Early Outcomes of 2 Mitral Valve Transcatheter Leaflet Approximation Devices: A Propensity Score-Matched Multicenter Comparison

BACKGROUND

In addition to the edge-to-edge MitraClip repair system, the edge-to-spacer PASCAL repair system was approved for percutaneous treatment of severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Comparative data are lacking.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare procedural and short-term safety and efficacy of 2 leaflet-based transcatheter mitral valve repair systems.

METHODS

Procedural and 30-day outcomes were investigated in a propensity score-matched cohort of 307 PASCAL and 307 MitraClip patients at 10 sites. Matching criteria included sex, age, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association functional class, MR etiology, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial volume index, and vena contracta width. The primary efficacy endpoints were technical success and degree of residual MR at discharge. The primary safety endpoint was the rate of major adverse events (MAE).

RESULTS

Technical success was 97.0% in the PASCAL group and 98.0% in the MitraClip group (P = 0.624). MR ≤2+ at discharge was comparable in both groups (PASCAL: 93.8% vs MitraClip: 92.4%; P = 0.527), with more patients exhibiting MR ≤1+ in the PASCAL group (70.5% vs 56.6%; P < 0.001). The postprocedural mean gradient was significantly higher in the MitraClip group (3.3 ± 1.5 mm Hg vs 3.9 ± 1.7 mm Hg; P < 0.001). At 30 days, all-cause mortality and MAE rates were similar (mortality: 1.7% vs 3.3%; P = 0.299; MAE: 3.9% vs 5.2%; P = 0.562).

CONCLUSIONS

In this first large propensity score-matched comparison, procedural success rates and MAE did not differ significantly between patients treated with the PASCAL or MitraClip valve repair system. Procedural results with less than moderate MR and no elevated transmitral gradient were more common in the PASCAL group, which might have an impact on long-term outcome.

Survival benefit of overweight patients undergoing MitraClip® procedure in comparison to normal-weight patients

BACKGROUND

The number of MitraClip® implantations increased significantly in recent years. Data regarding the impact of weight class on survival are sparse.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that weight class influences survival of patients treated with MitraClip® implantation.

METHODS

We investigated in-hospital, 1-year, 3-year, and long-term survival of patients successfully treated with isolated MitraClip® implantation for mitral valve regurgitation (MR) (June 2010-March 2018). Patients were categorized by weight classes, and the impact of weight classes on survival was analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 617 patients (aged 79.2 years; 47.3% females) treated with MitraClip® implantation (June 2010-March 2018), 12 patients were underweight (2.2%), 220 normal weight (40.1%), 237 overweight (43.2%), and 64 obesity class I (11.7%), 12 class II (2.2%), and 4 class III (0.7%). Preprocedural Logistic EuroScore (21.1 points [IQR 14.0-37.1]; 26.0 [18.5-38.5]; 26.0 [18.4-39.9]; 24.8 [16.8-33.8]; 33.0 [25.9-49.2]; 31.6 [13.1-47.6]; p = .291) was comparable between groups. Weight class had no impact on in-hospital death (0.0%; 4.1%; 1.5%; 0.0%; 7.7%; 0.0%; p = .189), 1-year survival (75.0%; 72.0%; 76.9%; 75.0%; 75.0%; 33.3%; p = .542), and 3-year survival (40.0%; 36.8%; 38.2%; 48.6%; 20.0%; 33.3%; p = .661). Compared to normal weight, underweight (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.35 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65-2.79], p = .419), obesity-class I (HR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.65-1.34], p = .705), class II (HR: 0.39 [95% CI: 0.12-1.24], p = .112), and class III (HR: 1.28 [95% CI: 0.32-5.21], p = .726) did not affect long-term survival. In contrast, overweight was associated with better survival (HR: 1.32 [95% CI: 1.04-1.68], p = .023).

CONCLUSION

Overweight affected the long-term survival of patients undergoing MitraClip® implantation beneficially compared to normal weight.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement With the EVOQUE System: 1-Year Outcomes of a Multicenter, First-in-Human Experience

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to report the midterm outcomes at 1 year in the expanded first-in-human experience with the transfemoral EVOQUE system (Edwards Lifesciences) for tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

BACKGROUND

Untreated TR is associated with excess mortality and morbidity. The first-in-human experience with the EVOQUE tricuspid valve replacement system reported favorable 30-day outcomes with no mortality in a compassionate use population.

METHODS

Twenty-seven patients with severe TR were treated with the EVOQUE system in a compassionate use experience at 7 centers between May 2019 and July 2020. All patients had clinical right-sided heart failure (HF) and were deemed inoperable and unsuitable for transcatheter edge-to-edge repair by the institutional heart teams. The clinical outcomes collected included all-cause mortality, symptom status, TR severity, HF hospitalization, and major adverse cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

At baseline, all patients (age: 77 ± 8 years, 89% female) were at high surgical risk (mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score: 8.6% ± 5.5%), with 89% New York Heart Association functional class III/IV. TR was predominantly functional in etiology (19/27, 70%). At 1 year, mortality was 7% (2/27), 70% of patients were New York Heart Association functional class I/II, and 96% and 87% of patients had a TR grade ≤2+ and ≤1+, respectively. Between 30 days and 1 year, 2 patients experienced HF hospitalizations, and 1 patient required a new pacemaker implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

In this early, compassionate use experience, the transfemoral transcatheter EVOQUE tricuspid valve replacement system demonstrated durable efficacy, persistent improvement in symptom status, and low rates of mortality and HF hospitalizations at a 1-year follow-up. Further studies are underway to validate its efficacy.

Early symptomatic benefit indicates long-term prognosis after transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair in functional and degenerative etiology

BACKGROUND

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is common in patients with heart failure and constitutes an independent risk factor for adverse prognosis besides NYHA-class. The predictive value of dyspnea reduction after transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) on outcome has not been investigated up to now.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We enrolled 627 consecutive patients (47.0% female, 57.4% functional MR; median follow-up 486 days[IQR 157/961]; survival status available in 96.8%; symptoms assessed in n = 556 at baseline / n = 406 at 1 month) treated with isolated percutaneous mitral valve edge-to-edge repair in our center from 06/2010-03/2018 (exclusion of combined forms of TMVr) in a monocentric retrospective analysis. Survival was 97.6% at discharge, 73.9% after 1, 54.5% after 3, 37.6% after 5 and 21.7% after 7-years. Before TMVr, NYHA-classes III/IV were found in 89.0%. Of these, 74.7% reported symptomatic relief (reduction in NYHA-class) one month after procedure (NYHA class recorded in 406 patients at 30 days). NYHA-classes III/IV were documented in 37.2% (p < 0.001) at 30 days and in 36.6% (p < 0.001) at 1 year without significant changes between the follow-ups. Dyspnea reduction was accompanied by significantly improved long-term survival (1 year, 89.1 vs 71.2%, p = 0.001, 2 years: 75.5 vs 58.7%, p = 0.039) and was identified as an independent predictor for lower mortality (1-year HR for increased mortality by missing symptomatic improvement 2.94 [95%CI 1.53-5.65], p = 0.001; long-term HR 1.95 [95%CI 1.29-2.94], p = 0.001) independently in both etiologies of MR.

