Cardiac Rehabilitation for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

TAVR in Older Adults: Moving Toward a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Away From Chronological Age: JACC Family Series

Calcific aortic stenosis can be considered a model for geriatric cardiovascular conditions due to a confluence of factors. The remarkable technological development of transcatheter aortic valve replacement was studied initially on older adult populations with prohibitive or high-risk for surgical valve replacement. Through these trials, the cardiovascular community has recognized that stratification of these chronologically older adults can be improved incrementally by invoking the concept of frailty and other geriatric risks. Given the complexity of the aging process, stratification by chronological age should only be the initial step but is no longer sufficient to optimally quantify cardiovascular and noncardiovascular risk. In this review, we employ a geriatric cardiology lens to focus on the diagnosis and the comprehensive management of aortic stenosis in older adults to enhance shared decision-making with patients and their families and optimize patient-centered outcomes. Finally, we highlight knowledge gaps that are critical for future areas of study.

Efficacy of exercise training-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The beneficial effects of exercise training-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in different cardiac conditions have been previously studied. In this meta-analysis, we focused on the potential impact of CR on patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods

Multiple databases were searched in a systematic approach to find the eligible studies. All the studies investigating the potential impact of exercise training-based CR programmes on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in patients undergoing TAVI were retrieved. The primary endpoint of interest was 6-min walk test (6MWT). The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were measured to compare the improvement or worsening the endpoints using a random- or fixed-effects model, as appropriate.

Results

A total of eleven studies (685 patients) were considered eligible for quantitative synthesis. The results showed that performing exercise training-based CR after TAVI is associated with significant improvement in 6MWT (SMD 0.59, 95 % CI (0.48; 0.71), p < 0.01), Barthel index (SMD 0.73, 95 % CI (0.57; 0.89), p < 0.01), 12-item Short Form (SF-12) physical (SMD 0.30, 95 % CI (0.08; 0.52), p < 0.01) and mental (SMD 0.27, 95 % CI (0.05; 0.49), p = 0.02) survey scores, and hospital anxiety and depression scale - depression (HADS-D) score (SMD -0.26, 95 % CI (-0.42; -0.10), p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Performing exercise training-based CR following TAVI has significant benefits regarding physical capacity and health-related quality of life irrespective of the programme duration.

Cardiac Rehabilitation After TAVI -A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Despite the increasing popularity of Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with high surgical risk, there is no current guideline for the management of patients following the intervention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarize and analyse all clinical data and evidence regarding the effectiveness and outcomes of CR following TAVI. The first meta-analysis measured the walked distance in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and the second meta-analysis included studies that showed the Barthel Index (BI) before and after CR. The mean distance walked prior to CR was 235.88 ± 69.36 m increased to 292.12 ± 54.92 m after rehabilitation, signifying a moderate clinically relevant effect size (0.593 (0.42, 0.76); P=0.00). The mean BI score before CR was 76.6 ± 11.5 which increased to 89.8 ± 5.5 after the programme and similarly demonstrated a significant standardized mean improvement (0.75 (0.57, 0.93); I= 0.00). Exercise-based CR in patients with aortic stenosis treated with TAVI demonstrated a significant improvement in exercise tolerance and functional independence shown by the 6MWT and BI.

A new integrative approach to assess aortic stenosis burden and predict objective functional improvement after TAVR

Background

A non-negligible rate of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) do not report symptomatic improvement or even die in the short-midterm. We sought to assess the degree of objective functional recovery after TAVR and its prognostic implications and to develop a predictive model.

Methods

In a cohort of patients undergoing TAVR, a prospective evaluation of clinical, anatomical, and physiological parameters was conducted before and after the procedure. These parameters were derived from echocardiography, non-invasive analysis of arterial pulse waves, and cardiac tomography. Objective functional improvement 6 months after TAVR was assessed using a 6-min walk test and nitro-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. The derived predictive model was prospectively validated in a different cohort. A clinical follow-up was conducted at 2 years.

