Transfemoral aortic valve implantation in pure native aortic valve insufficiency using the repositionable and retrievable lotus valve

Structural Valve Deterioration after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Using J-Valve: A Long-Term Follow-Up

Purpose: Our study aimed to investigate the structural valve deterioration (SVD) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using J-Valve.

Methods: In all, 14 patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and 4 patients with pure aortic regurgitation (PAR) were available in the study. Four-year follow-up was performed in all patients, and the clinical data and echocardiographic findings were recorded and analyzed.

Results: All patients survived at the 4-year follow-up. There was no evidence of morphological SVD or prosthetic valve thrombosis in enrolled patients. None of the hemodynamic SVD occurred in patients with PAR. Mean gradients decreased from 61.93 ± 15.42 mm Hg (pre-TAVI) to 19.64 ± 9.16 mm Hg (discharge) in patients with AS (p <0.001); subsequently, a slight increase was observed in the mean trans-aortic gradient throughout follow-up (p = 0.967). Overall, in patients with AS, six individuals suffered moderate (3/14, 21.4%) or severe (3/14, 21.4%) hemodynamic SVD at 4-year follow-up.

Conclusions: The limited number of cases provides a preliminary indication of the long-term efficacy of TAVI using J-Valve in patients with PAR. In patients with AS, although the higher rate of SVD was observed, the overall transcatheter heart valve (THV) hemodynamics remained stable over time after prosthetic valve implantation and the long-term durability of J-Valve was convincing.

TAVI for Pure Native Aortic Regurgitation: Are We There Yet?

Treatment of degenerative aortic stenosis has been transformed by transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) over the past 10-15 years. The success of various technologies has led operators to attempt to broaden the indications, and many patients with native valve aortic regurgitation have been treated 'off label' with similar techniques. However, the alterations in the structure of the valve complex in pure native aortic regurgitation are distinct to those in degenerative aortic stenosis, and there are unique challenges to be overcome by percutaneous valves. Nevertheless some promise has been shown with both non-dedicated and dedicated devices. In this article, the authors explore some of these challenges and review the current evidence base for TAVI for aortic regurgitation.

Influence of permanent pacemaker implantation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with new-generation devices

Objective

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the most common complication after the procedure. PPMI rates remain high with the new-generation TAVI devices despite improved outcomes concerning paravalvular aortic regurgitation and vascular access complications. However, the impact of PPMI on mortality and clinical outcome is still a matter of debate, and data with new-generation devices on this matter are scarce. Therefore, we sought to analyse the influence of PPMI in patients treated with the new-generation devices on one-year outcome.

Methods

We enrolled 612 consecutive patients without prior pacemaker undergoing transfemoral TAVI with the new-generation devices. Patients with or without PPMI were compared with respect to clinical outcome within one year.

Results

PPMI was performed in 168 patients (24.4% of the overall study population). There was no significant difference in one-year outcome concerning all-cause mortality (PPMI vs. no-PPMI: 12.2% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.94), rate of major adverse events including cardiac, cerebral or valve-related events and bleeding complications (22.1% vs. 24.5%, p = 0.55) or need for rehospitalisation due to cardiac symptoms (16.1% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.63). In patients with reduced ejection fraction (<45%) there was also no impact of PPMI on one-year mortality (14.3% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.86). Furthermore, multivariate analysis did not reveal PPMI to be independently associated with one-year mortality (odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.50–1.74, p = 0.83).

Conclusions

In this large all-comers TAVI population with new-generation devices the need for postprocedural PPMI did not show a statistical significant impact on survival or combined endpoint of major adverse events within one year.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) for Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation - A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard of care for management of high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Limited data is available regarding the performance of TAVI in patients with native aortic valve regurgitation (NAVR).Methods and Results:We performed a systematic review from 2002 to 2016. The primary outcome was device success as per VARC-2 criteria. Secondary endpoints included procedural complications, and 30-day and 1-year mortality rates. A total of 175 patients were included from 31 studies. Device success was reported in 86.3% of patients - with device failure driven by moderate aortic regurgitation (AR ≥3+) and/or need for a second device. Procedural complications were rare, with no procedural deaths, myocardial infarctions or annular ruptures reported. Procedural safety was acceptable with a low 30-day incidence of stroke (1.5%). The 30-day and 1-year overall mortality rates were 9.6% and 20.0% (cardiovascular death, 3.8% and 10.1%, respectively). Patients receiving 2nd-generation valves demonstrated similar safety profiles with greater device success compared with 1st-generation valves (96.2% vs. 78.4%). This was driven by the higher incidence of second-valve implantation (23.4% vs. 1.7%) and significant paravalvular leak (8.3% vs. 0.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

TAVI demonstrates acceptable safety and efficacy in high-risk patients with severe NAVR. Second-generation valves may afford a similar safety profile with improved device success. Dedicated studies are needed to definitively establish the efficacy of TAVI in this population.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation is more successful with the Edwards Sapien 3 compared with the Edwards XT for the treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis

BACKGROUND

Residual aortic regurgitation (AR) after transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is associated with increased mortality. The new Edwards Sapien 3 valve (ES3) is designed to reduce paravalvular AR.

