Prognostic Importance of Diastolic Dysfunction in Relation to Post Procedural Aortic Insufficiency in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: incidence, quantification, and prognostic impact

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the standard of care in aortic stenosis with results comparable to surgical aortic valve replacement. However, paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) is more common after TAVR. With the alteration of devices and implantation techniques, the incidence of moderate or more PVR has declined. Mild PVR is still common in around 30% of TAVR patients in low-risk trials. Progression of AS causes myocardial hypertrophy and varying degrees of diastolic dysfunction which may cause heart failure even in combination with small volumes of PVR. Any degree of PVR is associated with an increased risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality. Predictors of PVR are annular eccentricity, severe calcification of the aortic valve, bicuspid aortic valves, and type of prosthesis where balloon-expandable devices are associated with less PVR. PVR is diagnosed using echocardiography, aortic angiogram with or without videodensitometry, haemodynamic parameters, or cardiac magnetic resonance. PVR can be treated using post-dilation, interventional treatment using a vascular plug, or implantation of a second device. Successful post-dilation depends on balloon size which should at least be equal to or >95% of the mean annulus diameter. Implantation of a second device to reduce PVR is successful in ∼90% of cases, either through lengthening of the sealing skirt in case of inadequate position or through further expansion of the index device. Implantation of a vascular plug can successfully reduce PVR and reduce mortality.

Echocardiographic Evaluation after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A Comprehensive Review

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an increasingly popular treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Recent advancements in technology and imaging tools have significantly contributed to the success of TAVI procedures. Echocardiography plays a pivotal role in the evaluation of TAVI patients, both before and after the procedure. This review aims to provide an overview of the most recent technical advancements in echocardiography and their use in the follow-up of TAVI patients. In particular, the focus will be on the examination of the influence of TAVI on left and right ventricular function, which is frequently accompanied by other structural and functional alterations. Echocardiography has proven to be key also in detecting valve deterioration during extended follow-up. This review will provide valuable insights into the technical advancements in echocardiography and their role in the follow-up of TAVI patients.

Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Diastolic Dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with poor outcomes; however, the effect of its severity is controversial. We sought to assess the impact of diastolic dysfunction on hospital outcomes and survival after TAVR and identify prognostic factors.

METHODS

We included patients who underwent TAVR for severe aortic stenosis with preexisting LVDD from 2009 to 2018 (n = 325). Patients with prior mitral valve surgery (n = 4), atrial fibrillation (n = 39), missing or poor baseline diastolic dysfunction assessment (n = 36) were excluded. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. 246 patients were included in the study.

RESULTS

The median age was 80 years (25th and 75th percentiles:75-86.7), 154 (62.6%) were males and the median EuroSCORE II was 4.3 (2.2-8). Patients with severe LVDD had significantly higher EuroSCORE, and lower ejection fraction (p < 0.001). There was no difference in post-TAVR new atrial fibrillation (p = 0.912), pacemaker insertion (p = 0.528), stroke (p = 0.76), or hospital mortality (p = 0.95). Patients with severe LVDD had longer hospital stay (p = 0.036). The grade of LVDD did not affect survival (log-rank = 0.145) nor major adverse cardiovascular events (log-rank = 0.97). Predictors of mortality were; low BMI (HR: 0.95 (0.91-0.99); p = 0.019), low sodium (0.93 (0.82-2.5); p = 0.021), previous PCI (HR: 1.6 (1.022-2.66); p = 0.04), E-peak (HR: 1.01 (1.002-1.019); p = 0.014) and implantation of more than one device (HR: 3.55 (1.22-10.31); p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is feasible in patients with diastolic dysfunction, and the degree of diastolic dysfunction did not negatively affect the outcome. Long-term outcomes in those patients were affected by the preoperative clinical state and procedure-related factors.

Baseline left ventricular diastolic dysfunction affects midterm mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether preprocedural left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction impairs midterm mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), we performed a meta-analysis of currently available evidence.

METHODS

We identified all studies investigating impact of preprocedural severity of LV diastolic dysfunction on midterm (≥1-year) all-cause mortality after TAVI for patients with AS through a search of databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE) until September 2019. From each study, we extracted an adjusted (if unavailable, unadjusted) hazard ratio (HR) of midterm mortality. We pooled study-specific estimates in the random-effects model.

RESULTS

Ten eligible studies with a total of 2380 patients with AS undergoing TAVI were identified. In accordance with pooled analyses, higher-grade preprocedural LV diastolic dysfunction was associated with significantly worse midterm all-cause mortality after TAVI compared to lower-grade dysfunction (HR for grade II vs I, 1.15; P = .002; HR for grade III vs I, 1.35; P = .001; HR for grade III vs II; 1.16, P = .002; HR for grade II-III vs I, II-III vs 0-I, or III vs I-II, 1.34; P < .00001 [primary meta-analysis]; HR per grade, 1.16; P = .003). No funnel plot asymmetry for the primary meta-analysis (for grade II-III vs I, II-III vs 0-I, or III vs I-II) was identified, which probably indicated no publication bias (P = .381 by the linear-regression test).

