Impact of Chronic Coronary Artery Disease and Revascularization Strategy in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis Who Underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

The prognostic impact of coronary artery disease (CAD) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of CAD and different revascularization strategies on clinical outcomes in patients who underwent TAVI with third generation devices. Patients enrolled in the national observational Observational Study of Effectiveness of SAVR-TAVI Procedures for Severe Aortic Stenosis Treatment II study were stratified according to the presence of CAD (CAD+, n = 1,130) versus no CAD (CAD-, n = 1,505), and compared using a propensity matched analysis. CAD+ group was further stratified according to the revascularization strategy: no revascularization (n = 331), revascularization performed >90 days before index-TAVI (n = 417) and coronary revascularization performed <90 days before index-TAVI or during TAVI (n = 382). In-hospital, 30-day and 1-year clinical outcomes were estimated. The mean age of the overall population was 81.8 years; 54.9% of patients were female. Propensity score matching yielded 813 pairs and their 30-day all-cause mortality was comparable (p = 0.480). Major periprocedural adverse events were also similar between the groups. At 1-year follow-up, the rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and all-cause mortality were similar between the groups (p = 0.732 and p = 0.633, respectively). Conversely, patients with CAD experienced more often myocardial infarction and need for percutaneous coronary intervention at 1 year (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively). Neither CAD nor revascularization strategy were independent predictors of 1-year MACCE. About 40% of patients presenting with severe AS and who underwent TAVI had concomitant CAD. The presence of CAD had no impact on all-cause mortality and MACCE 1-year after TAVR. However, CAD carries a higher risk for acute myocardial infarction and need of percutaneous coronary intervention during follow-up.

Impact of vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. VASC-OBSERVANT II sub-study.

BACKGROUND: Trans-femoral (TF) access is the commonest approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However this vascular approach is associated with vascular complications (VC) which in turn have prognostic implications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical impact of access site VC in patients undergoing TAVI with newer generation transcatheter prostheses enrolled in the national observational prospective multicenter study OBSERVANT II. METHODS: Vascular events were defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 criteria. The population enrolled in OBSERVANT II was divided into 3 groups: patients without VC (No-VC), patients with minor VC or percutaneous closure device failure (Minor-VC) and patients with major VC (Major-VC). The primary endpoint was 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization. A multivariate Cox regression model was used for risk estimation of MACCE between the three analyzed groups. RESULTS: 2.504 patients were included in this analysis: 2.167 patients in No-VC group; 249 patients in the Minor-VC and 88 patients in the Major-VC. At 1-year Minor-VC group had a freedom from MACCE comparable to the No-VC group, while Major-VC patients had significantly worse outcome (Log-rank test: p = 0.003). These results were driven by higher 1-year mortality in the Major-VC (p < 0.0001). Major-VC was an independent predictor of MACCE in adjusted analysis (hazard ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.18-3.03, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a low incidence of major VC with current TF-TAVI devices, our data confirm that major VC is still associated with a significantly worse clinical outcome.

Real-World Multiple Comparison of Transcatheter Aortic Valves: Insights From the Multicenter OBSERVANT II Study.

