Outcomes and predictors of left ventricle recovery in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

Data on the likelihood of left ventricle (LV) recovery in patients with severe LV dysfunction and severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and its prognostic value are limited.

AIMS

We aimed to assess the likelihood of LV recovery following TAVI, examine its association with midterm mortality, and identify independent predictors of LV function.

METHODS

In our multicentre registry of 17 TAVI centres in Western Europe and Israel, patients were stratified by baseline LV function (ejection fraction [EF] >/≤30%) and LV response: no LV recovery, LV recovery (EF increase ≥10%), and LV normalisation (EF ≥50% post-TAVI).

RESULTS

Our analysis included 10,872 patients; baseline EF was ≤30% in 914 (8.4%) patients and >30% in 9,958 (91.6%) patients. The LV recovered in 544 (59.5%) patients, including 244 (26.7%) patients whose LV function normalised completely (EF >50%). Three-year mortality for patients without severe LV dysfunction at baseline was 29.4%. Compared to this, no LV recovery was associated with a significant increase in mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.32; p<0.001). Patients with similar LV function post-TAVI had similar rates of 3-year mortality, regardless of their baseline LV function. Three variables were associated with a higher likelihood of LV recovery following TAVI: no previous myocardial infarction (MI), estimated glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min, and mean aortic valve gradient (mAVG) (expressed either as a continuous variable or as a binary variable using the standard low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis [AS] definition).

CONCLUSIONS

LV recovery following TAVI and the extent of this recovery are major determinants of midterm mortality in patients with severe AS and severe LV dysfunction undergoing TAVI. Patients with no previous MI and those with an mAVG >40 mmHg show the best results following TAVI, which are at least equivalent to those for patients without severe LV dysfunction. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04031274).

Real-World Multicenter Coronary Lithotripsy Registry: Long-Term Clinical Follow-Up

OBJECTIVES

Coronary lithotripsy (CL) works by fracturing the calcified plaque, allowing mean area gain, enhancing vessel compliance, and facilitating stent deployment. This study reports the safety, effectiveness, and durability of the clinical benefit of CL at long-term follow-up of a real-world multicenter registry.

METHODS

This was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study that included consecutive patients with calcified lesions undergoing CL from August, 2018 to October, 2020 with a clinical follow-up of 20 months (interquartile range, 14.5-25). Exclusion criteria were a target lesion located in a vessel &lt;2.5 mm and/or the presence of dissection prior to CL. The primary endpoint was the rate of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE, defined as death or target-lesion revascularization [TLR] or myocardial infarction [MI]) at follow-up.

RESULTS

This registry included 109 patients (128 lesions). The population was elderly (mean age, 74 years old), with high rates of diabetic patients (58%), renal insufficiency (32%), and multivessel disease (76%). Most of the lesions were predilated with semicompliant/noncompliant balloons (25 with cutting balloon). Rotational atherectomy was used in 20 lesions. On average, CL required the use of 1 balloon delivering a mean of 60 pulses. Twelve patients presented with ST-segment-elevation MI and a culprit calcified coronary lesion undergoing CL. Successful CL was achieved in 99% of cases. There were few procedural complications, with 30-day freedom from MACE rate of 98%. The MACE rate at long-term follow-up was 5.6%.

CONCLUSION

This is the first real-world, multicenter registry that confirms the safety and long-term efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention for calcified lesions using CL in an unselected and high-risk population with a low long-term follow-up MACE rate.

Center Valve Preference and Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Insights From the AMTRAC Registry

BACKGROUND

Data on outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using balloon-expandable valves (BEVs) or self-expandable valves (SEVs) as well as the impact of center valve preference on these outcomes are limited.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of TAVR procedures using third-generation BEVs and SEVs stratified by center valve preference.

METHODS

In a multicenter registry (n = 17), 13 centers exhibited valve preference (66.6%-90% of volume) and were included. Outcomes were compared between BEVs and SEVs stratified by center valve preference.

