Jean-Michel Paradis

The impact of frailty status on survival after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in older adults with severe aortic stenosis: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVESnThis study sought to evaluate the impact of frailty in older adults undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for symptomatic aortic stenosis.nnnBACKGROUNDnFrailty status impacts prognosis in older adults with heart disease; however, the impact of frailty on prognosis after TAVR is unknown.nnnMETHODSnGait speed, grip strength, serum albumin, and activities of daily living status were collected at baseline and used to derive a frailty score among patients who underwent TAVR procedures at a single large-volume institution. The cohort was dichotomized on the basis of median frailty score into frail and not frail groups. The impact of frailty on procedural outcomes (stroke, bleeding, vascular complications, acute kidney injury, and mortality at 30 days) and 1-year mortality was evaluated.nnnRESULTSnFrailty status was assessed in 159 subjects who underwent TAVR (age 86 ± 8 years, Society of Thoracic Surgery Risk Score 12 ± 4). Baseline frailty score was not associated with conventionally ascertained clinical variables or Society of Thoracic Surgery score. Although high frailty score was associated with a longer post-TAVR hospital stay when compared with lower frailty score (9 ± 6 days vs. 6 ± 5 days, respectively, p = 0.004), there were no significant crude associations between frailty status and procedural outcomes, suggesting adequacy of the standard selection process for identifying patients at risk for periprocedural complications after TAVR. Frailty status was independently associated with increased 1-year mortality (hazard ratio: 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.4 to 8.5, p = 0.007) after TAVR.nnnCONCLUSIONSnFrailty was not associated with increased periprocedural complications in patients selected as candidates to undergo TAVR but was associated with increased 1-year mortality after TAVR. Further studies will evaluate the independent value of this frailty composite in older adults with aortic stenosis.

Predictive factors, management, and clinical outcomes of coronary obstruction following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Insights from a large multicenter registry

OBJECTIVESnThis study sought to evaluate the main baseline and procedural characteristics, management, and clinical outcomes of patients from a large cohort of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) who suffered coronary obstruction (CO).nnnBACKGROUNDnVery little data exist on CO following TAVI.nnnMETHODSnThis multicenter registry included 44 patients who suffered symptomatic CO following TAVI of 6,688 patients (0.66%). Pre-TAVI computed tomography data was available in 28 CO patients and in a control group of 345 patients (comparisons were performed including all patients and a cohort matched 1:1 by age, sex, previous coronary artery bypass graft, transcatheter valve type, and size).nnnRESULTSnBaseline and procedural variables associated with CO were older age (p < 0.001), female sex (p < 0.001), no previous coronary artery bypass graft (p = 0.043), the use of a balloon-expandable valve (p = 0.023), and previous surgical aortic bioprosthesis (p = 0.045). The left coronary artery was the most commonly involved (88.6%). The mean left coronary artery ostia height and sinus of Valsalva diameters were lower in patients with obstruction than in control subjects (10.6 ± 2.1 mm vs. 13.4 ± 2.1 mm, p < 0.001; 28.1 ± 3.8 mm vs. 31.9 ± 4.1 mm, p < 0.001). Differences between groups remained significant after the case-matched analysis (p < 0.001 for coronary height; p = 0.01 for sinus of Valsalva diameter). Most patients presented with persistent severe hypotension (68.2%) and electrocardiographic changes (56.8%). Percutaneous coronary intervention was attempted in 75% of the cases and was successful in 81.8%. Thirty-day mortality was 40.9%. After a median follow-up of 12 (2 to 18) months, the cumulative mortality rate was 45.5%, and there were no cases of stent thrombosis or reintervention.nnnCONCLUSIONSnSymptomatic CO following TAVI was a rare but life-threatening complication that occurred more frequently in women, in patients receiving a balloon-expandable valve, and in those with a previous surgical bioprosthesis. Lower-lying coronary ostium and shallow sinus of Valsalva were associated anatomic factors, and despite successful treatment, acute and late mortality remained very high, highlighting the importance of anticipating and preventing the occurrence of this complication.