BACKGROUND: Head-to-head comparisons of devices for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are mostly limited to 2-arm studies so far. The aim of this study was to compare simultaneously outcomes of the most used, second- and third-generation transcatheter aortic valves in a real-world population. METHODS: A total of 2728 patients undergoing TAVI with different second- and third-generation devices, and enrolled in the multicenter, prospective OBSERVANT II study (Observational Study of Effectiveness of TAVI With New Generation Devices for Severe Aortic Stenosis Treatment) from December 2016 to September 2018 were compared according to the transcatheter aortic valve received. Outcomes were adjudicated through a linkage with administrative databases, and adjusted using inverse propensity of treatment weighting. The primary end point was the composite of all-cause death, stroke and rehospitalization for heart failure at 1-year. Rates were reported consecutively for Evolut R, Evolut PRO, SAPIEN 3, ACURATE neo, and Portico groups. RESULTS: The primary end point did not differ among groups (23.9% versus 24.7% versus 21.5% versus 23.7% versus 27.4%, respectively, P=0.56). Permanent pacemaker implantation was significantly lower for patients receiving SAPIEN 3 (19.9% versus 19.3% versus 12.5% versus 14.7% versus 22.1%, respectively, P<0.01) at 1 year. The SAPIEN 3 had lower rates of paravalvular regurgitation (moderate-to-severe grade 10.1% versus 5.0% versus 2.1% versus 13.1% versus 10.8%, respectively, P<0.01) but higher transprosthetic gradients (median mean gradients 7.0 versus 6.0 versus 10.0 versus 7.0 versus 8.0 mm Hg, respectively, P<0.01) after TAVI. CONCLUSIONS: Data from real-world practice showed low and comparable rates of complications after TAVI considering all the available devices. Patients receiving SAPIEN 3 valve had lower rates of paravalvular regurgitation and permanent pacemaker implantation, but higher transprosthetic gradients.

[Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) Position paper: Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation]. / Documento di posizione della Società Italiana di Cardiologia Interventistica (SICI-GISE): Chiusura percutanea dell'auricola sinistra in pazienti affetti da fibrillazione atriale non valvolare.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide. Thromboembolism from the left atrial appendage (LAA) is the most feared complication in patients with AF. The cornerstone for the management of AF is oral anticoagulation to reduce the incidence of cardioembolic stroke. There is, however, a significant proportion of patients who cannot undergo long-term oral anticoagulation. Transcatheter LAA occlusion is an evolving technology with proven benefits in terms of AF-related stroke prevention, representing a valid alternative to anticoagulation for high-risk patients with contraindications for long-term oral anticoagulation. This has resulted in the development of a plethora of transcatheter devices to achieve endocardial occlusion or epicardial exclusion of the LAA.A panel of expert Italian cardiologists gathered under the aegis of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) with the aim of reviewing the most relevant aspects of LAA occlusion, underlying anatomy and pathophysiology, summarizing current clinical knowledge, and discussing the practicalities of available devices and imaging techniques. Finally, the position paper highlights the importance of an adequate environment and of an appropriate organization in order to optimize all steps of the procedure.

One-Year Outcomes and Trends over Two Eras of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Real-World Practice.

BACKGROUND: Data reflecting the benefit of procedural improvements in real-world transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) practice are sparse. AIMS: To compare outcomes and trends of two TAVI eras from real Italian practice. METHODS: A total of 1811 and 2939 TAVI patients enrolled in the national, prospective OBSERVANT and OBSERVANT II studies in 2010-2012 and 2016-2018, respectively, were compared in a cohort study. Outcomes were adjusted using inverse propensity of treatment weighting and propensity score matching. RESULTS: The median age (83.0 (79.0-86.0) vs. 83.0 (79.0-86.0)) and EuroSCORE II (5.2 (3.2-7.7) vs. 5.1 (3.1-8.1)) of OBSERVANT and OBSERVANT II patients were similar. At 1 year, patients of the OBSERVANT II study had a significantly lower risk of all-cause death (10.6% vs. 16.3%, Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.63 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.52-0.76)) and rehospitalization for heart failure (HF) (14.3% vs. 19.5%, Sub-distribution HR 0.71 (95%CI 0.60-0.84)), whereas rates of stroke (3.1% vs. 3.6%) and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) (16.6% vs. 18.0%) were comparable between study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Age and risk profile among patients undergoing TAVI in Italy remained substantially unchanged between the 2010-2012 and 2016-2018 time periods. After adjustment, patients undergoing TAVI in the most recent era had lower risk of all-cause death and rehospitalization for HF at 1 year, whereas rates of stroke and PPI did not differ significantly.

Intracardiac echocardiography for guidance of transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion: An expert consensus document.

Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is an increasingly used alternative to oral anticoagulation in selected patients with atrial fibrillation. Intraprocedural imaging is a crucial for a successful intervention, with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as the current gold standard. Since some important limitations may affect TEE use, intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is increasingly used as an alternative to TEE for guiding LAAO. The lack of a standardized imaging protocol has slowed the adoption of ICE into clinical practice. On the basis of current research and expert consensus, this paper provides a protocol for ICE support of left atrial appendage occlusion.

[Transcatheter closure of ventricular septal defect: how and when?] / Chiusura percutanea di difetto interventricolare post-infartuale: come e quando?

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a rare but clinically severe complication of acute myocardial infarction. Although cardiac surgery is the gold standard to correct post-infarction VSD, transcatheter closure represents an effective therapeutic alternative in selected cases. However, the correct timing for VSD correction is a matter of debate. Herein, we report the case of a patient who underwent transcatheter closure of post-infarction VSD, focusing the discussion on the pros and cons of an early VSD correction.

Early and late outcomes after transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in obese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Data on the early and late outcome following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in obese patients are limited. We investigated whether TAVI may be superior to SAVR in obese patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Obese patients (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) who underwent either SAVR or TAVI were identified from the nationwide OBSERVANT registry, and their in-hospital and long-term outcomes were analysed. Propensity score matching was employed to identify two cohorts with similar baseline characteristics. RESULTS: The propensity score matching provided 142 pairs balanced in terms of baseline risk factors. In-hospital and 30-day mortality did not differ between SAVR and TAVI obese patients (4.6% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.56, and 5.2% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.41, respectively). Obese SAVR patients experienced a higher rate of renal failure (12.4% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.0105) and blood transfusion requirement (60.3% vs. 25.7%, p < 0.0001) in comparison with TAVI patients. A higher rate of permanent pacemaker implantation (14.4% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.0018), and major vascular injuries (7.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.0044) occurred in the TAVI group. Five-year survival was higher in the SAVR group compared to the TAVI patient cohort (p = 0.0046), with survival estimates at 1, 3 and 5 years of 88.0%, 80.3%, 71.8% for patients undergoing SAVR, and 85.2%, 69.0%, 52.8% for those subjected to TAVI procedures. CONCLUSIONS: In obese patients, both SAVR and TAVI are valid treatment options, although in the long term SAVR exhibited higher survival rates.

[First results from the OBSERVANT II study: clinical characteristics of patients with aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter treatment with new generation devices]. / Primi risultati dello studio OBSERVANT II: caratteristiche cliniche dei pazienti con stenosi aortica sottoposti a procedure transcatetere con dispositivi di nuova generazione.

BACKGROUND: The OBSERVANT study evaluated the medium and long-term outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) versus surgical aortic valve replacement obtaining comparative effectiveness results at least for the first-generation devices. The OBSERVANT II study enrolled a new series of TAVI procedures to evaluate whether the use of new-generation devices has modified outcome differences recorded in the OBSERVANT study. The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical characteristics of the OBSERVANT II population and compare them with those of the OBSERVANT population. METHODS: OBSERVANT II is a prospective multicenter observational study, which enrolled patients with severe aortic stenosis, who underwent a TAVI procedure in 30 Italian centers from December 2016 to September 2018. Clinical, anatomical and procedural information was recorded for each patient as well as procedure characteristics and any periprocedural outcomes. An administrative follow-up will allow to obtain information on medium and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: The enrolled population consists of 3001 patients with a mean age similar to that recorded in OBSERVANT (81.7 ± 6.3 vs 81.9 ± 6.2 years; p=0.336). OBSERVANT II patients show a lower prevalence of several morbid conditions than OBSERVANT patients (i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, etc.), though having very similar mean values of EuroSCORE II (7.2 ± 7.6% vs 7.4 ± 7.9%; p=0.558). According to three EuroSCORE II risk classes (≤3; 3-7; ≥7), the in-hospital mortality rates for patients enrolled in the two studies are 1.0% vs 2.0% (p≤0.000), 1.4% vs 4.1% (p<0.000) and 2.4% vs 7.7% (p<0.000), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The first results of the OBSERVANT II study show that patients undergoing TAVI with new-generation devices are elderly, have a lower risk profile than patients enrolled in the OBSERVANT study but comparable mean values of EuroSCORE II. The in-hospital mortality rate for patients enrolled in the OBSERVANT II study is lower than that recorded in the OBSERVANT study across all the EuroSCORE II risk classes.

