Routine postdilation after 23 mm Sapien 3 Ultra implantation in the aortic position.

BACKGROUND: Residual transprosthetic gradient (TG) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with balloon-expandable valves (BEV) may be due to suboptimal valve expansion. AIMS: To compare hemodynamics after TAVR with small BEV according to postdilation strategy. METHODS: This observational, retrospective cohort study included 184 consecutive patients from a single center treated with 23 mm Sapien 3 Ultra (Edwards Lifesciences) BEV implantation in the aortic position and enrolled between January 2020 and April 2023. Patients treated with routine postdilation (RP, n = 73) were compared to patients treated according to local standard practice (SP, n = 111). Primary endpoint was 30-day mean TG. Secondary endpoints were incidence of 30-day prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM), technical success and device success. RESULTS: Thirty-day mean TG was lower in RP versus SP (12.3 ± 4.6 mmHg vs. 14.1 ± 5.7 mmHg, p = 0.031), and incidence of PPM was less common with RP versus SP (47.3% vs. 71.0%, p = 0.006). Technical success (98.6% vs. 99.1%, p = 0.637) and device success (93.1% vs. 90.1%, p = 0.330) did not differ between groups. Differences in 30-day mean TG were driven by patients at normal flow (12.1 ± 4.0 mmHg vs. 15.0 ± 5.5 mmHg, p = 0.014), while no differences were evident among patients at low flow (12.5 ± 5.5 mmHg vs. 11.7 ± 5.5 mmHg, p = 0.644). RP decreased height and increased width of BEV, and a linear regression established that final BEV width could predict 30-day mean TG (r = -0.6654, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: RP after TAVR with small BEV was associated with more favorable forward-flow hemodynamics than SP.

Impact of VA-ECMO on Dynamic LV Outflow Obstruction After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Dynamic left ventricular outflow obstruction is a rare but severe complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement. It presents as a paradoxical hemodynamic collapse after relieving the left ventricular afterload. Considering its unique pathophysiology, this entity dictates counterintuitive treatments. We describe a case of left ventricular outflow obstruction treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and discuss its management principles.

3-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography for structural heart interventions.

New generation 3-dimensional matrix array intracardiac echocardiography catheters have become commercially available recently, increasing image plane options compared to 2-dimensional and older generation 3-dimensional intracardiac echocardiography catheters. They are beginning to play an important role in structural heart interventions, especially for transcatheter tricuspid interventions, due to advantages in some situations that increase image quality over transesophageal echocardiography.

Management of Volume Overload in Severe Atrial-Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation: Improved Feasibility of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

Patients with tricuspid regurgitation are often referred late in their disease course and present with volume overload, which is a detrimental factor leading to right-sided chamber dilatation and dysfunction. Treatment of volume overload can 1) improve patient functional status; 2) avoid repeated invasive examinations; and 3) establish eligibility for transcatheter tricuspid intervention. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Prosthesis Tailoring for Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has risen over the past 20 years as a safe and effective alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for treatment of severe aortic stenosis, and is now a well-established and recommended treatment option in suitable patients irrespective of predicted risk of mortality after surgery. Studies of numerous devices, either newly developed or reiterations of previous prostheses, have been accruing. We hereby review TAVI devices, with a focus on commercially available options, and aim to present a guide for prosthesis tailoring according to patient-related anatomical and clinical factors that may favor particular designs.

Outcomes of isolated tricuspid valve replacement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 5,316 patients from 35 studies.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) is rapidly emerging as a therapeutic option amongst patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation. Historical data from surgical tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) studies may serve as a benchmark for the development of TTVR trials. AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate the early and late outcomes following isolated surgical TVR. METHODS: Multiple electronic databases were searched to identify studies on isolated surgical TVR. The prespecified primary endpoint was operative mortality; secondary endpoints were early and late outcomes. Overall estimates of proportions and incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. Multiple sensitivity analyses accounting for baseline characteristics, country and the operative period were applied.  Results: A total of 35 studies (5,316 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The operative period ranged from 1974 to 2019. The overall rate of operative mortality was 12% (95% CI: 9-15), with higher mortality for patients who were operated on before 1995, who had prior cardiac surgeries, or who had liver disease. The most frequent clinical events were pacemaker implantation (10% [95% CI: 6-16]), bleeding (12% [95% CI: 8-17]), acute kidney injury (15% [95% CI: 9-24]) and respiratory complications (15% [95% CI: 12-20]). At follow-up analysis of the bioprosthetic TVR, there was an incidence rate per 100 person-years of 6 (95% CI: 2-13) for death and 8 (95% CI: 5-13) for recurrence of significant tricuspid regurgitation. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides an overview of the historical clinical outcomes following isolated surgical TVR. These findings can support the development of future clinical trials in the tricuspid space by providing thresholds for clinical outcomes.

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation to Facilitate Transcutaneous Mitral Valve Replacement in Critical Mitral Stenosis.

