Association between implantation depth assessed by computed tomography and new-onset conduction disturbances after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is often associated with intraventricular conduction disturbances. We aimed to determine the association between implantation depth assessed by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and new-onset conduction abnormalities after TAVR. Retrospective single-center study including patients consecutively submitted to TAVR, between August/2007 and October/2016, who underwent routine MDCT 3 months after the procedure. The endpoint of conduction disturbances included permanent pacemaker implantation and/or new-onset left bundle-branch block. Implantation depth was determined as the distance between the ventricular end of the prothesis and the native ring, at the level of the non-coronary cusp. 138 patients were included (female gender 52.2%, mean age 78.7 ± 6.9 years). The EuroSCORE II was 4.0 ± 3.9% and 57.2% were treated with self-expanding prosthesis. The endpoint of conduction abnormalities was found in 45.7% (n = 63). The implantation depth was greater in the group with conduction disturbances (7.7 vs 6.4 mm, p = 0.006). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, oversizing and implantation depth were independent predictors of conduction abnormalities. Implantation depth had an AUC of 0.64 (p = 0.004) for the prediction of conduction abnormalities and a cut-off value of 7.1 mm predicted the composed endpoint with a sensitivity and specificity of 65% and 70%, respectively. Implantation depth assessed by MDCT is associated with new-onset conduction disturbances after TAVR. In patients with conduction abnormalities, which do not qualify for the immediate implantation of pacemaker, the assessment of implantation depth by MDCT may be an additional marker of risk to aid decision-making.

Almeida JG ，Ferreira SM ，Fonseca P ，Dias T ，Guerreiro C ，Barbosa AR ，Teixeira P ，Carvalho M ，Ferreira W ，Ferreira ND ，Oliveira M ，Gonçalves H ，Braga P ，Ribeiro J ，Primo J ，Ribeiro VG ... -  《-》

Predictors of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With the SAPIEN 3.

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a balloon-expandable transcatheter valve (Edwards SAPIEN 3). New-onset conduction disturbances requiring PPMI remain a major concern following TAVR. Predictors are not yet well defined. The influence of angiographic implantation depth, device landing zone calcium volume, oversizing, pre- and post-dilation, and baseline conduction disturbances on PPMI rate was analyzed in 229 patients undergoing TAVR with the SAPIEN 3 device. PPMI was performed in 14.4% of patients. Patients requiring PPMI had higher left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) calcium volume in the area below the left coronary cusp (LVOTLC) and the area below right coronary cusp (LVOTRC) (LVOTLC median calcium 23.7 mm3 vs. 3.0 mm3; p < 0.001; LVOTRC median calcium 6.6 mm3 vs. 0.3 mm3; p = 0.014), a higher prevalence of pre-existing right bundle branch block (15% vs. 2%, p = 0.004), and lower implantation depth (ventricular portion of the stent frame 29 ± 12% vs. 21 ± 5%; p < 0.001). On multivariate regression analysis, LVOTLC calcium volume >13.7 mm3, LVOTRC calcium volume >4.8 mm3, pre-existing right bundle branch block, and implantation depth >25.5% emerged as independent predictors of PPMI. Upon modification of the implantation technique, aiming at a high final valve position, implantation depth decreased from 24% ventricular portion to 21% (p = 0.012), accompanied by a decrease in PPMI rate (19.2% vs. 9.2%; p = 0.038). LVOTLC and LVOTRC calcium load, baseline right bundle branch block, and implantation depth were identified as independent predictors of the need for PPMI post-TAVR. Patient groups with different PPMI risk could be stratified using these 4 predictors. A slightly higher valve implantation site may prevent excessive PPMI rates.

Mauri V ，Reimann A ，Stern D ，Scherner M ，Kuhn E ，Rudolph V ，Rosenkranz S ，Eghbalzadeh K ，Friedrichs K ，Wahlers T ，Baldus S ，Madershahian N ，Rudolph TK ... -  《-》

A Highly Predictive Risk Model for Pacemaker Implantation After TAVR.

