Impact of Moderate Aortic Stenosis in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

BACKGROUND: Afterload from moderate aortic stenosis (AS) may contribute to adverse outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated clinical outcomes in patients with HFrEF and moderate AS relative to those without AS and with severe AS. METHODS: Patients with HFrEF, defined by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% and no, moderate, or severe AS were retrospectively identified. The primary endpoint, defined as a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) hospitalization, was compared across groups and within a propensity score-matched cohort. RESULTS: We included 9,133 patients with HFrEF, of whom 374 and 362 had moderate and severe AS, respectively. Over a median follow-up time of 3.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in 62.7% of patients with moderate AS vs 45.9% with no AS (P < 0.0001); rates were similar with severe and moderate AS (62.0% vs 62.7%; P = 0.68). Patients with severe AS had a lower incidence of HF hospitalization (36.2% vs 43.6%; P < 0.05) and were more likely to undergo AVR within the follow-up period. Within a propensity score-matched cohort, moderate AS was associated with an increased risk of HF hospitalization and mortality (HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.04-1.49; P = 0.01) and fewer days alive outside of the hospital (P < 0.0001). Aortic valve replacement (AVR) was associated with improved survival (HR: 0.60; CI: 0.36-0.99; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HFrEF, moderate AS is associated with increased rates of HF hospitalization and mortality. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether AVR in this population improves clinical outcomes.

Association Between Early Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Improvement After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and 5-Year Clinical Outcomes.

Importance: In patients with severe aortic stenosis and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50%, early LVEF improvement after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with improved 1-year mortality; however, its association with long-term clinical outcomes is not known. Objective: To examine the association between early LVEF improvement after TAVR and 5-year outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study analyzed patients enrolled in the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) 1, 2, and S3 trials and registries between July 2007 and April 2015. High- and intermediate-risk patients with baseline LVEF less than 50% who underwent transfemoral TAVR were included in the current study. Data were analyzed from August 2020 to May 2021. Exposures: Early LVEF improvement, defined as increase of 10 percentage points or more at 30 days and also as a continuous variable (ΔLVEF between baseline and 30 days). Main Outcomes and Measures: All-cause death at 5 years. Results: Among 659 included patients with LVEF less than 50%, 468 (71.0%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 82.4 (7.7) years. LVEF improvement within 30 days following transfemoral TAVR occurred in 216 patients (32.8%) (mean [SD] ΔLVEF, 16.4 [5.7%]). Prior myocardial infarction, diabetes, cancer, higher baseline LVEF, larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and larger aortic valve area were independently associated with lower likelihood of LVEF improvement. Patients with vs without early LVEF improvement after TAVR had lower 5-year all-cause death (102 [50.0%; 95% CI, 43.3-57.1] vs 246 [58.4%; 95% CI, 53.6-63.2]; P = .04) and cardiac death (52 [29.5%; 95% CI, 23.2-37.1] vs 135 [38.1%; 95% CI, 33.1-43.6]; P = .05). In multivariable analyses, early improvement in LVEF (modeled as a continuous variable) was associated with lower 5-year all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio per 5% increase in LVEF, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.88-1.00]; P = .04) and cardiac death (adjusted hazard ratio per 5% increase in LVEF, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.82-0.98]; P = .02) after TAVR. Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a visual inflection point at ΔLVEF of 10% beyond which there was a steep decline in all-cause mortality with increasing degree of LVEF improvement. There were no statistically significant differences in rehospitalization, New York Heart Association functional class, or Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary score at 5 years in patients with vs without early LVEF improvement. In subgroup analysis, the association between early LVEF improvement and 5-year all-cause death was consistent regardless of the presence or absence of coronary artery disease or prior myocardial infarction. Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with severe aortic stenosis and LVEF less than 50%, 1 in 3 experience LVEF improvement within 1 month after TAVR. Early LVEF improvement is associated with lower 5-year all-cause and cardiac death.