CONCLUSION

TMVr by edge-to-edge therapy enables early and sustainable symptomatic improvement in nearly 75% of the symptomatic patients. The simple assessment of postinterventional changes in NYHA-class might serve as an independent predictor for mid- and long-term prognosis in both FMR and DMR.

Transcatheter treatment for tricuspid valve disease

Approximately 4% of subjects aged 75 years or more have clinically relevant tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Primary TR results from anatomical abnormality of the tricuspid valve apparatus and is observed in only 8-10% of the patients with tricuspid valve disease. Secondary TR is more common and arises as a result of annular dilation caused by right ventricular enlargement and dysfunction as a consequence of pulmonary hypertension, often caused by left-sided heart disease or atrial fibrillation. Irrespective of its aetiology, TR leads to volume overload and increased wall stress, both of which negatively contribute to detrimental remodelling and worsening TR. This vicious circle translates into impaired survival and increased heart failure symptoms in patients with and without reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Interventions to correct TR are underutilised in daily clinical practice owing to increased surgical risk and late patient presentation. The recently introduced transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions aim to address this unmet need. Dedicated expertise and an interdisciplinary Heart Team evaluation are essential to integrate these new techniques successfully and select patients. The present article proposes a standardised approach to evaluate patients with TR who may be candidates for transcatheter interventions. In addition, a state-of-the-art review of the available transcatheter therapies, the main criteria for patient and device selection, and information concerning the remaining uncertainties are provided.

Transgastric imaging-The key to successful periprocedural TEE guiding for edge-to-edge repair of the tricuspid valve

Intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance plays an essential role in transcatheter repair therapy of the tricuspid valve (TV). So far, several different imaging concepts are in use. We propose an imaging protocol that fully addresses the morphological complexity of the TV and further offers efficacious workarounds for the frequently occurring restrictions of TV imaging in edge-to-edge repair of the TV. As a tertiary referral center with a large experience of more than 250 cases of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) of the TV performed at the Heart Valve Center in Mainz/Germany, we have constantly adapted our peri-interventional echocardiographic approach to accomplish both. As a key measure for success, we intensely rely on the transgastric acoustic windows that not only deliver high-resolution information on the morphology of the TV and all relevant procedural steps but also help to avoid the frequent shadowing artifacts experienced in transesophageal imaging.

Manual zur Indikation und Durchführung spezieller echokardiographischer Anwendungen

Das zweite Manual zur Indikation und Durchführung der Echokardiographie bezieht sich auf spezifische Anwendungen der Echokardiographie und besondere Fragestellungen bei speziellen Patientengruppen. Dabei stehen v. a. praktische Aspekte im Vordergrund. Methodisch etabliert sind die transösophageale Echokardiographie, die Stressechokardiographie und die Kontrastechokardiographie. Bei nahezu allen echokardiographischen Untersuchungen spielen aktuell 3‑D-Echokardiographie und Deformationsbildgebung eine Rolle. Das gesamte Spektrum der echokardiographischen Möglichkeiten wird derzeit in Notfall- und Intensivmedizin, bei der Überwachung und Führung von Katheterinterventionen, bei strukturellen Herzerkrankungen, bei herzchirurgischen Operationen, bei der Nachsorge von kardialen Unterstützungssystemen, bei kongenitalen Vitien im Erwachsenenalter und bei der Versorgung von hochinfektiösen Patienten in Pandemiezeiten angewandt. Die diagnostischen Fortschritte der konventionellen und modernen echokardiographischen Anwendungen stehen im Fokus dieses Manuals. Die 3‑D-Echokardiographie zur Charakterisierung der kardialen Morphologie und die Deformationsbildgebung zur Objektivierung der kardialen Funktion sind bei vielen Indikationen im klinischen Alltag etabliert. Die Stressechokardiographie zur Ischämie‑, Vitalitäts- und Vitiendiagnostik, die Bestimmung der koronaren Flussreserve und die Kontrastechokardiographie bei der linksventrikulären Wandbewegungsanalyse und kardialen Tumordetektion finden zunehmend klinische Anwendung. Wie für die konventionelle Echokardiographie im ersten Manual der Echokardiographie 2009 beschrieben, erfordert der Einsatz moderner echokardiographischer Verfahren die standardisierte Dokumentation und Akquisition bestimmter Bildsequenzen bei optimierter Geräteeinstellung, da korrekte und reproduzierbare Auswertungen nur bei guter Bildqualität möglich sind.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on long-term survival after transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a notable risk factor after surgical and interventional procedures but data on the influence of DM on long-term survival after Transcatheter Edge-to-edge Repair (TEER) for Mitral valve Regurgitation (MR) are sparse.

Purpose

To compare the outcome of patients with and without DM after TEER.

Methods

Retrospective monocentric assessment of patients after successful treatment of MR by TEER (exclusion of combined forms of transcatheter repair) between 06/2010 and 03/2018. Patients were stratified for DM at baseline and observed regarding mortality during follow-up. Cox regression analyses were performed for survival analyses.

Results

627 patients (47.0% females, 88.2% aged ≥70 years) and among these 174 subjects with DM (27.3%) were included with a median follow-up period of 486 days [IQR 157–916 days]). Within the investigation period, 20 patients (3.2%) were lost to follow-up. Patients with DM more often presented severe comorbidities like obesity (27.3% vs. 9.2%, p&lt;0.001), arterial hypertension (91.4% vs. 83.7%, p=0.013), renal insufficiency (63.8% vs. 43.9%, p&lt;0.001), coronary artery disease (77.0% vs. 59.8%, p&lt;0.001) or peripheral artery disease (14.4% vs. 8.4%, p=0.026) and had a higher median logistic Euroscore I (29.4% [20.0/43.0] vs. 25.0% [16.7/36.6], p=0.001) as well as reduced systolic function (LVEF 35% [30/50] vs. 45% [30/55], p&lt;0.001). No statistical differences in short- and long-term survival were detected between patients with and without DM (in-hospital mortality 1.7 vs. 2.6%, p=0.771; at 30-days 5.0 vs. 6.0%, p=0.842, 1-year 28.7 vs. 25.0%, p=0.419, 3-years 49.2 vs. 44.1%, p=0.554, 5-years 69.0 vs. 68.3%, p=0.497). By calculating cox regression analyses, DM was not predictive for a higher mortality, even after adjustment for other risk factors (HR 1-year 1.17 [95% CI 0.80–1.71], p=0.419; HR long-term 1.13 [95% CI 0.86–1.49], p=0.373) in the total cohort, as well as after stratification for the underlying mitral valve pathology (functional MR: 1-year HR 0.99 [95% CI 0.01–1.62], p=0.969, long-term HR 0.903 [95% CI 0.63–1.29, p=0.571; primary MR: 1-year HR 1.48 [95% CI 0.66–3.35, p=0.344, long-term HR1.66 [95% CI 0.89–3.09], p=0.110).

