In-hospital Outcomes of Rotational Atherectomy in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Results From the Multicentre ROTA-STEMI Network.

BACKGROUND: Although the use of rotational atherectomy (RA) is off-label in the setting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it can be the only option in severely calcified culprit lesions to achieve procedural success. We sought to investigate the safety and feasibility of RA during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent RA during PPCI from 12 European centres. The main outcomes were procedural success (defined as successful stent implantation with final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction [TIMI] flow 3 and residual stenosis < 30%) and in-hospital mortality. A comparison of patients presenting with and without shock was performed. RESULTS: In 104 patients with RA during STEMI, the mean age was 72.8 ± 9.1 years, and 35% presented with cardiogenic shock. Bailout RA was performed in 76.9% of cases. Mean burr size was 1.42 ± 0.21 mm. Procedural success was achieved in 86.5% of cases, with no difference between shocked and nonshocked patients (94.4% vs 82.4%; P = 0.13). In-hospital stent thrombosis occurred in 0.96%, perforation in 1.9% and burr entrapment in 2.9% of cases. In spite of equally high procedural success, in-hospital mortality was higher in shocked (50%) compared with nonshocked patients (1.5%; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with STEMI requiring RA, represent a high-risk population, frequently presenting with cardiogenic shock. In this analysis of selected patients, RA was performed as a bailout strategy in the majority, and, as such, RA seems to be feasible with a high procedural success rate. In the absence of cardiogenic shock, RA-facilitated PCI seems to be associated with low in-hospital mortality.

Treatment of Slow-Flow After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Flow-Mediated Hyperemia: The Randomized RAIN-FLOW Study.

Background ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction complicated with no reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with adverse outcomes. Although several hyperemic drugs have been shown to improve the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction flow, optimal treatment of no reflow remains unsettled. Saline infusion at 20 mL/min via a dedicated microcatheter causes (flow-mediated) hyperemia. The objective is to compare the efficacy of pharmacologic versus flow-mediated hyperemia in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction complicated with no reflow. Methods and Results In the RAIN-FLOW (Treatment of Slow-Flow After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Flow-Mediated Hyperemia) study, 67 patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and no reflow were randomized to receive either pharmacologic-mediated hyperemia with intracoronary adenosine or nitroprusside (n=30) versus flow-mediated hyperemia (n=37). The angiographic corrected Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction frame count and the minimal microcirculatory resistance, as assessed with intracoronary pressure-thermistor wire, dedicated microcatheter, and thermodilution techniques, were compared after study interventions. Both Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction frame count(40.2±23.1 versus 39.2±20.7; P=0.858) and minimal microcirculatory resistance (753.6±661.5 versus 993.3±740.8 Wood units; P=0.174) were similar between groups. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 3 flow was observed in 26.7% versus 27.0% (P=0.899). Flow-mediated hyperemia showed 2 different thermodilution patterns during saline infusion indicative of the severity of the no reflow phenomenon. In-hospital death and nonfatal heart failure were observed in 10.4% and 26.9%, respectively. Conclusions Both treatments showed similar (and limited) efficacy restoring coronary flow. Flow-mediated hyperemia with thermodilution pattern assessment allowed the simultaneous characterization of the no reflow degree and response to hyperemia. No reflow was associated with a high rate of adverse outcomes. Further research is warranted to prevent and to treat no reflow in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04685941.

Prognostic Value of Tricuspid Valve Gradient After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: Insights From the TriValve Registry.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the impact of the tricuspid valve gradient (TVG) after tricuspid transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) are scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the association between the mean TVG and clinical outcomes among patients who underwent tricuspid TEER for significant tricuspid regurgitation. METHODS: Patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation who underwent tricuspid TEER within the TriValve (International Multisite Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies) registry were divided into quartiles based on the mean TVG at discharge. The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization. Outcomes were assessed up to the 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 308 patients were included from 24 centers. Patients were divided into quartiles of the mean TVG as follows: quartile 1 (n = 77), 0.9 ± 0.3 mm Hg; quartile 2 (n = 115), 1.8 ± 0.3 mm Hg; quartile 3 (n = 65), 2.8 ± 0.3 mm Hg; and quartile 4 (n = 51), 4.7 ± 2.0 mm Hg. The baseline TVG and the number of implanted clips were associated with a higher post-TEER TVG. There was no significant difference across TVG quartiles in the 1-year composite endpoint (quartiles 1-4: 35%, 30%, 40%, and 34%, respectively; P = 0.60) or the proportion of patients in New York Heart Association class III to IV at the last follow-up (P = 0.63). The results were similar after adjustment for clinical and echocardiographic characteristics (composite endpoint quartile 4 vs quartile 1-quartile 3 adjusted HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.52-2.12; P = 0.88) or exploring post-TEER TVG as a continuous variable. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis of the TriValve registry, an increased discharge TVG was not significantly associated with adverse outcomes after tricuspid TEER. These findings apply for the explored TVG range and up to the 1-year follow-up. Further investigations on higher gradients and longer follow-up are needed to better guide the intraprocedural decision-making process.

