Alexander Lauten

Transcatheter Therapies for Treating Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Tricuspid valve (TV) disease has been relatively neglected, despite the known association between severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and mortality. Few patients undergo isolated tricuspid surgery, which remains associated with high in-hospital mortality rates, particularly in patients with prior left-sided valve surgery. Patients with severe TR are often managed medically for years before TV repair or replacement. Current guidelines recommend TV repair in the presence of a dilated tricuspid annulus at the time of a left-sided valve surgical intervention, even if regurgitation is mild. This proposed algorithm aims to prevent the inevitable progression to severe TR and the need for a second surgical intervention. Recently, novel transcatheter treatment options were developed for treating patients with severe TR and right heart failure with prohibitive surgical risk. Here we describe currently available transcatheter treatment options for severe TR implanted at different levels: the junction between vena cavae and right atrium; the tricuspid annulus; or between TV leaflets, improving coaptation.

The transcatheter valve technology pipeline for treatment of adult valvular heart disease

The transcatheter valve technology pipeline has started as simple balloon valvuloplasty for the treatment of stenotic heart valves and evolved since the year 2000 to either repair or replace heart valves percutaneously with multiple devices. In this review, the present technology and its application are illuminated and a glimpse into the near future is dared from a physicians perspective.

Soluble ST2 Predicts 1‐Year Outcome in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

Soluble ST2 (sST2) has been introduced as a novel biomarker in patients suffering from heart failure for risk stratification. In this study, we sought to investigate whether sST2 is useful for risk stratification and prediction of mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Real‐time optical coherence tomography coregistration with angiography in percutaneous coronary intervention–impact on physician decision‐making: The OPTICO‐integration study

Intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging allows for high‐resolution characterization of coronary lesions. Difficulties in matching cross‐sectional OCT‐images with angiographic lesion localization may limit optimal clinical utilization. We sought to prospectively assess the impact of a novel system of real‐time OCT coregistration with angiography (ACR) on physician decision‐making during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

In vitro evaluation of a novel pulsatile right heart assist device - the PERKAT system

Purpose Acute right ventricular failure is a life-threatening condition with poor prognosis. It occurs as a result of right ventricular infarction, postcardiac transplantation, or postimplantation of a left ventricular assist device. Temporary mechanical right ventricular support could be a reasonable treatment option. Therefore, we developed a novel percutaneously implantable device. Methods The PERKAT device consists of a self-expandable chamber covered with multiple inflow valves carrying foils. A flexible outlet tube with a pigtail tip is attached to the distal end. PERKAT is designed for percutaneous implantation through the femoral vein (18 French sheath). The chamber is expanded in the inferior vena cava while the outlet tube bypasses the right heart and the pigtail tip is lying in the pulmonary trunk. An IABP balloon is inserted into the chamber and connected to an IABP console. Balloon deflation generates blood flow from the vena cava into the chamber through the foil valves. During inflation blood is pumped through the tube into the pulmonary arteries. Results In vitro experiments were performed using 30 mL and 40 mL IABP balloons. IABP inflation/deflation times were set to 80, 90, 100, and 110 per min with an afterload of 22 mmHg and 44 mmHg. PERKAT generated flow rates between 1.6 to 3.1 l/min, depending on balloon size, pump cycle, and afterload. Conclusions The novel percutaneously implantable right ventricular assist device offers emergency support of up to 3 l/min. Based on the successful in vitro evaluation, we recommend the system as a promising approach for treatment of patients in need of RV support.

Repeated MitraClip procedure in patients with recurrent MR after a successful first procedure: Limitations and outcome

OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to evaluate the outcome and potential limitations of a repeated MitraClip procedure (ReClip). BACKGROUND The MitraClip procedure has emerged as a treatment option in high surgical risk patients suffering from severe mitral regurgitation (MR). However, despite successful initial repair a significant number of patients develops severe recurrent MR. METHODS Patients undergoing a ReClip procedure in our institution were retrospectively identified. Baseline data and the procedural outcome were assessed to identify potential limitations of such procedures. RESULTS Fifteen out of 234 patients undergoing a mitral-valve repair with the MitraClip device (Abbott Vascular) underwent a ReClip due to recurrent MR. In 11 patients, a MR reduction of at least one degree without causing mitral valve stenosis (trans-mitral mean gradient ≥5 mmHg) was achieved by performing a ReClip. After 1 year, two patients developed severe recurrent MR again. Pulmonary artery pressures significantly decreased after the procedure in individuals with successful repair (MR reduction of at least one degree and mitral valve mean gradient <5 mmHg). CONCLUSION A ReClip procedure may be feasible in patients with recurrent MR but the risk benefit ratio should be carefully balanced against other treatment options.

