2-Year Outcomes for Transcatheter Repair in Patients With Mitral Regurgitation From the CLASP Study

A deep dive into the percutaneous mitral valve data

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review offers insights into percutaneous mitral valve management, emphasizing pivotal trials that contributed to its evolution.

RECENT FINDINGS

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a highly prevalent heart valve disease, with surgical intervention being the gold standard for managing primary MR. However, a notable proportion of patients face ineligibility criteria or are at high surgical risk, particularly in the setting of secondary MR. To fill this gap, transcatheter therapies have emerged as less invasive alternatives. Initially guided by the EVEREST trial criteria, transcatheter leaflet repair techniques have shown impressive technological improvements, addressing nowadays a wide range of anatomical scenarios. Evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of transcatheter leaflet repair is derived from pivotal trials, including EVEREST II, COAPT, MITRA-FR, and CLASP IID, and large multicenter registries including EXPAND, EXPAND G4, and EuroSMR. However, not all patients meet the anatomical and clinical criteria for leaflet repair. For those patients, transcatheter mitral valve replacement may be a minimally invasive option and multiple clinical trials are current underway.

SUMMARY

From MitraClip to newer and more innovative technologies, the landscape of percutaneous mitral valve interventions continues to evolve, offering new hopes to patients who may not be ideal candidates for conventional surgery.

Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: 1-Year Outcomes From the MiCLASP Study

BACKGROUND

Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) is a guideline-recommended treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR). Outcomes with the PASCAL system in a post-market setting have not been established.

OBJECTIVES

The authors report 30-day and 1-year outcomes from the MiCLASP (Transcatheter Repair of Mitral Regurgitation with Edwards PASCAL Transcatheter Valve Repair System) European post-market clinical follow-up study.

METHODS

Patients with symptomatic, clinically significant MR were prospectively enrolled. The primary safety endpoint was clinical events committee-adjudicated 30-day composite major adverse event rate and the primary effectiveness endpoint was echocardiographic core laboratory-assessed MR severity at discharge compared with baseline. Clinical, echocardiographic, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes were assessed at 1 year.

RESULTS

A total of 544 patients were enrolled (59% functional MR, 30% degenerative MR). The 30-day composite major adverse event rate was 6.8%. MR reduction was significant from baseline to discharge and sustained at 1 year with 98% of patients achieving MR ≤2+ and 82.6% MR ≤1+ (all P < 0.001 vs baseline). One-year Kaplan-Meier estimate for survival was 87.3%, and freedom from heart failure hospitalization was 84.3%. Significant functional and quality-of-life improvements were observed at 1 year, including 71.6% in NYHA functional class I/II, 14.4-point increase in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score, and 24.2-m improvement in 6-minute walk distance (all P < 0.001 vs baseline).

CONCLUSIONS

One-year outcomes of this large cohort from the MiCLASP study demonstrate continued safety and effectiveness of M-TEER with the PASCAL system in a post-market setting. Results demonstrate high survival and freedom from heart failure hospitalization, significant and sustained MR reduction, and improvements in symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life.

Outcomes of patients undergoing edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with the Edwards PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system under conscious sedation

BACKGROUND

The development of the PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system for treating mitral regurgitation (MR) greatly extends therapeutic options.

AIMS

To assess the safety, efficacy, and time efficiency of the PASCAL system in transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) under conscious sedation (CS).

METHODS

This is a retrospective, two-center, German registry study consisting of 211 patients who underwent TEER using the PASCAL system under CS. The endpoints were to assess (1) technical, device, and procedural success as per Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium (MVARC), (2) conversion rate to general anesthesia (GA), (3) hospital length of stay (LoS), (4) New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and (5) MR compared to baseline at 30-day.

