Conceiving MitraClip as a tool: percutaneous edge-to-edge repair in complex mitral valve anatomies

Effectiveness of a new 3D printed simulator for mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair in enhancing the confidence and procedural skills of the operator

BACKGROUND

. Mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (m-TEER) is a minimally invasive procedure for treating mitral regurgitation (MR). m-TEER is a highly technical procedure, and a steep learning curve needs to be overcome for operators to ensure optimal patient outcomes and minimise procedural complications. Training via online simulation and observation of procedures is not sufficient to establish operator confidence; thus, advanced hands-on training modalities need to be explored and developed.

METHODS

. In this study, a novel anatomical simulator for m-TEER training was evaluated in comparison to a standard model. The proposed simulator resembled the anatomical features of the right and left atrium, left ventricle and mitral valve apparatus. Participants in the questionnaire (n = 18) were recruited across 4 centres in London with (n = 8) and without (n = 10) prior experience in m-TEER. Participants were asked to simulate procedures on both an idealised, routinely used simulator and the newly proposed anatomical model. The questionnaire was designed to assess (i) participants' confidence before and after training and (ii) the realism of the model in the context of the m-TEER procedure. The results of the questionnaires were collected, and statistical analysis (t-test) was performed.

RESULTS

. Both models were equally beneficial in increasing operator confidence before and after the simulation of the intervention (P = 0.43). However, increased confidence after training with the anatomical model was recorded (P = 0.02). Participants with prior experience with m-TEER therapy were significantly more confident about the procedure after training with the anatomical model than participants who had no prior experience (P = 0.002). On average, all participants thought that the anatomical model was effective as a training simulator (P = 0.013) and should be integrated into routine training (P = 0.015)). Participants with experience thought that the anatomical model was more effective at reproducing the m-TEER procedure than the idealised model (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

. This study showed how a more realistic simulator can be used to improve the effectiveness of m-TEER procedural training. Such pilot results suggest planning future and large investigations to evaluate improvements in clinical practice.

2023 Korean Society of Echocardiography position paper for the diagnosis and management of valvular heart disease, part II: mitral and tricuspid valve disease

This manuscript represents the official position of the Korean Society of Echocardiography on valvular heart diseases. This position paper focuses on the diagnosis and management of valvular heart diseases with referring to the guidelines recently published by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology. The committee sought to reflect national data on the topic of valvular heart diseases published to date through a systematic literature search based on validity and relevance. In the part II of this article, we intend to present recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of mitral valve disease and tricuspid valve disease.

Effects of tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair on tricuspid annulus diameter - Data from the TriValve registry

AIMS

T-TEER is an effective therapy for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, the effects of leaflets clipping on tricuspid valve annulus (TA) have not been investigated in detail. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) on TA diameter.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The TriValve registry (Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies, NCT03416166) collected 556 patients from 22 European and North American centres undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions from 2016 to 2022. Patients undergoing T-TEER with available pre- and post-procedural data on TA diameter measured in the apical 4-chamber view on transthoracic echocardiography were selected for this study. Primary end-point was the reduction of TA diameter after T-TEER. A total of 186 patients were included in the study. In 115 patients (62%) TA diameter was reduced by at least 1 mm as compared to baseline. A significant reduction of TA dimension was observed following T-TEER (mean 2.3 mm [from pre-procedural diameter 46.7 mm to post-procedural diameter 44.4 mm], p < 0.001). In particular, the greatest reduction was observed in those with T-TEER in antero-septal commissure (mean 2.7 mm [from 47.1 mm to 44.4 mm], p < 0.001) as compared to those combining both antero-septal and postero-septal commissures (mean 1.4, from 46.0 mm to 44.6 mm, P = 0.06). A significant reduction of TA dimension was recorded in patients with 1 or 2 clips implanted but not in those patients with ≥3 clips implanted.

CONCLUSIONS

In almost two third of patients T-TEER reduces TA diameter in addition to leaflet approximation.

CONDENSED ABSTRACT

The effects of tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) on tricuspid valve annulus (TA) have not been studied in details. This study investigates TA diameter as measured in apical 4-chamber view on transthoracic echocardiography before and after T-TEER. A total of 186 patients from the TriValve registry were included in the study. The study results show that 62% of patients have a TA reduction after T-TEER, especially in those receiving 1 or 2 clips in the antero-septal commissure. These suggest that T-TEER reduces tricuspid regurgitation not only by approximation of leaflets, but also by TA diameter reduction.

