Impact of Tricuspid Regurgitation on Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Balloon-Expandable Valves.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is highly prevalent in the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) population, but clear management guidelines are lacking. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to elucidate the prevalence and consequences of severe TR in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR and to examine the change in TR post-TAVR, including predictors of improvement and its impact on longer term mortality. METHODS: Using Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-linked TVT (Transcatheter Valve Therapy) Registry data, a propensity-matched analysis was performed among patients undergoing TAVR with baseline mild, moderate, or severe TR. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to assess the impact of TR on 3-year mortality. Multivariable analysis identified predictors of 30-day TR improvement. RESULTS: Of the 312,320 included patients, 84% had mild, 13% moderate, and 3% severe TR. In a propensity-matched cohort, severe baseline TR was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (2.5% vs 2.1% for moderate TR and 1.8% for mild TR; P = 0.009), higher 1-year mortality (24% vs 19.6% for moderate TR and 16.6% for mild TR; P < 0.0001), and 3-year mortality (54.2% vs 48.5% for moderate TR and 43.3% for mild TR; P < 0.0001). Among the patients with severe TR at baseline, 76.4% improved to moderate or less TR 30 days after TAVR. Baseline mitral regurgitation moderate or greater, preserved ejection fraction, higher aortic valve gradient, and better kidney function predicted TR improvement after TAVR. However, severe 30-day residual TR was associated with higher 1-year mortality (27.4% vs 18.7% for moderate TR and 16.8% for mild TR; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Severe baseline and 30-day residual TR after TAVR are associated with increased mortality up to 3 years. This analysis identifies a higher risk group that could be evaluated for the recently approved tricuspid interventions.

GLIDE Score: Scoring System for Prediction of Procedural Success in Tricuspid Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) is the most widely used transcatheter therapy to treat patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a simple anatomical score to predict procedural outcomes of T-TEER. METHODS: All patients (n = 168) who underwent T-TEER between January 2017 and November 2022 at 2 centers were included in the derivation cohort. Additionally, 126 patients from 2 separate institutions served as a validation cohort. T-TEER was performed using 2 commercially available technologies. Core laboratory assessment of procedural transesophageal echocardiograms was used to determine septolateral and anteroposterior coaptation gap, leaflet morphology, septal leaflet length and retraction, chordal structure density, tethering height, en face TR jet morphology and TR jet location, image quality, and the presence of intracardiac leads. A scoring system was derived using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Endpoints assessed were immediate postprocedural TR reduction ≥2 grades and TR grade moderate or less. RESULTS: The median age was 82 years (Q1-Q3: 78-84 years); 48% of patients were women; and patients presented with severe (55%), massive (36%), and torrential (8%) TR. Five variables (septolateral coaptation gap, chordal structure density, en face TR jet morphology, TR jet location, and image quality) were identified as best predicting procedural outcome and were incorporated in the GLIDE (Gap, Location, Image quality, density, en-face TR morphology) score (range 0-5). TR reduction ≥2 grades and TR grade moderate or less were observed in >90% of patients with GLIDE scores of 0 and 1 and in only 5.6% and 16.7% of those with GLIDE scores ≥4. The GLIDE score was then externally validated in a separate cohort (area under the curve: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.69-0.86). TR reduction significantly correlated with functional improvement assessed by NYHA functional class and 6-minute walk distance at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The GLIDE score is a simple, 5-component score that is readily obtained during patient imaging and can predict successful T-TEER.

New Approaches to Assessment and Management of Tricuspid Regurgitation Before Intervention.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is a progressive condition associated with substantial morbidity, poor quality of life, and increased mortality. Patients with TR commonly have coexisting conditions including congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, chronic lung disease, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular implantable electronic devices, which can increase the complexity of medical and surgical TR management. As such, the optimal timing of referral for isolated tricuspid valve (TV) intervention is undefined, and TV surgery has been associated with elevated risk of morbidity and mortality. More recently, an unprecedented growth in TR treatment options, namely the development of a wide range of transcatheter TV interventions (TTVI) is stimulating increased interest and referral for TV intervention across the entire medical community. However, there are no stepwise algorithms for the optimal management of symptomatic severe TR before TTVI. This article reviews the contemporary assessment and management of TR with addition of a medical framework to optimize TR before referral for TTVI.

Sex-Specific Disparities in Clinical Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Among Different Racial Populations.