Sex-related characteristics and short-term outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention for tricuspid regurgitation.

AIMS: The impact of sexuality in patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate sex-specific outcomes in patients with significant TR treated with TTVI vs. medical therapy alone. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies (TriValve) registry collected data on patients with significant TR from 24 centres who underwent TTVI from 2016 to 2021. A control cohort was formed by medically managed patients with ≥severe isolated TR diagnosed in 2015-18. The primary endpoint was freedom from all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints were heart failure (HF) hospitalization, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional status, and TR severity. One-year outcomes were assessed for the TriValve cohort and compared with the control cohort with the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). A total of 556 and 2072 patients were included from the TriValve and control groups, respectively. After TTVI, there was no difference between women and men in 1-year freedom from all-cause mortality 80.9% vs. 77.9%, P = 0.56, nor in HF hospitalization (P = 0.36), NYHA Functional Classes III and IV (P = 0.17), and TR severity >2+ at last follow-up (P = 0.42). Multivariable Cox-regression weighted by IPTW showed improved 1-year survival after TTVI compared with medical therapy alone in both women (adjusted hazard ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.83, P = 0.01) and men (adjusted hazard ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.89, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: After TTVI in high-risk patients, there were no sex-related differences in terms of survival, HF hospitalization, functional status, and TR reduction up to 1 year. The IPTW analysis shows a survival benefit of TTVI over medical therapy alone in both women and men.

Antiplatelet efficacy of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in Mediterranean patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic coronary syndromes: A crossover pharmacodynamic investigation.

Introduction: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have augmented platelet reactivity and diminished responsiveness to clopidogrel. Ticagrelor, a more potent P2Y12 inhibitor, is clinically superior to clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes, although its role in chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) is still the subject of debate. The aim of this investigation was to compare the pharmacodynamic effectiveness of ticagrelor and clopidogrel in Mediterranean DM patients with CCS. Materials and methods: In this prospective, randomized, crossover study, patients (n = 20) were randomized (1:1) to receive, on top of aspirin therapy, either ticagrelor 180 mg loading dose (LD)/90 mg maintenance dose (MD) b.i.d. or clopidogrel 600 mg LD/75 mg MD o.d. for 1 week in a crossover fashion with a 2-4 week washout period between regimens. Platelet function measurements were performed at 4 timepoints in each period (baseline, 2 h and 24 h after LD, and 1 week), including light transmission aggregometry (LTA, primary endpoint), VASP assay, Multiplate and VerifyNow P2Y12. Results: The ticagrelor LD achieved greater platelet inhibitory effect than clopidogrel LD, assessed with LTA (20 µM ADP as agonist), at 2 h (34.9 ± 3.9% vs. 63.6 ± 3.9%; p < 0.001) and 24 h (39.4 ± 3.5% vs. 52.3 ± 3.8%; p = 0.014). After 1 week of therapy, platelet reactivity was again significantly inferior with ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel (30.7 ± 3.0% vs. 54.3 ± 3.0%; p < 0.001). The results were consistent with the other platelet function assays employed. Conclusion: In Mediterranean patients with DM and CCS, ticagrelor provides a more potent antiplatelet effect than clopidogrel after the LD and during the maintenance phase of therapy. Clinical trial registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT02457130].

