Type of Atrial Fibrillation and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Impact of Persistent Versus Paroxysmal Preoperative Atrial Fibrillation on In-Hospital, One-Year, and Late Clinical Outcomes Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Previous reports on the impact of preexisting atrial fibrillation (AF) on clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have presented limited data on the relative impact of paroxysmal versus persistent AF subtypes. We compared in-hospital, 1-year, and late clinical outcomes in 1,098 patients who underwent TAVI with preoperative AF (556 paroxysmal, 542 persistent) versus 1,787 patients without AF. The propensity-matched cohorts with AF (n = 643) and without AF (n = 686) did not differ with respect to baseline clinical characteristics, operative technique, or in-hospital TAVI complications. At 1-year, patients with AF had higher all-cause mortality (9.0% vs 6.1%, p = 0.046) and readmission rates (13.1 vs 8.8%, p = 0.014), with lower Kansas City cardiomyopathy questionnaire scores (77.8 ± 21.8 vs 84.3 ± 17.1, p <0.001). Echocardiographic follow-up (mean time 455 ± 285 days) demonstrated no significant intergroup differences in hemodynamic findings other than a progressive increase in left atrial volume index in patient subgroups (without AF: 37.4 ± 14.7 ml/m2 vs paroxysmal AF: 46.4 ± 21.4 ml/m2 vs persistent AF: 60.5 ± 26.3 ml/m2, p <0.001). On late follow-up (mean time 49.0 [45.1 to 52.9] months), patients with persistent AF had worse all-cause mortality than patients without AF (hazard ratio 1.55, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 2.06, p = 0.003), with no significant survival differences between the paroxysmal AF and without AF subgroups. In conclusion, patients with preexisting AF and patients without AF who underwent TAVI had similar in-hospital outcomes but worse 1-year mortality, hospital readmission, and quality of life outcomes. Compared with patients without AF, patients with persistent but not paroxysmal preexisting AF have higher late all-cause mortality at a mean follow-up of 49 months. Patients with persistent AF have higher levels of left atrial volume index than patients with paroxysmal AF and patients without AF on intermediate echocardiographic follow-up.

Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) now represents the mainstay of treatment for severe aortic stenosis. Owing to its exceptional procedural efficacy and safety, TAVI has been extended to include patients at lower surgical risk, thus now encompassing a diverse patient population receiving this treatment. Yet, long-term outcomes also depend on optimal medical therapy for secondary vascular prevention, with antithrombotic therapy serving as the cornerstone. Leveraging data from multiple randomized controlled trials, the current guidelines generally recommend single antithrombotic therapy, with either single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) or oral anticoagulation (OAC) alone in those patients without or with atrial fibrillation, respectively. Yet, individualization of this pattern, as well as specific case uses, may be needed based on individual patient characteristics and concurrent procedures. This review aims to discuss the evidence supporting antithrombotic treatments in patients treated with TAVI, indications for a standardized treatment, as well as specific considerations for an individualized approach to treatment.

Impact of new-onset versus pre-existing atrial fibrillation on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement/implantation

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Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of all primary and secondary outcomes after TAVR/TAVI.

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NOAF is associated with a higher risk of 30-day mortality, stroke, and extended LOS after TAVR/TAVI.

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Pre-AF is associated with a higher risk of AKI and early bleeding episodes after TAVR/TAVI.

Patients with aortic stenosis who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement/transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR/TAVI) experience a high incidence of pre-existing atrial fibrillation (pre-AF) and new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) post-operatively. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to update current evidence concerning the incidence of 30-day mortality, stroke, acute kidney injury (AKI), length of stay (LOS), and early/late bleeding in patients with NOAF or pre-AF who undergo TAVR/TAVI. PubMed, Google Scholar, JSTOR, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for studies published between January 2012 and December 2020 reporting the association between NOAF/pre-AF and clinical complications after TAVR/TAVI. A total of 15 studies including 158,220 adult patients with TAVI/TAVR and NOAF or pre-AF were identified. Compared to patients in sinus rhythm, patients who developed NOAF had a higher risk of 30-day mortality, AKI, early bleeding events, extended LOS, and stroke after TAVR/TAVI (odds ratio [OR]: 3.18 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.58, 6.40]) (OR: 3.83 [95% CI 1.18, 12.42]) (OR: 1.70 [95% CI 1.05, 2.74]) (OR: 13.96 [95% CI, 6.41, 30.40]) (OR: 2.51 [95% CI 1.59, 3.97], respectively). Compared to patients in sinus rhythm, patients with pre-AF had a higher risk of AKI and early bleeding episodes after TAVR/TAVI (OR: 2.43 [95% CI 1.10, 5.35]) (OR: 17.41 [95% CI 6.49, 46.68], respectively). Atrial fibrillation is associated with a higher risk of all primary and secondary outcomes. Specifically, NOAF but not pre-AF is associated with a higher risk of 30-day mortality, stroke, and extended LOS after TAVR/TAVI.

