Management of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome After Cardiovascular Interventions. Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Implications

A substantial number of patients may experience systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and related adverse events after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Although a clear etiology has not been established, endothelial disruption and tissue-ischemic response secondary to the foreign material may represent the trigger events. A latency period (0 to 48 hours) may occur between the initial injury and onset of symptoms mirroring an initial local response followed by a systemic response. Clinical presentation can be mild or severe depending on external triggers and characteristics of the patient. Diagnosis is challenging because it simulates an infection, but lack of response to antibiotics, negative cultures are supportive of SIRS. Increased in-hospital stay, readmissions, major cardiovascular events, and reduced durability of the device used are the main complications. Treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. In conclusion, further studies are warranted to fully explore pathophysiologic mechanisms underpinning SIRS and the possibility of enhancing device material immune compatibility to reduce the inflammatory reaction of the host tissue.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BACKGROUND

Data on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are scarce and limited to small cohorts. We aimed to investigate its incidence and mid-term impact in a large cohort of TAVI patients.

METHODS

From January 2018 to December 2020, 717 patients with severe aortic valve stenosis undergoing TAVI were included. SIRS was defined as fulfilling at least two of the following criteria within 48 h from the procedure: leucocyte count >12.0 or <4.0 × 109/l, respiratory rate > 20 breaths per minute or PaCO2 ≤ 4.3 kPa/32 mmHg, heart rate > 90 beats per minute and temperature > 38.0 °C or <36.0 °C. Clinical endpoints were 1-year rehospitalization for chronic heart failure (CHF) and 2-years all-cause mortality. Event rates during follow-up were calculated as Kaplan-Meier estimates.

RESULTS

SIRS developed in 56.3 % (404/717) of patients after TAVI. SIRS occurred more frequently in patients with post-dilatation (SIRS 34.7 % (140/404) vs. no SIRS 23.3 % (73/313); p < 0.001) and major vascular complications (SIRS 16.1 % (65/404) vs. no SIRS 8.6 % (27/313); p = 0.004). Further, ICU days were more in patients who developed SIRS (SIRS 1.56 ± 1.50 days vs. no SIRS 1.22 ± 1.02 days; p = 0.001). At 2-years, all-cause mortality in the entire population was 23.9 %. However, there was no difference in CHF at 1-year (5.9 % vs. 4.1 %; log-rank = 0.347) nor in all-cause mortality at 2-years (22.0 % vs. 26.2 %; log-rank = 0.690) between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SIRS is a common finding after TAVI, which may prolong hospital stay but is without effect on mortality during 2-years follow-up.

Immune response following transcatheter aortic valve procedure

Aortic valve stenosis is the most common type of heart valve disease in the United States and Europe and calcific aortic stenosis (AS) affects 2-7% of people aged 65 years and older. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the only effective treatment for individuals with this condition. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) has been widely accepted as a minimally invasive therapeutic approach for addressing symptomatic AS in patients who are considered to have a high risk for traditional surgical intervention. TAVR procedure may have a paradoxical effect on the immune system and inflammatory status. A major portion of these immune responses is regulated by activating or inhibiting inflammatory monocytes and the complement system with subsequent changes in inflammatory cytokines. TAVR has the potential to induce various concurrent exposures, including disruption of the native valve, hemodynamic changes, antigenicity of the bioprosthesis, and vascular damage, which finally lead to the development of inflammation. On the other hand, it is important to acknowledge that TAVR may also have anti-inflammatory effects by helping in the resolution of stenosis.The inflammation and immune response following TAVR are complex processes that significantly impact procedural outcomes and patient well-being. Understanding the underlying mechanisms, identifying biomarkers of inflammation, and exploring therapeutic interventions to modulate these responses are crucial for optimizing TAVR outcomes. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise immunological dynamics and develop tailored strategies to attenuate inflammation and enhance post-TAVR healing while minimizing complications.

Incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and patient outcome following transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair

OBJECTIVES

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a common finding after cardiovascular interventions. Data on the incidence of SIRS and its impact on outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (MV-TEER) for mitral regurgitation (MR) is lacking.

