Bidirectional Relationship between Adolescent Gender Egalitarianism and Prosocial Behavior.

This study investigates the bidirectional associations between gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior in adolescents, and the moderating effect of gender in the associations, as well as gender differences and longitudinal changes in both. We recruited 543 Chinese adolescents (284 girls, 259 boys; mean age at Time 1 = 11.27 years) and collected three waves of data measuring gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior at one-year intervals. According to the results, girls expressed greater gender egalitarianism than boys did; girls reported more prosocial behavior than boys in the sixth grade, but there were no significant gender differences in the seventh and eighth grades. Adolescents' gender egalitarianism stayed stable from the sixth to the seventh grade then increased from the seventh to the eighth grade, and there was a decrease in prosocial behavior from the sixth to the seventh grade. More importantly, the results of the multi-group cross-lagged panel model revealed that adolescents' gender egalitarianism in the previous year positively predicted prosocial behavior in the next year, and vice versa; such bidirectional associations equally applied to boys and girls. These findings add to the knowledge of adolescent gender egalitarianism and prosocial behavior, and the dynamic interplay between the two.

Effect of Solvent Polarity on the Spectral Characteristics of 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis(p-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin.

The electronic absorption and vibrational spectra of deprotonated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(p-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP) are studied as a function of solvent polarity in H2O-DMF, H2O-acetone, H2O-methanol, and DMF-acetone mixtures. The maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) of the lowest energy electronic absorption band of deprotonated THPP shows an unusual solvatochromism-a bathochromic followed by a hypsochromic shift with reduced polarity. According to the correlation analysis, both specific interactions (H-bonds) and nonspecific interactions affect the spectral changes of this porphyrin. Furthermore, the solvent polarity scale ET(30) can explain both shifts very well. At higher polarity (ET(30) > 48), THPP exists as a hyperporphyrin. The ET(30) is linear with λmax and a decrease in solvent polarity is accompanied by a bathochromic shift of λmax. These results can be rationalized in terms of the cooperative effects of H-bonds and nonspecific interactions on the spectra of hyperporphyrin. At relatively low polarity (45.5 < ET(30) < 48), hyperporphyrin gradually becomes Na2P as ET(30) reaches the critical value of 45.5. The spectrum of the hyperporphyrin turns into the three-band spectrum of the metalloporphyrin, which is accompanied by a hypsochromic shift of λmax.

Rationale and design of the SMall Annuli Randomized To Evolut or SAPIEN Trial (SMART Trial).

BACKGROUND: The SMall Annuli Randomized To Evolut or SAPIEN (SMART) Trial was designed to compare the performance of the two most widely available commercial transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices in patients with symptomatic severe native aortic stenosis with a small aortic valve annulus undergoing transfemoral TAVR. Patients with small aortic valve annuli are typically female and are often underrepresented in clinical trials. METHODS: The SMART Trial is an international, prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled, post-market trial. The trial will be conducted in approximately 700 subjects at approximately 90 sites globally. Inclusion criteria include severe aortic stenosis, aortic valve annulus area of ≤430 mm2 based on multi-detector computed tomography, and appropriate anatomy for both the Medtronic Evolut PRO/PRO+ self-expanding and Edwards SAPIEN 3/3 Ultra balloon-expandable devices. The primary clinical outcome composite endpoint is defined as mortality, disabling stroke or heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months. The co-primary valve function composite endpoint is defined as bioprosthetic valve dysfunction at 12 months which includes hemodynamic structural valve dysfunction, defined as a mean gradient ≥20 mmHg, non-structural valve dysfunction, defined as severe prothesis-patient mismatch or ≥moderate aortic regurgitation, thrombosis, endocarditis, and aortic valve re-intervention. Powered secondary endpoints will be assessed hierarchically. CONCLUSIONS: The SMART trial will be the largest head-to-head comparative trial of transfemoral TAVR using the two most widely available contemporary TAVR devices in the setting of small aortic annuli and the largest trial to enroll primarily women. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov, Unique identifier: NCT04722250.