Conclusions

Even though DM-patients presented with a more vulnerable clinical profile, no relevant differences in short- and long-term mortality after TEER for MR were found. Although being factored in most common risk scores, DM could not be associated with an adverse prognosis after transcatheter therapy of MR.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

A first dedicated heart valve unit: safe and streamlined patient care for the rapidly growing field of transcatheter heart valve interventions

Background

A dedicated Heart Valve Unit was launched in 2018 to meet the demands of the growing transcatheter heart valve program by optimizing patient care in a single dedicated unit.

Purpose

To assess the performance of the heart valve unit (all steps of patient care in a single unit with intermediate care facilities) over a conventional approach (preparation on a normal ward, postprocedural intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring and transfer to an additional monitoring ward before discharge) in a high volume center.

Methods

Retrospective analysis including patients undergoing transcatheter mitral or tricuspid valve repair who were admitted to the Heart Valve Unit (02/2018–01/2020) compared to a conventional patient care approach (02/2016–01/2018). Patients who were already preprocedurally admitted to the ICU or in whom ICU monitoring postprocedurally was mandatory (direct annuloplasty, valve replacement) were excluded. The Heart Valve Unit patient care algorithm is presented in figure 1. We assessed procedural numbers, length of hospital stay, length and need for ICU monitoring, patient transfers between wards and periprocedural safety including in-hospital mortality.

Results

We observed a 164% increase in procedures (521 vs. 316 in total, 369 vs 282 with mitral valve procedures and 152 vs 34 tricuspid valve procedures) with the launch of the Heart Valve Unit over the 2-year-interval compared to the earlier time period. Length of in-hospital stay was significantly decreased compared to a conventional approach (9±7 vs. 12±11 days, p&lt;0.001). In particular, postprocedural stay could be shortened from 7±7 to 5±6 days (p&lt;0.001). Patients were less transferred between different wards in the Heart Valve Unit setting (p&lt;0.001). Whereas all patients were postprocedurally transferred to the ICU in the conventional setting, only 16% of patients required an ICU bed immediately after the procedure due to complex interventions, intraprocedural events or high-risk comorbidities. The length of stay on ICU declined from 1.4±1.4 to 0.5±2.2 days. Among the patients re-transferred to the Heart Valve Unit directly after the procedure, 2% (10 patients) required an ICU bed in the further course due to hemodynamic instability (2), severe bleeding (4), seizures (1), ventricular fibrillation (1), anaesthetic overhang (1) or after urgent surgery due to a atrioventricular fistula (1). After stabilization, all patients were re-transferred to the Heart Valve Unit and discharged hereinafter. There was no intra-hospital death among these patients.

Conclusions

A dedicated Heart Valve Unit allows a safe and optimized patient care structure for transcatheter valvular interventions by combining all pre- and postprocedural steps in a single unit, thereby decreasing length of in-hospital stay to meet increasing economic demands. ICU capacity can be specifically used for complex procedures aftercare and complication monitoring.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Edge-to-edge transcatheter valve repair of atrial functional mitral regurgitation positively influences atrial pathology

Introduction

Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is the result of an insufficient coaptation of the mitral valve leaflets lacking relevant degeneration or morphological alterations of the valve apparatus. In most patients, this is caused by left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and remodelling (ischemic or non-ischemic). However, a small subset of FMR patients is seen in the context of left atrial (LA) enlargement due to isolated atrial dilation in the absence of a ventricular pathology and has been termed “atrial functional MR” (AFMR) as a distinct etiology of FMR.

The effect of transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) by edge-to-edge-repair (e.g., MitraClip®) on AFMR reduction has not been studied, but it is considered to be effective regarding its effect on the anterior-posterior mitral annular diameter.

Methods

We retrospectively screened all 737 patients treated with TMVR by edge-to-edge repair in our center between January 2013 and April 2019. AFMR was defined as FMR with: (1) relevant LA dilatation, (2) no LV systolic dysfunction or (3) dilatation, (4) no ischemic etiology of FMR. LA mean pressure was invasively measured peri-interventionally before and after device implantation. Echocardiographic assessment was repeated at 1 year follow-up (1yFUP).

Results

Among 350 patients (47.5%) with FMR, 57 patients (16.3%) met the inclusion criteria for AFMR and were included in the data analysis. All patients in the AFMR group (mean age 81.4±5.7 years, 78.9% female) were symptomatic (82.2% functional NYHA class≥III) at baseline and were assessed to be at elevated risk for surgery (mean logistic EuroScore of 24.8±12.0%).

TVMR was successfully performed in all patients without any peri-interventional major complications. At hospital discharge, 78.3% of patients had mild residual MR and 17.4% had no detectable MR. At 1 year, the echocardiographic prevalence of residual moderate MR was 11.4% and 2.9% of patients had severe MR (Figure A). Invasive LA mean pressure measurements were available in 39 patients (68.4%). In average, LA mean pressures decreased from 18.8 mmHg to 12.8 mmHg (p&lt;0.001).

Analysis at 1yFUP showed a significant reduction in LA volume, both at end-systole (79.6±31.9 vs. 66.9±31.8 ml/m2 p&lt;0.001; Figure B) and at end-diastole (61.6±21.5 vs. 50.4±27.37 ml/m2; p&lt;0.01; Figure C). LA ejection fraction increased from 18.8%±12.6% to 30.1%±12.3% in 54.8% of patients. These findings were accompanied by a relevant symptomatic benefit (NYHA class I/II was found in 66.7% of patients at 1 year).

Conclusions

Transcatheter mitral valve repair by edge-to-edge therapy in symptomatic patients with atrial functional mitral regurgitation is safe and capable of a relevant reduction of mitral regurgitation severity accompanied by symptomatic improvement and positive atrial remodeling.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

German Multicenter Experience With a New Leaflet-Based Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair System for Mitral Regurgitation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the procedural and short-term safety and efficacy of a new leaflet-based transcatheter mitral valve repair system.

BACKGROUND

The PASCAL repair system has been recently approved for percutaneous treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR). Novel characteristics are broad paddles positioned around a central spacer and the ability for independent leaflet capture.

METHODS

Procedural and 30-day outcomes were investigated in the first 309 patients with symptomatic MR 3+/4+ treated with the PASCAL repair system at 10 sites. Primary efficacy endpoints were technical success and degree of residual MR at discharge. The primary safety endpoint was the rate of major adverse events (MAE).