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2020, 373 patients with moderate or severe MR undergoing MV-TEER were included. SIRS was defined as at least two of the following criteria within 48 h after the procedure: leucocyte count > 12.0 or < 4.0 × 109/l, respiratory rate > 20 breaths per minute or PaCO2 ≤ 4.3 kPa/32 mmHg, heart rate > 90 bpm and temperature > 38.0 °C or < 36.0 °C. The primary endpoint was 3-years all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

SIRS was observed in 49.6% (185/373) of patients. Patients who developed SIRS presented more frequently with NYHA III/IV at baseline [SIRS: 82.4% (149/185) vs. no SIRS: 79.0% (147/188); p = 0.029]. Patients who developed SIRS spent more days on ICU (p < 0.001) and overall length of stay was longer (p < 0.001). Relevant residual MR, defined as MR ≥ III in-hospital, was present more often in patients who developed SIRS [SIRS: 11.3% (20/177) vs. no SIRS: 3.93% (7/178), p = 0.036]. At 3 years, all-cause mortality in the entire population was 33.5% (125/373) with an increased all-cause mortality in patients with SIRS compared to patients without SIRS (HR 1.49, [CI 95% 1.04, 2.13]; p = 0.0264). In the multivariate analysis development of SIRS (HR 1.479 [CI 95% 1.016, 2.154]; p = 0.041) was identified as predictor for 3-years all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

SIRS is a common finding after MV-TEER occurring in approximately half of patients. SIRS after MV-TEER was associated with a longer in-hospital stay. In addition, we observed an increased 3-years all-cause mortality in patients with SIRS.

Analysis of risk factors for systemic inflammatory response syndrome in patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine the risk factors of postoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), identify those with a high risk of SIRS, and help reduce SIRS occurrence.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect the clinical data of patients who underwent TAVR from January 2014 to December 2019 at a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province. The study included 156 men and 94 women. Patients were divided into SIRS and non-SIRS groups. The pre-, intra-, and postoperative indices of the two groups were recorded. The data of the two groups were compared, and univariate analysis was performed. All statistically significant factors were assessed using binary logistic regression analysis to clarify the risk factors of SIRS after TAVR.

RESULTS

Overall, 30 patients developed SIRS after TAVR, with an incidence rate of 12%, an odds ratio (OR) of 0.571, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.469-0.694 (p = 0.000). There was a significant correlation between SIRS and glucose (OR: 0.823, 95% CI: 0.678-1.000, p = 0.049), albumin (OR: 0.938, 95% CI: 0.881-0.998, p = 0.044), brain natriuretic peptide (OR: 1.000, 95% CI: 1.000-1.000, p = 0.010), sex (OR: 0.412, 95% CI: 0.190-0.892, p = 0.025), and history of hypertension (OR: 0.375, 95% CI: 0.169-0.819, p = 0.014). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that age (OR: 1.190, 95%CI: 1.073-1.319, p = 0.001) and body mass index (BMI; OR: 0.559, 95% CI: 0.447-0.698, p = 0.000) were independent risk factors for postoperative SIRS in patients with TAVR.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of SIRS after TAVR was 12%. There was a significant correlation between SIRS and albumin, glucose, and hypertension. The independent risk factors for SIRS after TAVR were age and BMI.

Technical Aspects and Development of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Aortic stenosis is the most common valve disease requiring surgery or percutaneous treatment. Since the first-in-man implantation in 2002 we have witnessed incredible progress in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In this article, we review the technical aspects of TAVI development with a look at the future. Durability, low thrombogenicity, good hydrodynamics, biocompatibility, low catheter profile, and deployment stability are the attributes of an ideal TAVI device. Two main design types exist-balloon-expandable and self-expanding prostheses. Balloon-expandable prostheses use a cobalt-chromium alloy frame providing high radial strength and radiopacity, while the self-expanding prostheses use a nickel-titanium (Nitinol) alloy frame, which expands to its original shape once unsheathed and heated to the body temperature. The valve is sewn onto the frame and consists of the porcine or bovine pericardium, which is specially treated to prevent calcinations and prolong durability. The lower part of the frame can be covered by polyethylene terephthalate fabric or a pericardial skirt, providing better sealing between the frame and aortic annulus. The main future challenges lie in achieving lower rates of paravalvular leaks and new pacemaker implantations following the procedure, lower delivery system profiles, more precise positioning, longer durability, and a good hemodynamic profile. Patient-specific design and the use of autologous tissue might solve these issues.

