Automated 3D Analysis of Pre-Procedural MDCT to Predict Annulus Plane Angulation and C-Arm Positioning Benefit on Procedural Outcome in Patients Referred for TAVR

<p>OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine whether pre-procedural analysis of multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) scans could accurately predict the "line of perpendicularity" (LP) of the aortic annulus and corresponding C-arm angulations required for prosthesis delivery and impact the outcome of the procedure.</p><p>BACKGROUND Optimal positioning of the transcatheter aortic prosthesis is paramount to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedural success.</p><p>METHODS All patients referred for TAVR at our center underwent a routine pre-procedural MDCT scan. A 3-dimensional (3D) analysis using software dedicated to define the LP of the aortic annulus and the corresponding C-arm positioning was performed in 71 consecutive patients. In 35 patients, the results of the MDCT analysis were not available at the time of the procedure (angiography cohort). In that cohort the position of the C-arm was determined during the procedure using ad-hoc angiography. In 36 patients, the MDCT analysis was performed pre-procedure and results were available at the time of the procedure (MDCT cohort). In that cohort the position of the C-arm was derived from the MDCT analysis rather than by ad-hoc angiography.</p><p>RESULTS Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of MDCT analysis to predict the LP of the aortic annulus were excellent (kappa = 1 and 0.94, respectively). Patient variations of the LP ranged >70 degrees. Compared with the angiography cohort, the MDCT cohort was associated with a significant decrease in implantation time (p = 0.0001), radiation exposure (p = 0.02), amount of contrast (p = 0.001), and risk of acute kidney injury (p = 0.03). Additionally, the combined rate of valve malposition and aortic regurgitation was also reduced (6% vs. 23%, p = 0.03).</p><p>CONCLUSIONS Automated 3D analysis of pre-implantation MDCT accurately predicts the LP of the aortic annulus and the corresponding C-arm position required for TAVR. With this approach, the implantation of the balloon-expandable prosthetic valve can be performed without an aortogram in the majority of cases and still be safe, with a low rate of valve malpositioning and regurgitation. (J Am Coll Cardiol Img 2013;6:238-48) (C) 2013 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation</p>

Personalizing health care: feasibility and future implications

Considerable variety in how patients respond to treatments, driven by differences in their geno- and/ or phenotypes, calls for a more tailored approach. This is already happening, and will accelerate with developments in personalized medicine. However, its promise has not always translated into improvements in patient care due to the complexities involved. There are also concerns that advice for tests has been reversed, current tests can be costly, there is fragmentation of funding of care, and companies may seek high prices for new targeted drugs. There is a need to integrate current knowledge from a payer’s perspective to provide future guidance. Multiple findings including general considerations; influence of pharmacogenomics on response and toxicity of drug therapies; value of biomarker tests; limitations and costs of tests; and potentially high acquisition costs of new targeted therapies help to give guidance on potential ways forward for all stakeholder groups. Overall, personalized medicine has the potential to revolutionize care. However, current challenges and concerns need to be addressed to enhance its uptake and funding to benefit patients