Severe aortic stenosis: secular trends of incidence and outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is the guideline-based indication for aortic valve replacement (AVR), which has markedly increased with transcatheter approaches, suggesting possible increasing AS incidence. However, reported secular trends of AS incidence remain contradictory and lack quantitative Doppler echocardiographic ascertainment.

METHODS

All adults residents in Olmsted County (MN, USA) diagnosed over 20 years (1997-2016) with incident severe AS (first diagnosis) based on quantitatively defined measures (aortic valve area ≤ 1 cm2, aortic valve area index ≤ 0.6 cm2/m2, mean gradient ≥ 40 mmHg, peak velocity ≥ 4 m/s, Doppler velocity index ≤ 0.25) were counted to define trends in incidence, presentation, treatment, and outcome.

RESULTS

Incident severe AS was diagnosed in 1069 community residents. The incidence rate was 52.5 [49.4-55.8] per 100 000 patient-year, slightly higher in males vs. females and was almost unchanged after age and sex adjustment for the US population 53.8 [50.6-57.0] per 100 000 residents/year. Over 20 years, severe AS incidence remained stable (P = .2) but absolute burden of incident cases markedly increased (P = .0004) due to population growth. Incidence trend differed by sex, stable in men (incidence rate ratio 0.99, P = .7) but declining in women (incidence rate ratio 0.93, P = .02). Over the study, AS clinical characteristics remained remarkably stable and AVR performance grew and was more prompt (from 1.3 [0.1-3.3] years in 1997-2000 to 0.5 [0.2-2.1] years in 2013-16, P = .001) but undertreatment remained prominent (>40%). Early AVR was associated with survival benefit (adjusted hazard ratio 0.55 [0.42-0.71], P < .0001). Despite these improvements, overall mortality (3-month 8% and 3-year 36%), was swift, considerable and unabated (all P ≥ .4) throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 20 years, the population incidence of severe AS remained stable with increased absolute case burden related to population growth. Despite stable severe AS presentation, AVR performance grew notably, but while declining, undertreatment remained substantial and disease lethality did not yet decline. These population-based findings have important implications for improving AS management pathways.

Impact of Procedure Volume on the Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

 Literature demonstrated that procedure volumes affect outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation. We evaluated the outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

 All isolated surgical aortic valve replacement procedures in Germany in 2017 were identified. Hospitals were divided into five groups from ≤25 (very low volume) until >100 (very high volume) annual procedures.

RESULTS

 In 2017, 5,533 patients underwent isolated surgical aortic valve replacement. All groups were of comparable risk (logistic EuroSCORE, 5.12-4.80%) and age (66.6-68.1 years). In-hospital mortality and complication rates were lowest in the very high-volume group. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed no significant volume-outcome relationship for in-hospital mortality, stroke, postoperative delirium, and mechanical ventilation > 48 hours. Regarding acute kidney injury, patients in the very high-volume group were at lower risk than those in the very low volume group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.53, p = 0.04). Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were previous cardiac surgery (OR = 5.75, p < 0.001), high-grade renal disease (glomerular filtration rate < 15 mL/min, OR = 5.61, p = 0.002), surgery in emergency cases (OR = 2.71, p = 0.002), and higher grade heart failure (NYHA [New York Heart Association] III/IV; OR = 1.80, p = 0.02). Risk factors for all four complication rates were atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION

 Patients treated in very low volume centers (≤25 operations/year) had a similar risk regarding in-hospital mortality and most complications compared with very high-volume centers (>100 operations/year). Only in the case of acute kidney injury, very high-volume centers showed better outcomes than very low volume centers. Therefore, surgical aortic valve replacement can be performed safely independent of case volume.

Innovations in Aortic Valve Replacement: A Comprehensive Overview of the Intuity Rapid Deployment Valve

Rapid deployment/sutureless (RDS) valves have recently emerged as an innovative surgical solution, providing an alternative to traditional methods of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) by eliminating the need for suture placement and tying. This innovation leads to a reduction in aortic crossclamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times, enhancing the efficiency of the procedure. Among the 2 available RDS valves, the Edwards Intuity valve in particular has been demonstrated to be a particularly promising substitute in the field of SAVR. The Intuity valve distinguishes itself from other RDS and conventional valves by yielding superior outcomes, such as a significant reduction in mortality, increase in the longevity of the valve, and a marked decrease in both mean and peak transvalvular pressure gradients. These benefits collectively contribute to its appeal as a favorable new solution. However, further investigation is needed to conclusively determine the long-term outcomes and safety of RDS valves. Nevertheless, the utilization of the Intuity valve presents an exciting solution to the existing limitations of conventional and minimally invasive SAVR, especially for patients afflicted with severe aortic stenosis.

Early and mid-term outcomes after aortic valve replacement using a novel tissue bioprosthesis: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

While current data show a clear trend towards the use of bioprosthetic valves during aortic valve replacement (AVR), durability of bioprosthetic valves remains the most important concern. We conducted a 1st systematic review of all available evidence that analysed early and mid-term outcomes after AVR using the Inspiris RESILIA™ bioprosthesis.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed to identify all relevant studies evaluating early and mid-term outcomes after AVR using the Inspiris RESILIA bioprosthesis and including at least 20 patients with no restriction on the publication date. Subgroup meta-analysis was performed to compare Inspiris RESILIA and PERIMOUNT Magna Ease bioprosthesis and to pool the early postoperative mortality and stroke rates.

RESULTS

A total of 416 studies were identified, of which 15 studies met the eligibility criteria. The studies included a total of 3202 patients with an average follow-up of up to 5.3 years. The average age of patients across the studies was 52.2-75.1 years. Isolated AVR was performed in 39.0-86.4% of patients. In-hospital or 30-day postoperative mortality was 0-2.8%. At the mid-term follow-up, freedom from all-cause mortality was up to 85.4%. Among studies with mid-term follow-up, trace/mild paravalvular leak was detected in 0-3.0%, while major paravalvular leak was found only in up to 2.0% of patients. No statistically significant differences in terms of mortality (P = 0.98, odds ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 0.36-2.83) and stroke (P = 0.98, odds ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.38-2.73) between the Inspiris RESILIA bioprosthesis and PERIMOUNT Magna Ease bioprosthesis were observed in the subgroup meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Mid-term data on the safety and haemodynamic performance of the novel aortic bioprosthesis are encouraging. Further comparative studies with other bioprostheses and longer follow-up are still required to endorse durability and safety of the novel bioprosthesis.

German Heart Surgery Report 2022: The Annual Updated Registry of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Based on a longtime voluntary registry, founded by the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (GSTCVS/DGTHG) in 1980, well-defined data of all cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery procedures performed in 78 German heart surgery departments during the year 2022 are analyzed. Under the decreasing interference of the worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a total of 162,167 procedures were submitted to the registry. A total of 93,913 of these operations are summarized as heart surgery procedures in a classical sense. The unadjusted in-hospital survival rate for the 27,994 isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures (relationship on-/off-pump 3.2:1) was 97.5%. For the 38,492 isolated heart valve procedures (20,272 transcatheter interventions included) it was 96.9%, and for the registered pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator procedures (19,531) 99.1%, respectively. Concerning short- and long-term circulatory support, a total of 2,737 extracorporeal life support/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantations, respectively 672 assist device implantations (L-/ R-/ BVAD, TAH) were registered. In 2022, 356 isolated heart transplantations, 228 isolated lung transplantations, and 5 combined heart-lung transplantations were performed. This annually updated registry of the GSTCVS/DGTHG represents voluntary public reporting by accumulating actual information for nearly all heart surgical procedures in Germany, constitutes advancements in heart medicine, and represents a basis for quality management for all participating institutions. In addition, the registry demonstrates that the provision of cardiac surgery in Germany is up to date, appropriate, and nationwide patient treatment is always available.

Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement in Contemporary Practice: Clinical and Hemodynamic Performance from a Prospective Multicenter Trial

BACKGROUND

The advent of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (AVR) has led to an increased emphasis on reducing the invasiveness of surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and hemodynamic performance achieved with minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MI-AVR) as compared with conventional AVR.

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgical AVR with the Avalus bioprosthesis, as part of a prospective multicenter non-randomized trial, were included in this analysis. Surgical approach was left to the discretion of the surgeons. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between MI-AVR and conventional AVR groups in the entire cohort (n = 1077) and in an isolated AVR subcohort (n = 528). Propensity score adjustment was performed to estimate the effect of MI-AVR on adverse events.

RESULTS

Patients treated with MI-AVR were younger, had lower STS scores, and underwent concomitant procedures less often. Valve size implanted was comparable between the groups. MI-AVR was associated with longer procedural times in the isolated AVR subcohort. Postprocedural hemodynamic performance was comparable. There were no significant differences between MI-AVR and conventional AVR in early and 3-year all-cause mortality, thromboembolism, reintervention, or a composite of those endpoints within either the entire cohort or the isolated AVR subcohort. After propensity score adjustment, there remained no association between MI-AVR and the composite endpoint (hazard ratio: 0.86, 95% confidence interval: 0.47-1.55, p = 0.61).

CONCLUSION

Three-year outcomes after MI-AVR with the Avalus bioprosthetic valve were comparable to conventional AVR. These results provide important insights into the overall ability to reduce the invasiveness of AVR without compromising outcomes.

Rapid-Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement: Patient Selection and Special Considerations

Sutureless or rapid deployment valves in the setting of aortic valve replacement (AVR) is an emerging surgical technique using the transcatheter valve technology, which may lead to reduction in cross-clamp time and potentially better hemodynamics compared to a stented bioprosthetic valve. The absence of subannular pledgets results to excellent hemodynamic performance with reduced turbulent flow and larger effective orifice area. However, complications from both surgical and transcatheter AVR may still occur and impact survival. The incidence of paravalvular leakage and permanent pacemaker implantation are not low. Although technical modifications can improve these outcomes, there is a learning curve effect. Therefore, technical and anatomical considerations as well as better patient selection are paramount for better outcomes. In this review, we discuss the use of sutureless or rapid deployment valves in setting of (1) complex procedures, (2) minimally invasive AVR, and (3) small aortic annulus. The advantage of sutureless or rapid deployment valves in terms of mortality remains to be clarified; therefore, it is necessary to accumulate long-term outcomes in an appropriate patient cohort.

Efficacy of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With Concomitant Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the early and intermediate-term outcomes of patients who underwent concomitant off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

METHOD

Between January 2014 and June 2021, 49 patients underwent concomitant off-pump CABG and TAVR via median sternotomy (TAVRCAB group) and 143 underwent concomitant on-pump CABG and surgical aortic replacement. Of the 143 patients who underwent on-pump surgery, 80 (SAVRCAB group) were eligible for comparison. The composite event included all-cause death, heart failure rehospitalisation, repeat revascularisation, brain infarction, and repeat aortic valve replacement.

RESULTS

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' predicted risk for mortality and age were higher in the TAVRCAB group than in the SAVRCAB group (7.1% vs 3.1% [p<0.001]; 81 yrs vs 75 years [p<0.001], respectively), while the surgical time was shorter (289 min vs 352 min; p<0.001). There was no conversion to on-pump surgery in the TAVRCAB group. The postoperative maximum creatinine kinase-MB value was lower in the TAVRCAB group. There was no deep sternal wound infection or repeat revascularisation in either group. Hospital death and brain infarction developed in one patient (1.3%) each in the SAVRCAB group, but in no patients in the TAVRCAB group. The rates of freedom from the composite event were similar between the two groups during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant off-pump CABG and TAVR would be a less-invasive alternative procedure for treating intermediate or high surgical risk patients with aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease unsuitable for percutaneous coronary intervention.

Functional performance of eight small surgical aortic valve bioprostheses: An in vitro study

OBJECTIVES

Selection of a surgical aortic valve bioprosthesis (SAV) model for treatment of aortic valve disease remains controversial. The aim of this study was to characterize the functional performance of eight SAV models in a standardized in vitro setting.

METHODS

The hydrodynamic performance of eight SAVs with labelled size 21 mm (Avalus™, Hancock® II, Mosaic® UltraTM, Perimount®, Perimount® Magna Ease, EpicTM Supra, Trifecta™ GT; Freestyle®) was investigated in a pulse duplicator. Transvalvular pressure gradients and effective orifice area (EOA) were recorded. The geometrical orifice area (GOA) and physical dimensions of the valves were determined, and new functional dimensions were introduced.

RESULTS

Mean pressure gradient (MPG) and EOA differed significantly between the analyzed SAVs. The Epic presented with the lowest EOA and highest MPG, while the Trifecta showed the highest EOA and the lowest MPG. We introduce a useful way to determine the minimal internal diameter and a new measure termed 'relative orifice area' to characterize a valve's performance.

CONCLUSIONS

SAVs showed significant differences in their hydrodynamic performance despite the same label size. This finding was related to the construction of the valves. We introduce a new measure that characterizes the functional performance of a valve model and size for treatment of an aortic annulus of a specific size. Our data emphasize that SAV selection should carefully be done using an individual patient approach and that future research is necessary to improve the current generation of SAVs.

German Heart Surgery Report 2021: The Annual Updated Registry of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Based on a longtime voluntary registry, founded by the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (GSTCVS) in 1980, well-defined data of all cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery procedures performed in 78 German heart surgery departments during the year 2021 are analyzed. Under more than extraordinary conditions of the further ongoing worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a total of 161,261 procedures were submitted to the registry. In total, 92,838 of these operations are summarized as heart surgery procedures in a classical sense. The unadjusted in-hospital survival rate for the 27,947 isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures (relationship on-/off-pump 3.2:1) was 97.3%. For the 36,714 isolated heart valve procedures (19,242 transcatheter interventions included) it was 96.7 and 99.0% for the registered pacemaker and International Classification of Diseases (ICD) procedures (19,490), respectively. Concerning short- and long-term circulatory support, a total of 3,404 ECLS/ECMO implantations and 750 assist device implantations (L-/ R-/ BVAD, TAH), respectively were registered. In 2021 329 isolated heart transplantations, 254 isolated lung transplantations, and one combined heart-lung transplantations were performed.This annually updated registry of the GSTCVS represents voluntary public reporting by accumulating actual information for nearly all heart surgical procedures in Germany, constitutes advancements in heart medicine and represents a basis for quality management for all participating institutions. In addition, the registry demonstrates that the provision of cardiac surgery in Germany is up to date, appropriate, and nationwide patient treatment is guaranteed all the time.

Effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients with bioprosthetic valve

Background

Non-vitamin K direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) is effective for prevention of embolic events in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. However, the effectiveness and safety of DOAC in AF patients who have bioprosthetic heart valve (BPHV) is largely unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients with AF and BPHV, using the diagnostic code and medical device and surgery information from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, between 2013 and 2018. A 1:2 propensity score-matched cohort (n = 724 taking warfarin; n = 362 taking DOAC) was constructed and analyzed for the primary clinical outcome, a composite of ischemic stroke and systemic embolism. Important secondary outcomes included major bleeding, all-cause death, and the net clinical outcome, defined as a composite of all embolic events, major bleeding, and death.

Results

The mean age was 78.9±6.8 years old, and 45% (n = 489) were male. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.7±1.4. DOAC was non-inferior to warfarin for preventing ischemic stroke and systemic embolism (hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–2.34), major bleeding (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.32–2.03) and all-cause death (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.73–1.63). As for the net clinical outcome, DOAC was also similar to warfarin (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.76–1.47). These outcomes were not different in various subgroups analyzed.

Conclusion

In this nationwide Korean AF population with a BPHV, DOAC was at least as effective and safe as warfarin for the prevention of systemic embolic events. These results suggest that DOAC may be an excellent alternative to warfarin in AF patients with BPHV.

The early and long-term outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting added to aortic valve replacement compared to isolated aortic valve replacement in elderly patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In aged population, the early and long-term outcomes of coronary revascularization (CABG) added to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) compared to isolated SAVR (i-SAVR) are conflicting. To address this limitation, a meta-analysis comparing the early and late outcomes of SAVR plus CABG with i-SAVR was performed. Electronic databases from January 2000 to November 2021 were screened. Studies reporting early-term and long-term comparison between the two treatments in patients over 75 years were analyzed. The primary endpoints were in-hospital/30-day mortality and overall long-term survival. The pooled odd ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for in-early outcome and long-term survival, respectively. Random-effect model was used in all analyses. Forty-four retrospective observational studies reporting on 74,560 patients (i-SAVR = 36,062; SAVR + CABG = 38,498) were included for comparison. The pooled analysis revealed that i-SAVR was significantly associated with lower rate of early mortality compared to SAVR plus CABG (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.66–0.75; p < 0.0001) and with lower incidence of postoperative acute renal failure (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.91; p = 0.02), need for dialysis (OR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.50–0.86; p = 0.002) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.42–0.77; p < 0.0001). Twenty-two studies reported data of long-term follow-up. No differences were reported between the two groups in long-term survival (HR = 0.95; 95% CI  0.87–1.03; p = 0.23). CABG added to SAVR is associated with worse early outcomes in terms of early mortality, postoperative acute renal failure, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Long-term survival was comparable between the two treatments.

Early- and mid-term outcomes of reinterventions for aortic bioprosthesis failure

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate early- and mid-term results of our actual practice embedding redo aortic valve replacement and transcatheter procedures for aortic bioprosthetic failure.

METHODS

Data for aortic valve reinterventions (redo surgical aortic valve replacement, isolated redo aortic valve replacement, and valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation, transcatheter valve-in-valve procedure) were collected (2010-2019). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors favouring the choice of transcatheter against redo surgery. Cox analysis was used to study the association of preoperative variables with survival. Survival probabilities were calculated with Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using a log-rank test.

RESULTS

A total of 125 patients were included (redo surgical aortic valve replacement: 84 patients, valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation: 41 patients). Median age was 74 [63-80] years, 58% of the patients were male and the median logistic EuroSCORE was 15 [8-26] %. There was no early mortality. Eighteen patients (redo surgical aortic valve replacement: 15, valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation: 3) sustained at least one postoperative complication. At pre-discharge transthoracic echocardiogram, valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation had significantly higher trans-prosthetic gradients (mean gradient: valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation 18 mmHg vs. redo surgical aortic valve replacement 14 mmHg, p < 0.001). Overall survival probabilities were 94% and 73% at 1 year and 5 years, respectively. Previous coronary artery bypass surgery operation and age were independently associated with lower survival probabilities during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Redo surgical aortic valve replacement and valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve implantation are both safe and effective for aortic bioprosthetic failure. Further valve-in-valve data are needed to determine the haemodynamic performance of transcatheter prostheses and its impact on long-term outcomes.

Aortic valve replacement via right anterolateral minithoracotomy: preventing adverse events during the initial learning curve

BACKGROUND

Despite excellent outcomes and reduced invasiveness, the right anterolateral thoracotomy approach for aortic valve replacement (RALT-AVR) has not been broadly adopted. This study provides results regarding the initial experience and learning curve of a single surgeon performing this procedure.

METHODS

Periprocedural details and postoperative outcomes of the first 100 consecutive patients who underwent RALT-AVR at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. We conducted a cumulative sum analysis of surgical failure, defined as occurrence of 30-day-mortality, surgical revision for bleeding, conversion to sternotomy, 3^rd degree heart block, paravalvular leakage, postoperative stroke or mean transvalvular gradient >20 mmHg.

RESULTS

The cohort was of low surgical risk (mean EuroSCORE II 1.31%±0.85, mean STS PROM 1.45%±0.97), 58% were males. Median cross-clamp time was 67.5 (57.8-76) min, median CPB time 105 (91.8-119) min, and median operation time 164.5 (144.5-183.2) min. There were no conversions to full sternotomy, 4 cases of revision for bleeding and 2 pacemaker implantations for 3^rd degree heart block. Prosthesis function was good (median ΔPmean 10.9 [7.4-13.6] mmHg). Thirty-day-mortality was 0%. The log-likelihood graph never crossed the upper boundary, and after a steady decrease, crossed the lower boundary at 93 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

RALT-AVR can be performed with acceptable procedural times and satisfactory outcomes. For a well-trained surgeon, adapting to this new procedure does not expose patients to an increased risk, when patient selection and procedural planning are applied appropriately. Cumulative sum failure analysis is an appropriate tool to monitor the transition from standard AVR to the technically more demanding RALT-AVR.

State-of-the-art: Insights from the Ross Registry

The treatment of aortic valve disease in young patients is still a major clinical challenge, as the pre-eminent emphasis is on durability and long-term outcomes beyond 10 to 15 years, sometimes >20 to 30 years. The Ross procedure uses the autologous pulmonary valve as an aortic valve substitute and aims to improve valve durability while avoiding anticoagulation and therefore achieve a sustained long-term result with regard to survival, valve functionality, and quality of life. However, this procedure is technically demanding and only performed at a low frequency. Data investigating the Ross procedure are mostly limited to observational studies from single expert centers, while sufficient randomized data are almost completely lacking. Therefore, to create a clinically relevant database of this therapy, the multicenter Ross Registry was founded in 2001. New patients were included, follow-up of past patients continuously updated, and outcomes regularly reported. Throughout recent years, numerous analyses have been performed to characterize this patient population, surgical techniques, risk factors for morbidity and mortality, and most importantly survival outcomes. Currently, more than 2500 patients are included, and the long-term follow-up has reached >25 years in the very first patients who were included. In the most recent study, 2444 adult patients with a mean age of 44.1 ± 11.7 years were analyzed, and it showed that excellent mid-term survival is maintained after 25 years. In addition, the rate of reintervention was lower than reported in patients with xenografts and anticoagulation-related morbidity lower than reported in patients with mechanical valves. In the absence of robust randomized controlled trials, registry data are very important to monitor outcomes and mirror the quality of current practice. Therefore, the Ross Registry provides a unique and important data base regarding treatment of aortic valve disease in young patients.

