Assessment of Coronary Artery Obstruction Risk During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Utilising 3D-Printing.

BACKGROUND: Current imaging techniques may inadequately rule out coronary artery obstruction (CAO), a potentially fatal complication during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Advancements in three-dimensional (3D)-printing allow the development of models capable of replicating cardiac anatomy and predicting CAO. We sought to simulate TAVR utilising 3D-printed cardiac models to improve CAO risk assessment and procedural safety. METHODS: Thirteen (13) patients with aortic stenosis at high-risk of CAO during TAVR were selected for 3D-printed modelling. The relevant anatomy for TAVR was precisely reconstructed with Materialise Heart Print-Flex (Materialse, Leuven, Belgium) technology. An appropriately sized valve prosthesis was deployed in each 3D-model and coronary ostia assessed for obstruction. RESULTS: Model-derived results were compared to clinical outcomes in 13 cases. One high-risk case underwent TAVR resulting in left main obstruction and subsequent stenting. This outcome was accurately predicted by the 3D-model simulation. Two (2) high-risk TAVR cases were abandoned following transient CAO during balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). The 3D-model simulations correlated with these findings, demonstrating CAO either by a calcium nodule or the native valve leaflet. In another two cases, BAV was uncertain, however the 3D-simulation demonstrated patency and successful TAVR was undertaken. In remaining cases, no obstruction was demonstrated in-vitro, and all underwent uncomplicated TAVR. CONCLUSIONS: In this proof-of-concept study, 3D-model TAVR simulation correlates well to clinical outcomes. 3D-models of patients at high-risk of CAO may be utilised in pre-procedural planning to accurately predict this complication. As lower-risk surgical cohorts are considered for TAVR, 3D-models may minimise complications leading to safer patient outcomes.

Performance and Safety of Transfemoral TAVI With SAPIEN XT in Australian Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis at Intermediate Surgical Risk: SOLACE-AU Trial.

BACKGROUND: To determine the safety and performance of the SAPIEN XT transcatheter heart valve (THV) in Australian patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and intermediate surgical risk. METHODS: Eligible patients in this multi-centre, prospective, consecutively enrolled, non-randomised, clinical trial, received transcatheter aortic valve replacement via femoral artery access. Follow-up visits were at discharge, 30 days, and 6, 12, and 24 months. The primary endpoint was Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 composite safety at 30 days: all-cause mortality, all stroke, life-threatening bleeding, acute kidney injury-Stage 3, coronary artery obstruction requiring intervention, major vascular complication, and valve-related dysfunction requiring repeat procedure. Other endpoints were device success (successful vascular access, delivery, and deployment; correct position; intended performance mean aortic valve gradient <20 mmHg, mild or less paravalvular aortic regurgitation [PAR]; and only one valve implanted) and New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA). Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimates were calculated for the primary endpoint. RESULTS: At baseline, mean patient (N=199) age was 85.5 years, mean Society of Thoracic Surgeon score was 5.9, and 78.4% were in NYHA class III/IV. The primary composite endpoint KM estimate was 12.1%. Device success was 88.8%. SAPIEN XT was implanted in the proper location in 98.5% (n=2: valve-in-valve procedures, n=1: no implant due to left main coronary artery occlusion). No device malfunctions were reported. The post procedure PAR was mild or less in 93.8% of patients. Mean aortic gradient decreased from baseline (50.0 mmHg) to 2 years (10.3 mmHg). Most patients (90.9%) were in NYHA class I/II at 30 days. New permanent pacemaker rate was 8.1%. Stroke at 30 days was 3.5% (1.5% disabling). CONCLUSION: SAPIEN XT was safe and improved heart failure symptoms and valve haemodynamics in this cohort of Australian patients.

Use of Transcatheter Valves for Open Surgical Mitral Valve Replacement. Australian Experience.

