Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Using the Repositionable LOTUS Valve

Prognostic Outcome of New-Onset Left Bundle Branch Block After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Aortic Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is a common complication of the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), and its impact on prognosis is controversial.

Methods

A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and The Web of Science), from the date of database establishment till March 2021, to screen for studies on new-onset LBBB after TAVR. We next performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of new-onset LBBB after TAVR on patient prognosis, based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Results

A total of 17 studies, including 9205 patients, were eligible for our analysis. Patients with new-onset LBBB had elevated all-cause mortality risk verses patients without new-onset LBBB, during all follow ups. The relevant data are as follows: 30-day (RR:1.71; 95%CI:1.27–2.29; P < 0.001), 1-year (RR:1.31; 95%CI:1.12–1.52; P < 0.001), and 2-year (RR:1.31; 95%CI:1.09–1.56; P = 0.003) follow ups. Likewise, new-onset LBBB patients also experienced increased cardiovascular mortality, compared to non-new-onset LBBB patients, but only in the 1-year follow up (RR:1.49; 95%CI:1.23–1.82; P < 0.001). Hospitalization for heart failure was dramatically elevated in patients with new-onset LBBB verses non-new-onset LBBB, in all follow ups. The relevant data are as follows: 30-day (RR:1.56; 95%CI:1.13–2.12; P = 0.007), 1-year (RR:1.35; 95%CI:1.08–1.68; P = 0.007), and 2-year (RR:1.49; 95%CI:1.21–1.84; P < 0.001). Similarly, new-onset LBBB patients had higher PPI risk than non-new-onset LBBB patients, in all follow ups. The relevant data are as follows: 30-day (RR:3.05; 95%CI:1.49–6.22; P = 0.002), 1-year (RR:2.15; 95%CI:1.52–3.03; P < 0.001), and 2-year (RR:2.52; 95%CI:1.68–3.78; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with new-onset LBBB have worse prognosis after TAVR than those without new-onset LBBB. Recognition of the adverse effects of post-TAVR new-onset LBBB can lead to the development of new strategies that enhance clinical outcomes.

Systematic Trial Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=197224, identifier: 19722.

The impact of learning-curve-experience on transcatheter aortic valve replacement outcomes: Insights from the United Kingdom and Ireland all-comers second-generation ACURATE neo™ transcatheter aortic heart valve registry

BACKGROUND

The ACURATE neo™ is a novel, second-generation self-expanding supra-annular transcatheter heart valve (THV). The objective of this multi-centre registry is to assess the safety, clinical utility, and impact of 'learning-curve-experience' (LCE) on transcatheter aortic valve replacement outcomes in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland.

METHODS

We prospectively collected data from seven ACURATE neo™ THV implanting centres (n = 484) between February 2016 and November 2020. We compared mortality rates and outcomes in the LCE group (n = 120) compared to next successive 120 cases.

RESULTS

The mean age of the cohort was 81.9(SD: 6.1) years and the majority were in the moderate risk category (EuroSCORE-II):3.3(SD: 3). The 97.5% of cases were performed under local anesthetic. The valve was successfully deployed in 98.8% of cases. The survival rate at 30 days was 97.9%. The incidence of stroke was 2.5%. Life threatening bleeding occurred in 0.6% of cases and vascular access complications occurred in 21 (4.3%) patients. Implantation-related conduction abnormalities occurred in 8.3% but only 5.6% required a PPM. The successful valve deployment occurred in 96% of the patients in the LCE group compared to 100% in the other group (p = 0.04; OR-2[CI 1.7-2.3]). The mortality rates at 30 days (1.7% vs. 1.7%) and 1 year (1.9% vs. 2.7%) were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the largest published UK and Ireland real-world experience of the ACURATE neo™ valve. The procedural success rates and safety outcomes were excellent and endorse its utility in clinical practice. The LCE appears to have an impact on the successful valve deployment but without translating into short-term or long-term outcomes.

