Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in nonagenarians: selectively feasible or extravagantly futile?

Early and Long-Term Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Selected Nonagenarians in Japan

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is increasingly being performed in very elderly patients, although its efficacy and validity remain unclear. This study evaluated real-world TAVI outcomes in Japanese nonagenarians with severe aortic stenosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This single-center study retrospectively assessed the early and long-term clinical outcomes of TAVI in nonagenarians (n=35) and in patients aged <90 years (group Y; n=171). There were no in-hospital deaths in either group. The device success rate and early safety were comparable between the 2 groups. The 5-year rates of freedom from cardiac events and deaths were equivalent in both groups. The cumulative survival rate at 5 years was non-significantly lower in nonagenarians (32.6% in nonagenarians vs. 57.5% in patients aged <90 years, P=0.49). There were no differences in the 5-year survival between nonagenarians after TAVI and the sex- and age-matched populations (P=0.18). The Cox regression model revealed that lower hemoglobin levels were associated with all-cause mortality (P=0.02), and age ≥90 years was not associated with all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The early and long-term clinical outcomes of TAVI for selected Japanese nonagenarians were comparable to those in patients aged <90 years. Nonagenarians who underwent TAVI achieved an acceptable prognosis compared to the sex- and age-matched population; thus, TAVI appears to be effective for treating aortic stenosis in Japanese nonagenarians.

Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Nonagenarians: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare the incidence of mortality and complications between nonagenarians and younger patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

BACKGROUND

TAVR has become an alternative treatment for nonagenarian patients with severe aortic stenosis. Previous studies have reported conflicting results regarding the clinical outcomes between nonagenarians and younger patients who underwent TAVR.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases with predefined criteria from the inception dates to July 8, 2018. The primary clinical endpoint was 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortalities. Secondary outcomes were considered the rates of stroke, myocardial infarction, any bleeding, any acute kidney injury, any vascular complications, new pacemaker implantation, and conversion to surgical aortic valve replacement.

RESULTS

A total of 5 eligible studies with 25,371 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with younger patients who underwent TAVR, nonagenarians had a significantly higher mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (STS score) (MD, 2.80; 95%CI: 2.58, 3.30; P<0.00001) and logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (logistic EuroSCORE) (MD, 2.72; 95%CI: 1.01, 4.43; P=0.002). Nonagenarians were associated with significantly higher 30-day mortality (6.2% vs. 3.7%; OR, 1.73; 95%CI: 1.49, 2.00) and 1-year mortality (15.5% vs. 11.8%; OR, 1.39; 95%CI: 1.26, 1.53), without significant statistical heterogeneity. Nonagenarians were associated with significantly increased rates of major or life-threatening bleeding, vascular complications and stroke of 20%, 35%, and 32%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the rate of myocardial infarction, stage 2 or 3 acute kidney injury, new pacemaker implantation, or conversion to surgical aortic valve replacement.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonagenarians showed worse clinical outcomes than younger patients after TAVR, while the incidence of mortality was acceptable. TAVR remains an option for nonagenarian patients with severe aortic stenosis and should be comprehensively evaluated by the heart valve team.