Leaflet modification before transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients at risk for coronary obstruction: the ShortCut study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This trial sought to assess the safety and efficacy of ShortCut, the first dedicated leaflet modification device, prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients at risk for coronary artery obstruction. METHODS: This pivotal prospective study enrolled patients with failed bioprosthetic aortic valves scheduled to undergo TAVI and were at risk for coronary artery obstruction. The primary safety endpoint was procedure-related mortality or stroke at discharge or 7 days, and the primary efficacy endpoint was per-patient leaflet splitting success. Independent angiographic, echocardiographic, and computed tomography core laboratories assessed all images. Safety events were adjudicated by a clinical events committee and data safety monitoring board. RESULTS: Sixty eligible patients were treated (77.0 ± 9.6 years, 70% female, 96.7% failed surgical bioprosthetic valves, 63.3% single splitting and 36.7% dual splitting) at 22 clinical sites. Successful leaflet splitting was achieved in all [100%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 94%-100.0%, P < .001] patients. Procedure time, including imaging confirmation of leaflet splitting, was 30.6 ± 17.9 min. Freedom from the primary safety endpoint was achieved in 59 [98.3%; 95% CI (91.1%-100%)] patients, with no mortality and one (1.7%) disabling stroke. At 30 days, freedom from coronary obstruction was 95% (95% CI 86.1%-99.0%). Within 90 days, freedom from mortality was 95% [95% CI (86.1%-99.0%)], without any cardiovascular deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Modification of failed bioprosthetic aortic valve leaflets using ShortCut was safe, achieved successful leaflet splitting in all patients, and was associated with favourable clinical outcomes in patients at risk for coronary obstruction undergoing TAVI.

Overview of 2024 FDA Advisory Panel Meeting on the TriClip transcatheter tricuspid valve repair system.

Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common and associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Because the effectiveness and safety of medical and surgical treatments are limited, there is a significant unmet need for the treatment of this disease. Therefore, there is a growing market for percutaneous devices that offer safer, less invasive, and more effective treatment options in this patient population. On February 13, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) convened a meeting of the Circulatory System Devices Panel to discuss the safety and effectiveness of the TriClip Transcatheter Valve Repair System (Abbott, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Several important points were discussed, including newly published data from the TRILUMINATE Pivotal study, the use of patient-oriented outcomes for device approval, and a discussion about training requirements and rollout plans when approving a breakthrough device. In this manuscript, we summarize the data presented by the sponsor and FDA and describe the deliberations and discussions during the meeting.

A novel approach to saline/contrast delivery in excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) to enhance efficacy: MAXCon ELCA technique.

The advent of excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) nearly four decades ago heralded a novel way to treat complex lesions, both coronary and peripheral, which were previously untraversable and thus untreatable. These complex lesions include heavily calcified lesions, ostial lesions, bifurcation lesions, chronic total occlusions, in-stent restenosis (including stent underexpansion), and degenerative saphenous vein grafts. We discuss the technology of ELCA, its indications, applications, and complications, and suggest the "MAXCon ELCA" technique for better outcomes without increased risk. Lastly, we present a case of MAXCon ELCA effectively treating a complex lesion.

Reasons for repeat urgent cardiac procedures within the same day.

BACKGROUND: With advances in technology and technique, the expectations are that patients undergoing procedures in the cardiac catheterization laboratory will not need to return for a repeat procedure within the same day. OBJECTIVES: Report why subjects undergoing cardiac procedures return urgently to the catheterization laboratory for a repeat procedure during the same day. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who were brought back to the cardiac catheterization laboratory within the same day for a repeat procedure. The reasons for index and repeat procedure were identified. Patients who were transferred from an outside center after an initial procedure at other centers were excluded. RESULTS: Between November 2013 and January 2022, 55,942 catheterization procedures were performed at our institution, of which 140 entries were included in our analysis. Common reasons for the index procedure were diagnostic angiography (35.0%), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, 29.2%), and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (15.0%). The most common reason for bringing these patients back to the cardiac catheterization laboratory within the same day was vascular complications (24.2%), followed by repeat PCI (20.7%), need for hemodynamic support (15.0%), heart team discussion and PCI (10%), and pacemaker implantation (10%). Acute limb ischemia was the most commonly identified vascular complication (7.1%), followed by pseudoaneurysm (5%). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that a very small number of patients underwent repeat procedures within the same day. Special attention should be paid to vascular access and closure and assessment of recurrent chest pain postprocedure, as these are the main reasons for same-day repeat procedures.

