Risk of mortality following transcatheter aortic valve replacement for low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis

Tricuspid regurgitation: Innovation, current landscape, and future perspective of transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a prevalent cardiovascular disease necessitating innovative treatments. Assessing comorbidities, such as right ventricular dysfunction, is pivotal for the therapeutic strategy. Preprocedural echocardiographic assessments are crucial for achieving optimal TR reduction. Transcatheter interventions have emerged as less invasive therapies. Tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is the predominant technology, proven safe and effective in reducing TR. Additionally, transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement and direct annuloplasty technologies have been developed and recognized as attractive alternatives, each with unique advantages. This review discusses the innovation, current landscape, and future perspective of transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions for treating TR.

Predictive potential of pre-procedural cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers regarding mortality following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common heart valve disease, especially in aging populations. While surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the standard treatment, many patients are ineligible. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offers an alternative, especially for high-risk patients, but is not without complications. Identifying biomarkers that predict post-TAVI mortality is essential for optimizing outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the role of cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers in predicting short-term and mid to long-term mortality following TAVI.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science for studies examining the impact of inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers on mortality following TAVI. Mean differences (MDs) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect model.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies involving 10,560 patients were included, with 1867 in the mortality group. Mortality was significantly associated with higher pre-procedural levels of creatinine (0.41; 95 % CI: [0.35, 0.48]), brain natriuretic peptide (0.58; 95 % CI: [0.43, 0.73]), C-reactive protein (0.55; 95 % CI: [0.45, 0.64]), and white blood cell count (0.18; 95 % CI: [0.06, 0.31]), and lower pre-procedural levels of hemoglobin (-0.49; 95 % CI: [-0.60, -0.38]) and albumin (-0.18; 95 % CI: [-0.24, -0.13]). These associations remained statistically significant in subgroup analyses for both mid to long-term mortality and short-term mortality, except for WBC levels, which were not significantly associated with short-term mortality, and Hb, for which short-term data were insufficient. Platelet count showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the importance of inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers in risk stratification and patient management in TAVI procedures.

Prognostic Impact of the Get-with-the-Guidelines Heart-Failure Risk Score (GWTG-HF) after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Low-Flow-Low-Gradient Aortic Valve Stenosis

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the prognostic value of the get-with-the-guidelines heart-failure risk score (GWTG-HF) on mortality in patients with low-flow-low-gradient aortic valve stenosis (LFLG-AS) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

BACKGROUND

Data on feasibility of TAVI and mortality prediction in the LFLG-AS population are scarce. Clinical risk assessment in this particular population is difficult, and a score has not yet been established for this purpose.

METHODS

A total of 212 heart failure (HF) patients with real LFLG-AS were enrolled. Patients were classified into low-risk (n = 108), intermediate-risk (n = 90) and high-risk (n = 14) groups calculated by the GWTG-HF score. Clinical outcomes of cardiovascular events according to Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2) recommendations and composite endpoint of death and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) were assessed at discharge and 1 year of follow-up.

RESULTS

Baseline parameters of the groups showed a median age of 81.0 years [77.0; 84.0] (79.0 vs. 82.0 vs. 86.0, respectively p < 0.001), median EuroSCORE II of 6.6 [4.3; 10.7] (5.5 vs. 7.2 vs. 9.1, p = 0.004) and median indexed stroke volume of 26.7 mL/m² [22.0; 31.0] (28.2 vs. 25.8 vs. 25.0, p = 0.004). The groups significantly differed at follow-up in terms of all-cause mortality (10.2 vs. 21.1 vs. 28.6%; p < 0.035). There was no difference in intrahospital event rate (VARC). Postprocedural mean gradients were lower in high-risk group (7.0 vs. 7.0 vs. 5.0 mmHg, p = 0.011). No differences in postprocedural aortic valve area (1.9 vs. 1.7 vs. 1.9 cm², p = 0.518) or rate of device failure (5.6 vs. 6.8 vs. 7.7%, p = 0.731) could be observed. After adjustment for known predictors, the GWTG score (HR 1.07 [1.01-1.14], p = 0.030) as well as pacemaker implantation (HR 3.97 [1.34-11.75], p = 0.013) turned out to be possible predictors for mortality. An increase in stroke volume index (SVI) was, in contrast, protective (HR 0.90 [0.83-0.97]; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

The GWTG score may predict mortality after TAVI in LFLG-AS HF patients. Interestingly, all groups showed similar intrahospital event and mortality rates, independent of calculated mortality risk. Low SVI and new conduction disturbances associated with PPI after THV implantation had negative impact on mid-term outcome in post-TAVI HF-patients.

