Mitral regurgitation severity assessment after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair: guidelines-recommended integration versus volumetric assessment

Background

Percutaneous edge-to edge mitral valve repair (PMVr) using the MitraClip device is a common method for treating mitral regurgitation (MR) when mitral valve operation is contra-indicated or deemed too risky. The evaluation of residual MR post PMVr is crucial for understanding the benefit and prognostic effect on patients. The common methods used today, based on color flow Doppler and the appearance of the color Doppler jet, may be misguiding because of the multiple jets created by the PMVr technique. Also, flow acceleration induced by the reduced systolic orifice may exaggerate systolic flow acceleration and thus jet area.

Purpose

We hypothesized that the guidelines-recommended method to assess MR may underestimate the effect of PMVr in reducing MR.

Methods

Patients undergoing PMVr in a large-volume PMVr centre were recruited between 2015–2019. Post procedural MR was evaluated using the integrated qualitative approach as recommended by the guidelines. In addition, MR volume for each patient was calculated by subtracting the forward stroke volume (calculated by multiplying LVOT area with the velocity time integral of LVOT systolic flow) from the total stroke volume (using the biplane method of discs), We compared the two methods for concordance.

Results

Overall, 112 cases were enrolled. In 59% of cases, the calculated volumetric residual MR was lower than the MR assessed by the integrated method. In 25.1% of patients the grade of MR was identical in both methods. In 16.2% the MR was more severe when calculated by the volumetric method (p<0.001, Kappa measure of agreement = 0.053–0.074). The reduction in residual MR degree using the volumetric approach was mostly observed in patients classified as “moderate” by the integrated qualitative approach. When considering basic characteristics and cardiac function of the patients, we did not find any sub-group of patients in whom the tendency for this mistake was higher.

Conclusion

Because of multiple jet origins and clip-induced flow acceleration, the integrated method to assess MR severity, based mainly on color Doppler, is not ideal in patients after PMVr. In most cases, MR severity after MitraClip is over-estimated by the integrated, guideline-recommended integrative method when compared with a volumetric method. This is especially relevant for patients classified with “moderate” MR. This study suggests that quantitative methods, not based on colour Doppler, should be used to assess MR severity after PMVr

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

MitraClip therapy in patients with acute severe mitral regurgitation

Background

There is a lack of data to support the optimal management of high-risk patients with acute severe mitral regurgitation (MR). The role of the MitraClip implantation in treatment of acute severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is undetermined.

Methods

We screened all patients who underwent MitraClip implantation at the Hadassah Medical Center between October 2015 and December 2019. We evaluated immediate, 30-day and 1-year outcomes after the procedure. We evaluated patients with severe MR due to ruptured cord because of degenerative disease and acute-on-chronic functional MR due to ischemic (after a recent myocardial infarction (MI)) or non-ischemic etiology (secondary to decompensated HF).

Results

From a cohort of 151 patients, who underwent MitraClip implantation in our center, we identified 35 patients (23.2%) with acute severe mitral regurgitation (4+) and decompensated refractory heart failure. Patients' mean age was 74.15 years, 66.9% - were males. One, 2, or 3 clips were implanted. Reduction of MR from 4+ to 1+ was achieved in 34 patients (66.7%). Twenty-eight patients (80%) had acute-on-chronic severe MR and refractory heart failure including 6 cases after recent MI, other 7 patients presented with heart failure and acute severe MR secondary to ruptured cord due to degenerative disease. After MitraClip implantation, reduction of MR severity was achieved in all patients. Seven patients were withdrawn from intravenous therapy and intra-aortic balloon pump 2–3 days after the procedure. Four patients died during hospitalization, three of them due to sepsis. 30-day follow-up showed improvement of NYHA functional class and a tendency toward improvement in left ventricle systolic function with signs of reverse remodeling. Nevertheless, we observed high 30-day and 1-year mortality rate (11.4 and 23.8% respectively).