Challenges and opportunities in improving left ventricular remodelling and clinical outcome following surgical and trans-catheter aortic valve replacement

Over the last half century, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) has evolved to offer a durable and efficient valve haemodynamically, with low procedural complications that allows favourable remodelling of left ventricular (LV) structure and function. The latter has become more challenging among elderly patients, particularly following trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Precise understanding of myocardial adaptation to pressure and volume overloading and its responses to valve surgery requires comprehensive assessments from aortic valve energy loss, valvular-vascular impedance to myocardial activation, force-velocity relationship, and myocardial strain. LV hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis remains as the structural and morphological focus in this endeavour. Early intervention in asymptomatic aortic stenosis or regurgitation along with individualised management of hypertension and atrial fibrillation is likely to improve patient outcome. Physiological pacing via the His-Purkinje system for conduction abnormalities, further reduction in para-valvular aortic regurgitation along with therapy of angiotensin receptor blockade will improve patient outcome by facilitating hypertrophy regression, LV coordinate contraction, and global vascular function. TAVI leaflet thromboses require anticoagulation while impaired access to coronary ostia risks future TAVI-in-TAVI or coronary interventions. Until comparable long-term durability and the resolution of TAVI related complications become available, SAVR remains the first choice for lower risk younger patients.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with Lotus and Sapien 3 prosthetic valves: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Frequent occurrence of paravalvular leak (PVL) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was the main concern with early-generation devices and focused technological improvements. Current systematic review and meta-analysis sought to compare outcomes of TAVR for severe native valve stenosis with next-generation devices: Lotus and Sapien 3.

Methods

Electronic databases were screened for studies comparing outcomes of TAVR with Lotus and Sapien 3. In a random-effects meta-analysis, the pooled incidence rates of procedural, clinical and functional outcomes according to VARC-2 definitions were assessed.

Results

Eleven observational studies including 2,836 patients (Lotus N=862 vs. Sapien 3 N=1,974) met inclusion criteria. No differences were observed regarding composite endpoints—device success and early safety. Similarly, 30-day mortality, major vascular complications, acute kidney injury and serious bleeding events were similar with both devices. Lotus valve demonstrated 35% reduction of the risk for mild PVL: risk ratio (RR) 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49–0.85, P=0.002; but there were no statistical differences with regard to moderate/severe PVL (RR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.18–1.77, P=0.320). Lotus valves produced significantly higher mean transaortic gradients: mean difference (MD) 0.88 mmHg, 95% CI, 0.24–1.53 mmHg, P=0.007; however, without translation into higher rate of prosthesis-patient mismatch (RR 1.10, 95% CI: 0.82–1.47, P=0.540). As compared to Sapien 3, Lotus device placement was associated with significantly higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation (RR 2.30, 95% CI: 1.95–2.71, P<0.00001) and cerebrovascular events (RR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.03–2.99, P=0.040).

Conclusions

Lotus valve, as compared with Sapien 3, was associated with lower risk for PVL but higher risk for permanent pacemaker implantation and cerebrovascular events.

Network Analysis of Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Stenotic Bicuspid Aortic Valves According to Valve Type

BACKGROUND

It is currently unknown if outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) differ according to the prosthetic valve deployed in patients with bicuspid aortic valves (BAV).

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated valve-specific outcomes post-TAVR in patients with BAV.

METHODS

Literature search was performed using the Cochrane databases, PubMed, ClinicalTrials, SCOPUS and EMBASE databases from inception until July 2018. We computed risk ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for all outcomes of interest. For each outcome, the data were pooled using a multivariate random-effects meta-analysis including multiple treatment as well as direct and indirect comparisons.

RESULTS

Ten studies enrolling a total of 1547 BAV patients undergoing TAVR using 6 different prosthetic valve types were analyzed. There were no significant differences in 30-day all-cause mortality, life-threatening bleeding and device success among the diverse prosthetic valve types implanted. However, 2nd generation balloon-expandable valves had consistently lower risk of moderate-to-severe prosthetic valve regurgitation.