Incidence and predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation after surgical aortic v alve replacement: Data of the Netherlands Heart Registration (NHR)

OBJECTIVE

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) remains a frequent complication. Predictors, however, have been mainly investigated in single-center studies. Therefore, nationwide data were used to identify patients-and procedural risk factors for postoperative PPI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were retrospectively collected from the Netherlands Heart Registration (NHR). Patients enrolled in the NHR undergoing isolated SAVR from 2013 to 2019 were analyzed. Primary endpoint was in-hospital PPI during hospitalization after SAVR.

RESULTS

From the NHR database, 5600 patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis were included in the study. Crude incidence of post-SAVR PPI was 4.0%. Backward regression analysis identified previous cardiac surgery (odds ratio [OR]: 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-2.76), extra-corporeal circulation time (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.01), vasopressor use (OR: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.79-3.96) and in-hospital cardiac conduction abnormalities (OR: 4.48; 95% CI: 3.36-5.98) as potential predictors for PPI. Across the time, PPI after SAVR significantly increased (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.21).

CONCLUSIONS

From this nationwide analysis, PPI after SAVR remains a low but increasingly frequent complication. Several predictive factors for postoperative PPI after SAVR have been identified and might be useful for patient informed consent about potential adverse event rate.

Aortic valve replacement with biological prosthesis in patients aged 50-69 years

OBJECTIVES

There is no consensus regarding the use of biological or mechanical prostheses in patients 50-69 years of age. Previous studies have reported a survival advantage with mechanical valves. Our goal was to compare the long-term survival of patients in the intermediate age groups of 50-59 and 60-69 years receiving mechanical or biological aortic valve prostheses.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients in the age groups 50-59 years (n = 329) and 60-69 years (n = 648) who had a first-time isolated aortic valve replacement between 2000 and 2019. Kaplan-Meier and competing risk analyses were performed to compare survival, incidence of aortic valve reoperation, haemorrhagic complications and thromboembolic events for mechanical versus biological prostheses.

RESULTS

Patients aged 50-59 years with a biological prosthesis had a higher probability of aortic valve reintervention (26.3%, biological vs 2.6% mechanical; P < 0.001 at 15 years). The incidence of haemorrhagic complications or thromboembolic events was similar in the 2 groups. Patients aged 60-69 years with a mechanical prosthesis had a higher risk of haemorrhagic complications (6.9%, biological vs 16.2%, mechanical; P = 0.001 at 15 years). Biological prostheses had a higher overall probability of reintervention for valve dysfunction (20.9%, biological vs 4.8%, mechanical; P = 0.024). In both age groups, there was no difference in long-term survival between patients receiving a biological or a mechanical prosthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in long-term survival between mechanical and biological prostheses for both age groups. Mechanical prostheses had a higher risk of bleeding in the 60-69-year group whereas biological valves had higher overall reintervention probability without an impact on long-term survival. It may be safe to use biological valves based on lifestyle choices for patients in the 50-69-year age group.

German Heart Surgery Report 2020: The Annual Updated Registry of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

Based on a longtime voluntary registry, founded by the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (GSTCVS) in 1980, well-defined data of all cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery procedures performed in 78 German heart surgery departments during the year 2020 are analyzed. Under the more than extraordinary conditions of the ongoing worldwide coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, a total of 161,817 procedures were submitted to the registry. A total of 92,809 of these operations are summarized as heart surgery procedures in a classical sense. The unadjusted in-hospital survival rate for the 29,444 isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures (relationship on-/off-pump 3.6:1) was 97.2%. For the 35,469 isolated heart valve procedures, (17,471 transcatheter interventions included), the survival rate was 96.7%. Concerning short- and long-term circulatory support, a total of 2,852 extracorporeal life support/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantations, respectively, 843 assist device implantations (left/right/biventricular assist device, total artificial device), were registered. In 2020, the number of isolated heart transplantations increased to 340, a rise of 2.1% compared with the previous year. The isolated lung transplantations amounted to 291, a decrease of 6.4%.This annually updated registry of the GSTCVS represents voluntary public reporting by accumulating actual information for nearly all heart surgical procedures in Germany, constitutes advancements in heart medicine, and represents a basis for quality management for all participating institutions. In addition, the registry demonstrates that the provision of cardiac surgery in Germany is up to date, appropriate, and nationwide patient treatment is guaranteed all the time.

Minimally invasive access type related to outcomes of sutureless and rapid deployment valves

OBJECTIVES

Minimally invasive surgical techniques with optimal outcomes are of paramount importance. Sutureless and rapid deployment aortic valves are increasingly implanted via minimally invasive approaches. We aimed to analyse the procedural outcomes of a full sternotomy (FS) compared with those of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) and further assess MICS, namely ministernotomy (MS) and anterior right thoracotomy (ART).

METHODS

We selected all isolated aortic valve replacements in the Sutureless and Rapid Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement International Registry (SURD-IR, n = 2257) and performed propensity score matching to compare aortic valve replacement through FS or MICS (n = 508/group) as well as through MS and ART accesses (n = 569/group).

RESULTS

Postoperative mortality was 1.6% in FS and MICS patients who had a mean logistic EuroSCORE of 11%. Cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times were shorter in the FS group than in the MICS group (mean difference 3.2 and 9.2 min; P < 0.001). Patients undergoing FS had a higher rate of acute kidney injury (5.6% vs 2.8%; P = 0.012). Direct comparison of MS and ART revealed longer mean cross-clamp and CPB times (12 and 16.7 min) in the ART group (P < 0.001). The postoperative outcome revealed a higher stroke rate (3.2% vs 1.2%; P = 0.043) as well as a longer postoperative intensive care unit [2 (1-3) vs 1 (1-3) days; P = 0.009] and hospital stay [11 (8-16) vs 8 (7-12) days; P < 0.001] in the MS group than in the ART group.

CONCLUSIONS

According to this non-randomized international registry, FS resulted in a higher rate of acute kidney injury. The ART access showed a lower stroke rate than MS and a shorter hospital stay than all other accesses. All these findings may be related to underlying patient risk factors.

Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery

Since their introduction, it has been demonstrated that minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR) approaches are safe and effective for the treatment of aortic valve diseases. To date, the main advantage of these approaches is represented by the reduced surgical trauma, with a subsequent reduced complication rate and faster recovery. This makes such approaches an appealing choice also for frail patients [obese, aged, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]. The standardization of the minimally invasive techniques, together with the implementation of preoperative workup and anesthesiological intra- and post-operative care, led to an amelioration of surgical results and reduction of surgical times. Moreover, the improvement of surgical technology and the introduction of new devices such as sutureless and rapid deployment (SURD) valves, has helped the achievement of comparable results to traditional surgery. However, transcatheter technologies are nowadays more and more important in the treatment of aortic valve disease, also in low risk patients. For this reason surgeons should put new efforts for further reducing the surgical trauma in the future, even taking inspiration from other disciplines. In this review, we aim to present a review of literature evidences regarding minimally invasive treatment of aortic diseases, also reflecting our personal experience with MIAVR techniques. This review could represent a tool for a well-structured patient assessment and preoperative planning, in order to safely carrying out an MIAVR procedure with satisfactory outcomes.

Prosthesis-patient mismatch after surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVES

The issue of prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has been a controversial topic. We sought to evaluate the long-term clinical impacts of PPM in patients undergoing SAVR in an updated, homogeneous cohort.

METHODS

Using the prospective institutional database, we identified 895 adult patients (median age 66, interquartile range 58-72; 45.6% women) who underwent isolated SAVR from January 2000 to March 2016. Those with pure aortic insufficiency and concomitant other cardiac operations were excluded from this study cohort. The presence of a significant PPM was defined as an indexed effective orifice area 0.85 cm2/m2 or less. The outcome of interest was all-cause deaths. Propensity score matching was performed for adjusting bias.

RESULTS

Significant PPM was present in 247 patients (27.6%). During the follow-up period (mean 71.2 ± 51.04 months), 134 patients (15%) died. Survival rates at 10 and 15 years were 78.3% vs 83.8% and 71.3% vs 57.6% in the PPM and non-PPM groups (P = 0.972). Risk factor analysis indicated that developing PPM was not associated with a risk of death. After propensity score matching (1:1), developing PPM was not a risk factor for long-term death as well (P = 0.584).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant PPM was common after SAVR in patients with aortic stenosis. However, there was no significant difference in survival rate between those with and without PPM.

Mini-sternotomy versus conventional sternotomy for aortic valve replacement: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical and health economic outcomes after manubrium-limited mini-sternotomy (intervention) and conventional median sternotomy (usual care).

DESIGN

A single-blind, randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Single centre UK National Health Service tertiary hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Adult patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Intervention was manubrium-limited mini-sternotomy performed using a 5-7 cm midline incision. Usual care was median sternotomy performed using a midline incision from the sternal notch to the xiphisternum.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who received a red cell transfusion postoperatively and within 7 days of index surgery. Secondary outcomes included proportion of patients receiving a non-red cell blood component transfusion and number of units transfused within 7 days and during index hospital stay, quality of life and cost-effectiveness analyses.

RESULTS

270 patients were randomised, received surgery and contributed to the intention to treat analysis. No difference between mini and conventional sternotomy in red-cell transfusion within 7 days was found; 23/135 patients in each arm received a transfusion, OR 1.0 (95% CI 0.5 to 2.0) and risk difference 0.0 (95% CI -0.1 to 0.1). Mini-sternotomy reduced chest drain losses (mean 181.6 mL (SD 138.7) vs conventional, mean 306·9 mL (SD 348.6)); this did not reduce red-cell transfusions. Mean valve size and postoperative valve function were comparable between mini-sternotomy and conventional groups; 23 mm vs 24 mm and 6/134 moderate or severe aortic regurgitation vs 3/130, respectively. Mini-sternotomy resulted in longer bypass (82.7 min (SD 23.5) vs 59.6 min (SD 15.1)) and cross-clamp times (64.1 min (SD 17.1) vs 46·3 min (SD 10.7)). Conventional sternotomy was more cost-effective with only a 5.8% probability of mini-sternotomy being cost-effective at a willingness to pay of £20 000/QALY (Quality Adjusted Life Years).

CONCLUSIONS

AVR via mini-sternotomy did not reduce red blood cell transfusion within 7 days following surgery when compared with conventional sternotomy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN29567910; Results.

Recent trends in aortic valve interventions: Data of the Netherlands heart registration

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved from bailout for inoperable patients to an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in higher-risk groups. The aim of this study is to describe these clinical trends in TAVI and SAVR in patients with aortic valve disease.

METHODS

We analyzed data of the Netherlands Heart Registration (NHR) up to 2018 to explore the trends in TAVI and SAVR among 14 cardiac centers in the Netherlands.

RESULTS

Between 2013 and 2017, a total of 7432 isolated SAVR and 5929 TAVI procedures have been performed. A 43.9% increase in the total number of procedures was observed, mainly due to the considerable increase in the number of TAVI procedures. In 2017, there was a decrease in the number of SAVR procedures. In the TAVI group, 30- and 120-day mortality decreased significantly from 7.2% and 10.6% in 2013 to 3.4% and 5.7% in 2017, respectively. In the SAVR group, 30- and 120-day mortality decreased from 1.7% and 2.9% in 2013 to 1.2% and 1.7% in 2017, respectively. Outcomes showed a significant decrease in vascular complications after TAVI. The risk profile of TAVI patients has changed over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The recent developments in TAVI have contributed to the increasing numbers of aortic valve interventions in the Netherlands. Mortality rates after SAVR and TAVI decreased as did the rate of complications after TAVI. Furthermore, a trend towards decrease of preoperative risk was observed.

The Influence of Sex on Clinical Outcomes after Surgical Mitral Valve Replacement in Spain (2001-2015)

(1) Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the second most prevalent valvular heart disease in developed countries. Mitral valve (MV) disease is a common cause of heart failure and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S.A. and Europe. (2) Methods: We performed a retrospective study using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database, 2001–2015. We included patients that had surgical mitral valve replacement (SMVR) listed as a procedure in their discharge report. We sought to (i) examine trends in incidence of SMVR among women and men in Spain, (ii) compare in-hospital outcomes for mechanical and bioprosthetic SMVR by sex, and (iii) identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM) after SMVR. (3) Results: We identified 44,340 hospitalizations for SMVR (84% mechanical, 16% bioprosthetic). The incidence of SMVR was higher in women (IRR 1.51; 95% CI 1.48–1.54). The use of mechanical SMVR decreased over time in both sexes and the use of bioprosthetic valves increased over time in both sexes. Men who underwent mechanical and bioprosthetic SMVR had higher comorbidity than women. IHM was significantly lower in women who underwent SMVR than in men (10% vs. 12% p < 0.001 for mechanical and 14% vs. 16% p = 0.025 for bioprosthetic valve, respectively). Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were also significantly lower in women who underwent mechanical and bioprosthetic SMVR. A significant reduction in both in-hospital MACCEs and IHM was observed over the study period regardless of sex. After multivariable logistic regression, male sex was associated with increased IHM only in bioprosthetic SMVR (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.1–1.5). (4) Conclusions: This nationwide analysis over 15 years of sex-specific outcomes after SMVR showed that incidences are significantly higher in women than men for mechanical and bioprosthetic SMVR. IHM and MACCE have improved over time for SMVR in both sexes. Male sex was independently associated with higher mortality after bioprosthetic SMVR.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement With Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

