Safety and Efficacy of Myval Implantation in Patients with Severe Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis—A Multicenter Real-World Experience

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common valvular congenital anomaly and is apparent in nearly 50% of candidates for AV replacement. While transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a recommended treatment for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) at all surgical risk levels, experience with TAVI in severe bicuspid AS is limited. TAVI in BAV is still a challenge due to its association with multiple and complex anatomical considerations. A retrospective study has been conducted to investigate TAVI’s procedural and 30-day outcomes using the Myval transcatheter heart valve (THV) (Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. Vapi, Gujarat, India) in patients with severe bicuspid AS. Data were collected on 68 patients with severe bicuspid AS who underwent TAVI with the Myval THV. Baseline characteristics, procedural, 30-day echocardiographic and clinical outcomes were collected. The mean age and STS PROM score were 72.6 ± 9.4 and 3.54 ± 2.1. Procedures were performed via the transfemoral route in 98.5%. Major vascular complications (1.5%) and life-threatening bleeding (1.5%) occurred infrequently. No patient had coronary obstruction, second valve implantation or conversion to surgery. On 30-day echocardiography, the mean transvalvular gradient and effective orifice area were 9.8 ± 4.5 mmHg and 1.8 ± 0.4 cm2, respectively. None/trace aortic regurgitation occurred in 76.5%, mild AR in 20.5% and moderate AR in 3%. The permanent pacemaker implantation rate was 8.5% and 30-day all-cause death occurred in 3.0% of cases. TAVI with the Myval THV in selected BAV anatomy is associated with favorable short-term hemodynamic and clinical outcomes.

Clinical Implications of Changes in Respiratory Instability Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background: Respiratory instability, which can be quantified using respiratory stability time (RST), is associated with the severity and prognostic impact of the disease in patients with chronic heart failure. However, its clinical implications in patients with severe aortic stenosis receiving transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remain unknown. Methods: Patients who received TAVR and had paired measurements of RST at a baseline and one week following TAVR were prospectively included. Changes in RST following TAVR and its impact on post-TAVR heart failure readmissions were investigated. Results: Seventy-one patients (median age, 86 years old; 35% men) were included. The baseline RST was correlated with the severity of heart failure including elevated levels of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (p < 0.05 for all). RST improved significantly following TAVR from 34 (26, 37) s to 36 (33, 38) s (p < 0.001). Post-TAVR lower RST (<33 s, n = 18) was associated with a higher 2-year cumulative incidence of heart failure readmission (21% vs. 8%, p = 0.039) with a hazard ratio of 5.47 (95% confidence interval 0.90–33.2). Conclusion: Overall, respiratory instability improved following TAVR. Persistent respiratory instability following TAVR was associated with heart failure recurrence.

Referring hospital involvement in early discharge post transcatheter aortic valve implantation: the TAVI (R-) EXPRES program

Aim: Over the past decade, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has matured into a valid treatment strategy for elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis. TAVI programs will grow with its adoption in low-risk patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of early discharge protocols, either home or back to a referring hospital. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing TAVI between July 2017 and July 2019 were stratified into three discharge pathways from TAVI center: (1) early home (EXPRES); (2) early transfer to referring hospital (R-EXPRES); and (3) routine discharge (standard). Baseline, procedural, and 30-day outcomes were prospectively collected and compared per discharge pathway. Results: In total, 22 (5%) patients were enrolled in the EXPRES cohort [median age 78 (IQR: 73-81); mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) 2.4% ± 1.5%], 121 (29%) in the R-EXPRES cohort [median age 81 (IQR: 77-84); mean STS 4.3% ± 2.8%], and 269 (65%) in the routine discharge cohort [median age 80 (IQR: 75-85); mean STS 4.4% ± 3.1%]. EXPRES patients trended to be younger (P = 0.13) and had lower STS (P = 0.02). Early clinical outcome was similar through the different pathways including re-hospitalization rate. Median length of stay was one day longer for R-EXPRES vs. routine discharge patients [5 (IQR: 4-7) vs. 4 (IQR: 3-6); P < 0.01]. Median length of stay (LOS) was two days (IQR: 1-3 days) for EXPRES patients. Conclusion: Early discharge pathways home and to referral hospitals are safe and help streamline TAVI programs. LOS in referring hospitals may be further reduced.

Prevention and management of peri-procedural TAVR complications

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a safe and effective treatment strategy for severe aortic stenosis. However, peri-procedural complications can have a significant impact on acute and longer-term morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this review article provides a practical overview on how to prevent and manage the common and also rare but life-threatening peri-procedural TAVR complications.

Successful delayed endovascular correction of migration of transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis in left ventricle outflow tract: case report

<p>We report the successful endovascular correction of the migration of a transcatheter aortic valve prosthesis in the left ventricle outflow tract (LVOT). A 72-old man was underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at Almazov National Medical Research Centre for severe aortic stenosis. During the procedure, the self-expanding prosthesis dislocated 10–12 mm into the LVOT. The frame was optimised with the use of a balloon catheter, and aortic regurgitation I-II degree was achieved. However, on day 17 of hospitalisation, acute heart failure with episodes of asystole occurred as a result of severe paravalvular regurgitation; cardiopulmonary resuscitation was necessary. The prosthesis malpositioning was corrected by traction with endovascular snare devices. The patient was stable during the postprocedural period and discharged on day 31. Dislocation of self-expanding prostheses into the LVOT is a complication specific to TAVI that may quickly aggravate a patient’s condition; therefore, correction of valve malpositioning should be performed as soon as possible. The case reported here in an illustration of successful endovascular correction of dislocation performed with the snare traction technique. This bail-out approach can be used by interventional cardiologists in similar situations.</p><p>Received 27 May 2021. Revised 29 July 2021. Accepted 30 July 2021.</p><p><strong>Funding:</strong> The study did not have sponsorship.</p><p><strong>Conflict of interest: </strong>Authors declare no conflict of interest.</p><p><strong>Contribution of the authors<br /> </strong>Literature review: A.D. Gorovaya, D.D. Zubarev, A.A. Prokhorikhin<br /> Drafting the article: A.D. Gorovaya, V.S. Krasnov, A.A. Prokhorikhin<br /> Critical revision of the article: A.D. Gorovaya, M.A. Chernyavskiy, A.A. Prokhorikhin<br /> Surgical treatment: D.D. Zubarev, V.S. Krasnov, A.A. Prokhorikhin<br /> Final approval of the version to be published: A.D. Gorovaya, D.D. Zubarev, V.S. Krasnov, M.A. Chernyavskiy, A.A. Prokhorikhin</p>