RESULTS

A total of 211 patients with a mean age of 78.4 ± 8.9 years, with 51.4% being female and 86.7% belonging to NYHA functional class III/IV and EuroSCORE II 6.3 ± 4.9%, were enrolled. Procedural success attained was 96.9%, and six patients (2.8%) required conversion from CS to GA. At 30 days follow-up, a significant improvement in MR was found in 96 patients (54.2%) patients with 0/1 grade MR and 45 patients (29.5%) were in NYHA functional class III + IV. Moreover, TEER under CS has a short hospital LoS (6.71 ± 5.29 days) and intensive care unit LoS (1.34 ± 3.49 days) with a 2.8% mortality rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Performing TEER with the PASCAL system under CS resulted in appreciable (96.9%) procedural success with low mortality and is a safe and promising alternative to GA with positive clinical outcomes.

One-Year Outcomes According to Mitral Regurgitation Etiology Following Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair With the PASCAL System: Results From a Multicenter Registry

BACKGROUND

We previously reported procedural and 30-day outcomes of a German early multicenter experience with the PASCAL system for severe mitral regurgitation (MR). This study reports 1-year outcomes of mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with the PASCAL system according to MR etiology in a large all-comer cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes up to 1-year were investigated according to MR etiology (degenerative [DMR], functional [FMR], or mixed [MMR]) in the first 282 patients with symptomatic MR 3+/4+ treated with the PASCAL implant at 9 centers in 2019. A total of 282 patients were included (33% DMR, 50% FMR, 17% MMR). At discharge, MR reduction to ≤1+/2+ was achieved in 58%/87% of DMR, in 75%/97% of FMR, and in 78%/98% of patients with MMR (P=0.004). MR reduction to ≤1+/2+ was sustained at 30 days (50%/83% DMR, 67%/97% FMR, 74%/100% MMR) and at 1 year (53%/78% DMR, 75%/97% FMR, 67%/91% MMR) with significant differences between etiologies. DMR patients with residual MR 3+/4+ at 1-year had at least complex valve morphology in 91.7%. Valve-related reintervention was performed in 7.4% DMR, 0.7% FMR, and 0.0% MMR (P=0.010). At 1-year, New York Heart Association Functional Class was significantly improved irrespective of MR etiology (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large all-comer cohort, mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with the PASCAL system was associated with an acute and sustained MR reduction at 1-year in all causes. However, in patients with DMR, MR reduction was less pronounced, reflecting the high incidence of complex or very complex anatomies being referred for mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

Update on Transcatheter Treatment of Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Mitral and tricuspid regurgitation represents a clinical challenge. They are associated with a poor prognosis, and many patients are not eligible for conventional surgery. Transcatheter therapies have been the focus of numerous studies and devices over the past decade. Here, we provide a summary of current options for transcatheter treatment of these 2 entities.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of edge-to-edge repair for increasing numbers of patients. Encouraging early results with transcatheter valve replacement are also becoming available. To date, transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is currently the first-line transcatheter treatment for both mitral and tricuspid regurgitation for many patients who are not candidates for surgery. A number of transcatheter replacement devices are under development and clinical investigation but, for the most part, their current use is limited to compassionate cases or clinical trials.

Short-Term Effects of Different Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Devices on Mitral Valve Geometry

Background Short-term effects on mitral valve (MV) anatomy after transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using the PASCAL system remain unknown. Precise quantification might allow for an advanced analysis of predictors for mean transmitral gradients. Methods and Results Consecutive patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for secondary mitral regurgitation using PASCAL or MitraClip systems were included. Quantification of short-term MV changes throughout the cardiac cycle was performed using peri-interventional 3-dimensional MV images. Predictors for mean transmitral gradients were identified in univariable and multivariable regression analysis. Long-term results were described during 1-year follow-up. A total of 100 patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using PASCAL (n=50) or MitraClip systems (n=50) were included. Significant reductions of anterior-posterior diameter, annular circumference, and area throughout the cardiac cycle were found in both cohorts (P<0.05 for all). Anatomic MV orifice area remained larger in the PASCAL cohort in mid (2.8±1.0 versus 2.4±0.9 cm2; P=0.049) and late diastole (2.7±1.1 versus 2.2±0.8 cm2; P=0.036) compared with the MitraClip cohort. Besides a device-specific profile of independent predictor of mean transmitral gradients, reduction of middiastolic anatomic MV orifice area was identified as an independent predictor in both the PASCAL (β=-0.410; P=0.001) and MitraClip cohorts (β=-0.318; P=0.028). At follow-up, reduction of mitral regurgitation grade to mild or less was more durable in the PASCAL cohort (90% versus 72%; P=0.035). Conclusions PASCAL and MitraClip showed comparable short-term effects on MV geometry. However, PASCAL might better preserve MV function and demonstrated more durable mitral regurgitation reduction during follow-up. Identification of independent predictors for mean transmitral gradients might potentially help to guide device selection in the future.