We aimed to compare the outcomes of combined surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to concurrent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large U.S. population sample. The National Inpatient Sample was queried for all patients diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis who underwent SAVR with CABG or TAVR with PCI during the years 2016 to 2017. Study outcomes included all-cause in-hospital mortality, acute stroke, pacemaker insertion, vascular complications, major bleeding, acute kidney injury, sepsis, non-home discharge, length of stay and cost. Outcomes of hospitalization were modeled using logistic regression for binary outcomes and generalized linear models for continuous outcomes. Overall, 31,205 patients were included (TAVR + PCI = 2,185, SAVR + CABG = 29,020). In reference to SAVR + CABG, recipients of TAVR + PCI were older with mean age 82 versus 73 years, effect size (d) = 0.9, had higher proportions of females 47.6% versus 26.6%, d = 0.4 and higher prevalence of congestive heart failure and chronic renal failure. On multivariable analysis, TAVR + PCI was associated with lowers odds for mortality adjusted OR: 0.32 (95% CI: 0.17 to 0.62) p = 0.001, lower odds for acute kidney injury, sepsis, non-home discharge, shorter length of stay and higher odds for vascular complications, need for pacemaker insertion and higher cost. The occurrence of stroke was similar between both groups. In conclusion, results from real-world observational data shows less rates of mortality and periprocedural complications in TAVR + PCI compared to SAVR + CABG.

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with sutureless and rapid deployment valves: a report from an international registry (Sutureless and Rapid Deployment International Registry)†

OBJECTIVES

The impact of sutureless and rapid deployment (SURD) valves on the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MI-AVR) has still to be defined. The aim of this study was to assess clinical characteristics and in-hospital results of patients receiving SURD-AVR through less invasive approaches in the large population of the Sutureless and Rapid Deployment International Registry (SURD-IR).

METHODS

Of the 1935 patients who received primary isolated SURD-AVR between 2009 and 2018, a total of 1418 (73.3%) underwent MI interventions and were included in this analysis. SURD-AVR was performed using upper ministernotomy in 56.4% (n = 800) of cases and anterior right thoracotomy in 43.6% (n = 618). Perceval S was implanted in 1011 (71.3%) patients and Edwards Intuity or Intuity Elite in 407 (28.7%) patients.

RESULTS

Overall in-hospital mortality and stroke rates were 1.7% and 2%, respectively. A definitive pacemaker implantation was reported in 9% of cases and significantly decreased over the observational period, from 20.6% to 5.6% (P = 0.002). The Perceval valve was associated with shorter operative times and was more frequently implanted in patients receiving anterior right thoracotomy incision. The Intuity valve was preferred in younger patients and revealed superior postoperative haemodynamic results.

CONCLUSIONS

SURD-AVR was largely performed through less invasive approaches and can be considered as a primary indication in MI surgery. In the SURD-IR cohort, MI SURD-AVR using both Perceval and Intuity valves appeared a safe and reproducible procedure associated with promising early results.

Tourniquet fixing prior to knot tying reduces forces during aortic valve replacement: experimental results from 18 surgeons

OBJECTIVES

To increase the safety of aortic valve replacement, we developed the 'Caput medusae' method, where the prosthesis is prefixed with circumferential tourniquets prior to knot tying. We assumed that an even distribution of forces may help reduce tissue damage. To confirm this theoretically, we compared forces between knots and tourniquets.

METHODS

The experimental set-up included a device with movable acrylic plates, a mounted valve and a set of sutures. Traction forces were measured with a luggage scale. Two different tourniquets were compared individually and as bundles of 15. Force-path curves were generated. Knotting and tourniquet forces of 18 staff surgeons were then compared. Both modalities were measured 10 times on 2 days, resulting in 40 observations per surgeon, or 360 observations per modality.

RESULTS

Polyvinyl chloride tourniquets were stiffer than silicone, expressed by a 1.5- to 1.7-fold higher regression-line slope. Fifteen simultaneous tubes produced force increments 7.9-8.9 times higher than their single counterparts. Overall knotting force was 13.64 ± 5.76 vs tourniquet 1.08 ± 0.48 N. Male surgeons' knotting forces were higher compared to female staff (14.76 ± 6.01 vs 10.73 ± 3.74 N; P < 0.001) while tourniquet forces did not differ (1.09 ± 0.47 vs 1.05 ± 0.49 N; P = 0.459). Dedicated valve surgeons (n = 10) tightened the tourniquets more strongly than inexperienced surgeons (1.20 ± 0.52 vs 0.94 ± 0.37 N; P < 0.001); knotting was similar. Multivariable analysis confirmed only valve experience as a predictor of tourniquet strength (experienced surgeons exerted higher force).

CONCLUSIONS

Tourniquets exert less force on the tissue than knots. When distributed over the circumference, they can reduce local tension and avoid potential paravalvular leakage. Complete or partial use of tourniquets may thus be an additional option to enhance surgical safety.

Trends of utilization and outcomes after transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement on chronic dialysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Trends of utilization and outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for patients on chronic dialysis (CD) are not well described. We aimed to assess the trends in utilization and outcomes of TAVR and SAVR on CD.

METHODS

Nationwide Readmission Databases from 2013 to 2017 was analyzed. International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification 9 and 10 codes were used to identify diagnoses and procedures. A multivariable regression model was used to compare the outcomes expressed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 5731 TAVR and 6491 SAVR were performed in patients with CD, respectively. The volume of TAVR increased by approximately four-folds and SAVR increased by approximately 33%. However, amongst patients with CD, the percentage of TAVR increased, whereas that of SAVR decreased (p < .001 for all). In 2016 and 2017, TAVR volume surpassed that of SAVR on CD. In-hospital mortality remained similar in TAVR (aOR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.79-1.07; p-trend = .23) whereas it increased significantly in SAVR (aOR: 1.14: 95% CI: 1.05-1.25, p-trend = .002). In 2017, in-hospital mortality and 30-day readmission were significantly higher in TAVR among CD than non-CD patients.

CONCLUSION

Despite increased use of TAVR among CD, there still is an opportunity for improvement in outcome of aortic valve replacement for those on CD.

Conduction disorders after aortic valve replacement: what is the real impact of sutureless and rapid deployment valves?

Background

Although sutureless and rapid deployment aortic valve replacement (SURD-AVR) has been associated with an increased rate of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation compared to conventional AVR (c-AVR), the predictors of new conduction abnormalities remain to be clarified. This study aimed to identify risk factors for conduction disorders in patients undergoing AVR surgery.

Methods

Data from 243 patients receiving minimally invasive AVR were prospectively collected. SURD-AVR was performed in 103 (42.4%) patients and c-AVR in 140 (57.6%). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of new-onset conduction disorders, defined as first degree atrioventricular (AV) block, advanced AV block requiring PPM implantation, left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), left bundle branch block (LBBB) and right bundle branch block (RBBB).

Results

The unadjusted comparison revealed that SURD-AVR was associated with a higher rate of advanced AV block requiring PPM when compared with c-AVR (10.5% vs. 2.1%, P=0.01). After adjusting for other measured covariates (OR: 1.6, P=0.58) and for the estimated propensity of SURD-AVR (OR: 5.1, P=0.1), no significant relationship between type of AVR and PPM implantation emerged. On multivariable analysis, preoperative first-degree AV block (OR: 6.9, P=0.04) and RBBB (OR: 6.9, P=0.03) were independent risk factors for PPM. Subgroup analysis of patients with normal preoperative conduction revealed similar incidence of PPM between SURD-AVR and c-AVR (1.3% vs. 1.9%, P=0.6). When compared with c-AVR, SURD-AVR was associated with a greater incidence of postoperative new onset LBBB (18.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.001). This finding was confirmed after adjusting for the estimated propensity of SURD-AVR (OR: 6.3, P=0.009).