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve procedures remain a surgical challenge in the presence of extensive annular calcification, which presents a formidable technical challenge. Aggressive debridement is limited by risk of serious complications and the technical complexity of pericardial patch reconstruction of the debrided area. METHODS: An open surgical approach with a transcatheter valve allows the valve to be placed under direct visualisation to facilitate positioning and to evaluate the likelihood of both perivalvular leakage and atrioventricular disruption. The open approach has the additional advantage of performing concomitant surgeries like other valve procedures, arrhythmias surgeries and coronary bypass. RESULTS: We present our experience with open surgical mitral valve replacement (MVR) using transcatheter valve in different patients requiring varied procedures. These patients were not suitable for MVR using standard prosthetic valve and techniques. They were also not suitable for percutaneous MVR because of heavily calcified anterior mitral leaflet and the other concomitant procedures required. CONCLUSIONS: Open MVR with a transcatheter balloon-expandable valve can avoid the need for technically challenging and high-risk decalcification of mitral annulus. These novel techniques using transcatheter valves can be successful in complex cases where standard prosthetic valves are impossible to implant in a heavily calcified mitral annulus.

Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Following Early Sapien-XT Valve Failure: A First.

BACKGROUND: Early degeneration of prosthetic aortic valve in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a rare complication. METHOD: We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with severe calcific stenosis of Edwards SAPIEN-XT valve implanted only 4 years previously. She is a Jehovah's Witness and has background of Sjogren's syndrome with secondary cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis. She was not a suitable candidate for valve-in-valve TAVR in view of early prosthetic valve failure by calcification. RESULT: She underwent surgical explantation of the Sapiens XT valve and mechanical aortic valve replacement. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first time that early TAVR valve degeneration and failure of an Edwards SAPIEN-XT valve was reported which required surgical replacement with a mechanical valve.

Early versus delayed percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) remains uncertain. We sought to assess clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients in real-world contemporary practice who have early versus delayed PCI for NSTEACS. METHODS: We analyzed baseline clinical and procedural characteristics of 4307 patients with NSTEACS who underwent PCI from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Patients were assigned to the early PCI group if intervention was performed within a calendar day of presentation. The delayed PCI group received an intervention after one calendar day, but within the index admission. We assessed 30 days and 12-month mortality, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and major adverse cardiovascular events. The safety endpoint was in-hospital bleeding. RESULTS: Of the 4307 patients, 2210 (51%) received early PCI. The delayed PCI group were older (67±12 vs. 64±12, P<0.01), more likely to have biomarker elevation (70 vs. 66%, P<0.01), and had more comorbidities. There was no difference in efficacy at 30 days between the groups. At 12 months, delayed PCI was associated with higher mortality (4.6 vs. 3.3%, P=0.02), myocardial infarction (7.9 vs. 5.2%, P<0.01), and MACE (15.5 vs. 12.4%, P<0.01). On multivariate analysis, delayed PCI was not associated with increased mortality at 12 months (odds ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.7-1.3). CONCLUSION: In patients with stable NSTEACS treated with PCI, delayed intervention was performed in those who were older and had higher risk features. However, there appears to be no mortality hazard for these high-risk patients where PCI is delayed beyond the first 24 h after presentation and performed within the index admission.

The impact of calcium volume and distribution in aortic root injury related to balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: A detailed assessment of calcium within the aortic root may provide important additional information regarding the risk of aortic root injury during transcatheter heart valve replacement (TAVR). OBJECTIVE: We sought to delineate the effect of calcium volume and distribution on aortic root injury during TAVR. METHODS: Thirty-three patients experiencing aortic root injury during TAVR with a balloon-expandable valve were compared with a control group of 153 consecutive TAVR patients without aortic root injury (as assessed by post-TAVR multidetector CT). Using commercial software to analyze contrast-enhanced pre-TAVR CT scans, calcium volume was determined in 3 regions: (1) the overall left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), extending 10 mm down from the aortic annulus plane; (2) the upper LVOT, extending 2 mm down from the annulus plane; and (3) the aortic valve region. RESULTS: Calcium volumes in the upper LVOT (median, 29 vs 0 mm(3); P < .0001) and overall LVOT (median, 74 vs 3 mm(3); P = .0001) were higher in patients who experienced aortic root injury compared with the control group. Calcium in the aortic valve region did not differ between groups. Upper LVOT calcium volume was more predictive of aortic root injury than overall LVOT calcium volume (area under receiver operating curve [AUC], 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.86 vs AUC, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.82; P = .010). Upper LVOT calcium below the noncoronary cusp was significantly more predictive of aortic root injury compared to calcium underneath the right coronary cusp or the left coronary cusp (AUC, 0.81 vs 0.68 vs 0.64). Prosthesis oversizing >20% (likelihood ratio test, P = .028) and redilatation (likelihood ratio test, P = .015) improved prediction of aortic root injury by upper LVOT calcium volume. CONCLUSION: Calcification of the LVOT, especially in the upper LVOT, located below the noncoronary cusp and extending from the annular region, is predictive of aortic root injury during TAVR with a balloon-expandable valve.