RESULTS

Among the 309 patients (mean age 77 ± 10 years, 42% women, mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II score 5.8 ± 4.5%) included in this study, MR etiology was degenerative in 33%, functional in 52%, and mixed in 16%. Eighty-six percent of patients were in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. The technical success rate was 96%. Of 308 patients discharged alive, MR was ≤2+ in 93.5%. At 30 days, the MAE rate was 4.1%, with an estimated all-cause mortality rate of 2.0%, and 72% of patients were in New York Heart Association functional class ≤II (p < 0.001). Rates of device success and CLASP (Edwards PASCAL Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair System Study) trial-defined clinical success were 81.9% and 86.9%, respectively. Single-leaflet device attachment occurred in 7 patients (2.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Mitral valve repair with the PASCAL system in the early post-approval phase was effective and safe, with high procedural success rates and low rates of MAE. MR was significantly reduced, accompanied by significant improvement in functional status.

Computed tomography imaging needs for novel transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement therapies

Transcatheter tricuspid valve therapies are an emerging field in structural heart interventions due to the rising number of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation and the high risk for surgical treatment. Computed tomography (CT) allows exact measurements of the annular plane, evaluation of adjacent structures, assessment of the access route, and can also be used to identify optimal fluoroscopic projection planes to enhance periprocedural imaging. This review provides an overview of current transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement therapies and to what extent CT can support these interventions.

Impact of Mitral Annular Dilation on Edge-to-Edge Therapy With MitraClip-XTR

[Figure: see text].

Outcomes of transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention by right ventricular function: a multicentre propensity-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options and is frequently accompanied by right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions (TTVI) to reduce TR have been shown to be safe and feasible with encouraging early results. Patient selection for TTVI remains challenging, with the role of right ventricular (RV) function being unknown.

AIMS

The aims of this study were 1) to investigate survival in a TTVI-treated patient population and a conservatively treated TR population, and 2) to evaluate the outcome of TTVI as compared to conservative treatment stratified according to the degree of RV function.

METHODS

We studied 684 patients from the multicentre TriValve cohort (TTVI cohort) and compared them to 914 conservatively treated patients from two tertiary care centres. Propensity matching identified 213 pairs of patients with severe TR. As we observed a non-linear relationship of RV function and TTVI outcome, we stratified patients according to tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) to preserved (TAPSE >17 mm), mid-range (TAPSE 13-17 mm) and reduced (TAPSE <13 mm) RV function. The primary outcome was one-year all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

TTVI was associated with a survival benefit in patients with severe TR when compared to matched controls (one-year mortality rate: 13.1% vs 25.8%; p=0.031). Of the three RV subgroups, only in patients with mid-range RV function was TTVI associated with an improved survival (p log-rank 0.004). In these patients, procedural success was associated with a reduced hazard ratio for all-cause mortality (HR 0.22; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

TTVI is associated with reduced mortality compared to conservative therapy and might exert its highest treatment effect in patients with mid-range reduced RV function.

Short-Term Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair With the Third-Generation MitraClip XTR System

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess 30-day outcomes of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair with the MitraClip XTR for significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR), relative to baseline coaptation gap sizes (CGS).

BACKGROUND

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using the MitraClip NT for patients with significant TR is safe and efficacious; the utility of the MitraClip XTR is unknown.

METHODS

Patients with significant, symptomatic TR treated at a single site between April 2018 and December 2019, with consent and with complete data, were included (n = 50). Baseline and 30-day echocardiograms were assessed by an echocardiography core laboratory. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups on the basis of site-assessed CGS: subgroup I (< 7 mm), subgroup II (7 to 10 mm), and subgroup III (>10 mm).

RESULTS

Technical success of the MitraClip XTR implantation was 100% (88% in the septal-anterior position) using a median of 2 clips (interquartile range: 1 to 2). At 30 days, single-leaflet detachment was noted in 3 patients (6%), with no instances of device embolization. TR was reduced by 1 grade in subgroup I and by 2 grades in subgroups II and III. New York Heart Association functional class was reduced by 1 class in all 3 subgroups. The 6-min walk distance increased in subgroup I (+115 m; p = 0.014) and subgroup II (+31.5 m; p = 0.028) but not subgroup III (+50 m; p = 0.999). A CGS of ≤8.4 mm was predictive of a reduction to moderate or less TR.

CONCLUSIONS

MitraClip XTR implantation is a safe, effective treatment for a wider range of CGS in patients with symptomatic, significant TR than prior device iterations. All patients showed improvement in New York Heart Association functional class, and those with CGS <10 mm also experienced improved functional capacity.

Minimizing Paravalvular Regurgitation With the Novel SAPIEN 3 Ultra TAVR Prosthesis: A Real-World Comparison Study

Objectives: We investigated performance and outcome of the latest-generation balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 Ultra prosthesis (S3U) compared to the established SAPIEN 3 prosthesis (S3) in a real-world cohort, with focus on paravalvular regurgitation (PVR).

Background: PVR is an adverse prognostic indicator of short- and long-term survival after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The S3U has been designed to improve sealing.

Methods: We enrolled 343 consecutive patients presenting with severe native aortic valve stenosis eligible for a balloon-expandable prosthesis. The established S3 was implanted in the first 200 patients, the following 143 patients received the novel S3U after introduction in our institution. Primary endpoint was PVR after TAVR. Furthermore, we investigated procedural parameters and in-hospital and 30-day outcome.

Results: PVR was significantly lower in the S3U cohort compared to the S3 cohort. They differed in their rate of mild PVR (11.2 vs. 48.0%, p < 0.001), whereas at least moderate PVR was similarly low in both cohorts (0.7 vs. 0.5%, p = 0.811). A significant reduction of post-dilatation rate, fluoroscopy time, and amount of contrast was observed in patients treated with the novel S3U (p < 0.001). The rate of adverse events in the in-hospital course and at 30 days were similarly low. At 30 days more patients receiving S3U improved in NYHA class (improvement ≥2 grades 34.6 vs. 19.9%, p = 0.003).

Conclusion: The current study provides evidence that the novel S3U strongly minimizes PVR, thereby demonstrating the efficacy of improved sealing. Further studies will have to address if the observed reduction of PVR with S3U has prognostic significance.

Percutaneous puncture of an aorto-bifemoral bypass graft and successful closure with MANTA® device in transfemoral TAVR

Transfemoral aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a standard therapeutic option for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Special anatomies can pose distinct challenges for vascular access and later closure of the access site, for example, in preoperated patients. Here, we elucidate a case of transfemoral TAVR with vascular access by direct puncture of an aorto-bifemoral bypass graft and illustrate the feasibility of vascular closure by an anchored collagen-plug vascular closure device (Teleflex MANTA^® ).

