Incidence,Prognosis and Predictors of Major Vascular Complications and Percutaneous Closure Device Failure Following Contemporary Percutaneous Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

ObjectivesTo determine the incidence, prognosis, and predictors of major Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2) vascular complications (VCs) and percutaneous vascular closure device failure (PCDF) following contemporary percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR).BackgroundLimited data exists on the incidence and predictors of VCs and PCDFs following percutaneous TF-TAVR using contemporary 14–16 French (F) sheaths.MethodsWe recorded clinical and procedural characteristics, computer tomography (CT) angiographic data, 30-day VCs, mortality, and length of stay (LOS) in all consecutive percutaneous TF-TAVRs at a single center from June 2016 to October 2018. CT measures included common femoral artery (CFA) and external iliac artery (EIA) diameters, sheath to CFA and EIA ratios (SFAR and SEIAR), depth of CFA, extent and location of CFA calcification and pelvic vessel tortuosity (2 bends ≥90°). Multivariable regression was used to predict major VCs and percutaneous closure device failure (PCDF), respectively.ResultsThe final sample consisted of 303 percutaneous TF-TAVRs. Median age was 80 years, 51% were male, 86% Caucasian, 33% had diabetes mellitus (DM) and mean STS score was 5.8 ± 3.8%. Baseline characteristics were similar in patients with vs. without VCs, other than coronary artery disease (CAD) (69% vs. 54%, respectively; p = 0.029) and DM (21% vs. 36%, respectively; p = 0.02). There were 65 (21%) vascular complications: 19 major VCs [6.3%], 29 minor [VCs 9.6%] and 17 PCDFs [5.6%]. Overall, 30-day mortality was low (2.6%). Major VCs were associated with higher mortality (42% vs. 0%, p < 0.0001) while minor VCs (3% vs. 0%, mortality p = 0.99) and PCDFs (3% vs. 0% mortality, p = 0.99) were not. PCDFs were associated with a longer median LOS (4 vs. 3 days, p = 0.02). The independent predictors of major VCs were pelvic vessel tortuosity (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.1–9.2) and presence of CAD (OR 8.2; 95% CI 1.8–37). Female gender showed a strong trend toward increased risk (OR 3.4; CI 0.84–14; p = 0.086). There were no independent predictors of PCDF.ConclusionContemporary percutaneous TF-TAVR is associated with a low risk of mortality, major VCs and PCDFs. Major VCs confer increased mortality and PCDFs prolong LOS. Pelvic vessel tortuosity and a history of CAD predict major VCs; there were no predictors of PCDFs. These results provide a contemporary update on the incidence and implications of these important vascular complications in the current era of percutaneous TF-TAVR using 14-16F vascular sheaths.     

Incidence,Predictors, and Implications of Permanent Pacemaker Requirement After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a safe and feasible alternative to surgery in patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis regardless of the surgical risk. Conduction abnormalities requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation remain a common finding after TAVR due to the close proximity of the atrioventricular conduction system to the aortic root. High-grade atrioventricular block and new onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) are the most commonly reported conduction abnormalities after TAVR. The overall rate of PPM implantation after TAVR varies and is related to pre-procedural and intraprocedural factors. The available literature regarding the impact of conduction abnormalities and PPM requirement on morbidity and mortality is still conflicting. Pre-procedural conduction abnormalities such as right bundle branch block and LBBB have been linked with increased PPM implantation and mortality after TAVR. When screening patients for TAVR, heart teams should be aware of various anatomical and pathophysiological conditions that make patients more susceptible to increased risk of conduction abnormalities and PPM requirement after the procedure. This is particularly important as TAVR has been recently approved for patients with low surgical risk. The purpose of this review is to discuss the incidence, predictors, impact, and management of the various conduction abnormalities requiring PPM implantation in patients undergoing TAVR.     

