Gait Speed Can Predict Advanced Clinical Outcomes in Patients Who Undergo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Gait Speed as a Measure of Frailty and Outcomes After Lung Resection

BACKGROUND

As a powerful, objective marker of frailty, 4-m gait speed (4MGS) can predict morbidity and mortality in various populations including cardiac surgery and oncology patients. Its role in thoracic surgery is understudied. This study aimed to evaluate associations between preoperative 4MGS and outcomes after pulmonary resection.

METHODS

A cohort study analyzed patients undergoing pulmonary resections at a high-volume surgical center from January 2021 to October 2023. Preoperative 4MGS was prospectively collected by medical assistants as part of routine vital sign assessments in clinic. Uni- and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate the associations of preoperative 4MGS with postoperative length of stay, adverse events, and discharge disposition, controlling for lung function (FEV1), extent of resection, comorbidity, and other covariates.

RESULTS

Overall, 401 patients were included (median age, 69 years; interquartile range, 61-75 years): 123 (31%) lobectomy and 278 (69%) sublobar resection patients. After controlling for covariates, each decrease of 0.1 m/s in 4MGS was associated with average longer length of stay (beta, 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.23) and increased odds of adverse events (odds ratio [OR], 1.10; 95% CI 1.00-1.25). These associations were largely maintained when analyses were repeated within the lobar and sublobar cohorts. Among the sublobar resections, decreases in 0.1 m/s of 4MGS was associated with increased odds of discharge to home requiring home services or to a rehabilitation facility (OR, 1.10; 95% CI 1.00-1.22).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative 4MGS is independently associated with important surgical outcomes after lung resection. The 4MGS marker can complement other preoperative measures used to risk-stratify patients undergoing lung resection.

Sarcopenia and frailty in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) plays a crucial role in risk assessment in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) candidates, yet it remains underutilized. Traditional methods focus on weakness or performance but omit SMM. This study compared traditional and novel markers of sarcopenia and frailty in terms of their ability to predict adverse outcomes post-TAVR.

METHODS

Three risk models were evaluated for the composite outcome of perioperative complications, 1-year rehospitalization, or 1-year mortality: (1) sarcopenia by combining low muscle mass (LMM) and weakness/performance assessed by hand grip strength or gait speed; (2) frailty by an Adapted Green score; and (3) frailty by the Green-SMI score incorporating LMM by multilevel opportunistic pre-TAVR thoracic CT segmentation.

RESULTS

In this study we included 184 eligible patients from January to December of 2018, (96.7%) of which were balloon expandable valves. The three risk models identified 22.8% patients as sarcopenic, 63.6% as frail by the Adapted Green score, and 53.8% as frail by the Green-SMI score. There were higher rates of the composite outcome in patients with sarcopenia (54.8%) and frailty (41.9% with the Adapted Green and 50.5% with the Green-SMI score) compared to their nonsarcopenic (30.3%) and nonfrail counterparts (25.4% with the Adapted Green and 18.8% with the Green-SMI score). Sarcopenia and frailty by Green-SMI, but not by the Adapted Green, were associated with higher risks of the composite outcome on multivariable adjustment (HR 2.2 [95% CI: 1.25-4.02], P = .007 and HR 3.4 [95% CI: 1.75-6.65], P < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The integration of preoperative CT-based SMM to a frailty score significantly improves the prediction of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing TAVR.

Clinical impact of non-lying time on hospital-associated functional decline in older patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

The purposes of the present study were: (1) to investigate the relationship between hospital-associated functional decline (HAFD) and non-lying time and (2) to clarify the optimal cut-off value for non-lying time associated with HAFD in older patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). From January 2021 to December 2022, patients admitted to a university hospital who underwent trans-femoral TAVI were consecutively recruited. We measured short physical performance battery (SPPB) pre and post-TAVI, and non-lying time from post-operative days 3-5. HAFD was defined as at least 1 point decrease in SPPB during pre and post-TAVI. Among 75 patients (47 female, mean age of 84.5 years) enrolled, 14 patients were classified as having HAFD. Non-lying time was significantly shorter in the HAFD group than in the non-HAFD group (371 min vs. 539 min, P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis determined an optimal cut-off value of 477 min for differentiating the patients more likely to experience HAFD (sensitivity, 75%; specificity, 92%; area under the curve, 0.798). The non-lying time could be one of the associated factors of HAFD in older patients with TAVI. Non-lying time of about 480 min (8 h) during hospitalization may be an initial target for preventing HAFD.

Associations of Sarcopenia and Body Composition Measures With Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

Frailty associates with worse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Sarcopenia underlies frailty, but the association between a comprehensive assessment of sarcopenia-muscle mass, strength, and performance-and outcomes after TAVR has not been examined.

METHODS

From a multicenter prospective registry of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR, 445 who had a preprocedure computed tomography and clinical assessment of frailty were included. Cross-sectional muscle (psoas and paraspinal) areas were measured on computed tomography and indexed to height. Gait speed and handgrip strength were obtained, and patients were dichotomized into fast versus slow; strong versus weak; and normal versus low muscle mass. As measures of body composition, cross-sectional fat (subcutaneous and visceral) was measured and indexed to height.

RESULTS

The frequency of patients who were slow, weak, and had low muscle mass was 56%, 59%, and 42%, respectively. Among the 3 components of sarcopenia, only slower gait speed (muscle performance) was independently associated with increased post-TAVR mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.12 per 0.1 m/s decrease [95% CI, 1.04-1.21]; P=0.004; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.38 per 1 SD decrease [95% CI, 1.11-1.72]; P=0.004). Meeting multiple sarcopenia criteria was not associated with higher mortality risk than fewer. Lower indexed visceral fat area (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.48 per 1 SD decrease [95% CI, 1.15-1.89]; P=0.002) was associated with mortality but indexed subcutaneous fat was not. Death occurred in 169 (38%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and comprehensive sarcopenia and body composition phenotyping, gait speed was the only sarcopenia measure associated with post-TAVR mortality. Lower visceral fat was also associated with increased risk pointing to an obesity paradox also observed in other patient populations. These findings reinforce the clinical utility of gait speed as a measure of risk and a potential target for adjunctive interventions alongside TAVR to optimize clinical outcomes.