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Intervention in Patients With Right Ventricular Dysfunction or Pulmonary Hypertension: Insights From the TriValve Registry

BACKGROUND

Scarce data exist on patients with right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) or pulmonary hypertension (PH) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention. This study aimed to determine the early and midterm outcomes and the factors associated with mortality in this group of patients.

METHODS

This subanalysis of the multicenter TriValve (Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies) registry included 300 patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation with RVD (n=244), PH (n=127), or both (n=71) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention. RVD was defined as a tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion <17 mm, and PH as an estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥50 mm Hg.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 77±9 years (54% women). Procedural success was 80.7%, and 9 patients (3%) died during the hospitalization. At a median follow-up of 6 (interquartile range, 2-12) months, 54 patients (18%) died, and the independent associated factors were higher gamma-glutamyl transferase values at baseline (hazard ratio, 1.02 for each increase of 10 u/L [95% CI, 1.002-1.04]), poorer renal function defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min (hazard ratio, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.22-4.33]), and the lack of procedural success (hazard ratio, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.17-3.81]). The grade of RVD and the amount of PH at baseline were not found to be predictors of mortality. Most patients alive at follow-up improved their functional class (New York Heart Association I-II in 66% versus 7% at baseline, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation and RVD/PH, transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention was associated with high procedural success and a relatively low in-hospital mortality, along with significant improvements in functional status. However, about 1 out of 5 patients died after a median follow-up of 6 months, with hepatic congestion, renal dysfunction, and the lack of procedural success determining an increased risk. These results may improve the clinical evaluation of transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention candidates and would suggest a closer follow-up in those at increased risk. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03416166.

Tricuspid valve repair with the Cardioband system: two-year outcomes of the multicentre, prospective TRI-REPAIR study

AIMS

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates with limited treatment options. We report one- and two-year outcomes of the Cardioband tricuspid valve reconstruction system in the treatment of ≥moderate functional TR in the TRI-REPAIR study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty patients were enrolled in this single-arm, multicentre, prospective study. Patients were evaluated as having ≥moderate, symptomatic functional TR and deemed inoperable due to unacceptable surgical risk. Clinical, functional, and echocardiographic data were prospectively collected up to two years (mean duration 604±227 days). At baseline, 83% were in NYHA Class III-IV, and the mean LVEF was 58%. Technical success was 100%. At two years, there were eight deaths. Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in septolateral annular diameter of 16% (p=0.006) and 72% of patients (p=0.016) with ≤moderate TR grade; 82% of patients were in NYHA Class I-II (p=0.002). Six-minute walk distance and KCCQ score improved by 73 m (p=0.058) and 14 points (p=0.046), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that the Cardioband tricuspid system showed favourable results in patients with symptomatic, ≥moderate functional TR. Annular reduction and TR severity reduction remained significant and sustained at two years. Patients experienced improvements in quality of life and exercise capacity. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02981953.

Concomitant tricuspid regurgitation severity and its secondary reduction determine long-term prognosis after transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair

Background

Concomitant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a common finding in mitral regurgitation (MR). Transcatheter repair (TMVR) is a favorable treatment option in patients at elevated surgical risk. To date, evidence on long-term prognosis and the prognostic impact of TR after TMVR is limited.

Methods

Long-term survival data of patients undergoing isolated edge-to-edge repair from June 2010 to March 2018 (combinations with other forms of TMVR or tricuspid valve therapy excluded) were analyzed in a retrospective monocentric study. TR severity was categorized and the impact of TR on survival was analysed.

Results

Overall, 606 patients [46.5% female, 56.4% functional MR (FMR)] were enrolled in this study. TR at baseline was categorized severe/medium/mild/no or trace in 23.2/34.3/36.3/6.3% of the cases. At 30-day follow-up, improvement of at least one TR-grade was documented in 34.9%. Severe TR at baseline was identified as predictor of 1-year survival [65.2% vs. 77.0%, p = 0.030; HR for death 1.68 (95% CI 1.12–2.54), p = 0.013] and in FMR-patients also regarding long-term prognosis [adjusted HR for long-term mortality 1.57 (95% CI 1.00–2.45), p = 0.049]. Missing post-interventional reduction of TR severity was predictive for poor prognosis, especially in the FMR-subgroup [1-year survival: 92.9% vs. 78.3%, p = 0.025; HR for death at 1-year follow-up 3.31 (95% CI 1.15–9.58), p = 0.027]. While BNP levels decreased in both subgroups, TR reduction was associated with improved symptomatic benefit (NYHA-class-reduction 78.6 vs. 65.9%, p = 0.021).

Conclusion

In this large study, both, severe TR at baseline as well as missing secondary reduction were predictive for impaired long-term prognosis, especially in patients with FMR etiology. TR reduction was associated with increased symptomatic benefit.

Graphic abstract

First-in-Human Percutaneous Circumferential Annuloplasty for Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation

Transcatheter therapies to treat tricuspid regurgitation are being developed, but few have attempted the gold standard of surgical repair: ring annuloplasty. We describe the first-ever fully percutaneous implantation of a circumferential, semirigid annuloplasty ring to treat massive secondary tricuspid regurgitation. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)

Impact of tricuspid valve regurgitation severity and its secondary reduction on long-term survival after transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge repair

Background

Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) is a frequent heart valve disorder affecting 1–2% of the humans in the general population and over 10% of the individuals older than 75 years. While a symptomatic and prognostic benefit of transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for MR (TMVR) was reported, data regarding long-term outcome as well as influence of concomitant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are sparse.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the impact of periinterventional development of TR on survival of patients undergoing interventional edge-to-edge repair for MR in a large retrospective monocentric study.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed survival of patients successfully treated with isolated edge-to-edge repair for MR from 06/2010–03/2018 (exclusion of combined forms of TMVR) in our center. Baseline, periprocedural as well as follow-up data were gathered. Concomitant TR was evaluated at baseline and after 30 days and categorized from grades 0 (no TR) to grade III (severe TR). We analyzed the influence of severe vs. non-severe TR on 30-day, 1-year and long-term survival.

Results

Overall, 627 consecutive patients (47.0% female, 57.4% functional MR) were enrolled. Median follow-up time was 462 days [IQR 142–945]. Survival status was available in 96.7%. Survival rates were 97.6% at discharge, 75.7% after 1, 54.5% after 3, 37.6% after 5 and 21.7% after 7 years.

TR at baseline (examination results were available in 92.3%) was categorized as severe TR in 25.6%, medium TR in 33.3%, mild TR in 35.1% and no TR in 6.0%. TR at 1 month (examination results were available in 81.1%) was severe in 16.7%, medium in 30.2%, mild in 45.6% and no TR was found in 7.4%; improvement by at least 1 TR-grade was documented in 33.6% of the patients.