Understanding transcatheter edge-to-edge repair "knobology": Advanced catheter steering for different scenarios of transseptal puncture

Following the introduction in the latest European and American guidelines, transcatheter edge-to-edge repair has become a valid alternative to surgery for ineligible patients. Among the available technologies, MitraClip (Abbott) was the first to be introduced for the percutaneous treatment of mitral regurgitation with the edge-to-edge technique. Although its safety and effectiveness has been widely demonstrated, the optimal procedural results are highly dependent from operators' experience. In this manuscript, we provide a full guide of advanced steering maneuvers of MitraClip in different scenarios of transseptal puncture.

Orthotopic Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement

Mitral valve dysfunction is prevalent amongst older patients. Of those not suitable for surgical therapy, mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) can treat as large proportion of patients, many are not suitable TEER candidates. As such, orthotopic transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is an important innovation but it faces significant challenges. Orthotopic TMVR requires a prosthesis with stable anchoring, adequate sealing, minimal footprint in the left ventricle and long term durability. Multidisciplinary expertise in advanced imaging, surgery, heart failure are needed for success.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for mitral regurgitation using PASCAL or MitraClip

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data regarding the comparative efficacy and safety of Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (MTEER) using the PASCAL or MitraClip systems for patients with mitral regurgitation (MR).

METHODS

An electronic search was conducted for MEDLINE, COCHRANE, and EMBASE, through February 2023, for studies comparing the clinical outcomes of MTEER using PASCAL versus MitraClip systems among patients with severe MR. The primary study outcome was residual MR ≤ 2 at discharge. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

The final analysis included six studies with a total of 1581 patients, with a weighted follow-up period of 3.5 months. Two studies only included patients with degenerative MR, while the remaining studies included both degenerative and functional MR. There was no significant difference in procedure duration between MTEER with the PASCAL or MitraClip systems. There was no difference in residual MR ≤ 2 at discharge (94.7% vs. 91.9%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-2.27) or residual MR ≤ 2 at the mid-term follow-up (94.6% vs. 91.0%, p = 0.05) among the PASCAL versus MitraClip systems. There was no difference between both groups in residual MR ≤ 1 at discharge (73.1% vs. 63.8%, p = 0.12), while there was greater incidence of residual MR ≤ 1 at midterm follow-up with the PASCAL system (71.3% vs. 56.2%, p < 0.001). There was no difference between the PASCAL and MitraClip MTEER systems in technical success (97.0% vs. 97.9%, p = 0.15), procedural success (89.1% vs. 87.1%, p = 0.78), single leaflet detachment (1.8% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.55), or all-cause mortality (3.6% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.71).

CONCLUSION

In this meta-analysis, we demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety between the PASCAL and MitraClip MTEER systems at short- and mid-term assessments. Randomized trials are warranted to evaluate the comparative long-term outcomes between both MTEER systems.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

Importance

There are limited data on the outcomes of transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) in a real-world setting.

Objective

To evaluate the outcomes of transcatheter mitral valve repair for degenerative MR.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Cohort study of consecutive patients in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapies Registry who underwent nonemergent transcatheter mitral valve repair for degenerative MR in the US from 2014 through 2022.

Exposure

Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair with the MitraClip device (Abbott).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was MR success, defined as moderate or less residual MR and a mean mitral gradient of less than 10 mm Hg. Clinical outcomes were evaluated based on the degree of residual MR (mild or less MR or moderate MR) and mitral valve gradients (≤5 mm Hg or >5 to <10 mm Hg).

Results

A total of 19 088 patients with isolated moderate to severe or severe degenerative MR who underwent transcatheter mitral valve repair were analyzed (median age, 82 years; 48% women; median Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality with surgical mitral valve repair, 4.6%). MR success was achieved in 88.9% of patients. At 30 days, the incidence of death was 2.7%; stroke, 1.2%; and mitral valve reintervention, 0.97%. MR success compared with an unsuccessful procedure was associated with significantly lower mortality (14.0% vs 26.7%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.42-0.56; P < .001) and heart failure readmission (8.4% vs 16.9%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.41-0.54; P < .001) at 1 year. Among patients with MR success, the lowest mortality was observed in patients who had both mild or less residual MR and mean mitral gradients of 5 mm Hg or less compared with those with an unsuccessful procedure (11.4% vs 26.7%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.34-0.47; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this registry-based study of patients with degenerative MR undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair, the procedure was safe and resulted in successful repair in 88.9% of patients. The lowest mortality was observed in patients with mild or less residual MR and low mitral gradients.