Factors influencing the choice between transcatheter and surgical treatment of severe aortic stenosis in patients younger than 80 years: Results from the OBSERVANT study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the baseline features and clinical outcomes of patients younger than 80 years undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) enrolled in the OBservational Study of Effectiveness of SAVR-TAVR procedures for severe Aortic steNosis Treatment (OBSERVANT) real-world study, focusing on variables guiding Heart Team decision toward TAVI. BACKGROUND: Patients treated with TAVI, independently of surgical risk score, are mostly older than 80 years. METHODS: OBSERVANT is a multicenter, observational, prospective cohort study that enrolled patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent SAVR or TAVI from December 2010 to June 2012 in 93 Italian participating hospitals. For this analysis, baseline characteristics, therapeutic approach and outcomes up to 5 years of follow-up of 4,801 patients under 80 years of age were collected. Patients were stratified by age classes (<65, 65-74, and 75-79 years). RESULTS: Patients <80 years of age with severe symptomatic AS undergoing TAVI (n = 483) had significantly higher Logistic EuroSCORE (10.84% vs. 5.22%, p < .001) and prevalence of comorbidities compared to subjects undergoing SAVR (n = 4,318). The decision to perform TAVI over SAVR was driven by anatomical factors, mainly previous cardiac surgery (odds ratio [OR] 24.73, confidence interval [CI] 12.71-48.10, p < .001) and the presence of porcelain aorta (OR 17.44, CI 6.67-45.55, p < .001), and clinical factors, mainly moderate-severe frailty score (OR 5.49, CI 3.33-9.07, p < .001), oxygen dependency (OR 7.42, CI 2.75-20.04, p < .001) and need for dialytic treatment (OR 5.24, CI 1.54-17.80, p < .008). Among patients undergoing TAVI, those under 65 years had the highest baseline risk profile (despite a low Logistic EuroSCORE) and the highest 5-year mortality compared to those 65-74 and 75-79-year-old (65.22% vs. 48.54% vs. 55.24%, log-rank p = .061). CONCLUSION: Among patients under 80 years of age with symptomatic severe AS, only 10% underwent TAVI. These patients were at higher baseline risk compared to those undergoing SAVR. The decision to perform TAVI was driven by the presence of both anatomical and clinical factors beyond surgical risk scores. Patients under 65 years of age, despite the low Logistic EuroSCORE, had the highest preoperative risk profile and carried the worse outcome.

Left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke despite oral anticoagulation (resistant stroke). Results from the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug registry.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Despite the efficacy of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy, some patients continue to have a high residual risk and develop a stroke on OAC therapy (resistant stroke [RS]), and there is a lack of evidence on the management of these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) as secondary prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who have experienced a stroke/transient ischemic attack despite OAC treatment. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug multicenter registry on 1047 consecutive patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation undergoing LAAO. Patientes with previous stroke on OAC therapy as indication for LAAO were identified and compared with patients with other indications. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients (11%) with RS were identified. The CHA2DS2-VASc and the HAS-BLED score were significantly higher in the RS group (respectively 5.5±1.5 vs 4.3±1.6; P <.001; 3.9±1.3 vs 3.1±1.2; P <.001). No significant differences were observed in periprocedural major safety events (7.8 vs 4.5%; P=.1). With a mean clinical follow-up of 16.2±12.2 months, the observed annual stroke/transient ischemic attack rate for the RS group was 2.6% (65% risk reduction) and the observed annual major bleeding rate was 0% (100% risk reduction). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RS undergoing LAAO showed similar safety outcomes to patients without RS, with a significant reduction in stroke/transient ischemic attack and major bleeding events during follow-up. Adequately powered controlled trials are needed to further investigate the use of LAAO in RS patients.

