TAVI-in-TAVI de salvamento por fratura de folheto: relato de caso / Salvage TAVI-in-TAVI for leaflet fracture: case report

INTRODUÇÃO: A longa experiência em troca valvar cirúrgica nos ensinou acerca da durabilidade limitada de biopróteses. E assim como estas, as próteses implantadas via transcateter degeneram com o tempo, requerendo intervenção adicional. O desafio torna-se ainda maior quando a indicação do procedimento deveu-se ao alto risco cirúrgico, sendo o reimplante transcateter de válvula aórtica (TAVI-in-TAVI) a única opção viável. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Homem, 87 anos, idoso não frágil, foi submetido a primeira TAVI em 2016 com implante de bioprótese Acurate TF Symetis M devido à estenose aórtica grave (etiologia bicúspide e calcífica). O ecocardiograma transtorácico (ETT) pósprocedimento mostrava a bioprótese normofuncionante, orifício efetivo de fluxo (OEF) 1,8 cm², gradiente sistólico médio 8 mmHg, refluxo paraprotético discreto e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) de 45%. Paciente manteve-se em classe funcional (CF) I até 2024, quando foi internado por piora da dispneia, evoluindo para CF III. Realizado ETT com imagem sugestiva de fratura de folheto e disfunção biventricular importante (FEVE=35% e FAC= 22%). Como consequência de risco cirúrgico proibitivo (EUROSCORE II de 30%), optou-se pela realização de TAVI-in-TAVI após compensação clínica, porém evoluiu com choque cardiogênico e necessidade de inotrópico. Devido à instabilidade clínica não foi possível realizar tomografia computadorizada para planejamento do implante, decidido prosseguir com procedimento monitorizado por ETT. Procedimento realizado sob sedação, com angiografia para visualização de coronárias e TAVI prévia, seguido de implante de bioprótese MyVal (Meril Lifesciences) n° 24.5mm com pós-dilatação. Injeção de controle demonstrava prótese aórtica bem posicionada, refluxo paravalvar discreto com coronárias pérvias e bom fluxo. ETT pós-procedimento: endoprótese bem posicionada, abertura e mobilidade preservadas, OEF 2,1 cm², gradiente sistólico médio 3 mmHg, FEVE 36%, FAC 26%, mantendo refluxo paraprotético discreto. Recebeu alta 8 dias após TAVI-in-TAVI em CF NYHA I. CONCLUSÃO: Sabemos que TAVI-in-TAVI em pacientes selecionados, apresentam bons resultados, porém em nosso paciente foi realizado em caráter de urgência demonstrando efetividade. A intervenção percutânea TAVI-in-TAVI de urgência, mostrou-se factível diante de paciente com instabilidade hemodinâmica e resultou em melhora clínica e ecocardiográfica substanciais do paciente.

Sutureless Aortic Valve Replacement vs. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients with Small Aortic Annulus: Clinical and Hemodynamic Outcomes from a Multi-Institutional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare hemodynamic performances and clinical outcomes of patients with small aortic annulus (SAA) who underwent aortic valve replacement by means of sutureless aortic valve replacement (SUAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS: From 2015 to 2020, 622 consecutive patients with SAA underwent either SUAVR or TAVI. Through a 1:1 propensity score matching analysis, two homogeneous groups of 146 patients were formed. Primary endpoint: all cause-death at 36 months. Secondary endpoints: incidence of moderate to severe patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). RESULTS: All-cause death at three years was higher in the TAVI group (SUAVR 12.2% vs. TAVI 21.0%, P=0.058). Perioperatively, comparable hemodynamic performances were recorded in terms of indexed effective orifice area (SUAVR 1.12 ± 0.23 cm2/m2 vs. TAVI 1.17 ± 0.28 cm2/m2, P=0.265), mean transvalvular gradients (SUAVR 12.9 ± 5.3 mmHg vs. TAVI 12.2 ± 6.2 mmHg, P=0.332), and moderate-to-severe PPM (SUAVR 4.1% vs. TAVI 8.9%, P=0.096). TAVI group showed a higher cumulative incidence of MACCEs at 36 months (SUAVR 18.1% vs. TAVI 32.6%, P<0.001). Pacemaker implantation (PMI) and perivalvular leak ≥ 2 were significantly higher in TAVI group and identified as independent predictors of mortality (PMI: hazard ratio [HR] 3.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-6.94, P=0.008; PPM: HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.25-5.94, P=0.012). CONCLUSION: In patients with SAA, SUAVR and TAVI showed comparable hemodynamic performances. Moreover, all-cause death and incidence of MACCEs at follow-up were significantly higher in TAVI group.