Management of secondary mitral regurgitation: from drugs to devices

Severe secondary mitral regurgitation carries a poor prognosis with one in five patients dying within 12 months of diagnosis. Fortunately, there are now a number of safe and effective therapies available to improve outcomes. Here, we summarise the most up-to-date treatments. Optimal guideline-directed medical therapy is the mainstay therapy and has been shown to reduce the severity of mitral regurgitation in 40-45% of patients. Rapid medication titration protocols reduce heart failure hospitalisation and facilitate earlier referral for device therapy. The pursuit of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation has been shown to significantly reduce mitral regurgitation severity, as has the use of cardiac resynchronisation devices in patients who meet guideline-directed criteria. Finally, we highlight the key role of mitral valve intervention, particularly transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for management of moderate-severe mitral regurgitation in carefully selected patients with poor left ventricular systolic function, with a number needed to treat of 3.1 to reduce heart failure hospitalisation and 5.9 to reduce all-cause death. To slow the rapid accumulation of morbidity and mortality, we advocate a proactive approach with accelerated medical optimisation, followed by management of atrial fibrillation and cardiac resynchronisation therapy if indicated, then, rapid referral to the Heart Team for consideration of mitral valve intervention in patients with ongoing symptoms and at least moderate-severe mitral regurgitation. Mitral TEER has been shown to be 'reasonably cost-effective' (but not cost-saving) in the UK in selected patients, although TEER remains underused with only 6.5 procedures per million population (pmp) compared with Germany (77 pmp), Switzerland (44 pmp) and the USA (32 pmp).

Safety and Effectiveness of Concomitant Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair and Left Atrial Appendage Closure

BACKGROUND

Concomitant mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) showed to be a feasible approach to optimize the treatment of patients eligible for both procedures, but mid-term outcomes are unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients undergoing M-TEER and enrolled in the local prospective Getting Reduction of Mitral Insufficiency by Percutaneous Clip Implantation (GRASP) registry. We compared patients undergoing isolated M-TEER (n = 58, 58.5%) with those undergoing concomitant M-TEER and LAAC (n = 41, 41.5%) from January 2018 to December 2022. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death, stroke or systemic embolism, hospitalization for heart failure, and bleeding at 1 year. The co-primary endpoint was procedural success.

RESULTS

The primary endpoint was similar between patients undergoing concomitant M-TEER+LAAC or isolated M-TEER (Kaplan Meier (KM) estimates 36.6% vs. 44.8%; p_log-rank = 0.75). Procedural success was also similar (92.7% vs. 94.8%; p = 0.69). At 1- year, minor bleeds were lower in patients undergoing concomitant M-TEER and LAAC (KM estimates 0.0% vs. 18.9%; p_log-rank < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In patients with concomitant MR and AF and eligible for M-TEER and LAAC treatment, a combined approach of M-TEER and LAAC was as safe as an M-TEER-alone strategy and associated with lower minor bleeding at 1 year.

Secondary Mitral Regurgitation and Heart Failure: Current Advances in Diagnosis and Management

The causes of mitral regurgitation (MR) can be broadly divided into primary and secondary causes. Although primary MR is caused by degenerative alterations of the mitral valve and the mitral valve apparatus, secondary (functional) MR is multifactorial and related to dilation of the left ventricle and/or mitral annulus commonly resulting in concomitant restriction of the leaflets. Therefore, the treatment of secondary MR (SMR) is complex and includes guideline directed heart failure therapy along with surgical and transcatheter approaches that have shown effectiveness in certain subgroups. This review aims to provide insight into current advances in diagnosis and management of SMR.

