Five-year evolution of mild aortic regurgitation following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: early insights from a single-centre experience

The Clinical Impact of Paravalvular Leaks With Transcutaneous Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Aortic valve stenosis is a common cardiac condition that requires intervention for symptomatic and/or prognostic reasons. The two most common interventions are surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The ratio of TAVI:SAVR has increased twofold over the past few years and is now being considered in intermediate-risk patients as well. One of the significant benefits of TAVI is that it is less invasive; however, one of the drawbacks is a high paravalvular leaks (PVLs) rate compared to SAVR. To assess the impact of PVLs on survival, progression of heart failure, and the need for re-intervention.

METHOD

We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search from the conception of TAVI 2002 until December 2022 through Embase (Ovid), MEDLINE (Ovid), Science Direct, and CENTRAL (Wiley). We followed PRISMA guidelines and checklists. Review protocol registration ID in PROSPERO: CRD42023393742.

RESULTS

We identified 28 studies that met our eligibility criteria, and only 24 studies were suitable for pooling in a meta-analysis (including their hazard ratio with a confidence interval of 95%) assessing our primary outcome (all-cause mortality). The remaining four studies were narratively synthesised. RevMan V5.4 (Version 5.4. Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) was utilised to pool meta-analysis data to assess effect estimates of PVLs in both intervention arms, using a random effect model for calculation (hazard ratio 1.14 confidence interval 95% 1.08-1.21 [p<0.0001]), with a follow-up duration between 30 days to 5 years.

CONCLUSION

Patients with mild or higher degrees of PVLs in both intervention arms incurred unfavourable outcomes. The incidence of PVLs was significantly higher with TAVI; even a mild degree led to poor quality of life and increased all-cause mortality on long-term follow-up.

Comparative Outcomes of Balloon-Expandable S3 Versus Self-Expanding Evolut Bioprostheses for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

To date, comparisons between the balloon-expandable Edwards Sapien S3 (S3) versus the self-expanding Evolut R or PRO (Evolut) valves have been limited with respect to procedural outcomes. We aim to compare the safety, efficacy, and procedural efficiency of the S3 versus the Medtronic Evolut bioprostheses in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis. Retrospective analysis was performed of all consecutive transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures performed through the transfemoral approach with either S3 or Evolut at our hospital between September 2015 and January 2019. A total of 581 patients were included. There were no significant differences between S3 (n = 452) and Evolut (n = 129) concerning in-hospital or 30-day safety outcomes. S3 was associated with significantly shorter fluoroscopy times, lower fluoroscopy Air Kerma, and higher contrast use. S3 had lower postprocedure aortic valve area (1.71 ± 0.45 vs 1.84 ± 0.50 cm², p = 0.004), larger peak gradient at 30 days (10.7 ± 3.8 vs 7.0 ± 3.2 mm Hg, p <0.001), and lower aortic regurgitation (AR) rates postprocedure (47% vs 33%, p = 0.024) and at 30 days (50% vs 33%, p = 0.008), driven by mild AR. Device type was an independent predictor of AR postprocedure and at 30 days. Patients with ≥mild AR were more likely to have had Evolut valves (odds ratio = 2.94, p <0.001), especially in larger valves (>26 mm). Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch was higher in S3 (14.8% vs 7.9%, p <0.001). In conclusion, S3 is associated with less radiation exposure, higher contrast use, and lower incidence of AR at 30 days. Alternately, S3 has a higher transaortic gradient at 30 days, and higher levels of severe prosthesis-patient mismatch.

Optimization of a Transcatheter Heart Valve Frame Using Patient-Specific Computer Simulation

PURPOSE

This study proposes a new framework to optimize the design of a transcatheter aortic valve through patient-specific finite element and fluid dynamics simulation.

METHODS

Two geometrical parameters of the frame, the diameter at ventricular inflow and the height of the first row of cells, were examined using the central composite design. The effect of those parameters on postoperative complications was investigated by response surface methodology, and a Nonlinear Programming by Quadratic Lagrangian algorithm was used in the optimization. Optimal and initial devices were then compared in 12 patients. The comparison was made in terms of device performance [i.e., reduced contact pressure on the atrioventricular conduction system and paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR)].