Complete 2-Year Results Confirm Bayesian Analysis of the SURTAVI Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report the 2-year results of the SURTAVI (Surgical Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) trial and confirm the interim Bayesian analysis. BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a self-expanding valve was noninferior to surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis and intermediate operative risk using Bayesian statistical methods. Novel Bayesian designs have been used to shorten the time to primary endpoint analysis in randomized clinical trials, although the predictive value of Bayesian analysis compared with frequentist approaches remains debated. METHODS: The SURTAVI trial randomized 1,660 patients. An interim analysis was performed 1 year after the 1,400th patient was treated to estimate the primary 2-year endpoint of all-cause mortality or disabling strokes for all patients. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier rate for the complete 2-year primary endpoint was 12.7% in the TAVR group and 12.6% in the surgery group (0.0% difference; 95% confidence interval: -3.4% to 3.5%), compared with 12.6% with TAVR and 14.0% with surgery (-1.4% difference; Bayesian credible interval: -5.2% to 2.3%) in the interim Bayesian analysis. A comparison of individual clinical, hemodynamic, and quality-of-life endpoints using Bayesian and frequentist methods found no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The complete analysis of all patients with aortic stenosis at intermediate risk for surgery in the SURTAVI trial confirmed the noninferiority, with respect to the frequency of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke, of TAVR to surgery, as determined in the interim Bayesian analysis. Follow-up will extend out to 10 years.

Comparison of a Complete Percutaneous Versus Surgical Approach to Aortic Valve Replacement and Revascularization in Patients at Intermediate Surgical Risk: Results From the Randomized SURTAVI Trial.

BACKGROUND: For patients with severe aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease, the completely percutaneous approach to aortic valve replacement and revascularization has not been compared with the standard surgical approach. METHODS: The prospective SURTAVI trial (Safety and Efficiency Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Severe, Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis in Intermediate Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement) enrolled intermediate-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis from 87 centers in the United States, Canada, and Europe between June 2012 and June 2016. Complex coronary artery disease with SYNTAX score (Synergy Between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Trial) >22 was an exclusion criterion. Patients were stratified according to the need for revascularization and then randomly assigned to treatment with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Patients assigned to revascularization in the TAVR group underwent percutaneous coronary intervention, whereas those in the SAVR group had coronary artery bypass grafting. The primary end point was the rate of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke at 2 years. RESULTS: Of 1660 subjects with attempted aortic valve implants, 332 (20%) were assigned to revascularization. They had a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score for mortality (4.8±1.7% versus 4.4±1.5%; P<0.01) and were more likely to be male (65.1% versus 54.2%; P<0.01) than the 1328 patients not assigned to revascularization. After randomization to treatment, there were 169 patients undergoing TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention, 163 patients undergoing SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting, 695 patients undergoing TAVR, and 633 patients undergoing SAVR. No significant difference in the rate of the primary end point was found between TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention and SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting (16.0%; 95% CI, 11.1-22.9 versus 14.0%; 95% CI, 9.2-21.1; P=0.62), or between TAVR and SAVR (11.9%; 95% CI, 9.5-14.7 versus 12.3%; 95% CI, 9.8-15.4; P=0.76). CONCLUSIONS: For patients at intermediate surgical risk with severe aortic stenosis and noncomplex coronary artery disease (SYNTAX score ≤22), a complete percutaneous approach of TAVR and percutaneous coronary intervention is a reasonable alternative to SAVR and coronary artery bypass grafting. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov. Unique identifier: NCT01586910.