CONCLUSION

In patients with BAV, there were no significant differences in 30-day all-cause mortality after TAVR among the various prosthetic valve types.

Comparative analysis of balloon- versus mechanically-expandable transcatheter heart valves considering landing zone calcification

BACKGROUND

The balloon-expandable Sapien 3 (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA) and the mechanically-expandable Lotus valve (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) are established devices for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. We sought to compare both transcatheter heart valves (THV) under consideration of the extent of THV landing zone calcification.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis includes consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis treated with Sapien 3 (S3; n=212) or Lotus (n=61) THV via transfemoral access. Outcome was assessed according to VARC II definitions. Rate of paravalvular leakage (PVL), periprocedural stroke, and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) was adjusted for THV landing zone calcification as calculated by multi-slice computed tomography.

RESULTS

There was no difference in preoperative risk (all results as follows S3 vs. Lotus: STS-PROM 5.9±5.6% vs. 4.8±2.6%, p=0.14), rate of device success (95.3% vs. 95.1%, p=0.67), 30-day mortality (1.9% vs. 4.9%, p=0.16), periprocedural stroke (1.4% vs. 4.9%, p=0.27), and major access site complications (9.4% vs. 9.8%, p=0.93). PPI was more frequent (19.4% vs. 34.4%, p=0.01) and significant PVL was less frequent (≥mild PVL: 17.6% vs. 3.7%, p=0.04) after Lotus implantation. No association was found between landing zone calcification and periprocedural stroke rate (OR 1.19, 95%CI 0.92-1.54, p=0.17) or need for PPI (OR 1.04, 95%CI 0.91-1.18, p=0.57). The extent of landing zone calcification was associated with risk for PVL ≥mild (OR 1.21, 95%CI 1.03-1.42, p=0.02). After adjusting for landing zone calcification risk for PVL ≥mild was lower with the Lotus valve (OR 0.15, 95%CI 0.02-0.54, p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Both THVs yield comparable procedural and clinical outcomes except for a higher PPI rate with the Lotus valve, which is independent from the extent of landing zone calcification. The extent of landing zone calcification is associated with an increased risk for PVL for both THV, but is significantly reduced with the Lotus valve.

Early versus newer generation devices for transcatheter aortic valve implantation in routine clinical practice: a propensity score matched analysis

Aim

Contemporary data comparing early versus newer generation transcatheter heart valve (THV) devices in routine clinical practice are lacking. We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of early versus newer generation THVs in unselected patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods and results

We performed a propensity score matched analysis of patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI at a single centre with early versus newer generation devices between 2007 and 2016. Patients were matched for balloon-expandable versus self-expandable valves and Society of Thoracic Surgeons score. The primary end point was the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 early safety composite end point at 30 days. Among the 391 matched pairs, no differences between early (21.2%) and newer generation (20.8%) THVs regarding the early safety composite end point (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.33, P=0.88) were observed. The rates of valve embolisation (0.8% vs 4.2%, P=0.005), bleeding events (24.8% vs 32.0%, P=0.028) and moderate-to-severe paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) (3.1% vs 12.1%, P<0.001) were lower among patients receiving newer generation devices. Conversely, patients treated with early generation THVs less frequently experienced annulus rupture (0% vs 2.0%, P=0.008).

Conclusion

Newer compared with early generation THV devices were associated with a lower rate of valve embolisation, PVR and bleeding events.

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.

Initial Experience of a Second-Generation Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve: The UK & Ireland Evolut R Implanters' Registry

OBJECTIVES

The authors present the UK and Irish real-world learning curve experience of the Evolut R transcatheter heart valve.

BACKGROUND

The Evolut R is a self-expanding, repositionable, and fully recapturable second-generation transcatheter heart valve with several novel design features to improve outcomes and reduce complications.

