Treatment of Secondary Mitral Regurgitation - Strategies of a University Network

Secondary mitral regurgitation is common in patients with heart failure and associated with adverse outcome. Treatment was traditionally restricted to general heart failure therapy due to high surgical risk. Development of catheter-based techniques now offers treatment with acceptable risk. Albeit trial evidence is still limited, current European guidelines up-graded the recommendation of transcatheter therapies for patients with increased surgical risk and high probability of treatment response. However, several uncertainties remain with respect to the role of surgical treatment and patient selection for transcatheter therapies. In this review we summarize current status of treatment of secondary mitral regurgitation and show strategies of university networks with the aim to provide further evidence in support of the treatment

The modified MIDA-Score predicts mid-term outcomes after interventional therapy of functional mitral regurgitation.

AimsThe preprocedural assessment of outcomes and patients' prognosis after interventional therapy of functional MR (FMR) is uncertain. Therefore, we aim to develop an easy-to-handle scoring system for adequate prediction of individual outcomes in patients with FMR after the interventional treatment.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively used medical data of patients with symptomatic FMR, who underwent transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) from January 2014 to August 2016 in our heart center. All patients had the mean follow-up of 18 months. All clinical and echocardiographic data originate from the "Bonner Mitral Valve Register Database".ResultsWe included 105 patients (76,7±8,8 years, 50,6% female) with symptomatic (NYHA functional class>II) moderate-to-severe or severe FMR at surgical high-risk. We modified the MIDA-Score for degenerative MR (DMR) according to the varying underlying pathomechanisms of FMR, called as "The modified MIDA Score". We found all-cause mortality of 7% within 18 months after the procedure. 34,1% of our cohort was rehospitalized; 90% of those were due to cardiovascular causes. The modified MIDA score was found to be a strong predictor for mortality and rehospitalization in patients with FMR (AUC: 0,89) and superior to the other conventional scoring systems in prediction of mortality (The modified MIDA-Score: AUC: 0,8, EuroSCORE II: AUC: 0,57, STS-Score: AUC: 0,51). The logistic regression analysis showed the modified MIDA score > 9 points to be the strongest predictor for mortality and rehospitalization after TMVR (OR: 3,35, p = 0,011).ConclusionThe modified MIDA score was found to be a promising, easy-to-handle, elementary scoring system for adequate prediction of individual postinterventional prognosis in patients with FMR undergoing TMVR. Further evaluation and validation of this novel scoring system in prospective multicentric studies with a large number of patients is warranted

Endovascular management of femoral access-site and access-related vascular complications following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

BACKGROUND:Major vascular complications (VCs) of ilio-femoral arterial access after percutaneous coronary interventions are infrequent, but are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Routine endovascular repair of VCs is becoming the treatment of choice, especially for patients who cannot tolerate vascular surgery due to advanced cardiovascular disease or are in a bailout situation. Here, we review the different types of vascular access site complications associated with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) and assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment. METHODS:Data were retrospectively analysed from patients who experienced VCs after transfemoral PCIs, from December 2014 to May 2018. During this period, out of 2833 patients who underwent femoral coronary interventions, 53 (1.9%) experienced major VCs. RESULTS:In total, 40/53 (75.5%) cases with major VCs led to unplanned endovascular repair and 13/53 (24.5%) cases required surgical repair. VCs included 17 (32.1%) retroperitoneal bleeding events (BARC-2, 3a,b), 20 (37.7%) intimal dissections, and 16 (30.2%) femoral pseudoaneurysms. Overall, 32 (60.4%) patients received a covered stent, two (3.8%) received a nitinol stent, five (9.4%) patients with dissections were treated with prolonged balloon angioplasty alone, and one patient with femoral pseudoaneurysm underwent thrombin injection with simultaneous balloon occlusion. The mean hospital stay for patients after endovascular treatment was 11.06 ± 5.2 days, while for patients after surgical repair it was 17 ± 8.2 days. Endovascularly treated patients were transfused with red blood cells (13/40 32.5% vs. 2/13 15.4%) significantly more often than patients treated surgically, although surgically treated patients received more red blood cell concentrates per unit than endovascularly treated patients (1 ± 0.47 vs. 2 ± 0.93). During the one-year follow-up, no intermittent claudication was reported, and no patient required secondary endovascular or surgical repair. CONCLUSIONS:For patients who cannot tolerate vascular surgery due to advanced cardiovascular disease or are in a bailout situation, endovascular management of VCs following PCIs seems to be a feasible and safe treatment option, and represents an alternative to surgical repair in life-threatening situations. Endovascular treatment was associated with significantly fewer red blood cell concentrates per patient and fewer days in hospital than surgical treatment