Aortic annular sizing using a novel 3-dimensional echocardiographic method: use and comparison with cardiac computed tomography.

Background—Previous studies have shown cross-sectional 3-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) measurements to severely underestimate multidetector row computed tomographic (MDCT) measurements for the assessment of aortic annulus before transcatheter aortic valve replacement. This study compares annulus measurements from 3D-TEE using off-label use of commercially available software with MDCT measurements and assesses their ability to predict paravalvular regurgitation. Methods and Results—One hundred patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis who had both contrast MDCT and 3D-TEE for annulus assessment before balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement were analyzed. Annulus area, perimeter, and orthogonal maximum and minimum diameters were measured. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed with mild or greater paravalvular regurgitation as the classification variable. Three-dimensional TEE and MDCT cross-sectional perimeter and area measurements were strongly correlated (r=0.93–0.94; P<0.0001); however, the small differences (⩽1%) were statistically significant (P=0.0002 and 0.0074, respectively). Discriminatory ability for ≥ mild paravalvular regurgitation was good for both MDCT (area under the curve for perimeter and area cover index=0.715 and 0.709, respectively) and 3D-TEE (area under the curve for perimeter and area cover index=0.709 and 0.694, respectively). Differences in receiver operating characteristic analysis between MDCT and 3D-TEE perimeter and area cover indexes were not statistically significant (P=0.15 and 0.35, respectively). Conclusions—Annulus measurements using a new method for analyzing 3D-TEE images closely approximate those of MDCT. Annulus measurements from both modalities predict mild or greater paravalvular regurgitation with equivalent accuracy.

Incidence and Effect of Acute Kidney Injury After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Using the New Valve Academic Research Consortium Criteria

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a poor prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A paucity of data exists regarding the incidence and effect of AKI after TAVR using the new recommended Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria. At Columbia University Medical Center, 218 TAVR procedures (64.2% transfemoral, 35.8% transapical) were performed from 2008 to July 2011. The creatinine level was evaluated daily until discharge. Using the Valve Academic Research Consortium definitions, the 30-day and 1-year outcomes were compared between patients with significant AKI (AKI stage 2 or 3) and those without significant AKI (AKI stage 0 or 1). Significant AKI occurred in 18 patients (8.3%). Of these 18 patients, 10 (55.6%) had AKI stage 3 and 9 (50%) required dialysis. AKI was associated with a lower baseline mean transvalvular gradient (37.6 ± 11.4 vs 45.6 ± 14.8 mm Hg for no AKI, p = 0.03). After TAVR, the AKI group had a greater hemoglobin decrease (3.6 ± 2.0 vs 2.4 ± 1.3 g/dl, p = 0.01), greater white blood cell elevation at 72 hours (21.09 ± 12.99 vs 13.18 ± 4.82 × 10(3)/μl, p = 0.001), a more severe platelet decrease (118 ± 40 vs 75 ± 43 × 10(3)/μl, p <0.0001), and longer hospitalization (10.7 ± 6.4 vs 7.7 ± 8.5 days, p <0.001). One stroke (5.6%) occurred in the AKI group compared with 3 (1.5%) in the group without AKI (p = 0.29). The 30-day and 1-year rates of death were significantly greater in the AKI group than in the no-AKI group (44.4% vs 3.0%, hazard ratio 18.1, 95% confidence interval 6.25 to 52.20, p <0.0001; and 55.6% vs 16.0%, hazard ratio 6.32, 95% confidence interval 3.06 to 13.10, p <0.0001, respectively). Periprocedural life-threatening bleeding was the strongest predictor of AKI after TAVR. In conclusion, the occurrence of AKI, as defined by the Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria, is associated with periprocedural complications and a poor prognosis after TAVR.