Results

Among the 212 patients included, objective functional improvement was observed in 169 patients (80%) and subjective improvement in 187 (88%). Patients with objective functional improvement showed a much lower death rate at 2 years (9% vs. 31% p = 0.0002). Independent predictors of improvement were as follows: mean aortic gradient of ≥40 mmHg, augmentation index₇₅ of ≥45%, the posterior wall thickness of ≤12 mm, and absence of atrial fibrillation. A simple integer-based point score was developed (GAPA score), which showed an area under the curve of 0.81 for the overall cohort and 0.78 for the low-gradient subgroup. In a validation cohort of 216 patients, these values were 0.75 and 0.76, respectively.

Conclusion

A total of 80% of patients experienced objective functional improvement after TAVR, showing a significantly lower 2-year mortality rate. A predictive score was built that showed a good discriminative performance in overall and low-gradient populations.

Resistance Training in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Failure, and Valvular Heart Disease: A REVIEW WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON OLD AGE, FRAILTY, AND PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS

PURPOSE

Current guidelines recommend individually adapted resistance training (RT) as a part of the exercise regime in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this review was to provide insights into current knowledge and understanding of how useful, feasible, safe, and effective RT is in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF), and valvular heart disease (VHD), with particular emphasis on the role of RT in elderly and/or frail patients.

REVIEW METHODS

A review based on an intensive literature search: systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in 2010 or later; recent studies not integrated into meta-analyses or systematic reviews; additional manual searches.

SUMMARY

The results highlight the evaluation of effects and safety of RT in patients with CAD and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in numerous meta-analyses. In contrast, few studies have focused on RT in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or VHD. Furthermore, few studies have addressed the feasibility and impact of RT in elderly cardiac patients, and data on the efficacy and safety of RT in frail elderly patients are limited. The review results underscore the high prevalence of age-related sarcopenia, disease-related skeletal muscle deconditioning, physical limitations, and frailty in older patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). They underline the need for individually tailored exercise concepts, including RT, aimed at improving functional status, mobility, physical performance and muscle strength in older patients. Furthermore, the importance of the use of assessment tools to diagnose frailty, mobility/functional capacity, and physical performance in the elderly admitted to cardiac rehabilitation is emphasized.

Cardiac rehabilitation for older adults: current evidence and future potential

INTRODUCTION

Growth of the older adult demographic has resulted in an increased number of older patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in combination with comorbid diseases and geriatric syndromes. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is utilized to promote recovery and improve outcomes, but remains underutilized, particularly by older adults. CR provides an opportunity to address the distinctive needs of older adults, with focus on CVD as well as geriatric domains that often dominate management and outcomes.

AREAS COVERED

Utility of CR for CVD in older adults as well as pertinent geriatric syndromes (e.g. multimorbidity, frailty, polypharmacy, cognitive decline, psychosocial stress, and diminished function) that affect CVD management.

EXPERT OPINION

Mounting data substantiate the importance of CR as part of recovery for older adults with CVD. The application of CR as a standard therapy is especially important as the combination of CVD and geriatric syndromes catalyzes functional decline and can trigger progressive clinical deterioration and dependency. While benefits of CR for older adults with CVD are already evident, further reengineering of CR is necessary to better address the needs of older candidates who may be frail, especially as remote and hybrid formats of CR are becoming more widespread.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in German Speaking Countries of Europe-Evidence-Based Guidelines from Germany, Austria and Switzerland LLKardReha-DACH-Part 2

