Pre-procedural abnormal function of von Willebrand Factor is predictive of bleeding after surgical but not transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Both transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) have been proven to effectively correct von Willebrand Factor (vWF) pathologies, however there is limited data simultaneously comparing outcomes of both approaches. We prospectively enrolled patients with severe aortic stenosis referred for TAVI (n = 52) or SAVR (n = 48). In each case, vWF antigen (vWF:Ag), vWF activity (vWF:Ac) and activity-to-antigen (vWF:Ac/Ag) ratio were assessed at baseline, 24 h and 72 h after procedure. VWF abnormalities were defined as reduced vWF:Ac/Ag ratio (< 0.8). Bleeding events in both arms were classified according to Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2) definitions. Overall, there was no difference between patients referred for TAVI and SAVR in vWF:Ac (1.62 ± 0.52 vs 1.71 ± 0.64; p = 0.593), vWF:Ag (1.99 ± 0.81 vs 2.04 ± 0.81; p = 0.942) or vWF:Ac/Ag ratio (0.84 ± 0.16 vs 0.85 ± 0.12; p = 0.950). Pathological vWF:Ac/Ag ratio was found in 20 (38%) TAVI and 15 (31%) SAVR patients (p = 0.407). Normalization of vWF:Ac/Ag ratio at day 3 after procedure was achieved in 19 (95%) TAVI and 13 (87%) SAVR patients (p = 0.439). Similar prevalence of major or life-threatening bleedings (MLTB) after TAVI and SAVR in entire groups was observed (19% vs. 23%, p = 0.652). VWF abnormalities were associated with higher incidence of MLTB in SAVR (53% vs 9%, p < 0.001), but not TAVI (15% vs. 22%, p = 0.132). Accordingly, in receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis vWF:Ac/Ag ratio < 0.8 showed significant sensitivity and specificity for predicting MLTB in SAVR group (AUC 0.735, 95% CI 0.538-0.931, p = 0.019). We proved that abnormal function of vWF is corrected successfully after both TAVI and SAVR, but vWF abnormalities are predictive of MLTB only in surgical patients.

Different types of endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Infective endocarditis (IE) may take different faces in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to describe echocardiographic and clinical characteristics of TAVI's patients suffered from IE. METHODS: In a single-center, retrospective study we analyzed 311 consecutive patients treated with TAVI for severe aortic stenosis between 2010 and 2018. RESULTS: According to modified Duke criteria, we confirmed IE in 2.2% of the cohort, however PVE of TAVI's valve in 1.2% only; rest of the group suffered from CDRiE and IE of the mitral valve. In PVE's group vegetations were localized inside the frame with or without bioprosthesis moderate stenosis or regurgitation. Only 1 pts developed significant TAVI's bioprosthesis' paravalvular leak. We observed no native aortic anulus involvement. Mortality rate in the PVE-TAVI's group was 75% regardless of the type of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The above findings show that IE following TAVI is a serious complication and various scenarios (also CDRiE and native valve IE) should be considered.

Concomitant coronary artery disease and its management in patients referred to transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Insights from the POL-TAVI Registry.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and degenerative aortic stenosis often coexist. However, the impact of CAD and its management on the prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains uncertain. We sought to evaluate the impact of obstructive CAD, SYNTAX score (Ss), and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) prior to TAVI on short-term outcome. METHODS: Overall, 896 patients who underwent TAVI after heart team decision was included. Pre-procedural angiograms were analysed to calculate baseline Ss (bSs) and residual Ss (rSs). Baseline, procedural and follow-up data up to 30 days was acquired from the national POL-TAVI registry. RESULTS: Patients with obstructive CAD at baseline (n = 462, 52%) had higher mortality as compared with the remaining (8.7 vs. 5.1%, log-rank P = 0.039). Also, after correction for confounding factors obstructive CAD was identified as independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.03-2.94, P = 0.037). In obstructive CAD, neither bSs (AUC 0.47, CI 0.38-0.56, P = 0.47) nor rSs (AUC 0.47, CI 0.30-0.64, P = 0.72 for those undergoing PCI and AUC 0.48, CI 0.37-0.59, P = 0.75 for the remaining) was predictive of mortality. When revascularization status was considered, patients with PCI prior to TAVI had similar outcome as those without obstructive CAD at baseline (7.7 vs. 5.1%, log-rank P = 0.23) with no negative impact on mortality (HR 1.13, CI 0.62-2.09, P = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, obstructive CAD at baseline evaluation for TAVI has independent negative impact on short-term prognosis. However, neither baseline nor residual Ss values have prognostic ability in patients undergoing TAVI. Revascularization prior to TAVI seems to improve survival to levels comparable with patients without obstructive CAD at baseline.

Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation in failed stentless bioprostheses.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of transcathether aortic valve-in-valve implantation (ViV-TAVI) in degenerated stentless bioprostheses with failed stented valves and degenerated native aortic valves. INTRODUCTION: Little is known about ViV-TAVI in degenerated stentless valves. METHODS: Out of 45 ViV-TAVI procedures reported in the POL-TAVI registry, 20 failed stentless valves were compared with 25 stented prostheses and propensity-matched with 45 native TAVI cases. The mean follow-up was 633 (95% confidence interval [CI], 471-795) days and Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) definitions were applied. RESULTS: Patients with degenerated stentless valves were younger (65.6, CI 58-73.1 years vs 75.6, CI 72.2-78 [stented] vs 80.1, CI 78.7-81.6 y. [native], P < 0.001). Implantation was required later after surgery (11.5, CI 8-14.9 years) in the stentless cohort as compared with the stented one (6.2, CI 4.7-7.6 years, P = 0.006). ViV-TAVI in the stentless group was also associated with larger amount of contrast (211, CI 157-266 mL vs 135, CI 104-167 mL [stented] vs 132 (119-145) mL [native], P = 0.022). Using VARC-2 composite endpoints, ViV-TAVI in stentless prostheses was characterized by a lower device success (50% vs 76% in stented vs 88.9% in native TAVI, P < 0.001), but comparable early safety up to 30 days (73.7% vs 84% vs 81.8%, respectively, log-rank P = 0.667) and long-term clinical efficacy beyond 30 days (72.2% vs 72% vs 73.8%, respectively, log-rank P = 0.963). CONCLUSIONS: Despite technical challenges and a lower device success, ViV-TAVI in stentless aortic bioprostheses achieves similar safety, efficacy, and functional improvement as in stented or degenerated native valves.

Next-generation re-sequencing of genes involved in increased platelet reactivity in diabetic patients on acetylsalicylic acid.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether rare missense genetic variants in several genes related to platelet functions and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) response are associated with the platelet reactivity in patients with diabetes type 2 (T2D) on ASA therapy. Fifty eight exons and corresponding introns of eight selected genes, including PTGS1, PTGS2, TXBAS1, PTGIS, ADRA2A, ADRA2B, TXBA2R, and P2RY1 were re-sequenced in 230 DNA samples from T2D patients by using a pooled PCR amplification and next-generation sequencing by Illumina HiSeq2000. The observed non-synonymous variants were confirmed by individual genotyping of 384 DNA samples comprising of the individuals from the original discovery pools and additional verification cohort of 154 ASA-treated T2DM patients. The association between investigated phenotypes (ASA induced changes in platelets reactivity by PFA-100, VerifyNow and serum thromboxane B2 level [sTxB2]), and accumulation of rare missense variants (genetic burden) in investigated genes was tested using statistical collapsing tests. We identified a total of 35 exonic variants, including 3 common missense variants, 15 rare missense variants, and 17 synonymous variants in 8 investigated genes. The rare missense variants exhibited statistically significant difference in the accumulation pattern between a group of patients with increased and normal platelet reactivity based on PFA-100 assay. Our study suggests that genetic burden of the rare functional variants in eight genes may contribute to differences in the platelet reactivity measured with the PFA-100 assay in the T2DM patients treated with ASA.

