Direct Rapid Left Ventricular Wire Pacing during Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty

Background: Rapid ventricular pacing is mandatory for optimal balloon positioning during aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in patients with severe aortic stenosis. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of direct left ventricular (LV) guidewire pacing in comparison with regular pacing induced by temporary pacemaker (PM) placement in the right ventricle. Methods: Direct rapid LV pacing was provided with a 0.035″ guidewire. Baseline clinical characteristics, echocardiographic and procedural data, as well as complication rates, were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 202 patients undergoing BAV were enrolled (49.5% with direct LV guidewire pacing). The pacing success rate was 100%. In the direct LV guidewire pacing group, we found a lower radiation dose, shorter fluoroscopy and overall procedural time (0.16 vs. 0.28 Gy, p = 0.02; 5.4 vs. 10.3 min, p = 0.01; 17 vs. 25 min, p = 0.01; respectively). In addition, the complication rate was lower in that group (cardiac tamponades, vascular access site complications, blood transfusions rate, and in-hospital mortality: 0% vs. 3.9%; 4.0% vs. 15.7%; 2.0% vs. 12.7%; 2.0% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.01 for all, respectively). Conclusions: Direct rapid LV guidewire pacing is a simple, safe and effective option for BAV with a reduced complication rate compared to a temporary PM placed in the right ventricle.

Acute and long-term outcomes of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the indications, short- and long-term outcomes of balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

METHODS

A cohort of 112 patients with AS underwent 114 BAV procedures between October 2012 and July 2015 in two Polish interventional cardiology centers. Clinical and echocardiographic data were prospectively collected within 1, 6, and 12 months follow-up.

RESULTS

BAV was performed as a bridge to TAVI (51.8%), surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR, 5.4%), before urgent noncardiac surgery (8.0%), for symptom relief (33.0%) and cardiogenic shock (1.8%). Periprocedural, in-hospital, 1-, 6-, 12-month mortality were 2.7%; 8.9%; 8.9%; 16.9%; 22.3%, respectively. Serious periprocedural adverse events occurred in 18.8% of patients. After the procedure, mean aortic valve area (AVA) increased from 0.59 ± 0.18 to 0.82 ± 0.24 cm² , mean peak aortic valve gradient (pAVG) decreased from 94.0 ± 27.6 to 65.4 ± 20.0 mm Hg, mean aortic gradient decreased from 58.0 ± 17.8 to 40.5 ± 14.6 mm Hg, P < 0.05 for all. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) increased from median (interquartile range) of 53.5 (30 - 64) to 60 (45 - 65)% after 1 month (P < 0.05). In patients with impaired left ventricle function (LVEF <40%), LVEF significantly improved (median increase of 16%) after 1 and 6 months (P < 0.05). At 12 months patients had higher AVA, pAVG, and LVEF as compared to baseline (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

BAV is a useful procedure in high-risk AS patients, where achieved effects can be sufficient in bridging patients for TAVI/AVR. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sex-Related Differences in Outcomes After Percutaneous Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate sex-related differences in short-term and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) for severe aortic stenosis (AS).

METHODS

A total of 112 patients with severe AS underwent 114 BAV procedures as palliative procedure, bridge to definitive treatment, or before urgent non-cardiac surgery. Patients were followed for 24 months.

RESULTS

Of the 112 patients, 70 (62.5%) were women. Women were older, and had a higher STS score and higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease and arterial hypertension. Indications for BAV did not differ by gender. Women had a higher risk of vascular complications than men (15.7% vs 0.0%; P=.01), but with a similar rate of major periprocedural complications (17.1% vs 9.5%; P=.40). Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was performed in 22.8% of women and 26.2% of men (P=.61) and surgical aortic valve replacement in 10% of women and 11.9% of men (P=.70). Women and men treated finally with TAVI/aortic valve replacement had lower mortality as compared with conservative treatment (P<.01). No difference in in-hospital and 24-month mortality between women and men was observed (11.4% vs 4.9% [P=.26]; 63.3% vs 39.0% [P=.22], respectively). In a multivariable Cox model, STS score above 9.8% (hazard ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-4.83; P=.03) was an independent predictor of all-cause death only in women.

CONCLUSION

Despite the presence of sex-related differences in baseline and procedural characteristics as well as in the risk of vascular complications, no difference in major procedural complications and long-term mortality was confirmed for patients with severe AS undergoing BAV.