Conclusions

MitraClip therapy could be an alternative option for treatment of patients with acute and acute-on-chronic severe MR of ischemic and non-ischemic etiology.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

One-year echocardiographic outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation with or without predilatation of the aortic valve: insights from the multicenter, randomized DIRECT trial

Introduction

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the standard of care for high-risk and inoperable surgical patients and a valid alternative in intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis.The DIRECT trial (Predilatation in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Trial) was a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TAVI with or without balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in patients with symptomatic, severe aortic valve stenosis.

Purpose

To compare the one year echocardiographic findings among patients, who underwent TAVI using a self-expanding valve with or without BAV.

Methods

A total of 171 patients with severe aortic stenosis were randomly assigned at 4 tertiary centers to undergo TAVI with the use of self-expanding prostheses with (pre-BAV) or without pre-dilatation (no-BAV). Follow up transthoracic echocardiography was performed 1 year after TAVI.

Results

Of 171 patients, 86 patients were randomized to pre-BAV group and 85 to no-BAV group. One year echocardiographic follow up was available in 146 patients. In one year follow up there was no significant difference between pre-BAV and no-BAV group in aortic valve area (1.84±0.39cm2 vs. 1.85±0.44cm2, p=0.79), peak aortic valve gradient (15.95±9.97 mmHg vs. 14.51±6.60 mmHg, p=0.35), mean aortic valve gradient (8.37±5.01 mmHg vs. 7.99±4.04 mmHg, p=0.64), aortic valve peak velocity (1.90±0.51 m/s vs. 1.80±0.42m/s, p=0.24), ejection fraction (54.19±8.36% vs. 53.19±9.58%, p=0.52) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (41.86±14.34 mmHg vs. 40.71±12.40 mmHg, p=0.64). The incidence of moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation (PVL) in 1 year follow up was 6.2% without significant difference between the 2 study groups (5.7% in the no-BAV group vs. 6.6% in the pre-BAV group, p=0.83).

Conclusions

Direct transcatheter aortic valve implantation has no impact on one-year prosthesis function and PVL in patients undergoing TAVI with self-expanding valve

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Medtronic

Echocardiographic assessment of functional changes of prosthetic valve after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in one year follow up: insights from the multicenter, randomized DIRECT trial

Introduction

The DIRECT trial (Predilatation in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Trial) was a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TAVI with or without balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in patients with symptomatic, severe aortic valve stenosis.

Purpose

To investigate by echocardiography the functional changes of self-expanding prosthetic valves during the first year after TAVI with or without BAV.

Methods

One hundred seventy one consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis were enrolled at 4 centers and randomized to TAVI using self-expanding prostheses with (pre-BAV) or without pre-dilatation (no-BAV). Transthoracic echocardiography was obtained at baseline, 30 days and 1 year after TAVI.

Results

Of 171 patients, 86 patients were randomized to pre-BAV group and 85 to no-BAV group. Over the one year, 7 (4%) patients died and in 18 (10%) there was no available paired 30 day/1 year echo. At baseline echocardiography the peak and mean aortic valve gradient and the aortic valve area (AVA) in no-BAV group were 77.31±22.56 mmHg, 47.23±14.98 mmHg and 0.69±0.16cm2 and in pre-BAV group 81.97±23.17 mmHg, 49.39±14.78 mmHg and 0.65±0.15cm2 respectively. One year after TAVI, patients in no-BAV and pre-BAV group showed stable peak and mean aortic valve gradients similar to those at 30 days (from 16.36±7.88 to 14.51±6.6 mmHg vs. 17.17±8.88 to 15.95±9.97 mmHg and from 8.87±4.23 to 7.99±4.04 mmHg vs. 9.39±4.79 to 8.38±5.02 mmHg respectively, P<0.001 vs. baseline). The AVA was similarly stable in one year follow up in no-BAV group (from 1.85±0.43cm2 to 1.85±0.44cm2, P<0.001 vs. baseline) and in pre-BAV group (from 1.86±0.49cm2 to 1.84±0.39cm2, P<0.001 vs. baseline). The incidence of moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation remained unchanged in both groups (from 4.7% to 5.7% in no-BAV group and from 5.8% to 6.6% in pre-BAV group).