Incidence, Predictors and Impact of Severe Periprocedural Bleeding According to VARC-2 Criteria on 1-Year Clinical Outcomes in Patients After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

There are differences in reporting bleeding complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), which is a consequence of the lack of consensus for their definition. Furthermore, the amount of data on the impact of peri-procedural bleeding on the mid-term prognosis is still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, predictors, and impact of life-threatening and major bleedings as defined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 (VARC-2) in patients after TAVI over the mid-term prognosis.Consecutive patients who underwent TAVI from March 2010 to December 2013 were included. All data were classified according to the VARC-2 criteria. We assessed the incidence and the predictors of serious bleeding events (SBE), defined as life-threatening/disabling (LT/D) or major bleeding, and analyzed their impact on 30-day and 1-year clinical outcome.A total of 129 patients were included (79.1 ± 8.3 years; mean EuroSCORE = 17.8 ± 12.7). The SBE occurred in 25 patients (19.4%), of which 9 (7.0%) had LT/D and 16 (12.4%) had major bleeding. Trans-subclavian (TS) access (OR 4.38, 95% CI 2.13-14.29, P = 0.01) and diabetes (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.08-7.93, P = 0.03) were identified as independent predictors of SBE. Patients with SBE had higher 30-day mortality (20.0% versus 4.0% P = 0.02) and 1-year mortality (40.0% versus 11.1%, P < 0.002). SBE independently predicted 1-year, all-cause mortality (HR 5.88, 95% CI 1.7319,94, P = 0.005).SBE are frequent after TAVI and are associated with decreased short and mid-term survival. Diabetes and TS access are independent risk factors for SBE.

Extracellular Vesicles to Predict Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation - a Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment for aortic stenosis (AS) in patients at intermediate and high surgical risk. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles involved in cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to (i) determine the effect of TAVI on plasma concentrations of five EV subtypes and (ii) evaluate the predictive value of EVs for post-TAVI outcomes. METHODS: Blood samples were collected 1 day before TAVI and at hospital discharge. Concentrations of EVs were evaluated using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Concentration of leukocytes EVs decreased after TAVI, compared to the measurement before (p = 0.008). Among 123 patients discharged from the hospital, 19.5% experienced MACCE during the median of 10.3 months. Increased pre-TAVI concentration of phosphatidylserine-exposing EVs was an independent predictor of MACCE in multivariable analysis (OR 5.313, 95% CI 1.164-24.258, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with increased pre-TAVI concentration of procoagulant, PS-exposing EVs have over fivefold higher odds of adverse outcomes.

The association of body composition assessment with hospital length of stay in off-pump coronary artery bypass patients.

Introduction: Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a widely available, non-invasive method for body composition assessment. Aim: To elucidate the perioperative body composition alterations and their prognostic utility for hospital length of stay (LOS) in low risk, off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) patients. Material and methods: Fifty patients undergoing elective OPCAB were included in the study. Body composition assessments were performed 1 day before the scheduled surgery and on the 6th postoperative day. Patients were grouped into < 9 days (n = 29, 58%) and ≥ 9 days (n = 21, 42%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to create a body composition-based screening panel for prolonged hospital stay. Results: No significant differences in anthropometric measurements, clinical characteristics or occurrence of postoperative complications were detected between the study groups. Patients with longer hospitalization had significantly higher content of fat mass (FM%) and fat mass index (FMI), and significantly lower content of fat free mass (FFM%) baseline parameters (p = 0.011, p = 0.04 and p = 0.012, respectively). High FM% values had 15-fold, low FFM% values had 13-fold and high FMI values had 7-fold higher risk of experiencing longer stay in the hospital (p = 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). The combined panel of three variables (higher FM%, lower FFM% and higher FMI) had 16-fold higher risk of longer hospitalization (adjusted OR = 16.40; 95% CI: 3.52-76.34; p = 0.0004). Conclusions: Preoperative high FM and low FFM content are independent predictors of prolonged hospital length of stay in normal- and increased-BMI patients after OPCAB.

Impact of previous coronary artery revascularization on outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Introduction: Coexistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) raises questions regarding the safety and efficacy of TAVI in this subset of patients. Aim: To evaluate the impact of previous coronary revascularization in terms of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on clinical outcomes after TAVI. Material and methods: A total of 507 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI were divided into: non-revascularization (NR), post-PCI and post-CABG groups. The endpoints were established according to VARC-2 definitions. Results: Patients with previous coronary revascularization (36.7% of the population) were younger, more often male and their EuroSCORE II risk evaluation was significantly higher (NR 7.9% vs. post-PCI 8.0% vs. post-CABG 20.5%, p < 0.0001). Patients after PCI or CABG prior to TAVI had similar 30-day all-cause mortality rates as those without coronary revascularization at baseline (NR vs. post-PCI vs. post-CABG: 8.1% vs. 5.5% vs. 6.8%, respectively; p = 0.6). There were no differences in 12-month all-cause mortality rates between groups (NR vs. post-PCI vs. post-CABG: 15.3% vs. 14.2% vs. 16.9%, respectively; log-rank p = 0.67). In the Cox proportional-hazards regression model, acute kidney injury stage 2-3 (HR = 3.7, 95% CI: 2.14-6.33; p < 0.001) and post-TAVI stroke (HR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.57-7.8; p = 0.002) were independently correlated with 1-year mortality. Conclusions: TAVI seems to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of severe AS in patients with previous coronary revascularization.