Post-operative Atrial Fibrillation Impacts on Outcomes in Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) in severe aortic stenosis (AS) has poor outcomes after transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR and SAVR, respectively). We compared the incidence of AF after aortic valve replacement (AVR) according to the treatment method and the impact of AF on outcomes.

Methods: We investigated the incidence of AF and clinical outcomes of AVR according to whether AF occurred after TAVR and SAVR after propensity score (PS)-matching for 1 year follow-up. Clinical outcomes were defined as death, stroke, and admission due to heart failure. The composite outcome comprised death, stroke, and admission due to heart failure.

Results: A total of 221 patients with severe AS were enrolled consecutively, 100 of whom underwent TAVR and 121 underwent SAVR. The incidence of newly detected AF was significantly higher in the SAVR group before PS-matching (6.0 vs. 40.5%, P < 0.001) and after PS-matching (7.5 vs. 35.6%, P = 0.001). TAVR and SAVR showed no significant differences in outcomes except in terms of stroke. In the TAVR group, AF history did not affect the outcomes; however, in the SAVR group, AF history affected death (log rank P = 0.038). Post-AVR AF had a worse impact on admission due to heart failure (log rank P = 0.049) and composite outcomes in the SAVR group. Post-AVR AF had a worse impact on admission due to heart failure (log rank P = 0.008) and composite outcome in the TAVR group.

Conclusion: Post-AVR AF could be considered as a predictor of the outcomes of AVR. TAVR might be a favorable treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic AS who are at high-risk for AF development or who have a history of AF because the occurrence of AF was more frequent in the SAVR group.

Antithrombotic Therapy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a treatment option for symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis who are candidates for a bioprosthesis across the entire spectrum of risk. However, TAVR carries a risk for thrombotic and bleeding events, underscoring the importance of defining the optimal adjuvant antithrombotic regimen. Antithrombotic considerations are convoluted by the fact that many patients undergoing TAVR are generally elderly and present with multiple comorbidities, including conditions that may require long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) (eg, atrial fibrillation) and antiplatelet therapy (eg, coronary artery disease). After TAVR among patients without baseline indications for OAC, recent data suggest dual-antiplatelet therapy to be associated with an increased risk for bleeding events, particularly early postprocedure, compared with single-antiplatelet therapy with aspirin. Concerns surrounding the potential for thrombotic complications have raised the hypothesis of adjunctive use of OAC for patients with no baseline indications for anticoagulation. Although effective in modulating thrombus formation at the valve level, the bleeding hazard has shown to be unacceptably high, and the net benefit of combining antiplatelet and OAC therapy is unproven. For patients with indications for the use of long-term OAC, such as those with atrial fibrillation, the adjunctive use of antiplatelet therapy increases bleeding. Whether direct oral anticoagulant agents achieve better outcomes than vitamin K antagonists remains under investigation. Overall, single-antiplatelet therapy and OAC appear to be reasonable strategies in patients without and with indications for concurrent anticoagulation. The aim of the present review is to appraise the current published research and recommendations surrounding the management of antithrombotic therapy after TAVR, with perspectives on evolving paradigms and ongoing trials.

Preoperative paroxysmal atrial fibrillation predicts high cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis: CAREAVR study

Background

Preoperative permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with impaired outcome after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). The impact of preoperative paroxysmal AF, however, has remained elusive.

Purpose

We assessed the impact of preoperative paroxysmal AF on outcome in patients undergoing SAVR with bioprosthesis.