Comparison of Outcomes Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Requiring Peripheral Vascular Intervention or Alternative Access

Background Peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) is occasionally required to facilitate delivery system insertion or to treat vascular complications during transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR). However, the impact of PVI on outcomes is not well understood. Therefore, we aimed to compare outcomes between TF-TAVR with versus without PVI and between TF-TAVR with PVI versus non-TF-TAVR. Methods and Results We retrospectively reviewed 2386 patients who underwent TAVR with a balloon-expandable valve at a single institution from 2016 to 2020. The primary outcomes were death and major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular event (MACCE), defined as death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Of 2246 TF-TAVR recipients, 136 (6.1%) required PVI (89% bailout treatment). During follow-up (median 23.0 months), there were no significant differences between TF-TAVR with and without PVI in death (15.4% versus 20.7%; adjusted HR [aHR], 0.96 [95% CI, 0.58-1.58]) or MACCE (16.9% versus 23.0%; aHR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.52-1.36]). However, compared with non-TF-TAVR (n=140), TF-TAVR with PVI carried significantly lower rates of death (15.4% versus 40.7%; aHR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.24-0.75]) and MACCE (16.9% versus 45.0%; aHR, 0.40 [95% CI, 0.23-0.68]). Landmark analyses demonstrated lower outcome rates following TF-TAVR with PVI than non-TF-TAVR both within 60 days (death 0.7% versus 5.7%, P=0.019; MACCE 0.7% versus 9.3%; P=0.001) and thereafter (death 15.0% versus 38.9%, P=0.014; MACCE 16.5% versus 41.3%, P=0.013). Conclusions The need for PVI during TF-TAVR is not uncommon, mainly due to the bailout treatment for vascular complications. PVI is not associated with worse outcomes in TF-TAVR recipients. Even when PVI is required, TF-TAVR is associated with better short- and intermediate-term outcomes than non-TF-TAVR.

Incidence, Timing, and Causes of Late Bleeding After TAVR in an Asian Cohort

BACKGROUND

Data regarding the incidence, predictive factors, and clinical outcomes of post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) bleeding is limited in the Asian cohort.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to assess the predictors and prognostic impact of post-TAVR late bleeding.

METHODS

This study used the Japanese multicenter registry data to analyze 2,518 patients (mean age: 84.3 ± 5.2 years) who underwent TAVR. Late bleeding was defined as any postdischarge bleeding events after TAVR. Baseline characteristics, predictive factors, and clinical outcomes including death and rehospitalization were assessed in patients with and without late bleeding events.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence rate of all and major late bleeding and ischemic stroke were 7.4%, 5.2%, and 3.4%, respectively, 3 years after TAVR. The independent predictive factors of late bleeding were low platelet count, high score (≥4) on the clinical frailty scale, and a New York Heart Association functional class III/IV. The cumulative mortality rates up to 3 years were significantly higher in patients with late bleeding than in those without bleeding (P < 0.001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that late bleeding, included as a time-varying covariate in the model, was associated with an increased risk of mortality following TAVR (HR: 5.63; 95% CI: 4.28-7.41; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Late bleeding after TAVR was not a rare complication, and it significantly increased long-term mortality. It should be carefully managed, especially when it is predictable in the high-risk cohort, and efforts should be taken to reduce bleeding complications even after a successful procedure.

The Usefulness of the Modified Essential Frailty Toolset to Predict Late Bleeding Events after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Frailty is strongly associated with poor short- and long-term prognoses in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, limited data are available regarding the association between frailty and late bleeding events after TAVI. Of the 2,518 patients in the Japanese multicenter TAVI registry, 1371 patients with complete data on frailty parameters were analyzed. We developed a modified Essential Frailty Toolset (EFT) using 4 frailty parameters-gait speed, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), anemia, and hypoalbuminemia-that are significant predictors of late bleeding events in this cohort. The predictive value of the modified EFT for late bleeding after TAVI was assessed in comparison with other clinical variables. Late bleeding events after TAVI occurred in 80 patients (5.8%). Gait speed, MMSE, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia were significantly associated with late bleeding. A modified EFT was developed to include these parameters, which were scored from 0 to 5 points comprising the following 4 items: gait speed (0: >1.5 m/s, 1: 1.5 to 0.75 m/s, 2: <0.75 m/s), cognition (1: MMSE <18), anemia (1: hemoglobin <13 g/100 ml in men or <12 g/100 ml in women), and malnutrition (1: albumin <3.5 g/100 ml). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the modified EFT was an independent predictor of late bleeding (adjusted hazard ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19 to 1.92, p <0.001) In conclusion, the modified EFT was found to be a significant predictive factor for late bleeding events after TAVI. Assessment of frailty is important to predict patients with high bleeding risk after TAVI.

Preprocedural muscle strength and physical performance and the association with functional decline or mortality in frail older patients after transcatheter aortic valve implementation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

A significant number of older patients planned for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) experience a decline in physical functioning and death, despite a successful procedure.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the literature on the association of preprocedural muscle strength and physical performance with functional decline or long-term mortality after TAVI.

METHODS

We followed the PRISMA guidelines and pre-registered this review at PROSPERO (CRD42020208032). A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to 10 December 2021. Studies reporting on the association of preprocedural muscle strength or physical performance with functional decline or long-term (>6 months) mortality after the TAVI procedure were included. For outcomes reported by three or more studies, a meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

In total, two studies reporting on functional decline and 29 studies reporting on mortality were included. The association with functional decline was inconclusive. For mortality, meta-analysis showed that low handgrip strength (hazard ratio (HR) 1.80 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-2.63]), lower distance on the 6-minute walk test (HR 1.15 [95% CI: 1.09-1.21] per 50 m decrease), low performance on the timed up and go test (>20 s) (HR 2.77 [95% CI: 1.79-4.30]) and slow gait speed (<0.83 m/s) (HR 2.24 [95% CI: 1.32-3.81]) were associated with higher long-term mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Low muscle strength and physical performance are associated with higher mortality after TAVI, while the association with functional decline stays inconclusive. Future research should focus on interventions to increase muscle strength and physical performance in older cardiac patients.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation and frailty