Amiodarone-induced destructive thyroiditis associated with coronary artery vasospasm and recurrent ventricular fibrillation.

A 55-year-old male on long-term amiodarone therapy presented with ischaemic chest pain and recurrent unwitnessed syncope. Interrogation of his internal cardiac defibrillator, which had been inserted 4 years earlier, revealed two episodes of ventricular fibrillation, the timing of which corresponded to his syncopal events. Severe spontaneous coronary artery vasospasm was observed on coronary angiogram. Thyroid function testing revealed severe hyperthyroidism with a diagnosis of type 2 amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) subsequently made. Treatment with prednisolone therapy was commenced and thyroid function rapidly normalized. Prednisolone was weaned without recurrence of hyperthyroidism and on last review, 6 months after initial presentation, he remains free from further chest pain and arrhythmias. Our patient's presentation is a very rare case of AIT-associated coronary artery spasm and documented ischaemic ventricular fibrillation with fortunate survival.

Computed tomography-based sizing recommendations for transcatheter aortic valve replacement with balloon-expandable valves: Comparison with transesophageal echocardiography and rationale for implementation in a prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) annular measurements are predictive of paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) which is a predictor of mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the rationale and potential implications of new CT sizing recommendations for TAVR. METHODS: The CT sizing recommendations aim to ensure routine transcatheter heart valve (THV) oversizing of the aortic annular area [(THV external area/systolic annular area - 1) × 100; range, 1%-20%; target, 10%-15%]. Consecutive patients (n = 120) underwent CT before TAVR with balloon-expandable valves sized by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Retrospectively, the CT-recommended THV size was compared with the actual size implanted. RESULTS: Compared with TEE, application of the newly developed CT-based sizing recommendations would have led to implantation of a larger valve in 33.3% (40/120), no change in valve size in 55.8% (67/120), and a smaller valve in 10.8% (13/120). In patients when CT recommended a larger valve, the incidence of at least moderate paravalvular regurgitation was 25% (10/40) compared with 4.5% (3/67; P < 0.01) when both TEE and CT recommendations were in agreement. Using diastolic versus systolic CT measurements results in 20% of patients receiving smaller THVs. TEE sizing resulted in 33.3% (40/120) of valves being undersized (THV area < CT systolic annular area) with a mean annular oversizing of 9.4% ± 17.4% (range: -21.5% to 65.9%) without annular rupture. In contrast, the CT sizing recommendations results in mean annular oversizing of 13.9% ± 8.0% (range, 1.3%-29.8%). CONCLUSION: These CT sizing recommendations enable standardized moderate overexpansion of the aortic annulus. Clinical outcomes from these recommendations are being prospectively assessed in a multicenter trial.