Functional Mitral and Tricuspid Regurgitation across the Whole Spectrum of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: Recognizing the Elephant in the Room of Heart Failure

Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) and tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) occur due to cardiac remodeling in the presence of structurally normal valve apparatus. Two main mechanisms are involved, distinguishing an atrial functional form (when annulus dilatation is predominant) and a ventricular form (when ventricular remodeling and dysfunction predominate). Both affect the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF) across the entire spectrum of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), including preserved (HFpEF), mildly reduced (HFmrEF), or reduced (HFrEF). Currently, data on the management of functional valve regurgitation in the various HF phenotypes are limited. This review summarizes the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of FMR and FTR within the different patterns of HF, as defined by LVEF.

Structural Interventions in Heart Failure: Mending a Broken Heart

Advanced heart failure is often accompanied by perturbations in cardiac chamber or valve geometries which result in worsening cardiac function and hemodynamics. Once limited to surgical procedures, recent developments in minimally invasive percutaneous techniques have demonstrated efficacy in patients with both reduced and preserved ejection fraction who are at an elevated surgical risk for perioperative events. This review highlights a subset of the interventions available in clinical practice or in development for the treatment of these valvular and structural alterations.

PASCAL repair system for patients with mitral regurgitation: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve has emerged as the standard treatment for patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) with high surgical risk. Even though MitraClip is widely used, the novel PASCAL device system offers distinct technical features. We aim to study the safety and efficacy of the PASCAL repair system in clinically significant MR.

METHODS

PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and EMBASE were searched for articles published from August 2016 until June 2022 to identify studies that investigated the safety and efficacy of PASCAL for patients with degenerative, functional and mixed MR. Primary performance endpoints were technical, device, and procedural successes. Primary safety endpoint was composite 30 day major adverse events (MAE). Secondary endpoints were MR grade at discharge and 30 days, 30 day postprocedural NYHA functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), change in 6-min walk distance (6MWD), 30-day and 12-month all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

We included twelve retrospective and prospective observational studies and one randomized controlled study consisting of 1028 patients with severe, symptomatic MR (NYHA III-IV: 84.0%, MR ≥ 3+: 99.7%) and high surgical risk (mean logistic EuroSCORE of 16.4).Technical success was 95.7%, procedural success was 95.2%, and device success was 86.1% relative to the weighted average. MR grade was ≤2+ in 94.7% of patients at discharge and 94.0% patients at 30-day follow-up. Mean 30-day and 12-month mortality after device implantation were 4.54% and 12.2%.

CONCLUSION

The PASCAL repair system appears to be a safe and effective therapeutic option to treat severe, symptomatic MR in high surgical risk patients.

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Patients With Anatomically Complex Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is safe and effective in treating degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) patients at prohibitive surgical risk, but outcomes in complex mitral valve anatomy patients vary.

OBJECTIVES

The PASCAL IID registry assessed safety, echocardiographic, and clinical outcomes with the PASCAL system in prohibitive risk patients with significant symptomatic DMR and complex mitral valve anatomy.

METHODS

Patients in the prospective, multicenter, single-arm registry had 3+ or 4+ DMR, were at prohibitive surgical risk, presented with complex anatomic features based on the MitraClip instructions for use, and were deemed suitable for the PASCAL system by a central screening committee. Enrolled patients were treated with the PASCAL system. Safety, effectiveness, and functional and quality-of-life outcomes were assessed. Study oversight also included an echocardiographic core laboratory and clinical events committee.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 98 patients (37.2% ≥2 independent significant jets, 15.0% severe bileaflet/multi scallop prolapse, 13.3% mitral valve orifice area <4.0 cm², and 10.6% large flail gap and/or large flail width). The implant success rate was 92.9%. The 30-day composite major adverse event rate was 11.2%. At 6 months, 92.4% patients achieved MR ≤2+ and 56.1% achieved MR ≤1+ (P < 0.001 vs baseline). The Kaplan-Meier estimates for survival, freedom from major adverse events, and heart failure hospitalization at 6 months were 93.7%, 85.6%, and 92.6%, respectively. Patients experienced significant symptomatic improvement compared with baseline (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of the PASCAL IID registry establish the PASCAL system as a useful therapy for prohibitive surgical risk DMR patients with complex mitral valve anatomy. (PASCAL IID Registry within the Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System Pivotal Clinical Trial [CLASP IID] NCT03706833).

Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most prevalent valvular heart disease and, when left untreated, results in reduced quality of life, heart failure, and increased mortality. Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) has matured considerably as a non-surgical treatment option since its commercial introduction in Europe in 2008. As a result of major device and interventional improvements, as well as the accumulation of experience by the interventional cardiologists, M-TEER has emerged as an important therapeutic strategy for patients with severe and symptomatic MR in the current European and American guidelines. Herein, we provide a comprehensive up-do-date overview of M-TEER. We define preprocedural patient evaluation and highlight key aspects for decision-making. We describe the currently available M-TEER systems and summarise the evidence for M-TEER in both primary mitral regurgitation (PMR) and secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). In addition, we provide recommendations for device selection, intraprocedural imaging and guiding, M-TEER optimisation and management of recurrent MR. Finally, we provide information on major unsolved questions and "grey areas" in M-TEER.

Randomized Comparison of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation in Prohibitive Surgical Risk Patients

BACKGROUND

Severe symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) has a poor prognosis in the absence of treatment, and new transcatheter options are emerging.

OBJECTIVES

The CLASP IID (Edwards PASCAL Transcatheter Valve Repair System Pivotal Clinical Trial) randomized trial (NCT03706833) is the first to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the PASCAL system compared with the MitraClip system in patients with significant symptomatic DMR. This report presents the primary safety and effectiveness endpoints for the trial.

METHODS

Patients with 3+ or 4+ DMR at prohibitive surgical risk were assessed by a central screening committee and randomized 2:1 (PASCAL:MitraClip). Study oversight also included an echocardiography core laboratory and a clinical events committee. The primary safety endpoint was the composite major adverse event rate at 30 days. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the proportion of patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) ≤2+ at 6 months.

RESULTS

A prespecified interim analysis in 180 patients demonstrated noninferiority of the PASCAL system vs the MitraClip system for the primary safety and effectiveness endpoints of major adverse event rate (3.4% vs 4.8%) and MR ≤2+ (96.5% vs 96.8%), respectively. Functional and quality-of-life outcomes significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05). The proportion of patients with MR ≤1+ was durable in the PASCAL group from discharge to 6 months (PASCAL, 87.2% and 83.7% [P = 0.317 vs discharge]; MitraClip, 88.5% and 71.2% [P = 0.003 vs discharge]).

CONCLUSIONS

The CLASP IID trial demonstrated safety and effectiveness of the PASCAL system and met noninferiority endpoints, expanding transcatheter treatment options for prohibitive surgical risk patients with significant symptomatic DMR.

Therapie der sekundären Mitralklappeninsuffizienz – Strategien eines interuniversitären Verbundes

Die sekundäre Mitralinsuffizienz ist bei Patienten mit Herzinsuffizienz häufig und mit einem schlechten Verlauf assoziiert. Aufgrund des hohen OP-Risikos war die Therapie traditionell auf eine Behandlung der Herzinsuffizienz beschränkt. Die Entwicklung von kathetergestützten Techniken ermöglicht nun die Behandlung mit geringem Risiko. Wenngleich die Studienevidenz immer noch begrenzt ist, erfolgte in den aktuellen Leitlinien der europäischen Fachgesellschaften eine Aufwertung der kathetergestützten Therapie für ausgewählte Patienten mit hohem OP-Risiko und hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit für ein Therapieansprechen. Dennoch bleiben viele Fragen offen, was die Rolle der chirurgischen Behandlung und auch die Patientenselektion für kathetergestützte Therapieverfahren angeht. Hier beschreiben wir den aktuellen Stand der Behandlung der sekundären Mitralinsuffizienz und zeigen Strategien von transuniversitären Verbundprojekten mit dem Ziel, Evidenz für die Behandlung dieser Patienten zu entwickeln.