Computed Tomography-Based Indexed Aortic Annulus Size to Predict Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic performance of prostheses after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is generally better than after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), especially in patients with a small native annulus size. However, it remains unclear whether differences are consistent for patients with a different propensity for developing prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM), considering annulus size and body size of patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The SURTAVI trial (Surgical Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Implantation) compared TAVR using a self-expandable valve with SAVR in intermediate-risk patients. Multidetector computed tomography-based aortic annulus size consisted of the perimeter-derived diameter, which was divided by body surface area to produce an indexed annulus size. Patients were categorized into a small (9-12 mm/m2), medium (>12-14 mm/m2), and large (>14-18 mm/m2) group according to indexed annulus size. We compared TAVR and SAVR for PPM, hemodynamics, and clinical, and functional outcomes through 1-year follow-up within the size groups. Patients who underwent TAVR received a larger prosthesis with increasing indexed annulus size ( P<0.001), while there was no difference in prosthesis size in patients who underwent SAVR ( P=0.74). Patients in all size groups had significantly larger indexed effective orifice area and lower mean gradients at discharge after TAVR versus SAVR. Rates of PPM were significantly lower with TAVR versus SAVR in all groups ( P<0.001) and declined with larger indexed annulus sizes with both TAVR ( P=0.04) and SAVR ( P=0.03). Indexed annulus size was an independent predictor of PPM after TAVR and SAVR. Clinical outcomes were comparable between TAVR and SAVR across all groups, apart from a significantly higher rate of reintervention after TAVR versus SAVR in the large indexed annulus size group (2.5% versus 0%; P=0.01) but without significant interaction ( Pint=0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of PPM were significantly lower after TAVR than after SAVR across all groups of indexed annulus size, reflecting better hemodynamic performance of transcatheter versus surgical valves, irrespective of the propensity to develop PPM. More attention should be directed to prevention of PPM after SAVR. This information should be considered by the Heart Team to recommend a specific procedure or valve. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01586910.

Durability of Transcatheter and Surgical Bioprosthetic Aortic Valves in Patients at Lower Surgical Risk.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and intermediate or high surgical risk. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the durability of transcatheter and surgical bioprosthetic aortic valves using standardized criteria. METHODS: In the NOTION (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention) trial, all-comer patients with severe aortic stenosis and lower surgical risk for mortality were randomized 1:1 to TAVR (n = 139) or SAVR (n = 135). Moderate/severe structural valve deterioration (SVD) was defined as a mean gradient ≥20 mm Hg, an increase in mean gradient ≥10 mm Hg from 3 months post-procedure, or more than mild intraprosthetic aortic regurgitation (AR) either new or worsening from 3 months post-procedure. Nonstructural valve deterioration (NSVD) was defined as moderate/severe patient-prosthesis mismatch at 3 months or moderate/severe paravalvular leakage. Bioprosthetic valve failure (BVF) was defined as: valve-related death, aortic valve reintervention, or severe hemodynamic SVD. RESULTS: At 6 years, the rates of all-cause mortality were similar for TAVR (42.5%) and SAVR (37.7%) patients (p = 0.58). The rate of SVD was higher for SAVR than TAVR (24.0% vs. 4.8%; p < 0.001), whereas there were no differences in NSVD (57.8% vs. 54.0%; p = 0.52) or endocarditis (5.9% vs. 5.8%; p = 0.95). BVF rates were similar after SAVR and TAVR through 6 years (6.7% vs. 7.5%; p = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: In the NOTION trial through 6 years, SVD was significantly greater for SAVR than TAVR, whereas BVF was low and similar for both groups. Longer-term follow-up of randomized clinical trials will be necessary to confirm these findings. (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Trial; NCT01057173).

Five-Year Clinical and Echocardiographic Outcomes From the NOTION Randomized Clinical Trial in Patients at Lower Surgical Risk.

BACKGROUND: The NOTION trial (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention) was designed to compare transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients ≥70 years old with isolated severe aortic valve stenosis. Clinical and echocardiographic outcomes are presented after 5 years. METHODS: Patients were enrolled at 3 Nordic centers and randomized 1:1 to TAVR using the self-expanding CoreValve prosthesis (n=145) or SAVR using any stented bioprostheses (n=135). The primary composite outcome was the rate of all-cause mortality, stroke, or myocardial infarction at 1 year defined according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar. The mean age was 79.1±4.8 years and mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 3.0%±1.7%. After 5 years, there were no differences between TAVR and SAVR in the composite outcome (Kaplan-Meier estimates 38.0% versus 36.3%, log-rank test P=0.86) or any of its components. TAVR patients had larger prosthetic valve area (1.7 cm2 versus 1.2 cm2, P<0.001) with a lower mean transprosthetic gradient (8.2 mm Hg versus 13.7 mm Hg, P<0.001), both unchanged over time. More TAVR patients had moderate/severe total aortic regurgitation (8.2% versus 0.0%, P<0.001) and a new pacemaker (43.7% versus 8.7%, P<0.001). Four patients had prosthetic reintervention and no difference was found for functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These are currently the longest follow-up data comparing TAVR and SAVR in lower risk patients, demonstrating no statistical difference for major clinical outcomes 5 years after TAVR with a self-expanding prosthesis compared to SAVR. Higher rates of prosthetic regurgitation and pacemaker implantation were seen after TAVR. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01057173.