Patient- and Process-Related Contributors to the Underuse of Aortic Valve Replacement and Subsequent Mortality in Ambulatory Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background Many patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and an indication for aortic valve replacement (AVR) do not undergo treatment. The reasons for this have not been well studied in the transcatheter AVR era. We sought to determine how patient- and process-specific factors affected AVR use in patients with severe AS. Methods and Results We identified ambulatory patients from 2016 to 2018 demonstrating severe AS, defined by aortic valve area [Formula: see text]1.0 cm2. Propensity scoring analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to evaluate associations between predictors and the odds of undergoing AVR at 365 days and subsequent mortality at 730 days. Of 324 patients with an indication for AVR (79.3±9.7 years, 57.4% men), 140 patients (43.2%) did not undergo AVR. The odds of AVR were reduced in patients aged >90 years (odds ratio [OR], 0.24 [95% CI, 0.08-0.69]; P=0.01), greater comorbid conditions (OR, 0.88 per 1-point increase in Combined Comorbidity Index [95% CI, 0.79-0.97]; P=0.01), low-flow, low-gradient AS with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (OR, 0.11 [95% CI, 0.06-0.21]), and low-gradient AS with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (OR, 0.18 [95% CI, 0.08-0.40]) and were increased if the transthoracic echocardiogram ordering provider was a cardiologist (OR, 2.46 [95% CI, 1.38-4.38]). Patients who underwent AVR gained an average of 85.8 days of life (95% CI, 40.9-130.6) at 730 days. Conclusions The proportion of ambulatory patients with severe AS and an indication for AVR who do not receive AVR remains significant. Efforts are needed to maximize the recognition of severe AS, especially low-gradient subtypes, and to encourage patient referral to multidisciplinary heart valve teams.

Trends in Utilization of Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the rapid growth of aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis (AS), limited data suggest symptomatic severe AS remains undertreated. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate temporal trends in AVR utilization among patients with a clinical indication for AVR. METHODS: Patients with severe AS (aortic valve area <1 cm2) on transthoracic echocardiograms from 2000 to 2017 at 2 large academic medical centers were classified based on clinical guideline indications for AVR and divided into 4 AS subgroups: high gradient with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HG-NEF), high gradient with low LVEF (HG-LEF), low gradient with normal LVEF (LG-NEF), and low gradient with low LVEF (LG-LEF). Utilization of AVR was examined and predictors identified. RESULTS: Of 10,795 patients, 6,150 (57%) had an indication or potential indication for AVR, of whom 2,977 (48%) received AVR. The frequency of AVR varied by AS subtype with LG groups less likely to receive an AVR (HG-NEF: 70%, HG-LEF: 53%, LG-NEF: 32%, LG-LEF: 38%, P < 0.001). AVR volumes grew over the 18-year study period but were paralleled by comparable growth in the number of patients with an indication for AVR. In patients with a Class I indication, younger age, coronary artery disease, smoking history, higher hematocrit, outpatient index transthoracic echocardiogram, and LVEF ≥0.5 were independently associated with an increased likelihood of receiving an AVR. AVR was associated with improved survival in each AS-subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Over an 18-year period, the proportion of patients with an indication for AVR who did not receive AVR has remained substantial despite the rapid growth of AVR volumes.

Association Between Hospital Cardiovascular Procedural Volumes and Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular procedural volumes can serve as metrics of hospital infrastructure and quality, and are the basis for thresholds for initiating transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) programs. Whether hospital volumes of TMVr, surgical mitral valve replacement or repair (SMVRr), and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are indicators of TMVr quality of care is not known. METHODS: We used the 2017 Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify hospitals that performed at least 5 TMVr procedures. Hospitals were divided into quartiles of TMVr volume. Associations of hospital TMVr, SMVRr, and PCI volumes, as well as SMVRr and PCI outcomes with TMVr outcomes were examined. Outcomes studied were risk-standardized in-hospital mortality rate (RSMR) and 30-day readmission rate (RSRR). RESULTS: The study included 3404 TMVr procedures performed across 150 hospitals in the US. The median hospital TMVr volume was 17 (IQR 10, 28). The mean hospital-level RSMR and RSRR for TMVr were 3.0% (95% CI 2.5%, 3.4%) and 14.8% (95% CI 14.5%, 15.0%), respectively. There was no significant association between hospital TMVr volume (as quartiles or as a continuous variable) and TMVr RSMR or RSRR (P > 0.05). Similarly, there was weak or no correlation between hospital SMVRr and PCI volumes and outcomes with TMVr RSMR or RSRR (Pearson correlation coefficients, r = -0.199 to 0.269). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found no relationship between hospital TMVr, SMVRr, and PCI volume and TMVr outcomes. Further studies are needed to determine more appropriate structure and process measures to assess the performance of established and new TMVr centers.