Warfarin use is associated with higher aortic bioprosthetic 18F-fluoride PET uptake.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of bioprosthetic valve degeneration (BVD) is rising as the use of bioprosthetic aortic valves increases. Detecting early signs of BVD remains a challenge, with conventional imaging methods often failing to identify early deterioration stages. 18F-fuoride positron emission tomography (PET-CT) is an emerging technique that offers promising prospects to detect subclinical BVD. This study aimed to compare early PET parameters of fluoride uptake with echocardiographic hemodynamic parameters and compare outcomes according to anticoagulation in patients who received bioprosthetic valves. METHODS: This is a sub-study of the ANTIPRO clinical trial, which involved patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with a porcine bioprosthesis and randomized them into anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated groups. Hemodynamic changes were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), while 18F-fluoride PET-CT quantified fluoride uptake and divided the patients in two groups: high-uptake and low-uptake. Mean and maximum gradients by TTE at three years were compared between the two uptake groups. Fluoride uptake was also compared between the anticoagulated and control groups. RESULTS: We found no significant differences in transprosthetic gradients between high-uptake(21.4 ± 8.6 mmHg) and low-uptake(17.3 ± 11.2 mmHg.p = 0.244) PET-defined groups in this specific timeframe. Notably, anticoagulated patients exhibited significantly risk of higher fluoride uptake(OR = 4.34;95%CI:1.04-18.21.p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between fluoride uptake and hemodynamic evaluation. Anticoagulation was associated with higher fluoride uptake. These findings highlight the emerging role of PET-CT in studying bioprosthetic aortic valves and emphasize the need for extended follow-up to evaluate the impact of anticoagulation on valve degeneration.

Learning Curve for In-Hospital Mortality of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Insights from the Brazilian National Registry. / Curva de Aprendizagem da Mortalidade Hospitalar da Substituição da Válvula Aórtica Transcateter: Insights do Registro Nacional Brasileiro.

BACKGROUND: Robust data on the learning curve (LC) of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are lacking in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To assess TAVR's LC in Brazil over time. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Brazilian TAVR registry from 2008 to 2023. Patients from each center were numbered chronologically in case sequence numbers (CSNs). LC was performed using restricted cubic splines adjusted for EuroSCORE-II and the use of new-generation prostheses. Also, in-hospital outcomes were compared between groups defined according to the level of experience based on the CSN: 1st to 40th (initial-experience), 41st to 80th (early-experience), 81st to 120th (intermediate-experience), and over 121st (high-experience). Additional analysis was performed grouping hospitals according to the number of cases treated before 2014 (>40 and ≤40 procedures). The level of significance adopted was <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 3,194 patients from 25 centers were included. Mean age and EuroSCORE II were 80.7±8.1 years and 7±7.1, respectively. LC analysis demonstrated a drop in adjusted in-hospital mortality after treating 40 patients. A leveling off of the curve was observed after case #118. In-hospital mortality across the groups was 8.6%, 7.7%, 5.9%, and 3.7% for initial-, early-, intermediate-, and high-experience, respectively (p<0.001). High experience independently predicted lower mortality (OR 0.57, p=0.013 vs. initial experience). Low-volume centers before 2014 showed no significant decrease in the likelihood of death with gained experience, whereas high-volume centers had a continuous improvement after case #10. CONCLUSION: A TAVR LC phenomenon was observed for in-hospital mortality in Brazil. This effect was more pronounced in centers that treated their first 40 cases before 2014 than those that reached this milestone after 2014.

Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients undergoing cardiac transcatheter or surgical interventions usually is correlated with poor outcomes. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been developed as a therapy choice for inoperable, high-, or intermediate-risk surgical patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of DM and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) on outcomes and survival after TAVI. METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-two symptomatic severe AS patients who underwent TAVI, of whom 164 (29.7%) had DM, were included in this retrospective study. Follow-up was performed after 30 days, six months, and annually. RESULTS: The device success and risks of procedural-related complications were similar between patients with and without DM, except for acute kidney injury, which was more frequent in the DM group (2.4% vs. 0%, P=0.021). In-hospital and first-year mortality were similar between the groups (4.9% vs. 3.6%, P=0.490 and 15.0% vs. 11.2%, P=0.282, respectively). There was a statistical difference between HbA1c ≥ 6.5 and HbA1c ≤ 6.49 groups in total mortality (34.4% vs. 15.8%, P<0.001, respectively). The only independent predictors were Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (hazard ratio [HR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.51; P=0.003) and HbA1c level ≥ 6.5 (HR 10.78, 95% CI 2.58-21.50; P=0.003) in multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: In this study, we conclude that DM was not correlated with an increased mortality risk or complication rates after TAVI. Also, it was shown that mortality was higher in patients with HbA1c ≥ 6.5, and it was an independent predictor for long-term mortality.