CONCLUSION

Higher-grade preprocedural LV diastolic dysfunction was associated with worse midterm all-cause mortality after TAVI for patients with AS compared to lower-grade dysfunction.

Association Between Diastolic Dysfunction and Health Status Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the association of baseline left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) with health status outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

BACKGROUND

Although LVDD in patients with aortic stenosis is associated with higher mortality after TAVR, it is unknown if it is also associated with health status recovery.

METHODS

In a cohort of 304 patients with interpretable echocardiograms, undergoing TAVR, LVDD was categorized at baseline as absent (grade 0), mild (grade 1), moderate (grade 2), or severe (grade 3). Disease-specific health status was assessed using the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score (KCCQ-OS) at baseline and at 1-month and 12-month follow-up. Association of baseline LVDD with health status at baseline and follow-up after TAVR was assessed using a linear trend test, and association with health status recovery (change in KCCQ-OS) was examined using a linear mixed model adjusting for baseline KCCQ-OS.

RESULTS

Twenty-four (7.9%), 54 (17.8%), 186 (61.2%), and 40 (13.2%) patients had LVDD grades of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Baseline KCCQ-OS was 61.3 ± 22.7, 51.0 ± 26.1, 44.7 ± 25.7, and 44.4 ± 21.9 (p = 0.004) in patients with LVDD grades of 0, 1,2 and 3. At 1 and 12 months after TAVR, LVDD was not associated with KCCQ-OS. Recovery in KCCQ-OS after TAVR was substantial and similar in patients across all severities of LVDD.

CONCLUSIONS

Although LVDD is associated with health status prior to TAVR, patients across all severities of LVDD have similar recovery in health status after TAVR.

Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Outcomes: A Review

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disease that can lead to increased afterload, left ventricular (LV) remodeling, and myocardial fibrosis. We reviewed the literature addressing the impact of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on LV remodeling and patients' outcomes by elimination of AS-related high afterload. TAVR reduces afterload and improves LV remodeling recovery. However, myocardial fibrosis may not completely reverse after the TAVR. The LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) induced by AS is an independent predictor of post-TAVR mortality, and mortality increases with severity of LVDD. The impact of diastolic dysfunction on patient outcomes emerges at 30 days but continues to persist during mid-term follow-up. Based on severity of the baseline LVDD, some patients may tolerate post-TAVR aortic regurgitation (AR), but even minimal post-TAVR AR in patients with severe baseline LVDD can have an additive negative impact on survival. It is crucial to consider TAVR prior to development of advanced LVDD. Appropriate device selection and deployment technique are important in improvement of TAVR outcomes via elimination of AR.

Impact of left ventricular diastolic function and survival in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

In year 2016, the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) updated Recommendations for the assessment and grading of diastolic dysfunction (DD). We aimed to assess the applicability of this DD grading method and its association with prognosis in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We retrospectively identified 237 consecutive patients with severe AS who underwent trans-femoral TAVI. Baseline transthoracic echocardiography was evaluated to assess pre- and post-TAVI diastolic function according to the current ASE/EACVI Recommendations. Prior to TAVI, 41 (17%) patients were diagnosed as having grade I DD, 111 (47%) patients had grade II DD, 80 (34%) had grade III DD. DD grade after TAVI decreased (p < 0.001) with 75 patients (32%) reclassified to a lower DD grade. During the median follow-up of 1,320 days, 136 (57%) patients died. In univariable Cox proportional hazards model analysis, neither pre- nor post-TAVI DD grade were associated with prognosis. However, patients with grade III DD detected before TAVI and AR≥ 2 after TAVI had poorer survival (p<0.008). Patients with grade III DD detected after TAVI and AR≥ 2 after TAVI had poorer prognosis (p = 0.002). TAVI improves DD grade. While poor DD grade was not associated with mortality after treatment of AS by TAVI, concomitant presence of DD and post-procedural AR carried a poor prognosis.

The role and clinical implications of diastolic dysfunction in aortic stenosis

Diastolic dysfunction in aortic stenosis results primarily from left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis due to chronically elevated left ventricular systolic pressure. Currently, diastolic dysfunction does not have an explicit clinical role in management of patients with aortic stenosis. Studies have shown that improvement in diastolic dysfunction follows left ventricular remodelling after aortic valve replacement and that it occurs gradually or incompletely. Retrospective studies suggest that advanced grades of diastolic dysfunction at baseline are associated with increased mortality and adverse events even after aortic valve replacement. Recent studies have also associated myocardial fibrosis, a hallmark of diastolic dysfunction, with worse outcomes. In addition, these results were independent of the degree of aortic stenosis or valve replacement. Indirect evidence of the role of diastolic dysfunction in aortic stenosis also comes from paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient aortic stenosis, where disproportionate left ventricular hypertrophy leads to underfilling of the left ventricle, low-flow state and is associated with worse prognosis. Lastly, a limited number of studies suggest that worse diastolic dysfunction at baseline is detrimental in patients who develop aortic regurgitation after transcatheteraortic valve replacement, due to superimposition of volume overload on a stiff left ventricle. Current major limitations in our understanding of the prognostic role of diastolic dysfunction are the lack of universally accepted classification schemes, its dependence on dynamic loading conditions and the lack of larger prospective studies.