Conduction disorders using the Evolut R prosthesis compared with the CoreValve: has anything changed?

Impact of the repositionable Evolut R CoreValve system on the need for a permanent pacemaker after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with severe aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVES

To compare the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) with the CoreValve and Evolut R prostheses, to evaluate the implantation depth with both types of prostheses, and to study factors predicting the need for PPI.

BACKGROUND

The Evolut R CoreValve can be recaptured and repositioned during deployment, allowing a more precise implantation.

METHODS

A total of 208 patients treated with CoreValve and 137 patients treated with Evolut R were analyzed. The depth of the prosthesis in the LVOT was measured by angiography in the annular perpendicular view projection after deploymen in all patients.

RESULTS

Baseline conduction abnormalities were comparable between the groups (85/208, 40.9% vs. 53/137, 38.7%; p = 0.69). The mean prosthesis depth was 10.3 ± 8.6 mm in the CoreValve group and 5.5 ± 2.7 mm in the Evolut R group; p < 0.0001. Conduction disturbances after valve implantation were more frequent with the CoreValve (new-onset left bundle branch block: 93, 44.7% vs. 16, 11.7%; p < 0.05, first-degree atrioventricular block: 23, 11.1% vs. 5, 3.6%; p < 0.05). In addition, the incidence of PPI was significantly lower with Evolut R (45, 21.6% vs. 15, 10.9%; p = 0.01). The predictors of the need for PPI were the mean depth of the prosthesis (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06-1.21; p < 0.0001) and prior right bundle branch block (OR 10.22, 95% CI: 4.62-22.63; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The recapturable capability of the Evolut R system allowed for higher and precise valve implantation. This fact had an impact on the reduction in the need for PPI.

Feasibility of His-bundle pacing in patients with conduction disorders following transcatheter aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND

Conduction disorders requiring permanent pacemaker implantation occur frequently after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This multicenter study explored the feasibility and safety of His bundle pacing (HBP) in TAVR patients with a pacemaker indication to correct a TAVR-induced left bundle branch block (LBBB).

METHODS

Patients qualifying for a permanent pacemaker implant after TAVR were planned for HBP implant. HBP was performed using the Select Secure (3830; Medtronic) pacing lead, delivered through a fixed curve or deflectable sheath (C315HIS or C304; Medtronic). Successful HBP was defined as selective or nonselective HBP, irrespective of LBB recruitment. Successful LBBB correction was defined as selective or nonselective HBP resulting in paced QRS morphology similar to pre-TAVR QRS and paced QRS duration (QRSd) less than 120 milliseconds with thresholds less than 3.0 V at 1.0-millisecond pulse width.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 16 patients requiring a permanent pacemaker after TAVR (age 85 ± 4 years, 31% female, all LBBB; QRSd: 161 ± 14 milliseconds). Capture of the His bundle was achieved in 13 of 16 (81%) patients. HBP with LBBB correction was achieved in 11 of 16 (69%) and QRSd narrowed from 162 ± 14 to 99 ± 13 milliseconds and 134 ± 7 milliseconds during S-HBP and NS-HBP, respectively (P = .005). At implantation, mean threshold for LBBB correction was 1.9 ± 1.1 V at 1.0 millisecond. Thresholds remained stable at 11 ± 4 months follow-up (1.8 ± 0.9 V at 1.0 millisecond, P = .231 for comparison with implant thresholds). During HBP implant, one temporary complete atrioventricular block occurred.

CONCLUSION

Permanent HBP is feasible in the majority of patients with TAVR requiring a permanent pacemaker with the potential to correct a TAVR-induced LBBB with acceptable pacing thresholds.

Rate and Predictors of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Current Status

Transcather aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a safe and indispensable treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk. Recently, outcomes after TAVI have improved significantly and TAVI has emerged as a qualified alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in the treatment of intermediate risk patients and greater adoption of this procedure is to be expected in a wider patients population, including younger patients and low surgical risk patients. However since the aortic valve has close spatial proximity to the conduction system, conduction anomalies are frequently observed in TAVI. In this article, we aim to review the key aspects of pathophysiology, current incidence, predictors and clinical association of conduction anomalies following TAVI.

Network meta-analysis of new-generation valves for transcatheter aortic valve implantation

To comprehensively compare and rank new-generation valves (NGVs) for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, we performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) of all eligible comparative studies. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through September 2018. We included all studies comparing 4 NGVs (ACURATE, Evolut R, Lotus, and SAPIEN 3) and an early generation valve (CoreValve) as the reference transcatheter heart valve (THV) each other and reporting at least one of postprocedural incidence of all-cause death, ≥ moderate aortic regurgitation (AR), and new permanent pacemaker implantation (PMI). To compare different THVs, a random-effects restricted-maximum-likelihood NMA based on a frequentist framework for indirect and mixed comparisons was used. Using surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA), the relative ranking probability of each THV was estimated and the hierarchy of competing THVs was obtained. We identified 29 eligible studies enrolling a total of 17,817 patients. In accordance with the estimated SUCRA probability, SAPIEN 3 was the best effective for a reduction in death (80.6%) and the second best for decreased ≥ moderate AR (74.4%) and PMI (74.1%) compared with the other THVs. Lotus was ranked the best for a reduction in ≥ moderate AR (94.5%;), whereas the worst for decreased PMI (1.2%) and the second worst for a reduction in mortality (38.6%). ACURATE was the best for decreased PMI (99.2%) and the second best for a reduction in mortality (77.9%). As a whole, SAPIEN 3 may be the best effective NGV among the 4 examined NGVs (ACURATE, Evolut R, Lotus, and SAPIEN 3).

The Evolut R and Evolut PRO transcatheter aortic valve systems

INTRODUCTION

Transcatheter aortic valves have evolved over the last 15 years. Second- and third- generation devices have considerably improved, and a range of newer devices have also been introduced with the aim of decreasing the incidence of paravalvular leak, reducing the need for permanent pacemaker implantation and minimizing procedure- and device-related complications. Areas covered: In this review, we highlight the special features of the latest generation of self-expanding Evolut PRO (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota) transcatheter aortic valve system. A detailed literature search on the Medtronic Evolut R and Evolut PRO transcatheter aortic valves was undertaken using Ovid, PubMed and Web of Science. Expert commentary: In a single, small study, the Evolut PRO has shown significant improvement over the Evolut R in terms of reduced paravalvular leak and pacemaker implantation. Larger scaled studies are needed to ascertain the performance of the Evolut PRO.