Conclusions

Our study revealed that the risk of PPM implantation in patients receiving surgical AVR is heavily influenced by the presence of pre-existing conduction disturbances rather than the type of valve prosthesis. Conversely, SURD-AVR emerged as an independent predictor for LBBB and was associated with an increased risk of PPM in patients presenting with RBBB.

Coronary revascularization during treatment of severe aortic stenosis: A meta-analysis of the complete percutaneous approach (PCI plus TAVR) versus the complete surgical approach (CABG plus SAVR)

BACKGROUND

The management of patients with coexisting severe aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) is still facing a great deal of uncertainty when it comes to choosing between the entire surgical versus the complete percutaneous approaches, after accurately balancing risks versus outcomes.

AIM

To evaluate clinical outcomes and mortality of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) plus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) plus coronary arteries bypass grafting (CABG) procedures in patients with concomitant AS and CAD.

METHODS

Electronic databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS were searched for relevant articles assessing outcome parameters of interest. The study endpoints were the rate of overall myocardial infarction and stroke within 30 days and the rate of 30-day mortality and 2-year mortality between patients with TAVR/PCI and those with SAVR/CABG.

RESULTS

Random-effect meta-analysis did not reveal any significant difference between 30-day safety outcomes: myocardial infarction (TAVR/PCI vs SAVR/CABG: odds ratio [OR]: 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.20-1.33; I²  = 0%), stroke (TAVR/PCI vs SAVR/CABG: OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.45-1.73; I²  = 0%). No significant difference in 30-day mortality (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.43-1.21; I²  = 0%) and 2-year mortality (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 0.77-2.94; I²  = 81%) rate was noted between patients with TAVR/PCI and those with SAVR/CABG.

CONCLUSIONS

When comparing the total percutaneous and total surgical treatment, no significant difference in short-term safety outcomes or early and late mortality was observed. More evidence is needed to guide the clinical decision.

The sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement international registry: lessons learned from more than 4,500 patients

The treatment options for patients with aortic valve disease have considerably expanded over the last decade. The remarkable advances in catheter-based technology, the popularizing of minimally invasive (MI) surgery, and the introduction of new valve technologies, such as sutureless and rapid-deployment (SURD) valves have led to a paradigm shift in the management of aortic valve pathologies. Yet, given their recent introduction, the current evidence on sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement (SURD-AVR) has been limited thus far. The Sutureless and Rapid-Deployment Aortic Valve Replacement International Registry (SURD-IR) was established in 2015 by a consortium of 18 research centers to assess safety, efficacy, short- and long-term outcomes of SURD-AVR interventions. The present keynote lecture aims to assess and comment on the real-world evidence for SURD-AVR surgery generated from the SURD-IR.

[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.

Current trends of sutureless and rapid deployment valves: an 11-year experience from the Sutureless and Rapid Deployment International Registry

OBJECTIVES

Current evidence on sutureless and rapid deployment aortic valve replacement (SURD-AVR) is limited and does not allow for the assessment of the clinical impact and the evolution of procedural and clinical outcomes of this new valve technology. The Sutureless and Rapid Deployment International Registry (SURD-IR) represents a unique opportunity to evaluate the current trends and outcomes of SURD-AVR interventions.

METHODS

Data from 3682 patients enrolled between 2007 and 2018 were analysed. Patients were divided according to the date of surgery into 6 equal groups and by the type of intervention: isolated SURD-AVR (n = 2472) and combined SURD-AVR (n = 1086).

RESULTS

Across the 11-year study period, significant changes occurred in patient characteristics including a decrease in age and in estimated surgical risk. Less invasive approaches for isolated SURD-AVR increased considerably from 49.4% to 85.5%. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 1.6% and 3.9% in isolated and combined procedures, respectively, with no change over time. The rate of perioperative stroke decreased significantly (from 4% to 0.5%), as did the rates of postoperative pacemaker implantation (from 12.8% to 5.9%) and aortic regurgitation (from 17.8% to 2.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current trends and results of SURD-AVR interventions. The most notable changes over time were the increasing implantation of SURD valves in a younger population, with more frequent utilization of less invasive techniques. SURD-AVR demonstrated remarkable improvements in clinical outcomes with a significant reduction in the rates of stroke, pacemaker implantation and postoperative aortic regurgitation.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Does Not Affect 1-Year Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between pre-procedural left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) patterns and clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

BACKGROUND

The association between pre-procedural LVH pattern and severity and clinical outcomes after TAVR is uncertain.

METHODS

Patients (n = 31,199) across 422 sites who underwent TAVR from November 2011 through June 2016 as part of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology TVT (Transcatheter Valve Therapies) Registry linked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database were evaluated by varying LVH patterns, according to sex-specific cutoffs for left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness. The association between LVH pattern (concentric remodeling, concentric LVH, and eccentric LVH) and outcomes (rates of mortality, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, new dialysis requirement) at 1-year follow-up were evaluated using multivariate hazard models.

RESULTS

There were no significant associations between concentric remodeling (death: adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93 to 1.15; MI: HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.76 to 1.46; stroke: HR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.89 to 1.39; new dialysis: HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.64 to 1.15), concentric LVH (death: HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.15; MI: HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.52; stroke: HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.40; new dialysis: HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.52), or eccentric LVH (death: HR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.10; MI: HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.63; stroke: HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.32; new dialysis: HR: 1.25; 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.70) and outcomes at 1 year compared with patients without LVH.

CONCLUSIONS

In a contemporary cohort of patients who underwent TAVR, pre-procedural LVH according to left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness was not associated with adverse outcomes at 1-year follow-up. TAVR is likely to benefit patients with severe aortic stenosis regardless of the presence of LVH.

National Trends in Utilization and In-Hospital Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacements in Spain, 2001-2015

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to examine the incidence and in-hospital outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM) among patients according to the type of implanted valve used in SAVR.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database, 2001-2015. We included patients who had SAVR listed as a procedure in their discharge report.

RESULTS

We identified 86,578 patients who underwent SAVR (52.78% mechanical and 47.22% bioprosthetic). Incidence of SAVR coding increased significantly from 11.95 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2001 to 17.92 in 2015 (P<0.001). Age and comorbidities increased over time (P<0.001). There was a significant increase in the frequency of concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and in the use of pacemaker implantation. The use of mechanical SAVR decreased and the use of bioprosthetic valves increased over time. IHM decreased over time (from 8.13% in 2001-05 to 5.39% in 2011-15). Patients who underwent mechanical SAVR had higher IHM than those who underwent bioprosthetic SAVR (7.44% vs. 6%; P<0.05). Higher IHM rates were associated with advanced age, female sex, comorbidities, concomitant CABG, and the use of mechanical SAVR (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.57-1.77).

CONCLUSION

The number of SAVRs performed in Spain has increased since 2001. The use of mechanical SAVR has decreased and the use of bioprosthetic valves has increased over time. IHM has decreased over time for both types of valves and despite a concomitant increase in age and comorbidities of patients during the same period.