AIM

To compare a new-generation and a late-generation balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve.

METHODS

In this study, 100 consecutive patients treated with the ES3 for symptomatic native severe aortic stenosis were compared with 100 consecutive patients treated with the Edwards Sapien XT valve (EXT); all valves were implanted via transfemoral access. We compared residual AR, rate of permanent pacemaker implantation, device success according to the second Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2) criteria and 30-day follow-up.

RESULTS

With the ES3, the risk of moderate/severe AR was lower (0% vs 3%), the risk of mild AR was lower (31% vs 40%) and the final result with no AR was higher (P=0.07). The mean aortic gradient was significantly higher with the ES3 (12.2±4.6 vs 9.4±3.9mmHg; P<0.01). Device success according to the VARC-2 criteria was high with the ES3 and the EXT (97% vs 95%; P=0.48). Pacemaker implantation because of higher-grade atrioventricular block was similar: 9.3% after ES3 implantation and 6.9% after EXT implantation (P=0.56). There was significantly less major or life-threatening bleeding with the ES3: 5% vs 14% (P=0.03) and 0% vs 8% (P<0.01), respectively. After 30 days, the VARC-2 early-safety endpoint was significantly lower with the ES3 (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, TAVI with the ES3 in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis was associated with no moderate/severe AR, a trend towards a lower rate of mild AR, a significantly lower rate of major or life-threatening bleeding and early safety according to VARC-2 criteria within 30 days compared with the EXT.

Predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation after transfemoral aortic valve implantation with the Lotus valve

BACKGROUND

Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation is of high clinical relevance, but PPMI rates differ widely between valve types. Although the Lotus valve can be repositioned, reported rates for PPMI are high. The predictors of PPMI after Lotus valve implantation have not been defined yet.

METHODS

We analyzed the impact of preexisting conduction disturbances, depth of implantation, oversizing, and amount of calcification on PPMI in 216 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis underdoing Lotus valve implantation.

RESULTS

PPMI was required in 39.8% of patients. Patients with need for PPMI compared with patients without need for PPMI had more often the following criteria: male gender (P=.035); preprocedural right bundle-branch block (RBBB) (16.3% vs 0, P<.001); atrioventricular (AV) block first degree (26.7% vs 10.1%, P=.004); higher calcium volume of the left coronary cusp (63.1±87.5 mm³ vs 42.8±49.3 mm³, P=.05); and deeper valve implantation at right coronary (P=.011), noncoronary (P=.026), and left coronary (P=.012) position. Oversizing in relation to annulus and left ventricular outflow tract did not have an impact on need for PPMI. By multiple regression analysis, preprocedural AV block first degree (P=.005), RBBB (P<.001), and depth of implantation (P=.006) were independent risk factors for need of PPMI.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe aortic stenosis receiving transfemoral Lotus valve, preexisting AV block first degree, RBBB, and implantation depth are independent predictors of PPMI, highlighting the importance of careful valve positioning.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation with the repositionable Lotus valve for treatment of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis: results from a single-centre experience

AIMS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the procedural and 30-day results for the repositionable Lotus valve in patients undergoing transfemoral aortic valve implantation in a single-centre experience.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively enrolled 110 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (NCT02162069). All procedures were performed without general anaesthesia by the transfemoral approach. Patients were followed for 30 days. Patients received the 23 mm (n=20), 25 mm (n=43) or 27 mm (n=47) Lotus device. Mean oversizing in relation to annulus or left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) did not differ among groups. There was no residual moderate or severe aortic regurgitation. The rate of mild aortic regurgitation was low at 9.1%. There was no valve embolisation, no need for a second valve and no conversion to surgery. The need for a new pacemaker implantation due to complete (third degree) or type II (Mobitz) second degree atrioventricular block was 24.1%, excluding patients with previously implanted devices. Within 30 days the rates of all-cause mortality and stroke were low.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe aortic stenosis, transfemoral TAVI with the repositionable Lotus valve was associated with a high rate of device success, no moderate or severe residual aortic regurgitation, low rates of major vascular complications and mortality within 30 days.

First experience with transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation without prior balloon pre-dilatation using a latest generation repositionable and retrievable transcatheter heart valve†

OBJECTIVES

: The aim of this study was to prove technical feasibility and document haemodynamic and clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the latest generation repositionable and retrievable Lotus™ transcatheter heart valve (THV) without prior balloon-aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). It has been demonstrated for self-expandable and balloon-expandable THV that implantation without prior BAV is not only feasible and safe but also results in lower fluoroscopy times and amounts of contrast agent while yielding non-inferior haemodynamic and clinical outcome. To date no reports exist for TAVI without BAV for the Lotus™ THV.