Neurological Complications After Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Neurological events after aortic valve interventions are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly offered for lower-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, previously considered candidates for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Differences in post-procedural neurological events have important implications in treatment allocation. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to analyze the neurological events in the randomized SURTAVI (Surgical Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) trial. METHODS: Patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis at intermediate surgical risk were randomized 1:1 to TAVR or SAVR. The rates of neurological events and quality of life were analyzed at 30 days, and 6 and 12 months post-procedure in a modified intention-to-treat population (mean age 79.8 ± 6.2 years; N = 1,660). RESULTS: The rates of early (30-day) stroke and post-procedural encephalopathy were higher after SAVR versus TAVR (5.4% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.031; and 7.8% vs. 1.6%; p < 0.001, respectively). At 12 months, the rate of stroke was not different between SAVR and TAVR (6.9% vs. 5.2%; p = 0.136). Early stroke and early encephalopathy resulted in an elevated mortality at 12 months in both treatment groups. Quality of life after an early stroke was significantly lower in SAVR versus TAVR patients at 30 days and was similar at 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The early stroke rate was lower after TAVR than SAVR. In patients with early strokes, QOL improved earlier after TAVR. At 12-month follow-up, stroke rates and QOL were not different between TAVR and SAVR patients. (Surgical Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation [SURTAVI]; NCT01586910).

One-year outcomes of patients with severe aortic stenosis and an STS PROM of less than three percent in the SURTAVI trial.

AIMS: The indication for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved from inoperable patients to patients at increased surgical risk. In low-risk patients, surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) remains the standard of care. The aim of this study was to explore the outcomes of TAVI and SAVR in patients with a Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) predicted risk of mortality (PROM) score below 3% in the SURTAVI trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: In SURTAVI, patients at intermediate surgical risk based on Heart Team consensus were randomised to TAVI or SAVR. We stratified the overall patient population into quintiles based on the STS PROM score; the one-year mortality was correlated with the mean STS PROM score in each quintile. The quintiles were regrouped into three clinically relevant categories of STS score: less than 3%, 3 to <5%, and >5%. All-cause mortality or disabling stroke in each risk stratum was compared between TAVI and SAVR. Linear regressions between mean values of STS PROM in each quintile and observed all-cause mortality at one year showed great association for the global population (r2=0.92), TAVI (r2=0.89) and SAVR cohorts (r2=0.73). All-cause mortality or disabling stroke of TAVI vs. SAVR was 1.5% vs. 6.5% (p=0.04), 6.5% vs. 7.6% (p=0.52) and 13.5% vs. 11.0% (p=0.40) in the <3%, 3-5%, and ≥5% STS score strata, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients at intermediate surgical risk but with an STS PROM <3%, TAVI may achieve superior clinical outcomes compared to SAVR. These findings support the need for an adequately powered randomised trial to compare TAVI with SAVR in patients at low operative risk.

Surgical or Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement in Intermediate-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Although transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) is an accepted alternative to surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk, less is known about comparative outcomes among patients with aortic stenosis who are at intermediate surgical risk. METHODS: We evaluated the clinical outcomes in intermediate-risk patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis in a randomized trial comparing TAVR (performed with the use of a self-expanding prosthesis) with surgical aortic-valve replacement. The primary end point was a composite of death from any cause or disabling stroke at 24 months in patients undergoing attempted aortic-valve replacement. We used Bayesian analytical methods (with a margin of 0.07) to evaluate the noninferiority of TAVR as compared with surgical valve replacement. RESULTS: A total of 1746 patients underwent randomization at 87 centers. Of these patients, 1660 underwent an attempted TAVR or surgical procedure. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 79.8±6.2 years, and all were at intermediate risk for surgery (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality, 4.5±1.6%). At 24 months, the estimated incidence of the primary end point was 12.6% in the TAVR group and 14.0% in the surgery group (95% credible interval [Bayesian analysis] for difference, -5.2 to 2.3%; posterior probability of noninferiority, >0.999). Surgery was associated with higher rates of acute kidney injury, atrial fibrillation, and transfusion requirements, whereas TAVR had higher rates of residual aortic regurgitation and need for pacemaker implantation. TAVR resulted in lower mean gradients and larger aortic-valve areas than surgery. Structural valve deterioration at 24 months did not occur in either group. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR was a noninferior alternative to surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis at intermediate surgical risk, with a different pattern of adverse events associated with each procedure. (Funded by Medtronic; SURTAVI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01586910 .).