Temporal trends with the Evolut family of self-expanding transcatheter heart valves: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The Evolut self-expanding valve (SEV) systems (Medtronic), were designed to accommodate varying valve sizes and reduce paravalvular leak (PVL) while maintaining a low delivery profile. These systems have evolved between product generations, alongside valve deployment techniques changing over time. AIMS: This study aimed to examine whether these changes impacted clinical outcomes. METHODS: EPROMPT is a prospective, investigator-initiated, postmarketing registry of consecutive patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using the Evolut PRO/PRO+ SEV system. A total of 300 patients were divided into three consecutive cohorts of 100 patients according to implantation date (January to October 2018, November 2018 to July 2020, and August 2020 to November 2021). Procedural and clinical outcomes over these time periods were compared. RESULTS: Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 device implantation success improved over time (70.0% vs. 78.0% vs. 88.8%, p = 0.01), with a similar trend for VARC-3 device success (94.7% vs. 81.7% vs. 96.8%, p < 0.001). PVL (all degrees) frequency was likewise reduced over time (31.0% vs. 17.0% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.04). Furthermore, a trend was noticed toward shorter procedure times and shorter length of stay. However, postprocedural pacemaker implantation rates did not significantly differ (15.2% vs. 21.1% vs. 14.0%, p = 0.43). CONCLUSION: During a 3-year period, we demonstrated better TAVR outcomes with newer SEV iterations, alongside changes in implantation techniques, which might result in better procedural and clinical outcomes. However, we did not see a significant change in peri-procedural pacemaker rates for SEV.

Two-year follow-up of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients with symptomatic severe bicuspid aortic valve stenosis.

BACKGROUND: In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for low-risk patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid aortic stenosis. However, bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients were included only in single-arm registries of pivotal low-risk TAVR trials, resulting in limited data for this subgroup. METHODS: The LRT (Low Risk TAVR) trial was an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter study and the first FDA-approved investigational device exemption trial to evaluate the feasibility of TAVR with balloon-expandable or self-expanding valves in low-risk patients with symptomatic severe BAV stenosis. This analysis reports 2-year follow-up, assessing the primary outcome of all-cause mortality and evaluating clinical outcomes. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019, a total of 72 low-risk patients diagnosed with symptomatic, severe BAV stenosis underwent TAVR across six centers. Six patients were lost to follow-up. At 2-year follow-up, mortality was 1.5% (1 of 66 patients). Among the remaining 65 patients, four experienced nondisabling strokes (6.2%), while 2 (3.1%) developed infective endocarditis. No new permanent pacemakers were required beyond the 30-day follow-up, and no patients, including those with endocarditis, needed aortic valve re-intervention. At the 2-year echocardiography follow-up (n = 65), 27.8% of BAV patients showed mild aortic regurgitation, with none exhibiting moderate or severe regurgitation. The mean aortic gradient was 12.1 ± 4.1 mmHg, and the mean valve area was 1.7 ± 0.5 cm². CONCLUSION: The 2-year follow-up confirms commendable clinical outcomes of TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis, establishing its evident safety.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction assessment: A comparative analysis of procedural aspects.