Background: Sex-related disparities in clinical outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and the impact of sex on clinical outcomes after TAVR among different racial groups are undetermined. Objectives: This study assessed whether sex-specific differences in baseline clinical and anatomical characteristics affect clinical outcomes after TAVR and investigated the impact of sex on clinical outcomes among different racial groups. Methods: The TP-TAVR (Trans-Pacific TAVR) registry is a multinational cohort study of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR at 2 major centers in the United States and 1 major center in South Korea. The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause, stroke, or rehospitalization after 1 year. Results: The incidence of the primary composite outcome was not significantly different between sexes (27.9% in men vs 28% in women; adjusted HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.79-1.20). This pattern was consistent in Asian (23.5% vs 23.3%; adjusted HR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.69-1.41) and non-Asian (30.8% vs 31.6%; adjusted HR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.72-1.24) cohorts, without a significant interaction between sex and racial group (P for interaction = 0.74). The adjusted risk for all-cause mortality was similar between sexes, regardless of racial group. However, the adjusted risk of stroke was significantly lower in male patients than in female patients, which was more prominent in the non-Asian cohort. Conclusions: Despite significantly different baseline and procedural characteristics, there were no sex-specific differences in the adjusted 1-year rates of primary composite outcomes and all-cause mortality, regardless of different racial groups. (Transpacific TAVR registry [TP-TAVR]; NCT03826264).

Age-Stratified Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The management of aortic stenosis has evolved to stratification by age as reflected in recent societal guidelines. We evaluated age-stratified surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) trends and outcomes in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) or tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. METHODS: This cohort included adults (≥18 years) undergoing SAVR for severe aortic stenosis between July 2011 and December 2022. Comparisons were stratified by age (<65 years, 65-79 years, ≥80 years) and BAV or TAV status. Primary end points included operative mortality, composite morbidity and mortality, and permanent stroke. Observed to expected ratios by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality were calculated. RESULTS: In total, 200,849 SAVR patients (55,326 BAV [27.5%], 145,526 TAV [72.5%]) from 1238 participating hospitals met study criteria. Annual SAVR volumes decreased by 45% (19,560 to 10,851) during the study period. The decrease was greatest (96%) for patients ≥80 years of age (4914 to 207). The relative prevalence of BAV was greater in younger patients (<65 years, 69,068 [49.5% BAV]; 65-79 years, 104,382 [19.1% BAV]; ≥80 years, 27,399 [4.5% BAV]). The observed mortality in <80-year-old BAV patients (<65 years, 1.08; 65-79 years, 1.21; ≥80 years, 3.68) was better than the expected mortality rate (<65 years, 1.22; 65-79 years, 1.54; ≥80 years, 3.14). CONCLUSIONS: SAVR volume in the transcatheter era has decreased substantially, particularly for patients ≥80 years old and for those with TAV. Younger patients with BAV have better than expected outcomes, which should be carefully considered during shared decision-making in the treatment of aortic stenosis. SAVR should remain the preferred therapy in this population.

Transfemoral tricuspid valve replacement and one-year outcomes: the TRISCEND study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: For patients with symptomatic, severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), early results of transcatheter tricuspid valve (TV) intervention studies have shown significant improvements in functional status and quality of life associated with right-heart reverse remodelling. Longer-term follow-up is needed to confirm sustained improvements in these outcomes. METHODS: The prospective, single-arm, multicentre TRISCEND study enrolled 176 patients to evaluate the safety and performance of transcatheter TV replacement in patients with ≥moderate, symptomatic TR despite medical therapy. Major adverse events, reduction in TR grade and haemodynamic outcomes by echocardiography, and clinical, functional, and quality-of-life parameters are reported to one year. RESULTS: Enrolled patients were 71.0% female, mean age 78.7 years, 88.0% ≥ severe TR, and 75.4% New York Heart Association classes III-IV. Tricuspid regurgitation was reduced to ≤mild in 97.6% (P < .001), with increases in stroke volume (10.5 ± 16.8 mL, P < .001) and cardiac output (0.6 ± 1.2 L/min, P < .001). New York Heart Association class I or II was achieved in 93.3% (P < .001), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score increased by 25.7 points (P < .001), and six-minute walk distance increased by 56.2 m (P < .001). All-cause mortality was 9.1%, and 10.2% of patients were hospitalized for heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: In an elderly, highly comorbid population with ≥moderate TR, patients receiving transfemoral EVOQUE transcatheter TV replacement had sustained TR reduction, significant increases in stroke volume and cardiac output, and high survival and low hospitalization rates with improved clinical, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes to one year. Funded by Edwards Lifesciences, TRISCEND ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04221490.