Predicting paravalvular regurgitation following transcatheter valve replacement: utility of a novel method for three-dimensional echocardiographic measurements of the aortic annulus.

BACKGROUNDnStudies evaluating three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) annular sizing for balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are limited. In this study, a retrospective analysis of transesophageal echocardiographic images was performed to assess the feasibility of multiplanar measurements of annular dimensions by the novel off-label use of commercially available 3DE software and correlate annular sizing with severity of paravalvular regurgitation (PVR).nnnMETHODSnIntraprocedural transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 58 patients undergoing TAVR for severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. Off-label use of commercially available software was used to measure transesophageal 3DE volumes. Pre-TAVR annular linear dimensions included two-dimensional echocardiographic sagittal diameter and 3DE measurements of minimal diameter, maximal diameter (MaxDiam), and the average or mean diameter. Three-dimensional echocardiographic average annular diameter derived from annular perimeter (AveAnnDiamP) and average annular diameter derived from annular area (AveAnnDiamA) were calculated. A cover index was calculated using each measurement. Short-axis PVR color jet areas were summed after deployment and at the end of study.nnnRESULTSnTwo-dimensional echocardiographic sagittal diameter was significantly smaller than 3DE MaxDiam (P < .0001) and AveAnnDiamP (P = .017), significantly larger than 3DE minimal diameter (P < .0001), and not significantly different from 3DE mean diameter (P = .36) and AveAnnDiamA (P = .38). There was a linear relationship between all 3DE annular measurements and immediate post-TAVR PVR area (P ≤ .0001), with the largest R(2) value (0.48) for 3DE MaxDiam, 3DE AveAnnDiamP, and 3DE AveAnnDiamA. The largest areas under the curve to detect greater than mild PVR were for 3DE AveAnnDiamP cover index (0.772) and 3DE AveAnnDiamA cover index (0.769). Intraclass correlation coefficients for interobserver and intraobserver variability were high for 3DE AveAnnDiamP and 3DE AveAnnDiamA and lower for 3DE MaxDiam.nnnCONCLUSIONSnUsing a novel approach to 3DE annular measurements, 3DE AveAnnDiamP and 3DE AveAnnDiamA can be reliably measured and correlate best with post-TAVR PVR area. New sizing algorithms with 3DE measurements should be developed.

Aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease: What do we know? What don't we know? A comprehensive review of the literature with proposed treatment algorithms

Aortic valve stenosis is the most common form of valvular heart disease in the elderly population and occurs frequently in conjunction with coronary artery disease. The standard treatment option for patients with these two conditions has been surgical aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting. The arrival of transcatheter aortic valve replacement has considerably shifted the treatment paradigms. Nevertheless, a lot of questions remain unanswered regarding the management of coronary artery disease in the setting of the transcatheter options for severe aortic stenosis. This article includes a comprehensive review of the literature and seeks to describe the actual knowledge on the topic of aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease.

Comparison of Three-Year Outcomes After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction <40% Versus ≥40% (from the HORIZONS-AMI Trial)

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and multivessel disease (MVD) have been associated with greater mortality after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of LV dysfunction and MVD in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients from the Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial treated with primary PCI in whom baseline LV function was assessed using left ventriculography were included in this study. Early and late (3-year) outcomes were examined in groups of patients with reduced (<40%) and preserved (≥ 40%) LV ejection fractions (LVEFs), further stratified by the presence of MVD. A total of 2,430 patients were included. Patients with reduced LVEFs were older; were more likely to be women; were more likely to have histories of myocardial infarction, PCI, and heart failure; and were more likely to present in heart failure. Patients with reduced LVEFs had greater 30-day (8.9% vs 0.9%, hazard ratio 9.81, 95% confidence interval 5.23 to 18.42, p <0.0001) and 3-year (17.1% vs 3.7%, hazard ratio 5.03, 95% confidence interval 3.37 to 7.50, p <0.0001) mortality. Among patients with LVEFs <30% (n = 45), 30% to 40% (n = 157), 40% to 50% (n = 373), 50% to 60% (n = 659), and ≥ 60% (n = 1,196), 3-year mortality was 29.4%, 13.5%, 6.4%, 3.8%, and 2.9%, respectively (p for trend <0.0001). MVD was associated with greater mortality in patients with preserved but not reduced LVEFs. By multivariate analysis, LV dysfunction was the strongest predictor of 30-day and 3-year mortality. In conclusion, the presence of LV dysfunction as assessed on baseline left ventriculography in patients who undergo primary PCI in the contemporary era is a powerful predictor of early and late mortality, regardless of the extent of coronary artery disease.

Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve-in-Valve Replacement Resulting in 4 Different Prosthetic Heart Valves in a Single Patient

![Figure][1] nn![Figure][1] nn[Video 1][2]nnRight Anterior Oblique View Showing the 2 Mechanical Valves and the Bioprosthesis.nnnn![Figure][1] nn[Video 2][3]nnDeployment of the Edwards Sapien Valve Into the Bioprosthesis in the Tricuspid Position From the Right Internal Jugularnnnn![

Concomitant Transcatheter Aortic and Mitral Valve-in-Valve Replacements Using Transfemoral Devices Via the Transapical Approach: First Case in United States

![Figure][1] nn[Video 1][2]nnTransesophageal echocardiogram demonstrating severe intraprosthetic mitral regurgitation caused by a flail leaflet.nnnn![Figure][1] nn[Video 2][3]nnDeployment of the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve inside the Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthesis in the

Impact of Methodologic Differences in Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Measurements of the Aortic Annulus Compared with Computed Tomographic Angiography Before Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Background: Three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiographic (3DE) imaging is an alternative to multi–detector row computed tomography (MDCT) for aortic annular measurement before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A commonly used direct planimetry from a reconstructed short‐axis view has not been compared with semiautomated 3DE methods. Typically accepted optimal cutoffs for percent prosthesis‐area oversizing of the balloon‐expandable SAPIEN or SAPIEN XT valve to native annular size are approximately 5% to 15%. The aim of this study was to compare semiautomated and direct planimetric 3DE methods for aortic annular sizing with a gold standard of MDCT to determine predictive value for paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) and balloon postdilatation. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, aortic annular cross‐sectional area was measured from pre‐TAVR imaging using (1) MDCT (CT_Area), (2) a 3D transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) semiautomated method (3DE_Area_SA), and (3) a 3D TEE direct planimetric method (3DE_Area_Direct). Annular area percent oversizing was calculated. PVR after TAVR was assessed from intraoperative TEE imaging. Need for balloon postdilatation was recorded. Results: One hundred patients who underwent TAVR with either the SAPIEN or SAPIEN XT balloon‐expandable prosthesis were analyzed. Twenty‐three patients had mild or greater PVR after TAVR. CT_Area was 442 ± 79 mm2, 3DE_Area_SA was 435 ± 81 mm2, and 3DE_Area_Direct was 429 ± 82 mm2. Both 3DE_Area_SA and 3DE_Area_Direct underestimated MDCT (P < .05). All methods were highly correlative (R = 0.88–0.93, P < .0001). Percent oversizing obtained by the three methods significantly predicted mild or greater PVR and need for balloon postdilatation by receiver operating characteristic analysis, with optimal cutoffs for CT_Area (9%–10%) and 3DE_Area_SA (14%) within the recommended ranges for the studied transcatheter valves and for 3DE_Area_Direct higher than the recommended range (18%–19%). Inter‐ and intraobserver reproducibility were lowest for 3DE_Area_Direct. Conclusions: Caution must be used when using 3D TEE direct planimetry of the aortic annulus, as optimal percent oversizing ranges approach the level associated with root injury, and measurements are less reproducible. Therefore, semiautomated 3DE planimetry is preferred to 3DE direct planimetry for aortic annulus sizing.