The MLD MAX OCT algorithm: An imaging-based workflow for percutaneous coronary intervention.

Although extensive clinical data support the utility of intravascular imaging to guide and optimize outcomes following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), clinical adoption remains limited. One of the primary reasons for limited utilization may be a lack of standardization on how to best integrate the data provided by intravascular imaging practically. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a high-resolution intravascular imaging modality with integrated software automation that allows for incorporation of OCT into the routine workflow of PCIs. We suggest use of an algorithm called MLD MAX to incorporate OCT for imaging-guided interventions: the baseline OCT imaging run is intended to facilitate procedural planning and strategizing, consisting of assessment for predominant lesion morphology (M), measurement for stent length (L) and determination of stent diameter (D); the post-PCI OCT imaging run is designated for assessment of need for further optimization of stent result, and consists of analysis for medial dissections (M), adequate stent apposition (A) and stent expansion (X). Incorporation of the MLD MAX algorithm into daily practice guides an efficient and easily-memorable workflow for optimized PCI procedures.

Improving efficiency and operator proficiency during percutaneous coronary interventions utilizing a standardized optical coherence tomography workflow.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare efficiency and quality metrics between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures using optical coherence tomography (OCT) guided by a variable workflow versus a standardized workflow in a real-world population. BACKGROUND: The LightLab (LL) Initiative was designed to evaluate the impact of a standardized OCT workflow during PCI to address barriers to adoption. METHODS: The LL Initiative was a multicenter, prospective, observational study. PCI efficiency data were collected from 1/21/19 to 1/8/21 from 45 physicians at 17 US centers. OCT-guided PCIs were compared between baseline phase (variable workflow; N = 383) and the LL workflow utilization phase (N = 447). The LL workflow uses OCT to assess lesion Morphology, Length and Diameter, and then optimize outcomes by correcting for Medial dissection, stent mal-Apposition, and under-eXpansion (MLD MAX). Matching based on propensity scores was used to control for differences between PCIs. RESULTS: After propensity matching, 291 paired procedures were included. Integration of the LL versus variable workflow resulted in no difference in procedure time (51 min vs. 51 min, p = 0.93). There was a reduction in radiation exposure (1124 mGy vs. 1493 mGy, p < 0.0001) and contrast volume (160 cc vs. 172 cc, p < 0.001). The LL workflow decreased the proportion of underexpanded lesions (34% vs. 54%, p < 0.0001) and improved minimum stent expansion (85% vs. 79%, p < 0.0001). Number of noncompliant balloons used was reduced with the LL workflow. (2.0 vs. 1.7, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that standardizing imaging with the LL workflow may overcome barriers to imaging and improve PCI outcomes without prolonging procedures.

