Bertrand Cormier

Transcatheter valve implantation for patients with aortic stenosis: a position statement from the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in collaboration with the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI)

AIMS To critically review the available transcatheter aortic valve implantation techniques and their results, as well as propose recommendations for their use and development. METHODS AND RESULTS A committee of experts including European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and European Society of Cardiology representatives met to reach a consensus based on the analysis of the available data obtained with transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their own experience. The evidence suggests that this technique is feasible and provides haemodynamic and clinical improvement for up to 2 years in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at high risk or with contraindications for surgery. Questions remain mainly concerning safety and long-term durability, which have to be assessed. Surgeons and cardiologists working as a team should select candidates, perform the procedure, and assess the results. Today, the use of this technique should be restricted to high-risk patients or those with contraindications for surgery. However, this may be extended to lower risk patients if the initial promise holds to be true after careful evaluation. CONCLUSION Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a promising technique, which may offer an alternative to conventional surgery for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Today, careful evaluation is needed to avoid the risk of uncontrolled diffusion.

Transfemoral aortic valve implantation new criteria to predict vascular complications.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to evaluate the incidence, impact, and predictors of vascular complications in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). BACKGROUND Vascular complications increase morbidity and mortality in transfemoral TAVI; however, there remains a paucity of data describing these serious events. METHODS We performed a prospective cohort study of 130 consecutive transfemoral TAVI recipients. Vascular complications were defined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) criteria. The ratio of the sheath outer diameter (in millimeters) to the minimal femoral artery diameter (in millimeters) defined the sheath to femoral artery ratio (SFAR). RESULTS In our cohort of elderly patients (83.3 ± 5.9 years), the logistic EuroScore was 25.8% ± 11.9%. The Edwards valve was used in 102 cases (18- to 24-F) and the CoreValve in 27 (18-F). The minimal femoral artery diameter was 8.17 ± 1.14 mm, and the calcification (0 to 3) and tortuosity scores (0 to 3) were 0.58 ± 0.72 and 0.28 ± 0.53, respectively. The mean sheath diameter was 8.10 ± 0.82 mm, and the mean SFAR was 0.99 ± 0.16. Vascular complications occurred in 27.6% (VARC major: 17.3%, minor: 10.2%), and major vascular complications predicted 30-day mortality (22.7% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.049). The SFAR (hazard ratio [HR]: 186.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.41 to 7,855.11), center experience (HR: 3.66, 95% CI: 1.17 to 11.49), and femoral calcification (HR: 3.44, 95% CI: 1.16 to 10.17) predicted major complications by multivariate analysis. An SFAR threshold of 1.05 (area under the curve = 0.727) predicted a higher rate of VARC major complications (30.9% vs. 6.9%, p = 0.001) and 30-day mortality (18.2% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS Vascular complications in transfemoral TAVI are relatively frequent. VARC major vascular complications increase 30-day mortality and are predicted by experience, femoral calcification, and SFAR. Routine application of SFAR will improve patient selection for transfemoral TAVI and may improve outcome.

Results of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy in 200 patients

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC), the procedure was attempted in 200 patients with severe mitral stenosis. There were 154 women and 46 men, their mean age was 43 +/- 16 years (range 13 to 79) and 15 were older than 70 years of age. Forty-four had had previous surgical commissurotomy. Forty were in New York Heart Association class II, 152 in class III and 8 in class IV. In regard to valvular anatomy, 67 had calcified valves, 58 had pliable valves and only mild subvalvular disease, and 75 had flexible valves but extensive subvalvular disease. Grade 1+ mitral regurgitation was present in 62 and grade 2+ in 2. In 11 patients the procedure was discontinued because of complications in 3 and technical failure in 8. Six of the 8 technical failures occurred during the first 15 attempts. Effective PMC was performed in 189 patients using 1 balloon in 23 and 2 balloons in 166. After PMC, there was a significant improvement in mean left atrial pressure (21 +/- 7 to 12 +/- 5 mm Hg, p less than 0.0001), mean mitral gradient (16 +/- 6 to 6 +/- 2 mm Hg, p less than 0.0001), cardiac index (2.6 +/- 0.8 to 3.1 +/- 0.8 liters/min/m2, p less than 0.001) and valve area assessed by hemodynamics (1.1 +/- 0.3 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 cm2, p less than 0.0001) and 2-dimensional echocardiography (1 +/- 0.3 to 1.9 +/- 0.4 cm2, p less than 0.0001). No patient died. Embolism occurred in 8 (4%), with no further sequelae. Sixteen (8%) had atrial septal defect detected by oxymetry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transcatheter valve implantation for patients with aortic stenosis: a position statement from the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in collaboration with the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI).

