Effects of the coronary artery disease associated LPA and 9p21 loci on risk of aortic valve stenosis

Background: Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) have a significant genetic contribution and commonly co-exist. To compare and contrast genetic determinants of the two diseases, we investigated associations of the LPA and 9p21 loci, i.e. the two strongest CAD risk loci, with risk of AVS. Methods: We genotyped the CAD-associated variants at the LPA (rs10455872) and 9p21 loci (rs1333049) in the GeneCAST (Genetics of Calcific Aortic STenosis) Consortium and conducted a meta-analysis for their association with AVS. Cases and controls were stratified by CAD status. External validation of findings was undertaken in five cohorts including 7880 cases and 851,152 controls. Results: In the meta-analysis including 4651 cases and 8231 controls the CAD-associated allele at the LPA locus was associated with increased risk of AVS (OR 1.37; 95%CI 1.24–1.52, p = 6.9 × 10−10) with a larger effect size in those without CAD (OR 1.53; 95%CI 1.31–1.79) compared to those with CAD (OR 1.27; 95%CI 1.12–1.45). The CAD-associated allele at 9p21 was associated with a trend towards lower risk of AVS (OR 0.93; 95%CI 0.88–0.99, p = 0.014). External validation confirmed the association of the LPA risk allele with risk of AVS (OR 1.37; 95%CI 1.27–1.47), again with a higher effect size in those without CAD. The small protective effect of the 9p21 CAD risk allele could not be replicated (OR 0.98; 95%CI 0.95–1.02). Conclusions: Our study confirms the association of the LPA locus with risk of AVS, with a higher effect in those without concomitant CAD. Overall, 9p21 was not associated with AVS

Comparison of latest generation supra-annular and intra-annular self-expanding transcatheter heart valves

Background This study compares two latest-generation self-expanding transcatheter heart valves (THV), the supra-annular ACURATE neo (Boston Scientific) and the intra-annular Centera THV (Edwards Lifesciences). Methods In this single center observational cohort trial 317 patients treated with the ACURATE neo and 78 patients treated with the Centera TVH were included. The main endpoints were device success and the early safety endpoint at 30 days. Results Besides higher incidence of diabetes mellitus and higher body mass index in patients treated with the ACURATE neo THV, there were no baseline differences between the groups. Device success was similar in both groups (neo: 91.8% vs. Centera: 93.6%; P=0.598), with numerically higher rates of moderate to severe paravalvular leakage in the ACURATE neo group (4.7% vs. 1.3%; P=0.214). At 30 days all-cause mortality rates were low in both groups (0.3% vs. 0%; P=0.620) and no difference occurred in the early safety at 30 days (19.3% vs. 16.7%; P=0.599). However, all-cause stroke rates were significantly higher in patients treated with the Centera THV (6.4 vs. 1.6%; P=0.015). Conclusions The ACURATE neo and the Centera THV show low mortality rates as well as comparable, favorable hemodynamics. The finding of higher stroke rates at 30 days with the repositionable Centera SE-THV needs further assessment

Influence of marital status in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background Marital status has been described to affect outcome in cardiovascular diseases, however its impact on patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is unknown. We therefore aimed to assess the impact of marital status in patients undergoing TAVI. Methods Between 2011 and 2015, 779 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI with known marital status were included in the analysis. The primary endpoint of the study was the composite of cardiac death and readmission for congestive heart failure (CHF) at one year. Results Mean age was 80.7±5.9 years, 47.8% were female and median logistic EuroScore was 12.7% (8.13-19.39%). Forty-three point three percent of patients were not married. Compared to married patients, unmarried patients were older (82.4±5.5 vs. 79.5±5.8 years; P<0.001), more often female (73.3% vs. 28.3%; P<0.001), presented with a higher logistic EuroScore [13.1% (9.5-21.5%) vs. 11.7% (7.0-18.5%); P<0.001], and more symptomatic with New York Heart Association functional class III/IV (69.7% vs. 60.6%; P=0.009). At one year the incidence of the primary endpoint was higher in unmarried patients (18.7% vs. 12.0%; P=0.011) which was mainly driven by more admissions for CHF (14.1% vs. 7.8%; P=0.007). After multivariable adjustment, marital status was borderline significant regarding CHF (HR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.37-1.02; P=0.06) but not the primary endpoint. Conclusions Unmarried patients undergoing TAVI showed a higher incidence of cardiac death or CHF at one year. Hence, marital status should be taken into account in patients with aortic stenosis subjected to TAVI. Whether closer monitoring and intensified medical follow-up improves outcomes remains to be investigated in future studies

Aortic annulus sizing in stenotic bicommissural non-raphe-type bicuspid aortic valves: reconstructing a three-dimensional structure using only two hinge points