Conclusions

In both pre-BAV and no-BAV groups the improvement in hemodynamics of self-expanding prosthetic valves remained durable during the one year echocardiographic follow up assessment.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): MEDTRONIC

No impact of direct implantation of a self-expanding valve on one-year clinical outcomes. Insights from the multicenter, randomized DIRECT trial

Introduction

The DIRECT trial (Predilatation in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Trial) evaluated in a randomized fashion the safety and efficacy of direct (without balloon pre-dilatation) implantation of a self-expanding valve in all comers undergoing TAVI.

Purpose

To investigate the impact of direct implantation of a self-expanding valve on one-year clinical outcomes.

Methods

DIRECT trial randomized consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis at 4 tertiary centers to undergo TAVI with the use of self-expanding prostheses with (pre-BAV) or without pre-dilatation (no-BAV). The primary endpoint was device success according to the VARC-2 criteria. Secondary endpoints included periprocedural mortality and stroke, new permanent pacemaker implantation and vascular complications.

All cause death, cardiac death, stroke and heart failure hospitalizations were recorded at one year and compared between the two groups using Kaplan-Meier plots.

Results

In total 171 patients were randomized in 4 centers. In the intention to treat analysis 86 patients were randomized to the pre-BAV group and 85 patients to the no-BAV TAVI group.

The device success according to the VARC-2 criteria was non-inferior in the no-BAV group compared to the pre-BAV group (65/85 - 76.5% for no-BAV versus 64/86 – 74.4% for pre-BAV, mean difference = 2.1%, 90% CI: −8.9 to 13). In the no-BAV group 25 (29.4%) patients underwent post balloon dilatation and in the pre-BAV group 13 patients (15.1%) (p=0.03).

At one year 4 deaths were recorded in pre-BAV group (4.7%) and 3 deaths in no-BAV group (3.5%). There was no difference in Kaplan-Meier plots between the two groups in all-cause mortality (log-rank p=0.72, figure). Similarly, there was no difference in one-year incidence of stroke (1 in pre-BAV and 2 in no-BAV group, log-rank p=0.55), cardiac death (log-rank p=0.66), non-cardiac death (log-rank p=0.98) and heart failure hospitalizations (1 in pre-BAV versus 3 in no-BAV group, log-rank p=0.31). Lastly, there was no difference in the incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation between the two groups at one year (27/67 in no-BAV group versus 20/69 in pre-BAV group, log-rank p=0.24)

Conclusions

Direct transcatheter aortic valve implantation is non-inferior to the procedure with pre-dilatation in self-expanding valve. Despite the overall low rate of events, direct procedure has no impact on clinical outcomes at one year.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Medtronic

Echocardiographic and clinical outcomes of MitraClip therapy in patients with severe mitral regurgitation

Background

MitraClip implantation improves mitral regurgitation (MR), however its impact on pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is not fully elucidated. Our hypothesis was that changes in pulmonary pressure after MitraClip implantation might predict outcomes.

Methods

We studied a cohort of 149 consecutive patients who underwent MitraClip implantation between August 2015 and September 2019. We compared echocardiographic and clinical variables between a group with not-severe PHT and a group with severe PHT according to Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) >55 mmHg.

Results

Mean age of the cohort was 73±10 years, 75% were men, and 80% had functional MR. There are no differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. There was a significant reduction of 13.6 mmHg in PASP at the severe PHT group from 68.2±10.9 mmHg before the procedure to 54.6±14.9 after (P=0.001) compared to the absence of a significant change in the second group. This reduction was maintained in the 6 months follow-up. Although PHT is considered a poor prognostic measure, and the severe PHT group had a baseline PASP higher than the not-severe group (P<0.001), however the Kaplan Meier curve did not show any significant difference in overall survival (p=0.468), and there is also no difference in one-year survival.