Prognostic value of systemic inflammatory response syndrome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

AIMS

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) could affect mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) up to 12 months of follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SIRS after TAVI and its impact on all-cause mortality up to 24 months follow-up.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 132 patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI. SIRS development during the first 72 h after the intervention was evaluated. Other postoperative complications were defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 (VARC2). All patients underwent follow-up at 30 days and 24 months. Endpoints were 30-days and 24-months mortality.

RESULTS

Post-TAVI SIRS developed in 27 patients (20%). At 30-day follow-up, all-cause death occurred in 10 (8%) patients and SIRS occurred more frequently in patients with adverse short-term outcome (60 vs. 17%; P = 0.001). Twenty-four months all-cause death occurred in 25 (19%) patients. SIRS resulted as an independent predictor of long-term outcome [hazard ratio 3.7; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5-9; P = 0.004], along with major vascular complications (hazard ratio 4; 95% CI 1.6-9.9; P = 0.003), relevant bleedings (hazard ratio 6.4; 95% CI 1.5-28; P = 0.013) and baseline pulmonary hypertension (hazard ratio 2.4; 95% CI 1.05-5.6; P = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative SIRS was more frequent in patients who died at 30 days follow-up. Moreover, SIRS resulted as a predictor of 24-month mortality along with vascular complications, relevant bleedings and baseline pulmonary hypertension.

Impact of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome on Clinical, Echocardiographic, and Computed Tomographic Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Background

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a systemic insult that has been described with many interventional cardiac procedures. The outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are thought to be influenced by this syndrome not only on short-term, but also on long-term.

Objective

We assessed the association of SIRS to different clinical, echocardiographic, and computed tomographic (CT) outcomes after TAVI.

Methods

Two hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients undergoing TAVI were enrolled in this study. They were assessed for the occurrence of SIRS within the first 48 h after TAVI. Patients were followed-up for short- and long-term clinical outcomes. Serial echocardiographic follow-ups were conducted at 1-week, 6-months, and 1-year. CT follow-up at 1 year was recorded.

Results

Eighty patients (36%) developed SIRS. Among different parameters, only pre-TAVI total leucocytic count (TLC), pre-TAVI heart rate, and post-TAVI systolic blood pressure independently predicted the occurrence of SIRS. The incidence of HALT was not significantly different between both groups, albeit higher among SIRS patients (p = 0.1) at 1-year CT follow-up. Both groups had similar patterns of LV recovery on serial echocardiography. Long-term follow-up showed that all-cause death, cardiac death, and re-admission for heart failure (HF) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were significantly more frequent among SIRS patients. Early safety and clinical efficacy outcomes were more frequently encountered in the SIRS group, while device-related events and time-related valve safety were comparable.

Conclusion

Although SIRS implies an early acute inflammatory status post-TAVI, yet its clinical sequelae seem to extend to long-term clinical outcomes.

Relation of Preprocedure Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Aortic Stenosis

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker that has prognostic value in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) treats the inflammatory disease of aortic stenosis. However, the utility of preprocedure PLR in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after TAVI is not clear. Our study population included 470 patients who underwent TAVI at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia from August 2008, to January 2019. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on PLR quartiles. The incidence of 30-day MACE (a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death) was then compared. Outcomes were reported according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria. Of 470 patients, median age 84 years, 54% men, and median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score of 3.5%, 14 (3%) suffered a MACE within 30 days. Rates of MACE were low in all 4 groups (1.7%, 2.5%, 2.6%, 5.1%, respectively) with no statistically significant difference in the different PLR groups (p = 0.46). This nonsignificant association was supported by univariate logistic regression analysis of PLR as a continuous variable (odds ratio 1.01, p = 0.55). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis accounting for age, gender, self-expanding valve, and procedural risk, a higher PLR did not correlate with MACE (odds ratio 1.01, p = 0.60). In this study of a large cohort of TAVI patients, elevated preprocedure PLR was not independently associated with MACE after TAVI. This is a novel finding in comparison with previous studies.

Association between time-related changes in routine blood morphological parameters and renal function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation - a preliminary study

Introduction

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) although minimally invasive is still accompanied by changes in blood morphological parameters, some of them linked to unfavorable outcomes.

Aim

To find any association between changes in blood morphology reflecting an inflammatory response and acute kidney injury (AKI).

