Outcomes of Bioprosthetic Valve Fracture in Patients Undergoing Valve-in-Valve TAVR.

Background: Valve-in-valve (VIV) transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasingly used to treat degenerated surgical bioprostheses. Bioprosthetic valve fracture (BVF) has been shown to improve hemodynamic status in VIV TAVR in case series. However, the safety and efficacy of BVF are unknown.
Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of VIV TAVR using SAPIEN 3 and SAPIEN 3 Ultra valves with or without BVF using data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons/American College of Cardiology TVT (Transcatheter Valve Therapy) Registry.
Methods: The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included echocardiography-derived valve gradient and aortic valve area. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for baseline characteristics.
Results: A total of 2,975 patients underwent VIV TAVR from December 15, 2020, to March 31, 2022. BVF was attempted in 619 patients (21%). In adjusted analyses, attempted BVF was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.30-4.84) and life-threatening bleeding (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.44-4.50). At discharge, VIV TAVR with attempted BVF was associated with larger aortic valve area (1.6 cm ² vs 1.4 cm ² ; P < 0.01) and lower mean gradient (16.3 mm Hg vs 19.2 mm Hg; P < 0.01). When BVF was compared with no BVF according to timing (before vs after transcatheter heart valve implantation), BVF after transcatheter heart valve implantation was associated with improved hemodynamic status and similar mortality.
Conclusions: BVF as an adjunct to VIV TAVR with the SAPIEN 3 and SAPIEN 3 Ultra valves is associated with a higher risk for in-hospital mortality and significant bleeding and modest improvements in echocardiography-derived hemodynamic status. The timing of BVF is an important determinant of safety and efficacy.
Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures No funding was obtained for this study. Statistical support was provided by Edwards Lifesciences. The views or opinions presented here do not represent those of the American College of Cardiology, the STS, or the STS/ACC TVT Registry. Dr Chhatriwalla is a member of the Speakers Bureau of Abbott Vascular, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic; is a proctor for Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic; and has received research support from Boston Scientific. Dr Allen is a proctor and Speakers Bureau member for Abbott Vascular, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic; and has received research grant support from Boston Scientific (all payments to institution). Dr Depta is a consultant and/or advisory board member for Edwards Lifesciences, Boston Scientific, W.L. Gore & Associates, Abbott, Medtronic, and V-Wave. Dr Garcia is a proctor for Edwards Lifesciences; has received research support from Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, and Boston Scientific; is a consultant for Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Edwards Lifesciences; and is supported by the Harold C. Schott Foundation Endowed Chair for Structural and Valvular Heart Disease. Dr Whisenant is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic. Dr Thourani is an advisor or does research with Abbott Vascular, Artivion, Atricure, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Jenavalve, Medtronic, and Shockwave. Dr Zahr is a consultant for Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic. Dr Rodriguez is a consultant or receives research support from Abbott Vascular, Atricure, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, and Cardiomech.
(Copyright © 2023 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)