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) anatomy is becoming an increasingly frequently encountered challenge in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Bicommissural non-raphe-type BAV (Sievers and Schmidtke Type 0) is composed morphologically of two aortic cusps with no raphe and is less common than the tricommissural or bicommissural raphe-type configurations. Precise annular sizing is a key step for successful TAVI in BAV. The challenge in bicommissural non-raphe-type BAV is that a three-dimensional structure has to be reconstructed using only two anatomical hinge points. For this reason, available software are limited when it comes to bicommissural non-raphe-type BAV. We propose that manual assessment of the aortic root in bicommissural non-raphe-type BAV using multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) software can be performed successfully by aligning the two available hinge points and measuring the smallest identifiable annular dimensions in the transverse plane (Fig. 1). We identified 12 patients with bicommissural non-raphe-type BAV undergoing TAVI between January 2013 and December 2017 in our high-volume institution. Our novel sizing strategy was employed prospectively in three patients-with good clinical outcomes-and evaluated retrospectively in the remainder (Table 1). No patient suffered a central major vascular complication or required new permanent pacemaker implantation. Device success occurred in all patients except one (post-procedural echocardiographic transvalvular gradient of 23 mmHg). In the retrospectively assessed cases, the novel annulus measure was concordant with the implanted THV size in 7 out of 9 procedures and, importantly, did not overestimate the annulus dimensions in any case. Furthermore, in two balloon-expandable THV cases the new measure may, in retrospect, have prompted consideration of a smaller implant size. To be noted, balloon sizing of the aortic annulus has additional value when selecting the valve size in BAV anatomy. Further prospective validation of this novel MDCT sizing technique is required

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Balloon-Expandable Valves: Comparison of SAPIEN 3 Ultra Versus SAPIEN 3

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the SAPIEN 3 Ultra (Ultra) and SAPIEN 3 (S3) transcatheter heart valves (THVs). BACKGROUND The latest generation balloon-expandable Ultra THV incorporates new technical features and might improve outcomes following TAVR. METHODS This registry included all consecutive patients who underwent TAVR with either the Ultra or S3 between January 2014 and January 2020. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to account for differences in baseline characteristics. In-hospital and 30-day Valve Academic Research Consortium-2-defined outcomes were investigated. RESULTS A total of 310 patients (n = 155 Ultra, n = 155 S3) were included. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics after propensity score matching. Procedures were significantly more often performed under conscious sedation with Ultra compared with S3 (97.4% vs. 71.6%; p < 0.001). Pre-dilatation was more frequent with S3 compared with Ultra (85.2% vs. 42.6%; p < 0.001). In-hospital outcomes, including device success (91.6% vs. 95.5%; p = 0.165), major vascular complications (12.3% vs. 11.0%; p = 0.723), and new pacemaker implantation (5.8% vs. 4.5%; p = 0.608), were comparable between S3 and Ultra patients, respectively. Post-procedural mean transprosthetic gradients (13.2 ± 5.7 mm Hg vs. 13.1 ± 4.7 mm Hg; p = 0.829) and rate of moderate or greater paravalvular leakage (PVL) (1.3% vs. 2.7%; p = 0.414) were comparable, whereas mild PVL was more frequent with S3 compared with Ultra (43.0% vs. 18.7%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Device success rates were high with both balloon-expandable THVs, with overall low rates of adverse events up to 30 days after TAVR. Despite a lower frequency of pre-dilatation, significant reduction of mild PVL confirms improved annular sealing properties of the novel Ultra THV

One-year clinical outcome with a novel self-expanding transcatheter heart valve

OBJECTIVES To evaluate 1-year outcome using the ACURATE neo (Symetis S.A., a Boston Scientific Company, Ecublens, Switzerland) according to the updated Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-2) with emphasis on the composite endpoints "clinical efficacy after 30 days" and "time-related valve safety". BACKGROUND Initial reports on the clinical performance of patients treated with the ACURATE neo are promising; however, information regarding one-year outcome is scarce, especially with regard to the composite endpoints proposed by the VARC-2. METHODS One hundred and fifty one consecutive patients undergoing transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the ACURATE neo for severe aortic valve stenosis were enrolled. Data were prospectively collected and event rates during follow-up were calculated as the Kaplan-Meier estimates. RESULTS Mean age was 81.1 ± 5.9 years and 49.7% (75/151) were female with a median logistic EuroScore of 13.8% [8.2-20.5]. Device success was achieved in 88.1% (133/151) and procedure related mortality was 0.7% (1/151). At one-year, all-cause mortality was 3.3% (5/151), while permanent pacemaker implantation occurred in 12.7% (19/151) of patients. The "clinical efficacy after 30 days" was observed in 24.8% (37/151), where the main contributor was symptom worsening in 14.8% (22/151) of cases. "Time-related valve safety" occurred in 22.0% (33/151) with structural valve deterioration as main contributor in 10.7% (16/151) of cases. CONCLUSIONS Using the ACURATE neo, we found a favorable safety profile with low all-cause mortality at 1 year. The reported VARC-2 defined composite endpoints at 1 year reveal low rates of "clinical efficacy after 30 days" and "time-related valve safety"