Transarterial Medtronic CoreValve System Implantation for Degenerated Surgically Implanted Aortic Prostheses

1-Year Results in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Failed Surgical Bioprostheses

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with surgical valve failure (SVF).

BACKGROUND

Self-expanding TAVR is superior to medical therapy for patients with severe native aortic valve stenosis at increased surgical risk.

METHODS

The CoreValve U.S. Expanded Use Study was a prospective, nonrandomized study that enrolled 233 patients with symptomatic SVF who were deemed unsuitable for reoperation. Patients were treated with self-expanding TAVR and evaluated for 30-day and 1-year outcomes after the procedure. An independent core laboratory was used to evaluate serial echocardiograms for valve hemodynamics and aortic regurgitation.

RESULTS

SVF occurred through stenosis (56.4%), regurgitation (22.0%), or a combination (21.6%). A total of 227 patients underwent attempted TAVR and successful TAVR was achieved in 225 (99.1%) patients. Patients were elderly (76.7 ± 10.8 years), had a Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score of 9.0 ± 6.7%, and were severely symptomatic (86.8% New York Heart Association functional class III or IV). The all-cause mortality rate was 2.2% at 30 days and 14.6% at 1 year; major stroke rate was 0.4% at 30 days and 1.8% at 1 year. Moderate aortic regurgitation occurred in 3.5% of patients at 30 days and 7.4% of patients at 1 year, with no severe aortic regurgitation. The rate of new permanent pacemaker implantation was 8.1% at 30 days and 11.0% at 1 year. The mean valve gradient was 17.0 ± 8.8 mm Hg at 30 days and 16.6 ± 8.9 mm Hg at 1 year. Factors significantly associated with higher discharge mean aortic gradients were surgical valve size, stenosis as modality of SVF, and presence of surgical valve prosthesis patient mismatch (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Self-expanding TAVR in patients with SVF at increased risk for surgery was associated with a low 1-year mortality and major stroke rate, significantly improved aortic valve hemodynamics, and low rates of moderate and no severe residual aortic regurgitation, with improved quality of life.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: current application and future directions

During the last decade, the rapid evolution of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. Since the PARTNER A and B trials, this technique has become the treatment of reference for inoperable patients, and an attractive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in those at high risk for surgery. Large multicenter registries conducted since 2007, mainly in Europe, confirmed the excellent hemodynamic performances of the 2 percutaneous valves currently available on the market, the Edwards SAPIEN, and the Medtronic CoreValve, as well as their benefits in terms of symptom relief and survival. The whole process of TAVR, from patient selection to post-procedural care and result evaluation, should be conducted by a dedicated multidisciplinary "heart team," within centers with expertise in valve disease. Though currently limited to those deemed at high risk for surgery or inoperable, indications for TAVR will likely be extended to a broader spectrum of patients, in particular those with surgical bioprosthetic failure or at intermediate risk for surgery. Beforehand, it will be essential to obtain more extensive data on the durability of percutaneous prostheses, since the available follow-up is seldom longer than 5 years, and in order to further decrease the rate of complications, mainly stroke, paravalvular regurgitation, and access site complications. Furthermore, the use of the transfemoral route will undoubtedly increase because of the miniaturization of the devices, at the expense of other approaches. Above all, multidisciplinary approach, excellent imaging, and careful evaluation will remain key to the success of this technique.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Degenerative Bioprosthetic Surgical Valves

Background—

Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation is an emerging therapeutic alternative for patients with a failed surgical bioprosthesis and may obviate the need for reoperation. We evaluated the clinical results of this technique using a large, worldwide registry.

Methods and Results—

The Global Valve-in-Valve Registry included 202 patients with degenerated bioprosthetic valves (aged 77.7±10.4 years; 52.5% men) from 38 cardiac centers. Bioprosthesis mode of failure was stenosis (n=85; 42%), regurgitation (n=68; 34%), or combined stenosis and regurgitation (n=49; 24%). Implanted devices included CoreValve (n=124) and Edwards SAPIEN (n=78). Procedural success was achieved in 93.1% of cases. Adverse procedural outcomes included initial device malposition in 15.3% of cases and ostial coronary obstruction in 3.5%. After the procedure, valve maximum/mean gradients were 28.4±14.1/15.9±8.6 mm Hg, and 95% of patients had ≤+1 degree of aortic regurgitation. At 30-day follow-up, all-cause mortality was 8.4%, and 84.1% of patients were at New York Heart Association functional class I/II. One-year follow-up was obtained in 87 patients, with 85.8% survival of treated patients.

Conclusions—

The valve-in-valve procedure is clinically effective in the vast majority of patients with degenerated bioprosthetic valves. Safety and efficacy concerns include device malposition, ostial coronary obstruction, and high gradients after the procedure.

The Editors. Most Important Papers in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Implantation

The following are highlights from the series, Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions Topic Review . This series summarizes the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, which have published in the Circulation portfolio. The studies included in this article represent the most noteworthy research in the areas of transcatheter aortic valve replacement and transcatheter aortic-valve implantation.