Self-expanding intra-annular versus commercially available transcatheter heart valves in high and extreme risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (PORTICO IDE): a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Randomised trial data assessing the safety and efficacy of the self-expanding intra-annular Portico transcatheter aortic valve system (Abbott Structural Heart, St Paul, MN, USA) compared with any commercially available valves are needed to compare performance among designs. METHODS: In this prospective, multicentre, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial (the Portico Re-sheathable Transcatheter Aortic Valve System US Investigational Device Exemption trial [PORTICO IDE]), high and extreme risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis were recruited from 52 medical centres experienced in performing transcatheter aortic valve replacement in the USA and Australia. Patients were eligible if they were aged 21 years or older, in New York Heart Association functional class II or higher, and had severe native aortic stenosis. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using permuted block randomisation (block sizes of 2 and 4) and stratified by clinical investigational site, surgical risk cohort, and vascular access method, to transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the first generation Portico valve and delivery system or a commercially available valve (either an intra-annular balloon-expandable Edwards-SAPIEN, SAPIEN XT, or SAPIEN 3 valve [Edwards LifeSciences, Irvine, CA, USA]; or a supra-annular self-expanding CoreValve, Evolut-R, or Evolut-PRO valve [Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA]). Investigational site staff, implanting physician, and study participant were unmasked to treatment assignment. Core laboratories and clinical event assessors were masked to treatment allocation. The primary safety endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, disabling stroke, life-threatening bleeding requiring transfusion, acute kidney injury requiring dialysis, or major vascular complication at 30 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was all-cause mortality or disabling stroke at 1 year. Clinical outcomes and valve performance were assessed up to 2 years after the procedure. Primary analyses were by intention to treat and the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate event rates. The non-inferiority margin was 8·5% for primary safety and 8·0% for primary efficacy endpoints. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02000115, and is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between May 30 and Sept 12, 2014, and between Aug 21, 2015, and Oct 10, 2017, with recruitment paused for 11 months by the funder, we recruited 1034 patients, of whom 750 were eligible and randomly assigned to the Portico valve group (n=381) or commercially available valve group (n=369). Mean age was 83 years (SD 7) and 395 (52·7%) patients were female. For the primary safety endpoint at 30 days, the event rate was higher in the Portico valve group than in the commercial valve group (52 [13·8%] vs 35 [9·6%]; absolute difference 4·2, 95% CI -0·4 to 8·8 [upper confidence bound {UCB} 8·1%]; pnon-inferiority=0·034, psuperiority=0·071). At 1 year, the rates of the primary efficacy endpoint were similar between the groups (55 [14·8%] in the Portico group vs 48 [13·4%] in the commercial valve group; difference 1·5%, 95% CI -3·6 to 6·5 [UCB 5·7%]; pnon-inferiority=0·0058, psuperiority=0·50). At 2 years, rates of death (80 [22·3%] vs 70 [20·2%]; p=0·40) or disabling stroke (10 [3·1%] vs 16 [5·0%]; p=0·23) were similar between groups. INTERPRETATION: The Portico valve was associated with similar rates of death or disabling stroke at 2 years compared with commercial valves, but was associated with higher rates of the primary composite safety endpoint including death at 30 days. The first-generation Portico valve and delivery system did not offer advantages over other commercially available valves. FUNDING: Abbott.

Design and rationale of the XIENCE short DAPT clinical program: An assessment of the safety of 3-month and 1-month DAPT in patients at high bleeding risk undergoing PCI with an everolimus-eluting stent.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is key for the prevention of recurrent ischemic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, it increases the risk of bleeding complications. While new generation drug-eluting stents have been shown superior to bare-metal stents after a short DAPT course, the optimal DAPT duration in patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) remains to be determined. TRIAL DESIGN: The XIENCE Short DAPT program consists of three prospective, single-arm studies (XIENCE 90, XIENCE 28 Global and XIENCE 28 USA) investigating 3- or 1-month DAPT durations in HBR patients undergoing PCI with the XIENCE stent. The XIENCE 90 study is being conducted in the US and enrolled 2047 subjects who discontinued DAPT at 3 months if they were free from myocardial infarction (MI), repeat coronary revascularization, stroke, or stent thrombosis. The XIENCE 28 program includes the USA study, enrolling 642 patients in US and Canada, and the Global study, enrolling 963 patients in Europe and Asia. In XIENCE 28, patients were to discontinue DAPT at 1 month post-PCI if event-free. The primary hypothesis for both XIENCE 90 and XIENCE 28 is that a short DAPT regimen will be non-inferior to a conventional DAPT duration with respect to the composite of all-cause death or MI. Patients enrolled in the prospective multicenter post-market XIENCE V USA study will be used as historical control group in a stratified propensity-adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The XIENCE Short DAPT Program will provide insights into the safety and efficacy of 2 abbreviated DAPT regimens of 3- and 1-month duration in a large cohort of HBR patients undergoing PCI with the XIENCE stent.

Predictors and Trends of New Permanent Pacemaker Implantation: A Subanalysis of the International Navitor IDE Study.