CHA2DS2-VASC score predicts coronary artery disease progression and mortality after ventricular arrhythmia in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Aim: The CHA2DS2-VASC score has expanded its use beyond the initial purpose of predicting the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. We aimed to investigate the value of the CHA2DS2-VASC score as a risk assessment tool to predict relevant coronary artery disease (CAD) leading to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and all-cause mortality after detected ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in patients with an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD). Methods: A total of 183 ICD-patients who underwent coronary angiography after VA were included and classified according to their CHA2DS2-VASC score in a low(1-3), intermediate(4-5) and high(6-8) score group. We evaluated the predictive value of CHA2DS2-VASC score for the presence of relevant CAD leading to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as well as late all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 60 patients (32.8%) had significant CAD and underwent successful PCI. After adjustment for relevant parameters such as ischemic cardiomyopathy, angina pectoris, left ventricular ejection fraction, CHA2DS2-VASC score remained the only independent predictor of CAD leading to PCI [HR 1.73 (1.07–2.80)]. The Area under curve was 0.64 (0.56–72, p = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank showed an increased three-year mortality of ICD-patients with an intermediate or high score after VA (p = 0.003). Multivariate cox-regression analysis revealed that CHA2DS2-VASC score was also independently associated with all-cause mortality following adjustment for clinically relevant variables (HR 2.20, 1.17–4.14). Conclusions: CHA2DS2-VASC score can be a predictor of CAD leading to PCI in ICD-patients after VA. ICD-Patients with a high score have an increased risk for reduced three-year all-cause mortality after VA

Prognostic significance of the get with the guidelines-heart failure (GWTG-HF) risk score in patients undergoing trans-catheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR)

The Get-With-The-Guidelines-Heart-Failure (GWTG-HF) score is a risk assessment tool to predict mortality in patients with heart-failure (HF). We aimed to evaluate the GWTG-HF score for risk stratification in HF patients with tricuspid regurgitation undergoing trans-catheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR). In total, 181 patients who underwent TTVR via edge-to-edge repair (86%) or annuloplasty (14%) were enrolled. Patients were categorized into a low- (≤ 43 points), intermediate- (44-53 points) and high-risk score groups (≥ 54 points). TTVR led to an improvement of TR (p < 0.0001) and NYHA (p < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test revealed that higher GWTG-HF scores were associated with reduced rates of event-free survival regarding mortality (96% vs 89% vs 73%, respectively, p = 0.001) and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) (89% vs 86% vs 74%, respectively, p = 0.026). After adjusting for important variables like renal function, left ventricular ejection fraction and mitral regurgitation, the GWTG-HF score remained an independent predictor of the composite endpoint of HHF or mortality (hazard ratio 1.04 per 1-point increase, p = 0.029). Other remaining predictors were renal function and mitral regurgitation. The GWTG-HF score used as a risk stratification tool of mortality and HHF maintains its prognostic value in a HF population with severe TR undergoing TTVR

PASCAL versus MitraClip-XTR edge-to-edge device for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation: a propensity-matched analysis

Background!#!Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR) is a promising technique for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Data comparing the performance of novel edge-to-edge devices (PASCAL and MitraClip-XTR) are scarce.!##!Methods!#!We identified 80 consecutive patients who underwent TTVR using either the PASCAL or MitraClip-XTR system to treat symptomatic TR from July 2018 to June 2020. To adjust for baseline imbalances, we performed a propensity score (PS) 1:1 matching. The primary endpoint was a reduction in TR severity by at least one grade at 30 days.!##!Results!#!The PS-matched cohort (n = 44) was at high-surgical risk (EuroSCORE II: 7.5% [interquartile range (IQR) 4.8-12.1%]) with a mean TR grade of 4.3 ± 0.8 and median coaptation gap of 6.2 mm [IQR 3.2-9.1 mm]. The primary endpoint was similarly observed in both groups (PASCAL: 91% vs. MitraClip-XTR: 96%). Multiple device implantation was the most common form (59% vs. 82%, p = 0.19), and the occurrence of SLDA was comparable between the PASCAL and MitraClip-XTR system (5.7% [2 of 35 implanted devices] vs. 4.4% [2 of 45 implanted devices], p = 0.99). No periprocedural death or conversions to surgery occurred, and 30-day mortality (5.0% vs. 5.0%, log-rank p = 0.99) and 3-month mortality (10.0% vs. 5.0%, log-rank p = 0.56) were similar between both groups. During follow-up, functional NYHA class, 6-min walking distance, and health status improved in both groups.!##!Conclusions!#!Both TTVR devices, PASCAL and MitraClip-XTR, appeared feasible and comparable for an effective TR reduction. Randomized head-to-head comparisons will help to further define the appropriate scope of application of each system

Mitral Regurgitation International Database (MIDA) Score Predicts Outcome in Patients With Heart Failure Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair

