Predictors for long‐term survival after transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair

Objectives

To determine predictors for long‐term outcome in high‐risk patients undergoing transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair (TMVR) for severe mitral regurgitation (MR).

Background

There is no data on predictors of long‐term outcome in high‐risk real‐world patients.

Methods

From August 2009 to April 2011, 126 high‐risk patients deemed inoperable were treated with TMVR in two high‐volume university centers.

Results

MR could be successfully reduced to grade ≤2 in 92.1% of patients (116/126 patients). Long‐term clinical follow‐up up to 5 years (95.2% follow‐up rate) revealed a mortality rate of 35.7% (45/126 patients). Repeat mitral valve treatment (surgery or intervention) was needed in 19 patients (15.1%). Long‐term clinical improvement was demonstrated with 69% of patients being in NYHA class ≤II. In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, the post‐procedural grade of MR (hazard ratio [HR] 1.55 per grade, P = 0.035), the left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 0.58 for difference between 75th and 25th percentile, P = 0.031) and the glomerular filtration rate (HR 0.33 for 75th vs 25th percentile, P < 0.001) were independent predictors for long‐term mortality. Patients with primary MR and a post‐procedural MR grade ≤1 had the most favorable long‐term outcome.

Conclusions

This study determines predictors of long‐term clinical outcome after TMVR and demonstrates that the grade of residual MR determines long‐term survival. Our data suggest that it might be of benefit reducing residual MR to the lowest possible MR grade using TMVR—especially in selected high‐risk patients with primary MR who are not considered as candidates for surgical MVR.

     

Percutaneous edge‐to‐edge repair of severe mitral regurgitation using the MitraClip XTR versus NTR system

BackgroundTranscatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) has shown to improve symptoms and functional capacity in patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR). Novel device developments provide the technology to treat patients with complex anatomies and large coaptation gaps. Nevertheless, the question of superiority of one device remains unanswered. We aimed to compare the MitraClip XTR and MitraClip NTR system in a real world setting.HypothesisTMVR with the MitraClip XTR system is equally effective, but associated with a higher risk of leaflet injury.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed peri‐procedural and mid‐term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of 113 patients treated for severe MR between March 2018 and August 2019 at the University Hospital of Munich.ResultsPostprocedural MR reduction to ≤2+ was comparable in both groups (XTR: 96.1% vs. NTR: 97.6%, p = .38). There was a significant difference in a composite safety endpoint of periprocedural Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) including leaflet injury between groups (XTR 14.6% vs. NTR 1.7%, 95% CI [2.7, 24.6], p = .012). After a median follow‐up of 8.5 (4.4, 14.0) months, durable reduction of MR was confirmed (XTR: in 91.9% vs. NTR: 96.8%, p = .31) and clinical and symptomatic improvement was comparable in both groups accordingly.ConclusionWhile efficacy was comparable in both treatment groups, patients treated with the MitraClip XTR systems showed more events of acute leaflet tear and single leaflet device attachment (SLDA). A detailed echocardiographic assessment should be done to identify risk candidates for acute leaflet injury.     

经胸房间隔缺损堵闭术对房室瓣反流的影响

目的探讨经胸房间隔缺损封堵术对房室瓣反流的影响。方法回顾性分析2002年1月至2011年3月在南方医科大学珠江医院经胸微创房间隔缺损堵闭术患者的临床资料,其中资料完全者43例,40例在食道超声、2例在经胸超声辅助下行房间隔缺损堵闭术。患者术前、术后1个月及6个月经超声心动图检查,观察心脏各指标的变化和房室瓣反流程度。结果41例手术成功,手术成功率95．3％（41／43）;1例术中改为右侧开胸小切口体外循环下房间隔缺损修补术,1例术中并发心搏骤停。1例术后并发肾功能衰竭：12例术后即时有少量残余漏,1个月后超声复查消失。术后超声随访显示：右心室、右心房直径较前缩小,左心室直径较前增大,肺动脉瓣血流速度明显降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;室间隔厚度、二尖瓣血流速度、主动脉瓣血流速度无明显改变,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。房间隔缺损堵闭术后1个月、6个月,二尖瓣瓣膜反流程度较术前加重,差异有统计学意义（平均秩次：2．01VS．2．17vs1．77,x2=10．78,P=0．04）;而三尖瓣的瓣膜反流程度术前与术后1个月、6个月比较,差异无统计学意义（平均秩次：1．88vs2．11US．2．01,X2=4．23,P=0．134）。结论房间隔缺损封堵术后,可引起二尖瓣反流程度的加重,但对三尖瓣的反流程度近期影响不明显;二尖瓣中度以上或三尖瓣重度反流的患者或不适宜行单纯房间缺损封堵术。     