Background: The Navitor Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study is a prospective, multicenter, global study assessing the safety and effectiveness of the Navitor valve in a population with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis who are at high and extreme surgical risk. The impact of pre-existing conduction abnormalities and implantation technique on new permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) for the Navitor platform is not fully understood. Therefore, the goal of this analysis was to investigate the associations between patient and procedural factors and the 30-day new PPI rate. Methods: A total of 260 patients who underwent implantation of a Navitor valve in the Navitor IDE study were reviewed. Patients with preprocedural permanent pacemakers (n = 28) were excluded. Baseline risk factors were assessed for statistical significance. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of new PPI. Results: Mean age of the pacemaker-naïve population was 83.3 ± 5.2 years, 58.6% were female, average Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 3.8% ± 1.9%, median frailty score was 1 (interquartile range 1, 2), and 17.7% were deemed at extreme surgical risk. Pre-existing first-degree atrioventricular block and right bundle branch block significantly increased the risk of new PPI postimplantation, whereas left bundle branch block did not. Membranous septum length in relation to noncoronary cusp implant depth was a significant predictor of new PPI, with higher rates of new PPI observed when noncoronary cusp implant depth exceeded membranous septum length. Analysis of implant depth alone revealed deeper implants were associated with a higher rate of new PPI, regardless of patient baseline conduction abnormality. Conclusions: The 30-day rate of new PPI in the Navitor IDE study is associated with patient pre-existing baseline conduction disturbances and implantation depth.

One-Month Versus Three-Month Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy in High Bleeding Risk Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Shortening the duration of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was shown to be effective and safe in patients at high bleeding risk (HBR). We aimed to investigate the effect of 1 versus 3-month DAPT on outcomes after drug-eluting stent in HBR patients with or without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Data from 3 prospective single-arm studies (XIENCE Short DAPT Program) enrolling HBR patients after successful coronary implantation of cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stent (XIENCE, Abbott) were analyzed. Subjects were eligible for DAPT discontinuation at 1 or 3 months if free from ischemic events. The primary end point was all-cause death or any myocardial infarction. The key secondary end point was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium Type 2 to 5 bleeding. Outcomes were assessed from 1 to 12 months after PCI. CKD was defined as baseline creatinine clearance <60 ml/min. Of 3,286 patients, 1,432 (43.6%) had CKD. One-month versus 3-month DAPT was associated with a similar 12-month risk of the primary outcome irrespective of CKD status (CKD: 9.5% vs 10.9%, adjusted hazard ratio 0.86, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 1.22; no-CKD: 6.6% vs 5.6%, adjusted hazard ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 1.73; p interaction 0.299). Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2 to 5 bleeding rates were numerically but not significantly lower with 1-month versus 3-month DAPT in both CKD (9.9% vs 12%) and no-CKD (6.4% vs 9.0%) patients. In conclusion, in HBR patients, 1-month versus 3-month DAPT was associated with a similar risk of ischemic complications and a trend toward fewer bleeding events at 12 months after PCI, irrespective of CKD status.

One- versus three-month dual antiplatelet therapy in high bleeding risk patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: A short dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration has been proposed for patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) undergoing drug-eluting coronary stent (DES) implantation. Whether this strategy is safe and effective after a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) remains uncertain. AIMS: We aimed to compare the impact of 1-month versus 3-month DAPT on clinical outcomes after DES implantation among HBR patients with or without NSTE-ACS. METHODS: This is a prespecified analysis from the XIENCE Short DAPT programme involving three prospective, international, single-arm studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of 1-month (XIENCE 28 USA and Global) or 3-month (XIENCE 90) DAPT among HBR patients after implantation of a cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stent. Ischaemic and bleeding outcomes associated with 1- versus 3-month DAPT were assessed according to clinical presentation using propensity score stratification. RESULTS: Of 3,364 HBR patients (1,392 on 1-month DAPT and 1,972 on 3-month DAPT), 1,164 (34.6%) underwent DES implantation for NSTE-ACS. At 12 months, the risk of the primary endpoint of death or myocardial infarction was similar between 1- and 3-month DAPT in patients with (hazard ratio [HR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-1.65) and without NSTE-ACS (HR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.63-1.23; p-interaction=0.34). The key secondary endpoint of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) Type 2-5 bleeding was consistently reduced in both NSTE-ACS (HR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.37-0.88) and stable patients (HR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.61-1.15; p-interaction=0.15) with 1-month DAPT. CONCLUSIONS: Among HBR patients undergoing implantation of an everolimus-eluting stent, 1-month, compared to 3-month DAPT, was associated with similar ischaemic risk and reduced bleeding at 1 year, irrespective of clinical presentation.