Long-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation for aortic stenosis in immunosuppression-treated patients: a propensity-matched multicentre retrospective registry-based analysis.

Introduction: Data regarding patients with a previous medical record of immunosuppression treatment who have undergone transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are limited and extremely inconclusive. Available studies are mostly short term observations; thus there is a lack of evidence on efficacy and safety of TAVI in this specific group of patients. Aim: To compare the in-hospital and long-term outcomes between patients with or without a medical history of immunosuppressive treatment undergoing TAVI for aortic valve stenosis (AS). Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective registry-based analysis including patients undergoing TAVI for AS at 5 centres between January 2009 and August 2017. The primary endpoint was long-term all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints comprised major vascular complications, life-threatening or disabling bleeding, stroke and new pacemaker implantation. Results: Of 1451 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI, two propensity-matched groups including 25 patients with a history of immunosuppression and 75 patients without it were analysed. No differences between groups in all-cause mortality were found in a median follow-up time of 2.7 years following TAVI (p = 0.465; HR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.30-1.77). The rate of major vascular complications (4.0% vs. 5.3%) was similar in the two groups (p = 1.000). There were no statistically significant differences in the composite endpoint combining life-threatening or disabling bleeding, major vascular complications, stroke and new pacemaker implantation (40.0% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.218). Conclusions: Patients who had undergone TAVI for AS had similar long-term mortality regardless of whether they had a previous medical record of immunosuppression. Procedural complication rates were comparable between the groups.

Nationwide experience with transcarotid transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Insights from the POL-CAROTID registry.

BACKGROUND: The carotid artery is an alternative access route for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), especially useful in patients unsuitable for traditional access routes including transfemoral (TF), subclavian, transapical, and aortic. AIMS: To investigate the feasibility and safety of transcarotid (TC) access for TAVI in comparison to the TF approach in a multicenter setting. METHODS: A total of 41 patients, treated between December 2014 and December 2018, were retrospectively reported to the Polish Registry of Common Carotid Artery Access for TAVI (POL-CAROTID). The median follow-up time was 619 (365-944) days, and Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) definitions were applied. Clinical outcomes were compared with 41 propensity-matched TF-TAVI patients. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) patients' age was 78.0 (7.2) years, and 29 patients (70.7%) were men. Prohibitive iliofemoral anatomy and/or obesity (46.3%) and/or the presence of a stent graft in the abdominal aorta (31.7%) were the most common indications for TC-TAVI. Device success for TC-TAVI was comparable with the matched TF-TAVI group (90.2% vs. 95.3%, respectively, P = 0.396), and no periprocedural mortality was observed. Moreover, early safety was similar between the two groups (92.7% vs. 95.3%, respectively, log-rank P = 0.658) with only 1 case of non-disabling stroke during the first month after TC-TAVI. Consequently, no cerebrovascular events were observed in the mid-term, and the clinical efficacy of TC-TAVI corresponded well with TF-TAVI (90.2% vs. 92.7%, respectively, log-rank P = 0.716). A total of 4 (9.8%) deaths were noted in the TC-TAVI cohort in comparison to 3 (7.3%) in the TF-TAVI group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicated that the first cohort of Polish patients with implantations of second-generation transcarotid transcatheter heart valves had a similar prognosis to TF-TAVI with regard to safety and feasibility. TC access may be considered an optimal alternative for patients in whom the TF approach is precluded.

An Individualized Approach of Multidisciplinary Heart Team for Myocardial Revascularization and Valvular Heart Disease-State of Art.