Balloon Post-Dilation Following Implantation of a Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve Bioprosthesis.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to explore the impact of balloon post-dilation (BPD) on outcomes in the CoreValve US Clinical Trials. BACKGROUND: BPD following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been used in selected cases to optimize hemodynamic results. METHODS: Procedural details of 3,532 patients were examined to determine whether BPD was performed after self-expanding TAVR. "Best practice" guidelines recommended BPD for treatment of suboptimal intraprocedural valve function, primarily manifested by moderate or severe residual aortic regurgitation (AR). RESULTS: Procedural BPD was performed in 782 patients (22%) patients. The most common (58.1%) indication was greater than or equal to moderate AR following valve deployment. Greater baseline aortic valve gradients (p < 0.001), higher grades of baseline AR (p < 0.001), larger annular diameters (p < 0.001), and lower device to annular ratios (p < 0.001) were more common in patients who underwent BPD. BPD was performed less often with the 26-mm valve (17.9%) compared to the 31 mm (38.1%) (p < 0.05). BPD reduced moderate or severe AR by 75.6% from 58.1% to 14.2%. Thirty-day and 1-year clinical events were similar in the 2 groups, although acute kidney injury was more common in patients undergoing BPD (p = 0.026). In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event rates were 9.3% in the BPD group versus 7.5% for others (p = NS). There was no increase in neurological events. CONCLUSIONS: BPD of the self-expanding bioprosthesis was performed in 22% of patients in the CoreValve US Clinical Trials most commonly to reduce the degree of residual AR. BPD was effective in acutely improving valve performance without an associated increase in neurologic events. (Safety and Efficacy Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis in High Risk and Very High Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement; NCT01240902; Safety and Efficacy Continued Access Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis in Very High Risk Subjects and High Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement; NCT01531374).

Relationship of Annular Sizing Using Multidetector Computed Tomographic Imaging and Clinical Outcomes After Self-Expanding CoreValve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Multidetector computed tomography is useful for determining the appropriate transcatheter heart valve (THV) size in patients with severe aortic stenosis who are suboptimal surgical candidates. The relationship between adherence to the recommended CoreValve sizing algorithm and clinical outcomes is not known. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 1023 patients with severe aortic stenosis deemed high or extreme risk for surgery treated with the CoreValve THV. All patients underwent preprocedural multidetector computed tomography, and the scans were reviewed at a central analysis center using standardized software. Compliance to a recommended sizing algorithm was used to identify patients with below-range, in-range, and above-range THV sizing. A device annular sizing ratio (DAR) was also calculated based on the native annulus perimeter and perimeter of the selected THV. Clinical end points included the presence of paravalvular aortic regurgitation evaluated by an independent echocardiographic laboratory. Adherence to the sizing algorithm was highest with a 31-mm THV (92.6%) and lowest with the 23-mm THV (38.5%). Below-range sizing was associated with a higher rate of moderate or severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation (15.3%) than in-range (6.5%) or above-range (10.0%; P<0.001) sizing. Higher DARs were associated with lower rates of moderate or severe paravalvular aortic regurgitation: DAR ≤10%, 17.6%; DAR 10% to 15%, 9.9%; DAR 15% to 20%, 6.3%; and DAR >20%, 4.9%; P<0.001. There was no increase in clinical events associated with higher DARs. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to a sizing algorithm guided by multidetector computed tomography resulted in lower rates of paravalvular aortic regurgitation after self-expanding transcatheter valve replacement without an increase in complications. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01240902.

