Effect of aorto-ventricular angulation on procedural success in transcatheter aortic valve replacements with the Lotus Valve system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of aorto-ventricular angulation (AA) on procedural success with the Lotus Valve system. BACKGROUND: AA, the angulation of the aortic valve basal plane, may affect the deployment of transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs). The Lotus Valve system is fully repositionable and delivered on a pre-shaped catheter which may alter the impact of AA on its deployment. The effect of AA on procedural and clinical outcomes with the Lotus valve is unreported. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR with the Lotus Valve system were analyzed. AA was determined on pre-procedural multi-detector computed tomography imaging. Device success, procedural characteristics, and clinical events were assessed according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC2) definitions. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-five patients were analyzed (48% male, mean age 84 years). The mean AA was 47.8 degrees. Patients were, therefore, divided into low AA (AA < 48°) or high AA (AA ≥ 48°). Baseline characteristics were similar in both cohorts. Device success and procedural outcomes were also similar including procedure time, contrast dose, and need to reposition. There was no difference in degree of moderate or greater para-valvular regurgitation (PVR) (0% vs. 3%, P = 0.09). Clinical outcomes of death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and other major VARC2 endpoints were similar. CONCLUSION: AA did not affect device success or clinical outcome with the Lotus Valve system. The Lotus' unique design features may have mitigated the impact of AA by improving the accuracy, ease of valve positioning, and reducing PVR.

Ethnic differences in coronary plaque and epicardial fat volume quantified using computed tomography.

Epidemiological studies observed a higher prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis in South Asians when compared to Caucasians, but quantitative computed tomography differences in aggregate plaque volume (APV) and epicardial fat volume (EFV) between South Asians, Southeast or East Asians (SEEAs) and Caucasians remain unknown. We aimed to compare APV and EFV quantified on computed-tomographic-coronary-angiography (CTCA) between South Asian, SEEA and Caucasian populations residing in Australia. Age, gender and body-mass-index matched subjects from three ethnic groups who underwent clinically indicated 320-detector CTCA were retrospectively analysed. Percentage APV in the first 5 cm of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and EFV were quantified using dedicated software (Vital Images, USA). One-hundred-and-fifty subjects (average age = 57.7 years, 56 % male, n = 50 in each ethnic group) were analysed. Mean LAD percentage APV was highest in South Asians (44.5 ± 8.4 % vs. 37.5 ± 6.5 % in SEEAs and 39.5 ± 6.4 % in Caucasians, P = 0.00001). South Asian ethnicity predicted LAD APV above traditional risk factors on multivariate analysis (P = 0.000002). EFV was significantly higher in both South Asians (103.2 ± 41.7 cm3 vs. 85.8 ± 39.4 cm3, P = 0.035) and SEEAs (110.8 ± 36.9 cm3 vs. 85.8 ± 39.4 cm3, P = 0.001) when compared with Caucasians. In this cohort LAD percentage APV and EFV, as quantified on CTCA, differs between South Asians, SEEA and Caucasian populations, with higher LAD APV observed in South Asians and lower EFV in Caucasians. Atherosclerotic volume in LAD was best predicted by South Asian ethnicity above traditional risk factors and EFV. Further research is required to establish whether APV and EFV quantification can improve cardiac risk prediction in the South Asian population.

Relationship between epicardial fat and quantitative coronary artery plaque progression: insights from computer tomography coronary angiography.

Epicardial fat volume (EFV) has been suggested to promote atherosclerotic plaque development in coronary arteries, and has been correlated with both coronary stenosis and acute coronary events. Although associated with progression of coronary calcification burden, a relationship with progression of coronary atheroma volume has not been previously tested. We studied patients who had clinically indicated serial 320-row multi-detector computer tomography coronary angiography with a median 25-month interval. EFV was measured at baseline and follow-up. In vessels with coronary stenosis, quantitative analysis was performed to measure atherosclerotic plaque burden, volume and aggregate plaque volume at baseline and follow-up. The study comprised 64 patients (58.4 ± 12.2 years, 27 males, 192 vessels, 193 coronary segments). 79 (41 %) coronary segments had stenosis at baseline. Stenotic segments were associated with greater baseline EFV than those without coronary stenosis (117.4 ± 45.1 vs. 102.3 ± 51.6 cm(3), P = 0.046). 46 (24 %) coronary segments displayed either new plaque formation or progression of adjusted plaque burden at follow-up. These were associated with higher baseline EFV than segments without stenosis or those segments that had stenoses that did not progress (128.7 vs. 101.0 vs. 106.7 cm(3) respectively, P = 0.006). On multivariate analysis, baseline EFV was the only independent predictor of coronary atherosclerotic plaque progression or new development (P = 0.014). High baseline EFV is associated with the presence of coronary artery stenosis and plaque volume progression. Accumulation of EFV may be implicated in the evolution and progression of coronary atheroma.

Comparison of Self-Expanding and Mechanically Expanded Transcatheter Aortic Valve Prostheses.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the mechanically expanded Lotus valve (Boston Scientific, Natick Massachusetts) offers potential benefits over treatment with the self-expanding CoreValve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota). BACKGROUND: New-generation transcatheter aortic valve systems are emerging in clinical trials and practice with design features aimed at improving safety and efficacy. To date, these devices have not been compared systematically with current-generation devices. METHODS: A total of 100 patients (83.4 ± 4.8 years of age, 44% male, Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score of 5.5 ± 2.4) were assessed. Fifty consecutive patients undergoing a Lotus transcatheter aortic valve replacement were enrolled and compared with 50 matched patients treated with a CoreValve. An independent core laboratory reviewed all echocardiographic data, and an independent clinical events committee adjudicated all events. RESULTS: Valve Academic Research Consortium 2-defined device success was 84% and 64% in the Lotus and CoreValve cohorts, respectively (p = 0.02). This difference was driven by lower rates of moderate or greater aortic regurgitation (4% vs. 16.7%, respectively; p = 0.04) and higher rates of successfully implanting a single device in the correct anatomic position (100% vs. 86%, respectively; p = 0.06). Cardiovascular mortality rate (0% vs. 4%, respectively; p = 0.32), major stroke rate (4% vs. 2%, respectively; p = 0.56), and permanent pacemaker insertion rate (28% vs. 18%, respectively; p = 0.23) were not different at 30 days in the Lotus and CoreValve cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: In this matched comparison of high surgical risk patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the use of the Lotus device was associated with higher rates of Valve Academic Research Consortium 2-defined device success compared with the CoreValve. This was driven by higher rates of correct anatomic positioning and lower incidences of moderate paraprosthetic regurgitation. The clinical significance of these differences needs to be tested in a large randomized, controlled trial.

Epicardial adipose tissue: far more than a fat depot.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) refers to the fat depot that exists on the surface of the myocardium and is contained entirely beneath the pericardium, thus surrounding and in direct contact with the major coronary arteries and their branches. EAT is a biologically active organ that may play a role in the association between obesity and coronary artery disease (CAD). Given recent advances in non-invasive imaging modalities such a multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), EAT can be accurately measured and quantified. In this review, we focus on the evidence suggesting a role for EAT as a quantifiable risk marker in CAD, as well as describe the role EAT may play in the development and vulnerability of coronary artery plaque.