RESULTS

Results suggest that large diameters and high cells favor higher anchoring of the device within the aortic root reducing the contact pressure and favor a better apposition of the device to the aortic root preventing AR. Compared to the initial device, the optimal device resulted in almost threefold lower predicted contact pressure and limited AR in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, patient-specific modelling and simulation could help to evaluate device performance prior to the actual first-in-human clinical study and, combined with device optimization, could help to develop better devices in a shorter period.

Hemodynamic monitoring by pulse contour analysis during trans-catheter aortic valve replacement: A fast and easy method to optimize procedure results

BACKGROUND

Residual aortic regurgitation (AR) complicates a not negligible number of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures, and its entity is not always clear at intraprocedural angiographic and echocardiographic control. We applied a minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring system (Pressure Recording Analytical Method, PRAM) in the setting of TAVR, with the aim of identifying parameters that may help in detection and quantification of residual AR.

METHODS

We performed hemodynamic monitoring with PRAM in 43 patients undergoing trans-femoral TAVR. Investigated parameters were systolic (Psys, mm Hg), diastolic (Pdia, mm Hg), mean (MAP, mm Hg) and dicrotic pressure (Pdic, mm Hg), cardiac output (CO, L/min), stroke volume (SV, mL), cardiac cycle efficiency (CCE, Units), dP/dt_{max_rad} (mm Hg/ms), MAP-Pdic (mm Hg).

RESULTS

Procedural success was achieved in 86% of the patients; vascular complications occurred in 3 (6.9%), death in 2 (4.7%). Twenty (46.5%) patients had at least mild residual AR. CO, SV, CCE and dP/dt_{max_rad} changed significantly (p < 0.001) between baseline and end of procedure in the overall population, with more evident modifications in the subgroup without residual AR. MAP-Pdic variations were statistically significant only in the subgroup without AR (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TAVR determined an improvement in hemodynamic parameters such as CO, SV, CCE, dP/dt_{max_rad}. MAP-Pdic was able to discriminate patients with significant residual AR. Hemodynamic monitoring with PRAM system during TAVR is easy and fast to obtain and may help in clinical decision-making in controversial cases.

Long term outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI): a systematic review of 5-year survival and beyond

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI/TAVR) is becoming more frequently used to treat aortic stenosis (AS), with increasing push for the procedure in lower risk patients. Numerous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that TAVI offers a suitable alternative to the current gold standard of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in terms of short-term outcomes. The present review evaluates long-term outcomes following TAVI procedures.

METHODS

Literature search using three electronic databases was performed up to June 2017. Studies which included 20 or more patients undergoing TAVI procedures, either as a stand-alone or concomitant procedure and with a follow-up of at least 5 years, were included in the present review. Literature search and data extraction were performed by two independent researchers. Digitized survival data were extracted from Kaplan-Meier curves in order to re-create the original patient data using an iterative algorithm and subsequently aggregated for analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies were included in the present analysis, with a total of 13,857 patients. Two studies were national registries, eight were multi-institutional collaborations and the remainder were institutional series. Overall, 45.7% of patients were male, with mean age of 81.5±7.0 years. Where reported, the mean Logistic EuroSCORE (LES) was 22.1±13.7 and the mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was 9.2±6.6. The pooled analysis found 30-day mortality, cerebrovascular accidents, acute kidney injury (AKI) and requirement for permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation to be 8.4%, 2.8%, 14.4%, and 13.4%, respectively. Aggregated survival at 1-, 2-, 3-, 5- and 7-year were 83%, 75%, 65%, 48% and 28%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The present systematic review identified acceptable long-term survival results for TAVI procedures in an elderly population. Extended follow-up is required to assess long-term outcomes following TAVI, particularly before its application is extended into wider population groups.