Background Optimizing risk stratification in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair is an ongoing challenge. The Mitral Regurgitation International Database (MIDA) score represents a user-friendly mortality risk stratification tool that is validated on a large-scale registry of patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR). We here assessed the potential benefit of the MIDA risk score for patients with functional or degenerative MR undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair. Methods and Results In total, 680 patients undergoing MitraClip implantation were stratified according to MIDA score tertiles into a low (0-7), intermediate (8-9), and a high (10-12) MIDA score group. MR was assessed in follow-up echocardiograms in 416 patients at 323 +/- 169 days after transcatheter mitral valve repair. During 2-year follow-up, 8.2% (15/182) of patients with low, 21.3% (64/300) with intermediate, and 26.3% (52/198) with high MIDA score died (log-rank test P= II at follow-up increased with increasing MIDA score group (33%, 44%, and 59%, respectively, P= II and MR recurrence

Get with the Guidelines Heart Failure Risk Score for mortality prediction in patients undergoing MitraClip

Background Reliable risk scores in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TMVR) are lacking. Heart failure is common in these patients, and risk scores derived from heart failure populations might help stratify TMVR patients. Methods Consecutive patients from three Heart Centers undergoing TMVR were enrolled to investigate the association of the Get with the Guidelines Heart Failure Risk Score (comprising the variables systolic blood pressure, urea nitrogen, blood sodium, age, heart rate, race, history of chronic obstructive lung disease) with all-cause mortality. Results Among 815 patients with available data 177 patients died during a median follow-up time of 365 days. Estimated 1-year mortality by quartiles of the score (0-37; 38-42, 43-46 and more than 46 points) was 6%, 10%, 23% and 30%, respectively (p < 0.001), with good concordance between observed and predicted mortality rates (goodness of fit test p = 0.46). Every increase of one score point was associated with a 9% increase in the hazard of mortality (95% CI 1.06-1.11%, p < 0.001). The score was associated with long-term mortality independently of left ventricular ejection fraction, NYHA class and NTproBNP, and was equally predictive in primary and secondary mitral regurgitation. Conclusion The Get with the Guidelines Heart Failure Risk Score showed a strong association with mortality in patients undergoing TMVR with additive information beyond traditional risk factors. Given the routinely available variables included in this score, application is easy and broadly possible. Graphic abstract [GRAPHICS

Deep sedation vs. general anesthesia for transcatheter tricuspid valve repair

BackgroundTranscatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVr) is routinely performed under general anesthesia (GA). This study aimed to investigate whether TTVr procedures can be performed effectively and safely without GA but using deep sedation (DS). MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 104 patients from three centers who underwent TTVr between 2020 and 2021. The primary performance endpoints were technical success and severity of TR assessed at the time of discharge. The safety outcome was a composite of in-hospital complications, including occurrence of death, conversion to surgery, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, major vascular complications, or occurrence of pneumonia. ResultsSixty-four procedures were performed in GA and 40 procedures were performed in DS. The groups did not differ in age, EuroScore II, TR severity, ventricular function, or hemodynamic parameters. Technical success was achieved in 92.5% of the patients in the DS group and in 93.6% of the patients in the GA group (p = 0.805). In none of the patients intraprocedural conversion from DS to GA was required. There was no difference in total duration of the procedure, and number of devices implanted. The degree of TR was <= 2+ in 77.5% of the patients in the DS group and in 74.2% of the patients in the GA group (p = 0.705). The composite safety endpoint did not differ between the groups (2.5 vs. 6.3%, p = 0.384). The total duration of hospital stay was shorter in patients who underwent TTVr in DS compared to those who underwent TTVr in GA (6 [5, 9] days vs. 8 [6, 11] days; p = 0.011). ConclusionPerforming TTVr in DS was effective with similar procedural results, and was safe with similar low complication rates compared to GA

Prognostic value of hepatorenal function following transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair

Background Hepatorenal dysfunction is a strong prognostic predictor in patients with heart failure. However, the prognostic impact of the hepatorenal dysfunction in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) has not been well studied. Methods In consecutive patients who underwent edge-to-edge TMVR at three German centers, the model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio (MELD-XI) score was calculated as 5.11 x ln [serum total bilirubin (mg/dl)] + 11.76 x ln [serum creatinine (mg/dl)] + 9.44. Patients were stratified into high (> 11) or low (<= 11) MELD-XI score of which an incidence of the composite outcome, consisting of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization, within 2 years after TMVR was assessed. Results Of the 881 patients, the mean MELD-XI score was 11.0 +/- 5.9, and 415 patients (47.1%) had high MELD-XI score. The MELD-XI score was correlated with male, effective regurgitant orifice area, and tricuspid regurgitation severity and inversely related to left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients with high MELD-XI score had a higher incidence of the composite outcome than those with low MELD-XI score (47.7% vs. 29.8%; p < 0.0001), and in multivariable analysis, the high MELD-XI score was an independent predictor of the composite outcome [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.77; p = 0.04). Additionally, the MELD-XI score as a continuous variable was also an independent predictor (adjusted HR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00-1.05; p = 0.048). Conclusions The MELD-XI score was associated with clinical outcomes within 2 years after TMVR and can be a useful risk-stratification tool in patients undergoing TMVR