Relation of Subacute Kidney Injury to Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Acute kidney injury after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been associated with adverse outcomes; however, data are limited on the subacute changes in renal function that occur after discharge and their impact on clinical outcomes. This study investigates the relation between subacute changes in kidney function at 30 days after TAVI and survival. Patients from 2 centers who underwent TAVI and survived beyond 30 days with baseline, in-hospital, and 30-day measures of renal function were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified based on change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline to 30 days as follows: improved (≥15% higher than baseline), worsened (≤15% lower), or unchanged (values in between). Univariable and multivariable models were constructed to identify predictors of subacute changes in renal function and of 2-year mortality. Of the 492 patients who met inclusion criteria, eGFR worsened in 102 (22%), improved in 110 (22%), and was unchanged in 280 (56%). AKI occurred in 90 patients (18%) and in only 27% of patients with worsened eGFR at 30 days. After statistical adjustment, worsened eGFR at 30 days (hazard ratio vs unchanged eGFR 2.09, 95% CI 1.37 to 3.19, p <0.001) was associated with worse survival, whereas improvement in renal function was not associated with survival (hazard ratio vs unchanged eGFR 1.30, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.11, p = 0.30). Worsened renal function at 30 days after TAVI is associated with increased mortality after TAVI. In conclusion, monitoring renal function after discharge may identify patients at high risk of adverse outcomes.

Effect of Availability of Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Implantation on Survival for all Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Clinical outcomes for the overall severe aortic stenosis (AS) patient population are not well described because those medically managed are not included in procedural registries, and AS severity is not identifiable from administrative data. We aim to assess whether transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) availability has been associated with overall changes in survival for the whole AS patient population. This is important because patients with AS in real-world practice may differ from those included in randomized controlled trials, potentially attenuating the purported treatment efficacy estimated in trials. Classic severe AS patients (mean gradient ≥40 mmHg) were identified from an echocardiography database. Survival was defined as time since severe AS diagnosis until death. We first compared survival among all patients before and after TAVI availability in 2008. To further understand mechanism, we then assessed whether any survival changes were attributable to TAVI with extended Cox regression models comparing survival among TAVI, surgical aortic valve replacement, and medically managed patients. 3663 classic severe AS patients were included in the study. Median survival years for all patients were greater during the TAVI-era than Pre-TAVI-era (>11.5 vs 6.8, 5-year-HR = 0.8, time-varying effect p <0.0001), and increased median survival was greatest for patients age 65 to74 (>11.5 vs 9.5, 5-year-HR = 0.7, time-varying effect p = 0.045). TAVI patients age 65 to 74 had the lowest risk of death compared to medically managed patients (HR = 0.2, 95% CI = [0.1, 0.3], p <0.0001). In conclusion, in the TAVI-era, overall survival for patients with severe AS has doubled. This improvement is most marked for patients 65 to 74 years of age.

Managing Severe Aortic Stenosis in the COVID-19 Era.

The novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created uncertainty in the management of patients with severe aortic stenosis. This population experiences high mortality from delays in treatment of valve disease but is largely overlapping with the population of highest mortality from COVID-19. The authors present strategies for managing patients with severe aortic stenosis in the COVID-19 era. The authors suggest transitions to virtual assessments and consultation, careful pruning and planning of necessary testing, and fewer and shorter hospital admissions. These strategies center on minimizing patient exposure to COVID-19 and expenditure of human and health care resources without significant sacrifice to patient outcomes during this public health emergency. Areas of innovation to improve care during this time include increased use of wearable and remote devices to assess patient performance and vital signs, devices for facile cardiac assessment, and widespread use of clinical protocols for expedient discharge with virtual physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation options.