Two-Year Outcomes in Patients With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis Randomized to Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: The All-Comers Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention (NOTION) trial was the first to randomize all-comers with severe native aortic valve stenosis to either transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the CoreValve self-expanding bioprosthesis or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), including a lower-risk patient population than previous trials. This article reports 2-year clinical and echocardiographic outcomes from the NOTION trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two-hundred eighty patients from 3 centers in Denmark and Sweden were randomized to either TAVR (n=145) or SAVR (n=135) with follow-up planned for 5 years. There was no difference in all-cause mortality at 2 years between TAVR and SAVR (8.0% versus 9.8%, respectively; P=0.54) or cardiovascular mortality (6.5% versus 9.1%; P=0.40). The composite outcome of all-cause mortality, stroke, or myocardial infarction was also similar (15.8% versus 18.8%, P=0.43). Forward-flow hemodynamics were improved following both procedures, with effective orifice area significantly more improved after TAVR than SAVR (effective orifice area, 1.7 versus 1.4 cm(2) at 3 months). Mean valve gradients were similar after TAVR and SAVR. When patients were categorized according to Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) (<4% versus ≥4%), there was no statistically significant difference for TAVR and SAVR groups in the composite outcome for low-risk (14.7%, 95% confidence interval, 8.3-21.2 versus 16.8%; 95% confidence interval, 9.7-23.8; P=0.58) or intermediate-risk patients (21.1% versus 27.1%; P=0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Two-year results from the NOTION trial demonstrate the continuing safety and effectiveness of TAVR in lower-risk patients. Longer-term data are needed to verify the durability of this procedure in this patient population. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01057173.

No clinical effect of prosthesis-patient mismatch after transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in intermediate- and low-risk patients with severe aortic valve stenosis at mid-term follow-up: an analysis from the NOTION trial.

OBJECTIVES: Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is common, but less common after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients considered at high risk for death after surgery. The objectives of this study were to determine incidence and clinical effect of PPM after SAVR and TAVR in a primarily low-risk patient group. METHODS: Patients 70 years or older with severe isolated AVS, regardless of predicted operative mortality risk, were consecutively randomized 1:1 to TAVR using a self-expandable bioprosthesis (n = 145) or SAVR (n = 135). Post-procedure PPM was graded after 3 months as follows: Not present-mild, if indexed effective orifice area (iEOA) >0.85 cm2/m2, moderate, if 0.65 cm2/m2 < iEOA ≤ 0.85 cm2/m2 and severe, if iEOA ≤0.65 cm2/m2. Outcomes were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE, e.g. composite rate of all-cause death, stroke, myocardial infarction or valve reintervention), cardiac-related hospitalizations and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class after 2 years. RESULTS: The incidence and the severity of PPM were significantly lower after TAVR compared with SAVR (severe, moderate, none-mild 14.0, 35.5, 50.4 vs 33.9, 36.7, 29.4%; P<0.001). PPM resulted in similar higher mean valve gradients at 3 months for both groups. Baseline characteristics related to severe PPM were younger age, absence of diabetes mellitus, lower mortality-risk score for TAVR, and younger age and higher body mass index for SAVR. At 2 years, there were numerical but no statistically significant differences between both TAVR and SAVR patients with severe and no severe PPM for MACCE (0.0 vs 12.8% for TAVR; P = 0.13, and 13.5 vs 7.0% for SAVR; P = 0.27), number of cardiac-related hospitalizations (mean ± standard deviation 0.4 ± 0.6 vs 0.6 ± 0.8; P = 0.23, and 0.4 ± 0.8 vs 0.5 ± 0.9; P = 0.70) and NYHA functional class (Class I/II/III/IV: 64.7/29.4/5.9/0.0 vs 62.1/34.7/3.2/0.0%, respectively; P = 0.91, and 71.4/25.7/2.9/0.0 vs 72.9/22.9/4.3/0.0%, respectively; P = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of PPM was lower and less severe after TAVR compared with SAVR in intermediate- and low-risk patients with severe AVS. There were no significant differences in MACCE, cardiac-related hospitalizations or NYHA class after 2 years for patients with versus those without severe PPM.

Improvement and transcriptome analysis of root architecture by overexpression of Fraxinus pennsylvanica DREB2A transcription factor in Robinia pseudoacacia L. 'Idaho'.