Over the last decade, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis. With exponential increase in the number of TAVI procedures, frailty assessments have been considered important for patients undergoing TAVI, and a number of studies have indicated a relationship between the frailty and post-TAVI outcomes. In this review, using studies searched systematically in the PubMed database, we review important frailty assessment tools that can be used as prognostic factors for patients before TAVI. The assessment tools were categorized as quantitative single marker, semi-quantitative single marker, or quantitative combined marker. Studies were further stratified by whether they used frailty markers to predict patients' prognosis pre-TAVI or to evaluate frailty improvement post-TAVI. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), a semi-quantitative assessment, is one of the frailty assessment tools discussed. It may be easily used even in an outpatient consultation room. The CFS classifies patients' activity into nine categories, based on a simple interview and the patient's appearance. Gait speed and serum albumin levels were considered as qualitative frailty assessment tools. Compared to other methods, the Essential Frailty Toolset had the highest inter-rater reliability for accuracy in predicting mortality, thereby allowing better identification of vulnerable old age people and optimization of outcomes. A few studies have also focused on changes in frailty pre- and post-TAVI. Serum albumin-level measurements are important for assessing the frailty improvement in the chronic phase. Each frailty assessment tool had its own characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses, and therefore, these tools need to be selected based on where they are being used and the patient's condition.

Late Progression of Tricuspid Regurgitation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background

Few studies have investigated the progression of baseline mild or less tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of late progression of baseline mild or less TR and the impact of late progression on outcomes after TAVR.

Methods

We reviewed 1615 patients who had baseline mild or less TR and 1-year echocardiographic follow-up registered in the Optimized Catheter Valvular Intervention-Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation registry. We compared outcomes including 2-year all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and heart failure hospitalization between groups with and without progression of TR on 1-year transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and investigated predictors of progression of TR after TAVR.

Results

On 1-year TTE, TR worsened to a moderate or severe grade in 87 patients (5.4%). The group with TR progression had higher 2-year all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, and heart failure hospitalization than the group without TR progression. The multivariable analysis showed that TR progression was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 4.08; 95% CI, 1.92-8.67; P < .001) and heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.64-4.93; P < .001). Independent predictors of TR progression included atrial fibrillation, transaortic mean pressure gradient <40 ​mm Hg on pre-TAVR TTE, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure ≥40 ​mm Hg.

Conclusions

TR progression from mild or less to moderate or severe after TAVR was more likely observed in patients with low transaortic gradients, atrial fibrillation, or pulmonary hypertension. TR progression after TAVR was associated with increased all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization.

The Pandora's Box of Frailty Assessments: Which Is the Best for Clinical Purposes in TAVI Patients? A Critical Review

Frailty assessment is recommended before elective transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to determine post-interventional prognosis. Several studies have investigated frailty in TAVI-patients using numerous assessments; however, it remains unclear which is the most appropriate tool for clinical practice. Therefore, we evaluate which frailty assessment is mainly used and meaningful for ≤30-day and ≥1-year prognosis in TAVI patients. Randomized controlled or observational studies (prospective/retrospective) investigating all-cause mortality in older (≥70 years) TAVI patients were identified (PubMed; May 2020). In total, 79 studies investigating frailty with 49 different assessments were included. As single markers of frailty, mostly gait speed (23 studies) and serum albumin (16 studies) were used. Higher risk of 1-year mortality was predicted by slower gait speed (highest Hazard Ratios (HR): 14.71; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.50–33.30) and lower serum albumin level (highest HR: 3.12; 95% CI 1.80–5.42). Composite indices (five items; seven studies) were associated with 30-day (highest Odds Ratio (OR): 15.30; 95% CI 2.71–86.10) and 1-year mortality (highest OR: 2.75; 95% CI 1.55–4.87). In conclusion, single markers of frailty, in particular gait speed, were widely used to predict 1-year mortality. Composite indices were appropriate, as well as a comprehensive assessment of frailty.

Impact of Severe Sarcopenia on Rehospitalization and Survival One Year After a TAVR Procedure in Patients Aged 75 and Older

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) reduces mortality and improves quality of life in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. One third of patients have no benefit one year after TAVR. Sarcopenia, an age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, is associated with increased physical disability and mortality. The main purpose was to evaluate the impact of severe sarcopenia on rehospitalization one year after TAVR in older patients.

METHODS

All patients aged ≥75 referred for a TAVR in 2018 were included. Severe sarcopenia was defined by a loss of skeletal muscle mass defined on CT-scan measurement associated with a gait speed ≤0.8m/s. The main outcome was rehospitalization one year after TAVR.

RESULTS

Median age of the 182 included patients was 84, and 35% had an unplanned hospitalization at one year. Severe sarcopenia was diagnosed in 9 patients (4.9%). Univariable analysis showed that gait speed was a factor associated with readmission [HR=0.32, 95% CI (0.10-0.97), p=0.04] but not severe sarcopenia. In multivariable analysis, only diabetes was significantly associated with rehospitalization [HR=2.06, 95% CI (1.11-3.84), p=0.02]. Prevalence of severe sarcopenia varied according to different thresholds of skeletal muscle mass on CT-scan.

CONCLUSION

Even though severe sarcopenia was not correlated with rehospitalization and mortality at one year after TAVR, our results emphasize the changes in the prevalence according to cutoff used. It highlights the need to define standardized methods and international threshold for sarcopenia diagnosis by CT-scan measurements, in general population and for patients with valvular heart disease.

Incidence and predictors of prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVI using SAPIEN 3 in Asian: differences between the newer and older balloon-expandable valve

Background

The balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 (S3) is superior to the older-generation balloon-expandable SAPIEN XT (XT) in a lower incidence of paravalvular aortic regurgitation, lower complication rates and better survival in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, prosthesis–patient mismatch (PPM) more frequently occurs in S3 than XT. Further, little information is available on PPM after TAVI using S3 in Asians. This study aims to determine the incidence and predictors of PPM in S3 by focusing on the difference between S3 and XT using data from a Japanese multicentre registry.

Methods

From the Optimised transCathEter vAlvular iNtervention-TAVI (OCEAN-TAVI) registry, 2134 patients undergoing TAVI using S3 or XT were included. PPM was defined as moderate if ≧0.65 but ≦0.85 cm²/m² or severe if <0.65 cm²/m² at the indexed effective orifice area by postprocedural echocardiography.