RESULTS

In total, 7,528 TAVR procedures (3,854 with SEVs and 3,674 with BEVs) were included. The mean age was 81 years, and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 5.2. Baseline characteristics were similar between BEVs and SEVs. Need for pacemaker implantation was higher with SEVs at BEV- and SEV-dominant centers (17.8% vs 9.3% [P < 0.001] and 12.7% vs 10.0% [P = 0.036], respectively; HR: 1.51; P for interaction = 0.021), risk for cerebrovascular accident was higher with SEVs at BEV-dominant but not SEV-dominant centers (3.6% vs 1.1% [P < 0.001] and 2.2% vs 1.4% [P = 0.162]; HR: 2.08; P for interaction < 0.01). Aortic regurgitation greater than mild was more frequent with SEVs at BEV-dominant centers and similar with BEVs regardless of center dominance (5.2% vs 2.8% [P < 0.001] and 3.4% vs 3.7% [P = 0.504], respectively). Two-year mortality was higher with SEVs at BEV-dominant centers but not at SEV-dominant centers (21.9% vs 16.9% [P = 0.021] and 16.8% vs 16.5% [P = 0.642], respectively; HR: 1.20; P for interaction = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

Periprocedural outcomes, aortic regurgitation greater than mild, and 2-year mortality are worse when TAVR is performed using SEVs at BEV-dominant centers. Outcomes are similar regardless of valve type at SEV-dominant centers. The present results stress the need to account for this factor when comparing BEV and SEV outcomes. (The Aortic+Mitral Transcatheter [AMTRAC] Valve Registry; NCT04031274).

Six-Month Outcomes of the TricValve® System in Patients with Tricuspid Regurgitation: TRICUS EURO Study

BACKGROUND

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is frequently associated with significant morbidity and mortality; such patients often deemed to be at high surgical risk. Heterotopic bi-caval stenting is an emerging, attractive transcatheter solution for these patients.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the 30-day safety and 6-month efficacy outcomes of specifically designed bioprosthetic valves for the superior and inferior vena cava.

METHODS

TRICUS EURO is a non-blinded, non-randomized, single-arm, multicenter, prospective trial that enrolled patients from 12 European centers between December 2019 to February 2021. High risk individuals with severe symptomatic TR despite optimal medical therapy were included. Primary end point was quality of life (QOL) improvement measured by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ12) and New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) improvement at 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

35 patients (mean age 76±6.8 years; 83% women) were treated with TricValve® system. All patients at baseline were at NYHA ≥ 3 status. At 30-days, procedural success was 94% with no procedural deaths or conversions to surgery. A significant increase in QOL at 6-months follow-up was observed (baseline and 6-month KCCQ: 42.01±22.3 vs. 59.7±23.6 respectively; p=0.004), correlating with a significant improvement in NYHA functional class with 79.4% of patients noted to be in class I or II at 6 months (p=0.0006). The 6-month all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates were 8.5% and 20%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The dedicated bi-caval system for treating severe, symptomatic TR was associated with high procedural success rate and significant increase in both, QOL and functional improvements at 6-months follow-up.

Clinical outcomes in spontaneous coronary artery dissection

OBJECTIVE

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an infrequent cause of acute coronary syndrome. Our aim was to assess adverse events at follow-up from a nationwide prospective cohort.

METHODS

The Spanish Registry on SCAD (SR-SCAD) included patients from 34 hospitals. All coronary angiograms were analysed by two experts. Those cases with doubts regarding the diagnosis of SCAD were excluded. The angiographic SCAD classification by Saw et al was followed. Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) was predefined as composite of death, myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularisation, SCAD recurrence or stroke. All events were assigned by a Clinical Events Committee.

RESULTS

After corelab evaluation, 389 patients were included. Most patients were women (88%); median age 53 years (IQR 47-60). Most patients presented as non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (54%). A type 2 intramural haematoma (IMH) was the most frequent angiographic pattern (61%). A conservative initial management was selected in 78% of patients. At a median time of follow-up of 29 months (IQR 17-38), 46 patients (13%) presented MACCE, mainly driven by reinfarctions (7.6%) and unplanned revascularisations (6.2%). Previous history of hypothyroidism (HR 3.79; p<0.001), proximal vessel involvement (HR 2.69; p=0.009), type 2 IMH (HR 2.12; p=0.037) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) at discharge (HR 2.18; p=0.042) were independent predictors of MACCE.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large prospective cohort of patients with SCAD, prognosis was overall favourable, with events mainly driven by reinfarctions or unplanned revascularisations. History of hypothyroidism, proximal vessel involvement, type 2 IMH and DAPT at discharge were associated with MACCE.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03607981.

Clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients younger than 70 years rejected for surgery: the AMTRAC registry

BACKGROUND

The mean age of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) patients is steadily decreasing.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics, the indications for and the outcomes of TAVI in patients <70 years old.

METHODS

All patients undergoing TAVI (n=8,626) from the 18 participating centres between January 2007 and June 2020 were stratified by age (</>70). For patients <70, the indications for TAVI were extracted from Heart Team discussions and the baseline characteristics and mortality were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Overall, 640 (7.4%) patients were <70 (9.1% during 2018-2020, p<0.001); the mean age was 65.0±2.3 years. The younger patients were more often male, with bicuspid valves or needing valve-in-valve procedures. They had a higher prevalence of lung disease and diabetes. In 80.7% of cases, the Heart Team estimated an increased surgical risk and TAVI was selected, reflected by an STS score >4% in 20.4%. Five-year mortality was similar (29.4 vs 29.8%, HR 0.95, p=0.432) in the <70 and >70 groups. In the <70 group, mortality was higher for those referred for TAVI due to an increased surgical risk compared to those referred for other reasons (31.6 vs 24.5%, HR 1.23, p=0.021). Mortality was similar regardless of the STS stratum in patients judged by the Heart Team to be at increased surgical risk (32.6 vs 30.4%, HR 0.98, p=0.715).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of TAVI in patients <70 is becoming more frequent. The main reason for choosing TAVI is due to an increased surgical risk not adequately represented by the STS score. The outcomes for these patients are similar to those for older TAVI patients. Dedicated trials of TAVI/SAVR in younger patients are needed to guide decisions concerning expansion of TAVI indications. ((ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04031274).

Commissural Versus Coronary Optimized Alignment During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to determine the rate of noncentered coronary ostia and their risk for coronary overlap (CO) and to develop an improved orientation strategy for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices taking into account anatomical cues to identify patients at risk for CO regardless of commissural alignment and compute an alternative, CO-free TAVR rotation angle for those patients.

BACKGROUND

Commissural alignment during TAVR reduces CO risk. However, eccentricity of coronary ostia from the center of the sinus of Valsalva may result in CO even after perfect alignment of TAVR commissures.

METHODS

Baseline computed tomography from TAVR candidates helped identify distance from commissures to the right coronary artery (RCA) and the left coronary artery (LCA). Then, for each case, a virtual valve was simulated with ideal commissural or coronary alignment, and the degree of CO was determined. On the basis of the potential BASILICA (bioprosthetic or native aortic scallop intentional laceration to prevent iatrogenic coronary artery obstruction) efficacy, 3 groups were defined: no risk for CO (>35° from neocommissure to coronary ostia), moderate risk (20°-35°), and severe risk (≤20°).

RESULTS

Computed tomographic studies from 107 patients were included. After excluding 7 patients (poor quality or bicuspid valve), 100 patients were analyzed. The RCA showed greater eccentricity compared with the LCA (18.5° [IQR: 3.3°-12.8°] vs 6.5° [IQR: 3.3°-12.8°]; P < 0.001). The mean intercoronary angle was 140.0° ± 18.7° (95% CI: 136.3°-143.7°). Thirty-two patients had moderate to severe risk for CO (≤35°) despite ideal commissural alignment. Greater coronary eccentricity (cutoff for RCA, 24.5°; cutoff for LCA, 19°) and intercoronary angle >147.5° or <103° were associated with greater risk for moderate to severe CO despite commissural alignment (area under the curve: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.91-0.99). If optimal coronary alignment was simulated, this prevented severe CO in all cases and reduced moderate CO from 27% to 5% (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

One third of patients would have CO during TAVR-in-TAVR despite commissural alignment; a 6-fold decrease in this risk was achieved with optimized coronary alignment. Coronary eccentricity and intercoronary angle were the main predictors.

Myval versus alternative balloon- and self-expandable transcatheter heart valves: A central core lab analysis of conduction disturbances

BACKGROUND

Several studies have compared surface electrocardiographic changes following different self-expandable (SE) (Evolut (Medtronic, USA); Acurate (Boston Scientific, USA); Portico (Abbott, USA); and Allegra (NVT, Germany)) and balloon-expandable (BE) Sapien-3 (Edwards Lifesciences, USA) transcatheter heart valves. We aimed to compare these prosthesis with the novel Myval BE prosthesis (Meril Life, India).