Procedural outcomes of the 34 mm EvolutR Transcatheter valve in a real-world population insights from the HORSE multicenter collaborative registry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of real-world patients with aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the 34 mm Evolut R (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota). BACKGROUND: Larger aortic annulus has been associated with increased incidence of paravalvular leaks (PVLs) after TAVR. However, little is known, so far, about the performance of the 34 mm Evolut R in this setting. METHODS: From the multicenter, international, retrospective Horizontal Aorta in Transcatheter Self-expanding Valves (HORSE) registry, including patients who underwent TAVR for native severe AS, we selected patients treated with the 34 mm Evolut R evaluating procedural characteristics and VARC-2 defined device success. We also compared 34 mm Evolut R with other Evolut R sizes. RESULTS: Among the 4434 patients included in the registry, 572 (13%) received the 34 mm Evolut R valve. Mean age was 80.8 ± 6.5 years and the median STS PROM score was 4 [interquartile range 2-6]. Device success was achieved in 87.4% with 7.7% of PVLs; moreover, the rate of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) was 22.4%. Patients who underwent 34 mm Evolut R implantation experienced more in-hospital permanent pacemaker implantation (22.4% vs. 15%; p < 0.001). At multivariate analysis, 34 mm Evolut R did not affect device success (OR: 0.81 [0.60-1.09]; p = 0.151). Device success was consistent with other THVs sizes (87.4% vs. 89.6%; p = 0.157). CONCLUSIONS: THV replacement in patients requiring 34 mm Evolut R has an acceptable performance. Compared to other Medtronic sizes it demonstrated to be comparable in terms of device success, despite an increased rate of pacemaker implantation.

Unplanned Hospital Readmissions After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the Era of New-Generation Devices.

OBJECTIVES: Unplanned hospital readmissions after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are frequent and have been associated with a poor prognosis. We sought to determine the trends in the incidence and causes of unplanned hospital readmission after TAVR in patients receiving new-generation devices (NGDs) vs early-generation devices (EGDs). METHODS: The study population consisted of 1802 consecutive TAVR recipients (863 EGDs and 939 NGDs). Early and late readmissions were defined as those occurring ≤30 days and >30 days to 1-year post TAVR, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 986 unplanned hospital readmissions (cardiac cause, 38.4%; non-cardiac cause, 61.6%) were recorded at a median time of 110 days (interquartile range [IQR], 37-217) post TAVR. The rates of early (12.3% vs 9.4%; P=.046) and late (39.1% vs 31.6%; P<.01) readmission were lower in the NGD population. In the NGD group, major/life-threatening periprocedural bleeding (hazard ratio [HR], 2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-5.42; P=.04) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min at hospital discharge (HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.15-2.83; P=.01) were associated with an increased risk of early readmission post TAVR. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.07-1.88; P=.02), eGFR <60 mL/min (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.11-1.84; P<.01), and combining antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.01-1.85; P=.04) determined an increased risk of late readmission. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR recipients receiving NGDs exhibited a significant but modest reduction in unplanned hospital readmissions, with about one-third of patients still requiring rehospitalization at 1-year follow-up in the contemporary TAVR era. Non-cardiac comorbidities, periprocedural bleeding events, and intensive antithrombotic therapy determined an increased risk.

Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Coupling and Afterload Reserve in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair.

BACKGROUND: The right ventricular (RV)-pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling ratio relates the efficiency with which RV stroke work is transferred into the PA. Lower ratios indicate an inadequate RV contractile response to increased afterload. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the prognostic significance of RV-PA coupling in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) who were undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve repair or replacement (TTVR). METHODS: The study investigators calculated RV-PA coupling ratios for patients enrolled in the global TriValve registry by dividing the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) by the PA systolic pressure (PASP) from transthoracic echocardiograms performed before the procedure and 30 days after the procedure. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Among 444 patients analyzed, their mean age was 76.9 ± 9.1 years, and 53.8% of the patients were female. The median TAPSE/PASP ratio was 0.406 mm/mm Hg (interquartile range: 0.308-0.567 mm/mm Hg). Sixty-three patients died within 1 year of TTVR, 21 with a TAPSE/PASP ratio >0.406 and 42 with a TAPSE/PASP ratio ≤0.406. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, a TAPSE/PASP ratio >0.406 vs ≤0.406 was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.35-0.93; P = 0.023). In 234 (52.7%) patients with echocardiograms 30 days after TTVR, a decline in RV-PA coupling was independently associated with reduced odds of all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.19-0.93; P = 0.032). The magnitude of TR reduction after TTVR (≥1+ vs <1+; OR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.06-6.03; P = 0.037) was independently associated with a reduction in post-TTVR RV-PA coupling. CONCLUSIONS: RV-PA coupling is a powerful, independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients with TR undergoing TTVR. These data suggest that the TAPSE/PASP ratio can inform patient selection and prognostication following TTVR.

