Trend and Outcomes of Direct Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement from a Single-Center Experience

When transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was introduced, pre-implantation balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) was a routine part of the procedure. Smaller device profiles have resulted in selective use of BAV; however, there is a paucity of data about the trend in use of direct TAVR and the safety of this strategy.

All patients who underwent TAVR at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center from September 2013 to November 2016 were included in this retrospective analysis. We reviewed angiography films and verified with procedure reports to assess if direct TAVR was performed. Troponin T was assessed within 72 h after the TAVR. Multivariate analysis examined the association between direct TAVR and periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) or 1-year mortality.

Overall, 207 patients were available for analysis. The mean follow-up was 13.3 months. A balloon-expandable valve was used 93.2% of the time, and 35.3% of patients were treated with conscious sedation. Periprocedural MI or 1-year mortality occurred in 12.5% of the direct TAVR group versus 18.3% of the pre-implantation BAV group (p = 0.30). After controlling for potential confounding variables, direct TAVR was not associated with periprocedural MI or 1-year mortality.

Direct TAVR appears to be safe and is not associated with periprocedural MI or 1-year mortality. With current generation devices, this strategy can be considered for most patients undergoing TAVR.