METHODS

Academic European registry of consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who received any of the 6 aforementioned valves. Baseline, post-procedural, and discharge 12‑leads electrocardiograms (ECG) were centrally analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

A total of 1131 patients were included: 135 Myval (11.9%), 290 Sapien-3 (25.6%), 298 Evolut (26.3%), 180 Acurate (15.9%), 125 Portico (11.1%), and 103 Allegra (9.1%). There were no baseline differences in intraventricular conduction disturbances rate. Compared to the novel BE Myval, there were similar procedural and in-hospital outcomes. Similar rates of early new permanent pacemaker implant (PPI) were observed amongst Myval (7.4%), Sapien-3 (13.4%), and Acurate (9.1%), but Evolut, Portico, and Allegra presented significantly higher rates (18.5%, p = 0.003; 29.5% p < 0.001 and 22%, p = 0.001, respectively). Central analysis of ECGs, unraveled significant prolongation of the PR segment with Evolut, Portico and Allegra whereas Evolut, Acurate, and Portico showed significant QRS widening compared to Myval. However, at discharge no differences in PR segment duration were observed while, Evolut, and Portico- but not Acurate, Allegra or Sapien-3 - still presented significant widening of QRS segment compared to Myval.

CONCLUSIONS

After blinded central ECG analysis, the novel Myval balloon-expandable prosthesis was associated with a low rate of early conduction disturbances.

Next-generation balloon-expandable Myval transcatheter heart valve in low-risk aortic stenosis patients

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to describe hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes at 30-day follow-up of the balloon-expandable (BE) Myval transcatheter heart valve (THV) in low-risk patients.

BACKGROUND

The results of the next-generation BE Myval THV in low-risk aortic stenosis (AS) patients are still unknown.

METHODS

Retrospective registry performed in nine European centers including patients with low predicted operative mortality risk according to Society of thoracic surgeons (STS) and European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE-II) scores.

RESULTS

Between September 2019 and February 2021, a total of 100 patients (51% males, mean age 80 ± 6.5 years) were included. Mean STS score and EuroSCORE-II were 2.4 ± 0.8% and 2.2 ± 0.7%, respectively. Intermediate sizes were used in 39% (21.5 mm: 8%, 24.5 mm: 15%, 27.5 mm: 15%). There were no cases of valve embolization, coronary artery occlusion, annulus rupture, or procedural death. A definitive pacemaker implantation was needed in eight patients (8%). At 30-day follow-up aortic valve area (0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 2.1 ± 0.6 cm² ) and mean aortic valve gradient (43.4 ± 11.1 vs. 9.0 ± 3.7 mmHg) improved significantly (p < 0.001). Moderate aortic regurgitation occurred in 4%. Endpoints of early safety and clinical efficacy were 3 and 1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemodynamic performance and 30-day clinical outcomes of the BE Myval THV in low-risk AS patients were favorable. Longer-term follow-up is warranted.

Effect of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement on Concomitant Mitral Regurgitation and Its Impact on Mortality

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of residual mitral regurgitation (MR) on mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

BACKGROUND

MR is common in patients undergoing TAVR. Data on optimal management of patients with significant MR after TAVR are limited.

METHODS

The registry consisted of 16 TAVR centers (n = 7,303). Outcomes of patients with ≥ moderate versus lesser grade MR after TAVR were compared.

RESULTS

In 1,983 (27.2%) patients, baseline MR grade was ≥ moderate. MR regressed in 874 (44.1%) patients and persisted in 1,109 (55.9%) after TAVR. Four-year mortality was higher for those with MR persistence, but not for those with MR regression after TAVR, compared with nonsignificant baseline MR (43.8% vs. 35.1% vs. 32.4%; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.38; p = 0.008; HR: 1.02; p = 0.383, respectively). New York Heart Association functional class III to IV after TAVR was more common in those with MR persistence vs. regression (14.4% vs. 3.9%; p < 0.001). In a propensity score-matched cohort (91 patients' pairs), with significant residual MR after TAVR who did or did not undergo staged mitral intervention, staged intervention was associated with a better functional class through 1 year of follow-up (82.4% vs. 33.3% New York Heart Association functional class I or II; p < 0.001), and a numerically lower 4-year mortality, which was not statistically significant (64.6% vs. 37.5%; HR: 1.66; p = 0.097).