While a severe (compared to non-severe) TR at baseline did not affect the 30-day mortality (7.4% vs. 5.2%, p=0.354), 1-year survival was substantially impaired in those patients (36.5% vs. 23.0%, p=0.012). Accordingly, severe TR was not associated with 30d-mortality (as evaluated by univariate Cox regression, p=0.340), but with 1-year survival (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.19–2.65, p=0.005) and showed a trend towards impaired long-term survival (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.96–1.76, p=0.089).

While residual severe TR at one month did not influence 1-year-mortality significantly (p=0.478), improvement of TR demonstrated a trend to better survival after the first year (86.9 vs. 81.0%, p=0.208) confirmed in the Cox regression analysis (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.36–1.22, p=0.188).

Conclusions

In this large retrospective monocentric study with a long-term follow-up-period of &gt;7 years after edge-to-edge therapy for MR, we demonstrated that severe TR at the time of the intervention had an impact on 1-year-survival. Furthermore, a missing periinterventional improvement of TR was shown to be unfavorable regarding the long-term survival of these patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

3-Dimensional assessment of tricuspid annular geometry after percutaneous edge-to-edge repair in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation

Background

Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR) using edge-to-edge leaflet therapy (E2E) has evolved as a feasible therapy to treating severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The TRILUMINATE trial using the new TriClip NT has shown promising clinical and functional improvements. However, the 3rd generation MitraClip XTr (Abbott Structural Heart, Santa Clara, CA, USA) has a broad off-label experience in the European Union to address tricuspid TR with wider gaps. There is insufficient data on the secondary effects of E2E on tricuspid annular geometry. The aim of this study was to address this lack of knowledge by evaluating the acute effects of E2E using the MitraClip XTr.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the imaging data of procedures using the MitraClip XTr to treat severe symptomatic TR at our Institution in 2018. Tricuspid annular geometry was assessed before and immediately after clip implantation by 3D TEE analysis of biplane and manual and automated volume data.

Results

During 2018, 69 patients were treated for severe TR using a transcatheter approach. In 61 patients, E2E was used, in 58 patients the MitraClip XTr was utilized (Pascal: n=3, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA). Mean age was 79.0 years ± 6.4. Percutaneous TTVR using the MitraClip XTr significantly decreased the diastolic septal-lateral diameter (S/L: 4.1±0.7cm vs. 3.6±0.7cm; p&lt;0.001), annulus area (14.9±6.7 vs. 12.8±6.2 cm2; p&lt;0.001) and annulus perimeter (14.7±25.0 vs. 13.8±24.4 cm; p&lt;0.001) whereas the diastolic anterior-posterior diameter was not significantly affected (A/P: 4.5±1cm vs. 4.4±0.8cm; p=0,45).

Conclusions

Percutaneous TTVR using MitraClip XTr showed significant changes in TV annulus geometry by focal perimeter and area reduction. This highlights a new mechanism of E2E therapy through indirectly adressing the dilated annulus in patients with severe TR.

Annulus geometry by TOE, 3D- and autoMPR

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Association of transcatheter direct mitral annuloplasty with acute anatomic, haemodynamic, and clinical outcomes in severe mitral valve regurgitation

AIMS

Several approaches for transcatheter mitral valve repair for functional mitral valve regurgitation are established. Interventional direct annuloplasty is a novel trans-venous, trans-septal approach. While feasibility was proven recently, knowledge on its influence on cardiac dimensions, pressures, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes is sparse.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients consecutively treated with direct annuloplasty-only procedures between December 2015 and April 2018 were included in this monocentric analysis. Echocardiographic measurements, biomarker levels, clinical status [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and 6 min walk test] were assessed at baseline, at discharge, and at a 30 day follow-up. Overall, 18 patients (in mean 77.0 ± 7.4 years, 44.4% women) with initially all high-grade mitral valve regurgitation (MR) were included in this study. Procedural success rate was high (94.4%) without severe complications. Direct annuloplasty resulted in MR-reduction (post-procedural-MR mild or no/trace: 72.2%) and the proportion of patients with severe dyspnoea (NYHA III/IV) was reduced (88.9% vs. 50%, P = 0.008). Clinical results were associated with a relevant diminution of left atrial volumes (-16.5%, P < 0.001) and cardiac pressures [left atrial pressure (-32.3%, P = 0.019) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP, -15.8%, P = 0.025)]. Patients with lower baseline levels of PAP (P = 0.022) as well as elevated highly sensitive troponin (P = 0.034) were more likely to archive clinical benefit (improvement in NYHA class ≥1 grade) after 1 month, which could not be correlated with the grade of MR-reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter mitral valve repair by direct annuloplasty results in a relevant reduction of intracardiac pressures, left atrial volumes, dyspnoea, and MR. Lower PAP and higher troponin values at baseline could be associated to dyspnoea reduction.

Feasibility of a MPR-based 3DTEE guidance protocol for transcatheter direct mitral valve annuloplasty

OBJECTIVES

Several interventional approaches have been established for the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients at elevated risk for surgery. Direct annuloplasty is a relatively novel option in transcatheter mitral valve repair dedicated to reverse pathology in specific subsets of MR. With regard to echocardiographic guidance, this procedure presents with higher efforts in comparison with edge-to-edge therapy to enable safe and exact positioning of the device's anchors; evidence on optimal peri-interventional imaging is sparse. We tested a specific 3D-echo-guidance protocol implementing single-beat multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and evaluated its feasibility.

METHODS

Overall, 16 patients consecutively treated with transcatheter direct annuloplasty for severe MR (87.5% functional/6.3% degenerative/6.3% mixed pathology) were entered in this monocentric analysis. Of these, two patients received a combined procedure including edge-to-edge repair. For all implantations, a 3D-echo-guidance protocol inheriting MPR was employed.

RESULTS

Periprocedural device time decreased continuously (overall mean 140 ± 55.1 minutes, 213 ± 38 minutes in the first 4 vs 108 ± 33 minutes in the last 4 procedures, P = .018) using the MPR-based echo protocol, going along with reduced fluoroscopy times and doses. Technical success rate was high (93.8%) without any serious cardiac-related adverse events. MR could be relevantly improved.

CONCLUSION

Echocardiographic guidance of transcatheter direct annuloplasty using a real time MPR-based protocol is feasible and safe. Optimized imaging might enable reduced implantation times and potentially increases safety.