经导管主动脉瓣中瓣植入术的并发症及其处理进展

经导管主动脉瓣中瓣植入术是生物瓣毁损后最理想的二次和多次干预手段之一,尤其适合于高危或不耐受手术患者。随着此类术式在国内外临床应用和报道的不断增加,新技术同样带来了新问题,如冠状动脉阻塞和术后跨瓣压差增高等,因此对其发生机制及处理最新进展加以综述就变得十分必要。     

Incidence and Predictors of Debris Embolizing to the Brain During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to identify variables associated with tissue fragment embolization during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).BackgroundBrain magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial Doppler studies have revealed that cerebrovascular embolization occurs frequently during TAVR. Embolized material may be r thrombotic, tissue derived, or catheter (foreign material) fragments.MethodsA total of 81 patients underwent TAVR with a dual filter–based embolic protection device (Montage Dual Filter System, Claret Medical, Inc., Santa Rosa, California) deployed in the brachiocephalic trunk and left common carotid artery. Both balloon-expandable and self-expanding transcatheter heart valves (THVs) were used. Filters were retrieved after TAVR and sent for histopathological analysis.ResultsOverall, debris was captured in 86% of patients. Captured material varied in size from 0.1 to 9.0 mm. Thrombotic material was found in 74% of patients and tissue-derived debris in 63%. Tissue fragments were found more often with balloon-expandable THVs (79% vs. 56%; p = 0.05). The embolized tissue originated from the native aortic valve leaflets, aortic wall, or left ventricular myocardium. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, balloon-expandable THVs (odds ratio: 7.315; 95% confidence interval: 1.398 to 38.289; p = 0.018) and cover index (odds ratio: 1.141; 95% confidence interval: 1.014 to 1.283; p = 0.028) were independent predictors of tissue embolization.ConclusionsDebris is captured with filter-based embolic protection in the vast majority of patients undergoing TAVR. Tissue-derived material is found in 63% of cases and is more frequent with the use of balloon-expandable systems and more oversizing.     

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Despite Challenging Vascular Access

We describe transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a patient who had severe peripheral artery disease. The patient''s vascular condition required additional preliminary peripheral intervention to enable adequate vascular access.A 78-year-old man with severe aortic stenosis, substantial comorbidities, and severe heart failure symptoms was referred for aortic valve replacement. The patient''s 20-mm aortic annulus necessitated the use of a 23-mm Edwards Sapien valve inserted through a 22F sheath, which itself needed a vessel diameter of at least 7 mm for percutaneous delivery. The left common femoral artery was selected for valve delivery. The left iliac artery and infrarenal aorta underwent extensive intervention to achieve an intraluminal diameter larger than 7 mm. After aortic valvuloplasty, valve deployment was successful, and the transaortic gradient decreased from 40 mmHg to less than 5 mmHg. The patient was discharged from the hospital 4 days postoperatively. We conclude that transcatheter aortic valve implantation can be successfully performed in patients with obstructed vascular access, including stenosis of the infrarenal aorta and the subclavian and coronary arteries.     

Complications at the Time of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) improves the prognosis of patients with severe aortic stenosis who are deemed too high risk for surgical valve replacement.1 However, this evolving technology is associated with a wide range of potential complications — some specific to TAVI, some often fatal. Prevention, early recognition, and effective treatment of these complications will significantly improve the outcome of this procedure and are essential prerequisites before the therapy is extended to lower-risk patient subsets.     

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is a life-threatening condition when left untreated. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the gold standard treatment for the majority of patients; however, transcatheter aortic valve implantation/replacement (TAVI/TAVR) has emerged as the preferred treatment for high-risk or inoperable patients. The concept of transcatheter heart valves originated in the 1960s and has evolved into the current Edwards Sapien and Medtronic CoreValve platforms available for clinical use. Complications following TAVI, including cerebrovascular events, perivalvular regurgitation, vascular injury, and heart block have decreased with experience and evolving technology, such that ongoing trials studying TAVI in lower risk patients have become tenable. The multidisciplinary team involving the cardiac surgeon and cardiologist plays an essential role in patient selection, procedural conduct, and perioperative care.     

经导管主动脉瓣置入术临床应用

经导管主动脉瓣膜置入术是近年来出现一种治疗主动脉瓣狭窄的新兴技术,可以通过微创的方法治疗心脏瓣膜病。主动脉瓣狭窄传统治疗需要外科手术换瓣治疗,尤其合并左心功能不全的老年患者风险很大,且有些患者存在手术禁忌证。经导管置换主动脉瓣会给患者带来巨大的利益,其主要优点是体现在微创、避免体外循环及输血、缩短住院时间等方面。