Rate, correlates, and outcomes of hemodynamic valve deterioration after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Objectives Treatment expenditure of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to younger individuals may potentially be limited by valve durability. Long-term hemodynamic performance of transcatheter aortic valves is not well documented. This study sought to determine the incidence, predisposing factors and outcomes of hemodynamic valve deterioration (HVD) after TAVR. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing TAVR between May 2007 and December 2018 (67.0% Sapien, 14.6% Evolut, 6.8% Acurate, 6.8% Portico, 4.8% other) were prospectively studied. Baseline assessment included echocardiography, laboratory, and clinical assessment. Echocardiographic and laboratory follow-up after TAVR was performed prior to discharge, at 3 and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. HVD was defined by Doppler assessment according to Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 criteria as a ≥10 mm Hg increase in mean gradient to ≥20 mm Hg OR worsening of (para-)prosthetic regurgitation ≥1/3 class to ≥moderate. The primary endpoint was the incidence of HVD. All-cause mortality served as secondary endpoint. Multivariate cox regression was used for outcome analysis. Results 649 patients (82.2±6.7 y/o, 55.5% female, EuroSCORE II 4.4±1.0) were analyzed. Among survivors with available echo data from ≥2 follow-ups (n=382), the incidence of HVD was 6.8% (n=26; 4.1% per valve-year), with no difference between valve types. Modes of HVD were stenosis (n=8), regurgitation (n=14), and both (n=4). Median time to HVD was 14.2 months (interquartile range, 9.4 to 35.0 months), and was significantly shorter in patients in the highest age quartile (Q4 vs. Q1–3: log-rank, p<0.01, Figure). Also, increased age was the only factor that independently predisposed for HVD (Q4 vs. Q1–3: adjusted hazard ratio [adj HR]: 2.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30–6.30, p<0.01). Following TAVR, 355 patients (54.7%) had died after 64.2±31.9 months. Independent predictors of mortality were (para-)prosthetic regurgitation >mild at discharge (HR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.21–2.06, p<0.001), male sex (HR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.24–2.00, p<0.001), baseline NT-proBNP serum levels (graded into quartiles, HR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.17–1.46, p<0.001), and diabetes (HR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.08–1.76, p=0.011), but not time-dependent HVD (p>0.05, Figure). Conclusion This study reports good hemodynamic performance of transcatheter aortic valves up to 8 years following intervention. The incidence of HVD, which may develop over time – especially in the elderly –, is low and does not impact survival. Conversely, (para-)prosthetic regurgitation early after TAVR conveys detrimental prognostic implications and needs to be avoided – particularly in younger patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Hemodynamic valve deterioration in TAVR