Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Pure Native Aortic Valve Regurgitation: A Systematic Review

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a recent and an effective treatment option for high- or extreme-surgical-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. However, pure severe native aortic valve regurgitation (NAVR) without aortic stenosis remains a contraindication to TAVR. The aim of our systemic review analysis was to evaluate TAVR in patients with pure NAVR.

We searched the published articles in the PubMed and Web of Science databases (2002-2017) using the Boolean operators for studies of NAVR patients undergoing TAVR. Reference lists of all returned articles were searched recursively for other relevant citations. Pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis.

Finally, a total of 10 studies were included in this analysis. The CoreValve was more frequently used with a lower rate of device success and a higher rate of residual aortic regurgitation. The new-generation transcatheter heart valves (THVs) performed a significantly higher rate with less residual aortic regurgitation and a success rate close to 100%. The 30-day all-cause mortality rates ranged from 0 to 30% with an estimate summary rate of 9% (95% CI: 5-15%; I2 = 33%). Cerebrovascular events, major or life-threatening bleeding, major vascular complications, acute kidney disease, and new permanent pacemaker implantation occurred similarly in both the new- and old-generation THV devices.

Aortic regurgitation remains a challenging pathology for TAVR. TAVR is a feasible and reasonable option for carefully selected patients with pure aortic regurgitation.