Comunicação interatrial como causa de baixo fluxo e baixo gradiente na estenose aórtica grave: uma associação pouco descrita / Interatrial communication as a cause of low flow and low gradient in severe aortic stenosis: an association little described

APRESENTAÇÃO DO CASO: Paciente do gênero feminino, 75 anos de idade, com diagnóstico de Comunicação Interatrial do tipo Ostium Secundum (CIA OS) desde os 65 anos, encontrava-se em acompanhamento ambulatorial, inicialmente assintomática. Nas últimas consultas, queixando-se de dispneia classe funcional II de NYHA. Realizado novo Ecocardiograma Transtorácico, três anos após o último, evidenciando a valva aórtica espessada e calcificada, com aspecto degenerativo, com gradientes sistólicos elevados (máximo de 30 mmHg e médio de 19 mmHg), TAC de 114 ms e área valvar de 0,8 cm² estimada pela Equação de Continuidade, além da CIA OS previamente descrita, medindo 6 mm, com shunt esquerda-direita (Qp/Qs de 3,9). Fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) estimada em 60%, stroke volume indexado do VE de 25 ml/m². DISCUSSÃO: Dentre as causas clássicas de Estenose Aórtica (EA) grave com baixo fluxo e baixo gradiente, encontramos a disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo (classicação D2), bem como a presença de ventrículos esquerdos pequenos e de espessura parietal aumentada que podem apresentam baixo volume sistólico, apesar de paradoxalmente apresentarem FEVE preservada (classificação D3). Encontramos na literatura médica poucos casos de EA grave associada à presença de CIA. Fisiopatologicamente, o shunt interatrial esquerda-direita leva à redução do fluxo transvalvar mitral e aórtico, gerando uma condição de baixo fluxo e baixo gradiente sistólico trans-aórtico, ainda que na presença de uma valva aórtica com evidente redução de sua área de abertura. COMENTÁRIOS FINAIS: Este caso clínico ilustra uma causa não usual e ainda pouco descrita de EA grave baixo fluxo e baixo gradiente em uma paciente idosa de 75 anos que apresentava previamente uma CIA OS associada. A associação destas duas condições muda não somente o entendimento hemodinâmico e fisiopatológico, como também a condução clínica e a decisão de uma provável programação de tratamento intervencionista.

Implante transcateter de prótese valvar aórtica população de risco intermediário / Transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis implantation in intermediate-risk population