AIMS To critically review the available transcatheter aortic valve implantation techniques and their results, as well as propose recommendations for their use and development. METHODS AND RESULTS A committee of experts including European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and European Society of Cardiology representatives met to reach a consensus based on the analysis of the available data obtained with transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their own experience. The evidence suggests that this technique is feasible and provides haemodynamic and clinical improvement for up to 2 years in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at high risk or with contraindications for surgery. Questions remain mainly concerning safety and long-term durability, which have to be assessed. Surgeons and cardiologists working as a team should select candidates, perform the procedure, and assess the results. Today, the use of this technique should be restricted to high-risk patients or those with contraindications for surgery. However, this may be extended to lower risk patients if the initial promise holds to be true after careful evaluation. CONCLUSION Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a promising technique, which may offer an alternative to conventional surgery for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Today, careful evaluation is needed to avoid the risk of uncontrolled diffusion.

Sex-related differences in clinical presentation and outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to clarify the impact of sex-related differences in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. BACKGROUND Although TAVI is becoming a mature technique, the impact of sex differences remains unclear. METHODS The TAVI patients were included prospectively in a dedicated database from October 2006. The proportion of women (n = 131) was similar to that of men (n = 129). The Edwards valve (85.4%) and CoreValve (14.6%) were used through the transfemoral (65.0%), subclavian (3.1%), or transapical (31.9%) approach. All events were defined according to Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria. RESULTS Age was similar (83.1 ± 6.3 years), but women had less coronary and peripheral disease, less previous cardiac surgery, higher ejection fraction, and lower EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation [22.3 ± 9.0% vs. 26.2 ± 13.0%, p = 0.005]). Minimal femoral size (7.74 ± 1.03 mm vs. 8.55 ± 1.34 mm, p < 0.001), annulus size (20.9 ± 1.4 vs. 22.9 ± 1.7 mm, p < 0.001), and valve size (23.9 ± 1.6 mm vs. 26.3 ± 1.5 mm, p < 0.001) were smaller in women. Device success was similar (90.8% vs. 88.4%, p = 0.516) despite more frequent iliac complications (9.0% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.030). Residual mean aortic pressure gradient (11.6 ± 4.9 vs. 10.9 ± 4.9, p = 0.279) was also similar. The 1-year survival rate was higher for women, 76% (95% confidence interval: 72% to 80%), than for men, 65% (95% confidence interval: 60% to 69%); and male sex (hazard ratio: 1.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.03 to 2.53, p = 0.037) was identified as a predictor of midterm mortality by Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Female sex is associated with better baseline clinical characteristics and improved survival, and is identified as a predictor of midterm survival after TAVI.

Impact of post-procedural aortic regurgitation on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

OBJECTIVES The goal of the study was to clarify the impact of post-procedural aortic regurgitation (post-AR) grade 2/4 on clinical outcomes. BACKGROUND Post-AR >2/4 is known to be associated with poor short- to midterm outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS We compared clinical outcomes in 400 consecutive TAVI recipients according to post-AR grade: grade 0 or 1 (group 1 = 74.8%), grade 2 (group 2 = 22.2%), or grade 3 or 4 (group 3 = 3.0%). RESULTS The mean age was similar in the 3 groups (83.4 ± 6.1 years) as was the logistic EuroSCORE (22.5 ± 11.4%, 24.5 ± 11.6%, and 21.5 ± 9.4%, p = 0.28) and annulus size (22.0 ± 1.8, 22.2 ± 2.1, and 22.5 ± 2.1 mm, p = 0.53). The Edwards valve was most frequently used in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3 (89.3%, 78.7%, and 83.3%, p = 0.03), and the implanted valve size was similar in all groups (25.6 ± 2.0, 25.4 ± 2.2, and 25.5 ± 2.2 mm, respectively, p = 0.69). Post-dilation was required more frequently in group 3 (4.7%, 24.1%, and 50.0%, respectively, p < 0.01). Post-procedural increase in mitral regurgitation was in line with the post-AR grade (0.78 ± 0.73, 1.22 ± 0.80, and 1.89 ± 0.78, respectively, p < 0.01). Despite the absence of difference in 30-day mortality, longer-term outcome was significantly poorer in patients with AR grade 2 than in those with AR grade 0 or 1 (log-rank p < 0.01), albeit better than in patients with AR grade 3 or 4 (p = 0.04), regardless of TAVI type and left ventricular function. Post-AR ≥2/4 was also identified as an independent predictor of mid- to long-term mortality (hazard ratio: 1.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.21 to 1.44, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Post-AR grade 2/4 after TAVI is associated with worse outcome compared with grade 0 or 1. Careful valve selection and post-dilation when required to avoid post-AR grade 2 may contribute to improved clinical outcome after TAVI.