Long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: insights on prognostic factors and valve durability from the Canadian multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the Multicenter Canadian Experience study, with special focus on the causes and predictors of late mortality and valve durability. BACKGROUND: Very few data exist on the long-term outcomes associated with TAVI. METHODS: This was a multicenter study including 339 patients considered to be nonoperable or at very high surgical risk (mean age: 81 ± 8 years; Society of Thoracic Surgeons score: 9.8 ± 6.4%) who underwent TAVI with a balloon-expandable Edwards valve (transfemoral: 48%, transapical: 52%). Follow-up was available in 99% of the patients, and serial echocardiographic exams were evaluated in a central echocardiography core laboratory. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 42 ± 15 months 188 patients (55.5%) had died. The causes of late death (152 patients) were noncardiac (59.2%), cardiac (23.0%), and unknown (17.8%). The predictors of late mortality were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53 to 3.11), chronic kidney disease (HR: 1.08 for each decrease of 10 ml/min in estimated glomerular filtration rate, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.19), chronic atrial fibrillation (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.03), and frailty (HR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.17). A mild nonclinically significant decrease in valve area occurred at 2-year follow-up (p < 0.01), but no further reduction in valve area was observed up to 4-year follow-up. No changes in residual aortic regurgitation and no cases of structural valve failure were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-half of the patients who underwent TAVI because of a high or prohibitive surgical risk profile had died at a mean follow-up of 3.5 years. Late mortality was due to noncardiac comorbidities in more than one-half of patients. No clinically significant deterioration in valve function was observed throughout the follow-up period.

Structural integrity of balloon-expandable stents after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: assessment by multidetector computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the structural integrity of balloon-expandable stents used in transcatheter aortic valve replacement. BACKGROUND: Underexpansion, deformation, or fracture of stent frames may affect transcatheter heart valve (THV) function and durability. METHODS: Patients >1 year after transcatheter aortic valve replacement underwent multidetector computed tomography. Geometry of the stent frame was assessed for circularity; eccentricity; minimum and maximum external diameter; and expansion at the inflow, mid-stent, and outflow levels, as well as for stent fracture. THV noncircularity was defined as stent eccentricity >10% (1 - minimum diameter/maximum diameter) and THV underexpansion when expansion <90% (multidetector computed tomography derived external valve area/nominal external valve area). Echocardiography was performed after implantation and annually. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent multidetector computed tomography at an average of 2.5 ± 0.9 years after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (35 Sapien, 8 Sapien XT, and 7 Cribier-Edwards valves [all Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California). The mean external diameter for the 23- and 26-mm valves was 23.3 ± 0.9 mm and 25.9 ± 0.9 mm, respectively. Circularity was present in 96% (48 of 50) and median eccentricity was 2.0% (interquartile range: 1.2% to 3.0%). Mean THV expansion was 104.1 ± 7.4%, which increased from stent inflow to outflow (100.8 ± 7.6% vs. 108.1 ± 6.9%, p < 0.001). Stent fracture was not observed. Underexpanded valves (8% [4 of 50]) and noncircular valves (4% [2 of 50]) demonstrated stable hemodynamic function on annual echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon-expandable aortic valves have excellent rates of circularity with low eccentricity and maintain full expansion without stent fracture at an average 2.5 years after implantation.

Need for permanent pacemaker as a complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis and similar baseline electrocardiographic findings.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and predictive factors of complete atrioventricular block (AVB) and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). BACKGROUND: No data exist on the need for PPI after TAVI versus SAVR in patients with similar baseline electrocardiographic (ECG) findings. METHODS: A total of 411 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and no prior pacemaker who underwent TAVI with the balloon-expandable Edwards valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) were matched (1:1) with 411 elderly patients with severe AS who underwent isolated SAVR on the basis of baseline ECG findings. The incidence, reasons, and predictive factors for PPI within 30 days after the procedure were compared between groups. RESULTS: Mean age was similar in both groups (p = 0.11), and the TAVI group had a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (p < 0.001). The rate of new PPI was higher after TAVI (7.3%) compared with SAVR (3.4%), p = 0.014. Complete AVB and severe symptomatic bradycardia, respectively, were the reasons for PPI in the TAVI (5.6% and 1.7%, respectively) and SAVR (2.7% and 0.7%, respectively) groups (p = 0.039 for complete AVB, p = NS for symptomatic bradycardia). The presence of baseline right bundle branch block was the only variable associated with PPI in the TAVI group (odds ratio: 8.61, 95% confidence interval: 3.14 to 23.67, p < 0.0001), whereas no variable was found in the SAVR group. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was associated with a higher rate of complete AVB and PPI compared with SAVR in elderly patients with severe AS and similar baseline ECG findings. The presence of baseline right bundle branch block correlated with the need for PPI in the TAVI group.

Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for failed balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valves.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate outcomes after implantation of a second transcatheter heart valve (THV-in-THV) for acute THV failure. BACKGROUND: Aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) may be valvular due to prosthetic leaflet dysfunction or paravalvular due to poor annular sealing. METHODS: Patients undergoing aortic balloon-expandable TAVR at 3 centers were prospectively evaluated at baseline, intraprocedurally, at hospital discharge, and annually. RESULTS: Of 760 patients undergoing TAVR, 21 (2.8%) received a THV-in-THV implant due to acute, severe regurgitation. Aortic regurgitation was paravalvular in 18 patients and transvalvular in the remaining 3 patients. THV-in-THV implantation was technically successful in 19 patients (90%) and unsuccessful in 2 patients (10%), who subsequently underwent open heart surgery. Mortality at 30 days and 1 year was 14.3% and 24%, respectively. After successful THV-in-THV, mean aortic valve gradient fell from 37 ± 12 mm Hg to 13 ± 5 mm Hg (p < 0.01); aortic valve area increased from 0.64 ± 0.14 cm(2) to 1.55 ± 0.27 cm(2) (p < 0.01); and paravalvular aortic regurgitation was none in 4 patients, mild in 13 patients, and moderate in 2 patients. At 1-year follow-up, 1 patient had moderate and the others had mild or no paravalvular leaks. The mean transvalvular gradient was 15 ± 4 mm Hg, which was higher than in patients undergoing conventional TAVR (11 ± 4 mm Hg, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: THV-in-THV implantation is feasible and results in satisfactory short- and mid-term outcomes.

Pathology of transcatheter valve therapy.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to report on the pathology of transcatheter aortic valves explanted at early and late time points after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. BACKGROUND: Information on pathological findings following transcatheter aortic valve implantation is scarce, particularly late after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. METHODS: This study included 20 patients (13 men, median age 80 years [interquartile range: 72 to 84] years) with previous transcatheter aortic valve implantation with a valve explanted at autopsy (n = 17) or surgery (n = 3) up to 30 months after implantation (10 transapical and 10 transfemoral procedures). RESULTS: Structural valve degeneration was not seen, although fibrous tissue ingrowth was observed at later time points with minimal effects on cusp mobility in 1 case. Minor alterations in valve configuration or placement were observed in up to 50% of cases, but they were not accompanied by substantial changes in valve function or reliably associated with chest compressions. Vascular or myocardial injury was common, especially within 30 days of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (about 69%), with the latter associated with left coronary ostial occlusion by calcified native aortic valve tissue in 2 cases. Mild to severe myocardial amyloidosis was present in nearly 33% of cases and likely played a role in the poor outcome of 3 patients. Endocarditis, migration of the valve, and embolization during the procedure led to surgical valve removal. CONCLUSIONS: Structural degeneration was not seen and minor alterations of valve configuration or placement did not affect valve function and were not reliably caused by chest compressions. Vascular or myocardial injury is very common early after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and myocardial amyloidosis represents a relatively frequent potentially significant comorbid condition.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement: outcomes of patients with moderate or severe mitral regurgitation.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of mitral regurgitation (MR) on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and the impact of TAVR on MR. BACKGROUND: Little is known of the influence of MR on outcomes after TAVR. METHODS: The outcomes of patients with mild or less (n = 319), moderate (n = 89), and severe (n = 43) MR were evaluated after TAVR at 2 Canadian centers. RESULTS: Patients with moderate or severe MR had a higher mortality rate than those with mild or less MR during the 30 days after TAVR (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 3.94; p = 0.02). However, the mortality rates after 30 days were similar (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.82; 95% confidence interval: 0.50 to 1.34; p = 0.42). One year after TAVR, moderate MR had improved in 58%, remained moderate in 17%, and worsened to severe in 1%, and 24% of patients had died. Severe MR had improved in 49% and remained severe in 16%, and 35% of patients had died. Multivariate predictors of improved MR at 1 year (vs. unchanged MR, worse MR, or death) were a mean transaortic gradient ≥ 40 mm Hg, functional (as opposed to structural) MR, the absence of pulmonary hypertension, and the absence of atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate or severe MR in patients undergoing TAVR is associated with a higher early, but not late, mortality rate. At 1-year follow-up, MR was improved in 55% of patients with moderate or severe MR at baseline. Improvement was more likely in patients with high transaortic gradients, with functional MR, without pulmonary hypertension and without atrial fibrillation.