Conclusions

MitraClip therapy improves PASP in patients with severe MR and severe PHT. These patients showed the same survival as patients with not-severe PHT. MitraClip is a safety and effective procedure even for patients with severe PHT, that should not be excluded.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Procedural and remote outcome among patients undergoing urgent trans-catheter aortic valve implantation

Background

Severe aortic stenosis patients suffer frequent heart failure decompensations events often requiring hospitalization. In extreme situations patients can be found with pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock, unresponsive to medical treatment. Urgent trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a treatment option for these high-risk patients.

Methods

We investigated 3,599 patients undergoing TAVI. Subjects were divided into two groups based on procedure urgency: patients who were electively hospitalized for the procedure (N=3,448) and those who had an urgent TAVI (N=151). Peri-procedural complications were documented according to the VARC-2 criteria. In hospital and 1-year mortality rates were prospectively documented.

Results

Mean age of the study population was 82±7, of whom 52% were female. Peri-procedural complication rates was significantly higher among patients with an urgent indication for TAVI compared to those having an elective procedure: valve malposition 3.6% vs. 0.6% (p-value=0.023), valve migration 3.2% vs. 0.9% (p-value=0.016), post procedure myocardial infarction 3.7% vs. 0.3% (p-value=0.004), and stage 3 acute kidney injury 2.6% vs. 0.5%, (p-value=0.02). Univariate analysis found that patients with urgent indication for TAVI had significantly higher in hospital mortality (5.8% vs. 1.4%, p-value<0.001). similarly, multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender and cardio-vascular risk factors found that patients with urgent indication had more than 5-folds increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 5.94, 95% CI 2.28–15.43, p-value<0.001). Kaplan-Meier's survival analysis showed that patients undergoing urgent TAVI had higher 1-year mortality rates compared to patients undergoing an elective TAVI procedure (p-value log-rank<0.001, Figure). Multivariate analysis found they had more than 2-folds increased risk of mortality at 1-year (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.53–3.38, p<0.001 compared to those having an elective procedure.

Conclusions

Patients with urgent indication for TAVI have higher in-hospital mortality and higher peri-procedural complication rates. However, if these patients survive the index hospitalization, they enjoy good prognosis.

Kaplan-Meier's survival analysis

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Exposure to Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and the association with neurocognitive side effects: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

Background

Lipid lowering therapy may be associated with impaired cognitive function. The association between the use of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors and the risk of neurocognitive adverse effects remains unclear.

Purpose

To assess the neurocognitive safety of PCSK9 inhibitors using meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase and Cochrane library were searched. RCTs that reported assessments of neurocognitive outcomes of participants using PCSK9 inhibitors, with a duration of follow up of at least six months were included. The results of the search were screened by two independent reviewers. Any disagreements were resolved by consensus. The research was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension statement for meta-analyses. Results were pooled using random-effects models. The primary safety outcome of this analysis was defined as the reported incidence of neurocognitive adverse effects.

Results

Results of 21 trials were included in the analysis. Among 59,733 patients, 31,611 were treated with PCSK9 inhibitors. No significant difference in the incidence of neurocognitive side effects between the treatment and control groups was identified (RR=1.01, 95% CI: 0.86–1.19, I2=3%). Same results were seen in separate analysis for each of the medicines (Alirocumab- RR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.72–1.08, I2=0%, Evolocumab- RR=1.42, 95% CI: 0.74–2.73, I2=55%). In a meta-regression analysis there was no statistically significant association between the assessed and the risk for neurocognitive side effects.

Conclusions

Pooled results of our meta-analysis and meta-regression clearly show that the exposure to PCSK9 inhibitors is not associated with an increased risk of neurocognitive adverse events. Due to the increasing proportion of patients using lipid-lowering therapy these results are positively reassuring. However, more data from long-term outcomes studies is needed to further evaluate the effect of longer exposure to PCSK9 inhibitors

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Differences in valve morphology between patients with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve

Background

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients represent a significant minority of severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients undergoing transcutaneous aortic valve implantation (TAVI). These patients demonstrate anatomic differences compared to tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). Ethnicity is associated with different valve morphologies characterized by Siever's classification.

