Outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for pure native aortic regurgitation with the use of newer- vs. early-generation devices

BACKGROUND: Accumulated experience and advances in device technology have led to the increasing off-label use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for pure native aortic valve regurgitation (PNAR). This study aimed to evaluate the procedural and long-term outcomes of using newer-generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs) versus early-generation self-expanding CoreValve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA) to treat PNAR. METHODS: TAVRs were performed with the use of early- (N=15) and newer-generation (N=10) THVs in a total of 25 consecutive PNAR patients at an intermediate-to-high risk for surgical aortic valve replacement [mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of 6.8±4.5]. Procedural and clinical outcomes were reported according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 criteria. The primary end-point of the study was all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), disabling stroke, and readmission due to heart failure. RESULTS: The device success rate of the newer-generation THVs was significantly higher than that of the early-generation CoreValve (100% vs. 33%, P<0.01), which was mainly driven by less frequent need for implanting a second THV (0% vs. 53%, P<0.01). Although the procedural success rates were 100% for both early- and newer-generation valves, the mean procedure fluoroscopic times which the newer-generation device group required, were significantly shorter (P<0.01) and the amount of contrast medium used in this group, markedly smaller (P<0.01), compared to those of the early-generation CoreValve group. During a median follow-up of 14 months, event-free survival was better in patients undergoing TAVR with the newer-generation THVs, although the differences were not statistically significant (log-rank test, P=0.137). According to multivariate analysis, a higher baseline STS score and longer intensive care unit stays are independent predictors of adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Evidently, the treatment of PNAR with TAVR using the newer-generation THVs yielded better procedural outcomes and is a valuable therapeutic option in selective patients. KEYWORDS: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR); pure native aortic regurgitation (AR); transcatheter heart valves (THVs); procedural and clinical outcomes