Percutaneous mitral valve repair in patients developing severe mitral regurgitation early after an acute myocardial infarction: A review

Acute mitral regurgitation (MR) may develop in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) because of papillary muscle dysfunction or rupture. Severe acute MR in this scenario is a life-threatening complication associated with hemodynamic instability and pulmonary edema, and has been linked to a worse prognosis even after reperfusion. Patients treated solely with medical therapy have the highest mortality rates. Surgery has been the only treatment strategy until recently, but the results of the technique are hindered by high rates of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the development of less invasive interventions for correcting MR would be ideal. We aimed to review the current role of transcatheter interventions in this clinical setting.

[Mitral valve: When conservative, when surgical, when interventional therapy?]

The management of severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation is in contrast to the aortic-valve-intervention more challenging due to the complex mitral-valve anatomy. In primary mitral regurgitation surgical therapy is recommended, whereas there are various therapeutic options in secondary mitral regurgitation. Besides the established mitral-valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge-Repair (M-TEER) and the interventional annuloplasty - devices dynamic developments have recently been made in the field of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement-therapy (TMVR). This article surveys the current recommendations and available therapeutic options in mitral regurgitation.

Mortality and Clinical Predictors After Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair for Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis

Background

Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) provides an available choice for patients suffering from secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR), especially those whose symptoms persist after optimal, conventional, heart-failure therapy. However, conflicting results from clinical trials have created a problem in identifying patients who will benefit the most from PMVR.

Objective

To pool mortality data and assess clinical predictors after PMVR among patients with SMR. To this end, subgroup and meta-regression analyses were additionally performed.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, and 13 studies were finally included for meta-analysis. Estimated mortality and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using a random-effects proportional meta-analysis. We also carried out a meta-regression analysis to clarify the potential influence of important covariates on mortality.

Results

A total of 1,259 patients with SMR who had undergone PMVR were enrolled in our meta-analysis. The long-term estimated pooled mortality of PMVR was 19.3% (95% CI: 13.6–25.1). Meta-regression analysis showed that mortality was directly proportional to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) (β = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.002–0.016; p = 0.009), an effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) (β = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.000–0.018; p = 0.047), and a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) use (β = −0.015; 95% CI: −0.023–−0.006; p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that patients with preexisting AF (β = −0.002; 95% CI: −0.005– −0.000; p = 0.018) were associated with decreased mortality if they received a mitral annuloplasty device. Among the edge-to-edge repair device group, a higher left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, or lower LV end-systolic diameter, LV end-systolic volume, and LV end-diastolic volume were proportional to lower mortality.

Conclusion and Relevance

The pooled mortality of PMVR was 19.3% (95% CI: 13.6–25.1). Further meta-regression indicated that AF was associated with a better outcome in conjunction with the use of a mitral annuloplasty device, while better LV functioning predicted a better outcome after the implantation of an edge-to-edge repair device.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement: Competitive or Complementary?

Over the last two decades, transcatheter devices have been developed to repair or replace diseased mitral valves (MV). Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) devices have been proven to be efficient and safe, but many anatomical structures are not compatible with these technologies. The most significant advantage of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) over transcatheter repair is the greater and more reliable reduction in mitral regurgitation. However, there are also potential disadvantages. This review introduces the newest TMVr and TMVR devices and presents clinical trial data to identify current challenges and directions for future research.

Advances in Clinical Cardiology 2021: A Summary of Key Clinical Trials

Introduction

Over the course of 2021, numerous key clinical trials with valuable contributions to clinical cardiology were published or presented at major international conferences. This review seeks to summarise these trials and reflect on their clinical context.

Methods

The authors reviewed clinical trials presented at major cardiology conferences during 2021 including the American College of Cardiology (ACC), European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EuroPCR), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), American Heart Association (AHA), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), TVT-The Heart Summit (TVT) and Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT). Trials with a broad relevance to the cardiology community and those with potential to change current practice were included.