METHODS

Clinical, procedural, and 30-day outcome data were prospectively collected for the first 264 patients to receive the Evolut R valve in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

RESULTS

A total of 264 consecutive Evolut R implantations were performed across 9 centers. The mean age was 81.1 ± 7.8 years, and the mean logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score was 19.9 ± 13.7%. Procedural indications included aortic stenosis (72.0%), mixed aortic valve disease (17.4%), and failing aortic valve bioprostheses (10.6%). Conscious sedation was used in 39.8% of patients and transfemoral access in 93.6%. The procedural success rate was 91.3%, and paravalvular leak immediately after implantation was mild or less in 92.3%. Major complications were rare: cardiac tamponade in 0.4%, conversion to sternotomy in 0.8%, annular rupture in 0.0%, coronary occlusion in 0.8%, major vascular in 5.3%, acute kidney injury in 6.1%, new permanent pacemaker implantation in 14.7%, and procedure-related death in 0.0%. At 30-day follow-up, survival was 97.7%, paravalvular leak was mild or less in 92.3%, and the stroke rate was 3.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

This registry represents the largest published real-world experience of the Evolut R valve. The procedural success rate was high and safety was excellent, comparable with previous studies of the Evolut R valve and other second-generation devices. The low rate of complications represents an improvement on first-generation devices.

A comparison of the fully repositionable and retrievable Boston Lotus and direct flow medical valves for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis: A single center experience

BACKGROUND

Second generation transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) devices have been designed to reduce the rate of paravalvular leak (PVL) and other complications. An important technological advancement has been the ability to fully reposition devices to facilitate optimal implantation depth and position to reduce the likelihood of PVL.

OBJECTIVES

To compare procedural and 30-day outcomes according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 criteria following TAVI with the fully repositionable and retrievable Lotus and DFM devices.

METHODS AND RESULTS

175 patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent transfemoral TAVI with the Lotus (n = 60) and DFM (n = 115) valve. Baseline clinical characteristics did not differ between the two groups. All devices were successfully implanted, with one case of valve embolization in the Lotus group. Device success (95 vs. 98.2%, P = 0.89), VARC-defined combined safety (90 vs. 93%, P = 0.48), and clinical efficacy (86.7 vs. 90.4%, P = 0.65) rates at 30-days were similar between Lotus and DFM groups. There was no severe PVL; one patient in both Lotus and DFM group developed moderate PVL after the procedure. The Lotus valve was associated with a higher rate of new pacemaker implantation (37.3 vs. 11.2%, P < 0.001) and a lower mean aortic gradient (9.4 ± 5 vs. 12.3 ± 5, P < 0.001) at 30-days as compared with the DFM valve.

CONCLUSIONS

In this single-center, retrospective analysis, both Lotus and DFM devices demonstrated excellent device success, safety and efficacy at 30-day follow-up. The DFM valve was associated with minimally higher transvalvular gradients but lower new pacemaker implantation rates when compared to the Lotus valve.

Conduction Disturbances After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a well-accepted option for treating patients with aortic stenosis at intermediate to high or prohibitive surgical risk. TAVR-related conduction disturbances, mainly new-onset left bundle-branch block and advanced atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation, remain the most common complication of this procedure. Furthermore, improvements in TAVR technology, akin to the increasing experience of operators/centers, have translated to a major reduction in periprocedural complications, yet the incidence of conduction disturbances has remained relatively high, with perhaps an increasing trend over time. Several factors have been associated with a heightened risk of conduction disturbances and permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVR, with prior right bundle-branch block and transcatheter valve type and implantation depth being the most commonly reported. New-onset left bundle-branch block and the need for permanent pacemaker implantation may have a significant detrimental association with patients’ prognosis. Consequently, strategies intended to reduce the risk and to improve the management of such complications are of paramount importance, particularly in an era when TAVR expansion toward treating lower-risk patients is considered inevitable. In this article, we review the available evidence on the incidence, predictive factors, and clinical association of conduction disturbances after TAVR and propose a strategy for the management of these complications.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with new-generation devices: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to conduct a weighted meta-analysis to determine the rates of acute (≤30days) major outcomes after (TAVR) with second-generation devices.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases from January 2011 to May 2017 was conducted using predefined criteria. New-generation TAVR devices were defined as any device which received CE mark approval or is still under evaluation for CE marking after CoreValve and SAPIEN XT prostheses.