Five-Year Outcomes of Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in a Real World Population.

BACKGROUND: The OBSERVANT study (Observational Study of Effectiveness of SAVR-TAVI Procedures for Severe Aortic Stenosis Treatment) showed that mortality at 1 year is similar after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for real-world propensity-matched patients with aortic stenosis at low and intermediate risk. We report the 5-year outcomes of the Italian OBSERVANT study. METHODS AND RESULTS: The unadjusted enrolled population (N=7618) between December 2010 and June 2012 included 5707 patients on SAVR and 1911 patients on TAVR. The propensity score method was applied to select 2 groups with similar baseline characteristics. All outcomes were adjudicated through a linkage with administrative databases. The primary end points of this analysis were death from any cause and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at 5 years. The matched population had a total of 1300 patients (650 per group). The propensity score method generated a low and intermediate-risk population (mean logistic EuroSCORE 2: 5.1±6.2% versus 4.9±5.1%, SAVR versus transfemoral TAVR; P=0.485). At 5 years, the rate of 5 death from any cause was 35.8% in the surgical group and 48.3% in the transcatheter group (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.12-1.69; P=0.002). Similarly, TAVR was associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events as compared with SAVR (42.5% versus 54.0%; hazard ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.11-1.63; P=0.003). The cumulative incidence of cerebrovascular events, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization were similar in the study groups at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that at 5 years, in a real-world population with severe aortic stenosis and at low and intermediate risk, suggest that SAVR is associated in with lower mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events rates than transfemoral TAVR performed using first-generation devices. These data need to be confirmed in randomized trials using new-generation TAVR devices.

Value of a comprehensive geriatric assessment for predicting one-year outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: results from the CGA-TAVI multicentre registry.

BACKGROUND: In a three-month report from the CGA-TAVI registry, we found the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) to be of value for predicting short-term outcomes in elderly patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In the present analysis, we examined the association of these tools with outcomes up to one year post-TAVI. METHODS: CGA-TAVI is an international, observational registry of geriatric patients undergoing TAVI. Patients were assessed using the MPI and SPPB. Efficacy of baseline values and any postoperative change for predicting outcome were established using logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier analysis was carried out for each comprehensive geriatric assessment tool, with survival stratified by risk category. RESULTS: One year after TAVI, 14.1% of patients deceased, while 17.4% met the combined endpoint of death and/or non-fatal stroke, and 37.7% the combined endpoint of death and/or hospitalisation and/or non-fatal stroke. A high-risk MPI score was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (aOR = 36.13, 95% CI: 2.77-470.78, P = 0.006) and death and/or non-fatal stroke (aOR = 10.10, 95% CI: 1.48-68.75, P = 0.018). No significant associations were found between a high-risk SPPB score and mortality or two main combined endpoints. In contrast to a worsening SPPB, an aggravating MPI score at three months post-TAVI was associated with an increased risk of death and/or non-fatal stoke at one year (aOR = 95.16, 95% CI: 3.41-2657.01). CONCLUSIONS: The MPI showed value for predicting the likelihood of death and a combination of death and/or non-fatal stroke by one year after TAVI in elderly patients.

[Updated SICI-GISE position paper on institutional and operator requirements for transcatheter aortic valve implantation]. / Update del documento di posizione della Società Italiana di Cardiologia Interventistica (SICI-GISE) sui requisiti minimi per ospedali ed operatori che eseguono procedure di impianto transcatetere di protesi valvolare aortica.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has revolutionized the management of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and has become the standard of care for inoperable patients and the preferred therapy for those at increased surgical risk with peculiar clinical and anatomic features. Technology advances, growing experience and accumulating data prompted the update of the 2011 Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) position paper on institutional and operator requirements to perform TAVI. The main objective of this document is to provide a guidance to assess the potential of institutions and operators to initiate and maintain an efficient TAVI program.