Results

The incidence of moderate and severe PPM in S3 was 13.3% and 1.3%, respectively. The 20 mm transcatheter heart valve (THV) was more frequently used in S3 than XT (7.4% vs 2.4%, p<0.0001). PPM was more frequently observed in S3 than XT (14.7% vs 8.8%, p<0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed S3 predicted PPM (OR 1.92 (95% CI 1.35 to 2.74), p=0.0003). The mutual predictors for PPM between S3 and XT were younger age, larger body surface area, smaller aortic valve area, no balloon postdilatation and the use of 20 mm and 23 mm THV. When comparing 23 mm, 26 mm and 29 mm S3, the ORs of 20 mm S3 were 5.67 (95% CI 2.88 to 11.12), 19.24 (95% CI 8.13 to 46.86) and 51.03 (95% CI 12.28 to 280.77), respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence of PPM after TAVI using S3 was 14.6% overall in this Asian population. PPM was more frequently observed in S3 than XT. A considerable number of patients were treated by the 20 mm S3 in an Asian cohort. The 20 mm THV was identified as a strong predictor for PPM.

Calculated plasma volume status and outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Aims

This study investigated the prognostic value of plasma volume status (PVS) in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods and results

Plasma volume status was calculated in 2588 patients who underwent TAVR using data from the Japanese multicentre registry. All‐cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization (HFH) within 2 years of TAVR were compared among the PVS quartiles (Q1, PVS < 5.5%; Q2, PVS 5.5–13.5%; Q3, PVS 13.5–21.0%; and Q4, PVS ≥ 21.0%). Subgroups were stratified by the PVS cut‐off value combined with the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class as follows: low PVS with NYHA I/II (n = 959), low PVS with NYHA III/IV (n = 845), high PVS with NYHA I/II (n = 308), and high PVS with NYHA III/IV (n = 476). The cumulative all‐cause mortality and HFH within 2 years of TAVR significantly increased with increasing PVS quartiles [8.5%, 16.8%, 19.2%, and 27.0% (P < 0.001) and 5.8%, 8.7%, 10.3%, and 12.9% (P < 0.001), respectively]. The high‐PVS group regardless of the NYHA class had a higher all‐cause mortality and HFH [9.6%, 18.2%, 24.5%, and 30.4% (P < 0.001) and 6.1%, 10.4%, 14.1%, and 11.3% (P < 0.001)]. In a Cox regression multivariate analysis, the PVS values of Q3 and Q4 had independently increased all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR), 1.50 and 1.64 (P = 0.017 and P = 0.008), respectively], and Q4 had independently increased HFH (HR, 1.98, P = 0.005). The low PVS with NYHA III/IV, high PVS with NYHA I/II, and high PVS with NYHA III/IV also had significantly increased all‐cause mortality [HR, 1.45, 1.73, and 1.86 (P = 0.006, P = 0.002, and P < 0.001), respectively] and HFH [HR, 1.52, 2.21, and 1.70 (P = 0.049, P = 0.002, and P = 0.031), respectively].

Conclusions

Plasma volume status is useful for predicting all‐cause mortality and HFH after TAVR.

Clinical Outcomes of Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Tissue Characteristics Assessed in Patients Underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

Adipose tissue (AT) characteristics are considered to be a marker for predicting clinical outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) computed tomography (CT) assessment in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

METHODS

We used the Japanese multicentre registry data of 1372 patients (age: 84.5 ± 5.0 years, women: 70.6%) who underwent TAVR. The SAT and VAT were assessed according to the preprocedural CT area and density. Baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared based on the differences in AT characteristics. The independent associations with all-cause mortality after TAVR were evaluated according to the CT area and density of AT.

RESULTS

Low-volume area of SAT and VAT was associated with worse clinical outcomes compared with high-volume area of SAT and VAT in patients who underwent TAVR (log-rank test P = 0.016 and P = 0.014). High CT density of SAT and VAT was associated with increasing mortality in comparison with low CT density of SAT and VAT (log-rank test P < 0.001 and P = 0.007). The Cox regression multivariate analysis demonstrated the independent association of increased all-cause mortality in the high SAT and VAT density (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.88, P = 0.019, and HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.03-1.76, P = 0.031, respectively), but not in the low SAT and VAT area (HR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-1.29, P = 0.85, and HR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.60-1.03, P = 0.085, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

CT-derived AT characteristics, particularly the qualitative assessments, were useful for predicting the prognosis in patients after TAVR.

Clinical outcomes in nonagenarians undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To compare the risk of procedural complications and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in nonagenarians (age ≥ 90 years) compared to younger patients (< 90 years). Although TAVI could be considered as a treatment option in nonagenarians, several previous studies have shown conflicting outcomes between nonagenarians and younger patients who underwent TAVI. We conducted a comprehensive literature search through PubMed and EMBASE to investigate the clinical outcomes of nonagenarians after TAVI. The outcomes of interest were short- and long-term mortality and procedural complications. Our study identified 16 observational studies including a total of 179,565 patients (21,674 nonagenarian patients and 157,891 younger patients. Nonagenarians had a significantly higher rate of short- (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48, 1.38-1.59; P < 0.001) and long-term mortality (HR, 95% CI: 1.34, 1.24-1.44; P < 0.001) than younger patients after TAVI. Furthermore, there were significant differences in major and/or life-threatening bleeding (risk ratio [RR], 95% CI: 1.21, 1.05-1.39; P = 0.008), stroke (HR, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.11-1.40; P < 0.001), and major vascular complication (RR, 95% CI: 2.15, 1.35-3.42; P = 0.001) between nonagenarians and younger patients after TAVI. Minor vascular complication, myocardial infarction and permanent pacemaker implantation rate were similar between the two groups. Nonagenarians had significantly higher rate of short- and long-term mortality, major and/or life-threatening bleeding, stroke, and major vascular complication after TAVI. Although TAVI is a treatment option in nonagenarians, careful and appropriate selection of patients is essential to improve clinical outcomes.

Fitness-Tracker Assisted Frailty-Assessment Before Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Proof-of-Concept Study

Background

While transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the treatment of aortic valve stenosis, wearable health-monitoring devices are gradually transforming digital patient care.

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop a simple, efficient, and economical method for preprocedural frailty assessment based on parameters measured by a wearable health-monitoring device.