Temporal Trends in Prevalence of Tricuspid Valve Disease in Hospitalized Patients in the United States.

Tricuspid valve disease (TVD), particularly tricuspid regurgitation, is a common valvular pathology that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of TVD in hospitalized patients has not been well characterized. We used the National Inpatient Sample to determine the overall and age- and sex-specific prevalence and temporal trends in prevalence of TVD in hospitalized patients in the US. All-cause and heart failure (HF) hospitalizations in patients ≥50 years of age from January 2006 to September 2015 in the US were identified. Temporal trends in the prevalence of TVD were studied using Poisson regression. Of 194,184,433 all-cause and 38,083,773 HF hospitalizations in patients ≥50 years of age, 3,235,292 (1.7%) and 1,787,548 (4.7%) had a diagnosis of TVD, respectively. From 2006 to 2015, the prevalence of TVD in all hospitalizations and in HF hospitalizations increased from 1.7% to 2.0% and from 3.9% to 5.7%, respectively (ptrend <0.001 for both), particularly in those ≥85 years of age and in women. In patients with TVD, primary reasons for hospitalizations were HF (20.8%), infections (10.1%), arrhythmias (9.8%), respiratory conditions (8.4%), and coronary artery disease/acute myocardial infarction (8.2%). In-hospital mortality and length of stay in patients with TVD remained unchanged, whereas costs of hospitalization increased during the study period. In conclusion, the prevalence of TVD in all hospitalized patients and in those hospitalized with HF has increased over the past several years, particularly in those ≥85 years of age and in women. Approximately 1 in 5 hospitalizations with a diagnosis of TVD is due to HF.

Direct Planimetry of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Area by Simultaneous Biplane Imaging: Challenging the Need for a Circular Assumption of the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract in the Assessment of Aortic Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of aortic stenosis (AS) requires calculation of aortic valve area (AVA), which relies on the assumption of a circular-shaped left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). However, the LVOT is often elliptical, and the circular assumption underestimates the true LVOT area (LVOTA). Biplane imaging using transthoracic echocardiography allows direct planimetry of LVOTA. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of obtaining LVOTA using this technique and its impact on the discordance between AVA and gradient criteria in AS grading. METHODS: We prospectively studied 134 patients (median age, 80 years; interquartile range, 73-87 years; 39% women) with AS, including 82 (61%) with severe AS and 52 (39%) with mild or moderate AS. LVOTA was traced using direct planimetry (LVOTAbiplane) and compared with LVOTA calculated using the circular assumption (LVOTAcirc). In a subset of patients who underwent cardiac computed tomography, direct planimetry of LVOTA was used as a reference standard. RESULTS: LVOTAbiplane was significantly larger than LVOTAcirc (4.20 cm2 [interquartile range, 3.66-4.90 cm2] vs 3.73 cm2 [interquartile range, 3.14-4.15 cm2], P < .001). Among 30 patients who underwent cardiac computed tomography, LVOTAbiplane had better agreement with LVOTA by direct planimetry than LVOTAcirc (mean bias, -0.45 ± 0.63 vs -1.02 ± 0.63 cm2; P < .0001). Of 82 patients with severe AS (AVA ≤ 1 cm2 using LVOTAcirc), 40 (49%) had discordant mean gradient (<40 mm Hg). By using LVOTAbiplane, patients with discordant AVA and mean gradient decreased from 49% to 27% (P = .004), and 29% of patients with severe AS were reclassified with moderate AS, with the highest percentage of reclassification in the group with low-gradient AS with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS: Direct planimetry using biplane imaging avoids the inherent underestimation of LVOTA using the circular assumption. LVOTA obtained by biplane planimetry can lead to better concordance between AVA and mean gradient and classification of AS severity.