1- Versus 3-Month DAPT in Older Patients at a High Bleeding Risk Undergoing PCI: Insights from the XIENCE Short DAPT Global Program.

This analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of 1- versus 3-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in older patients. Data from 3 prospective, single-arm studies (XIENCE Short DAPT Program), including patients with high bleeding risk successfully treated with an everolimus-eluting stent (XIENCE, Abbott) were analyzed. DAPT was discontinued at 1 or at 3 months in patients free from ischemic events and adherent to DAPT. Patients were stratified according to age (≥75 and <75 years). The primary end point was all-cause death or myocardial infarction (MI). The key secondary end point was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2 to 5 bleeding. The outcomes were assessed from 1 to 12 months after index PCI. Of 3,364 patients, 2,241 (66.6%) were aged ≥75 years. The risk of death or MI was similar with 1- versus 3-month DAPT in patients aged ≥75 (8.5% vs 8.0%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69 to 1.30) and <75 years (6.9% vs 7.8%, adjusted HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.57, interaction p = 0.478). Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2 to 5 bleeding was consistently lower with 1- than with 3-month DAPT in patients aged ≥75 years (7.2% vs 9.4%, adjusted HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.91) and <75 years (9.7% vs 11.9%, adjusted HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.29, interaction p = 0.737). In conclusion, in patients at high bleeding risk who underwent PCI, patients older and younger than 75 years derived a consistent benefit from 1- compared with 3-month DAPT in terms of bleeding reduction, with no increase in all-cause death or MI at 1 year.

Contemporary diagnosis of carotid fibromuscular dysplasia: role of power Doppler and a review of other diagnostic modalities.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a nonatheromatous, noninflammatory arteriopathy with segmental involvement of medium-sized arteries in multiple vascular beds. It most commonly involves the renal and carotid arteries. The etiology is unknown, although various hormonal and mechanical factors have been suggested. The disease can occur at any age but is usually diagnosed in middle-aged individuals, predominantly women. FMD is much more common than previously thought, perhaps affecting as many as 4% of adult women. Clinical manifestations of the internal carotid artery involvement are transitory ischemic attacks or cerebral infarction, as well as nonspecific symptoms such as headache and vertigo. In cases of cerebrovascular events, endovascular or surgical treatment is recommended; therefore, detection of FMD is of considerable importance. The gold standard for diagnosing FMD is catheter angiography (with the classic "string of beads" pattern), but this invasive procedure is only used for patients in whom it is clinically pertinent to proceed with revascularization. The optimal noninvasive modality for diagnosis and quantification for FMD is not known and little information has been recently published about new diagnostic modalities. Although angiography, computed tomography angiography, and magnetic resonance angiography are excellent in confirming the morphologic diagnosis of FMD, they are less accurate in assessing the hemodynamic significance of the lesions. Ultrasonography is useful in assessing the degree of carotid artery stenosis. Use of power Doppler ultrasound improves the ability to detect the morphologic features of carotid FMD.

Transfemoral Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation With a Dedicated Device in a Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis Patient.

A 65-year-old obese woman with rheumatic heart disease and restrictive lung disease presented with decompensated heart failure. Evaluation demonstrated severely thickened mitral valve leaflets, severe mitral stenosis, and moderate mitral regurgitation. She underwent successful transfemoral transseptal transcatheter mitral valve replacement with a dedicated valve resulting in improved functional status. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Thirty-day and one-year outcomes of the Navitor transcatheter heart valve in patients with aortic stenosis: the prospective, multicentre, global PORTICO NG Study.