INTRODUÇÃO: A estenose aórtica degenerativa é mais prevalente em idosos, que frequentemente apresentam comorbidades associadas, aumentando o risco de óbito relacionado aos procedimentos indicados para tratar os pacientes sintomáticos com estenose aórtica grave. A escolha do procedimento é realizada por uma equipe multidisciplinar (heart team), de acordo com as características de cada paciente. Embora o implante transcateter de prótese valvar aórtica (TAVI) seja indicado para pacientes inoperáveis, é necessária avaliar sua eficácia em pacientes de risco intermediário com base nas evidências disponíveis. A revisão rápida da literatura evidenciou dois ensaios clínicos randomizados comparando TAVI e troca valvar aórtica cirúrgica após 24 meses de acompanhamento e suas respectivas extensões com 60 meses, no paciente com risco intermediário. A metanálise dos dados extraído destes estudos não evidenciou diferença em relação a mortalidade em 30 dias, um, dois e cinco anos. Apenas os desfechos secundários apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas, como a fibrilação atrial em 30 dias (a favor da TAVI), a insuficiência renal em 30 dias (a favor da TAVI) e a necessidade de reintervenção (relacionada a prótese aórtica) em 24 meses (a favor da cirurgia). OBJETIVO: Definir condutas institucionais para orientar a indicação de TAVI. JUSTIFICATIVA: A estenose aórtica degenerativa é mais prevalente em idosos, que frequentemente apresentam comorbidades associadas, aumentando o risco de óbito relacionado aos procedimentos indicados para tratar os pacientes sintomáticos com estenose aórtica grave. A escolha do procedimento é realizada por uma equipe multidisciplinar (heart team), de acordo com as características de cada paciente. Embora o implante transcateter de prótese valvar aórtica (TAVI) seja indicado para pacientes inoperáveis, é necessária avaliar sua eficácia em pacientes de risco intermediário com base nas evidências disponíveis. A revisão rápida da literatura evidenciou dois ensaios clínicos randomizados comparando TAVI e troca valvar aórtica cirúrgica após 24 meses de acompanhamento e suas respectivas extensões com 60 meses, no paciente com risco intermediário. A metanálise dos dados extraído destes estudos não evidenciou diferença em relação a mortalidade em 30 dias, um, dois e cinco anos. Apenas os desfechos secundários apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas, como a fibrilação atrial em 30 dias (a favor da TAVI), a insuficiência renal em 30 dias (a favor da TAVI) e a necessidade de reintervenção (relacionada a prótese aórtica) em 24 meses (a favor da cirurgia). CRITÉRIOS DE INCLUSÃO: Pacientes adultos com estenose aórtica grave sintomática com risco de óbito em 30 dias igual ou superior a 4% e igual ou inferior a 8%, avaliado pelo escore da Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), ou com outras comorbidades não avaliadas por este escore, que seja considerada relacionada a aumento do risco cirúrgico. CRITÉRIOS DE EXCLUSÃO: Pacientes com Insuficiência aórtica grave associada a estenose aórtica grave, paciente com indicação de troca ou plastia de outras válvulas, além da aórtica, pacientes com endocardite infecciosa. TRATAMENTO: A cirurgia de troca valvar aórtica (TV Ao) com colocação de prótese biológica ou mecânica é o tratamento convencional em pacientes com EAo grave sintomática que se encontram em boas condições para o procedimento cirúrgico9. A mortalidade estimada deste procedimento é estimada em 3,2% nos estados Unidos, chegando a 13,9% a mortalidade intra-hospitalar no Brasil3. O tratamento clínico durante muito tempo foi a única opção para o paciente considerado de muito alto risco cirúrgico, podendo ser realizada a valvuloplastia por balão em casos selecionados9. O TAVI é um procedimento considerado menos invasivo, sem necessidade de esternotomia ou circulação extracorpórea, como ocorre nos casos cirúrgicos. O TAVI pode ser indicado para os pacientes de alto risco e os de muito alto risco, embasado nos dados dos estudos PARTNER 1 A, corevalve trial e PARTNER 1 B9­14. O relatório de recomendação do TAVI para o tratamento da EAo grave em pacientes inoperáveis, publicado em 2021, evidenciou os benefícios e a segurança da TAVI quando comparado ao tratamento farmacológico. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa para o desfecho primário (morte ou AVC incapacitante) no segundo ano do estudo entre os dois grupos (HR: 0,89; IC 95% 0,73-1,09, p=0,25)24 ou no quinto ano (HR: 1,09; IC 95% 0,95-1,25, p=0,21)15. Os desfechos que apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa foram: Fibrilação atrial, Insuficiência renal aguda, sangramento com risco de vida durante o período avaliado que favorecia o TAVI, já os desfechos: complicação vascular, reospitalização (cinco anos) e reintervenção (30 dias, dois anos e cinco anos) de válvula aórtica favoreciam a cirurgia. Em relação às complicações em 30 dias, fibrilação atrial, choque cardiogênico e insuficiência renal aguda foram mais frequentes no grupo cirúrgico, já na TAVI foram mais frequentes complicação vascular maior, sangramento com ameaça a vida e marcapasso permanente. CONCLUSÃO: Ao final da reunião realizada votação, com a participação dos cinco especialistas, com 60% dos votos para recomendação fraca a favor da TAVI. Após a primeira votação, realizada nova etapa com argumentação em relação aos pontos chaves, mantendo-se o grupo com 60% dos votos para recomendação fraca a favor da TAVI. A Recomendação institucional em relação ao tratamento da EAo sintomática para a população de risco cirúrgico intermediário foi fraca a favor do implante transcateter de prótese valvar.

Surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with reduced ejection fraction. Prevalence and follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Limited information exists on the prevalence and outcomes of patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for aortic stenosis (AS) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This study aims to describe the number of AS patients undergoing SAVR with LVEF less than 55 % and quantify LVEF improvement at follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed patients undergoing SAVR with LVEF less than 55 % and the number of patients that improved the LVEF at 6 months. We defined 'improved LVEF' as a 10 % increase of LVEF compared to baseline. RESULTS: Out of 685 patients, 11.4 % (n = 78) had SAVR with LVEF <55 %. The median pre-surgery LVEF was 45 % [IQR 37-51]. In-hospital mortality was 5.1 % (n = 4). Follow-up data for 69 patients showed 50.7 % (n = 35) had improved LVEF. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, 10 % of severe AS patients underwent SAVR with LVEF <55 %, with half showing LVEF improvement at follow-up.

