Transcatheter heart valve explant with infective endocarditis-associated prosthesis failure and outcomes: the EXPLANT-TAVR international registry.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Surgical explantation of transcatheter heart valves (THVs) is rapidly increasing, but there are limited data on patients with THV-associated infective endocarditis (IE). This study aims to assess the outcomes of patients undergoing THV explant for IE. METHODS: All patients who underwent THV explant between 2011 and 2022 from 44 sites in the EXPLANT-TAVR registry were identified. Patients with IE as the reason for THV explant were compared to those with other mechanisms of bioprosthetic valve dysfunction (BVD). RESULTS: A total of 372 patients from the EXPLANT-TAVR registry were included. Among them, 184 (49.5%) patients underwent THV explant due to IE and 188 (50.5%) patients due to BVD. At the index transcatheter aortic valve replacement, patients undergoing THV explant for IE were older (74.3 ± 8.6 vs. 71 ± 10.6 years) and had a lower Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score [2.6% (1.8-5.0) vs. 3.3% (2.1-5.6), P = .029] compared to patients with BVD. Compared to BVD, IE patients had longer intensive care unit and hospital stays (P < .05) and higher stroke rates at 30 days (8.6% vs. 2.9%, P = .032) and 1 year (16.2% vs. 5.2%, P = .010). Adjusted in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year mortality was 12.1%, 16.1%, and 33.8%, respectively, for the entire cohort, with no significant differences between groups. Although mortality was numerically higher in IE patients 3 years postsurgery (29.6% for BVD vs. 43.9% for IE), Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant differences between groups (P = .16). CONCLUSIONS: In the EXPLANT-TAVR registry, patients undergoing THV explant for IE had higher 30-day and 1-year stroke rates and longer intensive care unit and hospital stays. Moreover, patients undergoing THV explant for IE had a higher 3-year mortality rate, which did not reach statistical significance given the relatively small sample size of this unique cohort and the reduced number of events.

Automated titanium fastener vs. hand-tied knots for prosthesis fixation in infective endocarditis.

Objectives: To date, there is no evidence regarding the safety of automated titanium fastener compared with hand-tied knots for prosthesis fixation in infective endocarditis. Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2022, a total of 220 patients requiring surgery for infective endocarditis were included in this retrospective analysis. The primary study endpoint was re-endocarditis during follow-up. The secondary study endpoints included stroke onset, all-cause mortality, and a composite outcome of either re-endocarditis, stroke, or all-cause mortality during follow-up. Results: Suture-securing with an automated titanium fastener was performed in 114 (51.8%) patients, whereas the conventional technique of hand knot-tying was used in 106 (48.2%) patients. The risk of re-endocarditis was significantly lower in the automated titanium fastener group, as shown in a multivariable proportional competing risk regression model (adjusted sub-hazard ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.99, p = 0.048). The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the automated titanium fastener group was not associated with an increased risk of stroke-onset or attaining the composite outcome, respectively, (adjusted hazard ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.27-1.08, p = 0.082), (adjusted hazard ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.42-1.02, p = 0.061). Also, this group was not associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, as demonstrated in the multivariable Poisson regression analysis (adjusted incidence-rate ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 0.83-2.42, p = 0.202). Conclusions: The use of automated titanium fastener device seems to be safe for infective endocarditis. Analyses of larger cohorts are required.

Femoral vessel complications after transfemoral TAVR-A contemporary sonography-based assessment of 480 patients with third-generation transcatheter valves.