Transcatheter or surgical treatment of severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease: A comparative analysis from the Italian OBSERVANT study.

BACKGROUND: To assess clinical outcomes of patients with concomitant severe aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Data were extracted from the multicenter OBSERVANT study. For the purposes of the present analysis, we included only patients with established stable CAD meeting any of the following inclusion criteria: 1) TAVI patients with CAD undergoing staged PCI or TAVI and PCI in the same session; 2) SAVR patients undergoing combined SAVR and CABG in the same session. RESULTS: After propensity-score matching, a total of 472 patients (236 per group) were identified. Among TAVI patients, PCI was performed prior to the procedure in 217 patients (92.0%), whereas concomitant TAVI and PCI were performed in 19 patients (8.0%). At 3-year, there was no difference in survival between the two groups (KM estimate of freedom from death for SAVR and TAVI patients of 0.742 and 0.650, respectively; log-rank p-value of 0.105). The rate of MACCE was comparable between the two groups (KM estimate of freedom from MACCE for SAVR and TAVI patients of 0.683 and 0.582, respectively; log-rank p-value of 0.115). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with associated severe AS and CAD, percutaneous treatment (TAVR and staged or concomitant PCI) was comparable to surgical treatment (SAVR and concomitant CABG) with respect to the early and mid-term risk of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke and unplanned revascularization.

Intracardiac Versus Transesophageal Echocardiographic Guidance for Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion: The LAAO Italian Multicenter Registry.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE)-guided versus transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) by the use of Amplatzer Cardiac Plug or Amulet devices included in a large Italian registry. BACKGROUND: TEE is widely used for LAAO procedure guidance. ICE may be a potential alternative imaging modality in LAAO. METHODS: Data from 604 LAAO procedures performed in 16 Italian centers were reviewed. ICE-guided LAAO was performed in 187 patients, whereas TEE was used in 417 patients. Procedural success was defined as LAAO without occurrence of pericardial tamponade, stroke, systemic embolism with end organ damage, major bleeding, and device embolization. Stroke, transient ischemic attack, major bleeding, overall and cardiovascular death were analyzed. RESULTS: CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack or thromboembolism, vascular disease, age 65 to 74 years, sex category) and HAS-BLED (hypertension, abnormal renal and liver function, stroke, bleeding, labile international normalized ratio, elderly, drugs or alcohol) scores were similar between the ICE and TEE groups. TEE implied lower procedural (delta 12 min) and fluoroscopy time (delta 5 min) when compared with ICE. Procedural success was similarly high (≥94%) between the TEE and ICE groups with a complication rate of 6.5% for TEE versus 4.2% for ICE (odds ratio: 1.468; 95% confidence interval: 0.681 to 3.166; p = 0.327). At median follow-up of 451 days (interquartile range: 162 to 899 days), the rate of cerebral ischemic events was similar between TEE-guided and ICE-guided procedures. CONCLUSIONS: ICE-guided LAAO by means of Amplatzer devices may represent a second alternative imaging modality after an appropriate learning curve and bearing in mind that pre-procedural computed tomography imaging is mandatory. When comparing ICE with TEE, TEE remains the gold standard.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation - results from the CGA-TAVI multicentre registry.