Prediction of optimal deployment projection for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: angiographic 3-dimensional reconstruction of the aortic root versus multidetector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the optimal fluoroscopic projection of the aortic valve is important for successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Various imaging modalities, including multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), have been proposed for prediction of the optimal deployment projection. We evaluated a method that provides 3-dimensional angiographic reconstructions (3DA) of the aortic root for prediction of the optimal deployment angle and compared it with MDCT. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR at St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, were evaluated. All underwent preimplant 3DA and 68% underwent preimplant MDCT. Three-dimensional angiographic reconstructions were generated from images of a C-arm rotational aortic root angiogram during breath-hold, rapid ventricular pacing, and injection of 32 mL contrast medium at 8 mL/s. Two independent operators prospectively predicted perpendicular valve projections. The implant angle was chosen at the discretion of the physician performing TAVR. The angles from 3DA, from MDCT, the implant angle, and the postdeployment perpendicular prosthesis view were compared. The shortest distance from the postdeployment perpendicular prosthesis projection to the regression line of predicted perpendicular projections was calculated. All but 1 patient had adequate image quality for reproducible angle predictions. There was a significant correlation between 3DA and MDCT for prediction of perpendicular valve projections (r=0.682, P<0.001). Deviation from the regression line of predicted angles to the postdeployment prosthesis view was 5.1±4.6° for 3DA and 7.9±4.9° for MDCT (P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional angiographic reconstructions and MDCT are safe, practical, and accurate imaging modalities for identifying the optimal perpendicular valve deployment projection during TAVR.

3-dimensional aortic annular assessment by multidetector computed tomography predicts moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a multicenter retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to analyze multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) 3-dimensional aortic annular dimensions for the prediction of paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PAR) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: Moderate or severe PAR after TAVR is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. METHODS: A total of 109 consecutive patients underwent MDCT pre-TAVR with a balloon expandable aortic valve. Differences between transcatheter heart valve (THV) size and MDCT measures of annular size (mean diameter, area, and circumference) were analyzed concerning prediction of PAR. Patients with THV malposition (n = 7) were excluded. In 50 patients, MDCT was repeated after TAVR to assess THV eccentricity (1 - short diameter/long diameter) and expansion (MDCT measured THV area/nominal THV area). RESULTS: Moderate or severe PAR (13 of 102) was associated with THV undersizing (THV diameter - mean diameter = -0.7 ± 1.4 mm vs. 0.9 ± 1.8 mm for trivial to mild PAR, p < 0.01). The difference between THV size and MDCT annular size was predictive of PAR (mean diameter: area under the curve [AUC]: 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68 to 0.88; area: AUC: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.90; circumference: AUC: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.91). Annular eccentricity was not associated with PAR (AUC: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.75). We found that 35.3% (36 of 102) and 45.1% (46 of 102) of THVs were undersized relative to the MDCT mean diameter and area, respectively. THV oversizing relative to the annular area was not associated with THV eccentricity or underexpansion (oversized vs. undersized THVs; expansion: 102.7 ± 5.3% vs. 106.1 ± 5.6%, p = 0.03; eccentricity: median: 1.7% [interquartile range: 1.4% to 3.0%] vs. 1.7% [interquartile range: 1.1% to 2.7%], p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: MDCT-derived 3-dimensional aortic annular measurements are predictive of moderate or severe PAR following TAVR. Oversizing of THVs may reduce the risk of moderate or severe PAR.