Iatrogenic communications between aortic root and right ventricle/left atrium after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an alternative, less invasive treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, who are high‐risk for conventional surgical aortic valve replacement, due to co‐morbidities. In addition to a 30‐day 10% mortality risk there is a recognized range of complications, which commonly relate to vascular access trauma, paravalvular aortic regurgitation, and cerebrovascular events. In the following case reports, we discuss two previously unreported complications of TAVR: (i) an iatrogenic communication between the aortic root and the right ventricle and (ii) an iatrogenic communication between the aortic root and the left atrium. Informed written consent was obtained from both paztients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Changes in left ventricular filling after valve replacement for aortic stenosis

In order to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of aortic valve replacement on the pattern of left ventricular inflow velocity, pulsed wave Doppler analysis was performed in 20 patients with isolated aortic stenosis. Complementary, left ventricular wall thickness was measured, using M-mode echocardiography. One week after operation, left ventricular wall thickness is not changed significantly. The Doppler findings suggest some improvement of left ventricular filling. Six months and 1 year postoperatively, there is a significant, but incomplete regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Left ventricular filling improved only partially, compared to preoperatively.     

Four year follow up of aortic valve replacement for isolated aortic stenosis: a link between reduction in pressure overload, regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, and diastolic function

OBJECTIVE—To evaluate changes in left ventricular function and the impact of ventricular hypertrophy and pressure gradient early and late after aortic valve replacement in patients with isolated aortic stenosis.
DESIGN—41 patients with isolated aortic stenosis and normal systolic function underwent cross sectional and Doppler echocardiography two months before and two weeks and four years after aortic valve replacement.
RESULTS—Early after the operation, left ventricular mass index (mean (SD)) decreased from 187 (44) g/m² to 179 (46) g/m², because of a reduction in end diastolic diameter (p < 0.05). Aortic pressure gradients were reduced, as expected. Isovolumic relaxation time was reduced from 93 (20) ms to 78 (12) ms, and deceleration time from 241 (102) ms to 205 (77) ms (p < 0.05). At four years, left ventricular mass index was further reduced to 135 (30) g/m² (p < 0.01) as a result of wall thickness reduction in the interventricular septum (from 14 (1.6) mm to 12 (1.4) mm, p < 0.01) and the posterior wall (from 14 (1.6) mm to 12 (1.3) mm, p < 0.01). Diastolic function, expressed by a reduction in isovolumic relaxation time from 93 (20) ms to 81 (15) ms (p < 0.01) and deceleration time from 241 (102) ms to 226 (96) ms (p < 0.05), remained improved. Prolonged isovolumic relaxation time was associated with significant septal and posterior wall hypertrophy (wall thickness > 13 mm) (p < 0.05), whereas prolonged deceleration time was related to high residual gradient (peak gradient > 30 mm Hg ) (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS—Left ventricular diastolic function improves early after surgery for aortic stenosis in parallel with the reduction in the aortic gradient. However, prolongation of Doppler indices of myocardial relaxation and ventricular filling is observed in patients with significant left ventricular hypertrophy and a residual pressure gradient early after surgery. At four years postoperatively, diastolic function remains improved.


Keywords: diastolic function; hypertrophy regression; aortic valve replacement; aortic stenosis     

The impact of mitral stenosis on outcomes of aortic valve stenosis patient undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background

The concomitant presence of mitral stenosis (MS) in the setting of symptomatic aortic stenosis represent a clinical challenge. Little is known regarding the outcome of mitral stenosis (MS) patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Therefore, we sought to study the outcome of MS patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Method

Using weighted data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2011 and 2014, we identified patients who were diagnosed with MS. Patients who had undergone TAVR as a primary procedure were identified and compared to patients who had SAVR. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed for the outcomes of in‐hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), blood transfusion, postprocedural hemorrhage, vascular, cardiac and respiratory complications, permanent pacemaker placement (PPM), postprocedural stroke, acute kidney injury (AKI), and discharge to an outside facility.