The multidisciplinary Heart Team (HT) remains the standard of care for highly-burdened patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and valvular heart disease (VHD) and is widely adopted in the medical community and supported by European and American guidelines. An approach of highly-experienced specialists, taking into account numerous clinical factors, risk assessment, long-term prognosis and patients preferences seems to be the most rational option for individuals with. Some studies suggest that HT management may positively impact adherence to current recommendations and encourage the incorporation of patient preferences through the use of shared-decision making. Evidence from randomized-controlled trials are scarce and we still have to satisfy with observational studies. Furthermore, we still do not know how HT should cooperate, what goals are desired and most importantly, how HT decisions affect long-term outcomes and patient's satisfaction. This review aimed to comprehensively discuss the available evidence establishing the role of HT for providing optimal care for patients with CAD and VHD. We believe that the need for research to recognize the HT definition and range of its functioning is an important issue for further exploration. Improved techniques of interventional cardiology, minimally-invasive surgeries and new drugs determine future perspectives of HT conceptualization, but also add new issues to the complexity of HT cooperation. Regardless of which direction HT has evolved, its concept should be continued and refined to improve healthcare standards.

Effects of ischaemic postconditioning in aortic valve replacement: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of ischaemic postconditioning (IPost) on postcardioplegic cardiac function is not known. We hypothesized that IPost was cardioprotective in adult patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement. METHODS: In a multicentre, prospective, randomized trial, patients (n = 209) were randomized to either a standard operation (controls) or postconditioning. Immediately before the cross-clamp was released, patients in the postconditioning group underwent 3 cycles of flow/non-flow (2 min each) of normothermic blood via the antegrade cardioplegia line. The primary end point was cardiac index. Secondary end points included additional haemodynamic measurements, biomarkers of cardiomyocyte injury, renal function parameters, intra- and postoperative arrhythmias and use of inotropic agents. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups regarding cardiac index [mean between-group difference, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11 (-0.1 to 0.3), P = 0.27]. Postconditioning had no effect on other haemodynamic parametres. There was no between-group difference regarding troponin T or creatine kinase MB. Postconditioning reduced the relative risk for arrhythmias by 45% (P = 0.03) when postoperative atrial fibrillation and intraoperative ventricular fibrillation were combined. There were no differences in patients with/without diabetes, patients above/below 70 years of age or between the centres. However, after postconditioning, the cardiac index [95% CI, 0.46 (0.2-0.7), P = 0.001], cardiac output (P < 0.001), mean arterial pressure (P < 0.001) and left ventricular stroke work index (P < 0.001) were higher in males compared to females. CONCLUSIONS: IPost had no overall cardioprotective effects in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement but improved postoperative cardiac performance in men compared to women.

Expression of miR-223 to predict outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment for aortic stenosis (AS) in patients at increased surgical risk. Up to 29% of patients annually experience major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after TAVI. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are currently widely investigated as novel cardiovascular biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of TAVI on the expressions of selected miRNAs associated with platelet function (miR-125a-5p, miR-125b and miR-223), and evaluate the predictive value of these miRNAs for MACCE in 65 patients undergoing TAVI. METHODS: Venous blood samples for miRNA expression analysis were collected 1 day before TAVI and at hospital discharge. The expression of miR-223, miR-125a-5p, miR-125b was evaluated in platelet-depleted plasma. RESULTS: The expression of miR-223 and miR-125b increased after TAVI, compared to the measurement before (p = 0.020, p = 0.003, respectively). Among 63 patients discharged from the hospital, 18 patients experienced MACCE (29%) during the median 15 months of observation. Baseline low miR-223 expression was a predictor of MACCE in univariate Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-7.01; p = 0.041). After inclusion of covariates, age, gender (male), New York Heart Association class and diabetes into the multivariate Cox regression model, miR-223 did not reach statistical significance (HR: 2.56, 95% CI: 0.79-8.33; p = 0.118). CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, miR-223 might improve risk stratification after TAVI. Further studies are required to confirm the clinical applicability of this promising biomarker.

Optimal Management of Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Disease following Multidisciplinary Heart Team Approach-Insights from Tertiary Cardiovascular Care Center.