Material and methods

This study involved 176 consecutive transfemoral TAVI patients with a mean age of 78.4 ±7.0 years. Serum creatinine concentration (CREA) and blood morphology were analyzed in the blood samples taken before the procedure, then approximately 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the procedure, and lastly at the time of discharge. Post-procedural maximal or minimal values (max/min) and max/min-to-bs ratio of the laboratory parameters were also calculated.

Results

Leucocyte (WBC) and neutrophil (NEUT) counts increased significantly after the procedure whereas lymphocyte (LYMPH) counts declined markedly, reaching the highest or lowest values 24 hours after the procedure. A significant increase in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was observed. Platelet count (PLT) dropped to a minimum at 72 hours after TAVI but at discharge did not return to the admission level. TAVI was associated with a marked increase in CREA with a peak at 48 hours after the procedure (135.7 ±75.9 μM/l). Patients with AKI (n = 65; 36.9%) presented more pronounced variations in relative changes in counts of all blood morphological parameters. A positive moderate (r = 0.412) correlation between maximal NLR and relative CREA changes was noted.

Conclusions

TAVI is associated with significant changes in blood morphological parameters that reflect an inflammatory response. They are more pronounced among subjects with post-procedural AKI.

Differential systemic inflammatory responses after TAVI: The role of self versus balloon expandable devices

Objective

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) provokes early injury response, represented in part by dynamic changes in the inflammatory markers. The association of self-expanding valves (SEVs) and balloon-expandable valves (BEVs) with the consequent inflammatory response remains uncertain.

Materials and methods

Patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent transfemoral TAVI: SEVs or BEVs, from January 2010 to December 2019 were enrolled. Whole white blood cells (WBC) and subpopulation dynamics as well the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were evaluated.

Results

Three-hundred seventy consecutive patients (mean age 81.75 ± 6.8 years, 199 women’s) were enrolled. In the entire population, significant kinetic changes in the WBC response (p <0.0001) between admission and first 24 hours post procedure, with a significant increase in total WBC (7.46 ± 2.26 to 10.08 ± 3.55) and absolute neutrophil count (4.97 ± 2.06 to 8.19 ± 3.43), NL ratio (3.72 ± 2.8 to 9.76 ± 7.29), and a meaningful decrease in absolute lymphocytes count (1.67 ± 1.1 to 1.1 ± 0.76). When compared between the types of valves, SEVs were associated with a more pronounced inflammatory response than BEVs, with total WBC (10.44 ± 3.86 vs. 9.45 ± 3.19) neutrophils (8.56 ± 3.75 vs. 7.55 ± 3.06) with p 0.016 and 0.012 respectively.

Conclusion

This is the first description of a differential inflammatory response between the two leading delivery systems. SEV appears to trigger a more robust inflammatory response as compared to BEV. Clinical studies are warranted to assess the long term effect of our findings.

Inflammatory signatures are associated with increased mortality after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Aims

Systemic inflammatory response, identified by increased total leucocyte counts, was shown to be a strong predictor of mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Yet the mechanisms of inflammation‐associated poor outcome after TAVI are unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed at investigating individual inflammatory signatures and functional heterogeneity of circulating myeloid and T‐lymphocyte subsets and their impact on 1 year survival in a single‐centre cohort of patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.