BACKGROUND: The Navitor transcatheter heart valve (THV) is a self-expanding valve, with an intra-annular leaflet position and an outer cuff intended to reduce paravalvular leak (PVL). AIMS: The aim of the PORTICO NG Study is to assess the safety and performance of the Navitor THV in patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who are at high or extreme surgical risk. METHODS: PORTICO NG is a prospective, multicentre, global, single-arm, investigational study with follow-up at 30 days, 1 year, and annually up to 5 years. The primary endpoints are all-cause mortality and moderate or greater PVL at 30 days. Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 events and valve performance are assessed by an independent clinical events committee and echocardiographic core laboratory. RESULTS: A total of 120 high- or extreme-risk subjects (age 83.5±5.4 years; 58.3% female; Society of Thoracic Surgeons score 4.0±2.0%) were enrolled in the European conformity (CE) mark cohort. Procedural success was high at 97.5%. At 30 days, the rate of all-cause mortality was 0%, and no subjects had moderate or greater PVL. The rate of disabling stroke was 0.8%, life-threatening bleeding was 2.5%, stage 3 acute kidney injury 0%, major vascular complications 0.8%, and new pacemaker implantation 15.0%. At 1 year, the rates of all-cause mortality and disabling stroke were 4.2% and 0.8%, respectively. The rate of moderate PVL was 1.0% at 1 year. Haemodynamic performance with a mean gradient of 7.5±3.2 mmHg and effective orifice area of 1.9±0.4 cm2 was sustained up to 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The PORTICO NG Study demonstrates low rates of adverse events and PVL up to 1 year in patients at high or extreme surgical risk, confirming the safety and efficacy of the Navitor THV system.

One-year Outcomes of XIENCE Skypoint 48-mm Drug-Eluting Stents in Long Coronary Lesions: The SPIRIT 48 Trial.

Background: Diffuse coronary artery disease may need multiple overlapping stents, associated with less favorable outcomes than those of a single stent. The availability of longer stents can circumvent the need for overlapping stents in long lesions. This prospective, single-arm, SPIRIT 48 trial evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Abbott's next-generation drug-eluting stent, XIENCE Skypoint 48, in patients with coronary artery disease with long de novo native coronary lesions. Methods: SPIRIT 48 enrolled 107 patients at 25 sites in 3 countries. Patients were required to have 1 target lesion treated with XIENCE Skypoint 48 (lesion length of >32.0 mm and ≤44.0 mm). The primary end point was target lesion failure (TLF; composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, or clinically indicated target lesion revascularization) at the 1-year compared with a prespecified performance goal of 20%, established through historical control data. This study recently completed its 1-year follow-up. Results: XIENCE Skypoint 48 was implanted in 105 patients with a device success rate of 97.2%. SPIRIT 48 met its primary end point, with a TLF rate of 5.7%, and the upper bound of 95% CI at 9.5% (

1-Year Outcomes With Fourth-Generation Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair From the EXPAND G4 Study.

BACKGROUND: The fourth-generation mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) device introduced an improved clip deployment sequence, independent leaflet grasping, and 2 wider clip sizes to tailor the treatment of patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) for a broad range of anatomies. The 30-day safety and effectiveness of the fourth-generation M-TEER device were previously demonstrated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate 1-year outcomes in a contemporary, real-world cohort of subjects treated with the MitraClip G4 system. METHODS: EXPAND G4 is an ongoing prospective, multicenter, international, single-arm study that enrolled subjects with primary and secondary MR. One-year outcomes included MR severity (echocardiographic core laboratory assessed), heart failure hospitalization, all-cause mortality, functional capacity (NYHA functional class), and quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire). RESULTS: A total of 1,164 subjects underwent M-TEER from 2020 to 2022. At 1 year, there was a durable reduction in MR to mild or less in 92.6% and to none or trace in 44.2% (P < 0.0001 vs baseline). Few subjects had major adverse events through 1 year (<2% for myocardial infarction, surgical reintervention, or single-leaflet device attachment). The 1-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization were 12.3% and 16.9%. Significant improvements in functional capacity (NYHA functional class I or II in 82%; P < 0.0001 vs baseline) and quality of life (18.5-point Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary score improvement; P < 0.0001) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: M-TEER with the fourth-generation M-TEER device was safe and effective at 1 year, with durable reductions in MR severity to ≤1+ in more than 90% of patients and concomitant improvements in functional status and quality of life.