Association of the European Society of Cardiology echocardiographic probability grading for pulmonary hypertension with short and mid-term clinical outcomes after heart valve surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with higher mortality and morbidity after valvular heart surgery, mainly through its adverse effect on right ventricular hemodynamic. Recently, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) PH guidelines introduced a PH probability grading that lists additional parameters related to right ventricular dimensions. We evaluated the impact of such score on short- and mid-term outcomes in patients undergoing left heart valvular surgery.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included 60 consecutive patients (mean age 70 ± 9 years) undergoing left heart valvular surgery with or without coronary artery bypass. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the PH probability: "low" (n = 18), "intermediate" (n = 18), or "high" (n = 24). The high PH probability group had higher rate of World Health Organization-Functional Class (WHO-FC) III and IV, hemodynamic complications, deaths, major bleeding events and infections after heart surgery than the other groups. A "high" PH probability was associated with reduced right ventricular systolic function, as measured by the fractional area change (FAC), but not with the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE).

CONCLUSION

The high PH probability as evaluated by the ESC PH echocardiographic probability model, is associated with increased short- and mid-term mortality and morbidity and reduced right ventricular systolic function after cardiac surgery, Thus, additional echocardiographic parameters assessing PH probability are valuable tools to stratify risk in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

[Hybrid operating theater]

A hybrid suite is an operating theater with imaging equipment equivalent to that used in an angiography suite with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They are often situated outside the operating room area and typically serve as multifunctional rooms designed to support a variety of catheter-based endovascular procedures and open surgery to be performed in the same location. The possibility to perform these in the same location facilitates the combination of both approaches to so-called hybrid procedures. Typical clinical applications of hybrid suites are cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery, neurosurgery and neuroradiology, as well as orthopedics and traumatology. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is significantly less invasive than a classical approach by open surgery. Patients older than 75 years with relevant comorbidities benefit most from the minimally invasive interventional approach. There has been a paradigm shift in the management of vascular diseases from open surgical repair to new percutaneous endovascular interventions with good early outcomes. Of particular interest in this context is the ability to block the part of the aorta proximal to the aneurysm with a catheter-based dilatation balloon. Progress in image fusion technology and intraoperative navigation has led to an increased acceptance of hybrid suites in orthopedics and traumatology. The complex care of high-risk patients most often outside the operating theater area is a challenge for the anesthesia team. This demands meticulous planning on behalf of the anesthesiologist to ensure an appropriate and safe strategy for anesthesia, intraoperative monitoring, vascular access and the need for additional equipment. A thorough understanding of the complexity of procedures is vital and a series of questions must be addressed: what is needed to safely administer anesthesia in this environment? What additional resources would be needed for an emergency situation? Is the patient being kept safe from radiation hazards? Moreover, logistics may become an issue as the hybrid suite is most often delocalized. In addition, many procedures realized in a hybrid suite require a multidisciplinary approach and therefore teamwork and professional communication are mandatory. Anesthesiologists need to have an integral role in the hybrid suite team, understanding and anticipating the risks for patients and leading the organization of workflow. The challenge in anesthesia is to ensure that when patients are taken to these complex environments the resources available enable high standards of care to be provided. With future developments in imaging technology combined with more powerful hardware and software, a far greater integration of all these imaging and navigation technologies will be seen in future operating rooms. Finally, patients are becoming more aware of medical developments via the world wide web and increasingly request what they consider to be state of the art treatment.

In vitro 4D Flow MRI evaluation of aortic valve replacements reveals disturbed flow distal to biological but not to mechanical valves

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

Aortic hemodynamics influence the integrity of the vessel wall and cardiac afterload. The aim of this study was to compare hemodynamics distal to biological (BV) and mechanical aortic valve (MV) replacements by in vitro 4D Flow MRI excluding confounding factors of in-vivo testing potentially influencing hemodynamics.

METHODS

Two BV (Perimount MagnaEase [Carpentier-Edwards], Trifecta [Abbott]) and two MV (On-X [CryoLife], prototype trileaflet valve) were scanned in a flexible aortic phantom at 3T using a recommended 4D Flow MR sequence. A triphasic aortic flow profile with blood-mimicking fluid was established. Using GTFlow (Gyrotools), area and velocity of the ejection jet were measured. Presence and extent of sinus vortices and secondary flow patterns were graded on a 0 to 3 scale.

RESULTS

A narrow, accelerated central ejection jet (Area = 27 ± 7% of vessel area, Velocity = 166 ± 13 cm/s; measured at sinotubular junction) was observed in BV as compared to MV (Area = 53 ± 13%, Velocity = 109 ± 21 cm/s). As opposed to MV, the jet distal to BV impacted the outer curvature of the ascending aorta and resulted in large secondary flow patterns (BV: n = 4, grades 3, 3, 2, 1; MV: n = 1, grade 1). Sinus vortices only formed distal to MV. Although physiologically configured, they were larger than normal (grade 3).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to mechanical valves, biological valve replacements induced accelerated and increased flow patterns deviating from physiological ones. While it remains speculative whether this increases the risk of aneurysm formation through wall shear stress changes, findings are contrasted by almost no secondary flow patterns and typical, near-physiological sinus vortex formation distal to mechanical valves.

Comparison of a Complete Percutaneous Versus Surgical Approach to Aortic Valve Replacement and Revascularization in Patients at Intermediate Surgical Risk: Results From the Randomized SURTAVI Trial

BACKGROUND

For patients with severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease, the completely percutaneous approach to aortic valve replacement and revascularization has not been compared with the standard surgical approach.

METHODS

The prospective SURTAVI trial (Safety and Efficiency Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Severe, Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis in Intermediate Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement) enrolled intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis from 87 centers in the United States, Canada, and Europe between June 2012 and June 2016. Complex coronary artery disease with SYNTAX score (Synergy Between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Trial) >22 was an exclusion criterion. Patients were stratified according to the need for revascularization and then randomly assigned to treatment with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Patients assigned to revascularization in the TAVR group underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, whereas those in the SAVR group had coronary artery bypass grafting. The primary end point was the rate of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke at 2 years.

RESULTS

Of 1660 subjects with attempted aortic valve implants, 332 (20%) were assigned to revascularization. They had a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score for mortality (4.8±1.7% versus 4.4±1.5%; P<0.01) and were more likely to be male (65.1% versus 54.2%; P<0.01) than the 1328 patients not assigned to revascularization. After randomization to treatment, there were 169 patients undergoing TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention, 163 patients undergoing SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting, 695 patients undergoing TAVR, and 633 patients undergoing SAVR. No significant difference in the rate of the primary end point was found between TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention and SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting (16.0%; 95% CI, 11.1-22.9 versus 14.0%; 95% CI, 9.2-21.1; P=0.62), or between TAVR and SAVR (11.9%; 95% CI, 9.5-14.7 versus 12.3%; 95% CI, 9.8-15.4; P=0.76).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients at intermediate surgical risk with severe aortic stenosis and noncomplex coronary artery disease (SYNTAX score ≤22), a complete percutaneous approach of TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention is a reasonable alternative to SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov. Unique identifier: NCT01586910.