Background: Scientific guidelines have been developed to update and harmonize exercise based cardiac rehabilitation (ebCR) in German speaking countries. Key recommendations for ebCR indications have recently been published in part 1 of this journal. The present part 2 updates the evidence with respect to contents and delivery of ebCR in clinical practice, focusing on exercise training (ET), psychological interventions (PI), patient education (PE). In addition, special patients’ groups and new developments, such as telemedical (Tele) or home-based ebCR, are discussed as well. Methods: Generation of evidence and search of literature have been described in part 1. Results: Well documented evidence confirms the prognostic significance of ET in patients with coronary artery disease. Positive clinical effects of ET are described in patients with congestive heart failure, heart valve surgery or intervention, adults with congenital heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Specific recommendations for risk stratification and adequate exercise prescription for continuous-, interval-, and strength training are given in detail. PI when added to ebCR did not show significant positive effects in general. There was a positive trend towards reduction in depressive symptoms for “distress management” and “lifestyle changes”. PE is able to increase patients’ knowledge and motivation, as well as behavior changes, regarding physical activity, dietary habits, and smoking cessation. The evidence for distinct ebCR programs in special patients’ groups is less clear. Studies on Tele-CR predominantly included low-risk patients. Hence, it is questionable, whether clinical results derived from studies in conventional ebCR may be transferred to Tele-CR. Conclusions: ET is the cornerstone of ebCR. Additional PI should be included, adjusted to the needs of the individual patient. PE is able to promote patients self-management, empowerment, and motivation. Diversity-sensitive structures should be established to interact with the needs of special patient groups and gender issues. Tele-CR should be further investigated as a valuable tool to implement ebCR more widely and effectively.

Discharge Location and Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The relation between discharge location and outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is largely unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of discharge location on clinical outcomes after TAVI. Between August 2007 and December 2018, consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI at Bern University Hospital were grouped according to discharge location. Clinical adverse events were adjudicated according to VARC-2 end point definitions. Of 1,902 eligible patients, 520 (27.3%) were discharged home, 945 (49.7%) were discharged to a rehabilitation clinic and 437 (23.0%) were transferred to another institution. Compared with patients discharged to a rehabilitation facility or another institution, patients discharged home were younger (80.8 ± 6.5 vs 82.9 ± 5.4 and 82.8 ± 6.4 years), less likely female (37.3% vs 59.7% and 54.2%), and at lower risk according to STS-PROM (4.5 ± 3.0% vs 5.5 ± 3.8% and 6.6 ± 4.4%). At 1 year follow-up, patients discharged home had similar rates of all-cause mortality (HR_adj 0.82; 95% CI 0.54 to 1.24), cerebrovascular events (HR_adj 1.04; 95% CI 0.52 to 2.08) and bleeding complications (HR_adj 0.93; 95% CI 0.61 to 1.41) compared with patients discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Patients discharged home or to rehabilitation were at lower risk for death (HR_adj 0.37; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.56 and HR_adj 0.44; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.60) and bleeding (HR_adj 0.48; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.76 and HR_adj 0.66; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.96) during the first year after hospital discharge compared with patients transferred to another institution. In conclusion, discharge location is associated with outcomes after TAVI with patients discharged home or to a rehabilitation facility having better clinical outcomes than patients transferred to another institution. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. NCT01368250.

The impact of additional resistance and balance training in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in older patients after valve surgery or intervention: randomized control trial

Background

To evaluate the short- and mid-term effect of a specially tailored resistance and balance training provided in addition to usual cardiac rehabilitation (CR) care program in older patients after valve surgery/intervention.

Methods

Single-center (inpatient CR clinic in Lithuania) randomized controlled trial. Two hundred fifty-two patients were assessed for eligibility on the first day of admittance to CR early after (14.5 ± 5.9 days) valve surgery/intervention between January 2018 and November 2019. Participants were coded centrally in accordance with randomization 1:1 using a computerized list. Control group (CG) patients were provided with usual care phase-II-CR inpatient multidisciplinary CR program, while intervention group (IG) patients received additional resistance and balance training (3 d/wk). Patients participated in a 3-month follow-up. Main outcome measures were functional capacity (6 min walk test (6MWT, meters), cardiopulmonary exercise testing), physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB, score) and 5-m walk test (5MWT, meters/second)), strength (one repetition maximum test for leg press), physical frailty (SPPB, 5MWT).