Biological mitral valve restenosis after replacement in rheumatic heart disease is a rare complication. This case illustrates venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to facilitate transcatheter mitral valve replacement in a patient with suprasystemic pulmonary pressure and cardiogenic shock with multiorgan failure secondary to critical mitral stenosis of a bioprosthetic valve.(Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Monitoring conduction disturbances following TAVR: Feasibility study of early discharge using a novel telemetry patch.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the technological advances and increasing operator experience, the rate of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has not decreased over time. With a continuous downward trend in post-TAVR length of stay, prolonged home-monitoring may have a key role in detecting potentially serious conduction abnormalities after TAVR discharge. METHODS: In this study, the ZioPatch-AT monitor was used to detect conduction abnormalities after TAVR discharge. The cardiac monitoring device was systematically provided to all patients having pre-existing right bundle branch block or developing intra-/peri-procedural conduction disturbances, in the absence of guideline indication for PPI at discharge. RESULTS: From a total of 75 patients at high-risk of conduction disturbances, 8 (11%) of them underwent PPI and most of them (6/8) were detected before symptoms' occurrence. Paired analysis between baseline and discharge electrocardiograms detected a significant widening of the QRS in all patients; on the contrary, PR length was significantly increased only in the group experiencing HAVB after discharge (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In an early post-TAVR discharge era, 30-day outpatient cardiac rhythm monitoring is potentially a safe solution to allow timely recognition of new conduction disturbances requiring PPI.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Nonagenarians: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nonagenarians represent only a small proportion of patients included in large transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) trials, but will become a relevant future population in need of treatment due to demographic change. Thus, this study sought to evaluate outcomes of TAVR for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS) in nonagenarian patients. METHODS: We screened Medline/Pubmed for studies that stated specific outcomes for nonagenarians undergoing TAVR. A weighted meta-analysis was conducted, calculating pooled estimate rates using a binary random-effects model for dichotomous variables, and comparing non-dichotomous outcomes with a continuous random-effects model. RESULTS: Data from 23 studies including 16,094 nonagenarians were merged; 53.4% were women. Despite reasonable rates of comorbidities, Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score was 10.2 ± 5.4. Pooled estimate rate of procedural success was 94.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91.7-96.6), with major vascular complications occurring in 6.3% (95% CI, 2.7-9.8) and at least moderate postprocedural paravalvular leak in 7.5% (95% CI, 4.4-10.6). The rate of periprocedural stroke or transient ischemic attack was 2.6% (95% CI, 2.0-3.2). At 30 days, the pooled estimate of mortality was 6.1% (95% CI, 4.7-7.4) and a permanent pacemaker was implanted in 12.6% (95% CI, 7.6-17.6). After 1 year, the mortality rate was 20.5% (95% CI, 15.9-25.1). CONCLUSION: TAVR in nonagenarians is an effective and safe procedure, with encouraging outcomes given the general life expectancy of these patients. Currently, only selected nonagenarians are undergoing TAVR, but their number will grow as life expectancy continues to increase in the developed world. Specific research to identify ideal candidates and techniques in this cohort is needed.

Transcatheter Annular Approaches for Tricuspid Regurgitation (Cardioband and Others).

The tricuspid valve often is referred to as "the forgotten valve" because it frequently is managed conservatively due to poor prognostic outcomes with conventional surgical intervention, in particular, in high-risk patients. Nevertheless, a paradigm shift has occurred in recent years, due to a growing evidence base supporting the independent prognostic influence of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) on patient outcomes. Both transcatheter valve replacement and valve repair have emerged as feasible and efficacious interventions for TR correction. Novel transcatheter repair techniques that replicate surgical annuloplasty are evolving as potentially lower-risk alternatives.

Current Devices and Complications Related to Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement: The Bumpy Road to the Top.

Mitral regurgitation is the most common valvular lesion in the developed world, with increasing prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. The experience with surgical mitral valve repair or replacement is very well-validated. However, more than 45% of these patients get denied surgery due to an elevated risk profile and advanced disease of the left ventricle at the time of presentation, promoting the need for less invasive transcatheter options such as transcatheter repair and transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). Early available TMVR studies have shown promising results, and several dedicated devices are under clinical evaluation. However, TMVR is still in the early developmental stages and is associated with a non-negligible risk of periprocedural and post-procedural complications. In this review, we discuss the current challenges facing TMVR and the potential TMVR-related complications, offering an overview on the measures implemented to mitigate these complications, and future implications.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement: Current Evidence and Concepts.

Over the past decade, several transcatheter devices have been developed to address the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients at high surgical risk, mainly aimed at repairing the native mitral valve (MV). MV repair devices have recently been shown to have high efficacy and safety. However, to replicate promising trial results, specific anatomical and pathophysiological criteria have to be met and operators need a high level of experience. As yet, the longer-term durability of transcatheter MV repair remains unknown. Transcatheter MV replacement (TMVR) might be a treatment option able to target various anatomies, reliably abolish MR, and foster ease of use with a standardised implantation protocol. This review presents upcoming TMVR devices and available data and discusses how TMVR might further advance the field of transcatheter treatment of MR.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement: a landscape review of current techniques and devices for the treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation.

Background and ObjectiveTricuspid regurgitation is a prevalent and undertreated cardiac pathology impacting millions across the globe. While historically surgical interventions for isolated tricuspid regurgitation were largely avoided due to data citing poor surgical outcomes, advances in transcatheter techniques and imaging modalities have reframed the approach to tricuspid valve disease in promising new ways.MethodsHere we sought to provide a landscape review of the current state of the field for transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions. We first start with a descriptive overview of the tricuspid valve, reviewing the anatomy, imaging characteristics, and the current guidelines for tricuspid interventions. We then review both transcatheter valve repair and valve replacement modalities, highlighting the devices, techniques, and valves currently under investigation, summarizing available outcomes data for each modality when possible.Results and ConclusionOur aim in writing this landscape review is the create an all-encompassing, up-to-date resource for clinicians to refer to when seeking to learn about the current state of transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions. We also hope to highlight the exciting promise of transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in appropriate patients, and review the valves currently under development for use in the tricuspid position.