Impact of Cerebral Embolic Protection Devices on Disabling Stroke After TAVR: Updated Results From the STS/ACC TVT Registry.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral embolic protection devices (EPDs) were developed to mitigate the risk of stroke during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), but their benefit remains unproven. In the PROTECTED-TAVR trial (Stroke Protection With Sentinel During Transcatheter), EPD use did not reduce periprocedural stroke (primary study outcome) but led to a 62% reduction in the secondary end point of disabling stroke. Given these results, the impact of EPDs during TAVR remains unclear. METHODS: We used STS/ACC TVT registry data to examine the association between EPD use and a proxy for disabling stroke among transfemoral TAVR patients between January 2018 and June 2023. The primary outcome was in-hospital disabling stroke-defined as stroke associated with either in-hospital death or discharge to a nonhome location. We evaluated the association between EPD use and disabling stroke using instrumental variable analysis with a site-level preference for EPD use as the instrument-a quasi-experimental approach that can support causal inference. In addition, we performed a propensity score-based comparison using overlap weighting as a secondary analysis. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 414 649 patients of whom 53 389 (12.9%) received an EPD. The unadjusted rate of in-hospital disabling stroke was 0.7% among the EPD group and 0.9% in the no-EPD group. EPD use was associated with a reduction in disabling stroke in both instrumental variable analysis (relative risk, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.73-1.00]) and propensity-weighted analysis (odds ratio, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.70-0.90]) but was not associated with a reduction in nondisabling stroke. In subgroup analyses, the benefit of EPD was greater among those with versus without prior stroke (Pinteraction<0.05 for both instrumental variable and propensity-weighted analyses). CONCLUSIONS: In the largest study to date, among patients undergoing TAVR, EPD use was associated with a small, borderline significant reduction in stroke associated with death or discharge to a nonhome location (a proxy for disabling stroke) that is likely to be causal in nature. Taken together with previous mechanistic and clinical studies, these findings provide credible evidence that EPDs benefit patients undergoing TAVR.

Temporal Trends in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: 10-Year Analysis of the TAVIDOR Registry. / Tendência Temporal no Implante Percutâneo de Bioprótese Aórtica: Análise de 10 Anos do Registro TAVIDOR.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has established itself as the preferential strategy to approach severe aortic stenosis. Information on procedural improvements and nationwide results obtained with the technique throughout the past decade are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the temporal variation of the demographic profile, procedural characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing TAVI procedures at the Rede D'Or São Luiz. METHODS: Observational registry comprising 29 national institutions, comparing the characteristics of the TAVI procedures performed from 2012 to 2017 (Group 1) to those performed from 2018 to 2023 (Group 2). The statistical significance level adopted was p < 0.05. RESULTS: This study assessed 661 patients, 95 in Group 1 and 566 in Group 2, with a mean age of 81.1 years. Group 1 patients had a higher prevalence of New York Heart Association functional class III or IV and STS risk score > 8%. In addition, they more often underwent general anesthesia, transesophageal echocardiographic monitoring, and access through femoral dissection. Group 2 patients had a higher success rate of the TAVI procedure (95.4% versus 89.5%; p = 0.018), lower mortality (3.9% versus 11.6%; p = 0.004), and less often needed permanent pacemaker implantation (8.5% versus 17.9%; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The 10-year temporal trends analysis of the TAVIDOR Registry shows a reduction in patients' clinical complexity over time. Furthermore, the advance to minimalistic implantation techniques, added to the technological evolution of the devices, may have contributed to the favorable outcomes observed among those whose implantation occurred in the last 5 years studied.