Percutaneous mitral valve repair: A new treatment for mitral regurgitation

Mitral valve disease affects more than 4 million people in the United States. The gold standard of treatment in these patients is surgical repair or replacement of the valve with a prosthesis. The MitraClip (Abbott Vascular, Menlo Park, CA) is a new technology, which offers an alternative to open surgical repair or replacement via a minimally invasive route. We present an evidence-based clinical update that provides an overview of this technology as it relates to managing patients with significant mitral regurgitation. This review article is particularly useful to noninterventional cardiologists and interventional cardiologists who will be managing patients with this novel technology in increased volumes over the next decade but who do not perform this procedure.     

Subacute hemolytic anemia after transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair: A case report

The MitraClip System is extensively used in high‐risk patients with symptomatic severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Some studies have identified complications associated with use of the MitraClip. We report the case of a 91‐year‐old woman with severe MR of a prolapsed posterior commissure. Two weeks after using the MitraClip, she developed hemolytic anemia. She was conservatively treated with blood transfusion and medical treatment; fortunately, her general condition did not deteriorate during the follow‐up period. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of hemolytic anemia after MitraClip implantation.     

Routine leaflet augmentation of left atrioventricular valve in the repair of atrioventricular septal defect

Introduction

A better understanding of the morphology of complete atrioventricular septal defects (CAVSD) has impacted on surgical techniques and results. On some occasions the leaflet tissue is deficient and repair becomes difficult which leads to atrioventricular valve (AVV) regurgitation following the surgical repair of the AVSD.

Objectives

This study was conducted to evaluate a modified technique in which two patches where used to close the complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD) with augmentation of the left atrioventricular valve (AVV) with the ventricular septal defect (VSD) patch.

Methods

The technique was performed on 105 infants with CAVSD at a mean age of 11.7 ± 23 months (median 5.7, range 1–135). Both superior and inferior bridging leaflets are divided routinely to expose the VSD. An autologous pericardial patch, sized precisely, is sutured to the ventricular septum. A 3–4 mm of extra patch is fashioned beyond the plane of the annulus and sutured to the divided leaflet of the left AVV. A second autologous pericardial atrial patch is attached to the body of the VSD patch at the plane of the annulus allowing 3–4 mm of the VSD patch to augment the left AV valve.

Results

There was one early death among these infants. At early postoperative echo all infants had no significant residual lesions. The contribution of the patch-augmented left AV valve to competency is clearly seen by two-dimensional echocardiography. At a mean follow up of 27 ± 10 months there were two late deaths with normal last echocardiography. There were only two children who progressed to severe left AV valve regurgitation needing reoperations.

Conclusions

This modified technique yields good anatomical repair. Allowing reconstruction of both AV valves independent of the other and is in particular helpful in cases of deficient left AVV tissue.     

Added value of three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography in assessment of an adult patient with atrioventricular septal defect

Transthoracic echocardiography is the principal imaging modality for assessment of patients with atrioventricular septal defects. Three‐dimensional echocardiography streamlines and simplifies data acquisition offering a unique realistic en‐face display of heart valves and septal defects and enables accurate evaluation of the cardiac anatomy, dynamic, and function. We demonstrated an added value of three‐dimensional echocardiography in assessment of an adult patient with atrioventricular septal defect and its advantages over conventional echocardiography.     

Percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of left atrioventricular valve in a patient with single ventricle and severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation

Many patients with single ventricle physiology suffer from atrioventricular valve (AVV) regurgitation which may worsen their cardiac function and cause symptoms. It has been postulated that elimination of the nondominant hypoplastic AVV regurgitation, might improve the clinical status in patients post-Fontan surgery. We describe a case of hypoplastic left heart variant, post Fontan surgery who had severe left AVV regurgitation and underwent percutaneous transcatheter occlusion of the hypoplastic left AVV, using a VSD occluder device. At 3 months post procedure, the patient is improved. Transcatheter closure of a regurgitant hypoplastic AVV in a patient with single ventricle helps to improve the patient's cardiac function and clinical status.     