Insulin like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) for risk prediction in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

INTRODUCTION Severe aortic stenosis (AS) caused by degenerative calcification is the most frequent acquired valvular heart disease worldwide and mortality rates are considerably high. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a well-established method for valve replacement in high risk patients with AS. However, there is a lack of reliable predictors for patients undergoing TAVI since commonly used scores were developed for surgical populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS 208 patients subjected to TAVI were included in this study. Plasma samples were obtained before TAVI and were evaluated for IGFBP-2 using commercially available ELISA kits. IGFBP-2 levels were analyzed for their ability for risk prediction after TAVI. RESULTS IGFBP-2 levels measured before TAVI correlated significantly with left ventricular ejection fraction, EUROSCORE and other functional and prognostic parameters like the 6-minute walking test. When patients were retrospectively divided in two groups with a cut-off of serum IGFBP-2 levels of 275 ng/ml, IGFBP-2 was a strong predictor for 30-day and one-year mortality (3% vs. 11%, p = 0.05 and 18.2% vs. 46.2%; p < 0.001 respectively). Compared to an EUROSCORE above 20 or an STS score cut-off above 8, IGFBP-2 plasma levels above 275 ng/ml outperformed the established risk score for prediction of one-year mortality as assessed by NRI (0.65 95% CI 0.37-0.94; p < 0.001 and 0.54 95% CI 0.25-0.82; p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that IGFBP-2 could serve as new outcome predictor for patients undergoing TAVI procedure. By providing additional information to the commonly used EUROSCORE, IGFPB-2 analysis could further assist Heart Team decision making.

Role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although novel therapies have improved outcomes in PCI patients, a sizeable number of patients still remain at high cardiovascular risk for recurrent event. There is therefore an unmet need for novel therapies that can improve clinical outcomes, with an associated satisfactory safety profile. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) enzyme is a novel lipid-lowering target with a potential to impact high-cardiovascular risk populations including patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), undergoing the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A number of canonical and non-canonical pathways of PCSK9 action, including inflammation and platelet activation, as well as their inhibition, are undergoing intense investigation. Areas covered: This review will discuss the currently available evidence on PCSK9 inhibitors, pathways of PCSK9 enzyme action and results or its inhibition, the potential role of PCSK9 inhibitors in specific populations undergoing PCI, and completed and ongoing studies in patients with CAD. Expert commentary: PCSK9 inhibitors clinical outcomes in high risk cardiovascular disease patients and have the potential to function as powerful adjunctive therapy in patients undergoing PCI by a twofold mechanism on both lipid lowering and platelet/inflammation pathways.

Future Perspectives of Catheter-Based Treatment in Valvular Heart Diseases

«The future from the past is not the present» (Hans R. Figulla) Recent advances and successes in transcatheter valve technology (TVT) are not necessarily the most reliable and only predictor of the future of this exciting field; drawbacks and surprises are possible and could curb the current optimism in the future. It appears likely, however, that the field shall maintain its momentum with dwindling borderlines between cardiology and heart surgery and growing integration of tissue engineering, material sciences, and cellular biology in transcatheter valve technology (TVT) research and development. In this chapter we focus on the potentials and drawbacks of the present and emerging TVT technology and outline some of the future lines of research and applications.

Impact of acute kidney injury in elderly (≥80 years) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the prevalence and impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND AKI may complicate PCI and has been associated with worse outcomes. Data on AKI following PCI in elderly patients are scarce. METHODS A total of 458 elderly (≥80 years) patients undergoing PCI at Charité-University Medicine Berlin between January 2009 and December 2014 were stratified according to the presence/absence of AKI. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoint was rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and rehospitalization for heart failure. Median follow-up was 280 (interquartile range 22-1190) days. RESULTS Of the 458 patients, 125 (27.3%) developed AKI following PCI. Age >90 years, congestive heart failure, and C-reactive protein at presentation emerged as independent predictors of AKI. All-cause mortality was 20.0% and 8.4% in patients with and without AKI (P = 0.001), and corresponding rates of MACE were 39.2% and 26.4% (P = 0.01), respectively. The occurrence of AKI was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 2.41, 95%CI 1.12-5.17, P = 0.02) and MACE (adjusted HR 1.75, 95%CI 1.15-2.67, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AKI occurs in a third of elderly (≥80 years) patients undergoing PCI and is associated with increased mortality. These findings underline the unmet clinical need to identify novel strategies for the prevention of AKI in this high-risk patient subset.