A Left Atrial Mitral Valve Chord.

A 77-year-old patient presented with a mobile structure on the anterior mitral valve leaflet and was diagnosed with endocarditis. Subsequent imaging demonstrated this finding was consistent with a left atrial mitral valve chord. Recognition of this rare mitral valve anomaly is key to avoid overdiagnostics and/or overtreatment. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Minimally Invasive Nonresectional Mitral Valve Repair Can Be Performed With Excellent Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To review the efficacy of a minimally invasive surgical technique for mitral valve (MV) repair, we analyzed a nonresectional technique for degenerative mitral regurgitation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 101 consecutive patients who underwent a minimally invasive MV repair for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation between 2014 and 2017. All patients underwent a right lateral minithoracotomy and femoral cannulation and were repaired by a nonresectional technique using neochord loop implantation and ring annuloplasty. Patients were followed with longitudinal echocardiograms. RESULTS: The median age was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR], 49-64), and 31% were women. The procedure was successfully performed using a right minithoracotomy in all patients except for 1 who required an extended thoracotomy. A median of 4 neochords were placed. The median length was 16 mm (IQR, 14-18), and ring size was 34 mm (IQR, 32-36). Concomitant procedures included left atrial appendage exclusion in 10 patients (10%) and patent foramen ovale closure in 13 (13%). Median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 152 minutes (IQR, 142-164), and aortic cross-clamp time was 90 minutes (IQR, 81-98). Operative mortality was 0% and 1-year survival 100%. At 3 years freedom from recurrent at least moderate mitral regurgitation was 100%, and no patient required a valve-related reoperation. At 1 year the median left atrial diameter decreased by 15% (44 vs 37 mm, P < .001), the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased by 14% (53 vs 46 mm, P < .001), and MV gradients remained low (3.1 vs 2.9 mmHg, P = .54). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive MV repair using a nonresectional technique can be performed for severe degenerative mitral regurgitation with a low complication rate, excellent durability, and promising left ventricular reverse remodeling.

Association of Pulmonary Hypertension With Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair.

Importance: Pulmonary hypertension (pHTN) is associated with increased risk of mortality after mitral valve surgery for mitral regurgitation. However, its association with clinical outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) with a commercially available system (MitraClip) is unknown. Objective: To assess the association of pHTN with readmissions for heart failure and 1-year all-cause mortality after TMVr. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 4071 patients who underwent TMVr with the MitraClip system from November 4, 2013, through March 31, 2017, across 232 US sites in the Society of Thoracic Surgery/American College of Cardiology Transcatheter Valve Therapy registry. Patients were stratified into the following 4 groups based on invasive mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP): 1103 with no pHTN (mPAP, <25 mm Hg [group 1]); 1399 with mild pHTN (mPAP, 25-34 mm Hg [group 2]); 1011 with moderate pHTN (mPAP, 35-44 mm Hg [group 3]); and 558 with severe pHTN (mPAP, ≥45 mm Hg [group 4]). Data were analyzed from November 4, 2013, through March 31, 2017. Interventions: Patients were stratified into groups before TMVr, and clinical outcomes were assessed at 1 year after intervention. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary end point was a composite of 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure. Secondary end points were 30-day and 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure. Linkage to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrative claims was performed to assess 1-year outcomes in 2381 patients. Results: Among the 4071 patients included in the analysis, the median age was 81 years (interquartile range, 73-86 years); 1885 (46.3%) were women and 2186 (53.7%) were men. The composite rate of 1-year mortality and readmissions for heart failure was 33.6% (95% CI, 31.6%-35.7%), which was higher in those with pHTN (27.8% [95% CI, 24.2%-31.5%] in group 1, 32.4% [95% CI, 29.0%-35.8%] in group 2, 36.0% [95% CI, 31.8%-40.2%] in group 3, and 45.2% [95% CI, 39.1%-51.0%] in group 4; P < .001). Similarly, 1-year mortality (16.3% [95% CI, 13.4%-19.5%] in group 1, 19.8% [95% CI, 17.0%-22.8%] in group 2, 22.4% [95% CI, 18.8%-26.1%] in group 3, and 27.8% [95% CI, 22.6%-33.3%] in group 4; P < .001) increased across pHTN groups. The association of pHTN with mortality persisted despite multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio per 5-mm Hg mPAP increase, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.09; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that pHTN is associated with increased mortality and readmission for heart failure in patients undergoing TMVr using the MitraClip system for severe mitral regurgitation. Further efforts are needed to determine whether earlier intervention before pHTN develops will improve clinical outcomes.

Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who are at prohibitive, high, or intermediate risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). However, in low-risk patients, SAVR remains the standard therapy in current clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TAVR versus SAVR in low-risk patients. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched from inception to March 20, 2019. RCTs comparing TAVR versus SAVR in low-risk patients (Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality [STS-PROM] score <4%) were included. Primary outcome was all-cause death at 1 year. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 4 RCTs that randomized 2,887 patients (1,497 to TAVR and 1,390 to SAVR). The mean age of patients was 75.4 years, and the mean STS-PROM score was 2.3%. Compared with SAVR, TAVR was associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause death (2.1% vs. 3.5%; RR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.96; p = 0.03; I2 = 0%) and cardiovascular death (1.6% vs. 2.9%; RR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.90; p = 0.02; I2 = 0%) at 1 year. Rates of new/worsening atrial fibrillation, life-threatening/disabling bleeding, and acute kidney injury stage 2/3 were lower, whereas those of permanent pacemaker implantation and moderate/severe paravalvular leak were higher after TAVR versus SAVR. There were no significant differences between TAVR versus SAVR for major vascular complications, endocarditis, aortic valve re-intervention, and New York Heart Association functional class ≥II. CONCLUSIONS: In this meta-analysis of RCTs comparing TAVR versus SAVR in low-risk patients, TAVR was associated with significantly lower risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death at 1 year. These findings suggest that TAVR may be the preferred option over SAVR in low-risk patients with severe AS who are candidates for bioprosthetic AVR.

Ventricular stroke work and vascular impedance refine the characterization of patients with aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis (AS) management is classically guided by symptoms and valvular metrics. However, the natural history of AS is dictated by coupling of the left ventricle, aortic valve, and vascular system. We investigated whether metrics of ventricular and vascular state add to the appreciation of AS state above valve gradient alone. Seventy patients with severe symptomatic AS were prospectively followed from baseline to 30 days after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Left ventricular stroke work (SWLV) and vascular impedance spectrums were calculated noninvasively using in-house models based on central blood pressure waveforms, along with hemodynamic parameters from echocardiograms. Patients with higher preprocedural SWLV and lower vascular impedance were more likely to experience improved QOL after TAVR. Patients fell into two categories: those who did and those who did not exhibit increase in blood pressure after TAVR. In patients who developed hypertension (19%), vascular impedance increased and SWLV remained unchanged (impedance at zeroth harmonic: Z 0, from 3964.4 to 4851.8 dyne·s/cm3, P = 0.039; characteristic impedance: Z c, from 376.2 to 603.2 dyne·s/cm3, P = 0.033). SWLV dropped only in patients who did not develop new hypertension after TAVR (from 1.58 to 1.26 J; P < 0.001). Reduction in valvular pressure gradient after TAVR did not predict change in SWLV (r = 0.213; P = 0.129). Reduction of SWLV after TAVR may be an important metric in management of AS, rather than relying solely on the elimination of transvalvular pressure gradients.

Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty: Echocardiographic Eligibility and Procedural Guidance.

Rheumatic mitral stenosis remains a common disease in the developing world. Percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty is an important therapy for rheumatic mitral stenosis. Echocardiography plays a critical role in the diagnosis of rheumatic mitral stenosis and the assessment of suitability for and guidance of percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty.