Results

A total of 4524 patients were diagnosed with MS, of which 552 (12.2%) had TAVR and 3972 (87.8%) had SAVR. TAVR patients were older (79.9 vs 70.0) with more females (67.4% vs 60.0%) and African American patients (7.7% vs 7.1%) (P < 0.001). In addition, the TAVR group had more comorbidities compared to SAVR in term of coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic lung disease, hypertension (HTN), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (P < 0.001 for all). Using Multivariate logistic regression, and after adjusting for potential risk factors, TAVR patients had lower in‐hospital mortality (7.9% vs 8.1% adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 0.615; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.392–0.964, P = 0.034), shorter LOS. Also, TAVR patients had lower rates of cardiac and respiratory complications, PPM, AKI, and discharge to an outside facility compared with the SAVR group.

Conclusion

In patients with severe aortic stenosis and concomitant mitral stenosis, TAVR is a safe and attractive option for patients undergoing AVR with less complications compared with SAVR.

     

Evolution of non-invasive myocardial work variables after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with severe aortic stenosis

IntroductionGuidelines recommend aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis who present with symptoms or left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%, both conditions representing a late stage of the disease. Whereas global longitudinal strain is load dependent, but interesting for assessing prognosis, myocardial work has emerged.AimTo evaluate acute changes in myocardial work occurring in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).MethodsPatients who underwent TAVI were evaluated before and after by echocardiography. Complete echocardiographies were considered. Myocardial work indices (global work index, global constructive work, global work efficiency, global wasted work) were calculated integrating mean transaortic pressure gradient and brachial cuff systolic pressure.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-five patients underwent successful TAVI, with a significant decrease in mean transaortic gradient (from 52.5 ± 16.1 to 12.2 ± 5.0; P < 0.0001). There was no significant change in left ventricular ejection fraction after TAVI. Myocardial work data after TAVI showed a significant reduction in global work index (1389 ± 537 vs. 2014 ± 714; P < 0.0001), global constructive work (1693 ± 543 vs. 2379 ± 761; P < 0.0001) and global work efficiency (85.0 ± 7.06 vs. 87.1 ± 5.98; P = 0.0034). The decrease in global work index and global constructive work after TAVI was homogeneous among different subgroups, based on global longitudinal strain, left ventricular ejection fraction and New York Heart Association status before TAVI. We observed a significant association between global work index and global constructive work before TAVI, and global longitudinal strain degradation after TAVI.ConclusionsMyocardial work variables show promising potential in best understanding the left ventricular myocardial consequences of aortic stenosis and its correction. Given their ability to discriminate between New York Heart Association status and global longitudinal strain evolution, we can hypothesize about their clinical value.     

Carotid artery access for transcatheter aortic valve replacement

We report three patients who had successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) via carotid artery access. None were candidates for thoracotomy (including minimal access incisions) and had no other vascular access sites that would accommodate the transcatheter valve sheath. Antegrade carotid perfusion and retrograde insertion of the delivery sheath maintained cerebral blood flow without sequelae. Carotid access for TAVR is an option for unusual patients without other access. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Impact of active cancer disease on the outcome of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background

Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are often characterized by risk factors not reflected in conventional risk scores. In this context, little is known about the outcome of patients suffering from an active cancer disease (ACD). The objective was to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and mortality of patients with ACD undergoing TAVR compared to those with a history of cancer (HCD) and controls without known tumor disease.

Methods

TAVR patients between 02/2006 and 09/2014 were stratified according to the presence of ACD, HCD, and control. All‐cause‐mortality at 1‐year was the primary end point. All end point definitions were subject to the Valve Academic Research Consortium II definitions.

Results

Overall, 1821 patients were included: 99 patients (5.4%) suffered from ACD and 251 patients (13.8%) had HCD. ACD was related to a solid organ or hematological source in 72.7% and 27.3%, respectively. Patients with ACD were more often male (P = 0.004) and had a lower logisticEuroScore I (P = 0.033). Overall rates of VARC‐II defined periprocedural myocardial infarction, stroke, bleeding, access‐site complications, and acute kidney injury were not different between groups. Thirty‐day mortality did not differ between patients with ACD, HCD, and controls (6.1% vs 4.4% vs 7.6%, P = 0.176). All‐cause 1‐year mortality was higher in patients with ACD compared HCD and controls (37.4% vs 16.4% vs 20.8%, P < 0.001). ACD was an independent predictor of all‐cause 1‐year mortality (HR 2.10, 95%‐CI 1.41‐3.13, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The presence of ACD in patients undergoing TAVR is associated with significantly higher 1‐year mortality.     