Transcription factors play a key role to enable plants to cope with abiotic stresses. DREB2 regulates the expression of several stress-inducible genes and constitutes major hubs in the water stress signalling webs. We cloned and characterized a novel gene encoding the FpDREB2A transcription factor from Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and a yeast activity assay confirmed its DRE binding and transcription activation. Overexpression of FpDREB2A in R. pseudoacacia showed enhanced resistance to drought stress. The transgenic plant survival rate was significantly higher than that of WT in soil drying and re-watering treatments. Transgenic lines showed a dramatic change in root architecture, and horizontal and vertical roots were found in transgenic plants compared to WT. The vertical roots penetrated in the field soil to more than 60 cm deep, while horizontal roots expanded within the top 20-30 cm of the soil. A physiological test demonstrated that chlorophyll contents were more gradually reduced and that soluble sugars and proline levels elevated more sharply but malondialdehyde level stayed the same (P < 0.05). Plant hormone levels of abscisic acid and IAA were higher than that of WT, while gibberellins and zeatin riboside were found to be lower. The root transcriptomes were sequenced and annotated into 2011 differential expression genes (DEGs). The DEGs were categorized in 149 pathways and were found to be involved in plant hormone signalling, transcription factors, stimulus responses, phenylalanine, carbohydrate and other metabolic pathways. The modified pathways in plant hormone signalling are thought to be the main cause of greater horizontal and vertical root development, in particular.

Regression of Paravalvular Aortic Regurgitation and Remodeling of Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve: An Observation From the CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the natural history and clinical importance of paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PVAR) after CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and to relate these findings to the structural and hemodynamic changes documented by serial echocardiographic analysis. BACKGROUND: PVAR after TAVR with the self-expanding CoreValve bioprosthesis has been shown to regress over time, but the time course and the mechanism of PVAR regression has not been completely characterized. METHODS: Patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent CoreValve TAVR and followed up to 1 year in the multicenter CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Trial (Safety and Efficacy Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis in High Risk and Very High Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement) were studied. Serial echocardiography studies were analyzed by an echocardiographic core laboratory. Annular sizing ratio was calculated from computed tomography measurements. Paired, as well as total, data were compared. RESULTS: The CoreValve was implanted in 634 patients with a mean age of 82.7 ± 8.4 years. After a marked improvement noted at discharge, aortic valve velocity, mean gradient, and effective orifice area further improved significantly at 1 month (2.08 ± 0.45 m/s vs. 1.99 ± 0.46 m/s, p < 0.0001, 9.7 ± 4.4 mm Hg vs. 8.9 ± 4.6 mm Hg, p < 0.0001, and 1.78 ± 0.51 cm(2) vs. 1.85 ± 0.58 cm(2), p = 0.03, respectively). The improvement was sustained through 1 year. PVAR was moderate or severe in 9.9%, and of 36 patients with moderate PVAR at discharge and paired data, 30 (83%) improved at least 1 grade of regurgitation at 1 year. Annular sizing ratio was significantly associated with the degree of PVAR. CONCLUSIONS: There was further improvement in aortic prosthetic valve hemodynamics and regression of PVAR up to 1 year compared with discharge after TAVR with CoreValve. These changes are possibly due to remodeling and outward expansion of the self-expandable CoreValve with nitinol frame. (Safety and Efficacy Study of the Medtronic CoreValve System in the Treatment of Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis in High Risk and Very High Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement [Medtronic CoreValve U.S. Pivotal Trial]; NCT01240902).

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis: 1-Year Results From the All-Comers NOTION Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an option in certain high-risk surgical patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. It is unknown whether TAVR can be safely introduced to lower-risk patients. OBJECTIVES: The NOTION (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Trial) randomized clinical trial compared TAVR with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in an all-comers patient cohort. METHODS: Patients ≥ 70 years old with severe aortic valve stenosis and no significant coronary artery disease were randomized 1:1 to TAVR using a self-expanding bioprosthesis versus SAVR. The primary outcome was the composite rate of death from any cause, stroke, or myocardial infarction (MI) at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 280 patients were randomized at 3 Nordic centers. Mean age was 79.1 years, and 81.8% were considered low-risk patients. In the intention-to-treat population, no significant difference in the primary endpoint was found (13.1% vs. 16.3%; p = 0.43 for superiority). The result did not change in the as-treated population. No difference in the rate of cardiovascular death or prosthesis reintervention was found. Compared with SAVR-treated patients, TAVR-treated patients had more conduction abnormalities requiring pacemaker implantation, larger improvement in effective orifice area, more total aortic valve regurgitation, and higher New York Heart Association functional class at 1 year. SAVR-treated patients had more major or life-threatening bleeding, cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury (stage II or III), and new-onset or worsening atrial fibrillation at 30 days than did TAVR-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the NOTION trial, no significant difference between TAVR and SAVR was found for the composite rate of death from any cause, stroke, or MI after 1 year. (Nordic Aortic Valve Intervention Trial [NOTION]; NCT01057173).