Methods and results

One hundred twenty‐nine consecutive patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis admitted for transfemoral TAVI were included. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, immediately after, and 24 h and 3 days after TAVI, and these were analysed for inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers. Myeloid and T‐lymphocyte subsets were measured using flow cytometry. The inflammatory parameters were first analysed as continuous variables; and in case of association with outcome and area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) ≥ 0.6, the values were dichotomized using optimal cut‐off points. Several baseline inflammatory parameters, including high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP; HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.15–1.63; P < 0.0001) and IL‐6 (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03; P = 0.003), lower counts of Th2 (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91–0.99; P = 0.009), and increased percentages of Th17 cells (HR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02–1.38; P = 0.024) were associated with 12 month all‐cause mortality. Among postprocedural parameters, only increased post‐TAVI counts of non‐classical monocytes immediately after TAVI were predictive of outcome (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05; P = 0.003). The occurrence of SIRS criteria within 48 h post‐TAVI showed no significant association with 12 month mortality (HR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.13–2.43, P = 0.45). In multivariate analysis of discrete or dichotomized clinical and inflammatory variables, the presence of diabetes mellitus (HR = 3.50; 95% CI: 1.42–8.62; P = 0.006), low left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.35–7.39; P = 0.008), increased baseline hsCRP (HR = 5.22; 95% CI: 2.09–13.01; P < 0.0001), and low baseline Th2 cell counts (HR = 8.83; 95% CI: 3.02–25.80) were significant predictors of death. The prognostic value of the linear prediction score calculated of these parameters was superior to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (AUC: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.78–0.99 vs. 0.75; 95% CI: 0.64–0.86, respectively; P = 0.036). Finally, when analysing LV remodelling outcomes, ROC curve analysis revealed that low numbers of Tregs (P = 0.017; AUC: 0.69) and increased Th17/Treg ratio (P = 0.012; AUC: 0.70) were predictive of adverse remodelling after TAVI.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate an association of specific pre‐existing inflammatory phenotypes with increased mortality and adverse LV remodelling after TAVI. Distinct monocyte and T‐cell signatures might provide additive biomarkers to improve pre‐procedural risk stratification in patients referred to TAVI for severe aortic stenosis.

Effect on Mortality of Systemic Thromboinflammatory Response After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

After transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) there is consistently identified decrease in platelets accompanied by a leucocyte (white blood cell, WBC) increase. We aimed to analyze the prognostic value of early platelet and WBC count changes (thromboinflammatory response) after successful TAVI. Among 432 consecutive patients [median 83.0 years of age, 63.4% women], platelets and WBCs were measured before and for 7 days post-TAVI. Follow-up was 36.9 (21.4 to 48.0) months. Platelet decrease (∆%Platelet-max) and parallel WBC increase (∆%WBC-max) were seen at days 1 to 3. Both ∆%Platelet-max ≤-37.6% and ∆%WBC-max >72.5% predicted mortality (area under the curve = 0.569 and area under the curve = 0.626). The 30-day and 1-year mortality (13.1% and 26.2%) were highest among 28% patients with a greater decrease in platelets and a greater increase in WBCs; intermediate (0.9% and 12.3%) among 52.5% patients with either a greater decrease in platelets or a greater increase in WBCs, but not both; and lowest (0% and 6.6%) among 19.5% patients with a lesser decrease in platelets and a lesser increase in WBCs (p <0.001). Estimated 4-year mortality rates were 53.7% versus 36.2% versus 24.5%, respectively, p <0.001. Bleeding, surgical wounds, acute kidney, and brain injury predicted a more intense thromboinflammatory response, whereas use of the newer generations had the opposite effect. In conclusion, substantial thromboinflammatory response identified after successful TAVI predicts a higher long-term mortality.

Systemic inflammatory response syndromes in the era of interventional cardiology

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), initially reported after cardiovascular surgery, has been described after various interventional cardiology procedures, including endovascular/thoracic aortic repair (EVAR/TEVAR), implantation of heart rhythm devices, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), electrophysiology procedures (EP), and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In these settings, a comprehensive understanding of the triggers, pathogenesis as well as a common diagnostic/therapeutic algorithm is lacking and will be discussed in this review. SIRS occurs in about 40% and 50% of patients undergoing TEVAR/EVAR and TAVI respectively; it affects 0.1% of patients undergoing implantation of heart rhythm devices. Prevalence is unknown after PCI or EP. Clinical presentation includes fever, dyspnoea/tachypnoea, tachycardia, weakness, chest pain and pericardial/pleural effusion. Several triggers can be identified, related to implanted devices, biomaterial, and procedural aspects (prolonged hypotension, aneurysm thrombus manipulation, active fixation atrial leads, coronary microembolization, balloon dilatation/stent implantantation, contrast medium, coronary/myocardial microperforation). Nonetheless, these triggers share three main pathogenic pathways leading to SIRS clinical manifestations: leucocytes activation, endothelial injury/activation, and myocardial/pericardial injury. Therapy consists of non-steroidal agents, with corticosteroids as second-line treatment in non-responders. Although a benign evolution is reported after implantation of heart rhythm devices, PCI and EP, major adverse events may occur after EVAR/TEVAR and TAVI at short- and mid-term follow up.