One-Year Outcomes From the CLASP IID Randomized Trial for Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: The CLASP IID (Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System Pivotal Clinical) trial is the first randomized controlled trial comparing the PASCAL system and the MitraClip system in prohibitive risk patients with significant symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR). OBJECTIVES: The study sought to report primary and secondary endpoints and 1-year outcomes for the full cohort of the CLASP IID trial. METHODS: Prohibitive-risk patients with 3+/4+ DMR were randomized 2:1 (PASCAL:MitraClip). One-year assessments included secondary effectiveness endpoints (mitral regurgitation [MR] ≤2+ and MR ≤1+), and clinical, echocardiographic, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes. Primary safety (30-day composite major adverse events [MAE]) and effectiveness (6-month MR ≤2+) endpoints were assessed for the full cohort. RESULTS: Three hundred patients were randomized (PASCAL: n = 204; MitraClip: n = 96). At 1 year, differences in survival, freedom from heart failure hospitalization, and MAE were nonsignificant (P > 0.05 for all). Noninferiority of the PASCAL system compared with the MitraClip system persisted for the primary endpoints in the full cohort (For PASCAL vs MitraClip, the 30-day MAE rates were 4.6% vs 5.4% with a rate difference of -0.8% and 95% upper confidence bound of 4.6%. The 6-month MR≤2+ rates were 97.9% vs 95.7% with a rate difference of 2.2% and 95% lower confidence bound (LCB) of -2.5%, for, respectively). Noninferiority was met for the secondary effectiveness endpoints at 1 year (MR≤2+ rates for PASCAL vs MitraClip were 95.8% vs 93.8% with a rate difference of 2.1% and 95% LCB of -4.1%. The MR≤1+ rates were 77.1% vs 71.3% with a rate difference of 5.8% and 95% LCB of -5.3%, respectively). Significant improvements in functional classification and quality of life were sustained in both groups (P <0.05 for all vs baseline). CONCLUSIONS: The CLASP IID trial full cohort met primary and secondary noninferiority endpoints, and at 1 year, the PASCAL system demonstrated high survival, significant MR reduction, and sustained improvements in functional and quality-of-life outcomes. Results affirm the PASCAL system as a beneficial therapy for prohibitive-surgical-risk patients with significant symptomatic DMR.

Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium Definitions for Tricuspid Regurgitation and Trial Endpoints.

Interest in the pathophysiology, etiology, management, and outcomes of patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has grown in the wake of multiple natural history studies showing progressively worse outcomes associated with increasing TR severity, even after adjusting for multiple comorbidities. Historically, isolated tricuspid valve surgery has been associated with high in-hospital mortality rates, leading to the development of transcatheter treatment options. The aim of this first Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium document is to standardize definitions of disease etiology and severity, as well as endpoints for trials that aim to address the gaps in our knowledge related to identification and management of patients with TR. Standardizing endpoints for trials should provide consistency and enable meaningful comparisons between clinical trials. A second Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium document will focus on further defining trial endpoints and will discuss trial design options.

Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium Definitions for Tricuspid Regurgitation and Trial Endpoints.

Interest in the pathophysiology, etiology, management, and outcomes of patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has grown in the wake of multiple natural history studies showing progressively worse outcomes associated with increasing TR severity, even after adjusting for multiple comorbidities. Historically, isolated tricuspid valve surgery has been associated with high in-hospital mortality rates, leading to the development of transcatheter treatment options. The aim of this first Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium document is to standardize definitions of disease etiology and severity, as well as endpoints for trials that aim to address the gaps in our knowledge related to identification and management of patients with TR. Standardizing endpoints for trials should provide consistency and enable meaningful comparisons between clinical trials. A second Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium document will focus on further defining trial endpoints and will discuss trial design options.

Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium Definitions for Tricuspid Regurgitation and Trial Endpoints.

Interest in the pathophysiology, etiology, management, and outcomes of patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has grown in the wake of multiple natural history studies showing progressively worse outcomes associated with increasing TR severity, even after adjusting for multiple comorbidities. Historically, isolated tricuspid valve surgery has been associated with high in-hospital mortality rates, leading to the development of transcatheter treatment options. The aim of this first Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium document is to standardize definitions of disease etiology and severity, as well as endpoints for trials that aim to address the gaps in our knowledge related to identification and management of patients with TR. Standardizing endpoints for trials should provide consistency and enable meaningful comparisons between clinical trials. A second Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium document will focus on further defining trial endpoints and will discuss trial design options.

Characterization of Screen Failures Among Patients Evaluated for Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair (TriSelect-Study).