FUNDAMENTO: O implante percutâneo de bioprótese valvar aórtica (TAVI) consolidou-se como opção terapêutica da estenose aórtica de grau importante. Dados sobre as características evolutivas dos procedimentos e dos resultados obtidos com a técnica ao longo da última década, em escala nacional, são desconhecidos. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a tendência temporal referente ao perfil demográfico, características dos procedimentos e desfechos hospitalares de pacientes submetidos a TAVI na Rede D'Or São Luiz. MÉTODOS: Registro observacional envolvendo 29 instituições nacionais. Comparou-se características dos procedimentos realizados de 2012 a 2017 (Grupo 1) e de 2018 a 2023 (Grupo 2). Foram considerados significantes os resultados com valor de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 661 casos, 95 pertencentes ao Grupo 1 e 566 ao Grupo 2. A média de idade foi 81,1 anos. Observou-se no Grupo 1 maior prevalência de pacientes em classe funcional III ou IV e escore de risco > 8%. Foi mais frequente o emprego de anestesia geral, monitorização ecocardiográfica transesofágica e via de acesso por dissecção. Maior taxa de sucesso do procedimento (95,4% versus 89,5%; p = 0,018) foi aferida em implantes efetivados a partir de 2018, assim como menor mortalidade (3,9% versus 11,6%; p = 0,004) e necessidade de marcapasso definitivo (8,5% versus 17,9%; p = 0,008). CONCLUSÕES: A análise temporal de 10 anos do Registro TAVIDOR demonstra uma queda na complexidade clínica dos pacientes. Além disso, o avanço para técnicas de implante minimalistas, somadas à evolução tecnológica dos dispositivos, podem ter contribuído para desfechos favoráveis dentre aqueles cujo implante ocorreu no último quinquênio.

Fetal aortic valvuloplasty as the first step in a complex therapeutic strategy.

BACKGROUND: Fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FAV) is proposed to prevent hypoplastic left heart syndrome due to fetal critical aortic stenosis. OBJECTIVE: to report our experience on FAV as the first step in a complex therapeutic strategy. METHOD: Series of patients with FAV over an 18-year period. RESULTS: 27 FAVs were performed in 26 fetuses, with technical success in 82% (22/27) and periprocedural fetal demise in 22% (6/27), decreasing to 15% in the second half-cohort. Loss to follow-up was due to birth or postnatal therapy in other centers (5) and termination of pregnancy (1), A normal-sized LV at birth was observed in 46% (6/13), 4 neonates underwent aortic valvuloplasty and 2 cardiac surgeries, with 5/6 achieving biventricular circulation at 28 days, and 3 transplant-free survival at mid-term follow-up. The 7/13 born with a borderline LV underwent LV rehabilitation strategy, with survival at 28 days in 4/7 and at mid-term in 3: one with biventricular circulation, one with a ventricle-and-a-half repair, and one lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: FAV was feasible in most cases, with no maternal complications, and biventricular circulation at 28 days in ∼40% of survivors. After FAV, a diverse range of postnatal cardiac interventions are performed, reflecting the challenging innovation in current cardiovascular therapy.

Troca valvar aórtica transcateter e doença arterial coronária ­ experiência de um centro terciário de cardiologia / Transcatheter aortic valve replacement and coronary artery disease ­ experience from a tertiary cardiology center

INTRODUÇÃO: A troca valvar aórtica transcateter (TAVI) está estabelecida para o tratamento da estenose aórtica, independente do risco cirúrgico. Estudos demonstram prevalência variável de doença arterial coronária (DAC) nesta população, podendo chegar a até 81% dos pacientes tratados. A presença de DAC em concomitância com a estenose aórtica oferece um pior prognóstico a estes pacientes e o melhor momento para o tratamento da doença coronária ainda é controverso. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a incidência de DAC com angio-tomografia (angio-TC) em pacientes submetidos a TAVI em um hospital terciário de cardiologia e o impacto prognóstico da presença de DAC após um ano de seguimento. MÉTODOS: Estudo longitudinal, retrospectivo, com inclusão de pacientes submetidos consecutivamente a TAVI entre set/2020 a Dez/2023. A indicação de TAVI esteve baseada em diretriz da Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, corroborada pelo Heart Team institucional. A investigação de DAC seguiu as recomendações mais recentes da mesma diretriz. Dados demográficos, comorbidades e eventos adversos foram computados para análise estatística. Análise multivariada foi realizada para avaliar fatores preditivos associados a ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares (EC) em 1 ano. RESULTADOS: Um total de 268 pacientes submetidos a TAVI, com idade média de 79 anos, a maioria do sexo feminino (66%), com STS mortalidade médio de 3,1 ( 2.1 ­ 4.1) e alta prevalência de comorbidades associadas (tabela 1). As lesões foram avaliadas por angio-TC (Tabela 2). 96 pacientes possuíam dados após 1 ano de acompanhamento para análise de desfechos (tabela 3), com incidência de eventos cardiovasculares de 9% (tabela 4). Após análise multivariada, a presença de lesão de tronco da coronária esquerda e coronária direita foram fatores preditores para ocorrência de EC (Figura 1). Conclusão: Os resultados de nossa experiência estão alinhados aos resultados dos mais recentes ensaios clínicos randomizados. Apesar da alta incidência de DAC detectada através de angio-TC, a incidência de EC na população foi baixa durante o seguimento. A presença lesão em tronco da coronária esquerda e coronária direita, foram associados a maior prevalência de eventos adversos no seguimento de 1 ano.