Methods

In this prospective study, we analyzed data of 50 consecutive patients with mean (SD) age of 77.5 (5.1) years and a median (IQR) European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) II of 3.3 (4.1) undergoing either transfemoral or transapical TAVR between 2017 and 2018. Every patient was fitted with a wrist-worn health-monitoring device (Garmin Vivosmart 3) for 1 week prior to the procedure. Twenty different parameters were measured, and threshold levels for the 3 most predictive categories (ie, step count, heart rate, and preprocedural stress) were calculated. Patients were assigned 1 point per category for exceeding the cut-off value and were then classified into 4 stages (no, borderline, moderate, and severe frailty). Furthermore, the FItness-tracker assisted Frailty-Assessment Score (FIFA score) was compared with the scores of the preprocedural gait speed category derived from the 6-minute walk test (GSC-6MWT) and the Edmonton Frail Scale classification (EFS-C). The primary study endpoint was hospital mortality.

Results

The overall preprocedural stress level (P=.02), minutes of high stress per day (P=.02), minutes of rest per day (P=.045), and daily heart rate maximum (P=.048) as single parameters were the strongest predictors of hospital mortality. When comparing the different frailty scores, the FIFA score demonstrated the greatest predictive power for hospital mortality (FIFA area under the curve [AUC] 0.844, CI 0.656-1.000; P=.048; GSC-6MWT AUC 0.671, CI 0.487-0.855; P=.42; EFS-C AUC 0.636, CI 0.254-1.000; P=.44).

Conclusions

This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the strong predictive performance of the FIFA score compared to that of the conventional frailty assessments.

Five-Meter Walk Test as a Predictor of Prolonged Index Hospitalization After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

There are no studies evaluating comprehensive predictors of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) outcomes encompassing frailty assessments in a South-East Asian cohort. In this longitudinal single-center cohort, all patients who underwent TAVI in a tertiary cardiac center and comprehensively assessed for frailty at baseline were included in a registry. The primary outcome was to investigate frailty indices predictive of prolonged index hospitalization after TAVI. Seventy-six patients with a mean age of 77.6 ± 8.5 years were included. Mean Society of Thoracic Society Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 5.2 ± 3.0, with 11 (14.5%) patients classified as high-risk (Society of Thoracic Society Predicted Risk of Mortality >8). Mean and median index hospitalization duration were 9.2 ± 5.6 and 7 [4.5 to 9.5] days, respectively. Univariate analysis demonstrated that lower hemoglobin (Hb) (p <0.01), longer 5-meter walk test (5MWT) (p <0.01), lower dominant hand grip strength (p <0.01), the use of transaortic access (p = 0.01), new atrial fibrillation post-TAVI (p <0.01), and lower postprocedural Hb (p <0.01) were associated with longer index hospitalization duration. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated preoperative Hb, preoperative atrial fibrillation and 5MWT were independent baseline predictors of index hospitalization duration (p <0.05). Additionally, a 5MWT cutoff of 11 seconds (0.45 m/s) had a high specificity (88.6%) in predicting prolonged index hospitalization duration. In conclusion, this is the first comprehensive frailty assessment in a South-East Asian cohort demonstrating 5MWT to be a significant predictor of prolonged index hospitalization. This simple and effective frailty assessment index may be considered to optimize patient selection for TAVI.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with Evolut R versus Sapien 3 in Japanese patients with a small aortic annulus: The OCEAN-TAVI registry

OBJECTIVES

To compare safety, efficacy, and hemodynamics of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using self-expanding and balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valves (THVs) in patients with a small aortic annulus.

BACKGROUND

Few studies have directly compared TAVR outcomes using third-generation THVs, focusing on patients with small aortic annuli.

METHODS

In a multicenter TAVR registry, we analyzed data from 576 patients with a small annulus and who underwent transfemoral TAVR using third-generation THVs. Propensity score matching was used to adjust baseline clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

The device success rate in the overall cohort was 92.0% (Evolut R: 92.1% vs. Sapien 3:92.0%, p = 0.96). One year after TAVR, patients treated with Evolut R maintained a lower mean pressure gradient (mPG) and a higher indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) in the matched cohort {mPG: 9.0 [interquartile range (IQR): 6.0-11.9] vs. 12.0 [IQR: 9.9-16.3] mmHg, p < .001; iEOA: 1.20 [IQR: 1.01-1.46] vs. 1.08 [IQR: 0.90-1.28] cm² /m² , p < .001}. However, no significant differences were reported in the incidence of severe prosthesis-patient mismatch and aortic regurgitation at 1 year. Furthermore, both groups showed comparable outcomes with no differences in terms of all-cause mortality (log-lank test, p = .81).

CONCLUSIONS

TAVR for patients with a small annulus using third-generation THVs was associated with high device success. Evolut R seems to be superior to Sapien 3 in hemodynamic performance for patients with a small annulus and body surface area up to 1 year after TAVR. Nevertheless, all-cause mortality at 1 year was similar between both groups.

Clinical risk model for predicting 1-year mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Objectives

Estimating 1‐year life expectancy is an essential factor when evaluating appropriate indicators for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background

It is clinically useful in developing a reliable risk model for predicting 1‐year mortality after TAVR.

Methods

We evaluated 2,588 patients who underwent TAVR using data from the Optimized CathEter vAlvular iNtervention (OCEAN) Japanese multicenter registry from October 2013 to May 2017. The 1‐year clinical follow‐up was achieved by 99.5% of the entire population (n = 2,575). Patients were randomly divided into two cohorts: the derivation cohort (n = 1,931, 75% of the study population) and the validation cohort (n = 644). Considerable clinical variables including individual patient's comorbidities and frailty markers were used for predicting 1‐year mortality following TAVR.

Results

In the derivation cohort, a multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that sex, body mass index, Clinical Frailty Scale, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, prior cardiac surgery, serum albumin, renal function as estimated glomerular filtration rate, and presence of pulmonary disease were independent predictors of 1‐year mortality after TAVR. Using these variables, a risk prediction model was constructed to estimate the 1‐year risk of mortality after TAVR. In the validation cohort, the risk prediction model revealed high discrimination ability and acceptable calibration with area under the curve of 0.763 (95% confidence interval, 0.728–0.795, p < .001) in the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis and a Hosmer–Lemeshow χ² statistic of 5.96 (p = .65).