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair in Patients With Anatomically Complex Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair is safe and effective in treating degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) patients at prohibitive surgical risk, but outcomes in complex mitral valve anatomy patients vary.

OBJECTIVES

The PASCAL IID registry assessed safety, echocardiographic, and clinical outcomes with the PASCAL system in prohibitive risk patients with significant symptomatic DMR and complex mitral valve anatomy.

METHODS

Patients in the prospective, multicenter, single-arm registry had 3+ or 4+ DMR, were at prohibitive surgical risk, presented with complex anatomic features based on the MitraClip instructions for use, and were deemed suitable for the PASCAL system by a central screening committee. Enrolled patients were treated with the PASCAL system. Safety, effectiveness, and functional and quality-of-life outcomes were assessed. Study oversight also included an echocardiographic core laboratory and clinical events committee.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 98 patients (37.2% ≥2 independent significant jets, 15.0% severe bileaflet/multi scallop prolapse, 13.3% mitral valve orifice area <4.0 cm², and 10.6% large flail gap and/or large flail width). The implant success rate was 92.9%. The 30-day composite major adverse event rate was 11.2%. At 6 months, 92.4% patients achieved MR ≤2+ and 56.1% achieved MR ≤1+ (P < 0.001 vs baseline). The Kaplan-Meier estimates for survival, freedom from major adverse events, and heart failure hospitalization at 6 months were 93.7%, 85.6%, and 92.6%, respectively. Patients experienced significant symptomatic improvement compared with baseline (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The outcomes of the PASCAL IID registry establish the PASCAL system as a useful therapy for prohibitive surgical risk DMR patients with complex mitral valve anatomy. (PASCAL IID Registry within the Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System Pivotal Clinical Trial [CLASP IID] NCT03706833).

Lifetime Management of Aortic Stenosis: Transcatheter Versus Surgical Treatment for Young and Low-Risk Patients

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is now indicated across all risk categories of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and has been proposed as first line option for the majority of patients >74 years old. However, median age of patients enrolled in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement low-risk trials is 74 years and transcatheter aortic valve replacement has never been systematically investigated in young low risk patients. Although the long-term data in surgical aortic valve replacement in young patients (age <75) are well known, such data remain lacking in transcatheter aortic valve replacement. In the absence of clear guideline recommendations in patients with challenging anatomies (eg, hostile calcium, bicuspid), it is important to know the potential advantages and disadvantages of each treatment and to consider how they might integrate with each other in the lifetime management of such patients. In this review, we discuss current outstanding issues on the management of severe aortic stenosis from a lifetime management perspective, particularly in terms of initial intervention and future reinterventions.

The Role of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy for the Management of Functional Mitral Regurgitation

Valve leaflets and chordae structurally normal characterize functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), which in heart failure (HF) setting results from an imbalance between closing and tethering forces secondary to alterations in the left ventricle (LV) and left atrium geometry. In this context, FMR impacts the quality of life and increases mortality. Despite multiple medical and surgical attempts to treat FMR, to date, there is no univocal treatment for many patients. The pathophysiology of FMR is highly complex and involves several underlying mechanisms. Left ventricle dyssynchrony may contribute to FMR onset and worsening and represents an important target for FMR management. In this article, we discuss the mechanisms of FMR and review the potential therapeutic role of CRT, providing a comprehensive review of the available data coming from clinical studies and trials.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement: Competitive or Complementary?

Over the last two decades, transcatheter devices have been developed to repair or replace diseased mitral valves (MV). Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) devices have been proven to be efficient and safe, but many anatomical structures are not compatible with these technologies. The most significant advantage of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) over transcatheter repair is the greater and more reliable reduction in mitral regurgitation. However, there are also potential disadvantages. This review introduces the newest TMVr and TMVR devices and presents clinical trial data to identify current challenges and directions for future research.