CONCLUSIONS

Risk stratification based on improvement in MR and symptoms after TAVR can identify patients at increased mortality risk after TAVR. These patients may benefit from a staged transcatheter mitral intervention, but this requires further proof from future studies. (Transcatheter Treatment for Combined Aortic and Mitral Valve Disease. The Aortic+Mitral TRAnsCatheter [AMTRAC] Valve Registry [AMTRAC]; NCT04031274).

Choice of CTO scores to predict procedural success in clinical practice. A comparison of 4 different CTO PCI scores in a comprehensive national registry including expert and learning CTO operators

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare the performance of the recent CASTLE score to J-CTO, CL and PROGRESS CTO scores in a comprehensive database of percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusion procedures.

METHODS

Scores were calculated using raw data from 1,342 chronic total occlusion procedures included in REBECO Registry that includes learning and expert operators. Calibration, discrimination and reclassification were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS

Mean score values were: CASTLE 1.60±1.10, J-CTO 2.15±1.24, PROGRESS 1.68±0.94 and CL 2.52±1.52 points. The overall percutaneous coronary intervention success rate was 77.8%. Calibration was good for CASTLE and CL, but not for J-CTO or PROGRESS scores. Discrimination: the area under the curve (AUC) of CASTLE (0.633) was significantly higher than PROGRESS (0.557) and similar to J-CTO (0.628) and CL (0.652). Reclassification: CASTLE, as assessed by integrated discrimination improvement, was superior to PROGRESS (integrated discrimination improvement +0.036, p<0.001), similar to J-CTO and slightly inferior to CL score (- 0.011, p = 0.004). Regarding net reclassification improvement, CASTLE reclassified better than PROGRESS (overall continuous net reclassification improvement 0.379, p<0.001) in roughly 20% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Procedural percutaneous coronary intervention difficulty is not consistently depicted by available chronic total occlusion scores and is influenced by the characteristics of each chronic total occlusion cohort. In our study population, including expert and learning operators, the CASTLE score had slightly better overall performance along with CL score. However, we found only intermediate performance in the c-statistic predicting chronic total occlusion success among all scores.

Ramipril in High-Risk Patients With COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory-syndrome coronavirus-2 that interfaces with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This interaction has been proposed as a potential risk factor in patients treated with RAAS inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed whether RAAS inhibitors modify the risk for COVID-19.

METHODS

The RASTAVI (Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade Benefits in Clinical Evolution and Ventricular Remodeling After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) trial is an ongoing randomized clinical trial randomly allocating subjects to ramipril or control groups after successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement at 14 centers in Spain. A non-pre-specified interim analysis was performed to evaluate ramipril's impact on COVID-19 risk in this vulnerable population.

RESULTS

As of April 1, 2020, 102 patients (50 in the ramipril group and 52 in the control group) were included in the trial. Mean age was 82.3 ± 6.1 years, 56.9% of the participants were male. Median time of ramipril treatment was 6 months (interquartile range: 2.9 to 11.4 months). Eleven patients (10.8%) have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (6 in control group and 5 receiving ramipril; hazard ratio: 1.150; 95% confidence interval: 0.351 to 3.768). The risk of COVID-19 was increased in older patients (p = 0.019) and those with atrial fibrillation (p = 0.066), lower hematocrit (p = 0.084), and more comorbidities according to Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (p = 0.065). Admission and oxygen supply was required in 4.9% of patients (2 in the ramipril group and 3 in the control group), and 4 of them died (2 in each randomized group). A higher body mass index was the only factor increasing the mortality rate (p = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

In a high-risk population of older patients with cardiovascular disease, randomization to ramipril had no impact on the incidence or severity of COVID-19. This analysis supports the maintenance of RAAS inhibitor treatment during the COVID-19 crisis. (Renin-Angiotensin System Blockade Benefits in Clinical Evolution and Ventricular Remodeling After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation [RASTAVI]; NCT03201185).