Real-World Outcomes of Fourth-Generation Mitral Transcatheter Repair: 30-Day Results From EXPAND G4.

BACKGROUND: The fourth-generation MitraClip G4 System builds on the previous NTR/XTR system with additional wider clip sizes (NTW and XTW), an independent grasping feature, and an improved clip deployment sequence. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to assess the safety and performance of the MitraClip G4 System within a contemporary real-world setting. METHODS: EXPAND G4 is a prospective, multicenter, international, single-arm, postapproval study that enrolled patients with primary (degenerative) mitral regurgitation (MR) and secondary (functional) MR at 60 centers. Follow-up of the full cohort has been conducted through 30 days. Echocardiograms were analyzed by an echocardiography core laboratory. Study outcomes included MR severity, functional capacity measured by NYHA functional class, quality of life measured using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, major adverse event rates, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: In EXPAND G4, 1,141 subjects with primary MR and secondary MR were treated from March 2021 to February 2022. Implantation and acute procedural success rates were 98.0% and 96.2%, respectively, with a mean of 1.4 ± 0.6 clips implanted per subject. MR was significantly reduced at 30 days compared with baseline (98% achieved MR ≤ 2+, and 91% achieved MR ≤ 1+; P < 0.0001). Functional capacity and quality of life were substantially improved, with 83% of patients achieving NYHA functional class I or II. Likewise, an 18-point improvement was observed in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire summary scores compared with baseline. The composite major adverse event rate was 2.7%, and the all-cause death rate was 1.3% at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates for the first time the effectiveness and safety of MitraClip G4 System at 30 days in a cohort of >1,000 patients with MR in a contemporary, real-world setting.

Contemporary Outcomes Following Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: 1-Year Results From the EXPAND Study.

BACKGROUND: The third-generation MitraClip NTR/XTR transcatheter edge-to-edge repair system was introduced to assist in leaflet grasping with the longer clip arms of MitraClip XTR and to improve ease of use with the modified delivery catheter. OBJECTIVES: The EXPAND study evaluated contemporary real-world outcomes in subjects with mitral regurgitation (MR) treated with the third-generation MitraClip NTR/XTR transcatheter edge-to-edge repair system. METHODS: EXPAND is a prospective, multicenter, international, single-arm study that enrolled patients with primary MR and secondary MR at 57 centers. Follow-up was conducted through 12 months. Echocardiograms were analyzed by an echocardiographic core laboratories. Study outcomes included: MR severity, functional capacity measured by New York Heart Association functional class, quality of life measured by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, heart failure hospitalizations, all-cause mortality. RESULTS: 1,041 patients were enrolled from April 2018 through March 2019, of which 50.5% had primary or mixed etiology. Implant success was 98.9%; 1.5 ± 0.6 clips were implanted per subject. Significant MR reduction from baseline (≥MR 3+: 56.0%) to 30 days (≤MR 1+:88.8%) was maintained through 1 year (MR ≤1+: 89.2%). A total of 84.5% and 93.0% of subjects in primary MR and secondary MR, respectively, had ≤1+ MR at 1 year. Significant improvements were observed in clinical outcomes (New York Heart Association functional class I/II in 80.3%, +21.6 improvement in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score) at 1 year. All-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalizations at 1 year were 14.9% and 18.9%, respectively, which was significantly lower than previous studies. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates treatment with the third-generation system resulted in substantial reduction of MR in a contemporary real-world practice, compared with the results of earlier EVEREST and COAPT trials.(The MitraClip® EXPAND Study of the Next Generation of MitraClip® Devices [EXPAND]; NCT03502811).

One-Year Results of the Portico Transcatheter Aortic Heart Valve Using the Next-Generation FlexNav Delivery System.