Impact of obesity on adverse in-hospital outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve edge-to-edge repair using MitraClip® procedure - Results from the German nationwide inpatient sample

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The number of percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral regurgitation (MR) valve repairs with MitraClip® implantations increased exponentially in recent years. Studies have suggested an obesity survival paradox in patients with cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the influence of obesity on adverse in-hospital outcomes in patients with MitraClip® implantation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed data on characteristics of patients and in-hospital outcomes for all percutaneous mitral valve repairs using the edge-to-edge MitraClip®-technique in Germany 2011-2015 stratified for obesity vs. normal-weight/over-weight. The nationwide inpatient sample comprised 13,563 inpatients undergoing MitraClip® implantations. Among them, 1017 (7.5%) patients were coded with obesity. Obese patients were younger (75 vs.77 years,P < 0.001), more often female (45.4% vs.39.5%,P < 0.001), had more often heart failure (87.1% vs.79.2%,P < 0.001) and renal insufficiency (67.0% vs.56.4%,P < 0.001). Obese and non-obese patients were comparable regarding major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and in-hospital death. The combined endpoint of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation and death was more often reached in non-obese than in obese patients with a trend towards significance (20.6%vs.18.2%,P = 0.066). Obesity was an independent predictor of reduced events regarding the combined endpoint of CPR, mechanical ventilation and death (OR 0.75, 95%CI 0.64-0.89,P < 0.001), but not for reduced in-hospital mortality (P = 0.355) or reduced MACCE rate (P = 0.108). Obesity class III was associated with an elevated risk for pulmonary embolism (OR 5.66, 95%CI 1.35-23.77,P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed an obesity paradox regarding the combined endpoint of CPR, mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death in patients undergoing MitraClip® implantation, but our results failed to confirm an impact of obesity on in-hospital survival or MACCE.

Transcatheter indirect mitral annuloplasty induces annular and left atrial remodelling in secondary mitral regurgitation

Aims

Mitral annuloplasty using the Carillon Mitral Contour System (CMCS) reduces secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) and leads to reverse left ventricular remodelling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the CMCS on the mitral valve annulus (MA) and left atrial volume (LAV).

Methods and results

We retrospectively evaluated the data of all patients treated with the CMCS at our centre. Using transthoracic echocardiography, MA diameters were assessed by measuring the anterolateral to posteromedial extend (ALPM) and the anterior to posterior (AP) dimensions, respectively. Also, LAV and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (LVEDV) were assessed. Patients were examined at three time points: baseline, at 20–60 days (30dFUP), and at 9–15 months (1yFUP), using paired analysis. From July 2014 until March 2019, 75 cases of severe SMR were treated using CMCS. Cases in which other devices were used in combination (COMBO therapy, n = 35) or in which the device could not be implanted (implant failure, n = 3) were excluded, leaving 37 patients in the present analysis. Analysis at 30dFUP showed a significant reduction of 16% in the mean ALPM diameter (7.27 ± 5.40 mm) and 15% in the AP diameter (6.57 ± 5.33 mm). Analysis of LAV also showed a significant reduction of 21% (36.61 ± 82.67 mL), with no significant change in LVEDV. At 1yFUP, the reduction of both the mean ALPM diameter of 14% (6.24 ± 5.70 mm) and the mean AP diameter of 12% (5.46 ± 4.99 mm) remained significant and stable. The reduction in LAV was also maintained at 23% (37.03 ± 56.91 mL). LAV index was significantly reduced by 17% at 30dFUP (15.44 ± 40.98 mL/m²) and by 13% at 1yFUP (11.56 ± 31.87 mL/m²), respectively. LVEDV index showed no significant change at 30dFUP and a non‐significant 10% reduction at 1yFUP (17.75 ± 58.79 mL/m²).

Conclusions

The CMCS successfully treats symptomatic SMR with a stable reduction of not only the AP diameter of the MA, but the current study also demonstrates an additional reduction of the ALPM dimension at both 30dFUP and 1yFUP. We have also shown for the first time that LAV and LAV index are significantly reduced at both 30dFUP and 1yFUP and a non‐significant positive remodelling of the LVEDV. This positive left atrial remodelling has not been looked for and demonstrated in earlier randomized studies of CMCS.

Outcomes of TTVI in Patients With Pacemaker or Defibrillator Leads: Data From the TriValve Registry

OBJECTIVES

The interference of a transtricuspid cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) lead with tricuspid valve function may contribute to the mechanism of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and poses specific therapeutic challenges during transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI). Feasibility and efficacy of TTVI in presence of a CIED is unclear.

BACKGROUND

Feasibility of TTVI in presence of a CIED lead has never been proven on a large basis.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 470 patients with severe symptomatic TR from the TriValve (Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies) registry who underwent TTVI at 21 centers between 2015 and 2018. The association of CIED and outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Pre-procedural CIED was present in 121 of 470 (25.7%) patients. The most frequent location of the CIED lead was the posteroseptal commissure (44.0%). As compared with patients without a transvalvular lead (no-CIED group), patients having a tricuspid lead (CIED group) were more symptomatic (New York Heart Association functional class III to IV in 95.9% vs. 92.3%; p = 0.02) and more frequently had previous episodes of right heart failure (87.8% vs. 69.0%; p = 0.002). No-CIED patients had more severe TR (effective regurgitant orifice area 0.7 ± 0.6 cm² vs. 0.6 ± 0.3 cm²; p = 0.02), but significantly better right ventricular function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion = 16.7 ± 5.0 mm vs. 15.9 ± 4.0 mm; p = 0.04). Overall, 373 patients (79%) were treated with the MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) (106 [87.0%] in the CIED group). Among them, 154 (33%) patients had concomitant transcatheter mitral repair (55 [46.0%] in the CIED group, all MitraClip). Procedural success was achieved in 80.0% of no-CIED patients and in 78.6% of CIED patients (p = 0.74), with an in-hospital mortality of 2.9% and 3.7%, respectively (p = 0.70). At 30 days, residual TR ≤2+ was observed in 70.8% of no-CIED and in 73.7% of CIED patients (p = 0.6). Symptomatic improvement was observed in both groups (NYHA functional class I to II at 30 days: 66.0% vs. 65.0%; p = 0.30). Survival at 12 months was 80.7 ± 3.0% in the no-CIED patients and 73.6 ± 5.0% in the CIED patients (p = 0.30).

CONCLUSIONS

TTVI is feasible in selected patients with CIED leads and acute procedural success and short-term clinical outcomes are comparable to those observed in patients without a transtricuspid lead.

[Evaluation of mitral regurgitation : How much quantification do we need?]

Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Thus, the correct evaluation of the underlying etiology, pathomechanism and severity is crucial for optimal treatment. Echocardiography is the predominant diagnostic modality in the clinical routine as it enables grading of mitral regurgitation, which can frequently be achieved by readily available qualitative parameters. Additionally, echocardiography provides several methods to quantify the hemodynamic significance of MR. The effective regurgitation orifice area (EROA) is the quantitative parameter best correlated with clinical events. American and European imaging guidelines both recommend the use of quantitative parameters even though they disagree on the cut-off values for secondary MR. The evaluation of MR should always include an assessment of the adjacent heart chambers in order to be able to assess the impact of volume overload on size and function of the left ventricle and left atrium. The final interpretation of the quantitative parameters requires knowledge of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction. Newer 3D-echocardiographic approaches to quantify MR are less dependent on mathematical assumptions and have shown convincing results in several studies but still lack sufficient clinical validation. As an alternative to echocardiography, for specific indications cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has proven to be a systematic and observer-independent method for quantification of MR.