Results

One hundred sixteen patients (76.1 ± 6.7 years, 50% male) who fulfilled the study inclusion criteria were randomized to IG (n = 60) or CG (n = 56) and participated in CR (18.6 ± 2.7 days). As a result, 6MWT (IG 247 ± 94.1 vs. 348 ± 100.1, CG 232 ± 102.8 vs. 333 ± 120.7), SPPB (IG 8.31 ± 2.21 vs. 9.51 ± 2.24, CG 7.95 ± 2.01 vs. 9.08 ± 2.35), 5MWT (IG 0.847 ± 0.31 vs. 0.965 ± 0.3, CG 0.765 ± 0.24 vs 0.879 ± 0.29) all other outcome variables and physical frailty level improved significantly (p < 0.05) in both groups with no significant difference between groups. Improvements were sustained over the 3-month follow-up for 6MWT (IG 348 ± 113 vs. CG 332 ± 147.4), SPPB (IG 10.37 ± 1.59 vs CG 9.44 ± 2.34), 5MWT (IG 1.086 ± 0. 307 vs CG 1.123 ± 0.539) and other variables. Improvement in physical frailty level was significantly more pronounced in IG (p < 0.05) after the 3-month follow-up.

Conclusion

Exercise-based CR improves functional and exercise capacity, physical performance, and muscular strength, and reduces physical frailty levels in patients after valve surgery/intervention in the short and medium terms. SPPB score and 5MWT were useful for physical frailty assessment, screening and evaluation of outcomes in a CR setting. Additional benefit from the resistance and balance training could not be confirmed.

Trial registration

NCT04234087, retrospectively registered 21 January 2020.

Cell-Type Transcriptome Atlas of Human Aortic Valves Reveal Cell Heterogeneity and Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition Involved in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease

OBJECTIVE

Leaflet thickening, fibrosis, and hardening are early pathological features of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). An inadequate understanding of the resident aortic valve cells involved in the pathological process may compromise the development of therapeutic strategies. We aim to construct a pattern of the human aortic valve cell atlas in healthy and CAVD clinical specimens, providing insight into the cellular origins of CAVD and the complex cytopathological differentiation process. Approach and Results: We used unbiased single-cell RNA sequencing for the high-throughput evaluation of cell heterogeneity in 34 632 cells isolated from 6 different human aortic valve leaflets. Cellular experiments, in situ localization, and bulk sequencing were performed to verify the differences between normal, healthy valves and those with CAVD. By comparing healthy and CAVD specimens, we identified 14 cell subtypes, including 3 heterogeneous subpopulations of resident valve interstitial cells, 3 types of immune-derived cells, 2 types of valve endothelial cells, and 6 novel valve-derived stromal cells found particularly in CAVD leaflets. Combining additional verification experiments with single-cell transcriptome profiling provided evidence of endothelial to mesenchymal transition involved in lesion thickening of the aortic valve leaflet.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings deconstructed the aortic valve cell atlas and suggested novel functional interactions among resident cell subpopulations. Our findings may provide insight into future targeted therapies to prevent CAVD.

Secondary prevention through comprehensive cardiovascular rehabilitation: From knowledge to implementation. 2020 update. A position paper from the Secondary Prevention and Rehabilitation Section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology

Secondary prevention through comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation has been recognized as the most cost-effective intervention to ensure favourable outcomes across a wide spectrum of cardiovascular disease, reducing cardiovascular mortality, morbidity and disability, and to increase quality of life. The delivery of a comprehensive and 'modern' cardiac rehabilitation programme is mandatory both in the residential and the out-patient setting to ensure expected outcomes. The present position paper aims to update the practical recommendations on the core components and goals of cardiac rehabilitation intervention in different cardiovascular conditions, in order to assist the whole cardiac rehabilitation staff in the design and development of the programmes, and to support healthcare providers, insurers, policy makers and patients in the recognition of the positive nature of cardiac rehabilitation. Starting from the previous position paper published in 2010, this updated document maintains a disease-oriented approach, presenting both well-established and more controversial aspects. Particularly for implementation of the exercise programme, advances in different training modalities were added and new challenging populations were considered. A general table applicable to all cardiovascular conditions and specific tables for each clinical condition have been created for routine practice.