Background: The FlexNav delivery system (DS) features a hydrophilic coating, stability layer, and integrated sheath to facilitate valve deployment in vessel diameters ≥5.0 mm. Methods: Data were pooled from 2 concurrent prospective, multicenter, premarket studies (PORTICO IDE [n = 147] and FlexNav EU CE Mark [n = 46]) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the FlexNav DS to deliver the Portico valve in the Global FlexNav study. The primary end point was Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 major vascular complication rate at 30 days. These outcomes were compared with those of the commercially available valve arm from the PORTICO IDE study. Results: The Global FlexNav study enrolled 193 high- or extreme-risk subjects for sugery. The mean age was 84.8 years, and 59.6% were women, with a mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score of 5.2%. At 1 year, the rate of all-cause mortality was 5.2%, disabling stroke 2.1%, and mild or less paravalvular leak 99.4%. The mean aortic gradient was maintained at 7.4 ± 4.3 mm Hg through 1 year. At 1 year, 96.8% of subjects were classified as New York Heart Association class I or II. A pacemaker was implanted in 15.4% of subjects at 30 days and 18.4% at 1 year. The results of the Portico valve in the Global FlexNav study are comparable with the results from the commercially available valve arm in the PORTICO IDE study. Conclusion: The FlexNav DS was shown to be safe for the delivery of the Portico valve, which demonstrated sustained treatment benefits at 1 year with low rates of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke, improved heart failure symptoms, and excellent valve performance.

ISR vs De Novo Lesion Treatment During OCT-Guided PCI: Insights From the LightLab Initiative.

Background: Long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for in-stent restenosis (ISR) are poor, yet limited granular procedural data exist evaluating lesion assessment, vessel treatment, and acute procedural outcomes. Methods: The LightLab Initiative was a multicenter, prospective, observational study with contemporaneous procedural data collection during PCI procedures. Data were collected during PCIs performed by 48 interventional cardiologists at 17 US hospitals (2019-2021). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed pre-PCI for lesion assessment and post-PCI for stent optimization, and results were compared between ISR and de novo lesion PCI. Results: In total, 2592 OCT-guided PCIs involving 2944 lesions were included, of which 458 procedures (17.7%) were ISR PCI. Compared with de novo lesion PCI, ISR lesions were more commonly type C (64.8% vs 52.9%) and performed via femoral artery access (46.4% vs 37.7%). Use of OCT changed operator assessment and treatment decisions more frequently in ISR PCI (94.2% vs 85.2%; P = .002). Scoring balloons (21.8% vs 2.5%), cutting balloons (16.4% vs 3.4%), and atherectomy (26.3% vs 9.9%) were used more commonly in ISR PCI (all P < .0001), and ISR PCI procedures were longer (62 vs 51 min). Moreover, the final achieved minimum stent area and percent expansion (4.4 vs 5.1 mm2 and 80% vs 83%, respectively; both P < .0001) were lower in ISR PCI. Conclusions: In this real-world cohort of patients who underwent OCT-guided PCI, ISR procedures were longer and final minimum stent area and percent expansion were lower despite greater use of advanced lesion modification. OCT frequently altered physician decision making, emphasizing its utility in potentially reducing recurrent stent failure in this high-risk population.

Expanding the Spectrum of TEER Suitability: Evidence From the EXPAND G4 Post Approval Study.

BACKGROUND: Anatomical and clinical criteria to define mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) "unsuitability" have been proposed on the basis of a Heart Valve Collaboratory consensus opinion from physician experience with early-generation TEER devices but lacked an evidence-based approach. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the spectrum of TEER suitability using echocardiographic and clinical outcomes from the EXPAND G4 real-world postapproval study. METHODS: EXPAND G4 is a global, prospective, multicenter, single-arm study that enrolled 1,164 subjects with mitral regurgitation (MR) treated with the MitraClip G4 System. Three groups were defined using the Heart Valve Collaboratory TEER unsuitability criteria: 1) risk of stenosis (RoS); 2) risk of inadequate MR reduction (RoIR); and 3) subjects with baseline moderate or less MR (MMR). A TEER-suitable (TS) group was defined by the absence of these characteristics. Endpoints included independent core laboratory-assessed echocardiographic characteristics, procedural outcomes, MR reduction, NYHA functional class, Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score, and major adverse events through 30 days. RESULTS: Subjects in the RoS (n = 56), RoIR (n = 54), MMR (n = 326), and TS (n = 303) groups had high 30-day MR reduction rates (≤1+: RoS 97%, MMR 93%, and TS 91%; ≤2+: RoIR 94%). Thirty-day improvements in functional capacity (NYHA functional class I or II at 30 days vs baseline: RoS 94% vs 29%, RoIR 88% vs 30%, MMR 79% vs 26%, and TS 83% vs 33%) and quality of life (change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score: RoS +27 ± 26, RoIR +16 ± 26, MMR +19 ± 26, and TS +19 ± 24) were safely achieved in all groups, with low major adverse events (<3%) and all-cause mortality (RoS 1.8%, RoIR 0%, MMR 1.5%, and TS 1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients previously deemed TEER unsuitable can be safely and effectively treated with the mitral TEER fourth-generation device.