Short- and long-term electrical performance of the 5086MRI pacing lead.

BACKGROUND: Owing to potential patient harm, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices has traditionally been contraindicated. Following the EnRhythm MRI SureScan Study, an MR conditional pacemaker with modified leads was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Electrical and handling characteristics of MR conditional pacing leads compared with those of traditional leads have not been established. OBJECTIVE: To compare short- and long-term performance of the Medtronic 5086MRI lead with that of the Medtronic 5076 lead. METHODS: Patients (n = 466) implanted with 2 5086MRI leads (EnRhythm MRI Study) and 316 patients implanted with 2 5076 leads in 2 prospective clinical investigations were analyzed. RESULTS: Electrical characteristics were stable in both groups at implant and at 12 months and were clinically acceptable throughout. Ventricular capture thresholds were slightly higher at 12 months for the 5086MRI lead than for the 5076 lead (0.93 ± 0.47 V vs 0.74 ± 0.42 V; P < .001). Ventricular sensing amplitudes for the 5086MRI lead were lower at implant (9.0 ± 4.7 mV vs 13.9 ± 6.9 mV; P < .001) and 12 months (9.8 ± 4.8 mV vs 15.4 ± 7.5 mV; P < .001) than for the 5076 lead. There was no statistical difference in lead handling. At 12 months, the estimated right atrial lead-related complication-free survival rate was 99.3% for the 5086MRI lead and 99.6% for the 5076 lead (log-rank P = .65), and the estimated right ventricular lead-related complication-free survival rates were 98.5% and 100% (log-rank P = .03). Acute lead dislodgments occurred in 12 patients with the 5086MRI leads (2.6%) compared with 2 patients with 5076 leads (0.6%) (p = .05) than in 0.6% of the patients with the 5076 lead (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: The 5086MRI lead demonstrates clinically acceptable electrical characteristics while providing safe access to MR-guided diagnostics. However, compared with the 5076 lead, the 5086MRI lead exhibits lower ventricular sensing, slightly higher ventricular capture thresholds, and higher acute lead dislodgement rate.

Impact of the Advisa MRI pacing system on the diagnostic quality of cardiac MR images and contraction patterns of cardiac muscle during scans: Advisa MRI randomized clinical multicenter study results.

BACKGROUND: The Advisa MRI system is designed to safely undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Its influence on image quality is not well known. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) image quality and to characterize myocardial contraction patterns by using the Advisa MRI system. METHODS: In this international trial with 35 participating centers, an Advisa MRI system was implanted in 263 patients. Of those, 177 were randomized to the MRI group and 150 underwent MRI scans at the 9-12-week visit. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) cine long-axis steady-state free precession MR images were graded for quality. Signal loss along the implantable pulse generator and leads was measured. The tagging CMR data quality was assessed as the percentage of trackable tagging points on complementary spatial modulation of magnetization acquisitions (n=16) and segmental circumferential fiber shortening was quantified. RESULTS: Of all cine long-axis steady-state free precession acquisitions, 95% of LV and 98% of RV acquisitions were of diagnostic quality, with 84% and 93%, respectively, being of good or excellent quality. Tagging points were trackable from systole into early diastole (360-648 ms after the R-wave) in all segments. During RV pacing, tagging demonstrated a dyssynchronous contraction pattern, which was not observed in nonpaced (n = 4) and right atrial-paced (n = 8) patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the Advisa MRI study, high-quality CMR images for the assessment of cardiac anatomy and function were obtained in most patients with an implantable pacing system. In addition, this study demonstrated the feasibility of acquiring tagging data to study the LV function during pacing.