Impact of Acute Kidney Injury on Short- and Long-term Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently observed after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and is associated with higher mortality. However, the impact of AKI on long-term outcomes remains controversial. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the impact of AKI on short- and long-term outcomes following TAVI using the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 criteria.

METHODS

Consecutive patients (n = 794) with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI were included in a multicenter Brazilian registry. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of AKI. Four-year outcomes were determined as Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and an adjusted landmark analysis was used to test the impact of AKI on mortality among survivors at 12 months.

RESULTS

The incidence of AKI after TAVI was 18%. Independent predictors of AKI were age, diabetes mellitus, major or life-threatening bleeding and valve malpositioning. Acute kidney injury was independently associated with higher risk of all-cause death (adjusted HR, 2.8; 95%CI, 2.0-3.9; P < .001) and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR, 2.9; 95%CI, 1.9-4.4; P < .001) over the entire follow-up period. However, when considering only survivors at 12 months, there was no difference in both clinical endpoints (adjusted HR, 1.2; 95%CI, 0.5-2.4; P = .71, and HR, 0.7; 95%CI, 0.2-2.1; P = .57, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Acute kidney injury is a frequent complication after TAVI. Older age, diabetes, major or life-threatening bleeding, and valve malpositioning were independent predictors of AKI. Acute kidney injury is associated with worse short- and long-term outcomes. However, the major impact of AKI on mortality is limited to the first year after TAVI.

Reduced inflammatory response by transcatheter, as compared to surgical aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES

The inflammatory response to on-pump cardiac surgery is well known. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome after transcatheter valve implantation (TAVI) has been reported. The objective of this study was to study the inflammatory response during TAVI, and compare with the response during surgical aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

Eighteen patients undergoing transcatheter implantation, either by a transfemoral (n = 9) or transaortal (n = 9) approach were compared with eighteen patients admitted for surgical replacement. Blood samples per- and postoperatively were analysed for C3bc, terminal complement complex, myeloperoxidase, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, monocyte chemo-attractant peptide-1, eotaxin, IL-6 and troponin-T. All markers were measured at defined time points and the areas under the curve were compared.

RESULTS

Activation of complement, granulocytes, monocytes and eosinophils were significantly lower in the transcatheter group as compared to the surgical group (<0.01). There was no difference in generation of troponin T and IL-6. A small difference in complement activation was observed between the transfemoral and transaortal placement of TAVI. There was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the TAVI and surgical groups.

DISCUSSION

Activation and release of inflammatory markers was significantly less during with TAVI as compared to SAVR, particularly for markers associated with extracorporeal circulation. TAVI and SAVR generated the same degree of IL-6 and troponin T, indicating that the burden on the myocardial tissue was the same. Clinical Trials: Gov ID: NCT03074838 Unique protocol ID: 2012/7919.

Inflammation and Its Consequences After Surgical Versus Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Symptomatic aortic stenosis can be treated by surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), the latter of which is regarded as a minimally invasive procedure. Differences between these procedures regarding immune responses or changes in coagulation and neurocognitive function have thus far been evaluated only sparsely. We carried out a prospective, single-center, nonrandomized explorative study with 38 patients. Thirteen patients were subjected to either SAVR or transfemoral (TF-) TAVR, and 12 patients underwent transapical (TA-) TAVR. Plasma cytokines (IL-6, -8, -18, presepsin) and acute-phase proteins (C-reactive protein, procalcitonin), markers of coagulation and platelet function, and neurocognitive function (via various standard tests) were assessed before and at five-time points during a 72-h follow-up after surgery. SAVR and TA-TAVR patients responded similarly to the procedure in terms of C-reactive protein, leukocyte numbers, and IL-6, whereas these responses were substantially lower in TF-TAVR patients. Only SAVR patients showed measurable IL-10 levels. SAVR patients without prior anticoagulation experienced a robust and transient restoration of platelet function after surgery, with no hypercoagulation observable in functional coagulation assays. None of the procedures led to an immediate improvement of hand and leg coordination, but patients after TA-TAVR had decreased neurocognitive function. Patients after SAVR or TA-TAVR exhibit a robust pro-inflammatory response, which is-on the cytokine level-counterbalanced only in SAVR patients. Our results point toward a greater impact of TA-TAVR on neurocognitive function and indicate a potentially detrimental activation of platelets in some patients after SAVR.