Advances in Procedural Echocardiographic Imaging in Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair for Mitral Regurgitation

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) therapy is recommended by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for selected patients with symptomatic severe or moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Echocardiography, in particular transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), plays a critical role in procedural planning and guidance for TEER. Recent innovations and advances in TEE techniques including three-dimensional (3D) imaging, unlimited x-plane imaging, live 3D multiplanar reconstruction, as well as transillumination imaging with color Doppler and transparency rendering have further enhanced procedural imaging for TEER, especially for complex diseases including commissural defects, clefts, and multi-segment pathologies. This review discusses the technology of these advanced procedural imaging techniques and provides a "step-by-step" guide on how to apply them during the TEER procedure with a focus on their added values in treatment of complex valve lesions.

Recurrent mitral regurgitation with haemolytic anaemia after MitraClip procedure: an autopsy case report

Background

Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVr) has been developed as an alternative therapeutic approach to patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) at high-surgical risks. Single leaflet device attachment (SLDA) is a well-known complication after the TMVr procedure, while an autopsy case experiencing haemolytic anaemia has been scarcely reported.

Case summary

A 79-year-old woman presented with New York Heart Association Class 3 congestive heart failure due to severe MR. The Heart Team planned TMVr using the MitraClip considering a high-surgical risk due to the history of open-chest surgery. The procedure was successful with two clips and a significant reduction of MR was confirmed. On the 12th day after the procedure, congestive heart failure was worsened and a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed severe MR suggestive of SLDA. Blood test showed normocytic anaemia with serum lactate dehydrogenase level elevation and renal function deterioration. We diagnosed as mechanical haemolysis induced by recurrent MR because of a decrease in serum haptoglobin level and the presence of schizocyte in the blood smear. Despite our intensive medical treatment, she died on the 119th day after the procedure. The pathological autopsy demonstrated that the ruptured leaflet was thickened with layered structure and severe fibrosis, while there were no findings of calcification, vegetations, or abscesses.

Discussion

Single leaflet device attachment and subsequent mechanical haemolysis are rare but fatal complications after TMVr with the MitraClip. Not only degenerative MR but also functional MR may be associated with valve leaflet degeneration. A possibility of mechanical haemolysis should be considered when recurrent MR is observed after TMVr.

Management and Outcome of Failed Percutaneous Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Plasty: Insight From an International Registry

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the incidence, management, and outcome of patients who experienced MitraClip (Abbott Vascular) failure secondary to loss of leaflet insertion (LLI), single leaflet detachment (SLD), or embolization.

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with MitraClip is an established therapy for the treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR), but no data exist regarding the prevalence and outcome according to the mode of clip failure.

METHODS

Between January 2009 and December 2020, we retrospectively screened 4,294 procedures of MitraClip performed in 19 centers. LLI was defined as damage to the leaflet where the MitraClip was attached, SLD as demonstration of complete separation between the device and a single leaflet tissue, and clip embolization as loss of contact between MitraClip and both leaflets.

RESULTS

A total of 147 cases of MitraClip failure were detected (overall incidence = 3.5%), and these were secondary to LLI or SLD in 47 (31.9%) and 99 (67.3%) cases, respectively, whereas in 1 (0.8%) case clip embolization was observed. MitraClip failure occurred in 67 (45.5%) patients with functional MR, in 64 (43.5%) patients with degenerative MR, and 16 (10.8%) with mixed etiology. Although the majority of MitraClip failures were detected before discharge (47 intraprocedural and 42 in the hospital), up to 39.5% of cases were diagnosed at follow-up. In total, 80 (54.4%) subjects underwent a redo procedure, either percutaneously with MitraClip (n = 51, 34.7%) or surgically (n = 36, 24.5%) including 4 cases of surgical conversion of the index procedure and 7 cases of bailout surgery after unsuccessful redo MitraClip. After a median follow-up of 163 days (IQR: 22-720 days), 50 (43.9%) subjects presented moderate to severe MR, and 43 (29.3%) patients died. An up-front redo MitraClip strategy was associated with a trend toward a reduced rate of death at follow-up vs surgical or conservative management (P = 0.067), whereas postprocedural acute kidney injury, age, and moderate to severe tricuspid regurgitation were independent predictors of death.

CONCLUSIONS

MitraClip failure secondary to LLI and SLD is not a rare phenomenon and may occur during and also beyond hospitalization. Redo MitraClip strategy demonstrates a trend toward a reduced risk of death compared with bailout surgery and conservative management. A third of those patients remained with more than moderate MR and had substantial mortality at the intermediate-term follow-up.