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate outcomes of patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) after implementing various treatment strategies following multidisciplinary Heart Team (MHT) discussion. Methods Primary and secondary endpoints and quality of life during a mean (SD) follow-up of 37 (14) months of patients with severe CAD (three-vessel [3-VD] or/and left main [LM] disease) qualified after MHT discussion to optimal medical treatment (OMT) alone, OMT and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), or OMT and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were evaluated. As the primary endpoint, major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (i.e., death from any cause, stroke, myocardial infarction, or repeat/need for revascularization) were considered. Result: From 2016 to 2019, 176 MHT meetings were held, and a total of 1286 participants with severe CAD and completely implemented MHT decisions (OMT, CABG, or PCI for 251, 356, and 679 patients, respectively) were included. The occurrence of the primary endpoint was significantly increased in OMT-group (154 (61.4%) vs. CABG and PCI groups­110 (30.9%) and 302 (44.5%) patients, respectively (p < 0.05). For interventional strategies only­CABG was associated with reduced rates of MACCE and repeat revascularization, while the superiority of PCI for stroke and disabling stroke was observed (p < 0.05). The general health status assessed at the end of the follow-up was significantly better for patients who underwent CABG or PCI than in the OMT group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this real-life study, we presented a single-center experience of providing optimal medical care for patients with severe CAD following MHT discussion.

Long-Term Mortality After TAVI for Bicuspid vs. Tricuspid Aortic Stenosis: A Propensity-Matched Multicentre Cohort Study.

Objectives: Patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) stenosis were excluded from the pivotal trials of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We compared the in-hospital and long-term outcomes between patients undergoing TAVI for bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) stenosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective registry-based analysis on patients who underwent TAVI for BAV and TAV at five different centers between January 2009 and August 2017. The primary outcome was long-term all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, procedural complications, and valve performance. Results: Of 1,451 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI, two propensity-matched cohorts consisting of 130 patients with BAV and 390 patients with TAV were analyzed. All-cause mortality was comparable in both groups up to 10 years following TAVI (HR 1.09, 95% CI: 0.77-1.51). Device success and in-hospital mortality were comparable between the groups (96 vs. 95%, p = 0.554 and 2.3 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.863, respectively). Incidence of procedural complications was similar in both groups, with a trend toward a higher rate of stroke in patients with BAV (5 vs. 2%, p = 0.078). Incidence of moderate or severe paravalvular leak (PVL) at discharge was comparable in both groups (2 vs. 2%, p = 0.846). Among patients with BAV, all-cause mortality was similar in self-expanding and balloon-expandable prostheses (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.52-1.99) and lower in new-generation devices compared to old-generation valves (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.12-0.62). Conclusion: Patients who had undergone TAVI for BAV had comparable mortality to patients with TAV up to 10 years after the procedure. The device success, in-hospital mortality, procedural complications, and PVL rate were comparable between the groups. The high rate of neurological complications (5%) in patients with BAV warrants further investigation.

Long-term outcomes and quality of life following implementation of dedicated mitral valve Heart Team decisions for patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation in tertiary cardiovascular care center.

BACKGROUND: This study was purposed to investigate which treatment strategy was associated with the most favourable prognosis for patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) following Heart Team (HT)-decisions implementation. METHODS: In this retrospective study, long-term outcomes of patients with severe MR qualified after HT discussion to: optimal medical treatment (OMT) alone, OMT and MitraClip (MC) procedure or OMT and mitral valve replacement (MVR) were evaluated. The primary endpoint was defined as cardiovascular (CV) death and the secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarctions (MI), strokes, hospitalizations for heart failure exacerbation and CV events during a mean (standard deviation [SD]) follow-up of 29 (15) months. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019, 176 HT meetings were held and a total of 157 participants (mean age [SD] = 71.0 [9.2], 63.7% male) with severe MR and completely implemented HT decisions (OMT, MC or MVR for 53, 58 and 46 patients, respectively) were included into final analysis. Comparing OMT, MC and MVR groups statistically significant differences between the implemented procedures and occurrence of primary and secondary endpoints with the most frequent in OMT-group were observed (p < 0.05). However, for interventional strategy MC was non-inferior to MVR for all endpoints (p > 0.05). General health status assessed at the end of follow-up were significantly the lowest for MVR, then for MC and the highest for OMT-group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study it was demonstrated that after careful HT evaluation of patients with severe MR at high risk of surgery, percutaneous strategy (MC) can be considered as equivalent to surgical treatment (MVR) with non-inferior outcomes.