BACKGROUND: Postinterventional sonographic assessment of the femoral artery after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) has the potential to identify several pathologies. We investigated the incidence and risk factors of femoral vessel complications in a modern TAVR collective using postinterventional sonography. METHODS: Between September 2017 and March 2022, 480 patients underwent TF-TAVR with postinterventional femoral sonography at a single center. Clinical outcomes and adverse events were analyzed after the Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 (VARC-3) criteria. RESULTS: In this cohort (51.2% male; age 80 ± 7.5 years, median EuroSCORE II 3.7) 74.8% (n = 359) were implanted with a self-expandable and 25.2% (n = 121) with a balloon-expandable valve. The main access (valve-delivery) was located right in 91.4% (n = 438), and the primary closure system was Proglide in 95% (n = 456). Vascular complications (VC) were observed in 29.16% (n = 140) of patients; 23.3% (n = 112) presented with minor- and 5.8% (n = 28) with major VC. Postinterventional femoral artery stenosis on the main access was observed in 9.8% (n = 47). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed female sex (p = .03, odds ratio [OR] 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-4.89) and the number of used endovascular closure devices (p = .014, OR 0.11, 95%CI 0.02-0.64) as predictive factors for femoral artery stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postinterventional femoral artery stenosis following TF-TAVR was higher than expected with a number of used closure devices and female sex being independent risk factors. Considering the continuous advance of TAVR in low-risk patients with preserved physical activity, emphasis should be directed at the correct diagnosis and follow-up of these complications.

Evaluation of a Novel Automated Suturing Technology for Mitral Chordal Implantation: 1-Year Results.

PURPOSE: A new automated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) suture placement device and a new customized titanium fastener deployment device were clinically evaluated in open and less-invasive mitral valve repair (MVr). DESCRIPTION: Twelve patients were monitored for 1 year after undergoing MVr using the study devices. The study end points included surgical outcomes, operative times, valve repair durability, adverse events, and mortality. EVALUATION: Three patients received 1 ePTFE chord using the study technology, and 9 patients received 2 chords. Mitral regurgitation at 30 days was absent in 8 patients, trace in 2, and mild in 2. At the 1-year follow-up, mitral regurgitation was absent in 7 patients, trace in 2, mild in 2, and moderate in 1. There were no replacement chord failures, reoperations, or death. CONCLUSIONS: The initial outcomes of new automated ePTFE suture placement and titanium fastener deployment devices encourage further clinical evaluations.

Aortic Valve Replacement in Adult Patients with Decellularized Homografts: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: decellularized aortic homografts (DAH) represent a promising alternative for aortic valve replacement in young adults due to their low immunogenicity and thrombogenicity. Herein, we report our midterm, single-center experience in adult patients with non-frozen DAH from corlife. METHODS: safety, durability, and hemodynamic performance were evaluated according to current guidelines in all consecutive patients who had received a DAH at our center since 03/2016. RESULTS: seventy-three (mean age 47 ± 11 years, 68.4% (n = 50) male) patients were enrolled. The mean diameter of the implanted DAH was 24 ± 2 mm. Mean follow-up was 36 ± 27 months, with a maximum follow-up of 85 months and cumulative follow-up of 215 years. No cases of stenosis were observed, in four (5.5%) cases moderate aortic regurgitation occurred, but no reintervention was required. No cases of early mortality, non-structural dysfunction, reoperation, valve endocarditis, or thrombosis were observed. Freedom from bleeding and thromboembolic events was 100%; freedom from re-intervention was 100%; survival was 98.6% (n = 72). CONCLUSIONS: early and mid-term results showed low mortality and 100% freedom from reoperation, thromboembolic events, and bleeding at our center. However, in order for this novel approach to be established as a valid alternative to aortic valve replacement in young patients, long-term data are required.

Aortic root geometry following composite valve graft implantation: Implications for future valve-in-valve procedures.

OBJECTIVES: Biological composite valve grafts (CVGs) are being performed more frequently, which increases the need for interventions treating bioprosthetic valve failure. The feasibility of valve-in-valve procedures in this population is uncertain. This study aimed to assess changes in aortic root geometry and coronary height following CVG implantation to better understand future interventions. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 64 patients following bioprosthetic CVG replacement with pre- and postoperative computed tomography angiography. Root assessment was conducted as in preprocedural transcatheter aortic valve evaluation using a virtual valve simulation. RESULTS: In 64 patients (age, 67.6 ± 9.3 years; 76.6% men) the preoperative coronary height was 14.3 ± 6.8 mm for the left coronary artery (LCA) and 17.9 ± 5.9 mm for the right coronary artery (RCA), which significantly decreased after CVG implantation, with 8.7 ± 4.4 mm for the LCA and 11.3 ± 4.4 mm for the RCA (P < .001). The virtual valve-to-coronary distances measured 4.0 ± 1.3 mm (LCA) and 4.6 ± 1.4 mm (RCA). Overall, 59.4% (n = 38) of patients with bio-CVGs would have been at risk for coronary obstruction, 29.7% (n = 19) for LCA, 10.9% (n = 7) for RCA, and 18.8% (n = 12) for combined LCA and RCA. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary height significantly decreased following CVG implantation. The majority of patients after bio-CVG were at a potential risk for coronary obstruction in future valve-in-valve procedures. Further studies are needed to identify the best possible technique for coronary reimplantation and other measures to diminish the risk for future coronary obstruction in this population.