Conclusions

This risk prediction model for 1‐year mortality may be a reliable tool for risk stratification and identification of adequate candidates in patients undergoing TAVR.

Effects of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation on Frailty and Quality of Life

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an effective alternative to surgical valve replacement in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Although measures of frailty have been used to attempt to predict outcomes in this population, few studies have demonstrated changes in these measures.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, observational study of 171 patients undergoing TAVI, of whom 44 had maximal follow-up of 1 month and 50 had maximal follow-up of 1 year. Quality of life was assessed using the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living questionnaire, and patient perception of overall well-being. Frailty was measured using the 10-m walk test and handgrip strength testing.

RESULTS

In the overall cohort, participants demonstrated improvements in quality of life metrics, but deterioration in 10-m walk test and handgrip at 1 month. These trends continued at 1 year. However, patients in the lowest quintile of handgrip and 10-m walk test demonstrated a trend of improvements in these metrics during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvements in quality of life after TAVI, no improvements in frailty were observed in patients at 1 year.

Clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in nonagenarians from the optimized catheter valvular intervention-TAVI registry

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate 30-day and 2-year clinical outcomes, and predictors of 2-year mortality in nonagenarians undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

BACKGROUND

TAVI has been applied to nonagenarians. However, sufficient clinical data in nonagenarians who could benefit from TAVI are limited.

METHODS

We evaluated the data from the optimized catheter valvular intervention-TAVI registry. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients' age ≥90 years and age <90 years. Predictive factors of 2-year mortality were assessed by multivariable Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

From October 2013 to May 2017, a total of 375 nonagenarians (age ≥90 years) and 2,213 younger patients (age <90 years) were included. Although nonagenarians had a higher surgical risk score, 30-day clinical outcomes were similar between two groups. There were no significant differences in 2-year mortality (22.0% vs. 17.3%; p = .11) and stroke (5.5% vs. 3.9%; p = .31); however, 2-year heart failure readmission was higher in nonagenarians (13.3% vs. 9.0%; p = .03). After adjusting covariates, age ≥90 years was not independent predictor for 2-year outcomes. In nonagenarians, female sex (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.26-0.74; p = .002), chronic kidney disease grade ≥4 (HR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.21-3.64; p = .01), and Clinical Frailty Scale ≥4 (HR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.02-3.42; p = .04) were independently associated with 2-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical outcomes of TAVI in selected nonagenarians were favorable. Severe renal dysfunction and frailty may be important factors to predict mid-term mortality after TAVI in nonagenarians.

Preoperative frailty parameters as predictors for outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Guidelines suggest using frailty characteristics in the work-up for a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). There are many frailty-screening tools with different components. The prognostic value of the individual parameters in frailty is as yet unclear. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to find and pool predictors for 1‑year mortality after TAVI. We followed a two-step approach. First, we searched for randomised controlled trials on TAVI to identify frailty parameters used in these studies. Second, we searched for publications on these frailty parameters. Articles were included for pooled analysis if the studied frailty parameters were dichotomised with clear cut-off values based on common standards or clinical practice and reported adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 1‑year mortality after TAVI. We calculated pooled effect estimates of 49 studies based on dichotomised frailty scores (HR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.57–3.00), chronic lung disease (HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.45–1.70), estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.68–2.29), body mass index <20 kg/m² (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.09–2.03), hypoalbuminaemia (HR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.38–2.25), anaemia (HR: 2.08, 95% CI: 0.93–4.66), low gait speed (HR: 13.33, 95% CI: 1.75–101.49) and Katz activities of daily living (ADL) score of 1 or more deficits (HR: 5.16, 95% CI: 0.77–34.47). Chronic lung disease, chronic kidney disease, underweight, hypoalbuminaemia, a low frailty score, anaemia, low gait speed and an ADL deficiency were associated with worse 1‑year outcomes after TAVI.

Role of comprehensive geriatric assessment in low surgical risk older patients with aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND

Among elderly with severe aortic stenosis (AS), Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) originally contributed to address to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) patients not suitable to surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR). Nevertheless, TAVI has recently been proposed also in lower surgical risk patients.

AIMS

To evaluate predictors of TAVI procedure and clinical outcomes among these patients.

METHODS

For each patient ≥ 65 years with severe AS referring to our Cardiac Surgery Division, CGA was performed, including functional and cognitive status, comorbidity burden, frailty, nutritional status, gait speed, hand-grip strength and number of medications. Surgical risk was evaluated according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score (low-risk < 4%). Post-procedural outcomes (30-day survival and post-procedural complications) were obtained by medical records and a one-year follow-up assessed survival, and functional and cognitive performance.

RESULTS

Among 154 subjects (mean age 82.9 years), 52 were at low-risk according to STS score. 32 patients were addressed to TAVI, 20 to SAVR. Variables significantly associated with TAVI-approach were lower gait speed (p 0.030) and higher number of medications (p 0.015). Short and long-term outcomes did not differ between groups.

DISCUSSION

Among CGA variables, gait speed and number of medications were associated with the decision to perform TAVI instead of SAVR, even in patients at low surgical risk. 30-day and one-year survival and one-year functional and cognitive decline were similar between groups, despite a relevant prevalence of frailty in the TAVI group.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that gait speed and number of medications should be considered in selecting appropriate candidates to TAVI among low surgical risk patients.

Percutaneous Aortic Valve Intervention in Patients Scheduled for Noncardiac Surgery: A Japanese Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

The optimal management of preexisting severe aortic stenosis (AS) in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery (non-CS) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous aortic valve intervention (PAVI) in patients with AS before non-CS.

METHODS

We analyzed pooled data within a multicenter Japanese registry from 118 patients with severe AS who underwent PAVI before non-CS. Sixty patients underwent percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and 58 patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The groups' baseline characteristics, perioperative complications, and 30-day mortality and midterm mortality after non-CS were compared.