Outcomes and Characteristics of Patients with Intraprocedural Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation during TAVR

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an established alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) for higher risk patients. Periprocedural TAVR complications decreased with a growing expertise of implanters. Yet, TAVR can be accompanied by life-threatening adverse events such as intraprocedural cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study retrospectively analyzed predictors and outcomes in a cohort of patients from a high-volume center undergoing periprocedural CPR during TAVR.

METHODS

A total of 729 patients undergoing TAVR, including 59 with intraprocedural CPR, were analyzed with respect to peri- and postprocedural outcomes.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing CPR showed a significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and lower baseline transvalvular mean and peak pressure gradients. The systolic blood pressure measured directly preoperatively was significantly lower in the CPR cohort. CPR patients were in a higher need for intraprocedural defibrillation, heart-lung circulatory support, and conversion to open heart surgery. Further, they showed a higher incidence of atrioventricular block grade III , valve malpositioning, and pericardial tamponade. The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher after intraprocedural CPR, accompanied by a higher incidence of disabling stroke, new pacemaker implantation, more red blood cell transfusion, and longer stay in intensive care unit.

CONCLUSION

Impaired preoperative LVEF and instable hemodynamics before valve deployment are independent risk factors for CPR and are associated with compromised outcomes. Heart rhythm disturbances, malpositioning of the prosthesis, and pericardial tamponade are main causes of the high mortality of 17% reported in the CPR group. Nevertheless, mechanical circulatory support and conversion to open heart surgery reduce mortality rates of CPR patients.

TAVI in patients with low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis-short-term and long-term outcomes

OBJECTIVES

The study objective was to characterize different groups of low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) aortic stenosis (AS) and determine short-term outcomes and long-term mortality according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 (VARC-3) endpoint definitions.

BACKGROUND

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with LFLG AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are poorly understood.

METHODS

All patients undergoing TAVI at our center between 2013 and 2019 were screened. Patients were divided into three groups according to mean pressure gradient (dPmean), ejection fraction (LVEF), and stroke volume index (SVi): high gradient (HG) AS (dPmean ≥ 40 mmHg), classical LFLG (cLFLG) AS (dPmean < 40 mmHg, LVEF < 50%), and paradoxical LFLG (pLFLG) AS (dPmean < 40 mmHg, LVEF ≥ 50%, SVi ≤ 35 ml/m2).

RESULTS

We included 1776 patients (956 HG, 447 cLFLG, and 373 pLFLG patients). Most baseline characteristics differed significantly. Median Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was highest in cLFLG, followed by pLFLG and HG patients (5.0, 3.9 and 3.0, respectively, p < 0.01). Compared to HG patients, odds ratios for the short-term VARC-3 composite endpoints, technical failure (cLFLG, 0.76 [95% confidence interval, 0.40-1.36], pLFLG, 1.37 [0.79-2.31]) and device failure (cLFLG, 1.06 [0.74-1.49], pLFLG, 0.97 [0.66-1.41]) were similar, without relevant differences within LFLG patients. NYHA classes improved equally in all groups. Compared to HG, LFLG patients had a higher 3-year all-cause mortality (STS score-adjusted hazard ratios, cLFLG 2.16 [1.77-2.64], pLFLG 1.53 [1.22-193]), as well as cardiovascular mortality (cLFLG, 2.88 [2.15-3.84], pLFLG, 2.08 [1.50-2.87]).

CONCLUSIONS

While 3-year mortality remains high after TAVI in LFLG compared to HG patients, symptoms improve in all subsets after TAVI.