The relationship between baseline diastolic dysfunction and postimplantation invasive hemodynamics with transcatheter aortic valve replacement

BackgroundAbnormal invasive hemodynamics after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with poor survival; however, the mechanism is unknown.HypothesisDiastolic dysfunction will modify the association between invasive hemodynamics postTAVR and mortality.MethodsPatients with echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function and postTAVR invasive hemodynamic assessment were eligible for the present analysis. Diastology was classified as normal or abnormal (Stages 1 to 3). The aorto‐ventricular index (AVi) was calculated as the difference between the aortic diastolic and the left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure divided by the heart rate. AVi was categorized as abnormal (AVi < 0.5 mmHg/beats per minute) or normal (≥ 0.5 mmHg/beats per minute).ResultsFrom 1339 TAVR patients, 390 were included in the final analysis. The mean follow‐up was 3.3 ± 1.7 years. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 70.9% of the abnormal vs 55.1% of the normal AVi group (P < .001). All‐cause mortality was 46% in the abnormal vs 31% in the normal AVi group (P < .001). Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for AVi < 0.5 mmHg/beats per minute vs AVi ≥0.5 mmHg/beats per minute for intermediate‐term mortality was (HR = 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 2.1, P = .017). This association was the same among those with normal diastolic function and those with diastolic dysfunction (P for interaction = .35).ConclusionDiastolic dysfunction is prevalent among TAVR patients. Low AVi is an independent predictor for poor intermediate‐term survival, irrespective of co‐morbid diastolic dysfunction.     

经导管主动脉瓣置换术对主动脉瓣狭窄患者肾功能的影响

目的探讨经导管主动脉瓣置换术(TAVR)对主动脉瓣狭窄患者术后肾功能的影响。方法本研究为单中心回顾性研究。连续入选2014年10月至2019年10月在复旦大学附属中山医院行TAVR治疗的主动脉瓣狭窄患者。依据术前1 d肾小球滤过率(eGFR)将纳入患者分为4组:>90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组、>60~90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组、>30~60 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组和≤30 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组。术后72 h再次检测eGFR,按照术后肾功能变化将患者分为急性肾功能恢复(AKR)组、急性肾脏损伤(AKI)组和肾功能无变化组。其中AKR定义为TAVR术后72 h的eGFR值增加>基线值的25%,AKI定义为TAVR术后72 h的eGFR值降低>基线值的25%。比较各组的相关临床资料,并采用多因素logistic回归分析TAVR术后肾功能变化的影响因素。结果本研究共纳入217例因主动脉瓣狭窄行TAVR治疗的患者,年龄(76.7±7.4)岁,其中女性86例,胸外科医师学会评分为(9.5±5.8)分。>90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组(n=19)、>60~90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组(n=116)、>30~60 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组(n=70)和≤30 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组(n=12)术后达AKR者所占比例分别为0、30.2%(35/116)、58.6%(41/70)和75.0%(9/12);共3例(1.4%)患者发生AKI,其中>30~60 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组2例,>60~90 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2组1例。eGFR<60 ml·min^-1·1.73m^-2患者中AKI发生率为2.4%(2/82)。纳入的217例患者中,AKR组85例(39.2%)、AKI组3例(1.4%)、肾功能无变化组129例(59.4%)。3组的体重指数(BMI)、术前左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)和术前eGFR分布差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,BMI(OR=5.54,95%CI 1.04~29.58,P=0.045)、术前LVEDD(OR=1.22,95%CI 1.09~1.38,P=0.001)及术前eGFR(OR=2.23,95%CI 2.04~2.55,P=0.004)是术后非AKR的危险因素。结论TAVR术后绝大多数患者表现为肾功能不变或者改善,TAVR术后肾功能的变化与BMI及术前LVDD、eGFR相关。     

Emergent use of retrograde left ventricular support in patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently a therapeutic alternative to open aortic valve replacement for high‐risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. The procedure is associated with some life‐threatening complications including circulatory collapse which may require temporary hemodynamic support. We describe our experience with the use of the Impella 2.5 system to provide emergent left ventricular support in cases of hemodynamic collapse after TAVR with the Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.