RESULTS

The postprocedural mean pressure gradient was higher in the BAV group than in the TAVR group (35.0 ± 11.5 mmHg vs. 11.5 ± 4.8 mmHg, p < 0.001). The non-CS operation risk did not differ between the groups (p = 0.69). One patient in each group experienced a noncardiac death (p = 0.74), and the 30-day mortality rate after non-CS was 1.7%. Heart failure occurred in 2 patients in each group (p = 0.68). One patient in the TAVR group experienced a non-disabling stroke, and no myocardial infarctions occurred. Consequently, the combined adverse events were 5.0% and 6.9% in the 2 groups (p = 0.48). The bleeding rates during the non-CS were similar in both groups (33.3% vs. 25.9%, p = 0.25). There were no differences between the groups regarding midterm mortality (p = 0.60), whereas 53.3% of the patients in the BAV group required invasive treatment of their AS during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with severe AS, PAVI before non-CS reduces the AS severity and may contribute to procedural safety during non-CS.

Relation of Frailty to Cost for Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Frailty is associated with significant morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In addition to clinical outcomes, cost is an important factor to inform clinical decision-making around TAVI. However, the association of frailty with cost is unknown. This study tested whether frailty was associated with cost for adult patients who underwent TAVI at a moderate-volume single center between December 2012 and April 2018 (n = 431). Frailty was determined from pre-TAVI clinical visits as a composite of 2 markers: 5-meter walk time (abnormal: >6 seconds or unable to perform) and serum albumin (abnormal: <3.5 g/dl). Patients were excluded if missing frailty assessment or covariate data (24). Cost data were derived from financial statements, and assigned at the department-level by charge code. Multivariable regression models were adjusted for age, gender, and procedural co-morbidities. Of 407 patients in the analytical sample (mean age 81 years, 49% female), 74 (18%) were determined to be frail. Adjusted mean total costs were $6,397 higher for frail patients ($78,823 vs $72,425, p = 0.042) compared with nonfrail. Higher total costs were driven by department-level charges associated with longer in-hospital length of stay (7.6 vs 3.3 days, p <0.001): room, physical therapy, pharmacy, laboratory, supply, and imaging services. Providers must address frailty proactively to salvage the benefit associated with TAVI.

Preoperative Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Predicts Survival After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background: This aim of this study was to clarify prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and to identify baseline factors associated with mortality.

Methods and Results: We prospectively enrolled 257 consecutive elderly persons with AS who were referred to Keio University Hospital and who underwent assessment of cardiac, physical (walking speed), cognitive, and renal functions, nutritional status, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL (IADL) assessed with the Frenchay activities index (FAI), and comorbidities. The primary outcome was postoperative death. Differences in basic characteristics were compared between a group that survived for a median of 661 days (IQR, 0–1,289 days) after TAVI and a group that did not. Multivariate hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for independent factors selected in Cox proportional hazard models. Thirty-one individuals died during follow-up. Walking speed was significantly faster (0.87±0.25 vs. 0.70±0.24 m/s, P<0.001) and FAI was significantly higher (21.2±8.0 vs. 15.7±8.0, P=0.026) in the survival group compared with those who died. Multivariate HR for mortality according to walking speed was 0.05 (95% CI: 0.028–0.091) in model 1 and 0.04 (95% CI: 0.020–0.081) in model 2, and those for FAI were 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92–0.95) and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.90–0.92), respectively.

Conclusions: Preoperative walking speed and IADL are crucial factors associated with prognosis after TAVI even after adjustment.

Gait Speed and 1-Year Mortality Following Cardiac Surgery: A Landmark Analysis From the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database

Background

In older adults undergoing cardiac surgery, prediction of downstream risk is critical. Our objective was to determine the association of 5‐m gait speed with 1‐year mortality and repeat hospitalization following cardiac surgery.

Methods and Results

In this prospective cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery at centers participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database with gait speed recorded, we examined all‐cause mortality using a landmark analysis at 0 to 30, 30 to 365, and >365 days, as well as repeat hospitalization. The cohort consisted of 8287 patients (median age, 74 years; 32% females). At 1 year, survival was 90% in the slow (<0.83 m/s), 95% in the middle (0.83–1.00 m/s), and 97% in the fast (>1.00 m/s) gait speed tertiles, and risk of hospitalization was 45%, 33%, and 27%, respectively (both P<0.0001). After adjustment, gait speed remained predictive of mortality (hazard ratio, 2.16 per 0.1‐m/s decrease in gait speed; 95% confidence interval, 1.59–2.93) and rehospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.71 per 0.1‐m/s decrease in gait speed; 95% confidence interval, 1.45–2.0). In a landmark analysis, the effect of slow gait speed on mortality was most marked from 30 to 365 days after surgery, where each decline in 0.1 m/s of gait speed conferred a 2‐fold increased risk of mortality.

Conclusions

Gait speed is a simple tool to screen for frailty and identify older adults at risk for adverse events in the early and midterm postoperative periods.

Patients Refusing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Even Once Have Poorer Clinical Outcomes

Background

Although transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the least invasive treatment for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis, some patients hesitate to undergo the procedure. We investigated the clinical impact of treatment delay after patient refusal of TAVR.

Methods and Results

We used the Japanese OCEAN (Optimized Catheter valvular intervention) regsitry data of 1542 patients who underwent TAVR. Refusal was defined as at least 1 refusal of TAVR at the time of informed consent. Patients were separated into 2 groups: refusal (28/1542, 1.8%) and non‐refusal (1514/1542, 98.2%). We compared the baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes, and mortality rates between the groups. Additionally, data on reasons for refusal and those leading to eventually undergoing TAVR were collected. Age, surgical risk scores, and frailty were higher in the refusal group than in the non‐refusal group (P<0.05 for all). Periprocedural complications did not differ between groups, whereas 30‐day and cumulative 1‐year mortality were significantly higher in the refusal group than in the non‐refusal group (7.1% versus 1.3%, P=0.008 and 28.8% versus 10.3%, P=0.010, respectively). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that TAVR refusal was an independent predictor of increased midterm mortality (hazard ratio: 3.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.52–7.48; P=0.003). The most common reason for refusal was fear (13/28, 46.4%), and the most common reason for changing their mind was worsening heart failure (21/28, 75.0%). All patients in the refusal group decided to undergo TAVR within 20 months (median: 5.5 months).

Conclusions

Refusing TAVR even once led to poorer prognosis; therefore, this fact should be clearly discussed when obtaining informed consent.

Advances in transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Evidence in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has accumulated rapidly over the last few years and its application to clinical decision making are becoming more important. In this review, we discuss the advances in TAVR for patient selection, expanding indications, complications, and emerging technologies.