Transcatheter aortic valve­in­valve implantation for failed surgical bioprostheses: results from the Polish Transcatheter Aortic Valve-in-Valve Implantation (ViV­TAVI) Registry

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve­in ­valve implantation (ViV­TAVI) has emerged as an alternative to redo surgery in patients with failed surgical aortic bioprosthesis. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of ViV­TAVI in Polish patients after surgical aortic valve replacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a nationwide multicenter registry of ViV­TAVI procedures. Data were collected using an online form, and the clinical follow ­up lasted 1 year. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2020, 130 ViV­TAVI procedures were performed (1.9% of all transcatheter aortic valve implantation [TAVI] cases). A considerable increase in ViV­TAVI procedures since 2018 has been observed (n = 59, 45% of ViV­TAVI cases). Hancock II, Freestyle, and homograft were the most frequently treated bioprostheses. The self ­expanding supra ­annular Corevalve / Evolut valve was used in 76% of cases. In 21% of cases, the mean postprocedural pressure gradient (PG) exceeded 20 mm Hg. All­cause mortal­ity at 1 year was 10.8%. Aortic valve stenosis was associated with a higher mean PG than aortic valve regurgitation or mixed disease (P = 0.004). Supra ­annular transcatheter aortic valves were associated with lower mean PGs than intra ­annular valves (P = 0.004). Second ­generation devices were associated with shorter procedure time (120 min vs 135 min, P = 0.04), less frequent need for additional TAVI (2% vs 10%, P = 0.04), and lower 1­year cardiovascular mortality (95% vs 82.8%, P = 0.03) than first­generation valves. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter treatment of failed bioprostheses is increasingly common, with the best hemodynamic effect shown for supra ­annular valves. The introduction of second­generation valves has improved procedural and clinical outcomes.

Impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on coexistent mitral regurgitation parameters.

BACKGROUND: Data on the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on coexisting mitral regurgitation (MR) are still inconsistent. AIMS: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of TAVI on coexistent MR depending on its etiology. METHODS: Out of 311 patients treated with TAVI, we selected 48 with coexistent MR: functional (FMR; n = 26) or nonfunctional (nFMR; n = 22). The impact of the procedure on MR was quantitatively assessed during a 1­year follow­up using MR effective regurgitant orifice area (MR­EROA) and volume (MRV). RESULTS: Compared with baseline, no change of MR­EROA was observed at 1­year follow­up in all patients with MR (median [interquartile range (IQR)], 0.2 [0.17-0.23]cm2 vs 0.17 [0.14-0.2]cm2 ; P = 0.054). No change in MR­EROA was also noted either in FMR (median [IQR], 0.21 [0.17-0.27]cm2 vs 0.19 [0.14-0.25]cm2 ; P = 0.142) or nFMR (median [IQR], 0.17 [0.12-0.23] cm2 vs 0.17 [0.1-0.2] cm2 ; P = 0.238) cohorts. Decreased MRV was seen in theoverall MR population after TAVI (median [IQR], 32 [28-36]ml/beat vs 26 [22-28]ml/beat; P = 0.002). Similarly, decreased MRV was noted in both FMR (median [IQR], 33 [26-42] ml/beat vs 26 [20-40] ml/beat; P = 0.042) and nFMR (median [IQR], 30 [20-46] ml/beat vs 24 [15-33] ml/beat; P = 0.015) cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation had no impact on MR­EROA regardless of the etiology of regurgitation. However, the procedure reduced MRV in both FMR and nFMR.

Pleiotropic Effects of Acetylsalicylic Acid after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting-Beyond Platelet Inhibition.

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the most frequently used medications worldwide. Yet, the main indications for ASA are the atherosclerosis-based cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite the increasing number of percutaneous procedures to treat CAD, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains the treatment of choice in patients with multivessel CAD and intermediate or high anatomical lesion complexity. Taking into account that CABG is a potent activator of inflammation, ASA is an important part in the postoperative therapy, not only due to ASA antiplatelet action, but also as an anti-inflammatory agent. Additional benefits of ASA after CABG include anticancerogenic, hypotensive, antiproliferative, anti-osteoporotic, and neuroprotective effects, which are especially important in patients after CABG, prone to hypertension, graft occlusion, atherosclerosis progression, and cognitive impairment. Here, we discuss the pleiotropic effects of ASA after CABG and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the benefits of treatment with ASA, beyond platelet inhibition. Since some of ASA pleiotropic effects seem to increase the risk of bleeding, it could be considered a starting point to investigate whether the increase of the intensity of the treatment with ASA after CABG is beneficial for the CABG group of patients.