RESULTS

A total of 37 studies including 10,822 patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Devices investigated in the studies were the following: SAPIEN 3 (n=5423, 45.9%), Lotus Valve (n=3007, %), Portico (n=130, 1.1%), JenaValve (n=345, 2.9%), Symetis Acurate (n=1314, 11,1%), and Evolut R (n=1603, 13.6%). Thirty-day all-cause and cardiovascular 30-day death were 2.2% (95% CI: 1.6% to 2.8%) and 1.6% (95% CI: 0.9% to 2.3%), respectively; Any stroke and major/disabling stroke occurred at a pooled estimate rate of 2.6% (95% CI: 2.0% to 3.3%) and 0.9% (95% CI: 0.2% to 1.6%), respectively; life-threatening bleeding, 3.9% (95% CI: 2.9% to 5.0%); major vascular complications, 4.5% (95% CI: 3.7% to 5.4%); pacemaker implantation, 16.2% (95% CI: 12.7% to 19.6%); more than mild aortic regurgitation, 1.6% (95% CI: 0.9 to 2.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Second-generation TAVR devices are associated with very low mortality and major complications rates at 30-day, and improved prosthesis performance with <2% of patients having more than mild post-procedural aortic regurgitation. On the other hand, the need for pacemaker implantation seems to remain an unresolved issue, and warrants further investigation.

Repositionable self-expanding aortic bioprosthesis

INTRODUCTION

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI or TAVR) has been established as a first line therapy in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) at high or prohibitive surgical risk and as an alternative in elderly patients with intermediate surgical risk. Since its first-in-human procedure in 2002, the past 15-years have shown rapid developments in TAVI technology with the introduction and further improvement of new transcatheter heart valves (THV). Areas covered: There are currently several THV systems available, based on balloon-expandable, self-expandable or other technologies. Some of these are repositionable and retrievable even after partial or full deployment, potentially reducing the risk of malpositioning. The aim of this review is to describe such repositionable self-expandable THV systems. Expert commentary: Repositionability potentially represents a crucial step towards higher safety and efficacy of TAVI. It is unclear if full self-expandability or a combination of self and mechanical expansion will be more advantageous.

Outcome With the Repositionable and Retrievable Boston Scientific Lotus Valve Compared With the Balloon-Expandable Edwards Sapien 3 Valve in Patients Undergoing Transfemoral Aortic Valve Replacement

Background—

New generation devices for transfemoral aortic valve replacement were optimized on valve positioning and reduction of residual aortic regurgitation. We compared 30-day, 12-month, and 24-month outcomes of the Boston Scientific Lotus valve (Lotus) and the balloon-expandable Edwards Sapien 3 (ES3) valve. Primary end point was all-cause mortality or disabling stroke within 12 months.

Methods and Results—

Between 2014 and 2016, 537 patients were enrolled at our center, and 202 patients received Lotus and 335 ES3. There was no residual moderate or severe aortic regurgitation. Rate of mild aortic regurgitation was lower with the repositionable and retrievable Lotus valve compared with the ES3. Rate of pacemaker implantation was significantly higher with the Lotus valve compared with the ES3 valve (36.1% versus 14.9%, P <0.01). Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 early safety end point at 30 days was 7.4% with both devices with no difference in all-cause mortality (Lotus, 1.9%; ES3, 1.8%; P =0.87), rate of disabling stroke (Lotus, 1.5%; ES3, 2.1%; P =0.62), or major vascular complications (Lotus, 2.9%; ES3, 2.4%; P =0.69). The primary end point at 12 months was similar between groups. In a propensity score–matched comparison, there was no difference in the primary end point within 12 months (Lotus, 15.5%; ES3, 18.6%; P =0.69) and 24 months (Lotus, 21.9%; ES3, 26.4%; P =0.49).