BACKGROUND: Full adoption of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) assessment faces challenges due to its invasive nature and concerns about prolonged procedure time and increased contrast and/or radiation exposure. We compared procedural aspects of CMD invasive assessment to diagnostic left heart catheterization (DLHC) in patients with chest pain who were not found to have obstructive coronary artery disease. METHODS: A total of 227 patients in the Coronary Microvascular Disease Registry were compared to 1592 patients who underwent DLHC from August 2021 to November 2023. The two cohorts were compared using propensity-score matching; primary outcomes were fluoroscopy time and total contrast use. RESULTS: The participants' mean age was 64.1 ± 12.6 years. CMD-assessed patients were more likely to be female (66.5% vs. 45.2%, p < 0.001) and have hypertension (80.2% vs. 44.5%, p < 0.001), history of stroke (11.9% vs. 6.3%, p = 0.002), and history of myocardial infarction (20.3% vs. 7.7%, p < 0.001). CMD assessment was safe, without any reported adverse outcomes. A propensity-matched analysis showed that patients who underwent CMD assessment had slightly higher median contrast exposure (50 vs. 40 mL, p < 0.001), and slightly longer fluoroscopy time (6.9 vs. 4.7 min, p < 0.001). However, there was no difference in radiation dose (209.3 vs. 219 mGy, p = 0.58) and overall procedure time (31 vs. 29 min, p = 0.37). CONCLUSION: Compared to DLHC, CMD assessment is safe and requires only slightly additional contrast use (10 mL) and slightly longer fluoroscopy time (2 min) without clinical implications. These findings emphasize the favorable safety and feasibility of invasive CMD assessment.

Experience and perspective with intravascular imaging and invasive coronary physiology: Insights from allied health professionals.

BACKGROUND: Although intravascular imaging (IVI) and invasive coronary physiology (ICP) are utilized in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with robust positive clinical evidence, their adoption in cardiac catheterization laboratories (CCLs) is still limited. AIMS: The aim of our survey was to assess the perspectives on the experiences of allied health professionals in CCLs' utility of IVI and ICP. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was conducted through multiple channels, including the Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) 2023 Nurses and Technologists Symposium, social media, Cath Lab Digest link, and field requests, leading to diverse representation of allied health professionals. RESULTS: A total of 101 CCL members participated in the survey. First, 59% of responders noted an increased use of IVI in their institutions over recent years. For those experiencing an increase, 49% credited training, 45% emerging evidence, and 34% attributed new CCL members. Barriers to IVI usage were perceived increased procedure time (58%), staff resistance (56%), procedural cost (48%), and difficulty interpreting findings (44%). Regarding ICP, 61% reported using it in approximately 25% to 75% of cases, while 10% utilized it in 75% to 100% of CCL procedures. Interpreting ICP results was mixed, with 56% confident in interpreting all ICP results and 6% unable to interpret any ICP results. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight opportunities for increasing routine utilization of IVI and ICP in the CCL through allied health professionals. By providing education and training, we can elevate familiarity with the equipment and subsequently build a CCL culture that advocates for both IVI and ICP.

Cutting balloon for femoral arterial and venus obstructions due to suture-based closure devices: Case series.

Suture-based vascular closure devices have been shown to be effective in hemostasis for procedures with vascular access. However, iatrogenic vascular occlusion may occur. The cutting balloon (CB) is a noncompliant balloon wrapped with 3-4 microsurgical blades that are intended to modify vascular lesions, but it may also be utilized to cut and release endovascular sutures. We report two cases in which the CB was employed as a bailout strategy to alleviate suture-related vascular occlusion after transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The CB can be effectively utilized to resolve suture-related vascular occlusion.

Ultrathin bioresorbable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents in US patients undergoing coronary revascularization: 1-Year outcomes from the BIOFLOW VII trial.