High risk of coronary artery obstruction during TAVR, how to avoid it?

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery obstruction after percutaneous aortic replacement is a complication with high short-term mortality secondary to the lack of timely treatment. There are various predictors of coronary obstruction prior to valve placement such as the distance from the ostia, the degree of calcification, the distance from the sinuses; In such a situation some measures must be taken to prevent and treat coronary obstruction. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old male, with severe aortic stenosis and high surgical risk, who was treated with TAVR. However, during the deployment of the valve he presented hemodynamic instability secondary to LMCA obstruction. The intravascular image showed obstruction of the ostium secondary to the displacement of calcium that he was successfully treated with a chimney stent technique. CONCLUSIONS: The high degree of calcification and the left ostium near the annulus are conditions for obstruction of the ostium at the time of valve release; In this context, provisional stenting prior to TAVR in patients at high risk of obstruction should be considered as a safe prevention strategy to achieve the success of the procedure.

The Effect of Aortic Angulation on Clinical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of aortic angulation (AA) on periprocedural and in-hospital complications as well as mortality of patients undergoing Evolut™ R valve implantation. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 264 patients who underwent transfemoral-approach transcatheter aortic valve replacement with self-expandable valve at our hospital between August 2015 and August 2022. These patients underwent multislice computer tomography scans to evaluate AA. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement endpoints, device success, and clinical events were assessed according to the definitions provided by the Valve Academic Research Consortium-3. Cumulative events included paravalvular leak, permanent pacemaker implantation, new-onset stroke, and in-hospital mortality. Patients were divided into two groups, AA ≤ 48° and AA > 48°, based on the mean AA measurement (48.3±8.8) on multislice computer tomography. RESULTS: Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of cumulative events, utilizing variables with a P-value < 0.2 obtained from univariable logistic regression analysis, including AA, age, hypertension, chronic renal failure, and heart failure. AA (odds ratio [OR]: 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89-3.38, P=0.104), age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.99-1.10, P=0.099), hypertension (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 0.82-3.33, P=0.155), chronic renal failure (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 0.92-3.61, P=0.084), and heart failure (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.27-1.21, P=0.145) were not found to be significantly associated with cumulative events in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that increased AA does not have a significant impact on intraprocedural and periprocedural complications of patients with new generation self-expandable valves implanted.

Feasibility of Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy in Patients with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement - An Ambispective Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) has been shown to reduce postoperative complications. The feasibility of GDFT in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients under general anesthesia has not yet been demonstrated. We examined whether GDFT could be applied in patients undergoing TAVR in general anesthesia and its impact on outcomes. METHODS: Forty consecutive TAVR patients in the prospective intervention group with GDFT were compared to 40 retrospective TAVR patients without GDFT. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years, elective TAVR in general anesthesia, no participation in another interventional study. Exclusion criteria were lack of ability to consent study participation, pregnant or nursing patients, emergency procedures, preinterventional decubitus, tissue and/or extremity ischemia, peripheral arterial occlusive disease grade IV, atrial fibrillation or other severe heart rhythm disorder, necessity of usage of intra-aortic balloon pump. Stroke volume and stroke volume variation were determined with uncalibrated pulse contour analysis and optimized according to a predefined algorithm using 250 ml of hydroxyethyl starch. RESULTS: Stroke volume could be increased by applying GDFT. The intervention group received more colloids and fewer crystalloids than control group. Total volume replacement did not differ. The incidence of overall complications as well as intensive care unit and hospital length of stay were comparable between both groups. GDFT was associated with a reduced incidence of delirium. Duration of anesthesia was shorter in the intervention group. Duration of the interventional procedure did not differ. CONCLUSION: GDFT in the intervention group was associated with a reduced incidence of postinterventional delirium.

The Association Between Ascending Aortic and Left Ventricular Dimensions in Patients After Aortic Valve Replacement.