ACC/AATS/AHA/ASE/EACTS/HVS/SCA/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR/STS 2017 Appropriate Use Criteria for the Treatment of Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Heart Valve Society, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

The American College of Cardiology collaborated with the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Heart Valve Society, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons to develop and evaluate Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for the treatment of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). This is the first AUC to address the topic of AS and its treatment options, including surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A number of common patient scenarios experienced in daily practice were developed along with assumptions and definitions for those scenarios, which were all created using guidelines, clinical trial data, and expert opinion in the field of AS. The 2014 AHA/ACC guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines(1) and its 2017 focused update paper (2) were used as the primary guiding references in developing these indications. The writing group identified 95 clinical scenarios based on patient symptoms and clinical presentation, and up to 6 potential treatment options for those patients. A separate, independent rating panel was asked to score each indication from 1 to 9, with 1-3 categorized as "Rarely Appropriate," 4-6 as "May Be Appropriate," and 7-9 as "Appropriate." After considering factors such as symptom status, left ventricular (LV) function, surgical risk, and the presence of concomitant coronary or other valve disease, the rating panel determined that either SAVR or TAVR is Appropriate in most patients with symptomatic AS at intermediate or high surgical risk; however, situations commonly arise in clinical practice in which the indications for SAVR or TAVR are less clear, including situations in which 1 form of valve replacement would appear reasonable when the other is less so, as do other circumstances in which neither intervention is the suitable treatment option. The purpose of this AUC is to provide guidance to clinicians in the care of patients with severe AS by identifying the reasonable treatment and intervention options available based on the myriad clinical scenarios with which patients present. This AUC document also serves as an educational and quality improvement tool to identify patterns of care and reduce the number of rarely appropriate interventions in clinical practice.

Transapical Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Is Associated With Increased Cardiac Mortality in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction: Insights From the PARTNER I Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the impact of transapical (TA) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on mortality, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement, and functional recovery in patients with LV dysfunction. BACKGROUND: LV injury inherent to TA access for structural heart disease interventions may be particularly detrimental to the LV, functional recovery, and survival in patients with LV dysfunction. METHODS: The study included patients enrolled within the PARTNER I (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves) trial that underwent transfemoral (TF) or TA TAVR. Analyses of clinical outcomes were stratified by the presence of baseline LV dysfunction (LVEF<50%) and adjusted for the propensity of receiving TA TAVR. RESULTS: Of 2,084 subjects, 1,057 underwent TA TAVR. TA access was associated with increased 2-year all-cause mortality in those with (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadjusted]: 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12 to 2.07; p = 0.008) and without (HRadjusted: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.74; p = 0.006) LV dysfunction. TA TAVR portended increased 2-year cardiac mortality in subjects with LVEF<50% (HRadjusted: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.21 to 3.05; p = 0.006), but not with LVEF≥50% (HRadjusted: 1.29; 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.90; p = 0.21). In those with LVEF<50%, greater improvements in LVEF (TF-TA difference +4.04%, 95% CI: 2.39% to 5.69%; p < 0.0001) and 6-min walk distance (TF-TA difference +45.1 m, 95% CI: 18.4 to 71.9 m; p = 0.001) occurred within 30 days after TF versus TA TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with TF TAVR, TA TAVR is associated with a disproportionate risk of cardiac mortality in patients with LV dysfunction and with delayed and less robust improvement in LV function and overall functional status. Caution is warranted when considering TA access for structural heart disease interventions, particularly in patients with LV dysfunction. (Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves [PARTNER]; NCT00530894).

New considerations in the assessment of aortic stenosis.

Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most common acquired valvular heart diseases in industrialized nations. It is a slowly progressive disease and with the aging population, the prevalence of AS is expected to increase. Doppler echocardiography is used to classify patients based on severity of stenosis. Research efforts on how to better identify and risk-assess these patients are currently underway using advanced imaging modalities and serum biomarkers. Thus far, medications for AS prevention have been unsuccessful. As technology progresses, the assessment of AS will transition from one heavily weighed on echocardiographic gradients to one of active surveillances with multimodality imaging, serum biomarkers and genetic assessment.