Impact of Mitral Regurgitation Etiology on Mitral Surgery After Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: From the CUTTING-EDGE Registry.

BACKGROUND: Although >150,000 mitral TEER procedures have been performed worldwide, the impact of MR etiology on MV surgery after TEER remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to compare outcomes of mitral valve (MV) surgery after failed transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) stratified by mitral regurgitation (MR) etiology. METHODS: Data from the CUTTING-EDGE registry were retrospectively analyzed. Surgeries were stratified by MR etiology: primary (PMR) and secondary (SMR). MVARC (Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium) outcomes at 30 days and 1 year were evaluated. Median follow-up was 9.1 months (IQR: 1.1-25.8 months) after surgery. RESULTS: From July 2009 to July 2020, 330 patients underwent MV surgery after TEER, of which 47% had PMR and 53.0% had SMR. Mean age was 73.8 ± 10.1 years, median STS risk at initial TEER was 4.0% (IQR: 2.2%-7.3%). Compared with PMR, SMR had a higher EuroSCORE, more comorbidities, lower LVEF pre-TEER and presurgery (all P < 0.05). SMR patients had more aborted TEER (25.7% vs 16.3%; P = 0.043), more surgery for mitral stenosis after TEER (19.4% vs 9.0%; P = 0.008), and fewer MV repairs (4.0% vs 11.0%; P = 0.019). Thirty-day mortality was numerically higher in SMR (20.4% vs 12.7%; P = 0.072), with an observed-to-expected ratio of 3.6 (95% CI: 1.9-5.3) overall, 2.6 (95% CI: 1.2-4.0) in PMR, and 4.6 (95% CI: 2.6-6.6) in SMR. SMR had significantly higher 1-year mortality (38.3% vs 23.2%; P = 0.019). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the actuarial estimates of cumulative survival were significantly lower in SMR at 1 and 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of MV surgery after TEER is nontrivial, with higher mortality after surgery, especially in SMR patients. These findings provide valuable data for further research to improve these outcomes.

Novel Automated Suturing Technology for Minimally Invasive Mitral Chord Implantation: A Preclinical Evaluation Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the ergonomics and time requirements of using a novel automated suturing and titanium fastener deployment technology for chordal replacement in human heart specimens in open and minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) simulators. METHODS: Five cardiac surgeons used novel, manually powered expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) suturing devices to automate suture placement between mitral leaflets and papillary muscles in explanted cadaver hearts, along with customized titanium fastener delivery devices to secure suture and trim suture tails. This mitral chordal replacement test was conducted using surgical models simulating open and MICS mitral repair access. The study was approved by the institutional ethical board. RESULTS: After a brief introduction to this technique using plastic models, study surgeons performed 48 chordal replacements in human mitral valves, placing 18 in an open model and 30 in a right minithoracotomy model. The time range to complete a single chordal replacement was between 55 s and 8 min, with an overall mean duration of 3.6 ± 1.5 min. No difference in duration of implantation was recorded for the MICS and open sternotomy simulators used. Good control of suture delivery was reported in 95.8% (n = 46) of leaflet aspect of the sutures and in 100% (N = 48) of papillary muscle sutures. CONCLUSIONS: Automated mitral chordal ePTFE suturing simulated through open and MICS access demonstrated quality handling and accurate placement of sutures in human heart specimens. A clinical trial using this technology is currently ongoing. This innovation may present an important advance facilitating enhanced minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