Challenges and Open Issues in Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation: Smooth Seas Do Not Make Skillful Sailors

According to the European and American guidelines, surgery represents the treatment of choice for mitral valve (MV) disease. However, a number of patients are deemed unsuitable for surgery due to a prohibitive/high operative risk. In such cases, transcatheter therapies aiming at MV repair have been proven to be a valuable alternative and have been recently introduced in the latest American guidelines on valvular heart disease. Indeed, percutaneous repair techniques, particularly transcatheter edge-to-edge, have gained a broad experience and demonstrated to be safe and effective. However, given the complexity and heterogeneity of MV anatomy and pathology, transcatheter MV implantation (TMVI) has grown as a possible alternative to percutaneous MV repair. Current data about TMVI are still limited and come from different settings: valve-in-native MV, valve-in-valve (ViV), valve-in-ring (ViR), and valve-in-mitral annular calcification. Preliminary data are promising although several open issues still need to be addressed. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the available devices in the different clinical settings, to discuss potentialities, limitations, and future directions for TMVI.

Challenges and future perspectives of transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions: adopt old strategies or adapt to new opportunities?

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a highly prevalent valvular heart disease and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and death at long-term follow-up. Functional TR accounts for over 90% of TR and is mainly due to annular or right ventricular dilatation. Most often, TR is observed in patients with left-sided valvular heart disease (with or without previous surgical correction) and pulmonary hypertension. Isolated TR is less frequent, though burdened by high surgical mortality. This, together with an incomplete understanding of the disease, has brought to a significant undertreatment in spite of the growing evidence of the impact of severe TR on mortality. Moreover, uncertainties about the appropriate timing for intervention and the predictors of procedural success have contributed to limit TR treatment. Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement or repair interventions represent novel and less invasive alternatives to surgery and have shown early promising results. The purpose of this review is to provide a complete and updated overview of TR pathology with a special focus on current percutaneous treatment options, future challenges and directions.

Left femoral vein access for transcatheter mitral valve interventions in unfavorable interatrial septal anatomy

Optimal transseptal puncture (TSP) position on the interatrial septum as well as proper catheter direction and maneuverability in the left atrium (LA) are key elements for successful mitral valve (MV) interventions. TSP is usually performed from the right femoral vein being more comfortable for the operator and easier to reach the fossa ovalis. In the cases reported, TSP was performed from left femoral vein (LFV) to improve delivery system maneuverability and trajectory inside the LA in the context of MV repair with MitraClip. According to this early experience, LFV approach might be considered as first choice or as an alternative solution in patients in whom a higher position of the delivery system relative to the mitral annulus is needed.

The year 2020 in the European Heart Journal-Cardiovascular Imaging: part II

The European Heart Journal-Cardiovascular Imaging was launched in 2012 and has during these years become one of the leading multimodality cardiovascular imaging journal. The journal is now established as one of the top cardiovascular journals and is the most important cardiovascular imaging journal in Europe. The most important studies published in our Journal from 2020 will be highlighted in two reports. Part II will focus on valvular heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and congenital heart disease. While Part I of the review has focused on studies about myocardial function and risk prediction, myocardial ischaemia, and emerging techniques in cardiovascular imaging.

Transseptal puncture: procedural guidance, challenging situations and management of complications

A number of interventional procedures based on the transseptal puncture (TSP) have been developed in recent years. The increasing number of interventional procedures, as well as the use of large-bore sheaths and complex devices, has led to improvements in technique and equipment. The combined use of fluoro-scopy and of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has increased safety and precision. However, TSP still represents a tricky procedure, which may become even more difficult in cases of challenging interatrial septa, and life-threatening complications may occur. Consequently, an in-depth knowledge of procedural steps, equipment, echocardiographic views, fossa ovalis anatomy and how to manage the most frequent complications is critical to performing a successful TSP.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Mitral transcatheter therapies represent the treatment of choice for all patients deemed unsuitable for cardiac surgery. So far, the largest clinical experience has been limited to percutaneous repair techniques. However, given the complexity and heterogeneity of mitral valve anatomy and pathology, transcatheter mitral valve implantation will widen the mitral valve therapies horizon, toward a patient-tailored approach. Current data about transcatheter mitral valve implantation is still limited and, although some data are promising, there are still some issues to be addressed. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the available devices and describes potential advantages and limitations of transcatheter mitral valve implantation.