Results

A total of 150 key cardiology clinical trials were identified for inclusion. Interventional cardiology data included trials evaluating the use of new generation novel stent technology and new intravascular physiology strategies such as quantitative flow ratio (QFR) to guide revascularisation in stable and unstable coronary artery disease. New trials in acute coronary syndromes focused on shock, out of hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA), the impact of COVID-19 on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks and optimal duration/type of antiplatelet treatment. Structural intervention trials included latest data on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary valve interventions. Heart failure data included trials with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, sacubitril/valsartan and novel drugs such as mavacamten for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Prevention trials included new data on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. In electrophysiology, new data regarding atrial fibrillation (AF) screening and new evidence for rhythm vs. rate control strategies were evaluated.

Conclusion

This article presents a summary of key clinical cardiology trials published and presented during the past year and should be of interest to both practising clinicians and researchers.

First-in-Human Study of the Novel Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair System for Mitral Regurgitation

Transcatheter mitral valve intervention treatment is a promising alternative therapy for patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR). This is a multicenter, prospective, first-in-human study of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) using a novel device for severe MR. Safety and efficacy were assessed immediately after the procedure and at 30-day follow-up. Twenty-three patients (age 70.0 ± 5.2 years) who were at high/prohibitive surgical risk underwent successful procedures without major periprocedural complications. All patients achieved residual MR ≤2+ at discharge, with 73.9% with 1+ residual MR. The left ventricular end-systolic diameter improved from 4.1 cm at baseline to 3.4 cm at 30-day follow-up. New York Heart Association functional class I/II after TEER was achieved in 87% of patients. This study demonstrated that TEER with the device was feasible and safe for the treatment of patients with severe MR. (Dragonfly-M Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair System Early Feasibility Study; NCT04528576).

Transcatheter Treatment of Mitral Regurgitation

Mitral valve disease, and in particular mitral regurgitation, is a common clinical entity. Until recently, surgical repair and replacement were the only therapeutic options available, leaving many patients untreated mostly due to excessive surgical risk. Over the last number of years, huge strides have been made regarding percutaneous, catheter-based solutions for mitral valve disease. Transcatheter repair procedures have most commonly been used, and in recent years there has been exponential growth in the number of devices available for transcatheter mitral valve replacement. Furthermore, the evolution of these devices has resulted in both smaller delivery systems and a shift towards transeptal access, negating the need for surgical incisions. In line with these advancements, and clinical trials demonstrating promising outcomes in carefully selected cases, recent guidelines have strengthened their recommendations for these devices. It is appropriate, therefore, to now review the current transcatheter repair and replacement devices available and the evidence for their use.

2021. The year in review. Structural heart interventions

Since the beginning of 2020, the corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic redefined in many ways the practice of cardiology, research and cardiology conferences. Virtual conferences replaced most major in-person venues. The number of “elective” structural heart interventions declined and clinical research endured major setbacks in regards to academic and industry-sponsored clinical trials. In this review, we attempt to provide a broad overview of the field for general and interventional cardiologists with a specific interest in structural heart interventions.

Advances in Procedural Echocardiographic Imaging in Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Mitral Regurgitation

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) therapy is recommended by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for selected patients with symptomatic severe or moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Echocardiography, in particular transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), plays a critical role in procedural planning and guidance for TEER. Recent innovations and advances in TEE techniques including three-dimensional (3D) imaging, unlimited x-plane imaging, live 3D multiplanar reconstruction, as well as transillumination imaging with color Doppler and transparency rendering have further enhanced procedural imaging for TEER, especially for complex diseases including commissural defects, clefts, and multi-segment pathologies. This review discusses the technology of these advanced procedural imaging techniques and provides a “step-by-step” guide on how to apply them during the TEER procedure with a focus on their added values in treatment of complex valve lesions.

Predictors of optimal procedural result after transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair in secondary mitral regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Procedural success after transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER) is defined as a reduction of mitral regurgitation (MR) degree to <moderate (2+). However, post-procedural MR 0/1+ was found to be associated with a better outcome and a lower rate of MR recurrence compared to post-procedural MR 2+.

AIM

To evaluate predictors and prognostic impact of optimal procedural result (MR 0/1+) after TEER.

METHODS

The Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GIse) Registry of Transcatheter Treatment of Mitral Valve RegurgitaTiOn (GIOTTO) is a large multicenter registry including patients undergoing TEER in 19 Italian centers between January 2016 and March 2020. For the purpose of this analysis, only patients with secondary MR and successful TEER were included.