Dynamic electrophysiological mechanism in patients with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Improved understanding of the mechanisms that sustain persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (LSpAF) is essential for providing better ablation solutions. The findings of traditional catheter-based electrophysiological studies can be impacted by the sedation required for these procedures. This is not required in non-invasive body-surface mapping (ECGI). ECGI allows for multiple mappings in the same patient at different times. This would expose potential electrophysiological changes over time, such as the location and stability of extra-pulmonary vein drivers and activation patterns in sustained AF. Materials and methods: In this electrophysiological study, 10 open-heart surgery candidates with LSpAF, without previous ablation procedures (6 male, median age 73 years), were mapped on two occasions with a median interval of 11 days (IQR: 8-19) between mappings. Bi-atrial epicardial activation sequences were acquired using ECGI (CardioInsight™, Minneapolis, MN, United States). Results: Bi-atrial electrophysiological abnormalities were documented in all 20 mappings. Interestingly, the anatomic location of focal and rotor activities changed between the mappings in all patients [100% showed changes, 95%CI (69.2-100%), p < 0.001]. Neither AF driver type nor their number varied significantly between the mappings in any patient (median total number of focal activities 8 (IQR: 1-16) versus 6 (IQR: 2-12), p = 0.68; median total number of rotor activities 48 (IQR: 44-67) versus 55 (IQR: 44-61), p = 0.30). However, individual zones showed a high number of quantitative changes (increase/decrease) of driver activity. Most changes of focal activity were found in the left atrial appendage, the region of the left lower pulmonary vein and the right atrial appendage. Most changes in rotor activity were found also at the left lower pulmonary vein region, the upper half of the right atrium and the right atrial appendage. Conclusion: This clinical study documented that driver location and activation patterns in patients with LSpAF changes constantly. Furthermore, bi-atrial pathophysiology was demonstrated, which underscores the importance of treating both atria in LSpAF and the significant role that arrhythmogenic drivers outside the pulmonary veins seem to have in maintaining this complex arrhythmia.

Long Term Results of the Modified Bentall Procedure With Mechanical and Biological Composite Valve Grafts.

Objectives: Despite the evident shift toward biological prostheses, the optimal choice of valve remains controversial in composite valve graft (CVG) replacement. We investigated long-term morbidity and mortality after CVG implantation in an all-comer cohort with a subgroup analysis of patients aged 50-70 years stratified after valve type. Methods: A total of 507 patients underwent the Bentall procedure with either a mechanical (MCVG, n = 299) or a biological (BCVG n = 208) CVG replacement between 2000 and 2020. A single-center analysis comprising clinical and telephone follow-up was conducted to investigate late mortality and morbidity. Results: The 30-day mortality in all patients [age 56 ± 14 years, 78.1% male, EuroSCORE II 3.12 (1.7; 7.1)] was 5.9%. Patients who were electively operated on had a 30-day mortality of 1.5% (n = 5) while it remained higher in urgent/emergent procedures (n = 25, 15.4%). Survival at 10 and 15 years was 78.19 ± 2.26% and 72.6 ± 3.2%, respectively. In patients aged 50-70 years (n = 261; MCVG = 151, BCVG = 110), survival did not differ significantly between the valve groups (p = 0.419). Multivariable analysis showed no significant impact of valve type on survival (p = 0.069). A time-varying relation with survival was notable, showing a higher risk in the MCVG group in the early postoperative phase, which declined compared to the BCVG group in the course of follow-up. Conclusions: The Bentall technique presents with excellent mortality when performed electively. The type of valve prosthesis showed no statistically significant effect on mortality in patients aged 50-70 years. However, a time-varying relation showing an initially higher risk with MCVG which decreased compared to BCVG at long-term follow-up was notable. Further studies with even longer follow-up of BCVGs will clarify the ideal choice of prosthesis in this patient subset.

Deviations From the Ideal Plasma Volume and Isolated Tricuspid Valve Surgery-Paving the Way for New Risk Stratification Parameters.