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVr) has significantly expanded treatment options for tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, a sizeable proportion of patients are still declined for TTVr and little is known about their clinical characteristics and cardiac morphology. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize patients who screen fail for TTVr with respect to their clinical characteristics and cardiac morphology. METHODS: A total of 547 patients were evaluated for TTVr between January 2016 to December 2021 from 3 centers in the United States and Germany. Clinical records and echocardiographic studies were used to assess medical history and right ventricular (RV) and tricuspid valve (TV) characteristics. RESULTS: Median age was 80 (IQR: 74-83) years and 60.0% were female. Over half (58.1%) were accepted for TTVr. Of those who were deemed unsuitable for TTVr (41.9%), the most common exclusion reasons were anatomical criteria (56.8%). In the regression analysis, RV and right atrial size, TV coaptation gap, and tethering area were identified as independent screen failure predictors. Other rejection reasons included clinical futility (17.9%), low symptom burden (12.7%), and technical limitations (12.7%). Most of the excluded patients (71.6%) were managed conservatively with medical therapy, while a small number either proceeded to TV surgery (22.3%) or subsequently became eligible for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in later available clinical trials in the United States (6.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of TTVr screen failure patients are excluded due to TV, right atrial, and RV enlargement. However, a significant proportion is excluded due to clinical futility. These identifiable anatomical and clinical characteristics emphasize the importance of earlier referral and intervention of TR and the need for continued innovation of Transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions.

Race-Specific Impact of Conventional Surgical Risk Score on 1-Year Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Interracial differences in the distribution and prognostic value of conventional Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score on long-term mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are uncertain. Objectives: This study aims to compare the impact of STS scores on clinical outcomes at 1-year after TAVR between Asian and non-Asian populations. Methods: We used the Trans-Pacific TAVR (TP-TAVR) registry, a multinational multicenter, observational registry involving patients undergoing TAVR at 2 major centers in the United States and 1 major center in Korea. Patients were classified into 3 groups (low, intermediate, and high-risk) according to the STS score and compared between STS risk groups and race. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 1-year. Results: Among 1,412 patients, 581 were Asian and 831 were non-Asian. The distribution of the STS risk score group was different between Asian and non-Asian groups (62.5% low-, 29.8% intermediate-, and 7.7% high-risk in Asian vs 40.6% low-, 39.1% intermediate-, and 20.3% high-risk in non-Asian). In the Asian population, the all-cause mortality at 1-year was substantially higher in the high-risk STS group than in the low- and intermediate-risk groups (3.6% low-risk, 8.7% intermediate-risk, and 24.4% high-risk; log-rank P < 0.001), which was primarily driven by noncardiac mortality. In the non-Asian group, there was a proportional increase in all-cause mortality at 1-year according to the STS risk category (5.3% low-risk, 12.6% intermediate-risk, and 17.8% high-risk; log-rank P < 0.001). Conclusions: In this multiracial registry of patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR, we identified a differential proportion and prognostic impact of STS score on 1-year mortality between Asian and non-Asian patients (TP-TAVR [Transpacific TAVR Registry]; NCT03826264).

Secondary Mitral Regurgitation and Heart Failure: Current Advances in Diagnosis and Management.

The causes of mitral regurgitation (MR) can be broadly divided into primary and secondary causes. Although primary MR is caused by degenerative alterations of the mitral valve and the mitral valve apparatus, secondary (functional) MR is multifactorial and related to dilation of the left ventricle and/or mitral annulus commonly resulting in concomitant restriction of the leaflets. Therefore, the treatment of secondary MR (SMR) is complex and includes guideline directed heart failure therapy along with surgical and transcatheter approaches that have shown effectiveness in certain subgroups. This review aims to provide insight into current advances in diagnosis and management of SMR.