30-Day Clinical Outcomes of a Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve: The International PORTICO NG Study.

BACKGROUND: The self-expanding, intra-annular Navitor (Abbott Structural Heart) valve includes an outer cuff to reduce paravalvular leak (PVL) and large stent cells for future coronary access. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the PORTICO NG (Evaluation of the Portico NG [Next Generation] Transcatheter Aortic Valve in High and Extreme Risk Patients With Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis) study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Navitor valve in patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who are at high or extreme surgical risk. METHODS: PORTICO NG is a prospective, multicenter, global study with follow-up at 30 days, 1 year, and annually through 5 years. The primary endpoints are all-cause mortality and moderate or greater PVL at 30 days. Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 events and valve performance are assessed by an independent clinical events committee and echocardiographic core laboratory. RESULTS: A total of 260 subjects were treated at 26 clinical sites across Europe, Australia, and the United States between September 2019 and August 2022. The mean age was 83.4 ± 5.4 years, 57.3% were female, and the average Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 3.9% ± 2.1%. At 30 days, the rate of all-cause mortality was 1.9%, and no subjects had moderate or greater PVL. The rate of disabling stroke was 1.9%, life-threatening bleeding was 3.8%, stage 3 acute kidney injury was 0.8%, major vascular complications were 4.2%, and new permanent pacemaker implantation was 19.0%. Hemodynamic performance included a mean gradient of 7.4 ± 3.5 mm Hg and an effective orifice area of 2.00 ± 0.47 cm2. CONCLUSIONS: The Navitor valve is safe and effective for the treatment of subjects with severe aortic stenosis who are at high or greater risk for surgery, which is supported by low rates of adverse events and PVL. (Evaluation of the Portico NG [Next Generation] Transcatheter Aortic Valve in High and Extreme Risk Patients With Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis [PORTICO NG]; NCT04011722).

1- or 3-Month DAPT in Patients With HBR With or Without Oral Anticoagulant Therapy After PCI.

BACKGROUND: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients on long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy is still uncertain. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to assess the effects of 1- vs 3-month DAPT in patients with and those without concomitant OAC included in the XIENCE Short DAPT program. METHODS: The XIENCE Short DAPT program enrolled patients with high bleeding risk who underwent successful PCI with a cobalt-chromium everolimus-eluting stent. DAPT was discontinued at 1 or 3 months in patients free from ischemic events and adherent to treatment. The effect of 1- vs 3-month DAPT was compared in patients with and those without OAC using propensity score stratification. The primary endpoint was all-cause death or any myocardial infarction (MI). The key secondary endpoint was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) types 2 to 5 bleeding. Outcomes were assessed from 1 to 12 months after index PCI. RESULTS: Among 3,364 event-free patients, 1,462 (43%) were on OAC. Among OAC patients, the risk for death or MI was similar between 1- and 3-month DAPT (7.4% vs 8.8%; adjusted HR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.49-1.11; P = 0.139), whereas BARC types 2 to 5 bleeding was lower with 1-month DAPT (adjusted HR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.51-0.99; P = 0.046). These effects were consistent in patients with and those without OAC (P for interaction = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Between 1 and 12 months after PCI, 1-month compared with 3-month DAPT was associated with similar rates of all-cause death or MI and a reduced rate of BARC types 2 to 5 bleeding, irrespective of OAC treatment.