Conclusions—

Transfemoral aortic valve replacement with the ES3 and the Lotus were associated with similar 30-day, 12-month, and 24-month clinical outcomes. Need for permanent pacemaker implantation was significantly higher with the repositionable Lotus device.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02162069.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: The year in review 2016

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) continued to make major strides in 2016, simultaneously expanding its application to lower risk patients as well as more technically challenging subsets of patients with aortic stenosis (AS). The two major accomplishments this year were the establishment of TAVR as the preferred treatment strategy over surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in intermediate risk patients, and initial signals that TAVR and SAVR may be clinically equivalent in low-risk populations. Meanwhile, there is continued expansion of TAVR to challenging clinical subsets (bicuspid aortic valve [BAV], patients with concomitant advanced coronary artery disease [CAD], and failed surgical bioprostheses), and encouraging initial experiences with newer transcatheter heart valve systems. This paper summarizes the major research studies published on TAVR in 2016.

Repositionable Versus Balloon-Expandable Devices for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Aortic Stenosis

Background

The safety and effectiveness of the fully repositionable LOTUS valve system as compared with the balloon‐expandable Edwards SAPIEN 3 prosthesis for the treatment of aortic stenosis has not been evaluated to date.

Methods and Results

All patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the Edwards SAPIEN 3 or the LOTUS valve system were included into the Swiss Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Registry. An adjusted analysis was performed to compare the early clinical safety outcome according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium‐2 definition. Between February 2014 and September 2015, 140 and 815 patients were treated with the LOTUS and the Edwards SAPIEN 3 valve, respectively. There was no difference in crude and adjusted analyses of the early safety outcome between patients treated with LOTUS (14.3%) and those treated with Edwards SAPIEN 3 (14.6%) (crude hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.61–1.56 [P=0.915]; adjusted hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.64–1.67 [P=0.909]). More than mild aortic regurgitation was <2% for both devices. A total of 34.3% of patients treated with LOTUS and 14.1% of patients treated with Edwards SAPIEN 3 required a permanent pacemaker (HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.97–3.87 [P<0.001]).

Conclusions

The repositionable LOTUS valve system and the balloon‐expandable Edwards SAPIEN 3 prosthesis appeared comparable in regard to the Valve Academic Research Consortium‐2 early safety outcome, and the rates of more than mild aortic regurgitation were exceedingly low for both devices. The need for new permanent pacemaker implantation was more frequent among patients treated with the LOTUS valve.

Conduction disturbances after transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures - predictors and management

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a safe and efficient alternative to cardiac surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis. In many countries the number of performed TAVI procedures equals the number of surgical implantations. Indications for TAVI are becoming more liberal, allowing a wider spectrum of patients to benefit from the advantages of transcatheter therapy. Due to its invasive nature, TAVI is associated with some complications such as conduction disturbances. Although these disturbances are usually not lethal, they have a great influence on patients’ state and long term-survival. The most relevant and common are His’ bundle branch blocks, atrioventricular blocks, and need for permanent pacemaker implantation. With the frequency at 10% to even 50%, conduction abnormalities are among the most important TAVI-related adverse events. Risk factors for conduction disturbances include age, anatomy of the heart, periprocedural factors, type of implanted valve, and comorbidities. Severity of occurring complications varies; therefore selection of a proper treatment approach is required. Considered as the most effective management, permanent pacemaker implantation turned out to negatively influence both recovery and survival. Moreover, there is no expert consensus on use of resynchronization therapy after TAVI. In this paper, the authors present a comprehensive analysis of the most common conduction disturbances accompanying TAVI, factors related to their occurrence, and treatment approach.