BACKGROUND: In older patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing TAVI, the potential role of prior CGA is not well established. To explore the value of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for predicting mortality and/or hospitalisation within the first 3 months after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: An international, multi-centre, prospective registry (CGA-TAVI) was established to gather data on CGA results and medium-term outcomes in geriatric patients undergoing TAVI. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the predictive value of a multidimensional prognostic index (MPI); a short physical performance battery (SPPB); and the Silver Code, which was based on administrative data, for predicting death and/or hospitalisation in the first 3 months after TAVI (primary endpoint). RESULTS: A total of 71 TAVI patients (mean age 85.4 years; mean log EuroSCORE I 22.5%) were enrolled. Device success according to VARC criteria was 100%. After adjustment for selected baseline characteristics, a higher (poorer) MPI score (OR: 3.34; 95% CI: 1.39-8.02; p = 0.0068) and a lower (poorer) SPPB score (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.01-1.54; p = 0.0380) were found to be associated with an increased likelihood of the primary endpoint. The Silver Code did not show any predictive ability in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Several aspects of the CGA have shown promise for being of use to physicians when predicting TAVI outcomes. While the MPI may be useful in clinical practice, the SPPB may be of particular value, being simple and quick to perform. Validation of these findings in a larger sample is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on November 7, 2013 ( NCT01991444 ).

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation compared with surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with anaemia.

OBJECTIVES: We compared the outcome of anaemic patients undergoing transcatheter (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for severe aortic valve stenosis. METHODS: Anaemic patients (haemoglobin <13.0 g/dL in men and <12.0 g/dL in women) undergoing TAVI and SAVR from the OBSERVANT study were the subjects of this analysis. RESULTS: Preoperative anaemia was an independent predictor of 3-year mortality after either TAVI (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.12-1.68) and SAVR (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.37-1.99). Propensity score matching resulted in 302 pairs with similar characteristics. Patients undergoing SAVR had similar 30-d mortality (3.6% versus 3.3%, p = .81) and stroke (1.3% versus 2.0%, p = .53) compared with TAVI. The rates of pacemaker implantation (18.6% versus 3.0%, p < .001), major vascular damage (5.7% versus 0.4%, p < .001) and mild-to-severe paravalvular regurgitation (47.4% versus 9.3%, p < .001) were higher after TAVI, whereas acute kidney injury (50.7% versus 27.9%, p < .001) and blood transfusion (70.0% versus 38.6%, p < .001) were more frequent after SAVR. At 3-year, survival was 74.0% after SAVR and 66.3% after TAVI, respectively (p = .065), and freedom from MACCE was 67.6% after SAVR and 58.7% after TAVI, respectively (p = .049). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that TAVI is not superior to SAVR in patients with anaemia.

Left atrial appendage closure using AMPLATZER™ devices: A large, multicenter, Italian registry.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) has been proven to be effective for stroke prophylaxis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). We aim to assess the safety and efficacy of LAAO by AMPLATZER™ devices in a large, multicenter, single-nation cohort of NVAF patients at high-risk of stroke and bleeding. METHODS: From December 2008 to April 2015 613 NVAF patients (75.1±8.0years, 62.5% male) underwent LAAO in 15 Italian centers by AMPLATZER™ devices. There were no restrictions on any personal/institutional protocols with respect to indications, pre-procedural planning, device implantation, drug therapy and follow-up. All the baseline characteristics, imaging, procedural and follow-up data were collected in a single dataset. RESULTS: AMPLATZER™ devices were successfully implanted in 95.4% of cases. Major complications occurred during 38 procedures (6.2%) and included more frequently major bleeding (3.3%) and pericardial tamponade (2.0%). At a mean follow-up of 20months, the overall annual rates of stroke and thromboembolic events, including those periprocedural, was 1.67% and 2.90%, respectively, consisting in a reduction in the rate of stroke and TIA of 66% compared with the risk-based expectation. Among the 218 patients undergoing transesophageal echocardiography at 6months of follow-up, device thrombosis was present in 1.8% of the patients whilst a significant or mild to moderate peri-device leak was found in 0.5% and 11.9% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this large, multicenter, single-nation study, LAAO with the AMPLATZER™ devices showed high procedural success, early safety and mid-term efficacy for the prevention of NVAF-related thromboembolism.