The mitral‐to‐aortic flow‐velocity integral ratio in the real world echocardiographic evaluation of functional mitral regurgitation before and after percutaneous repair

Introduction

Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) using MitraClip system has emerged as a therapeutic option for patients with functional severe mitral regurgitation (FMR) at prohibitive risk for surgery. In this setting, the echocardiographic assessment of FMR severity is challenging because the traditional echocardiographic methods have important limitations. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of a simple Doppler index, the mitral/aortic flow velocity integral ratio (MAVIR), to evaluate residual FMR severity after PMVR.

Methods

Eighty‐five heart failure patients with functional MR and LV dysfunction (LVEF ≤ 40%) were included. FMR was quantified on the basis of traditional quantitative parameters of MR severity. MAVIR was expressed as the ratio of mitral and aortic time velocity integral (TVI) values. According to MR severity, 25 patients underwent MC implantation and at 6 months a complete echocardiographic follow‐up was performed.

Results

A significant linear relationship was found between MAVIR and both VC and EROA. A MAVIR ≥1.02 identified pts with severe MR with a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 90.9%. At the 6 months echocardiographic follow‐up after the MitraClip implantation, we observed a significant reduction of LAVI, LVED and LVES volume, while LVEF improved. Furthermore, MAVIR significantly decreased its decrease showed a significant linear relationship with LAVI reduction.

Conclusion

Our data show a close relationship between MAVIR and traditional indexes of MR severity in patients with FMR. This Doppler‐derived index seems applicable after PMVR where traditional echocardiographic index of MR severity shows significant limitations.

     

Severe mitral regurgitation: A common occurrence in the aging patient with secundum atrial septal defect

Severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) which necessitated mitral valve replacement was identified in 19 (3.9%) of 498 consecutive patients (age range 1–83 years) with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). The incidence of severe MR was significantly higher in patients older than age 50 years, 15 of 98 (15%), than in patients either below 21 years, 1 of 213 (0.4%), or between ages 21 to 49 years, 3 of 187 (2%). The higher frequency and severity of MR in the older ASD patient has not previously been appreciated. The morphology of severe MR in the older ASD patient consists of fibrous thickening and deformity of the mitral leaflets with shortening and thickening of the chordae tendineae. Because of the rarity of severe MR in the young patient with ASD, the mitral valve pathology is still poorly defined.     

Preoperative and postoperative mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation in adult patients with secundum atrial septal defects

Background: Little attention is given to development of mitral regurgitation (MR) in adults with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of the study was to determine the associated factors of MR in ASD adults before surgical repair and the fate of moderate to severe MR after surgery. Methods: We examined 71 consecutive patients with secundum ASD (47 ± 16 years) who underwent surgical repair. Clinical and echocardiographic variables including size of left and right heart systems and severity of MR and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were investigated before and early after surgery. Results: Before ASD closure, 14 patients (20%) had moderate to severe MR and 25 patients (35%) showed mitral valve (MV) prolapse. The ASD patients with moderate to severe MR showed worse cardiovascular symptoms, increased occurrence of atrial fibrillation and MV prolapse, and greater left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic volume, left atrial area, and TR severity than those with none to mild MR (all P < 0.05). Among preoperative variables, TR severity, left atrial area, LV end‐diastolic volume, and MV prolapse were associated with preoperative MR severity in all the patients (all P < 0.03). Isolated ASD closure (n=46) decreased MV prolapse (P=0.008). Preoperative moderate to severe MR decreased after ASD closure with and without MV surgery (n=9 and 5, respectively; both P < 0.05). Conclusions: Preoperative MR severity was associated with TR severity, dilated left heart chambers, and MV prolapse. MR decreased after ASD closure with and even without MV surgery.     

Percutaneous mitral valve repair: a feasibility study in an ovine model of acute ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Annuloplasty is the cornerstone of surgical mitral valve repair. A percutaneous transvenous catheter-based approach for mitral valve repair was tested by placing a novel annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus of sheep with acute ischemic mitral regurgitation. Mitral regurgitation was reduced from 3-4+ to 0-1+ in all animals (P < 0.03). The annuloplasty functioned by reducing septal-lateral mitral annular diameter (30 +/- 2.1 mm preinsertion vs. 24 +/- 1.7 mm postinsertion; P < 0.03). These preliminary experiments demonstrate that percutaneous mitral annuloplasty is feasible. Further study is necessary to demonstrate long-term safety and efficacy of this novel approach.