Functional results 5 years after successful percutaneous mitral commissurotomy in a series of 528 patients and analysis of predictive factors.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess late functional results after successful percutaneous mitral commissurotomy and to determine their predictors. BACKGROUND Few studies have reported late results of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy or have analyzed their late results regardless of immediate results, despite the fact that late deterioration may well be related either to a decrease in valve area or to poor initial results. METHODS Between 1986 and 1992, 528 patients underwent successful percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (mean [+/- SD] age 46 +/- 18 years; mean follow-up 32 +/- 18 months). A successful procedure was defined by a mitral valve area > or = 1.5 cm2 and no regurgitation > 2/4. Dilation was performed using a single balloon in 13 patients, a double balloon in 349 and the Inoue balloon in 166. Multivariate analysis was performed with a Cox model. RESULTS The survival rate for patients in New York Heart Association functional class I or II, with no cardiac-related deaths or need for mitral surgery or repeat dilation, was 76 +/- 6% at 5 years. By multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of good functional results were echocardiographic group (p = 0.01), functional class (p = 0.02) and cardiothoracic index (p = 0.005) before the procedure and valve area after the procedure (p = 0.007). The predictive model derived allowed estimation of the probability of good functional results according to the value of these four predictors for any given patient. CONCLUSIONS Good functional results were observed 5 years after successful percutaneous mitral commissurotomy in a large series of varied patients. The analysis of predictive factors may provide useful indications for follow-up results in patients undergoing this technique.

Transcatheter valve implantation for patients with aortic stenosis: a position statement from the European association of cardio-thoracic surgery (EACTS) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), in collaboration with the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI).

Aims To critically review the available transcatheter aortic valve implantation techniques and their results, as well as propose recommendations for their use and development. Methods and results A committee of experts including European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and European Society of Cardiology representatives met to reach a consensus based on the analysis of the available data obtained with transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their own experience. The evidence suggests that this technique is feasible and provides haemodynamic and clinical improvement for up to 2 years in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at high risk or with contraindications for surgery. Questions remain mainly concerning safety and long-term durability, which have to be assessed. Surgeons and cardiologists working as a team should select candidates, perform the procedure, and assess the results. Today, the use of this technique should be restricted to high-risk patients or those with contraindications for surgery. However, this may be extended to lower risk patients if the initial promise holds to be true after careful evaluation. Conclusion Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a promising technique, which may offer an alternative to conventional surgery for high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Today, careful evaluation is needed to avoid the risk of uncontrolled diffusion.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Patients With Severe Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis

Background—Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is regarded as a relative contraindication to transcatheter aortic valve implantation attributable to the risk of uneven expansion of the bioprosthesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with BAV. Methods and Results—Of 470 patients included in our prospective transcatheter aortic valve implantation database (October 2006–January 2012), 229 consecutive patients undergoing both echocardiography and multidetector computed tomography were analyzed. We compared clinical outcomes in patients with vs patients without BAV. In this series of 229 patients, BAV was detected by multidetector computed tomography in 21 patients (9.2%). BAV was identified by transthoracic and transoesophagal echocardiography in only 9 of these 21 patients. Patients were 83.1±6.6 years old, and European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation score was 20.0%±11.4%. The BAV group was similar to the non-BAV group except for diabetes mellitus (4.8% vs 24.0%; P=0.05). The aortic annulus diameter in BAV patients was not significantly larger by multidetector computed tomography (24.7±3.0 vs 23.7±1.9 mm; P=0.07). The CoreValve was used more frequently in the BAV group (47.6% vs 16.3%; P=0.002). There was no significant difference in device success (100% vs 92.8%; P=0.37), risk of annulus rupture (0% vs 1.4%; P=1.00), or valve migration (0% vs 1.4%; P=1.00) in BAV patients compared with non-BAV patients. Postprocedural mean gradient (10.0±3.4 vs 9.7±4.1 mm Hg; P=0.58), aortic regurgitation ≥2 of 4 (19.0% vs 14.9%; P=0.54), 30-day mortality (4.8% vs 8.2%; P=1.00), and 30-day combined safety end point (14.3% vs 13.5%; P=1.00) were also similar in both groups. Conclusions—In selected BAV patients, transcatheter aortic valve implantation may be associated with low complication rate, efficacy, and acceptable outcomes similar to those in non-BAV patients.

Usefulness of percutaneous balloon commissurotomy for mitral stenosis during pregnancy

Abstract Since its introduction in 1984, percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) has steadily gained ground as an alternative to surgical commissurotomy in the treatment of mitral stenosis. 1,2 Pregnancy is a promising field for the application of PMC, given that surgery carries a high risk to the fetus, especially when an open-heart procedure is required. 3 Despite this, experience to date is limited and the few published series mainly concentrate on the repercussions of the procedure on the mother. The interest of the present series is that in addition to the efficacy of the procedure it also takes into account fetal tolerance.