This study sought to develop a robust and definitive risk model for new permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) after SAPIEN 3 (third generation balloon expandable valve) (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (third generation balloon expandable valve TAVR), including calcification in the aortic-valvular complex (AVC). The association between calcium in the AVC and need for PPMI is poorly delineated after third generation balloon expandable valve TAVR. At Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, California, a total of 240 patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent third generation balloon expandable valve TAVR and had contrast computed tomography. AVC was characterized precisely by leaflet sector and region. The total new PPMI rate was 14.6%. On multivariate analysis for predictors of PPMI, pre-procedure third generation balloon expandable valve TAVR, right bundle branch block (RBBB), shorter membranous septum (MS) length, and noncoronary cusp device-landing zone calcium volume (NCC-DLZ CA) were included. Predictive probabilities were generated using this logistic regression model. If 3 pre-procedural risk factors were present, the c-statistic of the model for PPMI was area under the curve of 0.88, sensitivity of 77.1%, and specificity of 87.1%; this risk model had high negative predictive value (95.7%). The addition of the procedural factor of device depth to the model, with the parameter of difference between implantation depth and MS length, combined with RBBB and NCC-DLZ CA increased the c-statistic to 0.92, sensitivity to 94.3%, specificity to 83.8%, and negative predictive value to 98.8% CONCLUSIONS: By using a precise characterization of distribution of calcification in the AVC in a single-center, retrospective study, NCC-DLZ CA was found to be an independent predictor of new PPMI post-third generation balloon expandable valve TAVR. The findings also reinforce the importance of short MS length, pre-existing RBBB, and ventricular implantation depth as important synergistic PPMI risk factors. This risk model will need validation by future prospective multicenter studies.

Maeno Y ，Abramowitz Y ，Kawamori H ，Kazuno Y ，Kubo S ，Takahashi N ，Mangat G ，Okuyama K ，Kashif M ，Chakravarty T ，Nakamura M ，Cheng W ，Friedman J ，Berman D ，Makkar RR ，Jilaihawi H ... -  《-》

Computed tomography (CT) assessment of the membranous septal anatomy prior to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 valve.

The lower limit of the membranous septum (MS) is considered an anatomic landmark for the emergence of the Bundle of His into the left ventricle. Computed tomography (CT) assessment of MS anatomy may provide useful information about the risk of conduction abnormalities following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The study included 102 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR with the Edwards Sapien 3 (S3) valve. Using pre-TAVR CT and post-procedure angiography we evaluated for the presence of calcium in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), calcium depth (CD), implantation depth (ID) and MS length. The MS length minus the prosthesis ID was calculated (Delta MSID). Outcomes included new left bundle branch block (LBBB) or permanent pacemaker (PPM) within 30days. Seventeen patients (17%) received a PPM and 28 (27%) developed new LBBB following TAVR. Mean (±SD) MS length and delta MSID were 7.5mm (2) and 0.9mm (4.5), respectively. Twenty-one patients (20%) had calcium in the device landing zone and the mean (SD) CD was 6.8mm (±4). Calcium in the device landing zone (37% versus 16%, p=0.02) and implantation depth (6mm (4-8) versus 4mm (4-5), p=0.02) predicted new conduction abnormalities after TAVR. The presence of calcium in the device landing zone is associated with increased risk of conduction abnormalities after TAVR with S3. In such cases, a more aortic deployment of the prosthesis may be warranted.

Oestreich BA ，Mbai M ，Gurevich S ，Nijjar PS ，Adabag S ，Bertog S ，Kelly R ，Garcia S ... -  《-》

Predictors for new-onset conduction block in patients with pure native aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a new-generation self-expanding valve (VitaFlow Liberty(™)): a retrospective cohort study.

New-generation self-expanding valves can improve the success rate of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe pure native aortic regurgitation (PNAR). However, predictors of new-onset conduction block post-TAVR using new-generation self-expanding valves in patients with PNAR remain to be established. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors of new-onset conduction block post-TAVR using new-generation self-expanding valves (VitaFlow Liberty™) in patients with PNAR. In this retrospective cohort study, patients were categorized into pacemaker and non-pacemaker groups based on their need for new postoperative permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI). Based on the postoperative presence of either new-onset complete left bundle branch block (cLBBB) or high-grade atrioventricular block (AVB), patients were further classified into conduction disorder and non-conduction disorder groups. Laboratory, echocardiographic, computed tomography, preoperative and postoperative electrocardiography, and procedural and clinical data were collected immediately after TAVR and during hospitalization and compared between the groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed incorporating the significant variables from the univariate analyses. This study examined 68 consecutive patients with severe PNAR who underwent TAVR. In 20 patients, a permanent pacemaker was fitted postoperatively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed an association between the need for postoperative PPI and preoperative complete right bundle branch block (cRBBB) or first-degree AVB, as well as a non-tubular left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). In addition, valve implantation depth and angle of aortic root were independent predictors of new-onset cLBBB or high-grade AVB developing post-TAVR. The predictive value of valve implantation depth and angle of aortic root was further supported by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results. In patients with PNAR undergoing TAVR using self-expanding valves, preoperative cRBBB or first-degree AVB and a non-tubular LVOT were indicators of a higher likelihood of PPI requirement. Moreover, deeper valve implantation depth and greater angle of aortic root may be independent risk factors for new-onset cLBBB or high-grade AVB post-TAVR. Valve implantation depth and angle of aortic root values may be used to predict the possibility of new cLBBB or high-grade AVB post-TAVR.

Zhang X ，Liang C ，Zha L ，Zuo Q ，Hu G ，Ding J ，Tang S ... -  《-》