Methods

A total of 666 patients undergoing isolated AVR with a bioprosthesis were included. Survival data was obtained from the national registry Statistics Finland. Patients were divided into three groups according to the preoperative rhythm: sinus rhythm (n = 502), paroxysmal AF (n = 90), and permanent AF (n = 74).

Results

Patients in the sinus rhythm and paroxysmal AF groups did not differ with respect to age (P = .484), gender (P = .402) or CHA₂DS₂‐VASc score (P = .333). At 12‐month follow‐up, AF was present in 6.2% of sinus rhythm patients and in 42.4% of paroxysmal AF patients (P < .001). During follow‐up, incidence of fatal strokes in the paroxysmal AF group was higher compared to sinus rhythm group (1.9 vs 0.4 per 100 patient‐years, HR 4.4 95% Cl 1.8‐11.0, P = .001). Cardiovascular mortality was higher in the paroxysmal AF group than in the sinus rhythm group (5.0 vs 3.0 per 100 patient‐years, HR 1.70 95% CI 1.05‐2.76, P = .03) and equal to patients in the permanent AF (5.0 per 100 patient‐years).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing SAVR with bioprosthesis and history of paroxysmal AF had higher risk of developing permanent AF, cardiovascular mortality and incidence of fatal strokes compared to patients with preoperative sinus rhythm. Life‐long anticoagulation should be considered in patients with a history of preoperative paroxysmal AF.

Antithrombotic Therapy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Current guidelines for patients who are undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation but who do not require anticoagulation recommend double antiplatelet therapy for 3-6 months after the procedure, followed by aspirin indefinitely. However, these guidelines are based on expert consensus rather than clinical trials. Several randomized trials are currently evaluating alternative antithrombotic strategies, and recommendations will likely change when their results become available.

Atrial fibrillation in transcatheter aortic valve implantation patients: Incidence, outcome and predictors of new onset

BACKGROUND

There is controversial evidence if atrial fibrillation (AF) alters outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). TAVI itself may promote new-onset AF (NOAF).

METHODS

We performed a single-center study including 398 consecutive patients undergoing TAVI. Before TAVI, patients were divided into a sinus rhythm (SR) group (n=226, 57%) and baseline AF group (n=172, 43%) according to clinical records and electrocardiograms. Furthermore, incidence and predictors of NOAF were recorded.

RESULTS

Baseline AF patients had a significantly higher 1-year mortality than the baseline SR group (19.8% vs. 11.5%, p=0.02). NOAF occurred in 7.1% of patients with prior SR. Previous valve surgery was the only significant predictor of NOAF (HR 5.86 [1.04-32.94], p<0.05). NOAF was associated with higher rehospitalization rate (62.5 vs. 34.8%, p=0.04), whereas mortality was unaffected.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that NOAF is associated with higher rates of rehospitalization but not mortality after TAVI. Overall, patients with pre-existing AF have higher mortality.

Type of Atrial Fibrillation and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

BACKGROUND

There are limited data available regarding the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) clinical type, oral anticoagulation (OAC) treatment, and clinical outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The study was designed to evaluate this relationship.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Rabin Medical Center TAVR registry, including 319 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR from 2008 to 2014. Patients were divided into three groups based on their history of AF: sinus rhythm (SR), paroxysmal AF (PAF), or nonparoxysmal AF (NPAF).

RESULTS

There were 211 (66%), 56 (18%), and 52 (16%) patients in the SR, PAF, and NPAF groups, respectively. The cumulative risk for stroke or death at 2 years was highest among patients with NPAF (38%), but similarly low in PAF (15%) and SR patients (16%, P < 0.001). By multivariate analysis, patients with NPAF demonstrated a significantly higher risk of stroke or death (HR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.63-4.66, P < 0.001), as compared with SR. In contrast, patients with PAF had a similar risk of stroke or death compared with SR (HR = 0.80, P = 0.508). Patients with NPAF not treated with OAC demonstrated an 8.3-fold (P < 0.001) increased risk of stroke or death, whereas patients with PAF not treated with OAC had a similar risk of stroke or death compared with the SR group (HR = 1.25, P = 0.569).

CONCLUSION

History of NPAF, but not PAF, is associated with a significant increased risk of stroke or death compared with sinus rhythm in patients undergoing TAVR.