assessment is complicated by the lack of standardization for labelling, definitions, and measurement techniques, both after surgical and transcatheter valve replacement. Echocardiography remains the standard assessment methodology because of its ease of performance, widespread availability, ability to do serial measurements over time, and correlation with outcomes. Management of a high gradient after replacement requires integration of the patient's clinical status, physical examination, and multimodality imaging in addition to shared patient decisions regarding treatment options. Future priorities that are underway include efforts to standardize prosthesis sizing and labelling for both surgical and transcatheter valves as well as trials to characterize the consequences of adverse hemodynamics.

Evaluation of the OpSens OptoWire III and Novel TAVR Algorithm to Measure Pressure Gradient During TAVR

Background

We aim to establish the degree of agreement related to gradient measurement during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) between the OpSens OptoWire III and its new proprietary TAVR algorithm and hemodynamic value derived by catheterization and echocardiogram (transthoracic echocardiogram and transesophageal echocardiogram).

Methods

The current study was a prospective, single-arm, single-center study. All subjects underwent hemodynamic assessment before and after TAVR using standard hemodynamic assessment using 2 pigtails, transthoracic echocardiogram, transesophageal echocardiogram, and the OpSens OptoWire III. The primary end point was the final post-TAVR mean gradient correlation between OpSens OptoWire III and hemodynamic values derived by catheterization.

Results

Between July 2021 and September 2021, 20 patients were enrolled. The median age was 79 [6.5] years, and 9 (45%) patients were female. The mean gradient before TAVR derived by 2-pigtail technique and the mean gradient using the OpSens OptoWire III were similar (35 ± 14 mm Hg vs 35 ± 14 mm Hg, P = 1.00), with an absolute mean difference of 2.2 ± 3.5 mm Hg and a strong correlation (r = 0.96, P < .0001). After TAVR, the mean gradient derived by 2-pigtail technique and the mean gradient using the OpSens OptoWire III were similar (2.2 ± 3.5 vs 2.8 ± 2.7, P = .16), with an absolute mean difference of 1.2 ± 1.3 mm Hg and a strong correlation (r = 0.89, P < .0001).

Conclusions

Hemodynamic assessment derived by the OpSens OptoWire III wire and its new TAVR algorithm demonstrated excellent correlation with measurements derived by 2 pigtails both before and after TAVR. Integration of this new technology within a dedicated TAVR wire with live hemodynamic assessment could bring meaningful value to TAVR operators.