Objectives: To date transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) has mostly been performed
in the context of highly selective early feasibility trials (EFTs). This study reports
early single-center experience in a real-world TMVI cohort outside study protocol
restrictions.
Methods: From 2016 to 2020, a total of 37 patients received TMVI treatment at our site. Of
these, 13 patients were treated using the Tendyne (Abbott Medical, Illinois, USA;
n = 9) or TIARA (Neovasc Inc., British Columbia, Canada; n = 4) transapical TMVR systems as part of compassionate use programs or as early commercial
implants by an interdisciplinary heart team in a hybrid OR. After informed consent
was given clinical and echocardiographic data were prospectively collected at baseline,
discharge and follow-up.
Result: All patients (median age: 77 years, 66.7% female) were severely symptomatic (NYHA
III/IV) and were classified as high surgical risk (logEuroSCORE II 8.1%, STS Score
4.1%). Mitral regurgitation (MR) etiology was primary (46.2%), secondary (38.5%) or
mixed (15.4%). Reduced stroke volume index (<35 mL/min) was found in 53.8% of patients.
Reasons for trial screen failure in noncommercial implants were impaired RV function,
three moderate TR and status post aortic valve replacement, in 72.7, 63.6, and 63.6%,
respectively. Severe mitral annulus calcification was present in four patients.
Procedural success rate was 100% and all patients were extubated immediately in the
OR. Median procedure time was 150 minutes. Cardiac index as assessed by Swan Ganz
catheterization increased from 1.71 L/min/m2 before to 1.85 L/min/m2 after TMVI (median, p = 0.06) and sPAP was significantly reduced from 48 to 38 mm Hg (median, p = 0.008). Echocardiography at discharge demonstrated trace/no valvular MR in all
patients, in one patient mild paravalvular leakage was found, and low mean transmitral
gradients with a median of 3.0 mm Hg. Furthermore, LVEDV was reduced significantly
from 114.6 to 86.5 mL (median, p = 0.03). Symptomatic relief with NYHA class of £ II was achieved in the majority
of patients. Mortality was 0.0% after 30 days (n = 0/11) and 18.2% (n = 2/11) at 6 months with 1 cardiovascular death.
Conclusion: In this real-world TMVI cohort of selected patients, acute safety and efficacy and
favorable hemodynamic outcomes were demonstrated. TMVI may further complement treatment
algorithms for high-risk patients with severe MR if these preliminary results are
confirmed in larger patient cohorts.