Transcatheter Valve Replacement in Asia Pacific: Current Practice and Perspectives

Although the field of transcatheter therapies for valvular heart disease (VHD) is continuously expanding in western countries, uptake of this treatment in Asia has been slow, mainly due to the high cost of devices, need for specific training programs, and lack of specialized heart teams and dedicated structures. Moreover, anatomic considerations of the Asian population, such as smaller aorta and peripheral vessel size, high prevalence of bicuspid aortic valves, high calcium burden of stenotic aortic valve leaflets, low coronary ostia, and high prevalence of rheumatic etiology, might raise concerns about feasibility, risk of procedural complications, prosthesis durability, and long-term outcomes after transcatheter treatment of VHD. Asia Pacific and China's medical communities and manufacturer companies are setting up to address this unmet clinical need. The aim of this review is to summarize the landscape of currently available devices for transcatheter valve interventions and the clinical experience to date in China and Asian Pacific countries, with a specific focus on new, locally designed, and/or manufactured devices.

The value of screening for cognition, depression, and frailty in patients referred for TAVI

Background: Current surgical risk assessment tools fall short of appreciating geriatric risk factors including cognitive deficits, depressive, and frailty symptoms that may worsen outcomes post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study hypothesized that a screening tool, SMARTIE, would improve detection of these risks pre-TAVI, and thus be predictive of postoperative delirium (POD) and 30-day mortality post-TAVI. Design: Prospective observational cohort study, using a historical cohort for comparison. Participants: A total of 234 patients (age: 82.2±6.7 years, 59.4% male) were included. Half were screened using SMARTIE. Methods: The SMARTIE cohort was assessed for cognitive deficits and depressive symptoms using the Mini-Cog test and PHQ-2, respectively. Measures of frailty included activities of daily living inventory, the Timed Up and Go test and grip strength. For the pre-SMARTIE cohort, we extracted cognitive deficits, depression and frailty symptoms from clinic charts. The incidence of POD and 30-day mortality were recorded. Bivariate chi-square analysis or t-tests were used to report associations between SMARTIE and pre-SMARTIE groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to identify independent predictors of POD and 30-day mortality. Results: More patients were identified with cognitive deficits (χ2=11.73, p=0.001), depressive symptoms (χ2=8.15, p=0.004), and physical frailty (χ2=5.73, p=0.017) using SMARTIE. Cognitive deficits were an independent predictor of POD (OR: 8.4, p<0.01) and 30-day mortality (OR: 4.04, p=0.03). Conclusion: This study emphasized the value of screening for geriatric risk factors prior to TAVI by demonstrating that screening increased identification of at-risk patients. It also confirmed findings that cognitive deficits are predictive of POD and mortality following TAVI.

Frailty and Exercise Training: How to Provide Best Care after Cardiac Surgery or Intervention for Elder Patients with Valvular Heart Disease

The aim of this literature review was to evaluate existing evidence on exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as a treatment option for elderly frail patients with valvular heart disease (VHD). Pubmed database was searched for articles between 1980 and January 2018. From 2623 articles screened, 61 on frailty and VHD and 12 on exercise-based training for patients with VHD were included in the analysis. We studied and described frailty assessment in this patient population. Studies reporting results of exercise training in patients after surgical/interventional VHD treatment were analyzed regarding contents and outcomes. The tools for frailty assessment included fried phenotype frailty index and its modifications, multidimensional geriatric assessment, clinical frailty scale, 5-meter walking test, serum albumin levels, and Katz index of activities of daily living. Frailty assessment in CR settings should be based on functional, objective tests and should have similar components as tools for risk assessment (mobility, muscle mass and strength, independence in daily living, cognitive functions, nutrition, and anxiety and depression evaluation). Participating in comprehensive exercise-based CR could improve short- and long-term outcomes (better quality of life, physical and functional capacity) in frail VHD patients. Such CR program should be led by cardiologist, and its content should include (1) exercise training (endurance and strength training to improve muscle mass, strength, balance, and coordination), (2) nutrition counseling, (3) occupational therapy (to improve independency and cognitive function), (4) psychological counseling to ensure psychosocial health, and (5) social worker counseling (to improve independency). Comprehensive CR could help to prevent, restore, and reduce the severity of frailty as well as to improve outcomes for frail VHD patients after surgery or intervention.

Impact of frailty markers on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: insights from a Japanese multicenter registry

There are no standardized criteria for measuring patients' frailty. We examined prognosis based on four frailty markers [serum albumin level, grip strength, gait speed, and clinical frailty scale (CFS)] in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) between October 2013 and April 2016 and were recorded in the Optimized CathEter vAlvular iNtervention (OCEAN) Japanese multicenter registry. Serum albumin level was assessed by dividing patients into two groups: hypoalbuminemia or non-hypoalbuminemia according to their serum albumin level. Clinical outcomes including all-cause, cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality rates after TAVR were compared. During the follow-up period cumulative all-cause, cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality rates were significantly higher in the hypoalbuminemia group than in the non-hypoalbuminemia group. This result remained unchanged even after a propensity-matched model was used in terms of cumulative all-cause and non-cardiovascular mortality; however, differences in cardiovascular mortality rates were attenuated. To consider the impact of grip strength patients were divided into a low or high peak grip strength group based on classification and regression tree (CART) survival analysis. The clinical outcomes for each sex were compared between the two groups. In both sexes the cumulative 1-year mortality rates were significantly different between the two groups. To investigate gait speed patients were classified into two gait speed groups (low or high gait speed group) based on CART survival analysis. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. The cumulative 1-year mortality rate was significantly different between the two gait speed groups. The effect of CFS on prognosis after TAVR was assessed. Patients were categorized into five groups based on the following CFS scores: CFS1-3, CFS4, CFS5, CFS6, and CFS ≥7. We evaluated the relationship between the CFS score and other indicators of frailty markers. We also assessed the mid-term mortality among the five groups. The CFS score had a significant correlation with other frailty markers. The cumulative 1-year mortality increased with an increasing CFS score. In the Cox regression multivariable analysis, the CFS score was an independent predictive factor of an increased late cumulative mortality risk. In conclusion, the results suggest that serum albumin level, grip strength, gait speed, and CFS score are all useful indicators when considering the optimal indications and risk stratification for TAVR.