Background: Congestion and plasma volume expansion are important features of heart failure, whose prognostic significance has been investigated in a range of surgical and non-surgical settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of the estimated plasma volume status (ePVS) in patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve surgery. Methods: This study included patients who underwent isolated tricuspid valve surgery at the Vienna General Hospital (Austria) between July 2008 and November 2018. The PVS cut-off was calculated using ROC analysis and Youden's Index. Results: Eighty eight patients (median age: 58 [IQR: 35-70] years; 44.3% male; 75.6% NYHA III/IV; median EuroSCORE II 2.65 [IQR: 1.70-5.10]; 33.0% endocarditis-related regurgitation; 60.2% isolated repair; 39.8% isolated replacement) were included in this study. Patients who died within 1 year following surgery had significantly higher baseline ePVS values than survivors (median ePVS 5.29 [IQR: -1.55-13.55] vs. -3.68 [IQR: -10.92-4.22]; p = 0.005). During a median actuarial follow-up of 3.02 (IQR: 0.36-6.80) years, patients with a preoperative ePVS ≥ -4.17 had a significantly increased mortality (log-rank p = 0.006). Conclusions: ePVS is an easily obtainable risk parameter for patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve surgery capable of predicting mid- and long-term outcomes after isolated tricuspid valve surgery.

Observed versus predicted mortality after isolated tricuspid valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study is to analyse the performances of Clinical Risk Score (CRS) and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE)-II in isolated tricuspid surgery. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty-three patients (54 ± 16 year; 54% female) were enrolled. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the true positive fraction of test results and the false-positive fraction for a procedure. RESULTS: Considering the 30-day mortality the area under the curve was 0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-0.72) for EuroSCORE II and 0.7 (95% CI 0.56-0.84) for CRS-score. The ratio of expected/observed mortality showed underestimation when considering EuroSCORE-II (min. 0.46-max. 0.6). At multivariate analysis, the CRS score (p = .005) was predictor of late cardiac death. CONCLUSION: We suggest using both scores to obtain a range of expected mortality. CRS to speculate on late survival.

Early Clinical Experience With the TRICENTO Bicaval Valved Stent for Treatment of Symptomatic Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: A Multicenter Registry.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation present late and are often ineligible for surgery or transcatheter repair systems. Transfemoral venous implantation of a bicaval valved stent has been proposed as therapeutic option in selected patients. The aim of this study was to summarize the early procedural and clinical outcomes of the novel TRICENTO system for the treatment of patients with symptomatic severe tricuspid regurgitation. METHODS: All consecutive patients treated with the custom-made TRICENTO implant at the participating centers were included in this retrospective multicentre registry. RESULTS: A total of 21 high-risk patients (mean age 76±7 years; 67% female) with severe or higher grade tricuspid regurgitation were analyzed. The majority of the patients were in New York Heart Association class III/IV (95%), had peripheral edema (95%), and previous hospitalization for right heart failure (67%). Technical success was 100%, and there was no case of in-hospital mortality. During follow-up (median 61 days), symptomatic improvement was observed (65% in New York Heart Association class I/II; P<0.001). Computed tomography revealed asymptomatic fractures of the TRICENTO prosthesis in 3 patients. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging obtained in 7 patients showed a significant decrease (252±65 mm3 at baseline versus 216±58 mm3 at follow-up, P=0.006) of right ventricular end-diastolic volume. The overall-survival rate was 76% at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The present data indicate the feasibility of transfemoral bicaval valved stent implantation for the treatment of severe tricuspid regurgitation. Functional improvement and signs of right ventricular reverse remodeling were observed. Stent fractures did not impair valve function, but require refinement of prosthesis design and careful assessment of eligibility criteria.

Rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement for patients with bicuspid aortic valve: a single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: The benefit of rapid-deployment aortic valve replacement (RD-AVR) in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is controversial due to aortic root asymmetry and potential increased risk for valve dislocation and paravalvular leak. This study aimed to analyse the outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement with a rapid-deployment bioprosthesis in patients with a BAV. METHODS: Between May 2010 and December 2020, all consecutive patients who underwent RD-AVR at the Medical University of Vienna were included in our institutional database. Assessment of preoperative characteristics, operative outcomes, long-term survival and clinical events was performed. The outcomes of patients presenting with a native BAV were compared with a control group of patients with native tricuspid valve (TAV); reoperative aortic valve replacements were excluded. RESULTS: Out of 816 patients, who underwent RD-AVR at our institution, 107 patients with a BAV, mean age 68 (standard deviation: 8) years, were compared with a control group of 690 patients with a TAV, mean age 74 (standard deviation: 7) years; patients presenting with a BAV were significantly younger than patients with a TAV (P < 0.001). Concomitant procedures were performed in 44 (41.1%) patients in the BAV group and in 339 (49.1%) patients in the TAV group (P = 0.123); surgery of the ascending aorta was necessary in 24 (22.4%) in the BAV group, compared with 29 (4.2%) in the control group (P < 0.001). The 5-year cumulative incidence of moderate-to-severe paravalvular regurgitation in the BAV group was 10.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.2-20.7%] and 3.9% (95% CI: 2.4-6.1%) in the TAV group (P = 0.057). Reoperation with valve explantation due to non-structural valve dysfunction at 5 years was 2.8% (95% CI: 0.5-8.8%) in the BAV group, compared to 1.9% (95% CI: 1.0-3.2%) in the TAV cohort (P = 0.89). The overall long-term survival rate in the BAV group was 92% (95% CI: 81-97%) at 5 years and 88% (95% CI: 73-95%), at 10 years, significantly better compared to the TAV group (log-rank test P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: RD-AVR can be performed in patients with a BAV with convincingly medical outcomes. However, a trend to increased frequency of moderate-severe paravalvular regurgitation was observed at long-term follow-up. Consequently, a different surgical approach, compared to tricuspid valves, with distinctly specific technical- and anatomical considerations and requirements, is recommended.

German Aortic Root Repair Registry-Insights From the First 400 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to provide initial data from our prospective valve-sparing aortic root replacement (V-SARR) registry and reasons for conversion to prosthetic aortic valve replacement. METHODS: Six centers established an intention-to-treat-design V-SARR-registry (the German Aortic Root Repair Registry; first patient in October 2016); the main inclusion criterion was being scheduled for V-SARR as plan A. Clinical information, operative details, intraoperative valve/root measurements, and clinical and transthoracic echocardiography follow-up-data are documented. RESULTS: Of a total of 449 patients, we report data for 401 (81% male; mean age 51 ± 14 years). Overall, 350 patients underwent V-SARR as scheduled, group A (David variants I 55%, III 2%, IV 13%, V 24%, V-Stanford 2%, and Yacoub remodeling 2%); and 51 were converted to aortic valve replacement (group B). Median follow-up was 11 months (range, 0 to 2.6 years), cumulative follow-up was 279 patient-years. In group B, there were fewer connective tissue disorders (6% vs 16%), fewer patients had left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 50% (60% vs 90%), more had bicuspid aortic valves (45% vs 28%), and fewer patients had preoperative none/trace aortic regurgitation (2% vs 20%). Fewer patients in group B had rare types of bicuspid aortic valve (fused N/L, R/N, 10% vs 30%) and more had unbalanced roots (56% vs 40%). Immediate postoperative aortic regurgitation was none/trace in 79% and mild in 20%. At 30 days, the mean transvalvular pressure gradient was 7 ± 5 mm Hg. None of the patients died in hospital; two strokes occurred. One patient needed early aortic valve replacement as redo surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The main factors causing surgeons to convert a planned V-SARR to aortic valve replacement include asymmetry of aortic valve/root, severity of aortic regurgitation, safety reasons (left ventricular ejection fraction), and bicuspid aortic valves (but not rare types). The German Aortic Root Repair Registry will help us identify the impact on long-term outcomes of preoperative and postoperative valvular anatomy and various V-SARR types.

Beating Versus Arrested Heart Isolated Tricuspid Valve Surgery: Long-term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery is a rare procedure generally considered at high risk for perioperative mortality and poor long-term outcomes. Surgical treatment can be performed with either an arrested heart (AH) or beating heart (BH) technique. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of isolated tricuspid surgery with 2 different approaches. METHODS: The Surgical-Tricuspid Study is a multicenter international retrospective study enrolling adult patients who underwent isolated TV procedures (n = 406; age 56 ± 16 years; 56% female) at 13 international sites. The AH and BH strategies were performed in 253 and 153 patients, respectively. Propensity score-matched analysis was used to compare groups. RESULTS: After matching, 129 pairs were obtained and analyzed. The 30-day mortality rate was 6.2% versus 5.0% in the AH and BH groups, respectively (P = .9). The rates of acute renal failure requiring replacement therapy (10% versus 3%; P = .02) and stroke (1.6% versus 0%; P = .08) were numerically higher in the AH group. The 6-year survival rate was 67% ± 6% versus 78% ± 5% in the AH and BH groups, respectively (P = .18), whereas freedom from cardiac death was 75% ± 5% versus 84% ± 4% (P = .21). The 6-year composite cardiac end point of cardiac death and reoperation rate was 60% ± 9% versus 86% ± 5% (P = .024) comparing AH-TV replacement and BH-TV repair groups. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated TV surgery performed with a BH strategy is a safe option and resulted in a trend of increased long-term survival and freedom from reoperation compared with the standard AH technique. Patients undergoing BH valve repair had the best long-term outcome.