Purpose

We aim to evaluated the prevalence of BAV subtypes and the differences in valve morphology and aortic root dimensions between BAV and TAV in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) before TAVI.

Methods

In five Israeli medical centers, 131 patients with BAV and 674 patients with TAV underwent CT angiography. BAV morphology was defined according to the number of commissures and raphe, following Siever's classification. Aortic root dimensions were measured at the level of the aortic annulus, sinus of Valsalva (SOV), and sino-tubular junction (STJ). Finally, Agatston score unit (AU) for valve calcification was evaluated.

Results

Type 0 accounted for 27% (36/131), Type IA for 63% (82/131), Type IC for 9% (12/131), and Type 2 for 1% (1/131). Calcium score in BAV patients was significantly higher compared to TAV patients, 4000±1897 vs. 2152±1216 AU; respectively (P<0.001). Distance from the annulus to the left main coronary artery was greater in BAV patients compared to TAV (13.8±3.6 mm vs. 12.8±2.8 mm; respectively, P<0.001), similar distance from annulus to right coronary artery was observed in BAV and TAV patients (16.7±3.7 mm vs. 15±3 mm; respectively, P<0.001). Aortic annulus perimeter was greater in BAV than TAV patients (79.3±11mm vs. 73±8.7mm, respectively, P<0.001), as well as SOV perimeter (35.7±4.5mm vs. 32±3.7mm, respectively, P<0.001), and STJ perimeter (32.3±5mm vs. 27±3.3 mm; respectively, P<0.001).

Conclusion

In Israel, AS patients showed more frequently type 1A BAV. BAV patients have larger aortic root dimensions and higher calcium burden than TAV patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P3378Differences in valve morphology and aortopathy between patients with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valves: a Computed Tomography Study

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been shown safe and feasible in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) morphology. Evaluation of differences in valve morphology and aortic root dimensions in patients with BAV in comparison to patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) is important for the spread of TAVI in patients with BAV.

Purpose

The present study evaluated the prevalence of BAV subtypes and the differences in valve morphology and aortic root dimensions between BAV and TAV in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) before TAVI.

Methods

In five medical centers in Israel, 104 patients (69±13.5 years) with BAV and 105 patients (81±8.22 years) with TAV underwent CT angiography. BAV morphology was defined according to the number of commissures and raphe following Siever's classification. Functional BAV was defined as 3 cusps with focal fusion of 1, 2, or 3 commissures. Aortic root dimensions were measured at the level of the aortic annulus, sinus of Valsalva (SOV), sino-tubular junction (STJ), and ascending aorta (AA). Membranous septum (MS) length was measured in coronal view. The volume and agatston score of aortic valve calcification were evaluated.

Results

Type 0 account for 22% (23/104), type IA for 58% (60/104), Type IC for 9% (9/104), functional BAV for 11% (12/104). Type IB and II were not found in the studied population. As compared with TAV, patients with BAV have significantly larger aortic annulus area, SOV area, STJ area and AA Area; however, the ellipticity index of aortic annulus, SOV, STJ, and AA were similar. MS length was significantly smaller in patients with BAV compared to patients with TAV (6.4±2.3 mm vs. 8.1±2.7mm; retrospectively; P<0.001) and the volume of aortic valve calcifications was significantly higher in BAV compared to TAV patients: 2.3±1.6 ml3 vs. 1.4±1.2 ml3 retrospectively; P=0.003).

Conclusions

In Israel, patients with BAV showed more frequently type 1A BAV. BAV patients have larger aortic root dimensions than patients with TAV without difference in regard to the ellipticity index. MS length was smaller and the amount of aortic leaflet calcifications was higher in patients with BAV. These findings may have important impact on procedural outcome.