Ambulatory Electrocardiographic Monitoring Following Minimalist Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of delayed high-degree atrioventricular block (HAVB) or complete heart block (CHB) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using a minimalist approach followed by ambulatory electrocardiographic (AECG) monitoring. BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the clinical impact of HAVB or CHB in the early period after discharge following TAVR. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted, including 459 consecutive TAVR patients without permanent pacemaker who underwent continuous AECG monitoring for 14 days (median length of hospital stay 2 days; IQR: 1-3 days), using 2 devices (CardioSTAT and Zio AT). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of HAVB or CHB. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) no right bundle branch block (RBBB) and no electrocardiographic (ECG) changes; 2) baseline RBBB with no further changes; and 3) new-onset ECG conduction disturbances. RESULTS: Delayed HAVB or CHB episodes occurred in 21 patients (4.6%) (median 5 days postprocedure; IQR: 4-6 days), leading to PPM in 17 (81.0%). HAVB or CHB events were rare in group 1 (7 of 315 [2.2%]), and the incidence increased in group 2 (5 of 38 [13.2%]; P < 0.001 vs group 1) and group 3 (9 of 106 [8.5%]; P = 0.007 vs group 1; P = 0.523 vs group 2). No episodes of sudden or all-cause death occurred at 30-day follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic 2-week AECG monitoring following minimalist TAVR detected HAVB and CHB episodes in about 5% of cases, with no mortality at 1 month. Whereas HAVB or CHB was rare in patients without ECG changes post-TAVR, baseline RBBB and new-onset conduction disturbances determined an increased risk. These results would support tailored management using AECG monitoring and the possibility of longer hospitalization periods in patients at higher risk for delayed HAVB or CHB.

Horizontal Aorta in Transcatheter Self-Expanding Valves: Insights From the HORSE International Multicentre Registry.

[Figure: see text].

Aortic angle distribution and predictors of horizontal aorta in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Horizontal aorta (HA) is an anatomical feature that can pose significant technical challenges for the successful positioning of the bioprosthetic valve during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Physiological range of aortic angle (AA) is unknown; hence there is no cutoff AA for classifying HA. Moreover, patient characteristics predicting HA are under-investigated. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospective collected data from 16 heart valve centers in Europe. The study utilized a common dataset with a priori agreed-upon definitions and variables. Eligible patients underwent TAVR between 2014 and 2020 and had multidetector computed tomographic imaging data available for determining the AA. The analysis described the distribution of AA and potential predictors of HA. Inter-center variability was also explored. RESULTS: For 4022 patients analyzed, the mean AA ± standard deviation was 49.4° ± 9.4° (median 49°, inter-quartile range [IQR] 12°, range 18-90°). There was no significant difference in mean AA between men and women (49.4° ± 9.1° vs. 49.6° ± 9.3°, respectively; p = 0.53); therefore, 49.4° was accepted as the cutoff value for HA in subsequent analyses. Covariates significantly associated with HA included age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.04, p < 0.001), body mass index (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.05-1.08, p < 0.01), previous cardiac surgery (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.45-0.75, p < 0.001), and porcelain aorta (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52-0.85, p = 0.001). Some inter-center variability was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We defined 49.4° as the mean AA, and also associated predictors of HA in a large case series of patients with severe aortic stenosis candidates for TAVR.

Late arrhythmias in patients with new-onset persistent left bundle branch block after transcatheter aortic valve replacement using a balloon-expandable valve.