1-Year Outcomes of Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Repair.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of isolated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, thereby creating a significant need for a lower-risk transcatheter solution. OBJECTIVES: The single-arm, multicenter, prospective CLASP TR (Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System in Tricuspid Regurgitation [CLASP TR] Early Feasibility Study) evaluated 1-year outcomes of the PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system (Edwards Lifesciences) to treat TR. METHODS: Study inclusion required a previous diagnosis of severe or greater TR and persistent symptoms despite medical treatment. An independent core laboratory evaluated echocardiographic results, and a clinical events committee adjudicated major adverse events. The study evaluated primary safety and performance outcomes, with echocardiographic, clinical, and functional endpoints. Study investigators report 1-year all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were enrolled: mean age of 77.4 years; 55.4% female; and 97.0% with severe to torrential TR. At 30 days, cardiovascular mortality was 3.1%, the stroke rate was 1.5%, and no device-related reinterventions were reported. Between 30 days and 1 year, there were an additional 3 cardiovascular deaths (4.8%), 2 strokes (3.2%), and 1 unplanned or emergency reintervention (1.6%). One-year postprocedure, TR severity significantly reduced (P < 0.001), with 31 of 36 (86.0%) patients achieving moderate or less TR; 100% had at least 1 TR grade reduction. Freedom from all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization by Kaplan-Meier analyses were 87.9% and 78.5%, respectively. Their New York Heart Association functional class significantly improved (P < 0.001) with 92% in class I or II, 6-minute walk distance increased by 94 m (P = 0.014), and overall Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores improved by 18 points (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PASCAL system demonstrated low complication and high survival rates, with significant and sustained improvements in TR, functional status, and quality of life at 1 year. (Edwards PASCAL TrAnScatheter Valve RePair System in Tricuspid Regurgitation [CLASP TR] Early Feasibility Study [CLASP TR EFS]; NCT03745313).

Management Challenges in Patients Younger Than 65 Years With Severe Aortic Valve Disease: A Review.

Importance: The management of aortic valve disease, including aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation (AR), in younger adult patients (age <65 years) is complex, and the optimal strategy is often unclear, contingent on multiple anatomic and holistic factors. Observations: Traditional surgical approaches carry significant considerations, including compulsory lifelong anticoagulation for patients who receive a mechanical aortic valve replacement (AVR) and the risk of structural valvular deterioration and need for subsequent valve intervention in those who receive a bioprosthetic AVR. These factors are magnified in young adults who are considering pregnancy, for whom issues of anticoagulation and valve longevity are heightened. The Ross procedure has emerged as a promising alternative; however, its adoption is limited to highly specialized centers. Valve repair is an option for selected patients with AR. These treatment options offer varying degrees of durability and are associated with different risks and complications, especially for younger adult patients. Patient-centered care from a multidisciplinary valve team allows for discussion of the optimal timing of intervention and the advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment options. Conclusions and Relevance: The management of severe aortic valve disease in adults younger than 65 years is complex, and there are numerous considerations with each management decision. While mechanical AVR and bioprosthetic AVR have historically been the standards of care, other options are emerging for selected patients but are not yet generalizable beyond specialized surgical centers. A detailed discussion by members of the multidisciplinary heart team and the patient is an integral part of the shared decision-making process.

Acupuncture after valve surgery is feasible and shows promise in reducing postoperative atrial fibrillation: The ACU-Heart pilot trial.

Objective: Acupuncture is an effective treatment for arrythmias and postoperative symptoms but has not been investigated after cardiac surgery. Acupuncture After Heart Surgery is a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot trial of daily inpatient acupuncture or standard care after valve surgery with the primary end point being feasibility and secondary end points being reduction in postoperative atrial fibrillation incidence and postoperative symptoms. Methods: A total of 100 patients without a history of atrial fibrillation underwent primary valve surgery via sternotomy and randomized 1:1 to acupuncture (51) or standard care (49). The acupuncture group received daily inpatient sessions starting on postoperative day 1. Postoperative symptoms (pain, nausea, stress, anxiety) were assessed once daily in the standard care group and before/after daily intervention in the acupuncture group. The groups were comparable except for age (acupuncture: 55.6 ± 11.4 years, standard care: 61.0 ± 9.3 years; P = .01). Results: The Acupuncture After Heart Surgery pilot trial met primary and secondary end points. There were no adverse events. An average of 3.8 (±1.1) acupuncture sessions were delivered per patient during a mean hospital stay of 4.6 days (±1.3). Acupuncture was associated with a reduction in pain, nausea, stress, and anxiety after each session (P < .0001), and patients receiving acupuncture had reduced postoperative stress and anxiety across admission compared with standard care (P = .049 and P = .036, respectively). Acupuncture was associated with reduced postoperative atrial fibrillation incidence (acupuncture: 7 [13.7%], standard care: 16 [32.7%]; P = .028), fewer discharges on amiodarone (acupuncture: 5 [9.8%], standard care: 13 [26.5%]; P = .03), and fewer hours in the intensive care unit (acupuncture: 30.3 ± 10.0, standard care: 37.0 ± 22.5; P = .057). Conclusions: Acupuncture after valve surgery is feasible, is well tolerated, and has clinical benefit. The reduction noted in postoperative atrial fibrillation incidence will inform larger trials designed to further investigate the impact of acupuncture on postoperative atrial fibrillation and medical outcomes.