BACKGROUND: Ultrathin strut coronary drug-eluting stents (DES) have demonstrated improved safety and efficacy in large contemporary trials. The evaluation of an ultrathin strut DES in a post-market United States (US) patient population was undertaken. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this post-approval study is to confirm that the clinical performance of an ultrathin strut bioresorbable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (BP SES) in clinical practice is similar to that observed with BP SES in the BIOFLOW V pivotal trial. METHODS: BIOFLOW VII is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm US post-market approval study to confirm the clinical performance of BP SES in a real-world setting. The primary endpoint of 1-year target lesion failure (TLF) was compared with a performance goal of 6.9% based on an adapted BIOFLOW V trial BP SES TLF rate and TLF rates from other US market-released DES utilizing the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions definition for peri-procedural myocardial infarction (MI). Subjects undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with BP SES were consented within 24 h post-index procedure with planned follow-up through 5 years. RESULTS: Among 556 enrolled patients, clinical demographics included: 34.7% female, 35.6% with diabetes mellitus, and 56.8% with acute coronary syndromes. The average stent length (mean ± standard deviation) was 20.2 ± 11.8 mm, and the mean number of stents per patient was 1.3 ± 0.6. Procedure success was 99.1% (551/556), and device success was 99.9% (689/690). Among 531 subjects included in the primary endpoint analysis, the 1-year rate of TLF rate was 1.7% (9/531), and the primary endpoint was met compared with the performance goal (p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval: 0.69%, 3.43%). Rates of target vessel MI and clinically driven target lesion revascularization were 1.3% (7/531) and 0.9% (5/531), with no occurrence of cardiac death. Definite stent thrombosis was observed for two cases (0.4%; 2/556) with one acute (≤24 h) and one late (>30 days and ≤1 year) event. CONCLUSION: In a post-approval study, 1-year clinical outcomes with BP SES were consistent with prior trials supporting the safety and effectiveness of ultrathin BP SES.

Prognostic implication of hemoglobin reduction with and without clinical bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding events are associated with higher mortality rates in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing coronary revascularization. We aimed to determine whether a reduction in hemoglobin (Hgb) from pre- to postpercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with or without evidence of clinical bleeding, is a correlate of in-hospital mortality for patients presenting with ACS who underwent primary PCI. METHODS: We divided 33816 consecutive patients with ACS who underwent PCI into three categories: (1) target group (defined as Hgb reduction without overt bleeding [n = 112]); (2) Hgb reduction with overt bleeding (n = 48); and (3) control group (defined as no Hgb reduction and no overt bleeding [n = 3156]). Hgb reduction was defined as a drop of >3 g/dL in Hgb value from preprocedure and postprocedure during the index hospitalization. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We used logistic regression to examine the relationship between Hgb reduction with and without bleeding and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In crude analysis, the Hgb reduction with overt bleed group had a higher in-hospital mortality rate (16.7%) than the target (9.8%) and control groups (0.6%). Adjusted logistic regression estimates a 0.393 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.137, 1.869) odds ratio for in-hospital death of the target group over the Hgb reduction with bleed group, and a 54.517 (95% CI: 2.07, >1000) odds ratio of the target group over the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with ACS undergoing PCI, Hgb reduction with and without overt bleeding were both independently associated with in-hospital mortality.

Review of Pathophysiology of Cardiogenic Shock and Escalation of Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex clinical entity that continues to carry a high risk of mortality. The landscape of CS management has changed with the advent of several temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices designed to provide hemodynamic support. It remains challenging to understand the role of different temporary MCS devices in patients with CS, as many of these patients are critically ill, requiring complex care with multiple MCS device options. Each temporary MCS device can provide different types and levels of hemodynamic support. It is important to understand the risk/benefit profile of each one of them for appropriate device selection in patients with CS. RECENT FINDINGS: MCS may be beneficial in CS patients through augmentation of cardiac output with subsequent improvement of systemic perfusion. Selecting the optimal MCS device depends on several variables including the underlying etiology of CS, clinical strategy of MCS use (bridge to recovery, bridge to transplant or durable MCS, or abridge to decision), amount of hemodynamic support needed, associated respiratory failure, and institutional preference. Furthermore, it is even more challenging to determine the appropriate time to escalate from one MCS device to another or combine different MCS devices. In this review, we discuss the current available data published in the literature on the management of CS and propose a standardized approach for escalation of MCS devices in patients with CS. Shock teams can play an important role to help in hemodynamic-guided management and algorithm-based step-by-step approach in early initiation and escalation of temporary MCS devices at different stages of CS. It is important to define the etiology of CS, and stage of shock and recognize univentricular vs biventricular shock for appropriate device selection and escalation of therapy.