BACKGROUND: The arrhythmic burden after discharge in patients with new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 (S3) valve remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of late arrhythmias in patients with new-onset LBBB undergoing TAVR with the balloon-expandable S3 valve. METHODS: This was a multicenter, prospective study that included 104 consecutive TAVR patients with new-onset persistent LBBB following TAVR with the S3 valve. An implantable cardiac monitor (Reveal XT, Reveal LINQ) was implanted before discharge. The primary endpoint was the incidence of high-degree atrioventricular block or complete heart block (HAVB/CHB). RESULTS: A total of 40 patients (38.5%) had at least 1 significant arrhythmic event, leading to a treatment change in 17 (42.5%). Significant bradyarrhythmias occurred in 20 of 104 patients (19.2%) (34 HAVB/CHB episodes, 252 severe bradycardia episodes), with 10 of 20 patients (50%) exhibiting at least 1 episode of HAVB/CHB. Most HAVB/CHB episodes (60%) occurred within 4 weeks after discharge. Nine patients (8.7%) underwent permanent pacemaker implantation at 12 months based on the Reveal findings (6 HAVB/CHB, 3 severe bradycardia). CONCLUSION: S3 valve recipients with new-onset LBBB have a high arrhythmic burden, with more than one-third of patients exhibiting at least 1 significant arrhythmic episode within 12 months (HAVB/CHB in 10% of patients). About one-half of bradyarrhythmic events occurred within 4 weeks after discharge. These results should inform future strategies on the use of continuous electrocardiographic monitoring in TAVR S3 patients with new conduction disturbances following the procedure.

Ambulatory Electrocardiogram Monitoring in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has changed the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, the occurrence of conduction disturbances has not decreased significantly over time and remains the main drawback of the procedure. In addition, new-onset atrial fibrillation is the most frequent tachyarrhythmia during the hospitalization period and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. However, little is known regarding the incidence and clinical impact of arrhythmic events beyond the periprocedural TAVR period. Ambulatory electrocardiogram (AECG) monitoring has recently emerged as a tool to unravel the complex issue of arrhythmic disorders (bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias) before and after TAVR. To date, the preliminary results from the initial experience using AECG monitoring systems showed the safety, usefulness, and potential clinical implications of this diagnostic tool in TAVR recipients. This review provides an overview of the current status, clinical implications, and future perspectives of AECG monitoring in the TAVR setting.

Clinical Impact of Crossover Techniques for Primary Access Hemostasis in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Procedures.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the occurrence of vascular complications (VCs) following transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with new-generation devices according to the use of a crossover technique (COT). BACKGROUND: The use of a COT (with/without balloon) has been associated with a reduction of VCs in TAVR patients. However, scarce data support its use with second-generation devices. Also, its potential benefit in obese patients (at high-risk of VCs) has not been elucidated. METHODS: A multicenter study including 2214 patients who underwent full percutaneous transfemoral TAVR (COT, 1522 patients; no COT, 692 patients). Thirty-day events were evaluated according to the use of a COT using a multivariate logistic regression model. A subanalysis was performed in obese patients. RESULTS: Primary access major VCs (3.5% COT vs 3.9% no COT; P=.19), major/life-threatening bleeding (3.4% COT vs 2.0% no COT; P=.33), and mortality rates (2.4% COT vs 2.6% no COT; P=.23) were similar between groups. However, minor VCs (11.7% COT vs 5.9% no COT; P<.001) and postprocedural acute renal failure (8.9% COT vs 3.9% no COT; P<.001) were higher in patients undergoing the COT. In the overall cohort, percutaneous closure device failure was more frequent in obese patients (4.0% in the obese group vs 1.9% in the non-obese group; P<.01), but these differences were no longer significant in those undergoing a COT (3.4% in the obese group vs 2.0% in the non-obese group; P=.12). Indeed, in the subset of obese patients, the COT tended to be associated with fewer VCs (3.4% COT vs 5.9% no COT; P=.09). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a COT was not associated with a reduction of major VCs or improved outcomes. However, some patient subsets, such as those with higher body mass index, may benefit from the use of a COT. These findings would suggest the application of a tailored strategy, following a risk-benefit assessment in each TAVR candidate.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Intervention in Patients With Previous Left Valve Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Scarce data exist on patients with previous left valve surgery (PLVS) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI). This study sought to investigate the procedural and early outcomes in patients with PLVS undergoing TTVI. METHODS: This was a subanalysis of the multicenter TriValve registry including 462 patients, 82 (18%) with PLVS. Data were analyzed according to the presence of PLVS in the overall cohort and in a propensity score-matched population including 51 and 115 patients with and without PLVS, respectively. RESULTS: Patients with PLVS were younger (72 ± 10 vs 78 ± 9 years; p < 0.01) and more frequently female (67.1% vs 53.2%; P = 0.02). Similar rates of procedural success (PLVS 80.5%; no-PLVS 82.1%; P = 0.73), and 30-day mortality (PLVS 2.4%, no-PLVS 3.4%; P = 0.99) were observed. After matching, there were no significant differences in both all-cause rehospitalisation (PLVS 21.1%, no-PLVS 26.5%; P = 0.60) and all-cause mortality (PLVS 9.8%, no-PLVS 6.7%; P = 0.58). At last follow-up (median 6 [interquartile range 1-12] months after the procedure), most patients (81.8%) in the PLVS group were in NYHA functional class I-II (P = 0.12 vs no-PLVS group), and TR grade was ≤ 2 in 82.6% of patients (P = 0.096 vs no-PVLS group). A poorer right ventricular function and previous heart failure hospitalization determined increased risks of procedural failure and poorer outcomes at follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PLVS, TTVI was associated with high rates of procedural success and low early mortality. However, about one-third of patients required rehospitalisation or died at midterm follow-up. These results would support TTVI as a reasonable alternative to redo surgery in patients with PLVS and suggest the importance of earlier treatment to improve clinical outcomes.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Intervention in Patients With Right Ventricular Dysfunction or Pulmonary Hypertension: Insights From the TriValve Registry.