METHODS

: A consecutive patient series received direct transfemoral (TF)-TAVI without prior BAV using the Lotus™ valve system. Baseline, intraprocedural and acute follow-up data up to 30 days were retrospectively collected. Clinical endpoints were adjudicated in accordance with the updated standardized Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 definitions.

RESULTS

: A total of 9 patients received direct TF-TAVI using the Lotus THV (77.7% female, 82.5 ± 5.3 years, logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation I 14.2 ± 13.7%). Device success according to VARC-2 definitions was achieved in 100% (9/9) of the patients. Peak and mean transvalvular gradients as determined by transthoracic echocardiography prior to discharge decreased from 51.5 ± 17.3 to 24.4 ± 10.4 mmHg and 29.5 ± 9.6 to 13.2 ± 5.2 mmHg (both P  <   0.01). Effective orifice area increased from 0.9 ± 0.2 to 1.9 ± 0.3 cm 2 ( P  <   0.01). No paravalvular leakage (PVL) ≥ moderate was detected. All-cause 30-day mortality was 11.1% (1/9), with one death due to ischaemic enteritis.

CONCLUSIONS

: In our series, TF-TAVI without prior BAV using this particular THV technical feasibility, no increased incidence of significant paravalvular leakage, and good haemodynamic and clinical outcome in selected patients. These results will have to be confirmed in larger patient numbers for further clinical evaluation and before general recommendations regarding patient selection can be made.

The balloon-expandable Edwards Sapien 3 valve is superior to the self-expanding Medtronic CoreValve in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

Residual paravalvular moderate or severe aortic regurgitation (AR) has been an independent risk factor for mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The design of the third generation Edwards Sapien 3 (ES3; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) valve was optimized with an outer skirt to address the issue of paravalvular AR.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We compared 100 consecutive patients treated with the ES3 for severe aortic stenosis with 100 patients treated with the Medtronic CoreValve (CV; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) (Clinical Trial Registration: NCT02162069). We evaluated post-procedural AR, rate of permanent pacemaker implantation, device success, and 30-day clinical outcome according to the criteria of the Second Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2). Frequency of post-procedural moderate or severe AR was significantly lower with ES3 compared to CV (0% vs. 20%, p<0.01), none or trace AR significantly higher with ES3 (69% vs. 38%, p<0.01) as well as device success (97% vs. 73%, p<0.01). There was a significantly lower need for permanent pacemaker implantation with ES3 compared with CV (14% vs. 31%, p<0.01). Cardiovascular mortality at 30 days was significantly lower with ES3 (0% vs. 6%, p=0.01), and the combined endpoint "early safety" was met significantly less with ES3 (10% vs. 21% with CV, p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Transfemoral TAVI with the ES3 compared with the CV was associated with a significantly lower rate of moderate or severe AR, significantly lower need for pacemaker implantation, and a significantly higher rate of device success according to VARC-2.

Transfemoral Aortic Valve Implantation with the New Edwards Sapien 3 Valve for Treatment of Severe Aortic Stenosis-Impact of Valve Size in a Single Center Experience

Aims

The third generation Edwards Sapien 3 (Edwards Lifesciences Inc., Irvine, California) system was optimized to reduce residual aortic regurgitation and vascular complications.

Methods and Results

235 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis were prospectively enrolled. Transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVI) were performed without general anesthesia by transfemoral approach. Patients were followed for 30 days. Patients received 23mm (N = 77), 26mm (N = 91) or 29mm (N = 67) valve based on pre-procedural 256 multislice computer tomography. Mean oversizing did not differ between the 3 valves. There was no residual moderate or severe aortic regurgitation. Rate of mild aortic regurgitation and regurgitation index did not differ between groups. There was no switch to general anesthesia or conversion to surgery. Rate of major vascular complication was 3.0% with no difference between valve and delivery sheath sizes. Within 30 days rates of all cause mortality (2.6%) and stroke (2.1%) were low.

Conclusions

In patients with severe aortic stenosis transfemoral TAVI with the Edwards Sapien 3 valve without general anesthesia was associated with a high rate of device success, no moderate or severe residual aortic regurgitation, low rates of major vascular complication, mortality and stroke within 30 days with no difference between the 3 valve sizes.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02162069

A Practical Approach to Managing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Sedation

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is increasingly performed as a minimally invasive treatment option for aortic valve disease. The typical anesthetic management for this procedure was traditionally similar to surgical aortic valve replacement and involved general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography. In this review, we discuss the technological advances in transcatheter valve systems that have improved outcomes and allow for use of sedation instead of general anesthesia. We describe an anesthetic protocol that avoids general anesthesia and utilizes transthoracic echocardiography for procedural guidance.