Predictive impact of previous coronary artery bypass grafting on mortality after MitraClip implantation for ischemic functional mitral regurgitation

BACKGROUND

Many candidates with ischaemic functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) have previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in which transcatheter mitral valve repair can be reasonable for ameliorating the deteriorated hemodynamic and heart failure symptoms. We sought to elucidate the outcomes of MitraClip (MC) implantation in patients with symptomatic ischaemic FMR after CABG.

METHODS

We investigated clinical characteristics, outcomes and predictive impact of previous CABG on mortality in ischaemic FMR patients who underwent MC implantation from two high-volume centres in Germany.

RESULTS

We enrolled 159 patients who previously underwent CABG. Compared with a reference group that did not previously undergo CABG (n = 182), the cohort consisted of more elderly patients (75.0, standard deviation [SD] 7.7 versus 72.9, SD 9.6 years, p = 0.028), more men (84% vs. 69%, p < 0.001), and reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (14.0, SD 4.0, vs. 16.6, SD 4.6 mm, p < 0.0001). The CABG group showed similar outcomes regarding procedural success (91% vs. 94%, p = 0.24) and 30-day mortality (5.0% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.68), but worse survival after MC implantation (log-rank p = 0.019, hazard ratio 1.56 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.26]). After propensity score matching (n = 224), the hazard ratio was 1.18 [95%CI 0.76-1.84] without statistical significance (p = 0.46).

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter mitral valve repair using the MC is a viable treatment option for patients with symptomatic ischaemic FMR after CABG. Although the baseline characteristics seemed to point to sick patients, CABG itself had only a modest impact on survival.

The cryoballoon as a bailout in a severely perforated left atrial appendage: a case report

Introduction

Interventional left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion is frequently performed in patients with atrial fibrillation with contraindications for or complications under oral anticoagulation or patients after electrical LAA isolation.

Case presentation

An endocardial LAA occlusion was attempted but resulted in perforation of the distal LAA and severe pericardial tamponade. To prevent open heart surgery, a cryoballoon was advanced to the base of the LAA and inflation resulted in complete occlusion and stopped further pericardial bleeding. An epicardial LAA suture device was then successfully implanted and completely sealed the LAA. No further pericardial bleeding occurred, and the patient fully recovered.

Discussion

A combination of a balloon device to occlude the base of the LAA and an epicardial suture device can be an emergency bail-out option in patients with a perforated LAA.

Indikation zur Therapie der Trikuspidalklappe bei rechts- und/oder linksventrikulären Erkrankungen

Während die Trikuspidalklappenstenose eine Rarität darstellt, ist die Trikuspidalklappeninsuffizienz (TI) eine häufige Herzklappenerkrankung und trägt signifikant zur Morbidität und Mortalität der Bevölkerung bei. Die sekundäre TI ist die häufigste Form und steht in einem komplexen Zusammenspiel zwischen Links- und Rechtsherzfunktion, den pulmonalen Druckverhältnissen, dem Volumenstatus und der Größe des rechten Vorhofs. Der Goldstandard zur Diagnose der TI ist die Echokardiografie. Der Rechtsherzkatheteruntersuchung kommt wegen der verlässlichen Bestimmung der prä- und postkapillären pulmonalen Druckverhältnisse und ihrer ätiologischen Klärung eine wichtige Bedeutung zu. Die aktuellen Leitlinien liefern Empfehlungen für die chirurgische Therapie der Trikuspidalklappe auf dem Boden von Expertenmeinungen. Insbesondere die Operation der sekundären TI wird nur dann empfohlen, wenn gleichzeitig eine linkskardiale Operationsindikation besteht. Die Ergebnisse der chirurgischen Therapie der isolierten TI in Bezug auf intrahospitale Mortalität und Dauerhaftigkeit des Operationsergebnisses sind problematisch. Interventionelle Ansätze auf Transkatheterbasis – aktuell noch in der frühen klinischen Erprobung und mit der ersten CE-Zulassung 2018 des Edwards Cardiobandes zeigen erste vielversprechende Ergebnisse und eröffnen die Perspektive, Morbidität und Mortalität dieses komplex erkrankten Patientenkollektivs positiv zu beeinflussen.

Safety and feasibility of interventional left atrial appendage closure without contrast agent

AIMS

Interventional left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is routinely performed under both echocardiographic and angiographic guiding. However, adverse outcomes, e.g., kidney injury and cerebral embolism, might be associated with injections of contrast agent into the LAA. Therefore, this prospective registry investigated the safety and feasibility of LAAC without the support of angiographic images as the default approach.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This single-centre registry included a total of 46 non-selected, consecutive patients. In the first 25 patients (54%), LAAC with the Amulet device was performed routinely with LAA angiography prior to implantation and after release of the device. The following 21 patients (46%) were treated without the use of contrast agent. The combination of successful implantation and lack of procedural complications was regarded as the primary endpoint. Procedure time, number of recapture manoeuvres, change of device size, compression, leakage, dose area product and late thrombosis on the device were investigated as secondary endpoints. Besides the longer fluoroscopy time and duration of the procedure in the group using angiography, no significant differences could be found. Major complications occurred equally often in both cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventional LAAC with the Amulet device can be performed safely without the use of contrast agent. This approach might help to enhance the use of LAAC in patients at high risk of contrast-induced nephropathy and procedural stroke.

Prognostic implication of post-MitraClip vena contracta area in heart failure patients with functional mitral regurgitation

AIMS

Significant functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) in elderly heart failure patients is increasingly being treated by MitraClip implantation. We sought to assess the prognostic implications of the intraprocedural assessment of vena contracta area (VCA) after MitraClip therapy in such patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

MitraClip therapy with intraprocedural assessment of VCA was performed in 97 heart failure patients (74±10 years; 66 men; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 31±12%; 93 patients in New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional Class III [n=59] or IV [n=34]; 86 patients with FMR severity 3+ [n=65] or 4+ [n=21]). Ninety-one patients (94%) were discharged with FMR severity ≤2+. During a median follow-up of 13.4 (interquartile range 4.6-21.1) months, 32 patients died. Multivariable Cox regression identified increasing age (HR [95% confidence interval]=1.05 [1.00-1.09], p=0.0395), a glomerular filtration rate <50 ml/min/1.73 m² (HR=2.7 [1.3-5.7], p=0.0115), and post-MitraClip VCA >25 mm² (HR=4.5 [2.1-9.5], p=0.0001) as independent predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In heart failure patients with FMR undergoing MitraClip therapy, increasing age, impaired baseline renal function and post-MitraClip VCA >25 mm² are strongly associated with mortality. Post-MitraClip VCA may be used as intraprocedural guidance with respect to patients' long-term outcome.