INTRODUCTION: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is often recommended for patients with severe aortic stenosis or chronic aortic regurgitation. These conditions result in remodeling of the left ventricle, including increased interstitial fibrosis that may persist even after AVR. These structural changes impact left ventricular (LV) mechanics, causing compromised LV diameter to occur earlier than reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and its role in aortic expansion one year after AVR. METHODS: Sixty-three patients who underwent AVR were evaluated. All patients underwent standard transthoracic echocardiography, which included measurements of the ascending aorta, aortic root, LVEF, and LVEDD before the surgery and one year postoperatively. Correlations between these variables were calculated. RESULTS: All patients underwent AVR with either a mechanical or biological prosthetic aortic valve. Following AVR, there was a significant decrease in the dimensions of the ascending aorta and aortic root (both P=0.001). However, no significant changes were observed in LVEDD and LVEF. Correlations were found between the preoperative ascending aortic size and the preoperative and one-year postoperative LVEDD (r=0.419, P=0.001 and r=0.320, P=0.314, respectively). Additionally, there was a correlation between the postoperative ascending aortic size and the preoperative and one-year postoperative LVEDD (r=0.320, P=0.003 and r=0.136, P=0.335, respectively). CONCLUSION: The study findings demonstrate a significant correlation between the size of the aortic root and ascending aorta, before and after AVR. Additionally, a notable correlation was observed between postoperative LVEDD and the size of the aortic root.

Prevalence of moderate-severe aortic stenosis in patients with cardiac amyloidosis in a referral center.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis (AS) is currently the most common valvular disease, with an estimated prevalence of over 4% in octogenarians. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of moderate-severe aortic stenosis (AS) in patients with wild type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt). Also, describe the clinical features, echocardiographic characteristics and clinical evolution. METHOD: Retrospective cohort of patients with diagnosis of ATTRwt, belonging to Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires Institutional Amyloidosis Registry, from 30/11/2007 to 31/05/2021. Patients follow up was carried out through the institution clinical history. The prevalence of moderate-severe AE was estimated and presented as a percentage with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The characteristics were compared by groups according to whether or not they had moderate-severe AS. RESULTS: 104 patients with ATTRwt were included. Median follow up was 476 days [interquartile range: 192-749]. Moderate-severe AS prevalence at the ATTRwt time of diagnosis was 10.5% (n = 11; 95% CI: 5-18%). The median age of patients with AS moderate-severe at the time of diagnosis of ATTRwt was 86 years [78-91] and the male sex predominated (82%). Most of the patients had a history of heart failure (n = 8) and atrial fibrillation (n = 8) prior to the diagnosis of ATTRwt. Most of the patients were subclassified as low flow low gradient severe AS group (n = 7). Four patients underwent some intervention on the aortic valve. During follow-up, 5 patients (46%) were hospitalized for decompensated heart failure and 4 (36%) died. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, the coexistence of both pathologies had a similar prevalence as reported in the international literature. It was an elderly population with a high percentage of atrial fibrillation and history of heart failure. Most of the patients presented with severe AS with low flow low gradient.

ANTECEDENTES: La estenosis aórtica (EA) es actualmente la enfermedad valvular más frecuente, con una prevalencia estimada de más del 4 % en octogenarios. OBJETIVO: Describir la prevalencia de estenosis aórtica (EA) moderada-grave en pacientes con amiloidosis por transtiretina wild type (ATTRwt). Además, describir las características clínicas, ecocardiográficas y la evolución en este grupo de pacientes. MÉTODO: Estudio de cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes con diagnóstico de ATTRwt, pertenecientes al Registro Institucional de Amiloidosis del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, en el periodo del 30/11/2007 al 31/05/2021. El seguimiento de los pacientes se realizó a través de la historia clínica electrónica de la institución. Se estimó la prevalencia de EA moderada-grave, que se presenta como porcentaje con su intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC 95%). Se compararon las características por grupos según tuvieran o no EA moderada-grave. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 104 pacientes con diagnóstico de ATTRwt. La mediana de seguimiento fue de 476 días [rango intercuartílico: 192-749]. La prevalencia de EA moderada-grave al momento del diagnóstico de ATTRwt fue del 10.5% (n = 11; IC95%: 5-18%). La mediana de edad de los pacientes con EA fue de 86 años [78-91] y predominó el sexo masculino (81.8%). La mayoría de los pacientes tenían el antecedente de insuficiencia cardiaca (n = 8) y fibrilación auricular (n = 8). Predominaron los pacientes con EA grave de bajo flujo y bajo gradiente (n = 7). Cuatro pacientes fueron sometidos a alguna intervención en la válvula aórtica. Durante el seguimiento, 5 pacientes (46%) tuvieron internaciones por insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada y 4 (36%) fallecieron. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestra cohorte, la coexistencia de ambas patologías tuvo una prevalencia similar a la reportada en la literatura internacional. Se trató de una población añosa con alto porcentaje de fibrilación auricular y antecedente de insuficiencia cardiaca. La mayoría presentaron EA grave de bajo flujo y bajo gradiente.