Contemporary post-marketing adverse events and modes of failure related to VASCADE Vascular Closure System: The utility of the MAUDE database.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze post-marketing surveillance data from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database for the VASCADE Vascular Closure System (Cardiva Medical Inc., Santa Clara, CA). BACKGROUND: The VASCADE Vascular Closure System is a closure device for femoral arterial and venous access-site closure that was approved by the FDA in 2013. However, post-marketing data and experience on the most commonly reported complications and modes of failure associated with the VASCADE Vascular Closure System are limited. METHODS: Post-marketing surveillance data from the FDA MAUDE database from October 2013 through March 2020 were analyzed, yielding 201 reports. RESULTS: Of the 201 reports of major complications involving VASCADE devices, 156 reports involved either injury (145) or death (11) related to the device. Of the 145 injury reports, bleeding was the most common adverse outcome described (85), followed by pseudoaneurysm (29) and pulselessness of an extremity (21). The device malfunction incidents (41 reports) were reported in three main categories, with deployment failure being the most commonly reported complication. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis of the MAUDE database demonstrates that in contemporary post-marketing practice, physicians should be well-trained and educated to use the VASCADE closure device because improper utilization is a common cause of device failure, and complications with the VASCADE device can have profound clinical implications.

Impact of left ventricular outflow tract calcium on valve geometry in self-expanding transcatheter aortic-valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate transcatheter heart valve (THV) geometry according to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) calcium degree and its impact on hemodynamics and outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a contemporary self-expanding THV. BACKGROUND: LVOT calcium remains challenging for contemporary THVs. LVOT calcium location and degree may affect THV deployment and impact flow patterns and shear stress, accelerating THV degeneration. METHODS: EPROMPT (CoreValve Evolut Pro Prospective Registry; NCT03423459) is a prospective, investigator-initiated, multicenter registry of patients undergoing TAVR using CoreValve Evolut PRO/PRO + THVs. A total of 107 patients were enrolled in EPROMPT's computed tomography (CT) cohort between January 2018 and October 2021. These patients underwent follow-up CT scan 30 days post-TAVR. We analyzed THV geometry and its interaction with the aortic root following deployment using 30-day post-TAVR CT in patients with none/mild versus moderate/severe LVOT calcium. RESULTS: Thirty-day THV inflows were less eccentric in the short axis in patients with none/mild versus moderate/severe LVOT calcium (1.16 ± 0.09 vs. 1.21 ± 0.12; p = 0.007). THV became more circular and was similar between both cohorts at the THV waist (1.08 ± 0.06 vs. 1.09 ± 0.11; p = 0.551), leaflet tips (1.03 ± 0.04 vs. 1.05 ± 0.09; p = 0.299), and THV outflow (1.04 ± 2.2 vs. 1.03 ± 2.7; p = 0.143). Thirty-day > mild paravalvular leak was low in both cohorts (1.5% vs. 2.4%; p = 0.724); mean gradients were similar (7.7 ± 3.6 vs. 7.7 ± 3.4 mmHg; p = 0.955). CONCLUSIONS: Despite inflow deformities observed in patients with moderate/severe LVOT calcium, Evolut PRO/PRO + conforms to elliptical aortic annuli, maintaining circularity and proper function at the leaflets and outflow, even in patients with moderate/severe LVOT calcium.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to report details of the incidence, organisms, clinical course, and outcomes of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in low-risk patients. BACKGROUND: PVE remains a rare but devastating complication of aortic valve replacement. Data regarding PVE after TAVR in low-risk patients are lacking. METHODS: We performed a detailed review of all patients in the low-risk TAVR trials who underwent TAVR from 2016 to 2020 and were adjudicated to have definitive PVE by the independent Clinical Events Committee. RESULTS: We analyzed 396 low-risk patients who underwent TAVR (including 72 with bicuspid valves). PVE occurred in 11 patients at a median 379 days (210, 528) from TAVR. The incidence within the first 30 days was 0%; days 31-365, 1.5%; and after day 365, 2.8%. The most common organism identified was Streptococcus (n = 4/11). Early PVE (≤ 365 days) occurred in five patients, of whom three demonstrated evidence of embolic stroke and two underwent surgical aortic valve re-intervention. Late PVE (> 365 days) occurred in six patients, of whom thee demonstrated evidence of embolic stroke and only one underwent surgical aortic valve re-intervention. Of the six patients with evidence of embolic stroke, two died, two were discharged to rehabilitation, and two were discharged home with home care. CONCLUSIONS: PVE was infrequent following TAVR in low-risk patients but was associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Embolic stroke complicated the majority of PVE cases, contributing to worse outcomes in these patients. Efforts must be undertaken to minimize PVE in TAVR.