RESULTS

Among 950 patients enrolled, 637 (67%) had an optimal procedural result (MR 0/1+) and 313 (33%) had an acceptable procedural result (MR 2+) after TEER. Moderate-to-severe, rather than severe, MR, left ventricular end-systolic diameter <70 mm at baseline, and treatment in centers performing ≥20 procedures/year were independent predictors of the optimal procedural result. Compared to patients with acceptable procedural result, those with optimal result had shorter device time and length of stay and better outcomes with lower rates of all-cause and cardiac deaths (25.7% vs. 40%, p < 0.001 and 16.3% vs. 24.8%, p = 0.003, respectively) and HF hospitalizations (24% vs. 30%; p = 0.035) at 2-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with secondary MR undergoing TEER, an optimal procedural result is associated with favorable outcomes and can be achieved by selecting patients with moderate-to-severe MR, without severe left ventricular dilatation, and treated in high-volume centers. CLASSIFICATIONS: mitral regurgitation, mitral valve repair, chronic heart failure.

Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair for Functional Mitral Regurgitation

The presence and severity of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with worse outcomes in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Prior to the availability of percutaneous mitral valve repair, management for FMR has been limited to medical therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy for a specific subset of patients and surgery which has yet to demonstrate mortality benefits. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the mitral valve has emerged in the past decade as an invaluable member of the armamentarium against FMR with the 2 landmark randomized controlled trials providing deep insights on patient selection. In addition, TEER has spurred the rapid advancement in our understanding of FMR. This article seeks to provide an overview as well as our current understanding on the role of TEER in FMR.

Functional and hemodynamic results after transcatheter mitral valve leaflet repair with the PASCAL device depending on etiology in a real-world cohort

BACKGROUND

The PASCAL system (Edwards Lifescience, Irvine, CA, USA) is a novel device for edge-to-edge treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR). The aim of our study was to examine the functional and hemodynamic outcome after repair of functional (FMR) and degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) using the PASCAL system in a real-world setting.

METHODS

A total 92 consecutive patients with symptomatic MR 3+/4+ were treated in our institute using the PASCAL device. Primary endpoints included procedural success, clinical success, and major adverse event rate at 30 days and 7 months.

RESULTS

68.5% had a functional and 31.5% a degenerative etiology. Overall success rate was achieved in 97.8% patients (98.4% FMR, 96.6% DMR). At follow-up, 85.7% of the patients (89.2% FMR, 78.3% DMR) had MR grade ≤ 1. 96.4% (97.4% FMR, 94.4% DMR) were in New York Heart Association class I or II. Six-minute walking distance improved by 96 m (92 m FMR, 106 m DMR), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire improved by 19 points (19 points FMR, 19 points DMR). Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) levels decreased from 4673 to 2179 pg/dl (5239-2018 pg/ml FMR, 3418-2530 pg/ml DMR) and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure from 21 to 16 mmHg (21-17 mmHg FMR, 19-13 mmHg DMR). At 30 days, there was 1 cardiovascular death (1.2%) with DMR. At 1 year, Kaplan-Meier survival was 86% (86% FMR, 86% DMR).

CONCLUSIONS

Severe MR can successfully and safely be treated with the PASCAL device regardless of etiologies. This interventional approach resulted in a sustained MR reduction, improvement in exercise capacity, quality of life, proBNP levels, and hemodynamics in FMR and DMR at follow-up.

Current devices and interventions in mitral regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common valvular disease. With a rising incidence in older age, the prevalence of relevant comorbidities inevitably increases. Considering the constantly aging population with high surgical risk, transcatheter therapy of MR is gaining increasing importance. Interventional therapy of either primary or secondary MR represents an alternative to pure drug or surgical therapy. With mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, a well-established treatment has evolved in the past two decades. In addition, direct or indirect annuloplasty and ultimately transcatheter mitral valve implantation further expand the armamentarium. The current broad spectrum of interventional therapy options allows for patient-oriented therapy individually targeting different MR pathologies. This review discusses the current landscape of transcatheter therapies for relevant MR.