BACKGROUND: Scarce data exist on patients with right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) or pulmonary hypertension (PH) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention. This study aimed to determine the early and midterm outcomes and the factors associated with mortality in this group of patients. METHODS: This subanalysis of the multicenter TriValve (Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Therapies) registry included 300 patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation with RVD (n=244), PH (n=127), or both (n=71) undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention. RVD was defined as a tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion <17 mm, and PH as an estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥50 mm Hg. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 77±9 years (54% women). Procedural success was 80.7%, and 9 patients (3%) died during the hospitalization. At a median follow-up of 6 (interquartile range, 2-12) months, 54 patients (18%) died, and the independent associated factors were higher gamma-glutamyl transferase values at baseline (hazard ratio, 1.02 for each increase of 10 u/L [95% CI, 1.002-1.04]), poorer renal function defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min (hazard ratio, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.22-4.33]), and the lack of procedural success (hazard ratio, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.17-3.81]). The grade of RVD and the amount of PH at baseline were not found to be predictors of mortality. Most patients alive at follow-up improved their functional class (New York Heart Association I-II in 66% versus 7% at baseline, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation and RVD/PH, transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention was associated with high procedural success and a relatively low in-hospital mortality, along with significant improvements in functional status. However, about 1 out of 5 patients died after a median follow-up of 6 months, with hepatic congestion, renal dysfunction, and the lack of procedural success determining an increased risk. These results may improve the clinical evaluation of transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention candidates and would suggest a closer follow-up in those at increased risk. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03416166.

Transcatheter Interventions for Tricuspid Valve Disease: What to Do and Who to Do It On.

Tricuspid valve disease, and particularly the management of severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), has gained momentum in recent years. Although it is well known that this frequent condition is associated with poor clinical outcomes, these patients have been classically managed medically, leading to end-stage right ventricular heart failure. Moreover, late referral to surgery has contributed to a high rate of periprocedural complications and in-hospital surgical mortality. Thus, the development of a less invasive catheter-based therapy would be of high clinical relevance in this context. Several transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) devices have been developed in recent years. The particular characteristics of the tricuspid valve (large noncalcific annulus, presence of chief surrounding structures such as the conduction system or the right coronary artery) make multimodality imaging (eg, transesophageal echocardiography, computed tomography) key in the preprocedural assessment of TTVI. According to their mechanism of action and therapeutic target, TTVI includes transcatheter repair either with coaptation or annuloplasty systems, caval valve devices, and transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement. The initial TTVI experience showed that most procedures were well tolerated, with high procedural success and low in-hospital and early mortality. Also, most TTVI recipients improved their functional status and recent data suggest improved outcomes compared with medical management. However, the rate of significant residual TR after transcatheter tricuspid valve repair remains high and very scarce data exist on longer term (beyond 6-12 months) outcomes. The present review provides an overview regarding the framework of chronic TR and TTVI therapeutic options, and describes the updated current evidence in this challenging field.