National trends and 30-day readmission rates for next-day-discharge transcatheter aortic valve replacement: An analysis from the Nationwide Readmissions Database, 2012-2016.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has evolved toward a minimalist approach, resulting in shorter hospital stays. Real-world trends of next-day discharge (NDD) TAVR are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate underlying trends and readmissions of NDD TAVR. METHODS: This study was derived from the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2012 to 2016. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions, codes were used to identify patients. Any discharge within 1 day of admission was identified as NDD. NDD TAVR trends over the years were analyzed, and any admissions within 30 days were considered readmissions. A hierarchical logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of readmission. RESULTS: Of 49,742 TAVR procedures, 3,104 were NDD. The percentage of NDD TAVR increased from 1.5% (46/3,051) in 2012 to 12.2% (2,393/19,613) in 2016. However, the 30-day readmission rate remained the same over the years (8.6%). The patients' mean age was 80.3 ±â€¯8.4 years. Major readmission causes were heart-failure exacerbation (16%), infections (9%), and procedural complications (8%). In 2016, there were significantly higher late conduction disorder and gastrointestinal bleeding readmission rates than in 2012-2015. Significant predictors of readmission were anemia, baseline conduction disease, cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neoplastic disorders, and discharge to facility. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of NDD TAVR increased over the years; however, readmission rates remained the same, with a higher rate of conduction abnormality-related hospitalizations in 2016. Careful discharge planning that includes identification of baseline factors that predict readmission and knowledge of etiologies may further prevent 30-day readmissions.

Cangrelor vs. glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors during percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: To date, there are no real-world studies comparing cangrelor to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thus, we performed this study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of cangrelor compared to GPI during PCI. METHODS: We identified patients who underwent PCI at our institution who received either cangrelor or GPI during PCI. Patients already on GPI or cangrelor prior to PCI or who received both cangrelor and GPI were excluded. Baseline demographics and clinical outcomes were extracted. Major bleeding is defined as a composite of major hematoma >4 cm, hematocrit drop >15, and gastrointestinal bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 2072 patients received adjunctive antiplatelet therapy during PCI (cangrelor [n=478]; GPI [n=1594]). Patients' mean age was 61±12 years. Most (66%) presented with acute coronary syndrome. Patients who received cangrelor were older and had a higher percentage of acute coronary syndrome and lower baseline hematocrit in comparison with patients who received GPI. Procedural success was achieved in 94% of patients, with no difference between groups. Major bleeding events (1.7% vs. 5.1%, P=.001), any vascular complication rates, and hospital length of stay were significantly lower in the cangrelor group. In-hospital ischemic events did not differ between groups. On regression analysis, patients on cangrelor were noted to have significantly lower major bleeding events (OR 0.23; 95% CI, 0.09-0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Balancing ischemic and bleeding risks with adjunctive antiplatelet drugs is of prime importance during PCI. Our real-world analysis shows that cangrelor is safe and effective when compared to GPI during PCI.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients: 2-year results from the LRT trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies from the Low Risk TAVR (LRT) trial demonstrated that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is safe and feasible in low-risk patients, with excellent 30-day and 1-year outcomes. The objective of this study was to report clinical outcomes and the impact of 30-day hypoattenuated leaflet thickening (HALT) on structural valve deterioration (SVD) 2 years after TAVR. METHODS: The LRT trial was the first Food and Drug Administration-approved Investigational Device Exemption trial in the United States to evaluate the safety and feasibility of TAVR in low-risk patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid aortic stenosis (AS). Valve hemodynamics and SVD by echo were recorded 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years post-TAVR. RESULTS: The LRT trial enrolled 200 low-risk patients to receive TAVR. Their mean age was 73.6 years and 61.5% were men. At 2-year follow-up, the mortality rate was 4.2%; the cardiovascular death rate was 1.6%. The disabling stroke rate was 1.1%, permanent pacemaker implantation rate was 8.6%, and 4 patients (2.2%) presented with endocarditis (2 between years 1 and 2). Of the 14% of TAVR subjects who had evidence of HALT at 30 days, there was no impact on valve hemodynamics, endocarditis or stroke at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR for low-risk patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid AS is safe at 2 years. The presence of HALT at 30 days did not impact the early hemodynamic improvements nor the durability of the valve structure.