Long-term durability after surgical aortic valve replacement with the Trifecta and the Intuity valve-a comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term durability of surgical bio-prostheses is a key factor, especially in the era of transcatheter aortic valve replacement. We compared the incidence of structural valve deterioration (SVD) between patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with the Trifecta (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA) or the Intuity valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA). METHODS: Between April 2010 and May 2020, 1118 patients underwent SAVR with the Trifecta (n = 346) and the Intuity (n = 772) valve at a single centre. A total of 1070 patients (Trifecta n = 298, Intuity n = 772) were analysed after the exclusion of patients with pure regurgitation and endocarditis. Retro- and prospective echocardiographic and clinical follow-up was performed. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to identify prognostic factors for SVD, aortic re-interventions and mortality. RESULTS: With 27 cases (Trifecta n = 23, Intuity n = 4) of SVD observed, cumulative incidence of SVD was significantly higher in the Trifecta cohort (P < 0.001). Implantation of a Trifecta valve [hazard ratio (HR) 11.20; 95% confidence interval 3.79-33.09], log-transformed preoperative creatinine (HR 2.47; 1.37-4.44) and sex (male HR 0.42; 0.19-0.92) emerged as prognostic factors of SVD. A significantly higher cumulative incidence of re-interventions was observed in the Trifecta cohort (P = 0.004) and valve type was an independent time-varying risk factor (HR at 12 months 2.78; 95% confidence interval 1.42-5.45). Overall, no significant differences in all-cause mortality were observed between the groups (log-rank test: P = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: SVD was significantly more frequent in patients receiving a Trifecta valve and its implantation was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of SVD and aortic valve re-interventions. This comparative analysis of 2 low-gradient bioprosthesis put the long-term durability of the Trifecta valve in question and need to be taken into consideration when performing bioprosthetic SAVR.

Clinical outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients younger than 70 years rejected for surgery: the AMTRAC registry.

BACKGROUND: The mean age of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) patients is steadily decreasing. AIMS: The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics, the indications for and the outcomes of TAVI in patients <70 years old. METHODS: All patients undergoing TAVI (n=8,626) from the 18 participating centres between January 2007 and June 2020 were stratified by age (70). For patients <70, the indications for TAVI were extracted from Heart Team discussions and the baseline characteristics and mortality were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Overall, 640 (7.4%) patients were <70 (9.1% during 2018-2020, p<0.001); the mean age was 65.0±2.3 years. The younger patients were more often male, with bicuspid valves or needing valve-in-valve procedures. They had a higher prevalence of lung disease and diabetes. In 80.7% of cases, the Heart Team estimated an increased surgical risk and TAVI was selected, reflected by an STS score >4% in 20.4%. Five-year mortality was similar (29.4 vs 29.8%, HR 0.95, p=0.432) in the <70 and >70 groups. In the <70 group, mortality was higher for those referred for TAVI due to an increased surgical risk compared to those referred for other reasons (31.6 vs 24.5%, HR 1.23, p=0.021). Mortality was similar regardless of the STS stratum in patients judged by the Heart Team to be at increased surgical risk (32.6 vs 30.4%, HR 0.98, p=0.715). CONCLUSIONS: Use of TAVI in patients <70 is becoming more frequent. The main reason for choosing TAVI is due to an increased surgical risk not adequately represented by the STS score. The outcomes for these patients are similar to those for older TAVI patients. Dedicated trials of TAVI/SAVR in younger patients are needed to guide decisions concerning expansion of TAVI indications. ((ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04031274).