Micropuncture technique for femoral access is associated with lower vascular complications compared to standard needle.

OBJECTIVES: We compared access-site complications with a Micropuncture 21-gauge (G) needle to a standard 18G needle in patients undergoing femoral-access percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Vascular access-site complications are the most common complication after cardiac catheterization. These complications increase patient morbidity and mortality, along with healthcare costs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 17,844 consecutive patients undergoing PCI. Micropuncture access was used in 2344 patients and a standard 18G needle in 15,500 patients. Primary endpoints included vascular perforation or limb ischemia requiring repair, retroperitoneal bleeding, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, groin hematoma (>4 cm). RESULTS: Patients undergoing PCI with Micropuncture were at higher risk: they were on anticoagulation (557 [23.7%] vs. 1,590 [10.2%], p < .001), used steroids more frequently (131 [5.6%] vs. 638 [4.1%], p < .001) and required the use of an intra-aortic balloon pump more often (191 [(8.1%] vs. 896 [5.7%], p < .001). Overall, the access-site complications rate was lower using Micropuncture (58 [2.5%]) versus standard needle (558 [3.6%], p = .005). The Micropuncture group had a significantly lower rate of hematoma than standard needle (32 [1.4%] vs. 309 [1.9%], p = .03). There was no significant difference in the rate of limb ischemia (1 [0.04%] vs. 12 [0.07%], p = .56), perforation (2 [0.08%] vs. 14 [0.09%], p = .93), retroperitoneal bleeding (3 [0.12%] vs. 18 [0.11%], p = .87), pseudoaneurysm (18 [0.76%] vs. 170 [1.09%], p = .14), and arteriovenous fistula (2 [0.08%] vs. 35 [0.22%], p = .16), comparing the Micropuncture group to a standard needle, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral access using a Micropuncture reduced the rate of vascular complications with significant reduction in the rate of groin hematomas.

Propensity-matched comparison of large-bore access closure in transcatheter aortic valve replacement using MANTA versus Perclose: A real-world experience.

OBJECTIVE: Compare two large-bore vascular closure devices (VCDs), collagen-plug-based MANTA and suture-based dual Perclose ProGlide (PP), in patients undergoing contemporary transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: The SAFE MANTA IDE clinical trial demonstrated that the collagen-plug-based MANTA VCDs were safe and effective in closing large-bore arteriotomies. However, data comparing this collagen-plug-based VCD to the suture-based VCD in contemporary practice are sparse. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study in which we screened transfemoral (TF) TAVR patients at our institution from 2017 to 2020. Included were those whose large-bore TF access was closed using either MANTA or PP with and without Angio-Seal. Our primary outcome was VCD success. Additional in-hospital outcomes included major and minor vascular complications, post-TAVR length of stay, and mortality. RESULTS: We screened 696 patients who underwent TAVR. Using propensity scores, we matched 124 patients who received MANTA with 124 patients who received PP. Patients had a mean age of 77.2 years, 69.0% were men, and their mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 3.4%. VCD success was equivalent between VCDs (95.2% vs. 95.2%; p = 1.000). Patients had similar rates of mortality (0% vs. 0.8%; p = .316), and no patients had major vascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: In contemporary TAVR, the collagen-plug-based MANTA VCD appears to be as safe and effective as the suture-based dual PP VCD, with no differences in VCD success, vascular complications, or mortality. Therefore, selection of VCD for TAVR should be left to operator discretion, taking into account anatomical considerations.